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ad1thi · 3 years

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2020 fic recs!! [Part 1]

this idea was stolen from @iam93percentstardust cuz i just,,,thought that this year was absolute shit and it would be nice to make a fic rec list of fics from this year that helped me through it. this will be over a range of fandoms and ships, but all fics were written this year.

fics are ordered by the month they were published. ive tried to keep to five fics per month, but this is not obviously all the fics ive read that month - i just didn’t want to make this insanely long.

im releasing the first half of this on the 1st of December, and the second half on the 1st of January 2021 - because otherwise it would just get so long (and also so i will actually have fics for December)

happy reading!! hopefully you find fics on this you haven’t read yet

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January

The cat is mighty dignified (until the dog comes by): @five-wow

Steve and Danny find them on the pillow in the corner of the dining area, where Eddie is on his side, ass half on the floor because the pillow is more cat-sized than lab-sized, and Pickles is nestled between Eddie’s front legs, essentially being spooned and looking very I-got-the-cream about it. Pickles’ head is tucked into the crook of Eddie’s neck and Eddie’s head slots perfectly on top of Mr. Pickles’, like a furry jigsaw puzzle.

“They’re cuddling,” Steve points out, unnecessarily.

Or: There is a love story unfolding under the McGarrett roof.

Captain ‘Socialist Rage Muffin’ America: @baffledkingcomposinghallelujah

It takes three months of dating Steve Rogers for Tony to understand why Aunt Peggy once shot at him in sheer frustration.

Alternately titled, Honey, I committed treason again.

The Best Laid Plans (Of Mice and Men): @arboreal-elm-ash-oak

His Dark Materials AU

It was Annalise who noticed their small visitor first.

“Tony,” the spider daemon said softly, skittering up the collar of his dress shirt, two of her eight legs resting delicately against his cheek, “Don’t startle them, but I believe we have a guest. Look, by the coffee table.”

Fourteen Million to One: @tunastorks

Six months after Thanos, six months after Tony’s death, six months after Steve returns to his own timeline, Tony Stark turns up on their doorstep.

Brewed Awakening: @iam93percentstardust

Two years after he comes out of the ice, Steve is drifting through life. On his teammate's recommendation, he decides to go back to school where he meets the grandson of an old friend. He finds happiness with Tony but Steve won't be in Boston forever and someone is out to hurt the Starks. Will Steve and Tony be able to reach their happily ever after?

February

the young, the reckless and the foolish: @bruciewayne

In most universes, they don't know each other, not in the slightest, or they hate each other, in a way that's perfectly logical for anyone who were to find themselves in a similar situation.

In this one, they've known each other since they were four years old and naively idealistic.

This is them over the years, against the odds.

a giant sign: @areiton

“Think you can get him to open the weapons division up again?” his CO asks, his voice hungry and Rhodey laughs because this--

“No. Tony hung up his weapons.”

“That’s not what the suit says,” his CO objects, and Rhodey shrugs.

Tony has always had rules, rules he expects the entire world to live by.

And then there was Rhodey, slipping under them.

my heart is driftwood, floating down your coast: @nethandrake

Tonight, there’s a stranger in his backseat. That’s not unusual.

He’s also sad. That’s not unusual either.

What is unusual is that the stranger is silent.

(One night, a stranger enters Steve's taxi. Nothing is the same again.)

Just A Cold: @/delighted

There’s a new text waiting for him. It’s from Steve of course, and it’s vaguely threatening as most messages from Steve are these days. Still Danny ignores it, and now he’s really playing with fire. Maybe it’ll burn the cold out of him.

Or, Danny’s sick, and Steve can’t stay away. The usual comfort fluff. With a little cameo from a gently meddling Grace.

An Unexpected Guide: @/Rachel500

Danny Williams has hidden his Guide status to keep being a detective, but his time of hiding is up when he unexpectedly finds his Sentinel, Steve McGarrett in the midst of a tragedy.

March

Why don’t we (Collide the spaces that divide us): @five-wow

When they finally catch sight of each other again through the milling crowds, they’re both a little worse for wear. Danny’s left side is covered in glitter and every time he brushes a hand over his hair, more blue and purple confetti rains down. Steve is- Well, Steve is randomly shirtless, which is all things considered not excessively remarkable, but he’s also covered in smudges of colorful paint and has a very nicely printed bloodred lipstick kiss mark on his cheek.

“What did you do?” Danny asks, because it looks like Steve had a lot more fun than he did.

Or: Steve and Danny accidentally end up in the middle of something entirely new.

A Little Unsteady: @finduilasclln

Written for the Tumblr prompt meme : "Hey! I was gonna eat that!"

Tony lashes out at Bucky for eating his dessert. Only, it really isn't about the dessert.

a national treasure: @starklysteve

Steve isn't looking for an apple and Tony decides his passion is to inspire young souls. -x- OR: the AU where Tony is a Youtuber and Steve is Captain America and somehow they still save the world together.

April

cycle through: @ambivalentmarvel

Twenty-five years ago, Tony Stark disappeared from his family home a month after the tragic deaths of his parents, Howard and Maria Stark, leaving a billion-dollar tech conglomerate without an heir and the world wondering what happened.

Twenty-three years ago, HYDRA gained another super soldier.

Ten years ago, Peter Parker’s parents died in what is ruled as a home invasion gone wrong but he knows was murder, plain and simple, because he spoke to the killer.

And in the present, Project Insight fails, and the Iron Soldier pays the price.

FOREVER-LOVE YOU-I: @/Eudoxia

Tony Stark is twenty-one when he loses his voice. It shouldn't matter, but in a world where the first words your Soulmate says to you are marked on your skin, it can be pretty damn annoying.

Especially for Tony's soulmate.

Companion piece to my fic Thumb, Index, and Pinky Extended. This is Steve's POV, with a few extra scenes, as a treat.

(Edit: Sorry if you guys get multiple notifications for this. I just realized (about two hours after posting it) that I fucked up the grammar in the title and I HAD to fix it. YOLO, I guess.)

come build a home out of me: @maguna-stxrk

Steve clears his throat.

“What if I went with you?” he asks nonchalantly, like his heart isn’t threatening to beat out of his ribcage.

Tony blinks a few times, looking at Steve, his mouth ajar. “As a— As my date?”

“Yeah.” Steve nods, feeling a little breathless.

“You don’t mind?” Tony furrows his eyebrows.

“I don’t. In fact, you can just tell them I’m your boyfriend. I’m sure they’ll back off, wouldn’t they?”

What.

“I— Huh?” Tony stares at him, brown eyes blown wide open.

What. What. What.

“Huh? Uh, I mean— You know, that way people will see that you have definitely moved on. Monica will see that you have moved on. Right?” Steve smiles, hoping that it masks his inner panic, because what?

Steve Rogers, what have you done?

i don’t have a choice (but i’d still choose you): @nethandrake

There’s a name inked onto his chest, a name written in an all-too familiar scrawl. And it’s— It’s—

Steve doesn’t realize his body is quaking until he’s tracing the tattoo with a shaky finger.

Because of course that is the name etched into the skin. Like a brand, a reminder for everything he has done. An appropriate retribution.

Anthony Edward Stark.

(When Thanos snaps half of the universe away, he unknowingly leaves the other half with soulmarks.)

ua haʻalele ʻoe iaʻu (a ua hoʻomālamalama ʻoe iaʻu): @just-fandomthings

"The truth is, I was shot in the chest and nearly died, and not even three days after I was released from the hospital, you up and left-- and of those two, I'm not sure which one hurt me worse!"

(Coda to 10x22 because come on, we all need a better ending than the one given to us.)

Title loosely translates to: "You left me in the dark (you lit me up)" -- inspired by the brilliant song "Say You Won't Let Go" by James Arthur

May

A Piece Of The Past: @hddnone

It had been so many years since Bucky had gone undercover in the Stark family's mob, he thought he'd gotten away clean.

Then Tony Stark slid into the seat across from him at his breakfast diner, and Bucky's boss has a new case for him.

the privilege of loving you: @starklysteve

“Why won’t you let me touch you?”

It’s a desperate plea, half-shouted and half-whispered, Steve’s voice cracking at the end. Tony stops in his tracks, halfway to the stairs. He doesn’t dare to turn back, and he really doesn’t want to fight, or to leave, to spend the last month of his life away from his husband and their son. But Steve can’t know, can he?

-x-

Or: Tony has palladium poisoning, but he doesn't tell Steve and Peter

your pillow feels so soft now (but still you must advance): @firebrands

When Bruce is 13, he decides to go to boarding school. It's an opportunity for him to learn about other people, and how to interact with them.

Bruce has the misfortune of meeting Tony Stark upon his arrival in Roxbury. Bruce is moving into his room, and Tony opens the door of his room to watch. He looks a bit younger than Bruce, hair wild and eyes bright. Bruce has never seen a boy like him before—handsome and confident.

Bruce doesn’t like it.

IMPORTANT: This fic has them meeting at 14, then progresses slowly until they’re 17. Includes underage drinking and kissing.

This is set before Bruce becomes Batman and Tony becomes Iron Man and I have no explanation as to how or why they just DO Canonically, Bruce is 17 when he finishes school and goes around the world to train, so we're sticking with that

The Real MVP: @sword-and-stars (part of a series)

[“I have saved this Tuesday!” Sokka announces, rattling the bag upon reentry.

Zuko doesn’t even look up from his phone as he deadpans, “It’s Thursday.”

Okay, so Sokka is still having trouble getting his days right without checking. At least he’s gone back to sleeping at night! Going to bed at night is way easier when you have a cute, cuddly boyfriend who starts falling asleep around eleven o’clock. It also helps that he and Zuko are on solid gold butt-touching terms.

It’s been a while since Sokka has been on butt-touching terms with someone and it’s amazing.]

Or,

Sokka knows a guy, gets laid, and introduces Zuko to the merits of an afternoon delight.

When is a bed not a bed? (When you’re not in it): @riotwritesthings

There’s a tiny safe house, with one tiny window and one tiny couch.

And one tiny little bed.

June

Nice Fingers: @anthonyed

A single compliment given by Tony stirs Bucky restless until he caves in and asks him out on a date.

With Steve’s help of course (whether he likes it or not).

The Darkest Touch: @starkrogerrs

This is the story of how Steve finds that it has been ordained that he is to marry a monster he cannot resist aka the God of Love himself, Tony.

It's Cupid x Psyche retold, but with thrice the amount of porn.

The Night Shift: @weethreequarter

Welcome to the Emergency Department of San Antonio General where Dr. Tony Stark joins the team fresh from his most recent tour in Afghanistan and - much to the consternation of the other staff - strikes up an instant rapport with Nurse Steve Rogers. Meanwhile, new resident Bruce Banner refuses to give up on his patient, and Dr. Sharon Carter learns something from her own patients. Throw in a pissed off hospital administrator, Clint using the coffee pot as a mug again, and a major car crash and you have, well, just another night shift.

Wind Beneath My Wings: @iam93percentstardust

Sam first meets Tony Stark in 2005 when he joins the EXO-7 Falcon program.

In jest: @/apathyinreverie

“No, babe,” Danny shakes his head with a grin. “If the apocalypse were to go down while I’m elsewhere for some godforsaken reason, then you stay put and I’m coming to wherever you are.” His grin widens. “And I expect you to have cleared any aliens or zombies or whatever else might be messing with us off the island and to have set up a nice, comfortable military dictatorship for us to rule over by the time I get back.”

It’s a joke.

Of course it’s a joke.

Until it isn’t.

(A the-day-after-tomorrow-style apocalypse AU, where the world decides to end right when Danny is visiting one of the other islands with Grace. Because, of course, it does.)

#adi's rec list #mcdanno #stevetony #buckytony #brucetony #rhodeytony #zukka #samtony #january - june #there's so many different ships on this #and different authors #and it spans three fandoms #so hopefully you guys enjoy this!!

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octalove · 4 years

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IV: The Dinner

(Batgirl/Red Hood)

Brief note; per demand, this little trilogy will now be an ongoing series🥺thank u all for the support! i was not expecting it at all. ur comments make my day!! i hope u enjoy this chapter bearing in mind that i wasn’t intending on a full length fic, so i hope u can put up with any missteps in the plot or writing. i’m making it up as i go. kiss kiss

Description: Reader makes an ally, and attends a tense dinner. part one, two, and three.

A mild blue dawn was just beginning to flit through the blinds, and I sighed heavily, stretching a little, and running a hand across my face. My skin was cold to the touch. Rolling over stiffly, I glanced at the clock on my nightstand.

5:26a.m.

Nineteen minutes before my alarm. I was too cold to go back to sleep, I knew, as much as Alfred had requested I try and get more of it. Pulling myself up, the sheets slipped off my bare shoulders and folded onto themselves. Once in a blue moon, I would forego making it up again, usually accompanied by an excuse. Today, I didn’t have one. I put my feet on the floor, mind buzzing.

I was done tossing and turning, and decided to get up and shower. Afterward, I threw on my uniform, and got to work on my face. A little bronzy eyeshadow, some mascara and lip balm. I could’ve turned my face into a work of art, but I was tired from my sleepless night and doing much else seemed like a strain.

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in.” I was expecting Bruce or Alfred, but I caught Tim’s reflection in my vanity mirror.

“Hey.” He said.

“Good morning.” I replied tensely. He sat on my bed. Okay. Weird. Tim was a year younger than me- but always ordained himself something of an older brother. His brainpower made learned helplessness and easy state to slip into when he was around- always fixing my PS4, or recovering lost files from my laptop. When we first met, I used to use those things as a crutch to interact with him, as neither of us were particularly forthcoming. These days, we were as close as any pair of siblings.

“What’s up?” I asked, tucking away my mascara wand.

“Oh, I just thought I’d… check up on you. Before school started.”

I was the only one of the Waynes attending Gotham Academy at the moment. Damian was still at Gotham Prep, but by the time he would attend next year, I’d be graduated. I wondered if Tim ever missed it. He garnered his fair share of attention; mostly because of his attractive status and predisposition of agreeability. Before he dropped out, I used the be the subject of mediation for every eligible teenage girl that wanted to get to know my brother- no, the other one. With the soft hair. The chem tutor.

I laughed a little. “Do I seem like I need it?” Tim shrugged. I got up and plopped on the duvet beside him. My window was open a crack, filling the room with a chilly breeze and the scent of moisture and petrichor.

“Did Bruce make you get up for this?” I tried again, keeping my playful tone. He sighed and shook his head.

“Bruce isn’t the only one who’s noticed you lately.” He said, with contrasting seriousness that made my smile fall.

“What’s there to notice? Seriously.” I questioned.

He sighed again and twisted his lip. I knew what that meant. He was about to list everything different I’d been doing for the past three weeks, either alphabetically or by severity. “You look tired. You get home and go straight to your room. You keep fidgeting during briefings. You look distracted. You’re avoiding Damian- which, I get it- but like, more than usual. Dick said you haven’t texted him all week. You usually have something to say about your day at dinner, but-“

“Okay. I get it.”

A brief moment passed, where I watched him pull a looser string from the duvet.

“I know you went somewhere. On the 21st, when we were patrolling in Otisburg. You went somewhere for forty-two minutes.”

I blinked. “Oh.”

“I’m not accusing you of anything-“ He added quickly, looking at me. “Really, I have know idea why you left. I’m sure it was nothing, I just… you’ve been acting weird ever since. Where did you go?”

I swallowed, and my intestines felt like lead. Really, I was relieved. Here I was, in my room I’d decorated with Wayne money, with my brother who evidently cared enough about me to notice my typical word count at dinner, asking me what was wrong. And a lot was wrong.

So, I smoothed my plaid skirt and told him about the night of the 21st- and only that. From Red Hood, to Hoffman, to the warehouse. Every vivid detail I could remember. I decided to leave out my little truancy adventure, along with meeting him in the alley. Lifting up his mask. Having his exposed skin close enough to touch. His gunpowder smell. By the end, Tim was frowning. The following silence could’ve crushed a coke can.

“Shit.” He muttered.

“Yeah.” I echoed. “Shit.”

He didn’t asked why I didn’t tell Bruce. Or Anyone. He didn’t ask why it was so important to me to do this by myself. All he did was take in the information and start putting it together.

“Jesus- you could’ve died. But all that Hoffman stuff. Why you?”

“Exactly!” I breathed.

Another knock on the door, and Alfred’s voice carried through, telling me it was time to go. I got up. Tim nodded and followed suit, no doubt carrying my every last recounting in his piggy-bank memory.

“Please don’t tell Bruce.” I said, some amount of fear slipping into my voice. “I know it was a stupid thing to do and it was stupid not to tell anyone. But he’ll never trust me again.” Tim hesitated at the door.

“There’s nothing to tell.”

I climbed into the backseat of the car, and stared at the cityscape running past the windows. The anxiety had lifted. One of my growing number of secrets revealed. In its wake, the sudden absence left a sense of clarity. I remembered why I had kept it to begin with.

Dick was gifted. The first. The talented boy who could fly. Babs and Tim were brilliant; genius far beyond the confines of academia. Damian was skilled. Trained from birth, the blood son. It nestled here him neatly, right where he belonged. What was I? I wasn’t born with athletic ability beyond my years, or genius intellect. Without that information- without my secrets- I had nothing else to give.

Thursday night was dinner. The whole family. It was Bruce’s excuse to drag Dick out of his apartment in Blüdhaven, and for Alfred to exercise a new recipe, since everyone was on a strict lean-means and superfoods regimen every other waking day. Babs attended occasionally, when work didn’t keep her busy, and Tim was only allowed to pass if he promised to rest instead.

I met his eyes as everyone was rounded into the dining room by Alfred like a herd of sheep; he gave me some imperceptible knowing look that promised to keep my secret.

We sat down and sipped water from crystal glasses as the table was set with food, muttering amongst ourselves about our days. Dick was given a coffee with the wrong name (‘Nick’), Babs met up with her friend from high school (Olivia something or other), and Damian completed a group project with some incompetent classmates (they all were- even the professors). Vigilante talk wasn’t forbidden, but generally skirted around so as to offer a small reprieve of normalcy during the week.

There was an exception to this unspoken rule when there was a particularly exciting case on the table. Unfortunately for me and my anxiety, the case of the Red Hood was a very exciting one.

“Any new breaks with Red Hood?” Dick asked through miso soup. Bruce sighed.

“He made some movements in Robbinsville. Gone before we could get there. He’s got his men on a tight leash- we couldn’t get any of them to talk.”

“Course not. There’s rumors flying all over the department. One of the Ioveanu family branches payed out a huge security detail for their private mansion.”

“He hasn’t hunted anyone in their home, has he?” I asked. I pictured him standing in front of me- maskless, in my academy uniform.

“No, it’s not his MO.” Barbara answered.

“Not yet. It’s only been six months, and he’s progressing rapidly.” Bruce diagnosed grimly.

“Are you scared he’s gonna join us for dinner?” Dick joked, throwing a wink my way.

“Haha.” I muttered. Actually, I hadn’t slept because of the very idea.

“If you’re nervous, you could always stay home next patrol.” Damian suggested pointedly. To him, existing in the realm of crimefighting was a competition, and he was always looking for others to drop out of the race. I resisted the urge to fling a pea at him.

“I’m not nervous.” I said coolly.

“You’ve been practically trembling since we fought his pathetic lackeys.”

“Damian.” Bruce warned, from the head of the table. I flipped the smallest Wayne the middle finger. He resigned, but I swore I saw amusement on his lips.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Red Hood is very skilled and very prolific. It’s a daunting case.” Bruce continued.

“Thanks, but I’m okay. Really.” I said, trying not to sound annoyed, and feeling like a spotlight was over my head, operated by the ghost of Hoffman. I almost laughed as I pictured it.

“That’s good to hear. We’ve been concerned.” Alfred added.

“Wow. I’m the star of the show around here.” I remarked dryly.

“We can’t help it, Miss Independent.” Dick said teasingly. “You’re just a good mystery.”

“Reminds me of Talia.” Tim said casually. The silverware stopped clanging.

It was a shameless subject change. Damian’s mother was an inflammatory topic for all parties. Bruce’s moral contempt didn’t reach the likes of Talia Al Ghul and Selena Kyle, immoral though they were. Beauty makes anything charming- and when paired with an impeccable taste in dress, even murder and thievery can be minimized into something of a quirk. Bruce thought so, anyway.

As for Damian, he had grappled with his dismissal from Talia’s side for what was now a majority of his life, and still possessed this deep-rooted, inextinguishable attachment to his mother. It was the hollow soreness any young boy would have in his position. Tim called him mama’s boy until he finally displayed a frightening amount of disdain for the title and actually begged him to stop. Tim agreed to, and I agreed to pretend I never heard a thing.

Dick disagreed with both of those sentiments and viewed Talia as someone who wasn’t worth the trouble. His dismissal embarrassed Bruce and offended Damian, so I knew the dinner table had been sufficiently turned into a powder keg. Tim and I shared a look as I expressed silent gratefulness, and he resigned to inspecting a dumpling, while I picked around my haka noodles.

The rest of dinner was quiet. Somehow, somewhere in the silence all had been decidedly forgiven. First by Babs who asked me to pass the pepper. Then by Dick who said the vegetables were good. Thank you, Alfred. Damian still looked pissed, and Bruce kept stealing glances at the clock.

I texted Tim under the table.

Thanks for taking one for the team.

The reply: You owe me one. I think Damian’s gonna poison my food.

We both glanced at the youngest, who was darkly mesmerized by what appeared to be Tim’s soup bowl.

He quickly added, Wait, actually tho? And we both fought laughter like two kids in the back of the class. It felt good to have an ally. Even if he still didn’t know the whole truth.

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mariemarvelbear · 4 years

Text

Hope-Lego Castle

Avengers x Reader

Warning: Angst.So much Heavy Angst.Slow burn angst.Abuse.Mention of rape.Brainwashed.ANGST.Blood.Torture. Swearing.Kidnap.Hostage.18+

Part 28: Lego Castle

You had regained consciousness during the flight but refused to speak to the people who claimed to be your family. With the restraints still in place there was nothing you could do; you had tried to pull away from them when a pair of hands tried to touch you-Wanda’s. But you flinched, the redhead instantly retreating. Clint talking to her not to continue any of her plans, that she can do it once you’re all back home. Not now, with your state both mental and physical, no one knew what you were capable of doing. You only said one thing, which earned a glance from the team after finally hearing your voice-not rigged nor hoarse as a while back, your little squeak resurfacing, but still laced with your strong accent, one mimicking Korvac’s. “Where’s Sequioa?”

“Muma!I’m here!We’re flying, mama?Mama,okay?Mama, new friends?” His grasp loosened from Scott’s shirt, desperately wanting to be close to you as possible. His little hands trying to find yours as you lay flat on the gurney-grunting as he tipped his toes towards you. “Want mama.”

“My love.” You cooed, your eyes swelling once again as you observed his face. Your head throbbing in pain as glimpses of your labor with the child came back-wincing in pain, Tony and Steve was quick to react to assess your condition. “Are you alright?” Steve cautiously asked, but you didn’t answer and even placed a stoic reaction as you stared at the people staring back at you. It weirded you out, it confused you to your core as to why you were so calm around them,That you’re not even in panic when Sequioa leaped towards Scott’s embrace-even as his mother. Deep in your heart you knew, they wouldn’t do anything that would hurt you nor your child-and that, somehow, made you at ease.

“We’re not evil, Eve.” Wanda shot back, her eyes knowing as your emerald ones widen. She can read your mind? “You can too.”

“I’m not a witch. Not like you.” You bluntly said, offended towards her comment as you mask your disgust and confusion. “I am not Eve. I am Carina, Queen of Chandillar. Wife of The Great King Mic-Michael?!Where is he?!” You cried, eyes searching for the man you know you love and trust. “I demand you to free me from these entrapments! Show me my husband!” Shrieking, Tony and Steve couldn’t move an inch. It’s not your first time to throw a fit like this, but this is different. You’re like you’re a child who wanted something and is ruled by their Id; and they didn’t know how to handle you, mostly now where you don’t even know the truth .

Your eyes fluttered open once again, rays of sunshine blinding you as you try to shield your eyes but was stopped by the restraints still strapped onto you- but there were less, yet new lines of tubing’s that was evidently filled with a few sorts of liquid was coursing its way through your veins, a beeping machine beside you which was the only noise that anyone can hear in your room. You were in a white gown and in a white room, the only light visible was from the natural sunlight that came from your window, above the ceiling.

“Good Morning, Eve.” Your train of thought was once interrupted when a young Asian woman entered the room, her attire was similar to yours-but had a different texture and cut. “How are you feeling?” You remained silent, still studying her quiet features-your mind, once again throbbing as you had a few glimpses of the past. “You alright? Your heart rate’s increasing.” She mumbled, quickly assessing your IV- “Is there pain?” You slightly nodded, pointing onto your temporal side of the head, earning a genuine smile from the Doctor. “I’m Doctor Cho. Do you remember me?” Frowning, you gestured a ‘no’ “Should I?” She was quick to compose herself- after hearing your soft voice for years of trying to accept that you’re gone, she smiled. “You’ll get there in time. Is there anything else you’re feeling?”

“Baby?Baby okay?” You asked, your hand quickly embracing your growing womb. Doctor Cho instantly frowned, her gaze not meeting yours anymore as you felt a big change in the atmosphere. “Are you mad?”

“Oh, don’t take it the wrong way.” The doctor reiterated, not wanting you to ask anymore onto why she suddenly felt angry. “Yes, your daughter is okay. You’re currently 34 weeks pregnant, you’re near your due date, so we have to be extra careful.” You slightly nodded, taking your eyes off the doctor, as your mind wandered again. “Do you…remember anything?” She mumbled, earning your attention.

“Everyone keeps asking me that.” Your lips quivered “And I keep on saying, No. I don’t. I don’t know any of you. I don’t know why you took me away from my home,I don’t even know where my husband is-not even my child. I don’t remember any Avengers, any Avenging or whatever in this world you call that.” You were now full on crying, but unlike before-you’re calm. You wanted them to hear you, how hard it is to be asked from time to time a question you never knew you needed to hear. “ So that’s it. I don’t know you, or Natasha, nor Bucky or that spider guy- I don’t know Tony, nor that blonde guy-that keeps on pushing himself to me, as if-as if I know him?!.” You spat, your eyes widening as it landed onto an ocean of blue ones “I don’t know any of you.So please, Just bring me back home.”

“Where is Lady Eve?” A loud grunt echoed throughout the vicinity, quickly waking up Steve and Clint who trashed themselves in the lounge area, Bucky and Sam in tow of Natasha who just entered the room. “What’s going on?Is everything alright Thor?”

“I want to see her.” Dropping Stormbreaker, the door creaked open-revealing a Tony with sunken dark under eyes- a coffee in hand. “Not good of a plan.She still hates us.” The billionaire started with as he sauntered his way to the kitchen, reheating his drink. “Anyone want some?”

“I’ll have.” Steve mumbled, hands smothering his face as he tried wiping the restlessness from it. “He’s right.Eve won’t accept any visitors.” Holding out his hand as he grabbed the warm mug from Tony’s reach, Steve drank the liquid that mortals like, some even love it to the extent of having at least a cup every day before their day-Saying that it makes you awake, energized even. Steve’s mind once again wandered to you. You’ve always had a liking with caffeine. But loathed black coffee, dark ones-No sugar nor Splenda. Just like Tony and Natasha liked it. Steve’s brows furrowed, trying to remember the drink you always have in your hand- one you’ll always ask Maria to pick you some-even forcing Nick to try it, the guy instantly loving it. It had something to do with Caramel…But he can’t just lay a finger on it.

“What’s wrong, pointbreak?” Tony interrupted Steve’s thoughts, bringing him back to the present. Sam snickered, remembering the funny nicknames all of the team already forgot after all these events. “Hold on.” Sam was quick to scan the room “Where’s TicTac?”

“Right here Y’fool.” Scott earned everyone’s gaze, after finally emerging from the upstairs lounge, A toddler on his hip. It’s been a week since you were back, nothing much has changed and you were still pissed at everyone trying to let you ‘remember’ things. It was when Tony decided to hire professional therapists and psychiatrist to try and let you do things on your own and help you piece the puzzle altogether. He paid shit ton of money to make sure no one leaks any information, after all-the world knows you’re dead. It was also that time that you got so angry at them, after all-again, you’re at least thirty-five weeks pregnant- and you were getting more irritated with all of them bugging you. One good thing that happened is that you’re not much pissed with them calling you Eve, sometimes though-you’d lash out at them and tell them they’re being annoying again and then they’ll stop. Steve though, He calls you Queen.

“Another bomb day?” Bruce mumbled, trying to hide his laugh as he saw the laughing Sequoia in his friend’s grasp as he held a full diaper. Originally, Sequoia was following Wanda and Nat, but the girls both assigned Scott to do it-well the latter threatening him to, showing her new knife from Tokyo, specifically made for her grip and liking-and that if he doesn’t take the task, she’d be sure to let Scott and her knife get to know each other well. Natasha didn’t hate the child, how can she? He’s your son, but it’s not only him-it’s any kid, it reminds her of her past-her future, one that she dreams of-yet can never attain. Also….How can she take care of a child she doesn’t even know how it was conceived?Natasha winced at the thought, remembering the exact words of Dr. Cho “We may not have any verbal confirmation onto what really happened …But, with the intensive procedures and measurements we’ve done to confirm what we’re all dreading..It shows us that there was a severe trauma or damage, to her vaginal wall, cervical area-“ which was abruptly stopped by Bucky and Tony’s hands smashing through a wall and their desks.

“Toni?Toni..Tonee?” Sequioa lisped, trying to get away from Scott’s grasp and wanting to be held by the billionaire. Tony was quick to catch the little guy, after all-He was yours, which makes every one of them promise to take care of Sequoia as long as you need to rest. “Hi little buddy.”

“Tonee!” Sequioa blew a bubble, and then laughed at himself-making everyone smile. “S’funny Tonee.” A yawn escaped the todddler’s lips, making another bubble-making him burst in laughter once again. “You’re so silly ‘Quioa!” Wanda laughed, patting the child’s head as it rested onto Tony’s shoulder,his eyes starting to droop. “Oof. I think you’re assigned to sleepy time,Tones.” Clint teased, earning a smirk from Tony who is already on his way towards the nursery they set up for the toddler. “At least not diaper duty.” Scott mumbled, earning a laugh from Natasha.

“Who let you in here?” All their eyes darted towards the room in the far-left corner, Your room. All eyes also-widened, quickly seeing Thor already inside. “I told Dr.Cho to not let anyone inside.” As every one of them step inside your suite, they all stopped in their tracks. You’re unbelievably calm.Not mad, nor angry-You’re not even throwing a fit! Thor, about to answer-was interrupted by a son, and then a squeal. “Iana!It’s true!You’re back!It’s you…” Peter gasped, fighting off Strange’s hands as he leaped towards his long lost friend. “You’re here….I was so worried. I was so sad!I even stopped building our lego castle!Because….Because, I really thought you were gone and Mr.Stark told me to try and move on, and I was mad at him! Well…We all somehow got into a fight…But that doesn’t matter anymore! Because you’re now here and you’re back and we’ve all missed you and you’re no impostor anymore!” The team tried their best to stop Peter, but for a child-he talked so fast. After a week of your appearance, they finally told everyone in SHIELD and the rest of the Avengers-after you showed a stable and good condition. And now, they told Peter. The last one to know.As you know…He’s a child. Clingy. Impulsive. Just like now.

“Impostor?” You muttered, your voice softening as you look at everyone’s wide eyes “Lego Castle?”

“Eve…We’re so sorry.Just don’t think of what he’s saying. This is-“ Bruce was quick to answer, assessing you-but was shocked as he saw that your heart rate is not even increasing with whatever Peter is saying.

“Peter?You’re Peter.Right?”

23 notes · View notes

sandstonesunspear · 5 years

Text

Familia

Summary: In which Maggie is a combination of me and my mother and gets to do all the things that we didn’t.

Thanks to @avidreaderffn for checking my Spanish bc I’m rusty, @bathtimefunduck for talking some sense into me, and @syllabicacronyms and @georgiew2304 for doing an initial read.

AO3

The call came on a Monday. Maggie was at work, arms deep in paperwork and open cases when her phone went off.

“Detective Sawyer,” she said, pen still scratching away on her latest evidence report.

“Margarita?”

Maggie blinked. “Tía?” She and her aunt called each other on the regular, but never while Maggie was at work. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s your mother.” There was a heavy sigh on the other end that made her stomach drop. “She’s asking for you.”

“For me? Why?” Maggie hadn’t spoken to her mother in years. Not since...not since that ill-fated Valentine’s day that ended with Oscar Rodas kicking his only daughter out of the house. Her mother had said nothing, done nothing, as her husband shouted at their daughter to pack a single suitcase and get out.

“She’s not doing well.”

Maggie got up. She ignored the curious look her partner shot her way and made her way to the precinct locker room.

“What do you mean she’s not doing well?” she demanded.

“She’s in stage IV kidney failure, Maggie. The doctors are doing transfusions—”

“Why not dialysis?

“Mija.” Her aunt’s voice was gentle, like it had been the night she picked Maggie up off the side of the road all those years ago. “They can’t. In her condition, it’s just not feasible anymore. She needs you here now.”

“I…” A part of her wanted to say no. Why should she go and be there for her mother when her mother hadn’t been there for her?

“Maggie.”

Maggie sighed. “Tía, can I call you back? I just, I need a bit.” She needed a bit and more.

“Okay. Just, let me know soon, all right, mija?”

“Of course.”

Maggie hung up before her aunt could say anything else. She put her head in her hands. The universe had a sick sense of humour, she decided. She had waited for years to get a call regarding her mother and now she had. Only it wasn’t the kind of call she wanted.

She pulled up her texts.

Hypo lifespan S4 kidney fail w/o dialysis/transplant, she texted Alex.

She watched the little grey bubble pop up. Then, V short. Days most likely. Why?

Adrian asked, she lied. School project or something.

Her phone buzzed to reveal a thumbs up emoji pop up on screen. It made her lips twitch into a small smile. Her wife was such a dork sometimes.

She set her phone aside and closed her eyes.

Fact: her mother had done nothing to stop her father from kicking her out of the house all those years ago.

Fact: her mother was now dying and needed her there. Now.

Maggie could say no. She could refuse to go back and instead resolve herself to staying in National City while her mother died alone by claiming to have the moral high ground. No one would blame her. No one but Maggie herself. At the end of the day, she knew that there was no moral high ground for something like this and saying no certainly wouldn’t place her on one. Saying no wouldn’t make a statement, it would just make her the daughter who refused her dying mother’s last request. And that just wasn’t who she was.

Maggie’s phone buzzed. She glanced down to see a text from Lucy.

Your aunt called me.

Maggie wanted to be annoyed by that piece of information. But she knew her aunt was only trying to help.

I can get us all a flight for the first thing in the morning, if that’s ok w/ you.

Trust Lucy to be on top of everything when no one else was.

Please, Maggie typed back.

Days. Her mother had days. She had to get there sooner rather than later. She just had to.

By the time Maggie got home, she felt like she had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. Everything in her body was starting to ache and her head was pounding. She didn’t know if was from stress, the grief that was slowly starting to seep through, or some combination of both.

She found herself pulled into a hug almost as soon as the door shut behind her. She stiffened for half a second before melting into Lucy’s embrace. She pressed her face to Lucy’s shoulder and took a deep breath, savouring the hints of cinnamon, jasmine and rose that made up Lucy’s perfume. It was a welcome distraction from the throbbing migraine building just behind her eye.

After a few moments of just enjoying Lucy’s presence, Maggie pulled away. She looked around the apartment.

“Where’s Alex?” She asked.

“Grabbing dinner from that place on 32nd.” Lucy looked her over. “Are you okay?”

Yes. No. Maybe. Maggie didn't know.

She shrugged. “I guess. It just...I wasn’t expecting this.” She sighed. “I feel kinda guilty, to be honest.”

Lucy frowned. “Guilty? For what?”

Maggie shrugged again. “For…” She trailed off. “For feeling sad, for grieving. I don’t really have that right, you know?”

“Don’t have a…Mags, no, you absolutely have a right to feel the way that do right now,” Lucy said.

“I haven’t spoken to my mom in almost 20 years, Luce,” Maggie said. “We weren’t, aren’t, close.”

They had stopped being close the moment she walked through the door to find her father ranting about how he wouldn’t have a child living in sin under his roof.

Lucy brushed a thumb against Maggie’s cheek. The touch was gentle, but Maggie was still so overwhelmed by everything that it made her flinch ever so slightly.

“She was still your family, Maggie. Just because you and her haven’t spoken doesn’t mean that she stopped being your mom.”

Maggie bit her lip.

Lucy sighed. “People arguing over who had the ‘right’ to mourn my mom tore my family apart for years,” she said. “You’re allowed to grieve over what was and what could have been.”

“There’s no use in wondering about what might’ve been Lucy,” Maggie tried, only to fall silent at the look Lucy gave her.

“For something like this, there is.”

Before Maggie could say anything to that, the door opened behind them. Both of them turned to see Alex stumbling through the doorway with multiple bags of takeaway in hand. Those bags were carefully placed on the ground as soon as she caught sight of her lovers.

Maggie let Alex pull her into a hug. She pressed her face against Alex’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

“I don’t…” Know what to do. How to react. How I’m supposed to feel.

She felt Alex press her lips against her air just as Lucy came up from behind to join in the hug.

“We’re right here,” she heard Alex murmur into her hair. “We’ve got you.”

Maggie clenched Alex’s top. She couldn’t stop the sob that rose to her throat. She pressed her face even harder against Alex’s shoulder and started to cry.

The bags of takeaway were forgotten as the Alex and Lucy worked to comfort Maggie.

Maggie couldn’t stop her leg from bouncing during the drive to the hospital. The three hour flight to Omaha had done little to lessen her nerves.

There was a yelp from up front as Alex cut off another driver and floored it.

And Alex driving was certainly doing little to help that either.

“Yeah, yeah, fuck you too buddy!” Alex groused, flipping the bird at the horn blaring behind them.

“God, this is almost worse than Kandahar,” Maggie heard Lucy mutter up front. She didn’t miss the death grip Lucy had on the overhead handle.

“Your wife is certainly a...spirited driver,” her aunt said quietly.

For the first time in days, Maggie’s lips twitched into something resembling a smile. “There’s a reason Lucy turned so white when Alex offered to drive, tía.”

“I just thought that was a gringa thing.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “Lucy’s only half gringa, tía.”

“Still a gringa.”

“Tía.”

“I’m joking mija,” her aunt said. Her grip tightened suddenly as Alex sped the car up even further. “Does your wife realise that it’s a two hour drive from the airport to Blue Springs?”

Maggie caught Alex’s glance through the rearview mirror. She smiled. She knew what Alex was trying to do.

“Something tells me that she knows, but she doesn’t really care what the GPS says.”

Alex pulled into a parking spot with a neatness that clashed with the recklessness of the overall drive itself.

“We’re here!” She announced.

There was a brief moment of stunned silence that was broken by Lucy throwing the car door open. Maggie winced at the sound of their girlfriend retching her guts out. She shook her head and followed Lucy out of the car, leaving her aunt alone with Alex.

She found Lucy behind the car with a hand braced against the trunk. She rubbed Lucy’s back as she coughed.

“When we get back to National City,” Lucy wheezed. “Remind me to look up whoever did Alex’s driving test and sue them for daring to give her a license.”

Maggie chuckled and kissed the side of her head. “Yes, dear.”

“Hey, my driving’s not that bad,” Alex said, coming up behind the both of them. “I got us here, didn’t I?”

Maggie and Lucy exchanged looks. Alex’s driving had gotten them to the hospital and under two hours to boot, but Maggie wasn’t too keen on repeating the whole experience. From Lucy’s grimace, Maggie was willing to bet that Lucy shared her sentiments.

“I’m driving back,” was all Lucy said in a tone that refused to be argued against.

Alex huffed.

Maggie turned to her attention away from her lovers to eye the hospital. It had always been an imposing building in her youth. Now, knowing what she would likely face inside, it was even more so.

Lucy’s hand slipped into hers. Alex’s joined it in the opposite hand a moment later.

“We’re right here, Mags.”

Maggie let out a shaky breath. “Right.”

She held both Alex and Lucy’s hands in a deathgrip as the three of them plus her aunt made their way inside.

The woman in the bed was so different from the woman in her memories. Maggie remembered a woman with perfectly coiffed hair, a regal air, a bit of Mexican snark peppering words every so often.

The woman in the bed had none of that. She was a mess of tubes and wires. The oxygen mask on her face fogged with shallow breaths. It made Maggie want to cry. She settled for swallowing back the lump in her throat instead.

“We’ll leave you alone for a bit,” Alex whispered.

Maggie panicked. “You’re leaving?!”

“Shh…” Alex soothed. “I’m staying, I’ll just be out here in the hall.”

“And Lucy?” Maggie looked to their girlfriend.

“I’m headed to the funeral home,” Lucy said.

“Luce--”

Lucy shook her head. “You need to focus on your mom right now, Maggie,” she said. “If I go and start the arrangements now, it’s one less thing for you to worry about.”

It took Maggie a moment to realise that they were playing to their strengths. Lucy’s legal and administrative knowledge were useless in a medical setting while Alex’s medical background could do nothing for her when attempting to make funeral arrangements.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Trust Lucy to be the logical one when her lovers felt like the world was crashing down around them.

Lucy kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

She walked off with Maggie’s aunt in tow, leaving Maggie and Alex standing alone in the hallway.

Maggie took a deep breath. “Is she gonna know I’m in the room with her?” she asked quietly.

Alex nodded. “Yeah. I checked her chart, she’s still aware and…mostly there,” she finished awkwardly.

“Mostly.”

“She’ll know it’s you, Mags,” Alex said.

Maggie said nothing. She walked into the room and took a seat next to her mother’s bedside. She carefully took an IV-laden hand in hers.

“Mami?” she whispered.

To her relief, her mother’s eyes fluttered open. They were foggy from a combination of pain and the various drugs being administered.

A hiss of the oxygen mask. “Margarita?”

Her voice was so weak, it broke Maggie’s heart. She never thought her mother could ever sound like that.

“Yeah mami, it’s me,” she said. “Estoy aquí.”

“Lupita?”

Maggie knew what her mother was asking. “Ella está con mi, mi amiga.” A part of Maggie hated herself for hiding. “Ella dijo que necesito un abogado y mi amiga es una abogado.”

That part wasn’t a complete lie. Lucy was a lawyer.

“Claro.” Maggie noticed her mother’s eyes drift to the doorway. She followed her line of sight to see Alex.

“Y ella? Quién es ella?”

Maggie swallowed. She absently rubbed her wedding ring. “Ella es mi compañera,” she eventually said.

“Compañera como una amiga o…como una esposa?”

Esposa. Wife. The word came so easily from her mother’s lips that at first, Maggie thought she had misheard her. The expectant look her mother aimed her way, though, made it clear that she hadn’t.

She licked her lips. “Um, como una esposa,” she admitted. “Ella es mi esposa. Se llama Alex.”

Maggie felt her heart start to pound against her ribs as soon as the words left her lips. What if her mother said something rude about Alex? What if what her mother said was an echo of what Oscar Rodas had screamed at her all those years ago on a Valentine’s Day night? What if what if what if--

A movement of a thumb across the back of her hand snapped Maggie from her internal panic. She glanced at her mother’s face. There was no judgement, only eyes that were clearing with curiosity.

Maggie saw her mouth open with a question, but before it could be asked, the squeak of rubber against linoleum caught the attention of both of them. Maggie looked over to see a man in a white coat walk in. He wasn’t Dr. Karkouli.

“Who are you?” she asked.

He didn’t look up from the chart in his hands. “Jason Hendrix, haematologist on this case,” he said. “And you are?”

“The daughter.” Maggie couldn’t keep the clipped tone out of her voice.

Hendrix nodded. “Right, so are you aware that your mother here has myelodysplastic anemia?”

Yes, she knew. Her aunt had given her the entire run down on the way to the hospital. Her mother on the other hand…

“Myelo…que es esto, Margarita?” her mother asked.

Maggie’s jaw tightened. “Nothing, mami.”

Her tía had specifically asked her sister’s care team to not tell her about her condition. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss and sometimes, it could make the difference that gave a patient days instead of hours.

Hendrix continued like he hadn’t heard Maggie. From the way his face was still buried in the chart, she knew it was likely.

“It’s a type of blood cancer--”

Maggie had heard enough. “All right, you’re done!” she snapped.

Before he could say another word, she shoved him out of the room. Blood pounded in her ears. She didn’t stop moving him until his back slammed into the wall.

Maggie wanted to rail against the haematologist, wanted to scream at him, wanted to strangle him and punt him through a wall. Her tía had made one request and this, this pendejo hadn’t followed it.

Alex stepped forward. “Who the fuck taught you your bedside manner?” she demanded. “I want the name of your supervising physician right now because you are no longer on this case.”

Hendrix sputtered. “That’s not your call to make Miss—”

Maggie took a sick satisfaction at the startled yelp he let out the second Alex’s hand fisted his scrub top and dragged him close.

“It’s Doctor,” Alex all but snarled. Her voice was like ice. “Doctor Danvers, and it absolutely is my call because my wife and her family requested that you not inform the patient of her condition, a simple, reasonable request given her status, and you elected to ignore it.”

“I, I…”

“That’s enough, Hendrix,” a voice interrupted.

Maggie looked past the rapidly paling haematologist to see the Dr. Karkouli coming up. He had a deep frown etched into his face that wasn’t aimed at Alex, but rather the hapless man in her grip. It told her that he had heard everything.

“Doctor Danvers, if you could please release my colleague.”

Alex did just that.

Hendrix turned to Karkouli. “Doctor Karkouli, this…”

“I said that’s enough.” Karkouli’s voice was equally as icy as Alex’s. “You’ve done enough. As of this moment, you’re off this case. We will discuss your bedside manner or rather lack thereof later.”

Maggie almost wanted Hendrix to protest further, to say something and so that he would get ripped to shreds. But the rest of her just wanted him to shut up. Karkouli was right, Hendrix had done enough. If he opened his mouth again, she was liable to punch him before either Karkouli or Alex could cut him down.

She watched his mouth open, only to click shut.

“Yes, Doctor,” he said, shooting Alex a dark look. He flinched at the one she returned him. He promptly turned on his heel and stalked off.

Karkouli sighed. “Doctor Danvers, Maggie, I apologise on behalf of my colleague,” he said. “He will be disciplined.”

“Good,” Maggie grumbled. “Now, my mom. I know she’s not in the best place right now, but what he said, it’s not gonna…”

She trailed off when she noticed Karkouli’s smile turn sad.

“I’m afraid that your mother’s condition was already extremely fragile. With what Hendrix said, there’s a very good chance that her condition will worsen.”

“Can’t you go in there and tell her that he was wrong? That he read the wrong chart or something or—” Maggie couldn’t stop the pleading note her voice took.

“Maggie,” Alex interrupted gently. “It doesn’t work that way, babe.”

Maggie bit her lip. Whoever came up with the phrase, sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me was a fucking liar.

She took a deep breath. “Can I go in and talk to my mom?” she asked. “Maybe she didn’t believe him, maybe…”

Karkouli tipped his head. “Of course. While you’re in there, there are a few things I’d like to discuss with your wife, physician to physician, provided I have your permission.”

“Go ahead. She’ll probably understand it all better than I can,” Maggie said. She gave Alex a weak smile before stepping into her mother’s room, leaving the two to talk.

If she thought her mother had looked weak when she had arrived just hours earlier, it was nothing compared to the woman she saw now. It was obvious that the information Hendrix had revealed had had an effect on her mother.

Maggie sat in the chair next to the bed and took her mother’s hand in hers. “Hey, mami,” she whispered.

“Margarita…” It came out as a wheeze.

“Yeah, I’m right here, mami,” she said.

A heavy breath. “Tengo cosas que necesito decirte porque el haematologist dijo…”

No. She wasn’t going to do this. Not now.

“Mami, está bien,” Maggie tried to reassure her. “Él se equivocó. Puedes ganarle a esto, yo sé que puedes. Todo lo que tienes…”

She felt like a child again, pleading for her parents to fix the world’s latest evil because she thought they could do anything. Maria Rodas had certainly seemed the person who could fix anything, right any wrong, fight the hardest of fights and come up on top.

“Margarita.” Despite the overall weakness in her mother’s tone, there was still enough sharpness to make Maggie’s jaw click shut. “Suficiente. No puedo y no quiero.”

The exhaustion in her voice made Maggie stop cold. Everything finally clicked into place.

Tu mamá dijo que ella nunca iba a volver a su casa, her aunt had told her quietly on the way to the hospital. Maggie hadn’t wanted to believe it. Her mother was such a strong woman. To think that she was resigned to never returning home, to dying elsewhere, it just didn’t compute.

But now it did. Her mother was tired. Her kidneys were failing. Her liver was nothing more than a scarred hunk of flesh. And now she knew she had a cancer they couldn’t treat because her body was just too far gone.

It wasn’t fair. Maria Rodas was a strong woman. She deserved more than this, deserved a better death than this. She should have been at home with years ahead of her. But the universe had already decided she would get none of that. She was in a hospital bed with hours ahead of her and she was going to die here.

“Okay.” Maggie let out a shaky breath. “Okay, mami. No tienes que pelear.” She reached up and brushed her fingers against her mother’s curls. She ignored the way her heart cracked at the sight of her mother’s eyes fluttering shut at the gentle touch.

“Estoy muy cansada, Margarita…”

“Sí mamí, yo sé.”

“Tu esposa.” Maggie felt her heart leap once more at the word. Esposa. “La mujer de antes, la pelirroja, ella te hace feliz?”

“Sí, mami.” Both Lucy and Alex made her feel happier than she ever thought she could be. Not that she would tell her mother that, even with the woman on her deathbed.

A small, weak nod. “Bueno.” Her head lolled back against the pillow. “Te amo, mijita. Siempre.”

Maggie bit back a sob. She hadn’t heard those words from her mother in years. Hearing them now felt like a gut punch, a reminder of everything that still needed to be said but would likely stay unsaid.

“Te amo también.” Maggie didn’t miss the way her mother’s lips twitched upwards into something that resembled a faint, pleased smile just before her eyes slipped shut. There was a soft breath, then an almost inaudible groan. Her hand slackened in Maggie’s grip.

“Mami?” She tightened her grip on her mother’s hand, as if trying to provoke a response.

Nothing.

Maggie let out a shuddering breath. This time, she couldn’t stop the sob from coming through. She stood and pressed her forehead against her mother’s as she started to cry.

Te amo. Te amo. Vuelve por favor. Tengo cosas que necesito decirte. Quiero decirte más sobre mi esposa y nuestra novia. Quiero decirte sobre mi vida y más. Vuelve por favor. Por favor.

The door hissed open behind her. A hand gently placed itself on her shoulder.

“Maggie, sweetheart.” Alex’s voice was soft. “C’mere.”

She let herself be pulled into Alex’s arms. She tucked her face into her wife’s shoulder to try and muffle the sound of her tears. She felt Alex start to rub small circles on her upper back. The gentle motion made her cry even harder.

#maggie sawyer #supergirl #my writing #director sanvers

39 notes · View notes

negasonicimagines · 5 years

Text

TEAM (Part Two)

I forgot to mention that this fic is partially inspired by Lorde’s “Team,” hence the title. Kind of about how no matter how much you and the other characters here bicker, you’re all on each others’ team.

This is the second part to TEAM (Part One) [but I hope that’d be obvious] and therefore is inspired by the same request and has essentially the same trigger warnings.

“So, you and Ellie, huh? About time,” Logan remarks, and you feel yourself blush.

“No! It’s not like that! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’d be the luckiest girl in the world, but, uh… No, it’s not like that.”

“Are you sure about that? I’ve seen the way you two are together. When she’s not looking at you or her phone, she’s watching everyone else like a hawk, like they’re threats. Honestly, Piotr’s worried about her.”

At the mention of Wade’s friend, you’re reminded of what Logan said before, about the thing that he knew that he shouldn’t tell her, the thing Wade also knew.

“What was that, anyway? The thing you knew that you didn’t know before that you would’ve told me if you had but couldn’t tell me?”

“I’m afraid that’s Wade’s business.”

“Great,” you remark. “So, I’ll never know.”

“Listen, kid, I know the stuff he said-”

“Screamed.”

“The stuff he screamed at you was pretty fucking awful. But… He had his reasons, okay? Being around him, being as close to him as you were was dangerous. It made you a target,” Logan explains.

“When will you people realize that I can’t die forever?! I’ve died plenty of times, and I always come back! Let me make my own decisions!”

“How many times have you died, Y/N?” Logan asks.

“It’s just… Hard not to starve when my mom kicks me out over school breaks, especially with the metabolism that comes with a healing factor. I can’t stay with Wade all the time, he has himself and Al to worry about. Muggers don’t like when you don’t have money. Mom doesn’t like me when I don’t have money. I don’t know, probably like eight or nine times.”

“You should’ve come here!” Logan scolds, and you want to curl in on yourself, just like before. “I’m sorry. He and I both know just how much dying can fuck you up, so, to hear you say that you’ve died.... And that you don’t care if you do? It’s concerning, to say the least.”

“Boo-hoo, Y/N’s crazy. Who isn’t?” you remark, annoyed at his concern. Men, they always think they know better.

He sighs. “Listen. You should just talk to him, I’m sure-”

“No,” you say, and it comes out as a whimper. The wound was still fresh. “I don’t want to.”

“Hey, he’s not gonna hurt you,” Logan reassures you. “He probably feels bad for what he said, and-”

“I said no,” you cut him off, but the sad tone in your voice doesn’t make you sound very convincing.

“And he’s not gonna apologize unless he thinks you wanna hear it. You know how Wade gets when he feels guilty, he doesn’t know how to deal with it.”

“Well, I don’t wanna hear an apology. I just want him to be my friend again, like before. That’s it. I don’t care to know why, or how, or whatever. I just miss my friend,” you admit, and Logan sighs.

“Okay...”

“Is it alright if I go? I wanna get started on my Chemistry homework.”

“Yeah,” Logan says. “Go ahead. See you next Wednesday. Or, sooner, if you need anything.”

You leave the gym, making your way to your dorm with your head down, when you bump into a familiar red-suited man.

“Sorry,” you squeak, not even able to meet the eyes of the mask, before attempting to go past him. He stops you, grabbing at your shoulder, but you flinch away. “Please d-don’t…”

“Y/N…” Wade murmurs, filled with remorse at his rampage. He’d made you scared of him, which means it worked, but he regrets how much it hurt you. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”

“You’re not, huh?” Ellie, swiftly approaching, asks. “Pretty sure you already did, Deadpool.”

“I just wanted-” he starts, but Ellie, your avenging angel, cuts him off.

“You just wanted what, huh? To terrorize them more, is that it?

“Terrorize? I-”

“You what? Didn’t? Because as someone who sleeps in the same room as Y/N, I can confirm that you did. They cry in their sleep like they did the day it happened. Did you know that, that you made them cry? I guess you do now. So, leave, before I decide I’m going to follow you out the door and blow you to Hell.”

“E-Ellie, I said not to hurt him,” you quietly tell her, and she clenches her fists, grumbling.

“You did?” Wade asks.

“Of course,” you respond meekly, tapping the tips of your fingers together and avoiding the gaze of everyone around you. and Ellie places an arm around you, glaring at Wade without mercy.

“I’m- I’m so sorry, Y/N. I- I just didn’t know what to do, so much was happening. I was so angry at the situation, so scared for your safety, and I took all that aggression out on you, the one person I should’ve been channeling those feelings into protecting, and I- I know I already said it, but I’m a blabbermouth with nothing else to say, so… I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry, kid. I know you probably don’t care, you just wanna start over and stay the hell away from me, but I’m sorry. And my door’s always open.”

“Thank you. I forgive you,” you nod, smiling a little, You’re already starting to feel better, more like yourself.

“You what?” Ellie questions, shaking with anger. “He hurt you. He shouldn’t ever be forgiven.”

“She’s right,” Wade agrees, head down.

“Well, it’s my forgiveness, and I can do whatever the hell I want with it,” you remind them, shrugging.

“There she is,” Wade says quietly, and you can somehow tell that he’s smiling. You don’t know if it’s body language, tone of voice, or what, but he’s smiling.

“I’m sorry for making you worry. I’m gonna keep living here, and I’m gonna keep taking better care of myself, so no one has to worry about me again,” you inform him.

“Wrong goal, but I appreciate the method. I don’t mind worrying about you, kid, but I’d rather worry about you not doing your homework than about the next time you’re gonna collapse on my porch, dead.”

“What?” Ellie wonders, and you groan. “Wait, have you died?”

“Goddammit, Wade,” you grumble. “She didn’t know that.”

“H-how?”

“Not important,” you tell her.

“No, it is, Y/N. You want all of us to get over the fact that you can die, but the truth is that you need to get over the fact that we care if you die,” Wade corrects you. There’s no malice in his tone, but the words themselves cause anxiety to slither out of the pit of your stomach like a snake and curl around your lungs and heart, maintining a tight grip.

“It’s because of you not eating or sleeping enough, isn’t it?” Ellie asks. “That’s what you guys were in that fight about the other morning, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” you admit, and Ellie closes her eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath and trying to remain calm for your sake, for her own sake.

“Right,” she responds, sighing. “Well, I’m not letting that happen again.”

“Challenge accepted,” you chuckle, and she rolls her eyes.

“I was just on my way back to Photography. Forgot my camera. See you later.”

She makes her way in the direction of the classroom, disappearing around a corner.

“Man, if she didn’t hate me before, she sure does now,” Wade says, and you smile, shaking your head. “Really?” he asks.

“Photography is Mondays and Thursdays… And she didn’t even have her camera.”

Wade scoffs. “Well, she’s definitely taking good care of you. I always knew she would, one day. When did you two finally make it official? I’m sorry that I missed it.”

“We haven’t made anything official, Wade, she doesn’t like me like that. We’re just close friends.”

He rolls his eyes, going to playfully shove your shoulder, but you flinch away. He sighs.

“I’m sorry,” he says again. “I- I was so cruel, I just wanted to say whatever i could to get you away, to protect you, from m-”

“From what? The thing Logan keeps talking about?”

“What thing?” he asks, sounding a bit panicked.

“He keeps saying that there’s this thing he knows that he would’ve told me if he’d known before but he shouldn’t tell me now. It’s super weird, but he said you were going to tell me before you- You-” You stop yourself from continuing, still, shaking a little bit at the memory. It was only the day before yesterday.

“Yeah,” he responds quietly. “It was part of the reason I did that. I just- Us being friends was already dangerous, and you being- You- You’re- I- I’m so sorry I left you with her, if I’d known, if I’d known she was pregnant...I would’ve done the right thing! I’m not that kind of dirtbag, you’ve gotta believe me, and I’m just so, so sorry. Everything that’s wrong with your life, maybe it wouldn’t have happened if I’d just thought- If I’d just thought, but I was young, and stupid, and there’s nothing I can do now except own up to it, own up to the fact that I- I am- I’m- Oh, please…” He practically falls into you, wrapping his arms around your neck. You feel him shake with sobs, and you cry, too, but with a different emotion. Not regret, but happiness.

“You? You’re him?” you ask, and he readjusts himself, backing away from you.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve asked before hugging, I just didn’t think it was gonna be so hard, and you’re my best friend, and I- I don’t know, I don’t know. I’m so sorry that I’m your father.”

“You are? You’re sorry?” you ask, knowing that he’s apologizing because he regrets it, regrets you and your entire existence.

“Not in the way you’re thinking! You- You deserve so much better, I wanted so much better for you,” he reassures you, or, at least, attempts to.

“How do you even know?”

“I just… I talked to Xavier to see if he had any connections that could help me find your father, and he said he did, but he insisted that I give him a sample of my DNA to see if they match before he used his connections. I laughed it off, but then… it was a match.”

“How’d you get my DNA?” You wonder.

“Oh, I stuck a cotton swab in your mouth while you were sleeping. Wasn’t hard, you’re a really heavy sleeper,” he says, and you have a faint memory of the dream you had about a week ago where you were abducted by aliens that wanted to harvest your DNA to create genetically modified pet humans for their home planet. You laugh.

“So, you found out it was a match, and then… You were angry about it? Hated that the Wilson family legacy wasn’t going to end with you?”

“No. I was angry, yeah, but at myself. I was irresponsible, and my best friend in the whole world sufferred because of it. I never recognized your mom the times I’d seen her, and we had sex!”

“You had sex with my mom? Bro code violation alert!” you joke, and he chuckles bitterly.

“Right?” he responds. “But… I don’t even know where to go from here. Things can’t go back to normal, that’s not okay. I need to step up. And, even if it was the right thing to do, going back to normal… I get the feeling that you’re not gonna be that comfortable around me for a while. I was… I was just like my dad. My worst fucking fear.”

“You’re not him, okay? I promise.”

“I should be comforting you,” he says, stepping towards you. Out of renewed instinct, you step back. He’s heartbroken.

“Try- Try not to take it personally, I’m like this with just about everybody,” you attempt to make him feel better, but he shakes his head.

“You haven’t been like this with me, not before- Before I did what I did. Said those things, those awful, untrue things. Why did I say those things? They weren’t the truth, they were the opposite of it. I love hearing from you, it makes every day better. Finding you on my couch is a great feeling, knowing that someone as great as you trusts me, sees me as someone who can keep them safe.”

“And my memes?” You ask in a sarcastically accusatory tone.

“The funniest,” he replies. “Can I- Can I give you a hug?”

You nod, and he surges forward, wrapping you up in his arms and spinning you around.

“I always hoped it’d be like that,” you quietly admit, and he beams.

“Listen, we can talk later at dinner. I think you’ve got a certain girl you need to talk to, and she and her metal accomplice are approaching.”

“I think she’s his accomplice,” you correct with a laugh.

“Gotta bounce before the hardest guy on Earth ropes me into another mission. I’ll be back, though, kid.”

“Yeah. See you soon…”

“Wade’s fine for now, unless you wanna call me something else. We can negotiate later, ‘kay? Love you, bye.” Wade scurries down the hall, not realizing that he’s going towards the dorms, not the exit.

“Wade Wilson!” calls Piotr from behind you, and you turn around to see that Ellie is far closer to you than she is to Piotr, having gone faster on her smaller, lighter legs.

“Uh, hello…” you say dumbly.

“Based on your expression, I’d say that discussion went well.”

“Very well. Thank you for giving him the opportunity to talk to me alone, I’m sure you didn’t wanna do that.”

“I didn’t, but I figured it was the best option. Tell me more on the way to the dorm.”

“Well, uh… He apologized, a lot. Not just for the fights.”

“For letting you die?”

“No. Worse.”

“Holy shit, what’d he do, and why haven’t I heard about it?” She asks, tense.

“Because I didn’t know,” you reply defensively. “He’s- He’s my biological father, Ellie.”

“Whoa… Seriously? How long has he known?”

“I don’t know, but not long, the DNA tests were recently. He just wanted to help me find my dad and when he asked Xavier if he had any way of helping, the Professor said that he had to submit a sample to be tested. Turn’s out the old man’s hunch was right. You… You still wanna be friends, right?”

“Yeah, of course, why wouldn’t I?” Ellie wonders.

“I just- I know you don’t like Wade very much, and I’m technically his daughter, so…”

“So? That doesn’t mean I don’t love you anymore,” Ellie argues, and then covers her mouth.

“You love me?”

“Yeah, but just, like, in a friend way,” she plays it off rather smoothly, in her opinion, but you sigh in disappointment before you can stop yourself. “Wait, do you love me in a not-friend way?”

“Not really sure what you wanna hear,” you respond, feeling the recently-sealed cracks in your heart refracturing.

“Do you?” she asks.

You’re silent as the two of you walk to your shared dorm.

“Y/N, I asked you a question. Do you love me as a friend, or as more?”

You feel overheated and nauseous, that’s how nervous you are. You attempt to take some steadying breaths before answering: “More.”

“Oh, thank god…” she sighs. “I- I told you on Monday, when you fell asleep with me. But you were asleep, so, you didn’t hear me… Duh… I sound so stupid right now, don’t I?”

“No, not at all! Jeez, today just keeps getting better and better, I mean it!” You exclaim.

“Can- Can I kiss you?” Ellie asks nervously, and your eyes widen, but you nod. She takes your face in her hands and just goes for it, pressing her lips to yours. You respond immediately, wrapping your arms around her neck while her hands slip past your face and into your hair, tugging gently. You let out a small, quiet moan at that, and you can feel her smirk a little. She kisses you faster, pushing her body closer to yours, and your knees give out. She catches you in the nick of time, laughing a bit at how easily flustered you are as she nudges you toward the bed, sitting there with you. “Your knees are right, we probably shouldn’t rush into things.”

“Yeah…” you admit, resting your head on her shoulder.

“I love you…” She mumbles. “I’ve loved you for a long time, actually.”

“Same here. When did you know?”

Ellie replies: “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

“I can tell you first, if you want,” you offer.

“Yeah, do that…” She says.

“I just realized that every time I was upset, you were there, making me feel better. Even if you didn’t know it. Every time my mom hit me, or I got stabbed by an asshole mugger, or I was about to faint from hunger… You were right there. Making my life better just by existing.”

“I wish I could’ve been right there in person, to help you,” Ellie says, and you shake your head.

“That’s not the point. The point is that you did, without even trying. You always make me happy, without even trying.You just have to be there and everything is better.”

“That’s really nice… I feel dumb now,” Ellie confesses.

“It’s not dumb! Probably not, I mean…” you reply, nuzzling her chest a bit as you try to get a bit cozier.

“Um...You probably don’t know this, but I used to get in fights a lot before we met. And Piotr would always lecture me, telling me it wasn’t heroic to fight out of anger. That I should fight for something, not because of something. That I should be aware of the consequences that come with fighting, and truly think about them before I did. I never understood what he meant, and then we met and became friends… Then best friends…

“I didn’t even realize that before every fight, even the ones I was assigned, I’d think about how I was going to make the world a better place for you. I’d think about what you would think if you heard what I was doing. I- I made a mistake at one point, got angry over nothing and got into another stupid, pointless fight. It was the first time in awhile I’d heard Colossus’s spiel, and I realized my thinking process with every world he spoke. It all just made me think of how I feel about you. You’d made me a better person, more mindful of the consequences of my actions, my thoughtless, immature violence. That’s when I knew.”

“Oh, shut up! That’s way better than mine and not embarrassing at all! Show-off,” you remark, and she chuckles.

“That was fucking beautiful!” Wade wails from behind the door.

“I think I liked it better when you two weren’t friends,” Ellie comments, and you smile at her, shaking your head. She takes your hand in hers and squeezes gently.

“Oh, come on. You can’t hate him. I mean, I wouldn’t exist without him, for a few reasons. I mean, he’s the one who passed me the gene for a healing factor, even if his was recessive before. And, I mean, he’s the sperm donor either way.”

“I heard that!” he shouts, and Ellie smiles at you, planting another kiss on your lips.

You could get used to this.

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habibialkaysani · 5 years

Text

The Devil in Star City (Laurel/Nyssa; T) - Part IV

Ships: Laurel/Joanna, Laurel/Tommy

Summary: “My name is Laurel Lance. When I was eight years old I was in a car accident that left me without sight. But in the process, my other senses were heightened.

By day, I am a defence attorney, ready to fight for justice in the courtroom on behalf of those who the law has failed. By night, I am someone else. I am something else.

I am Daredevil.”

Part I

Part II

Part III

A/N: I'm moving back and forth in the timeline a fair amount, but hopefully it's clear when this is set if you've watched the first episode of Daredevil. Essentially Laurel and Joanna are newly qualified as lawyers and their new client turns out to be someone Laurel knows.

Thanks to @amidalas-shadow for helping me when I was stuck.

Read at AO3

“So remind me how you got this case again?” Laurel asked Joanna as they were led through the police precinct to Interrogation Room 2.

Thankfully - for Joanna, that is - she didn't have time to answer. They had reached the room and already the cop on duty was opening the door for them - but only an inch, just enough for Jo to get a glimpse inside.

“I'm in the middle of an interrogation, counsellor.”

“I can see that.” Laurel knew now that Jo was craning her neck to take a better look at the person inside. “You wanna tell me why you think the cuffs are necessary for a man with no priors, Detective Boland?”

“Mr Merlyn was found red-handed at the scene of a murder,” the detective replied. “And I don't mean that metaphorically. So yeah. They're necessary.”

Laurel groaned inwardly - what had Jo gotten them into? Nevertheless, she was a lawyer, she reminded herself, as of twelve hours ago. She had a job to do.

“Did he resist arrest?” Laurel asked.

“Why is that relevant?” Detective Boland shot back.

“Just curious.”

“No, he did not.”

Laurel folded her arms. “Then can you at least allow our client the dignity of being uncuffed while you give us the room?”

“She just rolled her eyes, for the record, Laurel,” Jo said.

“Fine.”

There was a click as the handcuffs on their client were taken off him, and then the detective held the door open for Laurel and her partner.

“Thanks,” Laurel said, but Tina didn’t reply, just huffed a sigh and left the room, shutting the door behind her with a little more dour force than required.

“Dinah? Is that you?”

Shit.

She recognised that voice. Hell, she could have recognised it when he murmured “thank you” to Boland after she took his cuffs off, but Laurel hadn't been paying attention at that point. And to do what she did, Laurel had to pay attention.

Now, though, while she didn't need to feign her surprise, she did need to pretend not to be too annoyed that it was him.

“Oh my God. Uh. Tommy, right? Hi. It's been a while.”

“Wait, you know this guy?” Jo demanded, and Laurel had to mask a slight smile because it almost sounded like Jo was jealous.

“Not exactly.”

“What exactly does ‘not exactly’ mean? And I thought you didn't like being called Dinah?”

“I never said I didn't like it. And it's just what I go by during AA meetings.”

“Oh.”

Laurel could tell Jo felt bad, then, and she was about to say something to her partner, only for Tommy to finally get a word in edgeways. “Who are you?”

“I'm Joanna de la Vega, and this is my associate, Dinah Laurel Lance.”

“We've met,” Laurel said unnecessarily. “And I prefer Laurel. We're your lawyers.”

“I can't afford a lawyer,” Tommy said.

Jo barely skipped a beat. “See, Mr Merlyn -”

“Tommy. Please.”

“Tommy - that would have been a dealbreaker for me, but I have a feeling my partner’s not gonna give up that easily when she’s trying to save the world.”

At this Laurel couldn’t think up a witty remark in time, and Tommy asked, “How did you even find me?”

Laurel straightened a little and nudged Jo with her elbow. “That's an excellent question, Mr Merlyn, one that I'll let my partner answer.”

Jo shook her head and sighed. “Okay, fine - I may or may not have asked the desk sergeant to tip me off if anything interesting turned up.”

“And me being suspected of murder counts as interesting?”

Now Laurel resisted the urge to laugh, because only Jo would do that. “You gave Mckenna’s mother cigars again, didn’t you?”

“It’s a free country, and we need our first client, so unless you have any better ideas, hun -”

“Jo, sweetie, can I have a word with you privately, please?”

“Sure. Give us a second, Tommy.”

Laurel got to her feet and went to the corner of the room with Jo at her heels. “What the hell is this?” Laurel demanded. “I thought the whole reason we left Landman and Zach was because we wanted to do something better.”

“And you know I love you dearly for your idealism, but we can’t live off it. Besides, what happened to ‘innocent until proven guilty’? What happened to the idea that everyone deserves representation?”

“But he’s a criminal.”

“How can you know that for sure?”

Laurel couldn’t say anything now, about how she could hear Tommy’s heartbeat going as fast as a jackhammer and she knew he was hiding something, or that she just had a bad feeling about all of this - not when she knew Jo wouldn’t believe a word she said. And even if she did, Jo was right. They needed a first case. One way or another.

“I don't,” Laurel said finally.

“Exactly. Give the poor guy a chance. At least hear him out.”

Huffing a sigh, Laurel knew already that she was going to give in. “Okay.”

Brightening, Jo put her hands on Laurel’s shoulders. “All right! Now, you’re gonna listen to your best friend, and you’re gonna waltz on over and tell Tommy how honoured you are to represent him.”

“Why can't you do it?”

“You have an in with him.”

“It was one meeting, over a year ago, and it kind of defeats the purpose of the whole anonymity thing -”

“And I don’t want to ask you when I know it’s a sore subject -”

“It’s not,” Laurel cut across her.

“Fine. A sensitive one, then. But you have something in common. So use it.”

Laurel groaned. “Why do you hate me?” But still, she straightened up, made her way over to - God help her - their client and said reluctantly, “Tommy, we would be honoured to represent you. How would you like to be our first client?”

“Maybe you shouldn't have led with that,” Joanna said from beside her as she pulled out her chair and sat down.

“Wait, so you've never done this before?” Tommy said. “I thought you said you were -”

“We are fully qualified for the job, I assure you,” Laurel cut across him. “We’re also smart and quick learners. Why don't you tell us what happened, Tommy?”

“I already told that cop, I didn't do it.”

Laurel was surprised. His heartbeat had slowed, enough to make her doubt herself.

“I believe you,” she said before she could think about it, and she knew Joanna was glaring at her now. “We believe you. Don’t we, Jo?”

A sigh, then, through gritted teeth, “Yeah, we do,” from Joanna.

“And we're gonna help you with this,” Laurel said. “I give you my word. But you'll have to start from the beginning, please.”

“I don't know what happened, okay? I - I was meeting Max after work last night. I'd offered to buy him a drink.”

“You're referring to the murder victim, Max Fuller?”

“God, I still can’t believe he’s -” Tommy halted, and Laurel knew that his eyes had tears in them - just another way that he surprised her.

“You cared for him,” Laurel said slowly.

“He was a nice guy,” Tommy said.

“How did you know him?”

“Work. I’m the finance administrator for Union Allied Construction. Max is - was - in the HR department.”

“And why did you meet him?”

Silence. Tommy shuffled uncomfortably in his seat.

Then Jo said, “We can’t help you unless you’re honest with us. You know that, right?”

“We were just friends going for a beer after work.”

“I take it that means you’ve fallen off the wagon, then?” Laurel blurted before she could stop herself.

She regretted it almost instantly, but by then the damage had been done as Tommy scoffed bitterly.

“Probably more accurate to say I was never on it to begin with. Let's just say the programme didn’t really work out for me.”

Silence fell - the dense, deeply uncomfortable kind that Laurel felt she could have cut in half with a knife.

“So what happened?” Jo cut in, to Laurel's relief. “With Max?”

“I don't remember,” Tommy said, his heartbeat steady. “One minute we were talking and the next - everything was spinning and I blacked out.”

“And it wasn't because of the booze.”

It hadn't been a question, but Tommy answered it anyway. “No. I'm long past the point where two beers can do anything for me.”

“What were you talking about?”

“Why does it even matter?”

“A man is dead, Tommy. Surely that's reason enough for everything to matter?” Laurel was guilt-tripping him now, she knew that, but she also knew that there was no way this was the whole story.

There was a sniffle and then Laurel was the one feeling guilty. “You don't need to tell me that.” Then he paused, before saying, “Okay. We were out for a drink because I haven't been at this place long and honestly it's hard to meet people in the city. Especially when you're always working. It gets lonely. So we talked, not a whole lot, about work, about family. He has - had - a wife. Two kids. He was saying how the little one was keeping him up at night. And then the next thing I knew, I was in my apartment, covered in blood. His blood.” Tommy was crying now - Laurel could hear it in his voice and practically taste the salt of tears in the air as he gulped and said, “I didn’t do this. Please. You’ve gotta believe me. I’m not a murderer. And I don't know why you're both here - especially you, Dinah. I mean - Laurel.”

“It’s okay,” Laurel reassured him. “I’m fine with either name. Listen… Jo, can you go get Tommy some coffee?”

“Sure,” Jo said, getting to her feet and leaving the room. Laurel waited for the door to click shut before she took a deep breath.

“How’d you know I needed coffee?” Tommy said.

“You’re restless. Hands shaking. Feet tapping. I can hear it.”

“You must have good ears, then.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Laurel muttered under her breath. “I also think you need to clear your head a bit. Hell, sober up.”

“I'm not drunk. I already told you."

“But you are an alcoholic.” Laurel hesitated now. “Tommy, have you ever been - really wasted? I mean… to the point that you remembered nothing, absolutely nothing, because you just completely blacked out?”

“More than once,” Tommy said, far more readily than Laurel expected.

“Yeah. So have I. And I remember… waking up and feeling so awful, but also filled with horror because I didn't know what I had done during those missing twelve hours. And then - then I felt relief, because I realised I was in best friend's apartment and she had driven me home with me passed out in her backseat the moment she found me in my favourite dive bar in the city. And I realised that even though I felt like shit, I also had someone who could account for my every action even if I couldn't.” Laurel waited, but perhaps it just hadn't clicked for Tommy yet. “I had an alibi. Right now, you don't."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that you're going to be staying in jail overnight because right now things don't look too good for you, Tommy." Her client's sharp intake of breath was audible even to a normal person's ears, so she quickly added, "And I'm saying that if there is anything you're not telling us, anything at all, now is the time to tell me."

At that moment Joanna walked back in and shut the door behind her with a click, bearing a cardboard cup of coffee. The chair scraped on the floor as Jo sat back down and handed the coffee to him, and Laurel knew - or, rather, she hoped - that this time their first client would be more forthcoming with his new lawyers.

More than that, though, Laurel hoped that she could make good on the promise she had made Tommy Merlyn, one she was now doubting she could keep.

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bluboothalassophile · 6 years

Note

ngl, ive had a shitty v-day. i got strep :)) would ya mind brightening my day with a bit if jayrae?

Hello,

Sorry to hear you’ve had a shitty Valentine’s Day, and I hope you get better. Strep is NO Fun At All. So I hope you enjoy the JayRae for Valentine’s Day! =)

Only Chick Flick Day of the Year

Jason stared at that ass, those hips, the legs, fuck she wasgorgeous. He liked the way she was so damn, deceptively delicate. But her legs,her ass, her hips…

He smiled when she turned to him. Her long, thick black hairtangled loosely, and she had a smile on her lips. Jason watched her closely asshe walked over to him slowly.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

“First time I saw you,” he admitted.

“How’d that work out for you?” she asked him as she leanedover him.

~~~*~*~*~~

Jason had cased the joint for months, he had been patientand waited for his moment to strike. Once he was sure he could get into the damnTower and not be annihilated by Dick’s traps, and all the tech that is.

But that meant watching all the asshole’s teammates. He hadalso studied the footage of Dick’s Red X persona very closely. He was sure thatif he got the suit he could fake being Red X enough to get Slade off that moron’stail. He was only in this fucking mess because of Talia, and B, and everyoneelse; and even if they didn’t like him or want him, well… they were the closestdamn thing he had ever had to family.

Dick’s tastes in women still sucked.

However, if Jason could learn to flirt with Babs as Robinthen he was sure he could flirt with this new fiery chick. He didn’t get whatit was with Dickhead an redheads with green eyes. He really didn’t. Granted theorange fiery chick was smoking hot, tall, curvy, vivacious, but she was so damninnocently naïve. Jason had trailed around after his ‘brother’s’ idiot group offriends and had to admit that thus far he was vastly unimpressed.

Okay, that wasn’t entirely true. The moron had pulledtogether a pretty solid team.

There was a cyborg, which Jason was betting money on beingthe same cyborg from the Invasion which had helped the ‘League’ against theInvasion. Yeah; Jason might live life in the fucking caves these past few yearsbut he still had access to google and he wasn’t a fucking moron.

There was a freaky greenling, which he thought was more annoyingthan an asset. Still, he was a dangerous enemy with an arsenal of animals athis disposal, but the kid was unimaginative.

The sexy redhead was a bit of a problem, she had powers,energy base if he was to hazard a guess, and she was trained in combat. No wayshe’d be an easy opponent, but he could totally take her.

Dickhead was still Dickhead, and Jason had grown up, outgrown his ‘brother’s’ (he sneered at the association) shadow. He was more dangerousthan Dickhead could ever be, or hope to be. Jason knew it, so he did not foreseeDickhead being a problem; as long as he could stay in control.

However, the only problem was the unknown variable in theequation.

She was tiny, had legs, ass and hips; all of which he was eyeingat the moment as he saw the teen leaning over the counter. Holy FUCK! He had tofocus on breathing despite everything that was running through his head. Her shortviolet hair bobbed as she turned on him.

Now, despite her youth she was so damn sexy he reallyfocused on breathing so his body didn’t react. Still he shot her a rogue grin.Her eyes were dark, he could quite figure out their color, her skin was so paleit wasn’t white, but she still had that ethral quality. Her upper lip was plump,and fuller than her bottom lip. She had sharp, proud features, but there was asorrow in her features. It reminded him of a Navajo woman he had met once, but italso reminded him of Holocaust survivor pictures. She was breath takinglygorgeous.

“Can I help you?” her monotone was smoky. It should be, hesupposed, she seemed to be composed of shadows.

“No, just picking up a few books, you?” he asked.

~~~*~*~*~~~

He saw her again that night, and smiled behind his mask ashe went for her first. Removing her was not fun, but he felt it necessary. Shewas the only real distraction for him. He even indulged in unnecessary flirtingwith Starfire to fuck with Dickhead before making his escape.

He really wanted to tease the little shadow, but didn’t ashe escaped.

~~~*~*~*~~~

It felt like forever since he had first run into Raven with shortviolet hair, that pale gray skin, and more apathy than a poker player.

Now he stared at his best friend resting against him, herhair was long, midnight black with natural violet undertones, that mask ofapathy and more genuine empathy for others than anyone else he had ever met.

“I thought you were hot, and Dick had terrible tastes in women,”Jason admitted.

“And now?” she asked.

“Dick still has terrible tastes, and you’re still theclassiest woman I have ever met,” he clarified for her.

“Should I be offended or amused?”

“Neither. It’s just a fact Raven.”

“Is classy a down grade from hot?” she asked.

“An upgrade really,” he said. Raven was so damn far out ofhis league it was kind of painful, he was pretty damn lucky she thought himworthy of her companionship. Else he’d still be Red X and probably watching herfrom afar.

“Kay, is’t Valentines Day, so what are we going to watch?”

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s?” he suggested.

“Really? A chick flick? From you?”

“Audrey Hepburn,” he stated.

“And that clarifies why you’d want to watch it,” she mused.

“Are you kidding! She’s gorgeous, and awesome, only tolerablechick flick ever made.”

“Fine at least it’s not the Notebook,” Raven decided.

“Trust me, you’ll like it.”

“I do trust you, it’s part of the problem.”

“Come on little bird, it’s the only day of the year we canbe saps.”

“True.”

“And we both don’t have dates.”

“Also true.”

“So why the fuck not?”

“Fine. I’ll get the popcorn.”

“You are a Queen,” Jason announced.

“I know,” she dismissed.

“And still hot,” he mused as he watched her get up and walk away.Seriously, woman could turn heads with those hips, that ass, and them legs!However, she’d demolish all the moment she opened her mouth and showed herintellect. Raven was pretty fucking amazing that way.

“I heard that.”

“I might be your best friend, but I’m a GUY Rae!” he shoutedback.

“Fine, you got hot thighs Jason,” she admitted.

“Don’t objectify me,” he mocked.

“Then quit staring at my ass.”

“Stop walking away and I might,” he lied. Things had been easierlike this since that ‘date’ Cass had tossed him out on.

“I’m getting popcorn!” she protested.

“I got the movie,” he announced setting it up.

Less than five minutes later he had her tucked up againsthis side and they were watching the start of the movie.

“Rule, only day of the year we watch chick flicks,” hedecided.

“Deal,” she nodded.

“And here’s a beer for you, one for me, we’re set,” he announced.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“I think I learned my lesson on that, Rae,” he assured her.He could still see her naked! Granted that was years ago, but that was besidethe point.

#bluboothalassophile #fanfic #one shot #jayrae #jason todd #raven #redrae #raex

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that-terrible-writer · 6 years

Text

Destined To Be

| Kylo Ren x OC (Celestia Lux) |

Summary: Celestia Lux is a childhood friend of Ben Solo, who is infamously known as Kylo Ren: the apprentice of Snokes. Celestia is fine having nothing to do with Kylo, but Kylo has other plans to be reunited with his love.

Chapter II

Chapter I III IV

Jakku. Dawn. That prick was nowhere in sight. I stood in the desert, crossing my arms, as I looked what had to be annoyed. Leia made me get up early to dress nicer for Kylo. I wore a white dress with a scarf wrapped around my neck; my hair was up and lightly curled while my makeup was done naturally. I saw a black ship make its way to my location, sending the sand everywhere.

I covered my eyes as soon as it died down, I saw Kylo Ren with Poe and two stormtroopers approach me. I couldn't take my eyes off of Kylo, just his figure along had changed so much throughout the years. "You're so tall..." I make out in a whisper but enough for Kylo to pick up on what I said. Poe caught eye contact with me, trying to move away from the guards, "Celest! Why did you come?" He yelled, only to be silenced by Kylo.

"Silence!" Kylo said in the metallic voice as he was using the force to bring Poe down to his knees.

"Stop it, Kylo!" I yelled, taking a step forward. Kylo stopped, turning to look at me, "You wanted to talk to me; well here I am." I felt my breath getting shaky as I balled my hands. My heart was going at an unnatural speed as my eyes kept scanning that mask. Nothing but my own reflection.

"Wrapped around Organa's finger?" Kylo remarked to me, sending that uneasiness out the window.

"Shut the fuck up and hand over Poe." I spat at him. Poe seemed a little taken back on how I spoke to Kylo. Kylo tilted his head off to the side as he walked over to me, lifting his hand to grab a strand of hair and placing it behind my ear.

"Why the rush?" Kylo saids, looking down at me. I shoved him away, pointing my finger at him.

"You said you wanted to meet in person. Here I am. I did your stupid end of the deal, now hand over Poe." I said slowly at the end of the sentence.

"No."

"No?" I asked confused, I backed myself away from Kylo to look disgusted at him, "What do you mean no? You said you would hand him over."

"I never said that. I just said to meet in person."

"You piece of shit," I said, realizing what he said was true. I stared at Poe, who was looking as lost as I was.

"I'm willing to do a trade."

"What are we, kids again?" I mocked him. I took my hair down, walking pass Kylo, "I'm not in the fucking mood. Poe, let's go." I couldn't move. My body was frozen as I knew it had to be Kylo using that fucking force on me.

"Celestia, let's be mature about this."

"I tried but you make it really hard to be one." I gritted through my teeth as my eyes were still locked on Poe's.

"Come with me and Poe will be free."

"Celest, don't do it." Poe ordered me, "I can find my own way out." My body softens as I was released from Kylo's grasp. I turned to face him, looking concerned.

"You're not lying, are you?" I questioned.

"Celest, stop!" Poe yelled.

"I wouldn't lie to you," Kylo said, walking past me to go back to where Poe was. Poe looked at me, trying to talk me out of this arrangement. I looked at Poe, letting out a sigh. Leia needed him; Han would be fine with just Chewy.

"Tell Han that I'll be fine," I said. The stormtroopers shoved Poe to the ground, uncuffing him. I walked beside Kylo, who waited for me before going back on the ship.

"Celest!" I heard Poe scream as I turned to see him running towards us but the doors closed before he could reach. I felt a hand grab onto my wrist; pulling me down the hall. I looked up to see Kylo looking straight ahead; already knowing where he wanted to go. He pulled me into a room, releasing my wrist as he went to take off his helmet. I only got a quick glance of him; long raven black hair, his elongated face and his thick, full lips.

He nuzzled his way into my neck, holding me tight in his arms. Just having his lips brush my neck in the slightest way sent a chill down my spine. "It's really you." He muffled, spending more chills down. I tried to push him off but I was in an awkward position, where my arms were up against his chest; my hands resting on his neck.

"Kylo," I said, getting annoyed, "Why am I here?"

Nothing. He kept me in his arms what felt like twenty minutes. He then peeled himself away from me, taking a look at me as I took him in. His hair so messy that random strands would be over his face, some freckles that covered his face; he also had such thick, bold eyebrows. "You're so beautiful." He whispered, cupping my face in his hands. I batted them away while taking a step back from him.

My unsteady heartbeat was coming back as I raised an eyebrow at him, "Tell me why you wanted me here." I asked once more. Each time he tried to come closer, I took one step back. He grew annoyed at my tactic and used the force to pull me close to him. I tried to push myself away but once I was in his arms again; it was no use.

He lowered his head, raising my chin a little as I saw his lips coming closer. I turned my head, having his kiss land on my cheek. I felt him chuckle a little as he pulled away, "Is that any way to treat a fiancée?" He said coolly. His voice was deep, even without the mask. It was a completely different voice that I was used to as a child; something I never would match with him.

"You know that ended the moment you joined the First Order," I muttered, still not having my eyes on him.

He brushed the hair away from my ear; bring himself closer to it, "You're going to just throw away a 15-year promise?" I managed to push him away from me, staring at him, my hands balling up.

"I was a kid when I made that promise; a stupid, naive kid." I spat at him. I didn't know it was more possible, the hate that I had for him grew each second I looked at his face but at the same time: it weakened. It wasn't mutual. I felt as if Kylo didn't resent me for not going with him; the moment I chose to go with Han rather than him.

"Celestia, come with me!" Kylo yelled, holding his hand out towards me while our surroundings were up in flames.

I shook my head, to take myself away from those memories. I gazed back up to him, locking eyes with him to see a small smile come across his face, "Remembering the good times?" He hummed, I just let out a huff in annoyance. "I've missed you."

"Only makes one of us," I grumbled, looking away from him.

"Do you really hate me that much?" He questioned.

"You don't even know." I glared at him.

The door opened, appearing one of his stormtroopers. Kylo quickly put on his mask, turning to his solider. "What." Kylo spat towards him.

"I-I'm just here to report to you that we will arrive at the base in the morning." The trooper said, "And that General Hux would wish to speak to you first thing when we arrive."

"What would that idiot want with me?" Kylo asked him.

"Wh-why we gave up the pilot..." The soldier's fear grew while speaking to Kylo.

Kylo grumbled as he grew angrier, "I'll deal with him when the time comes." He threw out the lone soldier, taking off his mask, "I don't want to even think about that moron." He turned back to me, raising an eyebrow, his face giving a questioning look, "What's your relationship with the pilot?"

I was taken back, "That's none of your business."

"It is my business to know who is with my fiancée." Kylo retorted. He took a step closer, crossing his arms.

I pointed my finger at him, "Was. I was your fiancée." I reminded him. My mind went blurred as I went to my knees. I placed my hands on the side of my head, squeezing my eyes shut. "Get...out...Kylo..." I grunted, trying to force him out. I was never able to do it: I was never strong enough.

"You've been on quite an adventure with Solo," Kylo mumbled, pacing around me. He kept searching my memories, invading them, to find out what Poe and I were.

"Kylo..." I struggled, "Stop..." He found it. He found what he was looking for and there was no way I could stop him. It was getting harder to breathe, as my breaths were getting short. I felt my eyes tearing as I moved my hands down to my neck, pulling away from an invisible hand for it went onto choking. "Ben...please..."

That moment, my body went limp as I began to gasp for air. I looked up at Kylo, who just glared at me.

"It slipped out." I panted, still trying to collect my breath. I rubbed my throat as I stood. "Poe and I are just friends. Nothing more." I assured him.

"That's not what it looked like on my end." Kylo hissed at me. "He kissed you."

"It was only one time. It meant nothing." I testified. I paused for a second, "Wait, why do I need to explain myself? It had nothing to do with you."

"It does." He claimed, crossing his arms, "Everything about it." He turned his head away in annoyed, "It may have meant nothing to you but that doesn't mean it meant something to Dameron."

I let out a chuckle, "You're unbelievable." I spat. Kylo looked back at me, unpleased with my behavior. His expression quickly changed though: to a more curious side.

"Have you ever wonder what it would be like if you had chosen me that day?" He questioned.

"Fuck no." I blurted, "There was no way in hell I was going to come with you. You attacked my town, you burned my home, and you killed my family." I reminded him, getting up close to him.

"I did it for you." He countered. "I was protecting you."

"Lucky me." I mockingly said, narrowing my eyes at him. "I never asked for it."

"He was hurting you." Kylo fumed, "That bastard was doing things to you; destroying you inside."

"And I could've run!" I roared, pointing at my chest, "YOU! You promised to come back to me! You promised me that we would join Han! You broke the promise! Instead, you not only just killed my father: you killed everyone in Tahooloo!" I felt the tears roll down my cheeks. I held that anger in for 15 years, never getting closure. My heart was on a marathon, my body visibly shaking, "I never asked you to do any of that! You did it because you're selfish! You were thinking about what you wanted!"

"He was never going to let you leave!" Kylo challenged, "He was making you miserable! Every time you saw me, when you went home: he would hit you." I was taken back at Kylo's statement. My eyes widened as I stepped back, Kylo's face dropped; his eyes had a glimpse of caring in them, "I know what he did to you. You tried to hide the bruises but I knew. I did it to set you free."

Kylo took a step forward, placing his hand up along my temple, "I can take those memories away from you. To stop the hurting." I shut my eyes and soon those memories were fading. The screams getting quieter, the flames getting dull, the chaos ending. I shook my head, slapping his hand away from me.

"I will never forget what you did." I swore, cleaning up my tears, "You may see it as a heroic act but I will always see it as what it really was: murder." He let out a sigh, closing his eyes as he began to shake his head.

"Enough of this, Celestia." He quipped, he gazed at me. He reached out his hand towards me.

"What are you doing?" I questioned him. The moment Kylo touched my forehead: my vision darkened and my body went lifeless.

"Celestia, are you okay?" His voice how was it even possible for his raspy voice to be so soothing? I opened my eyes to see his. A smile went across my face as I felt my heart soar.

"You're back." I softly said. I looked to see I was in his arms, on the ground, "What happened?"

"You were on the ground when I found you," He answered, "You must have fainted." I nodded my head in agreement. "I've missed you, Celestia."

My cheeks burned as I gripped onto his clothes, "Me too." I whispered, pulling his scarf so he would come closer to me; that I could place my lips on his. They were perfect, everything I needed was in this kiss: love, assurance, and happiness. I pulled away, confusing myself on why. "I meant I missed you. Not that I missed me." I tried to explain myself to him, only to have him give me a small laugh.

"I know." He disclosed, leaning in for another kiss.

"Ben..." I moaned, pulling myself away from once again, "You're back for good, right? Or do you still have more training?"

"No." He hummed, moving his hands in order to pick me off from the ground and bring me over to the bed. "I promise to never leave you again." I placed my hands on his cheeks, still in disbelief that he was here in front of me.

"You've gotten so handsome," I told him, my voice in a whisper as I continued to admire his features.

"I'm nothing compared to you." He smiled, coming back down for good: sending me into complete bliss for the rest of the night.

#kylo ren #Ben Solo #Ben Solo x Reader #Kylo x Reader #Kylo Ren x Reader #star wars imagine #star wars #fanfic #kylo imagine #kylo ren imagine #the force awakens #the last jedi #adam driver

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isthatso7 · 6 years

Text

idk another part of my fic

a\n: this is my first attempt at writing if english( pls i need beta i suck

Title: Hyperspace blue

Characters: The Jedi Exile and Atton Rand

Basically, Exile and Atton meet on the Nar Shadaa under different circumstances. She works as a mechanic and he’s a smuggler.

UPD: posted it on AO3

Atton Rand woke up and sat up in his small, but cozy bed. His bedroom was filled with blue and pink glow from vibrant street signs and giant screens with giant faces on them. He needed to get ready; there was an another work waiting for him tonight. After a brisk shower and a scarce midnight breakfast he started to put his clothes on. He grabbed his old blaster with holster from the desk and secured it to his belt. At last, he put on his ribbed jacket and left his rarely visited lair.

You know that feeling when your vessel is entering hyperspace? The sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach, the feeling of acceleration that pushes you back into the seat. For Atton Rand, this feeling was like coming home, something that meant comfort and safety. You are in the alternative reality made of white and blue lines, and outside observers can mistake your freighter for an innocent and beautiful comet. He knew it was weak consolation and ships still could explode while traveling at lightspeed, but he still relished the idea.

“I know a place where we can change vessel’s ID. The owner is an old, partially blind Sullustan, but he’s the best you can find. ” Rand’s partner in crime was a reasonable guy he met while trying to make a living in the refugee sector of Nar Shadaa. Atton never really liked the Serroco gang, mostly because they were easy to jump to conclusions, conclusions that usually lead to violence. This guy called them family. But he was smart and really knew his job so they got along very quickly.

“And also there’s a female mechanic working there, a pretty gal, but she’s not the talking kind, and Force knows I’ve tried.” He sighed and stretched his arms and put his hands behind his head. They’d successfully accomplished today’s mission, and now they needed to hide hijacked vessel. A few more hours and they’d enter Nar Shadaa’s orbit, a few more hours and they’d be changing vessel’s ID signature and bringing it to the client. Another simple job done. He’d fallen into the routine of odd jobs and got used to never knowing where he is going to meet new day again. When they’ve arrived to Tien’s place, it was close to nightfall on the Nar Shadaa. But it’s hard to tell what time of the day it was because there was no sun above you head. There were only dim street lights and animated neon signs.

The workshop was desolate at this hour. There were no customers and Tien was nowhere to be seen. The only working light was above the workbench where was sitting a slumped female silhouette. They both approached her and she didn’t noticed them at first, too consumed in examining some droid part lying in front of her while sipping caffa from chipped mug.

The girl lifted her gaze from her work and the light from the lonely lamp fell on her face. She looked a lot like those Serroco refugees, always with the blaster in the hand, ready to fight for their territory, their little piece of freedom, trying to protect each other at all cost. Her locks were jet black and she had a few short braids in front of her left ear and in the back of her head, adorned with little wooden beads. Her monolid eyes stared at them, her right brow lifted in a silent question. She had an unusual eye color - usually people with black hair had brown eyes, but hers were green. But what did he know about genetics? He was just a smuggler.

“Hey, Kano, is Tien here?” asked Atton’s companion.

“Well, Gar, he’s sleeping, because it’s one AM.” She smiled weakly with a sleep-deprived gentleness in her eyes.

“And why are you up?”

“I can’t sleep”.

“You look like you’re going to pass out any minute, Kano.”

She shrugs, “Still can’t sleep.”

Hm. That’s the mechanic he was talking about, thought Rand.

“I and my friend are in need of some services from the boss of yours.” He ran his hand through his short hair and smiled tentatively. Kano got up and looked out the wide glass window behind her. She grabbed a rag from the table to wipe grease from her hands. The mechanic was wearing dark blue jumpsuit with dirty, worn-out military boots. She noticed their starship on the previously empty landing pad.

“You’ve got a new ship?” She eyed them warily.

“Yeah.”

“I’m going to wake him now.” Kano gulped leftover caffa and left.

***

Atton usually came around two or three times a week.

Sometimes he left the moment he got what he need.

Sometimes he tried to make small talk with the unfazed, steady and irreplaceable mechanic.

Usually, he started with: “Hello, Kano.”

And she would answer after a moment: “Hello, Rand.” And then she would put her face mask on to continue welding starship hull.

Sometimes he tried to ask her personal questions just to spite her. She made an impression of a person who probably was bullied in school, but never cared about it. An estranged girl that rarely let her thoughts to materialize in a form of spoken words.

“Do you live here? It seems like you’re always working.”

“I work every day.”

“Why?”

She shrugged with a plasma torch recklessly swinging in her hand. Too cool to think about safety.

“What do you do after work?”

“I go home, take a shower, eat something, and fall asleep.”

“That’s really sad. Do you want to go out sometimes?”

“No.”

He rarely came around during the day, so most of his interactions with her happened during her night shifts in the poorly lit hangar or cluttered workshop. But he managed to catch the sight of little things about her. She had a stern gaze but a soft face. Her skin was sickly pale with a distinct green tinge. Her eyes were always looking at you with a hint of mistrust and suspicion, always watching out for sudden movements.

There was a look in her eyes that wasn’t obvious and he managed to catch a brief glimpse of it only once. But he understood it immediately. He saw them peeking through the cracks in her guise, eyes that reminded him of a wild animal, born and raised in the confines of a cage, malnourished and abused, only to suddenly become one day free and unrestrained.

“Why? Don’t you feel suffocated by loneliness?”

“There’s no need for your fake sympathy. I chose the job myself. I like it.”

Her smile was acidic. She knew he couldn’t figure out what’s she was thinking about and tried to annoy her out of sheer curiosity. Or maybe he just didn’t care. Maybe he was acting like that with every person he found remotely attractive. Or maybe acting arrogant was just a part of smuggler’s professional work ethic.

“There’s no need to punish yourself, Kano. You deserve to have fun sometimes.”

“And you know how to have fun?”

“Yeah. A couple of drinks, beautiful companions and pazaak. And maybe some other stuff.”

She sighed and continued to repair broken protocol droid. Most of his jokes had zero effect on her. But he made her smile a few times. Atton would’ve never confessed to it, but he was proud of himself for doing that. That’s how he discovered most of her smiles were crooked and bleak. The only time he observed her having a beaming smile on her face was when she talked to an old rusty homicidal T1 utility droid.

***

Kano’s work attire never changed. She seemed to own at least dozen of navy jumpsuit, all in various state of weariness. He sometimes wondered what kind of clothes she wears outside work. He tried to imagine her in a sandy midi skirt and a ink blue jacket. But the jacket always turned to be very similar to the top of her jumpsuit, so he stopped and cursed his imagination. Usually he had no problem with imagining anyone in colorful outfit. Or without one.

“How old are you, K?”

He found out she hated when someone shortened her name. But she didn’t mind different pronunciations. Like, he heard people calling her “Kay-no“, “Kah-no” or even “Kah-nu”, but she never protested or corrected anyone.

“Don’t call me K, please.”

“So?”

“I’m almost thirty. And you, scoundrel?”

“Thirty-four.”

“Woaw.”

“What? I don’t look my age?”

“Really? Yes. What is the secret? You look twenty-two, flyboy.”

“That’s an ancient Sith technique. Only a few in this part of the galaxy know it.”

“Does it involve sacrificing a bunch of Jedi to an ancient Sith lord?”

“No. Just a lot of water and positive vibes.”

“Have you ever seen a Sith lord? A real one?”

“No, of course.”

“And you?”

“I haven’t too.”

“Do they really do that stuff?”

“I don’t know. I heard some stories, but you can never know the truth now that they’re gone.”

***

One day he strolled into the shop and Kano was wearing a white T-shirt. It hang a little bit loose. And that’s how he saw her pink burn scars all over her right hand and her neck. It only happened once. He tried asking how she got these scars, but she never answered. Hadn’t even stopped looking at the droid detail she examined.

“I’m going on a vacation,” She said suddenly when handing him the parts he asked for.

“Nice. Where to?”

“Telos IV.”

“If it was a decade ago, I would’ve been jealous of you. But now? C’mon, there’s nothing to see there. The ocean’s irradiated. Your skin will come off. Or the Citadel station will explode because of that shitty Peragus fuel.”

“They’re trying to rebuild. I’ve heard it’s beautiful in the zones where the atmosphere is restored. Almost like it was before.” She was delving into the old memories, he could tell it by her eyes.

“And who told you that? A shifty travel agent?”

“A friend of mine.”

“A friend? What kind of friend?”

Now he’s surprised. And maybe a little jealous. What, he thought she doesn’t have friends besides him?

“A kind that doesn’t lie about the peaceful landscapes.”

She wasn’t there the next time he visits. The almost blind Tien sat in her chair and a utility droid made a series of hostile beeps following him around the shop until he left.

#atton rand #jedi exile #kotor 2 #my shitty writing #my fic #i'm suffering

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sun-summoning · 7 years

Text

just some sarada and sakura stories

i. future

sarada’s favourite version of dress up involves taking parts of her mother’s gear that she no longer uses, particular armour that’s too big for her and a cat mask of porcelain that has been long put to rest. sarada runs around the house draped in black and with the mask on her face, leaping from one piece of furniture to the other while explaining that the floor is lava.

when sakura enters the room, walking over said lava, sarada turns to her dinosaur and rabbit teammates and tell them that lady blossom is here and that they mustn’t fall for the tricks hidden in her apron.

her mother raises an eyebrow at her. “am i supposed to be the bad guy?”

“yes, mama!”

“what should i do?”

“bad guy things, duh.”

her mother laughs and agrees and soon she has sarada struggling in her embrace.

“no, mama!” sarada yells. “too tight!”

her mother loosens her grip but still holds on to her. “i have you now,” she declares in her evil voice.

“you’ll never get away with this!”

“and time for my secret move,” her mother continues. sarada tenses. “kiss attack!” soon her mother is pressing sloppy kisses to her forehead and cheeks and sarada starts to giggle because she’s ticklish. she yells that she concedes and when her mother’s barrage subsides, sarada pouts at her.

“when i’m bigger, i’m going to be way stronger,” she declares.

“i’m sure you will, sweetheart.”

“i’m going to smash the ground like you can, mama.” she bites her lip. “when i’m bigger, will you show me how to do that?”

her mother makes a fist and grins and sarada makes one too. “you bet i will.”

ii. modern au

when sarada comes home and finds her mother using her laptop, she panics and almost trips on her feet as she grabs the computer away.

“sarada!” her mother yelps in surprise. she frowns, more concerned that annoyed. “what are you doing--”

“why are you using my laptop?!”

her mother blinks. “you mentioned that you wanted to take a trip together during your school holidays, so i was just doing some research,” she explains.

she speaks so slowly, so calmly, that sarada remembers that maybe she needed to relax.

“you kids these days.” her mother just shakes her head. “so attached to your devices.”

sarada pouts. “i’m not--”

her mother just pulls her down to the couch, gently prying away the laptop and settling it over both of their laps. she goes through a few tabs, showing sarada some places she was thinking of bringing her. they discuss their family trip and how fun it would be to go to the beach together and bury papa in the sand, and when they’re done, her mother glances at sarada and asks:

“and what was with that reaction earlier, missy?” her mother closes the laptop and puts it on the table. she turns her body and sarada grimaces, realizing they’re about to have a serious discussion. great. “are you hiding something?”

“no!” but sarada answers too quickly. she curses herself, because what kind of ninja would be so poor at hiding information. her mother raises an eyebrow, and knowing that the world’s strongest kunoichi probably has ways of making her talk, sarada rubs the back of her neck and admits almost indiscernibly, “i, um, write, you know, like, stuff.”

“what was that?”

“i like to write.”

when sarada looks up, her mother is nodding and smiling. “can i read--”

“no!”

her mother isn’t even remotely fazed by all her yelling. “alright then--”

“like, it’s fan fiction.” sarada doesn’t even want to consider how red her face must be right now. “just. stuff. modern aus. fantasy aus. whatever. stop asking questions, mama, jeez!”

iii. inheritance

“mama!” sarada yells from the attic. “ma!” she yells again when she gets no repsonse. “maaaaaaaa!”

“yeah?” sakura shouts from downstairs.

“mama, i found your old forehead protector!” sarada has the decency to stand at the edge of the attic entrance.

“what was that?”

“your forehead protector!”

“what?”

“your forehead protector!”

“oh! okay?”

“can i use it?”

“can you what?”

“can i use it?”

“what--”

“what is wrong with the two of you?!” her father growls when he stomps down the hallway.

he looks up the ladder at sarada, glaring at her, and then turns his furious gaze to the office where he knows her mother is. “stop yelling across the house!” he scolds. her mother comes into view, having come a little closer so they could try having a quieter conversation. her father continues chiding them, but her mother lets out a guilty giggle that sarada can’t help but share.

“we are very sorry anata,” her mother says.

“yeah.” sarada tries not to grin too widely. “sorry papa.”

he just rolls his eyes when they start laughing again and walks away.

her mother soon joins her in the attic. “what were you saying, sweetheart?”

sarada holds up the forehead protector she’d found in a box of her mother’s old things. based on the photos she’s seen, this is the one her mother used when she was in her teens. it’s a little scratched up, but to sarada that just adds to its wonder. her mother took down some of her biggest bads wearing this thing.

can i use this? she wants to ask, but sarada shakes her head. “i’m going to use this,” she declares.

her mother rests a hand on her head. “yeah?”

“yeah,” sarada says. “is that okay?”

“of course it is.”

iv. picture frame

one day sarada finds a box of old photographs and wonders why they’ve never been framed. they’re clearly from her childhood, sometimes featuring her grandparents or naruto or ino, but mostly they’re of her and her mother. when she asks why they’re in a box, her mother looks sad.

“i didn’t want to remind you of the fact that it was just the two of us,” her mother admits.

sarada looks at the first few: her and her mother having a picnic, her and her mother at the beach, her and her mother with their garden. they’re all close-ups, selfies taken by her mother or with a tripod, reminding sarada that it really was just the two of them for quite some time.

“and i didn’t want to hurt your father like that either.”

sarada’s lips thin. her mother has always been painfully kind, and sarada hates hearing about the sacrifices she’s made for for her.

“but,” her mother continues, “i couldn’t stop myself.” she shrugs. “really, these photos were just for me.” she moves to take the box back but sarada shakes her head and brings it to her chest.

“no,” sarada whines. “they’re mine now.” her mother raises an eyebrow and sarada just shrugs. “fine. they’re ours. can i take a few and frame them?”

her mother just smiles. “take whichever ones you want.”

v. “because we have you..."

sarada reads a lot, from ninjutsu scrolls to medical texts to trashy romance novels. she can’t help but enjoy the excessiveness of the latter books, and sometimes she wonders how her parents were able to be away from each other for so long.

“were you ever worried?” sarada asks her mother. it might be rude, but her curiosity is getting the better of her. and she knows their bond. sarada could never ask her father something like this without the mood dampening severely. with her mother, they can turn this into a joke.

“worried that he’d what, cheat on me?”

“yeah.”

her mother actually snorts. “oh, no, not at all.”

“really?” sarada glances at the novel she’d been reading. the husband had stayed faithful during his years away from his wife, but that didn’t stop the drama caused by another character implying infidelity. “how come?”

“how come i believed my husband would be faithful to me, his wife?”

sarada rolls her eyes. “you don’t have to be a smartass.”

her mother laughs. “i’m not trying to be,” she teases. “many reasons. he would never do that to you, for one.”

“that wouldn’t have anything to do with me...”

“it would have everything to do with you,” her mother points out. “he would never do anything to hurt our family. you father loves you so much, sarada.”

“but it’s not about me.”

“well and he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me either.” her mother stops folding the laundry. she glances at sarada’s novel and rolls her eyes at its cheesy cover. “sasuke loves me,” she says. she sounds a little exasperated, as if she’d had to have this conversation too many times, but for her child, she’d power through it once more. “before i was his wife, i was his friend and i was his teammate, and he would never do something to damage our relationship like that.”

“oh.” sarada rubs her neck and wonders why she had to ask about this at all. “o--okay.”

“and besides,” her mother continues, “that’s just not who your father is. something like infidelity -- it’s entirely out of character for him.”

vi. through her eyes

one morning sarada looks at herself and wonders what she might be like had she had green eyes.

it’s a simple thing, but sarada thinks it would make many changes to her life.

for one, she thinks people would have seen her mother in her with a little less struggle. sarada gets it. she’s every bit her father from his colouring to his attitude to his sharingan. but that’s it. nurture was the biggest part of her upbringing and sarada is just like her mother in so many ways undetectable ways.

she probably wouldn’t have been so doubtful during her adolescence, either. deep down, sarada knows her idea was, ultimately, really stupid.

glasses? glasses? she thought she might have had a different mother because of glasses? she doesn’t even want to think about how needlessly convoluted the story would have been, how insulting it would have been to everyone involved, and how utterly absurd it all would be had her stupid, stupid glasses theory been true.

what was she even thinking?

she hurt her mother with those doubts, but her mother is so painfully, foolishly kind and barely spared the apology a moment of thought.

sarada looks at her reflection and thinks she looks like her father, but if she concentrates for a moment, she sees her mother there too.

she’s there in the way sarada smiles, the way she stays confident and leads and comforts others when need be.

she’s there in the way sarada’s hands seek to help those in need. she shatters the ground like her mother, mends wounds like her mother. she doesn’t have the same medical precision, but her mother taught her enough first aid.

and she’s there in the way sarada looks out and is able the best in others. she’s there in sarada’s capacity for hope.

vii. freestyle

when sarada becomes hokage she gains access to a lot more information. she knows she can learn more about her clan’s heritage, but she also feels like that’s something she should address with her father personally. they’ve discussed a few things, but he seems to think he’s protecting her from something so sarada has learned to just leave him alone.

there is one piece of information that catches her off guard though. she goes straight to her parents’ house and with her father out tending to the garden, she sits across from her mother. she drops her hat onto the table and asks her mother:

“why didn’t you become hokage?”

her mother blinks. she’s retired but she’s still one of the finest kunoichi this world has ever seen and she maintains her soft smile. “what do you mean, darling?”

sarada rolls her eyes. “stop that.”

“stop what?”

“pretending.”

“i’m not--”

“i know it was unofficial, but there are still some records,” sarada points out. “tsunade-sama and kakashi asked you to be the next hokage. what...what happened?”

“what happened?” her mother echoes, still grinning. she rolls her eyes as if this is a silly question and then she shrugs. “lots of things really.”

“don’t give me that.”

“it’s true.”

“mama--”

“you happened, sarada.” it sounds like a jab, but her mother reaches across the table to hold her hand. she smiles the way she does when she wants sarada to understand something, but sarada can’t quite comprehend this.

sarada has wanted this role for so long that sometimes she doesn’t remember why she ever did. and to find out it was offered to her mother long ago? and her mother declined it?

“the hokage must devote so much of their time and their life to the village,” her mother explains. she’s said this before to sarada. “i couldn’t do that. i didn’t want to have to be away from you. maybe i’m selfish, choosing you over this village, but i made the right choice and i know it.” she touches sarada’s cheek. “after all, look at what you’ve become.”

sarada wonders what her life would have been like had her mother taken up the mantle when it was offered to her.

would her father have left? would the world still be the same had he not gathered the intel he did in his absence? would she and her mother still have been close? probably not. the seventh loves boruto and boruto loves him too, but their bond is so tense and awkward and love or not, their relationship could never compare to what sarada has with her mother.

sarada considers all the past hokage, so many of them childless, and the ones that did have families ended up fairly estranged. would that have been her and her mother? if her mother had been the seventh, would she have been painting obscenities on the mountain? and god forbid, if her father still had to leave too, what then? would she have been raised by her grandparents? would she--

"i never wanted the role, anyway,” her mother clarifies.

sarada can’t help but snort, because according to the seventh, even her father once made a comment about one day being hokage.

“i wanted to be stronger, i wanted to make the world a better place, and i wanted to make sure your father was happy,” her mother summarizes. “and then when you came along, all i wanted was to make sure you had the best life i could offer you.”

which, sarada understands, she never could have done as hokage.

“oh,” sarada breathes. “o--okay.”

her goals were so simple it’s almost baffling, but her mother has always been a fairly simple woman. sarada nods and wonders why this revelation is so reeling. maybe it’s because given the importance of being hokage to sarada, the fact that her mother could decline it so easily implies just so much.

“you’re my baby,” her mother says.

“mom.”

“you are!”

“ugh--”

“oh stop that.” her mother rolls her eyes. “you think because you’re hokage now, you aren’t my little girl?” she shakes her head. “you’ll always be my baby, sarada.”

“yeah, yeah...”

sarada stays a bit longer, asking about how they’re doing and how boring retirement is and if they’ve developed new old people hobbies. eventually the sun starts to set and her father comes back inside and says he’ll get dinner started. when they ask sarada to join, she declines gently. she slacked off the whole afternoon, after all, just chatting with her mother.

“you did it, by the way,” sarada tells her as she stands. she grabs her hat off the table and her mother stands too, pulling sarada into her arms.

“did what, sweetheart?”

sarada grins. “you gave me the best life you could offer. thank you, mama.”

fin

#fic #sarada uchiha #sakura uchiha

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bb-loves-boys · 7 years

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Soon You’ll Come Home Chapter 9

Summary: Blaine and Kurt are married with two kids and at the point of their lives they would never imagine having another child. But then Blaine meets a young girl in the most unlikely way and after he learns about the abuse she suffered he can’t help but want to give her the family that loves and care’s for her like she needs.

Warning: mentioned child abuse

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It was a severe case of pneumonia the doctor explained after running their tests. She was on IV antibiotics, again, and had to go through respiratory therapy. Her hospital stay was only a little easier this time through because one of them was allowed to stay with her past visiting hours.

Blaine quickly offered to be the one to spend her night with her, and based on the look Kurt gave him he knew Kurt understood the guilt he was feeling.

“She shouldn’t be here too long, but anything can happen” The doctor explained handing them a form to fill out.

“and what exactly does that mean?” Kurt asked, already annoyed at how vague he was being.

“Well it’s hard to say she could go home tomorrow or have to stay all week, just depends on how fast she recovers” he answered without glancing up. “You got her here quickly but there was a lot of mucus in her lungs.”

“Well, we have two other children what if they start showing signs of being sick?” Kurt asked crossing his arms.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they do show signs for a flu of some kind,” The doctor responded reaching over the counter and grabbing a few pamphlets to give to them. “You’ll want to keep her isolated if they do become sick when she’s home. And before she gets home wash everything in her room, bedding, stuffed toys, clothes. You’ll also need to disinfect the bathroom. Now please excuse me I have other patients to attend to.” He walked away ignoring Kurt’s frown.

Once he was out of sight Kurt let out a groan. “I can’t believe Doctor Taylor isn’t reachable for three days.”

“I’m sure he has a family he wants to see too,” Blaine tried to reason finishing up the form and handing it over to the nurse behind the counter.

“Can we get another pediatrician assigned to her?” Kurt asked the nurse behind the counter.

“Doctor Hannigan is one of the best we have here, sir” She answered softly, shrinking under Kurt’s glare.

“His bedside manner is-” Kurt started before Blaine cut him off, taking a different approach.

“What my husband is trying say is we have a special circumstance that asks for someone with a little more of a softer approach to treating her. If you looked in her file you will see she is dealing with past abuse.” Blaine tried to explain, his voice straining at the end.

She nodded, typing something into the computer, humming a little as she worked.

“I see …” she said slowly, biting her lip. “I will see what I can do for you, and try to get in contact with Doctor Taylor to see who he recommends until he returns.”

“Thank you we appreciate that,” Blaine smiled warmly before guiding Kurt away from the desk.

“Just because you’re scared doesn’t mean you can take it out on the rest of the staff, we need them to like us” Blaine chided.

“I’m not scared,” Kurt snapped back quickly, pulling his arm away from Blaine’s gentle hold, “and don’t scold me like a child.”

“I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t act like one,” Blaine responded before he could stop himself.

He couldn’t read the look Kurt was giving him, something between furious, disgusted, and shocked.

Blaine rubbed his hands over his faced, exhausted and stressed.

“It’s going to be okay,” Kurt comforted taking hold of Blaine’s hands, now worried about how upset Blaine was getting. “I’m sorry for getting mad, hospitals stress me out.”

“It’s because you feel out a loss of control, and have to put trust in other people’s hands,” Blaine mumbled, venom gone from his voice and the fight leaving his body.

Kurt let out a breath, probably deciding to ignore the comment, even if Blaine didn’t mean it as a negative thing.

“You go see Riley, I’m going to call home and get Sophie to bring us an overnight bag,” Kurt suggested.

Blaine nodded heading into Riley’s room, his heart sinking at the sight of her in the hospital bed. It’s something he probably should be used to by now, but she still looks small and sick in the bed. Her fever was down and a little bit of color was returned to her face, but the IV’s were taped to her little hand making her look like she never even left the hospital.

“Sophie’s on her way, she’s bringing stuff for us and some extra’s for Riley,” Kurt said as he entered the room taking his place next to Blaine. “And according to her Cooper thinks he might be feeling a little flu-ish now.”

“Cooper is an over dramatic hypochondriac; he is not sick” Blaine laughed shaking his head.

“And you don’t suddenly come down with something once I or the kids have it?” Kurt teased lightly. “Sorry to break the news to you Blaine but you get just as man sick as Cooper does.”

“I’m mellow compared to Cooper, you just don’t think so because you think you’re superior to being sick and refuse to rest or get treatment,” Blaine teased back.

Riley let out a weak cough, she turned and looked miserably at him. Kurt instantly cooed at her feeling bad for how miserable she felt.

“No one likes being sick,” Blaine explains to her, “but the doctors here are going to get you better so you can go to back …” He trailed off not knowing if he should reference their home as her home. Maybe she didn’t feel at home with them.

“Sophie is going to bring you your pillow and blanket to help you feel more comfortable and rest more,” Kurt says jumping in as Blaine trails off. “And this time Blaine and I get to stay the whole time with you. We won’t leave your side unless you want us to go.”

She smiles weakly, her eyes blinking tiredly. She hasn’t been awake long, barely a minute, but Blaine knows that medicine can tend to make her tired so he isn’t surprised. It was probably her cough that woke her up in the first place.

Blaine hums quietly to her, telling her to go back to sleep and reminding her they will be here when she wakes up.

He waits till he knows she is fully asleep before bringing up the issue with Kurt.

“What if she doesn’t want to come home with us? What if she doesn’t like it there?” Blaine asks quietly afraid of the answer.

“I don’t think that’s the problem,” Kurt answers honestly. “She wants to be there, she wants us, but she’s afraid to want something. She doesn’t know what a home is or parents are.”

Blaine looks at Kurt surprised.

“Don’t be too impressed, I’ve been looking for support groups for us and found some online articles and stories,” Kurt confesses.

They settle more into their seats, attempting to get comfortable. Kurt gravitates towards Blaine seeking his warmth and Blaine cannot be more grateful because despite him knowing Kurt likes his space, he needs that reassuring physical comfort of Kurt being there.

“Remember when we were here all the time for Oliver?” Blaine thinks out loud.

Kurt hums in response.

“You think our experience and familiarity would make it easier,” Blaine continues.

“We knew Oliver would be okay, it wasn’t life threatening, just painful and annoying,” Kurt answers, pausing before adding “Not including when he was born too early,” as an afterthought.

“He was so little,” Blaine remembers. “When he was sick again all I thought about was that tiny premature infant who couldn’t remember to breathe on his own.”

“Each of them are so dramatic in their own way,” Kurt laughs lightly.

“How else would we know they were ours,” Blaine chuckles but quickly frowns as Riley let’s out another cough, this one sounding worse than the last. She whines a little at the end letting them know she is still awake.

“I’ll go see if they can give her something to help with her cough,” Kurt say looking determined to get whatever she needs.

“Just please don’t” Blaine begins but the warning look Kurt sends him forces his words to cut off.

Riley coughs again and gives him a pleading look.

“Oh, angel,” Blaine coos in an attempt to soothe her. He carefully climbs into the bed with her, allowing her to cuddle close to him and make herself more comfortable. Her fever has gone down from its extremely high temperature, but she does still feel clammy. He starts to hum to her softly and gently rock her. Between Oliver being a colicky baby and being sick all the time, and Sophie having digestion issues since she was born, he and Kurt are both used to sick, whiny, children. It doesn’t make it any easier to them sick and in pain, though.

A minute later Kurt walks in with Sophie and a nurse, who rushes to Riley’s side.

The nurse is a younger woman, with long auburn hair. The age she looks makes Blaine feel old. She looks like she is two days out of high school. He knows she isn’t, but she looks it.

“We’re going to get her ready for some breathing treatments, a mask is going to have to put over her nose and mouth,” she informs without any kind of an introduction.

Riley begins to whine and squirm in Blaine’s arms at her presence. Blaine can feel her heart begin to race. She eventually gets so out of control that Blaine has to move to her side, trying to block the view of the nurse, who seems clueless about how to handle to situation.

“You need to leave,” Kurt instructs doing his best to keep his own emotion and frustration out of his voice.

As Riley’s crying becomes more uncontrollable so does her cough and before Blaine can react Kurt is shoving a bin in front of her as she starts to vomit.

Blaine begins to rub circles on her back as Kurt holds her hair away from her face. Blaine knows he should be doing more to get her to relax and calm down, but it sounds so painful. He and Kurt are both used to vomit after Sophie who always had an extremely weak stomach and threw up even if she was excited or at the sight of something she found gross.

It doesn’t take her long to stop and fall back into her pillows, with Blaine’s guidance. She hadn’t eaten all day so it isn’t a lot, but it still takes any energy she had left.

Kurt immediately takes away the bin handing it over to the nurse, giving her an icy look.

“I’m sorry you had to see that Soph” Kurt apologized

“I’m studying to be a nurse so it’s nothing I won’t have to be used to,” she waved off before continuing. “Anyway, I brought the stuff you asked for.”

“Thank you, Sophie,” Kurt said pulling her in for hug and kissing the top of her head, causing Sophie to roll her eyes but smiles fondly and hugs him back.

“It’s okay,” Blaine comforts as he wipes her face with a tissue to try to clean her off.

Riley whimpers slightly as Blaine finishes and tries to get her to rise her mouth out, tears forming in her eyes.

“You’re alright,” he soothes again this time dabbing away a loose tear with another tissue.

A young male knocked hesitantly on the door, alerting them of his presence. “Mr. Hummel, Mr. Anderson, I am so sorry for the care you have been given. My fellow intern just informed me what happened and I-“

“Hummel-Anderson,” Kurt corrected cutting off his nervous rambling.

“Oh – I – um” he began to stutter his cheeks reddening.

“It happens all the time,” Blaine quickly reassured giving Kurt a warning look, they both are aware how many interns Kurt has scared off within their time spent in the hospital. “Maybe you can get us someone to help Riley?” He asked politely.

“Oh yes, that’s why I came in,” he answered jumping into action. “I’m Declan, I worked with Riley once before when she first got here.”

He’s young like the woman in the room before him, with much more a baby face than she had. He had his white sleeves push up past his elbow, making Blain assume he had a long sleeve thermal shirt under his baby blue scrubs to keep him warm. His blond hair was styled in a way that reminded him of Jesse Spencer with longer hair.

He worked quickly around Blaine, checking her over before even preparing the mask for the breathing treatment.

“It’s a real honor to be in the room with both of you.” He said quietly, too embarrassed to look at him or Kurt. “Your stories helped me-“

“That will be enough Intern,” an older nurse interrupted taking the file he was filling out from his hands. “You should not be bothering them with your idolization no matter how flattering and justified it is,” she continued to scold before turning her attention to Kurt and Blaine. “I apologize for the behavior of my staff.”

“No, need. It really is flattering to here and he seemed to calm Riley down enough for him give her the treatment she needs,” Kurt answered attempting to give the young intern a reassuring smile.

Riley had whined at little at the mask, but allowed him to place it over her mouth and nose. Even with how tired her eyes look Blaine noticed she looked at him with the same fascination she looked at Oliver with. He allowed himself to look for similarities between them, finding the only two things in common were their baby faces and a couple of light freckles that dusted their face. Blaine can only assume there was a boy with similar features that took care of her and helped her, he forced him not to think further of what happened to him for helping her.

“Is it possible to request,” Blaine started motioning towards him, silently asking him for his name again.

“Declan,” he answered once he caught on.

“Declan, thank you” he continued “to partially oversee Riley while she is here?”

The older nurse sighed, before turning a serious eye to Declan. “I don’t mind as long as you remember to mind yourself while you are working. It is one thing to get star-struck on your own time, but it will not be done during work hours.”

“Yes of course, I’m sorry for being so unprofessional, it won’t happen again,” he rushed out trying to keep the enthusiasm out of his voice. “And thank you Mr. and uh Mr. Hummel-Anderson for this opportunity.”

“Kurt and Blaine will be fine,” Blaine reassured looking at Kurt for additional acceptance of the informality, who nodded in approval. “And this is our daughter Sophie, she just started school to be a nurse on the opposite coast to get away from us,” Blaine introduced.

“Dad” she hissed embarrassed before turning to Declan and sticking her hand out “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Now that every knows each other, it is past visiting hours so only one of you are allowed to stay in this room,” the older nurse instructs.

“Blaine you go with Sophie, I’ll stay tonight” Kurt insists handing Blaine his coat.

“Kurt I-” he begins to argue before he is cut off.

“Make sure your brother doesn’t sleep in our bed and I expect breakfast from the bistro down the street from us when you come tomorrow,” Kurt continues to instruct leaving Blaine no room to argue.

So, he smiles, thanks both the head nurse and Declan as he puts on his coat, scarf and gloves, gives Riley a bright smile, and kisses Kurt goodnight, never goodbye, before he leaves with Sophie.

Chapter 10

#Klaine #klaine fanfiction #Klaine fic #daddy!klaine #future!klaine #klaine au #married!Klaine

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jmd303 · 7 years

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Ive decided to write this blog. Not because I want to be heard but because all i want is a release. A healthy release. To be happy. To feel something again and all my heart wants is to never feel alone.

Ill tell my story first. Over 3 months ago my life was perfect. Or in my opinion it was to me. I was powering through my second year of my building design course and had been dating a kind, gentle guy for the last 18 months. He was like no other guy I had dated before and he made me a better woman. More considerate and I stressed less with him. We loved eachother or atleast I thought we did. We never pushed anything on eachother and barely had fights and when we did disagree, the fights never lasted long because we both knew that loving eachother was more of a mission than fighting with eachother.

It was long distance relationship about 1 and a half hours from the CBD of town or 2 hours if from my house. And although it was tough, we made it work. We would drive to one another. Him more so than I because I was contracted to work alot of weekends although, i was determined to make time for him because he was so important to me. His flaws were that of mild selfishness and being a little bit of a know it all. And although those traits are annoying they were always masked beautifully with his charm and large vocabulary that would be able to manipulate any insult or fight in his favor or to be seen as the more mature person in the relationship. He was far from mature and although he was charming…. I always saw through it. That was both a skill and curse of mine. Sometimes I wish I just believed it all and didnt see any of his flaws but we are after all only human. Despite these mild flaws I still loved him no matter what. My heart raced when he looked at me and when he put his arms around me I felt safe and warm.

For a little while I noticed he was having a hard time at work and at home with his family. Mostly because they had made him feel bad for leaving to see me all the time and his sister had not developed a proper healthy social life that she became dependant on him which is understandable as thats what siblings are for. His job also was very demanding and long as he was a draftee for a large design production company. Pushing out floor plans was a mission to managers whereas my ex partner valued quality in work and wanted to ensure a better deal for his clients and for the designs to be structurally sound and worth the money spent. He was a hard worker and that was another trait I loved about him and boasted about with anyone when he was not in my presence. I could see he struggled to keep everyone happy and it put a weight on him but he powered on and all we spoke about was looking forward to everything being simple and being able to come home and kiss eachother and be there for one another. Although we never pushed any ideas of family and living arrangements we gradually fell into the arrangements of house inspections. It was so natural and not pushed and I was feeling more and more content with life.

Approximately 3 weeks before my schooling was coming to an end for the year my ex rang me after work. I was surprised he rang and thought it was gonna be another lovely phone call full of “i miss you” and “cant wait for the school holidays. Finally get more time and family events together”. He told me he was down. Struggling and didnt know what he wanted to do. I was very thrown and said ask over and over what he wanted and how I could help make his situation better. I started shaking when I realised he was leading up to a break up.. I asked him outright if he was breaking up with me…and to my surprise, he was.. He was very apologetic and felt the need to explain that he thought I was the perfect girl just a bad time scenario.. the moment I heard that I felt like such a sad cliche… Like in really bad movies with b grade actors that cried ugly. My heart was absolutely broken and he could not tell me or did not know why he needed to break up.. he just knew he needed time or change and was unsure if the issue was me, him or his current situation with everything else in life. I knew in my heart he just decided I wasnt worth it. I was the girl that just filled his emptyness that had been around since he graduated high school. Struggling to find a girl and then building his ego up when he got what he wanted… or atleast thats how I feel and felt as i heard his empty and unsure excuses.

Although I was angry. I was so soo angry at him part of me still felt so very much in love with him. And still do.. he was and still is not a bad guy deep down… Thats the hardest part of watching someone you love move on. Being inlove with them but, not being with them. You lurk his facebook and hope to get a text message begging to take you back and it never happens. It got to a point where I decided that I had to move on because my heart could not take anymore. 1 month passes and although I had high hopes he still did not want me back but, i maintained busy and looked forward to the future and that was when it happened…

To my shock I learned I fell pregnant to my ex boyfriend. It was not a recent pregnancy. It had already matured to 10 weeks in my belly by this point. The day I used the at home pregnancy test my heart dropped again for the second time. I had cried and screamed, yelling out for my mum and sister in hopes that I was dreaming and that my nightmare hadnt become true. The lonely pregnant spinster that was unloved and depressed. I cried alot and then got mad and I remember clearly thinking “that asshole led me on in our relationship, got me pregnant and left me to pick up the pieces”.

I laid in my bed, tossing and turning deciding what my next step would be. I read up on articles and went to my closest family members for advice and spoke to a counselor within the 24hrs of knowing. All were supportive on either end of the spectrum. Little did alot of people know I had a chemical abortion not long after high school with another ex boyfriend of mine with no other reason other than I was too young and had so much to live for, i gave up my first possible child. And had also gone through a miscarriage but had not known until after I had lost the baby. These life experiences played with my mind alot and I did the math and learned that I would be 6 months off 24 when this baby arrives. So many reasons for and against having this child came to play. Most of the ‘against’ reasons were that of me looking out for my ex boyfriends feelings and future. Funny how he treated me and I still felt like protecting him more than myself and more than my oncoming child. The fact that I still loved him clouded my decision that would be best for my conscious, heart and possibly future. How wrong is that!?

I decided enough was enough. I went to the 10 week ultrasound and there it was. A perfect little baby with a head, two hands and two legs. The baby was actively moving around, sucking its thumb and the moment I saw it I knew to my core I couldn’t give he or she up. I loved it and I didnt even think it was possible as I saw those types of woman as crazy nutjobs just wanting to have babies. I never understood why women could not give up something they had not yet physically seen or kissed goodnight or even built a relationship with…. until now. I knew with some health concerns that I would struggle to carry a child had I continued to delay it as I approached 30 years of age or longer (although it was never a serious concern of mine). The chemical abortion also did a little number on my uterus and if i did another one now at 10 weeks it would be a more messy abortion and would result in scarring of my uterus tissue which is what the doctor warned me about… I then started to consider other life aspects as I was nearing the end of my design course with 6 months left. My car was large enough and other materialistic objects were not a worry with things like baby showers and government funding. Support was immense from family, friends and even work colleagues. Now the real question. Was I ready? Was i ready to tackle such a massive change in my life? Was I ready to tackle on my career and a child. Knowing full well that it was going to be absolutely hard in life. I wasnt sugar coating anything my head knew it was going to be the biggest game changer in my life. Being a single mum and trying to put my foot in the door in the workplace.

My dad reminded me of something and did not tell me in anyway what he wanted me to do nor did he help me make my mind up. All he did was sit with me and explain that all the women in our family, the mothers and mothers before them were all very strong women. Even the daughters were ones that would never show weakness and were the most hard working and made the most of any situation. Life has always thrown its darts my families way and we always seem to make it through because we are strong people and a strong family unit.

So despite my age, my marital status, life experience and readiness. I made the decision to keep the baby. Not based on those factors specifically but, based on my heart. It had gone through so much thus far that I could not for the life of me get rid of another child and feel later the guilt that is destroying life and apart of myself. The health of my uterus and the risk that I may not have many or no childen later on in life hit me hard. My decision was made up from many factors but ones things for sure, I did it with no one elses heart or future in mind other than my childs and mine. My ex had become a distant thought in my mind it was tough but, it had to be done.

After a couple of days I contacted my ex partner and told him the news. He took it well but, the moment I told him I was keeping it he went into a small panic and kept asking me “why”?!. Why?!.. I was so overwhelmed that I knew my reasons wouldn’t be understood by a man and especially not at that stage as I only just told him what I had planned on doing. Time was the key but, time was something he didnt want to wait for with knowing my reasoning.. Although it clicked in my head, I honestly did not need to explain myself to him. I mean why would I?, it was a decision I made when I was left on my own… looking back, when he was overwhelmed and felt bad for leaving me he too could not tell me his honest to heart reasons except for that he didnt know why and need to figure himself out. I just expected him to respect my decision as I did his when he chose to leave me. I was no crazy ex girlfriend. I was a respectful ex girlfriend and only wanted whats best for him. I figured he would have the decency to do the same. He could not.. It upset him and angered him, naturally. I honestly expected nothing less as it was a huge deal but, he behaved like someone i had never met before. He was no longer the guy I loved. He changed for the worse and became a real jerk. His selfishness amplified and I was made out to be selfish for the making this decision that I felt was important to my heart and body. Apparently that was a selfish thing to do in his eyes.. Its as if he didnt want me to have my health and happiness, he wanted me to do what was best for him despite the fact that I said he didnt need to be physically involved in the childs life. I was in no way tieing him down because I wanted him to be with the baby knowing he loved it and be with me because he knew he loved me. But that was all a dream and a hope at this stage. For now all I wanted was to take care of my child and myself. To be happy and healthy!

His indicated he wants nothing to do with our litte one and wants to travel the world and do things that make him happy. He claims being selfish is not a bad thing but to what extent is that not a bad thing?. With little to no communication efforts from him or his family and I feel as though he will forever regret this decision in life because I plan on raising the best damn kid in the world. I will be there for every Birthday, Christmas , Easter and family holiday. Im gonna show mini me the world and empower this little person so that he or she does not get treated poorly, is respectful and keeps its head held high. ❤

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