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punkshort · 1 month

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i know who you are | 4. the others

Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader

Chapter Summary: Winter begins to wrap its arms around Jackson, filling the town with snow and a nasty flu. Joel takes you to meet Ben and Lisa, and you finally discover more about your past.

Chapter Warnings: language, angst, amnesia, sad!joel, pining, sexual tension, slow burn, jealousy

WC: 9K

Series Masterlist

You looked happy.

Ever since you began working at the infirmary, you seemed happier. Like you were grateful to have a purpose. A way to contribute. To give back to the community that supported you.

You smiled more and you didn't shy away from him as much as you used to and it gave Joel hope. Every time you saw him and greeted him with a smile or said goodbye with a squeeze of his shoulder, it made his heart flutter. It's been weeks. Months, technically. But he was making some progress.

It was the first snowfall of the season and it put you in an even better mood than usual. Your face was pressed up against the window as he tended to the fire behind you, and you watched as the big, fluffy flakes of snow fell from the sky, coating Jackson in a perfect blanket of pure white.

"I didn't get much snow where I'm from," you told him over your shoulder. He knew that already, but he humored you.

"That so?"

"Mhmm. When I was a kid, though, we got hit with this freak storm. No one knew what to do. No one owned shovels or snow blowers or any of that, so we were all stuck inside our houses until the storm ended and everything melted," you said, turning away from the window so you could curl up on the couch, then pausing for a moment before tilting your head to the side. "Did I tell you this already?"

Yes, he thought, but he shook his head, eager for you to continue. He just loved hearing you talk, no matter what you said. Besides, if you were expected to rebuild your relationship, sharing your past would naturally be part of that, so he encouraged you to tell stories, even if he's heard them before.

"So, what happened?" he asked, putting the poker back in the stand and getting up with a groan, his knees cracking a bit before he settled in on the other end of the couch.

"Well, the power went out," you said, and he could hear the excitement in your voice, delighted to be telling him something you thought he didn't already know, and it made his heart swell. "So we didn't have any heat or any way to cook our food. We set up camping tents in the middle of our living room and slept in there with, like, five blankets each. And we lived off pop-tarts and granola bars and peanut butter sandwiches for two days til the power came back on."

"Two days?" Joel repeated, and you nodded.

"Yeah, but it was fun. As a kid, you know? I'm sure my parents were freaking out but me and Matty were excited. We played board games and ate by candlelight and told ghost stories," you said wistfully, your eyes looking miles away. "We talked about that for years," you finished softly, and Joel smiled.

"I didn't get much snow where I'm from, either," he told you, and your eyes met his again.

"Texas, right?" and he nodded. "Did you live there your whole life?"

Something deep inside him sparked with a mix of nerves and excitement. It felt like you were meeting all over again, and while it was under less than ideal circumstances, he couldn't help but feel those butterflies you feel when you first meet someone new.

"Yep, my whole life. Tommy, too, except for when he was in the army."

"Were you in the army?" you asked, but he quickly shook his head.

"Nah. Wasn't my scene. Besides, I had Sarah."

"Oh, right," you said, feeling stupid for asking. You dropped your attention to your hands, which were twisted in your lap, as you thought about your next question.

"How old was she?" you asked quietly, still looking down and avoiding his gaze, but you heard him take a deep breath.

"She was twelve when she died," he told you, his words hanging heavy in the air and he could see the conflict in your face as you tried to figure out a way to learn more about him without reopening old wounds. "It's okay, I don't mind talkin' 'bout her."

"Did we used to talk about her?" you asked him curiously, finally looking up to meet his gaze.

He shrugged. "Sometimes. But not at first. Still hurt too much back then, y'know?"

"Yeah," you breathed, your mind now drifting to thoughts of your own family. Were you together when they died? Did you see it? If so, was it some sort of sick twist of luck that you now couldn't remember?

"What was your favorite thing to do together?" you asked, watching as his eyes found a fixed point on the wall while he considered your question.

"My favorite thing was hiking. Hers was goin' to the movies or the mall, most likely," he said with a soft chuckle. "I didn't mind, though. I was just happy she still wanted to be seen with her old man at that age. Makes me wonder if she felt bad for me or somethin'."

You furrowed your brow, confused. "Why would she feel bad for you?"

He sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't date much. Had a few poker buddies but I mostly spent my time with Tommy. Just worked so hard back then that I was too tired to do much else."

"And you were a contractor?" you asked, trying to remember the small pieces of information you picked up over the last two months. He nodded.

"Yeah, me and Tommy had our own business. That was a lifetime ago. Can't imagine doin' that kind of work now, not with my back," he said with a smile.

Joel's eyes flicked to the window over your shoulder, watching as the snow continued to come down, the window panes growing foggy in the corners. "Looks like we ain't goin' anywhere for a while," he said, changing the subject. You followed his gaze and nodded.

"What about Ellie? Is she okay back there?"

"Yeah, she'll be alright. She could make it up to the house if she got too cold," he assured you.

So, you were essentially snowed in. All alone.

You could feel his eyes on you as you watched the fire and you wondered if he was thinking about an alternate reality. One where you didn't have an accident. Where you remembered everything. One where you loved him the way he so obviously loved you, and what you might be doing differently in that very moment. You had a feeling your hunch was correct because he stretched his arm across the back of the couch and subtly inched a little closer towards you, the worn cushions dipping from his weight and causing your leg to bob.

Your body stiffened and your heart suddenly felt like it was being crushed in your throat. He was so patient, you had to give him credit. It couldn't be easy for him, and although you could finally admit to yourself that you found him attractive, you still didn't think you trusted him enough to take things any further. Not yet. Not when you still had so many questions. Your eyes drifted up to meet his and as you expected, he was watching you closely. Carefully. Trying to read you the same way you were trying to read him. The problem was, every time he looked at you that way, with his eyes all soft and filled with adoration, you could only think about what he was hiding. What did he lie about? And why was he so hesitant for you to meet Ben and Lisa?

Joel leaned in a fraction and his fingers tightened their hold on the back of the couch. He wanted to kiss you. He's wanted to kiss you ever since that day in the field right before that clicker ruined the moment. And with the soft glow from the fire and the snow falling silently outside, it felt like the perfect moment. He was terrified of making things worse after he finally felt like he made some progress, but it was killing him. He missed having you so fucking much, sometimes it felt like it actually caused him physical pain. Like his chest would explode one day.

He swallowed nervously and inched a little closer and you panicked. Just as he was about to say something, you cut him off.

"Do you wanna play a board game?"

He raised his eyebrows in surprise and you gave him a nervous smile.

"Sure," he replied, watching as you jumped off the couch to look through the games stacked on the bookcase. He groaned inwardly and rubbed his chin when you bent over and he had to force himself to look away before his body reacted, praying you didn't pick Twister.

It took two days but the snow finally stopped. Ellie did eventually make her way to the house by the second day, simply because she was bored, so you helped Joel make a vegetable soup while Ellie set up the Monopoly board in the living room. You didn't have all the pieces, but you had enough, and what you didn't have you supplemented with buttons.

You didn't realize it; too caught up in cooking and the joy it used to bring you, but you and Joel worked together seamlessly in the kitchen. He chopped up zucchini while you diced onion and watched the pot on the stove that was cooking up noodles, slipping past each other to get to the sink and the cupboards and it all just felt so fucking normal that it made his chest ache. He wanted to draw your attention to it. He wanted to take you by the shoulders and say See? See how good we are together? But he didn't. He bit his tongue and bided his time until you came to that conclusion on your own, just like the first time.

But the first time was different. At least back then, you showed him affection. You kissed him and held him and shared your body with him and although you didn't want much more, not at first, eventually you did. And those moments in his bed were enough to hold him over until you opened your eyes and saw what was right in front of you.

He was selfish. He knew it was wrong to want you like that right now, but he wanted all of you, not just physically. He yearned to know what was going on behind your eyes, what you were thinking and feeling. What you thought of him. But if you would maybe just let yourself fall asleep in his arms on the couch while you read in front of the fire, or let him kiss you, just once, then maybe you would see it again. Feel it again.

"What the hell does a purple button mean?" you asked with a giggle, holding up the smooth, round plastic between your fingers.

"It's a hotel, duh!" Ellie said, grinning and rolling her eyes.

"Wait, why am I goin' to jail?"

"You rolled doubles three times in a row!" you told him, and you and Ellie bent over laughing at the confused expression on his face.

He made a disgruntled noise and moved his token to the corner of the board as he watched you and Ellie giggling and wiping tears from your eyes and fuck, it was nice. In another world, he would have made some joke about you being the one in handcuffs and maybe later he would have followed through with it and tied your wrists to the headboard, burying his face between your thighs until you couldn't take it anymore.

But instead, he just watched two of the people he loved most in the world have fun, the orange glow from the fire flickering over your smiling faces while the snow finally came to a stop outside.

Ellie had trekked back to the garage once the game was over. It was late, you looked tired, but he still suggested putting a movie on. He wasn't ready to let you go. He hated going to bed all alone. You seemed to consider his offer for a moment before you shook your head and yawned, and although he knew that would likely be your answer, he still felt his heart sink.

He walked you to your bedroom and as he was about to say goodnight, hoping to minimize the hurt by making it quick, you did something that surprised him. You pulled him into a hug, standing on your tiptoes, your chin resting on his shoulder with your arms wrapped around his neck, body pressed firmly against his and just as quickly as it happened, you pulled away. Joel was so stunned he wasn't sure he hugged you back, even though he stood cemented to the floor well after you went to bed, replaying the hug over and over, all he could remember was how he felt. And he went to bed that night with renewed hope blooming in his chest. Maybe you were finally coming around.

So the next morning when you asked him out of the blue if you could visit Ben and Lisa once the streets cleared of snow, he had a hard time finding a reason to say no. He should have known you wouldn't let it go, but he did hold out hope that maybe you moved on from the idea since it had been a few weeks when you last mentioned them.

He agreed, of course, not wanting to ruin the delicate foundation of your relationship. Besides, he already decided he would go with you and make sure they didn't tell you anything you weren't ready to hear.

The snow had melted enough where the road was visible again, but the snowbanks still piled high around the buildings and houses and you felt strangely nervous as you followed Joel down the street. He had finally agreed to take you to meet Ben and Lisa, and while you were grateful he didn't have the reaction he had the first time you mentioned them, you still wondered what caused that outburst.

You tried to convince yourself that maybe he was just tired and cranky that day, having just gotten back from patrol for the fourth day in a row. But something still felt... off.

"Wow, when Ellie said they lived on the outskirts, she wasn't kidding," you said, realizing you were reaching an edge of Jackson you had yet to explore.

"Yeah, they tend to keep to themselves," he replied without further explanation. He didn't seem agitated, but he definitely wasn't happy about going to see them. He seemed more quiet and subdued than usual.

Finally, you arrived at a quaint looking cottage tucked back from the road a ways. Like Ellie had said, it was small, but it looked cozy. You could see the smoke pluming from the chimney and you couldn't wait to warm up again.

There was no porch. Just a small roof over the front door and a folding chair that looked like it had seen better days. He knocked firmly on the door and after a moment, you heard light shuffling on the other side.

The door cracked open and you were greeted by a short woman around your age with dull, brown hair and bright green eyes. She saw Joel first and, like most people in town, she hesitated. But then she noticed you next to him and her expression changed. A wide smile stretched across her face and she said your name softly, then held her arms out for a hug.

"It's so good to see you," she said in your ear, giving you a tight squeeze before turning around and ushering you both inside. "Come in, come in, it's freezing out there. Ben! You'll never guess who's here!"

You both stepped inside and as you were slipping off your outerwear, you glanced around the small space. It was tight, but it was filled with warmth. The living room had two small, mismatched loveseats on either side of the stone fireplace. Two large bookshelves that were filled with so many books that the shelves were sagging stood on either side of the fire, and curiously you didn't notice a television anywhere in the room.

You heard a man's deep voice behind you say your name and you jumped in surprise. Turning around, you were pulled into another hug by who you could only assume was Ben. He was tall - taller than Joel - and you wondered how on earth such a small house could fit such a large man. He stepped away, his dark eyes glittering with his hands still on your shoulders, taking in your appearance as if you haven't seen them in years.

Maybe you haven't.

You were so focused on absorbing every little detail about the house and its residents that you didn't notice Joel's body stiffen next to you, his eyes glued to Ben's hands. And while Lisa seemed to have the same reaction to Joel that everyone else in town did, Ben, on the other hand, did not seem phased by his presence. In fact, he appeared pleased to see him. Once he dropped his hands from your shoulders, he stretched out a lanky arm and shook Joel's hand, giving him a kind smile which Joel had a hard time returning.

"What a wonderful surprise. Come, let's sit. Do you want coffee or tea?" Ben asked, his eyes drifting between you and Joel. You both shook your heads and Ben smiled warmly at you once again. Even though the living room was just a few feet away from the front door, Ben still rested his hand on your shoulder and guided you to one of the loveseats as if you might lose your way, only dropping his hold on you when he sat down across from you on the other one.

Joel eased himself down on the couch beside you, the space so small that he had no choice but to rest his leg against yours, and Lisa went to join Ben, the crackling fire between both loveseats warming you up right away.

"We heard you had an accident. How are you feeling?" Lisa asked, her voice so small and gentle compared to Ben's booming baritone.

"Better, thanks. But it's kind of why I'm here," you said, glancing over at Joel nervously, but he was staring silently at Ben, who still seemed unaffected.

Lisa tilted her head to the side and wrapped a hand around Ben's forearm, leaning into him a bit as she got more comfortable on the couch. You noticed for the first time a basket on the floor next to her feet filled with different colored yarn and half knitted projects tucked inside. "Oh?" she asked, then it seemed to dawn on her. "Oh! Is it... is it true? Do you really have memory loss?"

When you nodded, you noticed the flicker of pity across both their faces as they exchanged a somber look.

"I can only remember my life before the outbreak. My mom, dad and brother. I don't even remember what happened or how they died or how I managed to survive," you began, feeling yourself growing a little emotional. Joel must have sensed it in your tone because he squeezed your knee reassuringly, and when you glanced over at him, he had finally torn his eyes away from Ben to look at you with concern.

"It's been hard," Joel said, finally speaking up, addressing Ben and Lisa. "Lots of confusion, lots of missin' pieces. But she kept a journal. Turns out, she wrote 'bout you two, so that's why we're here," he finished, narrowing his eyes a bit at them.

"You wrote about us? How sweet," Ben said cheerily, running a hand through his dark blonde curls.

"Yes, but-"

"It wasn't anythin' that detailed," Joel said quickly, and you frowned at him. He sat back into the sofa and glanced over at you. "Right?"

"Yeah," you said slowly, dragging your eyes away from Joel and back to your hosts. "Just that we went fishing and it felt like old times," you continued, and they both smiled at the memory. The only sound in the room was the fire next to you, the wood popping loudly under the flames as you weighed your next question. "So I was hoping you might help tell me about myself before we arrived in Jackson. Is that... okay?"

Lisa shifted in her seat, a small smile still twitching at her lips as she gazed up at Ben, waiting for him to reply. He hesitated a moment and you thought you saw his eyes flicker to Joel before responding.

"Of course," Ben said, slapping the tops of his thighs, jostling loose Lisa's grip on his arm. He quickly picked her hand back up and brought her knuckles to his lips for a quick kiss, but your eyes were drawn to the unfamiliar symbol tattooed on the inside of her wrist, only made visible when Ben picked up her arm and her sleeve hung down.

"Can you tell me about when we first met?" you asked, figuring you should start at the beginning.

"Oh, what was it? Six or eight months after the outbreak, yeah?" Ben wondered aloud, looking to Lisa to confirm. She nodded and scratched her neck.

"Sounds about right."

You allowed yourself to feel a glimmer of excitement. There were two people right in front of you that could help fill in the blanks for the first five years after the outbreak, and you couldn't wait to hear more.

"We met in the Atlanta QZ," he began, but you quickly stopped him.

"QZ?"

"Quarantine Zone. All the major cities had 'em. Was meant to keep people safe from infected but the military ran most of 'em into the ground," Joel explained. "Treated people like cattle. Strict curfews. Barely enough rations to survive."

"It was awful," Lisa added solemnly.

"Was I alone?" you asked them, and Ben nodded. "Did I tell you anything about my family? How they died?"

Their eyes shifted to Joel for a moment before looking at one another.

"I thought you had said the infected got your mom on the first day. But your dad and brother..." Ben trailed off, looking down at his hands sadly. "They got caught out after curfew. It happened before we got there. They... were punished."

You frowned a little, looking to Joel to help shed some light on what Ben meant, but he was staring down at his feet.

"Punished?" you squeaked as your heart began to pound faster in your chest.

"Punishment for bein' out after curfew was death," Joel spoke up softly next to you.

You looked at all three of them, your eyes wide in disbelief. "Death? The military were killing people?"

"It was horrible. It's why we escaped," Lisa replied with tears in her eyes.

"Okay, then what?" you pressed, trying not to dwell too long on the thought of your father and brother being murdered by the very people who were supposed to protect them.

"After we escaped?" Ben clarified, and you nodded. He cleared his throat and averted his gaze. "We survived. Did what we had to do."

There it was again. Did what we had to do. The same thing Joel said when you brought up Lisa and Ben the first time.

You waited for him to elaborate but when it became apparent Ben had finished talking, you pushed him further. "Like what? What does that mean?"

"We laid low. Found some secluded spots in the wilderness and stuck it out for as long as we could," Lisa said, her eyes casually drifting between the two men. You looked at Joel, who was holding a steady glare at Ben and Lisa, but otherwise he was perfectly silent.

"For five years we just laid low? In the woods? The three of us?" you asked, and they could tell you knew they weren't telling you the whole truth. "What aren't you telling me? Did we do something bad? Did something happen?"

Joel shifted in his seat next to you but you kept your eyes pinned on Lisa and Ben, trying to read the expressions on their faces.

Ben was the first to fold. He dragged his eyes up to meet yours and gave you a half smile and shrug. "Yeah. I mean, everyone did bad things one time or another. It's impossible not to-"

"Like what?" you demanded. You could feel your anger building up now. "I'm not a child. Just tell me."

Ben sighed and looked at Joel once again, and this time you had enough.

"Why do you keep looking at him?"

Ben's eyes snapped back to you and he forced out a small chuckle, trying in vain to diffuse the tension in the room.

"You're our guests, so I'm looking at you both."

You weren't going to argue with him when it was clear he was looking at Joel for direction on what to say. It all made sense now. No wonder Joel didn't fight you on coming to visit them. He had planned all along to control the conversation and keep you in the dark and something inside you snapped.

Standing up from the couch suddenly, you looked down at Ben and Lisa, anger brimming in your eyes.

"Thanks," you spat, heading towards the front door. "Sorry to bother you both."

"It's no bother," Lisa said, her voice wavering as she followed you to the door. "Really. Stop by any time, it was nice to see you."

You scoffed and resisted the urge to roll your eyes as you shoved your boots and coat back on, doing your best to finish before Joel so you could get a head start back home.

Flinging open the door without another word, you took a deep breath and stormed down the street, the chilly winter air filling your lungs, trying to cool your anger from the inside out. But then you heard Joel's heavy footsteps crunching in the snow, hurrying to catch up to you, and your rage peaked again.

"You alright?" he asked when he found his place back by your side.

"No, I'm not alright," you seethed, staring straight ahead with your arms wrapped around your middle. "What was that back there?"

"What'dya mean?"

You skidded to a stop and glared at him, his cheeks pink from the cold and his chest rising and falling a little quicker than usual.

"You know what I mean. I'm not stupid, Joel. What don't you want me to know?"

He stared at you, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to figure out how to respond.

"I'm not-"

"Don't bullshit me!" you yelled, and when you remembered you were in the middle of the street, you lowered your voice. "They were clearly scared of you. You didn't want them to tell me something. It was so obvious, Joel! I hit my head but I'm not fucking blind."

"I didn't ask them to say or not say anythin'," he said truthfully.

You stared at one another, both watching as your exhale mixed together, little clouds swirling in between you before rising above your heads and disappearing, each waiting for the other to break first.

"Maybe I should move out," you finally said, voice filled with sadness. His face fell instantly.

"Why?"

"You know why. I don't think I can trust you. How can I, when I can't even get a simple answer out of you?" What did he lie about?

If you had stabbed him in the chest, it would have hurt less. His gaze fell to the ground and he felt his throat begin to constrict. He had to do something. He couldn't lose you. So he told you a half truth.

"You and Ben used to be a thing," he said, and your jaw dropped in surprise.

"What?"

He clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes. "Before you came to Jackson. You and him were a couple."

You looked away from him, taking a minute to wrap your mind around what he just told you. You supposed it would make sense. It would explain why Joel was so weird about bringing you to see them. Maybe you misread the tension in the room. Maybe the tension was about something else entirely.

"That's why you were acting so strange? That's why you were staring him down?" you asked. His answer was still difficult to believe. It explained Joel's behavior, but it didn't explain what bad things you had done and why nobody seemed willing to tell you what they were.

He shrugged and rubbed his hands together. "Can we talk about this at home? I'm freezin'," he said.

The walk afforded you more time to think now that you had this new piece of the puzzle. Ben did seem like your type: he was handsome and kind, but if you and Ben were together in the past, where did that leave Lisa? They were clearly an item now. Wouldn't that have made for a strange relationship between the three of you? Perhaps that's why you didn't see them often.

Joel let you stew in silence for the walk home, fucking praying what he told you would be enough to keep you from following through with your threat. Why did it feel like every time he made some progress with you, something happened that fucked everything up?

Maybe he should have just let them tell you the whole truth.

No, that would have been bad. You didn't trust him enough yet. You said it yourself. And if you were willing to move out over something like this, you certainly would never speak to him again if you knew the whole story.

He needed to earn your trust first but it was so fucking hard when you wouldn't let him in. When you found out the truth the first time, you were already months into a relationship with him. You were already sleeping together, and while it didn't evolve into anything more until later, it still helped build your trust in him when he finally told you the truth.

He didn't have that with you now, and for the first time he began to doubt his ability to make you fall in love with him again.

You huddled in front of the fire after the long walk home, the two of you remaining silent the entire way. Joel was in the kitchen, most likely avoiding you and your questions while you warmed up. You weren't even going to bother bringing up the topic again, but Joel surprised you by doing it himself.

"I'm sorry. 'Bout earlier," he said from the entryway. You turned from the fire to look at him. He looked worried. His eyes were wide and his brow was knit while his hands fidgeted at his sides.

"Why didn't you just tell me?" you asked, and he sighed.

"Dunno. Guess I was hopin' you'd let it go or change your mind," he said, ticking his jaw to the side.

"What would it have even mattered? I don't remember him, I don't remember what we had together. I certainly don't have feelings for him," you told him, sitting down on the couch and tucking your legs underneath you.

He looked around the room nervously as you waited for an answer that wasn't coming.

You sighed and rubbed your eyes. "If this is going to work, you need to be honest with me-"

"I was scared, alright?" he said abruptly. You watched him hang his head between his shoulders and take a deep breath before collapsing into the arm chair next to the couch. "I was scared you'd maybe remember him or..." he trailed off, finding it difficult to put into words what he was thinking. And although it wasn't the whole truth, it still was the truth. He was afraid this version of you would want someone like Ben and not like him.

He was afraid of losing you.

You seemed to understand because you didn't ask him to finish his thought. Instead, since he was opening up, you asked him something else that was bothering you.

"What did I do?"

He looked at you curiously, not following at first until you continued.

"Ben said I did bad things. We all did bad things to survive. What did he mean?"

Joel swallowed and thought about his answer for a moment. You sighed, growing impatient.

"You can't keep the truth from me forever. I'll find out one day, just tell -"

"You killed people," he told you, and you completely lost your train of thought. You searched his face as all of the air rushed out of your lungs, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.

"I killed people?" you repeated, your voice barely a whisper, and he nodded slowly. You felt the tears begin to well up in your eyes but you blinked them away. What kind of monster did you become?

"Innocent people?"

"Depends on who you ask," he said right away, almost as if he expected that question.

"What does that mean?"

He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully as he stared into the fire. "I told you. Everyone did what they had to do in order to survive. I know it's hard for you to understand what it was like, but there were a lot of bad people out there. A lot of bad fuckin' people. The military was outta control. There were revolutions and raiders and slavers." He paused and sniffed a bit, continuing to stare into the flames while you hung on his every word. "When I say you killed people... it ain't black and white. I killed people, too. Alotta people. When the whole goddamn world ends and all you got left is one or two people you care 'bout, you'll do whatever you gotta do to protect 'em. D'you understand?" he asked, finally dragging his eyes up to look at you.

You blinked, thinking about what he said, his words rolling around your head like pinballs.

"I think so," you said quietly.

He nodded, still pinning you with his stare. "We all made decisions. We made choices based on what we knew at the time and we did our best."

You nodded, your voice wavering a bit when you asked "Am I a bad person, Joel?"

His eyebrows pinched together and he leaned forward in his chair, wanting to reach out to you, comfort you and pull you into his arms, but he refrained. "No, baby. You ain't a bad person," he told you softly.

And you weren't sure why, but you believed him.

The streets were quiet as you slowly made your way to the infirmary. You didn't start your shift until late in the morning and you didn't feel like joining Ellie at the dining hall for breakfast, so you stayed home, only getting out of bed when you heard Joel leave for patrol. He had already warned you the night before that he would be back later than usual due to the storm. Trails would likely be difficult to pass and nobody could predict if there would be damage at any of the outposts, but it was highly likely.

You didn't move out like you had threatened to. You didn't even know what you were thinking when you said that. Where would you have gone? The garage with Ellie? You didn't know anybody else. Not really. But even if you had, you saw the look in Joel's face when you said those words and even though you were so fucking angry with him, you still felt terrible for causing him pain.

On one hand, it seemed like he was just looking out for you, but on the other, his actions often came off as selfish. You had every right to know your past and what you did, and you were growing sick of Joel treating you like a child. Like you were too fragile to understand.

But at least you got it out of him. Even though you had to take extreme measures, you finally got him to tell you something truthful, and that was a positive step forward.

Lost in your thoughts, you weren't even paying attention when a man's voice called your name from across the street. You looked up after the third try and were surprised to find Ben waving to you from the tailor. You raised your hand in greeting and made your way over to the building.

"Hey," you said a little sheepishly, "about the other day, I'm sorry for how I acted-"

He shook his head and gave you a reassuring smile. "No need to apologize. All of this has to be so confusing for you. We understand."

You dropped your gaze to the frozen ground and dug your boot into the snow. "Thank you, I appreciate that. It's very frustrating, actually. I'm just trying to learn about myself and what's happened in the past ten years and I guess I took out my anger on you guys."

He waved you off and leaned against the doorframe of the tailor. "Don't worry about it. We were just happy to see you again."

And even though Ben was absolving you of your guilt, you somehow felt even worse. He was being so nice and you hardly felt like you deserved it. "Joel explained it to me, by the way. After we left your house he told me about us," you said, waving your finger back and forth between you.

"Ah," Ben said with a knowing smile as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I wondered as much. It was a very long time ago but Joel can be..." Ben trailed off and scratched his chin, "he can be a little protective, I suppose. He never really understood the nature our relationship."

You tilted your head to the side. "What do you mean?"

"It was just casual. He always thought there was something more," Ben said, meeting your eye. "But I promise you, there wasn't. At the time, we were just lonely and scared and looking for comfort. Neither of us was looking for anything more than that."

You nodded thoughtfully. "He did say we were a couple," you said, and Ben chuckled softly.

"I wouldn't even call it that. Truly. There were no hurt feelings. We just never had a connection past... y'know," he said with a shrug. You felt yourself flush a bit at the words he left unspoken and looked away. "But I'm glad he told you."

"Yeah, me too. I know his heart is in the right place, I just wish he would have told me about us and all the shit we did before I came to see you. Probably would have made the visit a little more pleasant," you said with a laugh, but Ben's face fell.

"He told you about what we did?" he asked, his tone suddenly serious. You sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, he told me I've killed people. It's been really hard to wrap my head around, but I'm trying to come to terms with it. He explained the world we live in now is not like the one I remember."

Ben raised his eyebrows in surprise and unfolded his arms. "Wow. I'm kind of shocked he told you about us and the Fireflies. That must have been really hard for you both."

You frowned and searched his face. "Fireflies?"

His body stiffened and his face paled when he realized his mistake. "Yeah. He told you about the Fireflies, right?"

You shook your head. "What are the Fireflies?"

"Shit," he muttered, pushing himself off the wall abruptly and clearing his throat. "I should get back to work. Just please forget I said anything, okay?"

"Ben, wait," you tried, but he disappeared back inside the tailor, leaving you standing in front of the door while more questions piled up.

There seemed to be a bad flu being spread around town because the infirmary was busier than usual. You were grateful for the distraction, especially after your conversation with Ben. You had spent the better part of the afternoon rushing from exam room to exam room, cleaning up after each patient as quickly as you could so Nick could continue treating the revolving door of people coughing and sneezing in the waiting room. Nick had recommended you wear a bandana around your mouth and nose to hopefully keep you healthy, but you had a feeling it would just be a matter of time before you caught the same bug as everyone else. Still, you kept the bandana tied around your neck as you worked diligently. What you didn't expect, however, was the bit of anonymity the mask afforded you.

You were cleaning up exam room six when you heard a woman's familiar voice in the room across the hall. Nick had left the door cracked open after he ushered her inside, and she apparently had another woman in there waiting with her as you started to pick up on hushed pieces of their conversation.

You didn't intend to eavesdrop, but curiosity got the best of you when you tried to place her voice, and when you realized it was Angie, your hands froze and your body stilled, doing your best to not make any noise so you could listen.

"... going down there almost every night... matter of time... him."

"But what about... freak out."

You frowned, inching closer to the door as you tried to fill in the gaps in their conversation.

Then you heard Angie say your name clear as day and your eyebrows shot up. You pressed your back against the wall and held your breath.

"She doesn't even like him. That relationship is a ticking time bomb."

You silently gasped when you realized they were most certainly talking about you and Joel.

It wasn't even true. You liked Joel. You were attracted to Joel. You were even starting to trust Joel a little more, although you definitely had plans to ask him about the Fireflies. But you were still getting to know him and it was taking time. Was this girl talking about trying to steal Joel away from you? The idea made your stomach turn and anger flare deep in your chest.

You shocked yourself with your reaction. Steal Joel away? Since when did you begin to feel some sense of ownership over him? Were you jealous?

You heard Nick's voice leaving an exam room a few doors down and you quickly made yourself look busy. He sighed tiredly in the hallway as he flipped through some papers before pushing open the door to Angie's room. You were changing the bedding on the mattress when you heard Nick call your name and you quickly dropped the sheets to cross the hall.

When your eyes locked with Angie's, giving her a hardened stare, you swore you saw a flicker of fear before she forced a fake smile and coughed into her fist while her friend, one you recognized from the bathroom at the Tipsy Bison, nervously shifted her weight and looked away. You felt a sick sense of satisfaction when it became clear to the two girls that you had heard everything they said, and you were grateful you had your mask on so they couldn't see the corners of your mouth twitch.

"Would you mind grabbing a bag of cough drops and a jar of menthol from the supply cabinet?" Nick asked, completely oblivious to the shift in the air.

"Sure thing," you told him, turning on your heel to leave and allowing yourself to finally smile.

Joel might scare the rest of the town, but you sure as hell scared the shit out of Angie.

Your shift at the infirmary went longer than expected. By the time you arrived home, you were exhausted and the sun was almost setting. So far you weren't feeling sick, but from what you had overheard all day, the symptoms came on quick, so you had already decided to call it an early night and get some rest. When you swung open the front door and found Joel hunched over the kitchen table, your plans went flying out the window.

He looked like he was on death's door. You had never seen him look so run down and pale. He didn't even open his eyes to look at you, he just kept them shut while he rubbed his temples and tried to stifle a cough, his backpack abandoned at his feet.

"Joel?" you called, toeing off your boots and hurrying over to him. You crouched down on the floor and pressed the back of your hand against his forehead. "You're burning up."

He groaned and cracked open one eye. "Feel like shit. Dunno what happened."

"There's a bad virus spreading around, the infirmary was slammed today," you said, pushing yourself up onto your aching feet to get him a glass of water. "Drink this and I'll heat you up some soup," you told him before heading towards the stove.

"You don't gotta-"

"Drink," you said firmly, cutting him off. He winced before picking up the glass and forcing down the cool liquid. Once you got the gas going on the stove, you grabbed an empty bowl and shoved your boots back on. "I'll be right back," you told him. He sat up a little straighter in his chair, about to ask where you were going but you already disappeared through the front door, returning seconds later with the bowl filled with snow.

"Lean back," you instructed, placing the bowl on the table. He did as he was told and closed his eyes, the lights from the kitchen ceiling making his head ache but when you pressed a handful of packed snow against his forehead, he groaned with relief.

"Oh shit, that feels good," he whispered as you tried to ignore the twinge between your legs at his low tone. He released a shaky breath and you watched as the snow began to melt, little trails of water dripping from his hair and down his scruffy cheeks. When it was nearly melted, you took your hand away and dumped the remnants in the sink, grabbing a towel and drying your hands on the way back. You pinched his stubbly chin delicately in your fingers and tipped his head towards you while slowly and gently wiping away the water from his face. When you finished, your eyes found his already boring into you and you felt a tingle shoot down your spine.

"Better?"

His gaze softened as he continued to stare up at you, searching your face quietly, making your heart begin to beat faster in your chest. You swallowed nervously and forced yourself to look away, and it was then he finally realized you had asked him a question.

"Yes," he murmured, "thank you."

You dragged your eyes back to his and gave him a small smile. "More?"

He didn't trust himself to speak. He just slowly nodded and watched with heavy lidded eyes as you scooped up another handful of snow. With your free hand, you slid your fingers behind his neck and through his hair, cupping the back of his head in your small hand before pressing the snow gently against his forehead once again. And even though he wanted to keep looking at you, he couldn't stop his eyes from fluttering shut at the cooling sensation, earning you another deep groan from his throat and causing your breath to stutter.

He heard it and opened his eyes.

You stared at each other, lips parted as the air began to thicken with tension. His eyes flickered over your face, noticing the way your pupils appeared bigger as you gazed down at him. He took a risk and slowly brought his hand up to rest on your side, watching you carefully for any sign that he should stop. He pressed his fingertips lightly into your hip, the fabric of your shirt bunching up slightly from the pressure.

You dropped your eyes to his hand and blinked rapidly, then opened your mouth to speak when you heard sizzling at the stove. You whipped your head around just as his soup began to boil over the pot.

"Shit!" you yelped, dropping the half melted snow onto the towel and racing over to the range. You twisted the knob off and put the pot on one of the unused burners and the liquid immediately simmered back down. "Sorry," you said, refusing to look at him as you started to gather a bowl and spoon, embarrassment burning your cheeks.

"Don't be," he replied, still leaning back in his chair in the same position you left him. He watched you fumble nervously in the kitchen and he had to suppress a smile.

Maybe he still had a chance, after all.

Joel's temperature was a little high but nothing too concerning, so you pushed the fluids and he ate all of his soup and it helped put your mind at ease. You really didn't want to have to ask for ibuprofen unless it was absolutely necessary, especially considering how the same virus was hitting almost every house at the same time. You made sure to check on Ellie from her doorway, not wanting to risk her catching anything since she appeared to be fine, before helping Joel up to bed.

Once you followed him into the room and he turned on the light next to his bed, you realized you hadn't actually ever entered his bedroom before. Sure, you've walked past it when the door was open and glanced inside, but you never really looked. As he gathered some fresh pajamas and began to unbutton his flannel, you turned your back to him to give him some privacy and examined his bookshelf. Your eyes drifted over the titles on the spines of a handful of books, most of which you hadn't heard of before noticing a framed photograph sharing a shelf with his books. It was faded and a little torn, but you could still make out their faces. It was Joel - a far younger version of Joel - with his arm around a beautiful little girl with dark hair and eyes and a stunning smile. You felt your throat tighten when you realized who it was, and if you had any doubt, Joel's voice piped up behind you.

"That's Sarah."

You heard him shuffling his bedding around so you figured he was dressed.

"She's beautiful, Joel," you said, walking over to his side of the bed and popping the thermometer under his tongue one more time. "It's wonderful that you were able to find a picture of her. I wish I had some pictures of my family," you said sadly, watching the hands of the clock on top of his bookshelf tick, counting down the seconds until you could check the thermometer. "I would have loved for you to at least see them. I think you would have gotten along with my brother really well. Maybe too well," you added with a soft laugh, not realizing he was silently hanging on your every word as you continued to stare at the clock. "He was always looking out for me. Always protecting me, trying to shield me and it drove me nuts when I was younger, but as time went on, I understood it a bit more."

You pulled the thermometer out and checked the number. "Still the same," you told him, resting it on his nightstand.

"How much time?" he asked, and you gave him a confused look. "How much time did it take 'til you started to understand?" he clarified, and you realized what he was really asking.

"I don't know," you replied honestly, sitting on the edge of his bed with a sigh. "But I'm starting to... understand," you said, giving him a sideways glance. You really wanted to ask him about the Fireflies but seeing how sick he was, you decided to bring it up another time. His hand slipped out from underneath the covers and gently squeezed your knee.

"That's good," he said softly before furrowing his brow and turning his head to cough loudly into his pillow. You winced at how bad it sounded and rubbed his upper back. When the coughing fit passed, you handed him his water and he took a grateful sip.

"Do you need anything else before I go to bed?"

"Could you stay here?" he found himself asking before he could even think. Your eyebrows shot up in surprise as you struggled to answer. "Just 'til I fall asleep?"

"Oh," you replied, looking awkwardly around his rather sparse room. "Sure, let me just go wash up," you said, standing up from his bed. You were dead on your feet from your shift at work and you knew the next day wouldn't be any better, but you felt bad saying no, so you changed your clothes and grabbed one of the books Joel had found for you before dragging the chair from the corner of his room to the side of his bed.

"You can stretch out over there," he told you, pointing weakly to the other side of the bed before coughing into his closed fist. "I won't bite."

You smiled as you settled into the chair. "I'm alright, thanks," you said, opening your book and leaning back, trying to get comfortable. After a few minutes of reading, you looked up just to find him still watching you. You laughed and said "you need to get some rest if you want to kick this thing," then he grinned and finally closed his eyes.

You may not have been in bed with him, but you were close enough to help him relax and for the first time in months, he fell fast asleep within minutes.

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#joel miller #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fic #joel miller smut #joel the last of us #joel miller x reader #pedro pascal #joel miller fluff #pedro pascal characters fanfiction #the last of us game #the last of us hbo #the last of us fanfiction #the last of us #ikwya fic #joel miller fanfic #joel miller tlou

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byproducts-of-my-imagination · 4 months

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nsfw knb part 1: (Akashi, Midorima, Murasakibara, Aomine)

Thank you for the request, the other half kuroko, kagami, kise (the kkk?!?) will be up in a few days. knb was my first sports anime that I fell in love with. Takao supremacy.

Akashi:

He is very dominant in bed and gets off on a sense of control. It does matter to him if you are feeling good though, and Akashi checks in regularly to make sure you’re still on board.

Both personalities like bondage. Seeing you all helpless and needy is a major turn on for him. Akashi usually keeps a tight lid on his alter ego, but it does slip out in the bedroom sometimes.

Heterochromic Akashi greedily claims you as his prize, methodically stripping you of your dignity.

Akashi secretly likes exhibition, but will never let anyone actually see either of you vulnerable.

He insisted on binding you for a generation of miracles reunion. The rope harness under your clothes dug into you, as you tried to look as normal as possible. Suddenly you were aware of everyone’s gazes and praying they wouldn’t hear the soft vibration coming from under your clothes. “Be a good girl.” he whispers, turning the vibrations a degree higher. It’s likely no one suspects a thing, but it still feels like everyone can see right through you. Akashi carries on as usual, but the hungry looks he gives you feel like he’s lighting a beacon for everyone to see.

Midorima:

Midorima is repressed as all hell and tries to control himself and be proper, but as soon as he slides in you he can’t stop himself from pounding into you relentlessly.

Is not one to curse in his day to day life, but has a dirty mouth and spews profanity in the bedroom.

He holds a strong conviction that you are meant to be his, and will never let you go.

Eye contact is a thing for him, he likes to stare at you and the expressions you make.

While daydreaming, the idea of pictures popped in his head, but he was too embarrassed to bring it up and he hasn't worked up the courage yet.

“You’re tight,” he hisses, as he slides all the way in. His fingers are leaving indents in your thighs as he pulls you up instinctively, forgetting everything except the urge to go deeper, to be inside of you.

“Fuck! S-stop clenching like that… feels too good”

Aomine:

motherfucker can't keep his hands to himself. I think that as he grows older and matures his love of big boobs dies down to just a love of all boobs. He still likes them big of course, but he learns to appreciate all sizes of boobs.

Will lay his head on your chest to nap, making you unable to do much besides scroll on your phone. Withholding sex is a great way to motivate him, but when he finally has you after being pent up he’s 10x more aggressive.

Oddly though Aomine is more on the vanilla side of things. He likes rough sex but has no notable kinks. It would be more accurate to say that the only real sexual need he has is a soft and squeezable body.

"Baby... please lemme fuck you I can't take it anymore my cock is about to bust out of my pants!" He's already got one hand down his pants, the other undoing his belt.

"For the last time, no! We both need to finish our work! We can have sex afterwards." Unfinished emails and documents sit in front of you, as you literally push your horny boyfriend off of you.

Murasakibara:

lazy mf doesnt want to do shit but he’s fucking enormous. His favorite pastime is eating you out over and over until you’re properly ready to take his cock. It's not a problem for him because he loves to eat you out if he’s in the mood.

The oral fixation is real.

He is easy to rile up and prone to childish jealousy, feeling the need to stake his claim on you at the slightest hint of competition. Of course nobody in their right mind would pick a fight with him, but he still perceives anyone you talk to as a threat. He doesn't want to share your attention with anyone.

If you want sex, you gotta get him in the mood. If he wants sex he's picking you up and hauling you to the nearest room with a lock on the door. You've been unceremoniously kidnapped several times already.

It's always a little scary when your boyfriend is in a foul mood. The inkling of fear turns both of you on though.

"I told you, he wasn’t flirting with me! He wasn’t even talking to me!"

"He was looking at you. I could tell he wanted to fuck you." His voice is lower than usual, eyes narrowing to a glare. He inches closer, tying up his hair as he goes.

"Atsushi, I can take care of myself." A nervous wobble creeps into your voice though, and he backs you into a wall. His frame fills your line of sight, as he looms over you.

"No. My job is to take care of you."

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drefear · 9 months

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Hail to the King

Chapter 5: Distractions

Summary: Miguel O’Hara is the head of the biggest mafia family in Nueva York, scaring almost all of its citizens. Except you. And that’s exactly what he needs.

TW: mentions of smut, reader is a lot ruder now, Miguel's still kinda annoying, stalking, lying.

A/N: This chapter is not very horny, I know, but it’s a lot of story for the plot, so bare with me (there’s a little bit of sexy in the next part tho so don’t worry)

The days at Gwen’s were peaceful and calming, having someone around to help you mentally sort through your mess. She was sweet and honest about everything, and you couldn’t help but love having a friend through all of this insanity.

Lyla visited the second day and brought some sort of news, although you weren’t so sure if it was good or bad.

“So there was a man coming to my fire escape?” You cleared up and Lyla nodded, big sunglasses on the top of her head now. Her eyes glanced between you and Gwen before she spoke again.

“I had facial recognition software identify him, and he seems to be a part of another mob in Nueva York.” She opened her laptop and activated the holographic spectating, using a special glove that only covered three of her fingers and poking at the holograms. Expanding to one area, she showed you his face closer. Your eyes scanned something before your eyes widened. “Stop.” You touched her shoulder, “That… that was Eddie’s best friend, he was at our wedding.” You mumbled, thinking to yourself about the guest list you’d worked so hard on. The two women stared at you as you pulled out your phone and scrolled through many photos, landing on one and zooming in. You were right. In the far left corner, smiling, was that man.

“What was his name?” Gwen asked, and you and Lyla both answered at the same time.

“William Baker.” The two of you looked at each other and you just sighed.

“Listen, I know you’re not going to want to hear this, but you need to stay somewhere else for a few days.” Lyla continued and Gwen just nodded along, but you slumped your shoulders.

“I can’t keep staying here, what if they find me here? I’d be putting Gwen in danger.” You frantically looked between Lyla and Gwen, and Lyla bit her lip.

“Stay with one of the guys. Hoobie used to let me stay over all the time-” Gwen spoke, but your brows furrowed.

“How do you know Hobie?” You asked and Gwen’s eyes snapped to yours, then to Lyla’s. Something was wrong again, you could feel it. You repeated your question, this time much more firm. “Gwen. How do you know Hobie?”

“He’s… he would come into the restaurant sometimes, he’s a lot closer to Miles than he is with me-” She smiled, but you weren’t buying it. They were all keeping something from you.

“He was closer to Miles, but he used to let you sleep over?” You clarified, and she scratched her head.

“Yeah, well, it was only once or twice, I was just exaggerating.”

“Uh-huh.” You stared her down before hearing your cell phone ring, MIguel’s name popping up as you shot her a warning glance once more. “I’m going to answer him, and then you’re going to tell me what you’re hiding.” A look of relief crossed Gwen’s face before you stood up and moved to go talk in the kitchen. “Yes?” You answered, now annoyed.

“Has Lyla filled you in yet?” He spoke with finality.

“Yeah, and I know him. He was friends with Eddie, and he was at my wedding, so I guess you were right about the outside help.” Your lips hated how the conversation tasted as you admitted he was right.

“Miggy, come back to bed.” A feminine voice spoke from Miguel’s end of the phone and you just scrunched your eyes together.

“I’m busy.” He answered, and you could hear the irritation in how he spoke.

“You sound like you’ve had a good morning so far.” You shot at him and he groaned.

“Not in the slightest. These women are too clingy, I can’t stand it.” He explained in frustration and you could hear a door slam shut.

“Well, as much as I’d love to discuss your personal problems, I have other issues to ask about.” “Shoot.”

“What is Gwen hiding from me?” You asked and his side fell quiet, something you weren’t used to. He always had some sarcastic one liners to shut you up, or shut you down with. His silence usually meant that the truth was bad.

“In this line of business, if you’re not being told something, it’s almost always for your own good. Try not to meddle too deep, or you might not like what you find.”

“Don’t try to say some hero shit, I want the truth if I can’t even sleep in my own bed.” You demanded and he just sighed.

“Fine. Come to my apartment in two hours.” He concluded and hung up, leaving you without a solid answer once more. The bastard.

Time felt like it was moving slower than normal as you got ready, Lyla sitting on Gwen’s bed as you got dressed.

“I feel like Miguel just needs a woman to put him in his place, ya know?” Lyla rambled on about how your boss was just a big softie with female problems, but you weren’t buying it.

“He needs to see a therapist for his sex addiction, actually.” You answered, which made Lyla laugh as Gwen sat quietly. She’d looked guilty ever since you’d come back from your phone call with Miguel. Who could blame her? She was lying about your safety, hiding crucial information from you while you were staying under her roof. It felt awful.

“Maybe he’s lonely?” Gwen chimed in, making both you and Lyla answer at the same time once more.

“Definitely not.” The synchronization made you all laugh. Gwen was a wonderful friend, that was for sure, but Lyla was a whole other level of bonding. It was as if she was programmed to be your best friend, and she was doing an incredible job.

The three of you gabbed on for a while until a car arrived in the lobby of Gwen’s apartment building to take you to see Miguel.

Your feet felt like lead as you begrudgingly walked into the elevator and hit the button for the penthouse. A buzz rang through the wall of the elevator and a feminine voice answered. “Can I help you?”

“Lyla.” You spoke and there was a laugh.

“Yeah, I know! I just thought it’d be funny.” A ding sound indicated that she had let you bypass the security system for his apartment and the elevator moved. You leaned your head to the back of the elevator and sighed, closing your eyes. The exhaustion of the past few days had finally hit you like a ton of bricks, made your body want to bend over and curl into a ball. You wanted a nap.

The doors opened again and your eyes darted around in surprise. You’d known Miguel was rich and organized, but his apartment was something you saw in a magazine. Nothing could have prepared you for how his personal space might look.

He walked down a flight of stairs towards where you stood in the center of his living room, wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants. You wondered if this man only owned suits and sweats.

“You’re late.”

“Nice to see you, too.” You answered his blunt rudeness as he gestured for you to sit on his couch. “Ok, answers.” You stated and he rolled his eyes, grabbing two bottles of water and handing you one.

“Let’s start with the most important part. Your ex has been working with Kingpin, my biggest rival and one of the worst mobs in the city. He directly works with sex trades and child labor.” He sat next to you and leaned back into the soft cushions, as if he was just speaking about his day. You immediately hated this Kingpin guy. “We’ve found that your ex has been intertwined with Kingpin for a very long time, and even has some pull with Kingpin. His title among Kingpin is Venom, and he specializes in making people disappear.”

“Disappear?” You asked, as if you didn’t know the answer already, and Miguel brought his hands up to make air quotes, confirming your assumption.

“This is more of a newer specialty of his, in the last year. How long has it been since you two were living together?” You clear your throat, fear catching onto your tongue and making it feel heavy. “A-About a year. We were separated for a bit and I’d come home on and off, or he’d leave for long periods of time.” You touched your throat, imagining what he could have been doing while he was gone. “Was I- Did I marry a murderer?” Miguel just stared down towards the floor, expression unreadable and almost stoic except for the small crinkle between his eyebrows.

“You’re surrounded by murderers, technically.” He answered and your breath caught in your throat, but he continued, “Something you should remember is that everyone has the ability to be a killer, and many people use that ability, but few people use that ability for the good of the world.” He spoke softly and you nodded, a chill creeping up the back of your neck.

“Where do you fall?” Your voice was barely above a whisper, and he leaned forward onto his elbows, bowing his head.

“I like to think everything I do is for the better of everyone, even if I go down in the process.” The gravel of his voice makes you feel warm and a flame sparks in your stomach, a new feeling. You scoot closer to him and continue to listen. “Those I train, or who work for me, they don’t just join for fame or notoriety. A lot of them were wronged by life, innocent until they were forced to learn how to see in the dark. That includes Gwen.” His eyes flash to you and it’s as if they turn you to stone, not being able to move on your own accord. “And that now includes you.”

“What if I don’t want to?” “Then you can turn around and try to survive blindly. You can pretend nothing ever happened, and hope that it doesn’t follow you around for the rest of your life.” He stares into your eyes harder, more serious, and you begin to wonder when he got so close. “But that hope doesn’t usually last long.”

Silence drips down the length of the walls as you two sit, inches from one another, smelling his breath and feeling the heat of his body so close to yours. As you're both about to collide, a loud ding sounds around the apartment and you jump backwards from the sudden interruption. Miguel barely even reacts, a deep frown on his features now as he turns to the elevator.

“Hey!” A friendly voice echoes off of the walls and footsteps follow as you turn to see Peter walking towards you both. He stops at the sight of Miguel’s angry face and flashes a look between the two of you. “Am I bothering you?”

“The answer is always yes, Peter.” Miguel stands and makes his way towards the other.

“Jeez, I was just here to pick up the tech and lists for the event, but if I’m such a bother-”

“Shut up and take it.” The larger of the two demands and you stand up, finally getting your bearings and coming to your senses. Your mind thought about Miguel saying those words to you in a very different scenario, but you quickly snapped out of it. He was your boss. Your whorish, annoying, rude boss with a taste for organized crime.

That’s going to be a hard no.

Standing up, you looked away and waited for him to be done. Peter’s eyes found your form and he launched over to you in a hurry. “How are you? It’s been so long, Miles says he misses you all the time, always making jokes you’d laugh at.” He rambles and you nod, smiling wide at the thought of being around Peter and Miles again. Miguel stands behind Peter, scowling at his distracted nature and folding his arms angrily.

“I miss you all too.” You concluded.

God, did you want to escape already.

Peter finally left after going on and on about his daughter for around 10 minutes, to which Miguel finally snapped and started yelling in spanish. You just stood there and watched the interaction as they bickered and Miguel forced Peter out. He sighed once the elevator doors closed and leaned on the wall for a moment. As he stood there, almost statuesque, you took in his size and it finally hit you. How large he is. You bit your lip and thought about the seconds before Peter walked in unannounced.

What would have happened if he didn’t break you two out of that seductive trance? Your cheeks began to heat up and you turned to look out the window.

“Are you prepared for the gala?” His voice broke you from your trance, and you nodded, not meeting his eyes as he spoke. This seemed to irritate him. “You picked a dress? I want to see it.” He announced, and you finally looked up, now giving him a dirty look. “I don’t trust your sense of style.”

“Too bad. Beggars can’t be choosers.” You hissed and he stalked to you in a few steps, showing his size from how few strides he had to take to walk across his wide apartment to meet you.

His head bent down to give you a dark look. “I never beg.” He stated as a fact and you felt a shiver move through your spine. Shaking your head, you still refused. “You’re making me go, I’m picking the dress.” This seemed to be a battle of wills and neither of you were breaking. “Is that all?” You asked and placed your hands on your hips, attitude obvious in the snark of your words. He clicked his tongue.

“That’s all, for now, but I might need to teach you manners soon if you keep this spoiled brat act up.” His words made your eyes go wide with anger.

“Spoiled brat?” You barked and he smirked, enjoying getting a rise out of you. “Now, get out. I have someone coming soon, since my morning release didn’t work out.” He turned his back to you once more, and you admired how broad his shoulders were, how his back muscles rippled and shifted. He exuded power, and you’d be damned if you let him get the best of you.

The words Gwen said echoed in your head. ‘Maybe he’s just lonely.’

“Maybe your morning release would be more satisfying if you didn’t get head at random times of day.” When he didn’t react, you continued, not fully understanding where this annoyance about his sex life was coming from anymore. “Maybe you’re just lonely.” The words came out before you could stop them and he finally turned back to face you, an incredulous look on his face from your audacity. “Either way, I don’t want to lay witness to whatever stupid married woman you convince to jerk you off with tweezers.” You stomped towards the elevator and pouted for a second before his hand shot out and grabbed your wrist.

“Hijo de su-” You could barely hear the rest of whatever he said as he yanked your body towards him. He glowered down at your shocked face as he picked up his phone and listened to it ring.

“Yo.” Lyla answered and Miguel stared down into your eyes. “Cancel the girl. There’s something I need to fix right now.”

Chapter 4

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#miguel spiderverse #miguel x reader #miguel o’hara smut #miguel o’hara #miguel o’hara x reader #miguel spiderman #miguel o'hara #miguel smut #angst #atsv miguel #hail to the king #drefear writes

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vivalas-vega · 1 year

Text

new perspectives / jake ‘hangman’ seresin x reader / part six

hehehe.... it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for !!!!!!! (insert gif of michael scott screaming it’s happening) - as always lmk what you think and if you want to be added to the taglist!

new perspectives / jake ‘hangman’ seresin x reader / part six

add yourself to my taglist

prologue - one - two - three - four - five

word count: 4.2k

warnings: language, drinking, slight angst, smut !!!, oral (f-receiving), unprotected p-in-v penetration (wrap it before you tap it), all the feels bc we’ve all waited too long

The house was absolutely bustling, there were Daggers spread out from the couch to the kitchen to the backyard and while they were making an utter mess of your immaculately decorated home you thought to yourself that this was how it was supposed to be. You saw Amelia and Penny sitting by the pool with their feet hanging over the edge, Rooster and Jake arguing over how best to grill a burger, Fanboy and Payback engaged in a heated discussion about some superhero movie, and Maverick and Bob talking about plane specs while you and Coyote were mixing up the next round of drinks.

“Have you ever mixed a drink before? Give me that,” you said, grabbing the bottle of tequila from him while he held his hands up in surrender. “You’re on lime duty,” you said, reassigning his tasks and he just chuckled while he got to work.

“You and Hangman seem a lot better,” he commented and you nodded. Mary and John had left for home a few weeks ago and everything seemed to be going great with her recovery. You’d gotten her set up with an oncologist you’d met in med school who would be in charge of her care from now on… Mary would have to get frequent scans for the rest of her life but it was something you would all willingly accept if it meant she had a rest of her life to live. Dr. Lewis had gotten clean margins and successfully removed the entire thing which limited her chance of recurrence but there was always a risk and this was just something you all had to live with from now on.

“Things have definitely settled, it’s a bitter pill to swallow to know your mom might get another tumor in the future but she’s in the best hands and we’re doing everything we can,” you replied.

“He told me he was kind of an ass to you during the whole thing,” he said and you just shrugged.

“He wasn’t, I’m sure it feels that way from his perspective but I was kind of an ass too in my own way, we just handled it differently. I went into doctor mode and he went into panicked son mode. Neither was the wrong response, it was just hard to be there for each other but we’re good now.”

“So, do you want to tell me why the two of you are still single then?” he asked and you just gave him a look.

“You’re a worse gossip than Phoenix,” you teased and he chuckled.

“We all want to know, watching the two of you is like having our own romance movie except it’s so much more frustrating,” he groaned.

“Oh yeah? And why is that?” you asked, deciding to indulge him for a moment.

“Because with a movie you get the ending in two hours,” he said and you laughed as you grabbed ice from the freezer to pop in each drink. Between Jake’s mother in the hospital and Coyote now you could feel that a lot of people were awaiting your inevitable reunion and honestly so were you… you just didn’t know how to initiate it, between the longing glances and lingering touches you felt like a high schooler again. You couldn’t tell where Jake’s head was at, every single time you got close to having a moment he suddenly preoccupied himself elsewhere and you thought back to the Hard Deck a few nights ago…

“Rooster, put those shots somewhere else or so help me god… I’m not singing with you,” you said, narrowing your eyes at him as he started to approach you and he looked at you like a deer caught in the headlights.

“But… please?” he said so soft and so small it almost made you feel bad for him. Almost. “Come on, Jupiter, you know you have fun.”

“This is peer pressure. I am actively being peer pressured,” you giggled as he approached you and held the glass up to your lips. You conceded and opened your mouth, allowing him to pour it in and as you wiped the few drops that missed and swallowed you gave him a glare that would have anyone shaking in their boots. “I feel like that was assault.”

“See you at the piano!” he said, walking away triumphantly and you chuckled to yourself. You would see him at the piano later, you always put up a good fight but you couldn’t seem to say no to him… he loved getting the whole bar engaged in song and who were you to deny him his fun?

“I see another duet is in the cards,” Jake said, sidling up beside you having seen the whole thing and while he was doing a great job at hiding it from you jealousy was roaring through his veins. He hated watching Rooster press the glass to your lips, he hated the eye contact you maintained with him while he poured it into your mouth, and more than anything he hated the way you laughed for him. It was silly, yes, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt Rooster would never try anything with you, and he knew you would never try anything with him. The two of you had developed a bond he didn’t thoroughly understand but it seemed to maybe you happy and well, who was he to deny you your fun?

“It appears so, I worry about his song selection,” you said, turning to look up at him and you couldn’t quite decipher the look in his eyes as he took a step forward and you stumbled at the proximity and found yourself pressed against the edge of the pool table. You could feel the warmth radiating off of him and you felt yourself slightly tremble with anticipation… Was this finally the moment? Had Phoenix been right all along? Was a silly moment with Rooster really all it took to get you here? He grazed his fingers along your arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake and you subtly tilted your jaw upwards.

“Well, I look forward to the show,” he said with a small smirk before stepping away entirely and leaving you reeling as he clapped Coyote on the back and joined his conversation with Bob.

You shook yourself out of it and tried to push past the desire that flooded through you at the memory as you loaded the drinks onto a tray and began to make the rounds to distribute them. The squad was having a great time and you had a feeling these barbecue’s were going to become a monthly occurrence but you really didn’t mind, you enjoyed the change in scenery from the bar and you liked that they all felt so at home here. Establishing yourself as the designated host for all group events had been your main goal and it seemed like you had succeeded.

“Rooster wants to play beer pong, what’s the verdict on that after what happened last time?” Jake asked as you stepped out onto the patio and you chuckled as you recalled the last time everyone had been here. The game had gotten so intense that without even realizing Fanboy had taken a giant step backwards as you were walking behind him and sent you flying into the pool. Jake had gone into overprotective mode, yelling at Fanboy for being so unaware of his surroundings but when you resurfaced you had to cling to the sidewall for support because you were laughing so hard, and you’d pulled the age-old trick of beckoning Fanboy over to help you out only to pull him in with you.

“I am in favor of beer pong, I’ll go grab the table,” you said, handing the boys their drinks before walking around the side of the house to enter the garage. You pulled the folded table from the shelf it resided on and nearly dropped it on your feet when you turned and saw Jake, “Jesus fuck, announce yourself,” you said, catching your breath.

“Sorry,” he chuckled, but you could tell he really wasn’t. “Just thought I’d help you.” he said, pulling it from your grasp. You kept your hand on it for a moment too long, trapping him in place as your eyes raked over him, taking in his beautifully snug swim shorts and lack of shirt as you finally looked up at him through your lashes. His green eyes were holding onto yours intensely and you took a step closer, almost challenging him to do something as tension weighed heavy in the air. You could smell the spearmint and tequila on his breath and you so desperately wanted a taste as you started to lean up on your tiptoes and moments before your lips brushed the garage door swung open with a bang and the two of you jolted apart and looked over to Phoenix as she entered from the house. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her and you turned back to Jake.

“I’ll meet you guys out there,” you said, and he nodded as he left through the other entrance and when you turned back to Phoenix she had regret written all over her face.

“I am so sorry,” she started and you just groaned, watching as she walked down the steps and opened the fridge door, “I came out to grab more beer.”

“That is the closest we’ve ever gotten,” you said, shooting her a glare as you leaned your head against the side of the fridge and pouted, and she gave you a sad look as she closed the door and placed a hand on her hip.

“Seriously? What the hell is his problem? This is Hangman we’re talking about, I thought for sure he would have made a move by now.”

“You’re telling me…” you grumbled, “whose benefit does he think I wore this for, yours?” you asked, gesturing down to your outfit. You were wearing a simple black string bikini top that did wonders for the girls along with high waisted cut off shorts that were just a little cheeky and she chuckled.

“I like to think you did,” she said and you swatted her arm as you followed her back into the house. “If you got that close in the garage it’s only a matter of time, let the outfit do its work,” she said, giving you a nudge as you walked back onto the patio with a stack of red cups that you started to arrange on the table.

“I call Jupiter on my team,” Rooster said and Jake shot him a glare, “what, she’s got wicked aim,” he said and you chuckled.

“Fine, then I get Phoenix,” Jake countered and your chuckle turned into a sigh. Getting the four most competitive people all on the first round did not bode well for what would follow. The rest of the squad had filtered outside, the sun had lowered just slightly in the sky giving your backyard a break from the heat and it was now the perfect temperature for poolside lounging and spectating. You listened as people immediately started betting, deciding which team to put money on and you looked at Rooster.

“Okay, if you’re going to call me then you need to pull your weight, we’re not losing to those two.” you said and he nodded, holding his hands up for you to high five.

“One step ahead of you, they are going down.” he said as he reached into the cooler and grabbed two seltzers for you, cheersing when you cracked them open. The game got off to a hot start and the two teams were tied, going shot for shot until you decided to up the ante and use the fact that you weren’t with your usual teammate to your advantage. You took a sip of your seltzer just as Jake was starting to line up for his shot and accidentally let a little dribble down your chest and you could feel his gaze on you as he tracked it sliding down the curve of your breasts where you swiped it up and licked it from your fingertip. His focus was wavering and you watched with a smirk as the ball plinked off the side of the cup and rolled into the grass.

“Bummer,” you said, voice laced with sarcasm as you held your hand out to Rooster who dropped the ping pong balls in your hand. You could see him position himself directly behind his cups, you knew he wasn’t stupid enough to think your stunt was entirely innocent but you had an advantage he wasn’t considering… sure, he had to be laser focused at work but his concentration didn’t hold a candle to yours. You completely disregarded him and watched in satisfaction as both of your throws landed perfectly in the cups and smiled sweetly at him. You had sparked a new type of competitiveness in him and he landed his next two shots, and you decided to take it a step further, starting to fiddle with the straps of your swimsuit for dramatic effect for a few moments before you turned to Rooster and pulled your hair over your shoulder.

“Roo, can you retie this for me? It keeps slipping,” you said, and poor Rooster was none the wiser as he set his drink down to simply help out a friend. You held onto the front of your top, and though you were refusing to make eye contact Jake was burning holes in your skull as he quickly secured the swimsuit and you smiled brightly at Rooster when he finished before he lined up to take his shots. Phoenix was watching the whole thing with a smirk, as much as she hated the fact that your tricks were going to cost her the game she was rather enjoying how easily you were working Jake up, and that was almost worth losing.

“And that’s game,” you said as your ball landed in their last cup, “better luck next time.” Rooster pulled you in for a celebratory hug before releasing you and you said something about grabbing a glass of water as you slipped back into the house, leaving the rest of the squad to squabble over who was going next. You braced yourself on the edge of the counter as you gulped the water down, your body rejoicing as you plied it with something other than hard seltzer or tequila. You waited for another moment, letting your nails tap erratically against the smooth surface before growing frustrated and rejoining the group, watching as Bob and Fanboy took on Maverick and Coyote… a matchup you wouldn’t have foreseen but you watched anyways in amusement.

“He didn’t follow you in after that little show?” Phoenix asked quietly as you sat down at the edge of the pool next to her.

“Nope,” you replied, popping the p and she shook her head.

“Silly boy,” she chuckled. You let your eyes drift over to him to find his already on you and you briefly wondered to yourself why nothing was happening. In all the months you’d been here there had been plenty of opportunity and you started to get into your own head, wondering if maybe things had changed, if he no longer felt the same way. You didn’t know what you would do if that was the case but you did know you didn’t like the way it felt like a knife to the heart. As the sun set in the sky the rest of the pilots began to filter out, thanking you for hosting and already asking about the next group hangout until one by one you and Jake were left alone.

You were collecting towels from around the pool when you looked up to see him leaning against the sliding glass door giving you a soft smile, “come with me?” he asked and you nodded, discarding the towels on a lounge chair and taking his outstretched hand as he led you through your house.

“Where are we going?” you asked with a soft laugh, but he didn’t answer as he opened your bedroom door and you let out a small gasp when he gestured for you to go in first. The room was illuminated by dozens of small tea lights that were casting an ethereal warm glow over the space and you turned to face Jake as he rested his hands on your waist.

“Ever since you got here I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out the perfect moment…” he said, and you smiled as you looked up at him, “I wanted it to be special, and Phoenix let me know I was losing the thread,” he said with a chuckle and you laughed as well. “And the more time that passed I realized there isn’t any one perfect moment, but that I was missing out on a lot of moments with you and I don’t want to do that anymore.” he said, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “I want every moment with you, if you’ll have me.”

“It’s about time,” you said, leaning up to crash your lips against his and it felt like coming home. You moved in tandem the way you always did, working together seamlessly as you melted against him and he slid his hands down your sides to cup under your ass where you jumped to wrap your legs around him. He carried you to the bed, laying you down gently and slotting himself against you as he slid his tongue past your lips and you moaned into him.

“Wear this just for me?” he asked as he reached around your neck to untie your bikini top and you nodded as you arched into his touch when he trailed his hand across your chest to pull it off. “My beautiful girl,” he mumbled, mostly to himself as his lips connected to your neck and you let out a breathy sigh, so unbelievably content to have his hands roaming over your body as desire thrummed in your veins. He kissed his way back to your lips before pulling away to gaze into your eyes and your hand instinctively came to rest on his cheek. “I love you so much,” he said as you stroked across his cheekbone.

“I love you,” you replied, pulling his lips back to yours where you kissed with fire and passion. His fingers worked the button of your shorts and he kissed down your body, making sure to leave nothing untouched in his wake as he settled between your legs and pulled them off, quickly pausing to pull his own shirt off. He paid special attention to the soft skin of your thighs, kissing and nipping as his big hands gripped and massaged. He pressed his lips to your clothed heat and you involuntarily bucked against him, desperate for friction. He hooked his fingers around the fabric and slowly pulled them off, eyes flitting up to meet yours that were looking down at him with such love it made his heart stop. You were writhing beneath him, anticipation threatening to rattle you apart from the inside and he placed more delicate kisses around your core.

“Don’t worry, honey… gonna take care of you,” he said before licking a stripe through your folds. Your body jerked at the contact and he looped one of his arms through your leg, pressing a hand to your hips to keep you still. Moans fell from your lips as he carefully licked and sucked your clit and your hands threaded in his hair as you tried to pull him closer. He switched between teasing your entrance and circling your sensitive bundle of nerves with ease, quickly working you up until you were all but begging for more.

“Jake, please…” you sighed, and he could never deny you anything when you sounded like that. He eased one finger into your entrance before quickly adding a second, thrusting slowly and massaging that spot inside you that had you crying out his name.

“Come on, sweetheart… Cum for me,” he groaned against you, eyes straining upwards as he sucked your clit into his mouth and his cock throbbed as he watched your back arch off the bed. He swore he had never seen anything quite so beautiful as your walls clenched around his fingers. You felt that familiar build within you and a particularly rough thrust of his fingers had you tumbling off the edge. White hot pleasure shot through you as you shook beneath him, chanting his name like a prayer and Jake changed his mind… that was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. You jolted again as he kitten-licked you and gently tugged on his hair to pull him up where you captured his lips and tasted yourself on him.

“Please, need to feel you…” you said breathlessly, and reached down to swipe his length between your folds, collecting wetness and you moaned at the sensation. He began to press into you and your hands gripped his bicep as he bottomed out, letting out a breath at how full you felt. He took a moment to let you adjust, brushing hair from your face and placing gentle kisses along your cheekbones. You moaned when he began to move and the slight sting gave way to pure pleasure as he rocked against you slowly.

“I missed you so much, sweetheart… you feel so good around me,” he whispered into your ear as he kissed along your neck and you pushed your body against his, desperately trying to get closer. You let out a loud moan when he picked up the pace, you could feel every inch of him brushing against every spot inside of you and you never wanted this to end. If you could stay wrapped up in this moment of pure bliss forever you would. He snaked a hand between you to rub circles against your clit and you tugged gently at the hair at the base of his neck, involuntarily grinding against him as he groaned in your ear.

“Fuck, Jake…” you breathed out as you felt the tension begin to grow again. He pressed his forehead against yours and your moans came out strangled as he threw one of your legs over his shoulder, filling you so deeply you swore you could feel him everywhere. “I love you so much,” you said, cupping his face with your hands and he pressed a kiss to your lips, trying to convey everything to you he couldn’t quite find the words for. Your thighs began to tremble and soon the only word you knew was his name, repeating it over and over…

“Gonna cum for me again, angel?” he asked and you nodded against him, “come on sweetheart,” he applied more pressure to your clit. “You always did look so beautiful cumming on my cock,” he said and it was as if that was all you needed for your climax to wash over you. Your body shook beneath him as the pleasure rolled over you and you felt a hot tear slide down your temple as you cried his name. Your walls tightening around him triggered his own release and as you rode out your high you felt his warmth fill you while he groaned praise into your ear. He stilled within you while your chest heaved, your lungs fighting for oxygen while you returned back to your body and you smiled softly as you felt Jake littering your face with kisses. He slowly pulled out of you and you both hissed at the loss, and he quickly grabbed a wet cloth from the bathroom to gently clean you up before sliding into bed and wrapping his arms around you, pulling you in and holding you close.

“I missed you so much,” he said, kissing the top of your head as you snuggled into him.

“I missed you, too,” you replied, still fully blissed out. “Can’t believe you waited so long,” you teased and he chuckled beneath you.

“Wanted it to be perfect,” he said. “I knew I was going to do it tonight though… your little stunts all day long were making it very difficult to hold out.”

“That was the goal,” you said and he laughed again. “I’m going to say something that might seem a little crazy,” you said as you propped yourself up on his chest to look up at him.

“I’m intrigued,” he replied, carding his fingers through your hair.

“Move in with me.” He looked at you curiously for a moment before a wide grin spread across his features.

“You sure?” he asked and he nodded.

“You are the only thing I have ever been so completely sure of,” you responded and he leaned down to meet your lips.

“I’ll start packing tomorrow,” he said and you laid your head back down, listening to the steady beat of his heart and tracing patterns along his chest. Laying here wrapped up in Jake’s arms the only word you could come up with to describe how you were feeling was complete… it was like the final piece of the puzzle had finally clicked into place. You weren’t sure why you had doubted him at all today, if there was one thing in this life that you knew to be undeniably true it was that it was you and Jake against the world… it always had been and always would be.

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#jake hangman seresin #jake hangman seresin fan fiction #jake hangman seresin x reader #jake hangman seresin x you #jake hangman seresin smut #jake seresin #jake seresin fan fiction #jake seresin x reader #jake seresin x you #jake seresin smut #hangman #hangman fan fiction #hangman x reader #hangman x you #hangman smut #top gun maverick #top gun fan fiction #top gun smut

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whitexwolfxx310 · 9 months

Text

Total Eclipse of the heart

Pairing: Bucky x female reader

Summary: After an encounter where Bucky seems to not know who you are, you start to find out answers. Not one's that you were expecting either.

Warnings: Y/N, cursing, super angst.

Word Count: 4K

A/Ns: Sorry for the long pause between chapters. I had to take some time to deal with my mental health. But I am back! I finished this and will be posting the next chapter ASAP because I wrote that one already as well. If you would like to be added to my taglist, please let me know! I love hearing from y'all so please feel free!

Previous Part

Masterlist

An entire month has gone by but it feels like an eternity. Aside from the one encounter when everyone arrived home from the Soviet Union, the two of you have been kept separate from one another. Tony and Bruce had both agreed that the emotional response from Bucky when he saw you could be triggering, to us both.

It was difficult to try and go through the regular day to day motions when life seemed to have done a complete 180. Everything changed. Sections of The Compound were now 'off limits'. Anytime you asked about Bucky, no one seemed to 'know anything'. It wasn't until Nat 'accidentally' slipped that he had been taken to Wakanda for treatment did you know anything.

'Our' home turned into your home. Bucky's clothes and belongings were taken from the apartment day by day as they worked diligently on treatment. His scent gradually dissipated from the bedsheets with each passing day. Nothing of him was left except one photograph- not even Alpine was left behind.

Which is understandable...But, God I miss them both- more than I let on.

Sitting at the kitchen island, which is normally decorated with cheerful, bright sunflowers and whatever sweet concoction Bucky cooked that morning, felt so bleak and lonely. Each passing day turned one of your favorite places within the home into a very dark one.

*Ding*

The soft tone from your cell is accompanied with a text notification pops up. It's Steve.

"Hey y/n... Can you meet me in the conference room?"

Your thumbs hover over the screen, twitching slightly as each response and scenario collide with one another in your head.

"Um..." You say aloud.

"Sure. See you in a few." Is the response you decided to go with.

You're torn. Part of you wants to run as fast as you possibly can to hear what Steve has to say. The other wants to walk at a snails pace- afraid of what he's going to say. You quickly decide on the median between the two. Not too eager either way.

The walk seemed as though it took forever, like awaiting to cross the finish line of a marathon. Stepping out of the elevator, the glass enclosed conference room came into view. Standing in the corner was Steve, arms instinctively crossed over his chest. He was having what seemed like an easygoing conversation with Tony who stood opposite of him and adjacent to Bruce. Their body language seemed somewhat relaxed, which is good? I think.

Lightly knocking on the glass you catch the attention of all three men. Giving a nervous and awkward wave, Tony motions for you to come in and join them. Hesitantly, you walk in.

"Hey y/n..." Steve immediately greets, bringing his arms down to his sides to seem more relaxed.

"Hey guys..." You answer, meekly. "What's going on?"

It's impossible to force out the casual and polite 'how are you?' 'nice weather we're having today' 'how has work been?' bullshit. I need to know.

"We..." Tony lets out a deep breath as he folds one arm across his chest and the palm of his hand under his chin. "We want to discuss Barnes."

"Okay...?" You reply reluctantly as you look between the three men.

"Why don't you have a seat?" Bruce suggests, looking to Steve and Tony as he politely pulls out one of the wheeled office chairs for you.

Taking a deep breath you oblige, scooting in closer to the conference table and laying your hands flat on the cool surface. It's depressing how any iced cold touch reminds you of Bucky.

The men follow suit, sitting down as well. All four of you collected on one side of the meeting table. The air was stiff, almost as if this were an intervention and each one waited to see who would be the first to speak.

Well it's not going to be me...

"Buck's doing better. A lot better actually!" Steve says optimistically, being the one to break the silence.

"True..." Tony interjects. "But this is unknown territory. While I have all the faith in the world in T'Challa, we've been down this road before-"

"We've made huge strides, Tony." Bruce says, trying to acknowledge both men's opinions but remaining as Switzerland.

"What we're trying to say..." Steve gives you a small nod and half smile, "Is that Buck's back. And...he's asked to see you."

Everyone is looking to you for some sort of answer. But what is the proper way to handle this? There isn't any self help books for 'what to do when your boyfriend's mind resorts back to being an assassin and may not remember you'.

"He... wants to see me?" It comes out as surprised as you feel and yet the only thing you can focus on is the frigidness under your palms.

"Don't worry, it's safe. He's safe. I mean-you'll be safe." Bruce stutters over his words as he tries to sound reassuring.

"Has anyone told you that you are great at giving preparation speeches, Banner?" Tony rolls his eyes and sighs.

"Y/n..." He starts, leaning in more. "We have been working diligently with Barnes. It seems as though pretty much everything is back to normal but..."

Again with the hesitations. Just fucking spit it out already.

"There's holes." Bruce says. Steve and Tony both give him an annoyed look.

I swear he's just in here for comic relief at this point.

"Holes?" You reiterate.

"It's like..." Steve breathes out, long and heavy. "It's like Buck's got all the pieces to the puzzle but can't put them all together just yet. Certain pieces fit and some he's still trying to figure out." He says, hopeful.

"And...he asked to see me?"

After not seeing him for a month since that horrifying interaction, the idea seems so foreign. The men all nod their heads slightly in agreement.

“I can take you to see him now if you would like?” Steve offers. Always the gentleman.

Your eyes instantly drop to look at your oversized grey Iron Maiden t-shirt, black leggings and white slip on's.

“Um...” You look back up at Steve starting to feel self conscious. “Can I clean up and then we care go together?”

“Sure, y/n.” He replies, with his famous warm side smile.

What is the perfect outfit to wear to go see your boyfriend/would have been fiancé for the first time since a once thought dissipated paramilitary terrorist organization that has come back and might be an almost robotic assassin who might not entirely remember your relationship existed?

I mean, is this going to be like meeting him for the first time? Again? Is everything going to go back to the way it was before? Can that even happen?

The thoughts swirled around your mind like a confused cow in a tornado.

Stepping out of the elevator, Steve is waiting with a familiar smile.

“Come on… someone’s waiting for you.” He cordially holds out his arm for you to link onto. Faking the smile in return, you lock arms.

“Thanks, Steve.”

For so many things. For making sure Bucky came home (and not in a body bag), for supporting both of us, for everything in between and including up to this very moment where he is physically keeping you stable.

"I...really appreciate you." There was no way that you could possibly express your gratitude, even if it feels as though your stomach will drop any second.

Steve had led you to the common area; a relaxing spot with a small café. (The one with shitty coffee, according to Bucky). There is a few small tables set up, all of them empty accept for one. Bucky sits alone, his back facing you. Thanks for the dramatic affect. Giving you a small, encouraging squeeze on your shoulder, Steve let's you go.

One step at a time.

It's simple enough and yet you can't move your legs. The nervousness of now having to be on your own almost has completely taken you over. Looking down at your feet, you will them with all of your might to make a move.

One foot. Just one.

Glancing up through hooded eyes, Bucky is still in the same seat- same position. You notice that he is sitting completely upright, tense, nervous. He is as just as fearful of the situation...and you.

Being focused on him, you instinctively take a step. Just that one step turns into every single cell in your body being drawn to him. To run up, him scoop you in his arms and swing you around for the most memorable reunion. You know he'll catch you- and yet you're holding back.

But you decide to play it carefully, respectfully. He hears your faint, delicate footsteps and froze. I've never seen anyone become so suddenly still. Your heart is pounding like a monster trying to break free from it's cage; Pulse whooshing like a relentless wave refusing to ease. Within a single blink of an eye, he was standing- waiting for me.

There was a look of bewilderment on his face, one I have never seen before. Your feet come to a screeching halt, feeling as though they had abruptly encased in cement. Your eyes meet, instantaneously diving into his glacier blue eyes- An unbreakable metal cable connecting your hearts as you begin to move once more. Each step closing the distance you have felt for what felt like ages. That over encompassing feeling of being stuck in a cold, dark, black void.

His mouth opens, taking in a shallow breath as his eyes dart frantically dance between your features.

"You're..." Bucky begins, finally being able to hold his gaze steadily into your eyes. "...real." Relief spilled from the word as he breathed it out. You didn't realize that you had been holding in the air within your lungs.

He doesn't remember? To him it was all...just a dream? I have been begging, pleading with the universe to have him back. I got what I wanted, just not in the way I expected.

Your mouth goes dry- keeping the ability to swallow the large, insufferable lump in your throat.

"Um..." It was hard to keep your voice from cracking, to keep it from mirroring the shattering of your heart. "Last time I checked?" You say, managing a small, fake laugh. The anxiety lodged in your throat travels down your body, now making its appearance in the form of white knuckled fists- Which you quickly move behind your back to hide.

The awkwardness between us felt like a glass wall. You could see him, hear him- but there is a part of him tucked away again.

Bucky's gloved hands froan in the pockets of his black leather jacket he's wearing. A tall tale sign of his insecurity; the gloves a form of comfortability and protection.

His eyes flashed briefly behind your shoulder, a small smirk on his face.

"So..." The grin stayed as his eyes honed in on yours once again. "Would you want to go for a walk?" His torso twisted slightly, using his bent right elbow to point towards the door.

Frozen. Your lips part and yet nothing comes out. He's waiting for some kind of reply but still, nothing. Bucky leans in closer, the smokiness of his campfire smell completely intoxicating.

"Somewhere private?" This time he stares at something over your shoulder. Curiosity gets the better of you- looking over your shoulder, it reveals Sam and Steve huddled in a corner. They abruptly bump into one another, failing to act casual.

Turning back to meet each others gaze once again, a small laugh escapes in unison at the silliness of your eavesdropping friends.

That smile, the laugh. God, that laugh. The saying 'music to my ears' would do it such an injustice.

Nodding in agreement, you bite on the edge of your tongue. Those overwhelming, missing words are now dying to be shouted out.

"Lead the way." He says, gently.

The Compound was surrounded by lively Summer scenery. It had plush, full green trees. The birds chirping their love songs to one another- the smell of dense humidity delicately mixed with citrus and bloomed flowers.

Small white dwarf clovers swish against your feet as you walk through the grass. You'd swear you were alone if you didn't keep sneaking glances at Bucky to make sure it wasn't a dream. His stride was feline- deliberately light and practically soundless.

Stopping on a small hilltop overlooking a field of lavender, you can't bring yourself to look at him. Your body pulses with electricity over the physical closeness of his body to yours. There is only the sound of the whisp of the wind as you stare out into the abyss of purple.

The silence was aching to your soul. Thoughts are whirling around your brain, trying to find the perfect words to convey just how much he means to you. That love, our love, could defy any odds thrown our way.

You know the scene in the romance movies when one person breaks down and emotionally confesses all of their hopes and dreams? It's me, hi.

You don't have to propose, you already know what my answer would be. Let's buy a house and make it a home, just the two of us. Or not. I want Bucky babies- as many as you want. I want to wake up to their laughter ringing through the house- knowing because you wake up so early that you'll be the first thing that they see. Send you to the gas station at 2am for an ice cream and loaded cheese fries craving. The endless laughs I know we'll share as a family. I want to argue about not getting everything on the shopping list. There isn't anything in this universe or the next that could tear us-

"I don't know why this is so difficult." He starts in a soft tone.

Oh no.

"I know you. I know that I know you." He's nervous, rambling. "I feel it in my bones when I look at you. Just being in your presence is soothing to me. You're extremely important to me, y/n." He pauses.

I don't like pauses.

"But..." Bucky exhales a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself. He turns to you and you mirror the movement, now facing each other. You hold the air in your lungs, hanging onto every word. "The best way that I can explain it is..." His hands move in a small circular motion as he tries to find his own words. "It's like reading a book. You can see it in your mind, but it's not physical, realistic."

A wave of cold washed over your body from head to toe, as if someone dumped a bucket of ice water over your head. Your eyes burn from the refusal to blink and let the tears fall. It still must have conveyed on your face, because Bucky's eyes search within yours- a sincere expression replacing his concern.

"Are..." Your voice cracks. Clearing your throat, you fight to get the words out. "Are you...saying that we're" You hesitate, almost choking on the word that feels like bile rising in your esophagus "...over?"

"God, no!" You can feel your eyes roll back slightly at the comfort of those words. Bucky gently takes your hand and places it over his chest; both of his hands enclosing them over his. It's hard not to stare when you can feel the accelerated beating of his heart under the scarring where skin meets metal.

"I'm just asking for us to take it slow. As long as that's okay with you?" His tone is soft but hopeful as he paired it with puppy dog eyes.

"Of course." You lie- your teeth clasped painfully down on the edges of your tongue to keep from saying anything else. His sigh of alleviation along with the instant release of tension in his shoulders shows you made the right decision.

"Thank you, y/n." Bucky whispers as he leans in, leaving behind the faintest kiss on your cheek. If your eyes weren't open to see the physical contact, you would swear it was from the tame breeze.

There was a time not so long ago that we would have taken advantage of being alone on this hill. Laying down in the plush grass surrounded by flowers, the petals getting stuck to the sweat on our bodies. Bucky moaning your name into the crook of your neck as you intertwined and moved as one. Your entire body so sensitive to his delicate, but firm touch, to the point it was almost painful- and yet you couldn't help but beg for more.

Yet, here we are now- resorting back to elementary school hand holding. Selfishly, you wanted more, but didn't have the heart to ask for more. He just seemed... so happy with the idea.

"Well then, I guess it would be okay to resume our sessions for the time being." You say jokingly walking into your office with him closely behind. Bucky lets out a small, genuine laugh as he takes a sits on the sofa across from your desk.

"Anything noteworthy happen while I was gone?"

"Well," You start, grinning as you walk to lean back on the edge of the desk to face him. "There have been quite a bit of complaints about the coffee. I guess you aren't the only one who hates The Compounds brand of choice. I think Rocket misses you- or, at the very least, messing with you. And if I'm being honest..." You place a hand on your belly, rubbing it slightly. "I've lost a few pounds without my personal chef/baker around."

A flicker of wholesome playfulness flashes in those crystal eyes; contagious enough to for it to reach his smile. The fluttering of butterfly wings caress against the lining inside your stomach. Nothing could keep from that infectious ray of light from tugging at your very soul.

"I promise to rectify that as soon as possible, Sunshine." The emphasis of your nickname blanketed around your bones like warm honey. The giddiness made you look away- but only for a moment. You're transfixed on him; Afraid that if he wasn't in your line of sight, he would disappear.

"I know that you're too polite to ask..." Bucky starts, his expression changing. "But I want to tell you about what happened overseas."

Oh shit.

Your fingers tighten around the edge of your desk in preparation. Giving him a small, understanding nod- he continues.

"Russia was... eventful to say the least." He says, almost baffled. "To make a long story short: We got there, followed a few leads that wound up being dead ends and were getting ready to head back home." Bucky is slumped back in his seat on the couch, eyes focused on his pointer finger lazily tapping against his knee; completely zoned out at the recollection.

You now painfully sit in silence, waiting for him to tell you what happened in his own words and in his own time. Biting your tongue to not blurt out all of your questions, needing answers.

"The entire time that we thought this mission was a bust- we were being watched. Studied."

"Studied?" You repeat. "By who?"

"If a head is cut off, two more shall take it's place." He says cryptically and barely audible as he looks up from the floor.

"What?" You ask, becoming more confused. The more in depth Bucky goes, the more distant he seems to get.

"Hydra will never be gone." His tone sounds like an admission to defeat. "There are still people out there who believe in 'their cause'." This came out more as disgust. "They've...replaced me. Created a new 'me'." He's disappointed; thinking that it had just been him all along to discover that there is more.

"Steve and I got separated from the rest of the team. We had each others backs, just as we always have. But..." He sighs, hesitating before he speaks again. "As we tried to make our way out, we found ourselves in some kind of detaining room? It felt familiar." Bucky stares straight forward, looking through some unseen void. "I-... I pushed Steve back through where entered before it closed but someone else was in there with me. I don't remember if I passed out or what. But when I woke up, I had a difficult time recalling anything, anyone. As if I had amnesia."

His whole body is tense as he recalls the memory. It must be difficult for him, living his whole life trying to distinguish what is real and what's not.

"Bucky..." You take a few steps closer; hand impulsively reaching out, placing it on top of his gloved hand as you knelt on the floor in front of him.

He didn't flinch- Not in the way he used to when you first met. There was familiar hint of pain and nervousness behind his eyes.

"And all I could see, was you. Flashes of you smiling, laughing..."

Bucky leans forward, somewhat onto his knees, turning your hand over and gently holding onto it as he intensely looks in your eyes.

"But I... couldn't remember. I thought that maybe it had all been a dream. But when I saw you in person at the medical bay, I knew that it hadn’t been just a fantasy, it was actual memories. I am just so....fucked up." He says in revulsion.

He'll never forgive himself.

"We're all a little fucked up." You admit.

There is something to be said for losing yourself. Sometimes being lost is the only way to be found. You may find a strength you never knew that you had, or see others painted in a different light; will they disappear or help you find your way out of the dark? And if we get out of that darkness, does a piece come back with us?

Bucky's face suddenly hardened, solely focused on something. A switch flipped- the light had gotten ripped away from his eyes. He was staring so intensely that it was uncomfortable. Feeling self conscious, you look down- trying to seek what had exclusively had his attention. In shifting slightly, you see that he isn't concentrating on you; but something behind you.

With unintentional slowness you start to turn around, goosebumps taking over the entire top layer of your skin. Your mind is racing trying to fathom what could be in your office to have him triggered like this. But nothing was there. No person, no being, nothing out place.

Your lungs let out every last bit of air that they held onto in relief. And yet, nothing changed. There was a mysterious uneasiness gripping onto the room.

"Bucky...?" You hesitantly ask; still looking between him and whatever still had him in an almost trance.

Carefully, he moved you out of the way and in four strides, Bucky’s at the bookcase behind your desk.

Standing up, you take a step forward. “Bucky…?” You ask again.

Grabbing a framed picture that was standing in the bookshelf, he starts to look over the picture- taking in every small detail. His head whips around to look back at you, his eyes frantic as his eyes bounce between the picture and you.

“What?!” You can’t hide the urgency of needing to know any longer.

“It’s him.” Barely audible.

Taking a few steps closer, you see that Bucky is holding the picture of you with your brother, Luke. You let an exhale of relief out. But he’s still looking over the picture obviously feeling uneasy.

“You’ve seen this picture a hundred times… what’s wrong?”

“It’s him” He repeats “My replacement. The newest super soldier… is Luke.” His voice is low, exacerbated. You roll your eyes.

"C'mon, Bucky. You know that my brother has been dead for two years. That would be impossible!" I get that he's been through a lot lately, but this? Bringing my dead family member into it?

"What I'm saying is..." His eyes are intensely locked on yours, "He isn't dead. Never was. And your brother..." Bucky doesn't breathe as his expression tries convey the seriousness of his next words, "He's alive. And...he's the new face of Hydra."

Next Part

@peaches1958 @aquabrie @elsie-bells @pono-pura-vida @redbloodedgurl @almosttoopizza @beware-my-thorns @prettylittlepluviophile @annoyinglythoughtfuldestiny @calwitch @ozwriterchick @roofwitty779 @lessersole @lil-darhk @agoddoesnotplead @saranghaey @floralwsloki @erinallene @fafafalafel @mrsvxder @elizabeth916 @winterassisin84

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callsigndragon · 1 year

Text

Seeing Red | Ch. 13: 📲 Coolest Daggers ✍️

Summary: Jake finally arrives to Top Gun

Word Count: 546

WRITTEN PART AFTER THE TEXTS

A/N: Sorry for the delay, been sick all afternoon. Another group chat? Y E S. The coolest daggers are here

Masterlist is on pinned.

When Jake enters the room, Red is sitting on the front row, and Liam is playing with Rooster’s dog tags. He really likes shiny things.

“And what can I help you with, Captain?” Cyclone sighs, paying more attention to the kid than Maverick.

“I think we should organize an airshow for the 4th of July.” Maverick explains, moving slowly, and blocking Cyclone’s vision.

“We’re fighter pilots, Maverick. Not an aerobatic team.” Cyclone scolds, looking at the door and seeing a very pissed off Lieutenant Seresin. “Where are the reports?”

“What reports?”

Cyclone looks at Red with a smirk on his face. “Looks like not even two men can outweigh Seresin’s incompetence.”

Phoenix and Bob gasp, Mickey is about to get up, but the other two stop him. Rooster covers Liam’s ears, as if the Vice Admiral’s words were too offensive for a little kid to hear. And they are. He is, after all, insulting his father, even though poor little Liam doesn’t even know the meaning behind them.

“Incompetence, huh? I’m gonna show yo-” Payback appears behind him and covers his mouth with his hand before pushing him behind him, where Javy smacks Jake for the n-th time this week. He’s going to break his own record.

“Cyclone! Two days in a row, what do we owe the pleasure for?” Payback uses his best diplomatic tone, and Maverick has to stop himself from laughing. These kids are ten times worse than he ever was.

He couldn’t be more proud.

“Well, our youngest member, Liam Seresin, was feeling a bit sad in daycare, and they couldn’t reach his mom. So I went to get him and brought him to his mother.”

Jake’s head pops from behind Payback. "Is Liam okay?”

That’s all it takes for Jake to forget about Cyclone, his flirting, and his stupid smirk when the Lieutenant entered the room. He needs to see his son. Now.

He approaches him directly, Liam's face lighting up as he recognizes the man in front of him.

“Dada!” He calls, arms open wide.

“Come here, little man.” Jake hugs his son, lifting him from his mom’s lap, and looks at him. “What happened, bubs? Are you feeling good?”

Liam nods, his tiny hands pressing against Jake’s cheeks. “Dada.”

“Yes?”

“Boo dummy.”

Red covers her mouth, her whole body shaking with laughter. Rooster clears his throat, his lips twitching with a smile that he knows he can’t show. The other aviators are, also, trying their best not to laugh.

“Who is Boo, Liam?”

He points at Cyclone. “Boo.”

“Dummy is a bad word, you know?”

“Sowwy Dada”

“Want to see dada’s plane?”

“Dada’s plane!”

He takes Liam with him, leaving behind several stunned pilots, one proud Captain, and a pissed off Vice Admiral.

“In the almost three years he’s been here, I never thought I would see this.”

Mav glances at Cyclone, tilting his head. “See what?”

"Jake Seresin, stopping everything to look after a child."

“Not any child, Cyclone. His son.” Rooster remarks. “Are we dismissed, Commander?”

“Yeah, let’s go before my son accidentally starts an F-18.”

Tag list: @purplevortexx @shrimping-for-all @caitsymichelle13 @callmemana @abaker74 @starkleila @topgunmenbefinebruh @blue-aconite @tayrae515 @alexxavicry @xoxabs88xox @mercurio23 @smells-like-perfect-senses @dempy @djs8891 @indynerdgirl @countryclubswifey @lauenderhaze @avaleineandafryingpan @poppyalice2001 @emorychase @wildxwidow @agentwayne17 @shanimallina87 @khaylin27 @fudosl @rhirhikingston @hotch-meeeeeuppppp @ducks118 @teacupsandtopgun @impossiblebaglecowboyfreak @marissat1998 @blairfox04 @phoenix1388 @potato-girl99981 @sarahjoestewy-blog

All of them, except Cyclone, leave the briefing room. Mickey turns his head, making sure that he’s not being followed, before talking. “I’m changing his contact name to Dummy Boo.”

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deceasedream69 · 2 years

Text

You're welcome

- "you got the fucking tattoo?! Are you stupid?"

- "the cycle needed to be completed", he said calmly while he sipped from a bottle. I snatched the bottle from his hands

- "you do understand that you completed the cycle where you loose one arm, create the commission and regret saving the world, right?"

- "well, if you put it like that..."

I sighed. I looked at the bottle I just stole from five and took a sip. Regretting it instantly.

- "too strong for you?", He said taking it back. "It'll only be a bad idea" *sip* "if I had the same tattoo my other me had, I just made a few changes"

- "that sounds more like you", I said taking the bottle from him again and taking another sip.

- "children, we need to gather up"

After a long talk about what we should do to save the world we ended even more separated then before, all because of our opinions.

Until an earthquake started. except, it wasn't an earthquake, it was the beginning of the end of the world.

Reggie quickly opened the door to lead us inside our most quickly salvation in the moment.

I saw when he didn't let Klaus in, but I knew Klaus would find a way back in.

<that little bitch>, i thought, he had no remorse in lying to us straight to our face.

We got to the other side, and five started to ask for Klaus.

- "he didn't make it, I'm afraid"

- "he was right behind me"

I glared at five and he stopped asking about it.

*time skip*

- "and how are you so sure he killed Luther and Klaus?", Asked Viktor to Five while they were chatting in the couch.

- "oh, he killed Klaus", I said joining the conversation.

- "how are you so sure?", He asked this time to me.

- "because I saw everything. He'll be back, eventually, he's inmortal after all"

- "and Luther?", Asked five leaning forward.

- "I don't have any proof, but I also don't have any doubt that it was him."

After our little conversation dad reunited us to give us the instructions

- "so, this are the teams I created"

- "nah, I'm coming with Five"

- "young y/n, I did the teams for a reason"

- "a reason that'll only be convenient to you, I'm sure", I said crossing my arms.

- "as you wish", he said changing the teams.

Vicktor, Five and I were a team. We reached the third floor and started to look for... Something.

- "you don't have to keep following me"

- "and risk the chance you loose an arm?"

- "can we please focus?", Said Viktor clearly stressed.

- "what are we even looking for?"

Viktor turned to look at the door.

- "hey...", He said leaving the room to follow Allison.

Five and I kept searching.

- "where's Viktor?", I said popping my head out of the room.

- "I don't know...", Said Five barely listening to me.

I got out of the room but when I noticed Viktor wasn't anywhere near. I entered the room again.

- "Five?", The room was empty. "Five??", I said checking every part of the room, but no sign of him.

- "y/n?", Five exited the room looking for her. Even tho, he complained about y/n following him around he was thankful someone cared so much. He always looked out for her constantly too, without mentioning the feelings he had for her. But he told himself he only felt that way because of the hormones. Wich was clearly a lie because he always had a special trait with her. Since always.

There was no sign of her anywhere.

- "five?!", I really hope this is not the future where I accidentally leave him alone for some time and that's when he looses his arm.

I search around until I found someone, unfortunately, it wasn't five.

- "hey, Viktor, have you seen y/n?", Asked five really worried by now.

- "she was with you, I leave you alone for less then 5 minutes and you're already missing the other?"

- "no, she just got out of the room to look for you but then she never returned. I think it's this place"

- "what do you mean?"

- "once you pass through a door it might change your location, like a portal"

- "hmmm, it doesn't sound impossible... Wait, where's Allison?"

- "she was right here...", They turned to look at each other and began the search.

- "y/n!!!"

- "Allison!!!"

*loud noise*

- "did you hear that?"

- "that doesn't sound like Alison or y/n..."

- "ok, you little shit", I said getting ready to kick his ass, even if I had to do it alone.

He ran at me, and even if I tried to look and act tough, I started to run away from it. Dodging it's spikey ball.

- "hey, look out", said Five teleporting himself and Viktor away from the monster.

- "come on, we can't run, it'll catch us eventually"

- "what's the plan then?"

Then a loud noise sounded from a... Closet.

- "ahhh, finally, someone with strong enough powers. Oh, hey Five, what are you doing here?"

They just pointed to the monster at the end of the hall.

- "so, should we do this?", Said lila to Viktor.

They both started to glow blue and killed the first monster.

- "noise!"

- "we should go to the lobby"

Everyone was at the lobby, except for y/n.

- "where's y/n?"

- "wasn't she on your team?" Said Klaus worried.

- "I lost her...", He couldn't believe nor forgive that action.

- "focus, children. We have a lot to do"

Five climbed the staircase and started to look down.

- "hey! I think I figured it out!"

*broken glass*

- "oh, hell no!", I teleported in front of Five and caught the knife just in front of me. "You really think you can be cutting my Five?!", And with that my eyes started to glow and I melted his knife right on the spot.

I turned around

- "I told you I was going to protect you"

He smiled at me.

I shot a fireball at the monster, throwing him across the room.

His mask fell of, I took the chance and burned his face. Smoke coming out of his armor after he fell.

- "thank you", said Five teleporting next to me.

I hugged him.

- "you're welcome"

#tua five #five hargreeves x you #five hargreaves x reader #five hargreeves #number five #five hargreeves fic #five hargreeves fluff #five hargreeves imagine #number five x reader #the umbrella academy season 3 #the umbrella academy #tua fic #tua #tua five x reader #tua season 3

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familyvideostevie · 1 year

Note

Hi bestie all I’m thinking abt is bee girl spending Christmas with Steve and all of her new friends and by then she really knows all of them and it’s softness 🥺

man have i been saving this one! here's a little taste of christmas in the no good at waiting au with bee girl and steve having a christmas movie marathon with all of their friends!

fluff, [0.8k],a no good at waiting one-shot | au masterlist___

"I can't believe you've never been here," Will says, mouth half-full of popcorn. He looks a little sheepish, then swallows. "I guess we spend a lot of time at New-Bee's when we hang out with you." You're both standing in the Wheeler's kitchen, arms full of snacks to bring down to your friends for Christmas movie night.

"Eddie said that you guys play DnD here still, right?"

Will nods. "Yeah, our own campaigns. This is where we started playing back when we were really young. We do Hellfire at school, though." He's a good kid, first to volunteer to help you carry everything back down. The only reason Steve isn't up here helping you is because he's the last one to arrive -- his task is getting the tapes from the video store in town.

"Lucas told me that you just finished a really good one, right?" you ask him.

"He won't admit it, but it was the best one yet," Lucas says from the basement door. "You guys were taking a long time. Do you need help?" You're about to brush him off but then the doorbell rings.

"That's probably Steve," you say. "Here, take this down and we'll be right there." Lucas takes the candy you're holding and he and Will head down the stairs.

"Coming!" you holler at the front door. When you pull it open you're greeted with a scowling Steve who brightens at the sight of you.

"Gonna let me in?" he says. "It's cold as shit out here. All my best parts are gonna freeze off."

You beckon him inside and laugh. "Nah, your nose looks fine." His smile turns back to a scowl and you can't help but kiss him. "Hi," you say softly.

"Hi yourself," he says back, kissing you again, this time a little slower. "Everyone else here already?" You nod.

"Just got the snacks together. What tapes did you snag?" He holds out the plastic bag for you to take. He strips off his coat and hat and toes off his boots as you look through it.

"A Christmas Story, White Christmas, The Snowman...Gremlins? Steve, really?"

"Just watch, honey, they're gonna vote for that one. Trust me." You reach out to fix his mussed hair.

"Guys, stop making out and bring us the movies!" Robin calls up the stairs. Steve rolls his eyes and heads down, you on his heels. What you find in the Wheeler's basement warms your heart. There are too many of you for the couch and the chairs, so everyone is sprawled out on blankets and pillows, too. Robin has claimed an armchair for herself, Eddie leaning on her legs in front of it. Jonathan and Nancy are on one corner of the couch and Mike and El on the other. Dustin and Will are in another corner entirely, talking about something DnD related, and Lucas and Max are throwing M&Ms into each other's mouths on the armchair they're squeezed into together.

Your little family. You love every single one of them so much. And the boy in front of you is no exception. It feels like you love Steve more and more every day.

"Finally!" Dustin cries. "Alright, it's voting time."

What ensues is the most serious display of democracy you've ever seen. When the vote swings for Gremlins, Steve sends you a look, eyebrows raised like I told you so. He pops the movie in the VCR and sits next to you on the piece of the floor you two have claimed for yourselves. He raises his arm and you move into his side, breathing him in. He smells like his loft -- detergent and aftershave and something earthy.

"Having fun?" he whispers. His lips brush the shell of your ear and you shiver. "Sorry I was late."

"S'okay," you whisper back. "Can I stay at yours tonight?" Not an out of the ordinary ask by any means, but you haven't seen him all day and you really want to hold him tonight. You seem to spend most nights there these days, anyway. But you secretly think that he likes you asking, likes you reminding him that you want to be around him all the time.

"Why, you think you're gonna get lucky?" he teases. El's socked foot pushes on his shoulder as she hushes him. He sticks his tongue out at her.

"Am I not?" you say, softer this time. Even in the dark of the basement you see his cheeks heat. Steve Harrington, cocky until you flirt back, and then he folds. He kisses your temple, nose in your hair. His hand runs up and down your arm and you settle your own on this thigh.

"Nah, it's me who's the lucky one," he says against your skin. You shush him before El can kick him again and rest your head on his shoulder. You're both lucky, you think. You get to have this forever.

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington x fem!reader #no good at waiting #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington au

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toomuchracket · 10 months

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Ross’ pop star gf covering a 1975 song. Maybe a deep cut acoustic and she introduces it like ‘got some very special people in the audience tonight!’. OR it’s something like This Must Be My Dream and she makes it a dua lipa-esque banger with proper choreo and everything.

this is so fucking cute. like in the radio 1 live lounge or something!! and i don't even think it would have been you that would have suggested it - when it's time to pick a cover, one of your bandmates is like "you know, babe, ross and his mates really did pop off with settle down...", and you're like "agreed, but for us? could we do it?", and everyone else is like "we could and we SHOULD". and you're like "yeah ok this'll be fun. you know matty will die of excitement and then cover one of our songs, though, right?", and they're like "pfft let him try" lol. so you work on the arrangement, and you don't tell anyone what you're doing, except adam (who is very touched by the news), who you've roped into filming ross's reaction when he hears it on the radio for the first time lol - the boys are recording their new album, so they can't make it into the bbc studios to see you perform. anyway, on the day, everything goes really well for the two songs of your own you sing, and you and the girls are all feeling really good when it comes to the cover. and you introduce the song by saying "so, this is a song originally performed by some of our biggest fans, a group we're all quite fond of", and one of your girls is like "yeah, you especially! but this was my suggestion, not hers, and we hope we do it justice. here it is". the arrangement you've all done is a little bit slower, sexier, in a bit more of an r'n'b style (but still pop - 90s mariah/christina aguilera kinda vibe), with multi-part harmonies; it's so much fun to sing, and judging by the applause afterwards everyone else had fun listening to it too. the presenter of the show compliments you all, quite effusively, and then turns to you like "did you tell ross you were covering him?" and you're like "no, he has no idea. but he did text me before we came on air to say he was listening with the boys. so surprise, darling! hope we didn't murder your song too much, love you lol", which makes everyone laugh. and then when you check your phone after it, there's a video from adam of the boys in someone's car with radio 1 on - ross's eyebrows furrow so adorably when you say the "biggest fans" thing (matty's like "oh my fucking god. they're about to cover us. this is the best day of my life") and he blushes when your bandmate makes the "you especially" comment about him. when they realise what song you're doing, matty squeals, george goes "oh this arrangement FUCKS", and ross just beams before gazing lovingly at the radio as if he can actually see you; the rest of the video is just matty and george clutching each other giddily when the music/vocals sound really cool, and ross sighing totally lovestruck when you solo the second "soft sound" section (at which george elbows matty and says "she's so much better than you it's actually funny" and matty's like "mate i know. ross, your girlfriend is an icon", and ross just winks like "duh" lmao). and ross being lovestruck only increases after the song and applause (which the boys all join in on) ends - he smiles so sweetly when he's mentioned, giggles when you directly address him as "darling", cackles when you say you hope you didn't murder the song (matty's shouting at the radio like "you fucking improved it!!"), and puts his head in his hands like "i love her so much" when you say "love you" to him. yeah, it's all just so adorable <3

#mads muses #mads answers asks #ross asks #fluff asks #girlband gf

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randomfoggytiger · 10 months

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How the Ghosts Stole Christmas In-Depth (Part VII): Mulder Will Never Let Go

The last part is here at last-- here we go!

We pick up with either Maurice or Lyda popping on a background vinyl as the ghosts prepare for the FBI agents' lethal gun down (my bets are on Lyda.)

Scully wakes with another flash of lightning and crack of thunder, turning her head and slowly coming to life. Immediately, she gets up and starts crawling back to her escape: she’s a fighter, she won’t give up, she won’t let this thing beat her.

Mulder, meanwhile, crumples his way downstairs… which means he somehow crawled up that ladder, mounted the second story, and wobbled his way through the door, down the hall, and to the stairs with a gunshot wound (perhaps that should have been the giveaway.)

Also: I noticed brown patches on the front of his pant-thigh… did he have those before? They disappear after this scene... so, are they blood stains or padding for David Duchovny?

Fatigue and desperation warring for supremacy, Mulder drags himself face-first down the rest of the steps; and, after scraping himself along to the main foyer, finds Scully’s snail trail of blood nearly beating him to the exit.

The song the ghosts chose just happen to be singing “From now on our troubles will be miles away--” as the two agents' paths collide with their weapons handily close by.

Even with all this bad blood between them, Mulder still calls out a hesitant “Scully?” when he sees her collapsed body. This effort is too much for him, and as he collapses as well.

Snail Scully is on the move, not responding as adrenaline gives her a little boost to get going again… especially since Mulder-- the (as she currently sees him), raving lunatic-- is inch-worming his way closer.

“Scully,” he calls out again in agony.

She knows she’s not going to make it out of the house; but that doesn’t mean she won’t go down without fighting for her dignity, even against Mulder (perhaps even for Mulder.) Scully may not live, but her death will be on her terms; and she’s not going to let Mulder make that choice for her, half out of his mind or not.

Abdominal crunches are no joke, and a shot to the gut on top of it makes everything worse… but none of that matters to a Scully in survival mode.

As Scully pulls up her gun, Mulder raises his own gun-- not surprised so much as stressed and frustrated with the seemingly insane choices his partner keeps making.

“Pfff… I’m not gonna make it,” Scully admits, eyes fluttering in defeat.

“Nno, you’re not,” Mulder snaps, repressed anger surging to the surface; and he refocuses with deadly intent, “Not without me you’re not.”

And here we see the touch of madness to old Spooky: drawn to the romanticism of a Lover’s Pact, he was betrayed by the only person he trusted; and his corpse was about to be left for dead. Maurice so effectively got into his head and twisted his darkest fears-- Scully leaving him-- that he cannot see past his own pain and fear to notice that he’s acting out what his partner is afraid of: dragging her down into the depths of madness with him. He WILL be avenged: Scully’s shot (unlike Anasazi) was an act of selfishness which robbed him of a chance to find closure for his sister, the ultimate treachery. The one person he relied on to be selflessly steadfast and loyal (which the ghosts spun into purely consuming and self-absorbed motives) was, again, the one who gutted him, like all the others before her.

But does that stop Mulder from wanting Scully for all haunted eternity? No: just as Mulder fell for Phoebe’s tricks and settled for Diana, so too will he cling to Scully until there is nothing corporeal left. And Scully, ordinarily, feels wanted and needed and “whole” being consumed; until she looks about, finds half her life gone and nothing to show for it except an ouroboros. Mulder is satisfied with second (in this case, hundredth) best, clinging unhealthily to what he believes makes him happy, or at least secure… or at least is close enough to happiness that he can endure it and try to be content.

Scully lets out a gasp of pain (and fear); and decides to get to the heart of the issue. It takes guts (heh), but there’s no denial left to hide behind. “Are you afraid, Mulder?”

Maurice has told her he is; Lyda has told her he is; and Mulder has been told he is (and he is, to an extent.) But Scully asks him if he is: she must have proof, yes, but she also will always ask and listen to Mulder when no one else will.

He says nothing, only grips the gun with both hands and inches even closer.

With another gasp of pain, Scully falls back and, metaphorically, breaks the first part of the curse with her courageous and trusting admission: “I am.”

Mulder turns away, his hands loosening their grip as her confession seeps in, hurting and healing at the same time. “I am, too,” he says in a soft, vulnerable murmur.

Scully takes another first step, clunking her gun down (with safety in mind) and fully giving in to the pain of death. Mulder turns on his back, too, mirroring his partner’s actions.

His anger has not abated, however, redirecting itself into chastisement-- bickering over the truth to the last. “You should have thought of this.”

“You should have,” Scully bites. She is not taking the blame for this sordid misadventure when she did nothing wrong and advised him against it.

“YOU SHOT ME,” Mulder yells, enraged that the truth is being denied even on Death’s doorstep.

“I didn’t shoot you, you shot me,” Scully counters, her voice even, unwilling to be taunted into a screaming match during her final moments… but not willing to have Mulder’s ridiculous assumptions be the last word on the matter.

This is a full-blown domestic fight, courtesy of Chris Carter.

Mulder’s brilliant mind makes all the connections in literally four seconds, staring at himself, then Scully; then back at himself to test his theory. Poking at bloody, gooey crime scenes has always been a pastime of his, anyway.

“Scully,” he perks up, way too much zest in his voice for a man who took a slug to the stomach. After Scully’s “What?”, he upgrades from inchworm to upright seal, plopping his gut to the floor with careless abandon; then rises to his knees, a jubilant smile on his face as he slaps the illusion blood on his chest.

Ahh, Lyda, you almost got ‘im.

“Get up,” Mulder commands, slip-sliding his way to his feet.

Scully immediately protests. “I can’t,” she stresses, emphasizing the last word as a pointed reminder.

Looming over her triumphantly, Mulder visually demonstrates: “We’re not shot."

Scully, covered and rolling around in her own leaking blood, asks, “...WHAT?”

Ecstatic (and a little bit crazy with relief), Mulder gently reaches for her. “C’mon,” he cajoles, helping his partner off the floor.

Her mind starting to implode with all the hoops it's jumped through in the last hour, Scully passively lets Mulder hoist her dying body up and slap his bloody mitts to her wound, proving to her rational mind that this, at least, is real enough.

And now for a tenderly romantic scene from Mulder’s perspective and an absolutely mind-melding one from Scully’s:

Mulder has a dark thought-- this happy ending might have a twist to it-- and leaps for the door, pulling a barely-processing Scully firmly along with him.

By the time they bolt outside, she’s gained her independent stride, both awed and spooked with her partner over their fresh, clean clothes. He, wisely, continues their winning streak and runs with her across the lawn, booking it to his car without looking back (but waiting until Scully’s car is turned on before hightailing it away from the mansion.)

Midnight strikes-- another failure for the year.

“Two such lonely souls…” Lyda ruminates, contemplative and moody.

“Can’t let our failures haunt us,” Maurice says amicably, self-awareness at an absolute zero.

Lyda admits to the game: “Do you wonder what they were really out here looking for?”

“Hard to say. People now… this is just another joyless day of the year.”

“Not for us,” Lyda reflects, the bitterness of her talk with Mulder melting away. She’d rather be dead and old with Maurice than playing eternal mind games with handsome, haunted young men.

“We haven’t forgotten the meaning of Christmas,” he agrees.

It’s Lyda who reaches out first, Maurice clasping her hand tenderly with his own; and the two vanish, awash in the glow of love and Christmas joy.

It’s their own twisted way to bring love together, seeing eternal restless and devious acts as a conspiracy all their own; one that Mulder and Scully had to beat together.

Back in Mulder’s lonely apartment, he’s interrupted from his dreary, morose mental contemplations (where he sits in front of while not watching an old black-and-white Scrooge laugh over not deserving so much happiness) by an unexpected knock on his door. It’s so unexpected that Mulder’s sudden happiness is doused with suspicion. He peeks from his living room warily, mulls over his next move, and decides to investigate.

Doubling back, Mulder clicks off the tv, taps his living room doorway posts (for good luck-- knock on wood? nervous energy both?) before launching into the unknown.

It’s Scully-- and she looks both annoyed and amused with herself over her inevitable pitstop.

“I, uh…” she casts about for an excuse, pivoting her eyes away from Mulder while scrambling. Finally she gives up, surrendering to the clumsy truth (hunching her shoulders up, squinting at her smooth ineptitude, knowing her upcoming question will be awkward for them both.) She heaves a big, dramatic sigh-- “Can I come in?”

“Yeah--” Mulder says too quickly, guiding Scully in by her shoulder, a soothing gesture for the both of them (in fact, for him it passes from soothing straight to thinly concealed joy.)

Still. Mulder has to know, ever dedicated to finding the answers: “Aren’t you supposed to be opening Christmas presents with your family?”

And here’s the set up to unwrapping presents between the two of them as an acknowledged family. Mulder and Scully have yet to claim or label the family tag-- Mulder because he doesn’t know what he can claim of Scully or even what he can offer, and Scully because she doesn’t know how much Mulder will let himself claim and she’s not going to be rejected ala The Beginning again-- but their confessions and unspoken affirmations by the end of the scene seal the deal in a way only the two of them can do. It's a little extra gift of their own.

“Mulder,” Scully begins, swinging away from his dark and undecorated living room (another sacrifice to his Spartan living for his quest-- better to chase aliens or look into haunted mansions than to wade the holiday lines at the nearest department store. Besides, who would stare at the tree with him? His fish?) “None of that really happened out there tonight. …That was all in our heads, right?”

Mulder can work with denial, especially because he was gutted (metaphorically, but also) all night; and he’d rather not get into his new, sinking opinion of his actions.

“Y…must have been.”

“Hm.” Scully mulls over her next thought, not too satisfied with her own experience but feeling she owes Mulder at least a half-baked apology… though for what, she isn’t brave enough to say (yet.) She may be filing the ghosts under hallucinations or paranoia, but Scully is going to dismiss what she thinks are repressed and untrue thoughts of her partner. She pokes a little at herself-- “Not that, uh… my only joy in life is proving you wrong”-- and hopes that Mulder will reassure her that those thoughts never entered his head.

Her teasing brings out Mulder’s natural banter-- “When... have you proven me wrong?”-- but it, too, butts up against Maurice and Lyda's poisonous words. Mulder can be stubborn about his opinions, willing to chase them and ditch Scully if need be; and it leads to her hurt at his dismissals and his anger at her scoffing (ex. The Beginning and Field Trip) That selfish tendency to forget all for the chase ultimately tightens the noose of stagnation around Scully's throat: when he does so, it leaves her foolishly floundering for answers, feeling like she contributes nothing and only slows down Mulder's work.

But tonight is not about the noose for Scully: tonight is about stamping out Mulder's joy just to get a cheap thrill of self-importance: “Well… why else would you want me out there with you?”

Fascinating: it’s early S6-- after The End shattered her confidence and FTF restored it, after The Beginning struck away her importance to the work and Drive reestablished it, after water boy tossed an “I love you” in Triangle but dropped the “normal life” cue in Dreamland I-- so this episode isn’t about Scully’s stagnation like Never Again-Milagro-All Things are: it’s about realizing her lonely, lovely man knows that, yes, she’s sticking around… but can only guess at how long.

Mulder is touched by her Starbuck-ism: wanting to always be there, his helping hand, lovingly spieling away about the connections between lonely people and footsteps in the attic while waving her gun ready to cap anyone that threatens him.

But her lukewarm, unsteady answer only sloshes at the wound’s vicinity rather than cleaning it: “You don’t want to be there?”

Scully sees two options before her: 1. wiggle her way out of a confession or 2. admit. While she is ruminating, torn on her next action, Mulder misinterprets her silence.

“Oh, that’s…um,” he pauses, closing his eyes to search for Maurice’s exact wording. “...self righteous and… narcissistic of me to say, isn’t it?” Mulder adds in a low and burdened voice as he grimaces and swivels his head in self-reproach.

The manipulation of his higher impulses cuts deep, casting his need for Scully in the same box as his thoughtless, single-minded actions. They are not equivocal; but the camaraderie he was enjoying melts away as he sinks back into that self-lashing low his partner had interrupted.

“No, I mean…” Scully trails off, diagnosing the problem she and Mulder are suffering and, like a good doctor, deciding to disinfect it as quickly and efficiently as possible. She’s not used to being the candid open-book in this partnership; but some of the blame does fall on her shoulders; and she won’t let Mulder take his undue share (while she shoulders perhaps more blame than she deserves, too.) “Maybe I did want to be out there with you.”

She turns her earnest little face up, giving Mulder a complete and unprotected look into her soul.

Mulder here completes the role-reversal: he keeps his guard up-- a defensive half-smirk cloaking his reserve-- as he tensely probes Scully’s expression. When she doesn’t waver, he softens, loosening his tense posture and smiling more deeply, touched and honored.

Scully’s had enough ungainly revelations for one night, scrunching her face in discomfort and briefly opening her mouth to answer her partner’s “You know…” while Mulder takes the opportunity to nip over and grab a surprise Christmas present.

“I know we said we weren’t going to...“ Mulder begins sheepishly, swiping it off the tv and shyly avoiding his partner’s eyes, “exchange gifts…but, uh…”

Scully melts, posture slumping and face shifting to touched and inept in the face of his tender-hearted little gift.

“It’s, uh, a little somethin’,” he beams, a little less embarrassed at her reaction.

“Mulder…” she croaks, turning up his gigawatt smile even more.

“Merry Christmas.”

Scully has a little surprise of her own, too-- and boy, does she love surprises-- but not before rolling her eyes, again, at her own antics. She’s hopeless.

“I gotta a little somethin’, too,” she adds, digging his present from her coat; and Mulder’s contentment at her happiness transforms into conspiratorial delight, chuckling deeply in anticipation and of course we both did, Scully.

Shaking the present like a teasing little boy, Mulder entices Scully to the couch-- who takes after him with the same gleeful, naughty delight she had when unwrapping presents with Melissa-- where we get a glimpse of his only decorations: a stocking hanging by the fish and what appears to be a reindeer paperweight to hold it down. Ever a hopeful man, is Mulder.

The camera pans out as Mulder continues to rattle his gift until Scully smiles; and the two of them begin their celebration by tearing into their gifts together-- as it should be.

Thank you for reading~

Enjoy!

#txf #How the Ghosts Stole Christmas #HTGSC #In-Depth #Part VII #analysis #mine #Mulder Will Never Let Go #S6 #Mulder #Scully #Maurice #Lyda #x-files #xfiles #the x files #xf meta

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bakudekublogblog · 17 days

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promises kept - Chapter 3 - gabstar - 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia (Anime & Manga) [Archive of Our Own]

chapter 3 of promises kept is up!! hope you enjoy!!

The next few months pass surprisingly quickly. The restoration efforts go by much more smoothly now that Izuku and Katsuki are out on the field (together, because Aizawa was shockingly amendable as soon as Izuku cried about it a little. Katsuki suspects that his own freak-out didn’t hurt either) and soon enough Musutafu starts to look like home again. Trees are replanted, playgrounds restored, and office buildings and restaurants become operational once again. Children go back to school, adults return to work, and life goes on.

Regular classes resume at UA. It’s more than a little weird putting on their school uniforms and sitting through fucking algebra lessons after experiencing the horrors of war, but it’s also a kind of nice. The mundane feels like a privilege after everything they’ve been through. Homework, boring lectures, training regimens, and eating with friends at lunch were hard-won victories. It’s hard not to be grateful for it. It’s a slow process, but eventually, things settle into a new kind of normal.

Except it’s better. Way better. Because now Katsuki has Izuku and the whole world is brighter because of it.

True to his word, Izuku is as clingy as he likes. They train together, study together, partner up on group projects, hang out in Katsuki’s room after class, and go to the gym together. They don’t leave campus without one another, even if it’s just to pop by the convenience store or to visit their parents’ homes. A few times a week, Izuku’s friends will drag him away to have a Dungeons and Dragons session in one of their dorms or a study date in the common room, but for the most part their friend groups have merged. They all sit together at lunch, even though they have to cram multiple tables together to fit everyone, and even then it’s such a tight squeeze that their thighs squish up against one another. It’s a little overwhelming to hang out with all of them at once, but somehow having Izuku at his side makes it easier to bear. Izuku still hasn’t spent a single night in his own dorm room.

And true to Katsuki’s word, he is there for Izuku. Whatever he needs. Whenever he needs it.

At first Izuku is shy about the things he requests. It starts with small favors: helping Izuku do his physical therapy exercises, lending Izuku is hoodies when the nights got cold in Katsuki’s dorm room, reminding Izuku to take his anxiety meds, jogging together in the mornings in case he gets ambushed by the press again (which they did. Because those fuckers were relentless.) Katsuki does it all gladly. Every small task feels like it’s a step forward, a building block added to the foundation of their repairing friendship. It’s both an honor and a relief that Izuku trusts him enough to ask for what he needs; it makes Katsuki’s heart feel like a brilliant star blazing in his chest.

But the more time passes, the more bold and casual Izuku’s requests become. Katsuki only starts noticing it about six months after they’ve been released from the hospital.

They’re studying in the common room together, with their homework splayed out across the coffee table as they sit on the floor, close enough that their shoulders brush as they write. Izuku must be having trouble with English again because he keeps muttering to himself in the garbled language, but Katsuki knows better than to offer help before he asks. Izuku can be weirdly stubborn and competitive sometimes, especially when it comes to Katsuki.

Izuku sets his pencil down and sighs heavily, letting his head fall onto the coffee table with a thwunk. Katsuki smirks.

“You good?” he asks, nudging Izuku with his knee.

“Can’t do it,” Izuku declares. “Too tired. I think I need a break.”

Katsuki hums in acknowledgement. It’s almost dinner time anyway. They can pick this shit up after they get some food in them. Maybe he’ll pop on an episode of Wonderful Quirks and Where to Find Them while they eat. It’s the least annoying of Izuku’s favorite trashy reality TV shows anyway. Katsuki starts gathering up his pencils and scrap paper.

Izuku leans on the coffee table, propping himself up with an elbow as he looks at Katsuki with a strange glitter in his eye.

“Hey,” he says. “You know how to make katsudon?”

Katsuki frowns as he shoves his homework back into his school bag. “Course I do. Shit’s easy.”

“Hm,” Izuku says. He taps his chin with the butt of his pencil. “Well. I don’t.”

“What the hell? Didn’t your mom ever teach you how to cook?” Katsuki demands, turning to frown at him.

Izuku shrugs. His grin is somewhat sheepish. Katsuki rolls his eyes.

“You’ve gotta learn that shit if you want to be a hero,” Katsuki scolds. “Can’t maintain muscle mass off of TV dinners and protein bars.”

Izuku hums in acknowledgement.

“Kacchan is right. I should learn how to cook,” he says, nodding seriously.

And then peeks up at Katsuki with a cheeky little grin.

“Teach me?”

God, he’s so cute. All soft curls, shimmery sea-green eyes, and dimples. He’s beyond cute, he’s fucking angellic. Katsuki should be used to it by now, but somehow Izuku’s specific brand of adorable only gets more potent over time. Katsuki takes an extra three seconds to process what he’s just asked. He blinks rapidly, forcing himself to refocus.

“You want me to teach you how to cook?” Katsuki repeats as flatly as he can.

Izuku bats his huge fucking bambi-eyes up at him innocently.

“I can’t do it on my own, Kacchan,” he says, soft and sweet.

Katsuki’s belly riots with butterflies. Fucking butterflies. Who is he? How has he allowed himself to become this pathetic? He feels a flash of annoyance, but it’s quickly drowned out by this strange, fluttery fond feeling. Even though he really should stay annoyed. Is Izuku seriously trying to use Katsuki’s solemn vow to strong arm him into making katsudon for him? Katsuki isn’t an idiot; he sees right through Izuku’s little game. Katsuki fights down his grin as best he can.

“Go wash your fucking hands,” Katsuki says. Izuku leaps to his feet, beaming so brightly it puts the sun to shame. He bolts into the kitchen and shimmies his shoulders excitedly.

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ask-mangle-the-sad-one · 3 months

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it didn’t go as planned

so u know my revenge I was talking about well it didn’t go as planned

“hi I’m back and u went way too deep so I’m tossing u into the sea!”-mangle. “I don’t know what you are talking about” -toy Chica. “U have never been Pritty like look in a mirror and if I’m a “pile of parts” then you must be the stupidest chicken I’ve ever met and I’m sorry that ur ugly but “it’s not my fault that you have such a fat beak” and whoever herd of a chicken who has a cupcake that is the supedest thing I’ve ever heard of.”-mangle. ”NOW YOU LITLE-“-toy Chica. “But I’ll forgive you, I will never forget it, but I do forgive you, I am just trying my best to shake you in the same way that you shook me, so I’m forgive’ing you”-mangle “oh so are we messing with each other’s feelings now are we?well you have no idea how many things I’ve heard from your mouth… and from Freddy’s.” “OH NOW DONT BRING HIM INTO THIS! YOU DIRTY LITTLE RAT! I WILL SHOVE YOU IN A RAT TRAP MYSELF IF YOU GET THIS PERSONAL!”-mangle. At this point the older animatronics walk out and kinda just stand there in the doorway “see they keep saying our names”-withered Bonnie “Bonnie look at what’s happening how r u not able to put 2 and 2 together they r our replacement’s! Come on this doesn’t concern us” they then go back to parts and service “ oh just u wait you’ll see what I have to say”-toy Chica by now toy Freddy and toy Bonnie walk in “what’s the matter, just tell me”-toy Freddy “oh! Well I’m just gonna say it now! I’ve been up later than you all think I also have herd words meant to stay between 2 animatronic’s and by now Bonnie is the only one of us who doesn’t know so why don’t I let him know! Bonnie here’s the news after I told mangle that she was a pile of parts she was crying about it in kids cove and here’s the juicy part Freddy went to confert her and I forgot everything else *mangle and toy Freddy both look terrified* except this one bit he said “you’re a beautiful pile of parts, and let’s keep it between us but *she starts whispering* I’ve always had a bit of a crush on you myself.” And do ya know what mangle said back!? *at this point mangle is crying in toy Freddy’s arms* she said “oh well let’s keep it between us but I’ve had a crush on you since I can’t even remember” “HEY THAT IS SOMETHING YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO SHARE! And wile I admit I knew it before this I just want you to know exactly how much you’ve hurt her!”-mangle’s endo head “ oh! But now everyone knows it and I win again!” *thru shaky breaths*”oh y-yeah? W-well I um YOU LOVE BONNIE!”-mangle “WHAT!?!?”-literally everybody “HOW DID YOU FIND THAT OUT YOU DIRTY RAT!?!”-toy Chica “wait you actually do?!?!”-mangle “why didn’t you tell me?”-toy Bonnie “EVERYONE STOP!!! Listen we all need a break from each other so why don’t you 2 talk over on the stage and me and mangle will talk in kids cove.”-toy Freddy “fine”-toy Chica mangle and toy Freddy then head over to kids cove and when they get there mangle collapses on the floor “I feel like somebody tossed me in a washing machine for an hour”-mangle “I’m sorry but ha-ha-ha it’s just what you just said I’m sorry about that. Anyway I guess they know.”-toy Freddy “yep *she pops her lips*”-mangle “um do you want to just sit together then?”-toy Freddy “m-hm”-mangle “sounds like Bonnie and Chica are getting along well”-toy Freddy they then just sit down together *im going to direct your attention to toy Bonnie and Chica* they walk over and sit down on the edge of the stage “so how long?”-toy Bonnie “a year” -toy Chica “wow!…well I might as well tell you *sigh* I love you to”-toy Bonnie *toy Chica Is shocked* “wow… u want to *she trails off*”-toy Chica “why not, we can try, see if it works.”toy Bonnie *toy Chica and toy Bonnie suddenly start laughing* “come on let’s go talk to Freddy and mangle”-toy Chica *toy Chica knock’s on the door frame of kids cove* “hellllooo! The then walk in “listen mangle… I’m sorry I called you a pile of parts, can you forgive me?”-toy Chica “of course”-mangle *and then the clock struck 12 and they went to try to get the night guard*

Um… I’m not explaining this yet

#mangle rp #it’s a long story #my revenge didn’t go as planned

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imarvelatthestars · 1 year

Text

The Clone Comm Program: Waxer, Part 1

Pairings: slight Waxer x Reader

Warnings: I played around a bit with format on this one, so it's a little different. Otherwise, nothing except cuteness.

Notes: One of my favorite hobbies is writing letters and I thought it would be really cute if some of our clone boys got to be penpals with sweeties across the galaxy. They deserve it! This one's for Waxer, the first clone I ever fell for. No, I'm not okay.

A name and rank - it's not much to go on, quite frankly. You understand the reason behind the secrecy, of course, but without even a hint as to your assigned trooper's personality, his interests, hobbies, likes or dislikes, even his legion, it makes it harder for you to write the sort of comm you want to. You suppose you are perhaps more invested than the usual applicant is, but isn't that a good thing? Isn't that something that these soldiers deserve, something real and personal and genuine?

You start your message over three separate times before finally settling on something that feels right.

Lieutenant Waxer -

It's a pleasure and honor to be your comm partner, so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Aalilia. (It was a borrowed name, but the people in charge of this whole program had been adamant that you use an alias.) I don't know much about you or what interests you might have, so please do share if you feel up to it! (Trying to balance your tone between professional and friendly was more difficult than you'd thought it would be. You didn't want to come across as stuffy or disinterested, but you didn't want to be rude and overly familiar either.) I'd love to share some of what life is like for me here on my planet, hopefully you don't mind.

I've heard so many stories about Coruscant, how it's all metal and nothing grows there. It's the entire opposite here - it rains more often than it doesn't, except in the summer, and everything is a different shade of green. There are so many types of trees and grasses and flowering plants, even I don't know them all apart and I've lived here my entire life! There are great beasts that roam the skies and luminous fish in our lakes, but for the most part we live in harmony with the animals here. So much so that my people were very hesitant about accepting much technology here, even while the rest of the galaxy surges forward with its technological progress. But I'm glad they finally did because it's allowed me to meet you!

I've also heard that clones are born on a place called Kamino. Is that true? What's it like there? No one here has ever heard of it before. We're far enough away from most other systems that we only regularly get information about Coruscant and the Republic. I can't say much more about it, but I think you get the idea.

The life of a soldier must be very hard and lonely for the Republic to create this program. I can't imagine what that's like, but I hope that I can help in some small way. You're doing your duty to the Republic and I guess in my own way, I'm doing mine. (It hurt your heart to think on this for very long. But you stare at your screen for the longest five minutes of your life before finally typing out the rest of your message.)

Stay safe out there, Lieutenant. May the Force be with you.

And with the press of a finger to your screen, the message is whooshed away into the ether. A little notification pops up in the corner to inform you that your comm has been delivered and a bolt of anxiety suddenly flares to life in your chest. Stars above, you hope you came across alright. Not too prying, not too stale in your conversation, just friendly enough to be a comfort.

You fling your comm pad onto your cot and head outside. The tree-hens are squawking again, presumably having laid some more eggs and you know it's time to feed them. It's best to busy yourself with your chores now, you think, than to sit and worry over your message.

"Always good to be home."

Boil shoots him a look from the corner of his eye as one of the Kaminoans passes by. "Yeah. Home."

"Oh, c'mon, Boil. Don't be such a grouch. We can finally take a break, for once. Isn't that what you've been whining about for-?"

A finger hovers dangerously in front of Waxer's face. He tries very hard not to smile. "I don't whine."

The smile comes out anyway and he has to quickly shoulder past his brother so it isn't so blatantly obvious. "Sure you don't. And I'm a mynock."

It's then that a shiny goes sprinting past, his helmet long abandoned and a goofy sort of smile on his face. Waxer throws a glance down the corridor where the trooper just came from, but he doesn't see anything strange. So why's he running?

"Hey trooper, watch it!"

It hasn't even been ten minutes since they've landed and already Boil's going after the shinies. But he supposes that some things just never change.

"Sorry, sir!"

"What's got him in such a rush?"

Another trooper, an older one much closer to Wax and Boil's age, happens to overhear and he casts the pair a knowing smile. "New comms are in today. Most of the boys are pretty excited."

"Comms?" It takes a second for the information to pass through all the crap muddled in his head, but once it processes, Waxer can feel his face light up in an instant. "Dank farrik, already?"

Boil groans. "You've got to be kidding me. Did you seriously sign up for that bantha shit?"

An elbow in his brother's ribs is enough to quiet him for a moment. Yes, he did sign up for that bantha shit. The moment it was first announced to the GAR, he practically leapt at the chance to get involved. He was probably one of the first ones registered. It was a thrilling idea - a stranger from one of the countless systems in the galaxy, some natborn from another world, another culture who'd maybe never met a clone in their life, and they wanted to talk to him? Willingly? How did that not sound exciting? He was so sure he'd learn something incredible and fascinating from his new friend- kriff, he really hoped they'd be a friend.

His legs start moving before it even registers for him. And he can hear Boil laughing at him, but he doesn't care, not really. Boil can think what he wants. He'll probably want his own comm partner in a week or two.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

It was a long wait, probably close to an hour of standing in line while the rest of his brothers shout and push and joke. Waxer couldn't help wondering on three separate occasions if he ought to be embarrassed to be so eager about this whole thing. But then he spotted a group of shinies at the end of the line and he remembered the shinies that were killed on their last mission, and he thought maybe a little bit of joy in this war might not be so bad.

Now he's in his bunk, entering his trooper number into his new comm pad and opening your message as fast as he can. He scans the first line or so before he tilts the comm down at his lap. He takes a breath. He's nervous. It's kind of stupid that he's nervous, but now he can't get his nerves to settle. He... he wants this to go well and the realization hits him like a ton of durasteel. Boil would laugh at him if he were here. Kriff, he'd laugh at himself if he wasn't so keyed up.

It takes a minute. But his heart gradually settles back into a normal rhythm and he dives into the message, your message without another moment of hesitation.

"You know you're supposed to be working, right?"

You shoot Aalilia a glare, but there's not much bite to it.

"What? You've been attached to that thing for the past twelve rotations!"

Your face goes warm in an instant; you know she's right. Your comm pad drops. "Have not."

One of her brows shoots up into that incredulously amused expression you know so well. "What is it? Truly." There's a hint of concern in her voice.

Dammit.

Your fingers start to wander aimlessly over your work, picking at the loose ends fraying out at the lip of your flaxen basket as you try to find the words to express yourself. "D'you remember that program they had at the Republic embassy? The clone comm thing?" Recognition blinks across Aalilia's face as she nods. "I signed up for it. They gave me a ten credit bonus for it. And this new pad."

The corner of your friend's mouth turns down then. "You didn't do it for the credits, did you? That doesn't sound like you."

"No. I mean, it's a nice bonus, but that's not... I just..." You close your eyes as a sliver of memory worms its way to the front of your mind, that day you trekked into the capitol to sell your wares. "I don't know, they had all these holos of the troopers in uniform, of the Jedi generals and their temple, and I thought about how lonely it must be to be a soldier. If the Republic has this program, that must mean that the clones are lonely. They need friends. They need something that isn't blood and gore and death."

The wind whistles through the branches of the nearby iri trees and a foot stirs in the dirt beside you. Then the toe of a boot nudges yours and you finally look up from the basket to see Aalilia smiling at you. You love her to death, this girl, and her smile is all you need for your awkward hesitancies to fall away.

"You're a good person, you know that?"

You shrug and lean in so your shoulder rests against hers. It's good to have your best friend's approval, even if you didn't need it.

"I wasn't sure what you thought about the war and everything," you say.

"They're people just like us, aren't they?"

The comm suddenly chimes and your back goes ramrod straight. That has to be the Lieutenant, it has to be! You scramble for the pad for a moment while Aalilia collapses into a fit of giggles. She's teasing you about your new "clone boyfriend" and you're smacking her arm to get her to shut up, but the two of you quickly settle against each other once you find and open the message.

Aalilia, it starts and already your friend is on the floor, howling with laughter because you stole her name, the pleasure is all mine. Please just call me Waxer, no need for formalities. I get plenty of those already.

You're right about Coruscant. I don't think I've seen anything growing there. There's a rumor among the troopers, though, the ones that have been to the Temple, that there's a tree there. The only one on the planet. They say it's very beautiful and very old. If I ever get lucky enough to see it, I'll tell you all about it.

As for Kamino, it's about as far away from Coruscant as you can get. There's no land, water everywhere, and it rains almost every day. I think I only ever saw the sun once when I was a boy. We're all pretty good swimmers, if you can imagine. Kamino itself is pretty far out of the way like your planet is. We don't get any visitors except for Jedi and bounty hunters, but once we pass training and go into the field, we don't stay here for very long. My battalion only just returned from a mission this past rotation and it's been close to a full cycle since we were last here.

("You should ask him about the mission!" Aalilia prompts and you're quick to elbow her in response.)

I'm afraid I don't know much about the wildlife or the ecosystem on either planet, however. Your luminous fish sound interesting. And I'm curious to know more about the creatures on your planet. Or anything about you, really. I haven't met many civilians. There was this one civvy, a girl, that my brother and I met. Scared half to death and starving too, she was. Her people were under occupation and she was afraid of us at first, but by the end she was crying to see us go. Bravest kid I've ever met.

You're right about another thing, too, Aalilia. Being a soldier isn't easy. But I think people like you who do this sort of thing make it all worthwhile. We're fighting for you, after all, for the Republic.

I'm no Jedi, but - may the Force be with you too. Wherever you are.

Your hand hovers over the pad for a moment as you let the Lieutenant's words sink in. He'd actually responded! It took twelve days, but he responded and he wanted to talk more! Not only that, he seemed so friendly. You hadn't been sure what to expect from a clone, especially knowing that they were all soldiers. You'd almost anticipated your assigned trooper to be gruff and disinterested. But this was so much more.

Aalilia hums thoughtfully as she scrolls up to see the message you had first sent. "I like him."

"Me too."

"So what are you going to say back?"

One of your hands finds its way to your hip as you fix her with a mock-offended expression. "I thought you said we were supposed to be working?"

She dismisses you with a wave of her hand. "Please, this is clearly more important."

Yes, you muse, he is.

#lieutenant waxer x reader #lieutenant waxer x you #waxer x reader #waxer x you #lieutenant waxer #star wars #the clone comm program #i've never read much or even written for boil and waxer before so hopefully it's as in character as i can get #i might turn this into a mini series bc that would be really cute

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