#so this entire thing seems like a partnership made in hell

[marvelwitchergilmore]

A Moment Of Everything

Summary: Peter Parker x Fe!Reader -> You and Peter have never gotten along, but can two nights in Florence change things for good?

Disclaimer: Swearing, fluff, angst. Mentions of blood and wounds. I was watching The Proposal last night and got inspired. Enemies to Lovers. See this for whichever Spider-Man you wish. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You knew things had to change eventually. 

Yourself and Peter couldn’t go your whole lives hating one another. 

You just didn’t expect it to change quite so much. 

It had all started one night when you were on a mission with each other. 

Two days in Florence, Italy. You were both sent to monitor a suspect. And, like usual, Peter was off with you. He didn’t seem too happy about having to share a bed at the hotel. And, even though he didn’t particularly like talking to you, he would still do it. Only, that night, he didn’t. 

When he didn’t have to talk to you, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t even look at you. 

So, the night before you were expected to fly back home, you called him out on it. 

He didn’t listen to you. He simply walked away from you. He followed the guy and you had to go with his plan. Whatever his plan was, you had to guess. 

Only, the suspect got away. 

“We’ll find him again.”

Peter just grunted. 

“Peter.”

Nothing. 

“Peter!”

Again, nothing.

“Jesus Fucking Christ! Peter!” He finally slowed down and looked at you. “What the hell is your fucking problem?! I get you don’t like me, but we’re meant to be together in this!”

“We are together in this.”

You couldn’t help but scoff. “Bull-shit. You have done nothing but ignore me this entire trip. If you have a problem with me, you can just say it. Where are you going now? Or am I not allowed to know that either.”

“Back to the hotel. Not like you’d tell me.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

You tried running to catch up with him. 

“Nothing.”

“No, go ahead. Tell me.”

Soon enough you both made it back to the hotel and inside the room before the conversation continued. 

“Tell me, Peter. I can take it.”

“No, you can’t.”

“You don’t know me-”

“You’re right! I don’t!” Peter turned around and looked at you, forcing you to stop in your tracks. 

“I don’t know you! I don’t know anything about you! Because you don’t share anything.”

“Well, excuse me for wanting to keep my life a little private.”

“A little?!” Peter raised his eyebrows and scoffed. “A little private is not telling your co-workers where you're going when you say you’re going on holiday. A little private is not showing them a thousand pictures of your new puppy. Your life is anything but a little private.”

Clearly, he had more to say so you waited. And you didn’t have to wait long. 

Sighing, Peter rubbed his forehead for a moment before looking back at you. 

“I have known you for almost ten years and you have told me less than three things about yourself. And yet, an hour before we leave to come here, Hank from the Biology lab does…what? Flirts with you for five minutes, tells you his coffee order and you’re practically marrying the guy!”

“Peter, that’s none- Is this what has been bothering you since we left? This?! Just because I decided to talk to a guy and tell him about my day…why does it bother you so much that I don’t talk about myself?”

“Because I am meant to be your teammate. You have known me for almost ten years and never once have I hid anything from you. We are meant to trust one another. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like me or if I didn’t like you, what matters is that you trust me, and that I trust you. This partnership is meant to go both ways.”

You didn’t know what to say. You just kept looking at Peter. It looked like the world had been lifted off his shoulders whilst he also started beating himself up over what he just said. His chest was heaving and for a moment, you thought he was gonna walk towards you but instead, he took a step back. 

“I’m going for a shower.”

When the door closed behind him, it took you a moment to gather yourself. 

You couldn’t deny that he had a point. Maybe you hadn’t told him as much as you could have done, especially for being teammates for almost a full decade. But it wasn’t like he didn’t have his faults in it, too. 

Maybe instead of ignoring you and only talking to you when he needed to, you might have warmed to him more rather than seen him as a stand-offish person who you would trust to save your life, but wouldn’t trust to put it on the edge first. 

After twenty minutes, Peter emerged from the bathroom, freshly washed, clothed and ready for bed. He put away his dirty clothes and put his wash bag back in his bag before climbing under the covers that lay at the bottom of the bed. 

He hadn’t said anything when you both arrived at the hotel late at night. Just took some sheets out of the cupboard and put them on the floor. When you entered the room, you said he was being ridiculous.

He just said the bed was too soft for him and that he wouldn’t sleep. 

After an hour of back and forth over you telling him just to get into the bed, since it was big enough for a family of five, never mind two, he still decided to stay on the floor. 

As you lay in bed, listening to the distant noises of the city, you tossed and turned before settling on your back. But you still couldn’t sleep. 

Then you heard Peter. 

He was tossing and turning, too. 

Eventually, you heard him sigh in annoyance of sleep not taking over him. 

So, wrestling with your own mind, you spoke up. 

“I like Greek Mythology.”

A few seconds passed and then; “What?”

You faltered for a moment before speaking up again. 

“I-I like Greek Mythology. I always have.” you said before explaining, taking your time. “When I was five, my grandmother gave me some of her old books. In the pile was a kids illustrated version of Greek Gods and Goddesses. I was obsessed. And I mean, obsessed.” 

You laughed a little as you explained your obsession with Greek Mythology to him. Meanwhile, from the floor and out of sight from you, he smiled. He couldn’t even think of when he’d heard a smile in your voice. Never mind a laugh. 

It was once of the sweetest sounds he’d ever heard. 

“For three halloween’s in a row, I went as a different Goddess.”

You fell silent for a moment in the memory before you started to speak again. 

“I hate coffee. I try it once every year and it’s always the same. Absolutely disgusting.” you chuckled a little. “I spent every summer away from home at Camp where I ran a book club. I watch Rom-Coms when I’m sad because they make me feel better. My favourite flowers are blue tulips. I don’t watch thrillers because they remind me too much of work. And, I haven’t told anyone this much…ever.”

Only as you finished did you realise how much you had told him. And you felt a pang of anxiety in the pit of your stomach as Peter remained silent. 

“Are you still there?”

Peter swallowed thickly and nodded his head, despite the fact you couldn’t see him. “Y-yeah. I’m here. Just…processing.”

“Okay.”

That conversation had been just over eight months before you got a knock at your apartment window one evening. 

You had taken a couple weeks off work since you hadn’t taken any vacation days…ever. Barton had practically banned you from the building for two weeks. 

The rain had been pouring over the city and, with all your work finished, you had rushed out and got some supplies before sitting in front of your TV, watching one of the many rom-coms your DVD collection provided before pulling a few books from your shelves and reading through them. 

At some point, you had fallen asleep, still fully dressed, under your blankets, listening to the quiet silence of your apartment as the rain hit the windows outside. 

Only, rather than continuing to sleep throughout the night, you heard a continuous tapping. 

So, leaning up with tired eyes, you looked around. The loose braid you had stuck your hair in had fallen out, your bobble being lost between the cushions somewhere.

The apartment was shrouded in darkness, save for the street lights outside still lighting small sections of your apartment.

Along came more tapping until finally you turned towards the sash window that lay by the fire escape. 

You furrowed your eyebrows as you saw him through tired eyes. 

Making your way over, you pushed the window open and Peter made his way inside. 

“Sorry for waking you.”

You just grumbled and closed the window to stop the rain from flying in, though it didn’t stop the small puddle made by Peter who was practically soaked to the bone from the rain. 

“Ah, so this is who I lost you to.” Peter said with a slight smirk as he spotted one of your Mythology books. 

“Barton said I was banished from HQ until my vacation days were finished. What are you doing here at this time of night? What even is the time?”

“I didn’t know where to go, and you’re the only one who I trust to do the job well.”

“What job?”

Finally looking at Peter, you saw it. 

His body, and his clothes, were splattered with blood. You couldn’t tell how much of it was his and how much of it could be somebody else's. 

“You didn’t kill anyone did you?”

“No.” Peter answered. “They’re alright, just at the police station getting booked.”

You sighed as you took in even more of his wounds. “Alright. Meet me in the bathroom in two minutes. Give me your jacket.”

Peter removed it and you took it from him, including his grey hoodie. 

“Bathroom?”

“Down the hall and to the right.”

Peter nodded and walked down whilst you headed into the kitchen and shoved his jackets into the washing machine and pressed start. Then, from the top cupboard, you pulled down your first-aid kit that contained everything from princess plasters, from when you had been looking after your neighbour's kid for two days, to a stitching kit.

Twenty minutes later, you had a basin full of warm, blood stained water, a once-clean face cloth covered in stains of blood and a grown Avenger sat on the edge of your bathtub, wincing every now and again and you cleaned him up. 

“Remind me again why you came to me?”

You turned Peter’s head to face over your right shoulder as you cleaned a graze and cut just above his eyebrow. 

“Because I trust you. And I didn’t feel like getting another lecture from Laura.”

“Ah,” you nodded and Peter laughed a little. 

Then he hissed. 

“Sorry, I'm almost finished with this one.”

“It’s okay.” Peter flicked his gaze to you a couple of times. “T-thank you for doing this.”

“What else would I have done? Kicked you back out of the window?”

“You could have done it. I did wake you up. Clearly I didn't learn my lesson from the first time.”

You chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I did nearly beat you up.”

What Peter meant was just over two months ago. You had both become friends of sorts. But, you had fallen asleep at your lab desk one night and Peter came in to wake you up and you nearly cursed him out so much that you even had him convinced he was an intruder trying to break into your home. 

“But, if you hadn’t come to me, I probably would have cursed you out when I found out, anyway.”

“Found out?”

“You can’t hide anything from me, Peter. I know everything,” you joked. 

“But do you?”

Peter’s question slipped from his tongue before he could stop himself, but you didn’t know what to do. So, your eyes turned from his and you tried your best to remain calm until you saw a large spot of blood coming through his black t-shirt. 

You tried your best to get to the wound that was beneath it without him removing his shirt, but you both knew it was no use. 

So, awkwardly asking him, he stood and you looked to him only to find him looking back. 

Slowly, he removed his shirt, trying his best not to stain the rest of his body from the blood you had just cleaned away and for a moment, you were met with his body in front of you. 

Most of the blood was coming from that one wound but the top of his arms now showed a little bruising, as well as his torso, though it was more healed than you thought it would have been. 

Finding yourself staring for a little too long, you forced your gaze back to his face where he’d removed the shirt from over his head and lowered himself back down onto the edge of the tub, opening up his legs for you to stand between them once more. 

Though, it was in that moment that you realised how close you had been standing to him this entire time. 

“Th-This might sting a little.”

Peter nodded and you watched as he clenched his jaw and tried to suppress the grunt that tried to escape from him as you cleaned out the wound. 

“You might need some stitches.” you mentioned. “I can do them here, though they might not be Laura standard.”

“I think I’ll survive.”

You nodded and tried your best to ignore the fact that Peter was looking at you as you looked for your stitching kit and began working. 

In your peripheral vision, you could see some of his bruises already starting to heal, though some might take more than a couple hours.

Even with his adapted DNA. 

“If you want, you can stay here for the night. I have a spare set of pyjamas if you need them.”

“You sure they’ll be my size?”

You laughed a little. “My, uh, my neighbour gave them to me. She bought a set for her husband but when they came they were too big for him. She told me to keep them in case I ever had someone…stay the night. They might be too big for you, too but they have a drawstring so…”

“Okay.”

You looked at him for a split second and then looked back to his wound with a small nod. 

Soon enough you finished and stepped back to grab the face cloth before dipping it into a fresh basin of warm water to clean off the rest of his wounds that would heal soon enough. 

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

As you looked at Peter when he stood, there was a moment of…everything. 

Neither of you were moving, yet his eyes and your own spoke a thousand unspoken words between their gazes. 

Without thinking, Peter lifted his hand to meet your own, allowing you to place the cloth down before he pulled you a little closer. 

Your name left his lips in a small whisper, a plea, a wish of permission.

You felt yourself stand a little taller as his other hand came to your face, brushing the loose hair from your face, behind your ear. 

His eyes continued to flick from your eyes to your lips, as yours did the same with him. 

There was time for you to stop. For you to say no. And if you did, he would have stepped away and, most likely, would have apologised and left. 

But you didn’t want that. 

Each tantalising moment that passed, you wished for time to hurry up. For his lips to finally meet yours. 

And once they did, there was no turning back. 

At first it was soft, until you both became hungry for more. 

Leaning in, your hands came to his neck to pull him closer to you. 

Eventually, the kiss broke apart for a moment, your heads resting together, your eyes partly closed. 

“Was that-”

“Just shut up and kiss me again.”

Peter chuckled a little before feeling your lips connect to his, allowing his hands to pull your body flush against his.

#peter parker x reader #spiderman x reader #marvel x reader #peter parker x fe!reader #fluff #angst #enemies to lovers #enemies to friends #tom holland! peter parker #andrew garfield spiderman #toby maguire spiderman #mcu #clint barton #shield #agents #co-workers #forced proximity #he fell first #greek mythology #the proposal #falling in love

[002yb]

what is your favourite reverse robins dynamic?

Admittedly I'm very fond of the Dick and Jason dynamic that came about from my other reverse robin au posts, but somehow Damian and Tim edge it out (though I'm also extraordinarily fond of how I imagine dami/jay in this verse, too!) Maybe I'm a bit weak for it because this low-key could have been Dick and Jason's relationship if things were just slightly different... which just adds to my love of reverse robin au because the comparison is a bit tragic. ;U;

Damian + Tim

Where Damian recognizes that he's outgrowing his own mantle, so he seeks out his own replacement

That Damian's bleeding heart chooses Tim (intelligent, resourceful, tenacious, insufferable) is something Tim never lets Damian live down, later on in their friendship partnership

These two having been through it together. Damian being there every step of the way, too. From training Tim to take over the mantle, to his first patrols. Building up Tim's confidence and being all smug and proud when Tim comes into his own

There would be a lot of trust between them. Because Tim knows he can rely on Damian. Damian has proven this time and again by simply being there (with wicked, prideful smirks at Tim's competence, with patience and a firm hand at any setbacks; challenging him, having his back, and being bluntly honest in the face of any of Tim's insecurities that crop up). And Damian just - he chose Tim, of course that confidence goes both ways.

So yes, although Tim stops being so starry-eyed as he grows up, the respect for Damian will always be there. It's why Tim strives to become less a mentee, more a partner

Because he wants to be there for Damian, too.

That they become friends partners was only natural.

Make no mistake though, the majority of the time these two are just griping at each other, about each other

(Because as they grow up together it becomes fun for Damian to needle Tim. And of course Tim is influenced by this and taunts Damian right back. And it becomes their norm. It’s something Damian half heartedly complains about because Tim used to be ‘respectful’ what happened? And Tim scoffs because Damian happened, that’s what).

But yeah, Tim being the one to challenge Damian when it's needed. Or Tim squaring off with Bruce whenever Bruce and Damian have a rare spat

Extra Damian & Timmers + Supers

These two both have their own super besties and like hell they both haven't had those awkward encounters where they bump into one another at the Clark home in the mornings

Truth be told, ambiguous Dami/Jon and Tim/Kon because it can’t not be a thing where Damian and Tim are forever uncertain about what's going on and their respective besties claim it's platonic but the doubt is there forever hahaha

Damian and Tim needling each other about their respective supers.

Omg, random competitions on who comes running fastest when called ahhhahaha the super boys are so exasperated and in love

That aside, Damian and Tim challenging each other a lot and it's really motivating for them both. Meanwhile everyone else is concerned because they both seem kind of mean? It’s how they care though 💖

For some background on what's below this, Tim + Jason:

Because Tim never outgrows the Robin mantle, it's Damian who takes it away in true Bruce fashion

By bringing in street kid Jason and blindsiding Tim like none other

There's no ill intent behind it. It's entirely because Damian thinks so highly of Tim that he shoves him out of the proverbial nest

But Tim doesn't take it that way and it becomes their biggest fight

Because Tim accuses Damian of feeling Tim is lacking. Tim demands to know why he's being replaced. What the fuck he did wrong?

Nothing, is the answer to that. Because Tim took Robin and made them to be something even greater than what Damian left behind. The respect and care Tim put into Robin is something Damian doesn't take lightly; he's most grateful

What he's not about is Tim getting all combative and nasty though, especially when Damian is doing something for Tim

Just classic batboy miscommunications, y'know?

Anyway, because Tim lashes out, Damian ends up lashing out too. It eventually comes out that Damian doesn't want Tim getting 'complacent' in Damian's shadow and Tim shuts down on him so hard

Damian knows that Tim could be the best

Tim's insecurities run away with him and he feels entirely the opposite (like he misstepped somewhere, like Damian never saw him like an equal, that he's already replaced, etc etc)

Basically Tim leaves for the tower and leaves Damian to look after Jason, if that's what he wants so bad.

A falling out because Damian assumed and Tim is betrayed and it's sadness because even if Robin works with Batman, Tim has always been Damian's partner first and foremost.

Something something Tim turning on Jason and being the very definition of 'never meet your heroes'. Just Tim giving Jason the coldest stare, the most damning of once overs before clicking his tongue (a bad habit picked up from Damian)

Oh. Jason getting stuck with the knowledge that he's the bane of Robin's existence. And then Bruce's disappointment, too, because he seriously just comes in to work and his well-oiled machine has a cog in it that doesn't fit yet

So Jason is put in this position with a lot of pressure to be the best. So that Batman will approve of him, so that Robin will accept him, so that he doesn't disappoint Damian and make all the sacrifices he made for Jason worthless

And angst with the struggle in finding his place in a world that didn't need/want him beyond Damian's willful fancies

Damian & Tim + Jason

Damian being there when everything falls apart in Ethiopia

For whatever reason, Damian is there in Bruce's steed while Bruce is indisposed elsewhere

And Damian is caught in that same position: save the lives of countless innocent people or save the life of this boy who stole his heart

Though Bruce gives the order, Damian goes against it.

This being the first time Damian has ever done so, but he does it without regret because Jason is his

And because Damian chooses Jason, he's able to get to the warehouse in time to save him. Not from the beating, but at least from the worst of the explosion.

So torn between Jason having saved his birth mom or that not happening and Damian making the conscious decision to let her burn ooooooo >>

Anyway, Damian's actions have consequences. With Bruce. Who goes off on him so hard despite Damian bringing his son back to him. And he bears it with squared shoulders and raised chin, because he has no reason to be ashamed. Still, Bruce is his father so Damian shows him respect

Until Bruce goes off on Damian's loyalties. Bruce being so worked up and betrayed that he questions if Damian is still under the influence of the League, if he's theirs as opposed to his

Damian is no one's. Though, that might not be right. He's Robin's. Still, he bristles at the accusation. And it leads to the ugliest fight they've ever had, which leads to Damian leaving the family with the seething proclamation that he will return to the League

Something something, Tim going after Damian and trying to parse out how serious Damian is. He can't just leave, not with Jason still--

'Look after him for me.'

And Tim might hate him for this one. Because Jason is going to wake up and see how everything fell apart. He's going to see that Damian is gone and Jason will know it's his fault.

'That's unfair.'

'Do it for me anyway.'

And Tim does, even if he’s angry and abandoned and upset.

#reverse robins au #damian wayne #tim drake #batbros

[muzzleroars]

What? This is what I thought when he has V1's parents' same reaction.

lucifer sees v1 as a work of art that has become an artist in itself - being once of god, unlike any other angel, lucifer has massive amounts of creativity and appreciation for what humanity achieved through their own god-given spark. but beyond that, for v1 in particular, he sees something that has moved past its makers, it has forged its own path in defiance of what it was made for. he is fascinated by its mind, its construction, its life as something that may or may not have a soul (for what constitutes a soul, even lucifer does not know). but importantly it is a life not made by god, it is removed from him, and he wants to meet what god did not create. he wants to see what a full, vibrant experience it has, and v1 sure does. not disappoint lol so animalistic in behavior but with a razor-sharp mind, its first action is probably to challenge him to a one-on-one fight - not a surprise, given how much he knows through hell itself, but he worries he won't be an impressive match for it. he had been inert for so long and really...lucifer was never a warrior, his strength bolstered purely by his closeness to god. still, like anyone that can face v1 and live to tell about it, he finds the fight inspired, unpredictable, and a beautiful insight into a mind he cannot understand despite his godly knowledge. he is not moved by battle, but he can feel how v1 is, its emotions showing through and resonating within lucifer so that he gains insight into its passion. v1 finds its fascination in turn, recognizing right away that lucifer is not a fighter yet there is a disjointed fluidity in his movement, his choices largely defensive and illusory - he wouldn't be v1's first choice as an opponent, though his skillset is unique enough that it doesn't get bored. they stand as two perfect creations, the pinnacle of what god and man could create, and they find interest in the other purely for how alien they are. lucifer made for love and creation, v1 for apathy and destruction, curious of the other as they have been steeped in the role of their opposite.

gabriel doesn't ever really say anything to lucifer about his relationship with v1, mostly figuring it wouldn't be of any relevance to him as he seems preoccupied with attending to his fallen angels. but also...gabriel's aware that lucifer knows most of what's happened in hell and so his partnership with v1 likely isn't a secret to him. unsurprisingly, lucifer doesn't broach the topic for some time, his talks with gabriel a bit sparing and distant with his mind so attuned now to a self-centered focus in his isolation (GENUINELY does not remember how to talk to other people). gabriel actually begins to think he might not even have an opinion on their relationship, but he finds out that's quite far from the truth once lucifer is able to acknowledge more outside of himself. it's just...not what gabriel expected, if he expected anything at all. lucifer, already coming in with an appreciation of the bizarre, is actually happy for what v1 and gabriel have together. their relationship entirely defies the "natural" order of things, an act that would have been condemned fully by god and denied even as possible by v1's makers. he is glad too to see that love led gabriel to something better, it allowed him to finally follow what his heart had been telling him for all this time. it is a very rare thing to find such a kindred spirit and then to defy everything you were told you are in pursuit of that....and lucifer can find nothing more noble in the world than that. so while he continues to harbor his own issues with gabriel, he believes v1 has improved him by bounds and that he is now far more "palatable" than his siblings. gabriel has no idea how to take this, but v1 labels it an "endorsement" of its "personality"

#gabriel tells it that might not be the best thing. coming from satan #gabriel supposes he should have guessed lucifer's approval though #he has been made THOROUGHLY contrary to all things #and so of course something everyone else finds bizarre gets the thumbs up #cake answers #lucifer #v1 #gabriel #rise and fall au

[tinybearfeet]

Aziraphale didn’t want to go to heaven, not even to “make it a better place if I’m in charge”, not until he was told he could restore Crowley.

Because restoring Crowley to angelic status seems to him, is to him a perfect solution for the problems they seem to have, together: their opposing sides, status of natural enemies, their shared loneliness of being outsiders in their worlds. They can be friends, anything, if Crowley is an angel. He won’t have to push down his goodness in fear of hell (although honestly I think Crowley’s aversion to being “good” is much more than that), and angels won’t have to be cruel, since Aziraphale would be there, making decisions, with Crowley by his side to help him figure out what is truly better and kinder (like he does throughout the season).

To Crowley however being restored to an angel is missing the point entirely. It’s like being given forgiveness when you are owed an apology. If they give you “forgiveness” you are just brought back in until they decide you should be cast away again, when you become too inconvenient, when you demand to be heard, to be treated right. Of course he doesn’t want to go back to heaven — the whole system is his personal hell, more than actual hell ever was.

Just as when Crowley feels betrayed when Aziraphale offers him to go back, so does Azi when Crowley asks him to run off, to continue as things are. To Aziraphale (as of right now) there can be no peaceful happiness for them while they remain as they are. They will always be an angel and a demon, pretending, hiding, struggling to survive one disaster after the other. They can change all that, he feels, he offers Crowley peace, safety, and Crowley refuses it to (seemingly) keep things as they are.

That’s what his “nothing lasts forever is about”. He offers a reprieve and Crowley refuses it. While to Crowley he is throwing away “them” to drag him back to the broken system he knows from experience will only chew them up and destroy everything, in the end.

“I don’t think you understand what I’m offering you,” is the line that hits me the hardest, somehow. Because Crowley indeed doesn’t. He is right about understanding better than Aziraphale could about what it would truly be like. But he doesn’t understand the intent, the offer: be with me, without hiding, without fear, working for the betterment of everything as you used to, as we’ve been doing in secret last 6000 years.

“No nightingales”, oh how Aziraphale face changes at that. Because for them, finally, here, Crowley made subtext text. Yes, they are, were in love. Yes, they had their perfect pocket of a starry night, falling in love. But now the sun is up, and the nightingale isn’t there, maybe even wasn’t here ever. It was just a perfect dream, given up now. For Aziraphale — given up as he offered Crowley to make it a daylight reality, a partnership not on the spy benches, or in an old timeless bookshop, or in the private conversations. A reality where Crowley doesn’t have to hide his eyes all the time.

For Crowley — the dream is given up, because once again Aziraphale is choosing heaven over him. He doesn’t know he’s doing it for him.

So of course the kiss doesn’t save them. They both feel rejected, feel like the one is trying to drag another into a tortured existence. I still struggle to decipher the “I forgive you”. An obvious nod to s1, and to general Christian forgiveness. Does he forgive the fall, the rejection, no nightingales? The fight? As many people said, it’s generally Aziraphale’s “holier than thou” attitude, and there is a bit of it here, some spite as he collects himself. “I know what’s better for us and I forgive you for not realizing it. I forgive you for leaving me alone (in our shared loneliness) to make a better world for us.” Maybe it’s that.

I honestly don’t think one honest conversation could fix things right now for them. They need to change. Crowley needs to grow over his cynicism, to figure out a way to exist in the world so unfair he refuses to acknowledge he is constantly changing it for the better. He needs to stand his ground in a sustainable way.

While Aziraphale needs to realize the current system won’t cut it. It’s cruel and uncaring, it’s following the supposed word and whim of a god who’s left the building. He honestly believes it just needs right people on top, but well, it had Gabriel who cared just for a little bit, and threw him away instantly. Heaven won’t cut it, and this is gonna burn him badly next season. But he’s still not there.

Anyway, I love good conflict, god bless this tragic clown mess, thanks for the gorgeous drama. Nice gays, sorry about depression.

#good omens #good omens s2 #good omens season 2 #ineffable husbands #good omens meta #yes there is a supernatural reference in this meta #of course there is #we are struggling and thriving at the same time

[ladyevol]

I think that there is a pretty clear difference between last life Scar and Secret Life Scar. In Last Life, Scar's one alliance (Joel) was immediately forced away from him due to the rules imposed by that reds could only ally themselves with reds. So while Joel was off planning his villainy, Scar was left alone by the greens and yellows of the server. The main difference being *no one wanted to be allied with Scar.* Adding to the fact was how in LL Scar was seeing as someone who died easily, thus making him seem less like a threat and more like a burden. People would also use Scar constantly, forcing him to give them his lives. Scar seemed to be also particularly keen on teaming up with Grian and Mumbo's team which ultimately cost him a life.

In Secret Life, things are quite different. For starters, while Scar is still known for dying, he is also known for killing and destroying in general as well as his ability to manipulate people. He is certainly a lot more respected in SL. No, the reason why Scar ends up alone in SL isn't because he is shunned by the server. It is his own hubris. The Heart Foundation spent an entire episode trying to get Scar to join them to scam other people. Mumbo was hanging around him quite frequently, hell, even Grian, who originally loathed the idea of being allied with Scar was willing to partner up with him, but Scar refused (and yes, Ik that with Grian's case Scar was made to refuse by his task, but he didn't even try to go to him the following session.) Point is, Scar was more interested in building his own town and himself until it was too late and the whole server was already allied. Even in the 8th session, we see how Scar is still not willing to fully commit to anyone as he is first trying a partnership with Scott, then Pearl, then even Bdubs. Scar still doesn't fully want friends. He wants people who aren't going to kill him. Which is why, while yes, the secret keeper is certainly trying to make Scar a villain. When it comes to being alone, he somewhat sowed what he planted.

In truth, secret life feels almost like the successor to last life. He was originally so desperate for allies in that season and no one wanted to be with him, and now that people realized he was a threat, they tried to team up, but because he originally refused, he was ultimately villanized (you can say that the watchers and the secret keeper were the ones who villanized him due to his refusal to make meaningful bonds)

#goodtimeswithscar #mcyt #grian #desert duo #secret life #i love scar dearly #he is my beloved #my blorbo #but also #being alone was kind of a choice this season #scar stop trying to become allies with the whole server and get people to be loyal to challenge #(impossible)

[voxuli]

Starter for @visage-of-hell

She'd ended the moth demon with a whimper, rather than a bang.

Vox thinks Valentino wouldn't have liked that; however, now Val's brains are splattered over the carpet, and Vox can't be bothered to care.

If Visage had thought she was getting away with this in total secrecy, she was sorely mistaken. Nothing went by in this city without Vox's notice. She wasn't subtle, and Vox liked to keep tabs on Carmine as a rule of thumb. The hellhound hounding after Val's territory had quickly landed herself on a list to keep an eye on.

But Vox... Well, the thing that people didn't seem to understand was that the Vees were a business partnership. For all they acted and clowned around on TV, it was strictly work. Valentino had never exactly been what Vox had considered a hard worker. And Vox was getting more than a little tired of constantly having to change out his head.

So if Valentino had gotten too complacent to keep proper tabs on people gunning for his position, well... what right did he have to expect Vox's surveillance on the matter?

So he'd sat back. And he had watched all the moves that she made. And when it came down to it... He'd watched Visage put a heavenly bullet straight into Val's head. Dumbass. He'd told him he should invest more into angelic detector systems.

He has two thoughts. The first-- Good riddance. The second?

He's glad it was this one. She had spunk.

Vox slips into the grid with the practiced ease of several decades, blinking into the entrance of Val's ruined studio from an unoccupied outlet. The corpses around are neater than the average hellish massacre, gore and mess kept to a minimum. He nudges one out of the way with the tip of his shoe and spares a second to schedule a cleanup crew.

A subtle gesture of his claws brings Valentino's latent security systems back online, just in case this goes south. He reaches into the building's intercom system, projecting his voice throughout the entire building.

"You run a tight ship, Viz. I like someone who can operate cleanly."

Vox smiles, a glowing Cheshire grin in the darkness of the lobby.

"How about we have a chat, face to face? I think there might just be a vacancy here with your name all over it."

#thread: visage-of-hell #verse: ill name it later #RIP NPC val we hardly knew you #ofc let me know if I need to change anything Yeen <3 #Tune into the madness | In character

[tetsunabouquet]

Heir To The Lands Chapter 23

As Our Hearts Ache Masterpost

Ash had to think of a way to help Dru escape, fast. Whilst Ash would love to bring her along to their hiding place, this would mean exposing her to his mother and admitting he had the chance to engage the First Heir in combat but chose not to- endangering the Queen's life in the process. Janus could understand, would understand, he always had- but his mother? His mother would be livid with him. And in a way, it is not like Ash could blame her. The Princes were now turning on her because he wanted to save Dru and he didn't felt like killing who was probably the last relative Janus had. This was all his fault, his mess. One he needed to fix, quickly. The best course of action was to fly her out and let her escape through the tunnel near the little palace, the one he had been using to sneak outside of Faerie undetected by his mom. Before he would take Janus and his mom through it. But if he gave her a good headstart, she'd make it back safely. Ash felt a twinge in his heart as he entered his room and saw Drusilla sitting on his bed, still staring at her brother's drawing. She froze momentarily and Ash hated how it was the spell that calmed her down, made her slump back on his bed. "There's a tunnel nearby, it leads to the mundane world. It will be okay, I'll take you there." He said things were okay more to assure himself then the girl. Dru stood up, clutching Julian's sketch with an expression that showed she was lost in thought. Ash gritted his teeth as he grabbed her, flying out of the window with her figure in his arms once more. He flew straight down to the caves, countless of thoughts and emotions rushing through his head as he landed. Dru stepped down but she hissed at the pain of her injured leg. "Do you have a stele with you? With my magic combined it should be enough to heal your leg in a matter of minutes." "Of course I have my stele with me. Which Shadowhunter doesn't?" Dru asked. "I don't." Ash pointed out awkwardly. Dru fell silent and reached for her stele, handing it to him. He quickly drew an iratze, something he had only drawn on Janus once and never on himself before as he had never needed it. He hoped his technique wasn't too sloppy. "I wish I could stay and ensure you are properly healed, but things are chaos in Faerie at the moment. I suggest you start moving as soon as you can. I might be using this tunnel with my mother later." "Well, thanks for giving me a headstart." Dru said and Ash nodded, his heart skipping a beat as he left the girl and the drawing he had previously cherished.

Tessa and Jem were silent as Kit and Jaime did most of the explaining. Ty was silent during their entire conversation, frozen like a statue on the couch. Gwenneth sat on the arm of couch next to Kit, staring in wonder at the home of the First Heir. It certainly had a charm even if it was not a palace. Tessa was deadly pale when Jaime explained the Queen had opened her lands to the Princes of Hell and that they had been scheming for months, her hands trembling. Jem put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, knowing full well what emotional turmoil those words provoked in Tessa after all she and her children had been through. "So they're all here, in Faerie? What is the Seelie Queen thinking taking a gamble such as that?" "It's Ash. Sammael seems to have some kind of obsession with him and considers him Lilith's grandson. It's Ash that allowed the partnership to come to fruition." Jaime explained, and Gwenneth nodded. "Their plans revolve around the Prince. With the power Ash has to create the Blight, it also gives him an easier way for all the Princes to break into our world." "A…Ah.." Ty choked out, trying to form the words that just wouldn't come, tears pooling in his eyes. Kit looked at him feeling the urge to cry himself, "Is it okay if I take Ty with me to my bedroom? I think it would be better if we were alone for a while." "Of course."

#twp #the wicked powers #the shadowhunter chronicles #shadowhunters #shadowhunter chronicles #ty blackthorn #kit herondale #kit herongraystairs #tessa gray #jem carstairs #jaime rosales #dru blackthorn #ash morgenstern

[number1mongrel]

OKAY SO. Originally I didn't have much about my AU because I was focused on other stuff, it was just very driven by my annoyance that people write Enkidu like they're Gilgamesh's conscience, or are overall less awful than Gil, and I wanted to see more things where Enkidu, not Kingu or Gil, gets to be 'the bad one'. Or not even bad, but moral in a way that's harmful to humans. Because in FGO they don't consider themself 'a person', they consider themself A WEAPON, and a weapon's intent depends on the intent of its user. But then you said to keep talking and I spent an entire shift thinking a lot about this AU SO ANYWAYS!

At first Enkidu and Tokiomi seen almost perfectly suited. Tokiomi is the perfect mage and master, who made every effort to prepare for this Grail War, and whose victory is certainly assured. Enkidu is the perfect Heroic Spirit and Servant, they are unspeakably powerful and unfailingly loyal. But both of them are wearing masks, with Enkidu masking so hard that they believe that they're incapable of liking individuals at all. So it's only natural that they feel absolutely nothing for Tokiomi, right? They're a weapon and nothing more. And Tokiomi makes absolutely no effort to really get to know Enkidu or learn about them, so one could say that they make an unstoppable combination, and one could say they're incredibly professional together. But at the same time. Kayneth and Diarmuid have more of a relationship here. Kiritsugu and Artoria have more of a relationship.

Anyways, you remember that one bad end in the Fate route of Fate/Stay Night where Saber betrayal-kills Shirou, and then they're both really confused about why they even did that, and it's because you missed basically every affection flag for Saber somehow, which should be impossible? That's how Enkidu and Tokiomi's partnership ends. It's going absolutely fantastic, they actually seem to be winning better than anyone else they're about to get the Grail, Enkidu hasn't even consciously meant to betray Tokiomi, and then they just. Murder Tokiomi because Tokiomi completely failed to build ANY sort of relationship with his servant, and it's always the Master/Servant pairings that actually get along who succeed.

Because Enkidu was telling themself that they were the perfect weapon. But that's not true. They tell themself they've lost the capability to care for individuals, but in Fate/Strange Fake they still care for Gilgamesh, and come to care for Wolf. So even as they're telling themself they're the perfect weapon, things are going on in the back of Enkidu's mind that they're not fully registering. Things like how much this world BOTHERS them, with the knowledge of things like pollution, deforestation, extinction of animal species, melting ice caps, the ozone layer(since this is the 90s and the ozone layer is probably still An Issue--in our time it's actually repairing itself!) And there's also how Enkidu is now summoned and remaining inside a city, rather than remaining on the outskirts with their master. And their master, as I've said before, is not a Wolf that knows nothing about the Grail War and just wants to live. It's Tokiomi, who lives in the middle of the noise and buildings and cars, and who very very much DOES want to win the war. And while this is happening, Enkidu is just watching all the betrayals and tragedy going on around them, The Perfect Servant, The Perfect Weapon.

And when they're standing in front of the omnipotent wish-granter, either the last Servant standing or the last one aside from Saber, they snap. And the Grail grants their wish to fix all this in the worst way possible, because a lot of Fuyuki's buildings are now destroyed--they're incredibly thick forests and savage wild animals now, and living there is an incarnated and half-feral Enkidu, who is becoming a local cryptid in Fuyuki, and who the Clock Tower is having a HELL of a time covering up. The Fuyuki Fire was easy, just blame a gas leak or something--how the hell do they cover up SUDDENLY TREES??? They try and cut it down again but Enkidu is having none of it, so they just assign Kirei to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get even more out of hand.

Enkidu had no interest in corrupting Kirei, I don't think, so Kirei never grew a backbone and just stepped down from the Grail War when Assassin was defeated. But upon seeing the awesome destruction Enkidu and the Grail caused, he ended up speedrunning his corruption arc. I'm not sure if Enkidu stays in the woods as The Local Cryptid, or if we get the inherent comedy of Kirei trying to accommodate a feral clay being with horns in the Orphan Basement for ten years. Anyways I think Kirei and Enkidu, like Kirei and Gilgamesh, both want to see the fully manifested Grail do its Grail thing, only instead of making it so only The Worthy can survive in the new world, Enkidu has gone full Eco Terrorism.

And that is my 'Tokiomi Summons Enkidu' AU. I'm not sure who is Archer instead of Gilgamesh, but presumably that's who Kayneth ends up summoning(It's probably not Gilgamesh, because Enkidu needs to be miserable. Or maybe it is Gilgamesh and Tokiomi keeps going 'no, you can't battle the King of Heroes, I need you doing These Things' and it just adds to the misery).

Sorry Diarmuid, maybe it's better this way.

OH I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!! yeah, enkidu is very calm and gentle in strange fake even before they realize gil is there- because they're in an environment they're comfortable in and they have a master they can understand. while they chide gil for being a tyrant it's not really like they have a personal ideal to not kill people or anything like that- they just think of themself as a weapon, and if no one tells them what to do, they have to figure out themself what they want to use their weaponry on, and what they want to protect

also gil handshake enkidu sensory overload in gross modern stinky city

#fave #dirt bby

[darknessawaits28]

Jacob Frye x Maxwell Roth Love Story; First Night~

Hey yall, I'm doing something a little different here, a little change! If you like playing the Assassin's creed games or enjoy seeing them, I've made something very special for yall! I wrote a bit of a short story of Maxwell Roth and Jacob Frye! Hope you all enjoy it! Thank you again for all your support! Love you all! Don't forget to like, follow, and obey! :3 :P

Long day it was for the twins, Evie Frye and Jacob Frye. As Evie was more preoccupied with finding the piece of Eden, Jacob had received quite the invitation from a certain Templar. "Jacob, while you were out playing, you received an invitation from someone." "Oh, for me?" Jacob asked curiously, quickly approaching the board that Greenie had made for them two to keep track of Templar activity. "So who is it that you would be dinning with Jacob?" Evie questioned as she sharpened her assassin's blade. "Maxwell Roth." "The leader of the blighters, surely you aren't going Jacob." "Of course not" Jacob lyingly promised his sister as he walked past her. "I'm off to the strand to take care of more blighter business, don't wait up." "Oh and tell Greenie I said hello" He laughed, knowing how much his sister cared for Mr. Green. "Alright to the Alhambra Music Hall" Jacob mumbled to himself as he exited the train and rushed to catch a carriage. After a few minutes, he arrived at the front of the music hall, "My, my, what a spectacular view." "Now, where in the world am I going to enter?" he questioned, looking towards the side entrance. "Huh, I guess there." As Jacob ran to the back, he came upon a man that seemed like he was the assistant of Roth. "Hello, I'm here to see Mr. Roth." "Weapons?" The man questioned as he looked at Jacob. "No thank you, I've got my own" Jacob smiled mischievously. "You should be on the stage sir, this way" The man nodded as he opened the door, allowing Jacob to proceed. "Ah, our honored guest, come sit" The infamous Maxwell Roth said as he grabbed a bottle of wine. "it is such an honor to finally meet the man that has been causing havoc to the Templars in London." "What, is that such a bad thing?" Jacob chuckled, sitting down on the chair by the table. "HA, on the contrary my dear boy, surprises is the spice of life!" "Yet, Crawford Starrick, that's another story." "I am drowning in directives, all terribly boring and quite pathetic."

"So why did you want me to come here?" "I've got a proposition for you my boy, help me cause pain to Starrick, and if that does not satisfy you; hell you can charge into this theater and kill me yourself." "What do you say?" "Hmphm you have a deal" Jacob smiled, raising his cup to Roth, waiting for him to cheer with him. "HA, wonderful" Roth laughed as he clinked his cup with Jacob's, an indication that the deal was set. Throughout the upcoming weeks, Roth and Jacob became quite close in causing massive amounts of pain to Starrick's world. Decreasing the amount of blighter control in every part of London, especially in the strand where Roth was located. "Hey Roth." "Ah, my dear, you've come back, how was it?" "Good, killed every last one of those blighters and managed to destroy an entire rail cart filled to the brim with explosives." "HA, brilliant, you've done good, now rest up, I've made a special dinner for you." "Dinner?" Jacob questioned as he sat down at the table and pulled his chair in close. "Yes, a proper dinner to thank you for our partnership." "Oh" Jacob gulped, tapping his fingers together worriedly as Roth sat down, staring deeply at him. "Here you are gentlemen, a fine roast with baked potatoes, enjoy." "Thank you Louis" Roth sighed happily, beginning to cut into his roast. "Looks good" Jacob commented, also cutting into the roast and taking a bite into the wondrous piece of meat. "Damn....this is delicious!" "I'm glad you think so" Roth hummed, biting into the meat that he had on his fork in such a sensual way. Jacob, watching the entire show, gulped slightly, his pants tightening around his bulge. "I think uh.....I better retire for the night Roth....I-I'll finish this up and uh....return to my train" Jacob stuttered a bit, pushing his chair back a bit and moved it slightly to the left in order for him to stand. "Oh dear, why don't you stay for the night, I could tell you of the tales of my upcoming" Roth smirked, slowly leaning in closer to Jacob.

"Uh......no thank you.....I-I um......I-". "Why so nervous Jacob, has something spooked you my dear?" "Not at all, just a bit tired." Roth slowly stood from his chair, grabbed the head of it, dragged it along the floor, and sat directly in front of the blushing assassin. "Tired, you don't look an ounce of it." "All I see is two rosy cheeks my dear boy." "Is something troubling you?" Roth questioned, his hand slowly patting his lap, causing the assassin to jolt in discomfort. "R-Roth please....I need to get.....going" Jacob gulped, his hand trying to cover the bulge in his pants. "No you don't, there is no shame in hiding it my dear, I can see it." "See what?!" "There's nothing to see!" "HA, your words mean nothing to what I see written all over your face Jacob." "But, if you feel that way, I'll just be on my merry way and you can go ahead and see yourself out then" Roth cleared his throat as he stood from his chair. "No wait!" Jacob gasped as he grabbed Roth by his well trimmed coat, causing the blighter to smirk even bigger. "Yes?" "Uh...I....um" Jacob blushed deeply as he stood and slowly pulled himself into Roth's lap. "Touch me please." "You see, that wasn't too hard was it?:" Roth chuckled loudly, slowly grabbing the bulge in Jacob's pants. "Oh you so perfect" Roth sighed hungrily as he leaned in close to the assassin. Jacob moaned softly, gripping onto both his shoulders for support, Roth leaning in and pressing gentle kisses against his neck.

With quick movements, Roth grabbed Jacob's chin, and kissed him like an animal in heat. Their lips moved in perfect sync with each other, Jacob's bulge becoming bigger by the second. "Mm open up my dear" Roth mumbled against his lips, Jacob obliging and opening his lips a bit. Soon Roth's tongue entered the assassin's mouth, outlining each inch of the inside, claiming it as his. "R-Roth" Jacob moaned happily, his cheeks turning bright red as a tomato. As they pulled away from the kiss, a stream of saliva dripped down Jacob's lips, "You're a mess Jacob." "Don't patronize me you sly dog" Jacob chuckled. In an instant, Roth unbuckled Jacob's pants, unsheathing his already bulging boner, his gloved hand quickly taking it and fondling it. Quiet moans could be heard from the assassin as Roth stroked him with his gloved hand, it was a different feeling of course, but he liked it very much. "Why so quiet hmm?" No word came from Jacob as he bite is left index finger, not wanting to let out those lewd moans. Before long, gushing could be heard from below, his hardened cock already dripping precum. "My dear Jacob, no need to hide those extravagant moans of yours, come on" Roth edged Jacob on, instantly making the assassin release an ever soft moan from his lips. "Roth......I-I can't....I-I'm going to....." Jacob rested his forehead against Roth's shoulder, but felt his hand stop. A cute whine escaped Jacob's lips as he sat up to look into Roth's mischievous eyes, "Come now, did you think that I would let you release all over my well tailored suit?" "You're an arse" Jacob whimpered. "Why don't we go upstairs, relieve you of that pain my dear boy" Roth smirked, leaning in and giving Jacob one last kiss before they both rushed upstairs to finish the job.

Psss, let me know if you all want Part 2! :3

#maxwell roth #assassins creed syndicate #jacob frye #smut #love story

[scriveyner]

chase forever down 5/31

chase forever down | 5/31 | bungou stray dogs | 👿🐯 / sskk | #smarch 🔞| ~1700 words

Atsushi sat on the wall, kicking his heels off the stone as he watched Dazai and Kunikida talk to the government officials. Akutagawa leaned against the wall beside him, arms folded and completely disinterested in the proceedings. Even from here, Atsushi could see several of the agents giving Akutagawa looks, and it raised his hackles.

Continue on AO3 or:

“Getting defensive will only make you look guilty by proxy,” Akutagawa said without opening his eyes, and Atsushi’s mouth twisted into a scowl. He did that, now; like Akutagawa was reading his mind, and it made him deeply uncomfortable. “I can’t read minds.”

Atsushi stared at him, and the corner of Akutagawa’s mouth ticked up in amusement. “Come now, weretiger. As if you weren’t an open book enough already.”

“You’re creepy as hell when you’re like this,” Atsushi muttered, and Akutagawa’s amused aura did not fade. “What were you doing out here, anyway? It’s not like you to take an interest in a missing persons case like this.”

Which, it had been an utter surprise to run into Akutagawa here, in the dismal grey afternoon that kept threatening rain. He’d been third-wheeling with Dazai and Kunikida—which was far less fun than it sounded—when an ability user clearly interested in their case made their presence known. Atsushi shuddered involuntarily at the memory. He’d never seen so many spiders all at once.

That was going to be nightmare fuel for the next month, easy.

Akutagawa seemed to be weighing his silence. He watched Dazai gesticulate, and said, softly, “remember those vampire hunters?”

Atsushi blushed before he could even think of stopping it. Of course, he remembered. He remembered it very, very, very well, mostly because he’d never had so many orgasms in a row. “You think this is connected to that?”

“It could be.”

“Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“Before what, weretiger? Do you think I will glibly announce my curse in front of every member of your precious detective agency?” He tilted his head and glared haughtily at Atsushi, and then after a moment of making his point, glanced away. “I’m not certain. It is simply a hunch.”

“A regular hunch, or a hunch-hunch?”

Akutagawa stared at him.

Atsushi gave him the most innocent look he could muster, and Akutagawa rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner before pushing off the wall to leave. “Wait, wait,” Atsushi said, sliding off his perch. Akutagawa didn’t stop, and Atsushi worriedly threw a glance over his shoulder. Kunikida was too involved to take notice, but Dazai waved, though.

He fell into step with Akutagawa as they wound their way out of the warehouse district. If Akutagawa had truly wanted to leave him behind, there were plenty of ways to do so; but instead, he walked sedately, and Atsushi walked quietly beside him.

It was nice, walking with him like this. Atsushi wasn’t entirely sure what he felt about Akutagawa, but he was at least comfortable beside him. It felt right. Akutagawa sighed aloud and glanced at Atsushi. “What is this?” he questioned, and Atsushi blinked owlishly at him.

“…this…?” Atsushi glanced at the warehouse district that they were turning away from, heading back into the city proper.

“Don’t be dense, weretiger. I meant between us.”

Atsushi stopped walking. “I don’t know.” Akutagawa had kissed him, and he still didn’t know how to take it. Was it just a thing he felt he needed to do, like the way he sucked Atsushi’s dick? Did it actually mean anything at all? Or was this just part and parcel of being the sole food source for a vampire? “I guess…a partnership?”

Akutagawa snorted. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I thought about you last night when I came. I think we’re a little outside of partnership territory.”

Atsushi stared at Akutagawa blankly.

Akutagawa seemed not to notice his reaction. “I don’t understand why things are so difficult when you are added into the mix. It is frustrating beyond all measure.”

“Wait,” Atsushi said faintly, holding up his hand and still stuck on the previous statement. “You thought about me when?”

“Last night.” Akutagawa folded his arms, and half-turned in toward Atsushi. “When I was touching myself. I could not dismiss your face from my mind. It was…” here he trailed off, and Atsushi actually saw his cheeks turn pink.

“Oh my god.” They were not having this conversation right now, in public. Atsushi looked around wildly, but they were, for the most part, alone. The pedestrians were few and far between, the chilly air and grey skies doing their part to keep people indoors. “Wait. What do you mean “don’t take this the wrong way?” How am I supposed to take it?”

Akutagawa covered his mouth with his hand, looking impassive. “We both know that neither of us cares for the other, weretiger.”

Atsushi continued to stare at him for a long moment, and then turned away, pushing a hand through his hair. “I don’t fucking believe this.” He wasn’t really going to do this right now, was he? Oh god, he was.

Akutagawa was not prepared for Atsushi grabbing him by the lapel of his coat and yanking him after. “Weretiger, release me!”

Rashomon shot out from his coat defensively, but Atsushi winged Akutagawa around him, which thudded him back against a brick wall just inside a wide alley that cut between two warehouses. Rashomon cushioned his impact, and before Akutagawa could start a counterattack Atsushi slammed his hand against the wall beside Akutagawa’s head.

Then he grabbed Akutagawa by the ascot and yanked him into a kiss.

For a split second, he could taste the confusion coming off Akutagawa; then Rashomon collapsed back into his coat and his arms went around Atsushi, holding him in place against Akutagawa as they leaned into the wall. “And you call me the idiot,” Atsushi said, breathless, when they finally drew apart.

Akutagawa was staring at him. He lifted his hand to gently touch Atsushi’s face. With his lips parted Atsushi could see the hint of his fangs protruding. “Didn’t you just eat?” Atsushi asked.

“I just need a taste, weretiger—please…”

He had never, in his life, heard Akutagawa say please. Atsushi pulled at the bandage still covering his left wrist, and Akutagawa bit him very gently, lapping away the blood that welled from beneath his skin and never breaking eye contact with Atsushi as he fed. Warmth wicked down his arm, and Atsushi sighed, little pinpricks of pleasure starting at the base of his spine.

Akutagawa’s breath caught when Atsushi pressed up against him again, pinning him against the wall. Atsushi’s heart was going so fast; true to his word Akutagawa had only taken a taste, he was barely even lightheaded. And now he wanted a taste as well, eyes locked on Akutagawa’s, shimmering in the shadow of the building.

Atsushi shifted his weight, slid his hand between them, and pressed his palm over the bulge he’d felt in Akutagawa’s trousers. Akutagawa’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly, still pinned on his; and Atsushi refused to look away, chin tilted defiantly. “You got your taste,” Atsushi breathed, pushing the ruffled hem of Akutagawa’s shirt up, finding that point where his trousers touched skin blindly. “Now I want mine.”

On his knees, now, Atsushi worked the zipper down, loosing Akutagawa’s trousers on his hips. He truly hadn’t anticipated getting this far, but he was dogged, driven now by a primal need to experience, to taste; and steadily, carefully, he freed Akutagawa’s erection from his underwear.

Akutagawa let out a soft sigh when Atsushi’s fingers wrapped around it, marveling at it. This was the first time Atsushi had touched his, he stroked the length slowly, wetting his lips. When he glanced up, Akutagawa had one hand in the front of his shirt, keeping the ruffled hem up and out of the way, but the other was flat against the brick behind him, braced there; and his eyes—still grey, with an iridescent tinge—were locked on Atsushi.

“You’re going to have to tell me,” Atsushi said, stroking him, eyes returning to the curve of his cock, “if I do something you don’t like.” That said, he nuzzled in close, getting a good whiff of Akutagawa’s scent before very tentatively flicking the tip of his tongue over the head of Akutagawa’s cock.

“Oh, fuck,” Akutagawa whimpered and covered his mouth with his hand.

Atsushi’s eyes shot back up to his face, and while Akutagawa had covered his mouth, the tips of his ears were very red. “What was I doing?” he asked, stroking Akutagawa slowly, getting a feel for him, “when you were thinking of me?”

Akutagawa didn’t actually answer, but that was okay. Atsushi was a bit preoccupied anyway, flattening his tongue and trying to remember what Akutagawa did with him and reimagining it. He couldn’t get much of Akutagawa’s cock into his mouth, as the thought of it hitting the back of his throat pre-emptively made him gag, and he drew back—and to his surprise, Akutagawa’s entire body tensed. “Oh, did you like—?”

Atsushi didn’t get a chance to finish the question before Akutagawa released on his face.

He had no time to react, Akutagawa’s cock pulsing in his hand, and all he could do was close his eyes and turn his face. He felt the thick, sticky fluid coat his nose and over his cheek, up into his hair—and after a few moments, he cracked an eye open, when he thought the worst of it had passed. Atsushi glanced up at Akutagawa, whose eyes were as wide as saucers, and his face was flushed red up to his hairline.

“Holy shit, a little warning, next time?” Atsushi said, wiping the cuff of his sleeve over his nose and succeeding only in smearing the fluid across his skin. “Oh god, is it in my hair?”

Akutagawa slid down the wall and sat, legs sprawled wide on either side of Atsushi, staring at him as he attempted to clean himself. “Weretiger…” Akutagawa croaked, and Atsushi looked at him, eye to eye.

“Good?” he asked, wiping his face again, and Akutagawa grabbed him by the collar and yanked him in close—and then he licked fluid from Atsushi’s temple. Atsushi shuddered at the contact and bit back a moan.

“That was…” Akutagawa’s hand tensed in his collar, and his other hand pressed against Atsushi’s trousers, watching Atsushi shudder again, eyes going half-lidded. He exhaled something Atsushi didn’t quite catch and then nipped his neck. “Don’t expect it always to be so quick, weretiger,” he breathed, face pressed to Atsushi’s skin.

Atsushi laughed and pulled his hands tight in the back of Akutagawa’s coat.

<< Chapter 4 ||| Start ||| Chapter 6 >>

#bungou stray dogs #sskk #shin soukoku #vampire fic #lemony fresh #smarch #ongoing

[semper-legens]

159. The Terror, by Dan Simmons

Owned: No, library Page count: 935 My summary: 1845. Sir John Franklin is leading two ships full of men into the Arctic ice to find the Northwest Passage. They have provisions to last years, state of the art ships, and no chance against the Arctic winter. The provisions spoil, the crew lose hope, and the ice is creeping in. But the Arctic has other horrors waiting for these men. There’s something on the ice, and it’s coming for them... My rating: 4/5 My commentary:

Ah, the Franklin expedition. What, men undertaking a foolhardy journey in an unfamiliar environment and ending up getting stuck and resorting to cannibalism before dying horribly is something I am interested in? What a surprise! Yeah, this is totally one of my weird morbid interests, so this mammoth novel about the expedition’s demise was totally on my radar, especially since people were raving about the TV show adaptation when that came out. Overall I had a good time with this book, despite its length I found it very well-paced and gripping, and I was totally into it. There were some bones of contention I had, which I’ll talk about under the cut, but overall I liked it.

First off, I gotta shout out to the fact that this book has a bunch of different characters who are similar-seeming white dudes, and yet I remembered who they all were and could distinguish them well. Which doesn’t often happen with books of this kind, so kudos. This book was grim as hell, but in a very engaging way. I liked the use of the different narrators to show different points of view on the expedition and different mindsets (Goodsir is the one I blorbo’d). I liked how things just kept getting worse, and worse, and worse at a fast rate of knots. The oppressive atmosphere the book created was almost overwhelming, and definitely interesting to read when it’s Cold As Balls out! The supernatural element was the only grand-scope part of the plot I wasn’t so sure about, I feel that the Franklin expedition’s interesting enough on its own to carry this kind of narrative without introducing an explicit Scary Monster. Personally I would have drawn back on the Scary Monster angle, made it a bit more subtle and ambiguous, but that wasn’t the story Simmons wanted to tell.

The portrayal of the Inuit in this book is...interesting. Every POV character is racist. They’re all white British men from the 1840s, of course they are. It’s never really portrayed as a good thing, the framing of their thoughts is more to show what white British men from this era would think - people are surprised, for example, when Dr Goodsir treats an injured Inuit man. (The Inuit are also universally referred to with a word now recognised as a slur.) And the characters dismissing and treating the Inuit badly is framed as terrible by the narrative. I’m thinking mostly of the incident where one crewman, Hickey (more on him later) wants to kill an officer, and murders him shortly after he’s met with an Inuit group. This group was wary of the officer, but eventually managed to communicate and shared food with him. Hickey killing him and, worse, framing the Inuit for his death dooms the entire surviving crew - a partnership with the Inuit could have led to food for the starving men, to the Inuit teaching them how to hunt and fish and gain food for themselves. But Hickey made them into a scapegoat, and that comes back to bite everyone. (Cannibalism joke!)

But at the same time, there’s Lady Silence. She’s a young (possibly even teenage) Inuit woman who comes onto the ship after the man she was travelling with was killed. The captain keeps her around so that she could maybe teach them how to get food. There is a lot of emphasis on her body. She is constantly mentioned as being naked under her parka - part of this is for contrast, to show that the crew’s decision to wear wool that gets wet and freezes was a bad decision, but the framing of it is very sexual and definitely crosses the line of being fetishising, especially when men keep seeing her naked and fantasising about her. Again, this is probably meant to be the POV of men who have been on a ship for years and are racist and have complicated thoughts about seeing this woman, but the framing crosses over into fetishising her. I also don’t know how much the Inuit legends and mythology mentioned in the book are based on real myths (apart from Sedna, I know that one) but there’s a chance the book could be iffy along those lines, not knowing about the culture I cannot comment.

So the Hickey thing. Hickey is a crewman in a relationship with another crewman. He’s also an evil murdering racist cannibal. His group is the only group shown resorting to cannibalism, and it’s more murder-cannibalism than survival-cannibalism. (Bringing sick crew along as reserve food stores, shooting crewmen without casting lots for food, that sort of thing.) And, look, I have views about cannibalism I don’t think it’s in and of itself a morally bad act. But portraying the cannibalism like this really draws a line to the contemporary view on the idea of the Franklin expedition eating people - the Victorians were horrified that anyone could think that white British men could do something so barbaric and uncivilised. And having one of the only (not the only, to be fair, but certainly the most prominent) gay men portrayed as an evil cannibal...it’s not a great look, is all I’m saying.

Next up, some epic fantasy, and a young street rat learning there’s something magical about her...

#The Terror #Dan Simmons #bookblr #book blog #book blogging #4

[officersnickers]

I think a lot about Isabella post season 2, since she lives, is able to live in the human world, opens her heart again and seems to keep a good relationship with some of the kids she raised (the little girl who sings near of her is Jessica, right?). When she plays the instrument she seems so happy and relaxed. And then she has apparently find love? she has a new baby? I wonder how his her relation with Ray in this situation?! Does it get better with time?

Hello anon!

I’m going to answer your takes/ questions one after each other, because oh boi, I sure have thoughts about this, too! ^^‘

First of, letting Isabella live is kinda the only redeeming quality of Season 2, let’s be honest. The whole slideshow as well as everything that has happened after Episode 2 was a shitshow, but this made me genuinely happy. Isabella did deserve to live and do everything she can to atone for her sins and wrongdoings, even if one life wouldn’t even be enough for this :/

Anyway, in the first paragraph you’re surely talking about this picture:

Isn’t it lovely? Isabella and some of her younger daughters (why not sons, though?), namely from left to right Yvette, Jemima and Alicia. I must say I really dig Isabella’s style here, the comfy clothes and her hair not being in a tight knot anymore, as well as her singing freely and playing the guitar. The memory of Leslie sitting under the same tree Ray tends to read under years later, with his mandolin hitting hard here, isn’t it?

It looks just like a normal scene for bystanders (bywalkers? eh doesn’t matter), and I guess it’s not too fair away from moments Isabella shared with her children beforehand, and still, everything is different now. Finally they are free, they can choose what to wear, how long to sit without worrying about tests or shipments, being able to go wherever they want afterwards. Surely, it reminds Alicia, Jemima and Yvette of her old, seemingly normal life in the orphanage, but for Isabella, everything’s different now, and I’d guess she too is different now. See, the thing is, Isabella wasn’t cruel or gruesome per se. Her circumstances were and she acted the same way, because there were no other left for her. Like an animal pushed into a corner, she resolved to violence and distrust, but now the corner’s gone, she can let go of the character she herself surely never wanted to be.

Others could word this so much better than I do, I’m sure ^^‘

„And then she has apparently find love? she has a new baby? I wonder how his her relation with Ray in this situation?! Does it get better with time?“

Ah, this scene…

I gonna be real honest with you here, anon, I really got no clue about this scene. I did scream the first time seeing it, because WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WENT ON HERE?!?!? You tell me Isabella apparently just shrugged after arriving in the human world and did, well, the guy, resulting in a partnership and another baby?!? All while the memory of Leslie did never left her, coming back and haunting her through her son humming the same song her childhood sweetheart did? All while Ray still fights for his life in the demon world?WTF?!?!

On the other hand, we don’t even know if this is really Isabella (I don’t know who else it would be, but eh). The hair color is kinda off, since the anime did darken her hair – though on other instances, it looks some sort of brown and not black – and we can’t see her number at all, although it should be able from this angle. But these are minor gripes I got here, not worth mentioning.

Now let us assume this is really Isabella for one second. I won’t say every single Mama and/or Sister is too scarred to ever pursue or even find love. No, I think a lot of them actively would want to find a partner, to let go of her past, but then, it would be hard. Like, almost impossible hard to achieve. They literally come from another world, did see their family and friends be eaten by flesh-devouring demons for almost their entire life. No way their past wouldn’t affect them, no matter how good they are at hiding their feelings. Just like Isabella, right?

Let us go on. Let us assume maybe Isabella did meet and date a guy who maybe was nice? Was charming? Was letting her forget how bloody her hands are and that her children (yes, I’m counting Emma and Norman in, don’t mind me) are still on a journey with no clear path and no sure return. I’d rather think Isabella would want to wait for them to come back once again, to be sure they are truly safe, before going on with her own life. But alas, life doesn’t care about plans, and things come to another and there it is – another child. I’m… really not the greatest fan of this. Mainly because it came so sudden in the anime, without any further explanation, without anything for us fans to work with here. Who is the father? Is this really Isabella? When does this take place? It’s all so confusing, just like 80% of Season 2, sadly :(

What really irks me here is Isabella’s expression. Does this look like a mother who is incredible happy to get a second change, to hold a baby again after her first one was taken away before she could even lay an eye on them? Nah, not really. This on the other hand could open a door to such a great character development, for Isabella herself, but also Ray.

Don’t mind if I do babble now a bit about this one story I’m writing about. It’s not entirely focused on Ray or Isabella, but they get their fair share of screen time, and yes, in this story, Isabella has another baby. Now before you scream „BUT SNICKERS, YOU COMPLAINED THE WHOLE ASK NOW ABOUT THIS! WHY ARE WRITING IT TOO?!“ I have to tell you, I’ve got the idea way before Season 2 was aired XD Thank you for ruining my own fantasy…

Back on the tracks, in my story, everything plays out the same as in the manga though, without Isabella dying (because fuck this, all my homies wanted Isabella to survive!), and them going into the human world together. And guess who’s also in the human world? Right.

This motherfucker (literally hjshdfkjfgdjh)

Long story short, OF COURSE Isabella and Leslie do meet again, and OF COURSE this results in Ray becoming a big brother over time. But as you may know me, I’m always a sucker for drama, so no one’s really thrilled about the baby (okay, Leslie is, but that’s not the point), least of all Isabella. Trauma is a bitch, and you can’t convince me giving birth to Ray without her consent wasn’t trauma for Isabella. Her being in this situation once again, even under very different circumstances, is nothing you should add as little extra in a shitty slideshow or just for the Awws and Ohhs, but could work as a lever for a lot of character development, catching up on past experiences or what defines to be a mother and getting a second chance when so many of her children didn’t. Then there’s also Ray, with the feeling of being replaced or better, Isabella fearing Ray feeling replaces, coming to terms with his mother having a life of her own now too, and Leslie being some sort of father, when his real fathers, Yuugo and Lucas, are probably still lying under the debris of the home they once shared and that they destroyed to save their children's life. Ray’s life he now has to live without them but a mother who wants to reconcile, a man who’s song ultimately did save him, and the little child that is now part of his family, without ever being exposed to the same horrors they were.

How should all this mess work out? How could three traumatized (semi-)adults care for a human being living the peaceful life they fought so hard for? Ignoring and facing their demons once again, hurting each other while also trying to heal? Just all of them being alive, just staying alive, and nothing more?

I won’t tell too much, because this is already getting too long, but I hope you see why I’m not entirely against Isabella having another baby, but then at least with someone we know (or get to know) and enough time for us readers/ watchers to see how this would play out – or not, worst case.

I hope I answered some of your questions and did entertain you a bit ^^

#pff this became longer than expected #duality of a writer - hating a concept so much you're taking it into your own hands #and thinking you can do it better :P #the promised neverland #tpn #ynn #yakusoku no neverland #Snickers babbles #yakusoku no nebārando #tpn isabella #ynn isabella #yakusoku no neverland isabella #the promised neverland isabella

[mgparker]

should’ve listened

[marc spector x avatar!f!reader, steven grant x avatar!f!reader]

moon knight spoilers | word count: 1.5k

summary: your tendency to put your loved ones above you puts you in what would’ve been a deadly situation, had you not been an avatar of the goddess of the sun.

warnings: f!reader, pure angst, literally pure angst and almost no plot bc I’ve been searching for some dramatic moon knight angst and haven’t found much, violence, Marc being an overprotective little shit, Jake making a slight appearance, slight fluff at the end

here’s my masterlist!

a/n: if I’ve gotten anything wrong in the representation of DID in this one-shot, please please please let me know. thank you<3

Marc was right.

And it didn’t come as a surprise. He’s usually right about a lot of things, a fact that quite often pissed you off but despite your stubbornness, you could admit to the truth.

And if you’d listened to him, for once, you wouldn’t be in this very awful, very uncomfortable situation.

Fuck! Your head whipped to the side as the impact of rough knuckles split your cheek open. Pain blossomed from the spot, shooting straight up to your brain before dispersing behind your eyes.

You tried to blink away the black dots.

“I won’t ask you again,” your assailant snarled, baring his rotting teeth unbearably close to your face. “Tell us where he is.”

The taste of iron pooled into your mouth, but you mockingly smiled despite it—bloody-teethed and all. “Rot in hell.”

To your surprise, the man before you gave you a blank stare before smiling back. Your eyebrows twitched in confusion, watching his actions closely as he backed away from you slowly. 

That is… until his hand went digging in his back pocket.

Oh fuck. I’m fucked.

Possessed by newfound energy, you began to thrash against the tight ropes that held your limbs down, the chair beneath you squeaking from the immense fight.

Normally, you would’ve been able to break the chair in two. All with the strength of one pinky.

But your strength was gone now, drained by whatever mystery liquid Harrow’s men had injected you with when they found you searching the desert by yourself, in search for their hideout.

It wasn’t like you to venture off on your own— you respected partnership and teamwork— but with how exhausted Steven had been from changing the night sky, you thought the least you could do was scope the place out before either of you got ambushed on your journey tomorrow.

Now it seems, the only person who got ambushed was you. But better you than him, in your opinion.

Obviously, Harrow was on the lookout for Marc or Steven. You weren’t sure which but you knew it couldn’t be for an innocent chat.

As long as you had breath in your lungs, you wouldn’t lead Harrow to them. Never.

The struggle was over when the man before you suddenly lunged at your body, knife pressed tightly to your throat as you suddenly froze.

“You just want to be a difficult little bitch,” he spat, staring at you with a demented look. As if he was going to thoroughly enjoy the blood he’d spill with the blade in his hand.

Glaring at him, you kept your mouth shut, angered beyond words.

If you’d just fucking listened to Marc. His words repeated in your head distantly — ‘We don’t split up. We stay together, you hear me? None of your self-sacrifice shit.’ His words had made you gape as if he’d personally offended you. But he knew you too well. He knew exactly what you’d do once Steven fronted.

But now you were faced with an entirely different dilemma, the man in front of you taking your silence as an excuse to finally spill blood, pressing the blade against your skin until it broke, crimson dripping down your neck until the fear finally came rushing into your system.

The fear you were trying so hard to suppress.

But now, the iciness was taking over, stilling you in your spot because you were helpless to fight back.

And it only got chillier as he began swiping the blade against your heaving chest.

‘Give me the body, Steven. Now!’ Marc growled as soon as Steven had woken up to realize that you’d disappeared in the middle of the night, leaving behind all the supplies and him.

“Where in the bloody hell did she go?” Steven began to fret, searching the dark desert with squinted eyes. But it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

It was too dark, everything blending into each other until all he could see was sand. Behind him, in front of him, to the left and to the right.

But no you.

‘Steven!’

“I hear you, mate,” Steven bit back, panic gripping at his chest as he gathered your shared bag of supplies and hauled it over his shoulder. “But it’s an absolute no from me.”

You don’t understand the gravity of this situation, Steven. She could be in danger, she could be dying!

The desperate tone in his voice almost halted Steven in his tracks. It felt like an intense tug-of-war, fighting to remain fronting as his worry fueled his every step through the dark sea of sand.

“I’ve got to find her,” he anxiously stuttered, doing his best to ignore Marc’s angry muttering. “I’ve got to find her. I’ve got to find her…”

You’re out of your depth, please.

It was only when he’d trekked about half a mile when he heard your piercing screams.

“Oi take the body!” Steven exclaimed, heart in his throat suddenly. “Take the body!”

When it came down to it, his panic-driven mind knew that Marc was better equipped to handle this type of situation.

His only concern was getting you away from the danger you so clearly were in. Even if that meant giving up his control…

As soon as Marc came to, the suit was wrapping its way around his body, eyes glowing brighter than the moon above him and piercing through the darkness until they found you.

Distant, but there. A mere mile away, from what his enhanced vision could see, and in the hands of—of… Harrow’s men.

A growl ripped through his chest, unnatural and animalistic, crawling from his lips like a beast that had just been released.

It was the blinding anger that propelled him in your direction, soaring through the sky with his billowing cape, closer and closer until—until—

The blinding darkness disappeared as quick as it came.

It felt like Marc had been reconnected with his own body once again.

Feeling the fury melt into uncontrollable fear as he suddenly became aware of his new surroundings.

Standing above a dead body, hand gripping his crescent blade with white knuckles. His crescent blade that was jammed into the chest of a bloodied man. Scarlet against the pure white sand.

But the fear wasn’t for what he’d done—no, this man was the one he’d seen so clearly above your broken body from a mile away—, it was for what he’d find as soon as he turned around to look at you.

You can’t be dead. You can’t. You can’t. You can’t.

The pain was already squeezing his chest, strangling his heart until he felt like he was a second away from death.

Because that’s what would come if he turned around to find you lifeless.

Marc Spector simply couldn’t live without you—something that Steven Grant realized they were beginning to have in common.

‘You have to turn around, Marc.’

No, no, no. He can’t. His body felt paralyzed in terror.

Why was it so silent? Why couldn’t he hear your sigh of relief?

‘Marc, you have to turn around. Please!’

And so he did.

And the sight of your half-open lids sent a wave of emotions rushing through his entire body.

Marc’s legs rushed toward you, bringing him closer without any other thought in his mind than the sight of you alive.

“Baby…” he whispered in anguish, dropping to his knees before you. “Baby, look at me.”

Your dazed stare barely moved from its spot on the sand. With gentle hands, trembling from the emotion of it all, Marc cupped your bruised cheeks with a whisper of a touch.

His voice choked out your name, cracking in a round of tears, but it was what seemed to bring some cognizance back to you.

Cloudy and barely there, your eyes slowly but surely shifted over to the love of your life.

Though it was faint, your heart accelerated at the sight of him, a lazy smile stretching onto your lips.

“H-hi…” you rasped, lightheaded from the blood loss.

You should be dead.

And you would be if it weren’t for the power of Bastet slowly healing your body as she fought to cure the poison coursing through your veins.

The poison you’d been injected with when you were initially ambushed, a creation from the hands of Arthur Harrow himself—guided by Ammit.

Don’t fear, she is being healed as we speak. The voice of Khonshu suddenly rang in Marc’s ears. The avatar of Bastet will live.

Still, it didn’t relieve the pain from seeing your mangled body. Even after releasing you from your confines and cradling you close to his chest, sand seeping into the fabric of his suit.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Marc whispered into your hair. A phrase that didn’t leave his lips often, but in this moment, he couldn’t stop repeating it like a mantra.

And when you finally had enough strength to lift your head, warm strength flowing through your bruised veins, your lips found his in a passionate embrace.

Moving against him like smoothing a balm over his anguish. Though you were the one that had the closest brush with death you’d experienced since becoming an avatar.

It’s like you two were stuck in a loop, chasing each other’s mouths like one of you were suddenly going to disappear.

And when you finally had to break away for air, he kept you close to him, brushing against the soft skin as your foreheads rested together.

“I’m okay, darling,” you whispered against his lips. “We’re okay.”

hi! hi! omg hi! it’s been so long :,) i hope you’re all doing well. don’t worry, i still have plenty of peter parker content to come. it’s sitting in my drafts but it’ll see the light of day soon.

i just wanted pure angst, reader getting hurt cheesy classic cliche of being ‘saved’ (i put little marks around it bc reader is actually a baddie and can’t die anyway) and so that’s that. this was written quickly with barely any revision so sorry :/

love you all, bye bye

— elle <3

#moon knight #marc spector x reader #steven grant x reader #Marc Spector imagine #steven grant #moon knight x reader #jake lockley x reader #steven grant imagine #jake lockley imagine #marvel #marc spector angst #moon knight fic #mgparker

[halsteadlover]

Confession

*Gif not mine credits to the owner*

• Pairing: Jay Halstead x Reader.

• Requested: no.

• Summary: after being kidnapped with your partner you make a confession to him, but not everything goes as planned.

• Warning: mention of violence, blood, gunshot, death.

• Word count: 3433.

• A/N: I'm not sorry for this piece you can kill me if you want 😌. Let me know what do you think, any advice is truly appreciated, like, comment and reblog if you want ❤️ my inbox is always open if you want to send something or even just talking, love you all thank you for everything ❤️

Your vision was blurry. It took you a couple of seconds and you had to blink a few times for your eyes to focus on your surroundings.

Your head was still spinning, your temples throbbing as you tried to figure out where you were. It was a basement, very likely to have been out of use for years, judging by the amount of dust there was. You tried to get up but only then you realized your left hand was tied and getting free would be impossible.

What happened?

“Damn it” you muttered as the metal of the handcuffs pressed into your wrist, scratching it. Your eyes landed on the figure sitting on the ground not far from you and your heart skipped a beat when you realized who it was.

Jay.

He had one of his wrists tied to pipes, his head was bent down, still unconscious but even from that position you could see the blood flowing from his head wound.

“Jay! Jay!” you whispered/shouted to wake him up and at the same time trying not to attract the attention of whoever your captor was. You shuffled in place trying to reach him but in doing this the handcuffs squeezed your wrists even more, causing you even more pain. You couldn’t reach him though, he was too far from you. “Jay please wake up.”

It took another couple of minutes for him to finally open his eyes. His entire body was flooded with waves of cramps and aches, and even lifting his head was difficult for him. But when his eyes met yours, wide open, terrified, he felt the color drain out his face. There were cuts and scrapes visible on your face, one felt particularly deep on the left side of your lower lip.

“Y/N…” he whispered in disbelief. At that very instant the pain had plagued him up until that moment faded into the background and Jay began to stir in the spot, trying to free himself. He didn’t even know what he was doing, he just wanted to break free and reach out to you, hug you. “It’s okay Y/N everything will be fine, I’ll take you away from here” he tried to calm you down when he noticed the scared expression on your face “Fucking hell…” he hissed through his teeth when he realized how much those ropes were tightly tied.

The creaking of a door opening caught your attention, your hearts beating so fast as you heard the sound of a person walking down the stairs. If there was one thing you hated it was waiting, feeling helpless while waiting for something to happen.

“Oh look who’s finally awake, fancy seeing you detectives.”

A voice that made your skin crawl echoed through the walls of that filthy basement and looking at his face you remember how you and Jay ended up there.

Intelligence was on the trail of a gang of drug dealers who had decided to change their target in the last months. In fact, they no longer were only drug dealers, they had also become murderers. You didn’t quite understand the reason behind these murders and no matter how many times you wondered why they did this, the truth was they were just psychopaths who enjoyed tearing up other people’s lives without any second thoughts or remorse.

After what seemed like an infinity of time between wiretaps and interrogations, the team was finally able to find a clue to their probable location thanks to an informant.

You and Jay had been partners for years and no partnership worked like yours, so it wasn’t surprising when Voight decided to send you and him undercover to agree on a drug shipment.

Not everything, however, went according to plan.

Something had gone wrong and the news there were two undercover cops soon spread and Gabriel and Roman – these were the names of those criminals – didn’t take long to realize it was you and Jay.

And that’s how you found yourselves in that filthy basement, tied up, anxious and waiting for someone to come and free you.

Gabriel, the younger of the two, kept pacing on the floor, a gun in his hands as he alternated his eyes between you and Jay, a sinister smirk on his face.

God how much you wanted to sweep that damn grin off his face.

“Well… Well… Well…” he began to speak as you and Jay continued to observe his movements. You both exchanged a glance before his voice caught your attention again “Did you really think you’d have gotten away with this? I have to say that was very stupid of you detectives.”

“You don’t answer? Cat got your tongue?” he continued following your silence.

“You won’t get away this time, you’re both fucked” you muttered between your teeth and Gabriel snapped her eyes at you, that stupid grin still on his face.

“Can you repeat that sweetheart?”

Jay began to fidget when he saw him approach you and anger took hold of him when he saw him forcefully grab your jaw, forcing you to look at him.

“Don’t fucking touch her!” Jay exclaimed, continuing to yank hard on the rope that tied his wrist.

Gabriel chuckled, glancing at Jay before returning his eyes to you. The grip on your face was so strong you were sure there would be bruises left.

“Fuck you” you spat again through clenched teeth and the punch you received in the face was so strong it made you dizzy.

“Y/N!” Jay had never felt so useless and helpless in his entire life, being there and seeing that bastard hit you and not being able to help you because of that fucking rope was driving him crazy, seething with anger. “Son of a bitch leave her alone!” Jay exclaimed again, furious as he continued to yank the rope like a fury. Gabriel jumped up, leaving you gasping and bloody nose and walked over to Jay, a knowing expression on his face.

“Or else what? What will you do detective?”

You gasped when Jay kicked Gabriel on the knee, knocking him to the ground with a thud. Your heart stopped in your chest and tears started streaming down your face as Gabriel, furious, got up and started to punch Jay.

“Jay oh my god! Please let him go!” you screamed as you wriggled, hoping those damn handcuffs would break at any moment. Jay was not reacting and you understood why, you understood he had provoked Gabriel just to be able to distract him and make him move away from you even though this resulted in him being brutally beaten.

Jay could hardly breathe anymore, Gabriel’s punches were getting stronger and with each blow it seemed air no longer passed through his lungs.

“Maybe you’ll learn the lesson detective,” Gabriel muttered, finally letting Jay go and exiting the basement, leaving you and Jay alone.

Jay lay on the floor, his eyes on the ceiling as he tried to catch his breath. He turned his head towards you and felt his heart tighten as he saw your face streaked with tears.

“Y/N…” he muttered, stopping when a cough prevented him from speaking.

“Shh it’s okay Jay I’m here…” you could barely speak because of the tears. Seeing him in those conditions was even more painful than any kick or punch you’ve ever received. “Don’t talk, please, save your energy…”

“Are you okay?” he asked faintly and it was absurd how he thought about asking you how you were when he was in a lot worse condition.

“I’m fine Jay, I promise.”

With the sleeve of your shirt, you wiped the tears and residues of blood that came out of your nose “No, no, no… Hey… Don’t move Jay, try to stay still” you continued when you saw him try to sit up.

“I’m fine Y/N I promise” he repeated your words.

You started looking around frantically trying to find a way to free you and Jay and escape but those damn handcuffs could never have been opened except with the keys that were in the possession of your captors at the time.

You were worried to death for Jay, Gabriel had beaten him up badly and seeing his face contracted with pain with every breath he took was like receiving a stab. You kept praying for everything to be okay, not so much for you, but for Jay, God, you’d be dead if something happened to him.

“Just hold on baby please, keep your eyes open for me.”

You kept looking at him, helpless, all you wanted in that moment was just to free yourself and to be able to go to him, run your hand through his hair and whisper to him everything would be okay.

“Everything’s going to be fine” you kept saying but Jay was stuck, looking at you. For a moment Jay thought he was having an auditory hallucination, that he hadn’t really heard you call him ‘baby’. He said nothing, he didn’t have the opportunity because the basement door opened and the other kidnapper, Roman, walked in.

God please give us some respite.

Your stomach started twitching again with anxiety and you started talking to Roman, in an attempt to negotiate and be able to convince him to free you.

“What do you want Roman? Ask whatever you want.”

“Y/N” Jay said your name in a warning tone, as if to suggest you not to say anything that could lead Roman to hurt you. But you didn’t care, as long as you kept him distracted he couldn’t hurt Jay, which was what you really cared about.

“What makes you think I want something from you?” the older kidnapper asked, approaching you and positioning himself exactly in front of you. His figure towered over you and you found yourself forced to lift your head slightly to look at him.

“Of course you want something or by now we’d both be dead. C’mon I know you want something… What? Money?”

He chuckled and the way he looked at you literally made you want to rip your skin off.

“We don’t need any money, we have plenty of that,” he said, smirking before kneeling at your height.

“Back off!” Jay managed to mutter, trying to sit up but coughing in the meantime “Don’t you dare laying a finger on her.”

“You know I just had an amazing idea to spend our time together” Roman spoke and you found yourself breathing a sigh of relief when he stood up again and walked away from you “Have you ever played Russian Roulette?” he asked with the biggest sinister grin on his face, alternating the gaze between you and Jay.

You swallowed the lump in your throat and the instant he pulled a gun out of his trouser belt you knew if no one intervened it would all be over.

Jay’s eyes met yours and you noticed the way he was visibly pale.

Fuck.

“Answer, do you know the game Russian Roulette?” the psychopath repeated the question “I’ll take your silence for a yes,” he emptied the gun’s cylinder of its bullets, then only inserting one “Let’s make this a little more fun what you say? At every turn, each of us will make a confession, a secret that we didn’t have the courage to tell anyone. I’ll be honest I promise,” he chuckled.

“Roman, listen man, if you let us go, we won’t talk about this to anyone. We’ll close your case, say you have escaped and no one will know anything about this story anymore. You’re both going to be free” you said, your chest rising and falling quickly, your heart beating so fast it felt like you were having a heart attack.

Jay kept having his eyes on you as you tried to reason with your captor but he knew there was no way you could. In the meantime, his free hand continued to fiddle with the rope but they had tied it too tightly.

“You tried it detective but that’s not how this works,” he said “Neither of you will get out of here alive. But first I want to have some fun.”

“Y/N… Hey, hey, look at me,” Jay spoke up when he noticed the panic you were having. Fuck how much he hated being tied to that damn pipe, how much he would’ve liked to hug you like he always did when you were afraid, reassure you that everything would be fine and, above all, kill those fucking bastards. “Everything’s going to be fine, just take deep breaths okay? Always look at me” God your eyes were so beautiful and he hated he was thinking about this right then.

“How cute,” Roman chimed in with a mocking tone “Let’s get started, shall we?” his gaze alternated a couple of times between you and Jay before it stopped on you “Ladies first, what a gentleman I’d be otherwise.”

He walked up to you and pointed the gun at you, right in your face.

“Fuck!” Jay kept fidgeting, furious “Look at me Y/N, it’s going to be fine, okay?”

Your eyes were in Jay’s and God how much you wanted to believe him, how much you wanted to really believe everything was going to be okay.

“Tell us your biggest secret detective.”

You didn’t answer, you returned your gaze to Roman, remaining silent as you stared into his eyes.

“C’mon don’t be shy” he teased “Don’t you want to play?”

No reply.

Roman pulled the trigger but the click signaled that there was no bullet.

He winked at you before pulling away slightly from you and pointing the gun to his temple.

“We have killed far more people than you can imagine.”

Son of a bitch.

He pulled the trigger and with regret no bullet went through his brain.

He pointed the gun at Jay and your heart skipped a beat instantly, your stomach twisted from anxiety. What if the gun was loaded?

No, no, no, God, you didn’t even want to think about it, it couldn’t happen, not to him.

“It’s your turn, detective.”

“Fuck you” he muttered through gritted teeth, glaring at Roman and you wished he had shut up.

“Oh that’s not very kind of you,” Roman said as he pulled the trigger and you let out a sigh of relief as no bullet came out of the gun barrel. “Fucking lucky.”

It was your turn again and the air caught in your lungs as he pointed the gun at you.

Your blood froze in your veins and in that precise moment you really understood the meaning of fear. Fear for your life, aware that it’d be over at any moment.

Because of your job you unfortunately had the opportunity to see too many dead people, too many victims, but for the first time you really understood how they felt, what it was like to feel that paralyzing fear, to feel helpless while you couldn’t do anything but resign yourself.

Jay kept watching you and felt the exact moment his heart thumped, stopping beating for a few seconds as he watched your eyes fill with tears.

You turned your gaze to Jay, the only person who even in all that mess managed to calm you down, the only person who was always there for you, the only person who could make you happy.

“Your turn ma’am.”

Your vision had become blurry and at that point you could no longer stop the tears, which ran like a raging river down your cheeks.

“Jay…” you tried to speak but chocked because of a sob. You lowered your gaze for a second before returning it to him, a devastated expression on his face as your captor watching that scene with amusement.

“Y/N you’re gonna be fine, it’s…”

“I need to tell you something Jay…” you cut him off, your voice broken with tears.

“Go on sweetheart, tell him… Tell him your secret” Roman urged continuing to point the gun at you.

“You don’t have to tell me now Y/N, we’ll get out of here and you'll tell me you hear me? We will be fine.” You shook your head slightly.

There would be no chance, you had to tell him, you had to get it out and take this weight off, even though the timing was the worst.

Now or never.

“Jay I… I love you…” you breathed out, still crying “I’m so in love with you.”

And it was true, how much you loved him, and God if you were regretting you didn’t tell him before. It seemed so stupid then, you were so afraid to confess it, to lose your beautiful friendship but with that gun pointed at you, you realized how much you ruined the possibility to be happy, so happy with him.

“Aw that’s so cute, I’m really touched,” Roman laughed “Too bad you’re gonna die.”

The sound of a gunshot echoed in the basement and everything went blank.

Jay couldn’t explain everything happened next.

A loud bang at the door was heard and in that same instant there was another shot and Roman’s body fell to the ground, lifeless.

The team had arrived but it was late, too late.

“Jay! Y/N!” Voight shouted immediately going to Jay to free him as Adam and Kim ran towards you, checking your heartbeat. But there was no heartbeat, not anymore.

Jay couldn’t understand anything that was going on. The sound of the first shot continued to echo in his mind, ears ringing as he looked at Adam and Kim, in tears.

At first, he was frozen, rooted to his place.

Stomach twisted, fast heartbeat.

He couldn’t breathe, it was as if his lungs were in a vise.

It was when he saw Kim and Adam sitting on the ground in tears as he hugged her, Hailey and Kevin also in tears that Jay understood.

It was when he saw your body immersed in a pool of your own blood, he understood all of this wasn’t just a nightmare, he hadn’t just imagined it. He felt full blown as if truck had hit him and didn’t even realize he had started crying.

You were gone.

You were dead.

Jay shook violently from Voight’s grasp and run over to you, not caring about the blood that was covering him.

“No, no, no, no, Y/N please open your eyes,” he cried, shaking you slightly by the shoulders but it didn’t help, you didn’t answer “Please… Please don’t do this to me baby… I need you…”

Nobody dared speak or let a breath escape. They could only hear the sobs and your name Jay kept calling in vain.

“No God please no” he kept praying, crying. He had never been a religious person but at that moment he prayed with all the strength he had in his body to whoever there was up there. He prayed you’d open your eyes and burst out laughing in his face saying it was just a joke.

Jay hugged you to his chest like he had never done with anyone in his life, he held you as he kept whispering your name with hope you’d wake up. He cradled you softly, one hand on your neck and the other arm around your shoulders as he continued to hold you and God, he would’ve given his life to feel your arms around his chest like you always did.

It was surreal.

He couldn’t believe it.

It was a nightmare, it had to be.

It couldn’t be true, you couldn’t really be dead.

How could this have happened? How had it happened the love of his life had died right in front of him and he couldn’t do nothing to save you?

You were dead.

You died declaring your love for him and Jay hadn’t had a chance to tell you what he felt for you, to tell you how much he loved you too, how good you made him feel even when you smiled at him, how much he wanted to spent your lives together.

You were both so stupid, the whole world knew how you felt about each other but you were both so blind, so afraid to confess your feelings that you both preferred to keep everything to yourselves.

And then it was late.

He cried all the tears he had, continuing to hold your lifeless body for an infinite amount of time and then he said those words, the words he was always wanted to say.

“I love you too baby… I’m so in love with you.”

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[babyboibucky]

The Match - Part 8

Pairing: CEO!Bucky x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.7k

Summary: You get a preview of what it’s like to be working with Mackenzie.

Warnings: I apologize as there is no smut in here lmfao but there is a stubborn Bucky lols

A/N: The jitters just never go away whenever I post a new part for this ajkcnjasncakjcnakj I find this part boring tbh but uhh things will start picking up again in the next part I promise

The Match Masterlist || MAIN MASTERLIST

Bucky decided to push through with his partnership with Wilson Enterprises. It was a big one, so it definitely required the entire team's effort and perseverance. Apparently, this is the company's biggest, most major project yet so this was going to look really good in your resume. It would also provide you with more credibility to further excel in your career.

Except that Bucky actually hired a marketing consultant to take over the entire project as his revenge.

"Any questions? About the project or about Kenzie?" Bucky asked, standing in front of the conference room, next to Mackenzie.

You confidently raised your hand when no one else did. Bucky tilted his head, a tiny smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He knew you were affected, of fucking course you were!

"Yes?" he called out.

You stood up and sighed softly, "I mean this in the most respectful way, Mister Barnes." you said, emphasizing his name. "But as the head of marketing, what exactly is my role here? Given that Mackenzie was hired to spearhead the marketing aspect of this project." you said, giving Mackenzie a passive aggressive smile.

"I don't want to overstep on some boundaries here, that's why I'm asking. I just want clarity, that's all." you said.

Bucky was about to respond when Mackenzie stopped him, grabbing his arm and squeezing it before taking over the floor. You narrowed your eyes at how her slender fingers were wrapped around Bucky's arm.

"Honey..." Mackenzie started. "There's nothing to worry about, this is a collaborative work between you and I. So think of yourself as my assistant, someone to help me out with the project." she responded.

Bitch.

"I'm not an assistant, Mackenzie." you said, smiling at her.

Mackenzie laughed, "I'm sorry, my bad. I shouldn't have used that term. Oops." she said. "Although, I believe I have more experience in this area so maybe consider me a mentor?" she suggested.

Bitch!

Bucky cleared his throat, "If you have certain ideas, you can discuss it with her. She is a consultant after all. Given her impressive experience in the field, I'm sure you'll learn a thing or two from her."

The meeting was wrapped up by noon and you simply couldn't wait to get yourself out of the conference room. You didn't feel like talking to Bucky anymore in all honesty, not after what he was doing. You knew this was just to spite you, get you to cave in first and give in to him.

All the more that you wouldn't, especially not when he actually used your job against you.

Everyone started rushing out of the conference room, ready to head out for lunch. As soon as you reached the doorway, you overheard the short conversation between Bucky and Mackenzie.

"Hey Bucky, we still up for lunch?"

-

The bathroom was empty when you stepped inside and thank god for that because you couldn't hold back your emotions any further. Tears gathered in the corner of your eyes, not because you were hurt. Fuck no, you were angry and frustrated. So fucking angry at yourself for getting into this mess, at Bucky for being such an entitled prick, at the entire world for plotting against you.

You groaned in irritation as you wiped away your tears, sniffing as you looked at yourself in the mirror.

You worked your ass off for this job, for your position. You risked your dignity when you let Bucky fuck you. You weren't going to let someone take that away from you.

You quickly fixed yourself when the door opened, followed by the loud clacking of someone's heels.

"Omg, are you crying?" Beverly gasped, rushing over to you.

You snickered, "No." you lied, "My eyes are itchy." you huffed out before noticing that Beverly was holding a sandwich in her hand.

"Why did you bring your sandwich here?" you curiously asked.

Beverly shrugged, "The pantry's full and the other girls don't exactly seem to like me...so..."

You shook your head and sighed, "Come with me, let's have lunch out. I need to get out of this fucking place anyway."

"Yay, omg! I knew you were nice! You're like, the only girl who actually talked to me nicely." Beverly said, tagging behind you as you exited the bathroom.

"Oh, there you are!" Mark called out. "I was looking for you. Wanna grab lunch? Oh...who's this?" he asked, noticing the blonde girl trailing behind you.

"I'm Beverly! I'm Sir James' new secretary." she introduced excitedly.

You sighed, "Don't ask me why." you said when Mark turned to you with a confused look, still not sure what happened to Bucky's previous secretary.

"So, lunch out? With Bev?" you asked.

-

You were completely zoning out during lunch despite the ongoing conversation between Mark and Bev, something about yoga? You honestly couldn't care less, not when you were feeling so conflicted about your current situation.

Would Bucky actually go that far just to get you back? Or does he actually hate you for saying no to him and is basically using his authority to make your life a living hell?

"So I heard about the new girl." Mark said, that snapped you out of your trance.

"Huh?" you asked.

"I find it weird for Mister Barnes to hire someone when you're here." Mark pointed out. "I mean, are you okay with that or..."

You snorted, "Fuck no. Look, I'm not gonna be the bigger person here. I was offended as fuck." you admitted.

"Yeah, it's super weird because she was hired through Tinder or something. Is that even legal?" Beverly pointed out as she scrolled through her phone.

You and Mark turned to her abruptly, "Tinder? Wait, what?" you asked.

Beverly chuckled, "I heard them talking this morning and Kenzie was like, 'It's so funny that we matched on Tinder and ended up doing business there you know' and I'm like omg Sir James has Tinder and I have one too but I never saw him there, bummer."

"Motherfucker." you hissed out.

Mark made a face, "Are you okay?" he carefully asked. "You've been really tensed since last week."

Apparently, Bucky never deleted his Tinder and have been swiping right on women. And that's how he met Mackenzie who just happened to be a marketing consultant. Now you were just furious, was he fucking her too? Has he been fucking other women this entire time?

"Hey, Bev..." you said, a plan hatching inside your mind. "Can I ask you a favor?" you asked nicely.

Beverly nodded, "Um duh, you're basically my office BFF now."

"If you ever hear Mister Barnes and Mackenzie talk about hmm, I don't know...something interesting. Maybe about the project...me 'cause you know, I'm the head of marketing and Mackenzie’s in the same field...let me know, will ya?" you asked.

Mark chuckled nervously, "I don't know what's going on but isn't that an invasion of privacy?"

"She's not going to eavesdrop, Mark. She'll just...listen closely." you explained.

"Bev might get in trouble if Mister Barnes finds out." Mark warned.

You waved a hand, "She'll be fine, Mark. She's his secretary, she has to know everything. Besides, I'm not going to let her get in trouble, if she does then I'll take care of it."

Beverly squealed in delight, "Omg, you are not my office BFF. You're like my office mom! You and Mark are literally my office parents." she said, lifting her phone up in the air.

"Selfie! This one goes to the 'gram." she said, taking a quick photo of the three of you.

She then proceeded to edit the photo while you and Mark continued eating lunch.

"Bev, you should really put your phone away and eat first. We have less than half an hour left for lunch break." Mark called out.

Beverly groaned and rolled her eyes, "Way to get into the role, Mark. You're such a dad."

You snorted, "Yeah. Loosen up, daddy." you teased.

"Playing family after just one date, huh."

Bucky's presence in the same restaurant should've really intimidated you, most especially that he just witnessed you tease Mark like that. But you were too mad at him to even care, what was the point even? He didn't believe you even when you told him the truth that Mark was just a friend.

Why even try now?

"Hi Sir James." Beverly greeted happily.

"Mister Barnes." Mark acknowledged.

Bucky ignored them and kept his eyes on you. You didn't falter under his gaze and simply stared back at him with blank eyes. It's as if a staring competition took place when the both of you merely looked at each other, neither of you looking away nor attempting to do so.

"How was that date last Friday, Jim?" Bucky asked, his eyes still trained on yours.

Mark made a funny face at the name that Bucky called him but shrugged anyway. Before he could even respond, you decided to answer on his behalf. If Bucky wanted to spite you, you'd give him a taste of his own medicine.

"It was actually great. We might go on another one this Friday." you said.

"We are?" Mark asked in a whisper.

Bucky's hand landed on Mark's shoulder, "Don't count on it, Andrew. She's going to be doing a lot of work on Friday due to the project." he said through gritted teeth.

You shrugged, "Oh, but I thought Mackenzie's doing all my work?"

"I'm ready to head back, Buck."

Speak of the devil herself. Mackenzie weaved through the tables and approached Bucky, her face brightening up when she saw you, Mark and Beverly.

"Oh, hey you." she greeted you. "Look, I think we may have started off on the wrong foot earlier. I'm not here to take your job, just here to spice things up a bit. Improve your ideas, give Bucky some assistance." she chuckled, holding onto Bucky's arm yet again.

You fought back the urge to grab your glass of water and throw it at her face. As the saying goes, kill them with kindness. So you merely shrugged and extended an arm for a handshake.

"Of course. I would love to improve your ideas as well, you know. Just a healthy discourse between two marketing professionals. We good?" you said.

Mackenzie forced out a chuckle and reached for your hand, "We’re good. I look forward to working with you." she said before turning back to Bucky who was still gazing at you.

"Let's go?" she asked sweetly.

Bucky smirked at you before wrapping an arm around Mackenzie's waist, guiding her out of the restaurant the same way he did to you. You were too focused on Bucky's body language around Mackenzie that you failed to notice that Mark was watching you closely, your expressions and how you reacted towards Bucky.

"I think I know what's happening."

-

"You what?!"

"Shhh!" you hushed Mark and peeked out of the empty pantry to make sure the coast was clear.

Mark noticed the tension between you and Bucky and he came to a conclusion that the both of you dated at one point. He wasn't really wrong but he wasn't right either. So you decided to tell him everything, from the moment you matched with Bucky on Tinder until your last conversation with him last Saturday.

"I honestly thought you were dating, I didn't know there was sex involved. No wonder he had been calling me weird names." he said incredulously. "Was that you and Mister Barnes that Janet reported to the HR?" he asked, stifling his laughter.

You groaned, "Yes. Ugh, gave me a panic attack when I found out about that incident report." you said.

"Hey..." Mark called out. "Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me this. Your secret is safe with me." he reassured.

You nodded, "I think it was about time that I told someone about us anyway. This whole situation is driving me crazy and I don't know what to do next. And I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess, I shouldn't have said that we were going out again. I don't want you or your job getting compromised because of our petty fight." you exhaled.

You had to admit, you felt so much better now after confiding with Mark. It somewhat alleviated the weight on your shoulders, knowing that there was someone aware of what you were going through. Who would've thought that this person would end up being Mark? You did have friends outside of work of course, but you felt like they all wouldn't really understand the situation.

Half would hate you for rejecting Bucky and the other half would hate you for even swiping right on him.

"Do you mind an unsolicited advice?" Mark asked.

"Not at all." you said.

"Ignore him. Don't let him or Mackenzie get to you. Do what you do best, you're great at your job and you'll be fine. That might get him to realize that you're not a prize to be won. And if he still doesn't see that, then that's his loss. You're more than just that hot marketing girl at work." Mark said.

You laughed at his last statement, "Hot marketing girl at work?" you asked, shaking your head.

"It's true. So if in any case you decide to ditch the CEO and move on, you know where to find me." he joked, throwing a wink your way.

-

You wanted to finish all your reports so you could focus on the huge project so you decided to work until around nine in the evening. The floor was already empty by the time you were done. Bucky seemed to be working too, given that he was still replying to e-mails at this hour. Wanting to get all the reports over with, you decided to submit it to him before going home.

During the elevator ride to Bucky’s floor, you couldn’t help but wonder whether he was alone in the office. Would Mackenzie be there with him? Even at this hour? Your grip on the folder tightened at the thought of catching them in the act.

But did you have any right to feel this way though?

Brushing off the thoughts, you exhaled loudly and prepared yourself for whatever it was you were to witness. Upon reaching the door to Bucky’s office, you slightly turned your head to listen to anything. It was quiet. No hushed whispers nor strained grunts-- they weren’t fucking, thank goodness for that.

You decided not to knock and just walk inside like you used to, reminding yourself of Mark’s advice.

Don’t let Bucky get to you.

When you saw Bucky hunched over his desk, typing away on his e-mails instead of bending a certain brunette somewhere in his office, you had to admit that you were relieved. He looked up and his eyes looked dead tired, you almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

“You should really learn how to knock.” Bucky called out, slamming his laptop shut.

“Look, Bucky. I was just rushing to submit these reports so I can go home.” you explained and placed the folder on top of his desk.

Bucky frowned, “I said to call me Mister Barnes.”

You huffed out, “I honestly don’t care, Bucky. I’m not playing your damn games anymore.” you said and turned around.

A hand on your arm pulled you back, harshly turning you around to face Bucky. He was fuming, as usual. At this point, you were no longer fazed.

“You think I don’t know what you’re trying to do?” he asked.

You clenched your jaw and pulled your arm back, “I’m not doing anything. You bring in Beverly or Mackenzie or whoever it is that you have up your sleeve. I don’t fucking care. I just want to focus on work.” you said and stepped away.

“And you should too, Bucky.” you added.

“I don’t believe you.” he said.

You sighed, your shoulders dropping from exhaustion at this whole shenanigan. “I’m done, Bucky.”

And with that you turned around to exit his office, leaving Bucky unsure whether you truly meant what you said. A victorious smirk graced your lips as you walked back to the elevator.

You were far from done.

-

The Match Special Tags:

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Everything Bucky Tag List:

@ddowii​​ @jessou893​​ @stealapizzamyheart​​ @bagelofthelord​​ @mxnt​​ @dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable @jeeperky​​ @ohladymacbeth​​ @wildflowergubler​​ @supraveng​​ @twinerd14​​ @buckysmar @bakugouswh0r3​​ @sweetcoldharmony @wintersfilm​​ @charminivy​​ @amelia-song-pond​​ @iamvalentinaconstanza​​ @mcubqrnes @im-squished​​ @tcc-gizmachine​​ @sipsteacasually​​ @prettyintopeerpressure​​ @weloveyasmin​ @est19xxshit​ @bloodhon3yx​ @dressed-in-prada​ @lizette50​ @thatfangirl42​ @sunflowerbunny2​ @unmagically​ @okiegirl24​ @sugarpunch-princess​ @enlyume​ @vvipgotbb @slimeyderp​ @lyoongx​ @just-deka​ @nobody-will​ @jaziona92 @elisebuitron​ @dpaccione​ @suvikamahes98blr​ @buckybarneshairpullingkink​ @earthtonav @x-judyjude-x​ @nani-kenobi @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @belladonnabarnes​ @iloveangstposts​ @weenersoldierr​ @asemistablehundredyearoldman​ @reidbuck​ @lizzarooni​ @girlfriday007​ @bonkywobble​ @lost-in-the-stars03​ @its-yasbxtch​ @whoth3hellisbucky​

#bbb writes #the match #bucky barnes #bucky #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky barnes smut #bucky smut #fem!reader #sebastian stan

[larathia]

Re: S02E10

Okay. I’m just going to get this off my chest here, realizing that 90 percent of the people who would read it in the first place are probably mostly in agreement anyway, and the ten percent that wouldn’t are also unlikely to hear me out because they’ve already made up their minds about this series. Gonna do it anyway.

Raphtalia’s slave crest is not about slavery as a general social issue. It’s ENTIRELY about her personal relationship with Naofumi.

Don’t believe me? Think this series is about glorifying slavery? Look at every other slave owner. Look at every other slave. They’re ALL shitbags. They’re all assholes, abusers, and to some degree also sadists. EVERY other time this series shows you an instance of slavery, it’s a bad thing done by bad people.

Even Naofumi, way back at the beginning, takes it as a given that in buying a slave he’s basically being an Evil Shitbag. It’s just that a) he doesn’t have a better option, and b) at that point he’s so traumatized/fucked in the head that really, he’s mostly okay with filling that role; he already hates the whole world and everyone in it. And even so, even as fucked up as he is in the head at that point, he can’t bring himself to take any of the rage he feels at the rest of the world out on Raphtalia.

For Naofumi, that slave crest on Raphtalia is the first step toward healing. Because he was betrayed by people that he’d never done any wrong to, and he was so severely punished for trusting them, his entire ability to trust was completely fucked over. But Raphtalia is safe. Not because she’s small and weak when he buys her, but because that crest means she can’t lie to him, can’t betray him, can’t abandon him.

Is it fucked up? Oh hell yes. But so is the entire rest of his life. Under the circumstances, the exact circumstances, that he’s put through? It’s not an awful solution. 

But it’s entirely dependent on that slave crest. Because Raphtalia seems nice, and seems to care about him - but so did Malty, and look where that led. In the early days of the partnership, it’s not Raphtalia that Naofumi can put trust in. It’s that slave crest. She CAN’T stab him in the back - so it’s safe for him to relax and be..as close to the guy he used to be as he’s still able to.

This is best exemplified in the duel episode. When Raphtalia is forcibly taken from him, and the slave crest is removed, Naofumi doesn’t for one instant think that Raphtalia would stay with him if she’s given a choice. Why would she? He may have been a kind master, as slave owners go, but he still forced her to fight monsters. She was still a slave. She was loyal because she wasn’t given a choice, right? He’s a horrible shitbag of a human being, by popular acclaim and probable personal experience. Of course she’ll run for the hills as soon as she has a chance.

She doesn’t, of course. She trusts him, and she believes in his mission, and she respects him as a Hero. There’s a lot of reasons why Raphtalia wants to stay with him at that stage that aren’t just “girl’s got a crush”, although that’s in there too. But she takes the step to put the crest back on with her eyes open. She does it as an act of faith and trust on her part, and she does it specifically so he can trust her. It’s not something she does because she finds being a slave sexually kinky or something. It’s an active, considered choice. And she’s right to make it at that time. Naofumi might protest that she ‘didn’t need to’, but she’s right when she disagrees with him. Naofumi’s trust issues are still VERY much in play all over the rest of his life. It’d only take one bad day, one disagreement without the crest, and he’d likely assume she’d betrayed him. (Witness his treatment of Melty, not too long after this.)

But just because Raphtalia is right at that time doesn’t mean she stays right indefinitely. I think she just got used to that being ‘how Naofumi is’, to be honest. Thinking that because of the way Melromarc treated him, he’s just NOT going to trust someone unless he KNOWS they can’t betray him. She doesn’t get any sign that maybe things have changed until the Cal Mira arc - and she does comment at the time that it’s unusual for Naofumi to be willing to make friends with L’arc and Therese. But then - well, yeah. Then they betray Naofumi and it’s reasonable enough that Raphtalia would find reassurance in her slave crest. Knowing that even if these other people betray Naofumi, at least he can sleep knowing SHE will never do so.

But by Season 2, Naofumi really has grown past the need for this particular crutch. He’s embarrassed by Raphtalia suggesting Rishia get a slave crest. He tries to ask her, in a roundabout way, if maybe she might not want her own removed? But she misses that hint. When they’re separated, in the new world, Naofmi’s relying on the crest just to find her, know she’s okay. His panic when she vanishes from his party screen is fear for her life, not fear for her freedom.

But Raphtalia spends that time apart thinking “I’ve lost my crest - Naofumi will not trust me, he’ll be mad at me or disappointed in me, he’ll be distant from me.” The crutch has essentially gone in reverse; Raphtalia’s come to think of it as THE big display of her devotion, and now it’s gone.

So she’s surprised when Naofumi, on their reunion, is just happy she’s alive, and glad to see her again, and doesn’t give a damn about the slave crest. 

They’ve been partners a very long time at this point. They’ve outgrown the need for anything as overt as a slave crest for Naofumi to trust Raphtalia, or for Raphtalia to signify her loyalty. She’s now as close to his equal as she can be, a Vassal Weapon Holder, and he’s proud of her. 

If the slave crest were ever about Naofumi needing to own, dominate, or control, he’d be pissed as fuck. And our boy Naofumi is not one to politely sidestep the issues when he’s pissed. But he’s not angry at all. He’s happy, and proud of her. He trusts her. And now she knows it.

#rising of the shield hero #the rising of the shield hero #shield hero #rotsh