#i promised someone else that i'd investigate this too so there we are

[roxie-roo]

Day 5: Interviews

@majickth it's finally here! Enjoy ! <3

__________________________________________________

[ The following is a transcript of notes taken from the online journal of GRIAN ████. Certain words have been removed per request, but the remaining text is otherwise unaltered. ]

I've finally managed to sit down and interview a few of the survivors of The Watchers. It's thrilling that they want to talk to me. I'm excited to see what knowledge they'll bring to my investigation, and the insight they can provide. Hopefully, and we're crossing fingers pretty tight here, it'll bring me closer to the answers I want.

I'll update when the interviews are done!

[Transcript of James Tek interview, conducted by GRIAN ████. The following is prohibited from being viewed by the public.]

G: Can you please state your name for the records?

J: Uh,, James- James Tek. Everyone calls me Jimmy..

G: How did you first come across the Watchers?

J: Honestly, it wasn't my choice.. a friend of mine got involved with them... I was in a rough patch, mentally.. it meant a lot that a friend was reaching out, with intentions to help... He introduced me to someone, Exae,, he said they'd be able to help me. If I just gave in.

G: Gave in to what?

J: To Them...

G: The Watchers?

J: .. yeah.. We were marked. Branded... Like that mark you have on your wrist.. Except more scarred over.

G: My wha-... oh... right- uh- continue.

J: It was how we proved that we "gave in" to them. We were lead away from everyone else.. weren't allowed to talk to anyone else... It was terrifying, I was alone-... scared... People tried to contact us, friends, family, our phones were destroyed so we couldn't talk to them. My friend, though? He couldn't see it like that... he thought they were helping. He was blinded by their promises. Until- of course.. that fateful day we escaped. The sacrifice, some guy I didn't know, was murdered. In cold blood... Hah... I guess that snapped him out of it. He helped me and this other guy, Martyn, get out of there... and for our efforts, Martyn got stabbed, and... poor Taurtis got blinded. Literally..

G: -.... did you say his name was Taurtis? The friend you knew?

J: Yeah.. Why- do you know him?

G: Th the name just sounded familiar, that's all- Thank you, Jimmy, that'll be all-

[End of transcript.]

[ The following is a transcript of notes taken from the online journal of GRIAN ████. Certain words have been removed per request, but the remaining text is otherwise unaltered. ]

Holy shit... I knew Taurtis was blind, I didn't think this was what happened to him. I know he's still alive and shit, but gods....

Am I in too deep with this?

[Transcript of Martyn Littlewood interview, conducted by GRIAN ████. The following is prohibited from being viewed by the public.]

"Can you please state your name for the records?"

"Martyn Littlewood, frequent visitor of the Hollow. It's almost like having a vacation home.. if vacation homes were in creepy small towns."

"How did you first come across the Watchers?"

"Like I said, I'm not from the Hollow.. But a good friend of mine lived here, so I figured I'd come see him while I was down here. Pix ran the radio station here, Hermit's Hollow Recap.."

"The radio station that burned down?"

"An act of retaliation, I think.."

"For what?"

"Not being a good enough sacrifice. Yeesh.. that sounds harsh now that I say it, huh."

"A tad, yes... tell me more about the sacrifice thing?"

"Well- see the branding here? Yeah- his was... well- less like a branding, more like a birth mark? And- and it glowed, kinda, when he was in the circle! It was freaky as hell.. But, the Watcher Spirit- or whatever they said, I tuned them out, was taking too long to possess him? So they killed him. Right then and there. He tried to fight back, tried to tell them this wasn't fair, but they killed him.... I- I watched my friend get killed.... wow-.. that's.. that's really fucked up, isn't it.."

"Very... I'm so sorry to hear about that.."

"Eh.. But- some guy, Taurtis I think, told us to run. I mean- a lot of good running did me, I got stabbed. Annoying, right? But hey- we got out of there with our lives... even if that poor Taurtis guy got his eyes gouged out- like proper gouged, it was gross, something out of a horror movie-.... sorry, you alright there? You look a bit green 'round the gills."

"I- I'm fine.. that's.. enough questions for now.. Thank you, Martyn.."

[End of transcript.]

[ The following is a transcript of notes taken from the online journal of GRIAN ████. Certain words have been removed per request, but the remaining text is otherwise unaltered. ]

I learned something rather interesting, not just about the Watchers, but in the ways that people handle trauma and being questioned about it.

While both clearly were effected by what had happened, Jimmy was more bitter and angry, making biting comments while I asked questions. Meanwhile, Martyn was more lighthearted, and tended to use dark humor to deflect his actual feelings about the events that transpired.

In the end, these interviews at the very least gave me more information about the Watchers, and allowed me to gain a bit more insight into how they have effected people who have managed to escape. This gives me at least a little hope about possibly finding these missing people.

It also presents me with a problem. Jimmy pointed out to me that I now bare the mark of the Watcher's Vessel. I've heard about what happens to these folks and it doesn't sound like fun.

Pixl Riffs, the owner of the HHR station, was.. as Martyn had said, murdered in cold blood. But that was because he "wasn't a good sacrifice". What happens if you are a good sacrifice?

Do I even want to know?

.....

Wish me luck in trying to get this off.

... I'm gonna call Taurtis.. just to check in on him.

[End of transcript.]

#roxie's writing #hermits hollow au #sorry it took so long Magick <:[ #but it's here!

[faulty-writes]

Hello! If requests are still open, may I please request headcanons for Sero and Shoji with a very jealous, clingy, insecure fem s/o who's that way because her ex partner cheated on her ? Ignore Shoji if you don't write about him. Thank you 💗

[ I've never written Mezo Shoji actually, at least not from what I can recall. But anything is worth a try. ]

The first time he used his quirk on you was when you interrupted a conversation he was having with Ashido. You hated seeing how she made your boyfriend smile and laugh and had to put an end to it. But grabbing Hanta's arm while hissing out multiple threats wasn't the best idea and resulted in him taping your mouth shut.

He let most incidents slide thinking that jealousy was normal in a relationship, but noticing how clingy and worried you'd become when he wasn't around or talking to others concerned him. After a little investigating, he found out about your past relationship and how poorly you were treated.

"I promise, we can kiss and cuddle all you want later but...principal Nezu is coming!" you knew there were certain rules regarding relationships and dating at Yuuei, but this never stopped you from trying to show how you felt during school hours. Hanta on the other hand didn't want to get in trouble.

When you weren't in school, you were always by Hanta's side and on the rare chance you weren't you were texting him constantly. Many of your classmates and friends had tried to distract you or outright told you that you shouldn't be so clingy. But, you brushed their words off. After all, what did they know?

From time to time, you'd let your paranoid thoughts get the best of you and would ask or rather accuse Hanta of cheating on you. He noticed this usually happened when he was too busy to spend time with you. "Why would I do that? What we have is pretty great, don't you think babe?" he'd always try to reassure you somehow, but it didn't always work.

After you had gotten into a fight with someone else who was spending more time than you would have liked with your boyfriend, Hanta revealed that he knew you were cheated on in the past. "I know it's going to take a while, but we can work on your insecurities together, and just know that as long as I'm a hero, I'll never give up on you or us," he promised.

Mezo always put you first, especially when you began your relationship with him and he learned how poorly your ex had treated you. He thought it unforgivable for anyone to hurt or betray you, and silently promised he'd right the wrongs that had been done to you.

You knew that having a "hero" for a boyfriend would be difficult but you didn't realize how jealous you'd be when you witnessed him saving others and how they'd praise, touch, or flirt with him. But, you also didn't hesitate to walk over and bluntly state that Mezo was yours.

He noticed that at times, you'd go through extreme measures to be by his side. Like when you purposely applied at the same agency as him for your student internship. "You know, I'd be acting the same even if you weren't here," he told you. At the same time, he didn't mind the way you clung to him during patrols.

At times, you'd try to practice self-discipline. Instead of acting on your jealousy and insecurity, you'd hold it in. This usually resulted in you becoming a crying mess and Mezo having to comfort you. "Do you really think anyone else would want to date someone who scares children with his face?" you had to admit, it was nice knowing that you were the rare type that saw past his facial features.

On some days, you felt overly clingy and didn't want to separate yourself from Mezo. He would usually accommodate you by carrying you on his back with his tentacles surrounding you as a precaution. "Your weight feels nice on my back..." he'd comment, but he also found your overall presence to be comforting.

When your one-year anniversary came, Mezo decided to surprise you with a promise ring. "Just in case you need proof that I won't disrespect or cheat on you. That I wouldn't do anything to lose you," he said, slipping the piece of jewelry onto your finger with ease.

#hanta x reader #sero x reader #sero x you #sero x y/n #mezo x reader #shoji x reader #shoji x you #bnha x reader #bnha x you #bnha x y/n #faulty writes: hanta sero #faulty writes: hanta sero: headcanons #faulty writes: mezo shoji #faulty writes: mezo shoji: headcanons

[haru-chi]

The True Identity of Matoba Seiji's sister?

this is something that's been on my mind lately, I may be overthinking this and reading too much into things. I have a crazy theory on my mind so thought I wanna share it before I explode by myself xD

what I have next are from chapters yet to be translated so if you don't wanna be spoiled then don't continue reading :)

before I start I just wanna emphasize all of what I'm gonna say is purely my own theories and ideas, also my Japanese is bad so I might make some mistakes thus if you noticed anything I'd be glad if you can correct me ^^

lastly, I don't know how long this post will turn out to be so sorry in advance ><

-What about Shinobu?

i want to start with this first to clear out the way, of why I don't believe Shinobu to be Seiji's sister. but another twist from Midorikawa-sensei (I mean how many times did she makes us suffer in figuring out the true identity of Seiji's sister for me to trust her easily now)

she started and ended this chapter in a way that makes you believe that Shinobu is THE miss Matoba but is she really ??

Shinobu said "really? thank you I'm glad to hear that"

is that enough to point out to herself and not to someone she knew perhaps? for example, she knew Seiji's sister or work for her so she's happy to hear someone praise her?

I really don't trust her since her deep knowledge of the exorcist world means she's not normal therefore she's in it one way or another but in what form I don't know yet, yup yup even her being Seiji's Sister isn't even 0% but I just find it weird and doesn't add up for now for me ...

I mean she can't even see the Yokai!! (Unless she lied which I doubt) now tell me, is a future leader of the Matoba clan someone who can't see Yokai? we all know what that means for a successor of an exorcist family to lose the sight. plus, if I'm not mistaken, the talk was that Seiji was more powerful than her which's why he was picked over her despite being the youngest so it was not because he was able to see the Yokai unlike her ... in short, his sister should be able to see the Yokai but Shinobu can't!!!

"a long-haired, elegant well-dressed woman"

and this important detail by Tanuma's investigation worth taking into note, since if the thief is truly Seiji's sister, then that's NOT Shinobu unless you consider Shinobu having a long-hair xDD

so you see now why I don't believe her to be Seiji's true sister (I have other reasons but we'll come up to it next)

-If not Shinobu then who?

now we're back to square one huh, Midorikawa-sensei sure love to torture us in this arc and tease us to no end while making us suffer (which's why I love you tho ~)

before I point out to who I believe to be his sister I wanna point out to something else so you can see my line of thinking :)

listen, I don't know how or why I thought that other than I followed my intuition since I read too much into Seiji's character while thinking and linking things together (this guy is making me go crazy! I'm so sorry I have nothing better to back me up here so bear with me please ><)

we all know that Seiji doesn't like divination and guess what, I believe the reason of why is that lies with his sister one way or another.

please DON'T ask me why I think so since it's hard to explain without sounding insane xDD

BUT IT'LL MAKE SENSE I PROMISE JUST WAIT FOR IT!!!

I mean this sweet, lovely chapter was in fact a soft set-up for this Miss Matoba arc which thinking about it now let me laugh that Midorikawa-sensei did it to us yet again lol

okay okay, stop this and just tell us who is this Miss Matoba already !!!

now let's review what we believe are hints to Seiji's sister

someone with a blond long hair

someone who should be able to see Yokai but we've yet to know if this person can or can't (meaning someone NOT Shinobu)

Someone who love or do divination (since Seiji hates it)

someone we never get to know their REAL names (again aside from Shinobu)

someone having an interest in anything Yokai related

someone who should be in this arc.

now tell me, does anyone comes to mind maybe ? someone whom for some reason mysteriously disappeared ever since she set foot into the auction perhaps ??

true, I meant her. Kurara or whatever her name is. no matter which way I slice it she just fit everything in my mind so I just can't help but think she is the REAL Miss Matoba. her disappearing ever since she dropped Natsume isn't really helping her case tbh. she also love and do divination which just so fit with my idea that his sister have something to do with divination which's why he isn't a big fan to that ><

and I said it to a friend, I just won't believe who's Seiji's sister till I see them both facing each other so nope I won't fall for Midorikawa-sensei trap AGAIN!!!

I know this might be far-fetched but I just couldn't stop thinking about it since alot was bothering me and I read into many things too much maybe but I HAD to let it out my chest so yup here you have it <3

-Bonus :Ultra small crazy theory

this one is ... ummm... listen... I know Seiji is making me go crazy and this one I just DON'T have any proof to really back it up like him hating divination because of his sister so just take this with grain of salt ... it just ... I WANTED TO JUST SHARE IT SINCE MY FIREND WAS GONNA KILL ME OF HOW CRAZY I AM TO COME UP WITH THIS !!!!

i mean if I said ... Kuro Misa (Black Misa) might refer to two people will you say I'm going crazy? haha ha ha

Seiji is very handsome indeed, but would you describe him as "doll-like beauty" ?? (you are to me at least, don't worry) not with that eyepatch at least, right ? if there's someone whom I would say is a "doll-like beauty." it would be Kurara.

one line hit me as being weird and my mind went "wait!! is it possible?!! what if ...!!!!" ever since I moved with the line of thoughts that Kurara is Seiji's sister ... umm... it's rumors and I know people never really know much about Kuro Misa ... but certain line felt off to me which was "she was beautiful like a doll" when describing Kuro Misa before we know it was actually Seiji's other hidden identity.

Kuro Misa wear a black veil that no one ever saw her face or have any idea what kind of a person she is, so it won't be far-fetched for people not to notice if it's two different person under the veil.

and it didn't help my case that this arc started with Kurara like this ... even Natsume thought she was Kuro Misa ><

this brings me to think that, what if Seiji created Kuro Misa in respond to his sister? so that he can keep an eye on her movement or to at least be in the same circle as her. which's why he picked such a character that is so unlike him since he just hate divination so why bother being known as someone famous of such a thing?? (I swear this man deserve all the respect for all the things he just do to protect his clan but no one ever appreciate it T^T)

Seiji also said that wearing a veil is very helpful since it will help him to recognize the faces of anyone whom tries to come closer to him to uncover his secrets, but what if a hidden/indirect meaning is also that if someone whom thought he was his sister thus come closer to talk to him that would help him recognize his enemies or the people his sister tried to make contact with to let them join her side in her fight against the Matoba clan !!

I know all of this might not make any sense, and as I said this one is just a very crazy theory of mine that won't be true mostly but was fun to think about .. if I hit it close to the truth I'd be very shocked of myself tbh xDD

if you read it to the end I just thank you for bearing with me and my crazy thoughts and theories ~

don't mind my english if it sounded weird or such, not my native language.

If anyone have anything to add or wanna correct anything I'd be glad and happy to hear it, and if you think I'm crazy it's okay xDD

I can't wait for the next chapter to just drop since I'm losing my mind over thinking everything and coming up with crazy thought and theories while waiting ><

#natsume yuujinchou #matoba seiji #Shinobu #Kurara #natsume takashi #natsuyuu #Haru's theories #just me going crazy cuz I think about Seiji alot and everything related to him #the funny part was that I was thinking about Natori/Seiji but then I jumped to Seiji and his sister #I just have too many things on my mind when it comes to this manga #espacially Seiji .. he just make me lose my mind okay #I wonder if I can also share my other theories or analysis of this manga ? #this one been on my mind for a long time since I read the last chapter #but my health issue is just won't let me do whatever I want I guess #glad this saw the light of the day at least xD #if anyone find it interesting then I'd be happy #cuz I know how crazy my thoughts can be xDD

[natedogx15]

Miraculous Decendent Chapter 55: Chapter Step Your Game Up

Previous Chapter

With a tired yawn, a fully dressed-for-school Nate is knocking on Marinette's door for what feels like the third time this morning.

"Come on, Marinette. I'm usually the one that hates being woken up between us." Nate sighs as he continues knocking until finally, Marinette opens the door... with baggy eyes while still in her pajamas.

"Woah. You look terrible. What were you doing all night? I thought your mom took away all your sowing stuff?" Nate asks as he steps back in shock at Marinette's appearance.

"I-I was thinking about something last night, and it kept me up." Marinette still has enough energy to blush in embarrassment.

Nate raises an eyebrow before deciding to put it off until they walk to school.

"Alright. I'll be waiting downstairs for when you're ready." Nate tells her before walking off.

Marinette nods before closing the door and yawning as she heads to her closet. She soon walks out in her ladybug-themed jacket, a short-sleeve white shirt with a pink flower branch, light blue jeans, and pink flats.

As she's getting her stuff for school, she's thinking back to last night and Canine's suggestion. She then thinks about last night and how the question kept her up.

"Maybe I should stop trying to learn more about my ancestor until Hawkmoth is defeated. After all, we have an extra person now. It might make defeating him easier. And protecting Paris is the most important thing right now." Marinette thinks as she checks her bag to make sure everything is inside.

She's afraid to go too far into her family's past with everything going on. They were lucky Barkk chose someone who would help them. But there's no telling what could happen next time they try to open the box or what she might find while investigating her family. She's worried she might accidentally make the situation worse somehow.

"I might talk to the others about this later," Marinette tells herself before going to her bathroom to finish getting ready.

After a short while, she walks into the lobby to see a waiting Nate tapping his foot on the ground impatiently.

"Sorry, it took me so long." Marinette apologizes while Nate shrugs.

The two head to school, and as they walk, Nate asks.

"So, what kept you up last night? Have you figured out how to tell our parents we're working for Ladybug?" Nate asks her.

"Maybe. I'm worried they'll ask me and Ladybug to be in the same place. I think I can make a convincing copy of myself using my powers. But that's not what's on my mind now." Marinette tells him truthfully.

"What else has happened while I've been locked in my room?" Nate asks her, though, not wanting the answer.

"Well, Barkk chose someone our age, and she's helping us fight against Hawkmoth. So, that's good. But." Marinette then explains to Nate about last night's meeting and Canine's suggestion.

"Why didn't we ever think of that?" Nate questions while facepalming.

"I'm worried, though. I'm not sure I want to pry into my family's history anymore. What if we find something that could cause things to get worse?" Marinette asks him.

Nate winches when he hears that and can see Marinette's point.

"I do not know how to answer you. I honestly am not sure at this point. Maybe you can test your luck after getting everything else handled. I'd rather you focus on getting us out of trouble with our parents." Nate tells her honestly.

This time, it's Marinette's turn to winch at the reminder that Nate is in as much trouble as she is.

"Sorry. I promise I'm trying. I just need to figure out the best way to introduce them to Ladybug." Marinette immediately apologizes to him while explaining what she's waiting for.

"I am going crazy from not being able to play anything." Nate sighs as his shoulders slump slightly.

Marinette winches again and sends him another apologetic glance as they arrive at a crosswalk and can see the school.

"Have you touched the Miracle Box, by the way?" Nate suddenly asks her with a raised eyebrow, causing Marinette to jolt slightly in surprise.

"No. I don't want to mess with it anymore. For a while, at least." Marinette tells him, causing Nate to nod in slight understanding.

"I guess that makes sense. Hopefully, Hawkmoth doesn't use this as a chance to reveal he can make three Akumas at once, and we have to risk opening the box again." Nate decides to lighten the mood with a bad joke.

Marinette cringes at the prospect and playfully smacks his shoulder while saying.

"Please, never make that joke again. I don't want to imagine fighting three Akumas, even if we have the numbers to match them." She tells him with a slight shudder at the idea.

"Sorry. I'll let you enjoy having the numbers advantage over Hawkmoth again." Nate apologizes while raising his hands in surrender.

After that, the two quickly find themselves in the school and are about to head up the stairs for class before Nate suddenly stops while looking at a poster.

"Nate? What's wrong?" Marinette asks him in confusion before walking back over to him.

When she looks toward where he's looking, she sees a tryout poster for a gaming tournament with her favorite game, Ultimate Mecha Strike III.

"Ugh. This is so tempting right now." Nate emphasizes the so as he looks at the poster desperately and excitedly.

"Wouldn't your dad kill you if you tried even trying out for the tournament?" Marinette asks him with a raised eyebrow.

Nate slumps and releases a dramatic groan at the reminder before staring back at the poster with puppy dog eyes.

"I know. But I'm going crazy." Nate tells her as she slowly pulls him away from the poster.

"Come on. I promise I'll get everything done soon. Just give me a little more time." Marinette promises her cousin.

With a deep sigh, Nate is willingly pulled away from the poster, and the two head to class.

Upon arriving in class, the group sees Alix's group of her, Max, and Kim happily chatting on the other side of the room. Well, it's mostly Max.

"I've been waiting for this tournament all year. I've spent so much time practicing the game to lose." Max proudly tells his friends.

"Well. This will be entertaining to watch, then." Alix tells her friend with a smile.

"Yeah, Max. You're going to crush the competition like all the best athletes in their sports!" Kim shouts at Max as he puts an arm over Max's shoulders with a grin.

"Indubitably." Max nods to Kim's excitement.

Hearing their excitement for the competition causes Nate to groan again and Marinette to pat his back comfortingly.

"There, there. Maybe we can do something." Marinette can't stand to see her friend acting like this.

"If our parents find out either of us skipped being grounded before you have them talk to 'Ladybug,' we are dead. And they will. You know how important rules and order are to Mr. Damocles. Trust me, you won't like Dad's punishment when I disobey his groundings." Nate bluntly reminds her while making finger quotes at Ladybug, causing Marinette to winch.

"If they're anything like my mom's," Marinette doesn't even finish her sentence as she imagines different punishments Samuel and Sabine can do to them.

The two sit silently as others begin filing into the room until class starts. Before class begins, Miss Bustier makes an announcement.

"Students, after the events from career day, Mr. Damocles has taken some time off to work from home. So, if any of you have anything to ask him, you may have to send an email to him." Miss Bustier explains to her class as she writes Mr. Damocles' email address for her students in case they need him.

A couple of the more studious students write the address down. But one is distracted by something else they talked about last night.

After talking with the heroes, Sabrina told her father everything, including how the heroes aren't any closer to figuring out who Hawkmoth is than the police. It did disappoint Roger slightly, but he didn't look that surprised, given that the heroes looked young.

"That's fine. It makes me somewhat happy. It means we police have something important to do against Hawkmoth that we are good at." She remembers him telling her with a smile on his face.

Remembering that smile makes Sabrina happy. But she can't help but focus and worry about how no one knows who Hawkmoth is or even has an idea. The shock and excitement of becoming a hero have already subsided. Now she's worried about losing her Miraculous before they can figure out who Hawkmoth is and her father being put in danger.

"Everything should be okay. While Ladybug and Cat Noir aren't good investigators, they've proven to be amazing heroes and will be helping me keep my Miraculous." Sabrina mind chants to calm her nerves, not noticing that someone can see her worry.

Chloe raises an eyebrow as she sees Sabrina get distracted sometimes before smiling.

"Looks like something is on Little Miss Justice's mind. It's been a while since I've seen her react like this. This could be fun." Chloe silently thinks to herself as she decides to wait and watch Sabrina to see if she can figure out what's wrong with the girl.

Class continues as usual, and the school day ends quickly for the class. After class, Marinette and Nate head back to the hotel while Adrien stays at school. Nathalie told him he could spend some time with his friends after school and decided to spend it in the library to compete in the gaming competition.

"This is going to be awesome. This is my first time trying out for a school competition, and I love Ultimate Mecha Strike III." Adrien tells Nino with an excited grin as the two head toward the library.

"That's cool, dude. It's nice to get to hang out with you a bit after school. I play, too. So maybe we can be the ones to take on the other schools and bring home a trophy." Nino tells his friend with a grin.

The two enter the library to see a rather large group of students waiting for the tryouts to start. The one leading the competition in place of Mr. Damocles is Mylène's father and an assistant educator at the school, Fred Haprèle.

Adrien and Nino look around to see who's here. Among the students are Max, his friends, Mireille with Thèo, and the person who turned into Magician of Misfortune, Jean Duparc. However, the most shocking person there causes Adrien and Nino's jaws to drop when they see her.

"Dude, why is Chloe here of all places?" Nino questions his friend as the two stare at a scowling Chloe, waiting with crossed arms.

"...I guess she likes gaming," Adrien says after taking a few seconds to process that she's there and it's not someone else.

"That's surprising. She never came off as the type to enjoy games. I thought she only cared about studying, baking, and torturing us." Nino whispers so Chloe doesn't hear him.

However, he doesn't do a good enough job as Chloe sees them staring at her in surprise, and it causes her scowl to grow.

"They're probably surprised to see me here and talking smack. Just wait. I'll crush you two if we have to play against each other. I am so taking the gold here and when I represent our school." Chloe thinks as she pulls out her phone while waiting for Fred to make his announcement.

While messing with her phone, Chloe adds another thought.

"I'll show everyone here how much better I am by getting our school a trophy. I'm exceptional like the rest of my family."

After a little bit more waiting to let others who want to join the tournament arrive, Fred finally begins his announcement.

"Welcome everyone to the tryouts for the school district's Ultimate Mecha Strike III tournament. I'm Fred Haprèle, and I'll be taking Mr. Damocle's place in charge of these tryouts while he takes some time to recover from being turned into a villain." Fred introduces himself in a friendly manner with a slight wave.

After giving the students a second to process this information, Fred continues.

"This tournament will be our school's way of finding the two best players to represent our school in the actual tournament. We will have a few fights among the participants while keeping track of points. Whichever two players have the most points by the end will represent us." Fred explains as he pulls out a bracket board and marker to write down names.

After that, everyone playing in the tournament has their names written down, and it begins. It was entertaining for those who came to cheer for one of the competitors and fun for the participants. Max, Adrien, and, surprisingly, Chloe are the ones that specifically stand out. Every match they played in, they crushed the opposition. Until it finally reaches a point where two of them have to face each other, those being Adrien and Max.

"Come on, Max. You've got this." Alix cheers for her friend while Kim throws his hands up.

"Yeah, kick his rich butt!"

"Hey!" Adrien shouts toward Kim in hurt.

"Don't let him psyche you out, dude! You've got this!" Nino cheers for his friend while Chloe hmphs.

"Hurry up and play already so I can crush the other." She orders while impatiently tapping her foot on the ground.

"I hope you're ready to lose, Adrien because I've been practicing for this tournament as soon as I heard about it. Beating you will be as easy as our last math test." Max warns Adrien with a confident smile as he chooses a black and green mech with a devil-like appearance named UFO.GR.

"Well, good luck then, Max." Adrien is uncertain what to say and can only wish the other player luck while choosing a black cat-like mech named NAD03.

The match begins, and everyone there can easily say it was the most intense one they've seen today. Combo, reversals, and special moves are used on both sides, and they seemed to be on equal footing for most of it. Everyone cheers for Adrien or Max to win as they watch the intense game. Finally, Adrien comes out on top with an excellent combo into a finisher. The points he gets from that match put him at the top of the leaderboard, with Max behind him in second place and Chloe third.

"And with that, we have only one more match before we decide who's qualified to represent us. It will be between Chloe and Max for second place." Fred announces as Adrien swaps place with Chloe, but not before she can give him a snide comment.

"Better not get in my way during the tournament. Otherwise, you can expect life here to get a whole lot worse." She growls at him, causing Adrien to gulp nervously as he takes his spot next to Nino.

"Crush her, Max! Crush her and shatter her pride!" Alix is especially loud with her cheering as she glares at Chloe from behind.

"Avenge me for Happy Heart's Day!" Kim cheers with her with everyone else in the room. 

Nobody is on Chloe's side, but it doesn't look like the dislike surrounding her affects her. She just confidently smirks as she takes her seat.

Fueled by the cheers around him, his own dislike for Chloe, and his wish to compete in the tournament, Max glares at the screen as he picks the same avatar as he did in his match against Adrien.

Ignoring everything and fueled by her desire to prove her superiority to everyone, Chloe chooses the pink and black one-eyed robot R2D3. With both bots picked, the match begins.

However, to everyone's shock, unlike the last match, this is a one-sided slaughter in favor of Chloe. Max can barely get any hits back before he ultimately loses to Chloe.

"Ha. In your faces, losers! Your grand champion couldn't do anything against me!" Chloe shouts at everyone as her accumulated points put her ahead of Max and Adrien.

Max sits in shock as he tries to understand how he lost to Chloe so one-sidedly while Chloe continues to taunt everyone who cheered for him.

"Alright, alright. That's enough, everyone. The ones representing us will be Chloe and Adrien. Thank you all for coming out to try and represent the school or to support your friends." Fred thanks everyone while clapping his hands to get them to stop.

Chloe has a proud expression while Max finally accepts the results. With his head hung low, he looks toward Chloe while holding his hand out.

"Good game. You've proven more worthy than me to be in this tournament. I wish you and Adrien luck." He tells her in a forced, cheerful tone.

"Ha, like I need luck. I'm a Bourgeois. We don't need luck. We're all talent and skill." Chloe confidently brushes the hand aside and prepares to leave the library.

Before she does, though. She sends one last glare at Adrien.

"I'll tell you again. You better not get in my way during the tournament. I don't need to be wasting my time picking up your slack. If you cause me to lose, I'll give you problems." Chloe warns before leaving.

Adrien gulps while Max stands up and quietly heads to the library exit.

"Max." Kim starts worriedly as he and Alix look at their sad friend.

"Can you guys leave me alone? Sorry, I want to be by myself. I have some homework I was planning to finish after winning the competition anyway." Max laughs to his friends before walking off as Alix and Kim give him worried and sad looks.

Later, during his walk, Max's feelings catch up with the rest of him, and tears of frustration build in his eyes.

"It's not possible. I was conscious of school announcements and saw the notification for the tournament an hour after it went up online. I practiced for it repeatedly. It was my destiny to play in that tournament. Not only did I train. Public opinion was always on my side. Several studies have proven how important the audience is due to how they can manipulate a person's morale. Chloe was clearly the enemy, and yet she still played perfectly." Max rambles as he tries to figure out how he lost so one-sidedly.

As he rambles, someone takes notice of his growing feelings of frustration, jealousy, and anger.

"Poor young man. Faced with the reality that the effort you put in and a favorable environment isn't always enough to give you a win. I know that feeling all too well." Hawkmoth says with a sorrowful expression before smiling.

"I'll help you gain some semblance of peace by giving you the power to live out something better than your dream," Hawkmoth says as he creates a butterfly and sends it after Max.

It soon gets close to Max while he's sitting on a bench, looking over his glasses. The glasses seem to have a line of coding on them that looks like game combos. Max is so engrossed in inspecting this that he doesn't notice the butterfly until it's too late.

"I'm glad you could join the party, Gamer. I have a far more interesting quest for you than simply being in a gaming tournament. It's simple. Take the powers I have given you and grow stronger to bring me the Miraculous of Ladybug, Cat Noir, and Canine. Will you accept?" Hawkmoth asks in a soothing and welcoming tone.

"Game on." Max grins as he accepts the butterfly under its corruptive influence.

The black smoke then envelops him.

With Adrien and Nino, they're heading back to Agreste Mansion while talking about the tournament.

"I can't believe Chloe crushed Max like that. I thought for sure it'd be you and him representing us. Sorry, you've got to deal with her as a partner now, dude." Nino tells his friend with a sympathetic expression.

"I know. I'm freaking out because I don't know how I won't get in her way. You saw how she destroyed Max. She's literally on another level." Adrien tells him in an anxious tone.

"You'll figure something out. Besides, I'm sure she's joking with the threat. I mean, I doubt your dad would put up with you getting bullied if he's so protective of you." Nino tries to calm him.

Adrien pauses when he hears that and seems to calm down slightly. However, new thoughts of Andrè's bakery shutting down because of his daughter caused him to winch.

"Please don't let Father do that. I really don't want any more problems while dealing with Hawkmoth." He begs the world in his mind.

In response, the two hear people screaming and turn toward it to see a floating black pyramid with a singular green eye hovering down the street while firing a green beam at anyone or anything it can. The people or objects hit turn into green orbs before getting absorbed into the pyramid.

"Oh, come on!" Adrien complains when he sees the pyramid coming toward them.

Next Chapter

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous descendent #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #max cante #chloe bourgeois #alix kubdel #le chien kim #ml gamer #sabrina raincomprix #nino lahiffe

[ordinarytalk]

So I'm just finally beginning to recover from the three day paranormal weekend event thing I helped run, and I'm just writing highlights so I can reassure myself that yes, this all actually happened:

I just barely got trained in running the historical tours in time for this event. Meaning, I spent the entire week prior cramming the history of the site with more intensity than I crammed for my college finals. The tours had to be about an hour and fifteen minutes, I would be doing them all day, and I had to be prepared for questions.

Part of my cramming involved me typing out five pages of notes outlining my planned tour path, the buildings I was stopping at, and what historical highlights I was planning to talk about at each building. Because I was teaching swimming lessons until 7 or 8pm most weeknights, I didn't have time to meet with the operations manager who was helping train me, so I just sent the document to her so she could fact-check it.

The night before the event was a ghost hunt/celebrity mixer for VIP guests. They oversold the VIP tickets so we had way way more guests than was originally planned for. The operations manager was told at the last minute that they needed seven history tours to be run simultaneously that night because the guests had been promised history tours, and the tours needed to all be done at around the same time. We had two history guides, me and another guy.

The ops manager ended up printing out my notes and handing them out to other employees and saying "just improvise, sorry, and thank you." We pulled it off flawlessly.

After the tours, I was supposed to be giving the paranormal guide staff members their breaks throughout the night. I got yanked to be a celebrity handler instead because we were short on people. I did not want to be a celebrity handler. I am very awkward around new people at the best of times, and I don't know anything about celebrities.

Celebrity and her crew turned out to be super friendly. I still felt awkward as hell, but then they started asking me about history and that unlocked my hyperfixation powers and I started getting excited and rambling cool facts about every room we walked into. Eventually I realized they were filming me. Success?

The paranormal investigations during the whole weekend were like the least successful/least active ones I have ever seen here. I think if I was dead and several hundred people were stomping all over my house and trying to talk to me, I'd shut up and go somewhere else too.

Ended 3am. Woke up 8am. Dying.

Me and the other history guide alternated giving tours all day Saturday. Apparently I did good? Some people cried and one group applauded me.

So sleep deprived I straight up passed out in the grass for ten minutes after two of my tours.

Can a person die from hydrating solely with Monster energy drinks, asking for a friend

Monster energy drinks did nothing, started laughing loudly at nothing at one point and then took another lawn nap when coworkers started looking at me

Another VIP mixer/history tour/ghost hunt that night!

The celebrity & crew from last night specifically requested me to lead them around for the ghost hunt tonight because they liked me? Success???

We were still very short on people and we really needed me to do breaks so I only was supposed to be with the celeb team for 30 minutes but it got stretched to 45 because they asked me about history again, whoops

I am still being filmed. I am still not sure what I am being filmed for. Success???????

Had to do all the breaks speedwalking, while being rained on. The last person was almost dying by the time I got to them. I almost pass out again as soon as I sit down in their chair, I've been standing almost all day aside from the lawn naps.

Destination Fear left snack and drink shrapnel everywhere at where their meet & greet table had been. Someone there really likes cheez-its.

2am bedtime. Feet are looking a little swollen and gnarly and I'm walking like a chicken on hot coals.

Sunday! Everyone on crew looks like the walking dead.

I actually had a little over an hour free before the history tours start and I was able to look at vendors! I bought a dracula pin and a movie monster crop top that doesn't fit.

More history tours. We're getting more sunshine today so I ask to borrow one of the hats from merch because I will get a migraine if direct sunlight hits the top of my head for more than two minutes.

Smaller tour groups, everyone's a little more tired.

One of the other employees tells me how she had to babysit the Destination Fear crew when they filmed here. Apparently they kept on trying to go places they weren't supposed to.

The Destination Fear meet and greet line from yesterday is still there, and it's still terrifying.

The guys from Mountain Monsters are like the best guys ever. They are never not having a good time. They're like if my Uncle Gerry and Uncle Rance decided to make a cryptid-hunting show together. At one point, during the other guide's history tour, one of 'em suddenly busted out of a nearby porta potty yelling "WHOO-EE! I tore that porta john UP!!" and everybody on the tour just lost their shit. I might need to watch their show now.

Everything shut down by 5pm, but I stayed until 7pm to help with teardown. I offered to buy the hat from merch I'd been wearing but was told I could just keep it, so I got a hat now.

If there's one thing this incredibly busy week was successful at doing, it was stopping me from thinking about my birthday, because I keep thinking about all the stuff I was supposed to have done by this age, and all the stuff I'll never get to do or have because it's too late, and crying.

My birthday literally just happened as I was typing this. Still trying not to think about it.

#personal stuff #so yeah add “historian” and “tour guide” and possibly also “celebrity handler” to my weird jobs I have had list

[violetjedisylveon]

Amnesia Chapter 10 - Rude Clones

Bad Batch Omega centric AU

Summary: Crosshair is a space racist and being a huge dick for no reason, Freyu(Pantoran OC) is very confused.

Word count: 1.6k

Warnings: xenophobia and space racism, also some mentions of blood and jokes at Crosshair's expense, he deserves it though.

A/N:

For reference of who's who, here you go:

ES-02 = Yaosney

ES-03 = Lanhass

ES-04 = Izzatrun

Es-05 = Elrani

Es-06 = Redwymo

Bad Batch Amnesia AU Masterpost

________________________________________________________________________________

The security system sent her an alert. Freyu paused what she was doing, the laundry, and pulled up the security feed onto the nearest screen.

The system was detecting a disturbance at the edge of its range. Human blood had been shed, and it was detecting predatory activity. It was raining and nighttime, perfect time for an ambush predator to attack, especially for those without the necessary advantages, like humans.

"Meg'ika, I'm going out, there's someone in trouble, stay upstairs, Cassony will stay with you." She called up to the human girl.

"Uh, okay!" Omega called back down.

"I'll be back within the hour!" She assured her anxious charge.

She glanced at Boa, the Chrysocy was sitting at the door and eagerly waiting to go out.

"Wanna investigate?" She prompted the fox.

Boa chirped happily and slipped out the door. Freyu rolled her eyes and grabbed her coat and blaster rifle. Between that, Asichi and Boa, she would be just fine.

XXX

CT-9904 aimed his rifle at the approaching creature, it was large and heavy, and looked dangerous. It was like the whole planet was trying to kill him, all because that stupid bounty hunter wasn't doing her damn job, and just fucking his subordinate whenever she got the chance.

Maker, he kind of hated them.

The creature skidded to a stop and he caught a good look at it. It was one of those horses he had been seeing so much, the ones with horns on their heads and tails. It had a rider too.

The rider immediately put their arms up when he aimed at them.

"Whoa! Don't shoot! I came to help!" They had a very high pitched voice, he assumed they were rather young.

CT-9904 lowered his rifle and stared the rider down. Something moved in the grass next to them, he swung his rifle to face it.

"Whoa! That's mine! Don't shoot her!" The rider exclaimed.

CT-9904 rolled his eyes and put his weapon away. The ambush predators were gone by now, scared off. The rider snickered.

"Something funny?" He prompted.

"They haven't gone. They're just waiting. If I'd been any later, you'd be dead." The rider explained.

"Oh really?" He grunted.

"Yep. I can see them, they aren't attacking because Asichi is here." She patted her beast's neck.

"So do you guys need help? Security system said you were hurt." She asked.

"Your security system told you we were hurt?" Lanhass asked.

"Yeah? Your security must be shit if it doesn't tell you that. How else are you supposed to know when the predators are around?" The rider said, leaning over a rifle strapped to her saddle.

"So who's hurt?" She asked, digging through some bag she had.

"I've got some meds, but it'd be better to treat you out of the rain, I've a storehouse not too far from here, you guys can rest up there if you want, can't promise it'll be the cleanest, but it's safe." The rider offered.

CT-9904 wanted to reject her help immediately, she sounded like a child, he had no reason to trust any of the aid a child could offer him. He was just about to say something when Yaosney stepped up.

"That would be greatly appreciated. Please, lead the way." She said with far too soft of a tone for a soldier.

CT-9904 glared at his subordinate, but knew better than to so soundly refuse aid.

"Okay then. Follow me." The rider said cheerfully.

XXX

CT-9904 watched the Pantoran treat his troopers with a careful eye. The storehouse was decent cover, and had some good food stashed in the cupboards and an actual kitchen that worked. There were sufficient amenities and facilities, for that, he was thankful to the Pantoran. Even if he ignored her request not to smoke on her property.

The Pantoran looked about as young as she sounded, he'd put her around her mid teens if he had to give it a guess. She was short, he was almost a foot taller than her.

No matter how young she was, she certainly knew her stuff, her stitches were military level, or perhaps just doctor level, she seemed to have some hand in the medical industry. The storehouse had housed some medicines and salves, which she was using to treat his troops' injuries quite effectively. Bacta wasn't too common on this planet due to its abundance of natural healing plants and substances.

So far, the civilian hadn't given too much personal information aside from her name, Freyu, and idle chatter to fill the empty space. In his opinion, his troopers were too comfortable with a non combatant. The alien could turn on them in an instant, could be secretly poisoning them.

The Pantoran glanced over at him, winced and asked Yaosney, who had foolishly given her name, something, his infuriating trooper laughed and patted the Pantoran's back, telling her to relax and slipping in an insult or two at him. As she tended to do.

"Something funny?" He prompted.

The Pantoran stilled for a moment, pausing her stitches on Elrani's leg.

"No, I just had a question." She said, quickly returning to her task.

She was fidgety, but most beings, most aliens, were around him. They were an ungrateful lot.

The Pantoran quickly wrapped up her work, getting more nervous by the minute, but only he seemed to notice the odd behavior. Something told him this behavior wasn't out of the ordinary, that he had seen many non-humans get nervous around clones, but something about this one just set him off.

She looks like that bounty hunter. He realized. Sure, they were different shades of blue, and had different hair colors, but there was an undeniable resemblance present. He scoffed, the bounty hunter would blame him for thinking all Pantorans looked alike.

They really did look similar. The bounty hunter, he was sure, was old enough to be this Pantoran's mother. And Yaosney, the bounty hunter's very committed partner, was being uncharacteristically nice to-

"Um, is there anything else you need?" The Pantoran asked, shaking him out of her thoughts.

Her question was directed at him, but she was refusing to look at him.

"I think we're all good. Thank you for your assistance." Yaosney said far too kindly.

"Alright then. I'll just clean up and be on my way." The Pantoran said.

"Yeah, get on it, blue skin." CT-9904 snipped.

The Pantoran paused what she was doing and shot him a quizzical, accusatory look. Her golden yellow gaze hardened. Behind her, Yaosney was shaking her head at him.

"What did you just call me?" She asked.

"Blue skin." He repeated, exhaling a puff of smoke.

Lanhass, Izzatrun, Elrani and Redwymo all looked away from him with varying levels of embarrassment or shock, Yaosney, infuriating as ever, just stared him down. The Pantoran's face flushed indigo with anger.

"It's true isn't it? You're a blue skin." He said.

"I'm a Pantoran, not a blue skin." She hissed.

"What's it matter? You blue skins are all the same anyway." He shrugged.

He had clearly struck a nerve. The Pantoran looked like she was about to kill him.

Before the situation could escalate any further, Yaosney stepped right between them, soundly killing the bit of fun he'd managed to have. She rested her hand on the Pantoran's shoulder, the girl in question flinched like she'd been struck.

"Let's calm down. I'm sure you know how thick headed clones can be, right?" She said, shooting him a fiery glare.

"After all, we don't want to offend our citizens, right, Commander?" She said with a subtle snarl.

"They aren't imperial citizens yet. And like I said, it doesn't matter what I call them. They're all the same at the end of the day." He flicked his burnt cigarette onto the ground.

The Pantoran made a sort of growling sound at him.

"Just like the animals." He sneered.

That got her to shut up and drop the situation completely. She abruptly turned away from him and busied herself cleaning some of her supplies.

Yaosney glared at him and gave him that disapproving sneer she always did whenever he smoked. She turned on him and went to talk to the civilian.

"Ignore him, kid, you know what bastards clones can be. This one just happens to be a big dick too, though with the way he acts, he probably has a tiny one." She told the younger woman.

Freyu snorted and nearly stabbed herself with the needle she was cleaning.

"Isn't he your superior?" She asked quietly.

"Ah don't worry about that, I can beat that guy any day. Besides, my girlfriend is absolutely going to rip him a new one for all the bullshit he pulls." She patted her back.

"I'd like to see that." Freyu chuckled.

Yaosney glanced at her clock, it was getting pretty late, and from what she had said, Freyu had a sibling waiting for her. She could feel the clone's gaze on them, he was certainly annoying today.

"You should get going, there's nothing that you can't do another day." She said.

Freyu glanced at her, then the commander, and nodded.

Yaosney made sure to keep herself between the young woman and the clone as she grabbed what she needed and left quickly.

Once she was gone, Yaosney turned on her infuriating superior officer.

"Is there something wrong with you?"

"Ask yourself that question." He snapped.

Yaosney's trigger finger twitched, her hand subconsciously moved towards her pistol. The clone smirked and flicked his cigarette onto the floor again. Fuck, she hated the stench of the vile substance.

"Watch your tells." He ordered.

"Watch your manners." She shot back.

________________________________________________________________________________

Crosshair, pissed and coming up with conspiracies: the bounty hunter had a secret child as a teenager and is avoiding this part of the planet to avoid the guilt over abandoning her child, but she knows and that's why this Pantoran is so jumpy. It's the only reason.

Freyu: actually it's cause my mom fucked your donor way back when and it's kinda awkward to think about.

Crosshair: what?

Freyu: what?

...

Chora*hears Crosshair's conspiracy through gossip*: I don't have a secret love child, I just have a personal rule! Humans are so fucking stupid!

Ngl I really did that bit just for pure shiggles, it was dumb and fun and I don't care if it makes sense or not, it's funny. It's especially funny cause Chora and Freyu look nothing alike, even by human standards they are very different looking.

I feel it is very important to state that

ES-02/Yaosney is about 30 and has been doing the whole fighting thing for way longer than Crosshair, the dude's 11, she has at least a decade of experience on him. So she can and will kick his ass if she wants too, that is why she has no respect for him, he acts very childish, in her professional opinion.

Also Freyu looks a lot younger than she actually is(I'm not too good at drawing that in my art sadly), she looks about 15 or 16, and has a naturally higher, younger sounding voice, so most people think she's pretty young, she's also short so that doesn't help her situation with xenophobia.

Sorry for the long end notes!

I hope you all have a good day, whatever that is for you!

VJS Out!

#star wars #the bad batch #bad batch #Tbb #Tbb Omega #tbb crosshair #tbb fanfiction #Bad Batch fanfic #Star Wars AU #bad batch au #tbb au #ES-02 #Yaosney Alameryn #tbb ocs #star wars oc #mandalorian oc #pantoran oc #Freyu O'asisk #Bad Batch Amnesia AU #VJS Fics:P #VJS AU:P #VJS OCs:P #VJS

[dreadfutures]

So in the Elvhenan AU I promised I wouldn't post it on AO3 until I have a whole story plotted out and I'd make sure to edit things a lot and make it more polished

and since that will probably never happen

here's what I got so far for a plot. for funsies.

1. Appearance and discovery

Dirth POV

Ixchel appears in destruction. She's found at the epicenter of a blast that levels one of Falon'Dins temples.

Falon'Din accuses Dirth of being the cause bc Ixchel has Dirths vallaslin. Andruil wants to kill her, out of genuine desire to protect the empire the only way she knows how.

But Dirth and Pride (Solas) argue they need to figure out who sent her with this destruction.

Dirth takes Ixchel in.

He that night learns that she does not dream lucidly but she does dream; she is not a child of the stone. She is an elf or something else, and she has been Tampered with. (perhaps it is the anchor in her hand, tho he doesn't know what it is)

Dirthamen decides that teaching her elvhen and gaining her trust will tell him about her.

He becomes enraptured with her mysteries, while also needing to play the Game with his siblings and mother to keep them from coming and executing ixchel.

She's curious and intelligent.

She becomes close to Deceit, one of his two closest servants.

Dirthamen realizes that she has a crush on him.

She slowly gains more freedom around the mansion and given that freedom she becomes more of Herself, going with that trust, feeling safer… And he realizes he has a crush on her too.

They spend some time in the orchards and we learn Dirth is a big plant nerd.

First kiss in the library and confessing feelings, as per The Inexorable Tide by Kitty.

She improves quickly with language and learning but they get no closer to unlocking her true memories.

She helps him out with things around the estate, like when Sylaise sends too many spices. It's her Heart that guides her and it's a big one.

But their dream has to end sometime.

((maybe they realize that Something in particular triggers a memory of her past, and so he wants to expose her to more of that. But what is it?))

((either way, after they recover because whatever it was, it was traumatizing—he promises to take her to vir dirthara to begin showing her other memory magic in the books there))

2. Vir Dirthara, and Learning

Ixchel POV

Starts w a *secret* excursion to vir dirthara. very cute sneaking around in the archives.

Dirth gets to show her Elvhenan and wondrous things, but seeing things through her eyes he begins to realize it's not all good…

Ixchel sees slavery and tyranny and poverty.

Ixchel pushes him on slavery and the Evanuris being tyrants

Glory Andruil's Champion catches her sneaking around Vir Dirthara and they butt heads until Dirth intervenes.

Walking on thin ice with the other Evanuris about whether she's a threat.

Dirth gets cajoled into hosting parties or something idk and Ixchel gets ogled as an oddity.

Dirth and Ixchel's first time.

Somehow even tho they're both actually starting to settle into their relationship, the seriousness of it and how dangerous it might be scares both of them.

Meanwhile

Ixchel begins to realize someone is leading a rebellion

She does her OWN investigating when she has the time and freedom to do so. Maybe she deliberately puts herself in danger because she suspects Solas is watching her. (he is.) in order to get some time alone with him when he rescues her.

Maybe Dirth even gets jealous of her inquiries into Pride's past and his ascension (does she care for Pride? Does she wants to be an Evanuris? Is she an agent sent to hurt Pride? Dirth is conflicted).

Eventually ixchel gets herself in a position to secretly confront Pride about his rebellion. He does not reveal to her that he's the reason she's here. But he's secretly super impressed she figured it out (is it her memories returning? Or did she piece it all together genuinely in her investigating? Turns out it's a genuine knack for snooping). But he refuses to let her join.

Instead he encourages her to sway Dirthamen with her kindness, because for too long Dirth has been under the sway of his family.

Ixchel returns to Dirth's side feeling like her relationship has been weaponized somehow and it feels icky 😦

Instead of getting closer, she wants to put up her walls and put distance between them. She doesn't want to use him. But she cares for him and wants him to change, too.

Dirth is preoccupied, so it takes a while for him to notice.

Ixchel asks Deceit to train her as a warrior in Elvhenan styles, and throws herself into that training.

3. Threats

Dirth POV

Dirth has to reflect on the corruption he sees

He begins his own serious investigation into what might be plaguing his empire

He is still trying to figure out why Ixchel can't control her dreams or use magic

In doing so, he goes to investigate the Titans they once felled, because he knows they are resistant to magic too. and there discovers red lyrium—and that Andruil has been "protecting" it while ghilannain investigates what it does.

Andruil accuses him of not doing enough for their people's defense and to focus on his pet project

But the red lyrium freaks him tf out and he can't stop thinking about it (DIRTH IS A NATURE NERD. WITH HIS PLANTS.)

There's some sort of infection that affects his orange (truth) grove. A BLIGHT perhaps, though not THE blight. but it starts turning his brain to the right track.

Andruil calls for a hunt w all the Evanuris, including Dirth and Pride. It's probably a trap.

Ixchel is kidnapped by Glory in secret, for Andruil.

He begins to confide in Pride that he has doubts about the Evanuris' goodness

Dirth shows up at Andruil's estate and she's wearing modified Sha Brytol armor that glows RED

dun dun dunnnnn

end arc

4. ???

Ixchel POV

Dirth rescues her from Andruil's castle and they fuck

Dirth is very wary of the red lyrium armor Andruil wears but she seems fine in it, if stronger, and it negates magic used against her by their quarry. he has nothing to prove that she's dangerous yet.

Dirth and Pride get Ixchel out safely and in secret. No one (except Glory and Andruil) know what happened. Dirth and Andruil just glare at each other a ton.

Ixchel meets Felassan (Hope) at a party. Felassan has an idea about who and what she is.

Hope and Ixchel put their heads together.

Mythal and Dirth talk in private about life and his worries about the empire and other threats.

He's actually honest with her about things.

But when it comes down to slavery, the vallaslin, etc., she shuts him down.

Dirth is upset and shares all this with Ixchel

<need more plot>

then

A supermonster (made by Ghilan'nain) begins a rampage. Andruil wtih her Void armor is prepared to defeat it, but she can't alone (this was a set up to make Andruil look good but it backfires).

Ixchel, without magic, is able to kill it. She earns both heroic acclaim—and Andruil's eternal enmity for showing her up.

Ixchel is cleared and proclaimed to be a friend of the Empire.

Ixchel thinks this is a good thing. But…

5. ???

Dirthamen POV

BUT she has not achieved so much honor that she would be uplifted to Evanuris. So she cannot be "free." And she cannot be a Lord.

She must still fall under someone's purview. Elgar'nan as a god of war, for a warrior? Falon'Din, to replace his old Champion Valor? Andruil, who is so willing to cast aside Glory if it would allow her to torture Ixchel?

Dirthamen begs Pride to take her as a Champion. Those who serve beneath him wear no chains.

Solas challenges him about his motivations and whether he genuinely wants to break chains or if it's just Ixchel

Satisfied with Dirth's answers, Solas loops Dirth into the rebellion.

And Ixchel becomes Solas's champion. She thinks she'll never see Dirth again, but is happy to serve in the rebellion.

Instead Solas reintroduces them and now they're of equal enough status that they can COURT

Their courtship still needs Mythal's approval though so it's still secret for now

stuff rebellion political spy stuff plot

trying to gain enough evidence that Andruil's red lyrium is dangerous, to prove to mythal

????

eventually ixchel and dirth end up bonded and happy

Blight is cured

and the future is saved

#elvhenan au #sunbird

[starbuck]

This is only tangentially related to your Meditations vs. Pilgrim's Progress meta, but I noticed when I was watching 4.06 recently that Madi is reading a book in the scene between her and Eleanor at Miranda's house which looks like it could possibly be a red cover? Do we know what happened to the copy of Meditations with Thomas' inscription? This might be a reach but I find it incredibly interesting that Madi could be reading that book when she just finished quoting Don Quixote to Flint (a book I also find to be in opposition to Meditations though in different ways than Pilgrim's Progress)

I took a look and I find breaking people's hearts significantly less fun in this case since I have no clue what the book Madi's reading is, but it doesn't appear to be Meditations (at least to my eye - please don't kill me)...

Although it does seem to have a red/brown cover, note that it is much thicker than Meditations page-wise.

And here's another Meditations pic to give you an idea of its thickness when laid flat (since I can't find a shot where the angle is directly comparable to Madi and her book):

So yeah, I wish I had something other than bad news...

Wait let me think... Uhhhhhh... So, if the book Madi's reading in 4x06 was Meditations, then we would know with certainty that it was burnt to ashes along with the rest of Miranda's house, however, if we imagine that Flint kept Meditations in his cabin on the Walrus through s3, then it's possible he left it at the Maroon camp for safekeeping during the invasion of Nassau in s4, meaning that it's plausible that Madi still had it at the end of the show and perhaps added it to her personal library in Flint's memory (since she was cut off from him indefinitely regardless of whether he was technically alive or not).

Actually, is that better or worse? I'm going to stop talking now.

#i can't think about Madi and Flint too hard or i will Cry #:(( #but thank you so much for the ask! #i promised someone else that i'd investigate this too so there we are #wish i had better news tho! #maybe it's Don Quixote... looks a good thickness for that

[jackrogersfrost]

Death

Summary: (Marvel) Imagine.

To find the Winter Soldier; Nat, Steve, and you need to investigate more about Hydra, but what happens if someone comes to tell you that a tragedy happens in your home?

Pairing: Steve Rogers (Marvel)x fem!reader

Warnings: Angst, a little fluff.

A/N: If it's any grammatical mistake, my bad, I'm still learning. Reblog this to support my works. Enjoy!

MASTERLIST | MASTERLIST OF MY ART

You were helping Steve and Natasha try to uncover the dark secrets that Hydra was keeping, besides fighting a guy with a robotic arm that looked like a raccoon.

Since the battle in New York they had had some friction with Steve, Stark more than anyone else matched them but Steve was too shy to admit it and the truth is that even if you were in love with him you wouldn't tell him, someday you were going to return to your world and he would continue living his life normally as always.

You were in the mall and saw several SHIELD agents near you, so you quickly went through an authorized personnel door and out the back of the mall.

"That was close...". You said with an exhausted voice.

"I wouldn't trust them.". Steve says with his serious voice.

"I think we should..." A hand grabbed Natasha and threw her against the wall of the mall, several agents arrived and surrounded them. Steve and you started to fight against them until you were trapped, one of them had Steve choking, who was trying to get free and you were avoiding a dagger to be embedded in your neck until you felt that someone took the agent and hit him and then threw him to the ground. You took a deep breath and watched as someone in armor hit the other agents easily knocking them down. You turned to look at him from the ground and saw him in amazement.

"Fandral?"

"Hey princess..."

You all got up and approached him, you greeted him with a hug, he was your brother's friend and yours too since you were little you had been very close and maybe you once heard rumors that he was in love with you but he never tried anything so you dismissed it.

"Fandral, these are my friends Steve and Nat, guys this is Fandral, a friend from Asgard." You both shook hands with him although you saw Steve a little tense when he did it.

"What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

"We have to get back to Asgard, Y/N, it's urgent."

"Something happened?"

"It's... It's better to talk about it in private..."

"Why can't we hear it?" Steve said a bit jealous and annoyed.

"It's personal stuff."

"How can I be sure of that?"

"Steve, don't worry... I'll be fine." You looked at him calmly and he looked at you too, sighed, and nodded.

"We'll be here if anything happens or you need us." You nodded and took Fandral some distance away to have a good talk with him. Natasha walked up to him and looked at him with a smirk.

"You should tell her..."

"You're like Stark."

"I would do it quickly if I were you because she can go with someone else, Steve..." He sighed and looked at you, only to see you cover your face and cry...

(...)

And there you were, with your best black dress and a lamp, saying your last goodbye to your mother Queen Frigga. Everyone in the kingdom mourned her departure, the departure of their queen who died defending her kingdom from a dark elf.

Beside you, incredibly, was Steve holding your hand, giving you strength and support to cope with this loss.

When the body fell down the waterfall and more stars joined the sky you sobbed, and you felt some arms hugging you in which you cried again, Steve hugged you tightly telling you nice things in your ear to calm down a little your crying.

(...)

After that, you talked with Thor about his plan and with Loki too, you promised to help them after leaving Steve safe and sound on Earth. And so you both left on the Biofrost to Midgard. He left him exactly in the yard of Sam Wilson's house who would help him too.

"I'd really like to help Steve but..."

"It's ok, I understand, you must avenge your mother... That's what we do." He caressed your cheek softly and you smiled sideways at him, he came closer until he broke the distance giving you a slow and soft kiss, delicately caressing your lips with his. You separated a little, bringing your foreheads together and your eyes closed. "Promise me you'll come back."

"I will, I promise." They parted and you walked to the mark on the ground where they had come from.

"Hey Y/N!" You turned to look at him. "Take care of yourself..."

"You too Steve, stay safe."

They smiled at each other and you called Heimdall to begin what would be the extinction of these dark elves.

#steve rogers imagine #chris evans imagine #chris evans fanfiction #chris evans x you #chris evans x reader #chris evans #steve rogers #steve rogers x you #steve rogers x odinson!reader #marvel imagine #imagine #oneshot #oneshots #steve rogers x y/n #avengers imagine

[helloalycia]

worth the wait [three] // daisy johnson

summary: when you're out chasing a story that leads you to the unanticipated hands of HYDRA, you certainly don't expect to be rescued by a girl you presumed dead for nine years.

warning/s: descriptions of violence, torture, injuries.

author’s note: here’s the next part, hope you all like it!

part one | part two | part four | part five | part six | masterlist | wattpad

Nine years later...

"I'm meeting with my contact now. He said he knows something about the weapons."

"Okay, just make sure you're safe, Y/N."

I smiled with amusement. "I always am, Taylor. I think this could be the source to break the story though. I'm gonna try and get them to speak on the record."

"Just be careful," he warned.

"Will do," I promised, before checking my watch for the time. "Okay, I gotta go. See ya."

"Good luck," he finished, and I hung up before putting my phone away.

Looking around, I saw the village was quiet seeing as it was pretty late and everyone was in their homes. It was the perfect place to meet with a source for my story on human trafficking.

I headed down the street and waited outside the apartment building for my source. I had no idea what he looked like, but nobody else would be out this late into the night, so he couldn't be hard to spot.

A few minutes passed before I saw a guy approaching me, holding some files in his hands. I straightened up and held his gaze as he stopped before me. He glanced around before looking me up and down.

"You are Y/N?" he asked with a Burmese accent.

I nodded, speaking fluent Burmese as I said, "Yes. You must be Ohnmar? We can speak Burmese if you prefer."

"Okay. We talked earlier, but it wasn't safe then. I have information on the missing residents," he answered in Burmese, before shaking the files. "It's all in here, but you mustn't open it until you get home."

I accepted the files and nodded, though was mildly confused. "Is it about the labour they're doing? I have a theory, but I have no proof. I... I think it might be HYDRA."

He pursed his lips and I figured he was confirming my thoughts, which concerned me.

"I'm right," I realised, before moving to open the file. "I need to–"

"You should've stayed away," he suddenly said in English, and I looked up in confusion.

Before I could question him, he pulled a gun from behind him and hit me on the head, knocking me to the ground. I tried to blink my eyes open, but my vision was blurred and I eventually blacked out, unable to stay awake any longer.

I woke up in a dark room with an aching head and confused mind. It took a moment for me to catch myself up, but I soon realised I'd been tricked by my contact. I was so easily fooled and I felt stupid as I hadn't seen it coming, instead too blindsided by my need for information.

Looking around, I realised I was tied to a chair. The only light in the room was from a single electric lamp plugged in the corner, shedding light on the damaged walls and, to my dismay, a HYRDA logo.

"Well, fuck," I mumbled, before shaking my wrists to try and get free, but they were tied pretty tightly with rope, making me shift uncomfortably at the chafing.

Panic started to set in when the door slammed open in front of me, flooding the room with light and making me close my eyes with discomfort. I heard another slam and opened my eyes when I saw the door closed behind whoever entered.

Two people were in the room and one of them turned the lamp, shining it in my direction and also revealing my assailants' faces. One of them was Ohnmar, my contact, which I guess wasn't his real name. The other wasn't anybody I recognised, and they were both wearing uniforms with the HYDRA logo on the pocket.

"I wouldn't try to escape if I were you," the fake Ohnmar said.

I clicked my tongue and looked between the both of them. "I'm guessing I got a little too close to the truth which is why I'm here. Right?"

"You've been putting your nose in where it doesn't belong," the other guy said. "Did you really think you would get away with this? That we'd let you write about this?!"

I flinched at his loud volume before clearing my throat. "I didn't think I needed your permission. And in case you didn't notice, it's my job to report on this."

Fake Ohnmar scoffed. "We don't care what your job is. Now tell us what you know and what you've told your superiors back home."

I narrowed my eyes. "Do you really think this is the first time I've been captured? I've spent nine months in this village. If you think I'm going to throw that away for you, you better think again."

Fake Ohnmar's friend cracked his neck, pacing with discomfort, before pulling out a gun. I chewed on the inside of my mouth, nerves settling as I tried not to show it.

"We have someone going through your electronics as we speak," he told me, gripping his gun. "Your superiors will get their updates as expected, but you won't be giving them."

"Look, you're gonna kill me whether I tell you or no–"

I was cut off when he smacked me across the face with his gun, making me see stars momentarily. I felt something warm gush from my nose and realised I was bleeding.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with," he muttered, his face inches from my face as he stared me down threateningly. "Now tell us what you know of the missing villagers."

I wiped my nose on my shirt the best I could and chose not to speak. They couldn't do much without knowing what I knew. Everything I'd learnt had been sent back home to the news organisation I worked for, and if I didn't get back to them or call them, they'd know what happened.

"Two things I despise," he mumbled with irritation. "Journalists and Americans." He waved to his friend dismissively. "She won't talk. You know what to do."

Fake Ohnmar nodded obediently before suddenly punching me in the face, once again, leaving me dazed. This went on for a while, him beating me up as an attempt at torture, before the two of them left me alone to 'think about' if I wanted to tell them.

I had been in this situation, surprisingly, two times before in my journalistic career. Both times I was able to get out either by escaping myself or managing to get found by the authorities. Of course, in this case, the latter seemed impossible, so my only hope was escaping myself.

I looked around, but realised I was in too much pain to hatch a plan right now. They'd done a good job on me, and I was sure my ribs were bruised pretty badly. Honestly, I didn't expect nine months of investigative journalism in Myanmar to lead to HYDRA of all places.

—

"You've beat me, starved me..." I coughed because of how dry my throat was. "I'm not talking."

Fake Ohnmar placed something rectangular on the table in front of me. I realised it was my laptop – they must have taken it from where I'd left it in the room I'd been renting downtown.

"You're clever, I'll give you that," he said, crossing his arms and shaking his gun impatiently. "Where did you learn such complicated encryptions?"

I couldn't help but smile when I knew he couldn't get into my laptop. At least not the parts that exposed what I'd learnt so far.

"You do what I do and you learn from past mistakes," I told him, making him clench his jaw.

It wasn't much, probably the only trick in the book I knew as I wasn't exactly an expert with computers. Clearly it was benefiting me today though.

He slammed his hand on the table suddenly, making me jump. "Tell me the password, now!"

I licked my dry lips, choosing to stay quiet. I began to wonder just how advanced these guys were if they couldn't even afford to get a hacker to break through.

"So it's gonna be like that," he said with a shrug, before pointing his gun at my face.

He flicked off the safety and I closed my eyes as calmly as I could, already saying my goodbyes in my head. A few days in a HYDRA cell was like weeks anywhere else. I'd accepted my fate.

I expected the shot to go off any minute now, wondering what things would be like afterwards. Would it hurt? Would it be an instant death?

I certainly didn't expect my left ear to be ringing as an excruciating pain shot up my neck from my shoulder. My eyes opened and I tried to breathe through the pain whilst hoping my ear would stop ringing. The man began to laugh, but I couldn't hear him, only see his evil smile.

When I looked down, I saw blood seeping from a bullet wound in my left shoulder. Despite my experience in this profession, I can't say I'd ever been shot before. It certainly hurt a lot more than I'd imagined.

"You talk and I get you patched up," he said when my hearing returned to normal. I looked up and saw him watching me with narrowed eyes. "You stay quiet and we see how long it takes for you to bleed out."

I swallowed hard, squeezing my eyes shut to contain the pain, before opening them again.

"You're gonna move operations," I realised aloud. "You want to know whether you can. Because if I've told them about you, you know you can't stay here much longer. And if I haven't, you just get rid of me."

He squeezed his gun with irritation, watching as I spoke the truth.

"But either way I die," I repeated. "So why the hell would I want the last thing I do be to help you?"

He grabbed the laptop before kicking the table away with anger. "Call when you feel like talking. We can make your death quick and painless or long and painful."

I smiled bitterly as I watched him leave the room, slamming the door behind him. I released a deep breath as I looked down at my shoulder, trying to make out the damage. I didn't know much about first aid, but I was pretty sure there was no exit wound meaning the bullet was still in there. That was good, right? Or wasn't it...? I couldn't remember. I just knew it hurt like hell.

—

Hours had passed and I began to hallucinate. Silly things like cheeseburgers and dancing water bottles – lack of food and drink, the blood loss and the heat was making my head spin. I wasn't sure if this was where I wanted to die – in a small, dirty, hot room by myself. Was it worth it? Dying over a news story?

Of course it was. I pursued this story after some social media posts about disappearing villagers in Myanmar. I stayed here nine months with each day leading me closer and closer to the supposed human trafficking that was going on. I got to where I was because I wanted to get justice for those who suffered and stop anyone else from suffering. Yet the only people who knew were my editors back home, and I wasn't sure they'd ever know the full truth.

It was better than helping the enemy though.

Just when I thought cheeseburgers were the worst of my delusions, I saw a face I hadn't thought about in a long time. A person who I least expected my mind to drag up in a time like this.

The door opened and I was sure I was going to be questioned again, but in ran none other than Skye. The same Skye who had ran away all those years ago and wasn't to be found.

She looked a little older with her shorter hair, but otherwise she was just as I remembered.

"Hey, I'm gonna get you out of h– Y/N?" she started, before furrowing her eyebrows with confusion.

She even sounded the same, and if I could feel anything at that moment, I'm sure I would've felt my heart beating quickly at the sight of her.

"Can you hear me?"

I began to laugh with what little energy I had left. Is this what it was like to die? Seeing things that you'd pushed down for so long to stop your heart from hurting? It was strange. Why was my mind playing with me like this?

"Y/N, look at me, can you hear me?!" she asked quickly, grabbing my face and forcing me to meet her eyes.

I continued to laugh because it all felt so real. Her touch, her voice, her eyes that peered into me. I wished it was because maybe after all of these years I could have made things right.

—

"Miss, can you hear me? Y/N?"

I blinked the tiredness from my eyes and opened them, trying to remember what was happening. But I was confused and my body was numb and nothing made sense.

"Y/N, sweetie, can you hear me?"

I turned my head, realising I was laying in a bed. There was a woman beside my bed – a doctor, I presumed – staring down at me with a friendly smile on her face. I nodded slowly, my mouth dry.

I couldn't remember getting out of that cell, being rescued. Unless I wasn't rescued and this was still a trap.

At this thought, I widened my eyes and tried to move, panic setting in, but I was attached to a bunch of tubes and my body was still numb.

"Hey, it's okay, you're okay," the doctor tried to reassure, resting her hands on my arm, trying to keep me still. "You're safe here. You're on a S.H.I.E.L.D. quinjet. That's like a plane...? We got you out of that HYDRA cell and I've bandaged your wounds. You don't need to be afraid anymore."

I wasn't sure whether to believe her, but something about the way she spoke and the kindness in her eyes made me relax.

"My name is Agent Simmons," she introduced as she grabbed something from beside me, "but you can call me Jemma."

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. On cue, she held a glass of water towards me and helped me sit up enough to have some from the straw. It felt good to have actual water in my system after not being given anything the past two days.

"Not too quickly," she said gently. "Take your time."

I listened to her before laying back down. It took a few tries, but I managed to get out, "Thank you, Jemma. I'm Y/N."

"Y/N Y/L/N, investigative journalist for the New York Times," she stated before an apologetic expression crossed her face. "Sorry. Facial recognition an' all... I hope that doesn't freak you out."

I sighed, not the slightest bit surprised. I knew enough about S.H.I.E.L.D. to know they had the resources to know exactly who I was.

"I don't remember you getting me," I said with confusion. "How did you I know I was there?"

Jemma took a seat on the stool beside my bed. "Well, technically it was Quake who got you out. We had reports of HYDRA activity in that area for a while and we knew an American journalist had been taken, but we didn't know it was you."

I nodded, though I was still confused. "Who's Quake?"

Jemma chuckled, thinking I was joking. But when I met her eyes with confused ones, she lost her smile.

"You're serious? You don't know who Quake is?"

I shook my head. "I've been in Myanmar for nine months, and not in the most advanced areas. I haven't had much access to American news."

"Seriously?" she asked with disbelief, before putting her arms out and shaking them. "Earthquake-causing, vibration-manipulating, tremor-shaking superhero Quake?"

I raised an eyebrow judgementally, making Jemma lower her arms sheepishly.

"Oh, well, she's a hero that works for S.H.I.E.L.D.," she explained.

I nodded slowly, deciding that was something to ask more about later on. For now, I was more concerned about my story.

"You said S.H.I.E.L.D. had been watching that area for a while," I recalled. "Does that mean you found out what happened to the missing villagers? I got as far as working out HYDRA had been using them for some sort of forced labour, but never beyond that."

Jemma got up from her stool and busied herself with other things. "I, er, that's actually classified...? You see, it's not good if we tell you, especially as you're a journalist..."

"But it's my story," I countered with annoyance. "I've been trying to work this out for almost a year. I deserve to know the outcome. Did you save those villagers? Were they all alive? Did the local authorities know?"

Jemma seemed to be getting uncomfortable the more questions I asked and I forced myself to sit up, groaning at the ache in my shoulder.

"You can't hide this from me," I told her. "Please, just tell me."

She grimaced. "It's not my place. I'm not in charge–"

"Then tell me who is!" I shouted with frustration, before taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I just– I've put a lot of work into this and it can't just be taken away. I need to know what happened."

She nodded, avoiding my eyes for fear I'd get angry again. "Look, I can talk to my superiors and find out what I can say. For now, you should really be resting."

I leaned back and breathed out slowly, already feeling my fatigue catching up to me.

"Okay," I said quietly, before asking, "You said we were on a plane. Where are we going?"

"That's actually classified as well," she said regretfully, making me sigh. "We're going to our headquarters. But after that, we'll be taking you home or wherever you want us to take you."

At the mention of home, I grew hopeful. It had been so long since I'd been back. I wasn't exactly in the right state to be living by myself, so I was glad that I had made the choice to leave my flat and move in with my parents before leaving for Myanmar. Plus, I had missed them dearly. To be back there was almost unimaginable.

"Can I ring my parents?" I asked hopefully. "Just to let them know I'm okay? And that I'm coming soon?"

Jemma nodded, offering a small smile. "Of course, Y/N. I'll go grab you a phone."

She left the room momentarily and I took that as my chance to get a good look around. It looked like a hospital room you'd find anywhere, except without windows and with card-activated doors that had tiny glass windows showing a narrow hallway. I didn't get to look around for too long as Jemma returned pretty quickly, handing me (what looked like) a normal mobile phone.

"I'll give you a moment of privacy, but please only call your parents," Jemma warned as politely as she could.

I cracked a small smile. "What – are you guys tracking the phone or something?"

She chewed on her lower lip as she looked down, making my smile fade as I realised that's exactly what they were doing. I wasn't surprised, I guess.

"Right, okay, no other calls, got it," I agreed with a nod.

She left me to it as I dialled my mum's mobile number and eventually spoke to both her and my dad. It was emotional to say the least, as I tried not to worry them too much without withholding the truth. They knew when I was lying so it was better to just be honest. Of course, they were happy to have me stay at theirs until I was back on my feet and the call ended with my mum scolding me for not resting as the doctor recommended.

Finally succumbing to the tiredness I was feeling, I fell asleep for God knows how long, but when I woke up, I felt more refreshed. Similar to before, Jemma was in the room, checking some charts. She caught my eye when I woke up and smiled reassuringly.

"Feeling better?" she asked, setting down the chart and rounding the bed.

I nodded. "Yeah, thanks... how long was I asleep for?"

"About six hours," she guessed, waving her hand. "We've landed at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ and our agents are debriefing. Once everything is sorted here, we can take you home to New York and arrange a driver to take you to wherever you want."

"My parents' house," I clarified.

She smiled and nodded. "Right. Your parents' house. How are you feeling?"

I tried to sit up and she helped me as I smiled gratefully in return.

"I'm not gonna lie, being shot hurts like a bitch," I admitted, grimacing as I glanced at my shoulder and arm in a sling.

"First time?"

"And hopefully the last," I retorted, before looking to her. "How long will this take to, y'know, get better?"

"Well, I'll need to keep you here for observation over the next few days," she explained. "When I'm happy with the outcome, I'll send you home and you'll need fortnightly checkups at the hospital. Overall I'd say a month? Maybe more if there's no... er... other issues."

"I know you mean PTSD," I told her bluntly, before frowning. "Doing what I do requires knowledge of that."

"There's going to be support available for you, both here and back home," Jemma reassured, resting a hand on mine and offering a small smile. "You're not alone, Y/N."

I nodded, clearing my throat. "I know... I know. Thanks."

She nodded and moved to the other side of the room to grab something, before wheeling a tray of food over to me.

"Hope you're hungry," she joked. "It's nothing fancy, but it's pretty good."

I smiled and accepted the food. "Means a lot, thanks."

I took a bite out of my sandwich as I remembered something. When I finished chewing, I wiped my face with the napkin before looking to Jemma who was at her desk.

"Er, Jemma," I called, making her look up. "Did you find out what happened to the villagers?"

She pursed her lips and nodded. "I've spoken to my superiors. I know you've been working on this and I'm only permitted to tell you so much."

I waited patiently, not wanting to snap at her like last time.

"The missing villagers were in fact taken by HYDRA, like you predicted," she explained. "They were forced into labour at a facility that was under the guise of a food warehouse."

"What was the labour?" I asked curiously.

She ran a hand through her hair. "I can't tell you much, but I can say that it was a nuclear weapon that could've hurt a lot of people. S.H.I.E.L.D. managed to stop it before they could finish it, which is when we found out that a journalist had been taken. That was when we came for you."

I released a deep breath, definitely not expecting that. At least they had been stopped.

"Did the missing people return to their families? Were they okay?" I asked hesitantly, remembering the many families I spoke to of the missing. I'd grown attached and I don't think I could have taken more bad news.

"Most of them, yes!" she exclaimed hopefully, but I could tell the following news wouldn't be good. "But not all of them were okay. There's some psychological damage and unfortunately physical damage, too. HYDRA did a number on them."

I massaged my head with my right hand, trying not to get upset, but the guilt in the pit of my stomach wasn't helping. I had one job, literally, and I couldn't even do it right.

"Y/N–"

"Do you have a list?" I asked, cutting her off. "A list of who made it?"

"Y/N, I don't think–"

"Please," I pleaded. "I spoke to the families of those who were missing. I got to know them. I need to know who's not getting their loved ones back."

She frowned, but nodded slowly. "I'm sure I can do something."

I sighed and my shoulders sunk with disappointment. Just another day on the job.

—

It had been a few days since being rescued by S.H.I.E.L.D. and I was itching to get home, but Jemma insisted I be observed for at least another day.

Under different circumstances, I would have been eager to explore the quinjet and get more information out of Jemma about her place of work, but I was too exhausted to care. Instead, I revelled in being taken care of and having a break from work.

I was laying in bed, reading a book, when Jemma walked in and caught my attention. I tried not to bother her as she was clearly working on other stuff, but it got pretty boring sitting in a room by yourself all day.

"Hey," I greeted with a smile, lowering my book.

"Hello," she returned as she took a seat at her desk, going on her computer. "You doing alright?"

"As alright as I can be, considering," I said, shrugging with my right shoulder. "Just a bit bored."

"The book not good?" she asked, nodding to my hand.

"I've read it," I admitted. "I just didn't wanna be a bother and ask for another one."

She chuckled. "You could have said something."

"It's okay," I assured her, before leaning back. "So, up to anything fun?"

She gave me a knowing look. "Are you seriously that bored?"

I nodded, pursing my lips, making her laugh. Eventually, she stared at me curiously.

"There's actually something I wanted to ask you," she admitted, crossing her arms and leaning back on her chair. "If you don't mind."

Wanting any distraction from my boredom, I nodded. "Go for it. I'm all ears."

"I've been reading some of your work," she shared. "You're really talented and you've been through your fair share of tough scrapes."

I chuckled. "I guess, yeah. And thank you. What's the question exactly?"

She looked at me like it was obvious. "What made you want to do this as a job? Investigative journalism?"

I played with the corner of the book as I answered thoughtfully, "Well, I guess I've always enjoyed writing and delving deep into stuff. The important stuff, y'know?" I looked down at my hands as I remembered Skye. "There was actually this girl I knew back in school. She was a friend and she, er... she was always wanting to find and expose truths. About herself, the world... I guess she kind of influenced me in a way."

I chewed on the inside of my mouth as I remembered my hallucination. Skye seemed to be coming up a lot more in my life lately, more than I was prepared for.

"I'm guessing she isn't with you anymore," Jemma realised, expression softening. "I'm sorry."

I forced a small smile, looking up and shaking my head reassuringly. "It's okay, it doesn't matter."

Jemma smiled in return, but I could see the pity present in her eyes. "I'm sure whoever she was, she'd be proud of you now. For everything you've done."

"Thank you, Jemma, but I... I'm not too sure about that."

"I am."

I froze at the sound of a familiar voice. Was I hallucinating again? No, that couldn't be. I was getting better. But that sounded so real...

"Proud of you, that is," the voice continued, and I risked looking towards the door where I saw none other than Skye standing there with a nervous smile on her lips.

When I met her gaze, I knew she wasn't a figment of my imagination. Those piercing brown eyes couldn't be fake.

"Hey," she got out, barely a whisper.

I licked my lips and tried to look away, but my heart was suddenly racing in my chest. She was just how I saw her last, but I guess that had been real now.

"I should give you guys a moment," Jemma said, pulling me from my reverie and making me look away.

She walked out, past Skye, leaving us both alone. I was still in shock though, too startled to say anything.

"How are you?" she asked gently, and I still couldn't believe I was hearing her voice after all these years. When I didn't say anything, she continued, "I know this is strange, but–"

"Strange?" I finally found my words, eyebrows raised. "What exactly is strange? The part where I'm sure I'm seeing a ghost right now as I you presumed you were dead after not being able to find you for years after you left, or the part where you've probably been at S.H.I.E.L.D. the whole time and didn't bother to tell me you were okay? Which part is strange exactly?"

She frowned guiltily, eyes falling to her shoes. "When I left–"

"Ran away," I corrected her, bitterness slashing through like a sharp knife, surprising the both of us.

She glanced at me, nodding. "Right... when I ran away, I left you a message."

I almost laughed, a sarcastic smile on my lips. "Don't even get me started on the excuse veiled as a message you left me. The cowardly way out you took because you couldn't face me."

She met my gaze nervously. "I didn't think you'd be this angry after all this time. It happened so long ago."

"Of course I'm angry!" I shouted with frustration, making me grimace at the pain in my shoulder, but I didn't stop. "You left without a single trace of Skye or Mary left behind! You left me with nothing but concern for your wellbeing! I thought you were dead!"

I hadn't realised how I angry I was after all this time, but it made sense. When she first left, I always imagined what I would say to her when I found her again, what our reunion would be like. But when the years went on and I accepted she was truly gone, all of that worry turned into bitterness and resentment. And now, seeing her here... I was furious.

"Y/N, I know you're upset, but–"

"Just get out," I told her with a glare. "I appreciate you saving me and all, but get out."

"Y/N," she pleaded, but I looked away and pressed the button on the side of my bed.

Jemma soon returned and looked between Skye and I with confusion and reluctance.

"Everything okay here?" she asked.

I looked up and met Skye's guilt-filled gaze. "My shoulder hurts."

Skye seemed to get the hint and nodded once more before finally leaving the room. I breathed out a shaky breath, before swallowing the lump in my throat and letting Jemma help me.

I couldn't believe she was back.

#daisy johnson x you #daisy johnson #daisy johnson imagine #daisy johnson x reader #marvel imagine #mcu imagine #mcu #marvel #chloe bennet #agents of shield imagine #agents of shield

[hawksugarbaby]

Fatgum x reader- Atlas

Fluff + Greek mythology AU.

You were nothing more than a simple human, roaming the built up world to find something new and interesting, something no one could see but you, a secret for you and the universe to hold together. You needed to find something special is what you thought, taking a break at the atlas mountains in the scorching Morroccon sun. sweat bead down your forehead and your skin was hot to the touch but the adventure and experience, the trials to find something undiscovered was worth the peeling skin on your shoulders being soothed by aloe over and over.

Your persistence to find the unknown secret may have started genuinely, you wanted to find what the universe wanted you too, but eventually it gave you a reason to travel the world. You've travelled to 28 countries in 4 years, beginning at 18 and now you're 22, you skipped uni and college, you made money from ad revenue on youtube since your vlogs became popular, and you were incredible when it came to saving money.

Of course, you were still searching, but now you felt like you had even bigger reasons. Exploring the world, drinking in fountains of culture and knowledge, that was perfection enough. But the secret was missing.

You stood up rolling your neck and started your walk up rocky paths of mud and stone to the sandy houses forming a village and your senses lead you to a vendor, golden couscous with colourful, roasted vegetables mixed through smelled amazing and glasses of fresh mint tea lined up for you to drink while eating couscous at the vendors stall. You requested a glass of the tea, sat down, and drank it too quickly, burning your tongue from the hot water. You sucked in sharply and hummed in pain. "Thank you!" you said paying for the drink and continuing to the mountains past the beige buildings with terracotta tile roofs.

You felt like if you walked between the fingers of the mountain grabbing the earth with their hands you would find something unknown. You walked around the spurs peering into the joining point of each interlocked section but none tugged you in, pulled you towards them with mystery.

Apart from one. The sun was on the opposite side so technically there should have been no light, but it seemed perfectly visible to you? Was it a trick of the light? Possibly an illusion? Either way your heart longed to investigate and so you did. You trudged forward kicking a stone out your way and looked at the joining line. "You have to be something right?" you muttered and put your hand between the drack. You drew a triangle, mimicking the shape the spurs made and as quickly as you could blink, the mountain began to shake, not violently, but it trembled like being coerced into sharing it's deepest secrets.

"Okay... mountains don't usually do that" you say with wide eye's as the seam rips apart and balls of moss and rock tumble into a pile on the floor. Was it a doorway for you? Who knew, you didn;t care, whatever it was you were finding out one way or another.

You stepped into the cavern, dripping stalagmites made your head turn in the direction of every 'plop' into the puddle and your hands brushed against the side of the wall for stability and a sense of surrounding. "These feel like bricks?" you whisper in a questioning tone as your eye's begin to adjust to the dark and you found that you were going aimlessly through a long, triangular corridor. The bricks were a muted clay colour with green moss and algae blanketing them, the grout in the walls was black and viridian unidentifiable as something anyone had ever known of.

The terracotta sparsely began to cut into black white and grey granite eventually forming a whole wall as if the bricks had never been there to begin with. The marble was just as unkempt and ruined as the bricks but the walls got wider, further and further away from each other until they opened into a wide, white cavern, glowing and inhumanely clean. In the middle was a statue of a hulking man, holding the sky. He wore no shirt and had a pair of orange shorts on and black sandals, sandals that looked real and hyper-realistic looking shorts that flowed with the draft and skin you could see the detail of every pore in. hold on... fabric made of marble should not flow in the wind and should not be such an even orange no matter how much paint.

You slowly looked up, the chest rising and falling with a huffing breath it had to take, the hands trembled and the lips quivered. The hairs on his leg and arm stuck up with the chill of the wind and his elbows dropped slightly making the sky move. Finally, you dared look at the eye's of the giant, who was looking back at you confused as a bee trying to escape through a shut window. Mustard yellow eye's with sunken bag's looked right back at you and you backed up letting out a girlish scream.

"Hey hey wait!!" he shouted, wishing he could reach out and shake your hand or reach after you to emphasise that he wanted you to stay. "Please! Please don't go. I don't have anyone to talk to, I promise I won't hurt you!" he begged, glancing at your figure backing up and starfishing against a wall like it would absorb you and push you out the other side. "Y-you you're talking! And moving! But you, you're a statue?" you shook your hands in front of you and he laughed lightly. "I'm not a statue, I'm a titan. I'm just a big God to be honest, big God doing his job" he nodded his head at his rhyming ability and you slid down the wall grazing your burnt back. "Don't do that you'll hurt yourself" he said.

You took a deep breath to calm yourself then blew out, another deep breath and blew out, another deep breath then blew out. "Okay. so... what you're like atlas or something? He was... he was a titan right and he just held up the universe forever and that looks like something important like the universe" you pointed at the sphere on his back constantly shifting and changing colours and he made a whiney voice at the back of his throat. "Sorta? I'm Taishiro, nice to meet you" he greeted with a nod and you nodded back glancing again at the exit.

Could you trust him?

One look from him and it wasn't hard to tell he was overjoyed to finally talk to someone so you stood in front of him with your hands on your hips so he could see you while he was looking down. "Should I know who taishiro is, not to sound rude but everyone's heard of atlas, who is taishiro?" you asked biting a nail and the titan nodded understandably, fair enough, you would ask valid questions.

"so like, zeus wanted to do something cool and like "oh look i'm redeemable" se he basically said hey all the titans weren't so bad and just did what dad told them to so they all got freed or whatever but someone still has to hold the sky so they gave me the job" he said in one breath which was impressive to you but he wasn't finished. "which is okay, I don't mind it here but it's boring and lonely and my arms have cramp and God I miss food. And like they just made me a titan, they just chose me off the street after work and were like yo we need a new titan and I thought, hey y'know what i'm a hero, i'd be doing good for the world but i'm bored and hungry" he finished his ramble and you giggled.

You opened a packet of pistachios and a muffin and looked at him. "Can I climb you?" you asked gripping the pistachios in your teeth and pulling the muffin in a travel cup that clipped to your belt. "Sure! Not like you're very heavy to me" he joked and you laughed quietly grabbing the threads of his sandals and pulling yourself up like a climbing wall. "Oh you're so small. It tickles" he laughed. Resisting the urge to twitch and jerk you off his leg. You climbed quickly like the ropes in gym class then when you got to the shorts you pulled yourself up until you rested on his knee, flat as a table.

"Uhh, I think this should be good" you nod and balance cautiously to sit down pulling out the muffin and tapping his knee. "Hey open your mouth" you ask and he does so without question. You throw the muffin like a shot put and he grins, savouring the sweet, chocolatey taste "sorry their human sized" you sigh and shuck the pistachios for yourself, chewing on the green nuts with hundreds of questions buzzing in your head.

"So you were a hero?" you question flicking the pistachio shell into the bowl below you where taishiro's feet stood rooted to the ground. "Mhm. BMI hero: fat gum. I was like 46th, the world thinks I retired, that's what I told them but to me i'm still being a hero" he explained and you hummed agreeingly. "It's pretty hero like to give up everything to hold the weight of the world" you smile up at him and he blushes lightly. "Aw, you sound like one of my old interns. I miss it sometimes though, and I miss talking to people so much, it gets lonely here" a breeze flew past you and he shivered, but didn't lose an ounce of balance on the sphere, it was firmly rooted above him, it could have been suspended for all you knew. "Yeah, I bet, especially since being a hero is a pretty team focused job right?"

He smiled sadly and looked up at the tiny exit. He couldn't fit through doors like that anymore, he was the height of the eiffel tower and with one step he'd crack open the crust of the earth. "Yeah. you sound like you know what your talking about" you smiled tucking your hair behind your ear and shrugged "I do. I went to shiketsu to be a hero but when I left I was like... nah, that ain't my purpose. I wanted to like, find a secret the universe had that no one else knew about so i've been travelling for 4 years and I guess you were the secret right?" you thearised and he agreed happily. "It's cool knowing the universe wanted you to find me!" "heck yeah it is!"

You stayed with taishiro for a few days before having to leave and you had never felt so sad before. It was finally over, you didn't have a reason to travel anymore, you found the secret and had solidified a friendship with him but now you were leaving? Despite the snacks and drinks and stories shared about what you'd seen. You felt guilty leaving him again but he looked overjoyed. "I'll visit soon okay!" you shouted and he nodded "I'll see ya around. Say hey to little red riot for me, and suneater!" he instructed and you saluted exiting the cavern back into the dank corridor.

You kept your eyes trained on the ground until you left the mountain. A shimmering rainbow was directly in front of you and you swiped your hand through it like a cloud of smoke you tried re-directing.

The rainbow fizzled and formed into a human with long white hair and pasty skin, a long sundress with rainbow accents and black eye's. "Hi, (y/n) (y/ln) am I right? Oh I know i'm right don't worry, i'm iris Goddess of the rainbow and a messenger for the Gods of sorts. See I'm here to offer you a fast pass from wherever you are to right here in Morocco, next to our dear friend Tai whenever you please" she said with a smile, arm around your shoulder and walking away from the entrance like a car salesman.

You crossed your arms and raised an eyebrow interested but cautious. "What will it cost me?" you ask bluntly and she laughed, slapping your back lightly. "Your hilarious kid. No it costs you nothing more than a prayer or 2 to me and my dear friend Hermes, see he's the God of travel, he's my partner in this see, and what we'll do is just zip you over here faster than you can think!" she exclaimed. You nodded and thought. A free service from 2 Gods? Were they typically that kind? No not really so...

"Oh I see. Zeus wants a fuck doesn't he" you jeered and the sky's went pale grey, like the colour your skin would go if you;d seen a ghost. Iris choked and looked up. "Um... the God of the sky does take an interest in you, yes." you rolled your eyes and stuck your tongue out at the sky. "Keep it in your pants buddy! I want the fast pass for free or I tell yo wife!!" you bargained, though it was hardly a haggle as the king God, terrified of his wifes wrath, told irish to just give you it for free.

"Thank you! I'll be sure to think of you when I see rainbows from now on, maybe we can have a chat! Oh oh or come see me and Tai some time, he says he gets lonely, you should visit him!" you grinned with a wave and said your address, being transported immediately like cargo from morocco to your home.

You crashed into your bed and huffed grabbing your limbs to make sure you were completely there. "DOES THIS WORK WITH OTHER COUNTRIES!" you shouted to no one in particular, your voice cracking while you spoke and then collapsed into bed, falling into a deep slumber.

A/n: Not gonna lie I really dont like thos chapter. It feels rushed and boring, I think I'll revisit it at somepoint. If you have any feedback feel free to comment!

#bnha #mha fanfiction #my hero academia #bnha fanfiction #boku no hero academia #wattpad #mha #boku no hero fanfic #fatgum x reader #fatgum #taishiro x reader #taishiro toyomitsu

[the-avengers-ate-my-tongue]

The Storm

Summary: You work with Jack Crawford and Alana is your cousin, both of you live together for a long time. She gets caught up with a flat tire far away and asks you to let Will in, for he's expecting her. A storm is coming, and she keeps taking longer and longer to show up. Will the universe conspire in your favor?

Pairing: Will Graham x reader

Warnings: swearing, insinuation of smut, fluff.

Word count: 4.328

A/n: I'm starting to consider changing this tumblr for a Hannibal one, mostly Will Graham, so some requests from other fandoms would be nice haha hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing ♥️

*not my gif

There wasn't a thing such as a boring day at the BAU. 

At least not when you're part of Jack Crawford's crew. There was always an interesting case to focus on, a disfigured body to study the reason of death, it was always a thrilling hunt for evidence. The best experience I've ever had so far in my career, and I could only thank my cousin Alana for putting me on the Guru's radar. I was a great crime scene investigator, albeit a little younger than people gave me credit for. I taught people not to underestimate me over the years, though. I got here by my own effort, being a tenacious, hard-working woman who wouldn't get a no for an answer. 

I got along well with my crewmates, Beverly Katz, Brian Zeller and Jimmy Price, though our relationship hardly extended for life outside work. Except for Beverly, we went out for a couple of beers sometimes, she was fun, witty and I really liked our conversations. Jack was the big boss, and that was it. I had a lot of respect for him, and I knew he didn't regret bringing me to his team, I could see it in his eyes in the first case I've got. I was very cunning when I shared my insights about the cases, sometimes I saw things no one else could, no one but…

Of course, I was far, far away from being a Will Graham. But ever since I was younger, I've had this sort of intuition that helped me to solve problems, I would solve riddles easily and when people asked me how I got to the answer, I wouldn't know the steps, I just knew deep in my bones I was right. That happened a lot when I was growing up and was even stronger now that I knew how to use it. It was some artifice of my inconscient, something I could always count on. It included everything in my life, math, logical thinking, riddles. My brain picked things I couldn't perceive clearly, bringing them to the clear waters of my conscience. 

Will Graham was a curious man. He intrigued me from the very first moment I saw him at the house of one of the last victims of The Minnesota Shrike, Garret Jacob Hobbs, now dead. He was practically hiding in a corner, his eyes closed behind the lens of his glasses, dark wavy hair, jawline for days. He seemed highly focused until Beverly started to talk to him, pulling him out of his daze. He could barely look at her, or at me, and although he looked socially awkward and troubled, he still managed to look like a daydream. I studied every inch of his face, lowering my gaze when he seemed to get uncomfortable, after smiling lightly. I was a bit shy myself. I lived with Alana and, when I got home that night, I absentmindedly asked her about that curious handsome man who seemed to be out of place, yet so connected to that scene. She started to talk about him, but stopped once she noticed my interest. Then, she told me he was a very unstable person, that she wouldn't even be alone in the room with him because of her professional curiosity. As time passed and he solved more and more cases, I could see how people looked at him like an attraction of the zoo. However, not me, and later, not Beverly. Brian didn't seem to like him very much, I could see. Envy, perhaps? Nevertheless, the more I saw Will, the more intrigued I got. He avoided eye contact like the plague, but as I was always friendly and tried my best to treat him like a normal person, not focusing only on work, dead bodies and serial killers, I saw more of those beautiful blue eyes. He knew I was Alana's cousin, and I sooner realized he had a fling for her. 

And boy, did that break my silly little heart. I wasn't surprised, though. Who could blame him? Alana was amazing. I never felt resentful for that, but as time passed, I started to detach from the idea of Will being somewhat more than a simple acquaintance. That afternoon, I was going home from work when I got a call from Alana.

"Speak fast, I'm driving." I said, keeping one hand on the wheel and the other holding my phone.

"You're going home? Great. I invited Will so we could talk about a profile I'm building, but I got caught up here. I already spoke to him, he's almost there, can you let him in? He said he'll wait, and I'll be home in about fifty minutes, no more than that, hopefully." She said in a hurry, and I felt my cheeks burn a little. Will and me? Home alone? 

"I…" I hesitated, chewing my bottom lip nervously. "You won't be long, right? Heard on the radio there’s a storm for later."

"I won't, promise. Just let him in, he's already aware I'll take a little longer to be there. See you soon. Thanks, Y/n!" She hung up, not leaving me any time to answer. I put the phone down, still chewing on my bottom lip. I could feel excitement rising on my stomach, making me feel slightly nauseated, and noticed my hands starting to sweat.

Please. That was ridiculous. What was I, a teenager? I was a grown-up, well-succeeded woman, for God's sake. I rubbed my hands on my jeans, driving a little faster than I usually did almost unconsciously. I got home after twenty minutes, parking outside the pretty house. Will was already there, leaning against his car, so lost in his thoughts he barely noticed I'd arrived. I looked at my reflection at the mirror hurriedly, fixing my hair, pinching my cheeks to look less pale, brushing my eyebrows with my fingers to make them look neat. I wasn't even wearing any lipstick today. It had been a long day at work. 

I opened the car door, exiting the vehicle, the noise from shutting the door finally bringing him out of his daze, and he finally seemed to notice me. He smiled lightly, lowering his eyes. He had his glasses on, but as soon as he saw me, he took them off, hanging them on his shirt.

"Hey, Will. I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long. There was a little bit of traffic." I justified, walking to the porch and waiting for him to follow me. 

"Y/n. Not at all, I just got here. Alana explained what happened, thanks for coming to let me in. Hope I didn't ruin any appointment you may have had." He waited until I unlocked the door, and we finally were engulfed with the warm air of the heater.

"Nope, I was coming home, no appointments lost. Please, come in. I'm not sure you've ever been here before, but make yourself home." I hung my trench coat, sighing with the pleasure of being home. I loved the atmosphere of that place. "Can I get you anything? Water, soda, beer…"

"Thank you. I'm fine. And no, I haven't been here before." I held back the temptation of saying "good", biting my bottom lip as I watched him sit on the couch. I just stood there for a while, not sure of what to do next. 

He frowned a little, probably thinking why I was acting so weird, and that made me nervous, because it was just an easy step to realize my silly crush on him. Did he know? What if Alana said something? Said something? For fuck's sake, he was Will Graham, he could probably see that written across my stupid face! Shit, he knows. I'm making a fool of myself. Why do I even…

"Is everything okay?" His voice startled me a little, pulling me out of my neurotic breakdown, and I wondered how my facial expressions looked. Was I blinking only one eye like the stereotyped madness of cartoons? I certainly didn't look normal. I cleared my throat, laughing lightly.

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess I'm not really used to having people over anymore. I've been working a lot lately. People are dying like flies." I sat on the armchair in front of him, sighing. 

"What we do can be overwhelming sometimes. What we see every day. It just… stains you." He said, with a dark look on his serious eyes. 

I nodded. I felt that way sometimes, but I was used to it. I stopped feeling that sense of inadequacy on my chest years ago. 

"I guess you just begin to cope with it, though. Our brain adapts to that harsh reality. But it's always nice to vent somehow. What do you do in your free time?" I asked, wondering if I was getting too personal. Did I sound like I was probing to ask him out?  I felt my face getting warm. Damn it.

Either he didn't realize, or he was just too chivalrous to point, but he didn't mention anything.

"I fish." He said, simply. I nodded with a light smile.

"And you play with your doggies." I pointed, smiling wider. I loved dogs. He'd mentioned them before, so I just brought the subject up, trying to shift the attention from me to them. Will smiled back, his eyes with a subtle glow. He really loved them, and that was so sweet. "Fishing sounds nice. Unfortunately, I could never. I'm too restless. I'd probably startle all the fish and wouldn't catch anything."

He laughed, and that was the first time I ever heard that sound coming out of him. I felt like I was someone deaf that was able to hear the sound of Mozart's symphonies for the first time, and I just knew. There was never detachment from the idea of Will being more than an acquaintance. It was tackled down inside my brain somewhere, for the brain tends to adapt to harsh realities, but it was still there, just waiting for some incentive. 

"It's just a matter of training, getting used to it. I could teach you someday… if you want." He blinked a few times, as if he was surprised with his own boldness, smiling lightly. "And you? What do you do to vent?" He asked, seeming genuinely interested.

"Well, I read a lot. Maybe I could read by the riverside while I watch you fish." I said, shrugging with a subtle smile.

"It's a date, then?" Will inquired, making me mortified. Caught me by total surprise, and when I was about to say something, my phone rang.

"Excuse me." I answered the phone. It was Alana. "Hey. We're already here waiting for you."

Not that I wanted her to arrive any time sooner, but she didn't have to know that.

"You won't believe me; I've got a flat tire. There's a guy helping me out, I was lucky, I'm in the middle of nowhere. But I'll get there in about fifty more minutes, more or less. Can you put Will on the phone? I'll explain everything to him."

"Do you need one of us to pick you up? I'm sure he wouldn't mind, I wouldn't…"

"No, he's almost done. Thank you. Let me talk to Will, I'll be there soon. The storm is about to catch me, I wanna hurry."

I sighed, grimacing at him. 

"She wants to talk to you." I passed him the phone, studying his expressions while he talked to her. As I looked at the window, I could see the dark clouds gathering up, making the end of the afternoon murky. The storm was about to hit hard. I could see a few thin drops of rain starting to wet the glass.

"I can stay a little longer, no problem. I'm being well attended." He traded looks with me, biting his lip slightly. "Okay. I'll see you soon, Alana."

He gave me the phone, but Alana was already gone. I put it on the coffee table, getting up.

"I think I'll pour myself some wine. Do you want some?" I asked politely. "It's one of the fanciest ones; Hannibal gave us a bottle when we dined at his house a few days ago."

"Yes. Thank you." He waited for me to come back with the beverages, and I did my best not to spill anything, sitting on the couch beside him while I gave him the glass. "So you're acquainted with Dr. Lecter?"

"Oh yeah, he's an old friend of Alana's, sometimes he invites us to dinner. He cooks the best meals I've ever had in my entire life, so I don't exactly decline the invitations. And he's one of the most brilliant people I've ever met, so it's always interesting." I took a sip of the crimson liquid, moaning low in pleasure. Good wine. I preferred a good cup of hot oolong, but it was impossible not to appreciate the quality of that drink. 

A few glasses after and a lot of talks about dogs, fishing and other hobbies, he finally felt safe to bring back the topic. The rain had started really pouring, the now thicker drops hitting the windows loudly. Alana hadn't called again. It was nighttime now, the sky seeming to be darker than usual. I was low-key worried about her, but the conversation was too great to interrupt. She was a good driver. She would be just fine. 

"I've been seeing Hannibal Lecter in his office. Not exactly his patient, though. A courtesy of Jack Crawford to keep an eye on the coping of my brain functions." He sounded a bit bitter, drinking a few sips of his wine.

I could see he didn't like therapy. Must be hard with someone with a mind like his.

"You know, sometimes, Alana psychoanalyses me. Like, she doesn't even notice. It's cute, but sometimes it creeps me out." 

"She has a professional curiosity about me, but she's too polite and considerate to let it slip out. We've never even been alone in the same room together."

I held back a bitter comment, not wanting to talk shit about my cousin, but he saw it right through me. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to put you in a complicated position."

"I know. You're sweet." The word slipped through my tongue before I could contain it. Will blinked a few times, seeming surprised, and I felt my cheeks burn, starting to stutter. "I meant… I'm sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?"

"No, no. It's just… no one's ever called me that before." It was my time to get surprised. He didn't seem to be complimented much, and that just made me flabbergasted. I couldn't be the only one who saw how fantastic Will was.

"... Ah. Well, some people are just shy. I'm shy as hell, don't even know how I had the nerve to say that, it's probably the wine starting to kick in. Hope I really didn't make you uncomfortable, though. Don't need to be polite, it's okay to tell me."

"Actually, I'm curious to know what else you think of me. I sense it's not the only word you have to define me." He sounded bolder, and his eyes were on mine, giving me shivers down my spine. 

"Well… I think you're too exceptional to be defined with a few words. You're… Kind, brilliant… I see how seeing what you see, doing what you do, how it wrecks you sometimes, and you just keep doing it because you're saving lives. That's so selfless, Will. That's…" I was going to say more, but at that very moment, a loud thunder just made the house practically tremble, and I let out a real inelegant weep, coming closer to Will and holding his arm firmly, my fingers grabbing on the fabric of his shirt. He could've thought it was an artifice to get closer to him, but he could see how frightened I was, trembling like a cornered wild little beast. I hated thunders, fireworks, anything loud. Feeling ridiculous, I released his shirt, apologizing with embarrassment.

"It's okay. It's just noise. I'm here." He put some of my hair that had fallen to my face behind my ear with such a tenderness that I felt my stomach twitch, realizing suddenly how close we were. He was looking at me as if it was the first time he was actually seeing me. 

The phone rang again. Alana! I grabbed it from the coffee table, turning to face Will. He wasn't avoiding eye contact anymore, his pupils were dilated. My breathing was accelerated, and I knew it had little to do with the thunder.

"Lana, is everything okay?" I asked with genuine concern. "Are you close?"

"Ah, Y/n. I'm so sorry. I don't think I'll make it in time, I'm driving slow, the roads are slippery because of the storm and it's pretty foggy. I'll stop at a motel and spend the night, or at least wait for the storm to pass. I'm so furious with myself!"

"It's okay cuz, do what's safer for you. I'm sure Will will understand. I'll pass him the phone." I gave him the phone and he talked to Alana for a few minutes, but I wasn't listening. She'd ruined the moment unintentionally, and now he was probably going home. When would I have an opportunity like that again? 

"Okay. Don't worry. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Alana. Take care." He gave me the phone and I put it on the coffee table again. Before any of us could say anything, another thunder cracked the sky, and this time, Will held me so I wouldn't be afraid. The lights went out, and he held me against his chest protectively, making me smell his aftershave and some perfume. He smelled so good. For a moment, I just stood there in his arms, feeling his warmth, his breath, the steady beats of his heart. 

I moved away just a little to see his face, very close to mine, but it was so dark I could only see shadows. A lightning lit up the room and, just for a little moment, I could see his gorgeous eyes staring at me. After a soft touch of his thumb on my lips, he finally kissed me, so gentle, like I could break as fine china with any rougher move. I touched his neck with both my hands, playing with his hair, feeling how soft they were. He pulled me closer, his hands on my waist, and the kiss started to get deeper, voracious, as if we were hungry for each other. Maybe the wine was helping to raise the lust; all I know is that I've wanted that to happen for a long time. Will's kiss was everything I imagined it would be, but entirely different at the same time. All I could say was that he was great at it. His hands traveled through my body, and I grabbed his hair, pulling it slightly. That made a low growl echo through his chest, and I started to feel my body fervent as a bonfire.

I couldn't say much because I was breathless and I didn't want to stop what we were doing, so a single word left my lips as I kept my forehead on his.

"Stay."

Will bit his lip, kissing me again, and that was all the answer I needed.

xx 

Morning. Thin sunrays illuminated my bedroom floor through the curtains, waking me up. The storm was gone. I haven't had a nice night of sleep like that in ages. I looked at the other side of my bed and there was Will, sleeping heavily. It wasn't a dream, after all. Last night really happened. I smiled, staring at the roof with disbelief in my eyes.

I stared at him for a few seconds, unsure of what to do. Should I just let him sleep? He looked so heavenly, his hair was messy, his breathing steady, he seemed so less troubled than he usually was. I touched his hair lightly, caressing it with tenderness, and he started to move. I could see his neck, and a few hickies we marked on his albescent skin. That made me blush a little bit, and I laughed silently. 

He opened his eyes while I still touched his hair, but I didn't stop, and he didn't seem to want me to. We stared at each other in silence for a few moments, and he smiled, a different smile than the usual ones he gave me.

"Hi." He said, pulling me closer by my waist, stroking the skin under the sheets. I pecked him on the lips, then kissing his forehead, his cheek, his jawline. 

"Hey there. Good morning. I'm starving, are you having breakfast with me?"

"Actually, I gotta go home. Feed the dogs." He said, stroking my nude shoulder with his finger.

"Of course. Your dogs. I won't keep you then, poor babies must be so hungry." I kissed his cheek and was about to get up when he pulled me again, gently kissing my lips. I smiled, probably looking like an idiot. A joyful idiot. "I'll let you get dressed. I'll be in the kitchen."

I dressed up in my long and black robe, smiling at him before I left the room, going to the kitchen, where I started to make some french toasts. After a few minutes, I heard the front door open, and an exhausted Alana came in, her hair frizzy and her coat looking still a bit wet.

"Oh, Lana! Go change, you'll get a cold!" I stopped what I was doing, going to her and helping to take off her coat.

"That storm was a nightmare. I swear I won't ignore the warnings ever again. I'm so sorry, I had no idea it would get this bad, yesterday was one of those days where everything just goes wrong. Hope Will arrived well at home, did he seem disappointed or annoyed before he left? I was so inconvenient…"

I didn't even have time to answer, because Will opened my bedroom door, coming out while buttoning his shirt, suddenly realizing Alana was there.

"Oh." Alana said, looking so flabbergasted I almost laughed at her. Will rose his eyebrows at the sight of her, seeming a bit unsure of what to do or say. I wasn't planning for her to find out like this, it was a bit early, I wasn't expecting her to arrive so soon. "Hi, Will."

"Alana. Hi." He avoided looking at her, staring at me, and his eyes immediately softened. I smiled, he smiled back, and that was it, Alana was forgotten.

"Off you go to feed your children." I joked, biting my bottom lip. "I guess I'll see you later, then."

"Definitely." He simply said, kissing my forehead while caressing my hair, certainly a little embarrassed to kiss me in front of Alana. "See you later, Y/n. Bye, Alana."

"Bye, Will." I waved with a soft smile, and he grabbed his jacket, leaving the house.

My smile grew larger and I left my head fall back, squeaking low in commemoration. What a night! What a morning! I never thought I would thank a storm so much, let alone a bloody thunder.

Before Alana could say anything, I realized Will had left his glasses at the coffee table, and I picked it up in a hurry, bursting through the front door and calling him before he left, waving in front of the car.

"You forgot your glasses!" I said, and he opened the car windows, raising his hand to pick them.

I leaned against the car window, putting the glasses on him, and kissing his lips fiercely. He moaned in surprise, holding my face to deepen the kiss. After a moment, I pulled away, appreciating the view of his lips so reddish. 

"Go back inside, it's cold." He said with a cheeky smile, and before I could say he actually made me hotter, he took off with the car.

I went back inside, where Alana was waiting for me with her arms crossed. 

"What the hell did you do to Will Graham?" She asked, sounding severe, but a smile was trying to escape her lips "I mean, besides trying to suck his soul with your mouth a few moments ago."

"Oh, shut up!" I laughed, blushing violently. "You made that happen, you know? Thank you. Was that a set up or did the universe actually conspire in my favor?"

"I wish I'd planned this. That would mean I would've had a plan b and I wouldn't have stayed at that disgusting mote… Y/n, you're full of hickies, I can't believe you!"

"You're starting to sound like my mom, Lana. I'm gonna wear a turtleneck, don't worry, I don't want Beverly all over me like a bloodhound and Brian and Jimmy's witty comments today. In fact, keep it to yourself, okay? Will's discreet. I won't even tell Beverly, if she finds out, the whole bureau will know, hell, maybe even Freddie Lounds."

"I told you to let it go, Y/n. Will's very unstable right now. I… I only want what's best for you." She said with concern in her bright blue eyes. I sighed, walking to her and kissing her cheek with affection.

"You're a good cousin. But I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself, okay? Unless this isn't only about me, unless it concerns something else." I raised an eyebrow while staring at her, more confident that I've ever been. "Is there something you wanna tell me?"

She hesitated, clenching her jaw, but never spoke. 

I smiled, tapping her cheek very lightly in approval.

"I gotta get ready to work. Wanna grab lunch with me later?" I asked in a casual tone, a cynical smile on my face. She shrugged. "See you later then, cuz."

#hannibal #hugh dancy #mads mikkelsen #will graham #will graham headcanon #will graham imagine #hannibal imagine #will graham x reader #alana bloom #alana bloom imagine #jack crawford #beverly katz #hannibal fanfic #hannibal fanfiction #hannibal headcanon #will graham oneshot

[petersasteria]

The Forces of Nature || Ch.16

Pairing: Peter Parker x Superhero!Reader Summary: “There’s this kid out there that can control the wind or something. I think she’s a great addition to the team. Let’s recruit her.” 1,602 words Series Masterlist || Parker

“The swine flu has been worse recently. We don’t know where he lives exactly, but he’s definitely mad.” Rhodey told everyone as they played footage of The Violent Swine on the big screen. “Yesterday, he killed five people and injured one person.”

“How awful.” Y/N sighed and shook her head. She wasn’t a fan of violence. In fact, it was one of the reasons why she was hesitant to join the team when Peter asked her. “What should we do? We haven’t started yet. When will we act? We’re just sitting here doing these stupid meetings talking about ‘our plans’! We barely did anything!” She exclaimed, getting angry and impatient.

“Calm down, Avatar.” Tony said, but she wasn’t having any of it.

“Calm down?! I’m sorry, but I can’t calm down. I can’t sit here while innocent people are dying because of this angry and vengeful man who’s clearly getting our attention. Let’s just act. Screw the plan!” Y/N pointed out. Steve nodded in understanding and agreement. Everyone was quiet for a while.

“Look, I’m sorry for lashing out.” Y/N said quietly. “I’m just mad that we haven’t gone into action yet. I know it’s dangerous, but isn��t our job protecting people? Isn’t that what the Avengers are for? I joined all of you because I want to help people. I didn’t join here to sit and watch them die until a plan was formed. Let’s just go for it.”

“She’s right.” Wanda said as she gave Y/N a small smile. “We should go for it.”

“So, there’s no plan?” Bucky asked.

“We’ve been training our asses off. I think it’s time to put our skills to use.” Y/N mentioned.

“Okay. Let’s just update Parker. Speaking of, where’s Peter?” Tony asked and looked at Y/N. She looked at him and said, “He stayed at home to take care of aunt May. She’s sick.”

“Okay, then. I’ll just text him about the meeting.” Tony said before pulling out his phone to text.

“Y/N, shouldn’t you be going home? It’s, like, 7PM.” Steve told her in concern. Y/N glanced at her watch and her eyes widened. Steve was right.

“Shoot! I have to go. Eunice is taking the night shift tonight and she said she’d only leave when I get home so that she knows I’m safe.” Y/N said as she hastily got up from her seat and packed her things.

“I’m glad that someone’s looking after you, Y/N. You’re lucky.” Nat smiled softly. Y/N smiled back, “Thank you. Eunice is a blessing sent from heaven. I’d be nothing without her and I'd probably live in the streets if I never met her.”

Once she was done shoving everything in her bag, she said goodbye to everyone and left. She rushed home and if she was being honest, the journey home was all a blur. She smiled to herself when the view of her apartment building came to view as she walked from the train station. She smiled at the couple who were going down the stairs as she was going up.

She had a skip in her step when she arrived at her floor. She took out her key from her jean pocket, but frowned when she saw the front door slightly open. She pushed the door open and said, “Eunice, I think you left the door o- AH!”

She cut herself off with a gasp. Suddenly she couldn’t scream and only tears streamed down her face. She shakily brought a hand to her mouth as the other hand shut the door behind her. The sight was traumatic. She was so busy taking in the sight that she failed to notice the words ‘overthrow gaia’ on the wall written with blood. Eunice’s blood, she assumed.

“Oh my god.” Y/N said as she cried. She broke down and fell to the ground. She carefully crawled to Eunice’s lifeless body and looked at her.

She didn’t know what to do. There were so many questions in her head that needed answers. Y/N knew she could see memories, but so far, all she’s been seeing were her own memories. She figured that she could see Eunice’s last memory before she died with the blood that surrounded her.

“I hope this works, oh my god.” Y/N sniffed before putting her hands on the floor. Tears, leaves and mud worked with seeing memories. Blood, however, doesn’t work. This frustrated Y/N because she wanted to see who did this cruel thing.

She looked at Eunice’s face and saw three letters carved on her forehead. ‘T.V.S’ it said. Y/N was angrier now. She grabbed her phone and called Clint.

“Hey, Y/N! We just saw you. What’s up?”

“Eunice is dead.” Y/N said bluntly as she cried. “I-I found her lying on the floor and there’s blood everywhere! I don’t know what to do.”

“Okay, we’ll be there ASAP. Call the police and don’t touch her, okay? Stay away from Eunice.” Clint said as he informed everyone about what happened.

Y/N nodded as she moved away from Eunice. She leaned against the wall as she sat on the floor, “Please come soon, okay?”

“Okay, we promise that. Call 911.” Clint said before hanging up. Y/N catches her breath first before calling 911.

“911, what’s your emergency?” The lady asked.

“My guard- my best friend is dead. She- She’s surrounded with her own blood in the living room. I just got home and I don’t know what to do.” Y/N cried hysterically.

“Okay, what’s your address?”

Y/N gave all her details and the lady said, “They’re already on their way, okay? Stay on the phone until they get there.”

“Okay.” Y/N cried.

Clint, Wanda, Thor, Nat, and Steve arrived at the same time as the police and the paramedics. The door was aggressively pushed open by one of them and you didn’t care. “They’re here.” You croaked out.

The paramedics came in and handled Eunice’s body and the police asked Y/N some questions and that annoyed her.

“Look, I don’t know, okay?!” Y/N cried. “I told you everything! I came home from a meeting and I saw her lying on the floor with blood surrounding her! That’s everything I know!”

The five Avengers comforted Y/N while the police told her that they’ll be investigating more about it and that she needed to stay at someone else’s place.

“You can stay at the compound. You’re welcome to stay there as long as possible.” Nat said before pulling Y/N in for a hug.

On the files and records, it said that Eunice was murdered. Outing himself, the police already knew that The Violent Swine was behind this. Deciding he was ‘some kind of alien or something’, the police said he was hard to catch and they closed the case already. This angered Y/N until the funeral. She heavily invested her time finding out what happened to Eunice instead of grieving with Eunice’s family who she just got to know. Y/N didn’t give herself a chance to grieve and it was getting all too much and she didn’t want to admit it.

When the funeral was over, Y/N was left behind. She didn’t know that the Avengers arrived after everyone left. It wasn’t until she felt a hand on her shoulder that she knew of their presence.

“We’re sorry for your loss.” Tony said softly. Y/N could only nod.

“I will never forgive The Violent Swine for this.” She said softly. “We need to catch him now. I don’t care how we’ll do it.”

The next few days were spent locating and going to where The Violent Swine is, but when they arrived at the scene, The Violent Swine had already left.

Coming home from another failed mission, the Avengers went to the meeting room with frustrated looks on their faces.

“Why can’t we fucking catch him?!” Bucky exclaimed.

“He’s always one step ahead and it’s frustrating, but we need to be two steps ahead of him.” Bruce told everyone.

“How will we do that?” Peter asked as he took off his mask and ruffled his hair. “It’s difficult.”

Rhodey looked at the screen while everyone was talking about the next step, when Rhodey saw something unusual.

“Guys.” He said. When no one stopped talking, he raised his voice. “Guys!”

Everyone looked at him and Sam asked, “What?”

Rhodey turned to all of them and said, “The Violent Swine left New York.”

“Where is he now?” Scott asked. “Is he in Vegas? Is he on vacation?”

“He’s in Greece.” Rhodey answered. “He’s bringing the battle to Greece. I don’t know why, but we’re going there. Let’s finish him.”

“I’m down.” Y/N said without hesitation.

“Y/N, we have school.” Peter pointed out. “We can’t just leave.”

“I don’t care. He killed Eunice and he’ll pay.” Y/N glared at Peter before looking at Rhodey. “Count me in. I’ll get a passport and everything, I don’t care anymore. A final exam isn’t going to stop me from getting him.”

“Fine.” Peter said. “I’m in too.” The two teens looked at each with a small smile on their faces.

“We’re going to Greece, then.” Tony finalized. “When are we leaving?”

“...Now? Knowing him, he’ll start chaos as soon as he arrives.” Nat said, earning a chorus of agreements from everyone.

“You know what to do.” Steve said, everyone turning to him. With a hint of eagerness in his eyes he said, “Avengers, assemble.”

* * * *

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @blueleatherbag @cocoamoonmalfoy @thatforgottenangel @parkerpeter24 @slutforsr @givebuckyhisplumsnow @buckys-little-hoe @runawayolives @chewymoustachio @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @yourstrulyamour @beverlythrillz @pearce14 @juliediggory @yaya4302 @alexx-stancati @rumplebutterbaby @dummiesshort @spideyspeaches @moonlight-onyx @marvelsimps @angelsgrxzer @dreamy-clousds @bora-world @hunnybunimdun @supred12 @more-like-reyna @caitsymichelle13 @aayaissaa @oliviabren03 @wannabemobwife @bigassnocash

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @holland-styles @trustfundparker @alinastarkrovs @felicityparkers @hufflepuffprincess24 @tommysparker @justasmisunderstoodasloki @quaksonhehe @call-me-baby-gir1 @itstaskeen @theonly1outof-a-billion @lost-in-the-stars03 @justafangirlduh @piscesparker @speedymaximoff @miraclesoflove @lexirv @blairscott @getbywithasmile @pqrkerr @lavender-writer @blackbat2020 @hoodpankow @bi-lmg @emmastarz @moonchild-s-blog

#peter parker #peter parker series #peter parker x reader #peter parker x y/n #peter parker fanfiction #petersasteria #the forces of nature fic #k's works

[echo-three-one]

Whatever It Takes

Sequel to A Forgotten Memory

Now facing an internal battle between her heart and mind, Samantha faces her fears and searches for the truth. Will she accept the past? Will she listen to her heart? Or will she let her memories get the best of her?

Chapter 10 to another story made by Ray (echo-three-one) Comments and Reviews appreciated! I hope you enjoy! Love you all ❤️

Previous Chapter : Roach - A SurPRICE Visit

What is this o.O

The Heart knows what the Brain Doesn't

Samantha Coleman

141's High Value Individual

Task Force 141 Base - General Shepherd's Office

The base was quiet. Everyone else fled off to their mission and all Samantha could think about is Alex. But why? Maxine told her he wanted to meet him, but Alex told her it's because she dropped her pendant. Whose story is she going to believe in? She could feel her heart beat differently ever since she saw him with General Shepherd. Her whole body except for her brain reacted to his presence. She even felt weak after slapping him, it's like her brain commanded it but her hands wanted to disobey. Who is he?

Maxine passed by with an apple she got from the kitchen counter.

"Sam, you okay?" she asked, biting the fruit and sitting in the chair across from her.

"I've been thinking… about how you knew Alex and how she knows me…" she sighed, it was relieving to let out all her bottled thoughts, especially that now they're both alone.

"Well, we met in a bar. Had a few drinks then showed me a photo of you." she said, holding her hand.

"I honestly believed he did know you and tried to lengthen the conversation, just so I know he's good enough and knows a lot. He actually aced the test but he was very drunk when I told her to meet again. After that He showed up the next day and I had to work. Whatever happened after my shift was- ow." she interrupted herself because of a minor pain from recalling her memories. She still hasn't been able to remember all of them, even after a lot of sleep.

"Yeah. That's about it on your side. Mine's just that… He looked creepy, his eyes felt like he was looking for me in a weird way and so I ran. After that life continued. You went on a leave and I resumed working." She supplied, staring at the grey walls of the mess hall.

"I wish I'd remember where I went on that vacation. It'd be cool." Max commented, crunching on another bite.

"My heart… beats differently when he's near. It's like he's really familiar." She whispered.

"Oh. Someone's been struck by the Cupid. He is attractive though. Without those ink, he'd probably be your type." Max teased, winking at her and nudging her. Samantha was serious, though.

"Look. I admit my heart feels something for him. It's a mix of guilt and longing. But why would I long for someone I just met?" She sighed and dropped her head on the table, groaning as her mind and her heart battled against the inconsistencies.

"Look. It's not too crowded here. Maybe we could do some research by their library!" Max suggested, creating finger guns and humming the Mission Impossible theme song as she stood up and went to the library. Samantha chuckled.

"So we're spies now?!" She placed a hand on her forehead as she followed her wacky best friend.

Maxine typed down Alex on the search bar, his public profile appeared and they began reading his file. It was all basic ideas, Nationality, Height, his name was redacted and they couldn't bypass it so they just ignored it and headed to the next term.

"CIA Agent Alex helped locate and detain CIA Mole." Samantha read with her mouth. Maxine quickly clicked the article and photos of her appeared on almost every page.

Unlike Maxine, these notes didn't hurt her mind except it hurt her heart that she treated him that way, after all this time. He was there to save her. He located you through Maxine to save you from the same captors that played with your brain months ago.

"Ooooh. It says here you two were safely housed in a remote safehouse for almost a month. Really Sam? Maybe something happened within that time? Can you please remember how he looked underneath those clothes. For me?" she giggled. Samantha knew she was joking but it was an honest possibility.

Could it be that she fell for the guy that saved her and sat with her for almost a month? Or the two of them fell in love? Her heart was racing as the possibilities overloaded her brain, her cheeks started to blush as her thoughts consumed her. This wasn't her mind talking to her, it was her heart. It's reminding her of Alex.

"Oh. Shit." Maxine muttered and Sam snapped back to reality, putting her hand on Max's shoulders and looked into the screen once again.

Due to a special favor promised by Samantha's father, he has authorized to apply an MK Ultra procedure to her, whose main intention is to Alter her memories of the IP Address along with the events that happened prior to kidnapping.

"You agreed to forget him?" Max looked at her, a frown formed as she started to console her.

"I guess so… Maybe something happened between us." She sobbed. She didn't want to cry, but the realization set in on her. They met, they bonded and she forced herself to forget him. No wonder Alex felt sad after being slapped.

"I want to ask him about us." Sam said with determination. Maxine liked the confidence but was also concerned about her feelings.

"What if you wanted to forget him, that's why you did it? Would you be ready to feel the sadness all over again?" Maxine asked. Samantha paused for a while. She made sense but her gut is telling her to push through her initial plan.

"I'm sorry Max, but I made my choice. I have to know everything about us, Whatever it Takes." she said.

"I'm here to support you. After all, you're the only memory I have left. They took everything. I don't know why but my memory began when I moved in. That's where my story started. Maybe there's a reason for it so, here I am for you. You're my family." she said, hugging her tight.

"Well, you could add a few more people in your family." she smiled.

"Yeah. It's full of tough looking brothers ready to protect us. And one soft Gary." she noted.

"He is a sweetheart, huh?" Samantha asked, getting a hint of something else from her.

"Well, he talks a lot and he gets me sometimes. It's a shame he's always out there saving the world." Max chuckled. Samantha froze.

"I know you want this to work..."

"This is our proposed digital art for our ad…"

"... and I know in my heart that I do too…"

"The colors need to be more vibrant!"

"...but I can't live loving you with worry in my heart..."

"I'm staying a little bit longer, See you tomorrow!"

"... and I don't want to be the reason that you'll stop saving the world. I know you want that. It's your job to. It's what you built your whole life to become..."

Her head started projecting two realities, it confused her. Which was right and which was wrong? She knew the work one was right, but the memories she just made right now while crying in front of Alex made more sense. Which was real? Which was fake?

"Sam! You okay?" Maxine snapped her fingers and Samantha blinked rapidly.

"I'm going crazy Max." she panted.

"What's wrong?" she consoled.

"My memories. They're all wrong. Why did I agree to this?" Samantha continued breathing heavily.

"Well, for starters. It's to forget that IP Address you memorized as a kid."

"But why did they change the recent ones too? Did I decide that my time spent with Alex is worth forgetting? Did he break my heart or did I break his?" She sighed. She knew for herself that she was unable to love again because of her loss, but what if Alex made it right for her? Alex did something that helped her move on? That's why her heart felt yearning for him?

"Sam. I'm no love doctor but if this really bothers you, you should talk to him. I have no idea when they'll get back but I'm looking forward to your resolution." She patted her shoulders and gave her a soft hug. Samantha felt like crying, but why?

~

After a while, Samantha actually had the courage to ask about Alex's whereabouts. Word has it that he's being redeployed to Germany to investigate another alleged Augustus base and that they had no idea when he'll be back.

This worries Samantha because they already heard about a transfer of authority, which in simple words meant : You're leaving the base. And that meant she won't see Alex anymore.

Maxine and Samantha sat on their beds at the infirmary to recover once again, both of them fell quiet as the news they got started to bother them. They already got attached to the people in the base and were sure that they're going to miss them. All they could do is hope that the team gets home before they leave the base.

“You think Alex will be okay?” Samantha shifted her sleeping position to Maxine, who was still awake humming to soothing melodies. Maxine shifted to face her too and smiled.

“You’re worried.” She teased, making her smile and giggle.

“Well, my heart told me I have to worry…”

“That’s normal. And don’t you worry ‘bout a thing… He’s a tough guy, remember? He’s trained to survive such harsh conditions. That’s what his file said, right?” She reminded Samantha, giving her an assuring smile. Samantha shrugged off her worry and closed her eyes. She started to imagine what it felt like being with him, based on information from his file. She can’t help but smile at her crazy idea. She felt like a teenager all over again, obsessing herself on fictional characters she watched on TV, since she could only base his personality on words alone. But she did remember how his cheeks felt, from the slap, and placed her palm on her cheek as well. It felt like he was with her and her heart felt excited as she awaited for his return.

Next Chapter : The Berlin Tower

NOTIFICATION SQUAD MY BELOVED ❤️

@smokeywhalee @enderio @samatedeansbroccoli @whimsywispsblog @beemybee @ricinbach

#omg the picture I'm Sorry I tried #codmwfic #whateverittakes #alex echo 3 1 #simon ghost riley #john soap mactavish #john price #gary roach sanderson

[fivefeetfear]

Chp 3

I am so happy you guys love the story! Thank you for all your support!

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It was nearly 1 o'clock pm and (Y/N) stood nervously in the crowd of her students. They all stood in a circle as they had a dance battle with one another as the speakers shook the room. Some did solo routines and others did groups, it was all in good competitive fun. Class ended earlier than expected since (Y/N) kinda breezed through the lesson completely thrilled to see the shy gem again! So her pupils decided to have a bit of fun before calling it a day. (Y/N) watched the entrances of the classroom waiting to spot Spinel. She couldn't get that cute gem out of her mind all day! With her spiky ponytails and big ol eyes! And the accent! Oh goodness, the accent! It made her very gem melt! The short gem dazed off as she fiddles with the ends of her locks, happily daydreaming.

"Ms. (Y/N) why don't you join in on the fun." A pink emerald student asked.

"Yeah! Show them how it's done!" A yellow sapphire encourages. (Y/N) shifts her (E/C) eyes to the two gems and flashes them an apologetic smile.

"Not today." She declines as she looked back to the time; three more minutes. The two students shrug as they went back to join the fun.

"Oh please, you’ll be on the floor once that spinel walks right through the door. You are sooooo predictable (Y/N)." Amber comments with a playful smirk on her face. (Y/N) playfully scowls the beefy gem as she crosses her arms over her chest taking a confident stance.

"For your information, I am not!" she sass while she walked to the enormous mirror that took up the front of the classroom and readjusted her hair. She put it in an updo to keep the locks out of her face while she was teaching her class. The curvy gem eyes scan over her outfit to make sure she looked presentable for her guest. She wore a loose shirt that showed her bando bra from the sides, cute shorts paired with some simple dancing shoes.

"Then why you trying to look cute for?" Amber quips making the short gem rolls her eyes.

"I am not, this is how I always dress." She informs.

"Mhm, I'd say your shorts are a bit shorter than your usual pair. I can almost see your-." (Y/N) whines loudly as she threw her head back. Goodness, she hated being called out especially by Amber. She wouldn’t stop bothering her until she gave up.

"Fine! I'm showing off a bit, sue me!" she conceded with her cheeks puffed out childishly. Amber chuckle as she places her hands on her hips and glances down at her friend.

"Well then, I would suggest you get a move on to the dance floor and show that spinel what she is working with because she is here." (Y/N) eyes widen as she looked at the mirror to the front door and sure enough, Spinel and Steven were here. (Y/N) felt her gem glowing on the back of her neck seeing how cute Spinel looked. She adored two low pigtails with a dark pink snapback placed on backward; a baggy magenta sweater and fitted black pants matched with dark pink sneakers. The (Y/G) chest tighten as she took in her appearance, oh goodness she so damn cute! The poor thing looked so nervous as she spoke with Steven with concern written all over her face. Oh, how she wanted to go up to her and just hug the poor girl. But her ego wouldn't allow her.

Snapping back to reality, (Y/N) held her head high as she walked into the middle of the dance floor ready to work her magic. She could hear Amber mumble "predictable" under her breath as she followed the small gem.

......

Spinel and Steven made it to the dance studio right on time, and as soon as they enter the room Spinel felt completely insecure. She cast her eyes over to Steven with her head low as she shoves her hands into the pockets of the hoodie.

"Are you sure I look ok? Do you think it's too much?" She asked Steven as she looked down at her new sneakers. Amethyst had styled her today and she felt completely comfortable and herself in it, but it was still taking her time to adjust to the new look.

"You look great! Don't worry about it. Now let's find (Y/N)." Steven hums as he looked over at the crowd of gems and humans cheering, he saw Amber waving them over. The curly-headed teen instantly grabbed Spinel's hand rushing through the crowd reaching the orange gem.

"Hey, Amber, where's (Y/N)?" The human boy asked. Amber simply points over to the dance floor with a cocky smirk. Both Steven and Spinel followed the direction and sure enough, there was (Y/N) dancing to the fast tempo of the song. The pink gem held her breath as she watched the short gem dance so...so....she couldn’t find words for it! Well, she could, but it just made her cheeks hot from embarrassment at the thought of them. Magenta eyes watched as the short gem move her hips in the same way that spellbound her yesterday. (Y/N) was moving fast, her steps are carefully and coordinately placed as she moved to the upbeat rhythm. She bends and sways her body in such a way that made Spinel mind wander. Amber glanced down at the Spinel and smirk as the pink gem drooled over her friend. It was so obvious she had a huge crush on the (Y/G).

(Y/N) felt her body temperature rises when she spots the vividly colored gem in the front of the crowd watching her. This only motivated her to keep going as she turned up the heat. (Y/N) calculated the space behind her before she did three backflips in a row; she bent backwards. She then brings her legs up in the air, her shirt slid down showing off her stomach and back as she positioned herself to a perfect handstand. Spinel's eyebrow arches as she noticed a large spot of discoloration on (Y/N) back. Before Spinel could fully investigate(Y/N) came back down to a straddled split. This made her students go wild as they cheered their teacher on. Poor Spinel nearly stroked out when she saw (Y/N) ass bounce when she landed on the floor; she really could not handle this. Her whole form was on fire and it took so much will power to not pass out right now. Was she fooling herself to believe she had a chance with a gem like (Y/N)?

The (Y/G) female breathes heavily as she was bombarded with praises from her students and friends. Her laughs rings throughout the room causing Spinels chest to tighten. That laugh, it was so beautiful; it sounded like bells. And that smile, it made her stomach fussy inside. The pink gem hopes to one day be the reason behind that smile and her laugher. (Y/N) was able to redirect her student's attention else where as she quickly walks over to Spinel and Steven, she beams a bright toothy grin while she wipes the sweat from her brows.

"Hey, guys how's it going? I didn't even see ya come in." She says coolly. Amber scoffs at her words, which earned a glare from (Y/N).

"Annnyways what's the plan for today?" (Y/N) asks Steven, the boy smiles as he wraps his arm around Spinel's shoulders.

"We are going to take Spins here on a tour of the town! We can show her all the hot spots of Little Homeworld." Steven said joyfully.

"Ok sounds good! Let me change real quick and we can be on our way!" The (G/C) gem states as she walked away to another room to change. Spinel shamelessly watched (Y/N) hips sway as she walks away out of view. The pink gem felt an odd mixture of disgust and satisfaction with herself. Disgusted that she couldn't control her eyes from wandering, but satisfied to have seen more of her beauty. Like her butt is soooooo round. It was hard not to look.

The sound of someone clearing their throat snapped Spinel out of her own head; she looks over at Steven to see him smirking knowingly at her. Spinel frowns as she covered her blazing cheeks with her hands, averting her gaze to the floor embarrassed she was caught.

"Not a word." She mutters as Steven puts his hands up.

"I was only going to say was, I'll be heading out now." Spinel's head whipped up lightning speed to look at her friend with fearful eyes.

"What? You're leaving me? Alone? With her?" She felt herself beginning to panic. She clutches the sleeve of his jacket keeping him close, her eyebrows knitting together. She didn't want him to go! He can't go! Spinel's breathing was coming out rapidly and unevenly as her body felt like it turned into lead.

"Hey, calm down Spins. I'm just going to be gone for a few hours and I'll come back to get you. I'm doing this for you to expand your horizons and meet new people. Besides (Y/N) is really nice." He explains as he places his hands on Spinel's shoulder trying to sooth. She was shaking in fear as she tightens her hold on him.

"B-but what if I m-mess up? Or s-say or d-do something stupid!? What if she d-doesn't like me?! You can't just leave me!" She cried out, anxiety consuming her body. The other gems and humans that were around tried their best to mind their own business, but witnessing Spinel having a meltdown was hard to ignore. Steven shushes her softly as he grabs her hands doing his best to comfort her. Her lower lip quivers as she stares at him with glassy eyes.

"Hey, I believe you won't say or do anything stupid. You are awesome Spinel, and I'm sure (Y/N) is going to love spending time with you." He promised as he slowly let go of the worrying gem.

"If you ever need anything, you can just call me on my cellphone and I'll be back. Can you just at least try?" he asks her softly, Spinel's eyes drifted away from his gaze as she offered a weak nod.

"Good! You'll do great and have fun!" And with that Steven walked out the studio, he gave her one final wave from the wide window before disappearing.

Spinel's arms slowly coiled around herself as she gritted down on her teeth. Would she be ok? Could she do this? Of course not! (Y/N) is a ball of energy and positivity and she is just...herself. How was she supposed to keep up with her? How was she supposed to make herself interesting enough for that perfect gem? Doubt rested heavily on her shoulders as her frown deepens. (Y/N) wouldn't stay with her once she finds out Steven is gone. She could see the disappointment on her face already when she’ll learns about the boy absence. The thought of the (Y/G) eyes filling with regret at spending the day with her made her choke.

"I can't. I-I can't do this." she mutters, her feet began to walk towards the exit of the studio. She swung the door open and steps into the outside world.

"Hey Spinel wait for me!" (Y/N) cries out. The pink gem turns around to see the short girl standing beside her. She wore a cute (F/C) dress with wedges. Her hair is up in a neat ponytail showing off more of her facial features. Spinel instantly noticed the presence of makeup on her face; her lashes look darker and thicker from the mascara. Here lips shiny from the coat of lip-gloss making her lips look plump. It wasn't much and hardly noticeable but Spinel could tell.

"Where are you going? And where’s Steven?" (Y/N) asks as she searched for the half gem boy. Spinel slouches her shoulders as she avoids eye contact with the girl.

"He left." She mutters. Y/N brows quirks up as she stood before the slender gem.

"So it will just be us?" She asks curiously. Spinel nods back in response afraid to speak. (E/C) eyes widen at the news, but her gem grew warm. She was going to be alone with Spinel? She will have this cutie to herself all day? The (C/G) had to remind herself to send a thank you text to the boy. (Y/N) couldn't help the smile that stretched over her face as she nearly bounced in place.

"Ok! Come on there is so much to see!" Spinel was taken by surprise by the short gems enthusiasm as she was yanked by the hand and rushed down the road. What? She actually wants to spend the day with her? Really? Why? The pink gem found herself again in a state of confusion; things weren't connecting for her. Why would she want to hang out with her and be her friend? Spinel understand she has friends, but it took a while for her to accept that it was real. But here is this beautiful gem, nose-diving into a potential friendship with her without a second thought. In addition, Spinel didn't have to do anything to entertain her or beg (Y/N) in any way. If anything it's (Y/N) trying to entertain her! No one has ever done that for her and...and it felt amazing. It felt so damn good that someone else was initiating the friendship first that wasn't herself. This concept was difficult for the pink gem to wrap her head around, she was about to dismiss her own theory. That all quickly changed when (Y/N) flashes a genuine smile, it brought Spinel to tears. She really did want to spend the day with her, she truly did. The fear and doubt that was manifesting insider her core subsided and was replaced with excitement. Spinel tightens her grip on (Y/N) hand as she too started to pick up pace as she raced down the sidewalk with (Y/N).

#spinel #spinel steven universe #steven universe #cute #fanfic #reader #love #spinel x reader #su #spinel x you #spinelsu #spinel x y/n #spinel x self insert

[ethereal-not-occult]

patience and the mulberry

"With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown."

Fandom: Good Omens Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Aziraphale/Crowley (Good Omens) Characters: Crowley (Good Omens), Aziraphale (Good Omens) Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Ineffable Husbands (Good Omens), Fluff and Angst, Character(s) of Color, Sericulture, silkworms, past religious trauma, but nothing bad happens in this fic I promise, mixed bookverse w/ TV elements, references to Chinese culture Notes: Originally written for the @goodomensfashionzine​ !

“I'll only be a minute, dear.” Aziraphale kissed Crowley's cheek as he opened the door of the Bentley. “You don't have to see me to the door if you don't want to.”

Crowley tightened his grip on the wheel. “Sure, angel. Sounds good to me.” The sibilants slid far too quickly past his clenched jaw, and he bit his tongue to stop the instinctive hiss from escaping.

Aziraphale gave him a sympathetic look, but shut the Bentley's door behind him and soon disappeared through the doors of the church. Once he was out of sight, Crowley slumped forward slightly, sliding his sunglasses up and rubbing at his eyes. A few deep breaths later, and he felt composed enough to exit the Bentley himself in blatant disregard for the “NO PARKING” sign on the curb.¹

[¹ Given his new job position (or lack thereof), lawbreaking was no longer a necessity, but old habits die hard.]

The bright afternoon sun made him wince a bit, and two robins in a nearby bush were getting frisky in a way he would never be able to unhear, but they made it easier to forget the distant wail of air sirens. Even standing out on the road, Crowley's skin prickled faintly with the remembered sting of consecrated ground.

He pushed the feeling aside and walked resolutely forward. Aziraphale was bound to take his sweet time as he mooned over the church's dusty old tomes, but Crowley had his own investigations to conduct while he waited. No rest for the wicked and all that.

The concrete pavement under his snakeskin shoes gave way to grass, and the tingling sensation in his soles faded. Soon he found himself at his intended destination—an Edenic grove of mulberry trees, clustered together in a ring in the church's backyard. He'd spotted them on the drive over and couldn't resist the temptation of a closer look.

Crowley wandered into the garden with a scrutinizing eye. They were young, for trees, but growing well despite their callowness. A particularly stocky sapling hardly flinched when Crowley gave it a token glare, much to his disappointment. Then again, outdoor plants were rarely as well-behaved as properly cowed houseplants. It seemed this attitude persisted even in ecclesiastic gardens such as these.

He cast a surreptitious glance over his shoulder, then reached a hand up into the tree's umbrella-like branches and tugged. The season wasn't quite right for fruits, but he still withdrew clutching a handful of dark ripe mulberries. Hardly apples, but his lips twitched upwards nonetheless. He plucked a berry from the pile and raised it to his lips.

“Zaoshang hao!”

Only a hasty miracle saved Crowley from choking as he jumped and swiveled around. Hovering right outside the churchyard was a middle-aged human, well-dressed and smiling pleasantly at him. Judging by her formal clothing and the Bible she carried, she was a part of the congregation, maybe even the priest herself. Crowley swallowed and stepped backwards.

“Ni shi jiaohui de xinshou ma?” the human called again, picking her way across the dewy grass in his direction. Crowley eyed the Bible she held, willing himself not to break out into hives.

“Um. Wo bu—er, no. I'm not new. Not here for church at all, actually.” He fidgeted and clasped his hands, still full of pilfered mulberries, behind his back. “Just waiting for someone.”

The human raised an eyebrow. “You're welcome to wait inside, if you like,” she said, also switching to English. “I reckon we still have biscuits left from the children's morning service—”

“No!” Crowley said too quickly, and perhaps too sharply. He winced. “I mean. That won't be necessary. I'd much rather stay out here, if it isn't too much trouble.”

The human gave him a Look. Crowley's cheeks heated and he averted his eyes, willing his sunglasses a few shades darker.

“Beautiful, aren't they?”

Crowley's head shot back up. The human had turned her back to him and was running a hand through the glossy green leaves of the nearest mulberry tree. Crowley could practically see the branches stretch out in delight beneath her touch, like a purring cat.

“Volunteers from our congregation take care of them,” the human continued, smiling at the young tree. “The kids here like raising silkworms, you see, and we welcome them to pick leaves from the trees each week to feed them.”

Silkworms. Of course. Despite himself, a hazy memory rose to the forefront of his mind: Sichuan, China, several hundreds of years ago. A family farm, weathered and cozy and oozing enough sheer goodness to make the average demon ill with it. Crowley wouldn't normally be caught dead in such a place, but he had owed a favour to the angel. His fingers twitched at the phantom memory of butter-soft silk fibres against his skin; long, winding threads that stretched out thin and fine, tangling so easily around his uncertain fingers. With this memory came the golden, moon-round face of a child he hadn't thought about in centuries, grinning toothily as they held out a box to him, a box filled with small pale larvae that wriggled among the spade-shaped leaves. “Zhe jiao can.”

Crowley forced himself to return to the present. The human was speaking to him.

“—waiting on Mr. Fell?” she asked.

Crowley blinked. Shook himself a little. “Yeah. He's helping out with the restoration of some old manuscript or other.”

The human smiled again. It was an unnervingly piercing expression. “I'm aware. I was the one who requested his help. Such a lovely man. Are you a friend of his?”

Crowley tensed. “His husband, actually.”

He braced himself, but the human only brightened. “Goodness, then you must be Mr. Crowley! Mr. Fell talks ever so much about you. Finally gone and tied the knot then, have you?”

Before Crowley could stammer out a reply, something dinged loudly, making him jump. The human pulled a phone out from her pocket and squinted at the screen.

“Sorry, I have to run back inside. But it was lovely meeting you, Mr. Crowley.” She stuck out a hand—thankfully not the one that had been holding the Bible—and after a brief hesitation, Crowley shook it. As quickly as she had arrived, the human disappeared from the garden, leaving Crowley alone and off-kilter amid a grove of mulberry trees.

---

Aziraphale emerged from the church around an hour later to find Crowley seated on the curb next to the Bentley, basking in the last rays of the afternoon sun as he scrolled through his phone.

“My dear,” the angel sighed. His joints creaked as he eased himself down to sit next to Crowley on the roadside. “Don't tell me you've been sitting here the entire time.”

“Nope,” Crowley said, popping the ‘p’. “I toured the gardens for a bit. Swiped some fruits, too. The mulberries aren’t half-bad, for a bunch of church plants, but they’ll need a good deal more threatening before they're really up to snuff.”

Crowley stopped when he saw Aziraphale chewing his lip, brow furrowed as he studied Crowley's face. Now it was Crowley's turn to sigh.

“Really, angel. It's fine. I was hardly bored.”

The expression didn't leave Aziraphale's face. A soft brown hand reached out and brushed aside stray wisps of hair from Crowley's forehead. The demon hadn't bothered to cut it since the Apocalypse-that-wasn't, and it was growing longer and more unruly by the day.

“I'm fine.” Crowley caught Aziraphale's hand and held it, carefully. He pressed his lips against the well-manicured fingers. “It was years ago, angel, and we both came out of it all right. You don't need to worry about me.”

Aziraphale still looked vaguely distressed as Crowley drew him close. With the sun setting behind him, framing his face and curly dark hair in a golden halo, he was the most beautiful thing Crowley had ever seen.

He kissed him then, right there on the road, in full sight of the church and probably Someone Else, too, if She happened to be watching at that particular moment. Once, he would've been terrified of such a public display, but he hadn't gone through hellfire and holy water to care anymore about what others thought of them.

As he helped Aziraphale into the Bentley, he noticed abruptly that the angel was carrying what appeared to be a shoebox, of all things, along with his usual camelhair coat.

“What on Earth is that?”

“Oh!” Aziraphale carefully pushed the box over to Crowley. “Mrs. Lao gave it to me once I'd finished with those manuscripts. She said it was a gift for you, actually. Have the two of you met before?”

Crowley stared down at the box, baffled. “We talked for a bit in the gardens just now, but I can’t imagine why…”

He trailed off, and his mouth dropped open as Aziraphale eased open the lid and beheld the contents with a raised eyebrow.

“Good heavens. Are those caterpillars?”

“Silkworms,” Crowley corrected automatically, leaning in for a closer look. There were so many of them, somehow both smaller and larger than he remembered, all white and wiggly and chomping away busily at the layers of mulberry leaves filling their box. None of them paid any attention whatsoever to their occult observers hovering above them.

“Why would she give you such a thing? Not that they aren't dear little creatures,” Aziraphale added hastily, glancing into the box, “but I doubt I have the means to keep them in the bookshop.”

“No need,” Crowley said before he could stop himself. “I can raise 'em in my flat.”

Aziraphale gave him a curious look. “You know how to care for these… insects?”

“Yeah.” Crowley gently shut the lid of the inhabited shoebox and curled a hand around the Bentley's stick-shift. “I've done something like this, before. I know what I'm doing.”

“If you say so.” Suddenly Aziraphale chuckled. At Crowley's affronted look, he demurred, “I'm not making fun, my dear. It's only that you still manage to surprise me, even after all these years.”

Aziraphale leaned in and pecked Crowley's cheek, making him blush red and sputter. Much to his disgruntlement, the Bentley chirped a light-hearted rendition of Haydn's Crazy Little Thing Called Love all the way home.

---

Crowley had spent the past eleven years co-parenting the Antichrist with Aziraphale.² They had faced this challenge head-on, and in his opinion, it hadn’t gone too shabbily. Now, without the threat of the Apocalypse hanging over his head, becoming a surrogate parent was far less daunting the second time around.

[² Even if young Warlock hadn't really been the son of Satan, it was the principle of the thing.]

Still, Crowley worried. He had always been something of a worrier, and that hadn't changed even after the First Day of the Rest of Their Lives.

After dropping off Aziraphale at the bookshop, Crowley returned to his flat, where he commenced the preparations for introducing his unexpected twenty-odd guests to their new home. This was accomplished by miracling up a small glass aquarium onto his desk, lining the bottom with paper towels, and carefully (read: nervously) placing the silkworms one by one into the tank. Once this was done, Crowley scattered the half-eaten mulberry leaves from the box around the aquarium. The silkworms set upon their interrupted lunch with all the enthusiasm of Aziraphale devouring a meringue pie at the Ritz.

Crowley slumped into his chair, took off his sunglasses with a wince, and rested his chin on his desk, staring into the glass tank.

“I raised your ancestors once, you know,” Crowley informed the wriggling creatures. “Tiny farm in China several centuries back. We'd weave branches together into a tray and let you loose inside. Bit like how manmade beehives work, or something.”

Crowley paused. Watched one silkworm slowly inch its way across a stem to tackle a new section of leaf. “‘Course, humans use wire mesh nowadays, but the general premise is the same. Always thought it was bloody clever, what humans could come up with. If you gave me a bunch of moth larvae and told me to make a living out of them, I definitely wouldn't think to make clothes.” He snorted. “Whoever came up with that, I'd like a glass of whatever they were drinking.”

The silkworms munched on. They ate much faster than they crawled, that was certain. In the quiet walls of his flat, away from prying human eyes, Crowley loosened the knot of his silk tie and tugged it off, easing the tightness around his neck.

“You're the ones who made this, in a sense,” he said, waving the tie at them. He laid the tie beside one glass wall of the tank at just the right angle for the inhabitants within to see. Several silkworms looked up curiously.

Crowley tossed his suit jacket aside, then unbuttoned his shirt collar. He had always prided himself on his sharp, modern attire over the years, the better to tempt humans with—or so he claimed. Despite repeated scoldings from his superiors, his Lust quotas had never been quite up to par.

Sufficiently dishevelled, and feeling all the freer for it, Crowley sank back into his chair to watch the silkworms.

“The only thing I didn't like about the process was the boiling,” he murmured. “Logically, I can see why it was done. And you would all be in cocoons, so it's not like you'd be in any pain. Not like I was.” He exhaled, the sound becoming a low hiss. “But still. Never liked it. Always felt like an awful lot of trouble just for the sake of some silk threads.”

One particularly adventurous silkworm had nosed its way upwards and was now creeping over the edge of the tank opening. Crowley made a mental note to devise a lid of some kind and stuck his finger against the lip of the tank. The silkworm crawled onto his hand without any hesitation. Tentatively, he drew it closer. Its many feet stuck stubbornly to his skin, and it reared up as he approached, swaying slightly, its mandibles twitching.

Crowley stared at the silkworm. The silkworm stared back, and seemed disappointed when Crowley had nothing else to offer. Just to prove it wrong, Crowley materialized a single large mulberry leaf in his other hand and presented it to the insect, who fell upon it with gluttonous enthusiasm.

Staring at the miracled leaf, an idea formed in Crowley's mind. He smiled, slowly.

“I need a hobby, now that I'm jobless,” he said aloud to the silkworm, letting it creep onto his palm. He ran a careful finger over its smooth back. “I think I'll take up sericulture again, for old time's sake.” He reached back into the tank and gently encouraged the silkworm to crawl back inside.

“Humans have to boil you alive to get those nice unbroken threads off your cocoons,” Crowley mused, withdrawing his hand. “Fortunately, I don't have to do things the human way.” He lowered himself until he was eye-level with the inhabitants of the tank. The silkworm he had carried paused in its perpetual eating and turned its head, almost like it was looking at him.

“How's this?” Crowley asked. “You'll be able to grow into a fuzzy, fully grown silk-moth, and I can take your cocoon after you've finished with it and miracle the threads whole again.” He paused and mulled it over. “I guess I could take it a step further and just miracle the finished silk together, but there's still something to be said about the human way of doing things.”

The silkworm bobbed the front half of its body as though in agreement. Crowley smiled again.

“We can make silk, and no one gets hurt. I'm a few hundred years out of practice, but I'm sure I could make it work, somehow.”

The silkworm turned its attention back to its meal. Crowley didn't notice. He was too busy wondering if Aziraphale had any old texts on silk-weaving that he could borrow, just so he could refresh his memory.

The angel would appreciate having a new silk bowtie to add to his collection.

---

Thank you for reading! Replies and reblogs are always much appreciated. <3

#good omens #ineffable husbands #crowley #aziraphale #go fanfiction #good omens fanfiction #go tv #otp: ineffable #li writes #zine fic #insects tw