#rolled a third ssr for him another time soon

[megan-is-mia]

Since Rook's SSR is coming soon, can i request nsfw for him with manipulative yandere prompt 8? Also with hunter and prey stuff?

8. “You’ll be safe as long as you stay with me.” (Yandere! Rook Hunt x Fem! Reader) (WARNING NFSW AND NON-CON AHEAD) She should have felt honored to be invited. Night Raven College’s Fall Ball was only for 3rd years and honor-roll 2nd years. So there should have been no reason for (Y/n) to find herself at the prestigious event. Yet for some reason that she could not figure, the Pomefiore vice-dorm leader Rook Hunt had asked her to be his date. She should have refused and if she’d known what would happen she would have. Instead she’d been so flummoxed that the older boy had asked her, that she simply accepted his proposal. Now she was here, at a party where she could not recognize a single face. Not even her own face looked like hers under all the make-up that had been caked upon it. The petticoat under her dress itched and her shoes felt too tight. This night was turning out to be miserable and worst of all Rook seemed unaware of her plight. The blonde seemed to only be focused on the gayety of the event and couldn’t stop smiling like a Cheshire Cat. It wasn’t until (Y/n) squeezed his arm tightly that he seemed to remember she was accompanying him at this gathering. “Where are my manners? I shouldn’t let my mind and eye wander so when I have such a lovely thing on my arm” Rook said directing his gaze on (Y/n) and grinning. “Would you honor me with a dance Mademoiselle?” he said already pulling (Y/n) towards the dance floor regardless of her answer. Mercifully the music was a slow waltz, allowing (Y/n) to simply sway to the beat as Rook’s hand rested on her waist to guide her. In another situation it might have felt romantic but all (Y/n) could think about was how she must have stuck out compared to the other students. Her thoughts were interrupted by Rook’s arm suddenly tightening and pressing her flush against his chest making her forehead bump against his collarbone. (Y/n) went stiff as a board at this move, hardly breathing for the risk of breathing in the blonde’s cologne. Regaining control over her limbs at last, (Y/n) abruptly shoved at Rook’s chest to escape his grip and scampered out of the ballroom with many judging eyes on her fleeing figure. Wandering down the hallway to the bathroom she slipped inside and collapsed against the sink. Staring at her made-up reflection (Y/n) frowned and began frantically scrubbing away at her face. Using a combination of water from the sink and paper towels she was able to clean her face of most the makeup. Sure her skin was rubbed raw in a few spots but she felt like herself again and smiled weakly. Stepping out of her itchy petticoat and tight shoes brought a bigger smile to her face and a deep sigh of relief left her lips. After a few more minutes of collecting herself in the bathroom went by before she stepped back into the hallway and received a nasty surprise. “I thought you might do that” Rook said from his spot leaning against the opposite wall of the hallway to the bathroom. “Sorry for overwhelming you, why don’t we get you home (Y/n)” he added standing straight and offering his arm to the girl. “I can get back to (F/d) on my own thanks” (Y/n) said shaking her head and trying to put her foot down on the third-year’s offer. Ignoring her words, Rook took her hand anyways and began walking to the building’s exit. “Nonsense, it’d be bad behavior for a gentleman like myself to let my date walk home alone” Rook said cheerfully giving (Y/n)’s hand a squeeze as they walked. (Y/n) let out a defeated sigh and resigned herself to enduring the blonde’s presence for a little longer. They walked in silence until the girl had an abrupt revelation. “Hey this isn’t the way to (F/d)... where are we going Hunt?” (Y/n) said mildly perplexed and tried to pull from Rook whose grip became iron as she tried to move. “I’m not kidding let go of me! Where are you taking me!” (Y/n) said continuing to struggle frantically. The boy’s grip remained unforgiving as he came to a sudden stop. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been watch you (Y/n)?” Room said quietly as he gazed down at the girl. “I’ve been very patient you know, an entire year of being patient and climbing the ranks so I could invite you to the Ball without interference. And now I intend to take you back to Pomefiore so we can finish our first date with a bang” he continued with a low-pitched chuckle, the double meaning of his final sentence obvious to the frightened girl. “However since I am a gentleman, I will give you a chance to refuse. If you can make it across the forest back to your dorm without being caught I’ll leave you alone, forever if you so choose” Rook said lightly. “However if I catch you, I get to take you back to Pomefiore, and you’ll transfer out of (F/d) come tomorrow” he added squeezing her hand again. “Although if you give up now and come back to my dorm willingly I might be willing to let you stay in (F/d) instead of transferring to Pomefiore. The choice is yours” Rook went on with a grin as he wrapped a hand around (Y/n)’s waist. Without a moment’s hesitation, (Y/n) wriggled away from the blonde and started running cursing the fact her shoes had been left at the dance hall. “Ah, so you intent to try and make a break for it? Wonderful I love a good hunt” Rook called out after her. He did not immediately give chase, afterall it was more fun when his prey thought they stood a chance of outwitting a hunter like him. After a long moment he sprang into action with an excited grin on his face. For a long time the only sound (Y/n could hear was the sound of her own thumping heart and twigs cracking under her feet. But here was another sound barely acknowledged by her frightened a whizzing sound that turned out to be crossbow bolts flying by her head before becoming embedded in nearby trees. Rook wasn’t just hunting her in a metaphoric sense she suddenly realized, he had magicked up a crossbow and was legitimately trying to hunt her. Another bolt went flying and there was an abrupt rush of pain in (Y/n)’s leg as the projectile lodged into her flesh. The girl toppled over, the bolt having hit a vital spot that made her helpless as the hunter drew closer. “Oh (Y/n) how I do hate to see you cry” Rook drawled lowering his crossbow before returning it to its holster on his back . “But don’t you see? You’ll be safe as long as you stay with me, just let me take care of you and everything will be fine” he went on scooping (Y/n) up and cradling her her in his arms as they made their way out of the forest and up the front stairs to Pomefiore then inside. (Y/n) was in too much pain to fight back as Rook set her on his bed and retrieved a first aid kit to treat her wounded leg. However once he was finished patching her up, his grip did not loosen on her leg. In fact he began kissing up the length of it to the top of her thigh under her dress. “Now will I have to rip this pretty dress of yours up or will you take it off willingly for me?” Rook cooed resting his cheek on (Y/n)’s thigh and grinning up at her. Reluctantly the girl reached back behind her to try and undo the buttons of the dress but her fingers shook to much to achieve anything. “I can’t get the buttons to cooperate!” (Y/n) squeaked out fearful that Rook would take her actions as resistance and destroy the dress. However he only smiled again and sat up reaching around to undo the buttons without looking. As the dress fell off (Y/n)’s shoulder and came to rest around her waist Rook buried his head between her breasts. “Naughty girl, not wearing a bra to such a classy event” Rook purred kissing the skin between her boobs almost reverently. “I’m thankful you didn’t go commando too, I don’t think I could stand the knowledge of all those people seeing you without underpants” he went on continuing to pepper kisses against her skin. “It wasn’t like that! The dress had a built-in-bra! I’m not that kind of girl!” (Y/n) protested trying to weakly push Rook away her cheeks flushed a vibrant pink. The blonde ignored her good-naturedly as he lifted her hips up to slide the dress down to her thighs and then off onto the floor. “Of course you’re not, you’re my kind of girl is what you are” Rook said looking down hungrily at the panties concealing (Y/n)’s last shred of decency and licked his lips. However he restrained himself and underdressed himself down to only his undergarments as well. He noticed with satisfaction that (Y/n)’s eyes couldn’t help being attracted to the bulge in his boxers. Rook hooked a finger under the waistband of (Y/n)’s panties dragging them down her legs as his mouth latched onto one of her tits and he sucked. The hand that had removed her underwear returned to poke and prod at her cunt to loosen her up for his cock. The other hand took up residency on her other breast pinching and teasing it relentlessly. (Y/n) tried to keep her voice down, not wanting to have anyone find out she was here and humiliate her further. Unwillingly she began bucking her hips down on Rook’s finger as it was joined by the rest of his fingers as he stretched her carefully. Once her muscles had mostly relaxed he pulled his hand free to discard his boxers and used her fluids to lube up his cock before he lined himself up to thrust into her. “Try to breath for me (Y/n) and stay relaxed this will only hurt as much as you make it” Rook drawled as he began to sink into her pussy with a low groan. Almost immediately she tensed up against him before going limp and allowing him further entry. The blonde pressed kisses to her cheeks and lips in an effort to keep her distracted from the pain until he bottomed out in her. Rook’s thrusts were slow and steady forcing (Y/n) to feel every minuet sensation of the experience. At first her hands were clenched into fists and her nails dug into her palms as she twitched in agonizing pleasure until Rook forced her hands open. Placing one on his back and holding the other with his own he grinned down at her. “If you’re so determined to dig your nails into something why don’t you try me hmm?” Rook purred, his thrusts picking up speed a little but remaining steady and pleasure giving. Obediently (Y/n) dug her nails into the male’s flesh making a painful spike of pleasure go through his system goading him into speeding up again until the bed was shaking beneath them.

To her credit (Y/n) remained quiet through the whole endevour even as her head lolled back and her mouth hung wide as an orgasm rolled over her and was soon followed by Rook’s cum filling her as he came as well. The blonde pulled out of her and cleaned the both of them up before slipping under the covers with her held close to his chest. “Of all the beautiful creatures I’ve hunted you are the most satisfying catch I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to show you off to my dormmates tomorrow at breakfast” Rook said sleepily as he nuzzled the back of (Y/n)’s neck and drifted off to sleep. The girl did not find rest until well after midnight when her eyelids finally fell shut and she had peace for a few hours... THE END

#Yandere Twisted Wonderland #Twisted Wonderland #Yandere Rook Hunt #Rook Hunt

[agentamethystelf]

Sixth times the charm

Peggysous week day 2: five times (and an optional +1)

Summary/ notes: Five times they didn't get that drink (and one time they did)

Next stop on the peggysous train: Pining Station!

Also posted here on AO3

1.

The first time was an offhanded gesture, more out of friendly chivalry than anything else.

Peggy was more than a little happy at being directly invited for after hours drinks and Daniel was right there, looking like someone had dragged him backwards through a hedge. He declined politely, but there was something in his smile that she couldn't put her finger on.

(She realised what it was when he confronted her in that back alley.)

2.

The second time, Daniel was the one to ask.

He approached her bare, without his crutch. It felt more authentic somehow. She knew her value, and nobody else's opinion really mattered. Still, he cared and, sure, he had idolised her but he promised himself that he'd work on that.

"Uh, hey, I was gonna grab a drink."

"Right at this moment? It's nine o'clock in the morning."

"No, no, after I clock out. Wanna join me?"

It was soft enough to be taken as a friendly invite yet real enough that it could become more. Daniel didn't expect anything of the sort but he definitely wasn't opposed to the idea.

"Maybe another time, alright? I've got to meet a friend."

Another time would have to do.

(It wouldn't come for quite a while.)

3.

The third time almost doesn't count (undercover work being what it is) but since they nearly drank together and didn't, it does.

They were sat together at some new politicians charity gala, keeping a low profile as security. They mingled in the beginning, dressed to the nines and introducing themselves as Mr and Mrs Park, before retreating to a seat with a good vantage point of the venue.

Peggy sat with one hand around a wine glass, the other keeping a tight grip on her purse. "I assume we can't actually drink these?" she whispered, just loud enough to be picked up by Chief Thompson through her headpiece.

"Marge, the last thing we need is either of you drunk and slipping up. So no." Jack's voice crackled over the radio, feeding directly into her ear.

Daniel glanced over at Peggy just as she rolled her eyes at Jack's comment, going back to scanning the floor a moment later "Can we negotiate for a sip or two?"

"One singular sip, agents."

Peggy pushed her glass away all the same. "I'd need something stronger than wine to get through this anyway."

(They were there together but not together, not like their personas. It was nice to pretend, even just for one night.)

4.

By the fourth time their feelings for each other were nearing the point of no return but, for spies, they had some god awful timing.

"It seems the west coast is stealing away all of my friends," Peggy joked as soon as the rest of the office was done congratulating the new chief. "I'm expecting a call from Angie next, letting me know she's set her sights on the bright lights of Hollywood."

"Ah damn, I forgot Stark was moving to California too. Sure it's not too late to reject the promotion?"

Peggy laughed, laying a hand on her hip. "I'm sure Howard will grow on you. Eventually."

"I wouldn't go marking that date just yet Peg," Daniel retorted, leaning into his chair.

Peggy wasn't sure when he'd progressed to just calling her Peg. She liked it when he did.

That sent a little pang of something through her. Longing? Disappointment? Somewhere in between, maybe. Peggy would miss having him around as a friend in the office. She would miss having him around entirely.

"How about you and I grab a drink to celebrate?" Peggy asked. "Are you doing anything after your shift?"

Daniel looked down at his hands. "I can't tonight Peg. I promised my sisters I'd have dinner with them and if there's one thing I know, it's that you don't break a promise with the Sousa women."

There was that pang again. Of course, she wasn't jealous that Daniel already had plans with his sisters; it made perfect sense that they would want to spend time together as a family before he went away. Now, all she had to do was come up with a responsible answer without inviting herself over for dinner.

"Well, I hope you have a nice night. Will you tell them I said hello?"

"Yeah, I will."

Peggy nodded and suddenly the reality of it all was too much to bear and she needed to go. She grabbed a file she was done with and went to leave, but then...

"Peggy, wait."

"Yes?"

She turned and Daniel was stood at the end of his desk, just watching her.

"I- nevermind. It's nothing. I'll see you later."

(She walked away, and the next week he was gone.)

5.

Sixth months apart and Peggy asked again.

"That was quite a night. God, I could do with a drink," she said, as casually as she could. "How about you?"

Daniel paused for a moment, and Peggy realised this was a terrible idea. "I can't tonight. Maybe another time?"

"Yes, of course." She took a moment to just watch his reaction, from the way his gaze kept jumping from her and then back to the floor to the awkward nods as she reeled her invite back in. "I've forgotten my jacket, go on without me."

"Oh, night."

"Night."

She felt her face fall marginally.

A moment later her heart stopped.

"Daniel! Over here!"

Peggy heard him laugh sweetly. "What are you going here?"

She got to the window and pinched the blinds apart just in time to watch him wrap his arm around a woman across the street and kiss her soundly. Peggy watched them walk away, arm in arm, and she silently cursed herself for being so stupid. Of course he had found someone, he was a good man and any girl would be lucky to have him.

Daniel had sounded happy, so she would be happy for him.

(She met Violet the next day and she was absolutely deserving of his love.)

+1.

Finally, they had a quiet moment alone.

They were sat together in the gardens of Howard's villa, both with a glass of Dr Wilkes' criminally good wine in hand. He had left a bottle as his parting gift to the SSR folks.

At some point Peggy's hand had wandered to Daniel's and he hadn't needed any more prompting to intertwine their fingers, holding on like it was the last thing he would ever get to do. Peggy could feel the warmth coming from his body next to her but inside she yearned for more.

Slowly, she let go of Daniel's hand. Peggy wrapped an arm around his waist and used it to pull herself closer. She sank into him and let herself really relax for the first time in weeks. Daniel's arm snuck around her waist and then pulled her in further. With her right side now flush with his left, she felt almost scarily at home.

So many things had gone wrong and so many things were yet to be fixed, but having each other to lean on would be enough to get them through.

#peggysous week 2021 #peggysous #peggy carter #daniel sousa #agent carter

[jokertrap-ran]

(未定事件簿) 陆景和 SSR [绘恋春风] [Tears of Themis] Lu Jinghe SSR [Love upon a Spring’s Breeze] Card Story Translations (Part 2)

*Tears of Themis Masterlist / Lu Jinghe’s Masterlist is under construction. *Spoiler free: Translations will remain under cut *In which, Ran attempts Chinese…I’m certainly getting faster at this hmm...

Part 1 / Part 2 / Video Call

Lu Jinghe hadn’t been lying; the skill he had shown while drawing his own tattoo had been stunningly impressive.

Lu Jinghe: Think you can trust me now?

MC: Yup, I’m all yours!

Lu Jinghe: Sit over here then. We’ll start immediately.

MC: Okay.

I sat down in front of him, copying his earlier actions by rolling up my sleeve before sticking my arm out.

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

He gently took my hand. He observed my hand with a keen eye before taking in a deep breath, lowering his head once more as he started drawing. But this concentration of his was different from before; I could tell that he was handling my arm with utmost care.

Lu Jinghe: The pigment used in this Tattoo is quite special so you might be allergic to it.

Lu Jinghe: Tell me if you feel unwell at any moment in time.

MC: Okay…

Lu Jinghe: ……

Not another peep came from him following that. He was completely focused on drawing my Tattoo.

He skillfully maneuvered the brush, each stroke gentle and weighted. The way he was acting was almost as if he was holding a rare treasure in his hands. Looking at the expression on his face as he furrowed his brow in concentration, I couldn’t help but to relate it to the artists who had painted the Church murals during the Renaissance Period.

Was this how they looked whilst they painted the gods? Not just sincere, but more…affectionately so…?

MC: Lu Jinghe…

Lu Jinghe: …Don’t move, or I might miss a stroke.

MC: …Okay.

I shuddered as some of the stiffer bristles of the brush’s nib brushed against my skin. I couldn’t tell if what I felt was from the nervousness of getting my first Tattoo, or if it was from him, who was clearly acting extra serious and extra gentle in front of me.

All I could feel was scorching heat, burning forth from my heart to my skin, just like a Prairie Fire.

Lu Jinghe: Don’t be so flighty, it’ll be done soon.

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

MC: Can I say something?

I decided to find a topic to talk about, in an attempt to alleviate the inexplicable warmness in here.

Lu Jinghe: Go ahead.

MC: You haven’t yet told me just what this Semi-permanent Tattoo is.

Lu Jinghe: This is derived from a Traditional Handicraft; you can think of it as a type of Body Painting.

He lifted his head to glance at me, dragging out the syllabus as he spoke.

Lu Jinghe: But what makes Tattoos different from Body Paint is that it has the essence of emotion within.

MC: …You mean, like how couples tattoo each other’s names on the other as a form of expression of their love?

Lu Jinghe: That’s only one of the many.

Lu Jinghe: The meaning behind a Tattoo doesn’t always have to be how it’s drawn. It is it’s own expressive medium.

Lu Jinghe: The needle that pierces into your skin brings pain, also leaving the imprint of unspeakable feelings in its wake.

Lu Jinghe: All these other feelings that lie behind the Tattoo with accompany you for life, until the fateful end.

MC: How romantic…

Lu Jinghe: But those are all Permanent Tattoos. I’m afraid this one you have here will be completely gone by the time you go back up to Court.

Lu Jinghe: It may have a short life-span, but I hope you’ll always remember it.

MC: Don’t worry, I will.

Lu Jinghe: Good then…

He released his hold on my hand.

Lu Jinghe: It’s done. Take a look for yourself.

MC: This…looks similar to the one on your arm, but not quite?

Lu Jinghe: Yup. Take a closer look at the Lisianthus Flowers you have; what do they look like to you?

MC: …What do they look like?

I was full of questions as I bent down to take a closer look at the artwork on my arm.

Lu Jinghe: Yes, now try turning your wrist.

MC: ……

MC: Oh! I know, it’s “α”!

I turned my wrist just like he directed, the huge Lisianthus Flower following. I found something resembling a “α” between the leaves below the Flower when I turned my wrist side-to-side.

Lu Jinghe: That’s right, and the one on my hand…

He flashed his own Tattoos, pointing to a certain part of the design.

Lu Jinghe: An “ω”!

MC: This is way too magical!

Lu Jinghe: That’s not all there is to it too. There’s another symbol hidden between these two drawings.

MC: There’s a 3rd!?

I was taken by surprise at his revelation. He was able to hide 3 different ones in such a normal looking Flower?

Lu Jinghe: Well, it’s pretty normal for you to be unable to spot it, because the third one…

He suddenly lined his arm up with mine.

Lu Jinghe: Looks like this.

The two flowers became one when he joined them together, forming an odd symbol of sorts. I carefully observed the lines and gradually, a bold, but pretty good idea of what it could be came to mind.

MC: …It can’t be a…”∞”, now…can it?

Lu Jinghe: As expected of the Lawyer big sister, you saw though my design at a glance!

MC: But why put the Flowers together with those Symbols? They don’t seem to have any co-relation with each other.

I took the opportunity to ask him the question that had been festering in my heart. But Lu Jinghe only looked at me silently for a while before rolling his eyes. I had absolutely no idea what he was thinking about.

Lu Jinghe: “α” and “ω” are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet, respectively.

After that, he opened his mouth to speak once more.

Lu Jinghe: And when both images are placed together, it shows an steady, but endless path.

Lu Jinghe: And if we add on the Flower Language behind this particular flower…

He paused for a while.

Lu Jinghe: “The love I have for you is true and endless; Everlasting, from the beginning till the end of time itself”

MC: ……!

Lu Jinghe: …That’s how it’s explained in Literature.

MC: ……

Lu Jinghe: This is something that was originally engraved on the rings of a couple. I only used 2 of the symbols and re-designed it.

Lu Jinghe: I never had the chance to try it but I’m glad I could whip it out for a test today.

MC: So…I ended up being your Guinea Pig?

Lu Jinghe: But aren’t you pretty fond of this image too? …It doesn’t matter if you were my Guinea Pig or anything like that…

He turned his head, feeling slightly guilty.

MC: …It’s fine, I won’t roast you for it this time.

MC: But this picture’s really beautiful! Thank you, Lu Jinghe!

Lu Jinghe: So long as you like it.

I returned my gaze back to the Tattoo’s design, observing it with renewed interest. And that’s why I failed to notice Lu Jinghe’s small intake of breath as he silently whipped out his cellphone.

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Location: Inside the Experience Hall

MC: But this picture’s really beautiful! Thank you, Lu Jinghe!

Lu Jinghe: So long as you like it.

Xiao Jin: You guys done?

Xiao Jin, who had been waiting for us knocked on the door before opening it a peep, poking his head inside.

MC: We’re done. I’ll be leaving the Stamps to you then.

Xiao Jin: Not at all. Just stay around and chat a little, I’ll just be a jiffy.

He took the booklet and closed the door to the Experience Hall back up again after he said that.

MC: He’s really enthusiastic.

Lu Jinghe: He’s always been like this ever since he was in school.

Lu Jinghe: I really did trouble him today.

MC: How long have you know each other?

Lu Jinghe: He was a Graduate Student under my teacher back when I was still studying in Florence.

Lu Jinghe: But, there was a period of time where I didn’t see hide nor hair of him.

He gave a half-hearted sigh.

Lu Jinghe: He was busy with his own workplace after graduation and after I went back home…I didn’t really have much time to contact him either.

MC: But you two look like you get along really well.

Lu Jinghe: At that time, we were the only two people who came from the same country among the few students our teacher had.

Lu Jinghe: So we had more common topics to talk about, and we gradually became friends.

He looked at the far-end of the place, his dark orbs flickering with emotions.

Lu Jinghe: Back then, Xiao Jin and I would often group along with a couple of other friends.

Lu Jinghe: We’d create masterpieces together, share thoughts, insights and even have little competitions with each other when we felt like it.

Lu Jinghe: Those times were really the height of freedom, where we were free to roam and soar to new heights as we pleased…

Reminiscing such memories made a fond but peaceful expression appear on his features. Although he didn’t out-right say it, I could still feel his inner longing to return back to those times.

MC: That must have been some wonderful, memorable, memories.

Lu Jinghe: Yup. They are very special, and very happy memories.

Lu Jinghe: I don’t think I’ll ever get such a simple and carefree time in my life ever again…

He laughed bitterly at that. He seemed to think that it was all just a small and trivial matter, seemingly unbothered by it, but it left an odd feeling in my heart.

My gut urged me to say something to him.

MC: Lu Jinghe, you…

Not waiting for me to finish speaking, his cellphone suddenly vibrated to life.

Lu Jinghe: ……

MC: What’s wrong? Is it urgent matters relating to PAX?

Lu Jinghe: Wait here for a while, I’m going to go pick this up.

MC: No worries, your work comes first.

He nodded, answering the call on his way out. I watched his figure disappear through the door, swallowing the words that had been on the tip of my tongue.

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Waiting in boredom all by my lonesome, it wasn’t long before Xiao Jin, who went off to get our Stamps made an appearance again as he returned.

I took a photo of the Stamp and sent it to Cheng Cheng, confirming that I had completed the thing that was of top priority today. While waiting for Lu Jinghe to return, Xiao Jin and I started talking about the Tattoo I had on my arm.

Xiao Jin: As expected of  “The Amazing Lu Jinghe”!

He was also excited after having understood the mystery behind the Lisianthus Flowers.

Xiao Jin: Only he can think up of something so mysterious.

MC: The Amazing Lu Jinghe?

Xiao Jin: It’s the nickname all of us from Florence dubbed him. There weren’t many people who were as talented as that guy.

MC: Honestly, he’s even able to draw a Tattoo this well? His artistic talents really surpasses my expectations.

Xiao Jin: Talent plays a part as well, of course; but Lu Jinghe’s willingness to work hard is the top 1 or 2 in our school.

Xiao Jin: But it’s truly a pity…

He breathed a light sigh.

MC: A pity? You mean, him?

Xiao Jin: Yeah. I’m pretty sure he must have an immeasurable amount of stress and responsibilities on his shoulders now.

Xiao Jin: I’ve never once seen that cheery smile on his face ever since then; the joyful kind that comes with finding your inner-self and enjoying it…

He never opened his mouth again after that. I recalled what Lu Jinghe had said earlier and the feeling I felt then re-emerged from the depths of my heart once more.

What exactly was he feeling, to have let shown such an indifferent smile earlier?

Xiao Jin: But I’ll have to thank you today, for I don’t think I’d ever have gotten the chance to let him let loose if it wasn’t for you.

MC: Let loose? Thank me?

I was utterly confused as to why he was even trying to thank me.

MC: …Wait a minute, do you mean that everything that happened today…

I was told to re-queue and it had somehow turned out to be a DIY Tattoo experience…

MC: You mean, you were pulling the strings all along ever since we went to queue again!?

Xiao Jin: There are some things in this world you’re better off not knowing.

MC: ……

Lu Jinghe: What are you guys talking so happily about?

Lu Jinghe had already ended his call while we were both conversing with each other and returned.

I scrutinized his current expression and found nothing unusual.

Xiao Jin: Nothing. We were just making casual talk.

He blinked at me meaningfully.

Lu Jinghe: Right. Do you have any other arrangements after this, (Y/n)? Do you want me to send you to the Exchange Counter?

MC: Speaking off, Cheng Cheng just sent me a message saying that the Exchange Period’s already over.

Lu Jinghe: Is that so…pity, really.

MC: But…

I recalled the silly words Xiao Jin had told me earlier. Looking at Lu Jinghe in front of me, looking a little distressed, I secretly made a decision.

MC: How about we go round the other Experience Halls and try them out? I’ve not gone to a whole lot of them yet.

Lu Jinghe: ……

Lu Jinghe: Okay!

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Location: Home

After bathing, I sat on the sofa, listening to the news as I folded the laundry. My eyes fell to the Lisianthus Flower on my arm as it moved into my field of vision, making me halt in my movements.

MC: This Tattoo…it feels like something incredible no matter how you look at it…

MC: It’s a pity that it doesn’t last long…

I sighed regretfully as I remembered what Lu Jinghe had told be regarding it’s life-span. And then, I suddenly remembered something that I had forgotten for a long time.

MC: …So why didn’t I take a photo of it as a memory…?

MC: If I don’t take it today, I fear the Tattoo might already be gone by the next time I see him again.

I couldn’t help but to feel that it was all such a pity that those two images would never see the light of the day again once they were gone for good.

MC: Forget it, it’s gone if it’s gone. Maybe I’ll have another chance to do thing again in the future…

I was still in the midst of mentally preparing myself when Lu Jinghe called.

Lu Jinghe: You okay to be calling now?

MC: What’s up?

Lu Jinghe: Xiao Jin’s planning on riding the coat tails of his recent popularity boom from today to open up a shop in Stellis City.

Lu Jinghe: It’s slated to open near in the next half of next month and he has invited us both to go check the place out.

Lu Jinghe: How about it? You free?

MC: I do have the time to spare, but I’m not touching any Tattoos…

Lu Jinghe: Don’t worry, don’t you have me with you?

MC: That works too…

Lu Jinghe: It’s decided then. I’ll contact you again once the details are fixed.

MC: …Okay.

Lu Jinghe: ……

Lu Jinghe: What’s wrong? Not in a good mood?

MC: …I actually just remembered that I forgot to get a good photo of our completed Tattoos today.

I heaved a long suffering sigh.

MC: This kind of Tattoo doesn’t last long so it’ll probably be completely erased by the time we see each other again.

MC: It’s really a pity.

Lu Jinghe: Actually…I’ve already taken a photo.

MC: Really!?

His reply made me perk back up in joy.

MC: Could you send me a copy? I want to keep one to remember it by.

Lu Jinghe: Hmm…Then, beg for it. Beg, and I’ll send it your way.

MC: ……

MC: Farewell.

Lu Jinghe: Wait, wait! Don’t cut the line!

Lu Jinghe: I’m just joking; I’ll send it to you later.

MC: Thank you, I’ll make sure to save it.

Lu Jinghe: Actually, you don’t have to be so worried about a mere photo.

Lu Jinghe: I could always draw it again even if it’s gone.

Lu Jinghe: Whenever you require me, Tattoo Artist Lu Jinghe will always be at your service!

MC: Cut it out, please don’t.

He already has to manage his company all day long and complete his University Courses while he’s at it; how could I trouble him over such a small thing like this?

MC: You’re really busy so you should take the time to rest whenever you’re free.

Lu Jinghe: Being with you is the best form of rest to me.

Lu Jinghe: I’m really relaxed and happy when I’m with you.

Lu Jinghe: So don’t refuse me, big sis.

MC: ……

I could vaguely hear him breathing on the other end of the line, but none of us said anything.

MC: I…

Lu Jinghe: I’ll send the image to you in a moment so make sure you check if you get it.

Lu Jinghe: I’ve got a conference call incoming so I’m hanging up first.

He sounded a little rushed and flustered, unwittingly calming down as I felt the small urge to laugh.

MC: Go do your work then, see you again someday.

Lu Jinghe: Yeah, see you again.

Not long after we ended the call, I received the photograph of our completed set of Tattoos. Maybe he had been a little nervous while snapping it, for it was a little blurred. But the wonderful visual effect it provided blended in really well with the design it depicted. Looking at it, I felt a little lost.

The purple Lisianthus Flowers bloomed silently in the center of the screen, it’s vibrant colors standing out starkly from the rest of the room.

MC: “The love I have for you is true and endless; Everlasting, from the beginning till the end of time itself”

I recalled what he had previously told me.

MC: That’s so romantic; I really hope I…

MC: Wait a second, something’s not quite right here…?

MC: If that’s true, then doesn’t that make this a Couple Tattoo?

MC: Lu Jinghe! You baited me again!

Realizing that I had been baited into another one of his “ploys” hook, line and sinker, I felt ashamed and angry at having fallen for it; but I subconsciously stroked the tattoo on my inner forearm with my hand.

I don’t know why, but I wish it’ll disappear a little slower.

——𝔉𝔦𝔫.——

#Lu Jinghe #Translations #Otome #Mihoyo #陆景和 #未定事件簿 #Tears of Themis #绘恋春风 #Love upon a Spring’s Breeze #Tears of a Heir

[minimin1993]

B/L 14

Warning: Violence.

When they reached the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters Steve and Linda marched into Fury’s office. 

“You just can't stop yourself from lying, can you?” Steve said walking up to his deck. 

“  I didn't lie. Agent Romanoff had a different mission than yours.” 

“  Which you didn't feel obliged to share.” Linda said getting pissed. 

“  I'm not obliged to do anything.”

“  Those hostages could've died, Nick.” Steve said 

“  I sent two of the greatest soldiers in history to make sure that didn't happen.” Fury said turning to look at them in the eyes.

“  Soldiers trust each other, that's what makes it an army. Not a bunch of guys running around and shooting guns.”

“  The last time I trusted someone, I lost an eye. Look, I didn't want you doing anything you weren't comfortable with. Agent Romanoff is comfortable with everything.”

“I can't lead a mission when the people I'm leading have missions of their own.” Steve said 

“  It's called compartmentalization. Nobody spills the secrets because nobody knows them all.”

“  Except you.” Linda said rolling her eyes at him. 

“  You're wrong about me. I do share. I'm nice like that.” Fury said as they all walked into the elevator. 

“Insight bay.” Fury said 

“  Captain Rogers and Agent Grey does not have clearance for Project Insight.” The computer said.

“  Director override, Fury, Nicholas J.”

“  Confirmed.” The computer said as the elevator starts moving down. 

“  You know, they used to play music.” Steve said breaking the silence causing Linda to giggle softly. 

“  Yeah. My grandfather operated one of these things for forty years. My granddad worked in a nice building, he got good tips. He'd walk home every night, roll of ones stuffed in his lunch bag. He'd say "hi", people would say hi back. Time went on, neighborhood got rougher. He'd say "Hi", they'd say, "Keep on steppin'." Granddad got to grippin' that lunch bag a little tighter.” Fury said 

“  Did he ever get mugged?” 

“  Every week some punk would say, "What's in the bag?"

“  What did he do?” Linda asked

“  He'd show 'em. Bunch of crumpled ones and loaded .22 Magnum.” Fury said smiling causing Linda to giggle more. “Granddad loved people. But he didn't trust them very much.”

As they continue to ride down the elevator Steve and Linda notices the giant Helicarriers. 

“  Yeah, I know. They're a little bit bigger than a .22. This is Project Insight. Three next generation Helicarriers synced to a network of targeting satellites.” Fury said showing the two around. 

“  Launched from the Lemurian Star.” Steve said as they walked around looking at the aircrafts. 

“  Once we get them in the air they never need to come down. Continuous suborbital flight courtesy of our new repulsor engines.” 

“  Stark?”

“  Well, he had a few suggestions once he got an up close look at our old turbines. These new long range precision guns can eliminate a thousand hostiles a minute. The satellites can read a terrorist's DNA before he steps outside his spider hole. We gonna neutralize a lot of threats before they even happen.”

“  I thought the punishment usually came after the crime.” Steve justifies 

“  We can't afford to wait that long.”

“  Who's "we"?” Linda asked as she looks up at the guns on the ship.

“  After New York, I convinced the World Security Council we needed a quantum surge in threat analysis. For once we're way ahead of the curve.” 

“  By holding a gun at everyone on Earth and calling it protection.” 

“You know, I read those SSR files. Greatest generation? You guys did some nasty stuff.”

“  Yeah, we compromised. Sometimes in ways that made us not sleep so well. But we did it so the people could be free. This isn't freedom, this is fear.” Steve said pointing at the ship.

“  SHIELD takes the world as it is, not as we'd like it to be. It's getting damn near past time for you to get with that program, Cap.” 

“  Don't hold your breath.” Steve said walking out. 

“How about you Grey?” 

“I understand what Tasha had to do but this. This is a whole new level.” She said walking away as well. 

  By the time Linda headed back to her shared apartment with Steve she didn’t see his motorcycle parking in the structure at all. Sighing she drove her car to the place where she know he will be. When she got to the Smithsonian Museum she quickly found Steve staring at the screen. 

“Battle tested, Captain America and his Howling Commandos quickly earned their stripes. Their mission, taking down HYDRA, the Nazi rogue science division.” The PA said as Linda walked over to Steve lacing their hands together as they looked at the display of Bucky. 

“Best friends since childhood, Bucky Barnes and Steven Rogers were inseparable on both schoolyard and battlefield.  It was known, Barnes and Linda Grey was in a romantic relationship even engaged prepared to be married after coming back from the war but tragic fell. Barnes is the only Howling Commando to give his life in the service of his country.” The PA said, Linda couldn’t hold her tears as pictures of her and Bucky was being shown on the screen. 

“Linda..” Steve said turning to look at the girl. 

“I am fine. Come on, let's go” She said pulling him over to the cinema where Peggy was on the screen. 

“That was a difficult winter. A blizzard had trapped half our battalion behind the German line. Steve...Captain Rogers, he fought his way through a HYDRA blockade that had pinned our allies down for months. He saved over a thousand men, including the man who would...who would become my husband as it turned out. Even after he died, Steve was still changing my life.” Peggy said on the screen as Steve pulls out his compass looking at the picture of Peggy. 

“You go ahead and see Peggy, I am going to go hang out with Tasha.” She said standing up knowing exactly where his heart was pulling him. 

Linda and Natasha had settled down on Natasha couch watching movies after movies when Steve messages Linda explaining what had happened and Fury is currently in surgery. Both of the girls had rushed and drove to the hospital.

“  Is he gonna make it?” Natasha said standing next to Steve watching the doctors operate on Fury.

“  I don't know.” 

“Tell me about the shooter.”

“  He's fast and strong. Had a metal arm.” He said and Linda heard a faint gasp of recognition from Natasha before Maria Hill joined them. 

“  Ballistics?”

“  Three slugs, no rifling. Completely untraceable.” Maria said 

“  Soviet-made.”

“  Yeah.” Maria said suddenly they watch in shock as Fury's state deteriorates.

“  He's in V-tach.” a nurse said 

“  Crash cart coming in.” said another one.

“  Nurse, help me with the drape.”

“  BP is dropping.”

“  Defibrillator! I want you to charge him at one hundred.” Steve, Natasha, Linda, and Maria watch in shock as he flatlines. 

“  Don't do this to me, Nick.” Natasha whispers.

“  Stand back! Three, two, one. Clear! Pulse?”

“  No pulse.”

“  No pulse.”

“  Okay. 200, please. Stand back! Three, two, one. Clear! Give me epinephrine! Pulse?”

“  Negative.”

“  Don't do this to me, Nick. Don't do this to me.” Natasha said one more time watching before Steve turns away

“  What's the time?”

“1:03, Doctor.”

“  Time of death, 1:03 a.m.”

Natasha, Steve, and Linda are in a room where Fury's dead body has been laid out, Natasha is looking at Fury's body with tears running down her face when Maria joins them 

“  I need to take him.” Maria said 

“  Natasha.” Steve said as she touches Fury’s face tenderly before storming off. “Natasha!”

“  Why was Fury in your apartment?” She said turning to look at Steve. 

“  I don't know.” He said when Brock showed up behind them.

“  Cap, they want you back at SHIELD.”

“  Yeah, give me a second.” Steve answered.

“  They want you now.”

“  Okay.” Steve said turning back to look at Natasha 

“  You're a terrible liar.” She said before rushing off. 

“Steve, go. I got this.” Linda said walking up to Steve placing her hand on his shoulder. 

‘Careful, I am not getting a good feeling about this.’ Linda/Luna projected into his mind when she stares into his eyes. He stood there a little shock because she has never done that to him before but gave a faint nod before walking off.

  “Linda something doesn’t feel right.” Natasha said driving back to her apartment. 

“I know, I am getting a weird feeling I can’t seem to shake off.” Linda said. “Steve is hiding something, he can try to hide it but I have known him for way too long. Head back to the hospital now.” 

“Why?” Natasha question. 

“I have a feeling.” 

They reached back to the hospital Linda wonder along the floor they were last on. She backtrack his steps before she lands on the vending machine, she scans the machine before she lands on a flashdrive behind the gum. When she was about to react she felt something sharp on her neck before collapsing. 

“I am sorry Linda.” was the last thing she heard before everything went dark. 

When Linda woke up Steve was standing next to her along with Natasha.

“That was a very low blow Tasha.” Linda said laughing lightly getting out of the hospital bed. 

“I am sorry Lin, I had to know why.” She said.

“Yeah how much did you give me? Enough to take down an army of Elephants? SHIT!” Linda said rubbing her stiff joints as Steve smirks.

“I don’t know how much to give a super soldier.” Natasha said. 

“You will never get another chance like that again.” Linda said “So what’s the plan CAP?” 

  The three of them went to the mall dressed in there disguises. Basically Natasha and Steve was pretending to be a Civilian couple and Linda completely unrecognizable because of her powers was hanging in the back as a third wheel pretending to shop. They had entered the Mac Store using one of their computers while Linda is in front of them playing with the iPhone pretending to ignore them but listening to everything they say.

“The drive has a Level Six homing program, so as soon as we boot up SHIELD will know exactly where we are.” 

“  How much time do we have?” 

“  Uh...about nine minutes from… Now.” Natasha said plugging in the flashdrive. “Fury was right about that ship, somebody's trying to hide something. This drive is protected by some sort of AI, it keeps rewriting itself to counter my commands.” 

“  Can you override it?” Steve asked 

“  The person who developed this is slightly smarter than me. Slightly. I'm gonna try running a tracer. This is a program that SHIELD developed to track hostile malware, so if we can't read the file, maybe we can find out where it came from.” 

“  Can I help you guys with anything?” an employee came over to Natasha and Steve. 

“  Oh, no. My fiancé was just helping me with some honeymoon destinations.” Natasha said hugging his shoulder with a smile on her face making Linda want to bust out laughing seeing Steve awkward face. 

“  Right! We're getting married.” He said 

“  Congratulations. Where do you guys think about going?” the employee said 

“  New Jersey.” Steve answered making Linda facepalm herself as the employee just stares at Steve for a really long time. 

“Oh. I have the exact same glasses.” Employee said.

“  Wow, you two are practically twins.” Natasha said sarcastically as she furiously typed on the computer.

“  Yeah, I wish. Specimen. Uh...if you guys need anything, I've been Aaron.” 

“Thank you.” Steve said seeing Rumlow leading the STRIKE team looking for them. “You said nine minutes, come on.”

“  Shh, relax. Got it” Natasha said, Linda round around the table all three of them looking at the signal from Wheaton, NJ “You know it?”

“I used to. Let's go.” Steve said pulling the flashdrive out and all three of them left the store. Steve and Natasha a head while Linda walk behind them. “Standard tac-team. Two behind, to cross, two coming straight at us. If they make us, I'll engage, you hit the south escalator to the metro.” Steve said when two of the agents were walking toward them. 

“  Shut up and put your arm around me, laugh at something I said.” Natasha said to Steve. 

“  What?”

“  Do it!” Natasha said when Steve puts his arm around her shoulders laughing. 

As they are going down the escalator Natasha spots Rumlow on the escalator next to them going up, she turns to Steve.

“  Kiss me.” Natasha said to Steve making Linda snicker.

“  What?”

“  Public displays of affection make people very uncomfortable.” 

“  Yes, they do.” Steve said but Natasha quickly pulled Steve head down and kisses him making Rumlow look away as he passes them on the escalator. 

“  You still uncomfortable?” Natasha said pulling away turning forward. 

“  It's not exactly the word I would use.” Steve said before Linda look down in front of him.

“I think he liked it.” Linda whispered as he nudges her playfully.

#bucky x reader #james buchanan barnes #sebastian stan #sebastian x reader #steve rogers #the first avenger #originl character #chris evans #original character #winter solider x you #winter soldier #captain america #infinity war #marvel

[doppelgangerjoelle]

Part 2 of Last Train Home, a prompt request from @ikiyou! 

tw: suicide mention (Dazai is here though so that’s pretty normal) Technically I could end it here and leave an open ending but... maybe one more???

Read on AO3!

Tonight was going to be a long night.

I had that feeling as soon as I entered the train car and there were only three people on it. Especially when two of them got off at the next stop, leaving only me and other person. I say person, but it absolutely was not. Or it used to be.

A few minutes after the people left the third one stood and sat across from me. My usual tactic of putting headphones in and staring at my phone didn’t see to work for this one. I could feel its eyes on me. My skin felt like it was on fire. It was so tempting to look up, see what it was doing, but I knew better. Out of my peripheral I could see that it was fully formed, not very distorted, so either it was a human or so it’s face had to be. Those ones usually looked the most frightening.

I pulled my phone closer to my face and concentrated really hard on this gatcha game that I would never admit I spent real money on. I must have gotten a little too focused while trying to pull a certain character because I jumped when I heard a chuckle almost directly in my ear.

The person had sat next to me and I didn’t even notice. I didn’t hear or see it move so it must have been a ghost. What was even worse was that it was leaning close and looking at my phone. I saw it’s reflection in my phone as the loading screen went dark. He was smiling.

“Wow, your luck really sucks.” They spoke in a condescending tone. “Not even a single SSR event character in all those pulls.”

I shook slightly. Not even out of fear but out of pure rage. How fucking dare a ghost insult me! I had been trying for days to pull that character and gotten nothing but trash. It was the last night! I knew ghosts could be rude but that was just petty. I had to bite my tongue in order to not snap back. I’ve been through this before. Ghosts taunt to get a reaction, make you slip up. I just continued playing the game. I needed more gems anyway. I wasn’t about to let this ghost see my card information. The last thing I needed was spiritual credit theft.

I heard a whine from my right side. I could see that he was squirming like a child having a fit. Was he annoyed that I wasn’t paying attention to him? Or was he annoyed by my playing? He better not insult my team set up. These were the strongest characters!

After the round was finished I heard a loud sigh and a heavy weight on my shoulder. I instantly froze. Ghosts had never been able to touch me before. They usually walked right through me, which always made me feel sick. Was this actually a human? If so they had even worse social skills than I did.

“I know you’re pretty but you don’t have to be rude.” He whined and sighed again directly in my ear. I couldn’t help myself from whipping my head to the side with a confused expression. As soon as I did I knew I made a mistake. As soon as we made eye contact he made a devilish grin. “Gotcha.”

“Fuck...” I muttered as sweat dripped down my forehead. I was shocked to see a normal face staring back at me. In fact everything about this person looked completely human, but the aura surrounding them felt terrifying.

“Finally!” He threw his hands in the air as he stood and did a little dance. “I finally found someone that can see me!” 

My hands dropped into my lap and I almost dropped my phone as I tilted my head and stared. From everything I knew about ghosts they were evil and tried to steal your soul. Well, mostly. Some of them didn’t really bother me. I didn’t really know much about ghosts. Maybe some of them were friendly. Or just annoying but benign.

He turned to me with a big grin on his face. I finally had time to take in what he looked like. He was a bit of a bean pole. He had messy short brown hair and ill-fitting clothing with bandages peeking out from underneath. Even with the smile his eyes looked hollow and empty, sunken in like someone sleep deprived. Pretty ironic for someone who took the big sleep.

He leaned over in front of me and grabbed my face in his hands, squishing my cheeks and shaking my head slightly. I could only sit there, stunned and unable to move.

“I’ve been so alone! Wandering the city, unable to talk to anyone.” He finally let go to run his hands through his hair before dragging them down his face. “I threw myself in the fucking river and woke up on the shore! Had I know this was going to happen I wouldn’t have done it! I wanted to LEAVE this world not get stuck in an even worse version of it!”

“Hah?” Was all I could manage. My brain was still trying to process the fact that a ghost even touched me. It was going to take a while to catch up to the fact that he died from suicide. That definitely would explain why he couldn’t move on, and perhaps even why he looked so normal. Come to think of it... he looked kind of familiar but I couldn’t quite place it.

“If you can see me does that mean you know what’s going on? I know I have to be dead.” He sat down across from me again as I picked my jaw up off the floor. I tucked my phone into my pocket and straightened up, my brain finally caught up to the conversation. “I’ve seen... things. Crazy monster things. They lurk around, follow living people. Sometimes I hear them say things like how delicious I must be so I stay away.”

“Do other ghosts try to eat you?” Somehow that was the only part of what he said that got processed. I could almost feel the gears turning in my head.

“So those are ghosts? I thought they were like demons or monsters or whatever.” He crossed his legs and proceeded to rest his elbow on his knee and his chin on his hand. He made the loudest sigh yet as he stared at the floor. “Is that what happens to us? We turn into monsters?”

“I... I don’t know.” I admitted. I’ve never asked a ghost if they were always like that. This is the first time I’d talked to a ghost since I was a kid. “I don’t know how any of this works. I just know I can see ghosts.”

“Ghosts...” He said it like he was testing the word in his mouth. Feeling to see if it really fit him. After a moment looking extremely serious he made a loud exasperated noise as he threw his hands and legs out and flopped back in the seat. “Man, this sucks.”

In the middle of his grumbling I heard the intercom announce that my stop was coming next so I stood and headed for the door.

“Well... good luck with... being dead.” I said as I gripped the pole next to the door. He stood up in a panic and followed.

“Wait! You can’t just leave me here! I’ve been so borrreeedd!” He made another exaggerated show of being pitiful and annoying. He must have been real popular when he was alive. “It took so long to find even one person that could see me! I’ll never find someone else!”

When the doors open I almost jumped onto the platform. The ghost was quick to follow behind.

“Look, I can’t be seen with a ghost! What if you attract other ghosts?! I can’t help you! Go try to find a way to move on or something.” I pulled my hood over my head and walked as fast as I could. Unfortunately the ghost was tall and his long legs kept up with me.

“Come oonnnn! You seem fun!” He end up ahead and stopped in front of me. “Besides, don’t you think I’ve tried? I’m stuck here.”

“You’re not going to stop following me are you?” I rolled my eyes as I tried to step around him. He grinned again and shook his head as he continued following.

“Nope!” He chuckled. “Not that you’re hard to follow. You’re quite slow, like a slug.”

He was really getting on my nerves.

“Well at least I’m not like some dead fish flopping around out of the water, you mackerel!” I growled and looked surprised. It took me a moment to realize he had committed suicide by drowning and I quickly blurted out an apology.

I expected him to be upset or even offended but instead he just burst out laughing. He held his stomach as he doubled over, laughing until tears fell from his eyes. Somehow that just pissed me off even more.

“I knew I was going to like you.” He said as he wiped away his tears as he started walking ahead of me. “Aren’t you coming, slug?”

I stomped ahead, shoving my hands in my pockets and on the way home I contemplated the morality of strangling a ghost. 

If he couldn’t die maybe I could even get away with kicking his ass over and over.

The night was just growing even longer.

#bungo stray dogs #Nakahara Chuuya #chuuya nakahara #Dazai Osamu #Osamu Dazai #fanfic #prompt request

[themonkeycabal]

Christmas Gift Fic #9

(technically still Christmas where I am!)

Okay, here’s another. I might get a couple more out this weekend, but I hate to promise that. 

@whyarealltheurlsarlreadytaken asked for: can you do a ‘run verse au where darcy and clint have a romantic relationship. 

I hope this is kind of what you wanted. It got away from me a little bit. ... enjoy!

***

Darcy couldn't sleep.

Well, no, that wasn't right. She did sleep, and she slept hard, for about four hours. And now she was wide awake staring into the dark.

SHIELD was gone. Weird. And freaky. It hit her every now and again, just out of nowhere. Wham.

Except, it wasn't entirely gone. It was just underground now. Like she was, here in her pitch-black room, in a bunker complex, with all that was left. That was the freaky part. How fragile it all felt. Not just the agency, but the world. Everything felt egg shell-thin.

Licking her dry lips, she reached out to turn on the lamp. It was old, part of the ancient equipment and furniture leftover from the base's early days, and it cast a sickly yellow light over the small, private quarters she'd claimed while she was lending a hand at the Playground. She would so make a shopping run at some point, when she could get away for a day. There was just so much cleanup to do, to get started on, to dig out, to glue back together. And so few hands to help.

Phil was out there now, somewhere in that shaky world, looking for his agents, trying to round up who he could. They were starting to trickle back in ones and twos, here and there. Sometimes he'd even find a whole pack of them, gone to ground in some forgotten bunker or safehouse, holding tight together while the foundations fell out from under them.

Rubbing a hand across her eyes, Darcy swung her legs out of bed and let out a long breath. The clock — a regular, old-fashioned, tick-tock, with hands and everything, clock — read a quarter after 3. Ugh.

Her thoughts ticked along with the little second hand — too much to do, too much to do, too much to do. As soon as she drifted from that hard sleep, into something lighter, her mind filled up with all those too many things, and now she was wide, damned awake. Bleh. She loved her father, but sometimes it sucked to be his daughter. He'd probably never slept a whole night through in his entire life for just that reason; the tick-tock brain that never stopped.

She laughed at herself and stood . That was such a creakily retro analogy for Tony, he'd be horrified by it. So, of course, she made a mental note to share it with him at the earliest possible opportunity.

Standing, she took a moment to stretch, trying to do something positive, good for her, self care, that sort of thing. Plus, she had such a crink in her neck from being wedged under floor plates and behind cramped server racks trying to fix everything Hydra broke and trying to upgrade everything else. The stretching helped a little, and woke her body up a little more, so at least she had some of the energy her brain was demanding. And then she went out into the dim corridors, only every third bulb lit for night-time lighting and power conservation. 70-year old diesel generators and stealth power grid taps could only take them so far.  

Darcy had them on an arc reactor now, though, and Tony had been surprisingly peaceable about that suggestion — well, they argued a little, but that was them. It helped that Phil immediately promised its existence was need to know, and only he and May would know anything about it. Well, and Darcy, but she was the one who installed it and who would maintain it. When the device came in disguised as a Newegg box, Phil gave her a tired smile and tried to joke she was the electrical systems chief now. Then he begged her not to blow up what was left of SHIELD. 'Cause he was a funny guy like that.

The corridors were empty as she wandered down to the hanger. The Bus needed a little more work, though all critical systems were up and humming. Now, while it was quiet, she'd take care of her pretty flying baby.

There was an eerie stillness as she walked, her eye picking out the old SSR eagle painted on a wall, and her steps sounding particularly echoy. With the twisting halls, endless side rooms, and all, it was like a pretty sweet first person shooter where she got sucked back in time to fight an alien invasion in the fifties or something.

She wasn't sure how far the base extended, parts of it were still closed off, again, to conserve energy. And because there were only a couple dozen people knocking around the place. It was better to cluster everybody closer, it made everything feel less lonely and depressing. Except, it still felt lonely and depressing. Though, maybe that was because it was 3am, the most depressing hour of the night.

When she got to the Bus, she went up to the lounge first and started the coffee maker, then she sat at the briefing table and called up the systems. Avionics were good, flight good, servers good, nav good, some of the lab systems were still a little wonky and something was slowing transfers to the main base servers. That might be software, but it could be hardware, too. Skye was software, but so many of the systems were slagged, hardware was a real possibility still, too. She'd go over it again.

"So, according to Natasha, you're not my trainee anymore."

Darcy jerked and nearly fell out of her chair. Putting a hand to her chest, feeling the wild hammering of her heart, she turned a heated glare on the man who was leaning against the opening to the lounge.

"Damn it, Barton. What the actual hell?"

"Sorry."

"Wow, no you aren't."

He pouted and stepped into the room, walking over to the bar and the coffee maker. "I am. I didn't mean to scare you."

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, still trying to settle the surge of adrenaline.

"You're cranky."

Darcy let out a whoosh of breath and ran a hand through her hair. "It's 3:30 in the morning, I wasn't expecting anybody to be around; this place is like a post-apocalyptic horror movie at night. Forgive me for being wigged at you popping out of nowhere."

He poured them both a coffee and brought her a mug. "Okay, for real, sorry. I got in a couple hours ago, you were already asleep. May found me a bunk, but I couldn't sleep either. I'm still on Prague time. Sucks. What's your excuse?"

She wrapped her hands around the warming mug. "Stark brain? I was asleep, but then, you know that bit where you kind of wake up to like roll over or something? My brain kicked in with all the shit I've got to do, and I couldn't stop thinking and here I am."

He nodded soberly and sipped at his coffee. "Sucks," he said again.

"Yeah. Are you sticking?"

"With SHIELD?"

"Yeah. Or you gonna take my dad up on the full-time Avengers gig?"

"I don't know," he said, shrugging. "Honestly. That's why I'm here, I told Phil I'd talk to him first. I owe it to him."

"Sure."

"I guess you're all in," he said, voice mild and free of judgement one way or the other.

"I guess I am," she admitted.

"Is that what you want?"

"If it wasn't, I wouldn't be here."

"Is that true, though?"

She cocked her head and thought about it. "Yeah. I really think it is."

"Okay. Cool." He tapped his long archer's fingers on the mug. "This spooked Nat pretty good. I think she's out. Or, maybe like a contract player. If Phil needed something, she'd help, but, you know what I mean."

"I do."

"You've got options, you know? Like, you could do anything, go anywhere, work for anybody. Some of these people, SHIELD was all they had, but you've got … well, everything."

"Because I'm the spoiled rich kid, right?" She bristled a little and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Don't get like that. It's true and you know it." He swept an arm out over the table in a broad arc. "The world is your oyster. You could go get five doctorates like your dad, go start up a company in … whatever it is you'd want to do. What would you want to do?"

"I don't know."

"Really?"

"I never knew, Barton," she said quietly. It was true, it was her thing, it had to be all over her evals. Maybe he never really believed it, or never understood just how completely absolutely true that was. She never knew what she wanted. Never. And it wasn't something she ever felt really comfortable with. Everybody around her was so focused and she was … aimlessly drifting.

"I had vague ideas, some kid fantasies, you know, but never anything I was super into," she said, forcing the words out. "I picked political science because I've always been interested in people, in how the world works, and, of course, with a father who's a defense contractor, government was something I was tangentially familiar with. But, even that wasn't really a passion. I never had one. I always envied my friends who did, you know? Who knew exactly what they wanted. Like Rico and his computers, and Marley and design. But me? I never knew. And," she smirked over at him, "I thought you knew that."

He stared at her for a long moment. Long enough that she looked away, staring down into her mug. "I told you I never saw you. You are a mystery to me. You've been my trainee for over a year, and I don't know hardly anything about you."

"You know plenty."

"What if I wanted to know more?"

"I don't know what that means. Like, what? My favorite color?"

"Red," he said immediately. "That one I know."

She laughed and looked up at him. He smiled back.

"Purple," she said, jerking her thumb at him.

Clint raised his chin and sniffed. "It's the color of royalty, you know."

"Sure," she said with a little smile. "So, what do you want to know?"

"What would you do? If you could do anything at all … which, you know, you actually can. What would you do?"

"This."

"Come on, Darce," he whined.

She shook her head and jabbed a finger down on the table. "This. For real. This is what I want."

He chewed on that for a second and then countered with, "You were in SHIELD to help your dad, I know that."

"Yeah, and then SHIELD fell down. I know how big this is, how hard this will be, but …" she leaned towards him, intent and focused. "When we were in those tunnels and you were being an asshole—"

"Hey," he protested and frowned.

"You were," she insisted.

"I … was," he admitted contritely. "Yeah, sorry."

She waved it off and forgave him with a smile. "Anyway, when I saw those people on the platform. I knew. For the first time in my life, Clint, I knew what I wanted. I knew what I could do. Me. I could help those people. I could help the world. Phil told me I could, and you and Nat, and my dad, and Thor, and everybody. But, that moment is when I knew it for myself. I could do it, I had the resources, the training, the knowledge, the contacts, everything … I could do it. I can do it. It's what I want. I want to rebuild SHIELD."

Darcy waited for him to respond, but he just pursed his lips and stared at her thoughtfully. Again with the staring. And it was his 'watching her like a hawk' (ha ha) look. Uncomfortable. Sucking in her cheeks, she looked back at the systems readouts for something to do, for anything to distract her from the sudden super intensity.  

Her relationship with Clint had always been pretty relaxed, even when they were training. He liked team sports, and beer, and cheesy movies, and 80s action shows, and they could kick it in easy conversation. She'd tease him about being a disaster, but she admired him, too. Admired his dedication, his skill, his way of looking at the world in all its simple and complex messiness — which was basically Clint in a nutshell anyway. But, this … early morning talks where, because of exhaustion, overwork, whatever else, she let herself open up in a way she never really liked to. This was new, and sort of uncomfortable, and really with the staring already. God, Barton.

"Okay," he said at last.

"Okay."

"I'm in. I'll tell Phil when he gets back."

Darcy looked up and frowned. "Wait, what?"

"I'm in with SHIELD."

"Oh," she said and tried to think of what she ought to say to that, she wasn't expecting it. In fact, she was pretty prepared for both Nat and Clint to bail. "Well, good. Yay. Glad to have you."

"Yep," he said, his voice bright as he nodded and grinned. "I believe you."

"About what?"

"That you'll rebuild SHIELD."

"Well, I mean, Phil —"

"Yeah, you and Phil. It's called conviction." He gave her a crooked smile. "I think you're nuts, but I like it. That's my kinda crazy."

She laughed and gave his leg a little nudge with her own. "Jerk."

"Yep." He propped his chin on his hand and kept watching her. "You're not my trainee anymore. You're like … what? Like, Phil's number two or three?"

"Four or five? Or lower? I don't know. May, then maybe … I don't know. You or Hartley?"

"Oh, is she here?" he asked, looking interested and pleased. "Awesome. She's wicked with a knife."

Darcy grimaced. "We, uh, maybe don't get along so well. Maybe?"

"Oh …" He thought about it for a second then nodded. "Yeah, I can see the personality clash. Give her a chance, though, she's good people."

"Yeah, that's what May says." Darcy shrugged. She could give Hartley another chance, but would Hartley give her one? Maybe she'd have to work for it. Ugh. "Her team, though … I mean, Idaho's okay, I guess. Though, Christ, he thinks he's a world-class chef and I swear to you, he could burn water. And Hunter's just straight up obnoxious."

Clint's eyebrows rose. "Lance Hunter?"

"Yep."

"Huh."

"You know him, I guess," she said, pressing for that story. They'd be a weird combination. Probably not something anybody'd want to witness.

"I do. Sort of. It's a long story," he said with a sigh. "We have an ex in common. Way awkward."

"His hell-beast ex-wife? His words, not mine."

Clint snorted a surprised laugh and it took him a second to stop chuckling. "That's the one. Ha. Oh, yeah. I should buy him a beer. Awesome."

"Come on, she can't be that bad."

With a challenging look, Clint straightened up and started to tug off his shirt.

"What the hell are you doing?" Darcy asked, alarmed and startled and not prepared for the Barton striptease.

"I'm going to show you the scars."

Darcy laughed and lunged forward to catch the hem of his shirt before it could clear his chest. She tugged it back down. "Keep your shirt on, geez."

"No, you'll be impressed."

"I'm plenty impressed, promise. Please, keep your shirt on." She had a hard enough time not staring at his arms, she didn't need him to strip for her, too. He was a damned attractive guy, and she'd always noticed that. He was also a dozen years older than her and her SO. It was just … some things were not for thinking about too long, or else that way lay heartbreak or something. But she liked his squishy face, and his dumb boy sense of humor, and his frankly magnificent arms, and his crazy intense focus when he was being all sniper dude. Ugh, no Darcy, don't go there.

He was looking mulish and he jerked up the side of his shirt anyway, ignoring her protests and pointed to a scar low on his back. "That one."

"She stabbed you?"

"No, but I got stabbed because of her."

"Well … ouch?"

"Yeah, totally. That hurt."

"Poor baby."

"Kiss it and make it better?"

She gaped at him for a second and shook her head like she misheard. "What the hell was that?"

"I don't know?" he said, scratching the back of his neck. "Reflexive? Don't make it weird, Lewis."

"Screw you, Barton," she said, laughing again.

"But, you know, if you wanted to, I wouldn't stop you."

"Who's making this weird?"

"Me?"

"You." She was still laughing, though, because, really, Barton?

"But, uh …" he moved his hand from his neck to rub at his ear. "If you wanted to, maybe, go out for coffee sometime."

Her mouth went dry and there was a strange fuzzy buzzing in her head, because he couldn't have just asked what she thought he asked. Right? "We're having coffee now."

"And it's good, right? What is this?" He looked down at this mug before picking it up and draining the last. "Too good for an airplane and way too good for SHIELD."

"Phil's a coffee snob."

"Oh, right." He stood up and walked away to grab the pot. "More?"

"Sure."

He poured them both another and then sat down again, fidgeting with his mug. "I meant it, though. Like, maybe someplace with normal people. And we'd go, you know, as normal people."

"Neither of us are normal people," she said quietly.

"Normalish. You're not my trainee anymore," he said again. Then licked his lips nervously and took a big gulp of coffee. "Believe it or not, I'm usually better at this. You are damned hard to read. Also," he held up a finger to make a point, "I am not afraid of your dad."

"Noted." She rubbed at her eyes and tried to sort through the last five minutes. She didn't … no, she didn't ever expect this. "For real?"

"Yeah, I mean … uh, if you want. I'd just …"

"What about Natasha?"

He gave her an understanding smile and shook his head. "Darce, Nat is my best friend. That's like … I don't know, you and Rico."

"Oh," she said and made a face. She loved Rico, but yeah, no, she would not date Rico. That would be too weird. "I don't know what to say."

"Well, hey, if you're not into it, that's okay. No harm, but …" he trailed off and was silent for a moment before he continued. "I like you. I've always liked you, like as a person, you know? You're fun, you're weird — in a good way — you're easy to be around. I don't know. I just, I like when we watch the A-Team and drink beer and talk about whatever the hell. I like laughing with you."

"I like that, too," she said quietly, really trying to take this all in. Well, if nothing else it sure as hell shorted out her brain, wiping away that endless tick of 'too much to do'.

"We could give it a try," he suggested. "Frankly, I think we'd make a badass pair. I can really see it. You'd bring it with the high tech, I'd bring it with the sniping, then we'd go out for Coronas and tacos and be awesome. I'm liking this."

"Coronas and tacos," she echoed, still trying to work through the short in her brain.

"With lime. For both, of course, because fish tacos." He leaned towards her, his eyebrows raised and something open and hopeful on his impish face. "I like being around you, not a lot of people get me, but you do, and you make it so damned easy to just be, if that makes sense."

"It does," she agreed, because, well, it was always easy to be with Clint. Not lazy easy, but like she didn't have to think about who she was with him. She just was herself. Whatever and whoever that was. And he was way opening himself up here, so she should probably give him some of that back. It was only fair. "I think I could go for Coronas and tacos. I, uh, you know, every guy I've ever dated, it didn't always go so well, because I was keeping secrets. Which, of course, you know." She narrowed her eyes at him. "Olympic sport?"

"I wasn't wrong," he grumbled, "you're good at it. I mean, come on. I'm a spy. Hell, you even pulled one over on Nat. Crazy."

"I guess I did." She mused on that for a second. That was pretty good. "Anyway, you know my secrets now. That'll be new."

"Oh, you're still a damned mystery, for real. I'm not just saying that."

Her lips quirked up into a little smile. "I keep you on your toes, Barton."

"Please do." He reached out a hand and tapped the back of hers. "No pressure. Just, you know, tacos. See what happens."

"My dad throws you off the building."

"I'm still not afraid of him. And, I have a grappling hook arrow."

Darcy laughed. "Of course you do."

"It's awesome."

"It's 93 stories."

He thought about that and winced. "Well, uh, I'll call Thor. Teamwork, yeah!"

And finally that reserve she'd built around herself for her whole life started to crack. Maybe not entirely done away, but a little light was getting through. She reached out and touched his face. "I like your squishy face."

"It's not squishy," he said with a pout.

She poked at his cheek and laughed when he snarled. "Handsome face."

"Better."

"Yeah."

"So … tacos?"

"It's like four in the morning."

"Tonight. Tacos."

"Tacos. Tonight," she agreed.

He grinned. "Awesome."

Darcy gave his cheek a last pat and sat back. "You know, I think there are rules about agents dating."

"Then I'm out," he said easily and without hesitation. "I'll tell Phil."

"Come on, we could use you."

He thought about it for a second then shrugged. "There's like thirty agents left. What's Phil going to do? Ground us? Though, you know, I could do the independent contractor thing, too. I can still work for SHIELD, but be out of the chain. That actually might work better. With the Avengers and all."

"Sure, sure."

"SHIELD's been my world for a long time, Darce. I think I'm ready for there to be other things in my life now, you know? I'm good by that."

"You're sure?"

"I am. You had your revelation in those tunnels, and I had mine. And, I think that's part of why I got so mad at you. It wasn't the secrets, I just …"

"I was keeping them from you."

"Yeah," he admitted and bowed his head. "I want more. And, I let myself believe I had it, and then I realized I never really told you that, and you were keeping these secrets, and people were shooting at us, and I could have lost you right there. And … I didn't like that. It freaked me out, too."

She let that sink in for a minute before taking his hand. "Okay. So tacos tonight and then we see what happens."

"Awesomeness happens."

Giving his fingers a squeeze, she laughed. "High bar, Barton."

"I'll clear it," he promised with a cocky smirk.

"Just so you know, there aren't any more secrets. Okay?"

"Okay," he accepted that with a nod. "But, I want to hear about those fantasies you had as a kid about what you'd do when you grew up."

"Forklift driver."

Clint guffawed and tugged on her hand, pulling her closer to him. "Really?"

"And astronaut."

"That's a gimmie," he protested. "Every kid wants to be an astronaut."

"And an architectural mad genius who designed secret lairs."

"Okay, you're not far off of that one. You could totally pull that one off."

"I know, right? So close." She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I've got to actually work on the one secret base I've got on my hands now, though, so it's time for you to take a hike."

He returned her kiss with one of his own. "Okay. Fine. I'm tired now." He stood up and pointed a finger at her. "Tonight. Tacos."

"Tacos. Tonight," she agreed again, smiling.

#my fic #christmas gift fic #darcy lewis #clint barton