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jimblejamblewritings · 2 years

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let us help you | part 1.

Summary: The team is absolutely in love with one of the SHIELD recruits and hopes she joins the team considering she already lives with them. No one knows that she has several eating problems not even the two super-soldiers who seem to hang onto her even more than the rest of the team

Warnings for the Series: self-esteem issues, eating disorder, angsty, smut

Pairing: Stucky x black!reader

Word Count: 10.0k

(Series Masterlist)

“Hey, (Y/N). Dinner!” Nat called as you entered the compound after coming back from a practice mission.

You shook your head. “Ate before I came back… I’m not feeling the best so I’m just gonna rest. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

You fake limped towards the elevator to help sell your case. Naturally, the mildly chirpy demeanor you had never had the team feeling suspicious. It was also easy to fake since it wasn’t overly happy— you had moments and bursts of excitement but since you were considered one of the calmer and more mature recruits that side didn’t come out often around others.

Entering your room, you stripped out of your uniform and headed to your shower. The other recruits went home after training but you didn’t have a place to go and Fury along with the rest of the Avengers didn’t have a problem with you staying at the compound after hours in the residential area.

Everything you told the team was a lie. You weren’t hurt and you hadn’t eaten already. But you couldn’t eat, you felt like you already had too much earlier. So you finished showering and went to bed without so much as a sip of water.

You groaned as you heard the knock on your door early in the morning. You pulled yourself out of bed and opened it to be greeted by Bucky and Steve who were already in their workout clothes. Despite not being enhanced in any way, you still worked out with the two super-soldiers. It wasn’t intentional— you had started off training with the rest of the S.H.I.E.L.D. recruits. Your demeanor had drawn in some recruits in as well as the actual Avengers including your group’s trainers, Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes. Steve and Bucky always went to you for everything related to the 21st century and as they had more questions you ended up spending more time with them which turned into your workout schedule being moved up to match theirs.

“Doll, you still running with us this morning?” Steve asked.

They always knocked on your door after you came back from a practice mission to ask if you were working out with them instead of assuming that you would meet them downstairs. Sometimes you said yes and other times you would slam the door back in their face as an answer. Today, despite feeling a little sleepy, you were actually up and ready to do something.

You had completely forgotten your lie the other night and that you probably should’ve been limping and in no position to workout with them, but Bucky didn’t forget. He didn’t say anything, figuring you probably lied so you could go to bed without anyone annoying you last night. You had been gone on that training exercise for a week which wasn’t too bad but it was in the peaks of the snowy mountains so you must’ve been tired. You didn’t answer them but left the door open as you turned around so they knew the answer was yes.

Part of answering all of Steve and Bucky’s questions about the 21st century involved teaching them about the modern woman and navigating the different way people dated nowadays. That included letting them practice pick-up lines and flirting with you since you weren’t gonna laugh at them or punch them in the face for saying something wrong. It made your friendship funny to others because they never thought they’d see the two centenarians be flirty. You didn’t mind because you silently basked in the compliments because those tended to be the only time you got them.

As you turned around, you looked for the workout clothes you knew you had thrown somewhere in the room. Your sleep shorts had ridden up giving the two of them a good view of your butt when you bent down to pick up the clothes that had missed the chair you were aiming for when you threw them. Even though it was early in the morning, they saw the opportunity to say something flirtatious and they were gonna do it. Bucky wolf-whistled and even though he couldn’t see your face, you rolled your eyes and smiled knowing something was about to come out of either his mouth or Steve’s or both.

“What a view to wake up to, ain’t it Stevie?”

“Sure is, Buck. The squats are doing you well, (Y/N). Think we should assign more in training.”

“Yeah?” you asked as you straightened back up to face them.

Steve turned to Bucky. “What was the word Sam used the other day? That woman at Tony’s party.”

“Thicc?”

He and Steve both turned back to look at you, giving a very obvious up down. They both nodded.

“Thicc,” they said at the same time.

Your face almost fell at their words. That wasn’t the goal by any means and if that’s what the squats were doing then you were cutting them out of your workout. You knew when you saw the conflicting articles on if squats made your butt bigger or smaller that you should’ve just decided not to try them out at all. You went into the bathroom to change and came back ready to run.

Steve and Bucky frowned a little as they walked behind you. Was the line that bad? Normally you either swooned and laughed if they did a good job or you snorted and corrected them if their attempt at flirting was just that bad. But you had never said nothing before.

They didn’t say anything about it to you as you three started training. When it finished, you went back to your room to shower while they started breakfast. Peeling off your clothes, you looked in the mirror to see what they were talking about. You were sure they were right and that made you sigh because none of it was what you wanted.

When you came downstairs, breakfast smelled delicious and made you feel guilty. The thought of eating was a tug-of-war in your mind between you should and you shouldn’t. Steve piled the pancakes on your plate and brought it over to the couch with your smoothie that you almost always wanted along with your breakfast. He and Bucky sat down on the couch leaving space in the middle for you.

You joined them, careful not to accidentally sit on either of them as you settled into the space they left that looked entirely too small for you to fit in. The pancakes were big— Bucky must’ve made them. Drink the smoothie and eat half of a pancake. That’ll be fine. It should’ve been but your throat started to burn at the mere thought. You ignored it and ate anyway.

“You not gonna touch the rest?” Steve asked.

“Not that hungry, smoothie’s pretty filling,” you offered up.

Both Bucky and Steve shrugged and finished their breakfast while you just enjoyed the resting period. After every practice mission, recruits were given two days to rest before going back to training. You hoped it would all be over soon and you could become a certified agent. You probably wouldn’t be an Avenger since you weren’t at the very top of the class but you knew you were good enough— more than good enough— to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

Bucky and Steve were going to the office level for a mission report from the team’s last assignment the other week. You took the opportunity to go into your bathroom. You’d think that after multiple times of making yourself throw up, it would be easier. But you had difficulty each time. On one hand, you were grateful because maybe it was a sign you should stop but on the other hand it made everything worse. Because you probably wouldn’t stop and it was just more uncomfortable that it took multiple attempts.

You looked at yourself in the full length mirror, not feeling any different. Steve and Bucky’s words lingered in the back of your mind. Yeah, it was what most girls wanted. And honestly you thought that thicc looked really good on so many women… you were not one of those women.

It wasn’t lost on you that you had an issue. You were very aware but just because you were aware doesn’t mean it magically goes away. It’s funny because there were moments of clarity when you looked at yourself that you probably weren’t what you thought. Body dysmorphia was one of the problems you had.

The team had come back from finishing the reports and found you on the couch, putting your guns back together. At first you were apprehensive to be anywhere in the common spaces since you were a recruit but after lots of prodding that this was your space too, you started to come around much to the rest of the team’s joy. It didn’t make the other recruits too happy, some of them thought you were getting special treatment. Considering how much the team pushed you, including being rather mean in front of the others to seem more fair, you definitely thought otherwise.

Wanda used her powers to lift one of the parts from your gun off the table. You watched it float above you. Normally you wouldn’t care but Wanda used her mind reading and knew that was the exact part you needed next. You whined and pouted at Wanda to set it down but she wouldn’t. She enjoyed messing with you because you were so calm and let it happen, the others tended to get annoyed.

You set down the gun and started reaching into the air to try and grab the part. You were sitting cross-legged, attempting to stretch your arms as much as possible but it wasn’t working. You huffed and gave up.

“Gave up after ten seconds, (L/N)?” Nat joked.

“Tell Wanda to give it back.”

“Do it yourself, lazy ass.”

“Why would you say that?” you asked with a tinge of hurt in your voice.

“Hmm?” Nat asked as she walked to the fridge. It was a joke, she joked with everyone on the team like that.

“I’m not lazy.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, none of us think you are. Sorry,” Nat apologized. She didn’t think it would bother you, she didn’t even know it was going to bother you.

Wanda quickly set the part down and let you continue to work in silence. The rest of the team looked at you, you refused to look up again before you exposed any more of yourself than you already had. They decided maybe it was best to not push it and just walk away. Tony led the way before stopping to turn around.

“(Y/N), we’re having a team night tonight.”

“Okay?”

“You’re coming, no excuses. Don’t want to hear it.”

“But I’m not a part of the team.”

“You live with us, good enough for me.”

You nodded and they all walked away, leaving you to finish cleaning and putting your guns back together. There was nothing you could say to get out of team night and it wasn’t that you didn’t want to hang out with them but team night involved food. Lots of food and probably alcohol. You wouldn’t be drinking, getting a beer belly was honestly a fear of yours. Avoiding alcohol was easy but the food?

You hadn’t eaten more than a single meal the entire time you were on the training mission and while it appeased you, you also knew the binge period was probably coming. It wasn’t even really a binge for other people it was called eating normally. At the most, maybe it was slightly overeating but it was nowhere near a binge. However, that wasn’t how you saw it.

“Whoo, Cap and Metal Man were right,” Sam said as you came downstairs. “Thicc is right. Where you going looking like that?!”

“I’m literally in a bonnet and pajamas, Sam,” you said as you sat down. Sam was definitely like family to you. Annoying but someone you were close to, partly due to shared experiences that other team members wouldn’t relate to.

“Still looking fine as hell. Those thighs could kill a man and you wouldn’t even have to use Nat’s move.”

Natasha smirked as she took a sip of her drink. “He’s right, those legs. You’re a looker, (Y/N).”

You immediately shrunk under everyone’s gaze. It was probably a compliment. Not probably. It was and you knew it but you didn’t see it that way. Instead you heard your thighs could kill a man because they were so big. Steve and Bucky picked up on the shift you had in energy. As you sat down, Bucky took off his zip-up hoodie and handed it to you. You shrugged it on to cover the tank top. Steve took his off to lay over your lap and cover your legs up.

You were thankful to them for doing it but began to chew on your bottom lip because the act alone had you feeling like they knew something was up. You prided yourself on hiding it from everyone. Partly because you really didn’t want to burden anyone with it, you also felt the others had problems that were far greater than yours.

“So, (Y/N)?” Nat asked.

“Hmm?” you looked up to see the entire team looking at you. It must’ve been your turn for the game of interrogation. You were so in your head that you hadn’t heard them.

“Love life, why don’t we ever see you walk of shaming back home like the rest of us. Haven’t seen one since you first joined us.”

“I’m not into that type of thing.” You shrugged while eyeing the tub of ice cream in her hand that you really wanted.

“Oh, no?” Tony perked up.

“No. I don’t like really hooking up with guys especially when…” you got quiet.

The game was Interrogation but you weren’t ready to spill everything to them. Especially when you were still a recruit and not an Avenger. Naturally, the team wasn’t going to let it go. You started something and now they wanted all the details and were gonna make you finish. You shook your head at their pressing.

“Why won’t you tell us? Especially when what?”

“When she likes someone.”

“Wanda!”

She shrugged an apology for reading your mind and looked at you with a head tilt. She saw more than she meant to. She wasn’t even intending to read your mind, the thought just slipped out because everyone was harassing you with questions. Her eyes scanned your body and the two jackets you currently had over you and the two bodies you were sandwiched between.

“So you like someone?” Clint asked. “Wait are they in this room?”

You stuffed your face with snacks to avoid answering any questions.

“Someones.”

“Wanda!”

“I’m sure they feel th—”

“If she doesn’t want to say, we shouldn’t push her,” Bucky cut everyone off.

They all dropped it since Bucky’s gaze was intense. You flopped your head on his shoulder as thanks. He rubbed your shoulder and Steve patted him on the back to tell him he did a good job. It wasn’t until this moment that you noticed you were always in between the two of them.

The action itself wouldn’t be weird except for the fact that the two super soldiers were super together. It came as a surprise to you considering they were learning to flirt from you until you were told by Wanda that they weren’t involved at first when you had joined S.H.I.E.L.D. After they became a couple, flirty banter with you was so normal that they never stopped.

That and the fact that they occasionally still picked up women when the team went out to the club for some fun. However, it was only ever just fun. Everyone became a third wheel around them considering how serious they were with each other. Everyone but you. Steve and Bucky actively made room for you. Anytime you were entering a room, they separated so you’d have a spot in the middle and they would be pressed up on you.

Team night ended with no one interrogating you on anything too serious after Bucky’s remark. You went back to your room, upset with yourself. You didn’t mean to eat the snacks as a diversion tactic but it was spur of the moment and now you felt like you had to punish yourself over it.

You didn’t join Steve and Bucky for the morning run since it was time to go back to training. They weren’t surprised. Most of the time when you refused their runs after practice missions, it was on the morning that the recruits had to go back to training. You would see them in a few short hours anyway. Except they wouldn’t be your friends but your trainers. And when they were your trainers, they were kind of assholes.

The team always felt a little bad when they had to teach your group. No one wanted to constantly berate you but they had to for the sake of appearances. It wasn’t lost on them how the other recruits were convinced you were receiving special treatment even though you weren’t— if you were the team would’ve ranked you at number one like they wanted instead of number five, although your rank was still impressive. They also would have told you that they already picked you to be an Avenger if you were receiving special treatment and you would skip the exam at the end of training that was coming up. Your rank was high enough to qualify as far as they were concerned and unlike the others above you, they actually liked you and your personality.

You knew they didn’t mean it— it had been explained to you a few times— but it still hurt a little. Maybe you should have told the team how it really felt when they asked you because they wanted to be sure they weren’t going too hard but you always told them you were okay. Bothering them wasn’t in your nature.

You arrived to class a little later than the other recruits which was ironic since you were the one that lived upstairs. There were a couple under the breath comments made as you went to stand in line with them but you ignored it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something that Steve or Bucky could ignore.

“You’re late, (Y/N),” Steve said without so much as a glance at you. That was another thing the team did to prove you weren’t being treated differently— refuse to look at you unless completely necessary.

“Sorry, Captain. I wasn’t feeling well when I woke up.”

“Do you have a note from medical?”

“No,” you said quietly as the sniggers started.

Some of the other recruits’ favorite part of the day was you getting chewed out. They were dumb for laughing because the team kept track. They noted all your friends in the class, which wasn’t hard considering you could count on your hand how many. And they especially noted everyone who didn’t just laugh and tease when they yelled at you but actively made fun of you as well. Those people would never be put anywhere in the high rankings of S.H.I.E.L.D. They made sure of that and Fury agreed.

“Speak louder, recruit.”

“No, Captain. I don’t have a note from medical. I forgot.”

“You forgot? So you must not have been feeling that bad. Which means you’re still late and owe us.” That was Bucky.

In actuality, you didn’t forget to get anything. Of course you didn’t go down to medical and get a note like anyone else would. Because a note meant you had to tell them what the problem was and no way in hell was anyone, not even the doctor, going to know that you switched off between not eating and just making yourself throw up. The latter being the reason you were late this morning. So you accepted this verbal beating like you accepted all the others.

Bucky turned to the rest of the recruits for your least favorite part: punishment. The way it worked was the group picked the punishments for each other. The thought was to build teams. Sure it was easy to just have the trainer give you a punishment and then you just hate them for it. But if your team picked, usually they went lighter on you and in return when they messed up you would go lighter on them. It was a way to build bonds and trust.

Or it should’ve been. It only worked for you when they picked your friends in the group. But Sam told them that last time he had picked Courtney and the time before that Sharon had picked Morgan which meant it was time to pick someone who wasn’t a friend before the recruits caught on.

“Ryan,” Bucky called. “How should (Y/N) apologize to the team for being three minutes late?”

You prepared for the worst. Why did Bucky have to pick him out of everyone?Ryan definitely didn’t like you. He didn’t like that you were ranked so high despite the fact that he and a few others thought you weren’t qualified enough.

“Running.”

If he had stopped there you would’ve thanked him, that would have been one of your nicer punishments from the group that didn’t like you. One time they made you work the punching bag for the entire training session— your arms felt like absolute jello at the end of that one, Nat took you out for a spa day to apologize. Another time, you had to do five hundred reps of ab work— Steve let you pick the movie to watch with him and Bucky that night. But this was Ryan and you knew something else was coming.

“The entire period before break, no less than setting five on the treadmill.”

“Setting five?” you asked in a high pitched tone. “That’s a consistent five minute mile.”

“You run with Captain and Sergeant.”

“Not for entire training ses— please guys, that’s over twelve miles… I’ll just take it.”

Steve wanted to shout at them for giving you such a hard punishment while Bucky wanted to ask why you didn’t put up more of a fight. You walked over to the treadmills and started one. You could hear Morgan arguing for a lesser time for you, bless her, but the others weren’t hearing it. After Ryan mentioned you running with Steve and Bucky, they felt it shouldn’t have even been hard for you.

What wasn’t mentioned was the fact that Bucky and Steve ran at their speed for about ten miles before slowing down to join you who was significantly slower. Maybe you could push for a five minute mile when you had to, especially under high stakes missions— all the adrenaline definitely helped— but at a consistent pace, that wasn’t something you could really do. Before you could actually start running now that you turned it to setting five, your name was called. You turned to see Clark standing beside Bucky.

“Seems one more recruit is later than you, also with no note. How should Clark apologize to the rest of the team for being late?”

“Fifty-six pushups.”

“That seems like child’s play.”

“Clark’s always early. If he’s late, it’s because of car trouble, Sergeant. Clark lives forty minutes from the compound, the bus runs about four minutes behind when he should leave and every ten minutes after that. Fifty pushups for each minute it takes the bus to get to the compound and six for the six minutes he was late, probably because he took the second bus after trying his car too many times. Is that right, Clark?”

“The third bus, actually. Thank you, (Y/N).”

You nodded and Clark started his punishment that he wasn’t complaining about at all. You always picked fair, if not a little lenient depending on if you knew people’s reasonings. That was something the nicer recruits liked about you. It was what the team liked about you as well. You turned back to your treadmill and began.

When you were almost done with punishment, sweat drenching down the back of your t-shirt, Nat was standing at the door to the room. She looked over at you with a raised eyebrow and Steve mouthed to her that you were late. She nodded in understanding and fully walked in. You were relieved when you were called to come off the treadmill early because Nat was there as a special guest trainer for that session.

The three official Avengers noted how heavy you were breathing as you tried to stay standing straight. It was an aggressive punishment that you were given for three minutes being late but they couldn’t say anything against it. However all three of them were already thinking of ways to apologize to you later. Making it up to you, that was something the entire team was very good at.

“Agent Romanoff’s here to show you her signature move,” Steve said as you fell back into line with the rest of them.

Nat put on her hard trainer face as she looked at everyone.

“The point of this move is whenever you’re going up a bigger opponent and for most ladies here and a few of our men, you’re going to be facing bigger opponents all the time. I’m gonna show you on Steve and then everyone’s pairing up and practicing. Sorry to the bigger recruits, today you’re merely a punching bag.”

Bucky huffed out a short laugh. “Of course we’re going to teach you how to defend yourself if someone has you in a thigh hold, not just leave you to the wolves.”

“If you can get out of one, Barnes.”

“Just do the demonstration.”

Nat gave a very in-depth explanation which you were sure was more explanation than necessary and she just wanted a chance to pin Steve an obnoxious amount of times. You were one of the smaller recruits, not much taller than Nat so you got to learn the move. You wish you were paired up with Clark or even Courtney since she was a giant but they were assigned other people. You were put Leo who was similar in stature to Sam. If you could master this move, you were definitely using it on Sam just because.

The room was filled with sounds of grunts and struggles as well as the slamming of people onto mats. Nat, Steve, and Bucky were walking around to correct form and dish out praises. They were pleased to have noticed you took down Leo with no problem.

“Good work, (Y/N),” Nat called from the other side of the room. “Leo, your form needs to be better to break out.”

“No one can break out of this.”

You were beaming at the praise and his struggle. You actually did something not just well but top of the class. This was a first for you and you were excited until you heard the chuckles. Something dumb was about to happen, you were sure of it.

“No one can break out or you’re too weak, recruit?” It was less of an insult and more of friendly banter, that was just Nat’s style.

“No one can break out,” Leo insisted as you still held him. “Thick thighs, could crush you.”

He muttered the last part under his breath but you and those closest heard. They started laughing as you quickly let go of him. Steve and Bucky with their enhanced hearing also heard it. Bucky was first to walk over, trying not to show too much emotion at seeing your melancholic expression.

“I just think Leo’s a little weak,” he attempted to make it sound like a joke. “(Y/N), you’re up against me.”

You hesitated. After Leo’s comment, you just remembered what Sam said the other night. Of course, Sam’s comment was out of love but the same way in didn’t matter in that moment, it didn’t matter in this moment. Bucky noticed your pause. He didn’t care if the others thought you were getting special treatment, in this moment it was about making sure you were fine.

“(Y/N),” he started gently. That alone snapped you out of it considering he never used that voice with you in the gym.

You nodded and did the move, taking him down. It didn’t last long. Bucky broke out only seconds later. He grabbed your hand to help you stand up. This time it was Bucky’s turn to pause. You, the other recruits, Nat, and Steve all gave him questioning expressions. Since they made a point to ignore you, neither he nor Steve had gotten a good look at your face that morning.

“Why didn’t you tell us your eye was bloody?”

“May I be excused?” you asked quickly.

Bucky nodded and you practically ran out of the room. Entering the locker rooms, you looked at your face in the bathroom mirror.

“Shit,” you muttered to yourself.

It hadn’t happened in so long, you thought it wouldn’t happen again. Making yourself throw up can cause capillaries near the surface of your skin to burst. It used to happen often when you first started and then it kind of stopped. But now you were looking at yourself and Bucky was right. There was a little bit of blood in your eye and under both your eyes, your face was littered in tiny red freckles— all broken capillaries.

You weren’t sure if Bucky had excused you for the rest of class or just for a few moments but you weren’t going back in there. You walked right back to your room and into your bathroom. Even though throwing up was the cause of the problem it was also your only solution at the moment. You crouched down to lean over the toilet. The two fingers pressed to the back of your throat kept pushing until you finally gagged.

There wasn’t much, considering you had thrown up that morning and hadn’t eaten since then but you were okay with that. This time it was less about Leo’s comment anyway. Sometimes it was more of a control thing, you felt like you were spiraling when Bucky noticed so you took back control by making yourself do something— in this case the something was to be head first in the toilet. After you cleaned up and changed into fresh clothes you collapsed onto your bed.

“FRIDAY?” you asked tentatively as you looked at the ceiling.

“Yes, Miss (Y/N)?”

You were a bit shocked the AI responded. You had never used FRIDAY before and despite the fact that Tony said you had full access to the place, there were some things you just didn’t touch or play with since you felt like they belonged to the team. FRIDAY was one of those things.

“Can you please play music?”

“What would you like?”

“Something that would make me happy, make me dance.”

“Of course, Miss (Y/N).”

FRIDAY had good taste. Her playlist consisted of Rihanna, Nicki, Beyonce, Cardi, and even Meg. It’s like she could read your mind to find what would have you happy. However you didn’t actually stand up till “Hips Don’t Lie” came through the speakers. At some point she switched to more pop punk, not that you minded.

Bucky and Steve finished up with the recruits and were on their way to find you after you never came back to class. They heard the loud music as they approached your door, you didn’t tell FRIDAY to turn on the soundproofing— you didn’t even know that was something you could ask for. While they knocked in the morning as your wake-up call, the two of them normally just walked in any other time. Most of the team did. Unless you put up your little do not disturb sign, you didn’t mind if they walked in sans invitation.

Bucky opened the door but neither he nor Steve spoke. Your back was turned to them as the music changed from “Mr. Brightside” to “Turn Me On” and you went from jumping up and down to whining your waist. They watched with amused smiles yet dark eyes as they focused on your hips swaying around. You jumped hearing Steve’s voice.

“So this is what an excited (Y/N) looks like?”

“It’s a cute look on you, Doll,” Bucky added. “Although that dance was anything but cute. Why don’t you dance like that for us at Tony’s parties?”

You rolled your eyes and asked FRIDAY to turn the music off. They watched how even though you rolled your eyes, a smile danced on your lips at the underlying compliment and suggestive nature of Bucky’s comment. So naturally, Steve had to continue.

“Too bad you’re not in your little shorts from the other night, would’ve loved to see the whole show.”

After Leo’s comment, you had changed into sweats when you got out of the shower not feeling like being too aware of your body. It was almost laughable to you how with all your issues you still liked to wear tight clothing and short clothing— although it was usually just short shorts and maybe a shorter dress. Crop tops, if they were tight, were almost one hundred percent out of the question. As well as bodycon dresses, bikinis that weren’t high waisted, and skirts that didn’t flare out at least a little bit. But right now, you were completely covered in sweatpants and a fresh t-shirt.

“Maybe next time, boys,” you teased back. “And I’ll make it a private show.”

“Holding you to it… you should’ve told us about your eye, (Y/N), we wouldn’t have made you do the punishment.” Steve got serious again.

“It’s fine, I forgot to go to medical.”

“It’s not fine. Yeah you forgot but we can clearly see why you didn’t feel well,” Bucky pressed. “Next time let us know, whether you have a note or not.”

You nodded. It was nice that they cared so much. Both of them stepped into your room, not wanting to be in the hallway any longer. You took a step back on instinct because you didn’t want them to look at your face any closer. That made them both suspicious and Steve reached you first.

“You’re not going to practice tomorrow. Captain’s order,” he added when you opened your mouth to protest. “Your face, Doll. You’re littered in red freckles. Medical would say the same thing if we went down to Dr. Cho right now. You’re pushing too hard in class.”

You didn’t argue with him. You were just grateful they thought it was from overexerting yourself in training, which was a reasonable cover-up for what was really going on. Bucky stepped up to see what Steve was talking about and immediately agreed with the other man. You weren’t allowed to come back until the next practice mission where you guys would infiltrate a fake HYDRA base in various small groups.

The whole time since you couldn’t train and both men refused to take you on a morning run or let you workout, you didn’t eat. If you did have something it was a smoothie or coffee, maybe both on a better day. The hard part was hiding it from the team, especially the day that Sam decided he wanted to cook for everyone so you had to pretend to sleep the better part of the day away.

The day of the practice mission you were at the hangar bright and early before everyone else. Your smile faded as you were told your group. The top five were all going to be leaders of their own units which meant you were captaining a group. That wouldn’t be a problem but how do you effectively lead people who didn’t like you and barely respected you.

It was time to put on your big girl panties and lead anyway. Besides this was one of the few practice missions left before it was time for the final exam. Your group was one person short, apparently Matthew had dropped out to join the FBI instead, but you were determined to do just as well as the other group that were at full capacity. Each group was briefed as the quinjet reached your destination.

The fake HYDRA base was at one point a real facility but the Avengers had cleaned it out back when they first started and instead of real agents you were facing a bunch of Tony’s bots while the team monitored from inside the jet. So far, as they expected, your team was doing the best at reaching your objective. They could hear you giving instructions on the comm with people actually listening to you.

“Four agents on the upper hallway,” Courtney spoke into the comm.

“Can you take them out?” you asked.

“Negative, (Y/N). Third agent by the door is bigger than the rest and protected.”

“Is it the door we’re looking for?”

“I didn’t get a good look but I believe it is.”

They heard your breathing the comm before you spoke up again. “Alright, team we move up to Courtney’s level. If she’s right we need all agents on board.”

“Attack plan, (Y/N)?” Clark asked.

“There’s four agents?”

“Yes.”

“Plan Blacksmith. Alright we move out in three, two… now.”

Courtney slid across the corridor getting two headshots to one of the bots as she passed by while the rest of you ran up to join her. You could yell at Tony when this was done. He made all the bots at practically the stats of Steve and Bucky as if you guys were running into super soldiers every mission. Hell when you guys went on the lower level mission for real world experience you were pretty sure you unexpectedly ran into slightly enhanced only twice and they were nowhere near Steve and Bucky.

The bigger one was protected just like Courtney said. It was going to take hand to hand combat. The group was looking at you since you were the one to take down Bucky the other day even if it was only briefly. But briefly was all you needed for someone else to slip in and grab the files. You held up five fingers and the rest of them nodded knowing they should prepare for a five second window once you hit the floor with the bot— that was a little less than how long it took Bucky to break from your hold if you remembered correctly. You ran down the hallway, bringing the bot to your attention as it ran to meet you.

You pushed yourself off the wall to jump up onto its shoulders. As you wrapped your thighs around its neck you felt yourself sway a little bit and get light-headed. Ignoring the feeling, you squeezed your legs as much as possible. The group heard the clunk as you and the bot hit the ground and ran. Clark grabbed the file and they all raced out to see you still on the floor but the bot nowhere to be seen. The Avengers panicked when Courtney’s voice came in through the comm.

“I think we need a medic. (Y/N)’s down.”

You woke up in a hospital bed with an IV in. Through blurry eyes you saw the bag and internally freaked out. You had already had a coffee that morning, the IV was going to be too much. Ripping it out, you sat back and rubbed at your eyes. Once you actually woke up, you became aware of the presences you felt in the room. The entire team was sitting in the room waiting for you to wake up.

“You’re worse than Nat when she wakes up in medical,” Clint commented and you groaned as they had all seen another episode. You were slipping and started to worry that they’d catch you soon.

“Dr. Cho said it was lack—”

“Lack of nutrition,” you cut Sam off. “I know. I wasn’t feeling well and skipped breakfast but I shouldn’t have before a mission.”

“All that from missing one breakfast? That’s very extreme,” Bruce said.

“It can happen, Bruce,” you snapped, which threw them all off.

Sam cleared his throat. “Well, they said you were free to go when you woke up. You missed dinner, were out for the better part of the day.”

You nodded. It wasn’t like you wanted dinner anyway. Yes, you did. And they had already given you an IV so all your work last week was effectively ruined. Might as well eat dinner and dessert. You already messed up anyway. The team left to go to bed and you snuck your way to the kitchen.

You were crying as you entered thinking about how you could’ve cost your group points if you had passed out any sooner and you all got lucky. Through tears, you gave a watery smile to no one in particular as you saw the little Tupperware container with your name written on a post-it note in Sam’s handwriting. You warmed the pasta and sat down on the floor to eat it.

Bucky had gone to look for you. Between the fainting incident and you snapping at Bruce, they knew something was wrong. You weren’t in your room when he entered so he asked FRIDAY who said you had relocated to the kitchen. At first he thought maybe the AI was wrong, all the lights in the common room were turned off. But then he heard the soft crying before the crash of Tupperware and a fork.

“Damn, you just had to eat the whole thing? First the mission, now the whole fucking pasta dish,” you muttered to yourself.

“Doll?”

He heard you whisper ‘shit’ before it got deadly silent. You were willing Bucky to walk away but that wasn’t going to happen as you heard his footsteps get closer until he was standing right in front of you. You didn’t look at him, forcing him to crouch down and lift your chin up himself. Bucky drew in a breath as he saw the tears, your red eyes, and the splotchiness of your face.

“Are we going to act like I didn’t hear what you just said?”

“Can we?” you asked with desperation.

Bucky shook his head and you sighed knowing he probably was going to say no. Bucky put the dish in the sink and then extended a hand. When you didn’t take it, he bent back down to pick you up.

“No! Buck, I’m too heavy,” you said in a moment of panic.

Bucky stepped back but didn’t say anything. You cringed because you knew he probably figured it all out. He was quiet as he lifted you up with ease and carried you back to his and Steve’s room. Steve sat up with relief when Bucky plopped you on the bed. Bucky sat down in his spot and gently grabbed your hands, that’s when Steve saw that you had been crying.

“(Y/N).”

“You weren’t supposed to find out,” you whispered. “No one was supposed to find out.”

“The broken capillaries, that wasn’t from class was it?”

You looked away from both of them. Steve took one of your hands from Bucky.

“It’s anorexia and bulimia,” you said after what felt like an hour. Both of their hands squeezed yours.

“It’s not a normal binge and purge. The binges are usually normal sized meals for other people.”

“Why?” Steve asked, softly. Both he and Bucky were afraid to raise their voices too much.

“I’m big,” you said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“You’re a size four at the most. I’ve never seen you in anything past a medium and that’s still big.”

“Size two,” you whispered.

“That’s even smaller.”

“But I’m a big size two.”

“That’s not a thing,” Bucky said. His next words came out very carefully. “Is there a certain size you’re aiming for?”

You shook your head. The number you were at would make most people happy. As long as you stayed at that size, the number itself made you happy.

“Just until I’m not big anymore.”

“Doll, you’re not big.”

“I know.”

They both looked at each other. That wasn’t the response they were expecting. The tears started again and you looked down.

“I have body dysmorphia as well. I-I know technically I’m not big but I just don’t see it and I need to see it. I have thighs and a butt and a little stomach pouch and— and bigger arms.”

“You’re just describing curves—”

“No!” you pulled your hands from theirs. “It’s fat and it’s gross on me.”

“You don’t know what you look like to everybody else do you?”

You didn’t say anything because Bucky was right and you knew it. There were moments of clarity and overall you were pretty sure that you were distorting how you really looked but since you weren’t unhealthy looking it was hard for you to truly see anything. You wanted to stop but you also couldn’t because you weren’t where you wanted— well you couldn’t see if you were where you wanted. Suddenly, you were moved around so you were laying on their bed and the two of them were hovering above you.

“We know we can’t magically make it all go away but will you listen to us, Doll?”

You nodded and they both smiled as they laid back down on their stomachs on either side of you, propped up on their elbows.

“Good,” Steve said with a sigh. “Tired of flirting with you with nothing happening.”

“What?” you turned your head to look at him.

Steve didn’t answer your question, continuing as if he didn’t hear you say anything. You shivered as his hand traced down your cheek and he moved your hands from where you were covering yourself up. His hand rested around your waist as Bucky’s hand found a home on your thigh.

“See, I really like your waist and hips. Like how my arms wrap around you and how easily I can pull you into me. But Buck…”

“Thought I liked your lips the best till you took me down the other day, think I want you like that more often.”

“And we know you probably won’t believe us but everything about you is perfect. Because it’s you. Yeah, you’ve got curves and don’t argue because they’re curves, but there’s nothing wrong with that. And I’m not just saying this because it’s what you want to hear but no matter how you see yourself, no matter what you think you look like or how much the scales say you weigh, that size is small. You can only be so big and fit a two.You’re tiny, Doll.”

Bucky leaned in so close that you felt his breath on your ear. “Not that we’re complaining. Kind of enjoy the size difference. How you’re always sandwiched between us like right now.”

You sat up abruptly. “Did Wanda tell you?”

“Bless her for being so damn nosy,” Bucky said.

Steve pulled you back down. “Sleep with us. We’ll talk more in the morning preferably when it doesn’t end in you crying.”

“I don’t have my…”

Bucky pulled open the nightstand drawer and dangled various bonnets and headscarves in your face. Your eyes flitted between the two of them as they smiled, clearly proud with themselves for thinking so far ahead. Your fingers gently ran through each one and you settled on the large oversized floral bonnet. Bucky put the rest back as you tucked your hair into the cap. You weren’t sure what position you were supposed to be in, sleeping with three people was new to you— liking two people at the same time was new to you. Steve and Bucky waited for you to get comfortable.

In the end, they had a huge bed so you settled for your favorite way to sleep, on your stomach with one leg lifted up a little. The action made both men groan and a lazy smile appeared on your face as they kept looking.

“God, I love those shorts,” Bucky said. “Practically underwear… are you not wearing any?”

“Never do when I’m going to bed.”

They both sucked in a breath.

“Gonna be the death of us.”

They settled into sleeping positions. Bucky liked to sleep on his side so he was pressed up against you. Steve didn’t mind sleeping on his back so he moved your leg that was hiked up to be over him and settled into the bed. You tensed as both of their hands gripped your waist, fingers falling over your sides.

“Are you flexing?” Steve asked.

“No… you guys are gonna feel the—”

“If you’re going to say something bad about yourself, don’t finish the thought.”

“… goodnight.”

They both replied with ‘goodnights’ and the three of you fell asleep.

The smell of coffee woke you up as Steve came in with two coffees and a tea. He was very attentive to how you and Bucky liked your drinks. Bucky accepted the mug of English Breakfast tea with milk by giving Steve a peck on the lips. You were handed the homemade latte and a light press of Steve’s lips to your forehead followed immediately by Bucky’s lips to your cheek. You stretched carefully to avoid spilling the drink and pulled the bonnet off your head, scratching at curls to revive them.

“Are you comfortable telling us everything?”

You explained how the problems started and every tactic you’ve used to hide it from people. You also assured them that it wasn’t their fault for not noticing sooner, you were good at hiding it. They listened intently as you told them about the long pauses when you thought you might have recovered only to relapse. About how sometimes it was both disorders at once, other times it was one or the other. And how part of the reason they could never tell was because eating only one meal a day, especially not a big meal, was a form of disordered eating. So as long as you ate in their presence it was easy for them to assume you were eating the other meals.

“I know objectively that I’m on the small side and that when I lay down my stomach’s pretty flat and sometimes you can see ribs. And when I look at other people I think they look amazing with the exact same measurements as me or even bigger but on myself it’s just… I also know that I don’t actually know what I look like. I’m so different in pictures versus the mirror but the mirror always wins. I want to stop, I really do. It’s hard.”

“Is there anything we can do to make it better?” Steve asked.

“You guys aren’t responsible for me.”

“We want to help you. This isn’t a burden on us.” Bucky assured you.

“I…”

“How about we just check on you? Will you try to come to us first if you feel bad?”

“I’ll try,” you said with a nod. “Can we not tell the others?”

“Of course we won’t… you just mean the disorder, right?”

“What else would I be talking about?”

“We were serious about last night. We want you, both of us but private’s not really our style.”

“Want to show our doll off to everyone,” Steve added.

“Oh, really? You both actually like me?”

“Finish that coffee and we’ll show you how much we really like you.”

You gulped down the rest of your coffee under their intense stare. As soon as you set the mug down on the nightstand, you felt yourself get pulled by your ankles towards them. Lips were all over you as well as four hands, three warm and one cold. You were the only one fully naked but that didn’t seem to bother Steve or Bucky who were focused on you and your pleasure.

“Do you believe us now, pretty doll?” Bucky asked as he kissed you.

You nodded as Steve came back with a washcloth and one of his shirts and Bucky’s briefs. He cleaned you up, kissing you as well, and you slipped on the clothes. Both men were happy you had the practice mission the other day because it meant you weren’t going to training and could stay in bed with them. You eventually got up to quickly get toiletries from your room. They chuckled watching you enter the bathroom with them since you ran on your tiptoes because the floor was cold. There were only two sinks so you sat on the space between them as you brushed your teeth. Bucky’s free hand was drawing circles on your leg. They finished before you since your skin routine was a little more robust.

You flicked the light off and entered the bedroom again, pausing when you saw the full length mirror. You were littered in love bites. Of course the two men were admiring their work. While they were already focused on you, they became more alert when they saw your gaze switch from the hickeys to your body overall. Steve got up from the couch when you turned around to look at your backside with a frown on your face. He pressed up against you, grabbing fistfuls of your butt covering it up with his hands.

“Our pretty doll, lookin’ so nice in our clothes ain’t that right, Buck?”

“Still think those little shorts are a personal favorite but watching Stevie’s shirt hang on you makes me want to rip it off that much more.”

“Just right… I think we should step away from the mirror now, don’t you?”

You looked at him through the reflection of the mirror. Whenever your eyes flitted down, all you saw were Steve’s hands. He leaned down to rest his chin on the top of your head, rocking you both back and forth.

“I know it’s not a fix-it phrase but you really do look amazing. Will you walk away from the mirror with me? I think we’re making Buck a little lonely.”

You looked over to where Bucky had now moved to standing in the and started to walk. It wasn’t until you were completely out of the mirror’s view that Steve removed his hands. The three of you went down to the common room.

“You guys are just in time for breakfast!” Sam said, chirpily. “Woah. The shirts keep getting shorter, (Y/N). Not that I’m complaining.”

Bucky’s arm snaked around your waist. “Back off, she’s not single anymore.”

That drew everyone’s attention from their food at the table. A couple of them whistled while Sam just looked on, mouth agape. They continued looking when Steve’s arm also rested around you just below Bucky’s

“Well damn.”

You took the opportunity while everyone was distracted to move to the couch without getting food. Bucky poured a very tiny bowl of cereal for you and wordlessly handed it to you.

“It’s only four spoonfuls,” Bucky said.

He and Steve knew it would take you a while to get better and wanted to start slow. Instead of skipping breakfast completely they figured maybe tiny versions of each meal would be better. Even if the portions only added up to one real meal, it at least normalized an eating schedule. Bucky was right, it was only four spoonfuls. But the coffee from earlier combined with the fact that you wanted to have dinner that night made you feel some kind of way. You started to stand up when Bucky grabbed your hand.

“Just lay down, (Y/N). Please.”

“But it hurts.”

They looked at you with sad eyes. That was another thing you told them about. Part of the reason it was so hard to stop was because of how your throat burned and you felt like the itch wouldn’t go away until you purged. Bucky used his strength to pull you back to the couch. He moved you so your head was in lap and your feet were in Steve’s.

“What did you say to us earlier?” he asked as he rubbed your shoulder.

“I want to stop,” you whispered.

Steve drummed his fingers along your legs. “Then let us help you stop.”

You nodded and melted into their touch, letting them hold you and keep you there until the feeling subsided.

(Part 2)...

#stucky x reader #avengers fic #marvel fic

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tinyangrynerd · 7 months

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im also curious as to how you make your dragons look like Bugsnax characters (since I also want to do it, but not with Bugsnax characters lol) but if you don’t mind explaining how to do it, I’d really appreciate that!

Ah yes, Fandragons, my specialty~

this isn't even all of them. no i don't have a problem. i don't have a problem. i don't-

Um.. I would say there's not really any sort of method to it? You just kinda pick what colors, breed, apparel, etc. you feel match a character best ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ They don't even have to be spot on, just what you like or vibe with.

And also using a LOOOOOOT of creative liberties, since while FR has a lot to offer, it's still rather limited with what it actually has (i'm looking at you casual clothes and leather jackets...). Especially if you're looking for something highly specific, like a certain weapon or something... You just kinda have to find whatever's the closest thing and work with it.

I can give some examples of what i look for or take into consideration when making a fandragon. But it should be noted that obviously other people will have different ideas of what fits a character or what details matter more. It all really does just come down to personal preference. As does anything in this game.

A good place to start is the dragon breed. Which one fits a character's vibe best? Or maybe which one has in-game lore that matches with the character? You want to also consider poses, as sometimes they can give off completely different moods in the same breed. i have built some fandragons based on a dragon's pose alone.

Another fun thing to play with is what eyes/element do you want them to be? What matters more: picking a Flight element that fits their character (maybe they have lighting powers which is an integral part to their design, so you make them a lightning dragon)? Or maybe you just want to match their eye color (maybe they have striking yellow eyes that stand out in their design, so you go with a light dragon). I personally go back and forth between these two, just kinda depends on the character. But some people will prefer to prioritize one over the other. Especially if you want to use them in the Coliseum, then Flight element matters a little more there.

The tricky part i would say is picking out colors. This is where it really does just come down to personal choice. You just gotta play around in the Scrying Worshop for a bit and find what you like most. Or you can browse the AH until you stumble across a dragon that hits the mark for ya. Some things that can help with deciding is figuring out any specific genes you'd want for them, if you have any. Or building their outfit first (if they are gonna be a Modern breed and you plan to dress them up), and then testing out different scries to see what works with the outfit best. That last one has helped me quite a lot a few times. I've had several instances where i come up with a scry i think works pretty well, but then putting them in the outfit, it clashes horribly, or the genes don't work as well as i thought they would

And speaking of building outfits..

The Dressing Room is another very helpful tool. Letting you have access to EVERY piece of apparel the website has to offer, so you can't put together your perfect outfit without having to buy a bunch of random pieces and hoping for the best (ah those were the days...). Then you can preview that outfit on any active dragon, saved Scrying Workshop scries, or a blank breed mannequin. So long as it is an adult modern breed. It also lets you try on skins!

This is also again where the Game Database becomes super helpful, as it also let's you search through every piece of apparel, but with a more specific set of filters.

And that's about it? Really, just go ham. Go crazy! Make funny little dragon guys!

#cobalt speaks #flight rising

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botanica-machina · 10 months

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[OC Outfit Doodle Asks] Any of the Dezina cast in sleep attire, especially if it'd be particularly adorable and/or funny

*rises from the dead to answer this*

I was doing a little research on this question and every time I do I realize how different our current concept of underwear/sleepwear is from most cultures throughout history.

Since my comic is vaguely based on early 1900's time period, it would make sense for them to have sleepwear is is literally just the clothes they wear under their outer garments. I could see Ellie gravitating towards the ribbed tanktop and shorts because it would feel more familiar to her.

Of course, that being said, I can picture the Avian cultures as having some variety in sleepwear (they aren't a monoculture!) so I think the concept of having sleepwear that is isn't just your undergarments wouldn't be unusual to them.

I gave Tayver some loose fitting pajamas with a t-shirt because-- hey, T-shirts where actually getting manufactured in 1898 as an undergarment! :D (the more you know!)

For Narine, I liked the idea of giving her more of a loose tunic with more traditional pajama pants (ie, loose fitted but taper at the ankle). She obviously couldn't wear this under her normal clothes, so this would be sleepwear only. Perhaps distinct sleepwear is a form of modesty if Avian womens' undergarments changed to become more form fitting?

Now... when I discussed historical underwear with my historical fashion comic nerds friends, they got hooked on the union suit (aka, the Victorian onesie). So I decided to draw Lyson in it. He seems like a guy who likes to be comfy.

Now let me just say. The more I read about the union suit, the more I was filled with sinking dread. I always thought they were goofy and didn't want to touch them with a 6ft pole, but apparently these things were really popular!

Backing up a bit... the union suit was originally designed for WOMEN to be a more comfortable alternative than what they normally wore (chemise + corset) but it didn't really catch on... instead men got really into it.

And I can see it's utility... you never have to worry about undershirts getting untucked, or freezing in a house with no central heating... But there were stories about dudes putting on their union suits for winter and just WEARING IT ALL WINTER (they had butt flaps, so... I guess this was feasible). One guy supposedly wore his for so long that his leg hair grew through the fabric and he had to be cut out of it!

Anyways, union suits are mostly seen in a comedic way nowadays, so there must have been a falling out at some point. I have a theory for why that is. I think we flew too close to the sun. The union suits provided too much comfort for people to handle responsibly. They must have been like the sweatpants or yogapants of the day where it took society by storm and oversaturated the population until everyone got sick of them, causing them to rapidly fall out of style.

Anyways, these are the challenges of writing historical fiction that no one talks about. Navigating dumb trends that are only dumb in hindsight! So hard to frame these things as normal to the characters when you know readers are gonna read it with modern eyes.

#ask #witch of dezina #historical fashion #rant

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svankmajerbaby · 1 year

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A Brief (?) Analysis of the Barbie (2023) Teaser

here’s the teaser itself btw

ok So. first of all getting a teaser that looks so polished this early on (considering this comes out in July) is kind of amazing. it makes me wonder just how much special effects it will have, and if there’s any particular reason for it to be released specifically in july of 2023 (apart from competing with nolan’s latest).

but to what matters: i have three big questions regarding this movie so far. 1. who’s the target audience, 2. what time it is set in, 3. what place it is set in. all of them are more ambiguous than it sounds.

1. who’s the target audience

we don’t get a mpaa rating, but i’m gonna assume it will be pg-13 (as most movies are nowadays it feels like). i do not believe this will be targeted towards kids, which makes me curious to what sort of message it will try to send its audience and what themes it’s trying to convey. from the admittedly unreliable original plot that was announced, in which barbie is kicked out of barbieland for not being “perfect” enough (which tbh i dont love as a base concept), i had a feeling this would be a sort of enchanted 2007-style movie. barbie has to leave her dreamhouse for the grimy reality, ken might chase after her through the real world to bring her back, maybe will ferrel’s big bad executive discovers shes left and tries to ‘discontinue’ her or something, barbie will learn about self-acceptance or bravery or self-reliance or her own inner strength along the way, happy ending. i want to give gerwig and baumbach a little more credit, though, and say that they can do something more interesting. not being focused on sending a positive message to kids, and hopefully being allowed by mattel to actually put barbie in challenging situations can help this happen.

also, there has been (again, unreliable) reports on the movies that influenced this barbie feature: where i had thought, thinking of a children’s movie version, about enchanted 2007 meets the lego movie 2014, or even something like legally blonde 2001, theres jacques demy movies and the truman show 1998 --which i think is absolutely fascinating. this does promise a more “grown up” narrative, which im excited to see.

2. what time it is set in

one of the first images we see are of little girls playing with baby dolls, dressed in this old-timey but still twentieth century fashion.... considering the reveal at the end of this sequence, it would be safe to say they’re meant to be 1950s little girls. i have a feeling this sequence is either just for the teaser or it won’t have much actual weight in the movie --it’s meant to be a joke, is what im trying to say. still, it does give a glimpse of what the general style and tone of the movie will be like.

(this is also just a detail but i love how the girls’ clothes are all in these dusty dirt tones that make them blend with the background, its very much in line with how “life was all dull and grim until Barbie™ showed up!!”)

and also, it makes the pink pop out, of course. but the lettering is usually a great indicator of tone and time a movie is set in: and this lettering in particular, used around the late 1970s throughout the 1980s, i think is really good to make a guess. i don’t think the movie will be set in any particular time (at least not the scenes in “barbieland”, but more on that later) but choosing a styling more associated with the 80s does make the story one that is less focused on modern critiques and successes associated with the brand and more on the nostalgic feeling of the doll itself. separating the modern brand from the past also allows for a much broader critique, which makes for any self-aware jokes much easier than if it mocked decisions made by modern-day mattel, is what i mean (this is what i meant by associating it with enchanted 2007: the disney movie was made decades after the cliches it mocks, like the helpless princess who sings to animals and marries the prince rightaway, so at least to me it was funny but not particularly topical or timely. like a modern mocking of victorian corset-wearing, its not the sort of critiques i find particularly urgent or interesting to make)

3. what place it’s set in

the united states of course, probably los angeles --but i mean it in what reality its gonna be set. from my enchanted-meets-lego movie perspective, i thought it would differentiate between the barbieland (the clear artificial space these characters inhabit) and the real world (where barbie goes to learn a valuable lesson)

(the lack of privacy is astounding, which, if we are really going to go the truman show route, is pretty cool in and of itself. and also an amazing feat of set design, if it’s all real sets)

the teaser shows all “artificial” spaces, which by the production design all seem part of barbieland. i’m assuming its to convey the fun glitzy comedy tone of the movie so far, which would probably be more developed once we get a full length trailer. though, if the whole movie is set in barbieland (since those reports of the plot are admittedly pretty old and i think gerwig and baumbach have done extensive rewrites, if not a complete overhauling of the script), that could also be very interesting. by not having a parallel reality, we would have to see barbie develop own opinions and change this whole society from the ground up, instead of having the influence of a real world’s views affecting her and pushing her to change. i don’t think thats truly the case (the existence of will ferrel’s lord business-style matter executive villain/antagonist throws a wrench on this theory) but it would still be fun to see.

all in all, even with a brief teaser we get a lot of info. i believe so far that this will not be meant to be a children’s movie (so any hopes that it will do a shoutout to the direct-to-video movies are rather moot), it will focus on a nostalgic version of barbie instead of any set in the present or in an actual time period, and that at least the reports of there being a “barbieland” are true. it exists, and its plastic, and fantastic, and very, very pink

#barbie #barbie 2023 #sorry if this feels rushed. i needed to get this all out #. 🦴

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thebigbrightsun · 2 years

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MIYA POSTING

IT WOULDN’T LET ME TYPE ENOUGH TO REALLY SAY ANYTHING I WANTED TO IN THE FUCKIN. COMMENTS?? so i am just gonna make a post and tag mr. @yymiya who asked. So. INFO ON MY OCS!! specifically Miya because she is my baby and i’ve been drawing her for a year now

so these two are Miya (left) and river (right). Their pronouns are she/purr and they/he respectively. i made Miya last year in english because i was bored and remembered a conversation i had with a friend (who wears hijab)(i do not) which was basically just how would a catgirl wear a hijab? they would obviously just wrap their ears because it seems like kind of a hassle to cut out ear holes in every scarf you own and most hijabis cover their ears anyway, but if they had a tail would they wrap it? if catgirls were common enough would there be specially made clothes for them so they could cover their tail in a sleeve or something? we decided that its up to the person (like most things) but it’s probably not that common.. Anyway Miya doesn’t even have a tail in the main universe HAHA but it was an important question to answer i felt

i made River much later, in about april of this year? i thought Miya needed a skater boy friend (not boyfriend, as she is a lesbian🫶) so i made them also during class. to be honest i don’t have much of a story for either of them but they were really fun to draw messing around on my papers, i’m sure my teachers were sick of them lmao

if i were to make them into a comic of some sorts, i’d probably make their stories short and funny, while exploring themes of youth and growing up and finding your place in society as a minority/someone seen as ‘weird’. as an autistic queer poc, i didn’t really get much representation growing up, and i think seeing someone who acts and looks like me, who leads a life similarly to me, could have saved me from a lot of self-hatred when I was younger and didn’t know why I was different. a huge reason i still make art to this day is to help people who feel and look like me feel a bit better in their identities, because i know the representation i have seen, even if its few and far between, has touched me in ways i can’t even begin to explain. it means so much more than you’d think.

Anyway. the fantasy au kinda just came about one day when i was in a mood and felt like making fantasy character designs and stuff. i don’t have much of a storyline for this one either but i have a very vague idea on what it’s gonna be about, and i’m gonna develop the story as it is gonna be a big part of my Inquiry Question for Ap art this year👍👍👍

SO. these are their original fantasy au designs. i was actually pretty happy with miya’s first design, but for overall silhouette and posing issues i had to change her skirt, but i thought it looked stupid so i thought i should just rework her clothes altogether.

i’m gonna keep showing people this sheet because i am ridiculously proud of it. anyway. Even when i first started drawing Miya, way before i even thought of the fantasy Au, I had some specific design choices mind. I always wanted her to have catlike eyes, so i tried to imitate the shape of them while keeping them pretty human looking. the silhouette of her hijab is kinda exaggerated and not very realistic just so i could properly communicate the fact that she is supposed to be a cat.

in her original design, she’s supposed to be much closer to a human, with the only distinguishable traits to set her apart being her ears, her eyes, and maybe her hands. i wanted to put most of the “cat-coding” in things like the hoodie she wears, which has a tail, or the fact she paints paws onto her converse, or gives her self a dan-and-phil-style nose and whiskers (AHAHAKAHDHFKBS NOT A WORD). i also wanted her to be younger, about 15-16 in the modern universe, but that’s a difference I only made relatively recently, which you can see in the two pictures above.

with the fantasy AU, i wanted her to be honestly closer to an anthro than human. I didn’t want her to BE a furry, necessarily (no hate to furries, i am the number one furry enthusiast), but i wanted her to have much more animal-like traits. She’s very inspired by Tabaxies but i didn’t want the fantasy au to be in the 5e universe because i have several problems with racist stereotypes in DND.. anyway, miya is almost completely covered in a light layer of fur, has paw pads on her feet, almost has a muzzle, has a cat shaped nose, ears, a tail, and retractable claws. the only things keeping her from being a furry, at least in my mind, is that she has human hair and isn’t digigrade, and has much more human-like proportions, like the ratio of ear to head, head to body, torso to leg and so on.

i’ve put a lot of work and love into her design! while i can’t say everything has a concrete reason, almost every detail on her is intentional, one way or another. like, how she doesn’t have paw pads on her hands but does on her feet because she’s bipedal, and cats have paw pads to muffle the sound of their footsteps when stalking, for prey or otherwise. she also doesn’t need shoes because of her paw pads, but if it gets a little cold she might wrap something around her feet. shoes are very uncomfortable for her. (can you tell i’ve been dying to tell someone about that in particular i think its so clever)

other little details are, i made her headpiece mostly to bring more gold up by her face. it helps balance out the colors i think. the green in her eyes is inspired by my cat! and i don’t think cats can have brown eyes, but it was mostly bc i didn’t want to just give her green eyes (bc brown ppl with light eyes kinda freak me out cough cougb my sister cougb cough). the circles with smaller dots around them on her sampin songket are suppose to vaugely look like paws. i was gonna actually make them paws but that felt a bit on the nose.

i think thats all i have to say for now… i will talk more abt river when i finish their character page. there’s nothing really wrong with their current design, other than the fact that it’s kinda really boring, so i’m working on adding more character and interest! here’s the sketches i did in my sketchbook, i’m currently working on tracing n coloring them digitally

here they are!! also i said earlier that in the modern au miya is supposed to be younger but i never said how old she’s supposed to be in the fantasy au and i cant find a smooth transition to talk about that so i will say that here. She’s supposed to be like 18-19 in the fantasy au, i just think it would make more sense for what they’re supposed to be doing throughout the story (exploration, fighting, potential mortal danger, i think its a bit much for high schoolers is all). river is slightly younger but still around the same age as miya, so same thing for him too. they look really young in the sketches above bc my art style was doing something funky that day lmao

that is all!! finally!! for now at least. (if u saw me post this way earlier than i meant to No You Didn’t.)

#ocs #original characters #character design

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shinxeysartgallery · 2 years

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Give me da loare on all your dinosaurs funny dinos go rawr

I think I made a post about Scar and Archie in particular last year, but I do have a few updates to make to that now that the other three have joined the squad, so this is the perfect excuse to do so. lmao Gonna put that under the cut here-

So I got the idea for the dinos to begin with a year or two ago when I had this dream where some of my OCs went on a mission in the arctic and found a dinosaur character preserved in the ice. They revived them and then went onto try introducing them to modern society. I thought it sounded like an interesting concept, so I decided to add that to my Sonic AU. Originally, it was just going to be Scar, and I chose him being a Utahraptor in particular because that's my favorite dinosaur. I had an idea and a design for him, so all that was left was to give him a name. Someone suggested Archie as a name, and while I didn't think that fit him, I thought it would be a really cute name for an archaeopteryx, so then Archie was born. Originally, I had their chronological ages based off the real life versions of the dinosaurs, but I later decided to make them both from the same year so it would make more sense. I went with 130 million as a good middle ground for all five of the dinos. For Scar, his physical age is 15, as that's how old he was when he was frozen. He is a very skilled spear user, but he also can use his claws to attack. He tends to be rather serious, but he does have a childish side to him as well.

Archie is only physically 10 and much more childish than Scar. He's a decent archer and he also tends to bite or peck. And he also loves to eat. lmao

Fairly recently, a friend of mine and I got into a conversation that gave me the idea of writing a bit about the dinosaur that gave Scar his scar, and that idea prompted me to make the other three dinos. Starting off with Tina Rex, a T-Rex. She's physically 17 and an embodiment of a spoiled rich kid. She takes the old saying about the T-Rex being the "king of the prehistoric era" seriously and demands to be treated as royalty as a result and will resort to fits or even violence to get her way. In fact, the necklace she wears is a tooth she took from beating up another tyrannosaur and wears like a trophy of sorts. She's also the one that gave Scar his scar, as they got into a fight. She will only listen to Peter, but that's mainly because he can do things for her and she understands that if she harasses him, he won't give her things.

Speaking of Peter, here he is! He is a pterodactyl (and it took all my willpower to not name him Terry) at the physical age of 16. He's a primative scientist of sorts and also serves as the peacekeeper of the dino group. He definitely is the most mature out of all five of them. There's also Rémy, an 8-year old rhamphorhynchus who was abandoned by his family when his home was attacked and he couldn't fly away due to his injuries. Peter found him while out collecting supplies and took him in, unofficially adopting him as his younger brother. Rémy very greatly respects his older bro and usually tags along with him and helps him out with his various experiments. Despite what happened to him, he's still very outgoing and loves making new friends.

All five of them are wearing clothes made from mammoth hide and sandals that are made from stone and primative leather, which were all made by each of them. Scar's and Archie's weapons were also made by their users out of stone, wood, and plant fibers. They all speak an ancient dinosaur language that I'm calling Ancient Mesozonian (as a reference to the Mesozoic era, in which the Cretaceous period in particular was 130 million years ago irl), so of course the revival process had quite the language barrier, though all five of them have been working very hard to learn English. Speaking of being revived, all five of them kinda freaked out over it, but in their position, who wouldn't? You wake up in a weird world with a ton of creatures you don't recognize that speak a language you can't understand. Scar and Archie were first, found together in the ice. Thanks to Tails making a somewhat decent translator for what he had to work with, the barrier was slightly breached and they were able to explain what happened to those two. They've adjusted somewhat to modern society, but it is difficult for them. Tina was next. Eggman got pissed off that Scar and Archie wrecked some of his robots and he learned that they used to have a bully of sorts, so he went to the arctic to try to track them down. He found Tina and revived her. Also using a translator that he developed, he was able to communicate with her and used expensive gifts to manipulate her into attacking the heroes and getting back at Scar and Archie in particular. She immediately fell in love with modern society and even ditched her self-made outfit for a silk dress. Scar and Archie kinda panicked over Tina being revived, but remembered about Peter and had the idea to go find him to hopefully talk her out of what she was doing and they begged their new friends to take them to the arctic to look for him, which they agreed to. They found Peter and Rémy together and revived them both. Scar and Archie explained the situation to them in their native language and sure enough, Peter was off to handle things. He was eventually able to talk her out of working for Eggman and she ditched him, much to his annoyance. Peter and Rémy also modernized themselves, dressing more like how you would expect a scientist to dress. Peter also realized that he's nearsighted and got glasses to help him. The two of them are working very hard to not only learn the language, but to become official chemists, Rémy being Peter's assistant. Scar and Archie never modernized their outfits though because they're too proud of the work they put into making them. Could that change in the future when it comes time for new clothes? Perhaps, but for now, no.

I'm still working on developing that a bit, and I'm hoping I'll have some time soon to work on it, but for now, that's what I got. Here's also Peter, Rémy, and Tina's modern outfits!

(Don't worry, he's fine! Nothing like a little chemical fire to put some spice in your life. :) )

#anon ask #shinxey's asks #sonic fan character #sonic ocs #sonic au #shinxey's ocs #shinxey's art #scar the utahraptor #archie the archaeopteryx #tina rex #peter dactyl #rémy rhynchus #dino babies :)

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maxwell-grant · 3 years

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Having asked your thoughts on designing Frankenstein's daemon, might I now ask your thoughts on bringing Count Dracula from the written word into illustration? (I'm definitely in favour of the 'Hairy Old Mountain Man of Horror pretending he's people' look from the original novel; one of the small tests too many Draculas fail to pass is an absolutely tragic lack of the Evil Beard and/or Wicked Moustache explicitly described by Mr Stoker).

Unlike with Frankenstein, where I think the design needs to be painstakingly thought out in order to achieve the best balance of the creature's traits for horror and tragedy alike, I think with Dracula you can actually just take an approach of "whatever works". Because as I mentioned before, I think much of the appeal and longevity of Dracula is how the character's both a layered villain as well as a shapeshifting narrative force that can be tailored to whatever you want to do with. Granted, there are bad or dissappointing Dracula designs, of course there are, but in regards to the leeway you get for reinterpretation, you get a lot more of it with Dracula than with other literary icons.

Like with Frankenstein, I'm gonna bring up how I'd tackle a less grim, more comedy-centric Dracula first, one that's less a force of horror and more of a charismatic villain, and I think to that end I definitely agree that people are sleeping a lot on the hairy old man barely-passing-off-as-humanoid of the original story. Despite very much loving these performers, I'm actually not a fan of takes that mold Dracula too closely to people who've portrayed him, like Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee, partially because I think it's a waste of an opportunity to create your own Dracula design. Since I can't draw (yet), I'll do what I usually do and make a board of images to try and convey some of my thoughts on one way I'd design Dracula.

(Pictured: Kiwi's design for Dracula, Hotel Transylvania concept art, Nandor, Castlevania Dracula, Charles Dance in Dracula Untold, Vladislav, a Transylvanian rug)

I used the images in my other Dracula post and I’ll post it here again because I absolutely adore @kiwibyrd's designs for Dracula and it's main heroes, in particular I love the way it strikes a good balance at making sure Dracula looks distinctly separate from the humans, but not too much that he couldn't conceivably operate in society as just a harmless old man. I also adore the mustache and bushy eyebrows and pointy ears and I think these three are wonderful features to keep on any Dracula design. I'm also very partial to the Hotel Transylvania concept art, even if it makes me incredibly depressed to look at all the great designs they had for Dracula that they threw in the trash because they somehow decided making him look like Adam Sandler was the idea to go with.

I deeply adore What We Do In The Shadows, both the movie and the show, and Jemaine Clement's Vladislav is one of my favorite (maybe even my actual favorite) on-screen Draculas. But I also enjoy Nandor just as much, and I think it's really great that as a character he's completely different from Vlad while also being ostensibly a take on Dracula, and in particular I bring up his Jersey look because "Dracula in common clothing" is a criminally underrated concept for a joke.

As a character, I'm very partial to comedy takes on Dracula that play him up as a decadent aristocratic supervillain, the kind that can get away with talking in third person. I also have this idea for a version of Dracula who dresses ostentatiously in finely-broidered Romanian or Transylvanian patterns, maybe even wearing a rug as a cape, claiming that he's carrying the legacy of his people on his back. And of course he's lying, he's not Vlad Tepes and he's not even Romanian, he is just a parasite pretending to have a history to be proud of, but good luck getting him to admit that. And finally, I'd like this version to be played by Charles Dance, and I consider it a tremendous crime against humanity that he has yet to play Dracula proper even despite being in a film with the character's name on the title.

So that's kinda how I would design a take on Dracula for something more comedic or more based around him as this guest character and personality on-set. Now, if we're talking a more serious version, I think the possibilities increase, and I won't be getting into all of them because I may prefer to keep them to myself, but I'll elaborate a few ideas.

For example, the edition of Dracula I personally own comes with these really scratchy, really creepy B&W illustrations related to the story, that I can't find scanned online so I'm uploading them here so you can look at. They don't necessarily depict the scenes but rather some of the story's moments, like Van Helsing staking Lucy, Renfield in a straightjacket, Dracula as a coachman, and they are more focused on conveying the horror of the concepts at play.

Dracula never looks the same way in any of the illustrations, in fact you kinda have to piece him out of them by trying to find teeth or capes or eyes or bat-features to see where he's hiding this time. In the first, it's the half-man half-bat, in the 2nd, he's the shrieking bat silhouette next to Renfield, and in the latter, he's the gaping jaws and eerily humanoid eyes in the wolf. The effect to me almost feels like if you were to look at a bunch of tv static and then see a humanoid shape form for a split second before everything went back to normal, something like you'd get from Slender Man or other modern creepypastas, and I’ve argued before that Dracula’s form of horror is a very modern one.

In terms of illustrations of Dracula that keep up the original traits while still pulling off horror, I definitely have to hand it to the one at the left of the image above, drawn by regourso on Deviantart (account deleted at present). Going back to Castlevania’s many takes on Dracula, two in particular that stick out to me would be Castlevania: Judgment’s armored dress Dracula, who’s got this great twisted heart/rose motif going on in his outfit, and Dracula’s final form in SOTN where he just sits in his throne and his cape twists into all these monsters, particularly how it’s depicted by witnesstheabsurd’s depiction.

I’m not particularly a fan of how Dracula’s “final form” in these games is usually just some big demon, and part of what I like about his final form in SOTN instead is that, while it’s not a particularly challenging final boss, I do find it interesting the idea of us never actually getting to see what Dracula’s true final form looks like, only an ever-shifting pitch-black torrent of teeth and claws and bloody veins pouring out because that’s ultimately what Dracula is and brings to the world.

On the flip-side of the rotten old monster, we have the charming seductor Dracula, and while I’m really not a fan of how various adaptations have convinced people that “the point” of Dracula is that he’s a seductive force and an allegory for Victorian xenophobia and I’m reeeally even less of a fan of adaptations that make Dracula some misunderstood tragic hero (and I think I’ve made rather violently clear my feelings on interpretations that play up a romance between him and Mina), that the seductive force part exists is impossible to deny, so conversely, while on one hand we can have Dracula as the gargantuan whirlwind of predatory violence, we can also go for Dracula as the tantalizing lover.

I’ve seen a lot of opinions proclaiming Frank Langella as the best Dracula because he was the best at actually being seductive while still playing Dracula, although I haven’t yet seen his performances. If I had to point at one picture I look at and do buy for a second the idea of Dracula as a romantic character, it would be that particular still of Raul Julia in the left of the above image. And it’s strange for me to think of Raul Julia as attractive because I mainly associate him with his brilliant comedy performance of M.Bison (I know it’s far from the highlight of his career but, look, I grew up with Street Fighter, I can’t help it) but those eyes are definitely looking pretty convincing to me, if nothing else.

And I’ve included this still of Sebastian Stan in the right because, during a conversation between me, @krinsbez and @jcogginsa about who could be a good fit for Dracula, jcog suggested Sebastian Stan, partially because he’s Romanian, and I’ve learned recently that Stan was actually interested in playing the character in Blumhouse’s upcoming remake. And you’d think I’d hate this idea considering how much I don’t care for tragic anti-hero Draculas, but who says that’s what he’d have to play?

Do you have any idea how much actors, who are traditionally known for heroic or supporting roles, usually LOVE it when you give them a chance to cut loose as the main villain?

I’d want Sebastian Stan to put all of his charm, all of his talent, all of his good looks and etc, into playing the absolute most vicious, bloodthirsty and irredeemable Dracula put on screen. Someone who is exceedingly, eerily good at being a lovable protagonist, who’s all smiles and charming eyes and politeness mannerisms and maybe even a funny accent, and then it isn't as funny when he's flying through your window intent on kidnapping babies to feed to his brides, except he may take a moment or two to do so because he's feeling pretty hungry himself right now.

Now, admittedly this is kind of a lot to juggle in regards to a single character, which is why my answer for questions like these inevitably has to be “depends on what I’m going for”. That being said, if I was going to try and cast someone who I think could both look the part of Dracula, as well as respectively, play “cartoon aristocrat” Dracula, “mercurial embodiment of evil” Dracula, as well as realistically be an attractive, even seductive performer who can charm viewers even as the character descends into horrible villainy, and juggle these performances even?

I think I’d have to go with Mads Mikkelsen. Not specifically because of Hannibal (I actually haven’t watched it yet), although it’s definitely a factor, the thing that actually made me pick him specifically is, other than his looks, his voice, his reputation for playing sinister characters, the fact that he loves the role and wants to play it, or how many people are deeply in love with this man, or that people already joke that he looks like a vampire, was watching him in Another Round, and specifically that glorious final scene where he’s just dancing to his heart’s content and just, moving with such spring in his step and such joyful vitality even though he’s past his mid-fifties, and that was the moment where, in regards to how much you all love this man, I went

And now I am going to add “casting Mads Mikkelsen as a dancing Dracula” to The List of Reasons Why I Became a Filmmaker.

#replies tag #dracula #horror tag #bram stoker #charles dance #sebastian stan #mads mikkelsen #castlevania #raul julia #wwdits #what we do in the shadows #vladislav #nandor

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elmer-kasprzak · 2 years

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some buttons headcanons :)

gonna split this up into two different sections, canon time and a modern au! i just have many thoughts about this guy and i need them to be said.

canon time

okay so we already know that buttons is the son of a tailor. that's a known fact, especially since his name is buttons.

the newsies also know this, and that means that buttons never gets a break when it comes to fixing clothes. socks, shirts, pants, undergarments, you name it and he has been asked to fix it.

he has a little sewing kit that he carries around with him constantly. it sits in the bottom of his selling bag. yes, he has had to use it in the middle of selling for some newsie who tripped and busted a hole in the knee of their good pants.

he doesn't mind doing any of this, of course. he loves the newsies like siblings, no matter how many holes they tear in their socks.

we're talking about the guy who grew up with a shitton of siblings. whatever the newsies throw at him, he's had worse.

back on the topic of his dad -- that's where he learned everything from. whether that be from actually being taught or just leaning over his father's shoulder as he worked, he learned everything from his dad.

i like to think that after buttons got too old to sell, his dad offered him a place in whatever shop he worked in. the idea was for him to be an assistant for the first bit of time, then eventually take over whatever job title his dad had.

he was good at what he did, man, and he was also one of his only siblings that expressed any interest in following what their father did.

modern au

so obviously he still knows how to sew and make/tailor clothes. that one's a given. but i like to think that he was completely self taught.

he also is much more focused on actually making clothes, rather than just mending existing ones.

some of his favorite things to make are skirts. specifically pleated skirts (similar to tennis skirts), but he'll basically make anything. it gives him control over the fabrics and the lengths and the fits, all things that he wouldn't have exact control over if he bought his own.

his current pet project is one of those very flowy dresses that you see all the time. it's blue and falls all the way down to his ankles, and he's been working on it for a while now.

completely unrelated, but i think that it would be funny if he was on tiktok. he posts videos about his process of making different clothes (for both himself and his friends).

he also probably forces his friends to do mock fashion shows with him, just to have the fun of getting all dressed up and ready to go nowhere.

if he can make his friends feel good about themselves, it's a good day.

#newsies #newsies headcanons #newsies hcs #newsies on broadway #buttons davenport #buttons newsies #livesies #headcanons #modern au #modern newsies

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tinyjeanmarco · 3 years

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I love your hcs so much, they’re always so well thought out and just warm. When you have the time could I please get modern Bertholdt relationship hcs? Ilysm

modern bertholdt relationship hc’s!

yes, yes, yes! i luv bert, he is so cute 🥺 i also really like his character. i say that about all of the characters LOL but still. i think yams did a great job creating all of these characters and how he made them change and grow. i’m glad there isn’t like a single character that is static in any way. in what i write though, he’s a pretty different character because it’s modern au. we chillin’ tho. also, thank you! i’m glad you enjoy my content, love! ٩(*•͈ ꇴ •͈*)و ̑̑❀

modern!bertholdt x gn!reader

warnings: mentions of alcohol.

shy boy.

the first time you guys met would be at a college party that reiner dragged him to. he honestly didn’t want to go, but reiner was able to talk him into it, saying he would have fun.

tried to stick to reiner the whole time, but managed to lose him at some point. bert honestly just decided to sit alone, observing everyone.

he wasn’t sure if it would be polite to leave or not! he didn’t even like drinking, which was what everyone was doing.

so far, reiner lied, he wasn’t having fun.

that was until you approached him. you didn’t want to see someone not enjoying themselves at an event that was supposed to be fun.

like bertholdt, you didn’t see the point in drinking though, and it seemed like you two were the only sober ones in the sea of college students.

you and bert would get along really well either because you were shy and quiet just like him, or you were loud and outgoing, trying to lift his mood somehow.

it turns out to be very effective, believe it or not. he’s glad to have someone keep him company since reiner ditched him.

you have a real long discussion about the meaning of life and other random philosophical things.

lowkey see him a a philosophy major. really suits his quiet, observant nature.

he gets a text from reiner later saying that he left the party with someone and that he didn’t have to wait up to leave.

tiny tall boy sighs, telling you his friend left, and that he might leave soon cuz that was the only reason he came.

you of course ask for his number so that you guys can keep in contact and hang out sometimes. let’s be real, there was a ~connection~ between you guys and you wanted to see where it went.

so, he agrees, and now you guys are friends!

he’s still really shy though, so you have to make the first move or else nothing will happen between you two unless someone else were to intervene.

you asked him out. date place? a museum! he really enjoys them and wants to interpret the art with you.

while you two are out, he grabs your hand in his. it’s cute, really. he’s so nervous about it, too, blushing like a madman.

your new favorite thing is finding ways to fluster him. kiss his cheek in public? blushing and fidgety. hold his hand? blushing again.

reiner loves teasing him about how nervous he gets around you, to which he always replies with a rushed, “shut up!”

over time though, he grows more comfortable around you and less nervous. he still gets flustered so easily though, don’t worry. your fun with that isn’t over.

he’s like a little puppy, he loves when you pet his hair and run your fingers through it affectionately, even if he is taller than you.

i see his love language as physical touch, so he will constantly hug you and make contact with you in any way he can. definitely feels most comfortable holding your hand when you guys are in public.

he likes it when you sit on his lap, arms wrapped around your middle, just kinda sitting there, relishing in the warmth you share together.

he is a funny man, he loves cracking jokes and you laugh at all of them because somehow, even if they’re not funny, they have you snorting.

he will be the big spoon, but it seems more like it’s split halfway. he definitely enjoys being the little spoon even though he’s a tall boy. it makes him feel less vulnerable if he’s wrapped up in your arms.

kithes. he has the softest lips, always applying lip balm, so kissing him is so pleasant. plus he’s such a gentle giant? always asks if he can kiss you before he does.

cradles your neck so softly with one hand as the other is on your waist or hip when he kisses you.

shy, but will square up if anyone says something to hurt you, or if anyone upsets you. man goes to the gym with reiner often so he is swole and ready to fight.

oH wait, okay, speaking of swole bert, he has like nice biceps and one of your favorite things is to cling to his arm when you’re together, pressed into his side, hands wrapped around his upper arm.

you love, love, love to feel his muscles. it’s kinda hot to you that he looks like so well put together, and is secretly BUILT.

also, since he is so stronk, you love getting piggy backs from him or have him carry you!

since we’re all over the place with these headcanons, i just feel it in my left ass cheek that he loves giving you forehead kisses.

you’re studying together and you fall asleep? he will give you a soft kiss to your forehead.

presses a kiss to the top of your head when you fall asleep on him as you’re watching a movie.

you’re the most obnoxious couple to watch movies with. you guys are always talking about what’s going on, discussing what it means and if you ever have a movie night with friends, expect them to tell you guys to shut the fuck up.

i love the idea of when you guys move in together, he tries so hard to cook for you, but he’s a disaster in the kitchen so you have to make something for you guys after he failed whatever he was making.

sometimes will fuck up his dish and be like, “... so, what do you want on your pizza?” as he pulls out his phone LOL.

sometimes he manages to successfully make something though. you cherish those times because it’s really not half bad.

still really rare though.

sorry, but bert chews with his mouth open so you’re gonna have to yell at him a lot before he begins to close his mouth while eating.

sees you’re into skin care so he starts asking you to help him make a skin care routine. he loves to have face masks on while you guys settle down for the night, watching stupid youtube videos together.

secretly loves disney movies. he would be watching frozen 2 when he thought you wouldn’t be home for another few hours. he scrambles to turn it off but as he’s fiddling with the remote, he just turns up the volume and you’re just like, “wait! restart it! i haven’t seen it yet!”

you go get changed into his clothes comfy clothes and snuggle in beside him, telling him to press play.

all the while he’s like what the fuck?

c’mon bert. don’t you know disney movies are for everyone? like you would judge him for that, smh.

he texts you pictures of cute animals all the time either saying “you,” or “reminded me of you.”

he’s so PRECIOUS.

speaking of pictures, you have a whole ass vault of pictures you have of him sleeping. it’s no secret that he sleeps in the weirdest positions. you get concerned sometimes, thinking that he’s going to kill himself in his sleep, but he’s fine thus far.

you have a funny picture of him as your phone screensaver, so when it lights up around your friends he gets shy and flustered as everyone laughs.

grumbles under his breath but you just give him kisses which flusters him even more.

overall, tall, shy boy is good boyfie. silly and very sweet. be sure to give him tons of back hugs and he will be wrapped around your finger!

#bertholdt x reader #bertholdt hoover x reader #bertholdt #aot x reader #attack on titan fanfiction #attack on titan x reader #aot #snk #bertholdt headcanons

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santiagogarcia · 3 years

Text

cold hands, warm heart

Pairing: Llewyn Davis x fem!Reader

Summary: Llewyn's cold and wet and he doesn't have a place to stay for the night, so you bring him inside. As one does.

Rating: E/M (18+)

Content warnings: explicit sexual content (unprotected p in v sex), recreational drug use (pot), strong language, reader has a broken foot, modern setting

Word count: 2.2K

A/N: This was my contribution for @sergeantkane’s Oscar Fandom (Valentine’s) Fic Exchange back in February. But since I was on a health-related hiatus, it got published on AO3. I’m finally posting it here. Obligatory: I’m more gifmaker than writer, English isn’t my first language, and my spelling is a wildly inconsistent combination of British and American.

For @wasicskosgirl

A flurry of pain-induced curses rises from two floors below and you peer down through the fire escape grille. A man, poorly dressed for the weather, with a headful of drizzle-softened Roman curls and a guitar case, nurses the stinging fingers of his right hand. They’ve narrowly escaped being amputated by the Allen’s heavy, faulty sash window. Yeah, Marty’s been meaning to ask the super to fix that.

“Hey,” you call down, your breath misting the frigid mid-February air, “you okay?”

He blinks up through snowflakes floating down like cherry blossom petals. “I guess?” He kneads his wounded fingers into the palm of his left hand. “Just so you know, I’m not breaking and entering. You don’t need to call the cops or anything.”

You know. You recognised him immediately. “It’s Llewyn, right?”

A frown knits his brows. Warily, he asks, “Do I know you?”

“Not really. I see you come and go every other week, though. Marty and Sue must really like you.”

“Like is a strong word," he says, with a snort. "I think they just have a high tolerance for my bullshit.”

Your baked laugh—too loud and girlish—echoes in the narrow alley. “Can you get in?”

He shakes his head. “Latch’s caught. Looks like I’m locked out.”

“They leave you a key?”

“They’re not that tolerant.”

It's not like you're shouting, but your voices carry in the close air and neighbours are already yelling at you to shut up. You laugh it off and wave Llewyn up to your floor.

He gives the window to the Allen’s apartment a forlorn, longing look—as if he just blew through Plans A through Z for the evening—and trundles up the rattling steel steps. His nose twitches when he gets to your platform and sees you wrapped up in an old comforter like a human burrito, nursing a hand-rolled joint. “That what I think it is?”

“It’s medicinal,” you say, innocently, nodding at the orthopaedic boot encasing your fractured foot and offer him the spliff.

He hesitates, like it’s some kind of trap, then shrugs out a ‘why not’ and sits beside you. “Llewyn Davis.” He offers you his hand, fingers poking out of frayed gloves.

You give them a cursory examination. “I don’t think there’s any permanent damage. Always hurts more when it's cold.” But, just in case, you don’t let go of his hand, incubating it between your gloves.

“That your professional medical opinion, Doctor…?”

He’s fishing for a name, which disappoints you, because you thought he'd remember. Most men remember the girl they get punched in the face over. “Dancer, not doctor," you correct, hoping it will jog his memory.

He glances at the boot. “Someone tell you to break a leg and you took them literally?”

“Funny. When you’re the wrong side of twenty-five old injuries start to add up.” You don’t want to embarrass yourself with the truth: that you tripped over your own feet.

Llewyn dips his chin into his scarf and wraps his free arm around his legs, prompting you to share your comforter. He huddles gratefully beneath it and you can feel the damp through your parka. “What happened to your coat?”

“I’m between coats right now. It’s—” He passes you the joint and tries a name on you that almost offends you. “Right?”

“Not even close. You really don’t remember me at all, do you?” Were you really that forgettable?

“Nonono—you're the pretty girl at the Allen’s New Year’s Eve party.”

You roll your eyes. That was almost smooth, except there were a lot of pretty girls at that party.

“Waitwaitwait, it’s—” His second guess is so close you decide to finally tell him who you are. A smile of recognition and realisation dawns on his face. “Yeah, that's it. I remember your boyfriend, too. Kind of a jerk, as I recall.”

“So were you,” you point out and Llewyn doesn’t disagree with you.

“I was kind of a sorry mess that night. I wouldn’t’ve hit on you if I’d known you were with someone. Your boyfriend gonna come out here and punch me for talking to you again?”

“I’m between boyfriends right now. And if it’s any consolation you were right about him: he was kind of a jerk.” But you don’t want to ruin your high by discussing your ex. You nod at the guitar case at Llewyn’s feet. “I’ve seen you perform a couple of times.”

“Yeah?”

“At Arliss and that place on West Twenty-Sixth—”

“The Owl Bar?”

“What a weird place.”

“I know, right? It’s almost creepy.” He steals a glance at you, looks away so you don't accuse him of staring. “Would I have seen you on, I dunno, like Broadway or something?”

“I was never that good of a dancer. I teach four-to-seven-year-olds the basics of ballet over at the Academy.” The snow’s coming down fast and heavy now and you brush the flakes crowning Llewyn’s curls. “Think we’d better get inside. You know if you don’t have a Plan B, you can stay here tonight.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll figure something out.”

“Now?” It’s after midnight. “Llewyn,” you reason with him as he helps you to your feet, “unless you’re planning to murder me, my roommate and her cousin, it’s fine. Really.”

“You got a couch I can sleep on?”

“Couch is taken." You explain your roommate’s cousin has an audition at Julliard in the morning. Llewyn starts to say something about the floor being fine, but you cut him off. “You can sleep with me.” Shit, that came out wrong. “In my room I mean.”

◻️

It feels like you’re back in high school even though you’re a grown-ass woman and neither your roommate nor her snoring cousin would have any objections to you bringing someone home. You usher Llewyn into your cosy lamp-lit room and tell him to remove his clothes.

He blinks at you with lashes so stupidly long and thick you’re sure they brush his cheeks. “Excuse me?”

“I don’t mean all of them. Jesus. I’m gonna lay them over by the radiator, dry them out.” You grip a fistful of his sleeve. “I don’t know how many blocks you walked in the rain, but you’ll be lucky if you don’t catch a cold, or worse.”

Timidly, Llewyn shrugs the corduroy jacket off his shoulders. You won't understand until much later that it’s not being stripped down to his underwear that embarrasses him—he's not shy in that way. It’s your kindness. It’s unfamiliar to him; something he’s unaccustomed to navigating. While you hobble out to the living room as quietly as possible, he sits tentatively on the edge of the bed, figuring you’ll throw him a spare pillow and a blanket for the floor. So when you return and tell him he’s welcome to share your bed, he’s even more awkward and out of his depth. The floor is an option—whatever he’s more comfortable with (you make sure he knows that)—but you seem so comfortable and unbothered by his presence that he decides to take you up on your offer.

And it's not like either of you plan to have sex or that it even crossed your minds (well, maybe a little). It sort of just happens; born of an unspoken need that you both share, and it starts when Llewyn shifts restlessly and his hand brushes the skin at the small of your back where your tank top has ridden up.

“Jesus!” You stiffen beneath the duvet.

“Sorry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—I wasn’t tryna cop a feel, all right?”

“It’s not that—Are your hands always that cold?” It feels like someone backed you against an icicle.

“I can put the gloves back on…”

But he doesn't need to do that. You reach behind you for his arm and wrap it around you, lacing your fingers through his and your body heat slowly does the trick.

“Better?” His breath warms the back of your neck and he shifts to close the space between the two of you.

“A little.” You squirm and clamp your thighs together to stem the first prickle of the heat that’s begun to throb between your legs—involuntarily pressing the curve of your ass into Llewyn’s crotch. He responds receptively, even before an apology has formulated in your brain.

“Can I touch you?” His voice is husky, filled with the gentle promise of sex and you’re immediately intoxicated by it. If you’re really honest with yourself, your attraction to Llewyn was instantaneous; you’ve wanted him since that New Year’s Eve party. You think you might have left with him if your dickhead of a boyfriend hadn’t made a scene and Llewyn hadn’t escalated things.

In answer you guide his hand down beneath the waistband of your pyjama bottoms and inside your underwear. Llewyn pushes into the V between your thighs to palm your cunt and you roll onto your back, hoisting your hips and ass to get your PJs and underwear down over your thighs. He thumbs your clit with skill and attentiveness, as if he were strumming at the strings on his guitar. The appreciative moan that escapes you is muffled as his mouth meets yours. Tonguing at the seem of your lips, he plunges a probing middle finger inside you. Blindly, you feel for Llewyn's boxers and tug them down over the swell of his ass until his arousal bobs free and you’re both half-naked.

“Fuck,” you hiss as he slides a second finger, knuckle-deep, inside your pussy. With one hand threading through his thick dark still-damp curls, the other takes his length and begins to stroke him.

“You want me inside you, dove?”

“Yes.” Fuck yes. You know he’s just as eager for you when he begins thrusting into your palm.

Llewyn withdraws his fingers to help both of you out of your remaining clothing and then grips the base of his cock, lining it up with your entrance. Your petulant whine at his aching, teasing slowness is swallowed by a gasp when he finally pushes inside your heat. With a curse of tortured ecstacy, he fills you, his breath hot and damp against your skin. For an agonising moment that stretches unbearably, he stills—to let you adjust to him, to appreciate the delicious fullness—until you half plead, half order him to move. Llewyn doesn’t need to be told twice, rocking into you with shallow, measured thrusts that build to a feral crescendo; rough, hurried, balls-deep and cervix-bruising. He tells you how good you feel, how warm and wet and soft you are and your pussy clenches around him as if to draw him deeper, wanting him to hollow you out.

“Can I cum in you?” He’s close to his climax, breathing heavily.

You tilt your head to nod against his shoulder and moments later Llewyn loses himself inside you with a cascading, half-choked moan of release. The pulsing knot at your core unravels, the walls of your cunt spasming to send warmth and eye-fluttering shockwaves of pleasure radiating through your body. He fucks you through your orgasm, his pace slow and languid and sensual until you come down and he softens, his cum-smeared and pussy-slicked cock slipping out of you.

Llewyn shifts to your side, pillowing his head in the crook of your neck, arm slung across your breasts. Your bodies are sheened with cooling sweat and you pull the covers up over you before fisting your hand into his locks. A trembling sigh escapes him and his grip tightens around you, holding onto you like a drowning man hanging onto a buoy. Your bladder feels uncomfortably full and your cast-encased foot itches like a motherfucker but you don’t move. You don't let go of Llewyn Davis, either.

◻️

“You know I’m playing at The Small Blues Club tonight,” he tells you at the door, whispering because the Julliard cousin is still fast asleep on the couch.

“I did not know that,” you say.

“It’s over on Bleecker. You could come…if you wanted—that is, if you’re not doing anything. I don’t know what your plans are…if you have plans.” He rambles uncertainly. In the snowed-in, washed-out watercolour dawn there’s something diffident and a little standoffish about him; as if he knows the light exposes him for what he really is: a struggling musician trapped in a Kafkaesque existence, the future bleak as the New York skyline in winter. Probably not something a pretty ballet teacher with an apartment and a good credit score would be interested in. “Maybe I could buy you a drink afterwards? I know I’m kind of doing things ass-backwards but I'd really like to see you again. Last night wasn't just—”

“On Bleecker?” You rescue him from himself. He’s so wrong about you: you are interested. “What time should I be there?”

Llewyn scratches his forehead like you've surprised him with a complex math problem. “Any time after seven?” Like it's no big deal; trying to conceal his excitement the way people who are used to being disappointed often do. “That mean you’ll be there?”

“It’s not a date,” you warn, in your most serious teacher-voice.

“Oh, no,” he agrees, nodding along earnestly, “definitely not that.” It's his eyes that give that give him away: big and brown and puppyish, and smiling.

You both know it definitely is.

#llewyn davis #llewyn davis x reader #llewyn davis x you #18+#*mine #*#*my fic

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expectingtofly · 3 years

Text

Sign Here

AU-Modern Setting, Meet-Cute, Dean is a UPS Driver, Cas and Dean are idiots, Gabe is trying to help

4k (oops this fic got long)

also posted on ao3

written for Day 2 of @starrynightdeancas 2k Followers Celebration <3 <3

Castiel knelt on the grass to pull up some stubborn weeds in the garden lining the front of his newly-bought house. The previous inhabitants had left behind a tangled mess of rose bushes and weeds, and after a week of unpacking boxes, he was happy to finally have time to spend outside. One of the perks of moving from an apartment to a small bungalow—finally space for a garden. Although, he was sure the inside of his house would soon become just as packed with plants as his apartment had been.

Engrossed as he was in weeding and planning what flowers he would plant to expand the garden, he didn’t hear someone approach until a shadow fell over the dirt.

Startling, he looked up to see a man standing on the walkway next to him. “What—oh.” By the man’s clothes—brown collared shirt and shorts—and the package he was holding, Castiel realized he was a UPS delivery driver. “Hello.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” the driver said, fighting back a smile.

Castiel stood, brushing dirt off his hands. “It’s alright.”

The man held out a package. “I was gonna deliver this to your front door, unless you want to take it now.”

“Yes, thank you.” Taking it, Castiel looked down at the label, trying to remember what he had ordered. Something for his kitchen, probably.

“Did you just move in?” the UPS driver asked. His eyes were very green, a spattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks. Freckles everywhere, Castiel realized, seeing the way they lightly spotted his bare arms. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”

Realizing he was staring, Castiel reddened, glanced down at the package in his hands. “Uh, yes, I did. Last week.”

“Welcome to Bloomfield, then.” He nodded at the rose bushes. “Nice garden you got here.”

“You don’t have to lie, it’s a mess.” The driver laughed and Castiel smiled a little. “It’s not much now. Hopefully I’ll be able to fix it up soon.”

“I’ll keep an eye out, see how things develop.” The man took a step back and gestured to the UPS truck on the street. “I’ve got other packages to deliver. Nice meeting you.”

“You too,” Castiel said, watching him leave. Kneeling down to continue yanking out the prickly weeds, he smiled. It was nice to meet someone friendly; he hadn’t gotten to meet many people yet with the chaos of moving in. Of course, he thought, glancing back at the UPS truck as it rumbled down the street, it didn’t hurt that the driver was extremely attractive as well.

***

The next week, Castiel was hanging up art prints in his living room when he heard the doorbell ring. Assuming it was for a package he’d ordered, he took his time getting to the door, straightening the print on the wall before weaving through the cardboard boxes he still hadn’t unpacked.

When he opened the front door, however, he was surprised to see the green-eyed UPS driver standing on his porch holding the package.

The man’s face brightened. “Hi. Got a delivery for you.”

“I’m sorry,” Castiel said, opening the door wider. “I didn’t realize you were waiting. I thought you delivery drivers just dropped off the package and disappeared.”

The UPS driver laughed. Such a nice laugh, Castiel thought. “Right, yeah, that’s what we normally do. But, uh, we have a new policy. Have to get a signature for packages.” He handed over a clipboard and pen, pointing to the line at the bottom of the page. "Just sign here."

“Oh. Alright.” Castiel took the clipboard and signed his name. When he handed it back, he saw the man glance at the signature. “Castiel,” he supplied.

“Cool name. I’m Dean.”

“Nice to meet you, Dean.” Having been occupied all week with moving in and subsequently starved for conversation, he added, “You’re one of the first people I’ve met so far. The other being a cashier at that grocery store down the street.”

“Still getting settled in?”

“Yes. It’s taking much longer than I anticipated. I hate unpacking. It never seems to end.”

“Yeah, moving’s a bitch. You liking the place so far, though?”

Castiel nodded. “I do. Much improved from the apartment where I was living before.”

“God, I bet. I share an apartment with my brother—don’t get me wrong, I like living with him, but our landlord’s an asshole.” He gestured to the right. “Garden’s looking great.”

“Thank you. I just bought petunias, but I haven’t had a chance to plant them.” He pointed at the small brown box Dean was still holding. “That should be new gardening gloves in there.”

“Oh, right, your package.” Dean’s face looked a little red as he handed the box over. “Um, well, I should be on my way. See ya.” He stepped off the porch with a wave and Castiel waved back before going inside.

As he unpacked his belongings, he realized filling a house was harder than he’d thought. There were so many household items he was missing. Perhaps a trip to the store would be faster, but ordering online was easier—or so he told himself as he opened his laptop.

I’m only trying to save myself time, he reasoned, though inwardly he might have been hoping Dean would deliver the package.

Though he wouldn’t admit it to himself, he found himself growing more impatient over the next few days. Then, one afternoon as he organized his silverware drawer, he heard the doorbell ring. He practically ran to the front door, then paused and steadied himself before opening it, waiting a few seconds so it wouldn’t seem like he’d rushed over.

It might not even be Dean, he chastised himself as he unlocked the door.

Dean smiled at him when he swung the door wide.

“Hello, Dean,” Castiel said, trying to sound casual and hide his smile.

“Hi.” He looked to be about Castiel’s age. What were the chances that someone this attractive was single? “Got another package. A heavy one this time.”

Pushing away those thoughts, Castiel took it from him and placed it inside on the floor. “Thank you. Don’t I have to sign something?”

“Uh, shit, yeah.” Dean handed over the clipboard and pen, and as Castiel signed, he nodded at the package. “Something else for the garden?”

Castiel shook his head, handing back the clipboard. “A mixer. I thought maybe I could try my hand at baking. My mom sent me a few of her recipes.”

Dean’s eyes brightened. “You ever want inspiration, there’s a diner, other side of town, a few blocks from where I live, that makes the best pie. Makes them fresh every morning.”

“I’ll have to go sometime.” He stopped short of saying that maybe he’d see Dean there, not wanting to sound too excited at the prospect.

Maybe I should order more things for the kitchen, he thought, shutting the door after saying goodbye to Dean. Or a new bath mat, and curtains, maybe. The boxes he had yet to unpack scolded him by their presence, but he ignored them. If receiving new items meant talking to a friendly face, who could blame him?

***

“You sure get a lot of packages,” Dean remarked the next week when Castiel opened the door.

Castiel reddened. “Turns out it’s hard to fill a whole house.”

“I’m not complaining, you’re the one giving me a job to do.” Dean handed over the package. “What’s it this week?”

“A watering can.”

“You really like to garden, don’t you?” Dean gestured to the flowers and plants lining the front of the house. “I mean, you’ve added a lot since moving in.”

“Yes, well, I find it’s a wonderful way to wind down after work.”

Dean nodded. “I get that. Any spare time I have, I work on my car.”

Castiel glanced at the UPS truck, because he hadn’t really considered Dean driving anything else. His heart beat a little faster at the thought of running into Dean somewhere else, at the diner, at the grocery store. He wondered how Dean dressed when he wasn’t in his uniform, what else he did in his free time.

Dean followed his gaze to the street and gestured to the UPS truck. “This thing, it’s crap. No AC, no radio. What do you drive?” He glanced at Castiel’s driveway. “That a Lincoln Continental? 78? 77?”

Castiel caught the derisive tone in his voice. “78. And I like it,” he added defensively.

Dean smiled, raising his hands. “Eye of the beholder, I guess. You ever need work done on it, let me know, I can help.” His eyes widened a little at his own words. “I mean, you don’t need to, I just meant, if you want. I’m good at that stuff.”

“Thank you, Dean. I appreciate the offer.” Inwardly, he cursed his car for being so reliable. Maybe the engine light would turn on and he could take him up on his offer. Or maybe Dean was only being friendly and didn’t really mean it.

When Dean headed back to his truck and Castiel shut the door, he realized Dean hadn’t asked him to sign anything. Maybe he’d only forgotten.

***

“Gotten acquainted with the locals?” Gabriel asked a few nights later when he called to see how Castiel was settling in.

“I talked with one of my neighbors yesterday. Arla. She’s eighty-two and owns three cats.” Leaning against the kitchen counter, Castiel glanced at the mixer. “And, uh, I did meet someone else. Someone my age, not a neighbor. Dean.”

“Met someone? Like went on a date with—”

“No, he works for the UPS, he’s been delivering my packages.” He was interrupted by Gabriel laughing. “What’s so funny?”

“So instead of going out and meeting real people, you’re making friends with the delivery guy.”

“Dean is real,” Castiel protested. “He’s very kind and friendly. And helpful. He’s told me about places to check out in town and complimented my garden—”

“Damn, Cas, sounds like you really like this guy.”

“No, he’s just a nice person,” Castiel insisted. By Gabriel’s laughter, he knew he wasn’t being believable. “Alright, fine. I enjoy talking to him.” He wasn’t going to tell Gabriel that seeing Dean was becoming his favorite part of the week.

“He single?”

“Um. Yes.” He may or may not have asked Arla if she knew Dean, and may or may not have learned that she couldn’t believe “a charming young man like him is still single.” Oh, and that if she were a younger woman, she would be ordering packages left and right to flirt with him when he delivered. Castiel did not appreciate that last part, even if Arla had no idea how close to the truth she’d struck. I’m not flirting, he argued inwardly.

“Well, are you going to make a move or not?” When Castiel didn’t respond right away, Gabriel added, “Right, I forgot who I’m talking to.”

“I might,” Castiel protested. “But we only just met. And I don’t even know if he likes me. He’s only doing his job.”

“May as well ask him out, see what he says.”

Castiel sighed. “I don’t want to rush into anything. I only just moved here.”

“Well, you snooze, you lose, Cas. Don’t miss out on something just because you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared!”

I’m not scared, he repeated to himself when he said goodbye and hung up the phone. He was being reasonable. But maybe Gabriel was right. Dean had to be somewhat interested—delivery guys didn’t just stick around to talk after delivering a package. Maybe he’d test the waters, try to see if Dean was truly interested or just being friendly.

***

A few days later, he was watering his petunias when Dean got out of his truck with another package.

“Hey, Cas!” he called.

“Hello, Dean.” Setting down his water can, he wiped his hands on his jeans. “Thank you,” he said, taking the narrow box from Dean. Before he lost his courage, he spoke up, “I, um, made a pie this morning.” Whether he’d made it specifically to offer to Dean was something he’d never admit to anyone, much less himself. “I was wondering if you wanted a slice? You can tell me if it’s good or not.”

Dean broke into a grin. “Shit, Cas, really? Yeah, thanks.”

“Wait here, I’ll grab it.”

When he returned to the doorway with a paper plate covered in foil, he caught Dean looking inside his house.

“It’s still a mess in here,” Castiel said, handing the plate over. “I’ve been kinda busy with work.”

“No, yeah, totally, no judgement.” He peeled back the foil and inhaled. “Fuck, I’m starving. This looks amazing.” Picking up the slice, he took a bite. “Mmm,” he said, rolling his eyes back.

“Good?” Castiel asked, amused.

“So good,” Dean said, his voice muffled. He swallowed. “You’re a natural.”

“Thank you. I have more, if you’d like it.”

“Don’t tempt me. Yes.”

Grinning, Castiel went back inside and packaged up two more slices, brought them to Dean.

“You’re an angel,” Dean said. “Seriously.” He juggled the plates in his hands. “So, where do you work?”

Castiel leaned on the doorway. “I work here. I’m an editor. I do freelance work.”

“Dude, that’s cool. Nice that you get to work from home.” Looking down at his watch, he swore quietly. “Sorry, I need to keep moving. I’ve got a lot of deliveries today.”

“Oh,” Castiel said, disappointed, straightening. “Alright. Sorry for keeping you so long.”

“No problem, this was a nice break.” He stepped off the walkway. “Thanks for the pie.”

“You’re welcome.” Ask him for his number. Ask him if he would like to go out. But he kept quiet and watched Dean cross the yard back to his truck.

***

That night, Castiel ordered a set of bookends shaped like trees. He checked his email the next few days, tracking the package. On the day it was to be delivered, he had to run errands and got stuck in traffic. When he pulled into his driveway, he saw a package sitting on the front porch. Shit. He’d missed Dean.

Grabbing his bag of groceries, he walked over and picked up the package with his free hand. Then he noticed a note taped to the top.

Sorry I missed you, it read. The pie was incredible.

Castiel smiled.

***

Sunlight streamed through his living room windows as Castiel organized his books on his bookshelves. He was just pushing his new bookends into place when the doorbell rang. Frowning, he went to the front door and looked out through the window. Dean?

“Hello, Dean,” he said, opening the door. “I wasn’t expecting a package today.”

“Oh, really?” Dean looked like he was fighting back a smile as he turned around the cardboard box in his hands. Bold black letters were written across the front: SAY HI TO DEAN FOR ME.

Castiel’s eyes widened and he snatched the box out of Dean’s hands. “What? I don’t know how—” He scanned the box for the label. Gabriel, he realized. “It’s my brother,” he explained. “I was telling him about you, he must’ve sent me this to embarrass me, I’m so sorry.”

Dean’s smile won out. “No, it’s fine, that’s kinda hilarious.” He shifted his stance, the wooden porch boards creaking. “You, uh, you told him about me?”

Castiel’s head snapped up from glaring at Gabe’s name on the return label. “Um, yes,” he faltered. “Well, I was just telling him that I met someone, and it’s been nice to, uh, uh, have a friend.”

Friend? He hardly knew Dean, for fuck’s sake. For all he knew, he was just a random person Dean spoke to occasionally on his route, no more important than Arla or any of the other people he delivered to.

But Dean smiled. “Yeah, uh, me too. I mean, I like meeting people on my route, just makes the day a lot better when I get to stop and talk.” He reddened a little and rubbed the back of his neck, glancing down at his boots.

“I hope I don’t keep you from your other deliveries,” Castiel said.

Dean waved his hand. “Nah, it’s fine. I get the other ones done fast so I can spend more time here.” He cut himself off and reddened even further, as if realizing what he was admitting.

So, Dean was deliberately trying to see him, talk to him. Castiel felt his face heat up as well. “I’m sure delivering packages all day can be very boring,” he offered.

Dean nodded quickly. “Yeah, ya know, it’s nice to have someone to talk to. Besides, I’m just trying to make sure this neighborhood’s newest resident is doing okay.” He grinned. “Think of me as the welcome committee.”

“Well, I appreciate it. Really.”

Dean nodded again, and they stood there awkwardly for a few long moments. Castiel glanced back down at the box, Gabe’s words ringing in his head. Ask him out, see what he says.

“I’ll get on my way,” Dean said, stepping back. He smiled a little. “Tell your brother I said hi.”

“I will.” Maybe he should just blurt it out. Dean had said he enjoyed stopping by here. But maybe he only meant that in a friendly way. Castiel had called him a friend, after all. He chickened out. “Have a good rest of your day.”

“You too.” Dean walked away and Castiel glared down at the box.

“Not helpful,” he told it.

***

“Gabe, I hate you.”

“What? I was just trying to spark conversation between you two—”

“I hate you. I can hold a conversation well enough myself, thank you very much. You only made things awkward.” He paused before adding, “Dean says hi, by the way.”

Gabriel cheered and Castiel pulled his phone away from his ear. “So it worked? You asked him out?”

“Um...” Castiel pulled at a rip on his gardening jeans. “No.”

“Cassie!” Gabriel whined. “I did all that work for nothing? What’s the holdup? Ask him out.”

Castiel groaned. “I will. Eventually. But, I mean, can he even say yes? He’s on the job—”

“Cas, he’s already taking time out of his workday to talk to you. Pretty sure he’ll say yes, even if he’s working. Stop making excuses.”

“Fine. I’ll ask him.” He only said it to get Gabriel off his back, but his palms grew sweaty even thinking about it.

“You better. Keep me updated.”

“Only if you never pull a prank like that again.”

“I can’t promise anything.”

***

Seated at his desk, Castiel frowned at an awkwardly worded sentence that refused to form itself into any coherency. Was the past tense of lie lay or laid? Why couldn’t he ever remember?

The doorbell ringing drew his attention and, grateful for the break, he saved the document he was editing and got up. Going to the front door, he wondered if he had any left-over pie to give Dean and drag out their time together in the doorway.

Opening the door, he began to say hello, then paused. A UPS delivery man was walking away to his truck, a package at Castiel’s feet on his front porch.

“Wait!” Castiel called, stepping outside. The man turned—not Dean. Someone he’d never seen before. “Who the hell are you?”

The man looked startled. “I, uh, I’m a delivery—”

“No, sorry.” Castiel flushed. “Where’s Dean?”

“Dean?” The man frowned. “I don’t know who that is. We all got new routes a few days ago. He must be on another route now.”

Castiel’s heart sank. “Oh.” Another route? He looked down at the package. “Don’t I have to sign something?”

“No, you’re all good. We don’t require signatures.” The man continued to his truck and Castiel picked up the package. A lattice pastry roller to make more intricate pie crusts. He’d thought Dean might appreciate the effort.

Shutting the door, he stood in the foyer for a moment. So, Dean was gone. Why hadn’t he ever asked for Dean’s number? He’d had plenty of opportunities.

It’s a small town, he reasoned. I’ll see him again, I have to. He knew Dean lived on the other side of town, maybe if he drove around there, kept an eye out—

Alright, stop, he told himself. He was starting to sound crazy. He dropped the package off on the kitchen table. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.

***

The next day, Castiel was seated at his desk, sending an email to a client, when the doorbell rang.

His pulse sped up, and instinctively he rose from his chair. Then he remembered that Dean didn’t deliver to his house anymore. Sighing, he sat back down.

He’d been trying not to think of it, but every other item in his house—the mixer, the bookends, the pastry roller—only reminded him of Dean and brought down his mood.

Why didn’t I take Gabe’s advice? he bemoaned inwardly. That was a thought he never thought he’d have, but it looked like Gabe had been right. He’d lost his chance.

Staring at his computer screen, he tried to focus on his work, but the distraction had ruined his focus. At least I’ll save money, he reasoned ruefully, now that he had no excuse for making random purchases.

The doorbell rang again and he lifted his head, frowning. Come to think of it, he couldn’t remember ordering anything. Maybe it was Arla, coming over to say hello.

Rising, he went to the front door and tried to remember the name of that diner Dean had told him about. Maybe he’d stake out there on a weekend, see if Dean showed up. Or was that creepy?

Definitely creepy, he decided with a sigh, opening the door. Then he froze.

“Dean?”

Standing on his front porch—this time in jeans and a black t-shirt, holding a potted fern—was Dean. He smiled hesitantly, almost nervously. “Hi, Cas.”

“What are you doing here?” Castiel looked at the street, but of course the familiar UPS truck wasn’t there. In its place was a sleek, black car.

“My route changed and I, uh, never got to say bye. So I thought I’d just come over. Sorry if that’s weird—”

“No, I’m happy to see you. Just surprised. I thought I’d never…”

Dean grinned. “Scared you’d lost me forever?”

Castiel smiled. “Yeah, a bit,” he admitted.

“I, um, I brought you this.” He held out the plant, laughed nervously. “I felt weird coming over without anything to deliver.”

“Thank you. It’s lovely.” Taking the plant, he stroked the leaves. “I know exactly where to put it.” His heart pounded as he realized now was his chance. He had to take it.

He started to ask for Dean’s number, but Dean started talking too, and they both stopped, laughing. “You first,” Castiel said.

“Um, well.” Dean shoved his hands into his pockets. “I was thinking, would you maybe want to hang out somewhere other than your doorway? I can show you around town.” He gestured to his car. “Take you for a spin in Baby.”

Castiel couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “I would love that.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ve been… I’ve been meaning to ask you out, or ask for your number. I just never worked up the courage.”

Dean grinned. “Am I really that intimidating?”

Castiel laughed. “No. Not at all. You’re quite the opposite.” He gestured inside. “Would you, uh, would you like to come inside?”

“Yeah, totally.”

Castiel started to open the door wider, then paused. “I have a question. You never did need my signature, did you? For the packages?”

Dean frowned, then realization seemed to hit him and his face reddened. “Yeah, uh. No. But I figured it was a surefire way to get your name and talk to you.”

“Is that a trick you use often?”

“Nope, you were the first.” He grinned, eyes suddenly teasing. "Did you really need everything you were ordering, or were all the packages just an excuse to see me?"

Now was Castiel's time to blush. "I did need what I ordered!" he protested. "Well, some things. But mainly... I just wanted to talk to you."

“Well, it worked.”

“Yes.” He stepped back for Dean to come inside his home and smiled at him. “And I’m very glad it did."

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#dailydestieldelights #congrats sophie on 2k!#thanks for organizing this lil challenge #ive had this wip for ages now #and im happy i finally got the push to finish it #AU #cas and dean need to use their words #meet cute #fluff #cas likes to garden #gabe is an annoying brother #expectingtofly writes

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whatifxwereyou · 3 years

Text

The Oncoming Storm Part 21: Huangshan

Liu Kang x Reader and Kung Lao x Reader (gonna do both, two paths!)

Listen, I am giving myself whiplash with how much I keep wildly swinging between whether I prefer Liu or Lao LOL. Hope you guys are having just as much fun! I missed Liu. Lawd, did I miss him. Also I did not intend for it to take this long to get to the CHOICE. It's coming after the part with Liu and some plot stuff that has to happen to trigger it! Also, I miss Chen, so she'll be back after Huangshan. ALSO have you looked at pictures of this place?? SO PRETTY!! Much love, hope you are all well. <3 Thank you for the love as always. I appreciate you so much.

Next Update on Saturday. New story on Sunday!!

Part 20 Part 22 Chapter Index

Kung Lao was a bruised, bloodied, and pale mess the next morning and much of your spare moments were spent tending to wounds and trying to get him to sit for a damn minute. He fought you at every second, as if taking care of himself would somehow make it worse.

The morning dragged on, and you were grateful to check out and make your way to the roof. Kung Lao closed his eyes, praying, and lightning struck the roof for you to travel through. It was still weird and a little beyond belief, but you’d fought a monster last night, so you had to suspend your inner skeptic and go with the flow. You handed over the carefully wrapped bell which Raiden set behind him on a pedestal that had been added since you left.

He thanked you for your duty and you offered Kung Lao a hug and tried to convince him, again, to take care of himself. He insisted he was fine, of course, but also wished you good luck. You wasted no time. Raiden summoned his magic lightning again, offered you a neatly written note from Liu, and then you were alone.

The weather in Huangshan was gloomy, just the way you liked it. The sky was gray and rumbling with thunder, the slightest hint of sun peeking through to offer warmth between the gaps in the clouds. You unfolded the note as you walked along the tourist filled streets. He’d even started the note with niceties. Oh, Liu. He hoped you were well, he found you a place to stay and took some liberties that he hoped you were okay with. He also left you a time and place to meet him. It was the lobby of the hotel that he had booked for the occasion.

You were early and it felt nice to be alone. Your nerves were shot from the lack of sleep the night before and from Kung Lao’s… everything. A walk alone would do you some good. The small town halfway up the mountain was geared toward tourists. Hotels, boutiques, restaurants, and the like.

You’d missed China. Japan had been beautiful but this was home.

You stopped a man who looked confident in his way around town and asked him for directions to the hotel that Liu had written about. You bowed politely as he pointed you in the right direction. As you turned the corner, you heard a choir of angels in your head. Clothing stores. Real clothing stores. This was how you were going to blow the rest of your money.

You spent the rest of your alone time shopping and afterward you were proud to say you’d had enough clothing for an actual wardrobe. Different kinds of shoes, cute and practical, underthings, things to wear to bed, casual things, dressy things. Things you never would have allowed yourself to spend money on before. Money didn’t seem to matter as much as it had before all this. Then you’d bought a little bag to pack it all in and shoved it away. You’d got some other necessities too, things that had seemed everyday basics had become luxuries.

You’d changed after purchasing your clothing and jeans and a t-shirt had never felt so good. Even though you’d bought a bunch of new things you decided to keep the hanfu and gi that you had been gifted. You liked them well enough. It was the lack of choice that had bothered you.

The Huangshan Yeechoi hotel was more modern than the one in Japan had been and much tidier. You felt out of place, but no one gave you a second glance, so you were grateful. It wasn’t that it was fancy, just that it was different than you had expected. There had been no room number in the note Liu had left you, just instructions to meet him in the lobby.

Thankfully, Liu Kang came from the stairwell moments after you arrived. You’d been just about to ask the clerk behind the desk for his room number and so instead you dismissed the clerk and walked to join Liu. He’d gotten new clothes too! How nice. Not much different from what he usually wore but it was novel to see him in something other than the three gi that he rotated daily. It was mostly black, except for the red sash around the middle, a different shade of red than usual, and the sleeves looked like they had been torn off- as if he had been terribly angry that they existed. There was a subtle pattern stitched in white on the side of the gi. It looked to you like an abstract dragon, but you didn’t linger long on it. As always, his prayer beads were wrapped around his wrist.

He greeted you with a smile and stopped just before you with a respectful bow. “It’s good to see you, Y/N.” His smile faded quickly as he stood upright, and you averted your eyes immediately. Bruises. There were bruises and you knew he was going to hate it. You’d briefly forgotten about them with all the other craziness.

“Good to see you too, Liu!” You tried to save face, but it was too late.

“Japan must have been something.” He furrowed his brow with concern and tilted your chin up to get a better look at your neck. Your face was instantly red. “Are you okay?” That had been the worst of it, but you’d barely had time to think of it that morning because Kung Lao had been so much worse off than you were. You should have worn a scarf. Damnit. It looked bad when you thought about it. Like you were either being abused or had a very specific kink.

“It was an adventure but I’m fine. I promise. It’s obviously sore and bruised but I feel great otherwise.” You were tired, so that was an exaggeration, but it felt good to have accomplished something and to be out of the temple. He continued to examine the bruise as if he didn’t believe you, so you swiped his hand from your chin, gave it a squeeze and then set it down. His disbelief faded and his smile returned. Your nerves about your connection, your friendship, returned screaming into your brain.

“You brought a bag?” He gestured behind you. You realized that probably seemed funny since you had no intention of staying for too long.

“…yes.”

“Well, the woman at the front desk will make sure it gets to our room. We have plenty to do.” Liu rested his hand on the middle of your back and guided you to the front desk. You spoke to the clerk there. She was incredibly accommodating. Liu offered her your room information and you handed over the bag. Then you went on your way. He led you from the lobby of the hotel and walked slowly through the streets of the tourist town. “Tell me about Japan.”

Boy, there was a lot to say about Japan, but you figured he probably meant the artifact and how you’d fared.

“There was a monster which I didn’t think existed so, processing that.” You were surprised to hear Liu Kang laugh. You’d had a lot to process that had been otherwise beyond belief. “It was protecting a dotaku which I now know is a decorative bell used in rituals during ancient times. The monster was very grabby.” You gestured to your neck. At least it hadn’t left a bruise when it had backhanded you across the room. The last thing you needed was people looking at you like you were in an abusive relationship. At least the neck thing could be explained away for the most part.

“Tell me about the monster.”

“Monster is maybe not the right word for it uh… okay, never mind, it’s the only word for it. It was made from tar and stunk to high heaven, and it was huge.” You jumped so you could reach the height of the monster, which was higher than your jump, but Liu would get the point. He was an excellent listener.

“How did Kung Lao handle that?”

“Oh, you know, like Kung Lao does.”

“Chaotically?” Liu chuckled.

“I’ve never seen one man thrown through so many doors.” You drifted off and he laughed again. The sound of his laughter was sweet, not as hearty as Lao’s but more under his breath and twisting his face into the cutest smile. You’d made Kung Lao out of ink to protect you. That seemed important but you hadn’t processed it yet, really. Your brain was buffering.

“Really though, is he okay?”

“Much worse off than I was because of all the doors and walls but I took care of him the best he would allow. I’m hoping he’ll actually keep his promise to go to the infirmary.”

“Raiden will make sure he does.” Liu reassured you. “Trust me, this won’t be the first time he has to be dragged there. Or likely the last.” He stopped, looked you over and then continued, purposely avoiding eye contact. “Was he on his best behavior?”

“Is he so often in trouble that I should have been that worried?”

“Kung Lao doesn’t like to listen to directions, and he was with you and I know how he is so…” He glanced at you curiously again and you laughed in disbelief. Liu Kang was fishing for information! Interesting. Now that you knew they gossiped about you, you wondered what exactly the gossip consisted of. They were up to something, and you were going to get to the bottom of it. Maybe you had spent too much time with Kung Lao. Liu Kang had always been honest with you, you thought, and now you were suspicious of every word. “He has a track record for trouble, that’s all. I just wanted to make sure he didn’t give you a hard time.”

“If you have something to ask me, Liu, then you should just ask me instead of this little word dance you’re doing. Are you feeling me out for information and what about?”

“I say what I mean, Y/N.” Liu knit his brow in confusion but still smiled at you. You sighed because that didn’t seem right. Something was off. He could be frustrating too sometimes, you supposed. He had a way of saying things without saying what he meant to say and leaving you guessing at what he had meant. You’d had so many close calls between you now romantically. At least four that you could think of offhand that had nearly killed you. But then it was like nothing had happened. You didn’t talk about it. There was no follow through. If he said what he meant to say, then what did saying nothing mean?

That hurt.

And they’d gossiped about you. Kung Lao and Liu Kang had in some way gossiped about you. You clenched your jaw in frustration. You didn’t have time for this. You had work to do.

“We can talk about it later.” You decided. “Have you figured out anything about where we should go?” That had been the reason he’d gone early you’d been told but you had no idea what was true and what wasn’t anymore. Your head was mixed up and your brain was buzzing.

“Yes. One of the areas from your vision is called the Seas of Cloud. Raiden mentioned that you saw images of deceased emperors, so I was looking into that too.”

“It was in quick flashes. I didn’t understand what they were at first.”

“There are tales about this place and the yellow emperor after which it is named. He used the waters of the springs here to gain eternal life in these stories.”

“Is that your way of saying that you think the springs might be related?”

“Anything is possible, but I figured it was worth looking into. There were springs in your vision too if I recall.”

“Yeah. I saw a bunch of dead emperors and a spring, but it wasn’t… it was different than I expect the ones here to be? It was in a cavern. It felt secret.” You admired the gray sky but still felt tense all over. You had to breathe and let it go but the more you tried the more frustrated you became. “So, we’re narrowing it down to the springs and the Cloud Sea?”

“Yes. We aren’t too far from either of them but it’s still an endeavor to explore. Yet, it is less than the whole of Huangshan.”

“Probably somewhere between if I had to guess. I followed him in my vision through the mountains up to the clouds and into this cavern that had a spring inside it. Oh! Do they have maps of the mountain? Sometimes with places like this they will list caves on the little brochure to explore.”

“I thought of that. Regrettably, the caves are not mapped out and most are off limits without a tour guide.”

“What if we told them that we lived in a cave. Do you think that would help or cast aspersions?” You considered. There you were, trying to defer your frustration and inner struggle with sarcasm again. Liu chuckled.

“Probably the latter. We know what we’re looking for at least and it shouldn’t take terribly long to hike the area. If we don’t find it then we can start to worry.”

“I have a feeling that it’s secret. I don’t think it’s going to be easy to find. Maybe we should try to feel around for information instead of wandering blind?” You stopped walking, trying to take things more seriously. That was hard.

“I suppose that we can play tourist. We’ll stop at the springs and ask an attendant if they know anything about a secret or hidden spring in the caves.” Liu suggested. At least it was a better lie than fake date.

“Fine.” You said flatly and were annoyed with yourself almost immediately. This would be so much easier if your visions weren’t all over the place and fuzzy.

“You seem irritated.”

“Oh?” You bounced on your heels and shook it off. You were sulking. You had to cut it out. “No. I’m sorry, Liu. I didn’t mean to come off that way.”

“Are you sure, Y/N? Because you seem… annoyed and that’s not like you. If I’ve done something to offend you then we should discuss it.”

Oh no. He was good at confrontation. Damnit. “No, you didn’t do anything like that, Liu.” He had but not on purpose, you were sure. You were just touchy after the day before and overthinking. You had to stomp out that inner voice, but it was so loud. Your anxiety hadn’t been this bad since you were a kid. “I’m annoyed with myself. I’m sorry it’s coming out at you. It’s not intentional.”

“Y/N, you…”

“Don’t tell me not to be annoyed with myself, please. If I could navigate these visions in a way that made sense, then we wouldn’t be so lost on where to look and having to spin ridiculous tales and theories of where to go and what we might find. I could just lead us there and that would be that. And if my brain would just calm down, I wouldn’t be so annoyed. It’s a perpetual cycle.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself. Besides, I don’t mind spending a day or two in Huangshan with you, Y/N. It’s a nice change of pace from Raiden’s Temple.” He smiled sympathetically.

“It’s just like you to put a positive spin on everything.” You scoffed.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing!”

“No!” You huffed defensively and then pouted. “I’m coming off grumpy, aren’t I?”

“You are.” He smiled, but amusement danced in his eyes. He thought that your frustration was either funny or cute. You supposed you were grateful for that.

“I don’t mean to. I’ve got a lot on my mind. I’m surprisingly sore from the whole monster thing too so there’s that.” You rubbed nervously at your neck.

“That is a pretty bad bruise, Y/N.” He tilted your chin up again and you grabbed his hand and pushed it away.

“I really should have worn a scarf so you wouldn’t keep pointing it out.”

He laughed and led you through town and along the path that went to the springs. Liu had picked the perfect location for you to begin your search. It was a short walk from your hotel. There were buses that offered transport, but it seemed such a short walk that it was likely for those who were elderly or drunk.

“This is a popular tourist spot. It was difficult to get a room. I don’t usually stay in places like that, but it was the only vacancy that would accommodate us both and be close enough to where we needed to look. I figured that we didn’t know how long it would take us so the luxury would be a nice break.”

“Makes sense.” Why was he trying to justify his selection to you? You liked the hotel. It was nice.

“Grumpy,” he whispered, leaning close on one foot with his hands clasped behind his back.

“I’m trying so hard, Liu.”

You reached the gate to the springs. You couldn’t see the water beyond it, but you could hear people within, and you could feel the steam and heat even from outside. There was a large building with two doors separated by male and female for changing. In front of that was a booth where a young man sat reading a magazine and looking extremely bored.

“Should I meet you inside? We can see if anyone knows anything?”

“Or we could try the attendant first.”

“Him? He’s a distracted kid who has no interest in our questions, Liu. Look at him.” You nodded discreetly toward the young man. He was likely in his early twenties and doing this just for a paycheck by the look of him.

“Yes, but you’re well… you.” He gestured to you, and you looked down at yourself, brow furrowed in confusion.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You laughed in disbelief.

“You know what it means.” He turned his gaze away from you, hiding his smile but you saw his cheeks turn pink just enough. As quickly as you had noticed it, it had passed. “Now, go be charming and ask that kid about a private spring in a cavern closer to the Seas of Cloud.” He grasped your shoulders gently and turned you toward the booth then gave you a gentle nudge forward. You stuttered on your words and stared forward in complete awe. What the fuck?

Fine. You’d try but he was biased, at the very least. You weren’t built for this kind of thing. You’d always been awkward and terrible at flirting. Gah, you were blushing now too. This was the worst. Okay, deep breaths. You could do this. You didn’t have to be flirty or cute. You could just ask the question. Liu waited behind you, but you didn’t think he was far enough away to be as subtle as he thought he was being.

“Excuse me,” you began politely.

“Just you? Or your friend too?” The attendant didn’t bother looking up at you from the magazine that he was reading.

“I have a question for you, actually.”

“I’ll try to help if I can. Go ahead.” He closed his magazine and finally looked up at you, looked you over, and then was still clearly disinterested. He was working. You knew he would be!

“I heard some stories that there’s a spring in a cavern offsite. Further up the mountain and closer to the Seas of Cloud. I think that it’s considered private. Maybe even off-limits. I was curious if you knew anything about it.” You did your best to sound curious and charming, but you had no idea how it actually came off since you’d been so damn grumpy. The attendant looked from you and then peered around you to Liu. He closed his magazine, folded his hands, sighed heavily, and gave you a knowing look. Oh no, he’d immediately misinterpreted your intentions.

“Look, I’m going to be honest with you.”

That was a bad start.

“Oh, I think you maybe…”

“I’m just filling in for my sister today. I needed the extra cash, and she has a date this afternoon.”

You laughed nervously and looked back to Liu since that was where the attendant kept looking suspiciously. “I think that you misinterpreted my intentions. This doesn’t have anything to do with him. I just had heard a story and was curious. A private spring sounds really beautiful.” You were the world’s worst liar. You couldn’t even come up with an excuse other than you thought it might be pretty.

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Do you not know then?” You were grumpy again. Damn.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but I can’t help you.”

You were flustered beyond recovery now. He had misinterpreted your desire to see a secret spring and the only thing you could think to do was stutter that he had done so. Then Liu was standing behind you, one hand on your back, the other on the counter.

“Is there a problem?” Liu sounded curious and offered a smile, but the attendant rolled his head back and groaned.

“I am not making enough money today to deal with this.”

Liu straightened his posture in surprise and looked to you for further explanation. At least you weren’t the only one flustered. That made you feel a bit better. You turned toward him and he placed his hand on your arm gently. That was probably not helping your case, but it felt nice. “I asked him about an off-limits spring closer to the Seas of Cloud and now he seems to have confused my desire to see this beautiful spring with something…” You stuttered in a frustrated whisper and couldn’t seem to find the word, the obvious word. Instead, you smooshed your hands together in front of you.

“Oh?” Liu tried to interpret your hand motion and then laughed in realization. “Oh. Intimate.”

“That’s it.” You pointed at him. “That’s the word.”

Liu let go of your arm and leaned against the counter with a sigh. “How much would it take for you to give us an answer?” You snapped your head back to Liu so fast you nearly gave yourself whiplash.

“Look, dude, I don’t even work here usually and…”

Liu Kang placed some yuan on the counter and you stared at it in horror, mouth hanging open. Then you had to close your mouth tight to keep from bursting into hysterics. Your eyes were burning, trying not to cry with tears of laughter. Liu Kang was bribing a stranger to give you directions to a romantic hot spring instead of just explaining himself. Of all the possible outcomes you had expected this was the funniest one.

“Whoa, man… look I…” The attendant stared at the money on the counter and Liu tapped the bills before sliding them toward him. You were dying. This was where you died. RIP. Tears. You blinked them away. Your cheeks hurt from keeping it together. This was amazing. “If you take the main path up it branches about an hour in. Take the left fork and then walk for a bit. As you get close to the Seas of Cloud there’s a few caves. One of them has a spring in it but it’s hard to find with all the trees and not exactly safe. Gives me the creeps. That’s all I got.” He scooped up the bills. “Have fun man and if you get caught it wasn’t me who told you.”

“Thank you.” Liu bowed his head politely and then, hand on your back, led you away from the booth. You started up the hiking trail that had been pointed out to you and then you burst into hysterical laughter, practically hyperventilating from having held it in for so long. Liu pulled his hand back and stared at you with some concern as if he didn’t understand why this was hilarious.

“Y/N, are you okay?” He gently brushed his hand over your shoulder.

“What the hell was that?”

“Oh. I guess it was funny. He was going to think whatever he was going to think, Y/N. Sometimes we have to use other resources to get what we need.”

“Oh my god, does that mean you bribe people often? I didn’t expect this. I’m sorry. I wasn’t emotionally prepared for how funny that would be.”

“Only when they’re more convinced by money than words, Y/N.”

You took deep breaths to get yourself together and cleared your throat.

“How very Zen of you.”

“Come on, now.” He chuckled and placed his hand again at your back to lead you along the path that would start your hike. “We have private springs to find.”

“This day keeps getting weirder by the second.” You blinked away the remaining tears from your fit of laughter.

“Was it really that funny?”

“Liu. My stomach hurts from laughing.”

He shook his head with a smile as you continued on your way.

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