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sortofanobsession · 1 year

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Will o’ the Wisp - Ch. 10 (Umbrella Academy WIP) Diego x Reader slow burn

Author’s note: I've had this one mostly done for a few days but haven't been on my personal comp since then. Here you go. Events of Episode 1x09 Changes. Translations are at the end.

So as it goes, Y/N = your name. Y/N/N = your nickname. Reader pronouns She/Her.

Tag Requests are Open just message me.

Primary Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Female!Reader (Slow Burn Season 1)

Series/TUA Masterlist

Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9

Word count: 3k+

Content Warning: bleeding out, bleeding, injury, blood transfusions, needles, Trypanophobia (fear of needles), medical procedures, Anger, Sibling Rivalry, Stitches, mentions of death, mentions of murder, cussing/swearing/cursing, Panic Attacks, Exhaustion, threats, imprisonment, fear, neglect, abuse.

Chapter 10: More Dangerous than Me?

Allison is bleeding out, and no one knows what to do.

“Y/N! Do something!” Her hands start to shake.

“It’s too deep, she might drown if I just close the outside, or her throat might swell closed. I can’t…I told you I can only do surface wounds.” She backs up until she hits something solid. She jumps when she feels hands on her arms. She looks back to see she’d backed right into Diego.

“I’ll only make it worse. I could kill her,” she says, her voice small and almost too quiet.

“It’s okay. We’ll figure it out,” he tells her. He rubs her arms to try and offer her what little comfort he can.

They rush to get Allison back to the academy.

“Come on! Let's go!” Five shouts when they get there.

“I don't think she's breathing,” Luther tells them.

“If we don't get her upstairs," Klaus says as he goes to help Luther carry her. "She's gonna die.”

“She's suffered a severe laceration to her larynx,” Grace informs them once inside and in the med room. “One of you will need to give blood.”

Luther, Klaus, Five, and Diego volunteer. Luther insists on doing it.

“I'm afraid that's not possible, dear boy,” Pogo sadly says, “Your blood is more compatible with mine.” Grace and Pogo continue to gather what they need.

“Hey, don't sweat it,” Klaus tells Luther. “I got this, big guy. I love needles.”

“Master Klaus,” Pogo starts. “Your blood is, how shall I say this? Too polluted.”

“Move,” Diego steps in.

“Yeah, go on,” Klaus says.

“I'll do it,” Diego rolls up his sleeves but faints at the sight of the needle.

"Oh, for the love of-" Y/N takes off her jacket and throws it at Klaus before holding her arm out for Grace to prepare her arm for the needle. "I'm going to put most powers of my into the Wisp so that there hopefully won't be a temp difference. Though a tiny bit might actually help, I'm no expert."

"It should be fine," Pogo assures as he and Grace get back to work.

"I should be doing it," Diego crouches beside her once he came to. Someone had brought her a chair. The room was quiet now that Pogo and Grace had managed to do what they could to save Allison. Luther refuses to leave Allison. Grace stays in case she is needed. Diego continues, "You're too exhausted, and you're-"

"You passed out just looking at the needle, and are you forgetting you have a bullet wound too," she tells him. Something in her stressed and sleep-deprived mind has her fingers twitching to brush her fingers along the scars on his face because of how close he is and how sincere he is being. But she fights that urge.

“I lost less blood because of your hot hands,” he says, earning him a small chuckle. He takes that as a win. She's been on edge and too serious all day.

“I’m okay, tough guy,” she assures him. "At worst, I get a bit woozy. Either way, Allison gets what she needs. That's what matters. And you avoid the needle." She pinches his arm and grins. He glares, but there is no heat in it. "You don't have to stay if it makes you uncomfortable." She gestures to the needle and tubes.

"I'm fine," Diego tells her.

"I'm probably just going to close my eyes and switch to the Wisp."

"All the more reason to stay," he states.

"You're going to hover until this apocalypse thing is sorted out, especially after what happened at the rave and this." She gestures to Allison.

He doesn't answer but still hasn't moved from where he's crouched beside her.

"Right," she chuckles, and she pats his cheek. "Sad it took the end of the world for you to turn so sweet, cariño."

He’s taken aback by the term of endearment, but he doesn’t hate it. He does technically call her one constantly. Mi Luz. It was a common term of endearment. He shouldn’t be so surprised. Then again, it might be the exhaustion and the blood loss talking. Even if it is a controlled loss. "We'll stop it," he assures her as he removes her hand from his face but keeps it in his own. It felt unnaturally cold for her since she had willed so much of herself into the Wisp, for Allison's sake. He stood up but kept her hand, warming it some between his own. "Maybe you should get some sleep," he suggests. She shook her head. "Why not?" he adds.

"Because this is not a time to risk losing my control. It's a balancing game when it comes to my powers. How much focus and power I have and where it is can change everything. If I touch something, it will burst into flames if I touch it too hot. Will my watch band melt or my shoes? Just because I wasn't thinking. Allison is in too fragile a state to risk anything."

“Then I guess we wait,” Diego states. And they all do. Only leaving when Grace tells them it’s enough and removes the needle. Luther, of course, stays with Allison.

“You should go lie down,” Diego tells her. “You used your powers a lot and are low on sleep and blood, mi luz.” He decides to just lean into the whole endearment thing.

“I’m fine,” she assures him and smiles. She laughs a bit at his skeptical look before adding, “I’ll go down and get a drink and snack. Like when you donate blood. I’ll be okay. Just got to hydrate. We don’t have time for me to be out of commission. I will relent to you hovering and a snack. Deal?”

“Deal,” he says. It might be the blood loss and lack of sleep, but she feels unusually bold and kisses his cheek before she hurries off to the kitchen. He is stunned and just watches her go. He stands there way longer than necessary before he grins to himself and goes to find the others.

“The bastard that nearly killed our sister's still out there,” Diego tells Five and Klaus. “With Viktor.”

Y/N hurries her pace toward them.

“We need to go after them.”

Five disagrees, “Viktor is not important.”

“You can’t be serious,” Y/N says as she reaches them. A sandwich and a glass of juice in her hands courtesy of Grace. “V is family.” Diego goes to stand beside her as she speaks. He sees her brows furrow. Unbeknownst to him, she wonders when he last ate. He’d spent so long with her, and before that, he’d been in jail. She offers him a bite of her sandwich. He rolls his eyes, but when she doesn't move to lower it, he takes a small bite. He thinks it was worth it when she smiles at him. But he turns back to focus on the important discussion he was having.

“A little heartless even for you, Five,” their brother points out.

“I'm not saying I don't care about them,” Five admits, “but if the apocalypse happens today, they die along with the other seven billion of us.”

“Harold Jenkins is our first priority.”

“I agree.”

“Let's go.”

“You guys count me out,” Klaus says. “I mean, you know, no offense or whatever. It's just I kind of feel like this is a whole lot of pressure for newly-sober me, so -”

“You're coming,” Diego states. Y/N just sips her juice and watches her chaotic siblings.

“No, no, no,” Klaus says. “I mean, I think we can all agree that my power's, I mean, it's pretty much useless. I'd just be holding you guys back.”

“Klaus, get up,” Five says.

“You can't make me.”

Diego hurls a knife at the couch Klaus is sitting on. Y/N rolls her eyes.

Klaus gets up. “Oh, then again, a little exercise couldn’t hurt. Yeah.”

"I'll check the area," she summons several orbs.

“Fine, but stay behind me,” Diego tells her, knowing most of her focus will be elsewhere. She rolls her eyes but humors him, even going as far as to grip the back of his shirt. She uses several Wisp orbs to search the area outside the cabin, finding nothing. She shakes her head and focuses back on the scene Diego had led her to. The very dead body of Leonard Peabody, with numerous knives and other projectiles embedded in his chest. She winces as she lets go of Diego. He looks back at her just as her eyes return to their normal color. She shakes her head when her eyes meet his. They both turn back to the dead body on the floor.

"I have seen more than most," she says, leaning against the wall. "But even this is…yikes."

"It's not exactly what I was expecting."

"The understatement of the year."

"No sign of Viktor," Klaus says.

"Not outside either," she adds.

"Let's get out of here," Diego says. "Before the cops come." He shakes his head at her when she goes to offer the Wisp to act as a lookout. "You are too burnt out, and we may need you later."

"In a minute," Five says.

"Come on, Five, what are you-"

"Ugh, wow." Klaus retches as Five checks the prosthetics eye against the dead man's eye.

"Same eye color, same pupil size. Guys, this is it. The eye I've been carrying around for decades, it- It's found its rightful home."

“Gross,” she states, and Klaus agrees.

"We got the guy we needed to kill to stop the apocalypse."

"Yay!" Klaus says. "Let's go." Diego stops him.

"No, no."

“What?” she asks.

"It can't be this easy."

Five frowns. "Look, this is the note that I got from the Commission."

"The one that says, 'Protect Harold Jenkins,' aka Leonard Peabody."

"Yeah?"

"But who killed him? Who did this?"

“No one is here,” she points out.

"I have a crazy idea."

“When don’t you?” she sighs. Klaus nods in agreement. She knows that time is running out. She’d tracked the police response times far too many times. She was starting to get anxious at not checking to see if they were close.

"Crazy, but why don't we find Viktor and ask what happened? If Viktor got away from this asshole, he might be headed back to the Academy."

Once at the Academy, she finally lets Diego talk her into getting some sleep. But only if he stays with her. He relented. But he had snuck out at some point. She woke up alone and let the Wisp drift around until she heard fighting and the sound of something shattering. She was on her feet as fast as possible. She hurries into the living room.

"What the hell is going on?" She rushes to where Diego is unconscious on the floor. "Five?"

"He'll be fine." She glares at him before going back to checking Diego over. He groans as she runs her fingers through his hair, looking for injuries, and she finds a sore spot. Earning a laugh from her. His eyes snap open at the sound and the feeling of fingers along his scalp. He stares up at her. She smiles down at him.

"You good, cariño?" She asks quietly. Her fingers are still searching for injuries.

"Y-yeah," he manages to say. He clears his throat as she pulls away. "Yeah, I'm good." He remembers that he’d been fighting Hazel and is on his feet as fast as he can manage. She watches him curiously before she is pulled to her feet and against him as he looks around the room.

“No one’s here,” she assures him. Diego nods. Y/N huffs a laugh and pats his chest as she pulls away from him. She still has no idea what has just happened, but he was back on his feet. Diego lets her go and glares at Five.

Five looks back at him, gaze shifting over to his sister before focusing back on Diego. “I am curious. Your girlfriend, Patch.” He emphasizes the name. Again looking between his now oddly close sibling. “What did you like about her?”

Diego hesitates a bit and looks between his siblings. His gaze lingers a bit too long on his sister, who looks back at him with a curious look. “This should be interesting,” she mutters, stealing a drink of her Five’s margarita. He snatches it back. “None for you. You’ll have more alcohol than blood in your BAC.”

“Fair point,” she admits before grinning at their other brother. “We’re still waiting, Diego.”

Diego rolls his eyes at her but answers, “A lot of things.” He thinks about it and adds, “Cute butt, nice legs.”

She chuckles. "Classy."

“Anything a little more profound than that?” Five asks.

“She believed in people,” Diego says. “No matter how much shit and filth she saw,” he glances at their sister again. “On the streets. She always saw the good inside.”

“Well,” Five acknowledges his answer. “I'm sure she'll be proud to know that you're killing Hazel and Cha-Cha as a way to honor her memory.”

Diego looks to Y/N. She gives a half-hearted smile. Her eyes are sad. She hadn’t known Patch well or for very long, but she found her first.

“Guys! No, let me -” Viktor shouts from inside the bunker.

“You locked up our brother because you think he has powers?” Diego and Klaus are shocked.

“No, I know he does,” Luther answers. “Pogo told me. He's always known, and so did Dad.”

“Why would they hide this from us?” Diego asks. “I mean, am I the only one that didn't know this place existed?”

“He hid so much from us.”

“He hid it because he was afraid of him.”

“Oh, that's ridiculous.”

“Is it? Dad's lied about everything else, why is this so far-fetched?”

“If you're right, then maybe he's the one who killed Peabody.”

“And cut Allison's throat.”

“Whoa, no.”

“Let's I ju- Sorry, just, let's go back, all right?” Klaus says. “This is Viktor we're talking about. Our brother. The one who always cried when we stepped on ants as kids.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“What the-” Y/N hurries into the dimly lit room. “Let him go.” Her eyes begin to glow as the Wisp takes full form.

“I can’t do that,” Luther says. “Just let me-”

“Now!” The Wisp crackles and burns like full-on flames. Bright yellow and orange flicker in the air above them. Her eyes lit to match. The heat distorts the air around it.

“Guys,” Luther starts. “I know it's difficult to accept. If you just let me-”

“It's not difficult to accept. It's impossible to accept,” Klaus continues to argue his point.

“No, they're right,” Diego speaks up. “Look, we can't keep Viktor locked up without proof.”

“Wh- What more proof do you need? Why don't we just open the door and ask?”

“No, he's not goin' anywhere.”

"Like hell, let him go," she looks between her brothers.

"Sorry, Y/N, it's for the best," Luther says.

"Bullshit! He's afraid," she says before sending a small Wisp toward the bunker. The smaller one is a softer, calm Wisp as the majority of her powers continue to burn above her and Luther. Tears in her own eyes evaporate to steam as she takes in the fear in Viktor’s eyes. She focuses back on their supposed leader. “This is insane, Luther,” she hisses at him. Flames dance in her eyes as she glares at him. Klaus wipes away sweat as the temperature in the room rises. He glances at Diego. Diego looks between his siblings. He has to defuse this situation before it gets worse.

“No, even if you're right, Luther. Viktor needs our help,” Diego points out. “And we can't do that if he's locked in a cage.”

“Do you really think Viktor is any more dangerous than me right now?” Y/N states as the Wisp moves closer to Luther. Her hands now glowing as she steps towards him as well. Diego knows this could go very bad, very fast. It’s worse than someone burning a candle at both ends. This is like someone threw gasoline on a raging fire.

"You don't want to do this, Y/N," Luther says.

"Going to lock me up too?" She challenges. "Good luck with that. Try and lay a finger on me, Number One. I dare you." She rips her watch off, and it melts in her hand. The smell of burning plastic and metal made most of them flinch. Viktor just stares. He’d never seen his sister this vicious. He glances at the smaller Wisp in the bunker. It was odd how its gentle blue light contrasted with the angry figures outside the bunker.

"That's not-" Luther starts. He looks over at Diego and Klaus. "This is what needs to happen."

Diego shakes his head and focuses on her. She might actually listen to him. He needs her to calm down before she does something she can't undo. "Luz, you need to give yourself a break," Diego says as he moves closer. “We can handle this another way.”

"Not while V's in there," she refuses. "I won't leave him in the dark, alone. I didn't have a choice with Ben. I have the choice now."

“What good are you to Viktor if you waste all your energy on Luther?” Diego urges her to ease off. Her eyes snap to his. "First, it's finding Five, then Klaus, then Luther and Klaus again, Allison, now this. All while searching for Viktor. There isn't going to be any of you left if you don't take it easy."

"If we fail, we all die anyway, Diego,” She tells him. Tears turn to steam again as her eyes turn to fiery blue. “Why stop now?”

She’s hurting, and he knows it. She can’t keep this up. She’s running on rage and adrenaline, but those never last long. “Because you’re not alone in this fight. We can help Viktor without you burning yourself out.” He turns towards Luther. “And we are helping Viktor.”

“Yeah,” Klaus agrees with Diego. “And for all we know, Viktor might be struggling with this new power. I mean, it must be scary. Terrifying, really, to discover that you can do something that you never thought you could do.”

Diego sighs as that seems to do the trick, and she drops the raging fire that is the Wisp and moves over to the glass. The heat leaves her hands as she reaches for the glass. Her eyes lack the rage and heat they had before. She puts more of her powers into the Wisp inside the bunker with Viktor. She keeps it as calm and comforting as possible. Like she would on the nights Klaus and Ben would hide from the darkness in her room. "I'll stay with you, V. I promise. I'll stay with you in the dark."

“Look," Luther keeps arguing his point. "If what Pogo told me is even half true, then he is not just a danger to us.”

“I don’t care,” she says. “I’m not-”

They all turn as Allison comes in. Y/N moves to lean against the wall beside the door, the Wisp still in with Viktor. She focuses on giving off a comforting feeling. She sends all the love she has into the Wisp.

“Allison, what are you doing down here?” Luther asks. “You should be in bed.”

Allison writes on the notepad to let Viktor go.

“I can't do that,” Luther tells her. “She hurt you.”

“I'm sorry, but she's staying put.” Luther tries to assure her. “Just until we know what we're dealing with.”

Allison is clearly not happy with the answer. An angry noise leaves her damaged throat.

“She stays put,” Luther adds.

Allison tries to go past Luther, but he stops her. She pushes at him. She silently cries as she hits him.

“Come on,” Luther starts.

Allison sobs.

“Come on,” Luther repeats. “You need to rest.”

“I'm sorry! I'm sorry!” Viktor looks up at the Wisp and then back through the glass. “Y/N, please!”

“The Wisp won't leave you, V. I’ll still be with you.”

“Then the rest of you needs to rest,” Diego insists.

“Let's go.”

“No! No! No! No!” Viktor calls after them.

She lets Diego lead her toward her room. “I wonder if he would have made a room for me if I hadn’t been so willing to-”

“Don’t think like that,” Diego tells her.

“Why not? We have similar powers. V uses sound. I use light. It’s tied to my emotions, just like V’s. I could have easily taken Luther out or even melted that door. Especially as the Wisp. I don’t even know if there is a limit beyond how much oxygen there is in a room as to how hot I can heat it. I could burn this entire place down with everyone in it if I wanted to.”

“But you don’t want to,” Diego counters. “You have more control.”

“Do I? I lost it at the rave. I meant what I said down there. How is Viktor more dangerous than me?” She asks. “How do we know that? Because Luther says? Diego, we-” The blood drains from her face as she realizes what Viktor is about to do. She can feel it in the air inside the bunker. She focuses a bit more on the Wisp.

“Cari…” She starts as she looks at him, her eyes glowing bright blue from her powers. The brightness contrasts with her paling skin.

Diego is immediately concerned. He reaches out in case she passes out.

“Run,” she tells him.

Then all hell breaks loose.

“Cariño”/”Cari” Dear, Sweetie, Honey, etc. Term of Endearment

“Mi luz” My light, Term of Endearment

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byakuwan · 1 year

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so you know how tsuna went to byakuran for help vs jaeger?

and you know how byakuran got impaled before he did anything? and that thing went right thru his torso? and he’s presumably only alive bc mammon/viper made him temp organs?

I HOPE THEY APPRECIATE HIM NOW!!! if not i will RIOT!!!!

you don’t just USE the blorbo and THROW HIM AWAY after he fails to do the thing he was PERSONALLY ASKED to do!!!!!

(note: the blood is pretty graphic at the end fyi)

389. the part tsuna went around to mukuro, byakuran, enma and xanxus to “lend me your help” (the sidebar pic is from this one).

“i need to speak with you” @ mukuro was before this, “i have a request” @ enma after, “lend me your strength” @ xanxus.

ch 399 is so graphic i am sorry

i omitted in the middle part with the most of the bloody stuff, just know the next page you can kinda see that hand would have gone right thru his actual heart and lungs if it was any higher jdsdjfh

and then uni is there like

and no one really does anything about it, besides mukuro (?) and dino also getting wiped besides tsuna showing up and being Big Mad about all these people falling

pointed out uni because it’s important to me but. no real reason otherwise

then chrome/enma/fran also get swiped and this is like. b r u h it’s A Lot. tsuna is big mad. even hibari and mukuro (again?) get swiped.

(MAN. All Of These People got WIPED because they were around to help tsuna?? so many ppl Were Hurt. i know tsuna’s big mad but like. is that enough lol)

anyway, yes, i demand (internally) some other characters be appreciative of him later because. everyone there was hurt, sure, but excuse me? everyone individually got hurt. and all of our blorbos as fans. including mine. (trauma for all is included in that.)

... as u can see, i am passionate lmfao

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notesjournalieres · 3 months

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19 janvier 1824

Je fais toujours de longues courses, le dimanche. Traversant les Tuileries pour aller au Faubourg St-Germain, je rencontre le cérémonieux Beugnot, qui commence par me faire la prière pour se placer à ma gauche plutôt qu’à ma droite. Beugnot se repent d’avoir mal fait la Charte, de n’avoir pas intéressé assez de Français à la nomination des députés, de ne pas y avoir mis une loi d’élections. Il ne court pas les chances de la députation pour ne pas douter de sa dignité de pair. Il le dit ainsi, mais c’est parce qu’on ne le nommerait pas dans la Haute-Marne et encore moins ailleurs.

D’Hervey, qui arrive de Madrid, dit que tous les gens instruits sans exception sont constitutionnels, que les femmes le sont, que les femmes recherchaient beaucoup les Français, que Ferdinand a bonne mine, qu’il n’est pas impopulaire. Croyez aux haines des nations après ce qui s’est passé dans cette campagne. Pour la première fois, disait Verdières, les poules ont regardé en face les hussards.

Mme d’Hervey est une bonne femme ; sa vieille amitié avec ma Lise est bien affaiblie. Il y a tant de différences dans nos positions et nos manières de voir. M. de Gomiécourt avait bonne envie de courir les chances électorales à Roye. Ce qu’on lui a écrit et ce que je lui ai dit d’Al. d’Estourmel l’a fait se retirer. J’ai rencontré chez lui le chevalier de Bazentin, le frère aîné du chevalier de Lamarsi, ancien major de place à Péronne.

Le chev. de Baz. a 84 ans. Il a commencé à servir en 1754, était à la prise de Port-Mahon; faisait partie de l’expédition du Capitaine Thurot dans le nord de l’Ecosse, en 1759, a servi dans les troupes américaines sous Washington. Il est vert, vigoureux et fait encore plusieurs lieues par jour. Il a passé la Révolution au Jardin des Plantes.

Cousin a dans son langage la même chaleur et la même élévation que dans ses écrits. Voilà le prince de la jeunesse, l’homme aux sentiments généreux et éclectiques, enthousiaste de la Révolution et justifiant doctrinalement la Montagne. L’entreprise est difficile. Mais par le temps qui court, elle a son beau côté d’indépendance et de générosité. Cousin se plaint de ce qu’on ne professe pas assez les seules doctrines qui puissent être opposées aux doctrines complètes des Bonald, des Lamennais, etc…, etc…, les doctrines républicaines déguisées par prudence sous le voile constitutionnel de l’Assemblée Constituante. Il parle de défections dans la jeunesse; hélas ! ce n’est pas l’excellence de la doctrine ennemie qui les cause, ce sont les profits matériels qui en dérivent.

J’ai dîné dimanche somptueusement chez Cas. Périer. L’abbé de Pradt bavarde toujours, et toujours s’offre aux électeurs de Paris qui n’en veulent pas. Il forçait ridiculement Charles de Rémusat à l’écouter — Petit bal chez Mme Davilliers. Norvins a épousé une jolie petite femme, bien tournée et surtout bien moulée. Il raffole des douceurs de son nouvel état. J’ai terminé la soirée chez la Duchesse de Vicence qui avait aimable et impériale compagnie. La princesse Ch. de Beauvau y est venue. Elle se mêle encore au vulgaire malgré l’élévation Pompadourienne de sa famille.

#il y a 200 ans #notes journalières #général foy #janvier 1824

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wangxianficfinder · 2 years

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I’m in the Mood for a Fic Where…

~*~

1. In the mood. For ace spectrum wangxian

💖Words from the heart by MusicMe_tc (G, 6k, wangxian, modern, college/university au, love letters, secret identity, ace wwx, demisexual lwj)

The Bunnysitter: a Post-it Romance by theLoyalRoyalGuard (G, 9k, wangxian, modern, fluff, ace lwj, autistic lwj, adhd wwx, hacker wwc)

one heart, one body by stiltonbasket (Not rated, 1k, wangxian, married wangxian, ace wwx, demisexual lwj)

WithBroomBefore (both here on tumblr and on AO3) has done a variety of ace, demi, and aro WangXian stuff

your touch in the dark (your voice in the silence) by b_ofdale (M, 13k, wangxian, modern, friends w/ benefits, pining, ace wwx, demisexual lwj, happy ending)

Come Out and Level Up by figmentera (T, 3k, wangxian, modern, ace wangxian, sex favorable, getting together)

subtleties series by touchtheexoplanets (T, 17k, wangxian, ace lwj, 7 minutes in heaven, fluff, coming out, angst w/ happy ending)

💖you've ruined my life (by not being mine) by cicer (E, 132k, wangxian, modern, developing relationship, teen romance, demisexuality, bottom!lwj in ch 15)

💖Let Them Eat Cake by Vamillepudding (G, 7k, wangxian, romantic comedy, light angst, asexual relationship, getting together)

close the distance by onceiolanthi (sapphiregalaxyrin) (G, <1k, wangxian, asexual character, fluff, cuddling)

Like You Mean It by CoatWrites (T, 5k, wangxian, modern, getting together, dating app, unsolicited dick pic, fluff & humor)

Just As You Are by westiec (G, 1k, wangxian, post-canon, asexuality spectrum, talking about desire, kissing)

the way that all the pieces fit by tomatocake (T, 7k, wangxian, modern, high school au, aspec, fluff, sleepovers, first kiss)

(💖WWWWXD (What would Wei Wuxian Do?) series by deliciousblizzardshark (T, 55k, wangxian, modern, high school and forward, fluff, panic attacks, angst w/ happy ending, autistic lwj, grief/mourning))

~*~

2. Thank you for your service - I love this blog! Got any recs for Wen Qing/Jiang Cheng as the main pairing? They're background in a lot of wangxian fics and I'd love to see them front and center. (Bonus points for pegging - it's what they deserve!)

Anything by snowberryrose

something worth doing by twigofwillow (T, 29k, JC/WQ, canon divergence, fix-it, yunmeng wen clan, family feels, friendship agenda)

let's play pretend and not remember by Misila (E, 13k, JC/WQ, modern, romance, angst, fake/pretend relationship, getting back together, past bullying, past suicide attempt)

No Such Thing as Too Good by Eleanor_Fenyx (E, 8k, JC/WQ, pegging, porn w/ some plot)

~*~

3. Hi, me again, I hope y’all are doing well. For your next mood fic post I was wondering if you knew of any fics where WWX gets medical treatment after the burial mounds/ sunshot campaig? like JC, JYL, or LWJ notice that he is clearly not doing well and insist on helping him. I hope that makes sense. Thank y’all so much. @wolfletkaider

💖Minding series by WithBroomBefore (G, 85k, wangxian, canon divergence, what if WWX got therapy and recovery post-sunshot)

Tether by WithBroomBefore (T, 40k, wangxian, golden core reveal, JYL lives, WWX lives, fix-it, happy ending, wwx is up-front about losing his core)

💖Uninvited by WithBroomBefore (M, 13k, wangxian, canon divergence, fix-it, hurt/comfort, sect leader jyl, sick fic, happy ending)

Rescue by WithBroomBefore (T, 20k, JYL & WWX & JC, wangxian, JYL/JZX, JC/WQ, fix-it, golden core reveal, family feels, suicidial thoughts, happy ending, WWX almost drowns and his secret is discovered during medical treatment)

💖The Wild Geese’s Tomb by The Feels Whale (miscellea) (T, 66k, wangxian, time travel, temp character death) post-sunshot wwx gets the medical/mental support he deserves

if i had the strength by agloeian (M, 16k, wangxian, post-sunshot, fix-it, getting together, mental health issues, recovery, accidental baby acquisation)

The most dangerous thing is to love by KatAnni (E, 113k, wangxian, golden core reveal, fix-it, angst w/ happy ending, yunmeng siblings, hurt wwx, ptsd, panic attack)

~*~

4. I'm in the mood for... wangxian courting! Doesn't matter what setting (though cloud recesses era with a meddling lxc has a special place in my heart), as long as there's some element of wangxian having to go through courting traditions or needing to be chaperoned while engaged. I want wangxian getting to know each other and falling in love. Lots of fluff pls! Angst is okay too, and a happy ending is a must! Please and thank you!

💖 Magical Marriage Ribbons series by starandrea (M, 741k, wangxian, ongoing, animal transformations, weddings)

Stunted, Starving Juvenility by TomatenMark (E, 291k, wangxian, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, feelings realization, getting together, fix-it of sorts, not JFM friendly, blood & gore, WIP)

Give Me a Chance to Fall by brooklinegirl (E, 37k, wangxian, arranged marriage) They know each other already but they still have to court and it's awesome

💖sweet chaos by eachandeverydimension (G, 86k, wangxian, arranged marriage, different first meeting, falling in love, getting together, lwj in lotus pier, Chinese culture)

Polishing Jade by Starra (M, 252k, wangxian, modern, arranged marriage, awkward dates, slow burn, falling in love, drinking to cope, angst w/ happy ending)

~*~

5. I was talking to a friend and we both came to the realization that lan zhan and lan xichen were both rape babies. Is there any fics that sort of explore the turmoil of that? @fangirling-quietly

❤️ For Both Of Us (And Time Is But A Paper Moon) by sami (E, 65k, wangxian, time travel, both JC and LWJ time travel) explores this to some degree

❤️in case of fire, break glass by Jenrose (T, 65k, wangxian, my bookmark)

go where the stolen roses grow by Stratisphyre (M, 20k, LQR/CSSR/WCZ, mentions ad discussion of sexual assault, madam lan lives, not lan sect friendly, hurt/comfort)

Dragon's Gall by ritualist (M, 5k, madam lan / qingheng-jun, implied/referenced non-con, implied/referenced abuse, isolation, forced pregnancy, mind the tags!)

~*~

6. hi! i'd love some fics where people learn to focus on the spirit of the gusulan rules rather than the letter, or actually amend/remove some of them. canon-divergent or post canon both work great, but im also specifically looking for a fic where i think lwj (in the 13 years??) changes some stuff like 'drink responsibly' and explains that some people can do horrible shit if they're drunk etc. i'd love it if someone remembered it

❤️To be of use by Erisette (not rated (G), 53k, wangxian, Mojo’s post)

Proximity To Knowledgeby ChilianXianzi (T, 7k, wangxian, post-canon, teacher wwx)

❤️ Twelve Moons and a Fortnight by stiltonbasket (G, wangxian, 290k, Mojo’s post) there is a MARVELOUS scene of lxc destroying part of the wall of rules because he realizes their original intent has become kinda corrupted and a cycle of cruelty overtime, and then leaves seclusion to rework the system/rules a bit

~*~

7. In a mood for fic: any that have Jiang cheng saving or trying to save a-yuan after the first seige of the burial mounds. Maybe he looks for him and does or doesn't find him, or something else happens, and/or he recognizes a-yuan as lsz yrs later. Maybe he remembers a whole bunch about the kid, or he's working off vague info, etc. Off the top of my head, I think "12 moons and a fortnight" (sing to the clouds in summer) has a side story like this. So does "you're my brother" by laxruar. (In both lwj got to him first).

grieve the living by Misila (M, 160k, wangxian, heavy angst, hopeful ending, mental health issues, unhealthy coping mechanisms, violence, homophobia, romance, family)

The Accidental Baby Acquisition Club by nerdzeword (T, 26k, wangixan, my post) technically JC is looking for smth else but they do raise A-Yuan together

none lives forever, brother, and nothing lasts for long by eena (M, 38k, wangxian, LSZ raised at lotus pier, JC found first, reconciliation)

Time Kept Flowing by notoneforreality (T, 115k, wangxian, JC&LWJ, canon era, co-parenting, WIP)

~*~

8. Hello, how are you? I want a fic where wwx just goes off on Wen QIng (the jiangs are also acceptable). Perhaps for lwj or for them not thinking of his feelings or something. I just want a wwx who cares about himself and can hold a grudge. I don't want him to blow up and immediately apologize. Hope this makes sense.

~*~

9. Hello! I'm looking for good kid fic recs! Hurt/comfort would be lovely ✨

Welcome to the Family series by jiejieaini (E, 204k, wangxian, modern, dadji, teacher wwx, london, fluff & angst, happy ending, hurt/comfort)

~*~

10. I hope you're having a lovely day <3 <3 if you'd like, could you or the followers recommend your fave fics where jc and/or jyl make a point of calling wwx didi/ge, or asking wwx to call them jiejie/didi, and alternatively (or concurrently!) fics where wq and wn fully regard him as their sibling and preferably verbalize it? i just want him to drown in familial love, like i would even love xxc/bssr but is 3 requests too much? asklfdk thank you so much in any case <3

💖Hope series by RoseThorne (T, 49k, wangxian, time travel)

💖the thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break by RoseThorne (E, 64k, wangxian, fix-it, golden core reveal, WIP)

Where the Lonely Ones Go by CSHfic & VSfic (T, 24k, wangxian, accidental baby acquisation, case fic, fluff, post-canon)

💖Lynchpin by ShanaStoryteller (not rated, 103k, jiang cheng, wangxian) Jiang Yanli making an explicit change from shidi to didi

The most dangerous thing is to love by KatAnni (E, 113k, wangxian, golden core reveal, fix-it, angst w/ happy ending, yunmeng siblings, hurt wwx, ptsd, panic attack)

A Mother's Love by FirefliesNLightningBugs (M, 117k, wangxian, canon divergence, angst, hurt/comfort, eventual happy ending, miscommunication, family feels, ptsd, WIP) has jyl jc and wwx treat each other as siblings (jzx is also accepted into the fam) and there's a specific scene where jc calls wwx out on why he doesn't call jy and jc jiejie and didi anymore

Wei Wuxian, Who's That? by bumbledees (T, 48k, wangxian, crossdressing, pining, sibling feels)

The Teapot Plot by ToxicAngel13 (M, 52k, wangxian, misunderstandings, protective jiang siblings, golden core reveal, fix-it, post sunshot, hurt/comfort)

Rescue by WithBroomBefore (T, 20k, JYL & WWX & JC, wangxian, JYL/JZX, JC/WQ, fix-it, golden core reveal, family feels, suicidial thoughts, happy ending)

~*~

11. Hi can you recommend me some fics where Wei ying or someone bashes out at the cultivation world for their hypocrisies, or it just be Wei ying finally realizing the mistreatment he suffered and actually confronting it, the mistreatment Wei ying suffers just frustrates me so much.

💖 Did I Not Explain Why the Sunset Turns Red? by 3988Akasha (E, 100k, wangxian)

💖After Truth Lies the Honest Path by Vrishchika (M, 10k, wangxian, canon divergence, truth serum, WIP)

Words by RJ_RJ (T, 1k, wangxian, WWX goes off on LXC in the Guanyin temple, not LXC or Jiang friendly)

~*~

12. Hiya! I am in mood for some aftercare fics. Specially some with safewording ones. I doesn’t have to be direct out safe words. Maybe some just checking in ones and some tender loving and feeding and taking care ones. Any pairing as 3zun and songxuexiao for examples. Not jus wangxian if u can please! Thank you!

A New Kind of Thrill by doukeshiA (E, 25k, wangxian, modern, bdsm, dom/sub, WIP)

underweight by sixstepsaway (E, 7k, wangxian, eating disorders, anxiety, sex as a bribe, full-time dom lwj)

~*~

13. hey Mojo and Mod L! I hope y'all aren't stressed n stuff. Know any fics where WWX becomes a God/ascends to Godhood after Sunshot Campaign, or something?? Like maybe because the Heavens were impressed with his feats etc etc @sentientcongee

Of Destruction and Rebirth by demoniqt (M, 77k, wangxian, slow burn, god wwx, bamf wwx, grieving lwj, angst, hurt/comfort, fix-it, happy ending, attempted non-con, blood & gore)

You still sound like a song by Moominmammashandbag (M, 62k, wangxian, WIP) river spirit wwx

~*~

14. Hi mod L! For the I'm in a mood for, do you know any fic that has LXC realize on how unfair/harsh he was being on WWX? Where he finally has a realization that he was expecting too much from him from the start when he befriended LWJ.

Quite Funny by nirejseki (T, 2k, vicious NHS, suffering LXC, not quite the prompt but adjacent)

~*~

15. hiiii mods!! (I mean for moderator[s]) A) have u find any fic of wangxian genderbend (wlw) any plots will do as long as it is wangxian lesbians!! & B) do you know any fic that wangxian r ex-lovers but got their happy endings? & C) last do you have fics that r super long yet so worth reading for? if not I need a lot of angst fics but not cheating fic please? Thank you very much!! Hope you have good day and not bothering you too much! @vdjjixian

15A)

Happy for Now by ScarlettStorm (E, 80k, wangxian, F/F, modern, pining, there was only one bed)

girl, anything I can do just to make you feel alright by Anonymous (E, 3k, wangxian, dom/sub undertones, praise kink)

What happens at craft night by rheawrites (E, 4k, WWX/WQ, kink discovery, shibari, undernegotiated kink, friends w/ benefits)

and its sequel Rope Bunny by Khashana (E, 2k, wangxian, kink negotiation, rope bondage, subspace)

Beautiful mess, a colourful wreck by covalentbonds (Not rated, 11k, wangxian, JYL/JZX, fluff & humor, mild smut, 3zun feels, childhood friends, first meetings, non-chronological)

so little time and i'm way off track by defractum (nyargles) (E, 25k, wangxian, modern w/ cultivation, case fic, amnesia, dub con, fuck or die)

the dinosaur artist by varnes (T, 12k, wangxian, bringing up baby au)

give me one good honest kiss by occultings (microcomets) (E, 25k, wangxian, practice kissing, college/university au, pining, angst w/ happy ending)

The Flower Blooms in Day and Night by TheRedFig (T, 46k, wangxian, period typical sexism, sexual harassment, pining, sexuality crisis, happy ending, TWs in chapters, WIP)

the way that all the pieces fit by tomatocake (T, 7k, wangxian, modern, high school au, aspec, fluff, sleepovers, first kiss)

shape of her by candygay (T, 1k, wangxian, sharing a bed, angst, touch-starved)

loose me from hard care by oceanofchaos (E, 9k, wangxian, historical, touch-starved, war prize WWX awarded to General LWJ)

I’ll See You In My Dreams by Xiao_Tuzi (E, 4k, wangxian, Rule 63 version of the Incense Burner cottagecore fantasy)

long winter, dance with me by gusu-emilu (T, 2k, wangxian, burial mounds settlement days, angst, kissing, cuddling, protectiveness)

in the crevices, in the hold by Anonymous (M, 4k, wangxian, dark LWJ, fairy tale elements, no cultivation au, yearning, sculptor LWJ, angst)

15B)

All that is solid melts into air by huxiyi (T, 18k, wangxian, breaking up & making up, angst w/ happy ending, commoner uprising brings down the Great Sects, art by @yin_yoru in ch4)

15C)

❤️Tragedy is Not the End by Hobbsy3 (T, 358k, wangxian, my bookmark)

💖love, in fire and blood by cicer (E, 360k, wangxian, Mojo’s post)

~*~

16. Hi people (Sorry, I know Mojo's pronouns, but not others') **My pronouns are they/them ^^ ~Mod L**! Hope you are doing great! :) I don't know if these kind of stories exist, but I'm looking for A) LXC&LZS uncle-nephew stories, could be modern, where we see a little more about their relationship. B) Established WangXian where YZY is a b*tch to WWX, but wants to keep a good image, so never does it in public, LWJ knows about this and is petty, and does something so everyone one knows how abusive she really is. Thank you!

~*~

17. Hello, thank for all your hard work, I am absolutely amazed. I easily find JWY/LXC fics where Jiang Cheng is traumatised or otherwise vulnerable and finds comfort in the serene Lan Huan. Are there any fics where it's the opposite? JWY being very competent and LXC depending/relying on him to heal (preferably emotionally, but anything where he's the vulnerable one is fine). thank you guys ;)

A Bit of Ruthlessness by jirluvien (M, 110k, JC/LXC, post-canon, epistolary, angst, slow burn, courtship, asexuality)

~*~

18. looking for time travel fics where specifically jin ling travels back in time?

Time Travel Compilation

~*~

19. In a mood for a fix where jiang cheng isn't portrayed as an angry grape. A fic where he is put in his place, either critical or bashing fic hehe

💖Return to Sender by Thesaurus_with_no_words (M, 64k, wangxian, not JC friendly, WIP)

💖Trials of Time by Muggle_Diary (E, 32k, wangxian, not jiang friendly, time travel, butterfly effect)

💖bleed by justdoityoufucker (T, 5k, wangxian, time travel, sunshot campaign and post-ssc, families of choice)

❤️Symmetry by Vir_Abelasan (M, 13k, LSZ & WWX, wangxian, mind the tags just in case)

keeping score by hauntedotamatone (T, 6k, LSZ & WWX, wangxian, not JC friendly, the opposite of reconciliation, anger, protective wwx)

on restitution by glitteringmoonlight (M, 98k, LSZ & WWX, WWX & JL, wangxian, dark JC, not JC friendly, captivity, non-graphic torture, angst w/ happy ending)

'Yunmeng Siblings' Once by chiyukimei (T, 1k, wangxian, JC & WWX, not JC friendly, post-canon)

justdoityoufucker has a lot not JC friendly content

~*~

20. In a mood for a fic that talks about lwj's beauty. Just him being pretty, and all majestic.

Bow Wow Wow by Chrononautical (G, 1k, wangxian, animal transformation, bravery, WWX has a fear of dogs, angst w/ happy ending, the context is a bit weird, because LWJ has been transformed into a dog.)

Welcome to Yiling by crossdressingdeath (T, 2k, wangxian, welcome to nightvale au)

~*~

If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmemeand MDZS KINK MEMEon Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order! ***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

#wangxian #mdzs #wangxian fic recs #i'm in the mood for a fic #the untamed #wangxian fic search #wangxianficfinder #long post

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writingsofhubris · 2 years

Text

Otto Octavius Masterpost! (Updated 10/11/2023)

Otto Octavius/Doc Ock

69 (Drabble) [T] E, 690, Otto Octavius /reader This is how I celebrated Alfredo’s 69ths; Reader and (Slightly older) Otto 69

Are You Mine E, 3.7K, Otto Octavius/Reader (Pt 3 of Misadventures*) You really hated your insomnia. Not only did it make you easily annoyed, it made you snap at people you cared about. Otto doesn't appreciate being yelled at. 2 chapters, an evening then the morning after.

Arms Tonite T, 487, Otto Octavius/Reader (Pt 4 of misadventures* **) Valentine's day fluff exchange! Can be read as specifically Molina, ps4, or TSSM Otto!

Bang Bang, You're dead T, 5.1K, Otto Octavius/Reader (Pt 1 of Misadventures*) You'd been planning a night to just relax for ages. School was kicking your ass, teachers were making it hard to stand, everything pointed to needing just one night left alone from everyone, one night to calm the fuck down. And then, because your luck never changed, you realized that Doc Ock was on your loveseat, stealing your liquor, and bleeding. God fucking dammit could you ever catch a break? This specifically is a trans male reader, but could be read this one as a cis gay man. You're going into the medical field when you get to have the hands on experience of stitching up Doc Ock.

Cabinet Man T, 20.1K, Otto Octavius/ Rosie Octavius Ce, qu'on appelle une raison de vivre est en même temps une excellente raison de mourir. | What is called a reason for living is also an excellent reason for dying Otto Octavius, soon to be a doctor, knew his reputation preceded him in more ways than one. He'd all but written off marriage from a young age, until he saw a woman who's flick of a hair, a rustle of skirts, took his attention firmly from the science he had so long been taken over his mind. [c1] [c2] [c3] [c4] [c5] [c6] [c7] [c8] [c9] [c10] [c11] [c12] [c13] [c14]

Circles round the Moon E, 2.2k, Otto Octavius/Reader (Pt 1 of A whole Otto Love) Frustration often caused surprise results. If it was trying to find pleasure in your bed, or finding your boyfriend in his lab, sometimes it was the unexpected results that offered the most results. (Breeding kink)

Drabbles Ch 6 M, 740, Otto Octavius/Reader Nudist reader finally decides to swallow fears and sleep nude with their partner. (Gender Neutral reader)

Drabbles Ch 18 E, 536, Otto Octavius/Reader Thanksgiving sucked. A lot. And you were in the bathroom to calm down for a few minuets, before Otto slipped in with you, only to slip into you.

Drabbles Ch 23 E, 662 Otto Octavius/M!reader Thigh Riding

Each Color of You E, 2.1K, Otto Octavius/Reader (PS4) (Pt 3 of A whole Otto Love) It was a rare day that Otto would actually ask for you to do this for him. You thought he was embarrassed to. But the nights the strap on was brought out were nights you were able to worship him, in the smallest amount he'd let you.

Fear and Delight E, 1.5K, Otto Octavius/Reader (Pt 6 of Misadventures*) His right hand slipped up your arm, stopping to brush the short hairs at the back of your head aside. Chapped lips pressed against the trail left. His hand didn’t stop, ending up on your throat, not applying any tension just yet. Instead, his middle finger rested against your pulse, just counting each beat. “It’s glorious,” you replied, a shake deep in your thighs starting. Tension coiled in your stomach, twisting and curling inside you. You were high enough up that the gentle noises of New York faded to an indistinguishable hum of noises. A honk here, a wordless shout there. The people looked like ants, scuttling around in a path only they could see. Hey fam. Can I interest you in,,, so if we bend too far over this railing we’ll both fall to our deaths kink?

Fight, Flight, or {Tumblr} E, 2.2K, Otto Octavius/Reader (TSSM) Otto accidently kept kidnapping the same passerby; dumb luck in this city of so many people. So, said passerby ended up finding the third option to the age old question of Fight or flight. This is written with Molina in mind but could work for a couple post-accident Ottos

Gallery Piece E, 2.5k, Otto Octavius/Reader (TSSM) (Pt 2 of A Whole Otto Love) I'd like to offer: Tying up Otto and edging him until he can't handle it anymore. And, a tiny bit of caning as I think he'd look cute like that. (Shiribari, aftercare, and submissive Otto)

Goth Reader Drabble [ T ] G, Otto Octavius/Reader Otto ends up finding some of the reader’s old gothic outfits.

Infinitesimal T, 1.7k, Otto/Reader Otto gets patched up, again, but this time he needed your help takign care of soemthing. (Pt 9 of Misadventures*)

Mr Doctor Man G, 2.1K, Otto Octavius/Reader (Pt 2 of Misadventures*) You'd told him - months ago - that you'd be unable to help him for exactly two months, exactly two months. He made it six days until he was crashing into your apartment, no injuries, but needing something.

Nowhere To Run E, 3.5K, Otto Octavius/Norman Osborn/Reader (Pt 5 of Misadventures*) “Did you know that when your core is pressed against my thigh like this,” Otto started, his fingers moving along the small of your bare back. “I can feel your heartbeat? Every pulse, every single clench.” Right on cue, you felt a wave of tension through you, another moan slipping from your lips. I thought about Norman finding Otto and the reader together. Then I thought about Norman eating out the reader out whilst Otto was buried in me and decided us trans masc deserve this fic.

Ornella E, 694 Victorian AU of Otto eating out Rosie

Out of the Blue E, 3.9K, Otto Octavius/Norman Osborn/Reader (Pt 7 of Misadventures*) You could always tell a lot about a person by their hands. Scars, calluses, every hand told a story. And you could tell a lot by the practiced way Norman’s finger crooked, pulling you forward by an invisible force. A practiced moment you were intimately familiar with. Your coat was tossed onto one of the charis in the room, forgetting the moment it left your fingers.

Spooky, Scary Skeletons G, 1.1K Halloween shenanigans with hollowsart’s Otto and OC!

Teacher’s Pet [ Tumblr | AO3 ] E, 1.1k, Otto Octavius/Teacher!reader Otto’s such a nice, fine boy. He really deserves a nice pearl necklace.

You and me, we could be such a sight [AO3] E, 2.5k Otto Octavius/Norman Osborn/Reader| (Pt 8 of Misadventures*) Oral fixations solved with the Boys

Octogoblin

Moments in time G, 2.7K, Otto Octavius/Norman Osborn/ Rosalie Octavius Brought forth from my RP blog on tumblr, sxientist, please enjoy mostly whatever the ship name is for Rosie/Otto/Norman I cannot stress how short most of these will be

The Moon Will Sing E, 1.8k, Otto Octavius/Norman Osborn ‘oh no there was no AC’ or ‘oh my god they were roommates’ take your pick College roommates Otto and Norman don't have air conditioning, leading to shirts taken off. And oh no, he's hot.

* 'misadventures' has been shorted from 'Misadventures of a Medical student, an Octopus, and a Goblin'. This series was renamed from Three men Walk Into a Bar... **This can be read stand alone from the rest of the series. It was geared for Molina, but can be read as any version. This masterlist will be paired with an Alfred Molina Masterlist. It will be linked [Here] This masterlist will be paired with a Harding Hooten Masterlist. It will be linked [Here]

#masterlist #repost #mcu #doc ock #otto octavius #fanfiction #doc ock fanfiction #.W

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canyouhearthelight · 4 years

Text

The Miys, Ch. 79

This was another chapter that was soooo fun to write. Don’t worry, I’m not getting off the plot, swear. So, thank you @charlylimph-blog for helping me flesh these pranks out. Also, thanks to @satan-parisienne and @baelpenrose for beta-reading.

Disclaimer: Food mentions below the cut. I also want to clarify that I do not hate brussels sprouts. I did, for several decades, though, and added that to one character in this chapter.

Given my track record with handling ship-wide issues in a personal capacity, I made a point to set up an actual appointment with both Grey and Xiomara to discuss our concerns. Unfortunately, that meant it would be a few days before we all had time in our schedule. All I could do in the meantime was try to do my actual job and pay more attention to odd behaviors of people around me.

I would like to submit for the record that I wasn’t succeeding with focusing on work terribly well. And I wasn’t the only one.

“Seventeen,” Alistair greeted me as he arrived. For what could only be dramatic emphasis, he removed a scarf and flung it over the back of the chair across from me.

“Ark’s temperature controlled,” I pointed out, staring at the scarf. It actually looked soft.

“Seventeen different individuals,” he continued, ignoring my comment. “In a sum total of six groups, between three and eight people per group. Several were in more than one group.”

Wow. Go, Detective Worthington. “This was just on your way from your quarters to my office?”

“From the cantina on deck fourteen, actually.” He stalked over to the food console, returning with a plate of food and two beverages.

“So, one, that’s an even shorter walk than the one from your quarters.”

He nodded around a forkful of pasta before swallowing. “Which makes it even more concerning.”

“True.” Taking the tea he offered me, I gestured at his penne. Part of me was pleased to see it was one of my recipes from Before that I added to my profile once I learned how. “I thought you just ate?”

“I attempted to, certainly. However, there have been several issues with the consoles in the cantinas. I was given to believe they were resolved, but somehow I still ended up with brussels sprouts instead of capers.” He glared at me archly. “You are well aware of how I feel about those atrocities.”

“Even if you did like them, I can’t imagine substituting capers for brussels sprouts and still coming even remotely close to whatever you asked for.”

Already, he was standing to dispose of his empty dish. “I was sure that your console would be safe, but I selected a dish without capers, either way.”

“That’s fair.” Although I was mildly confused why he thought the console in my office would be ‘safe’ from the malfunction he just mentioned, but I also had no idea about the consoles in the cafeterias acting up, so he may have a point.

I was about to ask for details regarding the people he had seen. I really was. However, I was preempted by the actual trumpet from the Book of Revelation started screaming from the speaker in the ceiling of my office.

“BAYYYYY-BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE shark, do do do do do do!”

I screamed and jumped hard enough to fall out of my chair, while Alistair had flattened himself against the wall in an effort to escape the cacophony. Covering my ears, I begged Miys to disable the speaker. I was reasonably certain I was yelling it, but either way the noise cut off abruptly and I was able to get up off the floor.

“What the bloody hell - bloody hell!” Alistair jumped abruptly at the figure that was now standing in my office. I wasn’t surprised, either, when I looked.

Standing right by my now-closed door was a shorter-statured figure, wobbling on its feet. I couldn’t even really see the face, because my eyes would not look away from the top of their head. Specifically the earmuffs perched on there.

Five. Pairs. Of. Them. One pair was standard noise cancelling, but two were fuzzy - one neon green, another sparkly purple - and the other two, while not fuzzy, did have patterns in similarly bright colors: one set pink and green plaid, one fluorescent yellow and blue stripes. Yet another pair was dangling around the figure’s neck, along with what appeared to be two pairs of earplugs. I was getting the idea that the blaring music was something they were familiar with, against their will.

While puzzling at the noise-blocking hardware, I finally noticed the words across the figure’s hoodie. It very clearly said ‘Fuck this shit’, framed by delicate vines and flowers. “Charly?” I asked, completely confused, before realizing she likely couldn’t hear me. I gestured for her to remove the headphones, and once she did, I tried again. “Charly. What is going on?”

“I have not had a hot bath in two weeks. Every time I walk through a door, the room plays that awful song until I leave the room, and cold spaghetti squash should be illegal! Very, VERY illegal!” As she spoke, her voice choked up more and more, and by the time she finished she was crying in my office. Again. “I can barely eat, I can only sleep if I’m exhausted and practically pass out…” She trailed off.

I got her seated and rubbed her arms. Turning to Alistair, I spoke softly. “Can you please bring some of the stew from screen six in my file? And probably water for now.” To Charly, I reassured her. “It’s your beef stew recipe, the one you gave me. For whatever reason, my console here and the one at home never glitched out when the ones in the cafeterias did.”

She sniffed and nodded. My assistant quickly returned, gently setting down the stew and warm bread, along with some butter. He narrowed his eyes at me, sharply. “I took the liberty of also getting some butter for the bread, because clearly some of us are heathens who serve warm bread without butter.”

“Some of us like to spread cheese sometimes,” I defended myself. “Okay, hon. First, I need you to drink at least half of that water so you don’t dehydrate from crying.” A very tiny white lie. The real reason was an old trick I learned back Before - humans aren’t wired to be able to cry and swallow at the same time, so we stop crying if we are drinking something.

Once that kicked in, I let her dig into the stew. Keeping a careful eye to make sure she didn’t accidentally inhale anything in the literal sense while demonstrating the figurative sense, I tried to figure things out. “First and foremost, has anything else happened, anything that could have caused you injury?”

“Juss annoyig,” she told me around a bite of bread. Swallowing, she clarified. “Anytime I try to bathe, I only get cold showers. No hot water, even the sonic function gives me cold water. I’ve had to resort to letting a bucket of water sit out long enough to be room temp. Anytime I try to get any sort of food or drink other than water, all I get is cold, icky spaghetti squash. You saw what happens when I walk into a room.” She gestured at the speaker on the ceiling. “I’m not even sure how you stopped that.”

“I had Noah disable the speaker entirely,” I admitted. “So, all mid-range psychological torture? All irritants, nothing actually dangerous in and of itself?”

“Except the fact that I’m so jumpy I can’t sleep, I guess. This is the first thing I’ve eaten in two weeks that wasn’t something Coffey had to go get from a canteen, bring it back, and give it to me. And even that only works if it isn’t something I actually like.”

“But there are over a dozen full-time food vendors?” I was so confused.

She rolled her eyes. “You know I don’t trust other people’s cooking. Yours, yes. Tyche’s, yes. Mine, of course. But that’s it.”

“Miss Harper,” Alistair interrupted, gentle but horrified. “You said it’s been two weeks….”

She waved the concern away. “Two weeks of eating food I don’t like but don’t gag on is way better than cold, yucky spaghetti squash or food that may have… crawly things in it. You do know that some people cook with…. those things, right?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“Objection withdrawn,” he sighed. “However, I do believe that part of what you are experiencing may be part of the wider issues we’ve been having with the food consoles. All of the public ones have been malfunctioning recently, and every time they are reset, it happens again. I nearly ate brussels sprouts today, for heaven’s sake!”

“Okay, seriously Alistair? They aren’t that bad. Stop being dramatic,” I scolded. When I turned back to Charly, she was staring at her lap, very focused on the hem of her sweatshirt. Fear spiked through me like ice. “Charly? What is it? Did something else happen?”

“The consoles might be acting up because of what’s happening with me,” she admitted quietly. “Not the other way around.”

Huh? “What do you mean? You think the same person who is doing this to you is going to target everyone?” I could feel my panic levels rising. Suspicious people, maybe a cult, were increasing in numbers throughout the ship. Maybe they were sending a message? It was pretty well known that Charly was close with Tyche and myself -

“IthinkthisishappeningbecauseofaprankIpulledandsomeonegotmad.” Once she finished blurting out her statement, she screwed her eyes closed and seemed to be waiting for something bad to happen. When nothing happened - I don’t think Alistair even understood what she said, and I know I didn’t - she cracked one eye to peek at our faces.

“In English?” I asked, shaking my head.

“I think...I may have...broken? The food consoles? I might have played a prank? And someone didn’t like it?”

I fought the urge to go entirely limp as all the panic and dread I had been building up rapidly plummeted. “So, all of this… you broke the ship… it’s all a prank war?” She nodded, face scrunched up in embarrassed apology. I pinched my nose before running a hand down my face. “And you started it, you believe?”

“It wasn’t on purpose!” she cried. “It was a harmless prank, I freaking swear. I programmed the food consoles to give boba tea as every one hundredth beverage dispensed. That’s it. I even made sure to program it to be sugar free! Just matcha tea, lactose-free milk, sugar substitute, and the little boba pearls. At most, someone would get it, go ‘hey this isn’t what I asked for?’, try again, and get the right thing.”

“Except that’s not the worst thing that happened,” I prompted.

“No, it isn’t! After about…five days? Suddenly all thiiiiiiis,” she flailed expansively, “started happening! There is no way you can tell me that I deserve all this for erroneous boba tea here and there.” Charly stared at me, pointedly.

To be honest, it really did seem like overkill.

“Well,” I sighed. “The good news is, only a select few people have that level of access to the ship to do something so far reaching.” My fingers drummed on the table as I tried to think of ways to narrow our list of culprits further. “Obviously, they don’t mean you any actual harm, just a significant level of annoyance and inconvenience. And it would have to be someone who would take boba tea to be a grievous insult apparently…” Fuck.

My head snapped up as I leapt to my feet and bolted for the console. Once I had a boba tea, exactly the way Charly described, I took a huge pull from the straw. Chilled, clean flavor, no notable texture, not terribly sweet, no aftertaste…

And chewy boba pearls. Like little candies. Most importantly? They were squishy.

“Mother fuck….” Charly and Alistair both gave me questioning looks. “I will one-hundred percent admit that your prank had very innocent intentions. But before I tell you who did this, I want to be clear: absolutely no retribution, and no more dinking around in public resources. Deal?” She nodded so hard I thought her neck may break. “Someone with an enormous food aversion to anything ‘squishy’ ended up with one of your drinks.” I jiggled mine for emphasis. “And I am willing to bet they got a mouthful of tapioca before they realized it. They absolutely knew there was no error - they only drink water, and they are extremely sensitive to caffeine. Once they realized it was a deliberate error? There was no saving you, girl.”

Her eyes widened to the size of saucers, and I could see everything falling into place. “Oh no. Nonononononono. I didn’t think Derek used the public consoles! I never would have done it if I knew that! Or exempted him, or something… Oh gosh, I have to go apologize. I feel awful!” With that, she bolted from the room, throwing a “thanks for the stew!” over her shoulder on the way out.

Alistair just shook his head. “She really pulled a prank on the one person we can’t keep out of anything on the ship, who we have to rely on his good intentions?”

“Obviously, not on purpose,” I pointed out.

“It still doesn’t explain the small cabbages that contaminated my lunch.”

Taking a long pull from my tea, I tilted my head side to side. “It really kind of does. Charly hates capers with a passion, based solely on what they look like.”

“Madam Councillor. Brussles. Sprouts. Surely there was a better option.”

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#the miys #humans are weird #science fiction #found family #aliens #apocalypse #humans are space orcs #original fiction #food #earth is space australia

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whatdoesshedotothem · 3 years

Text

Tuesday 27 March 1832: SH:7/ML/E/15/0045

8 ¾

12 ¼

- Let[ter] fr[om] L[ad]y Gordon (Garnestone Hereford 24th inst[ant]) - 3 p[ages] - fine morn[in]g F[ahrenheit] 62° at 10 in my r[oo]m and 60° at 10 20/: in the blac[on]y - L[ad]y G- [Gordon] h[a]s settl[e]d h[e]r Spanish affairs b[u]t yet hopes to see Sp[ai]n ag[ai]n one of these days - Cosmo to ha[ve] a 5th. share as partner and she tho’ having nothing to receive for eight years has nothing to pay - L[ad]y G- [Gordon] wr[ite]s in good sp[iri]ts - chol[er]a is in Paris, b[u]t this will n[o]t prev[en]t her go[in]g there - we are to settle our plans ‘seat[e]d und[e]r the large tree on the top of the hill in the jardin des Plantes’ ‘and God willing we will see some curious scenes together before we die’ - all in the mind to agree and half sorry at being at all hampered with Miss H- [Hobart] br[eak]f[a]st at 10 20/: Mr. Wooll ca[me] to measure my b[oo]ks for a box to pack them in and L[ad]y Anne Scott call[e]d ab[ou]t 12 1/2 for ab[ou]t 20 min[ute]s - till then Miss [Hobart] and I had got into talking she not liking my so thorough change reminded her of what she had said last Sunday week I could understand her marrying but in no other case could I relish her fancy fancying anyone more than myself if there was any change of our ever living together it seems she has ssome thought she may marry we got on very well till I made some unlucky remark on this subject and she was in tears and I sorry till we w[e]nt out a lit[tle] bef[ore] 1 for an h[ou]r - (Miss H- [Hobart] and I) w[e]nt to Woolls, saunt[ere]d a lit[tle] in the Lond[on] r[oa]d and in front of the Croft and there she took courage to be conciliatory to say she liked me very much and in substance that if she did

SH:7/ML/E/15/0046

not always ssay what I liked she was afraid to say too soon what might be repented of afterwards perhaps that was unkind no not at all said I understand you your reason is i[n]telligible and I am satisfied she was pleased to see me take it so well and suffice it to say we became good friends and afterwards went on comfortably and I said I should write differently to Lady G- [Gordon] from what I had intended and merely say we would settle all in London I see Miss H- [Hobart] thinks me too old for her I said ten years but the fact is she likes me or at least does not like the idea of my too easily slipping thro’ her fingers I become calmer and calmer resolved and more and more able to look to my own interest providence orders all things wisely I will wait patiently the event doing the best I can for myself but let me keep my heart aloof and give it less hastily in time to come I will be rather more liant to Miss H- [Hobart] but after all she has cured me more than perhaps she wished or intended -

asleep in my r[oo]m fr[om] 3 to 4 -

then in 35 min[ute]s wr[ote] the ab[ov]e of today - at 4 20/: turn[e]d to my let[ter] to M- [Mariana] 2 p[ages] writ[ten] on Sun[day] and

near[l]y 1 writ[ten] yest[erday] morn[in]g - do n[o]t like h[e]r to th[in]k my health so m[u]ch the worse for

Hast[in]gs - ‘you are right - I sh[oul] be bet[ter] for 2 or 3 w[ee]ks w[i]th you at Lawt[o]n; b[u]t I can[no]t manage

it now - the bug-bus[ine]ss does really stick terrib[l]y in my throat, in spi[te] of all y[ou]r good reason[in]g

ab[ou]t it - yet ev[e]n if I c[oul]d get it digest[e]d so soon (and y[ou]r infl[uen]ce w[oul]d be all pow[er]ful) still that

w[oul]d n[o]t get rid of the oth[e]r diffic[ultie]s, Shibd[e]n and the carr[ia]ge duty concern - I shall be ver[y] ver[y] sor[ry]

if I do n[o]t see you; b[u]t, at this mom[en]t, I see lit[tle] chance of our manag[in]g an[y]th[in]g like a comf[orta]ble

meet[in]g - the obstac[le]s are fearfully strong on y[ou]r side, and mine too’ - can[no]t get off fr[om] here till the

23[r]d Ap[ril] and shall be oblig[e]d to go to Lond[on] aft[e]r all; for tho’ L[ad]y G- [Gordon] and I ha[ve] been ‘writ[in]g ab[ou]t our

plans; b[u]t it will be decid[edl]y best to talk them ov[e]r’ I m[u]st be in Lond[on] on the 25th next m[on]th and embark on the 29th

wheth[e]r L[ad]y G- [Gordon] can be ready or n[o]t - determ[ine]d n[o]t to lose the duty

on my carr[ia]ge aft[e]r all the poth[e]r ab[ou]t it - ‘yet the n[o]t see[in]g you will be a gr[ea]t disapp[ointmen]t, a

real afflict[io]n; and the near[e]r the ti[me] co[me]s, the mo[re] I shall feel it, and be irresolute’ - b[u]t hope to

see h[e]r on the oth[e]r side the wat[e]r ‘It ab[ou]t six m[on]ths s[in]ce I saw you - So[me]how or oth[e]r, I can[no]t

fancy I shall be ver[y] m[u]ch long[e]r bef[ore] I see you ag[ai]n - Mary! I am poth[ere]d ab[ou]t ho[me] concerns, and

can neith[e]r do wh[a]t I wish, or wh[a]t I ought - B[u]t, in the midst of all, the conclud[in]g part of

y[ou]r let[ter] ma[ke]s me laugh - Miss H- [Hobart] ta[ke] up her abode w[i]th me! n[o]t that I kno[w] of or expect -

Do you n[o]t rememb[e]r wh[a]t I ha[ve] alw[a]ys told you? - H[e]r health once reestab[lishe]d, and I count

up[on] her companion[in]g hers[elf] ver[y] diff[erentl]y’ - L[ad]y S- [Stuart] h[a]s been ill - b[u]t is recov[ere]d - is 8 or 9

y[ea]rs young[e]r than my fath[e]r and may ha[ve] sev[era]l comf[orta]ble y[ea]rs to co[me] - can[no]t settle an[y]th[in]g w[i]th

L[ad]y G- [Gordon] in Lond[on] - all this talk[e]d ov[e]r w[i]th M- [Mariana] when I saw h[e]r last, that she kno[w]s up to this

ti[me] as m[u]ch as I do - ‘I cert[ainl]y do wish so[me]th[in]g w[a]s settl[e]d - b[u]t being impat[ien]t does no good; and I

ta[ke] th[in]gs as they co[me], ver[y] quiet[l]y - I th[in]k of noth[in]g as fix[e]d, b[u]t my go[in]g to Paris in the 1

inst[an]ce’ - 10 days

quarantine, b[u]t comf[orta]ble temp[orar]y hot[e]ls to perform it in - finish[e]d my let[ter] last 1/3 of p[age] 3.

and long ends and und[e]r the seal sm[all] and close - tell her to ta[ke] care of hers[elf] and wr[ite] me cheer[in]g let[ter]s

I can[no]t bear to th[in]k of n[o]t seeing you ag[ai]n bef[ore] I go - and yet wh[a]t can I do? all my consolat[io]n is, that

all h[a]s been talk[e]d ov[e]r - noth[in]g left unsaid - and if there be an[y]th[in]g new that c[oul]d be add[e]d, perh[aps] it is

that I hope I shall nev[e]r repent the decis[io]n that my a[un]t hers[elf] made, and the break[in]g up our estab[lishemen]t in

Paris - B[u]t this is qui[te] bet[ween] ours[elves]’ ment[ione]d McD-‘s [Macdonald] go[in]g to leave my a[un]t on acc[oun]t of her (McD-‘s [Macdoland])

health - and that they ha[ve] h[a]d the cholera in Paris these 2 m[on]ths - at 5 50/: s[e]nt off my let[ter] to Mrs. Lawt[o]n

Lawt[o]n hall Lawt[o]n Cheshire - wr[ote] 1 p[age] to my a[un]t - dress[e]d - din[ner] at 6 3/4 in 40 min[ute]s - coff[ee] at

8 - won 1 and lost 1 hit at b[a]ckgam[mo]n - fr[om] 9 3/4 in an h[ou]r r[ea]d al[ou]d fr[om] p[age] 101 to 140 ch[apter] 59 vol[ume] xi. Gibb[o]n

ca[me] upst[ai]rs at 11 10/: and to my r[oo]m at 11 1/4 -

very good friends she asked me to give her a half hoop ruby ring perhaps we shall now go on very well I have no inclination to teaze her with caresses and ‘tis well -

fine mild day

b[u]t ver[y] lit[tle] sun aft[e]r 11 or 12 in the morn[in]g F[ahrenheit] 63° in my r[oo]m at 11 3/4 p.m. and 41° at 12 in

the balc[on]y - L[ad]y Anne Scott s[e]nt us this ev[enin]g to look Withering’s bot[an]y by MacGillivray 1 vol[ume] [octa]vo cloth

pl[a]tes 10/. - seems useful, and easy, and element[ar]y, and suffic[ientl]y portable

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rosierossette · 4 years

Text

Tempting - Ch. 3

Chapter 3 of my Tempting Loki series -

Work Summary: Working as a Temp for Tony Stark you only expected your life to revolve around sending emails and important papers for Tony Stark. However, all that changed when Loki came to live with the Avengers. Two years later, they still don’t trust Loki and need someone to constantly watch over him and keep him from causing Mischief. Given the magical ability to control Loki with your words, your journey begins as you try to carefully tread the line between keeping Loki safe and keeping others from harm. But trying to control Loki has more problems than you’re ready for, and soon you discover why he’s the God of Mischief, and how much he’s willing to sacrifice for his freedom.

Warnings: None for this chapter.

Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3

A/N: Oh My Goodness it’s finally being posted! You guys don’t understand how much I LOVE this chapter! I had such a great time writing it, and hearing the response from my Beta Reader about it brought me so much happiness! As always I’ve linked the previous chapters in this work, so if you need a refresher go ahead and do that! Let me know what you guys think of it, and thank you so much for the continued support of my work! <3

Word Count: 4,543

Loki was less than excited about the news of you watching him permanently when Thor visited him that night. While Stark paid to have your things moved to the Tower, you were busy decorating your room, pretending not to hear the sound of Loki throwing a fit. Unfortunately for you, Stark thought it might be a good idea to have your room down the same corridor as Loki’s, which meant you could hear all the nasty words about you coming from his mouth.

Thor was trying his hardest to shut Loki up, but Loki was incorrigible. Soon lightning filled the sky, the terrible roar of the thunder was the loudest you’d ever heard it. The tower shook with every strike, and you could hear the muffled voices of Thor and Loki arguing. You were busy trying to sort through the large pile of furniture ahead of you, a lovely gift from Tony as you were moving into the Tower with all the Avengers. Trying your hardest to pretend you couldn’t hear what they were arguing back, you studied the pile of laundry you also needed to deal with.

Crash. The sound of glass shattering was heard against your wall, right where yours and Loki’s rooms connected. You cursed as you ran down the hallway. You were already sick of this permanent arrangement, and the Avengers hadn’t even left yet.

“Loki, shut up!” You screamed as you slammed the door to his room open, the door pounding against the wall behind it with a bang. Loki and Thor had both turned to you startled, Loki’s mouth involuntarily slammed shut.

You immediately paused at the sight of Loki’s room. It was beautiful, although you felt even that word didn’t describe his room perfectly. Loki’s room had a strange golden glow about it. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say you were no longer on earth, or at least it looked unlike any part of earth you had seen. It looked just like Thor had described Asgard. Massive windows overlooking an alluring scene of waterfalls and birds coasting through the air. The sky was a brilliant blue, the sun only adding to its beauty rather than taking away from it. Loki’s room was huge.

Your room was nice and spacious, but it seemed like a broom closet compared to Loki’s.

The walls and floor both had the same glow about them. And as you looked around, you noticed there was a huge bookshelf covered with books, most in a language you didn’t recognize. You turned in shock and amazement to admire more of the room when you finally noticed Loki and Thor.

You shook your head, remembering why you came in.

“It is 10 o’clock at night, Thor is causing a lightning storm outside, and I’m trying to get stuff done before I pass out for the night!” You tapped your foot impatiently. “So if you’re both done having a fit at each other like children,” You gestured for Thor to leave, and he stormed out.

He turned to look at the both of you before adding, “Loki, Lady (L/N),” He nodded to each of you, sending an angry look to Loki especially, before disappearing down the long hall.

When you could no longer hear the sound of Thor’s footsteps you turned to him. “I’m sorry about casting that spell,” You spoke hurriedly. “I didn’t actually mean to do it, I was angry and well, people usually say ‘shut up’ when they’re angry, right?” Loki’s eyes never softened, he didn’t even move.

“I release you from my spell.” You mumbled, rolling your eyes. This whole situation is ridiculous.

The look in Loki’s eyes was dark, filled with anger and annoyance, and it was your only warning before he magically shoved you out of his room in a green haze, the door slamming behind you. The air was knocked out of you, so you stood there attempting to remember how to breathe for a moment. When you finally calmed down enough to walk, you went back to your room.

You threw yourself down on the bed, landing on the piles of clothes you were procrastinating working on putting away. Your room was still a mess but your mind was elsewhere. The image of what you were sure was Asgard flashed across your mind. It was absolutely breathtaking. For the first time since meeting Loki and Thor, you were actually disappointed that you were only mortal. You’d love to see the real Asgard sometime.

Keep dreaming sister.

“Alright fine, so I’m not going to Asgard anytime soon. That doesn’t give me an excuse to live in filth.” You muttered loudly to yourself as you jumped up to finish cleaning your new room. You finally came to a decision about where to move your furniture, and then promptly and unapologetically took all your clothes on your bed and moved them to the designated ‘laundry chair’.

“Perfection,” You admired your handiwork, pointedly ignoring the pile of laundry you probably wouldn’t touch for another two weeks. At least.

--------------

“Dinner is ready,” Friday’s voice filled the tower. It was six o’clock on a Thursday evening, and you felt your stomach rumble at the declaration. It had been too long since the small sandwich you had fixed yourself for lunch.

You’d been finishing some paperwork for Stark in his lab when you entered the kitchen and saw all the Avengers. They were….wearing normal clothes. You’d been working here for less than a year, and you had never seen them in anything other than their suits. Usually, when you saw them, they were either getting ready for a mission or working out for one.

Your bewildered expression must’ve been evident when Natasha came up to you holding a plate of food, teasing, “We don’t always wear our suits. We’re only human.” She laughed at her joke. “Well, I guess some of us are.” She winked at you as she walked by to sit on the couch. The mom jeans and white tee she wore seemed so foreign on her, they seemed too casual, but she didn’t look uncomfortable at all. In fact, she looked quite cozy.

“(L/N), come get some food before Sam eats it all,” Stark called to you from the kitchen. When you walked in you laughed at the spread before you. Across the counter laid buckets of fried chicken, there were several containers of mashed potatoes, way more rolls than you had ever seen at once, and a small, sad container of coleslaw.

“Um….” You snorted when you saw the coleslaw. “Who did this?”

Wanda looked up from her plate, “Their coleslaw is absolutely disgusting (L/N). I didn’t want to buy any, but someone decided they couldn’t live without it.” Her eyes trailed towards Stark.

“I will not be insulted for wanting some sort of healthy food with all this fast food junk you guys buy.” Stark didn’t even look away from his plate.

“I offered to make some, Tony,” Steve spoke up, “But you said mine didn’t meet your standards.” Steve made a look towards the offending coleslaw. “At least the lettuce in mine isn’t swimming in water.”

Stark scoffed. “Right, Cap. Well, your coleslaw is the same as what Pepper’s grandmother makes.” Stark made a vomiting noise, “It’s disgusting. I enjoy the look of swimming lettuce.”

You shook your head but decided to fix yourself food instead of getting involved. Obviously, they were both wrong. Your coleslaw was absolutely the superior one.

But like the wise temp you were, you didn’t say anything.

You noticed that all the paper plates were gone. Shrugging, you moved towards the plate cabinet, opening the door before shrieking loudly as a ginormous rat pounced out of the cupboard, barely missing you as you ran backward. Falling on your butt, you only noticed once you had stopped to take a breath that there was a slightly green tinge around the rat.

“LOKI!” You yelled at the top of your lungs, swiftly getting up and swiping at the fake rodent. You ignored the sounds of the Avengers snickering at your misfortune, and you muttered about Loki and his ridiculous sense of humor as you stood. Idiot God, who does that?!

Soon your anger melted away as you sat and enjoyed dinner with the Avengers. It didn’t happen regularly that they weren’t busy with their constant schedules, and you were happy they were so relaxed. Dinner, music, pleasant conversation, the evening went by in a whirl with you enjoying every moment.

After you finally finished with helping the others clean, you walked back to your room. You were happy, full, and ready to sleep for the next twelve years. You walked to your room before pausing in the hall, staring at the direction of Loki’s room. Shaking your head, you opened the door. Your first view of your room was the ginormous hole in the floor behind your door. As clear as day, you could see the room three floors down and you stumbled backward, your adrenaline causing your heart to pound wildly, your chest heaving as you tried to remember how to breathe.

You closed your eyes for a moment; your head pounding, your heart working blood through your system too fast. You couldn’t breathe enough. You laid down, your arms covering your eyes. You felt the shame course through you as the panic started to wear away. You finally could breathe again. Your chest rose rapidly, while your lungs remembered how to breathe properly.

When you finally were able to think properly, you stood and looked over towards the hole, expecting to see several floors through it. What you saw instead was your carpet, the floor showing no signs there ever was a hole, to begin with. Carefully you put a foot where the spot was, and all you felt was the floor. Your rage grew, your blood boiling.

Loki.

You ran to his room, turned the door handle and slammed into the hardwood when the door refused to grant you access. No matter how hard you tried, it would not budge. “Loki, what the hell is wrong with you?” You slammed your hand against his door with precision on each word. “That was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever experienced.”

You heard his muffled words through the door, “You can keep banging on my door, but I’m still not letting you in.” Loki suddenly appeared in front of you, and you almost fell over to avoid being toppled over by him. He stood, leaning against the hard wooden door, a look of contempt covered his features. “What do you want?” The bored tone in his voice made you growl internally.

“What in the seven hells is wrong with you?!” You righted yourself, standing directly in front of him, you still weren’t even close to his height. You stood up straight, attempting to close the distance, your eyes never leaving his. “Why would you do something like that?” If he was thrown off by the amount of sheer rage in your voice he hid it well, simply shrugging.

The urge to strangle him became almost unbearable, you turned, livid, going back to your room. As you walked away you gestured wildly with your hands to yourself your nails clawing at the air, growling once again.

You turned around to flash one more dirty look Loki’s way when you saw his mouth twitch up. He was smirking, the piece of shit. Loki’s brow raised, and you turned to head into your room, slamming the door behind you as he slowly entered his room again.

As you paced your room you struggled to figure out how to make him stop.

You could just - you know - use that little magic ability you got. Just a thought.

You shook the thought away. Not good enough. Besides, you’d just end up making him angrier at you, and you weren’t sure what to do if he got angrier.

Then it came to you. If I’m not going to just tell him off….you came up with an idea, and smiled mischievously.

Two could play at this game.

----------------

You had encountered only a couple issues with Loki again, all of them seemed like he was challenging you, egging you on. He was mocking you, that much you were sure of. If you hadn’t stopped him already, he was sure you weren’t going to do much about it. And you weren’t in a hurry to change his mind. Patience is a virtue.

Finally, your moment came. He finally stepped up his pranks again, this time by locking you in your room. By locking, he, of course, decided to get rid of the door, leaving you stranded in your room for about three hours before he got bored and moved on. When he finally thought you worthy of releasing, you had a whole plan figured out, and if things went well, you would be the winner of his stupid game.

Well, at least for a couple of hours. But you decided not to think too hard about that.

It took a few hours, but you finally ran into Loki. Unfortunately, your spell only worked if Loki could actually hear it. It was bittersweet: It meant you could see his face as you controlled him, but it also meant you couldn’t do it from a safe distance.

When he walked past you, you swiftly turned your mind towards his. “Loki, when you play a prank on someone or use your magic to inconvenience anyone, you have to kiss the person you’re standing next to.”

When Loki turned to you, rage contorting his features, you simply winked and blew a kiss his way.

It wasn’t long before you heard yelling from one of the Avengers as your spell did its job. True to your word, every time Loki decided to play a prank on someone, he had to kiss the poor soul standing next to him.

It worked out perfectly that his first unintentional victim had been Steve Rodgers. Although you’d be lying if you said you hadn’t secretly hoped it would be Stark. Thinking about the look on Stark’s face made you giggle as you headed towards the sounds of Steve’s stuttering.

“What is wrong with you?” Steve repeated the question multiple times, his face was one of complete shock. His hand rested over his mouth. His words were fuzzy as they tried to escape through his hand.

Loki looked just as shocked and looked over towards the sounds of footsteps, his face turning to stone when he saw it was you. “(Y/N).....”

“Are you blaming me for you suddenly jumping Steve, Loki?” You feigned a shocked look, earning an even deadly glare from Loki. “Why would I put a spell on you to kiss Steve?” You walked over and rubbed Steve’s back, faking your concern when all you wanted to do was laugh out loud.

Although you did feel a little bit bad. Poor Steve hadn’t seen it coming.

Loki stared daggers at you, and from behind Steve, you smiled widely. You laughed softly when Loki walked away, his steps thumping loud on the tile flooring.

This means war little mortal, you could hear his voice sneering in your mind. I hope you’re prepared for the consequences.

You smirked as you headed towards the kitchen. I was born ready, Good luck with kissing everyone in the tower.

The slight pain you received as a reply told you everything you needed to know. Especially when Sam cried out this time.

“LOKI!”

A couple of days of Loki kissing everyone in the tower (you both had successfully avoided being around one another, Natasha was the only one left. But the look on Stark’s face when he became another kissing victim made everything worth it to you). You had been sitting, facing the window in the hall, sketching out a picture of the beautiful city below. You could hear Thor’s angry footsteps, appearing in the hallway connecting yours and Loki’s room.

“The two of you had better come out before I break both of your doors down.” Thor’s voice was low, but there was a terrifying power in his words. Thor noticed your presence and nodded towards you, the movement stiff.

You stood, staring at Thor in confusion at the same time Loki walked out of his room. You both had turned towards each other, and immediate icy glares were shared between the two of you. Had Thor not been in such a belligerent mood, he would’ve laughed at your antics. You both stood in front of him. Loki with his arms crossed, looking as bored as ever. You with your hands on your hips, your brow raised at Thor’s anger.

“What do we owe this lovely surprise, brother?” Sarcastic boredom were the words that came immediately to mind at the sound of his voice.

“I’m here to tell both of you to stop your petty fighting,” Thor stared pointedly at Loki and then at you. “You both are causing unneeded wreckage to the tower and to everyone’s emotional stability.”

You had a hunch Thor wasn’t here of his own accord. You also had an image of Steve’s face and snorted out loud, earning a look from Thor that clearly said not now.

“I’m here to ask both of you to stop before I’m forced to take drastic measures,” Thor spoke after a moment of silence. He stared at you until you both nodded. “Good.” Then he left as speedily as he came.

You both stared after him for a while before you spoke, “We’re not listening to him, right?”

Silence.

“Absolutely not.” Loki agreed.

You paused for a moment before speaking again. “Wanna join forces and prank Thor?”

“Yes.”

You nodded, and silence filled the hall again.

After a moment, both of you finally turned to go to your rooms. When you were at your door, you paused, noticing Loki do so as well. “Would-” You hesitated for a moment. “Would you like to come in? Just to talk about what we’re gonna do?”

“No,” Loki replied speedily. You nodded and started to head into your room. You paused in the doorway when you heard his soft voice say, “But I’ll meet you at midnight in the living room.” His door clicking behind him as you walked in was the last sound you heard from him.

You smiled softly, were you really about to do this?. “Deal.” You walked into your room, and hurriedly checked the clock.

9:53

You groaned softly. Was it worth going to bed now, only to wake up in a few hours tired and bitter? Not really. Sighing, you looked around your room and spotted that pile of laundry you’d been avoiding. Guess we’ll waste time actually cleaning. Shocking.

When you finished hanging up the way too large pile of laundry, you checked the clock again. 10:30.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” you flopped down on your bed groaning loudly, already bored. What were you supposed to do to get the time to pass by quicker?

How about you pick up a book to read, instead of being loud and obnoxious. Loki’s snarky voice snuck into your mind. You frowned.

Rude. I’m not even talking.

Your mind is scattered all over the place, and I can’t read with you sending your thoughts over here. You could practically see the annoyance on his face. Read woman, and let me have peace.

You rolled your eyes, but took his advice and picked up the first book you could find.

Soon time passed by too rapidly, and you nearly jumped when you heard Loki’s voice once again. Let's go little one. You stood, stretched out your muscles as much as possible and headed towards the living room, walking behind Loki, every step in sync.

“So how are we going to do this?” You asked as soon as Loki sat down on the chair opposite you.

“I might have a few ideas,” Loki stared you in the face. “But it could get a bit….,” he paused. “A bit smelly.”

You paused for only a moment, “Let’s do it.”

And every moment after that you’d be more careful about what you’d agree to. Especially when it was followed by the sneakiest smile you’d ever seen on Loki’s lips.

----------------

You woke up to the sound of your alarm clock going off, and you groaned sleepily. The annoying ding ding only increased the pounding in your head due to not enough sleep. It was nine in the morning, but you still hadn’t slept too well, since Loki and you had stayed up way too late preparing everything for the little prank. You could still smell the prank all over you.

I am never, ever, doing that ever again.

You jumped up and hurriedly took a shower, preparing yourself for the day. Loki had said that the rest was up to Thor, but that you would definitely know when the trap worked. You’d be lying if you said that didn’t worry you at all. You’d told him you didn’t want to do anything too drastic, but you were starting to worry you both might have different definitions on the word drastic.

When you were finally ready, you headed out the door, already smelling way better. As you closed your door behind you Loki opened his and walked out, winking at you as he headed towards the kitchen in a green t-shirt, and black jeans. You smiled and followed him.

There were a few Avengers still eating in the kitchen, but for the most part, it wasn’t too busy. Wanda and Vision were sitting at the table chatting, and Bucky was watching some game show as he ate bacon and eggs. Your stomach grumbled loudly, and you took it as your cue to make something quick and easy. Your two favorite words when it came to food in the morning.

You grabbed your ingredients and put them together before finally sitting at the table with your prize in front of you.

Delicious peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

You smiled to yourself as you took a bite. You hadn’t eaten this sandwich in years, the last time being when your grandmother made you one before your first day of kindergarten. Feeling someone staring at you, you looked up and noticed Loki eyeing your sandwich with a look of curiosity.

“Did you want one Loki?” You gestured towards the glorious sandwich in front of you.

“I’m good, thanks.” He kept staring at your sandwiches.

You got up, grabbed a plate and gave the other sandwich on your plate to him. “It’s not the best thing I’ve ever made, but I enjoy eating it.”

He nodded his thanks before grabbing the offered sandwich and taking a bite. When he took a bite he stared at the sandwich in his hand, then at you, then back to the sandwich. You giggled softly at his response before sitting back down and enjoying your own sandwich. Loki came and sat down next to you, the both of you enjoying your sandwiches in silence.

Suddenly there was a loud roar heard throughout the tower. There was a loud CLAP as thunder and lightning shook the building. You and Loki looked towards one another before booking it out of the kitchen as fast as possible. The sounds of Wanda calling after you were drowned out by the angriest sound you had ever heard in your life.

“LOKI! (Y/N)!” Your names were howled. You both tried to keep from laughing. You could hear Thor catching up to both of you. Loki turned a corner sharply, grabbing your hand as you attempted to keep up. When Thor’s howling became almost deafening, you both ran into the first door you saw, shutting it behind you before darkness enveloped both of you.

You were breathing loudly, all the running had killed your ability to breathe properly. Loki placed a hand over your mouth lightly, still allowing you to breathe while he held a finger up to his mouth.

Be quiet! His voice spoke into your mind, his eyes sending warnings your way.

Thor had suddenly stopped yelling your names. You hadn’t realized, you were too busy trying to breathe.

You could hear his footsteps, slowly getting closer when a horrible smell filled the area around you. You nearly gagged. Maybe dropping Thor into the sewer hadn’t been such a good idea. You looked towards Loki and saw him shake his head, a real smile on his face. You paused. You hadn’t actually seen a real smile on him before, and it was even more shocking for you when you were filled with the desire for him to never stop smiling. Something told you he wasn’t meant to be so bitter all the time.

This is one of my best ideas yet, Loki’s voice filled your head, and you saw him struggle to keep from laughing. You covered his mouth with one of your hands. He looked surprised but didn’t pull away. The look in his eyes made something inside you flutter, and you were suddenly aware of the sounds of both your heartbeats filling the closet you hide in.

When you both saw Thor’s shadow stop right in front of the door you involuntarily moved closer together. Your head rested on his chest, his head on top of your head. You hold your breath, your hands both resting on your stomach. You felt his hands move and wrap around you. You breathed in and immediately could smell Loki. He smelled fresh. You couldn’t explain his smell. It wasn’t like anything you’d smelled before.

When Thor finally leaves, taking the stench with him, you finally look up to smile at Loki, stopping when you realize how close your faces actually are. Your noses almost touched, you could feel his warm breath on your lips. You both pause, searching the other’s face. Neither of you moves, you just wait. You don’t know what it is you’re waiting for, but you know it’ll be worth it in the end.

When you finally start to move, the closet door whips wide open, revealing a very angry Thor. He’s soaking wet, and the sewer smell is overpowering. He opens his mouth to yell at both of you before pausing, taking in your questionable position

You both jump apart as much as the small closet would allow, looking sheepishly at one another. You can feel your face turn slightly pink as Thor mutters, “Pardon me, Brother,” before he speed-walks away from you. You look over at Loki and notice a slight pink tinge to his cheeks, and you feel your cheeks heat up even more. You can’t even look at each other. His arms lay uselessly at his sides and yours are wrapped around your torso.

“I should go,” you point towards where you think your bedroom is. “I’ve got a lot of work to do for Stark…”

“Yes, right,” Loki stutters. “I do as well. I mean, not for Stark, I just have a lot of- a lot of work I need to do…” his voice drifts off.

You can’t run away from each other quickly enough.

#Rosierossette #Tempting #Tempting Fic #Loki #Loki x Reader #Rosierossette writes #Loki Odinson #Loki Laufeyson

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asmodeus-psd · 30 days

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❣ / 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝟎𝟕 ……………............... [ 𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄 ] 𝘣𝘺 𝐀𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐔𝐒 — 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 !

i finally decided to take a break from the 5th grader discovering text transform behavior to give yall something a little simpler and by proxy more aesthetic lol features a black and white coloring with a soft concrete-like pattern overlay. please like/comment/reblog/credit me if you use! thank you!

FEATURES:

1 smart psd

font used (gloock)

the above 3 sample photos

DOWNLOAD: DEVIANTART (FREE) x VIEW MORE TEMPLATES

#rpc #rph #character psd #character template #rp psd #rp template #psds.#rp resources #supportcontentcreators #dearindies #free resources #templates.#mine: ch temp.#mine.psd

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brieannakeogh · 5 years

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Dog Days of Summer- Ch 12

Dog Days of Summer- Chris Evans X plus sized reader. Dog days of summer are usually defined as the hottest of the year, some define it as lazy days. This year ‘hottest’ has nothing to do with the outside temp. You meet Chris and Dodger Evans while taking your own dog to the park.

Previous Chapter / Master List

Warnings: No warnings.

Chapter 12

On the way home you called the store and let them know about the cart in the middle of the aisle, apologizing for the abruptness. The rest of the time you stewed. You knew he had your best interests at heart, and if he had fessed up right after you don’t think you would have been so mad about it, but he hadn’t said a word. If you hadn’t ran into Matt would he ever have told you? He can’t just hide painful truths from you, especially because you hadn’t even known him that long. If he overstepped that much after just a couple of weeks, what would he do after six months? Would he try to hide things that happen on set or while he was away? You were done with being lied to and you really wanted to believe it was a one time thing, but really everything had moved so fast. Did you even really know this person aside from the interviews and things you’ve seen online? How much of feeling like you’ve known him forever and trust in him is from what you knew before, or the real person sitting beside you?

Chris touched the back of your hand, pulling you from your thoughts. Looking out to your apartment, you couldn’t be sure if it was relief or dread that the drive was so quick. He interlocked your fingers to bring your attention to your joined hands instead of out the window. “Sweetheart I’m so sorry. I knew that I shouldn’t have done it, or at least told you, but I didn’t want you to be hurt again. I had just gotten you calm and in the bath.”

“I know Chris.” Your focus still on your hands, his thumb running softly over your fingers. “The problem is, a lie of omission is still a lie and I promised myself after Matt I would never tolerate someone lying to me again. I just wish you had told me.” You release his hand. “Let’s go get Dodger.”

Chris is quiet until the elevator ride up. “Does that mean I’m not welcome?”

“God no Chris!” You turn to him, wanting to hug him but knowing you can’t right now. “I just need a little time and some space to myself.” The elevator doors open and you step out into the hallway, fiddling with your keys by the door. “Can you give me until Monday? That gives me the weekend to wrap my head around this. I really like you Chris, but I’ve got to figure out if I can trust this will be a one time thing.”

He nodded and you unlocked the door. The happy dogs sensing the mood, quickly calmed down. He leashed up Dodger while you held Popcorn to your chest. It hurt watching him go, but it’s the only way you could think clearly.

“Can I ask you something?” Chris turned back to you at the door. You nod. “In a relationship, what is the one most important thing for you?” That wasn’t the question you expected after your first fight, it was like a first date getting-to-know-you thing.

Lifting Popcorn up to your face, wanting to hide behind him you answered. “A year ago my answer would be loyalty, but it’s changed. I’ve changed. Now? Honesty, brutal honesty.”

“So for example, not that it would happen, but say I cheat. Fuck some rando girl after being away on set for 6 months. Even after all he put you through, you would be willing to forgive me if I was honest with you about it?” He sounded incredulous, but you nodded all the same.

“I wouldn’t be happy, but if we talked about it and came to an understanding, yeah I would.”

“I think you already know mine is loyalty.”

“Yeah, I know. Loyalty and trust.”

He turned back to the door, opening it. “Talk to you on Monday.” He said over his shoulder going down the hall to the elevator, not looking back at you even as the doors were closing.

You cried yourself to sleep that night. Popcorn wasn’t happy about how clingy you were being, constantly trying to wriggle away, but you just held on tighter until he gave up. Only when he started making noises of protest did you let him go his own way, calling him a traitor as he slinked down to the foot of the bed. It surprised you just how much it hurt after such a short amount of time. Finding out Matt was cheating on you wasn’t even this bad, you were just enraged at that. This you couldn’t even be really mad about what Chris did. You still didn’t like it, but understood his reasoning. Honestly you couldn’t wait until Monday and it scared you how strong you were feeling about that.

The next morning you woke up groggy, lonely and with a splitting headache from crying all last night. You went back to the little boring routine you had before Chris barreled into your life. It’s funny, nothing you and Chris did together was really what you would call exciting, but it was just more fun than laying around alone. Aggravated with yourself for thinking about him and missing him every minute wasn’t helping. What you needed was a distraction.

Online you look through different job websites, picking out positions that are near you and sound like something you would be hired for. You spent the rest of the afternoon filling out applications and sending out resumes. That night you had fitful dreams about paperwork chasing you and being labeled a psycho on the online personality tests.

Waking up again dog tired, you were coming to the realization that you might have to beg him for forgiveness just so you could get a good night's rest in his warm bed. It had only been a day and a half and you realize how attached you were to him. That was not a good sign for the days ahead, you didn’t know if you’d be able to handle him being gone frequently.

You spent the morning and afternoon checking your email for any response to your resume, answering the ones that did and setting up a few interview times. You kept glancing at your phone as you worked, debating if you should end the shut out early. Clearly your decision to forgive him had been made, now you were just hurting yourself and possibly him. If you called him early, would he think you were weak? That had been your issue with Matt. You had been a doormat and he took advantage of it. No, Chris wasn’t like that. You’d known that from the conversation on the bench at the park. If you close your eyes you can still feel the breeze and the warmth of his shoulder on your cheek. That felt like months ago when it had only been a few short days.

Mind made up you grab your cell phone. Looking at the time you remember that it was Friday and he was supposed to go out with friends tonight. On the one hand you wanted to tell him as soon as possible so he could have a good night, but you also didn’t want to disturb him. As you were fiddling with your phone, trying to decide what to do, there was a knock at the door.

Your whole body stiffened since there were only two people that could have gotten past the lobby door, Chris or Matt. Neither were expected and you weren’t sure which you were more nervous to be on the other side, for completely different reasons.

Another bang, bang, bang came through, sounding more like a fist then knuckles. Popcorn started to bark and ran over, trying to be as intimidating as a small chihuahua could be.

You walk over and try to look through the peephole, but you can’t see anything, just the wall across the way. So you shout through it. “Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

Your heart jumped back in your chest but kept the quick pace. Your mind flashing to a couple of weeks ago when that same voice stood outside your door.

Hand already moving to unlock and open the door, even with your brows drawn up in confusion. “Chris?” The smell of alcohol hit you first when you got the door barely cracked open. His appearance looked like normal, hair styled, clothes in place, but he was leaning heavily on your doorway and swaying a little. “Oh God, Chris how much did you drink? You didn’t drive here did you?” Trying and failing to look around him to see if someone carried him up to your door.

“No they rolled past and kicked me out of the car. Said they were tired of hearing me talk about you and to just make up already.”

You snort out a laugh. “Good friends.”

“I said you wouldn’t see me until Monday, but they didn’t listen.” He stared at you for a beat. “Hey you did open the door!” A look of surprise filters over his face.

“Yes I did and now I’m going to tell you to come in here.” You tug at his arm, pulling him over the threshold enough to close the door. Steering him to the couch and making him sit, you go to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee and grab a glass of water. It’s not long before he stumbles from the couch to the kitchen. Turning off the sink faucet you thrust the glass of water under his nose. “Here, drink this, and I don’t remember telling you that you could get up.”

He takes the glass and finishes it in three gulps. “Why do I have to stay on the couch?”

“Because you are drunk and can barely stand on your own two feet. I don’t want you falling and getting a concussion.”

“But I missed you!” He says with a grin, flinging his arms around you.

Patting him on the back. “I missed you too.”

“Did you? You’re not mad anymore?” He mumbled into your neck. He had started to lean more weight onto you then you were comfortable with but you braced your legs and held him up.

“No I’m not mad, I was actually just about to call you when you showed up.”

“Really?” He pulled back, swaying a little, his face lit up like Christmas and you couldn’t help but smile back.

“Yes really. I still want to talk about it, but I forgive you.”

“No, no, no. Less talk, more kissing.” He leans in and you put a hand over his face laughing at his excitement.

“Go sit, I’ll bring you some coffee.”

“Ugggg.” he whines and flops face first on your couch.

When you come back with a cup of joe, you find him snoring softly into the couch cushions. Setting the mug down, you move his head so he could at least breath properly and grab a throw off the back of the couch to cover him. His feet still stick out, so you go and get a comforter off the bed and switch it out with the throw for yourself.

With your hands on your hips you shake your head at the passed out form and quietly begin to lock up. Changing into pjs and climbing into bed with the throw, you turn out the last light and fall asleep yourself. You feel the bed dip and look over to see Chris crawling in, wrapped up like a burrito in your comforter. Giving him a warm smile to let him know it’s ok, he moves in and covers you both up, pulling you against his chest. The bedside clock says 3am, you had only been asleep for a few hours, but he seemed a bit more sober than before.

“I missed you.” He breathed into your neck.

You reach back and pet his head. “I know, you already told me once tonight. I missed you too.”

“I didn’t know where I was at first when I woke up. Popcorn decided to lay on me and it startled me awake. Not use to a small thing jumping up on me.”

“What about Dodger? Will he be ok for the night?”

“I called my doorman, he said he would take him out to the bathroom tonight and in the morning.” He buried his face into your neck. “I’m sorry.” His voice rumbled into your skin.

You tighten your arms around his that are wrapped around you. “I know. I’m sorry too.”

He sat up a bit and turned you to be able to see your face. “What for?”

“I overreacted. I had the right to be mad but I went too far. I think some of it was how I’ve been treated in the past, but you’re not them and are allowed to make your own mistakes without me putting their leftover baggage on you.” Lifting a hand out of the covers you put it against his cheek, hoping to show him how much you missed him. He leaned down and slid his lips over yours, sealing them together for a sweet kiss that let you know you were forgiven too. “Still want to date the crazy woman?”

“As long as you can put up with my fanbase and anxiety, I can deal with your level of crazy, which is pretty much average. You’re way more sane then some of the women I’ve dated.”

Before you can ask about the number of crazy women he’s dated, he’s already back claiming your mouth. Rolling you to your back, you can feel him press against your side, his cock straining against your hip. It brings up all sorts of pleasant memories, but also another. “I distinctly remember saying there would be no booty calls on Friday.” You mumble into his mouth.

“I didn’t call, so it doesn’t count. Besides, we just made up from our first fight, I think we deserve makeup sex.”

“I think we need to get some sleep and for you to sober up.”

“I’m sober. Perfectly sober.” He replied with mock indignation.

“If that was true you’d have a splitting headache.” Even in the darkness of the room you could see his lip poke out in a pout, which just confirmed your suspicions. “How about a counter offer of morning sex and a big greasy breakfast when we get up?”

“Fine, but I only want to leave the bed tomorrow for food and to take the dog out.”

Your hand runs down his back as he snuggles back up to you, his head being pillowed by your chest. “I think that is one of your best ideas yet.”

After a bit of cuddling, you both get comfortable and start to drift off. You’re teetering right on the edge of sleep when his voice interrupts the quiet night. “I got my schedule. I’m leaving next week.” If you had been any further into sleep you never would have heard him, as it is you grow very still. You thought you had more time than this and it felt like cold water thrown on you.

“Next week?”

“Thursday.”

Swallowing down the breath you were holding, relieved it was at least the end of the week. Trying to pull as much cheerfulness into your voice as you can muster, you turn to him. “Sounds like we need pack a lot into this week. I think we can do it though, we just need to get organized and schedule out a plan of attack. You might need to do that because I suck at it. I figure we need to have sex, eat, have more sex, sleep, eat, take the dogs out at some point and just continue that cycle the rest of the week. Maybe also talk about the best way to stay in contact while you’re gone too, but that can be…” You were cut off by his mouth on yours. Even in the moonlight his eyes were bright and hopeful.

“So no thought about kicking me out?” He pulled away just enough to talk, but his grip on your hip was tight.

“Never for this, it’s your passion. Plus I quite enjoy watching your movies, but I think we established that.”

“Yes, obsessive fangirl if I recall correctly.”

You smack his arm. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Now it’s abusive fangirl.” He grumbles as he rubs the spot on his arm.

“Ya big baby. Go to sleep or I won’t take you out for breakfast.”

“Threatening to cancel breakfast and not morning sex?”

“That would be more of a punishment for me, not you.” You peck his jawline and snuggle closer, burying your face in his neck this time. Letting out a sigh as he rubs your back. “We can do this right? I mean you’ve done it before?”

“Yes, but if one of them worked out I wouldn’t be single right now. Ow!”

“You’re not single right now.” The teeth marks on his shoulder still visible.

“You know what I meant. You’re very violent when I’m drunk.”

“So you admit it!” You start giggling as he protests. “Nope you said it, so go to sleep.”

“Fine, but next time you drink too much I’m going to bite you back.”

“Promises, promises.” The words rumbled into his neck as he chuckles. Soon you’re both fast asleep, but you’re dreams aren’t in any less turmoil then when you slept alone. Only this time you were chasing him, never quite able to keep up.

Next Chapter

Only took a month to update this. Sorry about that. Hopefully it was worth the wait.

Thank you everyone that still keeps up with my blog!

@spidey-babe-parker, @stevieang, @albinotigerpython, @paintballkid711, @katykyll, @avengersrulez1536, @ultrafreespirit, @wantingtobekorra, @i-had-a-life-once, @ghostssss, @babybeluuga, @bodhi-black, @kanupps06, @hatterripper31, @grandloser, @reniescarlett, @kjidhzyx, @normanreedus5150, @ilovethings-somuch, @spiderman-2013, @bloodyvalentine93, @xx-raven, @passionghost, @prettybubblesintheair, @averyrogers83, @ria132love, @patzammit, @whom-the-fack, @pooslie, @3dsaunt, @kristiedwyer, @janeyboo, @theonelittleone, @aslandia726, @itsmysticalmystery, @stanclub, @geminimoonbeamx, @lookwhatyoumademequeue, @eyesfixedonthesun22, @mrsalh32611, @whatmakesmebeme-tblr, @isaxhorror, @kateelyse96, @hidden-treasures21, @aubreystilinski, @tnupsweetpie, @mikaelasingswritesloves, @webcraft4eveh, @fanfictionandjunk, @elizabeth-marie-moon, @linesal

#chris evans x plus size reader #Chris Evans #chris evans x reader #plus sized reader #dog days of summer

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valleyofearthsbeginning · 4 years

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The Only Home She Knew: Ch. 1 Almost Mrs. Merlotte

Delia Reynolds has been missing for 10 years. Now she finds herself coming back home a little different but the only thing that has stayed the same is the town of Bon Temps and her love for Sam Merlotte. Does Sam still love her after all these years? Can he forgive her?

_______________________________________________________________________

It was like nothing had changed, in ten years nothing had changed. Bon Temps was just as bland and dull as it was when she left it. The wind stirred against the willows, bringing up the smell of rancid swamp water and whatever animal was dying close by. It burned her nostrils given that her sense of smell was in overdrive. She was close to a restaurant of some kind; the odor of meat grilling was at least a mile away. It was dark, the kind of dark that seemed to never end in the south.

It was the kind of dark that could send chills down your spine, whether you were human or not. The only glimpse of light was the little flickers from the fireflies buzzing around, the aura of the restaurant ahead, and the moon. She decided to run ahead.

‘ Merlotte’s ’, she read. Her face lit up brighter than the moon above her. She knew once she opened those doors, she was home.

She stood there amazed at everyone and everything. The people of Bon Temps were laughing and drinking themselves to death, like she never left. She scanned the room, until she recognized a loud mouth and a head full of bright crimson hair. Arlene. She made eye contact with Arlene and suddenly, the pitcher Arlene was holding crashed down to the floor.

Arlene just stood there, not moving a single muscle, like she was frozen in time. ‘Ho-ly shit’, were the only words that managed to escape her lips. Soon the whole room went silent. Another voice emerged from the back.

‘Arlene, you can’t keep droppin’ the-‘. She took a step back. It was like going back in time, he still looked exactly the same.

His hair was exactly the same, maybe a little longer and definitely a little grayer. Damn, that man knew how to wear a pair of jeans! Everything fit perfectly. She met him in the eyes and instantly she felt drawn to him like she never left. Just like the last ten years never happened. She could see the look of anger, disbelief, and hurt all in one glance. But she always got weak in the knees for Sam Merlotte .

‘Delia?’ He sputtered.

She found herself gushing with excitement. She walked towards him, arms open. She wrapped around him tight him, breathing in his scent. Even though everything was so strong to her this was so different. It was comfortable. It was home.

‘Sam’, she whispered longingly into his ear.

‘ How did you- where did you-‘ He responded the way she expected him to, the way she expected anyone to respond but the thing was that she knew Sam. She knew what made him happy, what made him tick and she would never forget.

‘Is there somewhere we can talk?’ she asked him. He nodded.

Nothing was said as she followed Sam towards his office, they walked in silence. The crowd was still quiet but, she could hear the gossiping whispers. As she passed the kitchen, she saw an uncooked hamburger being slapped on the grill. It only reminded her that she hadn’t eaten in about three weeks; the ringing in her ears began. She was used to not eating for long periods of time. It was how she learned to curb her hunger for human flesh. At first she fed on squirrels and other animals, but they had a gamey taste she really didn’t care for. Once True Blood came along she found the transition a lot easier.

She entered his office and he closed the door behind him. She started to feel faint, soon enough she was starting to look at the ceiling.. ‘Whoa, hey!’ Sam caught her just in time before she hit the floor. The nosebleeds began. This always happened when she didn’t feed well, not only her but, every vampire got the bleeds. Sam ushered to the chair at his desk and gave her a towel for her nose. ‘Have you eaten? You look-‘

She giggled at him. ‘What? Sick? Pale?’

‘No, you look the same, exactly the same.’ He said as if he just said an ugly secret out loud. She looked at him and sighed.

She realized that she had a lot of explaining to do, not just to Sam but to everyone. She looked at him in the eyes. He was giving her the same look he had ten years ago. Her eyes began to drift to the box of True Blood on the floor. Sam followed her eyes to the box. It took him a minute to figure out why she was looking but it all came together.

‘You’re a-?’ Once again like letting out a dirty little secret. She saw the anger and pain rise in him.

Sam, I promise I will explain everything to you, I promise. Just let me eat , okay?‘ She gathered enough strength to walk towards him. She kissed him gingerly on his cheek and smelled his scent once more. Sam closed his eyes.

“Who the hell does she think is, she comes here after ten years and I’m supposed to wait until she decides to get good and ready to tell me the truth?” he thought to himself, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.

He loved that girl more than anything in this world. Hell, he would give her the world if he knew how. He nodded his head and remembered that he had a restaurant to run.

`‘We can talk when I close up. Take my keys, there is a string a housing complexes just down the road, mine is the second one on the left. Take as much True Blood as you can carry and just wait for me there.’

Sam really didn’t know why he was so trusting of her, he didn’t know where she had been or who she could’ve possibly become while she was gone. ‘Sam.’ She called out after him.

‘Thank you’ She honestly didn’t know what else to say, she knew she was asking a lot, especially after what she put Sam through. He nodded and walked out. He began to think, ‘Is this why you couldn’t pick up a fucking phone? Huh? We have been looking for you for ten years, Delia, I thought you were dead.’

He couldn’t keep his mind on anything else. Especially since Arlene kept staring at him, he swore she was burning a hole right through him. He knew what she was getting at, she was wondering what he was going to do now. The answer was that he didn’t know and he was pretty sure there were no self-help books on what to do when the girlfriend you intended on spending the rest of your life with, disappears for ten years and comes back as a vampire. For right now he was going to keep it as normal as he knew how.

Delia walked up the steps to the house. She reached for the screen when the dog on the porch seemed to feel threatened. ‘Shhh, hey now its ok. I’m a friend, I promise.’ She gave the pup a straight look in the eyes and a rub behind the ears. Immediately, the canine rolled over onto its belly, waiting to receive all the scratches it could get. Delia smiled from ear to ear like the pup before her.

She opened the door into Sam’s house. It was rather un-homey. Other than the god awful wallpaper, which she knew Sam probably picked out, he never was never one for decoration. He had no sense of style really, for goodness sakes all he ever wore were jeans and t-shirts or whatever awful button up he could find. But that was Sam.

Other than a few boxes there really wasn’t any sign of anyone living here. She looked around to see what kind of man Sam had become, while she was gone. She wanted to see vacation photos, photos of friends or even ex-girlfriends hell, even current girlfriends. Thinking back, she realized that Sam was always alone. If she wasn’t with him, he was alone. She couldn’t help but think if he had been alone the whole time while she was gone.

She walked into the kitchen to look into the fridge. Nothing. She put the four cases of True Blood onto the floor and put one bottle into the microwave. It really didn’t taste any better hot but it tasted better than cold blood. She soon wandered into the back bedroom. The bed was unmade.

“Maybe he slept here,” she thought.

She placed the bottle of True Blood on the nightstand and knelt down, she could smell him on the pillow and sheets. “He definitely slept here.” She breathed him in. She started to think of the days she would spend in bed with Sam. She would first spend a few hours with him but he would wrap his arms around her waist and pepper kisses on the back of her neck.

‘Baby, please don’t go. Please just a few more hours. It gets so goddamn lonely out here, baby please!” He begged and pleaded.

She loved being alone with him. They would always joke about getting married and starting a family. They joked about going around the world and one day opening a restaurant. They joked even though every time she could tell Sam Merlotte wasn’t joking. Next to the bed was a box of old t-shirts. She dug deeper into the box to see if she could find anything else about Sam. Found a picture. Nothing new, just a memory, something she had almost forgotten.

It was her and Sam on a lake outside of Shreveport. It was after college finals and Sam wanted to reward her or more like reward himself, because they could start the next phase of their life together. He was holding onto her hips tight and kissing her cheek, while she smiled into the camera. She also remembers the fight they had right after that picture was taken. Sam was ready for their lifetime adventure, while Delia wanted to take her time and start things slow.

‘ What about our plans, baby? What about what we talked about?’ He protested.

``I know, I know. We could still do it. You can come with me and get an apartment. And hey, since you got your GED, maybe you could take a few classes –‘

‘I don’t have the money for schools like these. Why can’t we just do like we planned?‘

She wanted to go with Sam so bad but she knew if she didn’t get a diploma for something that she could really get a job, that also paid well, she would be kicking herself for the rest of her life.

‘I’m not saying we still can’t do it, im just saying if I get a decent education then that would make the future so much easier. We wouldn’t make that many mistakes later on.’

‘What do you mean by decent education? Mistakes? What mistakes?’ His blood was boiling. ‘Look just because I didn’t go to any tight-assed college doesn’t mean –‘

‘Oh yeah because I forgot you’re the Lone Fucking Ranger! I get it Sam, AUTHORITY BAD! I’m not asking you to enroll in fucking Oxford, I’m just asking you to do something that’s going to help us-‘

‘Well you sure as hell wasn’t thinking about us when you decided to get rid our baby.’

He said it to spite her. He knew that ate her up inside, he knew that she hated herself for what happened but it was too late for him to take back what he said. He saw the tears and hate swell up in her eyes but he was mad at her, he was mad because it seemed like she was trying to destroy the family that he wanted, the life he wanted to have with her.

Tears fell from her eyes like a stream. She didn’t know what to say, she didn’t even know what to feel. She couldn’t be mad at him for saying it; it hurt him as much as it hurt her but the way he said it like he was using it to make her feel guilty. That baby didn’t ask to be conceived, it was too many tequila shots and Delia feeling needy.

‘Fuck You.’ It came out like she couldn’t breathe

She took one of the oars. Sam thought that he was going to end up in the lake. She pulled the boat towards the dock, which was a lot harder than she thought, she usually let Sam row. All he could do was watch her because God knows what she’d do to him if dared to try to talk to her right now.

Once the boat reached the dock, she hoisted herself up on the ladder and ran. She really had no idea where she was going but she didn’t want to look at Sam Merlotte. Her tears flew back against the wind making it hard to see where she was going. She decided to stop in the middle of a meadow of dandelions not to far from the lake. She collapsed down into the ground hard. Her body was shaking from crying.

She jumped when Sam came and put an arm around her, she could barely hear him through her sobbing. He rocked with her back and forth.

‘Shh baby it's okay. ‘ he whispered to her. ‘It’s okay. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it, I promise I didn’t.’

He peppered kisses all over her neck. His shirt was soaked with all the tears but he didn’t care, he was holding onto someone who loved him and she loved him right back. Delia managed to catch her breathe for a moment.

‘I’m sorry Sam, I’m sorry I fucked everything up for us. I’m-‘ he interrupted her.

‘Hey, you didn’t fuck anything up okay. Hell, if anything was fucked up it was because of me, I was being selfish. I wasn’t thinking about you and how you felt I was thinking of myself and I’m sorry. I love you Delia. I love you more than anything in this world. You are all that I have and I appreciate you sticking with me, I really do. I am always going to love you okay. Now I brought you out here to have a nice day with my favorite woman and to-‘

She kissed him. He was all that she wanted right now in this moment and that’s what she had. She was never going to love anyone the way that she loved Sam.

‘I love you Sam.’

‘Love you too baby’.

Drops of blood began to drip down onto the picture. She touched eyes and found them wet. She looked down to her fingertips and saw the same red that was dripping on her hand held memory. This photo reminded her of a promise she made to herself, a promise that she made to Sam and now, many years later she realized that she had broken that promise the moment she had a choice. The choice was to go back home Bon Temps and seek help from her family, from Sam or to stay away.

Her eyes began to pour down blood. That feeling came back to her. That feeling she had they day she went to the clinic pregnant and left pregnant free. That feeling she had that day on the lake when Sam dug up the guilt she had. The feeling that the world would be better off without her and that Sam would be better off without her. She set the photo on top of the night stand next to her bottle of True Blood which was now only a little warm. She walked into the bathroom. It was vacant of everything. Everything in it was stark white; the sink, the toilet, the walls, the floor. The blood seemed so red, so fake once it dripped onto the white tile.

She looked at the mirror. Her cheeks seemed like they had a blush on her chestnut skin but, it was only the blood stains she got when she cries.

‘He deserves more than this, he deserves more than you.’ She said to herself in the mirror.

Wanting to kill herself was nothing new. She wanted to do it the night she was turned but, that only makes her a coward. She looked at herself in the mirror once more. She was dirty, hungry, and she smelled so bad that she was beginning to be repulsed by her scent. She turned to the shower and turned on the hot water. She had always been that way. She had always liked her showers and baths hot. She checked to see it was hot enough it burned her hand but it healed in an instant.

She took off her rancid clothes and stepped into the shower. She let out a wailing sound of pain from the hot water. It kept burning and burning her skin but her skin just kept regenerating. She wanted to be numb to it. Numb to the pain, the hurt, to everything. Blood kept falling from her eyes and onto the bottom of shower, only this time the water made them more pink. All she could do was cry now how hard she tried to stop, all she just wanted to do was cry. She crouched down and curled her knees toward her chest and rested her head against the shower wall and let the blood stream down her face.

#sam merlotte imagine #true blood imagine #true blood #sam merlotte x reader #black reader #eric northman

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all-4-wincest · 4 years

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Chapters: 23/23 Fandom: Supernatural Rating: Explicit Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Dean Winchester/Sam Winchester, Jack Kline/Precious Winchester Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Rowena MacLeod, Jody Mills, Donna Hanscum, Castiel (Supernatural), Billie Death (Supernatural), Jack Kline, The Shadow (Supernatural), Crowley (Supernatural), Amara (Supernatural), Gabriel (Supernatural), Meg Masters (Demon), Lilith (Supernatural), Asmodeus (Supernatural), Alastair, Dagon (Supernatural), Azazel (Supernatural), Furcas (Knight of Hell), Chuck Shurley, Metatron (Supernatural), Donatello Redfield, Precious Winchester (Original Character), Michael (Supernatural), Naomi (Supernatural), Balthazar (Supernatural), Zachariah (Supernatural), Raphael (Supernatural), John Winchester, Gadreel (Supernatural), Anna Milton, Uriel (Supernatural), Samuel Campbell, Deanna Campbell, Ash (Supernatural), Ellen Harvelle, William Anthony Harvelle, Jo Harvelle, Pamela Barnes (Supernatural), Daniel Elkins, Bobby Singer, Jehudiel (AU Archangel), AU Naomi, AU Jody Mills, AU Sean Mills, Chloe (AU Angel), AU Kevin Tran (King of Hell), Cain (Supernatural), Adam Milligan, Kate Milligan, Dean Winchester (Planet Sunaru), Sam Winchester (Planet Sunaru), Lucius Winchester Kline, Jesse Turner, Benny Lafitte Additional Tags: Wincest - Freeform, Top Dean Winchester, Bottom Sam Winchester, Top Dean Winchester/Bottom Sam Winchester, Post-Season/Series 14, Character Death, Castiel in a Coma, sam winchester is a ghost, Sam Winchester Donates His Heart, Billie Reaps Sam Winchester, Emotionally Hurt Dean Winchester, Sheriff Jody Mills Helps Dean as He Grieves, Castiel Comforts Dean Winchester, Jack Kline Escapes the Empty, Sam Returns From the Dead, More Death and More Resurrection, Princes of Hell | Yellow-Eyed Demons (Supernatural), Knights of Hell (Supernatural), Gates of Hell Opened, Known Demons Return, Angels and Archangels Return, Amara Gets Involved, Where's Chuck? Is He Watching?, No More Tags. They Spoil the Story., TRIGGER WARNING : Ch 22 Depictions of Suicides, Happy Ending Summary:

WARNING MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY

THIS IS WINCEST

Major Character Deaths that aren't permanent A Lot of Angst/Feels, Apocalyptic Drama, Top!Dean, Bottom!Sam, Incest, Brotherly Love, Soulmates, Hubris, Some Witchcraft, Alternate Universes, Angels, Demons, The Empty, Epic Tale of The End

WORDS: 3,000-3,500+ words per Chapter 23 Chapters, 76,678 Words Total [This Work Is Complete]

SUMMARY: (Post Season 14)

Our story begins with Cas driving him and Sam to Tulsa, OK to pick up a rare mineral for one of Rowena's spells. Out of nowhere, a garbage truck crosses the median and hits Cas's truck head on. Dean starts hearing Sam's voice in the bunker. The lights flicker and the temp drops.

This is an epic tale that begins with tragedy and becomes a whirlwind that Dean and Sam must try to control. There are many plot twists. Characters die and return. The Winchesters take Chuck's place eventually. Ever wonder what Dean and Sam would do if they were God?

[TRIGGER WARNING: Ch 22 Depictions of Suicides]

~~~~~ Wincest Canon-divergent meaning the story line was completely altered from SPN canon facts on purpose. SPN Characters are not mine. ~~~~~

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littleredroseonthevalley · 6 years

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An Opera on Separation - Chapter 15

Prologue | Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 | Ch. 7 | Ch. 8 | Ch. 9 | Ch. 10 | Ch. 11 | Ch. 12 | Ch. 13 | Ch. 14 | CH. 15 | Ch. 16 | Ch. 17 | Ch. 18 |

Summary: It is the end of term for the teachers at Lydia Child. Zig has a special surprise for Emily. An undesirable presence looms the Park Avenue apartment, though. How Queenie and Nathan will deal with the newcomer?

Rating: T - Content not suitable for children. Suitable for teens, 13 years and older, with minor suggestive adult themes.

Words: 2028

Notes: A Christmas chapter to give some relief (and to mock, as in Cape Town not only is cold, but it’s also raining like nobody’s business) for my dearest Northern Hemisphere readers.

Reblog, please. Enjoy.

Santa’s Coming For Us

“And we’re done!” Marietta shut her notebook, signalling the end of the arduous meeting. “Congratulations, everyone, for this term. Now, let us trade gifts and dig onto that pizza. I swear to God, it’s been singing my name for the last hour.”

The teachers clapped animatedly, relieved for their two-week break, and then they served themselves each a piece of pizza from the spread by one side of the room.

Emily had spent most of the evening next to the elderly Mr. Smith, discussing his classes, programs and students, in preparation for his retirement at the end of the school year. As for Zig, he was at the opposite end of the room, fidgeting with his hands and the edges of his shirt in a clear display of nerves.

“Someone should talk with Mr. Ortega.” Mr. Smith noted, with a grave note of concern. “Look at the boy! He’s pale as a sheet!”

Emily followed his line of sight and Zig did look like if he was about to pass out at any minute. She excused herself from the elderly teacher and walked over to the Latino man.

“Hey.” She says. “Are you okay? You look ill.”

He laughed off-tone. “Me? Ill? Nope! Not at all! I feel as healthy as a horse!”

“Are you sure?” The woman presses on.

“Ms. Harper!” Marietta calls off behind her. “Take your seat, we’ll have our Secret Santa now!”

“In a moment, ma’am.” The redhead nodded.

She gave the young man a last appraising look and walked back to her chair with the rest of the English department.

“Now, since we’re all ready, we should begin.” Ms. Jones announces. “Ms. Harper, as you seem so eager, why don’t you begin?”

Blushing from being singled out, she coughs a little to prep her voice and starts the guessing game: “My Secret Santa…”

A few minutes in and the Secret Santa was in full swing, with petty trinkets, hugs and wishes for a great holiday season being traded around the room between the lecturers.

Somewhere around the middle of it, Zig had been drawn by a young Social Studies teacher who had gifted him a navy blue tie, on the fashion of those he uses every day for work.

He thanked the girl politely, albeit rather coldly, and loosened the one he was wearing to change to the one he was given.

Afterwards, the man stands up once more and clear his throat: “Er… my Secret Santa is a girl. She has red hair and is a little on the short side. She doesn’t like to be told that, but it’s the truth. She arrived to Lydia Child only this year, and it was a great surprise to me. I’ve known and respected her for so long, but it was just as long the last time I’d met her.

“The first time she ever taught was back in August, and you could see the nervousness on her eyes. I’d wager she thought the students were going to eat her.” The small joke elicit a few laughs from the audience. “But she raised above all the limitations, like we all did, and now she’s one of the most well-liked teachers in the school, and I didn’t doubt for a single minute that she would.

“I mean, y’all know, she has such a sunny disposition that only the most dedicated can manage to stay sour near her. It’s so annoying that you just can’t help to have your spirits lifted. And she’s dedicated, too! You had to see her, struggling with some math book just so she can help cover a subject I don’t even think she’s supposed to teach.

Zig sighed, a smile on his face. “If it isn’t clear enough, my Secret Santa is Emily Harper.”

Emily wiped a few tears off her eyes and ran to hug the man.

“No need to cry.” He whispers on her ear, good-humoured.

“Don’t say all those pretty things about me and ask me not to cry!” She whispers back.

He chuckled. “C’mon, you didn’t even see your present yet.”

She let him go begrudgingly. He beamed at her and handed a small, neatly packed gift. “Careful opening it. It’s fragile.”

The redhead nodded and opened slowly and carefully the shining wrapping paper. It was a copy of the book ‘Out of Africa’, by Karen Blixen.

“Zig, I…” She started to say, but was cut off by him.

“Open it.” The Latino asked of her.

The young woman obeyed, and at the first page another gasp. It was a quote and a signature.

“Le temps nous prive de beaucoup de biens précieux, et, pour finir, il nous prive de tout.

K. Blixen

København, January 15th, 1960”

“I remember you have a collection of signed copies, and that Out of Africa was one of your favourite books.” He says, with a mischievous grin. “So, I called a few people and found a used books store that had that one in stock. It’s from one of the last public appearances by Karen Blixen. It seems that the last owner of this copy knew somebody who knew somebody who scored it for him.”

Emily could do nothing but cry and hug Zig tightly.

While the party was in full swing at Lydia Child, a certain commercial airplane landed in Newark.

Inside, sat a woman in her late 60’s who was currently enjoying a flute of champagne. Her eyes were a chilly, sterile blue, framed by some age markers of someone who did not bother to hide them.

She was rather tall, especially for her age, and combined with the full, puffy blond mane on her head gave her the imposing and sophisticated look of a high-society lady.

A simple diamond necklace, the only piece of jewellery she carried, adorned her black dress. Beige pantyhose and a sensible, also black, heel covered her lean legs.

After landing and baggage reclaim, she did a beeline to the glass doors of the airport, where a fancy, yet non-descript car waited patiently for her.

“You know where we’re going.” She told the driver. “Step on it.”

A man who sat next to her on the backseat chuckled. “You’ll never change, will you, Lois?”

“What do you mean?” She demands.

“You say ‘efficient communication’, but it’s actually you being brash, demanding and indifferent.” He smirks. “Have you ever said thank you in your life?”

Lois laughs as if it was one big joke. “You’re one to tell.”

“Birds of the same feather, I suppose.” He considered. “What are you doing here, anyways?”

“I thought it was pretty obvious.” She said, turning on her cell phone.

The man smirks. “Indeed, let me rephrase. What do you expect to achieve with it?”

“I expect to recover what’s mine. And perhaps knocking some sense into that stupid, empty head.”

Sometime around 10:00 PM, Emily finally got to the entrance door of the Sterlings’ apartment, feeling ready for a good night’s sleep.

The sight she encounter at the kitchen, however, wasn’t very conductive to resting.

“Surprise!” Queenie and Nathan shout, surprising the young redhead. The two of them wore party hats and the whole room was dripping with tacky ‘happy birthday’ décor.

“I’m sorry about the ‘Feliz Cumpleaños’ theme. The store had no ‘Congratulations on your first half-versary at the job’ so we had to improvise.” Queenie said with a laughter.

“But the cake’s legit.” Nathan presented the dessert, the phrase ‘#1 Teach’ was frosted on it. “Done it myself, dark chocolate and coffee beans, hope you like it!”

“Oh my God, this is amazing! Thank you so much!” The youngest beamed and hugged her mother. “And, yeah, Nathan, I love chocolate and coffee beans. It was the cake you baked me for my birthday between Junior and Senior years.”

He laughs, sheepish. “I’m pretty sure I asked the maid to order me one, but I’m glad you liked it then and I’m glad you like it now.”

“Come on, let’s dig in!” Queenie picks up a plate and a knife, ready to carve the cake into shreds.

“No, wait. Let me at least freshen up.” Emily asks. “I’ve been on this dress all day long and I could use a pair of slippers.”

“Sure, honey. I’ll accompany you.” The mother smiled kindly and then pointed the knife at the man. “Do not dare to eat the cake before we’re back.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, sure, I’ll eat three kilograms of cake while you’re changing. I’ll even lick the plate clean.”

The older woman shot him a dirty look, but followed her daughter away with no further words. Nathan looked over to the decorated table and saw that Emily had forgotten to take her book bag back to her room.

He picked it up and he was going to take it there for her when a particular volume called upon his attention. It was an old, battered copy of ‘Out of Africa’. The blond took the book out to check it out in close quarters.

It was not a library issue, certainly, and it was not any of his, either. He did not remember any book boxes when Emily and Queenie moved in, so it must be a new purchase.

Opening the volume, he sees the Karen Blixen signature and wonder whether the bookseller was a moron or if Emily had the pretty penny to afford such a luxury.

It was when a small envelope falls out from the book pages. It was, by itself, nothing special, as it was white and only addressed to Emily in scrawny cursive.

Nathan checks the hallway to see if there was anyone coming. Having the coast clear, he opens the stationary.

What he reads puts him on a foul mood. It was a love letter, from Zig to Emily, asking for her forgiveness for his brash behaviour their last encounter and reiterating his intent. He was probably who gave Emily the book, in fact.

Nathan had to admit, the baboon had a few tricks up his sleeve.

Considering the letter was sealed when he found it, he assumes Emily had not found it yet, and therefore he could make it disappear. The two women were yet to emerge from the bedroom; they’d be none the wiser.

It was his first instinct, the blond had to admit. But something contained his hand, a foggy thought he could not make much sense of it, a feeling it would bring only misery if he went on with it.

He decided to put the letter back where he found it.

“Oh, there’s where I left it!” Emily exclaims, entering the kitchen.

“I was about to take it to your room.” The man handed her the bag. “What’s with the vintage copy?”

“Zig gave it to me tonight. I used to collect signed copies, and Out of Africa is one of my favourite books.” She beamed, happy.

“You used to? What happened?” The blond wondered out loud.

The redhead woman sighed. “You kept my books after we divorced.”

“No, I did not.” He shook his head. “The only books we had at home were on my study, and those were mine.”

“Do you remember the shelves by the guest room, on the third floor?” She asks, and he nods his affirmative. “Those were my collection.”

An icy chill ran through the man’s spine. He let Ashley-Amber throw them all away while she was ‘remodelling’ the house. He didn’t even think of checking what was on that particular set of shelves, he just assumed that were assorted titles of no importance other than decorative value, like every other at his parents’ houses.

Nathan had to hand it to himself; he really screwed up with Emily’s life. So much so, he should call the Guinness Book and check if they keep tally of those. He could be sitting on a world record.

Before he could say anything else, they hear a noise at the entrance door. Not dwelling much about it, them both walked out to the living room to check on it.

“Mother!” Nathan exclaims.

Standing by the doorway, Lois Sterling smirks, dangerously. “I am back.”

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An Opera on Separation - Masterlist

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