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going-to-ikea-for-the-fries · 2 months

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It's a Match! || 141 x Reader

[ Chapter 10 ] || [ Chapter 12 ]

Pairing: 141 x gn!Reader Words: 1.1K~ Summary: While overcoming recent heartbreak, you decide to join Tinder in search of a rebound. Your friends advise to just Swipe Right indiscriminately... What happens when 4 soldiers from the same squad match with you? a/n: i'm in love with gaz

Chapter 11: Excuse me?

A DM suddenly shoots up to the top of the pile in Kyle’s Tinder DM list and his eyebrows raise when he sees your name.

It’s been a month and a half, maybe longer, since you two last matched and after the brief rejection and you having gotten with Price, his life moved on and he kind of forgot you existed.

But your sudden message whose preview starts with “hey sorry to be botheri-” intrigues him so he presses it.

you: hey sorry to be bothering u but i figured it was safe to dm u about this because between u and johnny u seemed to be the most mature one! is simon okay? he stopped replying to me like a week ago and im concerned

Kyle’s eyebrows shot up on his forehead upon reading the question.

Kyle: he’s been texting u? 🤨 you: HI! yeah he has Kyle: excuse me? 🤨🤨 Kyle: like texting texting u. Kyle: as in you text him and he answers and u 2 chat? 😐 you: yes? 🙃 Kyle: tf kind of witchcraft did u pull on him? 🤨 Kyle: he doesnt text. Kyle: not one of us can get more than a thumbs up reaction to our texts in the groupchat. 😑 you: he texts me! Kyle: 😫?? Kyle: jesus christ. you: you didnt answer is he okay?? 😭😭

Kyle thought back on a reason why Ghost would suddenly, well, ghost you. But he can’t think of any… Ghost is a notoriously bad texter, it doesn’t surprise him that he went MIA…

And then it hits him.

It’s 8 A.M. in the rec room of their floor and Ghost was making tea just as Johnny was taking a seat in the couch.

Kyle oofed as Johnny hit him, throwing his legs over Kyle’s lap. “Watch it mate, fuck you’re bloody heavy!” He complained.

“AH, FUCKIN’ HELL!” Ghost cursed as he threw his hands up in the air the sound of water dripping on the floor catching his attention.

Kyle looked over to see Ghost had spilled his boiling hot water everywhere on the counter.

“You alright L.T.?” Soap asked a she lifted his head over the back of the couch to peer at Simon just like Gaz was.

“Great.” Ghost grunted as he picked up his phone from the counter, which was also dripping in water, while his other hand threw a rag onto the mess of water dripping down from the counter.

“Oh fuck… ‘s your phone dead?” Soap asked and Ghost grumbled under his breath, not quite answering the question, as he busied himself soaking up the spilled water.

Just then, Price showed up at the rec room door. “Simon, gear up. Got a briefing for a solo mission in 10.”

“Fuckin’ hell, yeah, yeah, I got it.” Ghost grunted as he cleaned the mess and then rushed out the door, leaving his mug of tea in the counter and clutching his now broken phone in his hands.

Kyle: hes fine. Kyle: he spilled water on his phone and killed it I think. Kyle: and he got sent out before he could get it fixed. 🙃 you: oh okay good! you: thanks! you: sorry to have bothered you! 🙏 Kyle: now wait just a minute. 😤 Kyle: u need to explain how in the hell u and ghost talk.👀 you: ghost? Kyle: that’s his work name. 🤷‍♂️ you: fitting seeing as i thought he ghosted me Kyle: THAT’S THE JOKE I MADE JUST NOW TO MYSELF! 😭 you: were in sync it seems 😭 Kyle: answer the question tho. you: idk what u want me to answer with Kyle: wdym u dont know??? explain yourself. Kyle: how do you get ghost to text u???? you: idk? im funny ig Kyle: 😑 you: im sorry if thats not what u want to hear Kyle: wait Kyle: a couple weeks ago he was out all night Kyle: during morning training soap was talking about how he had a date Kyle: was he with u? 👀👀 you: soap? Kyle: johnny. Kyle: keep up cmon now. you: jeez don’t patronize me you: yes simon was with me Kyle: 👀👀👀 Kyle: i see. Kyle: tell me more. you: theres nothing to tell Kyle: thats a lie and u know it. you: its not!!! Kyle: cmon. Kyle: u cant just meet with a bloke with a skull mask on and then say u dont have anything to tell. 😑😑 you: a skull mask?? Kyle: did he not wear a mask when he was with u? 🤨🤨 you: yes? you: a black one Kyle: with a skull print on it yeah? you: no??? 🙃 you: just black! Kyle: jesus christ. Kyle: and what? what happened? you: nothing?! Kyle: walk me thru it. you: we went out for a drink then came back to mine and watched a movie! Kyle: 🤨🤨 Kyle: and had a shag? you: NO???? Kyle: wdym no? thats what would normally happen with a bloke. you: and???? you: this is simon were talking about kyle you: nothing about him screams normal exactly 🙃 you: hes joked about being able to kill me with his bar ehands you: bare hands* Kyle: fair. Kyle: this raises more questions for me. you: what Kyle: like u would meet with a masked bloke that can kill u with his bare hands alone without protection? 🤨 you: i had protection Kyle: not a condom. you: oh 😅 you: well we met at a pub soooo Kyle: what did u 2 do then Kyle: other than watch a ‘movie’ 🙄 you: played mario kart you: slept Kyle: as in Kyle: you SLEPT? like honk shoo honk mimimimi? you: yes🙄🙄 Kyle: im confused. you: ur confused? im fucking confused bro Kyle: wdym u SLEPT TOGETHER? 🙃 Kyle: WHAT KIND OF WITCHCRAFT IS THIS? Kyle: wtf have u done to him Kyle: like ghost doesnt text, he sure as shit doesnt visit people, and he doesnt go on dates, he doesnt sleep next to people, im almost sure the man doesnt have feelings or emotions and only speaks in sarcasm Kyle: how can u get that out of him?? 🤨🤨 Kyle: no one else can! you: well with that mentality you cant you: idk what to tell u you: we hit it off 🙄 Kyle: explain yourself. you: ive been explaining it!!!!! Kyle: no explain it better. Kyle: I think Im having a stroke. you: idk how to make it clearer??? Kyle: thats it. Kyle: are you free rn?? Kyle: I need u to explain urself. 😑 you: Im at work? Kyle: whens ur lunch break? 👀 you: in 35 minutes. Kyle: do u like ramen? you: yes? Kyle: whats the closest japanese to ur job? you: Akira Kyle: meet me at Akira for lunch. Kyle: I’m buying. you: who said i want to meet up with u?? 🤨🤨 Kyle: man just get down there. Kyle: im offering to pay. you: fineeeee 🙄

Kyle quickly hopped up from his seat at his desk with a start and rushed back to his room to change out of his fatigues.

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taglist (CLOSED! not adding anyone else, sorry!): @daisychainsinknots , @bunnysdaydreams , @iite-cool , @lahniu , @pagesfalling , @tapioca-milktea1978 , @live-love-be-unique , @thelaisydazy , @littleghosthunter , @bossva , @emotion-no-hot-yes-hotel-trivago , @chamomiletealeaf , @ghosts-hoe , @kariiiel , @ltbarnes , @irregulardongyoung , @spacelia , @hayleybarnesx , @infpt-zylith , @xxshadowbabexx , @frescoisnotinthemilitary , @leeeenistop , @lucienbarkbark , @zombie-freak , @wittleespur

@severenswife , @enarien, @agoodmoviekiss , @l0lziez , @whos-fran , @greatstormcat , @openup-yourmind , @neoarchipelago , @sodavrr , @cutiecusp , @lilliumrorum , @c-nstantine , @kneelforloki , @comeonatmebruh , @codsunshine , @waiting-so-long , @captainquake42 , @gazspookiebear , @mynameismisty , @reap3erslov3 , @reaper-chan666 , @poohkie90 , @kitwithnokat , @stick-the-dumbass , @mothsdrabbles , @justanerd1 , @thesinsoflust , @thriving-n-jiving , @blckbrrybasket

#ikea writes 💚#it's a match! fic #cod modern warfare #cod fanfic #captain john price #john soap mactavish #kyle gaz garrick #simon ghost riley #text story #cod x reader #call of duty x reader #kyle gaz garrick x reader #gaz x reader

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blingblong55 · 5 months

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The Great War - Simon Riley//Vladimir Makarov

Creds to: @shadow0-1 for that Ghost work

Based on a request:

with the new mw3, lets do angst, something along the lines of "Somewhere in the haze, got a sense i've been betrayed" coming from us because 141 betrayed us horribly, which ended up in us getting tortured and then we pretennd its fine when it isnt. forget and forgive we lie and when we meet with Makarov, we tell them, 'oops sorry, forgot i was also a enemy at some point, guess its time to betray like real enemies do' and as we set Makarov free, we show that we have been working as his spy ever since they betrayed us. also can this be with a female reader and we also marry makarov behind their backs so thats why we betray so hard? i love u!

A/N: I forgot to add the angst....im so sorry pookies

Part 2

---- F!Reader, soldier!reader, enemy!reader, betrayal ----

It's been three months since Task Force 141 last saw you and how you betrayed them. Makarov and you have become the real-life Joker and Harley Quinn. In love with the other and maybe the love is toxic but the way he and you were so mental and in love made it all so good and bad. Everywhere you went, his hand held yours. It was romance for what poison could be. Deadly. One night, as Makarov and you celebrate your anniversary, he decides to spoil you. A private jet, a romantic location and a whole week in paradise. Well, that is the plan at least.

On the way there, the jet gets hit, Makarov rushes and puts a vest over you, his trusted gun and a kiss. "What are you doing?!" you frantically ask. "I'll meet you at our spot later my love," he lets go and then opens the door to the jet. The air tearing the door, he kisses you once more and as you look at him in fear and confusion, he gives you the illusion that he is right behind. Which he is not.

As you descend back to steady ground, the last person you ever thought wanted to see you, pulls a risky stunt. One he claims he has no idea he had the adrenaline for. Your body is so close to the ground as you watch your husband's jet explode. Ghost, holding you close as he deploys his parachute. "Vlad!" you call out with a tear-filled face. Ghost held you with all his mighty power until you two reached the grassy area. As he begins to unstrap, your hands hit his chest multiple times. Messy tears escape your face, "Why! why the hell did this happen?! What did you do!" Your hits became more defenceless as you cried and let out sobs of fear. Ghost wraps his arms around you.

In your memories, there he is, Vladimir and the children you were so set to want. Lazy Friday nights, the kids, Vladimir and you, a beautiful and complete family. It was like every puzzle was perfectly placed. Green lawn, sunny day, a puppy, giggles and small kisses. All gone in a matter of seconds.

"Shhh, shhh, I know, R/N, I know," his hand on your head, rubbing it as he kept you close to him. He was a trained soldier, after all, so he knew that occasionally he had to deal with people going through so many emotions. His gaze, why does it have to be this way? Why must he stare at you like this now?

No one knew Ghost had been on the lookout for you. That he went against every order given to him, that he broke an oath to hold you in arms this way as you cry. You pull away, your arms wrapping around your own body. Trying to find comfort in this moment. How did you lose him so easily? After so long of loving him in secret, he is gone this quickly. Like a cheap curse. But he was meant to be the lifelong curse. To ruin your very soul and taint you with his power of cruelness.

"God what were you even thinking?!" You push him., "You could've died, Simon. And then what?! huh!" You push him again and this time he grabs your arms. His stare lowered, eyes teared up as he confessed, "I did it for you," and now, he has become someone who he hates. Someone who betrayed the task force, someone who fucked it up and still it felt so right. Maybe you are a temptress, maybe you are the cruel one and not these men. Why must you make them love you so hard that they do this? What the hell do you even do now?

"I killed them all, please…please R/N, please listen to me." His voice more softer, gaze is so beautiful that it makes your heart flutter. "No, Simon-" "Listen to me this once. I know what I did is wrong but damn it, don't you feel it too? Don't you feel what I do? When I hear your voice, that sweet melody becomes my reason to wake up early, to smile, to even dare come back from operations. R/N, I know I'm not the best-looking guy in a crowd but…damn it, I would ruin everything for you."

His hand holds yours as he places it over his chest, "For years, so many years, this heart has belonged to just you." He whispers and holds you in for a kiss.

A gunshot.

One body to the floor and then darkness surrounded by crimson red.

No one ever said the joke or Harley Quinn had a good ending, guess it is the way this life goes.

[At the 141 base]

"Price, have yer seen Ghost?" Soap walks in after looking for his friend around the base for nearly an hour. "Should be in the shooting range," Price responds. "Think he mentioned something about going to the gym," Gaz mentions. "Not in any of those places." Soap says. The three men looked everywhere. Then, a soldier comes running in, "Someone stole the plans and mapping for the operation-" "and many of the files have been deleted, security footage is also gone." Another soldier comments. The three men have many possible answers and then two names come to mind. Makarov and yours.

"She fucking kidnapped him?!" Soap was furious and it was well known he hated you for what you did. Gaz, oh that man hated you for everything you were worth. In their books, you placed first place against Makarov and Graves. "That fucking bitch," Soap slams his fist on the table of Price's office.

As the men gather information and what else was taken, they realise a pattern here. After knowing who you were, your pattern who Vladimir is and his way of dealing with stuff, they understood the job was from someone on the inside and described you as someone who broke in. With contacts in many parts of the world, they looked for traces of him and traces of you.

You weren't even planning on this robbery to the base. Makarov wasn't either, so there is a third man. Alejandro and the rest of Los Vaqueros were told that they had someone else as a suspect. The devil herself, Valeria Garza. One look into her history and she was also not behind this mess. She was hunting down someone, yes but she didn't care for 141…yet.

After hours of exploring any enemy that would do this, it suddenly struck. And just as Gaz was about to give his shocking idea, Laswell walked in.

"Ghost wasn't kidnapped, the files were stolen but it was him…he is the man on the inside. This entire time, Ghost talked with Makarov, they weren't friends but allies. He is our next target," she slams his file on the table. "If we want Makarov, we take Ghost down first." "But how?" "We hurt the desire of his newfound criminal mind." "Which is?" "Grim. We know he was hurt when she revealed she was with Makarov, so it's time we take it old school and hurt her to get to him." Laswell looks over at Price, he nods and leans on over. "If we do this, I don't want casualties." "We got a deal?" "We do."

With that set, 141 found the targets of their next operation but this time, their calls had to be whispered. Two former members of their teams who knew them all too well, this has to be all a precise work of war. Simon 'Ghost' Riley, R/N 'Grim' Makarov, the new image of a ticking bomb. Their names are given to all the agents in the world. Hitmen, snipers and all countries, looking for two mad soldiers.

One was set to win. That win would set a new record for all criminals and good men. This is how modern warfare changes for the better and worse of us.

This is the great war.

A/N: i thought this was uploaded and it turns out it was in my drafts all along....i'm stupid

Tags: @actuallyhiswife @eicee @liyanahelena

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psychotic4ghost · 9 months

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The Mask

A/n: I started writing this forever ago and forgot about it. Just reread it and finished it up and it's too cute to not post!

Masterlist

Warnings: implied nsfw content

"Your mask. Hand it over." Mykie stuck her open palm at her partner.

"Fuck no." Ghost grumbled, crossing his arms and turning away from her.

"Ghost, look. I understand your concerns. But when you snuggled your masked face into my neck, I fight back the tears because it STINKS." Mykie cried as she did a little grabby hand with her still open palm.

"No it doesn't!"

"You're nose blind!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!" Mykie had had enough, she lunged at him. She pinned him to the couch. While Ghost could easily overpower her, he didn't dare. Her wrath and motherly tone scared him more than her removing his mask.

She had seen his face many times before. But they had just gotten back to their shared apartment and he wasn't quite adjusted yet.

Mykie pulled the hem of his mask up and over his head swiftly.

"Don't look so shocked. I've learned how to take it off quickly when you get impatient during those times." Mykie sighed. She knew the military grade plastic skull was sown on so she opted for hand washing the mask.

She hastily jumped off of the man now referred to as Simon. She rushed, nearly sliding into the wall, to the kitchen sink. She plugged the drain and started filling the sink.

From the living room, Simon could be heard grumbling as he trudged towards her. She swiftly dunked the mask down into the water, soaking it so he couldn't put it back on.

"Just. Let. Me. Wash. It!" Mykie shouted as she tugged the soap from his grasp. The moment he reached her, he swiped the soap from the counter.

"Why? It's not even that bad! No one else complains!"

"First of all, no one gets as physically close to you as I do. And second, people are too scared."

Simon looked down at his boots, sometimes he forgets how intimidating he could be. Mykie took notice in his mood shift. As the sink filled, she leaned over. She gripped his face in her hands and forced him to look her in the eyes. She planted light kisses along the bridge of his nose and down his jaw and back up across his forehead.

"If it counts for anything, you don't intimidate me, love. I just find it sexy when you even try." Mykie smirked at her lover. The sink now full, she turned her attention back to the mask.

She tugged the soap from Simon's loose grip and swirled some into the water. She plunged her hands into the soapy water and began scrubbing the mask against itself. Suds filled the sink more and more as she continued to scrub.

"I'll even use my blow drier to dry it fast, yeah?" Mykie suggested as she began rinsing the mask of soap.

"it's fine. Let it hang dry. Can't kiss you with it on anyway." Simon stood behind her now, wrapping his arms around her waist and peppering light kisses up the nape of her neck. "Did it really smell that bad?"

"Yes, Simon. You sweat in that. Sweat soaked clothes tend to stink my love. It'll smell nice and clean now." She turned to face him as she dried her hands on the towel she held.

Simon plucked the towel from her hands and tossed it to the side. He lifted her by her thighs and carried her back to the living room.

"How about, we get a little sweaty right here on the couch?" Simon set her down gently on the couch and continued to attack her neck with kisses.

"Thats the grossest thing you have ever said to me." Mykie giggled as he tickled her neck with his scruffy stubble.

"You love it."

"I do."

#call of duty #simon ghost riley #cod #mw2 #simon riley call of duty #ghost mw2 #ghost call of duty #simon riley #mw2 simon riley #oc #simon x mykie #ghost x mykie #mykie “siren” jamison #mykie jamison

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sour--disposition · 3 years

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Across The Miles

harry lewis x fem!reader

please check my masterlist to see if my requests are open

(gif from the amazing @sdmngifs)

You stepped off the plane and were met with the dreary skies that seemed to always plague England. Simon had told you he and JJ would meet you outside of the baggage claim to help you with your bags and take you home.

As soon as you’d wrestled your cases off of the conveyer belt, you walked towards the big exit sign, looking very much like you’d just stepped off of a long haul flight. Donned in sweats and a Sidemen Clothing hoodie with a travel pillow hung around your neck, you weren’t going to be winning any fashion awards any time soon.

“Y/N!”, JJ and Simon called from the other side of the large arrivals hall. You grinned, waving manically at them as you walked over as quick as you could. You dropped you hand luggage down next to your cases and flung your arms around both of them.

“I’ve missed you guys!”, you smiled up at them once they’d released you. “I can’t thank you enough for giving me this opportunity. And letting me live with you guys? I mean... there isn’t enough words to thank you!”, you gushed.

You’d met Simon, JJ and the rest of the Sidemen at the 2017 Upload event and had stayed in touch with them ever since. You’d been planning on moving in together for quite a while, but finding a time when the three of you were free enough to facilitate moving an entire human and her belongings across the Atlantic Ocean was harder than first imagined, but the minute that the three of you had decent schedules, flights were booked, you’d handed your notice in for your apartment in New York and started packing up your things.

By the time you’d been moved into the spare room, your room, it was nearing 5pm. “We were thinking about grabbing dinner with the rest of the guys? They’ve all missed you and I know Freya and Talia are dying to see you”, Simon said from the door frame.

“Yeah, sounds good”, you smiled from where you sat on the floor, surrounded by your clothes as you tried to organise them.

“You don’t have to do it all in one go. Why don’t you grab a shower and get changed and then you can have another go at this once were back from dinner?”, Simon suggested, the exhaustion from the day beginning to become clear on your face. You nodded, putting down whatever it was you were trying and failing to fold and took yourself off for a shower.

Of course, the guys took you to Nando’s. With there only being a handful of the restaurants in America, and none in New York, you made a point of going whenever you were in the UK. “Are you excited to see Harry?”, Simon poked at you from the drivers seat, glancing back at you in the rearview mirror.

“Wait, what!?”, JJ exclaimed from the passenger seat, struggling to turn around and face you in his seat. “What’s this then?”, he pestered, reaching out to shove against your knee.

“It’s nothing”, you said pointedly, glaring at Simon.

“Oi, so Simon knows and I don’t? Bit unfair”, JJ sassed, pulling a face at you.

“Simon knows nothing”, you told JJ. “He’s getting ideas in his head that I haven’t said anything about”, you said, eyeing Simon again.

“So, was I just supposed to ignore one of my best friends’ names popping up, literally non-stop, on one of my other best friend’s phone?”, Simon quipped, raising an eyebrow. “I’m just saying what I see, is all”, he shrugged.

“Okay, sue me, I’ve stayed in touch with Harry. Have you guys forgotten that I’ve literally just moved into the same city as all of you and your friends?”, you snipped.

Simon grumbled in defeat, all whilst JJ’s eyes followed the back and forth between the two of you. He sat there with a massive grin on his face, and you just knew that he wasn’t going to leave this alone over dinner.

When you walked into the restaurant, you were greeted by a round of hugs from all the guys, being given the eye by Simon and JJ when you looped your arms around Harry’s frame. You were hugged by Talia and Freya as well, when the guys finally let you go.

“It’s so good to finally see you again in person”, Freya beamed. “Discord and twitch just don’t do it after being friends for this long”, she pouted, eliciting a laugh from both you and Talia.

The group sat down at the table, smaller groups of people all chattering amongst themselves. “How was your flight?”, Harry asked from the opposite side of the table.

“It wasn’t too bad, I’m kinda used to it now, I guess? I mean, 8 hours is 8 hours so it was pretty dull, but I managed to get a few movies in”, you smiled.

“Oh yeah?”, he asked. “What did you watch? Am I gonna be disappointed?”, he asked you with a laugh.

“Of course you’ll be disappointed, you don’t like watching films”, you laughed happily. “I finally started chipping away at my Disney plus watchlist, so I watched Up and both of the Incredibles films”, you told him.

You kept chatting with Harry, along with Ethan, who was next to Harry, and Vik, who was next to you, until your food came. Once people had plates in front of them, chatter died down significantly, only the occasional comment here and there made itself known.

“He likes you too, you know”, Simon commented as he drove the three of you home. You’d been bundled into the backseat, wrapped up in JJ’s jacket as you were practically falling asleep on Vik’s shoulder.

“No, he doesn’t, Simon”, you denied sleepily, eyes drifting closed as you rested your head against the cold glass of the window.

“And how do you know that? He doesn’t even know that you like him, so how could he have turned you down?”, Simon asked.

“Because he’s Harry. I’m just some small timer from New York that you guys seemed to adopt after Upload”, you told him. “Look. I’ll get over it, I just need you to stop bringing it up so that I can actually forget about it and ignore the mushy feelings”.

As soon as Simon pulled the car to a stop, you climbed out and started making your way to the lift. You leaned heavily against the wall of the lift as it hurtled the three of you up to your floor. “Thanks for the coat, Jide”, you smiled tiredly, hanging the jacket up on a hook by the door. “I love you and all that, but I’m off to bed. My eyes are melting”, you groaned, waving your hand roughly in the direction of your room. Simon and JJ only laughed at you, wishing you a good night as you trudged down the hallway.

What you’d quite easily admitted in your half awake state wasn’t mentioned again, much to your relief. You got on with filming you ‘I’ve moved house!?’ videos and ‘Guess who I live with?’ clickbait titles. You started streaming more with the the girls, since you were finally in their timezone, and even dropped into the occasional Among Us stream with whoever was playing that night.

You settled into life in London well. You were surrounded by your friends and you doing what you loved with the people you loved. You’d felt more at home in the short months you’d lived in London than you ever had in New York. There was only one problem, though...

The Harry situation hadn’t resolved itself.

Which is why, when Simon came and asked you if you’d be in a video where he sets you up on a blind date, you couldn’t see a reason to turn it down. Worst case scenario, the date went horribly and Simon got a funny video of it. It wasn’t like you’d ever had to see the guy again.

You sat in front of the camera with Simon. “So, before I can send you on this blind date, I need to know what to look for”, he said.

“Erm - someone who’s funny, easy to get along with, can take a joke. Someone who won’t be intimidated or annoyed about me having quite a few male friends, someone who’s supportive of my career...”, you listed, trailing off when you realised who that described to a tee.

“And what do I need to avoid?”, Simon asked. If he had noticed any similarities of your description to Harry, he chose to keep his mouth shut about it.

“Someone thats going to be ashamed of me and my career or is going to want me to take my attention away from Youtube and Twitch. It’s one of the most important things in my life and I love what I do for a living and I’m so lucky that I get to do this for a living, so avoid someone that’s going to try and come between me and that, I guess”, you told Simon.

You knew that you weren’t going to find the love of your life doing this. It was more than likely going to be another single youtuber that Simon had roped into his video with the promise of a great video title and some decent content. But it would be nice to get dressed up nice and have an evening away from editing software or your stream deck.

Simon had told you where to go and when, he’d also told you to dress “all nice like”. He’d set the date up at a cocktail bar that you’d been wanting to visit since you’d moved to London. You only agreed to it once you confirmed that the expenses would be on him because top shelf liquor was on the bottom shelf in this place.

You picked out a dark green satin dress and paired it with some strappy silver heels. You took advantage of the opportunity and filmed yourself getting ready so that if things didn’t go too horrifically, you could post a ‘get ready for my blind date with me’.

Sitting down and chatting to the camera as you got ready took longer than you’d expected. You were rushing around, stressing about your Uber not being there quick enough to get you to the bar in time.

“I’ll drop you off”, JJ offered, already heading over to pick his keys up. “And that way, if he’s a weirdo, you don’t have to worry about waiting for another car to come get you”.

You climbed into the Porsche, thanking JJ for what might have been the fiftieth time since leaving the apartment. “You can stop saying thank you, Y/N. I offered”, he chuckled as he drove out of the parking garage. “You look lovely tonight, whoever Simon’s got you set up with is lucky”, he told you, sending you a genuine smile.

“Thank you, Jide”, you smiled. The rest of the car journey was shrouded in a comfortable silence, disrupted only by the radio. “I think it’s just around this corner”, you said, pointing out of the front window.

JJ pulled up by the bar and came around to help you out of the car, causing you to laugh. “You don’t have to escort me in, J”, you told him lightly. “Why are you acting like an over-protective dad?”, you whispered to him in a giggle.

“Just trust me”, he told you, rolling his eyes softly.

You kept your arm looped through JJ’s as he walked you down the pavement. As you neared the entrance to the bar, you saw a figure standing outside, looking around nervously. That must be him.

“Harry?”, you asked. You turned to JJ, “I think there’s been a mistake. I’m supposed to be on a blind date”.

“Surprise, I think”, Harry said awkwardly, scratching his arm.

“Look after her, Harry”, JJ told him sternly. JJ dropped a kiss to the side of your forehead. “Call me or Simon if either of you need anything, yeah?”, he said before he turned and walked back to his car, leaving you and Harry alone.

“I promise I’ll say something, I think I’m just still trying to process what’s going on”, you laughed awkwardly, fiddling with the strap of your clutch in your hands.

“I can maybe clear things up over a drink? Simon’s paying”, Harry said lightly, reaching his hand out to you. You smiled and nodded, letting him take your hand in his and guide you into the bar.

Once you’d got your drinks, Harry lead you to the terrace garden out the back. It was decorated with flowers and muted fairy lights, making for quite the romantic atmosphere. Harry pulled the tall chair out for you and held his hand out to help you up before walking to the other side of the table and sitting opposite you.

“I - uh. Basically, I asked Simon’s advice on how to ask you out and he said that whenever he brought me up around you, you shut him down. So he came up with this idea. I totally get it if you want JJ to come back and pick you up after this drink, I just couldn’t not try... at least once”, Harry said, sounding dejected as he finished.

You put your hand over Harry’s that rested on the table. “I won’t be calling JJ, Harry. I’m over the moon to be here”, you told him with a smile. “I only kept shutting Simon down because he’s been trying to interfere since the day I landed in London. I was convinced that you wouldn’t like me so I just tried to... I don’t know... get over it, I guess”, you told him. You could feel the blush creeping up your cheeks as you spoke, hoping it wasn’t too obvious.

“Why wouldn’t I?”, Harry asked quietly, rubbing his fingers over the back of your hand absentmindedly as he did.

“Are you kidding? You’re part of one of the biggest youtube groups, have a successful youtube channel, you’ve been someone for so long. And I’m just... what? A newbie who got adopted by the big boys in London. I never thought you could”, you said, voice dropping to a whisper.

“Y/N, you’re amazing”, Harry boasted. “You’re an amazing streamer and your youtube content is quality. Okay so I’ve been uploading longer? And? It doesn’t mean anything, Y/N. And believe it or not, I like the you I see off camera, you know”, Harry said shyly.

“I guess I owe Simon an apology then”, you smiled at Harry, who took your hand in his.

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khaleesiofalicante · 2 years

Note

Verament ma kontx naf liema lingwa nagħżel għalih, għalhekk nagħżel waħda b'"M" fuqha

Good news, I have a week of vacations!! Yay!! Bad news: I need to clean my whole room bc I need to pain it smh. Anyway, how are you btw? Have you finished all the documents you needed?

I'm kinda scared, but lets go!! Also I will try to keep it short bc it was just a fucking great chapter and I loved every single thing, but we would be here all day if I told you how much I ADORE it 💙

"He wasn’t historically great at talking about things anyway." SAME BRO

FEEL YOU. Honestly why is he so relatable?? The dreams, the ocean, the difficult talks.... I relate to him a lot!!!

YES TO CLEANING THE OCEAN AND GETTING GREAT ARMS😎

ELYASS YAS!!

“If it’s there when I check, I am locking you inside the closet.” “That’s homophobic,” Max pointed out. (my parents ALWAYS say that to me, but I cant tell that joke yet😂)

CLARY IS SUCH A LOVE🥺💙

We'd love to see David in basketball short👀

Simon, Lexi, Jace and David playing>>>

Jace be like: You can take whatever you want, BUT I DRAW THE LINE AT CUDDLING PRIVILEGES

HE. FUCKING. KISSED. HIS. WRIST🥺

Max be like: Mark me down as horny and sad😎

Shopping!! Hell yeah!!! (Also who gave David the right to look so good?? I'm looking respectfully...)

Ok, that boy was weird ngl....

My bby scared of his power🥺

THEY GOT HIM A FUCKING JAGUAR.

“So, they got you a car?” Max grumbled. “Mine are trying to get me to go to therapy.” (Is it the worst idea tho....?)

No one can blame Max.. He must look HOT

Not the child fault, I know but WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Look at him!! He's got anxiety and self-seem issues already!!!

NO HONEY YOU ARE NOT A DEMON YOU ARE PRECIOUS AND WITH A GOOD HEART!!!!!

I love how David gets him💙 Also he is sweet and gentleman and basically owns my heart

BLOOD DOESN'T DEFINE YOU BABY?!!!

"When shit happened, the insecurities and anxieties came rushing up again. And he was back where he started." Ugh, thats the worst. Its so tiring sometimes...

Ok, but ✨ANJALI✨ My smart, funny beautiful love😍😍

They are both in love idiots💙💙

Omg him crying 😭😭and Rafe comforting him in a sec😭😭😭 and Rafe holding him as he cries😭😭

COMUNICATION IS THE SEXIEST BITCH

“People have scary dreams when they are going through a lot. Dreams are manifestations of our deepest fears or desires" I know he is not talking to me, but I feel called out...

“Ours is the history of Lightwood-Banes. We don’t kill. We create. We don’t hurt. We love. Do you hear me?” FUCK YEAH!!! THEM >>>>>>

“Or talk to dad,” Rafael said. “They are our parents. It’s literally what they are there for.” (he is so wise and sexy ngl)

Why do I love that Rafe apologised for calling him demon even tho he is used to it and instead uses other words??? I'm emo🥺🥺

"But the fact that he could if he wanted…It scared him. The potential. The possibility. It terrified him." I mean, it makes sense... But I want to hold him and protect him and jsjdjdhdlakjsj

Love the "only my brother is allowed to try to kill me" 🥺 and Selena

THE CURSE AND THE CRIMINAL. WOW. I'M JUST JDJDJSBDJDB LITERALLY ✨THEM✨

Anjali is su fucking beautiful!!!! Also Rafe is definetly the one that cries the most😂

“You should,” Anjali said then. “There is nothing wrong with it.” “I know,” Max said. “I just…I guess I am not good at it.” (my common sense says Anjali but insecurities says Max🙂)

She is the most efficient person and badass woman😎😎

OMG the are all wasted af😂😂😂

“Which one are you talking about?” “Both,” (Valid)

My inmortal gang 😍😍

Mina is such a badass also😎😎 I LOVE HER YOUR HONOR💙💙

“You saw bapak?” “Yeah. He was the one who got everyone drunk,” (Why am I not surprised?)

Also them>>>>>

"Where you thou dumbeth, there I will dumb.” ok but when can they add this to the parabatai oath?

“Would you like to go on an adventure?” Bapak grinned. “Yes please.” “Do you trust me?” Bapak smiled. “Always.” 💙💙💙💙💙

PERÚ!!!!!

✨Comunication my beloved✨

See?? He is not mad at you!!!

"It hurt me, yes. But it didn’t make me hate you,” bapak said softly. "I don't hate you." “Even now?” Max asked. “Always,” (BRO🥺🥺🥺 I'M SERIOUSLY CRYING)

"Everyone…Everyone looks at you like you are some sort of God. But you are just a person. People fuck up. I know that better than anyone. So, I won’t hold it against you. I promise.” He is so wise and they are beautiful and wholesome<3

The fact that Max DID sell his clothes once and Rafael bought them back is gold😂😂

“When you say you mastered it, do you mean you drove people – and some llamas – insane?” Yeah, pretty much...

Dude seriously I'm crying with this conversation😭 is so damm great

If I was to quote the things I LOVED, I would say EVERYTHING bc SERIOUSLY THOSE TWO!!

"Because you gave me something I never thought I could have. You gave me a family. You scared the shit out of me, Max. I was so scared of you. Never of who you are, but of who you turned me into. A father.”

“But then I got to know you. I fell in love with you slowly, day after day, every day a little bit more, but never any less. But you are right. You don’t make it easy. You don't make it easy to love you, Max. You’ve always been a challenge. But I like a good challenge. I like loving you.”

“So, don’t ever think I will hate you,” the man said seriously. “Because I don’t know how to do that. I don’t know how to look at you with anything but love.”

“That’s the boy I raised. Whoever is in your dream, that’s not you. That’s not my blueberry” I'M FUCKING DONE WITH THIS CUTENESS🥺😭

"Magic" FUCK YEAH NDJSKSJS

YES THEY WILL ALWAYS HAVE EACH OTHER AND MAGNUS WILL ALWAYS BE RIGHT THERE

All the things he remember of David.... I'm love them so much💙💙💙

"But whatever happens, remember that I love you. I will always love you.” IS IT THEIR GOAL TO MAKE ME DIE OF EMOTIONS??? 😭😭🥺💙

The hug!!! holy fuck I'm gonna die!!!

✨Malec✨

"Dad was so...dad sometimes." I love this man so fucking much its not ok!!!

“Don't do that,” dad said. “Talk to me.” (I was gonna say "The only one with braincells in this family" but then I remember that he hide the fact he was dying😂)

“Why does that asshole keep haunting me even after death?” Because he is a bitch (derogatory)

"No one gets to hurt bapak. If the nephilim ever fucking dare to try, I won’t hesitate to set the Clave on fire. I will burn it all down.” as you should babe

My man really say: I'm Magnus Bane stan first, in love dork second and Consul at some point of the list and thats iconic behaviour😌

This man. Alec Lightwood-Bane is taking no one shit if they hurt Magnus

I can only imagine someone in the future telling Max: "This is not what your father would have wanted" if he burns down the Clave for hurting Magnus and him just saying shit like "He was actually the one who gave me green light. And actually left a list of stepts to follow. Did you even knew him???"

“Burn it down, my baby. Burn it all down,” his father smiled. “You have my blessing.” (He really is unhinged and crazy and I love him so fucking much hdjdjsjsj💙💙 we can really see where Max and Rafe got it from )

"I was thinking, you could, like, buy me a car?” He has no chill istg😂😂

Wait, is it THE seashell???? Omg omg omg

"The hard thing about talking was not the talking itself. It was the fact that someone else was listening." THIS

HE IS FUCKING WRITING ALL THE THINGS HE WANTS TO REMEMBER OF DAVID!! HOW FUCKING BEAUTIFUL IS THAT SHIT??? 🥺💙

"He would keep David inside a book. In between the pages." Thats the most romantic shit ever don't @ me

No but honestly THANK Ragnor for Max’s look👀

Ok, David definetly has a suit thing lmao😂

David walked over to the office door and locked it. “Technically, that’s not necessary.” Oh shit. Oh fuck. (HOLY SHIT I CANT JDHDYDID MY BABY IS WILD AF)

Jsidjdi I cant with them😂😂

No honey David didn't believe Asmodeus for a sec!!! 🥺🥺

Both of them feeling blessed to be loved by the other hdjdkdjsksnsk

“I keep you there, Max. I keep you inside my heart. You earned the right to be there.” MAVID SUPREMACY FIRST, HUMAN SECOND

✨DAVID BEING SO IN LOVE✨

Yeah, its easier said than done to not listen what people say....

All of the "you are the boy who" is making me cry, no shit 😭💙💙💙💙

“It doesn’t matter how much demon blood you have. Your heart is the purest thing I know.” THIS FUCKING LINE ISTG!!!!!

“Then we will wake up in the morning. And I will tell you all of it all over again.” what can I say beside the fact they own my heart bc they are the purest beings here!???! 💙💙

This was the most relatable and emotional chapter for me tbh. Max is such a complex character and I relate to him on a personal level. love him, I love them. I love you

Goodbye!! Narawkom il-kapitlu li jmiss! Qed nibgħat l-aħjar vibes tiegħi għax-xogħol tiegħek💙

Maltese? Interesting decision. Also, Malta is an island, which really suits Max too!!

ALSO.

I love cleaning rooms/houses! Drop the location!!!! Something that makes it super fun for me is a really good playlist. Let me know an aesthetic (or vibe/ship/character/genre) and I will make one for you bebe.

LET ME DO THIS FOR YOU!!!! 💙

Also I had just moved on from Max's chapter (it was a lot) and now I am right back again in the feels (but in a good way no worries)

I'm so glad you find Max relatable because me fucking too 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Enjoy your vacation days or else ;)

#lbaf

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lucarioisinthevoid · 4 years

Note

swap personalities au. Jeremy is to be feared and puppet is an uwu. mike is soft no cuss man. Henry has a lorge soul and feels all emotions v much. thats all i got lol

Okay, this escalated into half an AU, so I’ll put a read more, because this really is long as hell. Tldr though, Jeremy is a horrible sadistic cunt using religion to justify his hatred for others and his bad treatment of them, Mike is constantly unsure of himself and tries to be nice but is fairly miserable, Phoney is the happiest guy on earth who LOVES life, Dave is a sociopath, but a well-adjusted, serious one, Marion is an innocent being constantly crying in his little box- And Henry has done a lot of mistakes in his life and is now stuck in his suit, his fear of life turned into nothing but mourning, while being tortured by one of his victims for all eternity. Frankly though, I’m still trying to figure out if their goals and moral stances would still stay the same if their personality switched, HMMMM- I’m having fun with this, this might become an actual AU. I just wrote out a segment as a writing exercise, heh. -

Fredbear’s was Jeremy’s favorite place. It wasn’t as much the attractions there, as it were the employees he worked with. Though, then again, there was one attraction he was REALLY fond of. Comfortable he sat on the music box, the melody being accompanied by loud and agonized sobs. They wouldn’t let him sleep. The box’s mechanism needed electricity to work, using the crank charged it all up, causing the soul inside immense pain. It was his favorite attraction, because the sound always reminded him of his father, back in his childhood. It was familiar. Nice. Comforting. “It’s not because I hate you.” He causally told the box, drawing another muffled howl from within it. “It is more because I’m bored. I want to listen to music. It is not my fault you are in there, you see? Not my fault at all.” Slowly he winded it up one more time, smiling to himself as he heard footsteps approaching. Not the Phone Guy, no. He was too prone to mind his own business. There was only one person who could step up like this. Hesitant, despite already being here. “What is it.” Jeremy finally asked, cold and snappy, suppressing another smile at the wince coming from the other employee. “I- I think you might- well- if you could- you know- I-“ “Hurry the fuck up. I don’t have all day.” Sharply Mike sucked in the air through his teeth, close to tears, but trying to force a smile. “H-hey, maybe you should- not- wind the box?” “Oh? Why?” “B-because the crying, it’s- I-“ He took a shaky breath. “Idon’tlikeit-“ “You don’t?” Pretending to be surprised, Jeremy put his hand in front of his mouth, “I’m SO sorry! You see, crying is actually quite the nice sound. It is the sound of being needed! But of course, a cruel man as you yourself would not understand how wonderful it is to bring comfort to other beings. And it is not like anyone is getting hurt. You are not trying to say the machines have REAL feelings right? Don’t be stupid.” “N-no, not-“ “See? Nothing wrong with that.” “But-“ “What is it with you? Why are you still trying to bother me about this? Are you having an episode again? Are you going to try to hurt me? I know there is a small part within you that just wants to HURT people. You disgust me.” Mike opened his mouth, but was incapable of saying anything. “Yes, that “demon”, that sometimes causes you to black out and wake up surrounded by nothing but agony. You are delusional with your talk about it being Fredbear. Maybe you should just accept that you are horrible and a danger to be around. Maybe you should just leave. Never come back. This world is better off without dangerous sinners like you.” Finally it was enough for Mike and he turned on the spot running off. Jeremy watched after him, disinterested. He wouldn’t do anything more exciting than that. Too much of a coward to take the last step. Though then again, he would tattle on him. Groaning the boy stepped off the box, looking back at it. The sobs have quieted down. The foolish soul inside still trying to keep ahold of its optimism really intrigued Jeremy. Sure, he did god’s work, trying to convince the soul to leave by any means possible- after all, nobody was allowed to hide from the fires of hell- but it was so utterly stubborn. Despite nothing being left, no inkling of a motivation, he stuck around. God must really hate him. Everyone in this restaurant really. But before he could think about it any further, from behind there was a small cough. He turned around, facing the owner of the location. It always took a second for Jeremy to remember it weren’t the man’s glasses that shined, but the eyes behind it. The Purple Guy looked down at him expressionless. “Did you harass Mike again.” It wasn’t even a question, he knew the answer. “No.” Fully confident he said. “But I would not expect a sociopath to understand the difference between harassment and a normal talk.” “… sociopathy is not depriving me of being able to understand and listen to my employees, Mr. Fitzgerald. Nor does it take my morals. I can still recognize your behavior as abhorrent. Why did I even hire you?” “Because you’re into small boys?” He grinned widely, then shrugged as though he hadn’t just leveled an abhorrent accusation at him. “Because I’m the only one willing to deal with Henry?” “… how about you do what you do what you were hired for then. Mr. Fitzgerald.” “Sure, sure. Oh, but maybe you should shortly check behind you, slightly to the right, where Phoney is putting a stack of party hats on fire and trying to put them onto his head?” He started laughing as William quickly turned and rushed off to save the wild Phone-headed man from probably damage, potential death. No way in hell that Jerry would tell him he was the one constantly smuggling in the lighters, since the grumpy guy at the price corner refused to do so. Instead he sneaked into the saferoom of the location, though he probably didn’t have to. Inside there only really was one thing. An old, slowly rotting golden suit. But that never fooled Jeremy. He might was surrounded by idiots, but so far the brain rot hadn’t hit him. “Well, Henry, how are we doing today?” The suit didn’t react. “Aw. Another day of no attention? What is it? Cannot even give me the littlest bit of appreciation for keeping you from breaking into pieces and making your existence even more painful?” Nothing came back. “… well then again, you probably think you deserve it. Which you absolutely do. Not even hell wants you. Nobody wants a child murder.” The suit’s clawed paw twitched, making Jeremy giggle in delight. “That NEVER fails. Fantastic. But is that all I am getting?” He proceeded to grab a bucket from the side, filling it with warm water and soap. “It’s really pathetic. You made that suit as your protection. Your shield from the world you cared too much about. You used the suit to play the big man, to tell people off, Fredbear was a rude bastard and it was the only way you could protect anything you loved. And now? The least you could do would be to go out there and bite all of these heathen’s heads off. But you won’t. Because Fredbear was just a suit and you’re just a coward.” Bemused he started to sprinkle water on the unresponsive suit. Washing, oiling, keeping it in check. “Too bad. I guess I have to wait until the locust descend to feast on their flesh during the end of days.” There was still nothing. Finally Jeremy quieted down, uncomfortable. Just wash it and get done with it. “… bad people deserve bad things. And bad things happen to bad people.” He quietly mumbled. “I’m not wrong with this. I’m not even that bad towards them. They would fucking kill me or worse if that would profit them. They are heathens without any sort of moral compass pretending to be all harmless and nice.” He hadn’t noticed Fredbear’s head slowly moving to the side to be able to look at him in his position. The chuckle made him snap up however. “… projecting… won’t protect you… from your shame…” “You- YOU-“ The boy squeezed the rag, soapy liquid running down his arm. Then he laughed, abruptly and harshly. “Oh NOW you are talking. To accuse me of NONSENSE. Meanwhile your friend William is broken up about your passing and you just sit here- like you COULDN’T if you WANTED. Shows how much you care. Just move on to the afterlife and take your punishment.” Once more there was nothing. Jeremy gritted his teeth, trying to control his temper. “You will NOT make me act in wrath. You will NOT drag me down. You will burn on your own, you creature lower than DIRT.” Outside Mike had finally calmed down, staying around Simon for a bit really had lifted his spirits again. There was just something about his unbridled joy about being alive that nobody could escape. But there was something he had to do. The customers had cleared out, so he could allow himself to sit down next to the box, without feeling bad about putting more pressure onto the other dayshift workers. “… h-hey. Can you… can you hear me? I’m- hey, how about- I might could take you out of there if you- if you would like to-“ The crying had subsided, but the lid stayed firmly on. “Nobody would mind! I think. I mean, I’m sure. Yes. Please, you… don’t have to be alone in there.” A weak voice sounded, muffled. “… no thank you.” “Ah- s-sorry. I just- I hate what is happening to you. I- I wish I could do something. I’m so sorry.” “… it’s not your fault.” “It sure feels like it though.” Gently Mike sighed. “Hey… I could… tell you a story maybe? I really want you to feel better…” There was hesitation from inside. “… can I tell you a story instead?” “Is- is it a nice one…?” “… no.” There was a short break. “But I hope you will listen to it anyways…” “O-okay. No problem. Not- not at all!” He quieted down to listen. From the distance, Old Sport leaned against the wall, watching on. Phone Guy attempted to sneak up, but was quickly frozen in place by a glare. It softened up however and he waved him over. “Phoney. Still alive?” “Alive and well and wouldn’t want it any different!” Happily the man agreed. “What about you?” “Eh. Neither truly happy nor truly alive, but still optimistic.” “What’cha looking at?” “… Mike. Kinda worry for him. He seems so unsure about everything.” “Oh, I’m sure he’s just nervous about this new job. We’ll get him out of that shell, and if we have to drag him!” “That… sounded like a threat.” “Oh. Oh no! I didn’t mean that!” Quietly Old Sport chuckled and patted his pal on the head. “I know. Just wanted to give you a heads up. I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.” “Trouble? I don’t want any trouble, that’s true! But a lot of so called “trouble” is just an adventure waiting to happen!” “… sometimes. Not in this case though.” “Awww, that’s too bad.” Both of them looked onto the tormented smile on Mike’s face in the distance. Again Old Sport sighed and looked at Phone Guy. “Do me a favor and look after him, alright? I worry for him.” “Everything will work out. I promise! I’m the manager, it’s my job to take care of everyone! Even Jeremy. Especially Jeremy. Poor boy has some issues too. But nothing that can’t be fixed with patience and love!” “I take your word for it.”

#the Group #henry miller #au

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jamlally · 4 years

Text

Family Fineary

This was written for the 25 days of Christmas Challenge that is hosted by @panicfob . The Day 2 Challenge prompt was Decorating the Tree

Warnings: Fluff

Pairing: OFC x Tony Stark (platonic)

Summary: Belle Porter has settled into her role as a part of the Avengers, at least as far as her work goes but when it comes to dealing with the team off the clock it is a different story

Belle rubbed her hand over her eyes, which were feeling the strain of the many hours that she had spent looking at digital files, maps and video feed finishing the analysis the last of the teams missions. She loved her job but there was no denying that it could be tiring even though she wasn’t out in the field with the others. When Tony Stark had offered her the position as a mission analyst for the Avengers she couldn’t believe her luck. She had been sure that he was about to kick her out of the training program, but he and Steve Rogers had seen something in her and now here she was today

It was well into December and she was just coming up on the year anniversary of officially joining the team, Steve and Natasha had been been teasing her about it over the coms when they were heading back, asking if she had any special plans. She had tried her best to avoid getting too drawn into the conversation, mentioning that she might go out to dinner. When they had asked whether her family would be joining her she had told them that they were busy and couldn’t make it. The truth was her family, well there was only her mother didn’t approve of her job and they wouldn’t want to be involved in any ‘celebrations’.

She had called her Mother the evening that she signed the contract excited to share the news with her only surviving relative. The sigh from her mother was not the reaction that she had expected

“Really Belle, I thought that you would grown out of the nonsense. It is bad enough you picked all those courses to get into the SHIELD program but now you’re telling me not only are you staying there you will be working with those other people. I mean really. You can’t honestly expect me to be ok with you working with a group of people who, at any other time, would be called terrorists!”

“They aren’t terrorists Mum !. They help people, they save lives. You know that this is what I wanted to do. I explained it all to you. I’ve worked hard for this and I…I want you to be happy for me”. Her voice wavered as she struggled to try and make her mother see that thus was her dream

“They have killed people Belle! Innocent people. I don’t know why you can’t see what they truly are. I want you to come home now and we will forget all about it. I will talk with Mr Dickson in accounts at the office and see if he can’t find something for you to do here”

“I’m not coming home Mum. This is where I want to be, it’s what I am going to do. I .. I need for you to support me”

The dead line had been her answer and Belle hadn’t spoken to her Mother since then. She had tried writing but had only received radio silence. She had accepted that this was the way things would have to be, but with it coming up to Christmas she couldn’t help but feel a little maudlin and alone

Tonight was movie night in the compound for the team, and as always an invitation have been extended to her, this time by Bucky. The usually quiet super soldier had sought her out just as she was heading out to grab a coffee

“Hey Snowflake - wait up !”

Belle had rolled her eyes at the use of her callsign. Tony had dubbed her Snowflake when he offered her the job and the name had stuck. Mostly because every time he introduced her to someone he offered that as her name. She had tried to object at first but had quickly realized that Tony did what he wanted so discretion became the better part of valor and she stopped correcting him

“Hey Bucky, is everything OK?” She couldn’t help but worry. It was unusual for Bucky to approach her for anything other than comment son the mission and how he felt that they could have adjusted the plan. As much as she wanted the coffee she wouldn’t rush what ever Bucky had to tell her. His thoughts had helped her learn and grow and he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.

“Wrong? Nothings wrong Doll”. He gave her a soft smile “I just thought you might have forgotten than tonight’s movie night. It’s Nat’s pick and she usually has something good. The plan is to meet in the common room at 8. There’s gonna be pizza and beer”

Belle felt her body relax a little. She had plans for a quiet evening in her apartment and she was looking forward to it

“Oh right yeah movie night….” Belle dropped her gaze looking at the floor “You know it’s been a long week and with the mission wrap up and post analysis I’m kinda shot. I think I’m going to have to pass this time, Sorry”

Her face was growing warm with embarrassment. One of them always made sure that she was invited to group events, but she just didn’t feel that she belonged. She didn’t know how to fit in with them on a social level. Isolating herself to do well in school and college had a lot of benefits but it left her social skills a little lacking.

“You sure I can’t change your mind. If you think you’ll need more time to get things wrapped up we can wait for you” Bucky pushed

“No really Bucky. I’m, well I’m probably going to be lousy company tonight. I’ll be asleep 5 minutes in”. She saw his small smile fade as he stepped away.

“Sure thing”

She watched as he shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away and she felt the guilt gnaw at her. It probably took a lot for him to come and extend the invitation. She wasn’t even sure how many more times it would happen before they just gave up

“Hey Bucky” She waited for him to look back at her “Thank you - for the invite. It means ….well it means a lot to me, you know ?” Her face was sure to be scarlet but she needed him to understand that she appreciated the way he had put himself out there.

Bucky’s warm smile let the guilt ease up a little “Sure thing Doll, Enjoy your evening”

When Bucky came into the rec area later that evening he was greeted with hopeful expressions that fell when they saw he was alone.

“Is Snowflake just on her way up?” Steve was the first to ask

Bucky shook his head “ She couldn’t make it tonight. Said she was tired after the week and wanted a quiet evening”

“Thats like the 100th excuse that she had made to not come and join in. I’m starting to think she doesn’t like us” Clint grumbled

“She seems fine over the coms and when we are on missions and when I’ve seen her getting coffee she seems happy to chat. I don’t think she she feels badly about any of us” Wanda cut in

“Maybe she’s got other things to plan. You know like Christmas gifts for her family. When is she heading home ?. Tony!”

Tony glanced up as Sam called his name “Snowflake, when is she heading home for Christmas?”

“Oh ah I’m not sure. Her request is somewhere in my inbox. Look the pizza is getting cold, the beer is getting warm and non of us, including the two Old Men are getting any younger, so lets get the movie underway”.

Tony waited until the lights when down and people were eating before pulling out his Stark Pad and looking through his messages. He didn’t have a request for time off from Belle. In fact other than the mission reports he didn’t have anything from her. He paid no attention to the movie as he ran though all the interactions that he had with her. They were positive. She was happy and open and always had the information that he needed to hand, In fact the work that she had been doing had made the team more effective than he could ever have hoped.

He remained lost in his thoughts, working through and rejecting ideas and possibilities and as soon as the lights came up he made his excuses and left the room a plan of action firmly in place in his head.

Steve hadn’t been expecting to be called down to the Lab at 6am two days after movie night. He had been getting ready to go for a run but knew that his duty had to come first. Being greeted by Tony wearing the same clothes as he had been on movie night was shocking and made him fear the worst.

‘What are we dealing with?”

“What do you know about Belle’s family?”

“Belle?”

“Yes Belle. Agent Porter, Snowflake! Jesus is it the ice or old age that has gotten to your brain?”

“I know who Belle is and there is nothing wrong with my brain. I know exactly the same as you do. Father deceased, her mother lives in the same town Belle grew up in”

“Well it turns out I know a bit more than that. Sit down we need to have a conversation”

The rain lashed against the window and thunder rumbled somewhere in the distance. Belle sat snuggled on her bed a fluffy blanket wrapped around her body and Nina Simone playing softly in the background.

The day had been easier than some, mostly analysis reviews of data sent on from SHIELD agents. She was trying to work on a predictive model to see if that would help them. She wondered wether she should ask some of the others and see if they had any input, but she really wanted to have something more concrete to take with her, not just a pipe dream.

Slipping off her bed, holding the blanket close around her she shuffled through to the small kitchenette. The apartment came with the job Tony had explained. It made it easier for her to be available 24/7. She loved the fact that she was able to prepare her own food without having to go to the common floors and worry about having to try and make conversations with the others. Lifting the lid off the pot she had on the stove she took a deep breath smiling at the warm spice , citrus and wine smells. Mulled wine was one of her favorite treats of the season and she had this batch brewing since mid morning. Filling her glass and tuning off the burner she turned to head back to her room and her book.

Settled in her cosy nook Belle took a sip of the warm drink sighing in pleasure. She wondered whether she should go out and try and find a small tree for her room, maybe a few decorations to brighten the place up. She was just considering picking up her tablet to see if she could find something online when the peace was broken

“Apologies Agent Porter but Mr Stark is in need of your assistance” F.R.I.D.A.Y’s gentle voice sounded “He has asked that you meet him on the communal floor as a matter of urgency”

Why on earth did Tony need to see her there? Usually she met him by her office or in the Lab. Shrugging out of her blanket she pulled on some boots and a large sweater. She was grateful she hadn’t had more than one full glass of the wine. If they had a mission then she needed to be on the ball.

“Sure thing F.R.I.D.A.Y. Please let Mr Stark know I’m on my way”

Tony sat in the the Rec area, lights dimmed enough to make it seem soothing but not so much that it would be hard to see. He cast his eyes to the corner looking at his surprise, that was for later - but to get there he needed to have a conversation and see if he couldn’t work things out. He hated having to do this, it made him uncomfortable -the touchy feely stuff. Normally he would have passed this off to one of the others, but tonight he knew that this was his responsibility and there would be no shirking.

F.R.I.D.A.Y pinged letting him know Belle was getting off the elevator and he turned to the doorway, hip resting against the back of the couch, whisky glass in hand, the only sign of his stress being the way he swirled the ice around.

“Tony?”

He could hear that her voice was timid, nervous, in a way she hadn’t been since she first joined

“Over here Snowflake” he called out pulling her attention his way

“Do we have a mission?”

“Of sorts I supposed. Come on in” he gestured her forward. You know I’m not always good at seeing the bigger picture. That’s why we hired you. You help us all see a little more. You are one of those crystals we talked about, when you got the job remember ? See the thing is, its hard for a man like me to admit that I have some gaps in my knowledge. It doesn’t happen very often, but I can admit that I have..flaws”. He paused taking a sip from his glass “

The other day I realized that you hadn’t requested holiday leave, so I made some calls, and had an informative talk with you mother. She’s an interesting lady you know, She had all kinds of things to tell me”

Belle’s breath caught in her chest “My mother. I really wish you hadn’t, she can be a difficult person”

“I think the phase you are looking for is raging hell bitch. I mean at first she thought you were dead, and she asked if I would be paying for your funeral and then she got very angry when I asked about her holiday plans. Why didn’t you tell us, tell me even - about the fact she disowned you?”

Humiliation rose and Belle struggled to find the words to explain

“Tell you the she hates the fact I have my dream job. Or that she hates who I work for, or that she found it easier than she should have to turn her back on me. You’re my employer Tony. You’re a busy man saving the world and doing what others can’t. You don’t need to spend your time worrying about my screwed up family”

Tony moved to sit on the ottoman patting the sofa seat opposite. “Come and sit a minute I need to explain something”. He waited for her before he leant forward resting his arms on his knees.

“I get what it’s like to have a shitty parent, I do. My Father and I - we didn’t get on. I think now I understand a little more about him, but I still can’t forgive him. The thing is, you can’t let let the way that your mother treated you affect whether or not you let anyone in. Take it from someone who knows, that’s a lonely and unhealthy road. It's taken me a long time to find my way off that path, and I only did it with the support if the family I built. The ice cubes, point break, widow, bird brain, big green, all of them help me be better. They’re my family and we want to be yours”

Looking up at him tears running down her cheeks Belle couldn’t find the words

“I get that it’s hard. It’s just been you for so long, but it’s time to let people in, to build your family. You know when we invite you to the team stuff, we want you there. We want to hang out and chat and have fun, but you have to take that step”

“I… I don’t know how:|” her voice broke “I don't have anything to bring to conversation, all I can tell you is about what I learn, the missions, You don't get it but I didn’t have friends. Not at school or college. I don’t even know how to deal with it “

Tony’s heart broke a little. He wasn’t sure how he hadn’t seen what a hard time Belle was having. She hid her concerns so well but really she was lost and he had failed her. Hand shaking slightly he reached out and clasped her shaking hands in his own “ Everyone feels like that sometimes, but you work it out. The old men, well they like to talk about the 40’s, Nat and Clint like to talk about what ever they’re watching on TV, Bruce will talk about science until you wish he would shut up. You get there by learning a little about them, ask them what they’re reading, what they did on a day off and listen. Just one step at a time Snowflake”

Belle nodded trying to process all the information could she really do it, take that step and let these people be her family?

“I’m going to help you with that first step Snowflake. F.R.I.D.A.Y Can you let Point Break know we’re ready”

Belle found herself blinking in surprise and wiping at her face wondering what the hell Tony was talking about now.

“Stark!” A booming voice called out making Belle jump, “It is good to see you again my friend, I thought I should like to enjoy some Midguard Winter festivities with you all !”

“Point Break, welcome back to earth. There is someone I would like you to meet, a new member of the team since you were last here”

Belle found herself face to face with the largest and possibly the loudest person she had ever met

“Belle, meet Thor, Thor is this Snowflake”

“My Lady Belle, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Come tell me all about what you do here. I am excited to spend time learning of your Winter customs”

Belle found herself swept along in conversation with the Asguardian King and when ever there was a lull in the conversation she tried to remember what Tony had told her and asked Thor questions about the customs on Asguard.

Tony poured himself another drink and watched. He could see that Belle was getting more comfortable as she spent time with Thor. It had been fortuitous that the Asguardian had come for one of his visits. He couldn’t think of a better person for Belle to have her first family interaction with, Thor could hold a conversation with himself in an empty room, but he had a good heart and loved to meet new people.

Keeping his voice low he decided it was time to implement phase 2 “F.R.I.D.A.Y Let Capsicle know that we are good to go”

Belle found herself relaxing as Thor told her about the time that he managed to get both of the Super soldiers drunk “You should have seen them Lady Belle. Neither could stand and Barnes was singing some song about putting rings on things that he had heard”.

Belle chuckled as he imagined the scene. Neither Bucky or Steve were well known for letting their hair down so to speak.

“Ah speak of the devil, Rogers! Good to see you “

Belle felt herself freeze up turning to see the other team members entering the room. Tony caught her eye and winked before heading over to the bar to pour drinks

“If you don’t mind we will stay off the Asguardian Mead for the moment this is a pre Christmas get together not a frat house party” he called out before opening a some bottle.

“Hopefully you have something festive there Tony” Nat called out

“Whisky is always festive Romanoff”

Nat sighed “ Really ? Couldn’t the Catering company come up with something better?”

“Well this is more spur of the moment, so no you get what you get” Tony snarked back

“Um actually … if you wanted.. I could maybe make some mulled wine” Belle didn’t raise her voice much but it was enough to catch Nat’s attention.

“Mulled wine you say? Well that certainly seems more occasion appropriate. Move it Stark, at least Snowflake here knows how to create the right atmosphere”

“I’ll need to head back to my apartment, get the ingredients” Belle was feeling uncomfortable as all eyes seemed to focus on her

“Nah I bet you Tony as everything we need here in the rec room. Come on I’ll help you look” Clint threw his arm over her shoulder guiding her over to the pantry cupboards and fridges “Barnes why don’t you track down some red wine” he threw over his shoulder

Belle gave a small smile as she sat between Bucky and Wanda on the sofa. The others had bee telling stories about things they remembered or liked the most about Christmas. They hadn’t gotten to her yet and she was worried about what she would say. Would they laugh when she told them that it would be a toss up between this and last Christmas when she joined the team.

As the laughing quieted Tony stood and moved over to the side pulling out a large box. “While I hate to call a halt to the festivities, I wanted to start our Christmas with a new tradition for us all “ He paused looking around the group. “We may not always see eye to eye, or be in the same country, or on the same planet” he inclined his head to Thor “But we are family, and this year, well I figured, while we are all still talking to each other, we should take note of that. So if you would all follow me”

Belle moved with the rest of the group to the far side of the Rec room where a large curtain had been hung “F.R.I.D.A.Y if you could “

The curtain dropped and behind it stood the largest and grandest tree that Belle had ever seen. The green of its branches sparkled with white fairy lights and tinsel was strung around looking like a tasteful halter skelter . Belle pulled her hand up to her mouth covering the gasp she let out.

“The tree isn’t complete until we hang these” Tony moved stopping in front of Natasha “Widow” he extended his hand to her placing a delicate hand blow glass ballet slipper in her hand, before moving through the rest of the team. Each received an ornament special to them. Clint got a golden bow, Bucky was gifted a glass bauble that showed a beautiful Christmas tree inside decorated as if it was 1940. Steve got a book resting on a shield, Sam a peace dove suspended in glass, Wanda a bauble containing a picture of her brother, Bruce a glass hulk in a Santa hat, Thor a glass copy of his hammer and then finally he stopped in front of Belle and held out his hand

Belle looked up at him , her cheeks pink from laughter and the effects of possibly too much wine and her eyes bright. “Last but by no means least - this is for the newest member of the family”

Tony’s smile was soft as he rested her ornament gently in her hand. Belle looked down and saw the most beautiful snowflake made out of a lightly tinted blue glass. Belle looked back up smiling at him

“Thank you Tony . It is truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen”

“Did you know that snow usually look blue when it is deepest? Its a strange effect of the light” He winked at her gently squeezing her hand before clearing his throat

“Well what are you all waiting for - decorate the tree my Christmas minions” He clapped gesturing for the others to go forward.

Having hung the ornaments Belle stood back and admired the way they sparkled on the tree, each stood out on the branches but there was something missing.

Belle excused herself saying she needed the rest room before heading to her apartment “F.R.I.D.A.Y I need your help…..”

Belle was gone for a surprisingly long time, long enough that Tony was thinking of going to look for her when she bounced back into the room.

“Everything good Snowflake?”

“Oh yes, sorry I had something I had to deal with but its all good now”

Her smile was slightly too bright but Tony didn’t want to push her in front of the others. He would ask F.R.I.D.A.Y later.

Belle was enjoying listening to Bucky talk about Christmas with is family when he was a younger boy when F.R.I.D.A.Y interrupted “Agent Porter your item is ready”

“Your Item?” Tony questioned.

“Yes F.R.I.D.A.Y was helping with something, that’s ok right?” She worried for a moment that she had overstepped

“Sure” Tony gestured “what’s mine is yours and all that - well other than the suits, cars and bank accounts but you know what I mean”

Belle smiled in relief before getting up “ Ok well I’ll be back in just a minute”

When she came back out of the lift she had her hands behind her back and her confidence seemed to have wavered as she went up to Tony

“I just had to say thank you - to you all. This, well this has been the best Christmas celebration that I have ever had and I promise that I’m going to try harder to spend time with you all. The thing is “ they could hear her deep breath as she paused “when you gave us those beautiful ornaments, well there was one missing. It’s not as beautiful as the ones you had made for us, but the family tree wouldn’t be complete if you weren’t on it”

Her hand shook as it extended and she pulled her lip between her teeth. She knew he didn’t like to take things from people but perhaps he might make an exception.

Tony tilted his head looking at her questioningly before looking back down at her outstretched hand

“Belle how about I take….” Sam headed over before Tony waved him away

“Back off Bird Brain this is my gift”. He held out his hand and Belle placed a small glass globe of his own into his hand. He looked closely, inside was a computer chip on one side it showed the Stark industries Logo and the other the Avengers Logo with the outline of his helmet resting below

His smile was gentle and warm as he turned it around letting it spin and catch the light before heading to the tree to hang it securely in its branches. Stepping back he placed his arm around Belles shoulders pulling her into his side before kissing her on the head.

“Merry Christmas Snowflake”

#panic's 25 days of christmas #day 2 #Decorating the tree #marvel #oneshot

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madamwhisper · 6 years

Text

I need you (Part 2)

Warning; Attempted Suicide, suicidal, Self harm, despression, Negan.

A Negan x reader fanfiction. Where the read is suffering heavily with her depression. I have not reached season 7 personally so some things will not follow the walking dead guide line. As I know Daryl was taken away by Negan and some what returned… I think XD just dont be angry when I end up twisting the walking dead plot to fit the Fanfic…..

Part 1

1017 Words

Gif not mine

She continued to scream, tears running down her cheeks as her body shook. Before another burst of energy escaped her. Her head had hit something solid. A chest of one of the males. [y/n] Didnt know wither it was Daryl, Rick or if possible Negan. But at that moment she didnt care. The warmth that wrapped around her, sent her into a full security. [y/n] didnt know how long she had been cooed within the man's arms. Until one of them spoke up. It was Negan. His voice was faint, meaning he wasnt the one hugging her. "This little flower is coming back with me" His voice boomed, it wasnt a question but a demand. "Like hell she is" Another voice perked up; Daryl's and thats when [y/n] realise. The arms she was within was Rick's. "[y/n] Aint going no where. She is staying here" Shifting her head, she saw Daryl inches away from Negan. Both of them standing toe to toe. A grim look sitting on the hunter's lips as Negan held a pleasing smile. Tears still wetting her cheeks, and poor Rick's shirt. They both continued to watch the scene. "Hey, look... No one is going anywhere" The ex-officer spoke up. That was when Negan's body arched back in his signature stance. "Well. I'll be damned. Do you both have a little crush on this sweet fucking ass?" That toothy grin appeared as his eyes scouted from one guy to the other. That was when he worked out who actually had that 'little crush'. Negan's eyes landed on the red neck, a huge laugh escaped him. "Look at you big fella. Have you petted that pretty little pussy yet?" Daryl had to hold back at wanting to punch the man in his face. Not to ruin whatever this relansionship with the man was. Not wanting to put Rick, himself and definitely [y/n] in any kind of trouble. "Oooh she's untouched!" "Just shut up!" [y/n] voice echoed through the room. Causing all men to stand still, all eyes upon her. "Just shut the hell up" [y/n] roared once again, her body pushing from Rick as she stormed out the room and out of the hospital.

Tears continuing to leak from her ears and drowning her cheeks. She couldnt process what was happening. Why would any one find her attractive. Her ex-boyfriends always threw her to the curb once that had their fill. Only to start dating again a week after. She was just a door mat, someone to take advantage of. [Y/N] could not believe her ears after listening to that weird conversation. Negan wanting to take her away. But Rick and Daryl fighting to keep her. And those words after. Daryl? Having a crush on her. Like hell. That man could have anyone he wants. [y/n] was pretty sure Carol was his main choice. [y/n] didnt notice how long she had been running or where she turned up. Until she began to hear Sasha's voice echo down to her. "[y/n] are you okay?" She called out, bringing her out of her daydream. Moving her head to look around. [y/n] noticed she was surrounded by Negan's men. All of them just looking at her with confusion. Dwight heading her way, but before he could even open his mouth to attempt to flirt. That booming voice was back. "Don't even think it Dwight, that pussy is mine" Negan made his way towards the group and vans. Following behind him Daryl and Rick; both looking very defended. "Wait.... No!" [y/n] voice roared again, her body rushing towards both Daryl and Rick to ask question. To remain in safety. But before she could even reach them. Her body was swung into an embrace and not a comfortable one either. The man known as Simon had gotten hold of her. Orders from the big guy himself. He held her with both his arms around her waist. Holding her back with out an issue as she struggled against him.

It wasn't long before she was placed within the front seats of the van, her body tied loosely to keep her from escaping a moving vehicle. Sitting next to her was Negan, his hand perfectly on the wheel. [y/n] dared not to say another word. Worried it would harm her family back in Alexandria. Letting herself to get taken away by a man that was probably willing to kill her, if she disobeyed him. The travel was long, [y/n] believed they were about half way there. She began to move uncomfortably within her seat. Twitching her hands wanting to release some pain from the rope. "Negan... Can you untie me?" Her voice was quiet, scared he will deny her request. But he just simple smiled at her. Without missing a beat, eyes still on the road. Negan pulled out one of his knife. Motioning her to come closer so he could cut the rope. "My many apologises baby doll. I just couldnt have you staying there." "But that was my home" [y/n] answered back, rubbing the bandaged that sat around her wrist. Afraid it might have re-opened the wounds. "I was safe...." Her voice turned to a whisper. But it didnt stop Negan from showing some concern. To him having her taken away from that environment, away from 'Rick the prick' and the red neck. Was the right thing to do. In the back he had all her personal belongings from the home she shared with another. However the big man couldnt show any of that remorse he had. He had to remain that big bad wolf in all this; until he can get her within his private quarters. Away from the Saviours, his wives and the others. That was what Negan planned to do. Settle her down, speak to her. Showing her why he has done all this. But right now in the van, Negan could only move a hand to hold one of her. Entangling their fingers together, surprised [y/n] actually let him.

Tags

@nekocookie11

#negan #twd negan #negan fanfiction #negan x reader #negan fic #Jeffrey Dean Morgan #jeffrey dean morgan fanfic #jeffrey dean morgan x reader #i need you #fanfiction #x reader

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rexchanna · 6 years

Text

Syncopation (B- Side) 1/?

A Jimon Fic.

B-Side to Syncopation (It’s what you do to me).

It starts like this:

Jace and Simon sit huddled over Simon’s laptop as Simon replays loops he’s put together in ProTools. They’re sharing the bench in front of the piano; Jace feels hyper-aware of Simon’s body heat and how his breath ghosts over Jace’s cheek when he turns to make a point.

Jace likes working with Simon, likes the way they don’t make any sense together. Simon’s all about electro pop and driving beats, where Jace is inclined towards live instruments and quiet sincerity. Somehow they find common ground, and Jace can’t imagine making music with anyone else.

Even if Simon drives him crazy half the time.

“This song is about *wanting*,” Simon insists. “We have to have the drum beat.”

“Yeah, it’s about wanting,” Jace agrees, before he argues, “Thats why we don’t need it. The wanting is more effective when it’s *naked*.”

Simon’s cheeks flush at that. “You’re wrong,” he tells Jace. He pushes to his feet and starts pacing as he thinks through his arguments. “Rhythm is the human condition, you can’t just strip it away!”

Jace turns to watch Simon, biting back his rebuttals. Simon’s not looking at Jace as he paces, denying Jace a chance to interject. They’ve been going at it over this song intro for the last twenty minutes, and Jace is getting more and more irritated with each new argument that Simon brings up for a dance beat to open this song. It’s not that he always has bad ideas—but in this case, he’s just flat out wrong.

“The lyrics are all about wanting so bad you can’t think of anything else. Where the blood rushes to your head, and you can’t hear over the blood pounding in your ears,” Simon continues. “Have you ever wanted anything or anyone that badly?”

*Yes, I have,* Jace wants to snap back. That’s how he knows that Simon’s wrong. In fact, he’s feeling right now as he watches Simon pace the six-foot square room.

Jace has always had a problem the *want* whenever he’s in a confined space with Simon. It doesn’t help that Simon steals Jace’s breath by getting excited, his eyes bright and shining with passion when describing his ideas to Jace. It’s not entirely unreciprocated either, Jace knows. He’s caught Simon’s hot gaze on him sometimes, but Jace has never acted on it for fear of ruining this delicate balance between the two of them.

Right now though, Jace can feel his pulse rising, but the sound of it fades away until all he can hear is this voice inside his head telling him that he should just grab Simon by the collar and shut him up.

Without even thinking, Jace is up on his feet, looming over Simon until the shorter man turns and runs straight into him.

Simon stops ranting with an embarrassing squeak.

“God, don’t you ever stop talking?” Jace demands, but he doesn’t wait for an answer before he’s pulling Simon in for a kiss.

(tbc)

#jimon #jimon fic #shadowhunters fic #fanfiction #shadowhunters #syncopation (it's what you do to me)#syncopation (b-side)

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thebibliomancer · 6 years

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Essential Avengers: Avengers #160: ... The Trial!

June, 1977

So here we are once again. Some doofus in a mask who once fell on his own scythe versus the Avengers and also he beats the Avengers. That must sting.

Actually, I was prepared to dislike this issue because Grim Reaper and because the kind of overused trial plot but actually hey, stay tuned. Despite this post lacking any dials whatsoever.

So last time: Wonder Man came back to life and its a mystery and Vision has been feeling the robo-angsts about it. The Avengers recently got their asses kicked by a statue and a dick named Graviton and were played for fool chumps by Attuma and Doom. And also Vision and Wonder Man threw down because punching is easier than talking.

They’ve had a bad time of it, is what I’m basically saying.

This time: some Avengers take off early to avoid the menacing, glinting scythe that somehow got through the Avengers’ lackluster security.

Maybe Gyrich has a point in the future, even if he is an incredible dick about it.

But to be serious: Iron Man is taking Whizzer back to the hospital. I was about to comment on how his plot line just got dropped but Shooter at least remembers to tie it up loosely.

Whizzer complains that they didn’t call him to help with Graviton, Iron Man rebuts that Dude You Have A Heart Condition, thinks himself a secret hypocrite for fighting so much crime with a heart condition.

Yellowjacket and Wasp head back to Pym’s lab because Hank wants to specifically improve Yellowjacket’s powers. Doesn’t even consider improving Wasp’s powers though.

Which is interesting, sorta. I’ve been omitting the letters in the back when they do show up because I’m not sure how interesting ‘hey look at what this fan said decades ago’ is. I’m sure there is interest to be mined there, looking at fan reaction, contrasting it to my own. But I also usually end posts in a natural feeling way and including the letters would interrupt my funky flow. But to get to the point: someone wrote in suggesting that Hank give Wasp a power boost so she can actually start to matter in fights more. So its interesting to see this reflected in-comic with Hank going ‘nope my powers.’

Anyway.

Thor carries Cap back to SHIELD HQ but has some private concerns about how long he’s been absent from the Avengers and how he wishes he could stay longer. A perplexement indeed since it seems like its maybe been a couple days since the new roster. Something is going on here.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Beast is in a bit of a mood. He wishes he could have someplace to go that isn’t the mansion.

Everyone else Doesn’t Get It, remarking that the mansion isn’t a bad place to be stuck. Wanda and Vision even have a recently rare cute couple moment about it, Wanda declaring that anyplace is great if she’s with Vision and Vision responding without bemoaning and tearing his shirt over what a fakey fake boy he is.

And Beast remembers his time on the X-Men, a perhaps more successful time.

The plot thread of Beast not knowing his place on the team hasn’t gone away. Although, for a while, his predilection for disguise has.

So he loudly announces he’s going to go clean up the lab because hey if he can’t be a vital part of the team during battles, he may as well be the janitor.

And then he’s instantly blasted through the wall. Everyone’s a critic, I suppose.

The Avengers rush in to the lab and Black Panther switches on the light to reveal...

GRIM REAPER! This isn’t a surprise because he was on the cover and also his scythe was on the splash.

But here’s the interesting thing.

Wonder Man was never told about his brother and his silly hat. But he recognizes Grim Reaper’s voice.

So Grim Reaper gets a dramatic unmasking moment and gets to say “I AM YOUR BROTHER!”

Alas, its three years too early for Wonder Man to appropriately respond ‘THATS NOT TRUE THATS IMPOSSIBLE!’

Also, Eric “Grim Reaper” Williams looks kind of like crap. He has a kind of haggard face and a scar over one eye that is somehow not visible when he has the mask on despite the mask having a little room around the eyes.

Vision and Black Panther recap the previous Grim Reaper events for Wonder Man.

And cute couple moment dashed because when Vision says he’s an artificial boy with Simon’s brain patterns, Wanda tries to tell him that he’s not just a machine and he tells her to shut up.

Rude.

Anyway, Vision logically points out the logic that Grim Reaper should have no beef with them anymore. Look, your dang brother is alive.

Grim Reaper: “I WILL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT!”

Ffs, man.

Beast comes to and has lost nearly all of his humors because he is just sick and tired of being useless on this team when he was the strong dude on the X-Men. So he just rushes straight at Grim Reaper and gets his ass reclobbered. And then its time for fight.

But Wonder Man hesitates. Eric is his asshole brother. He can’t fight him!

Scarlet Witch can though and attacks with the power of explosions. Which Grim Reaper (not joking) scythe helicopters over. He then blasts Scarlet Witch, Black Panther, and Beast with some kind of attack that instantly puts all three in a coma.

Hax. Too op. Plz nerf.

Vision, of course, gets super nettled about Wanda being hurt but Grim Reaper has studied every detail of Vision’s construction and has an attack that puts him down instantly too.

Possibly sonic? There are concentric circles. And sonics have proven effective against Vision before.

And then he turns his scythe on Wonder Man and blasts him, although apologetically.

There’s darkness, as if to represent the passage of time during unconsciousness.

Then the Avengers all wake up at their conference table, with special manacles specially attuned to their molecular makeup and designed to cause ludicrous pain in case of contempt of court.

And we get to see two more of the chair logos!

Scarlet Witch has a stylized W for Witch but I can’t help but notice that it is also her tiara thing upside down and now have to wonder if that was always supposed to be a W. Although upside down would be an M. For mutant? Costume design, you are an enduring mystery.

Vision has his diamond but I’m pretty sure we saw that one before.

And Black Panther has a cute little kitty cat. So he wins.

Anyway, as implied by the cover the theme of Grim Reaper’s emotional turmoil for today is a trial.

He will be playing the prosecuting attorney slash inquisitor. Black Panther will arbitrarily play the defense counsel.

I have to wonder why Black Panther but the other options are Scarlet Witch, who may be slightly biased, and Beast who Grim Reaper doesn’t really know. So I guess that makes sense.

And the name of the game is:

Grim Reaper: “Two men cannot share my brother’s identity! One of them must die!”

So Grim calls Vision to the stand. Which is a chair that Grim Reaper has pulled away from the table to represent a the stand. Because he is committed to this farce.

On the cough cough ‘stand’ Vision recaps his origin: created by Ultron, well actually, adapted from the original robot Human Torch and given the brain-waves of Simon Williams because programming is hard.

So because his personality is derived from Simon Williams’ brain waves, he is in many ways somewhat like the original deal. Although they don’t here explain those similarities.

In Kurt Busiek’s run, where we revisit many of these robo-angst plot points, its revealed that Vision and Simon have very similar tastes in music and literature and women. The last one is the real sticking point.

Anyway, Grim Reaper threatens to destroy Vision if he’s just a mechanical mockery of his brother. Oh and then he reveals that once Vision accepted Grim Reaper’s offer to steal Captain America’s body, which Vision has to confirm that yes he said yes to the offer.

Which is clearly evidence that Vision is Grim’s real brother because he felt a right to a human body even at the expense of a teammate. BUT ALSO: remember how Vision protected Grim Reaper from a deadly Hydra attack? LIKE A TRUE BROTHER???

So is the supposed “Wonder Man” merely an imposter that Vision is trying to shield from Grim’s wrath? YOUR WITNESS BLACK PANTHER.

This line of questioning is dumb because it is finally revealed in this issue who was behind the resurrection of Wonder Man. Spoilers: Its Grim Reaper.

Anyway, Black Panther first objects that any Avenger would act to preserve life, even if that life is Grim Reaper life.

Although, this is not the whole truth. At the time, Vision revealed that because Grim Reaper may be his brother kinda, he felt the need to protect him sorta. It was vague and not entirely logical. Like Vision himself.

Black Panther cross-examines Vision and asks why he agreed to Grim Reaper’s mad body-swapping scheme. And Vision reveals, as the issue at the time revealed, that he was just playing along so Cap could ambush Grim Reaper.

Grim Reaper seems confused by this, almost like he didn’t remember Cap and Vision kicking his ass.

Also, Black Panther burns him almighty.

He also says that Vision won’t fit into the role that Grim Reaper wants to cast him. Vision is his own man, taking his life into his own hands. Why he has even taken a wife.

Which seems an AH HA moment for Grim Reaper because his brother would never marry a mutant! Because Grim Reaper is a bigot in addition to being weirdly fixated on his brother.

Meanwhile, Wonder Man is off to the side trying to ignore the crush he has on Wanda.

I joke, he’s really off to the side flummoxed that his brother is doing all this. But he does have feelings for Wanda at some point. Supposedly he was attracted to her even before he died (when?? when did he ever meet her?) and that formed the basis for Vision’s own interest in her. But that’s a dumb retcon.

Anyway, Grim Reaper calls Wonder Man to the stand/chair.

And Wanda asks Vision what he’s playing at when Grim Reaper may kill him. But Vision says he’s not Simon Williams and if that’s a crime, well he guesses he’ll die. But better he die for not being Simon Williams than Simon Williams suffer a second death for not being Simon Williams.

So now its Wonder Man’s turn to sit in the chair and recap his backstory. Recruited by the Masters of Evil when he was at his lowest point, made swole with ionic power and used as a traitor against the Avengers.

But it wasn’t the Avengers who killed him! To Grim Reaper’s apparent shock. He seems really clueless of a lot of things, actually.

Wonder Man died after turning on Zemo. And seems to think he got blasted for it. But it was really that Zemo didn’t give him the cure. I mean, that was the plot, right?

Then the ‘corpse’ was kept in a special preservative coffin but was stolen (by Grim Reaper). Then ??? and then he was delivered as a zombie (wait we can say that now?) to the Avengers’ front step in a big crate. The Avengers tracked down a voodoo priest called Black Talon and Scarlet Witch kicked his ass but Zombie Wonder Man still walked. And began to feel and think and remember. And by the time the Avengers were fighting Living Laser and the Serpent Crown and Nuklo and all that nonsense, Wonder Man was back to himself again.

Good enough for Grim Reaper! (Redramatically unmasks) The voice and mannerisms are right! This must be the real brother!

OBJECTION says Black Panther

(I knew I kept that for a reason)

Returning from death is impossible! True death is irrevocable!

(Oh Black Panther, how little you know of the comic book world...)

Whatever this Wonder Man is, he is not the same as the man he was before or even ANY man who EVER lived!

And Simon Williams is shocked, shocked, that someone figured it out. He takes off his goggles and reveals that his eyes glow with crimson kirby crackle. He knows he isn’t the same. But he doesn’t know what he has become... and it scares him.

Imagine coming back to life. Years have passed. The world is different. And there’s a feeling deep inside, staring at you in the mirror, that you’re not what you were. The world is not the only thing that has changed. And you wonder (hah!) if you are even human anymore...

There’s a lot of good material you could mine with Wonder Man. I remember it being squandered but maybe I remember wrong.

Grim Reaper is taken aback at Simon’s reveal and it actually feels like a small, human moment. Like maybe there’s a human connection still to be preserved here beyond the hyperbolic dramatics of the Grim Reaper.

But Vision calls Grim Reaper out. If he’s going to kill one of them, just get it over with and also kill him specifically. Because he (the Reaper) is a fool to think that he can ever have his brother back as he was.

Maybe Vision was a fool too because he had once hoped that he was in some way Simon Williams but he is his own unique, beautiful individual! He is the Vision! And he is content with that.

And if Wonder Man has somehow stepped beyond humanity, maybe he and Vision are the true brothers?

NO THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER I LIKE Grim Reaper expresses by torturing his captives.

And with all the Avengers knocked unconscious, Grim Reaper monologues that they would tremble if they knew who provided him the technology to build the manacles. Also now he’s going to execute the android kthx.

And then Wonder Man punches him in the face and it is super satisfying.

Sometimes comics are good.

Wonder Man says that his molecular structure must be different now, since his change. The manacles don’t work right on him.

Grim Reaper: “Simon, you fool! Don’t you realize that what I’ve done... and what I’m doing is for you? Stay back!”

And he blasts at Simon and Simon punches a big piece of machinery at him which Grim Eric shreds with his helicopter scythe.

Back when they were kids, Eric used to beat the stuffing out of Simon all the time. Eric was the big brother and the more athletically inclined to Simon’s quiet bookish type. But things have changed.

Grim Reaper: “Listen to me! I’ve worked long and hard for your sake! Right or wrong, for years I held the Avengers responsible for your death, and sought revenge! I paid the Black Talon a fortune to use his voodoo -- to raise your body and send it among the Avengers to kill them! But for the Scarlet Witch, you yourself would have been the instrument --.”

A lot to unpack here. Grim Reaper basically admits that maybe his revenge was misplaced but eh, sunk cost. Also, that he was the one that resurrected Black Talon but it doesn’t seem he thought he’d get his brother back. He just wanted a Wonder Man zombie (seriously, we can say that now? Its only been a few issues...) to bludgeon the Avengers to death with.

I’m not sure what the actual plan was since the Wonder Man zombie collapsed rather than murder anyone. But maybe that’s the point. Wonder Man had been brought back, not just as a body, and wouldn’t revenge on anyone. That was what derailed the plan.

Grim Reaper blasts Wonder Man with all his remaining power but just shreds his shirt.

Grim Reaper: “Look, I -- I’m trying to tell you how much it means -- to have my real brother back, instead of that android copy! But I had to be sure! I had to test you both!”

With the blade out of power but the whirl engine still whirling, Grim Reaper tries to fend Simon off with the helicoptering. But Simon just marches right into it, the scythe breaking off on his pecs.

And as Grim Reaper stares in disbelief at the stump of his weapon, Wonder Man punches him out. And then deactivates the manacles from the rest of the Avengers.

The Avengers rouse, glad to have survived that nonsense. Scarlet Witch thanks Wonder Man for saving Vision and Vision himself says he is ever in Wonder Man’s debt.

Its Beast that notices that Wonder Man isn’t altogether okay with what he had to do.

But Wonder Man just asks to be left alone for a while.

Because its not Avengers if someone isn’t brooding at the end.

And because in addition to coming back to life having missed several years, feeling like his humanity has slipped him by on his resurrection, Wonder Man had to learn today that his brother, who he already had a contentious relationship with, has become a supervillain who has already done terrible things in Simon’s name. I have to imagine that Simon hasn’t gone looking to reunite with any of his family because he doesn’t know how to explain his death and because he wasn’t sure he was himself anymore. But someone came looking for him and even if it was the brother he didn’t get along with, it was someone from his past reconnecting with him. But the way it seems is that now they’ll forever be at odds. Because having his brother back isn’t enough for Eric. He has to kill the ‘imposter’ and Simon can’t stand for that.

Heavy melodramatic stuff.

...

This issue should have gone before the Graviton arc.

You have all this increased tension from Wonder Man’s resurrection and Vision’s existential crisis, leading Vision to be moody and distant and finally come to blows with Wonder Man.

Then the rest of the issue is some gravity jerk.

It would have required a little rewriting but after Vision and Wonder Man throw down is when Grim Reaper should have struck. Get Black Panther in there somehow or use Iron Man or Captain America in Black Panther’s place.

The Avengers are weak and in turmoil from being just off the Attuma misadventure. From just having their asses kicked on Christmas by a statue. And with tempers at a fraying point, Vision at last lashes out and he and Wonder Man rumble.

And Grim Reaper takes that opportunity to jump in. And enact his trial.

Things play out as they did. Maybe expand into a two parter to give some more time to explore Vision’s discontent and the temptation to be considered the ‘real’ brother even by an ass like Grim Reaper. And then its worth more when, as before, he refuses to play Grim Reaper’s game. He stands up for his own individuality and for Wonder Man’s life. And things play out roughly the same.

With the insinuation that the Statue Knight was Ultron’s work, this makes things flow so much better. Ultron and Grim Reaper are implied and later explicitly stated to be working together.

That’s where he gets all his wonderful toys.

Ultron uses the statue as a distraction to allow Grim Reaper to infiltrate into the mansion and set up his little farce. Which Ultron uses as a distraction from his own plans (as we’ll see soon).

The Graviton story can still happen after this but moving the Grim Reaper stuff forward lets the Vision/Wonder Man thing play out instead of being interrupted by a story that didn’t advance it.

Anyway. Those are my thoughts.

Obviously, I liked this issue more than I thought I would, going in. What with Grim Reaper an all. This is a good Grim Reaper use. And it pays off his previous appearances. The problem is that this then, is the only Grim Reaper we ever get, when I think he kind of ran his course here.

In the future, he will seriously try to put Wonder Man and Vision in a blender to create a one, true brother.

So the true brother schemes should have stopped here. As hilarious as that laconic plot description sounds.

Next time: everyone who ever thought the power of small or ants was worst power I laugh at. Next time, beware the Ant-Man.

Follow @essential-avengers because I have always known ants is best power.

#Avengers #Grim Reaper #the Vision #Wonder Man #Scarlet Witch #Black Panther #Beast #Essential Avengers #Essential marvel liveblogging #villains love putting heroes on trial #i think its a 'how do YOU like it' thing #holidays are super awkward at the Williams residence

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jm-ph-2-3 · 4 years

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The "Hustle Paradox" Part 1: Are we really working hard? or are we hard working?

An essay by Morgan Adriano

Disclaimer: This is just my current perspective on the "hustle culture" and it's influence on us both positive and negative. Please take this with a grain of salt. I do not consider myself as part of the "woke" people because this is just a piece about my current reflections, observations and perspective about the topic. I am not part of the so called minimalists, essentialists, nihilist, communists, stoicist, vegetarianist, crossfitits (oops) Or any -ist out there. I'm just speaking from what I recently accrued from the different perspectives (albeit meager in number) and experiences. This is not a piece in which to condemn, criticise and judge those who are in it and support the idea that we should never work hard. But rather this piece was made with the intention to take another view and challenge the message in which we have been oversaturated within culture and mass media and to promote a better mindset. So learn what you can and apply what you must and throw what is unnecessary in the trash can. This may resonate with you and/or offend you at the same time. So................ just take a chill pill bro. Its just an opinion. -Now you maybe thinking: "Why the title. I don't understand it. Working hard is good? right?" and so I thought. Well the title was made to look nice, coherent and "proper". But it really translates to: are we working hard for our own or our goal's sake or are we just portraying an image that make us seem like we are hard working?

Join me, as you the reader, and I both immerse ourselves in my sub-par writing skills filled with grammatical errors and sickening amount of pop-culture references and into my deep dark revealing thoughts on "HUSTLE"

*Initiate X-files theme. Which I haven’t really watched and just heard it in different memes so... ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQoRXhS7vlU

We are constantly bombarded with messages (From celebrities, leaders, entrepreneurs, sports icons (Shout out to the Last Dance Documentary because that was sick), public figures etc.), podcasts, motivational youtube videos, music, movies, books and etc. on why must working hard constantly 24/7/365 (Inspired by the surfaces' song. LOL). We should wake up at 4am, sleep less because sleep is for the weak, no breaks because your opponent's winning when you take a break, slave yourself to your work, work in more and hang out less. We are so absorbed to the idea that we post stories about how hardworking we are by taking pictures of your work station or the book we just read or tweet that we working in the weekends #NoVacay #WorkHard #Hustle #GrindLife . And to be completely candid with you, I was that person that I am currently describing. So heavily invested with the idea of working hard than anybody else, sacrificing my sleep, nutrition, health and my well-being for that idea. Would flex the things I’m currently doing/working on or flex so hard about how hard I’m training that it eventually ripped my shorts in the gym (Yes, this actually happened and No, nobody was their to see it. But you know what Barney said: “Whatever you do in this life, it’s not legendary unless your friends are there to see it.” So I gotta post that *curse word* to git meh sum layks and let dem now that it happened). This is true from high school through college and through my first year working. Take it from a guy (Here comes the bragging and his big fat obnoxious ego) who was able to get into provincial level competition in football and almost got into the country's amateur league (Having a jersey counts!!!>_<), studied in one of the prestigious schools in the country and graduated with latin honours. (And you may say to yourself: Wow what a pretentious arse.... HAHAHAHA.......... Aaaand you're right.) But if you stripped down everything, I just wanted to show everybody that I am a "hardworker". I want them notice how hard I studied, worked, trained not for something but just for the sake for it. It was actually overcompensating for something. And I may say this cliche statement that: "No BrO, I dO iT FoR tHe lOvE Of ThE PrOCeSs nOt The AwArdS, ThE rEcoGnITioN anD thE mOnEy" (Imagine the spongebob meme please to make it more funny). I learned this the hard way and I'm still learning, to be honest. This "lie" that you (I) tell yourself (myself) can only help you go so far to the point you reach what I call the "wall" (I would like to reference the scene from Run Fat Boy Run where Simon Pegg's Character: Dennis hits this runner’s wall)(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pttqFUviWs). -But this wall that I am describing is a different kind of wall. This may manifest by symptoms of pseudo burnout (I say pseudo because you are not really tired of what your doing something you love but you're tired of presenting your self as such frame/image). And yes this has been proven in the literature in a paper recently published this year (2020) by Dr. Nadir and colleagues from the Greendale Community College (Yes, this is obviously a joke: if you don’t get the reference. #sixseasonsandamovie and No, there is no published paper on said topic but I found one blog/rant and paper that “almost” discussed the topic hahaha!)

Blog/rant: https://dwighttowers.wordpress.com/2012/06/23/rant-burnout-and-pseudo-burnout/

Paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6587911/

This wall can force you to either: Quit or Reframe.

1. Let's say you took the first one: You quit. You say: "Nah man this thing is not for me. I will go and show that I'm "hard working" at something else. You blame the field, you blame the system, you blame society. BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY (youtube.com/watch?v=UkhC0caZRNU)

2. Or you reframe: You reset your mind, allow yourself to become vulnerable, let your ego be destroyed, crushed, tortured, mutilated and be stripped down to its bare nakedness.(Sorry for the imagery: The ego is really a big pain in the butt. You can learn more thru the book: Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday which I highly recommend even though I haven't read HAHAHA! But it's in my "next reading list" so don't worry). You just let everything be stripped down to it's bare chassis and look what are the components that make you (What's the engine?, the tires?, the brakes? the interior?). What are you showing to the outside word? What are the driving motives? What kind of person are you? Who are you? (Please let me reference the most funniest scene in flim: Rush Hour 3 The You? Me? Him?) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAVnOz7i-JA) Scary introspective stuff right? hahaha! -But kidding aside, it really helps that you. Yes you! recognise it as early as now. Don't wait for anybody to calling it out for you (which rarely happens if they are with agreeable people or just really don't care about you) or worse, waiting for that wall to hit you right in the face. Don't be like me (WOW such "inspiration” ) "BEFORE". It all boils down what YOU really want in life and WHO you are living for. The praise of others? or just you? (Sheesh this sounds too guru-y) -With all this talk about how this "hustle" culture, you may think that I just hate the process or I am not committed to it or I am just ungrateful privileged brat who should keep his thoughts and ideas to himself and keep my head down and put skin in the game. So my rebuttal to that is: Okay boomer... LOL Kidding aside, I did think about that but you must understand that I WAS part of the culture of hustle. I craved to be in a library or a coffee shop with my laptop and study or researched away with a good cup of iced americano with a shot of mocha and breve milk (Look at this entitled brat and his expensive coffee). I would run on 3-4 hours of sleep from staying up late "studying" (Actually have 3 youtube breaks- related to my field and 4-8 youtube breaks about cars, music reviews, overanalysing movies and productivity tips) (How Ironic). I would spend hours and hours doing “hard work”. But the question is was it effective? Was it helping me inch closer to my goals? We have long fetishised the idea of becoming busy just because other people are doing it or to show ourselves in a particular way. -You see what I am aiming here is the issue of the heart. What are the underlying motives of why you are doing these things. And this can be encapsulated simply by the most used cliche that I think most of you have heard in mainstream media , especially from Eric Thomas' motivational clips (Usually listened to this before work or a competition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XIGu3Kxg2I): HWAT IS YO WAAAI? (Obviously read: Start With Why by Simon Sinek. Great book!). -To quote scripture from the gospel of Matthew 6:21 = "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.". This is such a crucial part of knowing yourself. I can't stress this enough for myself. Where it comes from, determines when it runs out. Whatever you put your priority in or in other words; where you put your heart in, thats what controls your joy. So whats controlling your joy? -And to conclude: I myself, am not saying that working hard is inherently bad. Working hard allows us to get out of the ashes of debt, failure and pain. Working hard helped birth new inventions, innovations, great people, leaders, visionaries that inspire us to do the same. And this piece does not serve as a jail pass card to be lackadaisical slumps. And eventually you may have the audacity to blame me why you didn't get where you want or what you want in life. So please don't hahaha.

We all have responsibilities in life. And it is something we must accept (Especially as I and probably most of you Gen Z'ers or post-millenials reading this essay enter *gulp "adulthood") [It's post-millennial or Gen Z not "millennial". C'mon cuh get yo facts straight]. We have a responsibility to our world, our nation, our society, our community, our friends, our family, ourselves. But also our future selves, family, friends, community, society, nation and world. If that doesn't give you perspective then I don't know what will. It is the matter of mindset. When you have a proper mindset plus the direction then hard work and ambition can be used as a tremendous tool for success. But if you allow your mindset to get out of whack and lose direction then hard work and ambition can consume you which will leave you stuck in a never ending race and feel unfulfilled with what you’re working on

-For a profound ending: Maybe this is why COVID-19 had to happen, (By the way, I am by no means downplaying the affect of this pandemic has in our lives and the lives of others. This is just a personal reflection so don't get triggered and "cancelledt" me) we have become so self-absorbed with things that don't even matter. The misguided things and narratives that we tell ourselves. Which leads us being irresponsible and unaware of the state and condition of our hearts. And hopefully, may this period may give us the opportunity to try again. To give it another go. Another crack at it.

So before embarking on your 4 hour deep focus study/work/train/mastery session (With some "lofi hip hop radio - beats to relax/study to" blasting in the background and a aromatic cup of coffee), ask yourself? Why?........tho....... Thank you again friend, for dedicating this short time of your "busy?" or "working?" day hahaha! to read this essay. I had fun writing (*Cough typing because my handwriting still sucks) this piece. Which is evident with the references hehe. Although there are some points I haven’t explored because this topic is pretty wide and controversial I bet so stay tuned for part 2 of this 2 part essay. I hope this piece resonates with you as it resonates with me and helps you become more aware and more mindful. However, if you disagree with all my sentiments, thats great! More power to you! We have to understand that everybody's circumstance is different. We live very different lives. We have very different backgrounds, ideas and experiences. We live in very different “seasons”! We learn different things in different time periods. This was maybe my time to learn this and maybe not the best time for you. Let us not fight but rather collaborate in this continuous pursuit of clarity and the navigation of this journey we are all partaking in. Please do message me if you want so we can talk and discuss more (not argue! HAHAHA) So that I may learn from you and your views as well. Cheers my friend!

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axelsagewrites · 7 years

Text

Shadowhunter preference*First Fight

First of all I would like to say this is from my wattpad. My wattpads warlocks_wrath. Its 50 parts so far and I upload daily.

Jace: Family Jace was meant to be coming to your flat tonight to hang out. You lived a couple streets away from the Hotel but still sometimes stayed there. He was over an hour late when he finally arrived. "Hey babe. You lose you watch?" You joked, wanting him to know it was whatever. "Ugh no." he mumbled looking annoyed. You switched the TV off and looked at him. "You alright?" "Uh, why is this so difficult?" You were confused to say the least. He could tell before continuing, "My family hate the idea of you being a vampire. They refuse to even meet you!" He flung himself onto the couch. You just raised an eyebrow before saying. "Really? J calm down. They don't like me, I don't like them. Its whatever." He sat up straight at that. "Why?" "They killed a bunch of vamps for no reason, wrecked our bikes, invaded our hotel, questioned our capability, tortured us with sunlight and oh that's right judge downworlders for no reason. Everyone in my clan doesn't understand why I like you." You didn't see the point in lying. It was all true. "You cant hate my family! Some of that is true but it was mostly my ancestors. Alec and Izzy would never and Mayrse and Robert have learned to accept them." I just snorted at that, "besides you haven even meet them yet." "Or ever." he looked at you kind of angrily, "look Jace, I don't want to meet your family. Maybe Alec because he's your parabatai but its not that important. They don't like me, I don't like them. Besides they're not your real family." You went to turn the TV on and ask what he wanted to watch but he had already left. Damn it! You always forgot how mortals were with their families. You tried texting and calling but he didn't answer. You would have to wait till the sunset. So another 12 hours. Crap.

Clary: Forgotten Birthday You had been looking forward to this day. Not because it was your birthday but because you had managed to get all your friends and girlfriend off for the day. You, Alec, Jace, Izzy and Clary where all meant to be going to Taki's for dinner then meeting up with Magnus at his for drinks. He had said his flat would be better than a bar and you could easily believe that. When you and Clary had woke up she said she was meeting Simon for coffee at Java Jones. Kind of strange but hey, maybe she's planning something or forgot to get you a gift. It was probably the later but you didn't really mind about gifts. Izzy had said you were getting a 'birthday makeover' so now she was in your room, picking your clothes, styling your hair and doing your make-up(if you wear it). "Perfect (Y/N/N)" She grinned, "We'll be fighting Clary off you." You blushed heavily before sighing. "Where is she? I haven't seen her since she left to see Simon." You slumped on your shared bed. "Dunno. Well why don't you help me wrestle Alec into a jumper with no wholes." You nodded before texting Clary, to tell her to text you when she's back. You and Iz had made Alec look presentable. And then some (doing Magnus a favour). And you were now in the main part of the Institute waiting for Jace and Clary. Jace came rushing in a couple minutes later. "Hey guys, looking great. Sorry im late, I was training and the clock was broken." "Its fine, were still waiting on Clary." "Where is the little girl?" Alec asked, rolling his eyes. "Hey! She's my GF, you cant insult her! I'll go find her. She must be back by now." You were mostly saying the last part to your self. When you went into your and Clary's shared room you say her on the bed in t-shirt and jeans. "Your not ready yet?" All of you guys had dressed up slightly (not much though) and you thought she knew that. "For what?" She glanced up from her phone, "Why you so dressed up?" "No reason, not like I planned the day off for all of us and booked a table at Taki's.?" "What?" You just left the room and muttered 'so much for birthday boy/girl/person' When you got back to the gang you told them she had a sore stomach and was going to sit this one out. You saw her text's on the way saying she had asked Mayrse and was 'soooo sorry!!!' Alec saw your phone when you checked it at Taki's and took it from you. He turned it off and put it in his pocket. He then turned to you and said "This is your night. Its time you relaxed with friends."

Alec: You don't do Valentines day Alec had woken you up by pepering kisses over your face. You woke up with a grin and started to push him off which only made his grip increase. "Get off of me!" You laughed while he chuckled a "Never" after a couple of minutes you both stopped and stared at each other. "What's got you in such a lovey mood?" You questioned. "You'll see." Alec had to go on a mission with Jace so you invited Magnus over. You both were just sitting drinking wine (or whatever you like) and talking about random things. You were currently talking about how weird Valentines day was when Alec came in. "Hey Archer." "Hi (Y/N), Magnus. Why are you over?" "(Y/N) invited me," but sensing Alec wanted you alone he added "but I was just going to leave." He quickly finished his glass and left swiftly. "Hey," you said again. "I got you something" Alec said reaching for something in his back pack "I got Jace to keep it in the institute so you didn't find it." He handed you a fluffy white teddy holding a heart and a jewellery box. "Alec you shouldn't have," you sat them on the couch while mumbling a 'you really shouldn't have' "I didn't get you anything." You looked down sadly while he flinched. You felt bad but you didn't think you guys were doing it. And with that Alec stormed out.

Magnus: Interior Design You and Magnus had just moved in together and it wasn't going perfectly. You had moved into his flat and he had offered to redecorate. You had said yes, thinking it would be fun to help decide what your and your boyfriends house looked like but lets say that taste's sometimes don't mix. Magnus was a more......flamboyant person than you. It had started with the duvet on your bed. You wanted a plain (Y/F/C) set, with maybe some different colour pillow, while he wanted bright yellow covers, red and pink pillows and a glittery pink blanket. "Magnus I'm not sleeping in a rainbow's vomit!" "But its fashionable!" You had decided to leave that and come back too it. Then you were trying to decide on a theme for the kitchen. He wanted a black, pink and blue modern theme and you wanted a black and white vintage theme. "You cant be serious (Y/N)!?" "What's that suppose to mean?!" "Uhh" You both stormed out the kitchen to the living room. "Look the living room should be easier, right?" you asked looking hopeful. "Yeah, probably. Maybe a black, pink and gold 18th French century?" "Or a modern sleek one?" You said not really wanting your first proper fight to happen on your first night. He groaned and ran his hands through his glittery hair. "Why are you so boring?" That however set you off. "Im not boring! I just don't want to have people blinded by the furniture!" "Blinded by style" "Oh by the Angel, Magnus! You cant always have your way!" He was acting like a child. Every time it was his way or no way. "It's my flat! Why cant I have it how I want?" "Oh so I don't live here any more?! Its not like ive packed all my junk up and moved it here!" He looked slightly saddened by your outburst. "Thats not what I meant..." "Well maybe we shouldn't move in." You went to grab a box you had brought and headed to the door when he grabbed your arm. "Let go of me!" He snapped his finger and the box was now on the table. "Let. Me. Go" I seethed.

Isabelle: You don't like her clothes. Izzy had came by your house after a mission. She was wearing a tight, revealing red dress and thigh high boots. "Oh you didn't have to get dressed up for me," you said putting your arms around her waist "Oh well down that is." She smirked and hummed before telling you. "Don't flatter your self honey, I was on a mission." You unwrapped your arms from her and sat down. You let out a slight sigh. "I wish you weren't." "What? Going on missions? Its my job, don't worrying I can take care of myself." She was smiling as if you were just over protective. "I don't doubt that. Even though I do worry. Its just," You paused not knowing how to say it right, "I don't like you wearing they clothes on missions." "Why not?" her voice suddenly got higher. "Because I don't like it Ok?" You yelled slightly. "Fine, I know were im not wanted." She stormed to the door, "And for the record I can wear what I damn well please!" And with that she was gone. You ran your hands over your face and sighed before texting her she didn't understand. You also texted Alec and Jace. If they found out you hurt Izzy, they would kill you. Also they might know were your coming from. But for know, you wait.

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themarginalthinker · 7 years

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The Three Barters of Marco Bodt

otherwise titled ‘Marco Bodt’s Canine Curse’. too campy for this story ehhhh

@bringobaggins this got longggg

in case any of you were wondering, this is totally based off of a silly little au I decided APPARENTLY DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH ANGST AAAAAAA so I wrote this for my friend in like,,,,an hour. :>

if any of ya’ll are wonder what I’m referring to, check out this and this right here. Essentially, Marco done messed up and now he’s cursed to be but a doggo forever but Jean’s kiss broke the curse somehow. this is his story.

He'd been one of the middle sons of a middle son. Their family was larger, and their parents never had much more then the very basics to keep them all afloat.

Then, in a crazy bet, his father won a small heard of sheep and the dog to heard them from a neighbor and their suddenly their family wasn't so bad off. But the dog wasn't well trained, and Marco wasn't good at controlling the animal, and in one fell swoop, a nasty accident, the dog misunderstood Marco's orders and drove all the sheep off a cliff to their deaths. The family was now...even poorer.

Marco thinks of this as his fault, and it eats at him for weeks until he comes up with a harebrained solution.

The witch that lives in the woods. It was risky...sometimes she helped, other times she hindered. And her prices were high, though not for want of gold and silver. She wanted...other things for her services.

The first time Marco went, he left a whole man, with an empty field over grown for lack of livestock. When he came back...he was half-blind, and the old, family-less farmer down the way had died and left all his land and animals for anyone who would have them.

And so began the three barters of Marco Bodt.

Marco is hesitating a little at the table now, playing with his fondue stick and the spread (which Jean has barely touched since Marco started talking) because he's not..sure how to continue. He knows his own past..but he's never had to tell it to someone before. Or even everything thats happened AFTER he was left to roam the world, alone and confused, wit no-one but other animals to talk to (who, as he's told Jean, don't make very good conversationalists.)

So, he tries to keep it simple. His parents were so worried about him - asking what had happened to his eye, why the place where it had been was not bleeding, concerned over their newfound good fortune of the ability to claim the dead farmer's land for their own now...but Marco doesn't admit anything he doesn't have to.

He keeps quiet, and goes back to tending the animals and watching over his younger siblings. Then, a few months later, disaster strikes for a second time. It's getting into the colder parts of fall, when there is little warmth in the sun, and the leaves of red and gold are losing their brilliance. Marco is working on fixing a hole in the fence where some of the cows got out before so they don't lose the rest of them before he goes looking for the ones who got lost, when he hears the screaming. As fast as he can, he abandons his work and runs into the woods, following the sounds of terror and - splashing?

It turns out it's one of the local boys - a small, frail, bookish boy by family name of Arlert. The village calls the family heretics since they don't often go to church, and collect a number of books most of the outlying counties had banned and forbidden the buying and selling of - Armin, the boy's, father is an inventor of sorts, making toys and gizmos for the children, and Marco sometimes catches his eye as he's selling his family's wares and wool in town.

They were something of friends, and as Marco sees, the old, old bridge that the smaller boy usually uses to cross the deep stream to get to Marco's house, has finally given out, the boards broken and sending whoever was walking across it into the icy depths of the water. Marco, of course, without thought for his own safety, immediately goes after him, jumping right into the deadly cold to save a boy who was really more of a Sunday acquaintance who Marco would never admit occupied his mind on more then one lonesome night...

Armin is small though, and even though Marco rushes the both of them home as fast as he can, there is little he can do to stop the dreadful blue creeping into the boy's fingers, the way he stopped shivering long minutes ago, and his eyes blinked closed. Marco is desperate, asking his mother if there is anything she can do to heal him, warm him up again.

There isn't, and Armin Arlert lies dead on Marco's bed.

So...that night, after the aggrieved parents of the well-read boy come and go in tears and confusion and the world around has taken on a new chill that Marco knows is nothing to do with the failing autumn....he goes into the woods again.

And answers the same question the witch asked before. What would you give me in return.

Some consider it a miracle of God that Armin Arlert was breathing by the time the sun peered over the horizon, sitting up with a blanket around his shoulders by noon, and back at home with his parents with no memory or scar of the day previous by that evening. Marco was not seen for two more days, though, and when he did return home...well.

Just the same, when his parents asked, Marco didn't tell. His mother never looked him in the eye after that though, and his younger brother was now asked to help out more around the farm when he father called for assistance and two good hands.

Jean is silent now as he watches Marco, who has stopped trying to eat and is looking glumly over the food. He speaks again after a long moment, but not to continue his story. Rather, he asks Jean quietly if they can go home, and Jean snaps out of his amazed stupor to agree and asks the waiter for their checks and a carryout box (because he knows, even upset, Marco hates the thought of wasting food.)

So they pack up and head home, Marco still quiet and Jean trying not to try and goad him into talking about his past more. It was an interesting story...but it was also real things that apparently happened to his...roommate? Boyfriend? Jean's own feelings are kinda conflicted. But he keeps his mouth shut, and waits for Marco to come to him.

And eventually, he does.

It's about a week later, when they're both watching television on the couch, and it's late enough even Jean the notorious night owl is sleepily considering heading to bed when Marco starts to speak up. Jean wonders if Marco knows Jean's awake, or if he thinks he's just talking to himself.

It was the dead of winter. Yule had passed, and with it the warmth of festivities and stored food, and now only the long wait those last few dreary months before spring arrived remained. People were hungry. Even Marco's family, as alright as they had been doing, were still going to be scraping the bottom of the barrel by spring.

So begins the last time Marco ever saw his...family.

The last time he ruffled Peter's hair as he left to check the snares they'd set in the woods, playfully bantered with his elder brother Simon about milking the cows later, and told Maggie to be a good girl for mother as she wasn't feeling well today. Maggie though, wanted to come. She was getting older, a strong eight years old as she liked to remind everyone who would listen, and Marco was one of the people who would indulge her when she asked to tag along, or be included in something fun - or at least, something less menial then household chores.

And while normally Marco would love to have her along...well....he was loathe to admit it, made his missing arm throb every time he remembered what he'd done...but the traps he'd set were closer to the witch's house then the bravest man on the land would find comfortable. The hunting was better there...and nothing bad had happened so far... but he didn't want Maggie coming along. It was still dangerous, and Marco had seen pawprints that didn't belong to any dogs that size around.

So he told her no. He told her to stay and look after mom and be a good girl. So, so stupid of him...

Marco went deep into the forest with his knife and game bag. The traps so far, all had something in them, and it made him happy to see. Grouse, rabbit, and hare, squirrels and even a deer had gotten it's leg trapped in one of the twitch lines. Marco let that one go, and watched it run off into the woods away from the man without a second thought. It was too big to butcher out here with...with only one hand, and besides, a whole deer and his parents might start asking questions again, about where his good hunting fortune had been leading him-

Marco never did like hearing screaming in the woods.

Especially when it was screaming he knew.

For the third time in his life, Marco was too late. The sheep, his friend...

Maggie had followed him, and, like the sneaky child most were when they didn't get their way, she'd made sure he didn't know she was there, and then, well, probably gotten lost in the woods when she'd lost sight of him. There was blood in the snow when he arrived, and a hooded figure standing at the top of a hill as two huge wolves, blacker then pitch on on moonless night ravage something at the bottom of the hill that makes Marco's insides numb and his phantom limb and missing eye scream.

He jumps in without thinking, much like his first barter, much like Armin's rescue. Ivory teeth tear his skin, and scythe claws nick bone, but still, his screams are not ones of fear of his own pain. They are ones of fear of the pain of the little girl who has stopped screaming and lies mangled in the snow.

He doesn't realize what he's done until the blow is delivered and one of the hellish wolf twins is blacking away with a whimper as it's shadow sister lies on the ground next to Maggie with a knife through it's eye, the blade sunk in until the hilt, dead.

Marco hesitates again, and Jean hardly dares breathe. Though it's his good eye, Jean can tell Marco is not seeing the tv in front of him when he speaks again. Marco's vision was red, his hand was red, the snow was turning into slush and staining his clothing red. There was the sounds of footsteps, and Marco cannot drag his eyes away from the too-quiet, too-still form of Maggie to look up at the hooded woman who now stands before him. His hand clutches at his sister's torn tunic, her little hand-made cloak and he can't seem to stop the ringing in his head, the pulsing of his own wounds not even a thought in his head.

When he hears her voice, it is not the question, that damnable question he has answered twice now, but her words still shatter his mind, reverberating not off of the trees around him in the white and scarlet forest, but in his own head.

You have taken something from me.

I have taken something from you as payment.

And now...you have taken yet again.

What will you give me in return.

Jean knows.

Thus completed the third barter of Marco Bodt.

#aot #snk #my writing #jeanmarco #au #cursed dog au #marco bodt #jean kirschstein

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