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brighttears · 7 months

Text

Battery V Jump

Joel Miller x f!reader

Series masterlist

No physical description

Summary: You reach Albany, but get ambushed not far into the city. Joel escapes, but you wake up tied to a chair with a battered Tess next to you. You handle it before Joel finds you and you escape. You rest in a church before finding somewhere to spend the night.

Word count: 6.3k

Warnings: Violence: capture, threats of torture and SA, death (of the captors); reader almost dissociates, readers wrists get scratched up

A/n: wooo new chapter!! more mean characters… not a lot of romance in the chapter ngl but next chapter there will be i promise

—

Naturally, you act like nothing happened last night, like your current worldview wasn’t just shaken like a snow globe. You did, however, expect that maybe Joel would be a bit friendlier now, but alas, he’s even colder than he has been, much less of a bite, and you surprise yourself with how much you miss the banter. He says almost nothing as you pack up and hit the road, burying his nose in the map.

You’ve graduated from farmland to small town suburbs, and within a few hours, you’re at the bridge finally connecting you to the city of Albany.

Greenery warps and hangs around the barrier separating the road from the sidewalk, carpeted with moss, and the curved fence edging the bridge. You weave around cars, jammed and abandoned from when people tried to flee the city. You keep your eyes fixed straight ahead, avoiding the clothed skeletons hanging out of car windows and whatever other casual horrors are laid out on the highway.

“This is the Hudson.” Joel comments as you cross over the river.

“No shit.” You quip without really thinking about it. Tess glances back at you and chuckles.

“Well, I wasn’t sure if you’d learned that in school yet.” Joel returns.

“How fucking old do you think I am?” You counter, narrowing your eyes at him.

“Young.” He retorts, then looking back ahead, signaling that the exchange is over. You huff but say nothing.

It’s back to silence as you continue, all of you focused on this new environment. As you cross into the city, Joel digs the map back out, skimming his finger along possible routes.

“We’ll find route 90, a bit further into the city, then find 88 and follow that out of New York.” He announces.

“Alright. I’m trusting you with these directions,” Tess says, glancing back at him.

“Well, you should.” He replies.

“I’m just fine following blind,” you droll.

“Good, cause ain’t no one’s takin’ directions from you.” Joel bites, and you look back at him with a slight smirk.

“I know you aren’t.” You look back ahead at the oncoming city, “I’m just along for the ride.”

“Not much of a ride,” Tess remarks, “maybe we can find a car somewhere around here, though. One that actually fucking works, I mean,” she kicks a busted fender.

“Maybe a shop somewhere.” Joel adds.

“That would be grand.” You say, earning an annoyed look from Joel. You smile to yourself, playing around with the piece of information you have held invisibly over his head.

“Alright, kids,” Tess says dryly as you come to a circular crossroads of the highways past the river, “time to shut the fuck up for awhile. We don’t know this place, what to expect. Which way’re we going, Joel?” You both look back at him and he nods his head to your right, folding the map to tuck under his arm.

“We’ll follow 5 for a while, that’ll take us to 90.”

“Roger that.”

You walk again in silence for a long while, observing the city. Joel leads the way, you and Tess following from his sides.

“Plenty of hotels. Tourist city, I guess.” Tess comments after a while.

You point out, “I thought we were supposed to shut the fuck up?”

“I said you two shut the fuck up. Unless you can learn to get along.” She says it with a look to Joel, and you bite back a smile. He gives her a harsh look back, and she has to hide her own smile. They both think you’re in the dark here, and you relish in the secret. You still have no fucking clue what to do about it, if you’ll say anything or wait for him, if he even does ever bring it up. Regardless, you don’t have room to worry about it right now, which you are also appreciative of. You feel optimistic about the city, plenty of places to dig through, and, as Tess said, maybe a soft bed to sleep in at some point, maybe even a car.

Just as the thought crosses your mind, Tess says, “Holy shit, an auto shop,” pointing down the road. Sure enough, only a few yards away from you is a Firestone, a few cars still left in the lot with large open garage doors revealing all sorts of tools and supplies in the shop behind them. You let out a laugh of relief, almost not believing your eyes.

“Maybe we can fix up one of those cars,” Joel says as you walk into the lot, “get back on the road.”

“Fuck yeah,” you say as you cross into the garage

“Keep it down,” Joel tells you in a hushed tone, unholstering his gun as you move in, “we don’t know what’s in here yet.”

“Sorry.” You reply, though a smile stays on your face. This might be your second lucky break in a week. A garage full of tools, with plenty of cars ready and waiting for Joel’s handywork.

Just as the three of you come to the middle of the shop, a harsh screeching sounds behind you and you turn, expecting Infected, but it’s the garage doors slamming shut, trapping the three of you inside. Before you can react, your attention comes back to in front of you as your shirt is pulled into someone’s fist, and you watch helplessly as a fist hurtles towards your face.

—

A sharp pain echoing through your sinuses awakens you, and you groan before opening your eyes. You roll your head forwards from where it had been hung back, making the pain worse, groaning again.

“Good morning, princess,” sings a voice you don’t recognize, and your eyes shoot open. A tall, spindly man stands before you, hands behind his back, leaning over you with a wide, toothy smile. As soon as you see his eyes, fear tears through you like an icey knife. They’re a very light blue, showing off blown out pupils, but despite the color, they're deathly dark. This man is a monster, you can already tell. You try to move, but realize that you are tied to a chair, and he laughs as you struggle in your seat. Adrenaline rushes through your veins and and your heartbeat whips, each crack pitching every muscle against the tight, coarse ropes binding your hands behind your back and your ankles to the feet of the chair.

“Oh, calm down, sweetheart,” the man drawls, straightening, still with that predatory smile. The only light comes from through some glass behind you, windowing daylight over his face.

“What did you do with them?” You demand.

“Who? Oh, your friends? Well, if you’d look to your left,” he moves his eyes with the lazy hand rolling a pointed finger to the side of you.

The sight when you turn your head widens your eyes and a chill runs through you. Tess is tied to a chair next to you, her head hung with her chin touching her chest, eyes closed, blood running down from you can’t tell where on her face.

“Tess!” You scream, then your head swings to the other side with a sharp slap to your cheek.

“Shush, shush, little girl.” The man tells you, suddenly in front of your face, his composed tone lilted by irritation. From his voice, you can tell that he is a man that enjoys torture, who will sing a song as he does it. Someone with a calm demeanor but with vibrating rage just below the surface. He is someone that thrives in these times, where he is free to do as he pleases, a predator released from the zoo. “None of that will do you any good. If you’re too loud, we’ll just kill you, and I don’t want to do that.”

“What do you want to do?” You seethe through your teeth, feeling the wrath pulsate through you. You twist your wrists behind your back, using the stinging pain to keep you focused. Don’t panic. Pay attention. Stay sharp. Learn him. Look for weak spots, vulnerable positions, timing. How are you going to get Tess out of here? Where will you run to? How will you get out? Looking past him, you observe that you’re still in the auto shop, the rusty tools lining the walls and cluttering the work bench against it. A perfect shop for people like him and his crew, being the two other men stood behind him. One is tall and buff, leaning against the workbench. The other stands straight up beside him, short, the kind of skinny where muscle far outweighs fat, wearing a wide, tight smile, wide eyes trained on you. He reminds you of a hyena.

“Where is the other one?” You ask.

“Oh, your other friend? Well, he’s the one that got away. Ran for his life, that friend of yours is a coward, you know. Left the two of you alone, left you for dead. Some friend, huh?”

He’s lying. You don’t doubt that for a second. If they’d captured or killed him, there’d be no reason to hide that from you. So where is he? What is he doing? You say nothing, considering which angle you should play. You don’t know enough yet.

“Is she dead?”

“Who, that one? No, I don’t think so.” He snaps his fingers to the men behind him and points to her, “Check.” You watch largest man, buff arms covered in tattoos and scars, come to her and lift her head up by her hair, making you clench your teeth, and hold a finger under her nose before letting her head drop back down. “Breathing.” He reports.

“See? She’s fine. Maybe a little roughed up, but no, not dead.”

“What do you want?” You keep your tone as even as you can, but the question comes through teeth that won’t unclench.

“What do I want? Well, I used to say a million bucks, but that’s not very useful anymore, is it?” He cackles, leaning his head back with it, and you see the teeth in his mouth, big and perfectly straight. The view makes you feel like a small animal, and your heartbeat ricochets around your chest, splashing in fear doused in rage’s gasoline. “Aw,” he drawls, catching his breath, “well, I want everything you have.”

“Why not just fucking take it then? Why the fuck do you have us tired up?”

“Well, because that’d be so boring. I want to have some fun,” he grows a wide smile, though his eyes don’t move with it. A cold finger starts a line from your throat up to your chin, and then he clamps his hand on your cheeks, squishing your face. “If you know what I mean.” He lets your face go, but not before brushing his thumb over your bottom lip, sending a shiver down your spine. You do know what he means. You say nothing. He wants you to swear at him, insult him. Struggle. You need to draw this out.

“So you guys just camp out here all day just waiting for someone to roll through?” You start, “Sounds pretty boring. This must be like Christmas for you guys, huh?” You look around at the men about the room—three here including the man still leaning over you, the buff man who touched Tess has an assault rifle hanging over his shoulder. The hyena has no weapon visible, but that is no comfort; he’s not trying to show off his threat, but he’s not hiding it, either. He looks like he wouldn’t even need one, he’d just jump on you like a fucking monkey and strangle you to death with his bare hands, screaming the whole way through.

“Another smartass, huh?” The main man says. He’s obviously the ringleader, and his slight frame indicates that he must be much smarter than the rest, a natural born cult leader, minus the numbers. “Well, that’s ok. Once I pull all your teeth out, that won’t be a problem.” He starts laughing heartily again, as if what he said is the funniest thing he’s ever heard. The rest of them chuckle. These people are unhinged. What used to be reality is a distant dream that they are happy to have woken up from, and the apocalypse has fried their little brains.

How the fuck are you gonna get out of this? If only Tess would wake up, help you cause a distraction, have another person to up your chances of overtaking them. Where the fuck is Joel? You’re sure he’s ok. Like you said, there’d be no reason for them to hide it if he wasn’t. But what is he doing? You don’t doubt he’s trying to find a way in. But how long until then? How much time do you have?

Your wrists sting as you wring them against the rope, what must be blood starting to wet your palms. As you twist, the rope loosens, only slightly, and you still your movements.

Start talking. Buy time. Create a chance to take. Pray that Joel is working some plan out somewhere outside, pray that Tess will wake up, and pray that they want to drag this out.

“So what, you want a blowjob?” You start again, “Tag team? Or do you all want to have a little incest orgy? Granted you’re not all already some inbred family. Maybe explore a little guy on guy action?” You throw affronts out, wanting to get them uncomfortable. Distract them with an onslaught of insults, get them pissed, riled up, but distracted. While they fume and think of methods of revenge, you’ll find a chance. The other ones will get up, start coming towards you, looking at all the different places on your body they’ll hurt you, and you’ll free your wrists, push whoever’s front and center as hard as you can to topple the rest of them. And then—shit, what about your feet? You wriggle your ankles at the thought, but they barely move with how tight they’re tied. You’ll need time to untie them. If you could grab that gun, take them out in one sweep. Yes, that’s how you’ll do it. “You know, it’s never too late to explore your sexuality.” The faces of the men farthest back start to twist as you goad and you hold back a smirk. Many men are still predictable in this way, being accused of liking other men only a step below insulting their mothers. “I mean, sure does get lonely out here. Can’t be that many women coming through here.”

“Shut up, bitch,” the ringleader spits, slapping you again, hard enough for you to taste iron. “Enough women come through for us to have a little routine with them,” he starts to chuckle, though not as casual as it was before. Already, you’re getting them going, and the other three start to move forward with twisted smiles. You’re surprised at how well your plan is working. “First, we’ll let you talk a bit. If someone screams, we crush the throat. You both have been real quiet though, eh? Curious. Anyways, then we take out the teeth, like I mentioned. Makes the rest much easier on us.” Ringleader licks his lips, leaning towards you again. Grown out, greasy hair falls over his eyes. He smells like rust and mildew. They must live here in this garage, like rats. Rat King suddenly seems like much less of a deal than he did in Boston. Right now, you almost miss him.

“Come on, come on,” Hyena speaks up from the back, jumping on his toes. “She’s right, it’s been awhile since we’d had someone in here. I’m—”

Ringleader swings his head to him, “Shut the fuck up.”

“But—”

“Shut the fuck up or I’ll lock you in the fucking back.”

Hyena stills and quiets, though his teeth grind behind spread lips, that wild look in his eyes now trained on the man as he turns his attention back to you. Yes. The loose cannon. He hates him. You wonder if you could find the right words to get him to attack him. Now that would be something.

“You lock him in the back?” You half laugh, “Like a dog? Jeez, man, that’s pretty harsh. What, is he like your pet?” Hyena’s wide eyes are trained on you now, expressionless as he continues to grind his teeth.

“Alright, can we shut her up now?” The buff man speaks up, walking up you with a stony, desensitized expression. He looks at you like you’re meat—not even that, like a doll. Your blood boils, but fear still runs through it.

Joel, please god, please, where are you? Help, please, help us, there’s too many. I’m fucking scared Joel, please. I can’t fucking carry Tess out of here. Where are you? Are you coming?

“Already?” You reply, looking between them. “I was just starting to get to know you guys. What about you?” You look at the largest man, “I’m surprised you’re not the one in my face right now. You look like you could easily take control. You don’t even need the gun. How come you’re taking orders from this guy?” Another hard slap, and you feel blood dribbling down your chin. You keep your head to the side for a moment, looking for anything close by, anything on the ground you might be able to use, but there’s nothing. Then your face is in his hands again, burning pain pounding up to your temples as you stare back into those light but dead eyes.

“You think you’re so smart? You think you’re so cute? You think you’re tough? Well, not for long, pretty girl.”

“Can we just get those fucking teeth out of her head now?” Hyena speaks, sounding like an inpatient child.

“Shut the fuck up—” Ringleader looks back at him, still gripping your cheeks firmly.

“No you shut the fuck up,” Hyena suddenly exclaims, grabbing the pliers on the bench next to his hand, “before I rip your fucking teeth out! Your fucking teeth out!”

“Calm the fuck down—”

“You calm the fuck down, you calm the fuck down!” “Jesus fucking christ, you’re gonna call every fucking Infected in this town over if you don’t quiet the fuck down,”

“Your fucking teeth out, your fucking teeth out!” Hyena continues to exclaim. God bless a loose cannon, god fucking bless a loose cannon.

Ring leader lets go of you, approaching Hyena, “Give me the fucking plyers, ok? Her teeth, her teeth ok?”

Big man is turned towards the other two now, his gun hanging over his shoulder. Yes. Yes. Yes. Now!

You rip your wrists free, grabbing hold of the gun to slip off of his arm. “Hey,” he says, but before any of them are even fully turned around, you get a grip and open fire, and they all drop to the floor.

You have to stop yourself from continuing to fire once they’re down, sitting with it held in your hands, breathing hard. Chills run unrelentingly up and down your body. A groan sounds from your side then, and you look at Tess trying to lift her head up.

“Tess!”

“Wh—hh–” she groans, finally getting her head to turn to you.

“Fuck,” you breathe out. Her left eye is swollen shut, eyebrow and lip both split, the skin of her cheeks all red. “It’s ok, Tess, hold on, they’re dead, I just gotta get out of this chair, and then I’ll get you out of here,” you rattle, dropping the gun to start pulling at the ropes around your ankles.

A harsh banging from the very back of the shop snaps your head up. “Shit,” Tess hisses as another bang sounds, and your heart squeezes fast beats in your chest. Please be Joel. Please be Joel. Please be Joel.

The metal door in the back swings open, you can see a silhouette that is, in fact, Joel.

“Joel!” You cry out, surprised at the desperation coming out of your throat. He rushes in, wide eyes on the bodies as he comes into the shop.

“Get Tess! Get Tess!” You tell him as you continue to untie yourself, watching his wide eyes flip from you to her. He stares with frantic eyes, lips parted, before rushing to her. He kneels in front of Tess, looking between the ropes tying her ankles to her face wordlessly. As soon as you free yourself, you stumble over to work at her bound wrists.

“What the fuck happened?” She rasps out, audibly drained. You have no idea what happened while you were out.

“You got knocked out,” you tell her, heart still drumming, “they woke me up, I don’t know, I just fucking, I handled it, they’re dead.”

“Where the fuck did you come from?” She asks Joel.

“Broke in through the back. I had to find a way through the fence, the top was barbed.” He explains, obviously trying to hide how distraught he is, seeing the state that Tess is in, and maybe you, too.

“Fucking took you long enough. Oh, Jesus,” she groans as the two of you bring her to her feet. “I’m alright, I’m alright,” she assures the both of you, shrugging off your assistance.

“I’m, I’m sorry, I—” Joel attempts, but Tess cuts him off.

“Save it for once we’re fucking out of here.”

You all rush out the back, Joel leading while you trail behind a struggling Tess. Thankfully, you catch sight of the weapons that were removed from you, grabbing them up with one arm as you leave. The back lot is mostly empty, the fence, as Joel said, lined by large, circled barbed wire. Too big to climb over.

“How the fuck did you get in here?” You ask Joel as you hand Tess her gun and knife. He looks back at you still with those panicked eyes, then motions to a spot near the edge, where the barbed wire is ripped aside. You look back to Joel and notice that the back of his jacket is shredded. He must have used his jacket to rip it away. He ripped the barbed wire apart.

As you come to it, Joel looks at you and cocks his head up at it. “You first.” You climb the fence and drop down, Tess coming over after, followed by Joel.

“Where the fuck do we go?” Tess asks, trying to cover up her flustered state.

“This way.” Joel answers, then starts with quick steps down the road. He leads you to a church just across the street, slipping through both sets of open doors, then shutting them behind you. You all have your guns raised and ready, but the tiny church is empty. You move through to the back room, also empty. Once the building is cleared, you all come back to the safety of the open chancel, setting yourself down on the short steps at its edge.

“Fuck,” you breathe out, finally looking at your wrists, still streaming tight trails of blood from the scratches left by the ropes.

“Damn, you tore yourself up,” Tess comments, looking down at them as you hold yourself back from rubbing the injuries.

“Well, it worked.”

“I am curious about how the fuck you did what you did. I was out cold, I have no fucking clue how you took them all out alone.”

“What can I say,” you shrug, “I’ve got a silver tongue.”

“What, you convinced them to hand their guns overor something?” Tess probes, brow furrowed up with a perplexed smirk. Joel’s face is almost the same. You forgot that you really haven’t known each other that long, they have yet to see you in real action. About time you’ve proved the extent of your worth.

“No, I got them to fight each other, then snatched the big fucker’s gun. Just got lucky that the ropes on my wrists weren’t tight enough.”

“Damn, golden girl. You impress me more every day.” Tess chuckles, rubbing her ankles as she sits. “Your face doesn’t look too bad either. I guess I got a little cocky about my way with words. Only got them pissed enough to want to knock me the fuck out. Try out the other toy.”

“What’d they do to you?” Joel says, hard voice startling you. He looks at you with his eyes slightly squinted, looking like he’s ready to go kill the already dead bodies.

“Not much,” you respond, unsure of how to look under his gaze, “slapped me around a little, threatened me, that’s it.”

Joel huffs a breath. He looks like he wants to ask, but at the same time, knows he doesn’t want to know exactly what they threatened to do.

“I don’t know about you two,” Tess cuts in, “but I am about done for the day. Seeing as this place’s clear, let’s just… rest here for a minute.”

“Yeah, I like the sound of that.” You agree. Joel nods.

“Alright.” She sighs, looking around, “I’m gonna go dig around in the back and see if there’s any blood of Christ left behind.” She stands, looking around again before heading towards the back room, leaving you and Joel alone on the steps.

You’re too tired to even worry about the awkward silence, simply sitting in the stillness, hoping Tess does find something in the back that could help calm your still running nerves.

“You alright?” Joel eventually asks.

“Yeah.” You reply without looking up. You’re alive and intact, so, alright enough.

“Are y’… are y’ sure?” His tone is unsure, and you look up. His brow is furrowed, puppy dog eyes digging into you, fingers fidgeting where they rest over bent knees.

You pause. Suddenly, the whole thing between you and Joel comes back to you—what he said last night, the private conversation that Joel doesn’t know you heard.

“If you uh…” he speaks again, though you’re only half listening, caught up with his face and the words from last night swirling around it. “Wanna, uh…” he scratched his eyebrow, eyes flicking down and then back, “talk ‘bout it, or somethin’…” he trails off, gaze timid.

“That was scary.” You answer unthinkingly.

Joel shifts. “Yeah, I bet.”

Something flushes through you then, what must be the adrenaline, leaving only the fear behind. You begin to shake. Those bright blue eyes are in front of you again, that snake’s grin.

“…I want to have some fun…”

“…Anyways, then we take out the teeth… Makes the rest much easier on us…”

“…Your fucking teeth out, your fucking teeth out!”

“You’re shakin’,” Joel says.

“I am?” Dazed, your voice is much quieter than you expected.

“Yeah.”

“Shit.” Your voice shakes as you look down at your equally discomposed hands. Sticky blood colors them, wiped from the jagged, shallow slices covering your wrists. “Shit.”

“We better get those cleaned up.” Joel says, standing, but you don’t move. He rests his hand gently on your shoulder, and you look up to meet an expression so soft it catches you off guard. He still looks unsure, but genuine sympathy paints his features. “Come on, lemme help you.” Slowly, you stand, eyes locked on him. Gentle. “Come on,” he urges quietly. You nod. He keeps his eyes on you for a moment as he leads you back down the nave. You try to blink yourself securely into the present, shaking the echoing threats out of your head.

They’re dead. Gone. No longer a danger. You are in a church, following Joel, who wants to help you. Tess is in the back. She is safe. Everything is ok. It’s over.

For now.

“Here,” Joel says, stopping at the font at the back of the pews, a large bowl resting on a plain wood pedestal. You peer into the water, staring at your reflection.

“Probably not that clean, but, it’s somethin’.” Joel speaks, and you look at his reflection next to yours. He catches your eyes within the pool and then holds the gaze. “Here.” He says, and you look down as he gently takes your wrist in his hands, lowering it into the water. It stings, but you don’t move. Joel softly rubs his fingers over your wrist, then over the palm of your hand, clearing away the blood. Light orange blooms over the water. He lets that hand go to take your other into the water, doing the same to wash them clean. The soft sounds of the water echo around the walls.

This is the most gentle you’ve ever been handled in maybe the entirety of your life. Despite the size and strength of his hands, Joel’s touch is farther light as he smooths his thumb along the creases in your palms. His breath is in your ear, and you can feel the heat radiating off of him, standing so close. His arm brushes against yours and as you watch him clean your wounds in the shallow pool.

“Alright,” he nearly whispers, letting your hands go. You raise them from the water, using your shirt to dry them slowly. Joel stands before you, lips parted as if he’s meaning to say something. You consider telling him right now, that you heard what he said last night. That he’s not just ‘some old man’, that Tess is right, and that the feelings aren’t unrequited. That there was something about him since the moment you saw him, even with the way he looked at you then. Tell him about that spark you felt the first time you touched. That you want to follow him just as much as you want to follow Tess. That you wished you knew him before, and that you want to know him now. That you hope you know him for a long time.

“Hey,” Tess cuts through your thoughts, and you both turn to her at the other end of the church, calling out, “No luck, the blood of Christ has turned to vinegar. I say we stay here and eat, then we go back out, find somewhere to stay the night. Dusk’s gotta be close by now.”

“Alright.” Joel says, turning his feet away from you and looking down.

“Yeah.” You reply, now getting a good look at Tess as she comes in front of you. “You look like shit.”

“Yeah I bet I do. Is it as bad as it feels?”

“I don’t know,” you answer, moving closer. You can feel Joel’s eyes on you as you gently use your finger to turn her face, checking over the damage. “Well, I’m sure you know that your eye is swollen shut. That’ll last a day or two. Split on your eyebrow and on your lip. Bruised as fuck. Anything feel broken?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Arlight, good. Mostly aesthetics, then.”

“Except for the temporary blindness, you mean?”

“Except for the temporary blindness.” You chuckle.

“Well, you look much better than I do. Split lip, split bridge, but your nose isn’t broken.”

“Sorry.”

Her brow pinches, “Why are you sorry?”

“That, you know, you got it worse than I did.”

Tess chuckles, “Well, you got us out of it while I was out, so no apology necessary.”

“You did a good job back there.” Joel says, and when you look back at him, you can tell he means it, not even a hint of sarcasm on his face.

“Thanks.” You reply quietly, attempting a light smile.

“Alright, I am fucking starving.” Tess announces, sitting down with a groan to unpack some food from her pack.

You eat in silence, all much hungrier than you realized, though Tess eats slowly, chewing with obvious pain.

“You know, I could chew that up for you, spit it back into your mouth like a bird, if you want.” You tell her.

She looks confused for a moment as a smirk spreads over her lips, chuckling, which then erupts into full laughter. Joel reacts just about the same, and then you’re all guffawing, the sound echoing through the church.

“That’s fuckin’ gross,” Joel laughs, feigning disgust.

“No it’s not,” you reply, “it’s utilitarian.” He just shakes his head, still laughing. You shrug, smiling, “Just offering.”

“You know,” Tess says then, “I’m really glad you’re here. And not just because of that shit you pulled back there.” She smiles at you, and you smile back.

“Me too.”

You glance up at Joel, catching a soft, genuine smile, but once caught, he drops his gaze to the ground. The look on his face tells you he feels the same, but why hide it? You look down at your own food, submitting back into the silence.

After you’ve eaten and caught your breath—more like felt like you could breathe and think straight again—you decide to walk along route 5 for a while until you find a residential area instead of forking off another way to find somewhere closer.

After a while of walking, watching the day turn to dusk, you finally reach a string of houses. You stop at the first closest to you, all ready and hoping to be truly done for the day. The house is two stories of dark brick, ivy covering up nearly the entirety of the side of the house, with a row of long dead flowers lining the steps up to the porch. The front door is surprisingly unlocked, allowing you the privilege of having a door to lock behind you. You’re all stanced with your guns and flashlights at the ready as the door creaks open, Joel leading with you tailing. The inside is all dark wood and wallpaper, looking like it was furnished in the 70’s. It’s designed in a way that tells you that this was a two person household, black and white pictures of a couple aging from prom to a wedding day. The house is neat, not like many others which appear to have been torn through both by a fleeing household and ransackers later on. It makes you uneasy as you climb the second floor, expecting the worst in a bedroom, but you find it just as neat as the rest of the house. You let out a breath, lowering your gun as you check around the room. More black and white pictures, an open jewelry box on the dresser, and tall wooden wardrobe next to a large, square shaped window.

“Clear,” you hear from somewhere else on the top floor, reminding you to respond with the same. You walk back into the hallway to meet Tess and Joel, all three of you reholstering your guns once in sight of each other.

“There's clothes in here,” you report, looking at Joel when you say, “you can replace that jacket.” He looks back at you, obviously having forgotten the state that its in, so you clarify, “The back is of yours is fucking shredded.”

Tess, looking confused, steps behind him to look, and ask, “How the fuck did that happen?”

“Oh, uh, the barbed wire.” He replies.

“What do you mean, the barbed wire?” She questions.

“I used it to tear a hole in it.”

“You tore a fucking hole in the barbed wire? That’s what that was?”

“Yeah.” Joel answers shyly.

“Jesus Christ, Joel.”

“Pretty hardcore.” You say to him, smirking.

He tries not to hide a smile and weaves around you into the bedroom.

“‘Hardcore’. I like that.” Tess smirks back at you as she follows Joel.

The wardrobe is filled with clothes of an old couple, women’s options, to both you and Tess’s dismay, nothing but boxy, flowered dresses. The men’s clothes are much more practical, old but sturdy looking jeans, plain t-shirts, and a few different jackets. You choose a thick leather one, as does Joel, while Tess takes the tan suede jacket that suits her incredibly well. All the shirts are just about Joel’s size, but you and Tess can make due with them fine. All three of you keep your jeans, none of you fitting this man’s size. The clothes are dusty and old, but still an upgrade.

Once you’re all changed, you join in the living room on the first floor.

“Alright, I’m gonna call the watch order.” Tess announces, “Joel, you’re up first, then me, then you.”

“I don’t need—” you start, objecting to being able to sleep the longest.

“Save it.” She interrupts, “I may look the most fucked up, but however long you spent with those goons has earned you more hours. Alright?”

“Alright.” You submit, feeling like you are now one with Joel, leashed by Tess, though you have no qualms about it. She’s smart, has earned your trust, and you do want to protect her, even though you know she can handle herself fine without it.

She turns to Joel, “Sound good?” He nods. “There’s a spare bedroom upstairs,” Tess continues, looking back at you, “both look good, so your pick.” You nod, very much liking this dynamic. It’s not like she’s ordering you around, you’re all looking out for each other. “Alright, let’s get some sleep,” she concludes as she stands, and you follow her upstairs. She chooses the spare, leaving you to the master bedroom.

You plop down on the bed with a heavy sigh. Once alone, you let the day wash over you, grimacing and running your nails over your scalp. It’s been a long time since you’ve been confronted with something that intense, you can only find the kinds of people you ran into today outside of a QZ. Evil people with free range. You’re not sure whether Infected are worse. At least they aren’t fucking smart, just hungry, all they want is to infect you. Kill you, but primarily infect. People get all sorts of ideas, all kinds of twisted plans, people are creative. You lay back on the bed, then curl into the fetal position, hugging your knees to your chest, and close your eyes. You can’t tell whether you’ll be able to sleep this whole night through or if you won’t be able to get a wink, but you pray it’s the former.

Tess is asleep in the next room over. Joel is downstairs with his gun ready. The house is clear. All the exits have been secured. If anything happens, you will be ready. Always ready. Until then, try to sleep, trying to shake off the horrors, just for a little while.

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merlukea · 3 years

Text

This one is ALL over the place so i’m sorry about that? shdyasgd

I also realized i have no idea of how she is like when she’s in love, so this had a lot of headcannons,

Tess smiling into your kisses

Prompt 3 from this list, requests are open!

You and Tess are kinda Silly as couple, the two of you would have a lot of jokes that only you two could understand

Tess also likes to flirt with the dumbest line possible just to try to make you smile or groan

Which means you two laugh and smile a lot when you’re together

She would be kissing you tenderly and then remember something, tell you and after that you’d be smiling almost to much kiss

Only almost

There’s also when she’s feeling smug or teasing you

Sometimes she won't tell you what she’s so smug about (it's about being your girlfriend, she is really proud of it)

And if you ask her she will just lean into your direction asking for a kiss

As you kiss her she would smile even more

There’s also her awestruck smiles that are most present when you’re hanging out together

Sometimes she would just hear you ranting about something you love and get this happy look on her face

It’s similar to the proud of being yours situation but softer

Instead of thinking about how much of a catch you are she’s just glad that she gets to be with you

She’s glad you’re happy and also glad you ‘re so relaxed with her

She’d be the one to kiss you this time (after you’re done speaking of course)

Multiple kisses, The way she smiles make the kisses short but also giver her opportunity to make small commentaries and asks about your rant

You may be fueled to talk a lot more but she won't stop kissing you and smiling about it)

It’s like getting rewards for being excited

(She may also call you a nerd because of the rants, but it's with such a fond voice it sound less like teasing and more like an ‘I love You’)

#tess rogers #roadkill tess #Tess x reader #Tess x you #HC #my writing #this is such a mess i'm-#i do be loving my girl tho #wish i was real life being silly and kissing her #i tried to think about her flirting with howin in the prologue/ Poes='s route but i dont remember much #Howin sdhchdsyc TYPO sorry #im rambling

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itsallyscorner · 2 years

Note

Hey can u do a Lm!reader blurb or Instagram prompt where she posts about her baby

Love, the Hollands

pairing —Tom Holland x Little Mix!reader

summary — Just a little baby update for the holidays with a smidge of sibling rivalry :)

warnings — none; picture is from Pinterest

a/n —My first fic back!! This a very short one but I can’t wait to write more ahhh!!! Also wasn’t sure if you wanted it to be a Tom Holland fic, so I just assumed😭

🖤 Liked by tomholland2013, perrieedwards, jadethirlwall, leighannepinnock, and 5,545,783 others

(Y/n)(L/n) The face of someone who knows they’re getting all the presents this year! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Love, the Hollands♥️🎄

leighannepinnock: Look at how big he’s gotten!! We miss you all so much, can’t wait for our next play date 🥰♥️

perrieedwards: Flynn, you look handsome in that beanie♥️ I hope you’re having a lovely Christmas!🎄✨

jadethirlwall: That smile will be stealing hearts in the future😪 Aunty Jade misses you Flynnie, tell mummy to send me a picture of you in that Mickey onesie♥️

tomholland2013: He actually wasn’t smiling about the presents..

tomholland2013: Little man shitted on my hands😅

tomholland2013: But just look at that smile—you can’t stay mad at that smile

jadethirlwall: @tomholland2013 that was his Christmas present for you😌

harryholland64: Officially the most adorable Holland in the family. Sorry Pads, you’ve been defeated.

spideyswebs: “love, the Hollands” I love them so much🥺😭😭

hazosterfield: Happy Christmas Flynnie!❤️🎄Love you all xx

tuwaine: Happy Christmas little man and to my favorite family, love you loads♥️

paddyholland2004: @harryholland64 I’m not even mad m8

hollandsworld: ^sounds a bit salty👀😂

samholland1999: @harryholland64 @paddyholland2004 an I not a contender for the most adorable Holland???

dommoholland: I apologize for the inconvenience of my sons, bless you darling xx

harryholland64: @samholland1999 well…no, you’re at the very last place

nikkihollandphotography: Flynnie you look dashing in that beanie, I’m so happy it fits!! Love, Granny xx

parkerpeter69: Not Sam, Harry, and Paddy causally having an argument in @(y/n)(l/n)’s comment section😭😭

marvelouswanda: how cute!!! Merry Christmas to everyone’s favorite family🥺❤️❤️❤️❤️

samholland1999: @harryholland64 then where are you on this imaginary ranking system??

perriessaladbox: is this just normal??😭😭

harryholland64: @samholland1999 I’m third, second is Tessa and first is Flynn.

(Y/n)(L/n): @perriessaladbox hilariously, yes, it’s very much normal

samholland1999: @harryholland64 we’re literally TWINS dipshit

tomholland2013: @samholland1999 OI NO CURSING ON MY CHILD’S PHOTO

tomholland2013: @harryholland64 and you’ve got it all wrong mate. Flynnie is first, Tess is second, and I’m third.

tuwaine: @tomholland2013 source??

harryholland64: @tomholland2013 I call bs.

tomholland2013: source = trust me bro @tuwaine

(Y/n)(L/n): @tomholland2013 how humble of you to put yourself at third

tomholland2013: I’m a humble king😌

—

Tags 🏷 ↴

(tags with a cross through them means it won’t let me tag you :( )

Little Mix!reader Tags

↪︎ @waxingmoonwrites @slut-for-steve-rogers @xkonpinkx @dummiesshort @gypsystuf @siriusblacksbf @wroetospidey @have-aheart @adayasgeorgia @xeniarocks @holsj2411 @woniess @thirlwallsholland @girl-lost-not-found

Tom Holland x reader Tags

↪︎ @lovableparker @aprettyfleur @sunwardsss @dummiesshort @thotforcriminalminds @icebinpear @itstaskeen @whoslili @white-wolf1940 @tomsirishgirlx @roseke @kaylans-imagines @spideyspeaches @slut-for-steve-rogers @moreidsdaughter @allthisfortommy @tom-softie @haroldpotterson @tomshufflepuff @bunnyweasley23

General Tags (Besties)

↪︎ @riverevelations @thegirlwiththediary @agustdowney @rqmanoff @sesamepancakes @stardustofreading @dracoswhore007 @alyssathesoftie @the-girl-in-the-chair @kaitieskidmore1 @6r4cie @bi-lmg07 @pogueslandia @impossibleapricotlampbat @bunnyweasley23

#marvel #mcu #avengers #tom stanley holland #Tom Holland #tom holland x singer!reader #tom holland x reader #Tom Holland x little mix!reader #little mix #little mix!reader #tom holland fluff #tom holland social media au #tom holland one shot #tom holland fanfiction #tom holland imagines #Tom Holland blurb #jade thirlwall #perrie edwards #leigh anne pinnock

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 3 years

Text

Hue and Cry XX

Warnings: non-consent sex and rape (series), trauma, mentions of death, some elements untagged.

This is dark!medieval!Bucky Barnes x reader and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Synopsis: After weeks on the road, there isn’t much time left to prepare for what comes next.

Note: I typed Chapter 20 and I’m like huh? I never really expected or intended this to be more than a self-indulgent smut fic but one thing led to another and another and another and ... you know what I mean. Anyways, you all have been wonderful with you support and I’m not too cautious to say that this fic has brought me back to the days of Tapestry ;)

Thanks to everyone and thanks in advance for all your feedback. :)

I really hope you enjoy. 💋

<3 Let me know what you think with a like or reblog or reply or an ask! Love ya!

MASTERLIST

You, Zemo, Peter, and Elina were joined by only several servants in the single cart. Your luggage was sparse, with more gold and food than anything as the baron promised you would have all you needed at your destination.

Ulrich was sent off every other night to seek out news of any repercussions which had come of the scene left at Tower Zemo. All you’d heard since your departure was what you already knew; the castle had been abandoned by its natural occupants and the visiting duke was found unconscious in his bed.

Heinrich’s Creek was jarringly serene after your hectic weeks on the road. Your small party had finally made it up the mountain roads and woven around to the lakeside manor hidden in the sprawling forests. You were met by guards hidden in the wilderness who recognized your leader and let him past without conflict.

Finally still, you helped Melinda and Tess unpack what little you had brought along from the castle as Zemo put Elina to bed. It was only just afternoon but you were all worn from the road. You could take a breath after looking over your shoulder for all that time.

You went to the lake to bathe, the cool water cleansed you of the dust and stench of your journey. The same dress you’d worn that day you face Lord Rogers laid piled on the shore, flecks of his blood melded with the stains of your own sweat. You decided you would burn it as you limped through the dirt and wrapped yourself in the pale robe provided by your host.

You sat on the rock and played with your cane, tracing the carved lines with your thumb. You heard a step but did not turn. You stared instead at the calm ripples in the water and the distant drop off that flowed over the side of the mountains. The shadow neared and you saw Peter’s distorted reflection in the lake. His hair was dirty and mussed, his face streaked as yours had been.

“How did you do it?” he asked.

You spun the cane and crossed one arm across your stomach as you sighed, “I didn’t plan it. He did. I was ready to die.”

He didn’t say a word as he stepped closer to the water. He sat and pulled off his boots and socks. He shoved his feet into the shallows and closed his eyes. He held his head as he thought. As long as you had been on the road, there hadn’t been time to talk. You were all too concerned with going as fast as you could.

“I meant it, Peter, it wasn’t your fault,” you said softly, “I shouldn’t have ever made you think it was.”

“You say that but I can’t believe it,” he opened his eyes and leaned back on the heels of his hands, “I still see the pain in you. I saw it, I heard it when you went after Rogers. It’s in your step, written in your scars…”

“They did that, not you,” you insisted, “if I had any grudge against you, you’d meet the same as Rogers.”

He tapped his fingers in the dirt and chewed his lip. He wiggled his toes in the water as his thoughts wrinkled across his forehead, “how did it all begin?”

You swallowed and felt your throat tighten. You tried not to think of that day. It was so long ago but it was so plain in your mind that it felt as if you could shut your eyes and be back in that castle, pinned between Barnes and the hearth, your hand crawling over the mantle.

“I don’t… know,” you gripped your cane and rested it over your lap, “I never could figure out what I did--”

“You think it was your doing?” he asked.

“No, but… how can you even know what they did?”

“I can guess,” he shrugged, “I can imagine it and it makes my heart clench and my head pound. It makes me want to kill them and do just as bad to myself for being so naive and just thinking I could walk away--”

“It was never your problem, Peter,” you dropped the butt of your cane onto the ground and pushed yourself to your feet, “you were kind to me when I needed it. You did more than you think.”

You bent and grabbed your clothing from the dirt and slipped your feet into your clogs. He watched you sullenly and pulled his feet up as he leaned his arms on his knees.

“If it had been different, could you have loved me?” he asked.

Your heart pulsed and you considered him, “could you have loved a simple maid?”

“That isn’t what I saw and that won’t change,” he said, “so?”

“I think I could have,” you hugged the bundle of clothing against your side, “if it had been different.”

“If,” he said and turned back to the water, “you might not think it, but I owe you and I will pay that debt. That little girl deserves it.”

“Thank you,” you uttered, “I’m sorry--”

“No, don’t be. Ever,” he said, “life never goes as you expect it and we have to live with what could have been, but we can’t change what is.”

“You can still go home--”

“I can’t. Rogers saw me there with you, I fled with you,” he rubbed his palms together, “and I don’t want to live among those wolves.”

You smiled grimly and backed away. You left him to watched the water and wash away his own worries. You made your way back up to the stone manor as you mulled over all that swirled around in your mind; the memories, the fears, the uncertainty.

And you returned again to that day when everything changed. You thought of the story you never told. A story none would know unless you did. A story your daughter deserved; that he deserved.

You put your clothes by the pit just outside the back entrance of the lakeside manse. You carried on into the dim kitchens and through the corridors to the front room where you’d left Zemo. He wasn’t there but the place was too big to go searching. You sat instead by the tall arched windows and looked out onto the blowing grass and swaying trees.

You didn’t know how long it was before he came. You barely heard him as he sat in the armchair to the other side of the sofa and you turned to look at him. He was freshly washed and plaintive. His dark eyes were tired but alert.

“Elina is still fast asleep,” he assured you, “I swear she even got bigger on the road here.”

“She’s growing quickly,” you said as you dropped your legs off the couch and folded your hands.

“You were waiting for me,” he affirmed and you nodded, “you have something to say?”

“I have to tell you… Elina has to know one day, even if I am gone, even if they are too, she has to know,” you felt the dampness in your eyes and inhaled deeply, “and I want you to know.”

He was sombre as he sat and watched you. He steepled his fingers before his lips and inclined his head to show he was listening. You thought of the men who’d never heard you, who never wanted to.

“I was just a chambermaid. You know that. It was… one night I did not see to his chambers and I sent one of the elder maids as she had difficulty with the broom. He found me, he did not like change. Rather, he never liked to feel out of control, I realise that now,” you blinked away tears and shifted on the sofa, “he waited and I thought nothing on it until…”

You sniffed and wiped your eyes in frustration, “I did not want to cry.”

“If you resist, it will be worse,” he stood slowly and came to you, cautiously as if he thought he would hurt you, “here.” He handed you a handkerchief and sat beside you, “go on in your own time.”

You blotted away the tears and gathered yourself, “when he acted on… his lust, I ran. I had to, I had struck him with a vase and I was terrified. I spent weeks in that forest…”

You went on, pausing as you were overwhelmed with bouts of anger, of despair, and panic. He was patient as he listened and you were not so embarrassed of your emotion. When you were done, when you go to all that he already knew, that he’d witnessed, you sat back and hid your face.

“Your tears do not make you weak,” he said, “you are brave to have said it aloud. I admire you, I always have.”

“I told you because I know that I won’t have another chance to tell anyone,” you lowered your hands and leaned back on the sofa, “I know you have your plan and I’m certain it will work but when it comes down to it, I will not stop until he is dead.”

His eyes searched your face. He knew what you meant, he knew what it would entail and that he could not stop you. And he was sad for it.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” you asked, “vengeance.”

“I do not think I truly weighed the cost,” he said as he hung his head and sagged against the couch beside you, “I do not think I stopped to think on what I--”

“Pardon,” Peter appeared from the corridor, “I’m not meaning to disturb but I thought to retire for the night and have not yet a place to do so.”

“Ah, yes,” Zemo regained his veneer in an instant as he spine straightened and he sat up, “I will have Tess--”

You all paused as you heard hooves and listened as they grew closer and closer. Zemo stood and looked out the window. He frowned and turned back to slip by Peter as he went to the front door. You rose with your cane in hand and watched as he let in Ulrich, the armoured guard was breathless from his ride.

“What is it?” Zemo asked pointedly.

“I… I have word that--”

“By the gods, sit,” Zemo ushered the man inside and offered him a stool.

The man sat and drained the last of his skin before he steadied his breath. He pushed back his sweaty pale hair and leaned back against the wall as he looked between the three of you.

“They sent a messenger ahead. Quicker than the rest of the party,” he spoke carefully, “Lord Rogers cannot ride astride so they make slow progress but we have our men along the border and at court. King Lars has kept his own spies busy.”

“Lars knows I did not act out of foolery. He is a wise king, not daft enough to cast me out,” Zemo waved his hand at the thought, “but you have heard something?”

“Yes, I did confirm it with the king’s men, is what I’m saying,” Ulrich went on, “King Samuel received word of the assault on his man but a second messenger was sent.”

“And?” Zemo prodded.

Ulrich glanced at Peter who wore the same confusion that filled your core. “You are Lord Parker?”

“I am,” Peter answered.

“The second messenger went to Lord Barnes. On his way, he was given orders by Lord Rogers to seize a Benjamin Parker,” he shook his head and was overcome with pity, “the Lord Barnes did have him killed.”

“Killed?” Peter reeled as he grabbed his chest in shock, “No--no--”

“There is more,” Ulrich continued despite Peter’s dismay, “there is this.”

He untucked a folded page from his pocket and held it out. Barnes seal was broken on it and Zemo took it roughly.

“I had the messenger read it after we shackled him,” Ulrich explained, “in case… well, we cannot be certain in these times.”

“You did well,” Zemo said as he read and lowered the parchment. He handed it to Peter as he sighed, “Lord Barnes has taken Parker’s wife. He will keep her alive if we deliver… the maid.”

“I--” Peter stared at the letter and squinted in pain, “I--”

“I won’t let you--” Zemo began.

“I’ll go,” you said, “I’ll go. This is the way.”

“No,” Zemo turned to you, “I have a plan--”

“A plan that will take too long. Me and Peter, we’ll go, I’ll get his aunt,” you said, “I’ll do what I have to to keep Elina safe.”

“You think you truly can--”

“I don’t know what happens after but I know this is what I must do,” you turned to him and grabbed his arm to make him face you, “and I know you will keep our daughter safe.”

You pressed yourself against him and he met your lips in surprised welcome. He held you as you clung to the front of his tunic and drank you in eagerly, reluctant to part as you sensed the gazes of the other men.

“I am ready to go,” you let your hand trail down his tunic longingly as you raised your chin, “this will end. It has to end.”

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calaofnoldor · 3 years

Text

My Own Hidden Gem Masterlist

as a tangent to the hidden gems reblog challenge, i've compiled a list of writers and the fics they've deemed their most underrated!

go show them some love and maybe tell them i sent you? 😉

if you'd like to add yours, please see this post :)

@alleiradayne ~ There's Something Strange | Sam Winchester x Reader Series - When Y/N Y/L/N escapes to the upper Midwest for a weekend of inspiration to begin her tenth paranormal thriller novel, she never imagined the source of that inspiration to be her own life. Between the old mansion, two peculiar men posing as antiquers, and the mysterious death of the heiress of Hill Manor one-hundred and fifty years ago, Y/N learns the truth about far more than the paranormal.

@allys-creative-bubble ~ The Masquerade | Sam Winchester x Reader Series - To the outside world the Winchesters are just running an MNC and are really good people. Only few people know what they actually do and reader is one of them. Who also happens to work for FBI and go undercover to investigate them. Things went well until she stated to fall for the younger Winchester.

@calaofnoldor ~ Sixth Time's the Charm | Sam Winchester x Reader Series - All the times Dean has tried to get Sam to admit his feelings for you.

@carryonmywaywardbucky ~ Spring Break | Sebastian Stan x Reader - The reader and Sebastian’s friend group is headed to Myrtle Beach for spring break for some much needed R&R before finals. Their friends have a plan in place to finally get Seb and the reader together, something they’ve been trying to do since freshman year of high school.

@danneelsmain ~ My Angels | Danneel Harris x Etla Harris x Rachel Harris x Reader - Being an Omega is tough and Y/N thought she'd never get picked and escape the auction palace but little did she know an Alpha or a pack of them would. Certainly the angels that would take her away from a place of horrors.

@deanwanddamons ~ Women Are Always Right | SPN Gen Fic - Sam and Rowena have a disagreement about the use of ingredients for a spell.

@deanwinchesterswitch ~ Sacrifice | Dean Winchester x Reader - sac’ri·fice’ v. 1 to give up something that is valuable to you in order to help another person 2 to give up something for something else considered more important (Cambridge Dictionary, 2020)

@downanddirtydean ~ Let the Light In | Dean Winchester x OFC Series - Tess Sands has spent the last eight years searching for the remaining Men of Letters bunker that her father has told her so much about. When she finally finds it, she discovers that the Winchester brothers are already living there. In almost no time, Tess joins Team Free Will… until she finds out that for her, will has never been free.

@hoboal87 ~ Elastic Heart | Sam Winchester x Reader Series - Y/N Y/L/N, a recent nursing school graduate, life is turned up-side down when, out of sheer circumstance, a certain Winchester walks back into her life. Neither one ever expected to see the other again, they most come to terms with how their relationship ended, and the secrets unspoken between them.

@idabbleincrazy ~ Go Out with a Bang | Spangel Series -Spike’s already faced down his last day on Earth once, hell if he ain’t gonna do it right this time. Stuck at Wolfram & Hart till the sun goes down, he decides to finally take it upon himself to fix the rift between him and his Grandsire. If Angel’s so certain they won’t escape the Senior Partner’s wrath, then he’s got nothing left to lose…right? Follow our two Vamps with Souls as they bare their hearts to each other and take a leap of faith that they just might make it to see tomorrow.

@iguana-eyanna ~ What Was Left Behind Pt. 7 | Steve Rogers x Reader - After the events of the Sokovia Accords, Steve is now a fugitive to the U.S.A. government and has left you in the worst way possible. What happens when fate reunites the two again when you are most vulnerable?

@katelynw93 ~ Dean fucking Winchester | Dean Winchester x Reader - Dean is out looking for someone or something to entertain himself with. Turns out that thing is you.

@myinconnelly1 ~ Throwing Pebbles | Sam Winchester x OFC Series

@peridottea91 ~ Holding Onto You | Sam Winchester x OFC Series - In 2012, Bobby Singer was killed by Leviathan Dick Roman. The aftermath of his death leads to a division between the Winchesters and Sam’s girlfriend, Kasey. Guilt-ridden and driven to her breaking point, she gathers her stuff and leaves in the middle of the night without a word. Four years later, she calls Sam’s phone after a hunt gone wrong in the hopes of hearing his voice one last time. Suddenly they are swept back into each other’s lives, but a lot has happened in four years. Can they rekindle what they had before, or is it too late?

@sams-sass ~ Secrets in the Snow | Sam Winchester x Reader Series - You and Sam get trapped in a cabin for Christmas. Fluff ensues.

@sofreddie ~ Chasing Shadows | Sam Winchester x Reader Series - The Shadow. A Hunter’s Legend, a Fairytale. At least, that’s what Sam thought until The Shadow showed up and saved him on a hunt. In his search to discover and know this mysterious Hunter, Sam runs into a woman from his past. Can she help him get to the bottom of this mystery?

@supraveng ~ Girls Night | SPN Gen Fic

@swiftlymoniquesblog ~ My Daughter's Nanny | Jensen Ackles x Reader Series - The hardest part of losing someone you love is trying to move on after they’ve gone. What’s even worse is having a 5-year-old daughter that you are the sole caretaker for. On top of that, you have to balance a career on a very successful television series. Hiring someone to help out around the house came with a lot more than I ever thought it would and I found myself compromising a lot of things I should never have. Believe me, I know that what I’ve done can be frowned upon but when there’s a hole in your chest the size of an entire human being, you’ll do anything to fill that hole once more, no matter what the cost. Desperate people do desperate things, right? Well, look at me; I’ve become desperate.

@there-must-be-a-lock ~ Gift-Wrapped | Bucky Barnes x Reader x Steve Rogers

@thinkinghardhardlythinking ~ Wish | Sam Winchester x Reader - Sam, Dean and the Reader make a wish. The reader has a dream. Friends to lovers with Sam but leading up to Priest!Sam naughtiness.

@thoughtslikeaminefield ~ Where is My Shiny Gun? | Sam Winchester x Donna Hanscum x Dean Winchester Series - Sam finds himself in a quandary when he realizes he has feelings for Donna by way of the obvious mutual attraction between her and Dean.

@wonder-cole ~ Captive | Dean Winchester x Reader

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labrats-and-clonetroopers · 3 years

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Masterlist

Request Guidelines

Moodboard/Collage/Art Masterlist

Star Wars Masterlist

Star Trek Masterlist

Lab Rats/Mighty Med/Elite Force Masterlist

Roswell Masterlist

"Destined" Tess Harding Drabble

Tess struggles to find her place after reuniting with Max, Isabel and Michael.

"Shattered" Vilandra Drabble

Vilandra reflects on her life and her secret affair with Kivar.

Warning: allusions to intended suicide, cheating, controlling and abusive behavior

"Hurt" Kyle & Jim Valenti Oneshot

For: Febuwhump Day 16: “Does that hurt?”

Warning: neglectful/abusive parent [mother], blood/injury

Character x Character

"One Hundred Percent Perfect" Max Evans x Liz Parker Drabble

For: Sicktember 2021 - Day 9 - I’m Not Sick

Reader Insert

"Hatred" Michael Guerin x Reader Drabble

The Reader and Michael converse after he’s been injured.

Relationship: Unspecified

Warning: blood, injury

Marvel Masterlist

"Wake Up" Pietro & Wanda Maximoff Drabble

For: Febuwhump Day 13: Won’t regain consiousness

Warning: injury, reference to death of parents

Reader Insert

"Patience" Malekith x Reader Drabble

The Reader loses faith in Malekith’s leadership.

Relationship: romantic

Warning: blood, injury, implied character death

"Curious" Loki x Reader Drabble

The Reader becomes distracted from their mission by a strange man in a cell.

Relationship: pre-romance

"A Perfect Christmas" Steve Rogers x Reader Drabble

The Reader and Steve spend a quiet holiday evening together.

Relationship: romantic

"Aid" Shang-Chi x Reader Drabble

For: Febuwhump Day 12: Spiked Drink

Relationship: unspecified

Warning: alcohol, spiked drink

"Can't Go Home" Steve Rogers x Reader Drabble

For: Febuwhump Day 14: Can’t go home

Relationship: unspecified

Warning: mentioned bombing, meantioned deaths of parents

Crossover Masterlist

LR/MM/EF x Star Wars [Ahsoka Tano/Chase Davenport] Masterlist

LB/MM/EF x MCU

3 Narcissistic Geniuses & Their Problems (Tony Stark, Donald Davenport, Douglas Davenport)

Pretty self explanatory.

"Ghosts" Steve Rogers & Captain Atomic Drabble

Steve reflects on growing up with his two best friends.

Warning: Mentions of violence, death (including the display of corpses), and injuries

Star Trek x Star Wars

The Corruption of Time (Enterprise/Clone Wars) [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 1

Chapter 2(& 3)

Star Wars x Lord of the Rings

"Secret" Count Dooku & Saruman Drabble

After his death, Saruman’s spirit wanders far from Middle-Earth

Warning: murder of an infant

__________________________

Side Blogs

mr-terror-deserved-better

Where I reblog sci-fi stuff I like (Star Wars, Star Trek, Lab Rats/Mighty Med/Elite Force, Roswell, Marvel)

of-elves-and-mad-hatters

Fanfiction blog for Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Secrets of Elvendale, Zorro (1957), etc.

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agender-wolfie · 2 years

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There are only a handful (maybe) of Tess fics and I feel hollow

#fictif tess #tess rogers #roadkill fictif #fictif roadkill #mobile games #nix hydra #tess rogers x reader #fictif games

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suitofvibraniumarmor · 3 years

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Part Nine

Summary: Tessa offers her sister some sound advice. Pairing: Bucky x Reader Word Count: 675 Warnings: Flangst. Square Filled: It’s going to be okay. for @buckybingo

Masterlist

“Nice of you to show up. Thought maybe there was another Snap or something.”

Y/N sighed and tossed the contents of her hoodie pocket on the kitchen counter. “I’m sorry, Tess. I didn’t plan to be gone that long. Couldn’t sleep, went for a walk. Things happened.”

Tessa’s red, puffy eyes grew wide. “What kind of things? Are you all right?”

“I’m okay.” She slumped into a chair across from her sister. “I went back to that bar, Howler’s, and the owner I chewed out was there. We made amends. And then some, I guess. But, when we woke up this morning, despite the fact that he was incredibly sweet and kind, I panicked.”

Tessa sipped at her coffee. “When are you gonna stop this need to be in control?”

“It’s not about control. This is not the time to be making stupid, irresponsible decisions. You need me here, you know? We’re still picking up the pieces of what was left behind …”

“Y/N,” Tessa began, no traces of lingering anger in her soft voice, “it is about the control. Before any of the other shit happened, you always had to be the one in control. You saw the different scenarios, you knew what could go wrong. I envied you that -- I could only see where things should go right and get so frustrated when they didn’t. You’re a realist. Logical to a fault.”

Y/N snorted. “Yes, but then I give up that logic for one night and sleep with some guy I don’t even know. We have too much to put back together for me to be off playing games.”

“You’re allowed to live a life. Maybe I should have told you that when all of this started. I’m healing too, and I need to be here, I need to keep pushing forward. You need to take a breath every now and then. You need to let someone else take control -- and there isn’t an ounce of shame in that.”

Tears were falling already, but turned to sobs when Tessa came around the table to embrace her sister. Tessa allowed Y/N a few minutes to get it out of her system, then told her to get her stinky ass in the shower.

“You’re gonna go back there and talk to him at least. Do something for yourself.”

Y/N nodded and did as her younger sister told her. She was pretty sure she remembered the way back to Bucky’s but was still surprised at how quickly she was back on his front steps.

Bucky opened the door, annoyed at first, then surprised that it was her. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned in the doorway.

“Didn’t expect to see you again. Certainly not back here.”

Y/N bit her lip and drew in a deep breath. “My sister Tessa and I were dusted in The Snap. Our parents were sick when it happened, they passed while we were gone. We’ve been picking up the pieces and I -- I thought if I could give up control for one night, I could handle it. Trying to keep everything balanced, keep Tessa above water … I needed a break. But then I panicked and thought I jumped too far. Tessa had to pull me back up to the surface this time.”

“So, you’re back to apologize?”

She nodded and picked at the chipped paint on the doorframe. “To apologize for the way I left, and to ask you if you -- do you really think maybe there could be more here? Even when we’ve known each other for such a short time?”

“I think maybe it’s worth finding out,” Bucky answered, taking her hand to pull her against him, “and I think that whatever happens or doesn’t happen with us, it’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay, Y/N.”

She looked up at him with a grateful, relieved smile. Bucky mirrored the expression and leaned down to kiss her before leading her back into the house with him.

AllOfTheThings: @captain-s-rogers @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @hurricanerin @im-not-an-armrest-im-short @shynara51 @sea040561 @pinknerdpanda @xtina2191 @beakami @heartsaved @fullprunerebelstatesman @blackwidowismyhomegirl @averyrogers83 @jennmurawski13 @connie326 @whitewolfvibraniumdreams

#bucky bingo round 1 #bucky barnes #fanfiction #marvel #bucky x reader

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buckysmischief · 4 years

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Spaces Between - Prologue

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Word Count: 804

Summary: The Snap took everything from you, who knew Loki would be the one to put back all your pieces?

Warnings: thanos doesn’t kill loki, everything else is cannon with IW & Endgame (im sorry), language, fluff, angst

AN: Tessa is an oc, readers best friend

FTS Masterlist | Series Masterlist

☄︎

Winter 2017

It’s your fault you’re in this situation, like usual, but this time there was no escaping.

“My, my. What do we have here?”

You were only there for a half a second, a random New York City rooftop. Did he know you were coming somehow?

“You’re a Jumper, aren’t you?”

“How the hell did you kno-” you turn to face the voice, but freeze when you recognize its owner.

Loki.

“Know you could teleport? Besides you appearing in front of me out of nowhere, I watched you disappear from a building three blocks south and reappear on another two blocks west in seconds. I know a Jumper when I see one.”

The fact that he was taking an interest in you probably wasn’t the best idea, but things were getting boring and this could be fun. Right?

“What’s it to you?” you smirk.

“Wonderful, you’re feisty too.” He laughs, slowly walking toward you. “So, how far have you jumped?”

“I can be anywhere in the world in five seconds, but I have to know where I’m landing.”

Five years ago, after the battle of New York, you woke up in the hospital. Tessa, your best friend and roommate, was there and told you about how you both were looking for safety when you got hit with alien debris and had been asleep for a couple of days. After that you had these.. enhancements. You could not only jump from one location to another, but when you focused, you could see the first few seconds of what would be happening when- and where- you land.

A few weeks ago though, you saw a bug and thought you screamed so loud that you broke a glass cup on the counter. But Tess convinced you it was just your cat, Smokey.

“Have you tried jumping somewhere more, out of this world?” His voice was seductive enough to make you want to try jumping to the moon without thinking about how you would breathe.

“How would I have-”

“Hold onto this,” he reached for your left hand, then a black serpent with emerald eyes wrapped itself around your wrist, transforming into a bracelet. “It’ll help me find you, and I’ll show you just what you can do.”

You just stood there, like an idiot. What were you supposed to say to this man? This God? ‘Hey this was really cool at first but it went from 0 to infinity and beyond faster than I could blink, what’s happening?’

“Keep practicing, little one, we’ll meet again soon.” he was gone, like he was never there. But he was, the snake bracelet around your wrist was proof. You had to tell Tessa.

.5 seconds later

“TESSA! YOU WON’T BE-FUCKING-LEAVE WHO I JUST MET!” you yell throughout your apartment, until she finally opens the door to her room.

You tell her everything that happened. It wasn’t much, but it happened and she was the only person you could trust with your secret. She’s the only person you’d even trust with your life. After all these years, Tessa was more than your best friend and roommate, she was your sister, your person.

“Dude,” Tessa laughed, “can you imagine the God of fucking Mischief just showing up for a booty call?”

“I tell you he could teach me how to jump to space and your mind goes to booty call… how?”

“I just said what you were thinking.” she shrugs, walking back into her room.

“You’re such an asshole!”

Spring 2018

You were running in Central Park like you normally did on sunny spring days when you felt the snake on your wrist start slithering in circles, something it hasn’t done since it locked in place.

“Yn.” You look up from the snake to find Loki in front of you, obviously in a panic. “I’m currently on an Asgardian ship and I’m doing something very stupid and I.. I need you. Listen carefully, when the snake's eyes glow green, you’re going to be brought to me. Don’t panic.”

Suddenly, you feel like you’re being pulled in all directions. After what felt like years, you were by Loki’s side. On an Asgardian ship. In space. Watching another Loki run out of the Hulks way.

“Now, Yn. You need to jump us home now. And those two.” He nods to Thor and Hulk.

“I’ll have to come back, they’re too far.” you’re shaking, but determined to not screw up. Even if you’ve never jumped light years before.

You grab onto Loki and think of home, New York, you apartment, of Tessa, of Smokey.

It must have worked, you couldn’t see straight, but you could hear Loki. “You did it little one, I knew you could! Now do you remem- Yn, are you okay?”

You only remember him catching you, and hearing Tessa’s scream.

☄︎

Permanent tags: @sociallyeneptbarnes @rogvewitch @saturn-aka-six @stuckonjbbarnes @superavengerpotterstar @estillion14 @sleepingspacedragon @geeksareunique @infj-slytherclaw @imsoft-barnes @piper-koko-barnes-rogers @murdermornings @distractedgemini @screaming-fridge @readeity @aestheticrelated @my-drowning-in-time @valkyriesryde @sebbbystaaan @disaffectedbarnes @buggy-blogs @hey-its-grey @pinknerdpanda @brokenthelovely @sandyclaws @death-unbecomes-you @rhymesmenagerie @actualdpshuri @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog @mushyjellybeans @https-bucky @nea90sweetie @goalexis123 @missmeganrachel @sunflowersandcherry @miraclesoflove

#loki x reader #loki odison x reader #enhanced reader #angst #fluff #marvel #mcu fanfic #spaces between #fortune teller series

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steves-on-a-plane · 4 years

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The Camping Trip

Words: 1484 Pairings: Steve Rogers x Reader, Bucky Barnes x OC Prompt: “Our friends dragged us as third and fourth wheels on a camping trip and they keep arguing and we may have run off AU” Prompt Credit Via @dailyau Summary: Reader agrees to go on a camping trip with her best friend, Tessa, and Tessa’s boyfriend, Bucky. What she doesn’t know is that Bucky also invited his best friend, Steve. Reader and Steve soon become unwilling allies when it seems Tess and Bucky can’t stop fighting.

“[Y/N]!!” Your best friend, Tessa, came running over to your car excitedly. You’d just parked in her driveway where your car would be resting for the weekend. You got out of your car and were immediately encircled by Tessa’s arms. “I’m so glad you agreed to come with us this weekend! It’s been forever since we’ve hung out!”

“It’s been too long.” You nodded, ending the hug. “So, is it just me, you and Bucky this weekend?” You asked, opening your driver’s side back door and reaching for the camping equipment you’d packed.

“Hey [Y/N]!” Bucky, Tessa’s long-term boyfriend came over to help you load your bags into their car. “Have you met my friend, Steve?”

You looked up to see a mountain of a man lurking by Bucky’s SUV. He was at least six feet tall, with a muscular build. You thought for sure one of his biceps was the size of your head. As you approach the SUV, Steve offers you a hand to shake. You accept his hand a give it a stern shake.

“Nice to meet you, Ma’am.” He says politely.

“It’s [Y/N] please.” You insisted, looking up at his ocean blue eyes. “It’s nice to meet you too Steve.”

“So [Y/N], are you an avid camper?” Steve walked to the driver’s side back door and opened it for you.

“Not exactly.” You laughed. “I just get dragged along on a lot of Tessa’s adventures.” Steve shut the door. You clipped your seatbelt in and Steve joined you in the backseat. “The last time I went camping with Tessa we were in college. I got eaten alive by mosquitos and vowed I’d never do it again.”

“Yet here you are!” Tessa chirped, jumping into the passenger’s seat of the SUV.

“Okay, last chance for everyone to use an actual toilet. Anyone have to go?” Bucky warned starting the car. “Going once...twice…sold.” Bucky changed the car’s gear to reverse and rolled his SUV down the driveway.

“I created a bumping playlist for our drive!” Tessa announced. She plugged her phone into the aux cable on the SUV. The first song that played was obviously not Bucky or Steve’s taste it was loud booming pop music with shrill vocals. The next song that played was similar and the next fifteen after that. After an hour of this Bucky turned the volume down.

“Do you have any other music you could play?” Bucky asks with a hint of irritation.

“I worked really hard making this playlist!” Tessa pouts. You steal a glance at Steve. From his expression you guess that he too has witnessed his share of arguments between Tessa and Bucky. By the sound of things the happy couple were winding up for another legendary disagreement.

Bucky and Tessa argued over the music the remainder of the car ride. When you arrived at your campsite the situation didn’t improve much. First they argued about where to set up the tents, then they argued about how to set the tents up. Even worst, it turned out one of the tents was missing its poles.

“How do you not remember to pack tent poles for the tent?” Tess complained as Bucky dug frantically through the back of his SUV.

“I just assumed that when you used it last month for your yoga retreat you would have put the poles back in the bag with the rest of the tent.” Bucky snapped at her.

“It’s alright, I brought a spare tent just in case.” Steve offered. He reached into the back of the SUV and pulled out the tent. “I’ll start setting it up.”

“Don’t worry about it, Steve.” Tessa told him in a sugary sweet voice. “Bucky left the poles at home so Bucky can set up the backup tent.” She took the tent bag out of Steve’s hands and tossed it at her boyfriend.

“Tess!” You scolded your best friend. “Ease up, you could have checked for the poles yourself.”

“Hey, [Y/N], I’m gonna go look for firewood. You want to come with?” Steve asked. He held an axe in his two hands. You were very aware again just how muscular Steve Rogers was.

“Yes!” You agreed quickly. You followed the guy you’d just met deep into the woods to avoid listening to another argument between your best friends. “You know, I feel like I should apologize for Tessa. She’s not usually so…”

“Disagreeable?” Steve laughs. “Maybe I should apologize for Bucky too. He’s never been one to backdown from an argument. They make quite a pair.”

“Yeah.” You agreed. You whistle low and looked around the forest floor. “I guess we should start gathering wood and get back there before they kill each other.”

“I mean I could swipe Bucky’s keys when he’s mid-argument and we could drive off with his SUV. Leave the two of them here to sort things out.” Steve suggests. He steps a safe distance away from you and starts chopping at a nearby tree.

“You’d do that to your best friend?” You asked gathering small sticks and twigs that you’d need to start the fire.

“If you told me that you wanted to get out of here, I wouldn’t blame you and I couldn’t subject you to their arguments anymore.” Steve told you.

After a little while you both hoped enough time had passed that Tessa and Bucky had stopped fighting. You helped Steve load up his arms with as much wood as he could carry. You held a fistful of sticks in one hand and the axe in the other. When you returned to the campsite Bucky and Tessa were sitting on a log embracing each other and making out. You immediately looked away and Steve cleared his throat loudly. Tessa and Bucky broke apart at the sudden sound.

“Sorry,” Bucky apologize. “We didn’t know when you guys would be back.”

“While you were gone, Bucky and I were talking…” Tessa said. Steve got to work building the fire. You crouched down next to him and tried to help.

“I think you were doing more than that.” You pointed out.

“Anyway, we were thinking,” She nuzzled up close to Bucky practically climbing into his lap. “That maybe instead of doing guys and girls tents it would make more sense for us to share a tent and for you and Steve to share another. I mean we’re all adults.” She shrugged innocently.

“Sure.” You knew that Tess would get what she wanted one way or another, so it was easier to just agree from the jump. “What do you say, Steve?”

“Uh, sure. If you’re comfortable with it.” He nods, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“OMG yay!” Tessa exclaimed excitedly. “So later tonight if the tent is a rockin’ don’t come a knockn’, know what I’m saying?” She winked suggestively before leaning over and nibbling on Bucky’s ear.

“Why did we agree to this trip?” Steve whispered quietly to you.

“Actually,” Bucky stood up holding Tessa in his arms. “I think we’re gonna hit the hay right now. You two gonna be okay?” Steve responded by waving Bucky off towards one of the tents.

It didn’t take long for Steve to get a fire started. It turned out Captain America was quite the outdoorsman. You found marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers in the SUV and made a few smores. As the sun went down it started to get cold. You shivered at the gentle breeze. Even with the fire roaring, you wished you’d brought more layers.

“Wind is picking up.” Steve observed. “It’d be warmer in the tent and I brought some extra blankets too.”

“I could call it a night.” You yawned. You and Steve went into your tent. There was enough room for the two of you to retreat to opposite sides, but Steve offered you two spare wool blankets he’d packed. “Won’t you be cold?” You asked.

“I’ve slept in worst places.” He shrugged.

“We could, ah, share?” You suggested cautiously. The last thing you wanted to do was make Steve uncomfortable. “We could use our sleeping bags as mats for extra padding, and cover up with these.”

“I’d hate to make you uneasy.” Steve hesitated.

“Well, I’d hate for you to freeze to death on my account.” You took the two blankets and spread them over the two of you. You laid down pulling the covers with you. “We’ll both be warmer this way.” You told Steve. “Shared body heat and all that.”

“You could snuggle a little closer and you’d be even warmer.” Steve invited you into his arms. You scooted closer and rested your head on his muscular shoulder. You wrapped an arm around his waist. Steve held you in his arms. As you drifted off to sleep your heart fluttered. You couldn’t help but think that get stuck sleeping in a tent with Steve Rogers wasn’t exactly the worst place to be.

#Steve Rogers #Steve Rogers x Reader #Steve Rogers Reader Insert #Steve Rogers FF #Steve Rogers Fan Fic #Steve Rogers Fan Fiction

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agender-wolfie · 7 years

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Why is it that when I fall in love with a character, there are little to no fics about them? 🙄

#Master chief x reader #helena bertinelli #helena bertinelli x reader #tess rogers #fictif tess #nebula #nebula x reader #nebula gotg #twau Bloody Mary #bloody Mary x reader #the wolf among us #general yunan #amphibia #nahara satrinava #nahara x reader

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 3 years

Text

Hue and Cry XIX

Warnings: non-consent sex and rape (series), trauma, violence, attempted assault, some elements untagged.

This is dark!medieval!Bucky Barnes x reader and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Synopsis: The reader finds herself at an impasse.

Note: Things are heating up and we're starting to go full force over here <3

Thanks to everyone and thanks in advance for all your feedback. :)

I really hope you enjoy. 💋

<3 Let me know what you think with a like or reblog or reply or an ask! Love ya!

MASTERLIST

Days passed in idle anticipation. You kept Elina locked up with you and she grew more restless by the hour. When Lord Zemo came at night, she was happier but your sense of dread and impatience only grew. When the retinue arrived, you only wanted them to leave, but knowing who was roaming just floors below, you were anxious to strike first.

The baron was ever the voice of sense. Zemo was no beacon of morality, you knew that, but his honesty made him respectable. You considered how blatant he was in his intentions as compared to those other noblemen who painted their bad deeds as gifts. Perhaps he wasn’t entirely trustworthy but he didn’t trying to make you think otherwise.

You did your best to keep your daughter occupied with her many toys and quiet songs hummed out of tune. You bounced her on your hip as best you could with your cane in your other hand and crawled around with her like a dog. She was only calm when she slept as she longed for the sunlight that taunted her through the window.

You began to wonder how long the men would stay; how long you would be expected to stay hidden. Zemo mentioned vengeance and you dreamt of it every night. It was the only thing that kept you from quaking in fear and panic.

Tess brought your dinner and you placed it on the low table and sat on the floor with Elina and ate. You gave her tiny morsels to chew on or toss back at you. She was an energetic kid, stubborn and strong, and seemed to find fun in even the most dull tasks. You hoped she would grow up to be happier than you. Surely, she’d be more bold and more blessed.

As you chewed on some chicken, you heard that familiar knock on the door. Tess always gave a tiny tap and called through the wood but Zemo always gave that rhythmic beating. It was the latter, he was early that day. It made you worry as you left Elina to squeeze a piece of sweet potato and stood with your can dug into the wood.

You crossed to the door and turned the latch slowly. You opened the door and leaned heavily on the wooden stick, “well, you are earl--” your voice hung in the air as you stared at the familiar face, though it wasn’t Zemo.

You pushed the door but the man caught it and kept it two inches from the frame as he came closer. Peter’s hand trembled as he clung to the wood and gaped at you. He shook his head and blinked dumbly. The two years had given his face character and his shoulders a little more width.

“You’re alive?” he breathed.

“You can’t-- you have to go,” you pushed the door with a grunt, “please, go.”

“I thought… I thought you were dead,” he croaked, “I thought I--”

“Go away. Please!” you begged, “I can’t talk to you.”

“Or you won’t talk to me?” he challenged as he shoved his foot between the door and the frame, “how--”

“How did you find me?” you gasped.

He lowered his eyes and guiltily and clamped his lips shut. He sniffed and looked at you again, “I thought Zemo was hiding something from us. I followed him last night and listened… I couldn’t hear anything, I only saw him come here and knock.”

“No one else can know,” you said, “you can’t-- please go and don’t tell anyone.”

“I wouldn’t but-- I want to talk to you,” he insisted.

“You can’t. It’s too dangerous,” you argued, “you must go. If Zemo discovers you--”

“I don’t care if he does. Don’t you understand, I--I-- I thought I killed you.”

You were silent as you stared into his face. You saw the pain in his eyes, the shock laced with relief. But it was all tinted with the guilt he’d carried since that day. The false guilt you’d given him.

“I’m sorry, Peter, it was the only way out--”

“My aunt cried everyday for you and she never let me forget what you said to me. I never could forget,” he hissed.

“I know, but you have to--” Elina made a noise as she came over and clung to your leg, smearing food down your skirt. Peter looked at her and his lips parted in surprise, “no one can know about her.”

He nodded and gulped. He looked up and down the corridor. “I wouldn’t tell but I can’t go until we talk, I…” his voice cracked, “I need to tell you I was wrong. I lied.”

“El,” you bent to wipe her face and lifted her, “please, stay here,” you bid Peter as you turned and hobbled across the room.

You placed her in her cot, thought she only began to fuss, but you shoved a stuffed caribou into her hands and left her to poke its eyes. You went back to the door and found Peter staring at your cane.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, “that’s my fault,” he nodded to the cane, “and that,” he looked to the scar down your face, “I saw it. I tried to follow you that day but I wasn’t fast enough and you were--”

“No, it wasn’t you. I said it was because I could. I couldn’t tell the man who made me do this so I told you instead. That was unfair and unkind,” you blinked away tears, “and I hurt more than just myself.”

He mulled your words and picked at his sleeve. He dressed finer than the last you’d met, “I didn’t mean what I said to Barnes. You were sweet to me and my aunt told me what you were, he told me you were worse, but I didn’t truly care. I only knew he was hurting you and I was making that worse so I thought if I stayed away, he’d stop.”

“No one can stop him. No one. Those men, they cannot be stopped. They are evil in the flesh, they are borne to greed and cruelty. They only see what they can get, not what they can give because they won’t ever be denied--”

You heard a clamor, the pounding of footsteps from the stairway, and the frantic breathing of whoever was approaching. You opened the door further and pulled Peter inside. You shut the door and leaned against it with him as you listened and watched through the crack.

“Away, away,” you heard Melinda’s airy pleas as she swept past your door, “please, sir, away!”

“I just want to play a little game,” the deep voice made your blood curdle then the realisation of what he was doing made it boil even hotter. You gripped your cane as Peter frowned at you, “come here, pet, I don’t bite.”

Melinda squeaked as Lord Rogers’ footsteps slowed and you heard the struggle that followed. The muffled collision of her body against the wall, the small girl’s broken breath as it was knocked from her, and his lewd growl as he pounced.

You pushed Peter away from you and tore open the door. They were closer than you thought. Just against the wall opposite your room. Lord Rogers’ body shielded the girl’s body almost entirely. You raised your cane without a second thought and brought it down on his shoulders.

As he exclaimed and staggered, you hit him again, the time in the back of the head. You swooped your cane down and banged his knees so that he fell onto the stone. You hit him again in the side as he wheezed and you stood over him.

“Bastard! Bastard!” you hit him as the young maid and the other lord watched in shock, “how dare you? You beast!”

Peter grabbed your arm and stopped you as Rogers rolled onto his back and coughed. He groaned as he reached to his head and you were pulled away from him. You struggled with Peter as you wanted badly to hit him again.

“Melinda,” you said as you struggled, “go fetch the baron. Now!”

She skittered off like a mouse, careful to tiptoe around Rogers as he sat up and gripped his right shoulder where you’d hit him. He chuckled as he looked up at you. He grinned beneath the trickle of blood on his lips.

“Oh, well, what a treat this is,” he mocked, “the whore lives.”

“You’re vile,” you snarled, “I should bash you like the snake you are.”

“Parker,” he spoke to the man at your side, “hold her for me.” He grunted as he pushed himself up and stumbled a little on his feet, “let us remind her of who she is… oh, Barnes might come out of his rooms for this.”

He reached to his belt but Peter let you go. You looked over at him and he crossed his arms and shrugged. You gripped your cane tight and swung it again. The strike caught Lord Rogers across his chin and the next in the tender flesh of his side. You jabbed his chest so he was again on his back but he could barely get his arms up to keep away the storm of blows.

When he was limp and prone before you, you slowly lowered the cane. You quivered as you stared down at what you’d done. His breaths came in rattles. You leaned on your right leg as your left shook and you lifted the carefully carved stick.

You pulled the silver topper until it dislodged and revealed the long silver blade. Peter caught your wrist as you raised the dagger.

“Don’t, it’ll change you. It’ll make you as bad as him,” he whispered.

You looked at him and your hand shook. Hot tears streamed down your cheeks and you heard Elina murmuring, louder and louder as she wondered where you were. You sheathed the knife and plunked your cane down on the stone.

Footsteps drew you back to the end of the corridor as Zemo appeared from the stairwell. His face dropped as he saw you standing over Rogers. He took a breath but did not look angry.

“Well, I did hope to delay this a little longer,” he said as he approached, “but that Rogers was ever the petulant pest.”

“I’m sorry, he--”

“Oh, I can guess at it,” he nodded to Melinda as she followed meekly behind him, “I’d have done it myself if I had the displeasure of witnessing his lechery.” He came up to Peter and stopped, “but I will do what I must.”

“He won’t hurt us,” you said, “Peter… isn’t like them.”

“But he is loyal to his kingdom,” he pointed at Peter’s chest harshly.

“I am a viscount. Not a duke or earl even. I serve men like that on the floor because I have to, not because I want to,” Peter countered, “I have no lealty to the men who leave women like this.” He looked at you and bowed his head, “but I will admit I am not innocent of it.”

Zemo looked at you and stilled your hand as it was still shaking. "Do you vouch for him, lady?"

"He is a good man. If anything, I have drawn him unjustly into this mess," you said, "I knew you wanted to wait longer--"

"No use in apologies," Zemo grasped your shoulder and squeezed, "this stalemate would not have lasted forever. I am not entirely unprepared."

Elina began to bawl and Zemo brushed past you. He returned with her in his arms, rocking her until she quieted. He cradled her cheek with a mournful gaze and his lips curved for just a moment.

"Be quick, we must leave before the moon. We will move the lord out of the corridor and be away before they can discover him," he said, "by the morning, the castle should be empty but for our foreign visitors and it will take them some time to return to their home with news of such catastrophe."

"Is he dead?" you asked as you looked at Rogers' boots.

"An ox like him? Not yet, just annoyingly on the precipice," Zemo replied, "if we're fortunate, he'll have some lingering detriment but we cannot kill him. That would be an unforgivable mistake."

You heard a grumble and a croaky chuckle. Zemo turned and you looked down on the dazed duke.

"That is a beautiful girl," Lord Rogers rasped, "looks like her father."

Zemo's pupils turned to pinpoints and he handed you Elina. He bent and knocked Rogers across the cheek so that his head bounced off the stone. The baron shook out his hand as he stood straight and his nostrils flared.

"Lord Parker, was it?" He looked to Peter, "help me move him. We haven't time to spare."

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 3 years

Text

Hue and Cry XII

Warnings: non-consent sex and rape (series),egos clashing, mentions of past trauma and violence

This is dark!medieval!Bucky Barnes x reader and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Synopsis: You try to maintain the new peace in your existence.

Note: Honestly this series isn’t really listening to my plans so here you go.

Thanks to everyone and thanks in advance for all your feedback. :)

I really hope you enjoy. 💋

<3 Let me know what you think with a like or reblog or reply or an ask! Love ya!

MASTERLIST

You did not attend the second day of the tournament. Whether it was out of Barnes insecurity or anger or even both was not known. You did not complain for it. You didn’t have any energy for it after all that occured. He did not apologize, nor did he forgive, but he bided you and left in a lighter mood than you’d seen him in for a long while.

He wasn’t competing that day either. Perhaps that eased his stress. You languished in his chambers alone. You paced, you laid down but did not sleep, you sat by the fire then stared out the window. You existed in anticipation of his return.

When he appeared, the sky was a dimming blue. He did not acknowledge you as he kicked off his boots before entering. He rolled his shoulders and picked out a chain to hang around his straight collar. When he finished that, he opened up the wardrobe and selected a fine burgundy velvet piece and draped it over your lap. You watched him as he checked the ring on his finger.

“You will accompany me to the feast,” he stated, “now that we’ve come to an accord, there should not be another scene… isn’t that so?”

“Yes, my lord,” you stood and he helped you dress a piece at a time. The gown was stiff and hot. You chose a black cap trimmed in gold to pair with it and he offered you a chain link necklace to wrap around your throat. He eyed you up and down and peered out between the curtains.

“We will be late,” he said as he came back to you, “sweeting,” he poked his tongue between his lips as he considered you, “this morning…” his lashes lowered as he thought, “I was irrational last eve. Tonight should not be so… hostile. I long to start anew.”

“As you wish, my lord,” you agreed, “I never intended any acrimony between us. I’ve only served you--”

“Serve,” he shook his head, “I do not want you to serve me,” he took your arm, “I’d prefer you… care for me. Be with me in more than your deeds.”

“How were the games today, my lord?” you eluded him.

“Entertaining… well, for a time. By the finale, I was rather bored of it,” he shrugged, “I also did not say but you will sit with me this night. The king, my sister truly, has seen to it.”

You let him lead you out of the chambers. Lester was there as always, smug in his armour as he watched Lord Barnes direct you down the corridor. You ignored the guard as you always tried to do. He was the reason you were stuck, you’d decided, if he wasn’t so eager to impress his master you would have got away.

That time, you entered the feast hall from the opposite side. You felt Bucky tense as you passed through the doors. You kept your eyes on the floor as he took you up onto the dais among the higher nobles and the king. You couldn’t help but hold his arm tighter.

“You will be fine,” he assured as he drew you along.

He greeted Lord Rogers in a low voice and pulled out a chair for you to sit. He lowered himself between you and Rogers as King Samuel called to him from the Duke’s other shoulder.

“My lady,” the king raised his already full goblet at you, “we welcome you. We trust Barnes should not be so dour with you near.”

“Your majesty,” you bowed your head and when his attention returned to his queen, Rebecca, Barnes’ sister, you sat back and hid behind her brother. She was even more beautiful than when she’d resided in the castles. She had the same dark hair and those sparkling blue eyes.

You glanced around the hall and your eyes skimmed over those three figures you were trying not to think of. You stared at the table instead as you shook away the memory of May’s warm voice, Benjamin’s quiet comfort, and Peter’s hurt and shock. The previous night still lingered and made you fill rotten and even more displaced. You weren’t dumb enough to believe that any would see you beside the duke and believe you anything but what you were.

“Pardon, my lady,” the chair on your other side shifted and you looked up at the man with the odd accent. You hadn’t seen him before but there were so many faces, you couldn’t have recalled them all, “I believe this is my seat,” he clung to the seat next to yours, “I only did not want to startle--”

“Don’t talk to her!” Barnes hissed from your other shoulder and stood with a scrape of his chair. He squeezed your shoulder and uttered under his breath, “do not entertain this man.” He turned and flagged down Samuel with an angry wave, “what is this? For what purpose is he here?”

“Buck,” Samuel lowered his cup and stood. He walked behind the chairs until he reached the stormy duke, “the war is over. He was sent as assurance of that. We are allies now.”

“I should throttle him where he stands,” Barnes growled.

The other man sat coolly and signaled for his goblet to be filled, entirely unconcerned with the ravenous lord snarled at his throat.

“You will not. I cannot send him back dead and indeed, I do intend to send him back better than,” Samuel chided, “now sit and bide your tongue and your wrath.”

“He--” Barnes huffed then clamped his lips shut. You’d seen him angry but never like that. “You would sit him near me.”

“It was an unfortunate oversight. Perhaps Rogers might allow you to relocate--”

“No, no,” Barnes sneered and dropped into his chair, “your priorities have been understood.”

“I’ve allowed you a lot,” Samuel lowered his voice as he leaned over Barnes’ chair, “don’t make me rescind all my kindness.”

Barnes grumbled like a petulant child and reached for his cup. When it was empty he slammed it down and snapped his fingers for a servant. You looked around, your natural response was to do it yourself but you did not move out of fear. You were between two men with an obvious and intense distaste for each other.

“Apologies, lady, I cannot fault him his distrust--”

“Don’t talk to her,” Barnes pointed at the man as a servant stood at his other shoulder to pour his wine, “I will not warn you again. Her nor I will have a word from you.”

The man laughed and drank from his own cup and shrugged. He winked at you as you eyed him and he considered you a long while after. Barnes reached over and grabbed the arm of your chair to drag it closer to his.

He whispered in your ear, his breath tickling your skin, “he is a villain and you will not indulge his want of menace.”

“Yes, my lord,” you murmured as his hand went to your arm and searched out your hand from the folds of your sleeve. He shook as he twined his fingers between yours. He was more than angry, he was more upset than he’d ever been.

🏰

Barnes dragged you from the hall as the dancing commenced. He’d been agitated throughout the dinner and you let him stew in it rather than say or do anything that might provoke him. You didn’t know who that man was but his accent hinted at a former adversary, perhaps in one of the campaigns that the duke fought in years ago. You wouldn’t ask, that would be stupid.

That night, he was uninterested in your body beyond holding you close. He was still wound tight and fidgety. When you woke, he was already risen and half-dressed. He was shirtless and his arm remained on the chest where he’d left it. He sat on the bench and looked to it.

You got up and lifted his arm. It was heavy but you managed. You wondered how he could bear it every day. The thoughts swirled in your mind as you thought that no one would think less if he only pinned his sleeve. He was a veteran, a hero to many, he shouldn’t be ashamed.

Then you caught yourself as you approached him. He was awful. You shouldn’t pity him, you hated him. You helped him strap on the artificial appendage and silently buckled the straps. He groaned and pushed his head back as you finished.

“You should dress. You’ll do well to watch the games with me. Tomorrow I will be competing again and you will have to attend alone… though I did think to send Lester with you or another,” he said as you helped him into his tunic.

You acquiesced and pulled out a pale gown in a gentle robin’s egg blue. He helped you in turn and you stood before him ready to play your part. He sat and handed you a comb to help with his hair and you pulled it back behind his head and bound it with a thin tie. He almost purred as you did and when you finished he pulled your hand down onto his shoulder.

“We should away. Break our fast and go early to the stands. A box is reserved for me and you would not have to sit amid the masses,” he bid as he rose, “I trust you know what is expected of you now.”

“You, only you,” you assured him, “I will not wander again, my lord.”

“I will not tolerate it again,” he warned, “but I trust you, sweeting.” He pulled you to the door and his hand slipped to grope your through your skirts, he turned and bent to kiss you hungrily, “this will be over soon,” he drew away, “and we will return to our home.”

🏰

The box was much nicer than the crowded stands. The benches there were cushioned and only held several lords and ladies. The king was competing in the ax-throw and his queen observed in the box with two of her ladies, Marguerite and Tess, you and Barnes shared a bench but he was hardly interested in the games, and Lord Rogers paced behind the seats as Lord Stark boasted about the axes he’d designed for the tournament.

“Barnes,” Stark called to the duke, “I should have your saddle modified for your use on the morrow but some questions remain.”

Barnes sighed and touched your arm as he spoke quietly to you, “I swear he is so concerned, he is up to some trick with it.” He stood and walked around the bench to sit with Stark, “questions?”

“I have it…” Stark reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded page, “these are sketches of what I’ve done but I did wonder for some practical attunements given your… needs.”

The duke sniffed and looked over the drawings and you focused on the field as the targets were arranged further away than the previous round. You were startled as you sensed movement and you rose as Rebecca came near. She waved you off and sat beside you.

“Forgive me, I haven’t had a chance to see you,” she said sweetly, “I do remember you… lady, now, is it?”

“No, not really,” you ran your thumb down your palm, “your majesty, he bid me here, I know it is not proper--”

“My brother is stubborn, do not apologize for that for I am certain you suffer for it,” she trilled, “and he is peculiar but somehow I was not surprised at how he has… taken to you.”

“Your majesty,” you dipped your chin down as you listened.

“I imagine it must be lonely. You don’t know anyone and how could you? It is a poorly kept secret what you are, and I say that without condemnation, but he has thrust you into an unkind position,” she continued.

“I serve your family as I always have,” you replied.

“Your mother… she’s a pleasant woman, I always liked her. She used to bring up my linens and she had the most friendly face. How does she fare?”

“She died,” you uttered, “she had a growth in her neck and… she could not be saved.”

“I am very sorry, I didn’t--”

She pushed her shoulders back. She reminded you of her brother in her posture but she was kinder than him. She peered around the arena and nodded to herself as she thought. She peeked back at Barnes and you did too. He was irritated as Rogers had closed him in on the bench and both lords seemed to be working to stoke him.

“I must admit I did not see to you purely out of sentiment of our shared past,” she continued, “there was none in that hall last night who did not feel my brother’s spite or notice the man who earned it.” You blinked at her as you met her gentle eyes. Her smiled fell and she touched your sleeve, “he has afforded you quite the wardrobe but perhaps I might see to something more of the fashion.”

“That man,” you urged, “who was he?”

She chuckled darkly and lowered her chin, “forgive my distraction. That man is Baron Helmut Zemo,” she spoke in barely a whisper, “he fought in the campaigns… against my brother and my husband.”

You watched her nervously. You were still a kid when Barnes went off to war with his banner and you remembered his return, how none had seen him for years after as he hid away with his wounds.

“He dealt the blow that took my brother’s arm,” she quivered, “I warned Samuel it was tenuous to bring him here but… in the name of diplomacy it cannot be avoided. I only want you to know because you deserve that and it would help in dealing with my brother's moods… perhaps. I don't think anyone has ever truly understood how."

"Oh, uh, thank you, your majesty," you looked across the field as metal crashed into wood, "I suppose it is better that I know."

"Better you know and stay clear of the Baron," she said, "and for me, keep my brother from him as well. We cannot afford another war on the back of his grudge."

"I… how--"

"You do not see it but you hold a power over him. We both know his reputation; unsociable to say the least," she laughed lightly, "keep his mind from Zemo until he is gone, there are better things he could think on."

She stood with a last smile and you watched her skirts flow behind her. You kept your head up and your eyes down on the figures below. You did your best not to wince as her show of kindness became apparent for what it was. She was like her brother in more than just her looks. She was using you for her own means, that was all these nobles could see in others.

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