#and my cousin and uncle coming for a tour of the lab because my cousin is thinking about biology for college

[girlscience]

trying to find an apartment and I am going to start blowing up landlords. I have reached out to so many and now my mom is sending interest messages for me too, but no one wants someone to move in during May and the prices on all these places are bonkers. also, the issue I had with my TA schedule was resolved for one single blissful night and then fell apart. I have the research hours I need and one class I need, but the other class I needed is already full and cannot accept more students, so I have to find a different one and my advisor isn't getting back to me :/

#my car is getting it's ac fixed. i have an appointment to get my glasses looked at yet again. #my cats vet stuff and my doctor stuff is all done (i am switching birth control tho and i am praying to every god it won't fuck me up) #i am going to do field trials for the next two days so hopefully my kitty won't shit all over or have bladder problems while i'm gone #i need to check if i have to get a meningitis vaccine before grad school #i have two conventions i am supposed to be getting ready for #possibly a friend visiting for a weekend as well #and my cousin and uncle coming for a tour of the lab because my cousin is thinking about biology for college #and i have a concert at the end of may i have to make plans with people about #and i have to move. #like on the one hand i am getting shit done #but also there is so much and on top of it all i still have to do stuff like laundry and dishes and cooking and vacuum and litter etc #really if i could just get my classes done and an apartment figured out my stress would decrease dramatically #i found one place i really liked that seemed perfect but the listing was a lie. it's already been rented out #and most places that have gotten back to me either say no move in till august or no cats or they are looking to move in more immediately #than i can move. or they need me to meet income requirements. making 3x the rent on a TA stipend isn't possible #RRAAAGGAGGAGGGHHHHHH

[andreafmn]

I'm Not Afraid - Chapter 1

Word Count: 3,325

Characters: Female Reader Argent Character, Original Male Argent Character, Derek Hale, Allison Argent, Scott McCall, Stiles Stilinski, Isaac Lahey, Lydia Martin, Chris Argent, Jackson Whittemore

Story Description: (Y/N) Argent arrived at Beacon Hills to put to rest her father's sister, Kate Argent. For the first time, her family has decided to settle down and sustain a life in this interesting small town. After 17 years, (Y/N) has the opportunity to establish interpersonal relationships but will she be ready to face the complications that come with relating to her cousin's, Allison, friends; especially, the infamous Derek Hale. She will face the adventure of being associated with the Derek and McCall pack as well as being faced with the discovery of certain aspects of her life she never imagined.

*DISCLAIMER* I do not own in any way Teen Wolf, all credits of the pre-established characters, script, and storyline belong to Jeff Davis and MTV Network. The only thing I own is Argent Reader insert, her immediate family, and her storyline, as well as her effects in the others' storyline.

Chapter: 1/?

Chapter Description: (Y/N) finally arrives at Beacon Hills for the funeral of her aunt and meets a certain wolf to which she feels a special connection.

A/N: Second fandom I'm writing for. I love Teen Wolf so much and the trope of hard Derek but only soft for you makes my heart sing. If you enjoy my writing I’ll also be posting them in AO3 and Wattpad along with other stories (I also hope to start taking requests if ya’ll want) Hope you enjoy and all constructive criticism is encouraged.

Next ->

Chapter 1

I hugged the black coat to my body as hard as I could whilst pushing through the sea of press. Our family's last name became quite known after the reports about my aunt, whose burial we were attending. She had allegedly burned down a house with people in it.  She killed them in cold blood. I hugged my grieving uncle and his less grieving wife, then my cousin who had a painful look on her face. I hugged her the longest. She let herself crumble on my arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Even though she was a horrible person she was still our aunt, family.

I took my seat behind Allison when my father, my mother, uncle Chris, and aunt Victoria stood up. Allison didn't lift her head and neither did I. I just tried to comfort her.

"It's been such a long time I don't expect you to call me grandpa." We both looked up to see a white-haired man who resembled the Argent features. "Don't worry about it, just call me Gerard." He hugged both of us, an overpowering aura emanating from his being. When we were engulfed, I looked to the side and saw two boys squatting behind a gravestone. If they were hiding, they were doing a horrible job at it.

"But I prefer Grandpa," Gerard said walking to his seat. I sat back down and drifted off during the whole ceremony. Once it was over, I joined my parents and we drove to our new house. I have a feeling that life here will be very interesting.

That weekend I decided that I had been putting working out off for too long. I changed into comfortable workout clothes and gave food to my dog, Brody. I headed out the door, put my earbuds on, and started to jog. I really didn't know where I was going since it was a new place for me, all I know is that I kept running until I reached the woods. The bad thing about this, I had no idea how to get back home. Even though I knew of this sidetrack and I knew I would be late to get back home, I kept running, needing a release from the mundane feeling of being new in town and having to reunite from our estranged family in a funeral.

I had gained a lot of momentum. God knows how fast I was running at this point that is until I hit something, it almost felt like a wall. When I looked up, I saw a very handsome guy. Spiked hair, green eyes, and slight stubble. If it weren't for the fact that I was already sweaty I would have started to sweat showers of how nervous I was. That is until he opened his mouth.

"Watch where you're going." He growled at me.

"How about you fucking move and not be a prick?" He looked at me with big eyes, probably in surprise, but quickly changed to his menacing look. Who was he trying to fool?

"Well, this is private property, which means that you're trespassing, meaning you should pay more attention to your surroundings."

"I'm sorry but a burnt-down house with almost no walls or roof is barely a property. So, how about you stop being an idiot and I can be on my way." I started to jog once again but he gained my attention once more.

"You're new here, aren't you?" I turned around to face him.

"What's it to you?" He raised his eyebrow.

"I'll take that as a yes." The cockiness oozed out of his pores.

"And why the hell should that matter?"

"Because no one would dare talk to me that way."

"Who would be afraid of a little sour wolf?" He tensed up. "Dude, chill. I'm just kidding. But I doubt anyone would be afraid of Mr...."

"Hale. Derek Hale." He said extending his hand to me. Gee, after screaming at me he wants us to be acquaintances. I thought about not shaking his hand, but I didn't want to be rude. Well, more than I have been already.

"(Y/N). Argent." I shook his hand. Strong grip. Suddenly I felt a rush of déjà vu; I had met him the day before. "Wait, aren't you that guy I accidentally hit with my grocery cart yesterday?"

"Yeah, that really hurt. You hit my ankle. You could've had me limping."

"But you're not, so be grateful I didn't break your ankle." He laughed. "Damn, if I had known how cocky you really were, I would've hit you harder."

"So, you admit that you hit me?"

"Oh yeah, of course, I hit you. Accidentally that is."

"Yeah, yeah."

I looked around trying to find where the hell I had come from but there wasn't even the slightest trail as to where I was to go.

"So, miss (Y/N). Do you even know your way home?"

"No, but I'm sure I can find my way back." Then, he took keys out of his pocket and pointed to his car.

"Come on, I'll drive you around and you just tell me when something seems familiar."

"And why should I go with the guy that almost ripped out my throat for bumping into him? For all I know you could be driving me to my death." I crossed my arms over my chest, and he let out a loud sigh.

"Look, I'm sorry for snapping. But I'm trying to be nice. That doesn't happen very often."

"Alright, Mr. Hale. I'll let you take me home just because you are being nice now, after being a prick, and I'm exhausted."

"See, no one can resist me." I rolled my eyes at his cockiness. Seriously does he buy cans of it on eBay?

"Don't get cocky with me. I can punch the living daylights out of you." He chuckled and started to drive.

We drove for about 20 minutes until I finally recognized the curb that led to my house. Upon arriving at my driveway, I got out of the car and walked to the driver’s side.

"Give me your hand” For some reason, I felt compelled to do so. He took a pen and wrote down a number. "Call me if you ever need a tour of the town."

Three weeks later, I walked inside the school to meet up with Allison. I moved here with my family since dad had some business taking float. Being the new kid in town is never fun. I would know. I switch schools almost every year. The pro and con about this would be not being attached to anyone. Usually, I'm the one who doesn't talk to anyone and is called a freak. A derogatory term given to people who are way too different from others, but a title I wore proudly.

"Oh my gosh, (Y/N)! How have you been?" Allison wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. It was as if she hadn't seen me just three weeks ago.

"Hi, Allison. I've been good, getting acclimated to the new town. You?" You would think that because we were cousins, I would be more affectionate towards her but honestly, I wouldn't see her again for like three more years, so what's the point?

"I'm good. A little rocky at the start of coming here but good." Then, a boy with a buzz cut and one with great brown hair walked by and smiled at Alli. "Ooh, you should come meet my friends. Stiles, Scott!! Come here." The boys turned around with goofy grins on their faces.

"Hey, Allison. Who's this?" Buzzcut kid said.

"This is my cousin, (Y/N). She just moved here from Virginia."

"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Scott." The one with the great hair said.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Stiles." I shook their hands and smiled.

"Nice to meet you, too, buzzcut." Allison and Scott laughed but Stiles only ran his hand through his hair, suddenly becoming hyperaware of his lack of locks.

"Allison. Who might this sexy lady be?" I rolled my eyes. The last thing I need is a narcissist with a god-complex trying to get close.

"Oh, Jackson, this is my cousin, (Y/N)."

"Hi." He extended his hand and looked me up and down.

"Hi." I smiled sarcastically, and when I didn't extend my hand, he dropped his.

Finally, after standing awkwardly behind Allison whilst her friends talked, the bell rang. Talk about saved by the bell.

"Hey, (Y/N), what's your first class?" I checked my schedule.

"Um, chemistry."

"Oh, good, then you're coming with us to Mr. Harris' class," Scott said pointing towards him and Stiles. I smiled and walked behind them.

Once we got to the classroom everyone turned to me, the ever-present sign of being new in the class evident in the stare of my classmates.

"Um, hi, my name is (Y/N) Argent and I'm new." The teacher, whom I guess is Mr. Harris, turned around to face me.

"Oh, yes, Miss Argent. Welcome. You will be sitting next to Isaac Lahey. Lahey, raise your hand." Once Isaac raised his hand, I noticed he was sat near Stiles and Scott. Two people I was trying to avoid. As I walked past, I accidentally pushed Stiles' book on his lap, startling him, resulting in an awkward descent from his lab stool onto the floor.

"Hi, again. I guess we are gonna see a lot of each other for the rest of the school year." I nodded and he scratched the back of his neck. "So, um, what school did you come from?"

"Lancaster High," I responded whilst writing down what Mr. Harris was writing on the board. Stiles kept trying to talk to me, but I would only give him short, cold answers or just ignore him. That is until Mr. Harris called our attention, that's when he finally got the memo to shut up.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to introduce myself since we're gonna be seated next to each other all year. I'm Isaac."

"I figured." I tried giving him my best smile. The vibe he was giving off seemed like he needed it. "I'm (Y/N)."

"Well, nice to meet you, (Y/N). Now I'll leave you to the class because if I don't I know I'll be failing even more than I am."

"Oh, well, maybe I can tutor you some time. I'm actually really good at science. My mom was a chemist professor once upon a time so I'm bound to understand all this."

"Really?!" His puppy eyes seemed to light up and I nodded. "That would actually be amazing."

"Sure thing. Now let's get back to class."

After Chemistry finished, I put everything in my bag as quickly as possible and sped to my next class, Math. Thankfully, none of Allison's friends shared this class with me but I did share it with Isaac.  I didn't consider him much a friend but more an acquaintance in desperate need of help.

As the day progressed, I noticed the rest of my classes were shared with one or more of Allison's friends. They all tried to strike up a conversation but were quickly discouraged when met with my one-worded or vague answers. Especially, Stiles. He tried especially hard to get answers out of me, only being met with the occasional laugh or stare at his comical occurrences. He seemed like the kind of person you could just open up to. The same could be said about Scott. His shy nature was alluring, and he portrayed himself as a very trustworthy and loyal being.

But I would not allow myself to let them in. My whole being yearned for a real friendship, someone to share nothing and everything; never again.

At lunch, I sat outside and ate my food quietly, a book in front of my face to shield my eyes from the sun the prevalent stares of my peers. After some minutes of appreciated loneliness, the empty table was filled with conversating teenage bodies. I smiled politely but, in my mind, I was cursing them out.

"So, (Y/N), how's your day been?" Allison asked whilst munching on an apple. I swallowed what was left of my bite and answered.

"Fine, thank you." This time no one pressed on after my short answers, finally getting the hint of my disinterest. In the corner of my eye, I saw Isaac sitting under a tree munching on half a sandwich. I excused myself and went to join him, heavily enjoying his tranquil aura.

"Oh, hi, (Y/N)." He smiled sheepishly.

"Hey, Isaac. Is that all you're eating?"

"Yeah. I'm not very hungry." He looked down as if he were ashamed.

"Nonsense! Here," I gave him the other half of my burger and another bag of chips I had in my bag. "You can't tell me you're not hungry. You're a boy in peak development."

"Thanks." He smiled as he continued munching on his food. I put on some music and we continued eating in silence. No conversation required.

The day went on smoother than it started. Classes flew by fairly quickly and the incessant chit-chat seemed to diminish. During last period I was like every other student, anxiously waiting for the bell to signal the end of the school day. When my pleads were answered, I packed the necessary book into my bag and left the rest in my locker, expertly avoiding any more social encounters. Quickly, I made my way to the waiting open car door of my father's car, ignoring Allison's beckoning me t.wards the small group of friends.

"How was your first day, darling?" My father spoke up breaking my attention from the scenery.

"Like any other first day I've had." I smiled. "The towns might change but school is always the same."

Finally at home, we were greeted with the sight of my mother cooking; people were coming over.

"(Y/N), honey, Chris, Victoria, and Allison are coming over tonight. So, go do a quick workout and come back to get ready." I nodded and ran to my room to change into workout clothes.

My routine would normally consist of waking up, working out, go to school for a dreading eight hours, come back home, workout again, do my homework, eat, and go to sleep. I lead a very monotonous life and it had been this way since I could remember. One of my earliest memories was of my father teaching me archery alongside Allison, a great distraction to our always disrupted home life. As I got older, my father started training me in boxing and knife maneuvering. How would these skills help me in life were still a mystery but I felt safe knowing them.

I got changed and decided to take Brody out with me on a quick jog through the woods. "Hey, boy, ready to go?"

He jumped on me which I took as a yes and started for the woods. We ran down the same trail I had been going on for the past three weeks. Mostly, I went down this track in hopes that Derek would make an appearance, and today was not the exception. As the ruins of his house came to view so did his tall figure.

"Trespassing again?"

"It doesn't count if I know the owner." During our greeting, Brody's leash slipped out of my hand and he ran to jump on Derek, leaving slobbering licks on his cheek. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry about it." He chuckled and helped me bring him down.

"I guess he likes you, even though he doesn't like anyone but me. Guess you're special."

"Maybe." He grinned.

Out of nowhere, I hit him in the shoulder. "What was that for?!"

"For trying to run me over with your shopping cart two days ago. It was uncalled for."

"No, it was revenge. You hit ME first. In the ankle."

"You're still on with that. Come on, sour wolf. That happened three weeks ago, and it was an accident."

"Whatever. Come on, I'll give you a ride home. It's getting kind of dark." This had also become part of my routine. After "bumping" into Derek he would offer to drop me off at my house, claiming it was for security.

"Okay, we're here. By the way, the offer to show you around town is still up. Just call me whenever." He said as he stopped the car in front of my house.

"Alright, will do, and thanks for the ride, Derek. I'd invite you in, but my family is coming over."

"No worries, maybe another time."

"It's a date. Anyways, thanks again. See you when I see you."

"Okay, goodnight."

"Night." He waited until I entered the house and drove away.

"Munchkin, is that you?" My father screamed from the kitchen.

"Yeah!" I screamed back.

"Okay, well, go take a shower and get ready your uncle will get here soon."

I hurried up the stairs and hopped in the shower letting the hot water stream down my body calming any aching muscle that was palpitating. In my room, I searched through my closet for an acceptable family dinner outfit, deciding a grey sweater and black jeans would be enough. I braided my hair out of my face and went downstairs to help my mother set the table.

After we put the last plate the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" I ran to the door and was greeted by my uncle. "Uncle Chris!" I jumped and he hugged me. There was no doubt that he was my favorite family member, his presence was always welcoming. His wife on the other hand was as cold as the winters we spent in New York. She was nice but absolutely scary. "Hi, Aunt Victoria."

"Hello, (Y/N)." I hugged her and said hi to Allison.

"Come in, guys." They walked in and I closed the door behind them.

"So, (Y/N), how have you been?" Uncle Chris asked while stuffing his mouth with mom's famous lasagna.

"I've been good. I mean, moving all the time takes a toll on you at first, but I got used to it. It's easy now to pack it all up once the school year ends."

"Oh, honey, that must be so hard on you," Victoria said. I could not read her tone, her words spoke in sympathetic notes with an underlying melody of sarcasm.  Not knowing what to answer, I bit my lip and nodded.

The whole evening was spent on us catching up and eating, laughing, playing games, but the good times came to an end when the clock hit 9:00 pm. It was stupid to set a curfew, but my mom usually had everyone in bed at this time, 10:30 as of late.

"You better come around the house more often." Uncle Chris demanded and hugged me.

"Yes, sir." I raised my hand to my eyebrow and saluted, as did he.

"Let's go, Chris. And thank you for the lovely dinner, Rebecca," Victoria said linking arms with my uncle and smiling at mom.

"No problem. Come by any time." They talked for a bit more and after they left, I went upstairs to change for bed.

"Momma, I'm gonna go to sleep."

"Okay, honey. Goodnight." I went upstairs, brushed my teeth, and put my hair in a ponytail.

Before bed, I made sure everything I would need for the next day was packed into my bag and made sure my alarm was set. I pulled all the throw pillows from my bed and set them aside, then making my way to the window to draw the curtains. Something caught my attention in the backyard, though. My eyes squinted trying to make out the figure in front of me. Blinking the confusion away, I made a double-take and looked back at an empty yard. I laughed to myself as I crept into bed. Why would Derek be in my backyard?

Next ->

#derek hale #derek hale imagine #stiles stilinski #derek hale x reader #teen wolf imagine #teen wolf smut #derek hale smut #scott mccall imagine #scott mccall #lydia martin #allison argent #chris argent #jackson whittemore #fanfiction #ao3 #wattpad #writing #isaac lahey #isaac lahey x reader #reader insert

[mazuwii]

Hello! I just found your blog and loved the headcanons you write for aot. So I thought maybe I should request something. Umm... my favorite au is where Levi saves Mikasa instead of Eren and he takes care of her like a sister. Maybe they are cousins or distant relatives. I like to think Erwin like a father/uncle to her and Hanji like a sister/aunt. You may add -or not- other characters as you wish. So yes I would really love to hear your ideas on this in canonverse. Thank you, have a nice day 🤍

This is such an adorable idea! By the way, I’ve never really written an AU like this, I put it into headcannons but I hope you enjoy it either way, if you didn’t then you can reply to the post requesting me to put more in\leave more suggestions in the ask box

•Mikasa, at first, didn’t trust Levi. I mean, after witnessing random older men, why would she trust another random old man.

•When he noticed little Mikasa hiding in the corner in both anger and fear, it reminds him of his younger self. So in a way. Levi becomes a figure that he needed when he was younger.

•He crouches down to her height, whispering things in such a calming manner compared to the yells and violent kicks he was throwing towards the now dead men.

•Mika felt like she could trust him, so she took his extended hand and limply followed him out of the house.

•Now, either I don’t remember or perhaps it wasn’t shown in the anime, but I have no idea how people adopt in Paradis. It seems like Grisha just took Mikasa home and called it a day 😭

•So let’s pretend that Levi did adopt her after a long while of thinking (thinking of how Kenny left him, why would he ever put a younger Ackerman through that)

•The next day there wasn’t a expedition or anything so he took her to the scout region (he wanted some input on how to take care of kids but was too prideful, knowing Hange, he knows she’ll start yapping on about something useful and that’s the main reason he took her)

•When they both arrived, the captains and commanders were in awe of this little girl that had Levi’s face plastered straight onto her. People even asked if it was his daughter. He scoffed but once he looked at her he did see the resemblance. (Still he tells them they’re blind)

•Hange has Mikasa on her hip and as she takes her for a tour in her science lab (Levi warned her of great consequences if he took young Mika to the Titans 😭😭) and Moblit was on edge the entire time, at some point, he had to take Mikasa from Hange because the scientist was getting a little bit too giddy and he worried she may drop her.

•Mikasa didn’t speak the entire time, she only nodded and added back her input. This is only because she’s shy, Mikasa does have her moments of being jumpy and basically the opposite of Levi when they’re around each other.

•Levi isn’t against the idea of her becoming a scout, to him, Mikasa is like a bird, there will come a time where she’ll leave the nest and she may face dangers outside the nest. He won’t stop her, he’ll just help when she needs it.

•So when she grows up, she follows Levi’s footsteps and joins the scouts. I like to think that in this verse, she’d be friends with Jean, Sasha and Connie rather than Eren and Armin. Though she’s cool with them too.

•Also this is just a thought, that even I contradict myself- I feel like if Levi found her instead then the affect from that change in the past would make her grow a liking more to Jean than Eren. And that she may just view Eren as a funny hothead.

•Thought I reject that thought by also thinking she’d have funny reactions to him trying to ask her out. Which means she totally jokingly rejects him multiple times after his dumb attempts. It usually ends in Sasha and Connie laughing their ass off at him.

•In a way, Eren would have a crush on her but hide it perfectly- though I doubt anything goes unnoticed by Levi, whom always glares daggers at the brunet.

•Overall, in my opinion, I doubt she’d have romantic feelings for anyone- and if she did it would be healthier.

•back to the Levi and Mikasa duo!!!

•Levi has had his moments where he has embarrassed Mikasa, where she’s volunteering for a dangerous job and he tells her to go clean something up because she missed a duty. She didn’t really, he just doesn’t want her facing anything that bad during her first year.

#Levi #Levi Ackerman #eren #mikasa #JEANcasa #Jean kirtstein #mikasa Ackerman #aot scouts #aot veterans #Erwin #Hange

[amelialincoln]

Can you please write a fic about Link getting jealous? 😂 We have never really seen Link's possessive amd jealous side and it's be really entertaining to read about that !!!! Can't wait!!

What I Wouldn’t Do

“Have you met Koracick’s neuro fellow?” Jo glanced up at Link as he entered the attendings lounge.

“Uh, not that I know of, why?” He had a feeling she was about to rant.

“Because he’s a dick! He walks in here like he’s some impressive hot shot surgeon and I’ve barely heard of him before. I was in the ER and he walked over and completely hijacked my patient. The guy ended up having nothing even neuro related. He said he likes to keep up on all the specialties. Like who does that?”

“Yeah, sounds lame,” Link added, not really paying attention.

“Even Amelia likes him. Which is saying a lot because usually she’s good at reading suck up bullshit from people like him.” “Wait what about Amelia?” Link glanced up from his phone.

“Oh so you’ll listen to me when I’m talking about the girl you’re so madly in love with?” She teased. “You’re being a shitty best friend.” “Sorry,” Link answered, running a tense hand through his hair. “I’ve been stressed.” Yesterday they’d found out Amelia was pregnant and he’d been up all night discussing options and comforting a distressed Amelia who wasn’t planning on having a baby again after a traumatic experience she’d told him about last night. He still could barely wrap his head around everything and although he was extremely excited, he felt like he couldn’t show it. Amelia was terrified something was going to happen again, despite how many times he tried to convince her that everything would be fine.

“You look exhausted,” Jo pointed out.

“Amelia’s pregnant,” he blurted out. “We weren’t supposed to tell anyone. I just needed someone to know.”

“Link that’s...amazing?”

“I think so,” he tried to conceal his happiness. “I think we’d make good parents.”

“Amelia is good with kids,” Jo noted.

“She’s just scared. We’ve talked about a future together. Even if she hadn’t gotten pregnant, I was planning on proposing to her soon. I think it’s just taking awhile for her to process it.”

“She had a baby, right?” Jo’s voice was hushed.

“What? How did you--”

“Alex,” Jo replied. “I don’t know why he knows but I think she told him a while ago.”

“Oh,” Link answered, wondering why she took so long to tell him then. “She’s just worried but I think we’re going to make it work. She’d be an amazing mom.” Jo nodded, standing to give him a pat on the back before exiting the room. Link sighed, picking up his coffee thermos and following her out. He spotted Amelia at the OR board, chatting to someone he didn’t recognize. The tall, unrecognizable guy was leaning comfortably against the OR board as Amelia was writing down a surgery she had planned for this afternoon. He tugged on her scrub cap and caught it right before it fell, causing Amelia to burst into laughter. Link could feel his palms go hot and he clenched them at his sides as he walked swiftly towards them.

“Who are you?” He asked, probably a little too sternly judging by Amelia’s weird look.

“Uh, I’m Dr. Webster,” he replied, glancing at Amelia with a confused expression. “I’m Koracick’s new fellow. Amelia was showing me around. Who are you?” Link was surprised that he referred to Amelia by her first name.

“This is Dr. Lincoln,” Amelia introduced him before he had the chance to. “He’s our head of orthopedic surgery.” “Never liked ortho,” Webster shrugged, “Too messy. I’m all about the technique.” Link noticed Amelia trying to suppress a smile and fumed.

“Can I talk to you?” He turned to her.

“Uh, sure,” Amelia replied, searching his expression for clues as to why he looked so angry. “We can finish our tour later?”

“I look forward to it,” Webster gave Amelia a little wave as Link practically shoved her into an on call room.” “What’s this abo--”

“I have two things,” Link interrupted her. “One, I didn’t see you get lunch today. You’re growing my baby so you can’t be skipping meals anymore. If you’re going to refuse me bringing you food, then I’m going to expect that you’re taking care of yourself.”

“Link--”

“Amelia I worry, you know that. Next, who the fuck did that Wessler guy think he was?”

“Webster?”

“Wessler, Webster I don’t care. He was obviously flirting with you!” Link huffed.

“Babe, I’m carrying your baby,” Amelia almost laughed.

“Well he doesn’t know that! You’re not showing yet. Which I’m very excited for, I thought I should add.”

“Link, it’s not like I’m wearing a ring, how would he know?”

“Is that a hint?” He asked, genuinely intrigued.

“No!” She promised.“But it’s not like he has a chance, Link. Have you looked in the mirror?” She laughed as Link’s face turned red. She reached up to cup his hot cheeks in her hands. “Babe, I love you. What did I do to make you worry about that?”

“Nothing,” Link sighed. “I just don’t like that guy.”

“Or any guy I have a conversation with that doesn’t know who you are,” she teased. Link grinned sheepishly at the floor.

“Can I talk to baby?” He asked.  “It’ll make me feel better about the fact that my girlfriend practically cheated on me today.”

“You and your guilt tripping.” Amelia rolled her eyes. “And no you can’t talk to baby, you were talking to him all night.”

“Him?”

“I have a good feeling,” Amelia shrugged.

“So you are feeling good about it then?” He tested, trying to read her deep blue eyes.

She rubbed her lower stomach absentmindedly. “Better, I think,” she answered honestly. “Helps to imagine a little kid version of you running around.” She couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

“Just riddled with cancer.”

“Link! You can’t say that.” Her mouth open in shock. “I don’t think I could survive that.”

“I don’t know how my parents did it,” he shook his head. He looked down at Amelia and found her biting her lip nervously with a hand pressed on her belly. “Hey, I’m sorry.”

Amelia snapped back to reality. “It’s okay, there’s just so much to worry about.” Link nodded, completely understanding. He wrapped her up in a tight hug, rocking her gently.

“I’m going to love our baby,” he promised her. He held her closely, running his hands through her dark brown curls. Amelia’s sob was muffled by Link’s navy scrub top. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Hormones,” she shook her head violently. “I’m fine. Ugh,” she groaned, wiping her cheeks with her sleeve.

“You know what makes me feel better?”

“What?”

“Talking to baby,” he put simply.

“Link we found out yesterday,” she rolled her eyes.

“Just try.” He guided her over to the bed before sitting down and pulling her into his lab. He lifted her scrub top over her head carefully and placed it beside them.

“Link,” Amelia groaned.

“The shirt has to be off or it doesn’t work,” he shrugged, staring unapologetically at her chest. “That’s my favourite bra.”

“I know,” she grinned, turning to press her lips to his.

“No distractions! Mommy and baby time.”

“Okay,” Amelia sighed. She placed her hands over Link’s on her flat stomach. “Hi baby, hope you’re doing good.” She paused. “Like I really hope. Cause if you are riddled with cancer or have no brain...your mommy and daddy are going to be pretty unhappy.”

“This is not helping.” Link grumbled.

“Sorry,” Amelia winced. “Um. Me and daddy are really excited to meet you. You’re a pretty lucky baby considering that you’re going to have the best dad in the whole world. He’s the only reason I’m not freaking out entirely right now and I’m really lucky to have him because last time,” She hesitates. “when I was pregnant with your brother, I didn’t have anyone.”

“Oh, Mia,” Link breathed, pulling her tighter into his chest.

“Not to mention all your amazing aunties, cousins and friends. You and Leo are going to be really good buddies and uncle Alex can teach you how to pick up girls.”

“Hey, that’s my job.” Amelia laughed. “But you won’t need any help because you’ll have your daddy’s ocean blue eyes and perfect smile. Better?” She asked. Link nodded. “Now mommy has to get back to work but I’m sure you’ll hear from daddy tonight.” She leaned back into Link’s chest as he rubbed protective circles around her bare, warm stomach.

“Mmmm, feels good.”

“Maybe you should take a nap,” he offered, trying not to add that she hasn’t been getting enough sleep for someone growing a baby.

“Only if you’re here too,” she mumbled sleepily.

Link checked his phone. “I can give you half an hour,” he agreed, knowing Nico was probably running around trying to find him and chuckling at the thought. He looked down at Amelia to find her fast asleep in his arms. “Come here, babe.” He lay back, moving her so that she was laying with her head on his chest and wrapped her up in the blanket. He ran his hands through her hair, watching her drift in and out of consciousness. “We’re going to make a really awesome kid,” he whispered as she cuddled up closer to him.  

#amelink #amelia shepherd #amelink fanfic #greysanatomy #jo wilson #Atticus Lincoln

[missnmikaelson-main]

The Forgotten: Blood Moon Rising Chapter 3

He lounged in his chair, allowing it to turn from side-to-side as he surveyed the boy who that found his way into the office. His height bordered on the edge of lanky. As he sat his long fingers fidgeted, shoving shoulder length brown hair out of dark eyes. The aristocratic features held an air of familiarity, but he couldn’t quite place the boy’s face.

As he watched the boy’s hands dropped, tapping over his thighs.

“Where exactly did you come from?” Alaric tilted his head, taking pity on the boy.

“I… uh…” he rubbed his hands over his pants, “I doubt you would believe me.”

“You have walked into a school for the supernatural of which I am the headmaster,” he straightened up, tapping the desk with his pen. “I have been witness to the impossible for nearly twenty years, and that was before my daughters were magically implanted in their mother. There is very little I wouldn’t believe. Now why don’t you tell me where you came from? It’s not every day that we do a headcount of students and come up with an extra body.”

“Would you believe that I was dead yesterday, Dr. Saltzman?” He met the man’s eyes. “Or is that stretching your tolerance too far?”

“This is New Orleans,” Alaric’s eyebrows rose, “people have a tendency to not stay dead in this city. I suppose that means you’re a witch, then?”

“How did you…?”

“Dead yesterday, and alive today?” He tilted his head. “Alive today after a blood moon rose over the city.”

“For those who know how to use it the blood moon is a powerful celestial event,” he lowered his eyes. “I seized the opportunity to return to the land of the living, but time has passed and I… I find I no longer know this world.”

“Judging by your clothes you’ve been dead a long time,” Alaric joined his fingers together, glancing at the wool trousers. There was something the boy was hiding, but he couldn’t figure out what it was.

“Are you going to make me leave?” He inhaled sharply, pushing his hair behind his ear.

“We’re not in the business of turning away children in need,” Alaric opened his desk drawer and pulled out a couple of forms, “besides, if I don’t let you stay where are you going to go?” He smiled gently and clicked open his pen. “Let’s start with your name.”

++++

A few strands of hair caught on her lip gloss as she tilted her head to balance the phone between her shoulder and ear; her fingers itched to brush it aside, but her grip on the awkward pile in hand meant the hair was doomed to tickle her skin.

"So somebody broke into the crypt?" She hoisted her supplies higher, muttering under her breath: "I swear, one of these years I'm going to take advantage of winter break."

"You say that every year, darling,” Kol lowered the air conditioner.

"If you can remember that you can remember to remind me of it,” she rolled her eyes. "And yes, I know you did. Do you think the break in had anything to do with the elemental typhoon last night?"

"I think there's a chance it wasn't a break in."

"What do you mean?" Elena pushed the mansion door open with her hip, pausing in the entry.

"Why don't I meet you for brunch after your first class and I'll explain."

"Alright, I love you."

"I love you."

She heard the clicks, signifying the end of call, and wiggled her shoulder until the phone settled on the top grimoire.

She swayed, trying to realign her burden.

"Do you require assistance, ma'am?"

"Oh please don't call me ma'am,” Elena grimaced, “it makes me feel old."

"Sorry,” the boy cleared his throat.

"Aren't you over a century old?"

"Erik Mikaelson,” she fixed her son with a mock glare, "just because you're back at boarding school doesn't mean I won't ground you. Who's your new friend?"

"This is Henry,” Erik gestured to the boy with shoulder length hair, "he's new. Henry, this is my mom, she teaches spell science and traveller magic."

"And Kemiya to the upper years,” Elena smiled. She looked Henry up and down as her eyes drew together. "I didn't know we were expecting any new students. It's nice to meet you, Henry, and thank you,” she shook her head, nodding down, “but I've got this; I'll let you get back to your tour."

"See you in class, mom."

Elena nodded once and then took off down the hall for the spell labs. She picked the pace when she heard a loud bang, hastening towards the plume of violet smoke..

++++

Stefan surveyed the damage again, getting one final look at his car’s ruined window.

"Do you two wanna be left alone?" Lexi placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. It was difficult to make the gesture reach her eyes. He had an unhealthy obsession with the Porsche; she suspected he was more upset about the car than the 'Damon-kabob'.

"She’ll be good as new by the time we get there,” Damon sighed, leaning his hip against the new car Stefan had insisted on. "And if we wanna get there by nightfall we've gotta go."

"Are windows like that even legal?" Lexi moved, pressing her palm to the dark glass.

"Depends on the state," he crossed his arms. His voice took on a sing song tone. "If luck is on my side then they won't work and you'll be a pile of ash by the freeway."

"Damon!"

"Nothing against you, babe,” he slid into the car.

"If feels like it.” She opened the back door and made herself comfortable, pushing some heavy blankets aside; if necessary they would shield her from the sun. She waited for Stefan to get in before leaning over the centre console, turning the back of her head on Damon. "Where exactly are we going because this doesn't feel permanent, and I really don't want to spend my limited time in a confined space with the dick that killed me."

"It wasn't personal,” he grumbled, turning over the ignition.

"Can it, Damon!” She drove her elbow back, cracking a rib.

"I don't want you spending what little time you have in the dark,” Stefan grinned, nudging her with his shoulder. "You are going to feel the sun on your face again, and if I have my way,” he squeezed her hand, "this will be permanent."

"You got some powerful witch up your sleeve?” She snickered.

"I got a couple who owe me a pretty big favour,” his smile threatened to split his face, "Damon doesn't want to see them."

"He turned my bones to dust last time."

"I love him already,” Lexi smirked.

"Kol will leave you alone as long as you don't flirt with or antagonize either of them.”

++++

Erik led the way over the yard, pointing to each place as he explained the purpose of them. So far they had visited the stables, greenhouses, and dorms and were now on the final leg of the outdoor tour.

"This is the field," he followed the edge, “we play all sorts of sports, but the school favourite is Wickery. It was a joint project between my mom and aunt Caroline, and it's the closest you're ever gonna get to real life Quidditch."

"Quidditch?” Henry frowned, tasting the unfamiliar word on his tongue.

"Yeah, you know," he prompted, "the famous game from Harry Potter? What rock have you been living under?"

"One that kept me ignorant of popular culture," he drawled, rolling his eyes.

The gesture was achingly familiar.

"I didn't mean anything by it,” he held out his hands. “I tend to speak before thinking sometimes, Mom says I get it from Dad."

"I have a couple of brothers like that,” Henry chuckled.

"You have brothers?" He started walking backwards, leading the way to the mansion.

"I have four brothers, and two sisters."

"Woah,” his jaw dropped. "That's gotta be chaotic. I've got one sister and three cousins, and Christmas is crazy."

"A lot of them are older, so it wasn't that bad, but I haven't seen any of them in a long time.” He smirked, and when he spoke again it was in a tone Erik knew and didn't. "I doubt they even remember what I look like."

"Oh," he frowned. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be,” he waved a hand. “It wasn't anyone's fault. Sometimes things happen and you end up at a school you never thought you'd be at. How'd the school get here anyway?"

"Josie tells this story better,” he warned, "but I'll give it a try.” He turned around when Henry nodded and laid his hand on the deck.

“Long ago the mansion belonged to the old governor before my family took possession of it. It sat untouched for a long time until Eve and Hope were ready to start school.

"Mom wanted them to have a normal experience with other kids, but everyone agreed normal school was out of the question. And since nobody wanted them to stifle who they were Mom and Dad teamed up with my aunts and uncles and the only educator they actually knew. Within a year they opened the Mikaelson Boarding school.

"It grows every year, and my family takes turns funding. This year it's Uncle Elijah."

"That was pretty good."

"Jo still tells it better,” he shrugged. "Come on, I'll show you the classrooms."

++++

"Do you think my dad's mad?” Eve stared at her petri dish, mesmerized by a swirling path her stir stick created through the thick gel.

"No way," Hope tilted her own dish. scrutinizing the contents. “Uncle Kol yells when he's mad."

"He didn't yell when we caused that explosion and knocked a gaping hole in the kitchen wall,” she chewed her bottom lip. "Or that time I switched out spell ingredients without telling him and the table melted.” She hadn't known wood could react like that. "I don't think my dad's ever yelled at me – except for that time when I was crossing the street and a car came out of nowhere, but that was more a yelling at the driver thing."

"I don't think he's mad."

"He confined us to the school; we're effectively grounded."

"Well, you are,” she smirked. Her smile faltered when her phone buzzed. "And now I am too."

"Your dad?” She sat down her dish.

"And mom."

"So he's mad," Eve snatched up a scalpel. “Why else would our grounding have no end in sight?"

"Maybe...” Hope lowered her voice to a whisper. "He wanted us safe. The school has wards, and that ring... that ring shook him up.”

Hope unbuttoned her sleeve, rolling up her sweater and the white shirt to expose her wrist.

"And I know you don't want to admit it, but you're happy to be back here because what happened shook you."

"Alright everybody,” Elena clapped her hands for their attention, "pick up your scalpels and turn to your lab partner. Draw a shallow cut over their wrist then administer your gel; if you've done your job right then the wound will heal."

Hope hissed along with half the class when the blade was drawn over her skin.

"Do you think he told mom?” Eve dropped her scalpel and caught a dab of the gel, carefully wiping it over the cut.

"I think we'll know when he does." The gel cooled and her skin knit together underneath. "Confining us to school feels like half a punishment. Aunt Elena will have something more to add."

"What precisely will I be adding to Hope?"

The girls gasped, spinning on their stools to find Elena's sparkling eyes watching them.

"Nothing,” Eve's eyelids fluttered.

"You inherited your deceitful skills from me, Eve Freya Mikaelson,” she tilted her head. "I assume your father will have a fair bit to add to your 'nothing'."

Eve and Hope exchanged a look, knowing from experience that it was better to come clean; typically it knocked a week off the overall punishment.

"We snuck out last night,” she held her hands in her lap.

"I was restless..."

"And we knew Lafayette would be empty."

"Mom?"

"Are we in trouble?"

Elena stared at both of them, eyes flickering back and forth.

"Somebody could have been hurt."

Hope dropped her eyes.

"If you feel like that you should tell us; we can find a place for you to run where nobody will see. Don't listen to your cousin all the time; her impulsivity comes from her dad." Elena waited for them to nod and then held out her hands. "Cell phones."

"That's it?" Eve frowned, placing her phone in her hand.

"Of course not,” Elena smirked as the girls spun back around. She wrapped her arms around their shoulders and leaned forward to place her head between them. "You two are gonna come back here every day this week after dinner..."

"Mom, no; please?” Eve’s eyes widened. Her horror was reflected in Hope's gaze.

"And you're going to clean and reorganize the spell science cupboard."

"B-b-but...” Hope thought about the decade of disorder and various ingredients. "We came clean."

"That's why I'm not making you do the attic." Elena kissed their temples, humming softly. "I'm glad you're safe."

They shuddered as she left the table.

"Do you... uh...” Josie tiptoed up to their table. "still need a volunteer?" She held out a clean scalpel to Hope.

++++

The Tudor mansion sprawled out over lush green, popping out of the trees as if from nowhere. She stared at the towering structure and crossed her arms.

"Your friend seems to have done well for himself."

"I don't know about that,” Ariadne smirked. "He was buried alive in the sixteenth century."

Mary-Alice stiffened, whirling around to glare. Her fingers tugged at her sleeves, covering her exposed wrists.

"You said he disappeared."

"He did,” Ariadne skipped up the driveway and ran her finger over the hood of a blue Camaro. "He disappeared when he was desiccated and buried alive. Is he inside or on the property? Where do we start digging?"

“I gave you a location,” she pulled the map from her pocket, hating the way the trousers clung.

"Stop fidgeting? You look ridiculous.” She pulled out a small black box and surveyed the map, punching a few buttons.

"I feel like a whore in these clothes,” she fingered the denim. “Why couldn't I wear my own?"

"Because that monstrosity made you stick out like a sore thumb."

"But why must women in this century dress like prostitutes?" She sneered at Ariadne's blouse, revealing her collarbone and a hint of cleavage.

"Times are changing,” she crumpled the map. "Personally I find the lack of a corset freeing, and the twenty-first century has many marvels."

She started toward the house, following a blinking arrow on the black box’s screen.

++++

“Let me see if I've got this straight?" Lizzie passed off a glowing ball of swirling energy to her twin, “you thought sneaking out on a full moon. after an earthquake was a good idea?"

"Nobody was gonna be out there.” The ball grew, taking on a red tint.

"Keep the energy positive guys," MG frowned at the magic. "The book says it should stay blue."

"Someone could have been hurt,” Hope took the ball. The size and colour fluctuated as it passed between her hands. "I could have hurt someone."

"You didn't,” Eve groaned. The ball flared, resembling a supernova where it floated between her spread palms. "Don't doubt your control because you're bloody awesome. Mom just worries. Dad didn't say anything."

"Uncle Kol got distracted by how upset you were..."

"Uh... guys..." MG's voice wavered.

The spell fluctuated, further losing it's structural integrity.

" ... and that creepy guy who attacked you..."

"I had it handled!" Eve's heart hammered. Heat licked her fingers as anxiety fed the spell.

"That's why you spent an hour shaking and clinging to a werewolf," Hope drawled. "Uncle Kol didn't see it, but he could see that you were scared."

"I wasn't scared,” her voice cracked.

"You were,” Hope shoved her fingers through her hair. "That's the onl..."

The spell released, knocking four young witches flat. They groaned, sitting up on elbows.

"I really thought I'd be the one to screw that up,” Lizzie grumbled, flipping blonde hair from her face. 

“Is everyone okay?" Josie got to her knees and cast her eyes around the yard. "MG?"

"I'm good,” his voice called out from a flower bed.

Eve surveyed the damage she could see - flattened grass, broken branches and a toppled fountain. She flopped back, covering her face with her hands.

"I think I'm a little shaken," she swallowed, listening to her heart race.

Hope shuffled closer and wrapped her arm around Eve's middle.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Eve closed her eyes, lowering her hands to her belly. She could see the way he had looked at her - feel the way he had touched her.

"He looked at me like I was some kind of prize, and not in a good way."

"There's a good way?" Josie stretched out on her other side.

"Yeah,” Eve sighed. "Like how my parents look at each other sometimes, or how Uncle Nik looks at your mom."

"Like they can't believe they got so lucky,'' MG sat above their joined heads.

"I want someone to look at me like that,” Lizzie sighed, stretching out next to Josie.

"Not the way this guy was,” Eve shuddered. "It was like..."

"Like he wanted to consume you," Hope finished. “Nobody's gonna hurt you, Evie."

"And anyone who tries has to go through all of us,” Lizzie swore.

"We got your back, E,” MG squeezed her shoulder.

"Thanks,” she smiled, sniffing. "So,” she smirked, “does that mean you're all gonna help us with the storage cupboard."

"Evie, we love you," Josie kissed her cheek, “but no.”

++++

"Okay,” Erik recapped, counting off on his fingers. "The dining hall, administration and library are on the ground floor. Second floor has your standard normal classes, and supernatural courses are divided between there and the top floor. There are a couple of hidden rooms Uncle Nik turned into study spaces. Do you want to see my favourite?”

++++

Elena flipped through lab book after lab book, rapidly checking off correct answers and making short notes in the margins. Everyone passed the lab portion of their pop quiz, but the theory required a little work.

Two weeks off for holidays and everyone seemed to have forgotten a semester's worth of teaching. She anticipated intense study sessions in preparation for exams.

January promised strung out teenagers.

Even Eve and Hope's reports lacked coherent thought.

She flipped over her phone, reading the incoming message.

Kol: Did you forget about me?

She smirked, tapping out a quick response as she stood and reached for her purse.

Elena: I'm not sure. Remind me who this is again.

Kol: I think you know.

Elena: oh?

Kol: Dashingly handsome. Exceedingly debonair...

Elena: is this the insanely conceited guy that sleeps next to me every night?

Kol: conceited?

Elena grinned, taking off at a run, slowing when she reached the alley and sauntering to the cafe.

"Conceited?" He cocked an eyebrow, lifting his chin for her kiss.

"You spent more time getting ready for the New year's party than I did,” she slipped into the seat across from him, "and Bekah dragged me off for manicures."

Her eyes narrowed when he didn't immediately quip back with how she agreed that he was ridiculously good looking.

"What's wrong? Is it the crypt?"

"No,” he reached into his jacket pocket. "I can handle my parents possibly being alive on the streets of New Orleans," he ignored her shocked expression. "I've accepted their hatred, and mother's inability to stay dead. This is what worries me."

A ring wobbled on the table.

"A daylight amulet?" She picked it up. "Why do I recognize it?”

“Eve took it off a vampire who attacked her this morning." He covered her hand before she could interrupt. “There is a very descent chance the dead are rising. And a man who hates us both targeted our child because that ring belonged to Stavros."

She felt her head shake, impossibility was the denial on her tongue, but she knew her husband. He would see her impossible and raise with their children. Loopholes existed in nature, exploited at every opportunity by anyone with the power; some would have done it just to prove they could.

Sad to say, not every witch respected the natural world they were sworn to protect.

Their waitress walked up, thrusting her hips forward as she stopped at the table and batted her eyes.

"What can I get'cha, suga?” She flashed a bright grin at Kol.

He knew Elena was lost in thought when she made no comment on the girl's obvious flirtation. He was in no mood to torment her, or deal with Anna's inconsiderate nature.

"I'll have the eggs Benedict and coffee,” he examined the furrow between her brows and decided on her 'thinking food'. "Stuffed french toast and hot chocolate for my wife." He emphasized the last word, giving Anna a pointed look.

She clicked her pen closed and whirled toward the kitchen.

"How?” Elena closed her hand around the ring.

"After eighteen years I know you're favourite foods," he chuckled.

"Kol,” she sighed.

"Bad - if accurate - attempt at easing your nerves,” he rubbed her sensitive wrist, sobering fast. "Something happened during the blood moon, and I... I think the earthquake and... everything... may have been nature's way of fighting back.”

“Against the dead rising?” A chill swathed over her jiggling leg. “Did you see Stavros?” Warm metal cut into her palm.

“No, darling.”

“Then maybe you’re wrong,” she rubbed her lips together. “Maybe it was the Harvest girls screwing up a spell, or arguing over something trivial, and,” she raised a brow when she saw the flash of emotion in his eyes, “why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m so sorry, love.” He shook his head. “I didn’t want to tell you over the phone, but the Harvest Girls are dead. Only Davina survived.”

Sorrow, she decided; it was sorrow in his gaze. Or perhaps she was seeing a reflection of her eyes in his.

“What happened?”

“A vampire.”

“I want him found,” she spat. Pure, unadulterated rage raced through her veins.

“While I share your sentiment it wasn’t him,” he ran his thumb over her knuckles. “Davina said it was a woman, and that she was talking nonsense about fire and magic; she never saw her face.”

“Then I want both of them found.” Two spots of colour appeared high on her cheeks.

“I already tried to find Stavros,” he let go of her hand, leaning back as their food arrived. “There’s no sign of him.”

“Then maybe you are wrong.” Elena picked up her mug and took a sip of rich hot chocolate. A dollop of whipped cream stuck to her nose.

“Or a witch is helping him,” he swiped his thumb over her nose and sucked the whipped cream off. “Personally I’m hoping I’m wrong, since being right opens a door I’d rather not look through. Do you know how many people I’ve pissed off in the past millennia?”

“No idea,” she shook her head. Her fork stabbed her French toast. Fruit oozed out.

“Too many to count,” he reached for his coffee.

“Right or wrong,” she lifted her fork, “I want that woman put down and that man found so I can tear out his internal organs.”

Her eyes narrowed when he smirked.

“What?” She mumbled around a mouthful of French toast.

He grinned, nudging her foot under the table. “I love you."

++++

“I assume he’s looked better,” Mary Alice grimaced. She leaned over the open lid of the pine box and traced the vampire’s desiccated remains with the tip of her finger.

“He’ll look much better in a minute,” Ariadne grinned. Madness gleamed in her eyes.

Mary Alice’s finger twitched, raising up in warning.

“Relax honey,” she twirled around the box, gracefully pirouetting towards her dropped bag. “I brought some blood. Can’t have him accidentally killing you now, can I? Who would finish the ring?”

She moved backwards, standing against the rough wall with a stiff spine.

Ariadne opened the blood bag and pressed the tube against his lips, squeezing a few drops into his dry mouth. Slowly the bag emptied and colour returned to his sallow cheeks.

His brow crinkled and he opened his eyes, blearily focusing on her grinning face.

“Ariadne?” He croaked, reaching for the edge of his coffin.

“Hello, darling,” she tossed the empty blood bag over her shoulder. “Did you miss me?”

“You…” he broke off in a fit of coughs, lurching upright.

“Let me finish that thought for you,” she reached for a second bag of blood, opening it for him, “ravishing creature.”

He tore into the bag of blood, sucking it down fast. A healthy glow returned to his skin. “I was actually going to call you a bitch.”

“That’s no way to talk to the girl getting you a daylight ring,” she pouted. Her eyes sparkled.

“You,” he fought down a sardonic laugh as he climbed to his feet, “want to grant me a daylight ring?”

“I even brought a witch,” Ariadne perched on the edge of his coffin. “Mary Alice spelled the talisman for you.” As she spoke she toyed with her own amulet.

Mary Alice pulled a silver ring from her pocket. The large blue stone glinted in the dim light, reflecting in his wide eyes.

“You never do anything without expecting something in return,” he jumped out of the coffin, eager to be rid of it. “What do you want?”

“It’s quite simple,” Mary Alice spun the ring around her finger.

“All you have to do is seduce a pretty little thing and get her to show you mommy dearest’s grimoire,” she picked at a splinter in the wood.

“Get the girl to take out a thin silver dagger her mother sealed away,” Mary Alice tilted her head, “and bring it to me.”

“And you expect me to do all of this under the cover of night?” He turned his head, eyeing them both.

“Don’t be silly,” Mary Alice tossed him the ring. “You’ll use that.”

“What’s to stop me taking this and running?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“The spell is temporary,” she resisted the urge to tug at her clothes. “I’ll make it permanent when you deliver your end; you have a week to get the doppelgänger’s dagger.”

“One week?”

“Don’t act so scandalized,” Ariadne waved one hand. “You always were a charmer and she is a naive girl. It’ll be a piece of cake. Now what do you say to me?” She sang, leaning forwards.

“Thank you?” He slipped the ring onto his finger.

“You…” Ariadne prompted, twirling a splinter between her fingers.

“Thank you Ariadne,” he rolled his eyes, “you ravishing creature.”

“Much better.”

++++

Hope towelled the worst of the water from her hair and dropped to sit cross legged on her bed, bouncing on the springs. She could still remember the first time she had slept at the school; it had taken a fair amount of convincing since someone always traveled from the compound to the campus every morning.

“Please don’t start jumping on the bed,” Eve flipped over a page and laid her hand on a sheet of paper.

“Do you remember when we were little,” Hope waved her hand, levitating her towel to its hook, “the first night we stayed in this room?”

“How can I forget?” She snickered, tapping the page. “You knocked me off the bed with a pillow. That was the first time I ever broke a bone.”

“You insta-healed,” she leaned back on her bed. “And what’s the fun of jumping up and down on the bed if you don’t whack each other around?”

“No fun at all.”

“Our parents were so mad,” Hope hugged a pillow to her stomach and reached for her brush.

“I remember mom crying,” Eve tilted head, seeing the scene as if it were happening. Her arm had healed at the wrong angle. “I think re-breaking it hurt her and dad more than it hurt me. Do you know that’s the only time I ever saw my dad cry?”

“Uncle Kol cried?” Hope winced and worked the brush through a series of knots.

“Yeah,” she pursed her lips. “Why are we talking about our first night here?”

“Because you’re flipping through that book.”

“It calms me,” Eve fingered another page. With each new page she catalogued the contents, feeling the various forms of energy rise up through her arm.

“You might be the only person alive to find dark objects calming,” she rolled her eyes.

“They’re not calming, Hope,” Eve flipped another page, tracing an eight pointed star with her fingertip. “They’re anxiety inducing, but knowing that the dark magic is stuck where nobody can ever use it is calming.” She flipped the page again. “And sometimes the light objects are fun to take out and handle.”

“Is it working at least?” Hope tossed her brush aside. “Is your stolen property succeeding in calming you?”

“No, and neither did your nostalgia trip,” she smirked.

“I see,” she hummed, “I guess I’ll just have to resort to drastic measures.”

“Dr…” Eve broke off in a shriek, throwing her hands up as the pillow smacked her in the face. She sputtered, twisting her neck around to stare at her cousin. A beat of silence passed before a wicked twinkle entered her eyes. “Are you serious right now?”

Hope smirked, flashing white teeth.

“Oh…” Eve’s tongue poked out as she grinned, reaching for one of her pillows. “It’s on.”

++++

“Dammit, dammit, dammit,” Elena kicked the table, sending candles skittering across the floor.

“What about the Tibetan bowl?” Kol stomped on the edge of a curtain, smothering the flames before they could overtake the fabric.

“Two Original hybrids,” she stared out the window, watching the moon rise up, “and an ancient bowl is going to help?”

“Can’t hurt,” he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“What witch has enough power to block both of us together?” She laid her head back on his chest.

“A coven of them,” he closed his eyes, lowering his nose to her neck.

“Or maybe,” Klaus’ voice drew their attention from the window, “you can’t track the dead.”

“Now you’re on board with the dead theory?” Elena groaned, slumping in her husband’s hold. “I thought you were more sceptical than that. Your parents can’t exactly be considered the norm.”

“She has a point, Nik,” he sighed. “I didn’t actually see anyone dead, so the theory is unconfirmed.”

“Not anymore,” Klaus nodded his chin back towards the hall. “Confirmation has come to us.”

“What?” He lifted an eyebrow, adjusting his hold on her as she shifted.

“Elena has a visitor.”

The couple exchanged a look loaded with wary confusion before following Klaus out of the study.

“Who is it?” She slotted her fingers between Kol’s and squeezed, but Klaus didn’t get a chance to answer before they entered the living room. Her eyes snapped to the man by the fireplace and narrowed. “How does Stefan confirm anything?”

“You wanted something confirmed?” Stefan straightened up.

“Stefan is not the confirmation, right ripper?” Klaus smirked, dimples flashing. He circled around a leather couch, nodding to the person sitting there.

The woman placed one hand on the arm and rose, spinning around to face them. A bright smile lit up her round face as she squealed and raced to wrap Elena in a tight hug.

Her hands came up on instinct, wrapping around her back even as her spine stiffened.

“Lexi?” She breathed, dazed as the vampire let her go.

“Yeah,” she nodded fast, “I’m sorry. I know we were never that close.”

“It’s not that.” She shook her head.

“It’s what your presence implies, love,” Kol placed a hand on the small of Elena’s back, rubbing circles over her spine.

“I’m not entirely sure what that means,” Lexi took a step back. She tilted her head, looking him up and down slowly. “Are you the vampire that turned Damon’s bones to dust?”

“I suppose I did do that,” his jaw clicked. “He had it coming.”

“No defence needed,” Lexi laughed, holding her hands palms out. “Damon always deserves an ass-kicking. And after what I heard you did, I think I might love you.”

Elena stepped into his side and placed a hand on his chest. She smiled, voice filled with laughter and a slight edge.

“Move on fast, sweetie. He’s taken.”

“By a very jealous woman,” Kol tipped his chin down and gave her hand a pointed look. “What are you doing here Lexi? Aside from resurrecting, I mean.”

“Stefan got it in his head that you two could make her a daylight ring.”

Kol whipped his head around, glaring daggers at the man as he stepped into the living room through an opposite door.

“You!” He snarled.

Elena’s possessive hand turned into a restraining one, halting her husband’s sudden march.

Elena strained against Kol while Damon took a hurried step backwards.

The retreat stopped when Damon dropped to his knees and gripped his head. He grunted. Blood vessels burst in his eyes.

“Kol!” Elena spun in front of him, cutting off his sight line. Behind her Damon’s pained grunts cut off. “What have I said about hurting my friends unprovoked?”

“He draws breath in my presence,” his glared burned over the top of her head. He had never forgiven Damon for his attempt to steal Elena away, or his implication that their unborn daughter was something to fix. “That’s provocation enough.”

“Are you gonna beat the shit out of him?” Lexi stepped aside with a giant grin, perching on the sofa’s arm. “Maybe finish what I started earlier?”

“Lexi!” Elena scolded. “Why are you provoking him?”

“I wanna see Damon get pummelled,” she shrugged. “He did kill me.”

“His existence is provocation enough.” Elena’s head snapped around to Klaus’ snickers.

“I’ve had that thought,” Stefan covered his laugh by lowering his eyes and clearing his throat.

“You two are not helping,” she groaned.

“What the hell did I do to tick you off?” Damon stopped in his tracks. Righteous indignation squared his shoulders.

Elena felt a strong desire to sob her frustration.

“Weren’t you listening mate?” Kol placed his hands on Elena’s shoulders, lifting her off her feet and setting her at his side. “You’re still breathing.”

“Breathing?” Damon scoffed. He threw up his hands, taking a foolish step forward. “I haven’t done anything to you.”

“You haven’t done anything?” Kol’s voice rose to a mocking falsetto. Only Elena’s hand on his elbow held him back. “You were going to help my mother kill every vampire on earth,” fire flashed in his eyes.

“To be fair,” Stefan gripped his brother’s jacket, holding him back, “I did that too.”

“You came around and helped,” Kol snapped. “He upset my wife time and time again, tried to steal her away and made a rather daring implication about my daughter. Not to mention nearly burning my brother alive.” He observed Damon critically and sneered. “I think I’ll feed you your own liver.”

“I’d like to see you try,” Damon smirked. “Didn’t you hit the reset button when Elena turned you?”

“Do you have a death wish?” Stefan sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose, sensing a tension headache coming on.

“I can take him,” he tried to break Stefan’s hold. “That was all circumstantial.”

“What about what you did to Caroline?” Stefan muttered, but failed to keep his voice low enough.

“What the bloody hell did he do to Caroline?” Klaus’ eyes flashed gold.

Shit, Stefan flinched.

Elena shut her eyes, pressing her lips into a thin line.

Klaus repeated his question, louder as he took a menacing step. Black veins spidered across his cheekbones.

“Only Damon and Caroline know exactly what happened.” Stefan cleared his throat, hoping to save Damon Klaus’ wrath. He might have held his own against Kol for a few minutes, but Klaus would tear Damon apart and no amount of Elena’s pleading would stop him; Caroline might have been able to do it, but he doubted she would have even if she were present.

With any luck he would have Damon far, far away before Klaus got Caroline to talk.

“I just had a little fun with her while she was human,” Damon shrugged. He glanced at Klaus, but the majority of his attention was stuck on Kol.

“Fun?” Klaus growled. His foot came down hard, cracking the floorboard as he stepped forward.

Damon seemed to sense the sudden shift and pivoted, keeping both brothers in his sight line. He bent his knees and readied to fight back, but he never got the chance.

His saving grace appeared in a flurry of white gold hair and grey cashmere.

Rebekah stood in front of Klaus, keeping her hands on his chest as she surveyed the room. A swell of testosterone shimmered in the air. Her eyes flickered over the tight cords of muscle in her brothers’ necks before darting to Freya.

“We’re gone for half a day and you’ve turned the living room into a bloody boxing ring?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Bex,” Kol glared at Damon. “Boxers are shirtless. Do you see any shirts missing?”

Unbidden an image of her shirtless husband with beads of blood dripping down his chest swam through her mind. She poked her extended canine, imagining licking the red from the grooves in his abdomen.

Shirtless, she decided, would make the whole ordeal much more interesting. She might even get on board with a little beating if it meant she could watch the shift of his muscles under sweat slick skin.

“Where have you two been?” Klaus took a series of shallow breaths, forcing his features back to something resembling human.

“We have been busy.” Freya moved into the middle of the room, hoping her presence would at least deter her brothers from racing into a fight. “Keeping our ears to the ground.”

“And we have bigger issues right now than whatever this is,” Rebekah waved one hand.

Elena swallowed her disappointment, but then thought of the store of blood bags. A little AB positive would be tastier than Damon; it wouldn’t be the first time she had done something like that.

“What’s the problem, Bekah?” She loosened her grip on Kol’s arm, sliding her hand down to his wrist.

“I compelled a few locals who live near the cemetery, pushed some images into their minds, and you’ll never guess what I found out.”

“I think they will,” Freya rolled her eyes.

“Mother and father were both seen leaving the cemetery in the early hours of the morning. No idea where they went, but they’re most definitely alive.”

“Of course they are,” Klaus felt fury race through his veins. “Three guesses why they’ve come back.”

“We don’t need three guess, Nik,” Rebekah rolled her eyes. “It’s obvious. The Original Bitch is fresh out of the grave and looking for ways to kill us all along with daddy dearest. Say what you want about our parents, but when they set a goal they do everything to reach it.”

“And they’re together again?” Kol twisted his wrist, catching her hand. “United in their desire to end their children.” He hummed, tilting his head. “How romantic. I don’t think we can compete with that, darling.”

“Shut up, Kol!” Elena glared, lightly smacking his arm.

“I love it when you order me about,” he winked.

Her flush and Rebekah’s subsequent groan brought a smirk to his lips.

@klaroline-events @kol-and-elena-fanfiction @elejahforever@elejah-wonderland @cry-btch@geekofmanyfandoms@morsmornte @xanderling @iw1shiknew​

#kol mikaelson #Elena gilbert #kolena #Klaus mikaelson #freya mikaelson #Rebekah mikaelson #The Forgotten: Blood Moon Rising #fanfic #Alaric saltzman #au

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Hanging around an old timey town

If I were to describe Tenney in one word, it would be cloudy. Idyllic would probably be more accurate, but I feel like that’s too vague. Cloudy’s a bit of an unusual description, I admit - especially when it's not used to describe the weather. 

What I mean by cloudy is that it’s a charming, almost dreamlike place. Like a mix of cottagecore aesthetics with the gardens and woodland creatures as well as colorful pictures of the sky in various shades of pastel. Imagine sitting outside, surrounded by flowers underneath a colorful sky, getting lost in a book while the breeze blows gently in your direction and the sun beams gently from above.

When you visit a place like Tenney, a day trip does not do it justice. No, in order to get the full idyllic, cloudy, and zen experience, you need to be there for at least two days. A short escape to turn to when you need a break. Spending the hours doing mundane stuff that’s rewarding really goes a long way.

I’m here with Jenny, Clarry, Lyndi, and Louie, who are in need of a vacation. The four came over from Chariott, where they were helping their uncle Ludwig move into a new house. 

Ludwig is what happens when you combine a mad scientist, a chaotic inventor, a mischievous magician, and a disaster bisexual into one lanky bespectacled guy. He’s either super brilliant or beyond baffling or somewhere in between. Either way his chaotic energy is contagious. Pretty much everyone in he’s ever spoken to told him “Ludwig no!”, in which he responds with “Ludwig yes!” and the results wildly vary depending on whether or not explosions were involved.

So the family has been spending the past week helping Ludwig bring various gadgets and gizmos from various labs scattered across the globe as well as some that are outside of that scope. After spending over a decade as a traveling adventurer/scientist, Ludwig decided that it was time to finally settle down. Chariott was his second choice, a remote island off the Diamond Coast, not too far from uncharted territory. His second choice was Rainbow Shores, another remote island, but it’s one of many places where he’s sorta banned from - meaning he can visit but not overstay his welcome.

Not surprisingly, Ludwig underestimated how many labs he set up so Jenny called up some reinforcements like Isabelle and us campers. Turns out he has a base not too far from Wizpire so we spent a day there packing all his stuff. While I find Ludwig’s stuff to be fascinating, going through everything and putting them in boxes felt like sticking my hand in  a sink full of dishes to find utensils and not knowing there’s a knife in there. A couple explosions aside, it went smoothly.

Louie and the triplets have been helping Ludwig for two and a half weeks straight. Finally, two days ago, they were done. The place is still a mess, but Ludwig has his own ways and insisted that his nieces and nephews take a break.

That’s why I planned this trip for them. Then after spending a couple days at Tenney, they’ll be staying at the campsite on the newly renovated second floor of the cabin for a week. Knowing Jenny, she’s made a mile long itinerary, and knowing her sisters and cousin, they won’t stick to it. I’m sure we’ll find a happy medium.

We left Chariott around 5 am with Jenny insisting on driving the whole way since the others were passed out in the back. I offered to take over but she declined, which I didn’t mind too much since she’s a morning person and I’m not. Though I feel kinda bad for having her drive since she’s supposed to be relaxing - then again, she does find driving relaxing, especially on a day like today when there’s no traffic and we’re taking the scenic route.

From Chariott to Tenney, the drive took about three hours. Once we got settled in the Bed and Breakfast, we were ready to take on the day! 

One of the things I love about Tenney is the outdoor workshop classes it offers. From cross breeding flowers to hand lettering to culinary arts to building carriages - there’s no limit to what kind of new skills you can pick up! 

We went to a morning workshop session, where Jenny and I made journals. As in we made our own paper, made the covers with linen we designed, hand stitched the pages - literally the whole thing is made from scratch! It’s a lot of work, but I enjoyed it a lot. Clarry made a bunch of cute stickers while Lyndi and Louie hung out at the beach, where we met up after we finished making our creations.

Around noon we set up a picnic at the beach, taking the time to enjoy the sights and sounds surrounding us. The food, like pretty much everything in this town, is made from scratch. Fragrant jasmine rice from the fields, fruits and veggies picked at the peak of ripeness, flour from the wheat fields to the mill - it’s amazing how much work is put into everything!

A while ago I started following Lia Yi, a vlogger from Tenney who makes videos about her everyday life. Watching her bake bread or work on her garden or using her handmade paints to decorate a canvas while classical music (pieces composed by her) plays in the background is super relaxing. We had the pleasure of meeting her while taking a stroll in the community garden, where she gave us a tour and showed us her latest projects.

After lunch we stopped by the library, which looks like a greenhouse except it’s full of books, and hung around the lounge for a couple hours. Lying on a branch surrounded by vibrant greens and pastel pinks while on my laptop listening to music and scrolling social media makes me feel like I’m one of those lo-fi girls. Speaking of which, I’ve been really into lo-fi lately and it’s been doing wonders with my creative output in terms of art journaling.

Then we headed to the orchard/bakery where we picked fruits and made pastries. It was super cool to see how much work goes into making lemon poppyseed muffins and cherry pies because, like I said, everything is made from scratch! We also learned how to make lingonberry jam, rose, and ice wine, which was super cool as well. 

The villagers are always more than happy to show us around and teach us how to make stuff, another reason why I enjoy visiting Tenney. Even making dough at the bakery (something I have a love/hate thing with) was more relaxing than usual. Something about going back to our roots and doing things the old fashioned way - I guess doing all this stuff by hand is kinda like a form of mindfulness. 

Before we knew it, night had come. Since we were at the bakery, we made dinner paired with rose and dessert. A quick trip to the B&B to drop off the jam and wine crates and a walk around town square followed, leading to a two hour karaoke session at the rec center. 

Clarry’s latest hit, Somewhere in Your Mind, was one of the selections on the machine, which she found flattering. When she came up to sing it to see what would happen, a couple villagers immediately recognized her and she gave her fans the VIP treatment. 

It took a couple cocktails but Clarry convinced me to step up to the stage and sing some tunes. I like watching people sing karaoke but ask me to go up there I’d be like no way. Unless I’m in a group and/or slightly buzzed, then maybe.

So we hung out at the rec center until it closed around 1. After karaoke, we went to the arcade, where Louie and I fought to the death in a sword fighting game, Jenny had to wrestle Lyndi away from a VR game when things got too intense, and Clarry beat the high score in a ukulele game. 

Then we got back to the B&B, where we hung out a bit at the lobby sharing drinks and stories for about an hour before heading off to bed. Jenny’s starting an internship at Viola Francois in August and she’s super hyped about that. Clarry has been busy with her newest songwriting partner on her upcoming album planned to be out next year. Lyndi started getting into tik toks and has been making a bunch of vids that have gone viral. And Louie’s taking it easy after surviving freshman year at Seashore Path as well as reconciling with his uncle, who he has a love/hate relationship with. 

Maybe it’s because I’m super tired, but this bed feels like I’m floating on a cloud. The mattress’s even kinda lumpy like one - and super soft too, I must say. 

#animal crossing #animal crossing pocket camp #Diary of a Junebug #headcanon ramble

[forallyourikemensengokuneeds]

raising a princess ch one

“Sakura come here!” Mitsuhide yelled through the house.

“No daddy.” She said as she stood on the landing, “I don’t wanna go to school.”

“Sakura Akechi! I have to go to work and you need to get to daycare.” He said as he went over to the stairs.

“I is a big girl, Daddy. I can stay here by myself.” She said as her golden eyes glowed with a knowledge Mitsuhide sometimes hated.

“You are a big girl but baby you have to go to daycare. I have to go to work. It is Friday and we can go to the park this weekend if you will just please go to school.” Mitsuhide pleaded with the now three year old.

“I don’t like it daddy!” she said as he moved up the stairs.

“Why don’t you like it?” he asked as he sat down at the landing she was standing on.

“Daddy Miss Tanya yells all day.” She said. “She is mean. I don’t want to go.”

“Sakura Do you want to look for another school?” Mitsuhide asked.

“Yes Daddy.” Sakura said as she hugged him.

“Well you still have to go to school today but after my meetings I will pick you up and we will go look to see if there is something you like better.” Mitsuhide said as he knew he was giving in to her to easy but he also really didn’t like the way the school was headed. When he placed her two years ago in the new school it was fashioned to be more of a learning center where the young girl would learn things like a pre-school but as time went by he could only see it being a place where people dumped their children all day. He hated leaving Sakura in it but until she said something he wouldn’t move her again. That day finally arrived.

 “Okay daddy.” She said as he hugged him and he lifted her up. He carried her to his car and belted her in to her car seat. Still small he wondered if she would ever be ready for a booster seat. They got to the daycare and he walked her in with her small backpack on his back and he looked around. She walked to her classroom which was in the back, though she was small she was in the advanced classroom with some of the older kids. He placed her backpack in the cubby hole she had and he bent down.

“I’ll see you in a few hours, princess.” He said as she hugged him tight and he pat her back.

“I love you daddy.” She said as she went to the table in the center of the classroom.

“I love you too princess.” He said softly.

“Mr. Akechi.” Miss Tanya said as she walked up to the man who was watching the tiny little girl at the table. “We would prefer it if you only used Sakura’s name here instead of any nicknames or pet names.”

“I will call my daughter whatever I wish.” Mitsuhide said as he looked down at the woman with disgust.

“It is just that some of the other children do not get called things like Princess by their parents and we find it gives a false sense of superioty to a toddler.” The woman went on.

“She is three. If I want to call my daughter princess, I will.” He said.

“I just find it causes much more trouble down the road.” She said, “Also I do have to ask you to refrain from doing it here.”

“You know what.” Mitsuhide said as he was trying to reign in his temper, “I don’t believe that we will have an issue with nicknames any longer.”

“Well it is good to see that you are taking my advice seriously.” Tanya said with a smile.

“I would like my daughters records please.” Mitsuhide said. “Sakura come here please.”

“Her records?” Tanya asked blankly.

“Yes. I would like her records please, NOW.” He said forcefully trying to not roar.

“But we don’t give those back to parents unless they are pulling their children from the school.” Tanya said.

“I know. As of this moment you do not have to worry what I call my daughter. She will not be going here any longer.” He said as an evil smile crept over his face.

“But.” Tanya said and the owner of the day care came over to help disfuse the situation. To which five minutes later he was walking out of the daycare with a folder on one hand and Sakura holding on to the other.

“Where are we going daddy?” she asked.

“To my job. I have that meeting I have to go to today but you can stay with one of your uncles. After that we will go find you another school.” Mitsuhide said.

    Three hours later he was standing in front of a small house as he wondered if he had the right address. This did not look like any of the other daycares he had been too over the years. He looked down out the little girl next to him who also had bright wide eyes. He went up and rang the bell. A young woman opened the door with a smile.

“Hello, Can I help you?” she asked with a slight southern accent he could detect.

“I called about the daycare about an hour ago.” Mitsuhide said when he cleared his throat to speak as the woman in front of him was one of the most beautiful he had ever laid eyes on.

“Oh, Mr. Akechi. It is so good to meet you.” She said as she opened the door wider to let the two of them in. “And you must be Sakura!” she bent down to Sakura’s level and put out her hand to shake the girls hand. Sakura looked up at her father who nodded and she placed her small hand in the one of woman in front of her. “It is a pleasure to meet you Sakura. My name is Kristy.” She stood up and looked again at Mitsuhide, “If you will come with me we can discuss what you wish for Miss Sakura and then if your still interested in our program I can gladly show you around.”

“Lead the way.” Mitsuhide said as he looked down at his daughter who also seemed to be taken with woman. They went into an office off to the side and she left the door open.

“As I told you the owner who happens to be my aunt isn’t in today. She won’t be in for a week or so but I can answer any of your questions.” Kristy said as she sat down.

“So your aunt owns this place?” Mitsuhide said.

“My aunt started this place because of the sheer size of the family.” Kristy said. “We all went here at some point of our lives.”

“We?” Mitsuhide asked.

“My Siblings, cousins, and myself.” Kristy said as she pointed to a picture on the wall. “We were a huge family and my aunt was the only one who had a degree in early childhood education. She started this place to help all of us find a place to fit in.”

“A place to fit in?” Mitsuhide asked.

“Most of our fathers were also in the military. We were born in different places and often had different backgrounds in education even from our own siblings at times. She helped us with learning English and getting us ready for the school systems here. She made the program to help us, her family, but found that adding a few children from other families was the key to having a well rounded program. Even now the family is the main users of the school.” Kristy said with a smile. She looked at the tiny girl who was looking around the office. “Do you have any questions Sakura?”

“Is that you?” the tiny girl asked as she pointed to a picture on the wall.

“Surprisingly no, hun.” Kristy said as she walked over and took the photograph off the wall. “This is my mom.”

“Mom?” Sakura said with a tilt of her head. “I don’t have one of those.”

“Well if you wanted to see me in one of those pictures. I am in this one. Though I must be around your age.” Kristy said as she glossed over the admission of the young girl, “It was when my dad moved us from south America to here. He was in the military too just like your dad.”

The girl continued to look at the different photographs on the wall. “Now Mr. Akechi can you tell me what you are looking for in a program for Sakura?”

“Something that will teach her something. I don’t want her to be sitting in front of a tv or doing arts and crafts all day every day.” He started and Kristy let out a small laugh.

“I understand.” She said. “I think maybe I should show you around so you can see that we are slightly different then most daycares.”

“Yes. I think I would like to see that.” He said and Sakura took her fathers hand as they left the office.

“Now this right here is the front entrance. Though most people use it to come and go so we can monitor who enters and leaves we do have another entrance around back. It has a special badge that you have to have to open the doors. We do have an alarm on that one as well so we know inside the building that someone accessed it. These front rooms are our conference rooms that we can have meeting with families to give quarterly reports on each child. We do have these conferences on your schedule so if you have an issue we can help address it here as well. Now here comes the classrooms. This is the babies room. We have two teachers and eight infants under twelve months old in here. We also have a floating teacher that helps out in here when needed. Now the younger toddlers room. And further down the hall over here is the classroom that Sakura would be in.” Kristy opened the door and waved as all the twelve heads of the children turned and saw her. The two teachers that were in the room also looked up, “Please continue.”

“And this is how we say it in French.” The teacher said as she repeated a phrase in french to the class while the other teacher said, “This is how we say it in Spanish.”

Kristy shut the door and smiled at the two people she was giving the tour too. Mitsuhide was impressed already and it seemed his daughter was. “Now let’s go to the art rooms and the computer lab.” Kristy continued on the tour showing them room by room and the outside of the building with the semi large playground.

“This place is completely different.” Mitsuhide said.

“Like I said my aunt built this whole concept from the ground up. She knew that it would be more effective on the learning parts if it wasn’t like a school. There is one television in the whole building. That is only used for the older children on a Friday if they have received enough credit for the week. They also only watch a half an hour of whatever it is they won. Language skills are important for under five years old so we introduce things that will help them as well when they are older. It also helps for those who have to learn English that we offer five different langagues here. We are a family regardless and my aunt runs this place like it is her family.” Kristy said as she sat back down.

“Sakura what do you think?” Mitsuhide asked.

“I love it here daddy.” She said as she looked up at the woman who was sitting there.

“Okay princess.” He said as he looked up at the woman. “How much is the school.”

Kristy threw out a number and Mitsuhide looked at her like she was insane. “How is that possible? I was paying three times that amount at the other place.”

“Mr. Akechi we believe in quality over making a profit.” She said. “My aunt will never be rich but she will have the knowledge she helped guide her children here into something better.”

“We will take the spot.” Mitsuhide said.

“Good, now let’s have you fill these out.” Kristy said as she pulled out a new folder with a bunch of papers.

“Do you work here?” Mitsuhide asked.

“Actually no I don’t.” Kristy said, “I fill in for the office if I am needed like this week that my aunt is on vacation. I also help out here over the summer. I am in medical school and have break then.”

“A doctor huh?” he asked.

“Yes but I owe a lot to my aunt. You will find that most of the teachers here are either my cousins or they are former students.” Kristy said.

Mitsuhide looked at her and smiled. This was going to be the daycare that worked out for him and Sakura. Something told him this was going to help him with the girl.

#ikemen sengoku inspired sort of #rasing a princess #single father #Akechi Mitsuhide #Sakura Akechi

[antiquecompass]

And it’s a double ficlet posting day today. Once again since setting all these ficlets in an AU ‘verse kind of steers away from some of the prompts, I’m not posting this one in the official Untamed Fest tag, but it is for Day Six: Quote.

“I can’t believe I’m actually getting to see a professional baseball game in person,” Zizhen said. He was decked out in Red Sox gear, from an obviously new ballcap on his head to the perfectly white Mookie Betts jersey on his back.

“How long have you been attending Lan Academy? And you never took one of the weekend trips to see a day-game?” Jingyi asked.

Zizhen shrugged. “You know my father doesn’t believe in frivolous things. He only let me go this time because Teacher Lan and Mr. Lan-Wei are taking us.” He looked around the ballpark. “Are we not in one of the boxes? Father always gets one of the boxes for sporting events.”

“Are we what?” Jingyi asked, pulling his battered cap further down over his eyes. “We’re here to see a game, Zizhen, not eat caviar or some shit.”

“Though if you do get overheated, the Jins have a suite that we can use,” Shizui said. “That’s where my parents are with our uncles, Auntie Yanli and all the little ones.”

“That means Jin Ling should meet up with us soon,” Jingyi said.

He slid into their usual seats along the third base line. Dad’s season tickets didn’t get as much use as they used to with all of them in Western Massachusetts these days, but the coming of summer meant entire months in Boston, and Sizhui couldn’t wait.

He loved Lan Academy. He loved the Cloud Recesses camp. But Boston would always be home and since Uncle Cheng had offered him and Jingyi summer jobs at Jiang Industries, Sizhui was glad to be back in his city. They’d be working in the mailroom and helping Miss Luo with whatever she needed, but it was job experience. 

“I didn’t expect the seats to be so small,” Zizhen said as he gingerly sat down, trying not to spill his soda or drop his nachos.

“Fenway’s over a hundred years old,” Jingyi said. “There’s only so much they can do when it comes to renovations.”

“It’s about the experience,” Sizhui quickly explained before Jingyi started his baseball lecture. Sizhui actually loved listening to it, to see Jingyi be so passionate over something, but poor Zizhen wasn’t ready to hear that sort of devotional speech as he tried to fold his long legs, sit up straight, and put a napkin over his lap to not mess up his khakis.

They really should have given Zizhen a dress code. When Jingyi had seen the button-up shirt he’d worn, he’d immediately dragged him into the Team Store to buy a jersey. 

“Shove over,” Jin Ling said, appearing in a worn pair of jeans and a faded Nomar Garciaparra shirt Sizhui was sure once belonged to Aunt Yanli. 

“You’re small. Climb over,” Jingyi said.

Honestly, Jingyi deserved to have his hat knocked off his head for that, though Jin Ling did easily climb over him to plop down on Zizhen’s other side. 

“Are those?” Jin Ling looked up at Zizhen then leaned over to look at Jingyi. “Is he wearing khakis?”

“They’re dockers,” Zizhen said. “They’re casual. I went to a department store and bought them myself.”

“And boat shoes?” Jin Ling asked.

“Stop,” Sizhui said. “We don’t all fall into your and Jingyi’s sneaker obsession.” He glanced down at Zizhen’s navy blue cloth shoes. “I like Zizhen’s shoes. I’m sure they’re comfortable, and if something spills on them he won’t immediately be yelling about needing to go clean his shoes.”

“That was one time,” Jingyi said.

“We were in the middle of a date,” Sizhui replied. “At a fairground. What did you think was going to happen?”

“I didn’t expect that much mud!”

“It’s called a weather app,” Jin Ling said. He stole one of Zizhen’s nachos and slid back into his seat. “Now shut up and let’s watch the game.”

**********

By the seventh-inning stretch, the warmer weather was finally starting to get to Sizhui. Zizhen’s enthusiasm had definitely died down, but he was still into the game. Even Jin Ling had started to look deflated. Jingyi would sleep out on the mound if he was given the choice, grass stains and heat stroke be damned, so Sizhui tugged on his hand to get his attention.

“Box time?” Jingyi asked.

Sizhui nodded, digging into his bag to pull out their suite tickets. 

“Oh, good,” Zizhen said. “I’ve needed the restroom for three hours, but I was afraid I’d get lost.”

“Dude, just ask next time. We’ll buddy system it,” Jin Ling said.

The suite was up an elevator and on the first base line, so they gave Zizhen a small tour of the park, quieter now than when they entered. They also got him to a much needed bathroom. As they finally reached the suites, Sizhui was pleased to hear that their family’s wasn’t the loudest one there. When Dad, Uncle Cheng, and all the younger cousins got together, the noise level tended to be ear-shattering.

“Holy shit,” Jingyi said, right before they approached the suite. He grabbed Sizhui and pulled him back, Zizhen and Jin Ling stumbling after them.

“Dude, what the fuck?” Jin Ling asked.

“Look,” Jingyi pointed to two figures down the hall. 

Papa and Mr. Keller. 

That wouldn’t end well.

Jacob Keller had decided, sometime in eighth grade, that Sizhui was his mortal enemy. He’d done his level best to try and make Sizhui’s life hell, but since Sizhui refused to react in the way he knew Jacob wanted, he’d started escalating things last year. An incident in the chem lab that could’ve resulted in serious injury was the final straw. Jacob had been on probation ever since, and recently had started the downslide towards academic probation as well.

Honestly, out of all classes to try and plagiarize a paper in, Sizhui couldn’t even imagine the lack of thought--and arrogance--it took to plagiarize a paper in one of his father’s courses.

On Bernini of all people.

Using the Wikipedia entry and claiming it as original.

“Who is that?” Dad asked, one of the younger cousins hanging off his side and a stick of cotton candy in the other.

He smiled as they all yelped. 

“Are you boys up to mischief? Let me in on it. They’re being boring adults in here.”

Jin Ling grabbed his sister and walked into the suite. “She’s too young to hear any of this,” he explained. “Zizhen, come on. Let’s get you and your precious boat shoes into safety.”

“That’s Mr. Keller,” Zizhen hissed.

“I know,” Jin Ling said.

“Who is Mr. Keller?” Dad asked. 

“Jacob Keller’s dad,” Jingyi said. “He’s an asshole.”

“Jacob or his dad?”

“From the looks of it, both,” Uncle Cheng said, both him and Uncle Xichen leaning out of the suite to see what the problem was.

All of them froze as Mr. Keller grabbed Papa’s arm.

“Does that man want to die?” Uncle Zuxian asked. 

Papa pulled his arm away without a word and walked towards them.

“Hey, you!” Mr. Keller yelled after him. “I’m not done talking to you.”

Papa stilled and turned around. “You are not qualified to speak to me.”

“Excuse me?” Mr. Keller asked.

“Mr. Keller, unless you’ve suddenly obtained degrees in Art History and Secondary Education, you are not qualified to speak to me about my grading system. And in regards to giving my son unfair treatment, I would argue that I grade both my son, and my younger cousin, harsher than other students since I am well aware of their capabilities. Perhaps if you had more concern over your son’s lack of dedication to his schoolwork, you wouldn’t have to accost his teachers on their private time. Your son has already had one hearing regarding the Honor Code after his plagiarism incident. Your actions in this moment are not aiding his cause.”

“And what are you going to do about it?”

“As the Headmaster is standing not even fifteen feet away from you, I shall leave that matter in his capable hands.”

Uncle Cheng took Uncle Xichen’s plate and patted him on the shoulder. “Hey, Law of Averages. It was about time for your job to interrupt our dates.”

Uncle Xichen closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m getting exceedingly tired of the Keller family,” he muttered. He put on his best professional smile as he walked towards Papa and Mr. Keller.

“Mr. Keller, as I’m sure you know from the many letters I have personal typed and sent to your address, to the emails I have also copied both you and your wife on, we have a strict standard of conduct at Lan Academy. This not only extends to our students, but our staff, and I find your unfounded accusations towards one of our most highly decorated teachers an insult not only to me, my family, and my school, but also the honor that Lan Academy prides itself on. Perhaps it was wrong of me to argue for such leniency in young Mr. Keller’s case. Any other school would have expelled him by now, but it is the very teacher you accuse, and one of the students you have insulted, who argued to the Board for your son to stay on at Lan Academy on a probationary basis. I cannot rescind such a decision without a member of the Board present, but know that I will be making inquiries once school resumes on Monday.”

“A member of the Board is present,” Uncle Zixuan said. “And he recommends that perhaps Mr. Keller should find another educational institution for his son’s senior year. Let him finish this year, it’s almost over, but only so many chances can be given.”

Uncle Zixuan stood with his back ramrod straight, all the arrogance Dad and Uncle Cheng had ever accused him of on his face. 

“I can’t imagine how you would ever think it appropriate to air your grievances to a teacher on their private time. The syllabus is sent to you in paper and email form with all the contact information provided. There are teacher conferences once a quarter. Mr. Lan even keeps later office hours after the school day has ended for parents to come by if they make an appointment, knowing full well that some parents have to travel hours to reach the school. Mr. Keller, I am sorry to say you have made an unfortunate decision today.”

“He came here to threaten him,” Dad said, not even bothering to give Mr. Keller a glance. “Grabbing someone like that? Did you think you could shake a Lan’s arm and they’d give in to you?” Dad laughed. “It’s like a fly trying to shake an elephant.”

Mr. Keller narrowed his eyes, but some common sense his son lacked cleared his head.

“You’ll be hearing from my lawyers,” he spat.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be hearing from ours first,” Uncle Zixuan said. He waved his hand at a set of security officers. “These officers will see you out now. I hope you enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”

“Uncle Peacock for the smackdown,” Jingyi said. “At least Jin Ling comes by it honestly.”

#long post #my ridic writing #fandom: the untamed #verse: lahl #fic: tales from lan academy #day six

[enchantingkittengaditor]

The Third Maximoff Chapter 7

Summary: What if the Avengers didn’t find the last HYDRA base? What if Pietro and Wanda weren’t the only enhanced? Or Maximoff’s? What if the Avengers were going to take on their greatest challenge yet? What if she was a 13-year-old girl who had to live with them? What if she once tried to kill Clint and Nat, and nobody knew but them?

Warnings: Mentions of Violence, Slight mentions Torture and Swearing, Teenagers being catty

“Yes. Is it not the American system?”

“No it is but I know the owner and she’ll extend you and most of the girls either come from rich families who could afford to by the school or backgrounds closer to yours,” She said trying to explain something simple to me even though she now knew my IQ, “The owner is my childhood best friend and my aunts ex’s daughter.”

“That sounds great Sharron. Me, Nat and Yulia are going to go have a fashion show in our room,” Wanda told her fed up of her attitude even though she was too kind to just say, ‘Shut up Sharron’, I know she wanted to.

“Why do girls schools always smell of roses and vanilla?”

“It’s the law,” Natasha retorted to my complaint with her trademark smirch. “But you have to get used to it.”

“I’m used to the smell of dangerous chemicals & sweat,” I say in response earning a concerned look from the rest of our group especially Steve.

“Well moving one you’ll have your own room as most of our girls have no clue the sort of shit you went through happens in this day and age. Your room is also equipped with a panic button in case you need it. And the school has a home you can use that’s not traceable by the government. And this room used to be Nat’s when this was the Avengers tower. We also still have the same security system so you’re completely safe.” Brooklyn, the headmistress, told us on our tour of my future home.

“Well this is where we leave you Yulia,” Steve said looking even more exhausted than any man should.

“Promise you’ll call, write or let me know you’re alive and doing OK. OK?” Wanda fretted, she’d stepped up to her role of a protective big sister since Paris and her seeing the ring when I decided to show it to her.

“I will and promise me you and Nat will stay safe because you’re both my sisters now. Nat, you’re apart of this family because we’ve all lost so much and you and I share a bond through HYDRA,” I respond crying as I ran up and hugged them taking Nat by surprise and Wanda just fell apart as well.

“What no love for uncle Buck or uncle Sam?” Bucky asked while Steve stayed quiet behind him, too deep in his own thoughts to notice anything going on around him and Sharron and Brooklyn were deep in conversation.

“You helped train me to murder and as for him, he helped make Rumlow the boss of where I grew up. Also, I only give hugs to my family and as of now I don’t consider you family.”

“That’s just cold,” Sam deadpanned.

I just rolled my eyes and said in a very monotone voice and Russian, “Bite me.”

“Remember your cover Yulia,” Natasha said making intense eye contact.

“My name’s Gwen Stacey. I’m from England. My godfather is a man called Rhodey. I don’t have abilities. My wings are because of the inhuman thing. The reason I have my own room is because there’s an odd number of girls so I can’t have a roommate. I am an only child. My cousin is called Peter Parker. I can speak French and English nothing else. I have anxiety. I don’t care about the avengers. I am pro-inhuman but only have wings and can’t hurt anyone and no, I will not fly anyone around the city,” I recite the file she had handed me just 3 hours ago in hopes that they could protect me by not using any of my real information.

“Very good but you forgot something. You have an older step-sister called Jemma and General Talbot is your uncle.”

“That makes me even more fun,” I responded, sarcasm like venom on my tongue.

“Well,” Brooklyn clapped her hands together trying to disperse the storm clouds that seemed to have formed between the group I was now apart of, “the girls are going to be back soon so I’ll help you unpack your stuff then I’ll introduce you to your student guides who will probably take you out tonight.” As I raised my eyebrow at the words take you out she seemed to realise her mistake. “I meant to a party or a dinner to see the city, not in the way I guess you’re used to.”

After a very short 5 minutes of unpacking, after a long 20 minutes of tear-filled goodbyes and banter between me, Sam and Bucky I braced myself for teenage girls and all that came with them.

“Gwen these are your student guides and allocated friends, Kate, Benaetha and Cindy. Girls this is Gwen, Gwen Stacey she’s our new student please treat her kindly and let her join in your group,” Brooklyn said as she started toward the big mahogany doors of her office before turning around and saying, “Oh! And please don’t ask about her wings, she’ll tell you if she wants.”

“OK! I know she said not to ask about your wings, but can I just say they’re beautiful, and ask if they’re from the whole Inhumans debacle we’ve been facing?” Kate asks, she was stunning like a goddess sent to earth. Her dark brown hair reached just past her shoulders, her skin was definitely kissed by the gods, she was skinny but also had curves and wore her uniform with pride.

“Yeah. And can I ask you something, do I have to call you Benaetha or can I call you Ben or Benny?” I responded.

“Sure, Ben or Benny is fine, everyone calls me Ben anyway,” Benaetha responded. She too was gorgeous, long blonde hair that I guessed would finish around her waist, but was currently in a ponytail, her blue eyes a striking contrast to that of her friends’ brown ones.

“So, do you like parties?” The third and final one, Cindy, asked. she too had a shorter hair than the blonde but hers was as dark as the night sky in the middle of the ocean on a cloudy night, her brown eyes were tinged with green making them become kaleidoscopic to look at, but her glasses stopped them from being to mesmerising.

“Not really, I grew up in a strict English boarding school the closest thing to a party was when it was someone’s birthday,” I respond weary of these girls already because I could sense that they could become more. Become like me.

“Well, you’re coming to a midtown party with us. It’s at this guy called Flash’s house, he’s a dick. But a dick that knows how to party,” Kate said before continuing, “I have to leave you in the very capable hands of Cindy because I have archery practice and Ben here has to meet up with her older sister.”

“I have to do some experiments in the lab if you want to join, you seem like the type to enjoy science,” Cindy offered.

“I’d love to and maybe you can tell me more about this Flash and party. Because I really don’t like crowded places.”

“Oh! I know a midtown student you’d get along with if you like art and human rights,” Ben said as she and Kate walked away.

“Yes, how’d you know?”

“Your shirt gave it away,” Kate said turning around to wave to Cindy and I guess me.

“Science?” I asked after a couple moments of awkward silence.

“Science!” She shouted back taking my hand and dragging me in the opposite direction her friends had taken.

When we made it to the science lab Cindy introduced me to the science teacher and showed me how to set up the experiment they were going to do. It was simple but still fun. It was precipitates. Though going with her did get me extra credit which I enjoyed, it wasn’t the most challenging thing to ever happen it was fun seeing Cindy’s face light up when she got it right. 

She also introduced me to a junior called Jennifer who reminded me of someone Nat had talked about. But I didn’t say anything. Instead, I opted to watch most of the time only piping up when asked a question.

Afterward, me and Cindy went back to her and Kate’s room to meet back up with them while they told me what I should wear to the party, before deciding to just come to my room and help me pick out an outfit.

Tags: @hollandroos, @hollandarling

#sophsandcoraswc #wanda maximoff #natasha romanoff #writing challenge #writing #steve rogers #sam wilson #bucky barnes #the third maximoff #I'm back #school #sabrina carpenter

[pratktcven]

this is unofficial and un-beta'd, but fuck i've been working on it forever and i want to die

the summer between may 20

Shiro graduates college on a pleasant spring day. The sun is warm on his robe-clad shoulders but not hot, and there is enough of a breeze that the long hours in his metal fold-up chair remain bearable. By the time his name is called, Shiro's butt is only partially numb.

"Congratulations," the dean tells him as they shake hands. "You've earned it."

It is a simple platitude. The dean doesn't know him or his personal struggles. Nevertheless, Shiro feels pride swell beneath his breastbone. His degrees—one in History and one in Asian American Studies—were hard earned. He chokes a little when he replies, "Thank you," and clutches his diploma.

After the ceremony ends—after Shiro has tossed his decorated mortarboard into the air and carefully retrieved it—he heads towards the green to find his family. He is stopped several times by various classmates, who all exchange relieved laughter, as though they cannot quite believe that they've finally reached the end. Shiro understands the incredulity. It feels surreal to be done with the five of the most stressful years of his life.

"Hey!" a familiar voice shouts over the din. "Hey, meathead! Over here!"

It's Matt, Shiro's roommate and closest friend since elementary school. He stands on the freshly cut grass with Shiro's parents and cousin, as well as his own mother, father, and sister. Shiro breaks into a wide grin and jogs over; when he is within reach, he is immediately folded into a multi-limbed embrace. He slings one arm around his mom's shoulder and wraps his prosthesis around his dad's back.

"We're so proud of you, honey," Naomi says, her voice is thick with unshed tears.

"Very proud," agrees Hiromu.

"I'm only a little impressed," Keith interjects from behind.

Shiro releases his parents so he can step forward and wrap Keith into a tight hug. Keith grunts a little at the playful exertion of force before he gives back as much as he gets. It quickly becomes competitive—they haven't seen each other since early January—and they are soon squeezing each other as hard as they can.

"Is that all you got?" Shiro taunts even though Keith's hold is beginning to hurt his ribs.

"I haven't even gotten started!" Keith shoots back, breathless. "Giving up already?"

"Boys," Hiromu says. His tone is fond, firm, and warranted, as Shiro and Keith tend to forget themselves when they roughhouse. "Knock it off."

Neither Shiro nor Keith can resist one last squeeze before they let go. Keith's face is as red as the flannel tied around his waist. Judging by the heat Shiro feels on his cheeks and forehead, he is no better off.

"You're both nerds," Pidge quips as she elbows Keith aside. Then, with a small grin thrown upwards at Shiro, she demands, "Give me a hug."

Shiro smiles and wraps his arms around her. She hasn't grown much since middle school. At full height, she is level with Shiro's solar plexus, and her pointy chin digs into the exposed softness of Shiro's stomach.

"Hey, kiddo," Shiro greets gently. "Glad you could make it."

"Almost didn't come when I found out that the commencement was going to be outside," Pidge says. "But I also realized that coming meant I could skip Iverson's dumb class, so…"

"I appreciate your support," Shiro drawls.

"Can you really blame her?" asks Matt. "You remember what it was like. Or—wait—no, you don't, because Iverson didn't hate your guts."

Shiro raises an eyebrow at Matt and reminds him, "That's because I never asked stupid hypothetical questions while he was in the middle of a lecture. Or tried to blow anything up during lab. Or attempted to make a flamethrower-slash-robot out of an old toaster."

"Rest in pieces, Deathtron 6000," Pidge intones as solemnly as she is able while still squished against Shiro's torso. Keith, who had taken Iverson's class in junior year with Pidge, places a solemn and respectful palm over his heart.

Once Pidge unlatches, Sam and Colleen are the next to congratulate Shiro. Sam pats him on the should like he did when Shiro graduated high school—Sam had been his biology teacher—and Colleen curls a soft hand around his cheek. They have been a part of his life for almost twenty years, and are as close to him as an aunt and uncle.

"So what do you guys want to do?" Matt asks once all the hugs and congratulations have been exchanged. "We could show you around since the admin opened up campus. Or we could go eat? If you're hungry?"

"Fooooood," Pidge votes.

"You're a gremlin, you always want food," Matt snarks. Then, to the adults, "Any opinions?"

"Whatever you want to do," Colleen says, a sentiment that is quickly shared by Sam and Naomi. Hiromu expresses an interest in a tour while Keith, the final decider, shrugs ambivalently. Matt turns to Shiro and tilts his head with a silent question.

"STC, then Barnum, then the MaCC?" Shiro suggests.

"Mini tour it is!" Matt declares as he claps his hands together. "Dibs on intrepid leader!"

The small journey takes roughly an hour and a half. Matt guides their group first to the science hall where he practically lived his final semester, then to the humanities building where Shiro had done the same. They take a quick detour through the library—an enormous, three story monstrosity made of curving steel, dark stone, and blue-tinted glass that impresses everyone—before going into the campus center. Pidge groans loudly and dramatically when they pass one of the small cafés.

"Please tell me it's time to eat," she whines. "I'm wasting away!"

"How?" Keith asks rhetorically. "You ate like ten bagels at the hotel's continental breakfast."

"I have a fast metabolism."

"There's a good Thai place down the road," Shiro offers. Then, after a quick glance at his phone, he admits, "Might be a little packed now."

"What about that burger place on Massachusetts?" Matt suggests as an alternative. "Since it's only four, they'll have a booth open."

"I vote burgers," Keith chimes.

"We'll have to drive, though," Shiro points out. "Will we all fit in the rental?"

Luckily, the car company had upgraded the Holts' compact to a three-row SUV for no extra charge. The eight of them will fit if Pidge, Keith, and Matt sit in the back, a fact that Matt complains about as they head towards the parking lot. Nobody takes his griping seriously. Matt has always been and will always be a talker, the kind of person who fills silence with the verbal equivalent of packing peanuts.

"I mean, you should be the one sitting the back with the other children," Matt says as he and Shiro peel off their gowns and store them in the trunk. "Since you're still technically five."

"True," Shiro says, too used to the leap year baby jokes to protest, "but I'm not the one in a ridiculous t-shirt." He looks pointedly at Matt's attire, which consists of straight leg jeans, dirty Adidas sneakers, and a lime green shirt featuring Sasquatch in a cowboy hat. "Does Allura know you wore this to commencement?"

"Allura's in France. I can dress however I want." Matt runs a prim hand down the line of his torso. "Besides, it's not like anyone could see it underneath my robes without x-ray vision."

"So you're saying I can tell her?"

Matt pretends not to hear Shiro's teasing. Instead, he walks around to side of the SUV and wedges himself in the back with Keith and Pidge. Shiro stifles a laugh. He knows that Matt doesn't actually care if Allura finds out. Matt's propensity for casual clothing in formal situations is actually a weird running joke between the two of them, which is why Shiro snaps a candid of Matt halfway through dinner and texts it to their missing roommate.

It's a good picture. Matt is gesticulating around a mouthful of his enormous burger, his cheeks bulging comically, while Pidge stares at him, deadpan. They look eerily similar despite their different expressions: their thin noses have the same small upturn, their heart-shaped mouths are identically full and chapped, and their round jawlines both curve softly upward. If it weren't for the incriminating focus on Matt's t-shirt, the snapshot would be almost sweet.

TS [photo image sent] look what matt wore for graduation

Instead of sending the picture to Allura privately—she won't get the message until morning, as Paris is six time zones ahead—Shiro sends the picture to the group chat he shares with her and Matt. Matt throws Shiro a dirty look when his phone chimes.

MH BETRAYAL u may actually be the worst takashi the worst ever (flame emoji) (skull emoji) (poop emoji) thats u

When dinner is done, Shiro, Matt, and their families move outside and continue their conversations on the sidewalk. Hiromu and Naomi are talking to Colleen about their newest home renovation; Pidge and Matt are geeking out over something Matt pulled up on his phone; and Sam is asking Keith about his college decisions. Shiro listens to the latter silently.

"I got into Berkley, UCLA, and San Jose," Keith says. "But I ended up choosing UCLA because I don't really know what I want to major in."

"Katie has said the same," Sam says with a nod. "Though in her case, I believe it was a struggle to narrow down her interests. They have some of the best science departments in the state! And engineering too. Has Hunk decided which one to focus on?"

"He's still trying to decide between mechanical and electrical," Keith replies, his cheeks flushing at the mention of his boyfriend. "He'll probably end up double majoring."

Sam laughs at Keith's reaction and claps him on the shoulder. Sam is like an uncle to both Shiro and Keith, as Matt and Pidge have been their respective best friends since childhood. "I think it's wonderful that you all are going to the same school," he elaborates. "The first year of college is quite the adjustment. Away from home, making all your own decisions—big things, mundane things—it can be overwhelming."

Keith's blush deepens and turns his cheeks a splotchy red. Shiro remembers how Keith struggled with his decision to go to UCLA instead of Berkley or San Jose, admitting to Shiro that while he wanted to go to school with Hunk, he didn't want it to be a deciding factor.

"I don't want to be one of those people," Keith had whispered during one of their weekly phone calls. "Y'know, the person who follows their boyfriend from high school to a college they don't care about? Who doesn't know what they want to do with their life? Who always gets dumped halfway through the first semester?"

"Hunk isn't going to dump you halfway through your first semester," Shiro assured gently. "That only happens in bad television. Besides. Your scholarships are about the same for each place, you don't have a decided major, and physical closeness is something you value in your relationship. It isn't wrong to choose the same school."

"Is that why you and Matt went to the same place? I mean—I know you never dated or anything so it's not exactly the same but—you're close."

"It was definitely something I thought about," Shiro replied. "But I'm glad I did it. My freshman year was difficult, and having Matt there helped me. Are you planning on rooming with Hunk?"

Keith made a strangled noise and gave a choked, "No!" Then he coughed, and said, "No. We all applied to the same dorm hall but opted for random assignment." Keith paused. Sighed. Muttered petulantly, "How much you wanna bet I'm going to end up being roommates with Lance?"

Smiling at the memory, Shiro brings his attention back to the present. He listens as Keith and Sam discuss UCLA's astronomy department until the other half of their group wanders back over. None of them are ready to disperse, so instead of lingering on the curb, they pile into the rental and drive to a local ice cream parlor. It is predictably packed. They have to wait awhile before a harried worker can that their orders, but they get lucky afterwards and snag a recently deserted table after they pay. Shiro holds his single scoop of blackberry walnut expertly in his prosthesis, content to lean back and let the plastic chair hold him and the heaviness of his day as his family chatters around him.

"Getting tired, old man?" Hiromu teases when all that remains of Shiro's dessert is a vague stick on his fingers. "That's supposed to be my job."

"It's been a long day," Shiro says. He can feel the weight of it tugging on his eyelids and weighing on his shoulders. He had woken up before dawn and ended up running for fifteen minutes longer than usual, pushing further and further into the suburbs as he attempted to exercise off his anxiety. It worked until he hit the shower and the sick feeling in his stomach returned as he scrubbed his hair with Allura's leftover shampoo.

"Well, it's done with." Hiromu places a supportive hand on Shiro's upper back. "And Stanford is months away. You've got a whole summer ahead of you to relax, to take it easy." Hiromu grins. "Sounds good, doesn't it?"

"Yeah," Shiro says. "Yeah, it does."

.

#my fic

[xialing-gf]

you’re singing it wrong: chapter 2 (peter parker x reader)

Chapter 1

Summary: staying with your uncle tony resulted in something unexpected

How convenient was it that your parents had to travel to Europe to take care of some business in the central headquarters of their company for a month? And how even more convenient as it that they had to leave you with Uncle Tony because the last time you were home alone for a week, you almost burned down the apartment building by overheating popcorn? You didn’t really know Uncle Tony that well as he was very distantly related and you rarely saw him since he didn’t exactly show up at family reunions such as Thanksgiving. So when your parents told you that you would be staying with Uncle Tony, your reaction was, “Who?”

“You know, Uncle Tony. That one uncle you don’t get to see much who’s super rich and is more into technology than you,” Your mom had replied, rolling her eyes at your obliviousness. You had a week to pack for a month’s stay at Tony’s house, resulting in a less than thrilled attitude towards staying with a man you didn’t even know that well. If you were still friends with MJ, you would’ve complained about the whole situation but you had nobody to talk to so you busied yourself with designing an unreasonable amount of gadgets. If Uncle Tony was as innovative as your parents made him out to be, maybe he could help you with a few of your projects.

The day came way too fast for your liking; before you could spell out “pineapple” the week was over and your parents were dropping you off in front of this office building with a giant “A” on the side, claiming that it was Uncle Tony’s house. “Are you sure this is where he lives? This looks like a-” You stopped yourself mid-sentence when somebody placed a firm hand on your shoulder. You turned your head around to find a very familiar-looking man standing behind you. He had a sported sunglasses and a suit that complimented his goatee.

“Hello Kristen, long time no see,” The man (Uncle Tony?) smiled at your mother and nodded at your father.

“Nice to see you too Tony. You’ll take good care of her, right?” Your mom furrowed her brows in worry as she asked.

“Of course I will! She’ll be in the safest room there is on Earth! Now go do your thing, I’ve got Y/N now,” He barely gave you enough time to wave goodbye to your parents before guiding you into the elevator. You clutched the handle of your suitcase nervously in one hand while your other hand was wrapped around the strap of your backpack as the elevator began moving upwards.

“Okay, listen kid: your parents worry too much about you but you’ll be fine if you stay in the tower. According to my sister- sorry I meant your mom, you got my tech-savvy genes so you can stay in one of the labs. I don’t use that lab much so you can do whatever you want in it except for making explosives. That’s a big no. Other than that, do whatever you want,” Uncle Tony explained as you headed towards your room for the time being. Your jaw could’ve dropped right through the floor if you didn’t control your muscles.

Your new room was a fancy lab full of whirring machines and complex gadgets lying on tables. There was a bed in the corner of the room and a closet that was obviously squished in just for you. So many tools were lying around and unfinished gear was everywhere. It was the room of your dreams and when you opened your mouth to thank Uncle Tony, he answered you before the words could come out, “It’s nothing really. Don’t thank me. Dinner’s at 6:30. Feel free to show yourself around. Actually, I’ll ask my intern to show you around.”

With that, he disappeared down the hall, leaving you shell-shocked. You set your luggage down and completely ignored the idea of unpacking as you inspected every single aspect of the room you could. If your parents found out about all the dangerous tools in the room, they’d lose their minds. You were checking out an insanely durable shield when the intern knocked on the door.

“Hey, so Mr. Stark wanted- wait, do I know you?” You jerked your head upwards in surprise to find Peter Parker standing in your doorway, with a shocked expression on his face. The last time you spoke to him was when he was asking you to fix his web shooter and you rarely talked to him.

“Peter?” You fumbled with the shield, almost dropping it on your toe like the clumsy egghead you were.

“Y/N? Y-you’re Mr. Stark’s cousin?” Peter ran his fingers through his hair and appeared to be extremely flustered. If you were going to have to deal with him for the rest of this month, you might as well get used to dealing with him.

“Yep, and I guess you’re his intern so you’re stuck with me,” You dropped the shield and walked out the door. “Well, are you just gonna stand there and let me be my own tour guide or what?”

“Oh, yeah, yep. Um, so this is just all the labs and stuff. I’m not usually let in here because everybody’s afraid I’ll break something,” Peter chuckled to himself and you peeked in through the half-opened door to check out the other labs. “Who’s everybody else?” You questioned, frowning at the strange objects in a lab, wondering if those were materials from Earth.

“Oh, the Avengers. You know, like Bruce Banner, War Machine, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Captain America-”

“Wait, the Avengers? Like those superhero guys who save the day and stuff? Wait, then wait… oh does that mean… oh my goD!” The realization hit you mid-sentence when you matched up the name Tony to Tony Stark and then Tony Stark to Iron Man. Your parents didn’t tell you that your uncle was the Tony Stark, as in Tony Stark the billionaire and superhero.

“Dude, how did you not know that your uncle is Iron Man?” Peter stifled a laugh at your reaction.

“My parents never told me he was! He never visits! How was I supposed to know?” You were tempted to throw a punch at Peter’s pretty face but decided against it since punching an Avenger on the first day would definitely make a bad impression.

“He’s your uncle! You should’ve known!” Peter exclaimed and you froze in place when you saw a group of people staring blatantly at you and Peter. They were sitting on the couch and talking but paused when you walked in.

“Are you Stark’s niece?” The girl dressed in red holding the red-faced robot’s hand asked, giving you a cautious glare. You felt kind of bad not knowing the names and faces of the team that saved everybody in New York but to be fair, school never taught anything useful.

“Uh, yeah. I’m Y/N. Who are you?” The man with dark colored hair chuckled under his breath and the rest of the team glanced at each other with confused looks. Peter was standing next to you with the most embarrassed look on his face.

“Oh, is this the girl you were talking about Peter? You showed us a picture of her the other day! She’s the one who helped you fix your web-shooter because you were too scared to tell Tony that you broke it? And the girl who taught you how to use Snapchat filters?” The middle-aged man with greyish hair smirked at Peter as the red robot asked.

“I think it is,” The woman in black grinned and everybody burst out laughing except for you and Peter. You were just very confused about the current situation that was happening while Peter seemed to want to hide underneath a large pile of hay.

“You know what? Let me show you around the place first and you can meet the others later at dinner,” Peter guided you away from the cackling adults with a gentle hand on your shoulder. Just as you two were heading down the next hall, one of the men shouted, “Parker, if you show her to your room, better keep it quiet!” Another wave of laughter rang through the room and Peter shook his head, his face redder than an apple. You were going to ask him about why he would tell the people about you but he busied himself with explaining what each room was for. The building held a lot more than you expected; there was a training center and a lot of bedrooms as well as office rooms.

Peter could not have been more relieved when you told him you wanted to eat dinner in your room. You fixed yourself a nice meal of mac and cheese and locked yourself in your room to work on the mechanical flower. Even the thick walls couldn’t block out the loud laughter of the others while they were eating dinner. You knew it was wrong of you to act on your anti-social instincts but you really wanted to finish as many projects when you had access to this huge amount of resources. You also discovered that there was an AI in the room who could help you out and you decided to name her Liv.

“Liv, open the door, please!” You called when somebody knocked on the door, your hands occupied with bending wires. Looking up from your creation, you found Uncle Tony with his arms crossed, watching you work.

“Hey kid, are you gonna join us for dinner? The team really wants to meet you,” He tilted his head towards the direction of the conversation outside. You twisted a wire into place and stood up straight.

“Maybe tomorrow. Thanks for the offer though,” You smiled before working on bending a petal into the correct shape with pliers.

“Your mom wasn’t lying, huh? You really like to create,” Your uncle critically inspected your work from afar. “Well, feel free to take a look at my suits whenever. I’ll be heading back to dinner.”

With that, he left you to work until 2 in the morning. Needless to say, you were exhausted the next day at school. You could barely keep yourself awake and relied on coffee to stay somewhat alert. During the lunch break, you stopped by the cafeteria only to get lunch (surprisingly, you forgot to pack lunch since you almost missed the bus) and had planned to head to the robotics room per usual but Peter invited you to sit at the lunch table with him and Ned. Luckily, Michelle was nowhere to be seen so it made the whole situation a little less awkward.

You introduced yourself to the Avengers officially later that evening and matched up their real names to their superhero names. You also met Pepper, Tony’s wife, who was extremely sweet and you became more comfortable around everybody after a few days. When Tony had time to spare, he taught you advanced programming methods and offered advice on improvement for your projects. At one point, he even welcomed you to criticise and improve one of the new suits he was designing.

Natasha taught you a couple of self-defense moves during the weekend and you showed your projects to Bucky, who was a lot kinder than his appearance carved him out to be. You told Steve how girls at Midtown still crushed on Captain America and laughed at Bruce’s ridiculous, spontaneous jokes. You listened to the stories Wanda and Vision told you and learned how to shoot a bow and arrow from Clint’s brief but helpful lesson. Although you spent lots of time with each Avenger, you would have to say that you were closest to Peter.

Peter started to talk to you at school more often and helped you with homework at night. He would constantly be loudly teased by the other heroes about having a crush on you which made the situation uncomfortable but you always found a way to lighten the mood. You had to admit, you were developing a strong liking for that boy. He was adorable when he was flustered and stumbled over words. He was always willing to help and he was one of the few people with genuinely kind hearts that you’ve met.

You decided against going to the Avengers to ask for advice and seeing as you had no other people to go to, you decided to talk with Liv for help. Even though she was an AI without human emotions, she searched the worldwide database for dating advice.

“I don’t know Liv, he’s cute and I really like him, what should I do?” You sighed as you stared up the ceiling, fiddling with the mechanical flower you finally completed. Pressing the rose shaped button you carved yourself, the flower’s petals opened up to reveal an empty center.

“The best way to get to someone better is to go on a date with them. You should ask him to go hiking with you or get coffee with you. Scientifically, choosing a low-stress location will be best for you two to get to know each other. Eating food together has also been proven to imply intimacy,” Liv explained from her corner of the room and you sighed as you inspected the flower to make sure every part was intact. “Also, if you wish to engage in any sexual activities with him, you should-”

“Liv! No! The date stuff is good enough!” You interrupted her, wishing that she could speak just a little bit softer. “Go take a break. I need some time.” The whooshing sound of Liv shutting herself down was the only sound you heard in the complete silence of the night. You had the nerve to ask Peter out but you didn’t know how to. You didn’t want to ask him in person because that’d be equally as awkward for the both of you so you decided to do it the old school way: write him a note.

You grabbed a post-it note and wrote down, “Hey, do you want to go grab some coffee Friday after school? - Y/N” and drew two boxes, one with “no thanks” next to it and the other with “sure”. You folded it into a small paper airplane and placed it in the core of the flower. As the flower closed shut with the press of a button, you quickly grabbed another post-it note and wrote “press the button for a surprise!” on it before grabbing the note and the flower.

You silently snuck down the hall and opened up Peter’s room. Luckily, he was sound asleep (like any normal person would be at 1 in the morning) and you gently placed the flower and note on his table before sneaking back into your room.

In the morning, you were greeted with the flower and when you opened it up, there was a checkmark in the “sure” box on the note. Maybe you should tell people that they were singing lyrics wrong more often.

#peter parker #peter parker x you #peter parker x reader #peter parker imagine #spiderman #spider-man: homecoming #Spider-Man #spiderman x reader #spiderman x you #stark relative #fanfiction #fanfic #imagine #marvel #marvel fanfiction

[imaginetonyandbucky]

Helping Hands

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five| Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight | Chapter Nine | Chapter Ten | Chapter Eleven | Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen: All Hands and the Cook 

“Oh, lord,” Christine Everhart said, not looking away as Bucky squeaked in surprise and held the shirt he was getting ready to put on in front of his legs. He wasn’t totally naked behind it, and that was a good thing, but really. “He’s shy.” 

Tony’s photographer friend leaned in the door, watching him with appraising eyes. Not as if she found him attractive, but like she was planning on selling him to the highest bidder and was wondering just how much she could get for him. 

“Sorry,” Tony mouthed at him, looping his arm around Christine’s waist. “Let the man get dressed. In the meanwhile, did I tell you I had a bottle of that Italian wine you’re so unreasonably fond of? And tell me, how’s your sister? She never did…” Still talking, Tony deftly moved Christine out of Bucky’s line of vision. 

Bucky scrambled into the rest of his clothes: jeans, tank, and button down shirt left open. He was still blushing furiously and mortified that this was the case. He scrubbed both hands over his face, then through his hair, and ended the gesture with his left hand cupped against the back of his neck, feeling the heat of his skin. The new arm Tony had given him still amazed him -- the way he could actually feel the texture of his own hair, the subtle changes in heat and cold. His handwriting would never be particularly good -- he was left-handed in a mainly right-handed world, after all, and his penmanship would never have been considering pretty even before the bombing -- but he could write and have it be readable, and his signature looked like it might actually be a name. 

Which was good, because Bucky didn’t think he’d signed his name so many times before in his entire life combined. The Stark Industries employment paperwork, bank paperwork, Steve’s school paperwork, photography releases, contract addendums, legal forms… Bucky’d gone to bed the night before with an ache in his shoulder and dreamed of being chased around by legal teams waving more forms at him. He’d woken up, breathless, and it had taken him a while to realize where he was. 

Tony’s penthouse was ridiculously enormous; four bedrooms in addition to the master on the second floor, two swimming pools (one was for Tony’s personal use, on the deck off the master bedroom, and the other was a full olympic-sized pool on the main “downstairs” deck), a spa/sauna room with a jacuzzi, a personal movie theater, fully stocked bar, and a formal dining room that seated eighteen. (Thank god Tony prefered smoothies for breakfast and usually drank them standing in the kitchen, with Bucky and the kids at the island bar, because Bucky wasn’t sure what sort of appetite he would have had in that sterile dining area.) And that wasn’t even including the lab-slash-workshop that took up almost two and a half times the space of Bucky’s entire apartment. 

That first night, installed in the bedroom directly under the master, which had its own sitting room and deck, Bucky had waited nervously in the dark, for Tony to come visit. And it wasn’t that he didn’t like Tony, because he did, and it wasn’t that he didn’t find Tony attractive, because even he couldn’t lie that convincingly to himself. But after what had happened in the ‘shop, and the piles of paperwork to pretend to be Tony’s boyfriend for a few months, not to mention Bucky opening his mouth and falling in -- what the hell was he thinking, trial relationship? With Tony Stark?

Keep Reading Link below -- sometimes does not work on mobiles

 Tony could have put him in the same guest area as the twins and his son, but hadn’t. Which made it seem all the more likely that Tony had been planning a late night seduction, and Bucky couldn’t for the life of him work out how he should feel about that, never mind what he actually did feel. Bucky had lain in that huge, excessively comfortable bed, staring at the ceiling and waiting with mixed dread and anticipation, but Tony had never showed up. Around four in the morning, Bucky had finally conked out. 

It was, he decided, a good thing he’d lost his job, because he wasn’t given enough time as it was. After Clint’s visit, he’d signed the paperwork, and then all the real work had started. Visits to Steve’s school, getting the bank accounts set up, getting registered with Stark Industries security (“make sure you wear your badge in all the public areas of the Tower”), the tour of that building and the areas of it where he was allowed (Tony’s office, the public areas, and the full-scale workshop) which had included an introduction to Tony’s friend Bruce, and then he’d been handed over to Chel, a dark-skinned, exceptionally beautiful woman who was the apprentice to Tony’s stylist, and who had since shown up daily with packages of clothing and a rather exasperated attitude about how Bucky did not know how to stand, walk, or breathe in ways that would do justice to the wardrobe she was creating for him. 

Finally, he got his blush under control and went back into the main entertainment lounge. Christine was leaning against the bar, sipping a glass of golden wine and flirting with Tony, her hand on the sleeve of his expensive suit. 

Christine considered him, then shrugged. “The suit was nice,” she said, referring to the earlier sets of photos, “but casual is a good look, too. I have to admit, Tony, he’s very pretty. I can’t believe you dug him up in Brooklyn, of all places.” 

Tony’s smile was apparently sincere, all wide angles and sparkling teeth, but somehow it didn’t seem to Bucky like it quite reached his eyes. “What can I say, Christine? I know quality when I see it,” Tony remarked, picking a non-existent piece of lint off his sleeve. 

How Christine might have responded to that, Bucky didn’t know, as the door opened and Wanda came in, Steve holding her hand with one of his. His other hand held an ice-pack to the side of his face. 

“Daddy,” Steve said, suddenly starting to cry. He ran for Bucky, who opened his arms and snatched up his son. 

“What happened?” He peeked under the ice pack, where Steve’s eye was already swollen and a little red. 

“He got in a fight while we were at the park,” Wanda said. “I’m so sorry, Uncle Bucky, I just looked down at my phone for five seconds…” 

“Steve?” Bucky looked down at his son, trying to ignore the way Christine had reached for her camera with glee, circling them and snapping photos. 

“Harry Osborn called Mary-Jane a bad name, and then, when Peter told him that was mean, he pushed Peter onto the sidewalk. Peter was cryin’, Daddy. I had to do somefin.” 

“We’ve talked about fighting, Stevie,” Bucky said, though privately, he couldn’t blame Steve. He’d met Harry Osborn before; that kid was a freaking goblin. Mean and cruel and prone to excessive teasing, especially when he supposedly liked someone, Harry had gotten away with some incredibly terrible behavior under the guise of boys-will-be-boys. 

“He called Mary-Jane the n-word, Daddy,” Steve protested, the tears a little less hurt and a little more indignant now, “an’ pushed Peter down and made him cry. He’s a bully!” 

“Yes, he is,” Bucky agreed. “But that doesn’t mean that hitting him was the right thing to do. You could have gotten your cousin, or told another adult.” 

Steve crossed his arms and looked stubborn. “Like you did when those men were going to hurt Mr. Tony?” 

“Kid comes by it honestly, Buck,” Tony said, not quite laughing. Bucky inhaled sharply. 

“I’ll thank you not to interfere with my parenting, if you don’t mind,” Bucky said. “Stevie, honey… you’re right, I did do that. But I also got shot doing it. I just want you to be safe, okay kid? Harry Osborn is a lot bigger than you are.” 

“He’s bigger than Mary-Jane is, too,” Steve pointed out. 

“You’re right,” Bucky admitted. “But fighting should be the last resort, not the first one. Okay? Please, for me, do you think maybe you could try a different solution next time?” 

“Okay,” Steve said, which Bucky figured would last for about ten minutes, then squirmed to be let down. Wanda apologized again, then took Steve off to the guest rooms to get cleaned up. 

“Next time?” Christine asked, her camera still clicking. 

Bucky sighed. “There’s always a next time,” he said. 

Tony, the bastard, at least waited until Steve was out of earshot to laugh in earnest. “You’ve got your hands full with that one, hero,” he said. 

Bucky squirmed inwardly. It wasn’t that he didn’t agree with Steve. Honestly, Harry Osborn was a menace and his father was just as bad. Both of them could use a good smack. But it seemed wrong to encourage the kid to fight, especially, he thought with a wince, as frail as Steve was. 

“All right, all right,” Christine said. “Take the shirt off and go lean against that pillar. I want to get some good shots of the arm, and a little beefcake goes a long way.” 

Bucky rolled his eyes, but did what she said, found himself in the sun, holding the button-down with two fingers over his shoulder while Christine prodded and positioned him like he was a floor model. 

You’d think, even in a home the size of Tony’s, it would be hard for the man to avoid him. 

Which wasn’t really what Tony was doing, but after a few days, it sort of felt like that. It’s not that Tony wasn’t around, because he was, even with having to duck into SI on a daily basis (Tony did not, apparently, have anything like a regular schedule, since he went in to SI on Saturday and twice on Sunday, but also missed Wednesday to go to the food pantry and slept in most mornings until at least eleven.) Even so, he spent a lot of time in the penthouse. 

Tony discovered that Steve didn’t know how to swim (lessons were expensive, and the old arm was water resistant -- meaning Bucky could shower -- but was not submersible, so Bucky couldn’t have taught Steve himself, even if he could afford passes to the pool) and took it on himself to teach Steve. 

Bucky had mostly laid on one of the deck chairs, soaked up sun, and watched. Bucky had gotten in the water once and discovered that the new arm was a lot lighter and that he actually could swim, if he had to. It would still be work, however, and not quite so much fun. That said, he made one hell of a rooster tail when he swiped the limb over the surface of the water and absolutely doused Tony as revenge for encouraging Steve to practice kicking in his direction. 

Tony had delivery brought in every night; Bucky hadn’t eaten anything at all out of a can or a crinkly package in several days. It was blissful. Steve, on the other hand, hadn’t exactly been pleased, but he was a picky eater, and luckily, Bucky discovered that his son had a weakness for lo-mein noodles that Tony was happy to indulge. 

So, yeah, it wasn’t like Tony was absent. After the first couple of days, Bucky stopped feeling like Tony was going to pounce on him at any second and started wondering if he actually would. Bucky felt oddly rejected. The closest they’d come to acting like they were in a relationship was the one night that Tony had queued up Brother Bear in the movie room for Steve, and then fallen asleep. In his sleep, he’d leaned against Bucky’s arm, and gradually ended up snuggled up with his head against Bucky’s thigh. 

Bucky sighed, looking at himself in the mirror. Clothes might not make the man, but the new threads did make him look good, he had to admit it. He dragged his hair back into a sloppy bun and used the plastic jar of hair wax to give his bangs some shape, then steeled himself. Time for some desperate measures. 

Tony was in his workshop, hunched over his computer, looking like a futuristic mad scientist -- he had a lab coat, even if he wasn’t actually wearing it. The music pounded low and fierce, heavy metal with throbbing bass and intense drums and a lot of screaming lyrics. 

“Hey,” Bucky said, leaning in the doorway. 

Tony startled, then moved his mouse. The music died and he turned in his chair. “Hey, yourself,” he said. As if he couldn’t help it, Tony did a slow rake, starting at Bucky’s feet and traveling the length of his body, eyes appreciative. 

That was a relief, at least. He was starting to think he’d imagined -- or lost -- Tony’s interest. Somehow, that was a worse thought than being Tony’s contracted love-slave. Well, love-indentured servant. Something like that. 

“Something I can do for you?” Tony asked when his eyes finally landed on Bucky’s face. 

Yes. You can kiss me drunk and fuck me stupid. Bucky shook the thought away before it could escape, then attempted a soft smile. “Um. Kinda thought this whole… “ He chewed his bottom lip, trying to figure out how to say it any other way. This was why he didn’t date; he was so fucking bad at it. “We’re… like supposed to be dating, right?” 

Tony spread his hands. “That’s the cover story, yes.” Tony’s gaze darted to Bucky’s face, then he glanced at his computer, if there was something more compelling there, and Bucky’s stomach tied itself in a Gordian knot of nerves. 

“So… shouldn’t we… erm. Date?” 

“Sure,” Tony said. “I’ll have Pepper get you a copy of my social engagements. A couple of those, and we’ll be set for publicity photos, plus the article Christine’s doing. It’ll be fine, don’t --” 

“That’s not what I mean,” Bucky said, pushing through it, because if he was going to be rejected, he was going to goddamn well earn it. He tipped his chin up and took a few steps closer, coming to a halt just at the edge of Tony’s workstation. “You didn’t believe me, did you?” 

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” Tony said, slow and deliberate. “You know that, right?” 

“I know.” There was no stopping him. He took Tony’s hands and bent down, capturing Tony’s mouth with his, stopping the words that were meaningless protest. He tasted Tony’s lip, felt the rough edge of his beard and mustache against his skin. He reached a hand up and cupped the side of Tony’s face, his thumb brushing over Tony’s jaw. “What if I do want to?” 

“Uhhh…” Tony pulled back, his eyes wide and soft. “I admit, it hadn’t been part of recent calculations. You…” 

“I’m an idiot,” Bucky said, his thumb stroking down Tony’s jaw and over his lower lip, red and swollen from kissing. 

“Nonsense,” Tony said, sharply. “There are perfect geniuses out there who don’t want to date me. Bruce, for instance. You’re hardly unique in that…” 

“Do I have to kiss you until you can’t stand up before you’ll believe me?” 

Tony gaped at him. “Um… no? But I wouldn’t mind if you tried it anyway?” 

Bucky’s blood heated. That was, finally, a clear invitation. And a challenge. He hoped it wasn’t desperately obvious that he had almost no idea what he was doing and was criminally out of practice. Hell with it. Bucky threw the life-preserver overboard and jumped. He put his knee between Tony’s legs, resting it on the chair, and tipped him back, slanting his mouth to take possession. “I want to,” he said, just before his lips came down on Tony’s. 

No gentle kiss, this, no tender exploration. He took control of Tony’s mouth, branding him, tasting him, devouring him. Tony’s hands came up and grabbed Bucky’s shoulders, pulling them closer. Bucky kissed Tony hungrily, like a starving man, and rumbled with delight as Tony opened under him, drawing him in. Tony’s hands were everywhere, touching, stroking down Bucky’s back, along his waist, up under his shirt to brush feather-light against his belly. Bucky sucked air, his skin shivering and his muscles jumping wherever Tony’s fingers left trails of sensation. 

The chair rolled backward under his weight until they were up against the desk and Bucky leaned in further, tipping the chair all the way back, practically climbing into Tony’s lap, wanting to feel the warmth of the man’s body against his, wanting, wanting… 

Bucky pulled back a little, so hard, so filled with desire, that he needed to breathe. He rested his forehead against Tony’s, panting. Tony struggled to sit up a little, then pressed his mouth to Bucky’s jaw, his throat, and came back to his mouth, stealing a quick kiss. And then another, coaxing and enticing until Bucky groaned in response. He crushed his mouth to Tony’s with raw need that suddenly raged out of control. He searched Tony with his tongue, a primitive sound coming up from his throat as he tugged at Tony’s clothes with frantic hands, eager to get his fingers against that skin. 

Tony arched into Bucky’s touch, so graceless and effortless that Bucky was undone. “Shit, shit,” he murmured, taking a deep, steadying breath. “Think you kissed me senseless, there, instead.” He laughed, weakly, and was relieved when Tony chuckled. 

“I’m hardly unaffected,” Tony said, panting and falling back against his chair with a soft whump. 

“So,” Bucky said, pushing himself out of the chair and half-sitting on Tony’s desk. “Date?” 

Tony rolled his tongue around in his mouth a moment, then looked up at Bucky from under his thick lashes. “Depends. Which answer will get me more of those kisses?” 

As always, @tisfan 

Come see me on A03

#winteriron #prompts #tony stark #bucky barnes #tony x bucky #tisfan #helping hands au #kisses #tw: bullying #kids fighting in playgrounds