#meanwhile he's just this blip in either of their lives momentarily there and then gone soon

[thingswhatareawesome]

¨

#(not that anyone from that star rail post about dan heng and jing yuan will read but i wanna ponder it anyway) #but that tangled mess that would be jing yuan and his feelings about dan feng vs dan heng and his struggles to free himself the past #and find his own life #i just imagine the mc caelus being in love with dan heng or well on his way to being that #and falling for jing yuan too #and seeing/hearing jing yuan and dan heng in moments like this #and it just hitting caelus how they've had hundreds and hundreds of years #meanwhile he's just this blip in either of their lives momentarily there and then gone soon #(lord knows probably gone early bc he's got a stellaron in him what's that going to mean for his lifespan in the end? #he'll more likely than not either go out in a blaze of glory or have to be sealed away for the good of the universe #to not spread the fragmentum corruption) #and how could he in the face of something that's been between these two hundreds of years and could go on for hundreds more #mean anything but an eyeblink to either of them #and perhaps that's why he goes so silent and doesn't say anything when dan heng tries to talk to him in the story quest #caelus is just overwhelmed by all he's feeling and all he's seen and experienced and all he knows now about dan heng/dan feng and jing yuan #and this long long history between those two and how much pain they've both suffered #and all that caelus is feeling is like a great wave of emotion looming over like the waves dan heng #so caelus doesn't say anything bc if he does he'll loose hold of that wave of feelings and it'll crash down all around him/them #so he just keeps them in and keeps silent and mentally steps back and away from the other two #what they're goign through doesn't involve him it's not meant for him *they* aren't meant for him #they're meant for each other #he mentally steps back so he doesn't get int the way of whatever jing yuan and dan heng need to do #to untangle the hurts between them and find a new path forward and a new friendship--and maybe more #caelus won't get in the way of that or complicate it he'll be gone on the express soon anyway #and maybe dan heng will come back too but in the end dan heng has such a long future and caelus has just moments in comparison #dan heng and jing yuan have and to him should have all the hundreds of years to work out their future #and caelus will be just this speck of a memory hundreds of years down the road that maybe if he's lucky will have a statue #the other two could visit and reminisce by #(and wouldn't it be nice if in figuring out themselves dan heng and jing yuan realize that they do want caelus in their lives too #no matter how short a time that might be)

[violetmuses]

Silhoutte || Chapter 10

2023

Helmut Zemo

You crossed my mind a thousand times.

The cause was fine. I drawed the line.

I'm back, relapsed, I'm fienin.'

Yes, what's that?

In fact, I'm dreaming…

“Shea Butter Baby” by Ari Lennox ft. J. Cole

It seemed to me that affluence still reached every corner of the Hightown residence that we all had just entered. Dimness shadowed overhead lightning as cultured artwork and personal photos equally lined these walls. Off-white salt lamps brightly shone on each side table that flagged either end of the rounded living room sofa.

“She’s not here yet, but make yourselves at home.” Sharon Carter acknowledged whoever obtained this space. As if planned, Carter then took one bottle from the nearby minibar and poured a glass, standing elsewhere to make room for us all.

“Who leased this place?” James questioned, still glancing around with slight awe. Even Sam shook his head, running his hand over this rack of polished outfits that perched one rear wall. From my view, Sharon oddly smirked behind her glass.

“Whoever lives here must be quite fortunate.” I nodded, still peering around to view this space. My question had gone unanswered of course, leading us to face the mission once more.

“What’s going on, Sharon, you don’t ever wanna come back home?” After going momentarily shirtless, Sam chose this umber sweater from the nearby wardrobe rack and questioned Sharon before long.

“They’ll lock me up if I step foot back in the States and Madripoor doesn’t allow extradition.” Sharon explained herself.

“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t call, but after The Blip and the chaos, I just….” Sam tried to apologize to Sharon, seemingly kind.

“Look, you know the whole hero thing is a joke, right? I mean, the way you gave up that shield, deep down, you must know that it’s all hypocrisy.” Sharon replied, slyly sounding bitter despite Sam’s genuine words.

“He knows, but not so deep down.” I cleared my throat to speak again with Sharon, cradling this my own glass of whiskey.

“By the way, how is the new Cap?” Sharon asked something new, but James and Sam were not amused this time.

“Please, J. You bought into all that stars and stripes bullshit. Before you were Zemo’s pet psychopath, you were Mr. America! Cap’s best friend.” Sharon gestured between myself and James before sitting down in one different piece of furniture.

“Don’t get me started. John’s an asshole.” James had mumbled. Sam did not even respond back to his partner in return.

“Wow. She’s kind of awful now.” James mumbled and shook his head, noting that Sharon must have shifted her personality after quite some time.

“Karli Morgenthau and at least seven others have already taken The Serum by now.” Sam made an attempt to update Sharon on our current situation around the Flag Smashers.

“You guys really should steer clear of all this for your own safety.” Despite her earlier attitude, Sharon whispered to caution us.

“We know that it’s a risk, but we’re not gonna leave until we find the person who cracked the code.” Sam defended our plan here for the millionth time against Sharon.

“We got a name, Wilfred Nagel.” James offered Nagel’s identity.

“Nagel works for the Power Broker.” Sharon stood up from the sofa and took another sip of her own alcoholic beverage.In turn, Sam and Agent Carter volleyed to and fro during their ongoing conversation.

Meanwhile, James and I were personally silent with our own thoughts here in the room until Sharon’s cell phone pinged. My mind jumbled with questions once more until those nearby elevator doors had opened seconds later.

I nearly froze when another pair of footsteps moved beyond the threshold. As if James and Sam recognized my surprise, both men held back gasps. Still, their eyes told different stories, appearing just as shocked when this person entered.

Nicole was here.

Clear sunglasses topped her dark curls. In an effort to combat musky night heat that still hissed around Madripoor, she wore this sleeveless dress, but the fabric looked casual, proving that she had not visited some extremely formal occasion.

Only moments later, Nicole then acknowledged our surprised expressions. I would have spoken up earlier if it were not for Sam clearing his throat and questioning Nicole on our behalf. James stood alongside me here, still looking puzzled as well.

Only Sharon appeared composed, setting down her empty glass and winked towards us now before greeting my ex by offering one shared fist bump.

“I have so many questions, but first of all, damn.” Sam lowered his voice. James narrowed both eyes, reasonably bothered.

“Let me explain what happened with more details and your questions may be answered.” Nicole said, tucking those sunglasses into the collared front of her Polo dress.

“All right.” Sam folded both arms.

“I have Sharon to thank for this. After you left my place with J and Helmut, Sharon called. This place was already vacant and Sharon helped me move from the old apartment.” Nicole revealed.

“After The Blip, did you even take a different job before leaving to come here?” Sam offered another reasonable question. His brows furrowed with concern before Nicole responded.

“Don’t worry, Sam. I’ve already sent in my two-week notice at the gym back home. I worked as a receptionist.” Nicole smiled.

“Makes sense. I’m surprised you didn’t become one of the instructors, though. James told me once that you always joined Zumba classes during company retreats for Trove Tourism.” This reprieve went on as Sam continued speaking with Nicole.

“Hell yeah. I’ve got old videos from Steve on my phone. Hold on.” Chuckling, James allowed himself to smile, joining their conversation soon after.

For the next few minutes, I stood alone, watching James and Sam smile or still chat with her.

Here, across the room, I was again silent, but my eyes peered as Sharon took out her phone once more, possibly texting someone else.

At last, I cleared my throat.

Nicole turned her head and everyone else in the living room noticed me, mostly walking elsewhere in the residence to leave us alone.

“We should talk.” I said, setting down my glass and sitting in that nearby chair once more. Nicole took her place on the sofa, dividing us in lights of Sam, James, Sharon around.

“About what? You’re only here because of Sharon and I couldn’t just shut all of you out.” Nicole whispered, clearly still not favoring my presence.

“That’s kind of you.” I offered this tight-lipped smile, grateful.

“What do you want?” she sighed in return.

You. My baby. My thoughts wished, recalling her American nickname for me.

“I do not know.” I lied in an attempt to remain composed with others nearby of course.

“Then I can’t help you.” Nicole stood from the sofa, bidding farewell to James, Sam and Sharon before closing one of these seemingly hidden doors.

“You guys should change. I’m hosting clients in an hour.” Sharon changed the subject to avoid acknowledging what occurred between me and Nicole. “Lay low and enjoy the party. Just stay out of trouble. I’ll see what I can find on Nagel.”

_____

Later that evening, Nicole had stood among the crowd of dapper guests who visited. She drank champagne, using her cell phone in different ways between careful sips.

“Would you like some real company or is that small device sufficient?” I asked, gesturing towards one of the few empty seats left in this particular room.

“Go ahead.” Nicole lowered her voice, speaking closer to be heard over booming music here. Tucking that phone away, my ex rolled her eyes, but gave her own tight-lipped smile for once.

“Thank you.” I sat down, but made a point to still keep distance between us.

Her wardrobe changed once more and fit this event. Between flits of lighting that pooled overhead, the outfit shaped every curve in black and woven gold. In turn, her beautifully dark complexion shined as she donned bright earrings to match.

In the past, especially whilst visiting this section of Hightown, we would have already begun dancing, closing space between us both until she dared to wrap both arms around my neck and kiss me directly below gorgeously flickering lights.

And yet, we became complete strangers. Here, we had been sitting right across from one another, but still delicately avoided our elephant in the room. My heart dropped through our own silence despite noise that continued clamoring around us.

Instead, I quietly yearned to scoot closer and drop my head onto her clothed shoulder, lulling myself to sleep despite our surroundings. The curls of her dark hair were still partial ringlets, styled to perfection as she took another sip of champagne.

“Come here.” she said.

It was as if she heard my own thoughts. Moments later, my body moved almost involuntarily now, scooting towards her until our knees touched. Nicole had finished the champagne, letting that flute sit alone near my empty glass of whisky.

“Yes?” I questioned, making eye contact with the beautiful woman in this space.

“Why?” she asked, allowing her voice to soften as she moved to hear me over those continuously thundering rhythms.

“Why did I dismantle The Avengers?” I mentioned the crimes of 2016.

“No. I know you dismantled them now. Why did you leave back then without telling me anything?” Nicole squinted.

“I did not wish for you to become involved.” I admitted.

“Going ahead and telling me the truth about your plans would’ve saved me a lot of hurt, all right?” she shook her head.

“If I said anything, you may have attempted to stop me. They deserved to face consequences for their actions.” I stood my ground, just as I had when the objective was formed.

“The Accords were drafted for a reason, Helmut. I’m pretty sure that blocking their access to Sokovia and other countries would have eased your problem.” Nicole affirmed, making her own point known here.

“The restrictions were not enough, Schatzi. I…” I struggled now, attempting to calm my own frustration and avoid yelling in public. Perhaps the alcohol influenced my mood at last.

“Whatever. Just complete the mission. I don’t wanna talk about this anymore.” she turned away from me, ending this talk.

For the rest of the evening, we were strangers once more.

#zemo tfatws #zemo x oc #mcu #black oc