Tumgik
#that little baby she helped raise and the boy she’d carried both dying
evebestt · 1 year
Note
So um slightly dark of an image or headcanon I suppose but do you think they gave Gael's son a proper Targaryen funeral pyre? Did they acknowledge him at all?
Her son was born just after Rhaenys own children were, and she was the younger Aunt she grew up with, I wonder if it colored her view on how to treat bastards or if it changed anything at all in her.
Oooh that’s a good question Anon. I know they sent Gael away when she got pregnant, or at least hid her from the court, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t give him a Targaryen funeral pyre. Then again I know Gael was absolutely devestated by his death (and killed herself for it) so I could also see Alysanne pushing for a funeral pyre to help her process maybe. Of the two, I’d sadly lean towards no funeral pyre as to not draw any sort of attention.
I also know that everything about Gael and her son didn’t come out until after Alysanne and Jaehaerys died, so it’s possible Rhaenys didn’t know about that for a while, which could have colored her view on bastards — or at the very least, on her family’s treatment of bastards. To find out her own aunt was hidden away, treated as dead by everyone else, certainly tells her that bastards aren’t going to be accepted anywhere in the family, given that Gael was the 13th daughter, so nowhere near the throne, and the son stillborn, and yet still kept a secret.
Would Rhaenys’ perception of the bastard themselves as person change? I doubt it — she would obviously knows how to think for herself, and look at the person no matter their circumstances. But she’s also a person who knows society norms and how that will affect both that person’s reputation *and* her own reputation, so I could see her being wary of that. Her family comes before anything, so she’ll always choose them over damage to their reputation associating with a bastard could do.
7 notes · View notes
dreamescapeswriting · 3 years
Text
Keep Holding On ~ KSJ [Request]
Tumblr media Tumblr media
WORD COUNT: 1.7K
PAIRING: Jin x Reader x Daughter 
GENRE: established relationship, death, angst, ANGST, sad, family au,
A/N: The song I went with was Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne and I hope that it’s okay for you my love
TRIGGER WARNING: Details the passing of the reader please read with Caution!!!!
Tumblr media
The moment he saw your daughter walk up onto her debut stage his heart clenched inside of his chest. Nara had turned out to look so much more like you than Jin and he couldn't help but imagine seeing you up on that stage. Nara's eyes scanned the crowd looking for Jin and as soon as she found her father she began doing a small wave with her hand. All she'd ever wanted was for Jin to come and watch her debut stage and now it was finally happening. Nerves will bundling up inside of her but with her dad watching she knew she would be able to do anything she put her mind to. The thought of the song lingered in her mind, it was a song Nara had been writing about in secrecy, not wanting Jin to see it until the time was right.
"She looks so much like Y/n," Jimin whispered as the lights began to focus on Nara, getting cameras ready to come back from the ad break. Jin stared at her, not being able to take his eyes off her for even a second. It had to have been the way your hair was styled and your makeup was done, it was like looking at a photograph of you. 
"Hyung, she looks great," Yoongi whispered giving Jin a small shoulder rub of encouragement. It had been 24 years since you'd passed away and seeing your daughter up there was bringing everything back for Jin.
"Hyung?" Namjoon questioned watching as Jin looked down at his phone getting the camera open and staring back up at his daughter on the stage. Mic in her hand as she got ready to perform for the first time in front of thousands of people. 
A slow melody began to play through the speakers inside of the room, it was a brave decision to debut with such a slow song but it was something from the heart. Something Nara had struggled with for years where your death was concerned. Although Jin had never once blamed Nara for your passing she couldn't help but feel guilty over it. 
Tears rushed to her eyes instantly as she sang her heart out, making eye contact with Jin who was already crying from the first verse. The song touched on how guilty she felt about you dying and taking you away from Jin, about how she could feel you watching over her even when you were no longer around. That she and Jin were still going to keep holding on, pushing forward with you around them in their hearts.
Tumblr media
"She has your nose," You whispered tiredly as you watched Jin bouncing around the side of your bed making you giggle. A small cough catching in your throat as you saw Jin stare down at your unnamed daughter. The one thing you had been struggling to do for the last hour was naming her. 
"How about Hyuna?" Jin questioned as he sat down on the rocking chair beside your bed. Truth be told you had a bunch of names ready for her but when she came out of you, none of them seemed to match her.
"Nara?" You croaked out, sitting up in the bed a little and watching Jin. Your head resting on the pillow behind you as you felt your breathing begin to worsen. The doctor said all of this was normal, that you'd had such a rough birth that this was bound to make you tired for a while. But you felt completely out of it, everything sounded and felt as though it was completely far away from you and you had no energy to hold your own daughter. 
"Nara," Jin repeats looking down at his daughter as she slept soundly in his arms. He was running the name through his head looking at her and smiling proudly.
"Nara," You whispered back to him, closing your eyes for just a second to get some rest. Jin smiled as he nodded his head, 
"Nara is perfect...Little baby Nara," He chuckled softly glancing up and chuckling some more when he found you sound asleep. 
"You must have really tired Mama out," He laughs getting up and carefully placing Nara into the small crib that the hospital had provided for you both to use during your stay. As much as Jin wanted you to get some rest you had to wake up, the doctors needed to do some tests on both you and Nara to make sure you were fit for release. 
"Babe? You need to wake up, the doctors will be coming any second to discharge us," Jin nudged your arm softly but you didn't move, eyes didn't even flinch as Jin frowned. 
"Baby?" He whispered laughing a little. You must have really been tired since usually, the smallest noise would wake you up. Jin knew from the experience of leaving the house early every morning. Shaking you a little Jin shook his head at you, wondering how you could even sleep with the hospital noise but your body rolled onto your back and stayed there, Jin's heart sank realising that you were no longer in the room. 
"NURSE!" He screamed out ringing the bell beside the bed over and over again as he tried to feel for a pulse on your neck. 
"NURSE!" His voice bellowed out as he desperately began to breathe into your lips, doing small chest compressions as he shook his head, 
"Don't you dare die on me." He whimpered looking down at you as you laid there lifelessly, a nurse and set of doctors running into the room and ripping him away from you. 
"Let me be with her! She needs me!" He screamed as a security guard escorted him out of the room. All he could see were people working around you tirelessly, machines beeping and people yelling over one another. 
"What's going on? Please tell me!" He begged as a nurse ran out of the room carrying his daughter and taking her into another room with other babies. 
"Jin...Jin you need to calm down." The security guard whispered as Jin stared through the small window at your bed. The doctors freezing as they stared up at the clock above your bed. 
"Why did you stop!? HEY! HEY! Don't fucking stop!" He screamed banging his hands on the window as he yelled at the doctors to work on you. 
"Time of death, 11:58 pm." The words felt like cold ice dripping down Jin's shirt as he watched doctors leaving the room, all of them giving looks of sympathy before leaving him there. All of them going back to their wives, husbands or partners to spend the night together while Jin just stayed there. Watching as a nurse covered up your body and walked out of the room. 
"You can have some time with her...They'll come to collect her in five minutes." She whispered watching as Jin stared at your body, walking into the room and just watching you. Half expecting you to sit up or for him to wake up and have this all be some kind of nightmare.
Tumblr media
"Mr Kim?" Jin turned to look at the coroner who had been running all of the tests on you and bounced Nara in his arms. It had been two weeks since you passed and there still wasn't a definitive answer as to how this had happened.
"It's hard to determine with things like these but we...We believe it was due to blood loss during the labour." Jin looked at Nara as he bounced her around, nodding his head. Even after getting answers that he would feel a little bit better but he didn't. Nothing made any of this better. The fear of raising his daughter alone came crashing into his head as he stared down at the report in the coroner's hands, sighing a little. Jin had held back crying for weeks, refusing to cry as he blamed himself for this. He felt as though he should have made sure that you were okay first, he should have pressured the doctors into sooner tests.
Tumblr media
The final verse was coming up and tears were ruining Nara's makeup as she belted her whole chest into the song, holding the microphone despite shaking heavily. 
"There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do...There's no other way when it comes to the truth...So keep holding on...Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through." The crowd erupted in cheers as Jin and Nara made eye contact, both of them crying as she slowly made her way off the stage toward him. 
"Daddy." She breathed as he said nothing, just pushed her into his chest wrapping his arms around her. Embracing her tightly and kissing the top of her head softly, both of them forgetting the cameras as they cried together. Sobbing against her father's chest as he kept her close to him, kissing her over and over again on the top of her head. 
"None of it was ever your fault," He promised as he held her close to him, the cameras leaving them alone as the boys escorted them backstage for some privacy. Crying together as she nodded her head, Jin held her face in his hands as he smile, using his thumb to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. 
"She would be proud of you, so proud." He whispered to her, his voice cracking as he looked down at her. Over the years of your passing, he'd never once moved on but it had gotten easier to deal with your death.
"Shall we go home and watch old home movies?" He questioned as she leaned into his touch, nodding her head over and over again. When you first died Jin could never bring himself to think or speak of you, when Nara reached the age of wondering where you were he could barely explain it. Instead, the two of them would watch home movies of you, look over old photos and videos you had made whilst pregnant. 
"Let's go." He whispered to her, taking her hand in his and taking her to go and collect her things from her changing room.
Tumblr media
Tagline: @lyoongx @mitzwinchester @rjsmochii @taestannie​ @sw33tnight​ @sweeneyblue1​ @jin-from-the-block​ @acciocriativity​ @mwitsmejk​ @taeechwitaa​ @justbangtanthingz​ @stillwithlix​ @misa0000​ 
Tumblr media
163 notes · View notes
suganovakawa · 4 years
Note
i hope requests are still open, if not, you can just ignore this since u may be busy. i LOVE your s'mores headcanons with the karasuno boys, it's ! so ! cute ! may i request protective! captain as dads ( you could pick anyone you're comfortable with writing! ) and their only daughter started liking a boy ( bonus if it's the son of their old/current teamates if they played professional. ) thank you again if u ever decided to do this 💙
i’m slowly going to be going through requests again but THIS IS SO CUTE IM DYING PLS
this request is so old i know , i’m sorry for the wait anonnie pls forgive me fjjsnfmd
Tumblr media
a loving father.
— kuroo, daichi, ushijima, oikawa, and bokuto’s only daughter ( separately ) falls for a boy.
gen masterlist.
taglist ( open ) ༉‧ @yams046 @janellion @avylee
— a/n : new layout! figured i’d try it, i always thought my previous layout was too tedious and spaced out, this new one is something more simple. enjoy!
— also, this is fem!reader!
Tumblr media
tetsurou kuroo.
✧。 the first time he hears of his babygirl catching the feels™ for someone, immediately he goes into protective dad mode
✧。 in the past he had always joked about him being the only man his daughter needed in her life, and daddy’s little girl would always comply because kuroo def is one of the best dads around, don’t @ me
✧。 but boy oh boy he’s ready to wage war once he hears about this boy, and he doesn’t even know who the guy is
✧。 he wasn’t supposed to hear about his daughter’s crush, you and your daughter were having some girl talk, and you actually had to pry it out of her system or else she would’ve just kept it secret
✧。 he was 100% eavesdropping on the two of you, he always feels so left out when it’s girl talk time— he’s tried convincing the both of you to let him in on the girl time, but all of his attempts have failed
✧。 both you and your daughter hear a “WHAT?!?” from outside your bedroom door, and the two of you run out to see kuroo literally pressed against the door with a scowl on his face
✧。 oh boy, your daughter’s really gonna get it now
✧。 “tetsurou! you know better than to eavesdrop on us like that! you know that girl time is for us only! no boys allowed!” ofc, if y’all want a son...
✧。 JDJDJFJFJ HE’S IN HYSTERICS
✧。 we love a good drama queen, he’s sprawled on the floor, pretending to sob in his hands as your daughter is trying ( and failing ) to hide her embarrassment that her dad happened to listen in on what she wanted to keep secret
✧。 “noooo our babygirl is growing up too quickly! what happened to me being the only man in her life, huh? she’s leaving the nest too quickly, stay with meeeee! be my little princess forever!”
✧。 proceeds to become the embodiment of 🥺
✧。 “dad, it’s just a crush...”
✧。 “i had a crush on your mother back in the day, look at how we are now!”
✧。 “tetsurou...”
✧。 kuroo looks to you and takes you by your shoulders, his lip quivering as he points to your guys’ child “how are you so calm about this? this is our daughter we’re talking about here! take me a little more seriously, y/n!”
✧。 you’re cracking up at the sight of kuroo, wiping tears from your eyes as you cross your arms, an evil glint shining in those eyes of yours
✧。 “you’ll never guess who she does have a crush on, sweetheart.”
✧。 “what?”
✧。 your daughter is trying oh so hard to give you a signal of no no no no no no no no no mom please spare me but you’re just ignoring it, “go on, sweetie. tell your father who this special boy of yours is.”
✧。 “... lev’s son...”
✧。 RIP tetsurou kuroo, gone too soon.
daichi sawamura.
✧。 now, daichi takes the news far better than how kuroo does, but you can tell he’s just a wee bit protective
✧。 you can see it in the way he scrunches his nose every time your daughter brings up this boy— it’s subtle, but definitely noticeable
✧。 he finds about his daughter’s crush while he picks her up from school, he spots her chatting up a storm with a classmate of hers
✧。 “is that a friend of yours, sweetheart?” she’s in high spirits as daichi takes her home, which he’s happy with. he wants nothing more than to see his little bundle of joy happy as can be
✧。 “silly daddy! that’s my boyfriend! he asked me out today while we were both at the swings, and i said yes!”
✧。 JDJSJJF HE ALMOST SWERVED THE CAR BUT CAUGHT HIMSELF JUST IN TIME, KEEP DRIVING MR. SAWAMURA YOURE ALMOST HOME
✧。 “b-boyfriend, you say?”
✧。 “mhm! i’ve had a crush on him for a while, and he likes me back! so when he asked me to be his girlfriend, i said yes and we hugged!”
✧。 by the looks of his face when he and your child came home, you knew exactly what had happened between your husband and your daughter on the way back— you were suppressing your laughter as much as possible, but a snicker escaped your lips as you greeted your daughter and let her inside
✧。 “you knew about this, didn’t you, y/n?” daichi mumbled as he greeted you with a kiss on the forehead, clearly bothered by the news
✧。 “she’d always fill me in on her adventures with her crush, telling me how she knows deep within her heart that they belong together.” you had turned to your daughter, who finished putting her bag down and you picked her up in her arms, “did he ask you out today, sweetie? were your predictions correct?”
✧。 “yes! we’re dating now!” just hearing those words made daichi’s heart clench, but he had to just smile through the pain
✧。 “that’s... lovely, sweetheart...” had he bothered to say anything more, he was going to pass out
✧。 “wait, daddy doesn’t know who your boyfriend is, huh?” you smirked, causing daichi’s face to pale, “why don’t you tell him who your special someone is, dear?”
✧。 your daughter grinned, “you know his dad, daddy! mr. nishinoya!”
✧。 daichi proceeded to stare a wall blankly for the next half hour, repeating the words “oh my god, noya has a son” like a mantra.
✧。 “mommy, what’s wrong with daddy?”
✧。 “just give him some time, he’ll process it soon.”
wakatoshi ushijima.
✧。 the first time he heard of his daughter having a crush on someone, it went completely over his head and thought nothing of it
✧。 “daddy! i have a crush on that boy over there!”
✧。 “oh. that’s nice, dear.”
✧。 you were initially surprised when you heard his reaction, you weren’t expecting ushi to be so nonchalant— he was very overprotective of your only child, even if he didn’t show it
✧。 turns out, he doesn’t know what a crush IS
✧。 he thought it was just some childhood slang for classmate, and proceeded to carry on with his day— his daughter didn’t explain to him what having a crush meant, either
✧。 oh sweet mother of jesus, you’ve married a complete dunce
✧。 “toshi... you’re okay with her having a crush on a boy, right? you don’t mind?” you had to know for yourself, you asked ushijima about it when he came home from adlers practice; you let him wash up and both of you had put your child down for the night, you were busy making a late night meal for him since you know he can get hungry after working so hard
✧。 “why wouldn’t i be okay with it? doesn’t she have many crushes?”
✧。 you pressed your fingers against your temples and sighed loudly, shaking your head in disbelief. “do you even know what crushes are?”
✧。 “classmates...?” seeing the shock on your face, he raised an eyebrow slightly, confused with your exasperation. “is it not youth slang for classmates?”
✧。 “toshi— no. just, no.” you sat down in a chair next to him, and proceeded to explain that crushes are not slang for classmates, and to explain what your daughter was going through
✧。 uh, i think you broke him
✧。 after a whole five minutes of silence, all you got in return was “... oh. that’s what crushes are.”
✧。 his face was completely blank, you weren’t sure if it was him realizing that he did not like that, or if he still was completely confused to his daughter having feelings for a boy
✧。 “... well, i don’t see the harm in it.” you turned in surprise— his face was still stoic and unreadable, but he had shrugged slightly as it was your turn to raise an eyebrow, “a harmless crush on a boy isn’t too bad. and besides,” you could see a ghost of a smirk appear on his lips, “i had a crush on you, and we turned out like this.”
✧。 sir that is illegal wtf go back to being a dunce
✧。 you scoffed and hid your blush in your hands, rolling your eyes a bit, “do you even know who the boy is, toshi?”
✧。 “am i supposed to know?”
✧。 “ask your friend hoshiumi tomorrow at pracrice, i think he’ll be able to fill you in on it.”
✧。 wakatoshi had many, many questions for his daughter the next evening when he came back from practice, oh boy.
tooru oikawa.
✧。 honestly, i think tooru would take the news the best out of everyone here JFJSJJD probably because he’s so experienced in having people fawn and gawk over him, oops
✧。 but obviously he’s still gonna be a little diva about it; after all, it’s HIS perfect princess we’re talking about here
✧。 he came back home at the sight of your daughter daydreaming to you about her day at school, anyone with common sense could see how whipped and smitten over whoever this person was
✧。 “we held hands during recess today! i almost didn’t want to wash my hands when we went inside today— hi daddy!”
✧。 oikawa scooped her up in her arms and chuckled, ruffling her hair slightly, “hey there sweetheart, who did you hold hands with today?”
✧。 the little girl blushed, lowering her voice shyly as she twiddled her thumbs, “it’s this boy in my class who i really like...”
✧。 you couldn’t help but laugh at tooru’s initial reaction; his eyebrows flew upwards as his jaw parted slightly, processing the fact that his babygirl had developed a crush™ on a classmate
✧。 tooru wasn’t too bothered by it, he was just in shock— immediately after he simply kissed her hair and smiled brightly at your daughter, “that’s real sweet, princess. anyone would be lucky to have someone as adorable as you liking them.”
✧。 “you’re just saying that because i’m your daughter, daddy.”
✧。 “no! i am just saying the truth!”
✧。 he huffed, “besides, you better not get married so soon! you’re still MY baby, he can’t take you from me just yet! i’m still number one in your heart, right?”
✧。 “tooru...”
✧。 “y/n, how can you be so content with her having a crush already? she’ll be gone from us so soon from the power of love! not yet not yet, i’m not ready to say goodbye!”
✧。 embodiment of 🥺, part two
✧。 “of course you’re still number one daddy, i just like him a little bit, that’s all!” your daughter pouted a bit, causing the brunet to chuckle and kiss her forehead next
✧。 “i’m joking, princess. having a crush is so adorable, i remember when your mom still had a crush on me.”
✧。 “you had a crush on me first, tooru.”
✧。 “BESIDES THE POINT, who’s the lucky guy?”
✧。 you laughed at his question, your lips quivering as your suppressed your laugh but not fully, a hand covering your mouth but the laughter evidently there, tooru looked at you weirdly
✧。 “what’s so funny?”
✧。 you turned to your daughter, “tell him, sweetie.”
✧。 a bright grin, followed by, “kyoutani!”
✧。 holy mother of goodness oikawa almost dropped her from the name, a loud gasp filling the room as his face turned completely white
✧。 “y/n, please tell me i heard her wrong. PLEASE TELL ME I DIDN’T JUST HEAR THAT.”
✧。 “our daughter crushing on mad dog’s son? no, you heard that perfectly clear, darling.”
koutarou bokuto.
✧。 bokuto will take it personally and will see to it that he will win this one-sided war for your daughter’s affection
✧。 same way kuroo found out, he was def eavesdropping on you and your daughter’s girl time; there was no escaping him the moment he opened the door
✧。 “b-but what do you mean you like a boy at your school?” emo mode is a go
✧。 “i just like him, daddy! it’s not like i’m gonna marry him!” she paused, “... yet.”
✧。 “Y/NNNNNNN OUR BABY IS GROWING UP SO QUICKLY DO SOMETHING!”
✧。 “kou, it’s just a crush...”
✧。 “do you not remember how it was when i had a crush on you?”
✧。 you sighed, running a hand through his hair to calm him down— which worked, a little bit— “you, koutarou, are a special breed.” you kissed his forehead, sighing at how his hair depleted
✧。 “you are still my princess! my babygirl! i should talk to this fellow, because i will not be second best to my daughter’s heart.” he huffed, puffing out his chest with pride
✧。 she, on the other hand, is completely embarrassed by this, “daddy, no...”
✧。 “what? why not?”
✧。 “actually, you should let him do just that, sweetheart.” you crossed your arms and smiled, much to your daughter’s dismay. “i think akaashi will find entertainment in seeing this for himself.”
✧。 “akaashi? what does he have to do with this?”
✧。 too late, you’re already calling the other fukurodani alumni, chuckling as both bokuto and your daughter are giving you the same exact confused look— like father, like daughter
✧。 “akaashi will be here in about 10 minutes. i told him to bring his child, here, too.”
✧。 “baby, what are you talking about—”
✧。 meanwhile, your daughter was in a frenzy, running around the house as she screamed about getting ready and looking nice for the guests— bokuto was still plopped one the floor, looking up at you like a lost puppy
✧。 akaashi walks through the door with a grin on his lips, holding his son’s hand as you greeted both of them at the door, “akaashi! wonderful to have you here! your son is looking so handsome.”
✧。 “akaashi? why are you here?” kou blinks in confusion, scratching the side of his head before he notices how his own daughter is reacting— she looks like she’s about to explode, hiding behind his leg with a whole face of blush
✧。 “y/n said you wanted to talk to my son about something, so i figured why not? i’ve got a day off.” akaashi chuckled and waved to your daughter, who shyly waved back but hid again before the other guest in the house could get a good look at her
✧。 “WAIT. YOUR SON IS—”
✧。 you left the room, you were laughing so loudly— akaashi found this quite humorous as well; bokuto looked down at his daughter, clinging onto his leg and smiling softly to herself. she had gotten the courage to wave at akaashi’s son, who smiled brightly at her and blushed as well
✧。 “... oh my god.” he felt like an idiot, yes— but akaashi’s kid being the lucky guy? “ARRANGE THE MARRIAGE!”
✧。 “koutarou, NO.”
✧。 “bokuto-san, no.”
✧。 “DADDY, NOOOOOO!”
624 notes · View notes
dailydaydreamings · 3 years
Text
Best in the Worst Way, Part 9
For some reason I absolutely struggled to write this one. I have no idea why. I had such a good idea but nothing. I really wanted this one to have a sex scene too, I wrote it and it didn’t freaking save. So I’ve got nothing on that. It just means a better sex scene is to come ;)
Please enjoy, this gets pretty close to sex (mostly foreplay) and there’s some swearing and mentions of trauma. Oh, and chapter ten will be up tonight too.
The Reader has been having a love affair with two Avengers and gets caught in a sticky situation. She’s suddenly faced with life decisions she’s not prepared for, including who to love, what she wants, and is this all worth it?
Tumblr media
The boys had been gone for almost three weeks. Everyday was a lesson in patrience, and you were failing, miserably. You’d probably be doing a much better job if you’d heard from either of them, but complete radio silence was all you got.
Natasha hung out in your office a lot, trying to keep you distracted. You regularly had dinner with Tony, Pepper, and Morgan three times so far. Everyone else seemed to be flocking to your office more frequently too.
Everyone knew who the babies fathers could be, of course. No one mentioned it, but how could they not when Steve and Bucky’s feud was common knowledge now. Mostly, though, you thought everyone just believed you had been sleeping around, not with both of them.
“Who’s having a baby?!” Carols voice carried through the building. You look up to see her standing, observing the betting pool outside your office. Apparently not everyone knew yet.
You laugh, standing up and smoothing you flowy dress over your bump. Her face was priceless as she came into plain view.
“No way!” She grinned.
“Surprise!” Nat said, standing from the seat in front of you, where she’d been planning your baby shower. Carol gave her a brief hug before coming around to give you one.
“I’m so shocked,” she said, holding you at arm’s length to look at you. “I mean, who’s the father?”
“Ooooh, that’s the question, it’s either Bucky and/or Steve,” Natasha chimed in, reaching for a cookie from your desk.
You cringed slightly.
Carol just blinked in surprise, “What do you mean or?”
You chuckled, “Well, you know, there’s two babies and —”
“Like this,” Natasha held up one hand with her index and thumb making an O and shoved two fingers from the other hand in repeatedly.
“I never told you that,” you pointed at her.
Carol just laughed, going to sit beside Natasha. “Are you being serious though? Like, both of them?”
You nodded, “I was sleeping with both of them.”
Natasha raised an eyebrow, “At the exact same time?”
You pursed your lips, but you oils to help the cheeky smile creeping up on your lips. “Yes.”
Natasha threw her head back and laughed, “Okay but did you, you know, both of them...?” And she made the same crude gesture she made earlier.
“Oh my God Natasha! That’s so rude!” Carol exclaimed. But then she turned to you, propping her chin on her first and said, “You need to tell us now.”
“Do you really need to know?” You ask.
Carol and Natasha look at each other, and then looking back at you, said in unison, “Yes.”
You clicked your pen twice, “Not at first.”
They both cheered and your face flushed. You never imagined saying that out loud. God, seventeen weeks ago you’d never have thought of this moment.
Seventeen weeks ago
Sitting in Steve’s room, you picked up your phone to look for an automatic text from FRIDAY to tell you where the boys were. They were projected to be back from their mission any minute now.
And you were laying on the bed, naked, waiting for them and drinking a glass of wine (which was going straight to your head). You’d debated how to pose on the bed endlessly, opting to stretch across the white sheets on your side, fully facing the door. If anyone was in the hallway when they walked in, they would have a full view.
God, the waiting was making you fucking horny. The month and a half mission wasn’t helping anything. You new the boys would be ravenous when they walked in. Which only turned you on more.
The nights had been so long without them. It had been a while since you’d slept alone, definitely the longest without sex in almost a year. Whatever would ensue tonight would be worth the wait.
FRIDAY’s text told you they’d landed five minutes ago. You had dozens of messages from Stark, and they could wait until morning. You really didn’t give a fuck when your boys were about to walk in. Putting your phone back on the nightstand, you heard key pad beep as someone punched in the code.
Flicking your hair over your shoulder, you shamelessly displayed your entire body as the door opened. Steve’s face appeared, his eyes met yours and he swore.
He actually said, fuck! Before quickly closing the door, with him on the outside.
You frowned, concerned you’d done something wrong until you heard Steve say from the other side, “Sam, maybe now isn’t the time for a drink.”
You covered your mouth with your hand to keep your laughter in. Should you hide? It wouldn’t be the first time you’d almost been caught.
“Come on,” Sam’s voice could be heard clear as day from the other side of the door. You were so close from being caught and you were far too busy dying of laughter. “You just got back, we need to celebrate.”
“Look,” Steve said. “I’m really tired. Tomorrow, I promise.”
“I’m not taking no for an answer.” Ok, now you were debating hiding.
“Sam,” you could barely hear Bucky’s quiet voice, “it was a really tough mission, I really need to talk to Steve.”
“Oh!” Sam said, “yeah, of course, text me if you need anything.” No one fucked around when it came to Bucky’s mental health. You debated if you’d gone a little too far with your surprise, not knowing how the mission had gone until the door opened again.
Steve slipped in, trying the keep the door as shut as possible. Not suspicious at all. Then Bucky walked in, he took one look at you and whistled. Long and low as he shamelessly looked at you.
“Fuck Steve,” Bucky said, “how did we go a month without this one?”
You giggled slightly, especially as Steve sat down on the bed beside you and said, “I know. Sexy mink.”
You sat up until you were eye to eye with Steve and said in a husky voice, “Welcome back.”
He was in you a second later, his mouth fighting yours as he pushed you down onto the bed. There was no time for romance, he pined your arms over your head with one hand as he kissed your neck.
You threw your head back and moaned, your core tightening and toes curling.
He licked the inside of your ear and you nearly came right there just from that. Holy fuck, you weren’t sure if you said that aloud.
He was kissing you with so much passion you lost track of his other hand until you felt it...oh god, you felt it push apart your folds and find that spot.
Your entire body convulsed at the feeling. Fuck, you needed him inside you now.
“What a good girl,” you felt the bed shift as Bucky sat down beside your head. He was naked, a glass of wine in one hand, the other hand stroking his shaft as he watched Steve make you moan.
“Buck,” you started, but then Steve’s mouth moved down to your tits and sucked in a nipple. Your hands clenched to hold onto something but there was nothing.
Bucky put down the glass, laying across the bed behind your head, propped up on an elbow as he continued to stroke himself, “Does Steve make you feel good, baby?”
You would have answered but Steve shoved a finger inside you, his thumb doing circles over your clit. You settle for nodding vigorously as you humped his hand. Desperately.
Bucky leaned down until his mouth was level with your ear, and licked that spot behind it that made you squirm and your core tighten. “Use your words baby, or I’ll get Steve to stop and you’ll have to watch him blow me.”
That had happened once. Bucky had even tied your hands behind your back so you could only watch as Steve swallowed him whole, your core tightening painfully.
You struggled to keep your eyes open as Steve added another finger and you said, “He makes me feel so good.”
Bucky smiled, that sexy boyish smirk of his as he leaned down and kissed you, so slowly and gently, compared to the ruffness of Steve teeth on your chest.
Bucky kept eye contact with you as he said, “Steve, does she taste as good as she looks?”
Steve pulled his fingers from inside of you and you gasped in protest. You were so fucking close!
He put his index finger in his mouth and nodded, “You wanna taste?”
Bucky reached for Steve’s hand, dragging his eyes from you to look at Steve as he took his middle finger in his mouth. The three of you moaned, at the pure sexiness of Bucky, and also him tasting you apparently.
Bucky pulled away and looked down at you, captive on the bed below him, “You have two options, baby, Steve and I came up with them on mission while we were fantasizing about this moment. First, we can keep going like this. We’ve missed your taste and we want to make this about you and make you feel good. Or,” he leaned down and whispered in your ear, “you can take care of us.”
You really didn’t need to think, you sat up and said to him, “Get the lube.”
Bucky chuckled and did as he was told, and Steve rolled off you to lay down beside you. He stroked up and down your body slowly, from your clit, between your breasts, and down again. You squirmed, desperate now.
“I’ve really missed you guys,” you murmured, rolling over so you were facing Steve.
He smirked, a finger trailing over your slit, “I can tell, baby.”
You shivered, but still managed, “I’m serious. Did everything go okay over there?”
Steve propped his head up to look past you, where Bucky was definitely cursing in the bathroom about where the freaking lube was. Steve lowered his voice, “Buck had a really hard time. I don’t know how many more missions he’s got left.”
That was definitely a sobering thought. You propped yourself on your elbow to get a better look at him.
Steve was scared. Actually, terrified would be a better word for it. Your blood ran cold.
“What. Happened?” You demand.
Steve’s eyes darted behind you, and he murmured, “Later.”
Because Bucky walked in the room, rubbing lube on himself, saying, “You ready for us baby?”
You wanted nothing more than to sit the boys down and get to the bottom of what happened on this mission. In fact, the very next day you would. Because after multiple rounds of earth shattering sex, Steve would shake you awake while Bucky was in the shower and tell you that Bucky couldn’t focus on the mission. He missed some key piece of information and almost died. Stave almost died with him. If it hadn’t been for Sam, neither of them would have come home.
Bucky would break down and admit that he hadn’t slept more than two hours a night in weeks. He got away with it at the compound because he could nap, but missions were a different story. He couldn’t fake it on a mission.
He would tell you and Steve his nightmares were so, so much worse. And every time he walked around a blind corner his whole body went on red alert and a couple of times he’d pinned an intern into the wall thinking it was an enemy sneaking up on him. His mind was in constant overload and he was having trouble keeping story and reality separate. He was essentially, unraveling.
So, a new therapy protocol was initiated. Missions were postponed. Everything seemed to being going great.
Then, you found out you were pregnant and Steve left. Bucky still went to therapy twice a week, but his routine was totally disrupted. And it was bad on you for forgetting to ask him about his exercises and if everything was okay.
Because suddenly he was whisked away on a mission and it had been almost three weeks and you hadn’t heard anything. He and Steve still weren’t on good terms.
You were so, so terrified any day now you would hear that they’d died.
Tags
@booktease21 @sexyvixen7 @just-the-hiddles @fading-mentality-bouquet @a--1--1--3 @broco8 @yougottalovefandoms @hailqueenconquer @tazzi-baby @imaginebeinlovedbyme @amiets2 @prettyblueskylark
87 notes · View notes
levathia · 3 years
Text
(Y/N)'S BACKSTORY/EXPLANATION:
All the timeline's play at once. As you read this, people in the future continue to live their lives, wondering what people from our time used to do. It's the same for us, we were born into this time and wonder what life was like for people in the past as those people that we wonder about make history. (Y/n), first being born in the 21st century in a big mafia family, had to carry the burden of leading her father's mafia at only 17 years old. She grew close to her comrades, after losing her family, they became her new one. 
It didn't last for long, as she slowly lost more and more of her brothers and sisters to their rival gang. At the age of 32, she found herself at the side of a bridge, high above the ocean. She thought she would finally be in peace after doing the deed. She thought that she would finally reunite with her family in the afterlife. But what happened was something she never actually expected would happen to her.
She was born once again. This time in the year 836 into the Yeager family. She didn't want that. She didn't want to lose anymore people close to her. In order to protect herself from going through the same hell that she did in her previous life, she decided to push everyone away. 
She decided to not become close with her parents or siblings. She never made any friends and even held a cold demeanor from time to time to keep people from approaching her. Her parents never saw her smile as a baby or child. After the fall of Shiganshina, she seemed to not be affected by her mother's death, causing Eren to become upset with her a few times. Eventually, her older brother accepted her for the person she was. 
(Y/n) was antisocial and she could be blunt at times. But Eren never dared to call her selfish, as she was always there to help her friends when they needed it the most. She helped take care of Armin when he had a high fever before joining the cadets, using all of the medical tactics that she learned from her last life. She helped Eren with balancing on the ODM gear and even noticed that his belt was busted. She'd remind Mikasa to take care of herself when she got distracted by looking after Eren.
She taught Eren that actions speak louder than words. Though, he thought that behind the wall she'd put between everyone and herself, was a more vulnerable side of his sister. He thought she cared. But she didn't. At least she tried not to.
Though, there was one person in particular that she couldn't help but pay more attention too. A boy with pure intentions to serve their king. He was beautiful inside and out, but you'd be damned if you found out who he was growing feelings for. The boy's name: Marco Bodt.
AU Title: Killing Machine
Big Brother! Eren Yeager AU
Marco Bodt! x Female! Reader
"But- Krista and–!"
"We know…" The instructor cut Eren off,"We've already requested for a search team to go and look for them as soon as the sun rises" 
Without a word, (Y/n) walked away from the group in the direction of their cabin as her brother continued to be stubborn and argue. She didn't know at that moment, but Marco had his eyes set on her smaller figure. No, they were almost fixated. Mikasa too had her eyes on her step sister, but not in the way Marco did. If she was honest, she wished for Eren to be at least a bit more cooperative like (Y/n). Mikasa then just so happened to glance over at Marco, noticing how his eyes were on her. 
It was only the cadets first year in training, yet, she was already able to tell that the two were slowly falling for each other.
"They'll have frozen by then!" Eren's voice echoed through the cold wind behind (Y/n) 
"Do you want more people to die?!" She raised her voice at him, causing the brunettes breath to hitch
Just then, a strong gust of wind hit all of them. It was enough to snap Marco out of his little trance and bury his face deeper into his coat to shield himself from the harsh, cold weather. Lucky for (Y/n), though, she was already within arms reach of the door that led inside of their cozy cabin. Putting her gloved hand onto the icy door knob and twisting it, she stepped inside without looking back. Shortly after, everyone else came flooding in. 
Eren was clearly too upset to speak at the time, he wanted so badly to help save their friends who were still outside and caught in the snow storm. He'd mumble about it every once in a while and eventually went back to planning their rescue.
"It's best for us to let me do it by myself. Just like our instructor said…" Eren turned around to face everyone,"We don't want anymore of us dying" 
"That's exactly why I'm coming with you" Mikasa said
"Yeah, we can't just sit around here and do nothing" Armin added
'That's exactly what I'm going to do…' (Y/n) thought to herself as she sat back against the wall with her arms crossed, her gaze low as always
"What's going on here?" Reiner spoke up as he stood beside Bertholdt 
"Don't you try and stop me!" Eren said stubbornly, taking a step forward
"You're, uh, going to need more gear than that…" Bertholdt said as he carried a big sack of tools over one of his shoulders
"You can't do this all on your own, or else you'll end up just like the people you're trying to save" He said
"You know what they say:'Power in numbers'." 
"Well, then… I suppose we could use the help" Eren said
"Then you can count us in" Connie said, Marco and Sasha standing in his right side
"We should be just fine, the storm looks like it's lightening up a bit" Marco said 
"I brought some rations just in case!" Sasha lifted the food up with the both of her hands
"Thanks, guys" Eren smiled at his friends
(Y/n) got up from her spot on the floor, she didn't want to go with them even with Marco coming along. She went to the bathroom and once she was finished, was met with Connie, Sasha and, of course, Marco. 
"You coming, (Y/n)?" Connie asked
The three stood before her, yet her eyes automatically caught Marco's and his hers. She didn't respond for a second before looking over to Connie
"Y-Yeah… Yeah I'm coming" 
"Great, let's meet everyone else outside" He said before turning around and making his way out of the cabin.
Marco walked right beside (Y/n) and they stepped outside right after the other two, leaving the safety of the cabin. The wind seemed to be more harsh than it was less than an hour ago, and everyone seemed to be looking at something in the distance. (Y/n) stepped up to Mikasa
"What's going on?" She asked
"We think there's been a possible avalanche" The raven hair girl answered
"Hey, someone's coming!" Sasha pointed into the distance 
In the direction of her finger, (Y/n) was able to make out a small figure far away from them. A lamp that every other cadet had, accompanied them and the person looked like they were dragging something heavy from behind. 
~~~~~~~~~~
It turned out to be Ymir dragging the unconscious body of Daz. And as everyone aided him inside of the cabin, (Y/n) decided to go outside to Ymir.
"Hey, where's Krista?" She asked, her voice not as monotone as usual
It seemed to surprise Ymir, given that this was actually the first time (Y/n) showed any sort of empathy. Or emotion really. It took Ymir a second to respond as she was still processing the thought of whether (Y/n) was closer to Krista than everyone thought. 
"She's still finding her way here. She'll be here by sun rise, though, I know she will" Ymir answered, glancing over at the snowy mountains 
"Oh, okay…" She said as she spun back around, but then stopped halfway once Ymir spoke up
"Why do you ask?"
She looked back down at Ymir
"I was just wondering…" 
As she walked back to the cabin, flashbacks from the girl's previous life seemed to flood her mind. She remembered all of the emotions she felt as she slowly and painfully lost more and more of her comrades that she considered as her family to their rival. She remembered the nights she'd scream into her pillow, feeling every bit of despair life could have given her. She then imagined Ymir in her place, losing someone she seemed to care about so much. Her face didn't show it, but she didn't really like the thought of someone going through something just as bad, maybe even worse than what she went through.
She looked over in the distance, the sky slowly getting brighter and brighter as the time came closer to day.
'Krista, hurry up...' .
PLEASE READ BISSES:
These are just scenarios for the many AU's I've come up with, I am not planning on making a whole story/fanfiction of this with full chapters. I do not take requests as well💗.
20 notes · View notes
hatake-no-sharingan · 3 years
Text
Time travel AU (Part 3: Live for me)
AU Summary: The world is falling apart, and the Sage of the Six Paths sends Naruto back in time to find his parents and collect the thing that will help him and Sasuke save the shinobi.
Link to part 1: HERE
Link to part 2: HERE
Part 3 Summary: Naruto’s birth is here, and as much as he’d like to make time with his family last a little bit more, he has to face the thing that hurt him all his life, the loss of his parents. 
Characters in part 3: Y/N (as Naruto’s mom/ Minato’s wife), Minato, Naruto, Sasuke, Obito/Tobi, Kakashi and Sakura
Warnings: Character’s death :( (I’m so sorry about this, it was painful to write)
A/N: Thank you for letting me write this beautiful story @itsao-mine Hopefully you won’t hate me too much for making you wait and writing a sad story :( I really do hope you like it. It has a bittersweet ending, but I really like the way it turned out. I switched the events in Naruto’s birth a bit, so it doesn’t follow exactly like canon. Enjoy reading and keep requesting <3 Be kind.
Live for me
The three of them wished they could’ve frozen time that week, and stayed like that forever. Naruto even imagined that the baby Y/N was carrying was his little brother instead of himself in this odd and tragic reality. Maybe in another life he’d get to carry his little brother on his shoulders and teach how to use jutsu for mischief, take him to the academy for the first time, train together in the woods, then they’d go back home and Y/N would be waiting for them with a big bowl of ramen, and they’d get to share stories with Minato, and they’d be a nice happy family of four. Perhaps Minato would have fixed everything with the Uchiha, and they wouldn’t have to die. Sasuke would smile more, and Itachi would treat both of them as his little pupils. Maybe things could’ve been different. There wouldn’t be a timeline where Kaguya enslaved everyone to the tree, and he wouldn’t have had to meet his father as a reanimation. Maybe Obito would have lived and maybe Kakashi would be happy too. Too many maybes, and just one wish that he could save his parents tonight.
Naruto, you’ll feel the deepest pain you’ve ever felt, but you have to let things happen the way they were meant to be. If you don’t, Kaguya will win, and everything you’ve ever known will be gone.
The sage’s words echoed in his mind, creating a scar deeper than his battle wounds.
Now he was here, holding his mother’s hands and stroking her hair as the birthing contractions hit her body.
It was weird, seeing himself be born. The worried look on his father’s face, his mom’s eyes full of hope through the pain, and then it happened. Everything was blurry and confusing, it was way faster than he imagined it.
Obito was there, he had his baby self hostage. There was panic in his father’s eyes, but a glance at him let him know the baby would be fine. However, he let Minato rescue him, because things were supposed to happen this way. It was Naruto’s worst nightmare happening before his eyes. One of the most terrible tragedies in Konoha was about to take place, and he couldn’t do anything about it. This was harder than anything he’d ever done. He could fight the strongest enemy, learn the hardest jutsu, but this, was worse than anything. He had to let things happen.
Restraining himself was worse than anything he’d done, but he did it. So hid himself and watched as his mother cried, how Obito was about to break Kurama’s seal, and all he did was prepare himself to collect the special chakra that would leak out as the tragedy took place.
He wished he could take Y/N’s place as the Kyuubi was being pulled out of her, his heart breaking at the sight, but he made the signs and put his hands out. He felt the power the sage had given him activate as the chakra started seeping in. White hot powered gathered in his palms and spread through his body. He couldn’t think, only feel. It was intense, but like a shooting star, it was gone in a second.
The residual chakra was now safely inside him, and he was ready to get back to his timeline, but seeing Y/N weak and in pain stopped him.
Once Obito was gone, he rushed to her side and tried to aid her with the only medical jutsu Sakura had taught him.
“Mom, stay with me, please, live for me”
Tears dropped from Naruto’s eyes to Y/N’s chest, as he summoned every prayer he knew with his heart.
“Mom, I’m here, I love you” he held her close and then teleported both of them to the spot where he knew Minato would be fighting Obito.
Sasuke is already waiting for him there, ready to pull them back, but he knew this was hard for Naruto, so he waited for him to give him the sign whenever he was ready to leave.
The fight with Obito was already over, it was only the Kyuubi, his dad, his mom, his baby self and him, with Sasuke watching from the side.
Had that much time passed? The entire night didn’t make sense to him, and as much as he thought he had prepared for this, it was a thousand times worse.
“Dad!” He shouted and Minato looked at him and Y/N while struggling against Kurama. Strangely, he flashed him a kind smile, like he’d already figured something out.
Everything was already in place for the seal. So he was going to go through with it. Minato was still willing to sacrifice his life for his son. He does everything exactly as the tale he’d been told said. The black mark appears on the baby’s stomach, and he knows there’s no turning back.
“Naruto, get your mom close to me”
He obeys his dad without thinking and gets her close to him. Minato makes a few hand signs and presses his palm to Y/N’s weak chest. When he removes it, there’s a slight glow exactly over the spot he touched.
“Listen to me,” tears sting in the boy’s eyes as he looks towards his father “I don’t have much time. I’m not going to make it because the seal needs to take my life in order to work, but your mom will. Your mom can live, she’s an Uzumaki. I sealed a small part of Kurama’s chakra back inside of her. Just enough for her to live. I need you to be strong, Naruto. Take your mom with you to the future. Nothing will be altered. If you take her now, she’ll get the chance to live there with you, but the baby in front of us will grow up exactly the way you did, without parents and with Kurama sealed inside of him. He’ll still save the future, but you’ll have your mom now. Take her, and as much as it pains you, let me die here.”
Naruto nodded furiously, clutching his dad’s arms as if that could prevent him from slipping away.
“I love you, Naruto. Never forget that. Take care of your mom for me. Listen to everything she says, and whenever you miss me, just hold her tight.”
He turns to meet his wife’s gaze. She’s barely hanging on. Pain pulses through her body, but her husband’s kind eyes keep her safe.
“Y/N, my love, I’m not sorry for this. I’m not sorry for my life, and for dying to give you and our child life.”
“Minato” Y/N pleads, voice broken
“Live for me, Y/N. Give Naruto all the love we couldn’t give him all those years. See him become a great Hokage for me. He’s already surpassed me. I love you my sweet princess. You made my life worth living.”
“I love you Minato”
The last thing she sees is her husband’s calm smile, then she passes out.
Naruto thinks he notices the sandaime gesturing towards his dying father as Sasuke holds him and Y/N, pulling them into the time travel jutsu that will take them back to their timeline.
Y/N wakes up in the hospital a week after Naruto and Sasuke’s fight. Her wounds are mostly healed, and her strength seems to be recovering. Tsunade herself oversaw her care. She placed her and Naruto’s beds next to each other.
When she opens her eyes, she sees a familiar figure in front of her, though she experiences a bit of a confusion because the person in front of her is slightly different than she remembers.
“Hi, Y/N” says the voice she knows too well. “Naruto will be back in a bit, he asked me to watch over you while he’s in rehab therapy.”
“Kakashi” she manages, with a smile “you’re old”
“I know, it’s weird, right? That we’re almost the same age even though you and your husband basically raised me”
“This will definitely take some getting used to”
Kakashi immediately notices the change in her expression as she remembers what happened. He’d lost Minato a while ago, but she’d just lost him now, and he understood her pain, he knew it was greater than anything because he’d never seen two human beings mor perfect for each other than Y/N and his sensei. Tears start falling from her eyes and Kakashi sits next to her, gently holding her hand and giving her the support she needs.
“I know it’s not okay, but it will be. You have an amazing son to live for, and after all this time, I’m so happy to see you again, Y/N”
As he finishes saying it, Naruto enters the room with Sakura pushing his wheelchair.
“Moooooom! You’re awake! I’m so glad you’re awake. I’ve missed you so much, so long. It was very boring to lay here in bed and just watching you sleep. I missed talking to you. Well I did talk to you, a lot even though you were asleep. But I’m insanely happy that I got to bring you with me. And guess what? Sasuke is good again! I mean, he’s always been good, but he just noticed it now! He’s back here, and everything will just be so good now. I can’t wait for you to meet him, and all my friends. Gosh everything will be-“
Sakura landed a blow on Naruto’s head.
“Baaaka! Can’t you see she’s barely woken up? She has to recover and you’re bombarding her with a ton of information.”
Kakashi laughs lightheartedly and Y/N is happy to see he’s come a long way from the hurt, sad boy she knew. He gestures for Sakura to leave, and they let mother and son have their space.
A month later, Y/N and Naruto are fully healed and discharged from the hospital. Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke, also recovered now, are there with them.
“We have a surprise for you two” says Kakashi, as they’re walking out.
He leads the way, and a few minutes later, they find themselves in front of a sunset colored house.
“We rebuilt it with my memories and a few pictures, it’s not the exact same, but hopefully it’ll be good to help you start your lives as a family again”
Y/N and Naruto have their hearts full with gratitude.
“It’s perfect. Thank you all. You have no idea how much this means.” She didn’t want to cry, but being with her son, and seeing her house, Kakashi being happy, Sasuke and Naruto getting close again, it was all too much.
They celebrated inside, Y/N made ramen for them, and they spent the evening laughing and telling stories to Y/N from when they went to missions together as Team 7.
They left a bit late, and Naruto helped his mom clean up.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t get to hold you as a baby, to cuddle you and to give you all my love, but I see now that you had the best support team you could ever have. I’m thankful Iruka and Kakashi stepped in for us.”
“I’m just grateful I get to have you with me now, mom. That I can call someone mom, and that I have a real home, like I always dreamed of, yaknow?”
She laughed and hugged her son tightly.
“I just wish Minato were here to see it all. He was so proud of the man you have become. I miss him so much.”
“Hold on, he gave me something for you. Give me your hands.”
She held them out and Naruto placed his hands on top of hers. A warm glow passed between them, and she recognized the chakra by the way it felt. She closed her eyes, and inside her mind, he was there.
“Hello beautiful”
“Minato”
She hugged him tightly.
“I’ll always be here, inside you. Now a part of me is a part of you. You get to live for me.”
95 notes · View notes
wiypt-writes · 3 years
Text
Stark Spangled Banner
Tumblr media
Ch52: Chicken Soup And Baseball Gloves
Intro: The original Avengers are re-united and along with Rhodey, Rocket, Nebula and Scott Lang, they run the first test on their Time Machine. 
Warnings: Bad Language words. Smut! (NSFW) No under 18s.
Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark
Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.
A/N: Holler @angrybirdcr​ does the biz with the edits again
Chapter 51
Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist
Tumblr media
“Any news on Natasha?” Katie asked, her voice thick, as Steve walked into the kitchen.
“Not yet.” He shook his head, as she reached over, adding bread to the toaster. “She was still working on a lead. How are you feeling?”
“Ok.” She lied. Behind her, Steve rolled his eyes.  
“I can hear you wheezing from here. Go back to bed.”
“I don’t want to lie in bed.” She shrugged and he took a deep breath, crossing the room to stand behind her. It wasn’t often she got sick, but when she did she was a terrible patient.
“Sweetheart.” His arms circled her waist. “You’re burnt out and ill, and you certainly can’t go to the compound like this.”
He was right, Katie couldn’t actually remember the last time she felt so bad. She’d requested they leave the compound early last night as the group sat around discussing Tony’s plans to build their bigger Quantum Tunnel. She’d had a headache that she thought was a migraine, but had woken herself and Steve with a particularly nasty coughing fit in the early hours of the morning, whereby he’d gone to fetch her a glass of water and laid with her, rubbing her back until she fell asleep again.
“My plan was to actually lay on the sofa all day watching trash.” She shrugged, coughing a little.
“Ok, if that’s what you want.” he nodded, gently moving her so she was facing him. “Go, I’ll fix the kids breakfast. Do you want anything to eat?”
She shook her head, before letting rip with another hacking cough, her hand flying to her mouth as she turned away from him.
“C'mon,” he sighed, “c'mere.”
Katie practically fell into him when he wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled her head into his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist. “I’m fine,”
“You look like crap.”
“You’re mean.” She croaked out. He chuckled as he brought his hand up and pressed it against her forehead and she closed her eyes, he felt so cool.
“You have a fever. Did you take anything?”
She nodded “Tylenol and cough syrup.”
“Well go lay down until it kicks in.”
“Okay,” she finally relented, and Steve watched as she stepped out of his embrace and headed into the living room. The last time Steve had anything like a cold was pre the serum. He felt the odd sore throat and sniffle every now and then but as fast as they arrived they went thanks to his healing qualities. Jamie seemed to be the same. As a baby he picked up a few bugs but he was back to normal in a maximum of a day. There was one time a few months ago he had picked up a nasty cold that had lasted longer, making him even more of a mamma’s boy, clingy and grouchy. But after thirty-six hours he was back to his normal self, the half of him that held the super soldier serum clearly winning out. And Steve was glad, if the half of Jamie that was his father meant he rarely get sick, he’d passed something good onto his son. Emmy, on the other hand, was like Katie. No serum, so when she got sick she felt it more. And Katie was always on hand to look after her kids, even when she felt crappy herself. So when it fell to Steve to look after her, he was more than happy to do so.
“Is Mama sick?” Jamie asked, from where he was sat at the table, his face creased into a frown.
“Yeah she is, buddy.” Steve nodded, grabbing the toast as it popped up from the toaster, buttering it and cutting it into squares for his son. He placed it down in front of Jamie and then popped more in for himself. “Just a cold though, she’ll be fine.”
Steve left the kitchen for a moment, shouting up the stairs for Emmy to get a move on before returning and pouring himself a coffee and one into a Thermos mug for Emmy to take with her.  Apparently the ‘in thing’ now was to take her breakfast to eat on the way. Steve had no idea why, but whatever. When did he ever have a clue about anything that was on trend?
She bustled in, rucksack on her back and grabbed the toast he was holding out in a paper napkin and her mug.
“Thanks Dad.” She smiled, giving him a peck on the cheek.
“Your Mom’s in the lounge, she’s not feeling too good.” He looked at her. “So I know you wanted Brooke to come over tonight but it might be better to give it a miss.”
“Okay.” She nodded, “I can go to hers instead. Will you be here to give me a lift later if I come home and get some stuff?”
“Sure.” He nodded. She ruffled Jamie’s hair on her way past and then disappeared up the hall, and he was pleased to see she popped her head into the lounge to tell Katie to get better soon.
“Are we going to the compound?” Jamie asked as Steve sat down, his own breakfast now in front of him.
“You’re going to Day Care.” Steve looked at him. “You haven’t been in a while.”
“I don’t wanna.” Jamie pouted
“Well, suck it up.” Steve replied. It was important to him and Katie that their son interacted with kids his own age as much as possible, so even whilst Katie wasn’t going to work today, Jamie was going to nursery. “I’m staying home today. We can go to the compound at weekend. If your momma’s better maybe we can stay over.”
Jamie pondered this for a moment. “Okay.”
Steve chuckled and ruffled his son’s hair as the two of them ate their breakfast. Jamie requested a bowl of cereal once his toast was finished, and to be fair Steve was still hungry too so he made them both a helping of Cheerios before he cleaned Jamie down and got him dressed. Once that was done he popped his head into the lounge and saw Katie was asleep under one of the throws.
“You got everything?” He looked at Jamie, quickly checking him over. He had his small rucksack in his hands, his jumper was on and he was clean. Looked good to Steve.
“Yep!” Jamie nodded enthusiastically.
“Alright, come on then.” Steve held out his hand, and Jamie slipped his little palm into his Dad’s as he opened the door and they made their way to the car.
*****
“Why is it so cold?” Katie groaned, pulling the comforter round her as she shuffled into the kitchen.
“It’s not cold, you’re just sick.” Steve pulled the orange juice out of the fridge, pouring her a giant glass. He handed it to her, raising his hand to her forehead. “You’re still warm.”
“No, I told you, I’m freezing.”
Steve was about to say something when they heard the security system telling them Tony had arrived.
“Why is Tone here?” Katie asked, coughing again.
“Dunno.” Steve shrugged. “I told him I wasn’t going to the compound today as you were sick so maybe he’s come to see how you are.”
“Bit out of his way.” Katie pondered, as the front door opened.
“Knock knock.” Her brother’s voice called up the hallway.
“Kitchen Tony.” Steve called back.
“Just thought I’d see how the patient was,” Tony’s voice rang out down the hallways and Katie rolled her eyes, “so far so good, I see no red cross on the door telling everyone to stay away or any one walking outside chanting bring out your dead…”
At that point he walked into the kitchen and nodded to Steve before he turned to Katie. “Huh, maybe there should be. You look like shit.”
She was pale, her hair was pulled into a messy pony tail and her nose was bright red. She opened her mouth to shoot some comment back about being pissed off with people telling her she looked terrible but was cut off by a fit of hacking coughs.
“I’m dying.” She groaned.
“From a cold?”  Tony rolled his eyes.
“I feel like it.” She mumbled.
Steve chuckled and stirred the soup in the pan.
“Smells good, Spangles!” Tony looked round him to glance down. “What is it.”
“Chicken soup, my Ma’s own recipe. Plenty if you want some.” Steve offered.
“No, it’s mine and I don’t like people taking my stuff.” Katie pouted, childishly. “That soup makes everything better.”
“Don’t be a brat.” Steve shot her a look.
“I’m ill, don’t shout at me.” She shot back, coughing again. Steve pointed to the orange juice that she had set down on the side and the Tylenol next to it.
“Drink that, and take that.” He instructed. “And then back to the couch.”
“You’re not my dad.” She glared at him, sullenly. Steve took a deep breath and bristled, Jesus she was obstinate.
“No, but I am, well, by default.” Tony eyed her. “Do as you’re told.”
She gave Tony a look that was positively mutinous, staring directly into his brown eyes before she reached over, took two pills from the packet, tossed them down with a swallow of juice and flipped him off.
“I guess I’ll be on the couch.” She grumbled, retreating out of the kitchen.
“Thanks.” Steve sighed once she was gone, and Tony chuckled.
“She was a nightmare as a kid when she got sick.” He mused, leaning back against the counter.
“She still is. Insists on trying to keep going instead of resting.”
“You know, when she was ten she got a nasty bout of tonsillitis.” Tony stepped over to grab the coffee from the cupboard. “It turned into something called Quinsy and she ended up hospitalised as one of them burst and she needed them removing under emergency surgery. They were worried about blood poisoning.” Tony paused to top the machine up with coffee and he grabbed the glass jug from underneath. “She demanded to come home the next day even though she was on some heavy duty IV anti-biotics, full scale tantrum when she was told she had to stay in for four days.”
Steve snorted as Tony filled the machine with water and turned it on.
“So trying to carry on when she has a cold is nothing.” Tony looked at him. “Just tell her whose boss.”
The men exchanged a look, both of them fully understanding that Steve was most definitely not the boss before they laughed and Tony clapped him on the shoulder, moving to make the coffee.
“So, Pepper is coming to the compound for the rest of the week” Tony poured himself a drink before he did the same and handed it to Steve. “I was wondering if you wanted me to take Jamie off your hands for the evening, Morgan will be pleased to see him.”
Steve hesitated for a second, as he took a sip of his coffee. He was still torn as to whether the compound really was the best place for the kids. But, the living area was far enough away from any of the equipment, and Emmy had lived there before…
“Don’t worry, I won’t turn him into a teenager.” Tony spotted the flicker of doubt that flashed across Steve’s face.
“No, it’s not that, I trust you Tony, I-” Steve began, feeling that he needed to explain but Tony waved him away.
“I know, and believe me I wasn’t sure I wanted Morgan there but I haven’t seen her since Monday.”
“You know, you don’t have to be at the Compound permanently.” Steve turned the heat down on the stove.
“I know but it’s just easier.” Tony shrugged. “Especially whilst we’re still building the stuff.”
Steve nodded and began to pull three bowls out of the cupboard “Okay, well yeah I’m sure Jamie would like that.”
“Great, I can get him on the way back, I’m assuming he’s at the tower?”
Steve glanced at the clock on the wall. It was only half two but there was no time limits on when he could be collected from Nursery. “Yeah he is, I’ll call ahead, let them know you’re picking him up.”
Tony clapped his hands together. “Great.”
“Let me get this to the patient and then you can fill me in on what’s been going on.” Steve said, picking up a bowl of the soup and a spoon.
****
Katie’s cold lasted three full days. On the fourth night, she had another restless sleep. Not wanting her constant tossing and turning to wake Steve, she headed down stairs, took another dose of Tylenol and turned on the TV, snuggling under the blanket on the sofa. She felt like crap. Luckily the medicine kicked in about fifteen minutes later and she managed to fall asleep, Lucky curled around her legs, keeping her feet warm. When she woke later that morning, she was pleased to find she felt a lot clearer headed and she didn’t ache when she moved which was a bonus.
“You look better.” Steve smiled as she wandered into the kitchen. He’d left her asleep on the couch when he’d seen her earlier that morning, the kids were still in bed seeing as it was weekend.
“I feel it.” she nodded, running her hands through her hair “I’m starving.”
Her appetite being back was a good thing.
“Want me to fix you anything?” Steve asked.
“Eggs and bacon.” she said enthusiastically “I’m gonna grab a shower.”
“Good I can smell you from here.” he teased, laughing as she raised a middle finger which she held up over her shoulder as she walked out of the kitchen. The shower made her feel even better, and once she was dressed in actual clothes and not Pyjamas she felt human again.
She devoured her breakfast, drank another large glass of orange juice and Steve filled her in on what was going on at the Compound. Natasha was still tracking Clint, the Quantum Tunnel Machine was well under construction, Thor, well, Thor seemed to still be a little distracted but he was engaging as much as could be expected and they’d started designs on suits that would help them navigate the Quantum Realm.
“Has anyone given any thought to how we actually get the stones?” Katie asked, a small cough escaping her.
“I’ve been thinking about it a bit.” Steve nodded. “There are a number of possibilities. But trying to get them individually instead of all at once is likely going to be the best bet.”
“How’s that going to work?” She pondered and Steve shrugged.
“To be honest, I haven’t got that far.” He sighed, and Katie dropped the subject.
They headed over to the compound in the late morning, and immediately Katie and Steve spotted the Quinjet was back. They shared a glance, knowing that could only mean one thing and, as quickly as they could, they got the kids out of the car and headed inside. As they made their way towards the main lounge, Katie heard a familiar voice and she felt her chest tighten. Letting go of Steve’s hand, she broke into a run and burst into the room. Everyone in there turned to face her as she stood, stock still, staring at her one time Senior Officer.
“Clint…” She whispered, before she threw herself at him, hugging him tight.
“Hey, Katie.” he croaked as she buried her face into his neck, his arms wrapping around her, squeezing her into a strong hug. 
“Hey yourself.” She sniffled slightly as she stepped back, before she grinned and ran her hand over the shorn sides of his hair. “Nice Mohawk.”
He chuckled and then his attention turned to Steve “Hey, Cap.”
“Hey Clint.” Steve smiled, stepping forward to embrace his friend. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too.” Clint smiled, before he glanced down to Steve’s right where Jamie was now tugging on his hand. 
“Daddy, who’s this?” He asked as Steve picked him up. 
“Jamie, this is Clint. A friend of mine and your mom’s.” Steve smiled.
“And this is Emmy.” Katie said from behind him. Emmy gave him a smile that was a little shyer than Jamie’s as Clint nodded to her.
“Pleased to meet you both. I heard a lot about you from Natasha.”
“Auntie Nat-Nat gives me chocolate.” Jamie grinned. “But I’m not upposed to tell anyone where she keeps it.”
“She used to give my kids chocolate.” Clint smiled, sadly.  “Even when I told her not to.”
Silence fell across the room, no one really knowing what to say to that. Clint took a deep breath and looked down at his feet, until Katie spoke, breaking the tension.
“Shall I fix lunch?” She offered and the team all made noises of agreement and started to move around. Clint smiled at her, and then looked at the boy in Steve’s arms. .
“He looks like you, Cap.” He nodded. Steve smiled and looked at Jamie.
“Apparently so.”
“I think it’s great you guys, you know, that you’re parents.” Clint smiled at Katie. She returned the grin.
“Yeah, it has its moments.” She watched as Steve set Jamie down and he wandered over to Natasha, who beamed at him as he clambered into her lap.  
“Especially when dealing with stroppy teenagers.” Steve quipped looking at Emmy who rolled her eyes.
“Change the record, Dad.”
“Note she said record, not CD old man.” Tony shot.
“It’s just a figure of speech.” Steve rolled his eyes “And for the record, I wish you’d change yours too.”
Clint looked around and caught Katie’s eye, a fond, nostalgic look on his face. And she knew why. It was almost as if nothing had changed. The banter was familiar, each person taking up their role they had held in the Avengers easily, as if the last seven years hadn’t happened. But then, looking around the room was enough to make you remember that they had. They looked different, felt different. They’d split, gone their separate ways and then the Snap had ripped everything from under them, and none of them had lost as much as Clint. 
Katie smiled. “Wanna come help with lunch?” She asked softly, as he hastily wiped a tear from his face.
“Yeah,” he nodded. The pair of them made for the door and she turned to Steve who shot her a smile, before she led Clint towards the kitchen.
“Thanks.” He muttered as they left the room. They walked silently until they reached the kitchen and Katie shut the door as she walked to the fridge pulling out various ingredients to make a huge pan of stuff for fajitas.
“So,” she turned to Clint, handing him a knife, “you chop veg, I’ll do the chicken.”
He smiled softly. “You sound like Laura.”
“Clint, I’m so sorry.” Katie sighed. “I’ve no words that can even pretend to offer a comfort. I can’t begin to imagine-”
“Natasha told me about your baby.” Clint cut her off as he looked at her. She looked down at the chopping board before meeting his eyes. “You lost too.”
“Yeah, we did.” She sighed “We all lost someone.”
“Bet you didn’t go on a killing spree because of it.” Clint sighed, taking a deep breath.
“Clint,” Katie took a deep breath. “Yeah, what you did wasn’t…great, but you can’t let it define you.”
Clint stayed silent for a moment before Katie spoke again. “Steve killed someone you know. In cold blood. One of the HYDRA guys that kept me captive and, well, you know what they did.”
Clint let out a growl. “I don’t blame him, I’d have put an arrow in his head if it had been Laura.”
“That’s my point.” Katie shrugged. “Something like that tipped Captain America, the sentinel of justice and truth-” she framed her words with her fingers making quotation marks and Clint snorted “-over the edge. Someone as morally correct as Steve snapped because of something someone did to me. He didn’t do it to protect me, he did it for out and out revenge.”
“That’s not the same-”
“Maybe not.” Katie shrugged. “But the point I’m trying to make, albeit very badly, is that people react to trauma in different ways.”
“It was anger.” Cling spoke after a moment. “Anger and bitterness that they died and all these assholes didn’t. I wanted to even the scales a little myself. Why did they get to live and my family didn’t?”
“Exactly. You went through the most awful thing ever.” Katie laid a hand on Clint’s arm. “It might not make it right, but it makes it a little more understandable. Certainly from my point of view.” At that she returned to her chopping, with a little shake of her head. “If anything happened to either of my kids, I’d lose it too.”
“That implies you had it to lose in the first place.” Clint quipped, cheekily. She looked up and she was pleased to see the mischievous Barton glint had returned to his eyes.
****
As Tony reminded them all, whilst they had a working Quantum Tunnel, building that into something bigger to do what they needed to do was going to take time. Everyone understood, even if it was frustrating, but as Katie kept pointing out, they’d waited five years for this, what was a couple of months more?
Those months Katie and Steve spent flitting between the Compound, Stark Tower, their home in Brooklyn and Tony’s lake house, trying to manage the time between Emmy’s exams, ensuring the kids were looked after during the school vacation, keeping a business going and maintaining as normal a life for Emmy and Jamie as possible.  
But then, one Wednesday morning in late September, Tony let out a triumphant yell. They were ready.
With Emmy and Jamie both safely out of the way- Emmy back at school, and Jamie in Day Care- they decided on taking their test that same afternoon. The goal was simple, go back in time for a minute or so, pick something up, see if it could be brought back. Katie and Steve followed Tony through the hangar as he was dragging the metal pipe which contained the power cables they had just helped him arrange into the mains which would fire up the machine. In front of them, Thor was walking, drinking a beer as usual, dressed in a scruffy pair of grey sweats and a red hooded top.
“Drifting left!” Tony warned the God. “On the side there, Lebowski”
Katie snorted at the reference. “Makes a change from Point Break.” she said, and Steve grinned.
 “Ratchet, how’s it going?”  Tony called.
 Rocket looked up from where he had been working on something underneath the glass platform “It’s Rocket. Take it easy. You’re only a genius on Earth, pal”
Tony stopped and grinned, catching Katie’s eye, passing the cable to Rocket and giving the raccoon instructions on where to plug each wire.
 “Okay so where’s Lang?” Steve asked, looking around.
“In the chamber having his suit calibrated.” Nat looked up from the tablet she was poking around on. The machine lit up, and Tony stepped back and looked at her. “So far the fluctuation levels are holding.” She nodded and Tony grinned.
 “You say it like you’re surprised, Red.” He shot back. She merely smirked to herself, tapping again.
 “I’ll go see if they’re ready.” Katie nodded.
 “Hey, hey, hey! Easy, easy!” She could hear Scott’s voice as she approached the side chamber in the lab.
 “I’m being very careful” Banner replied
 “No, you’re being very Hulky”
 “I’m being careful.”
She reached the doorway where Clint was leaning against the frame, and looked at him. He shot her a smirk as she turned her attention to Lang who was holding up a small, red glass tube.
“These are Pym Particles, alright? And ever since Hank Pym got snapped out of existence, this is it. This is what we have. We’re not making any more.” 
“Scott, calm down.” Rhodey soothed, looking at him.
 “Sorry.” Scott said, “But we’ve only got enough for one round trip each. That’s it. No do-overs. Plus two test runs.”
 At that, with a yell, he shrank and then grew again back to his normal size after accidentally pressing a button. Katie let out a groan as she looked at Clint.
 “One test run.” she shot, turning to Lang.
“All right. I’m not ready for this.” Scott shook his head and Katie noticed the slightly panicked look in his face. Before she could say anything else, however, Clint spoke softly.
“I’m game.” He nodded as everyone turned to him. “I’ll do it.
There was a moment’s pause before Katie grinned, clapping him on the shoulder. “Suit up then, Hawkeye.”
Clint and Lang switched places, and Bruce handed him one of the GPS controllers. Instantly the same suit Lang was wearing formed round Clint as Lang deactivated his, grabbing his baseball cap from the floor.
“Wai-wait a second, let me ask you something.” Rhodey spoke, his tone making it clear this was something he had been thinking about for a while. “If we can do this, you know, go back in time, why don’t we just find baby Thanos, you know, and…” He made a hand gesture suggesting he was strangling something.
“First of all that’s horrible.” Bruce spoke in a disgusted voice.
“It’s Thanos.” Rhodey shrugged, simply and Katie had to agree. If that as a plan would work, she had no problems in going back and being the one to choke the life out of him. Infant or no infant.
“And secondly, time doesn’t work that way. Changing the past doesn’t change the future.” Bruce continued.
“Look.” Scott nodded.  “We go back, we get the stones before Thanos gets them, Thanos doesn’t have the stones. Problem solved.”
“Bingo.” Clint agreed.
“That’s not how it works.” Katie shook her head.
“She’s right.” Nebula added. “It’s not.”
“Well, that’s what I heard.” Clint shrugged.
“What? By who? Who told you that?” Bruce sighed.
Rhodey held up his hand, counting with his fingers as he spoke. “Star Trek, Terminator, TimeCop, Time After Time…”
“A Wrinkle in Time, Somewhere in Time.” Rhodey continued.
“Hot Tub Time Machine” Scott added.
“Hot Tub Time Machine. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Basically, any movie that deals with time travel.” Rhodey looked around.
“Die Hard?” Scott asked, before he frowned. “No, that’s not one.”
“This is known.” Rhodey finished.
“I don’t know why everyone believes that, but that isn’t true.” Banner said, earnestly “Think about it: If you travel to the past, that past becomes your future. And your former present becomes the past. Which can’t now be changed by your new future.”
“Exactly.�� Nebula added.
“So ‘Back To The Future’ is a bunch of bullshit?” Scott asked, with the air of a small child whom someone had just told Santa didn’t exist.
“Afraid so.” Katie looked at him. “Furthermore, there’s a theory that Tony alluded to when he mentioned the Deutsch proposition. If you alter an event in the past you create an alternate universe and timeline as a result. You don’t change yours.”
“Which is why I think we’re gonna have to put the stones back when we’re done.” Bruce mused. “But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” He tapped a final button and then stood up. “Okay, that’s it.”
“Ready?” Katie looked at Clint. 
He nodded “Let’s get this show on the road.”
*****
“Lang had an attack of nerves when he accidentally used up one lot of Pym Particles” Katie explained as Steve looked at Clint, confused as to why he was the one in the Quantum Suit on the platform in the middle of the hangar.
“Wait, he used them?” Steve frowned.
“Yeah, so now we only have one test run. But Clint says he’s up for it.” She looked at Tony who opened his mouth to say something, and shook her head. He took a deep breath, simply shrugging as Steve turned to Clint.
“All good?” He asked, and Clint gave him the thumbs up.
“Alright, Clint.” Banner looked at him. “We’re going in three… two… one!”
The helmet sprang forth onto Clint’s head from his suit and he was sucked down through the platform into the Quantum Realm.
“Returning in five…four…three…two…one!”   
The portal opened again and Clint re-materialised on the glass platform, breathing heavily.  
Natasha was first up the steps, taking his face in her hands “Hey, hey, look at me. You okay?”
He waved off her concern, but that wasn’t what Steve was looking at. It was the baseball glove in his hands. Clint tossed it to Tony who caught it, slapping it slightly into his hand, a look of victory on his face.
It worked.
“Cap?” Tony turned to Steve and he realised that everyone was looking to him for directions.
“We need to plan carefully where we go.” He cleared his throat, taking a deep breath and letting it out. “I suggest we start first thing in the morning.”
****
“Em,” Steve spoke as the family sat down to dinner later that evening. “You know we’ve been doing a lot of work at the compound?”
He looked at Emmy, who nodded. After swearing her to secrecy, they’d explained everything to her when they had first started, both of them believing she was old enough to know the truth, and they respected her too much to keep anything from her. 
“Has it worked? Did Tony build it?”
“Yeah, and we think that we should probably move to the compound, just until this is all over. We’ll still make sure you get to school and stuff, we don’t want any of this to impact anything for either of you.” He looked at her. She took a deep breath, but it wasn’t her who spoke next, It was Jamie.
“Can I bring my toys? And Lucky?”
“I think Clint would really like to see him again.” Katie smiled. Clint’s reunion with the dog a few weeks ago would have melted even the coldest of hearts. Lucky had been overjoyed to see his old master, and Clint had buried his face into the animal’s fur, sobbing quietly. Jamie had been indignant that the dog was paying more attention to Clint than him, but that had all changed when Jamie had called his name and Lucky had run back to his side, licking him furiously. Katie had explained to Clint that the two had a very strong bond and Clint had smiled, stating that the animal had loved Nathaniel as well. He was simply happy someone had taken care of him. 
“He’s my dog.” Jamie pouted and Steve snorted, shooting Katie a look.
“Someone else doesn’t like people touching their stuff.” he muttered, grimacing as Katie kicked him in the shin “Ow!”
*****
“You know, we’re gonna have problems if Clint wants to take that dog back.” Steve said as they lay in bed later that night.
“I’m hoping he won’t” Katie sighed. “I mean he’s twelve this year, I’m sure Clint will be happy to let stay seeing as he’s older now.”
“Oh is that how it works?” Steve asked, his hand moving through her hair. “The older you are, the more people want to keep you settled?”
“Why else do you think I kept you around for so long?” Katie shrugged.
“That’s just rude, Mrs Rogers.” Steve looked at her and she grinned as she pressed a kiss to his lips.
“Suppose you have other uses.” She smirked against his lips.
“Really, what might they be?” He asked, in between kisses as she straddled him, his hands creeping up the t-shirt she was wearing and resting on her hips.
“Not sure now you come to mention it?” She wrinkled her nose, wriggling slightly against his crotch, making him grunt. “You might need to remind me.”
Steve simply pushed his hips upwards and Katie groaned softly as his arousal pressed up against her spot. Steve’s hand moved from her hip up to the back of her neck, pulling her down into a deep kiss that had the pair of them wanting far more. Steve hungrily pulled her top over her head, sitting up, running his nose up and down her sternum in between the lines of her breasts. Katie’s head fell back slightly as she bit her lip, relishing the feeling of his skin on hers as his lips traced a path from her jaw line to her neck.
“Remembered yet?” He muttered, breath hot on her ear as she let out another soft whimper.
“Not quite.” She teased. In a flash he had her on her back, and was kissing down the length of her body, nose skimming the waist band of her underwear before he hooked a finger into each side and pulled the garment down her legs. Hands on her knees he gently moved he legs further apart and grinned at the sight of her arousal.
“Liar.” He mumbled, setting his mouth to her. 
Her soft, breathy moans soon filled their room as his tongue worked her over, his right hand placed over her stomach to anchor her into place. He would never get tired of this, hearing her, feeling her as she came undone, her back arching off the bed, knees gripping at the side of his head. He snuck a glance upwards and had to chuckle slightly as she had a pillow pressed over her face to muffle her noises. As she flattened back down, he dispensed of his boxers, crawling back over her, gently removing the item from her face.
“You okay?” He asked with a trace of amusement. She glanced up at him, smiling and laughed as she drew her breath.
“You know, one other thing about going back to the compound,” she chuckled as he pressed against her, giving her another kiss, “the walls to our room are soundproof so there’s no-“
He cut her off as he pushed into her harshly, causing her eyes to close and her breath to catch. He continued to thrust, slowly, powerfully. Watching her face as he did so.
“Eyes on me, Doll.” He managed a low growl and she bit down on her lip, before her jaw slacked slightly and he saw her brow crease just as it always did when she was about to tip over that precipice, riding that fine line between pain and pleasure.
“Come on, Kitten.” He panted, his hips continuing. “Let go…”
And she did, she came hard as her hands wrapped around his biceps, nails digging into his skin as Steve chased his own end furiously, coming with a violent final thrust, his head buried in the crook of her shoulder.
They lay in silence for a while, Katie falling asleep way before Steve. The Soldiers brain was running on overdrive analysing the day. Their machine worked, the test run had been a success, but he knew the hard work was only just beginning. They had to suss out when and where to go to get the stones, and then there was actually doing it. That was going to be the hardest part of all. Then, they faced even more engineering to develop something to harness them, and, maybe the biggest question of all, deciding who was going to snap their fingers.
He glanced down at his wife, her long eyelashes laying against her cheek as she slept. She looked so peaceful.  With a soft sigh he kissed the top of her head and lay back, eyes closed, the warmth of her body soothing him slightly as he felt the tendrils of tiredness pulling him under.
**** Chapter 53
 **Original Posting**
42 notes · View notes
percywinchester27 · 4 years
Text
A lot like ‘Us’ (Part-16)
Word count: 1.8K
Pairing: Sam X Reader AU
Warnings: Fluffity fluff fluff, pregnancy stuff.
Series Summary: Y/N Y/L/N is eager and honestly, still in awe that she managed to get herself an acceptance from Stanford Law School. On the face of it, her life seems as put together, mysterious and independent as one might hope for. On the insides, she carries the burden of past that haunts her till date. Seemingly, she’d left it all behind; that is until she sets foot in the class of the Law School’s youngest, most promising professor.
A/N: One sneak peak into their married life :) I know it is a short chapter but we felt that the break was necessary. Thank you to all you guys who comment and reblog. I love you <3
The story employs two different timelines. The present timeline for the story takes place in 2014. Please let me know what you guys think :)
Beta: @deanssweetheart23. You da best <3
A lot like ‘Us’ masterlist
Tumblr media
13th February 2009
“Are you peeking from in between my fingers?” Sam asked dubiously. “I’ll know if you cheat.”
She laughed her clear, joyous laughter. “I’m not peeking. Some trust?”
He could have followed that up with something cheesy but Sam held his tongue as he maneuvered around the foyer and into the living room.
“Ready?”
“Ready!” The note of excitement was palpable in her voice.
Sam lifted his hands from over her eyes. There was a gasp as she took in the room before her. The double height space and the classic wooden furniture. The opposite wall was completely glass and one could see the sprawl of Manhattan below it. Sam tried to imagine how it looked to her, the modern staircase leading up to the upper story, the kitchen that was just visible around the living room corner. It wasn’t a big place with only two bedrooms upstairs, and Sam had wondered over and over if  getting a place in the city was a good idea after all, especially with little Chirp on the way. Maybe he should have looked for a little house in the suburbs with a picket fence and a wide road where chirp could ride his bicycle.
Sam was distracted by that image- of a little boy trying to balance his wheels. Both, he and Y/N had been so excited on the day of the sonography two weeks ago. Bets had been made and Sam had never been happier to lose. A baby boy with Y/N’s smile and Y/N’s heart. It would be alright with him if the kid was all Y/N, really. He could still picture her face as she’d held his hand, the tears streaming down her face- “We’re having a boy, Sam. We’re having a son.”
“This is beautiful,” Y/N exhaled, breaking Sam out of his reverie. “I love it.”
“There’s a small study upstairs,” he pointed and her eyes followed the direction of his fingers.
“Both the bedrooms are upstairs,” he said apologetically. “But since you won’t be moving here before the delivery, I didn’t think it would be much of a problem.”
“Sam, stop fretting,” she said, turning in the circle of his arms- a little awkwardly, now that she was rounder in the middle. “This home is perfect.”
It brought back his earlier anxiety. “You don’t think the city is a bad place to raise a child? We can pass on this and look for something outside the city limits.”
“Houses don’t raise children. Parents do,” she reminded him with humour in her eyes. “As long as we are together, we can make this work. And no, I don’t think you’re being selfish by booking a flat close to your work.”
Sam’s jaw dropped. “How did you know?”
“I know you, Mister.” She blew a kiss towards him.
Wondering not for the first time about just how perceptive Y/N was, Sam gave her a tour of the house, especially careful on the steps. It was perfect for her taste, already. Minimal and elegant. He didn’t think that she would want to redecorate. 
“I’m thinking we can move the furniture to one side and make this into a mini library,” she was saying, pointing to the corner where the foyer opened up. “And your piano can go right next to it.”
“Mhmm…”
She looked at him, then, eyes narrowing, before grabbing his hand and pulling him onto the sofa with her.
“You’re a million miles away, Sam,” she said, squeezing the hand she was holding. “What’re you thinking?”
“It’s hard to be away from you,” he said, not quite meeting her eyes.
They had both always known that Sam would have to move to New York in February for the job, but when it came to Y/N, Ellen had put her foot down that she would remain in Lawrence till the delivery. Y/N needs a mother, she needs a sister to look after her, Ellen had explained. Besides, there was only Sam here, and so many people in Lawrence to care for Y/N. The logic had seemed infallible to Sam then, and Y/N didn’t want to break her aunt’s heart. How hard could it be? Living apart for a few months. But the one week he had spent in the city without her had been torturous to say the least. She was on his mind all the time and it was making it harder to concentrate on his new job. There was always so much anxiety, about whether she was doing okay. 
He had been dying for the weekend, knowing that she would be visiting him.
“It’s just a few more months,” she reassured him. “And you’ll be with me on the weekends.”
“It’s not enough,” he sighed. “I miss you more than what’s logical.”
Her laughter rang through the somewhat empty house.
“I’m being silly, aren’t I?” He gave her a wry smile.
Y/N shook her head. “You’re not being silly. You’re just being a wonderful husband.”
Sam reached out and pulled her over him, then leaned back on the sofa so she was sleeping against his side. His fingers found her hair, as he tried to convey just how much each second spent with her meant to him. The rational part of his brain told him that the novelty was supposed to wear off after a while, that he wouldn’t always be so maddeningly in love with her, and yet, in his heart Sam knew that the rational part of his brain was being stupid. He didn’t think it was possible for him to love her any less. Ever.
“So, do you want to visit the Yale campus tomorrow?” He spoke into her hair, where he was occasionally planting kisses. “You know, for Valentine’s day?”
She shook silently against him in laughter at first, then managed in between giggles. “Stop selling Ivy Leagues to me!”
Sam laughed along with her. “Really, Y/N! What’s stopping you now?”
“I don’t think I can get in.”
“That’s a whole load of bull if anything,” he said. “I really believe that you can achieve anything you set your heart to. Yale… Stanford… Berkeley… anything.”
“You skipped one,” she pointed out and he rolled his eyes.
“Harvard’s overrated.” He had always been prejudiced about Harvard. And the years spent at Yale with all that rivalry hadn’t helped one bit.
Sam could see she wasn’t entirely convinced, but Y/N gave in with good grace. “Okay, we’ll go to New Haven tomorrow. Happy?”
“More than I can express in words,” Sam answered truthfully. 
***************************
17th March 2009
“Okay, you need to stop crying,” Sam mumbled. “I feel like I’m doing an awful job.”
“No no…” you waved your hand. “Don’t stop playing. I’m just being an emotional idiot here. It’s the hormones… and you play so beautifully.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Seriously, you’re going to give me a big head here.”
Barely. 
It was way past your bedtime, but you wanted to make the most of the weekend since Sam was here. You dragged him to the piano to play something for you. There was something heavenly about watching his fingers slide over the keys.
“I don’t know how you do it,” you said honestly, taking one of his hands, while the other continued playing and kissing his knuckles. “Be so cutthroat in the courtroom and so gentle… otherwise.” 
You had taken to reading his textbooks and notes from college in the afternoon, carefully noting the language, the way he phrased his arguments. You could only imagine him sitting in the Green Library, as he had described it, slogging over assignments. Maybe if you learned some of this now, you could apply it in college yourself.
Sam shuddered as you kissed the silver band on his finger. 
“If you keep doing that, Y/N,” He said slowly, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep playing for long.”
You giggled and let go of his hand. Sam sighed regretfully, but went back to his keys. Fur Elise again. 
You felt it then. Swift and fluttering.
“Sam!” You gasped.
“I know, I know this is your favourite… But I swear if you start crying again-”
“No, Sam! The baby kicked!”
“What?”
You grabbed his hand and placed it over your belly. “Feel it! Chirp’s kicking.”
“Holy-” Sam’s eyes were wide as he put both his palms on your stomach, moving around when the baby kicked again. 
“I felt something a week ago and then again on Tuesday, but this is the first time…” The tears that had just subsided came back again and started pouring down your cheeks.
“Our baby is… kicking…”
Abruptly, Sam yanked your shirt up by the hem, rolling it so it was tucked right under your chest, and placed his cheek on the skin where you had felt the first push.
Chirp moved again and you felt Sam stiffen over you. He held his breath for a while, but nothing happened again.
“Play something,” you suggested.
Without really moving, Sam moved one hand and placed it over the keys, playing the intro of Swan lake. Inside you, Chirp moved again.
“Sam! He’s doing it again. Don’t stop.”
He didn’t. For the next few minutes his fingers played ceaselessly on the keys. Happily, you hummed along, feeling the little movements that quieted down slowly till they stopped.
When Sam finally raised his head up, you could see his eyes were watery. 
“This… this…” 
“I know,” you said, watching him struggle to find words. “I know.”
You reached out to touch the corner of his eye. “And I thought I was the hormonal one, huh?”
“You hear that, Chirp,” Sam mumbled, hand still on your rounded stomach. “You see how your mom makes fun of dad?”
“Chirp’s smart,” you said smugly. “He’ll know whose side to pick.”
The moisture still rolled down the side of Sam’s eye. “I’m glad I didn’t miss this… that I was around.”
“You hear that, Chirp?” You said, lightly. “Your dad’s scared about missing out. It’s because he loves you.”
Sam pulled you against his chest where you could hear the beat of his heart, slowing to normal with each passing second. You didn’t know what he was thinking… but you could guess that his thoughts were probably in line with yours. And as far as you were concerned, your closed eyes conjured one specific image. A tall man sitting before a piano, head not quite bowed, but rather tilted towards a woman who was looking at him with love and adoration. The music flowed slowly, but not in tune, because between them, a small boy was seated, giggling mischievously as he tinkered with the keys, off-scale but lilting. He would look up at the man for approval after each stroke, and when his father nodded, the boy would turn to the woman with a look of sheer happiness and a hint of pride in his soft hazel eyes. Your family.
***************************
A/N 2: Just one last flashback chapter to go. I’m pretty sure you all know what happens by this point, but just in case someone wants to know to avoid triggers, please feel free to message privately. It’s a really angsty chapter, so I thought it necessary to forewarn you.
That being said, due to exams I’ll be a bit inactive, but I’ll try my best to post the next chapter on schedule so we can go back to the present timeline as soon as possible.
I’ve added the posting dates for the next two chapters on the masterlist, in case you guys want to know!
The feedback is literally what’s keeping this story going right now. My immense thanks to all you lovely people who take the time out to be SO kind to me. I love you <3
If you want be tagged, you can send me an ask or add yourself to the taglist here.
Or here’s my side blog @percywinchester27-writes. You can give that blog a follow and turn the notifications on to know about updates.
ALLU taglist:
@gabavaldman  @im-a-light-child  @cosicas-cuquis  @bllyjianne  @hoboal87  @i-is-for-inspiring  @daughterleftbehind  @wackiekebab  @mylovelydame21   @dancing-the-hellfire-rumba  @superbadassnatural  @babypink224221  @badlittlehabit99  @anathewierdo  @sams-bubblegum-bitch   @fandomoverdose666  @superstarmarvel  @atc74  @aiofheavenandhell  @rebel-author-chick  @death-unbecomes-you​  @cookiechipdough  @kbl1313  @linki-locks11  @miss-nerd95​  @sunflowers-n-rocknroll​  @stoneyggirl​  @like-a-bag-of-potatoes​  @niyahgray​  @traceyaudette​  @blueaura​  @awfulmoons​
102 notes · View notes
drabbles-of-writing · 4 years
Text
First Class Mess
This is part of my Four Years AU
AO3
Masterpost
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Living with Edric and Emira had it’s ups and downs.
On one hand, Amity could finally get away from her parents. It wasn’t a permanent living space, and she always made sure to spend at least a few nights at her parents house, excusing her absence as being busy with the Emperor’s Coven. But it was far better than trying to hide at the Owl House where her anxiety spiked through the roof, no offence to the family.
On the other hand, her siblings were an absolute mess.
,
“Rule number five, I don’t wanna see any girlfriends here.”
“Wow, okay, no, I veto that rule.” Emira said immediately, leaning her head off the couch arm to look over at her brother, who was sitting on the kitchen counter.
“Yeah, what gives?” Amity agreed, sitting on her knees on the couch.
“Amity, is there something you’d like to share with the class?” Emira asked, glancing back at her with a raised brow.
“You and I both know he just means Viney and Luz,” Amity growled, crossing her arms. “He just prefers to use the term girlfriends.”
“I meant they can’t stay over for the night,” Edric said, raising his hands defensively. “This apartment can barely fit the three of us without falling apart.” He said, gesturing to the room around them, which, admittedly, did look pretty ghetto.
“I don’t need to be dealing with you two causing more damage with your little crushes. They’re kind of known for causing trouble.” He said matter-of-factly. “And yes, I’m spreading this to Emira because it’s rude to stick it only on Amity.”
“Wow, thanks,” Amity grumbled as Emira gave an offended gasp.
“Unless someone is dying, I don’t wanna see any dates in here, understand?” Edric said. “At least not until we’ve gotten everything together in some capacity.”
“I resent this rule,” Emira insisted stubbornly.
“Yeah? Well, I’m older, therefore I win.” Edric said smugly.
“Ed, it was by eleven minutes.” ,
And that’s how Amity came to the apartment in the middle of a thunderstorm to find Edric and Jerbo in the kitchen. Both a little too close to be casual.
The second they registered the door opening, Edric sprung back. Jerbo whirled around from where he was perched on the kitchen counter (seriously, that thing can only hold so much weight).
Both of them looked like King when he’d been caught stealing from the fridge for the fifth time that week.
Amity stared at them for a few moments, her brain a little fried from dealing with the pelting boiling rain earlier.
“You’re such a hypocrite, Ed.” She finally said, walking in and kicking the door shut behind her.
“It’s just Jerbo!” Edric defended frantically, looking wildly between Amity and a very perplexed Jerbo.
“The fact you immediately knew which rule I was talking about isn’t helping your situation,” Amity called back, throwing off her overly thick coat onto the hanger by the door, too lazy to take off her Emperor’s Coven cloak on underneath.
“And unless you want Emira to taunt you endlessly, I suggest Jerbo should leave soon. No offence,” She added, looking towards the upperclassmen.
“None taken,” Jerbo said with a wave of his hand. “Viney’s not much different.”
Edric groaned and slumped against the counter beside Jerbo, head hanging. Jerbo gave him a sympathetic pat on the back.
Amity kicked off her boots and flopped dramatically onto the couch, waving her hand above her where the boys could see.
“Either go make out downstairs or make up your mind, ‘kay? Cause I’m tired.”
Jerbo made a strangled wheezing-like noise that reminded Amity of a deflating squeaky toy. Edric sprung upwards, flushing brightly.
“We were not making out!” He exclaimed, voice strained. “We were doing nothing even remotely like that, even!”
Amity sat up on the couch, turning her head to look over at her brother with a deadpan stare. She looked like she wanted to say something, but resigned to just sighing and laying back down on the couch.
“Whatever. I’m blackmailing you with this later.”
“You suck,”
,
“Quick question,” Emira said, poking her head into Amity’s room. “I can still get away with doing something illegal here, right?”
Amity looked up from her book, giving her sister a look that said her question was the stupidest thing she’d ever heard.
“I’m only a cop when on the clock, Em.” Amity said. “Anything illegal you do when I’m not working is fair game. Legally speaking.”
“Nice,” Emira pumped a fist.
“Can I ask what you’re planning on doing?” Amity raised a brow.
“You gonna rat us out?”
“I’d be a hypocrite if I did. Like somebody in this house!” Amity added the last part notably louder.
“Amity, shut up!” Edric called back.
“...I’m gonna ask about that later.” Emira said, pointing a finger at Amity. “Anyway, Viney can’t afford the supplies she needs to help out some baby bearstripes she found. So we were just gonna steal it and stash the supplies here.”
“You’re whipped,” Edric’s voice floated from the main room.
“Shut it, Ed!” Emira snapped back.
“Yeah, sure, go steal some stuff.” Amity shrugged. “I’m not working till tomorrow.”
“So we can totally commit crimes now?” Edric asked, suddenly appearing being Emira, looking far too excited.
“I mean, yeah, but I wouldn’t recommend it.” Amity said.
“If it’s a bad enough crime I could be put on a mission to hunt the two of you down. Obviously I’m not going to raid this apartment but if I catch you on the streets it is on sight.” She warned.
“Oh, so your little Owl family gets a free pass, but we don’t?” Edric scoffed.
“I do not give them a free pass!” Amity protested. “I throw Eda in jail all the time. I’ve never even had to break her out!”
“Right, sorry,” Emira amended. “Ed meant that your hopeless crush gets a free pass, but we don’t?”
Amity growled and threw her book at the two of them. They quickly jumped back and swung the door shut, letting the book hit it instead.
“That’s a yes,” Edric snickered.
“I’m not the only one who gives crushes a free pass!” Amity shouted after them.
There were a few beats of silence.
“You have got to be kidding me, Ed.”
,
Emira knew the rules of the apartment. Which meant there were barely any and they fluctuated from day to day.
The two big ones were that anything that happened in the apartment was a safe zone, and to avoid bringing over anyone associated with the Owl House, which sadly, included Viney and Jerbo, seeing as they were friends with Luz.
They loved everyone in the Owl House, they really did. But everyone in that family was known to be very chaotic, and they’d probably break the shabby apartment or piss off the neighbors more than the siblings already had.
It was simply a precaution.
Emira, however, was a known rule-breaker.
So, it wasn’t a surprise to find Viney sitting in the living room, currently wrapping up Emira’s sprained wrist.
“You're a mess,” Viney sighed, slowly bandaging her arm. “Can’t you ask your parents to cover your medical bills?”
“Course I can, but at one in the morning?” Emira scoffed, keeping her voice low. “I’ll bug them about it later.”
“Only you would get a sprained wrist and say it’s not that big a deal,” Viney sighed, gently raising Emira’s hand and letting her hand glow, doing her best to ease the pain.
“Eh, I’d say it was worth it anyway,” Emira hissed, flinching as she felt a sharp pain in her wrist.
“Sorry, sorry,” Viney whispered, laying her free hand over Emira’s to hold her still as she slowly healed the sprain as best she could.
“I don’t have any healing glyphs, so you’ll just have to leave it be till morning. The splint should work for now, though.” She continued, looking up at Emira.
Emira was staring at where Viney was holding her hand, blushing with her ears lowered, eyes blown wide.
Though that last part might’ve been because the only light was the moon shining through the small window beside the two.
“Em?” Viney tilted her head, smiling.
“Huh?” Emira jerked her head up. “Sorry, did, uh, did you say something?” 
Viney giggled and removed her glowing hand from Emira’s wrist, though she kept holding up her arm with her other hand.
“You’re ridiculous,” She said, shaking her head.
“All the best people are,” Emira replied, dipping her head to properly meet the shorter witch’s eyes.
Viney smiled and lightly pressed her forehead against Emira’s causing the girl to freeze and stiffen up.
Emira’s face lit up and her eyes darted around, though she didn’t move away.
“S-so, sorry to hi-hide you out here,” She stuttered, shoulders hunched. “But Ed pre-pretty much broke...broke that rule s-so I’m sure it’s not...not that big a--”
“Em,”
Viney leaned forward more and squished their noses together, giving the Blight a rather amused look.
Emira quickly shut her mouth with an audible clack, meeting the witch’s gaze.
Viney slowly tilted her head forward, her eyes closing.
Emira did her best to calm her heart before leaning in as well.
Something clattered, loudly, on the kitchen floor.
Viney froze and jumped back, startled. Emira only slumped, thoroughly annoyed.
“It is one AM!” Emira snapped, leaning around the couch. “Ed, what are you doing--”
It wasn’t Ed.
Amity shut the fridge, a slice of bread in her mouth and a bag of snacks in her hands, along with the cup she had dropped.
She looked over, surprised to see Emira, before morphing into a look of understanding when she saw Viney peek out as well.
Amity took out the bread in her mouth, setting the cup down in it’s previous position by the sink.
“Carry on,” She said calmly, holding her snacks as she walked out of the kitchen and back to her room.
Emira glared in the direction where Amity left for a moment before she heard a snort behind her.
She looked back, seeing Viney was doing her best to smother a laugh.
“...what?” Emira demanded, raising a brow.
Viney broke into a fit of giggles then, barely able to smother a loud laugh that would definitely wake up Edric.
“I’m sorry, it’s just--I wasn’t expecting that!” She snickered. “What’s your sister even doing up this late?”
“I guess being up at ungodly hours just runs in the family,” Emira sighed, embarrassed as she picked up one of the pillows that had fallen off the couch with her uninjured hand and placed it in her lap.
“I take it that was probably my cue to leave,” Viney chuckled, standing up. “My dad will get worried if I’m not there in the morning.”
“Oh, yeah, right,” Emira said, visibly deflating.
“Keep off that hand, you hear me?” Viney said, gathering up her bandages and extra splints into her bag. “And go to the hospital to get it properly fixed in the morning.”
“I know, I know,” Emira muttered bitterly, looking up at Viney with puppy-dog eyes. “Do you have to go?”
“Sorry, Em. But I’d rather get at least some amounts of sleep.” Viney said. “I’ll check on you tomorrow, okay?” She said, leaning down and kissing Emira’s forehead.
Emira, somehow, lit up even brighter with her ears twitching downwards. She held her pillow tighter and buried her face in it.
“‘Kay,” She mumbled shlyly.
Viney giggled and stepped back, making her way towards the door. 
“Don’t lay on your hand too much,” She added, opening the door.
“‘Kay,” Emira repeated, lifting her head ever so slightly and watching Viney with one eye.
Viney gave a small wave before stepping out of the apartment, shutting the door behind her.
Emira only continued watching the door where Viney left, absolutely lovestruck.
“All I wanted to get was a drink,” Came a grumble behind her.
“Amity!” Emira gasped, sitting upright and looking around the couch again to see Amity had wandered back in to grab a drink. 
“I didn’t ask to see my sisters failing flirting attempts,” Amity muttered, pouring herself a cup of apple juice.
“Go back to bed!”
“I’d rather die,”
,
“Okay, okay, but what if instead of teeth, the worm had legs inside its mouth.”
“Ed, it’s like, ten. I’m not doing this right now,” Emira groaned, sitting on her bed as Edric sat on the floor beside her.
“Helps keep us awake, doesn’t it?” Edric shrugged. “Shouldn’t Amity have come back by now?”
“Maybe she just decided to sleep over and forgot to tell us,” Emira said, checking her scroll.
Sure enough, her last text from Amity, thirty minutes ago, only said ‘I’ll be back soon.’
“Doesn’t really seem like her, though.” Edric frowned.
The sound of a window opening caught their attention. Both of them scrambled out of Emira’s room and peered around the corner, curious.
Amity crawled in through the window, brushing herself off before turning back around.
Luz was outside the window, standing on her staff as it flew beside the open window. The staff lowered so Luz could learn her arms on the windowsill, giving Amity a smug look.
“See? I’m not that bad of a flier,” She said proudly.
“Uh huh, sure.” Amity said, sounding amused. “After the first couple of terrifying minutes,”
“You wound me,” Luz said with a dramatic sigh. “Why must I be cursed to be with such a cruel witch?”
“Oh hush,” Amity chuckled, batting at Luz’s arm. “You made me late!”
“Was it worth it, though?” Luz said, tilting her head with a grin.
“...yeah,” Amity admitted, turning her head away, a faint blush on her cheeks.
“That’s the Noceda charm for ya,” Luz winked.
“You’re impossible,” Amity grumbled bashfully.
“Yeah, but you like that.” Luz said, leaning forward through the window.
“Very much so,” Amity agreed, meeting Luz’s chaste kiss with a smile.
“Wha--”
Edric, who had been leaning too far out, fumbled and fell over with a loud thump. Much to Emira’s chagrin.
Amity broke the kiss and whirled around, face flushing even more when she spotted both of her siblings.
“When did you two get here?” She demanded, pressing back on the windowsill, where Luz was now staring in, startled.
“We live here, Amity.” Emira deadpanned, not bothering to help up Edric. “And you have some explaining to do, young lady!”
“I think I’m just gonna…” Luz slowly flew a few feet away from the window. “I think I’m gonna go…”
“Yeah, you probably should.” Amity sighed, looking back. “Bye, Luz.” “See you tomorrow,” Luz gave a shy smile before sitting appropriately on her staff and flying off in a flash, clearly embarrassed about the situation as well.
“Hold on!” Edric shot up from the floor. “Since when was this a thing?”
“It was recent,” Amity grumbled, shutting the window.
“Are you telling me our Mittens got herself a girlfriend?” Emira asked excitedly, spinning the girl around.
“I can’t believe she beat me,” Edric muttered, crossing his arms as he sat dramatically on the couch.
“Suck it,” Amity teased, sticking out her tongue. “And listen, I was planning on telling you, but it was pretty recent and we didn’t really--”
“How recent, exactly?” Emira raised a disbelieving brow.
Amity looked away, ears flicked back.
“Like a week and a half...?”
“...that’s reasonable.” Emira nodded, releasing her sister. “And it was about time, too!” She said, ruffling her hair.
Amity slapped away her sister's hands, embarrassed as Edric gave her a grin.
“Guess we gotta compete for second place, huh?” Edric teased.
“You and I both know you and Jerbo couldn’t ask the other on a date to save your sanities.”
“I never said it was Jerbo!” Edric squawked.
The sisters shared a knowing look but didn’t say anything.
“Anyway, I’m tired. I had a long day,” Amity said, walking by her siblings. “I’m gonna head to bed.”
“Try not to get lost dreaming about that heart-stealer of yours!” Emira called after her.
“Don’t make me come back out there!” Amity’s voice warned from around the corner.
“Whatever you say, Mittens!”
,
Amity wasn’t used to late-night shifts.
Coming to the apartment early in the morning was a pain. Her mask was pushed up on her head as she walked into the apartment on quiet feet, ready to collapse and sleep all day.
Edric was in the kitchen.
He was never up this early.
His elbows were leaning on the kitchen counter, and he was covering his face with one hand, his other clenched into a fist on the counter.
Amity blinked and took off her mask, setting it on the coat hanger and slowly walking over, worry evident on her face.
“Ed?” She asked quietly.
Edric jolted and jerked his head up, expression flashing to that of momentary fear.
He was crying.
“Mi-Mittens!” Edirc gasped, quickly wiping at his eyes. “I-I didn’t hear you come...come in,”
“Edric?” Amity rushed over around the counter, gently grabbing her older brother's arm. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” He said, giving her a sorrowfully forced smile. “Was, er, cutting some tear-peppers earlier and it hasn’t gone away yet.”
Amity sighed and looked up at her brother.
“Ed, that’s the worst lie I’ve ever heard.” She said bluntly. “What happened?” She asked again, her voice softer.
“You shouldn’t have to worry about it,” Edric insisted. “It’s my job to look after you, remember?”
“You're my brother, not my dad, thank Titan.” Amity muttered. “I’m not thirteen, Ed.” She continued. “You can tell me,”
Edric gazed down at his little sister for a moment. He swallowed before sighing and letting his shoulders slump.
“Just a little stressed,” He admitted, turning away to stare at the empty counter. “You know, what with trying to actually make a living without mom or dad's help.” He sighed.
“And then there’s the whole rebellion thing me and Em are working on. And that stupid tennant I hate. And trying to find a decent part of the Illusion Coven to join, since we definitely want to stick to that.” He continued.
“And…” He glanced down at Amity. “Well, let’s just say that fear of loneliness isn’t looking too irrational right now,” He said, sounding like he was seconds away from breaking down, hands shaking.
“Hey, that’s not true,” Amity said, squeezing Edric’s arm. “Me and Em aren’t gonna leave you.”
“Amity, you’re in the Emperor’s Coven. You're a spy. You're part of something big.” Edric shook his head. “You’ve got a lot ahead of you.”
“And Em…” He looked away. “Em’s got something going for her. You don’t become mom's favorite by being mediocre.”
“Who cares what mom thinks?” Amity demanded. “She isn’t worth either of our times. Last I checked, she was just as mean on Emira after you flunked the Emperor’s Coven tryouts as she was with you.”
“...she said a lot of things you didn’t hear,” Edric said quietly. “I’m grateful you were at the Owl House.” He murmured. “You deserve a place like that.”
Amity stared up at her brother, a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Just how long, she wondered, had Edric been hiding these things from her? From Em?
She leaned against his side, burying her head in the crook of his arm.
“You deserve it, too.” She said softly. “You were able to stand up to mom, you made your own choices and even let me live with you…I couldn’t do those on my own.” She shut her eyes.
“You never gave up, even after all that. That’s what I always liked about you, y’know?”
She felt Edric stiffen and shutter, trying to hold back cries as tears freely fell down his face. He drew an arm around his little sister, pulling her close and pressing his nose into her hair.
They stayed like that for a while. Holding each other in silent reassurances.
,
It was late in the afternoon, sunset fast approaching.
The three siblings were all at different places in the apartment, for once, having a moment of peace among them.
That was, until, the power cut out.
Amity raised her head from where she was reading on the couch. Edric paused making his sandwich and Emira poked her head out of her room.
None of them said a word for a few moments.
“Did you two seriously forget to pay the power bill?” Amity broke the silence.
“I swore I paid it!” Edric insisted. “They didn’t give a notice or anything!”
“You just keep forgetting to close the mailbox, you great idiot!” Emira growled, walking into the main room. “Maybe they just got lost or something.”
Amity got off the couch and opened the apartment door, peering out. 
There were no lights in the hallways, and she could see a few other tenants looking out in confusion as well.
“Nope, it’s a complex issue.” Amity said, looking back. “Whole place lost power.”
“Fantastic,” Emira grumbled. “In the beginning of winter!”
“At least there isn’t any snow yet,” Amity shrugged.
“We’re going to freeze to death in like half an hour.” Edric sighed, stepping out from behind the counter.
“I’m sure I could find some blankets,” Emira insisted.
“You guys know we could just like...go to the Owl House?” Amity raised a brow.
Both her siblings turned to stare at her, blinking dumbfoundedly.
“...right, you guys don’t go there as often.” Amity mumbled quietly. “Look, how about we just head on over? Eda will understand. This should only last for a day or so, anyway.”
“So long I’m not freezing, I’ll take it.” Edric said, already grabbing his coat.
“Isn’t it a bit late?” Emira worried.
“Someone in that house is always awake, no matter the hour.” Amity assured her. “They won’t mind.”
“Yeah, because you have special girlfriend status,” Edric teased.
“Jealous,” Amity shot back, a blush coming to her cheeks as she held the door open for her siblings. “The Owl House has its own power, anyway. So it should be fine.”
“And if not, you get to snuggle up to Luz,” Emira taunted.
“I’m going to let Fang bite both of you,” Amity threatened, walking out after her siblings and through the dark hallways of the apartment complex.
“Ha! Jokes on you, he already bit me.” Edric said proudly. “I’m immune.”
“That’s not how that works.” ,
“Hi, Amity!” Hooty greeted, well before the Blight siblings were at the front porch.
“Can it, Hooty.” Amity said with a sneer. “Tell Eda we’re here,”
“Oh, she already knows.” Hooty said cheerfully. “Luz saw you through the--”
The door was suddenly swung open, and Hooty’s face smashed against the side of the house, much to his complaints.
Eda stood there, looking over the two young-adults and teenager with a confused, but not unwelcome expression.
“Didja get kicked out of your apartment?” She inquired, flicking an ear.
“Power went out,” Emira explained. “Amity said you’d let us stay while it gets fixed?”
“What did I say about making decisions for me?” Eda scolded the girl. “I keep getting Luz’s friends showing up because you insist that I’ll let them in.”
“And yet, you never disappoint,” Amity said with a grin. “May we come in?”
Eda muttered under her breath about kids these days before stepping aside, allowing the three to wander on in.
“Amity,” Lilith greeted from where she was having a cup of tea on the couch. Amity swore that woman was addicted to the stuff.
“Amity!” Luz said at the same time, much more enthused as she rushed from the window and enveloped the witch in a hug. “What’s with the party?” She asked.
“Power problems,” Emira explained for her flustered sister. “We’re just gonna hang here for a bit. Don’t let us invade your mushy time,” She teased, stepping around them and looking at the house.
“Aw, come on!” King complained, crawling out from underneath the table in front of the couch. “Now I’ll never get sleep with a bunch of teenagers around.”
“Excuse you, we’re nineteen! Legal adults,” Edric corrected.
“Same difference,”
Lilith rolled her eyes and offered tea to the twins. Emira accepted it while Edric hung up their coats, watching as both his sisters seamlessly fit right into the discussions of the Owl family, despite their sudden intrusion.
He smiled to himself, slowly looking around the Owl House.
Yeah, they’d picked a good family.
,
It was late.
Amity hadn’t made it home.
Emira had called the Owl House to see if Amity was there. They said she’d left two hours earlier, and were surprised to hear she hadn’t made it back to the apartment yet.
They said Amity had left after getting a call from their mother.
It was nearly midnight.
Edric was beside himself with worry, pacing the living room.
They’d even called up Keene, the second-in-command of Amity’s Emperor’s Coven group. She had given his number to them for strict emergencies.
He hadn’t seen her either.
“I’m going to go look for her,” Edric said, breaking Emira out of her train of thought and storming towards the door. “Something must have happened with mom and dad.”
“I’ll wait for her here,” Emira nodded. “I’ll call you if she--”
Right as Edric was about to open the apartment door, it swung open very aggressively.
“Amity!” The twins exclaimed.
The seventeen-year-old stood hunched in the doorway, head hanging and bangs covering her eyes. She was shaking, violently. She was still in her Emperor’s Coven outfit, as she had visited the Owl House first and didn’t have a spare change of clothes.
“Where have you been?” Edric asked worriedly, crouching down. She was always shorter than them. “We were worried sick!”
“Did something happen?” Emira added, getting off the couch. “Mittens?”
The girl raised her head, and the twins gave a sharp intake of breath.
Amity’s face was stained with tears, her eyes red and swollen. She had a dark, angry purple bruise on her left cheek, and was rubbing at her left wrist.
“What happened?” Emira demanded, shutting the door as Edric pulled Amity into the apartment.
“I-I,” Amity stuttered, fresh tears already beginning to leak from her eyes as her siblings gently led her to the couch and sat on either side of her.
“I didn’t mean to,” Amity sniffled, shoulders trembling. “I didn’t mean to say it, I didn’t, I--”
“Hey, hey, shh,” Edric comforted, holding her hands to stop her messing with her wrist. “Just tell us what happened, Amity.”
Amity took in sharp, shaky breaths for a few moments, trying to calm herself down.
“M-mom wanted me to c-come home,” She explained, though the twins already knew. “She...she told me it was because I left something there. I-I went over and...and,”
She bit her lip, holding back a cry as Emira gently placed a hand on her back.
“She got mad,” Amity said, her voice rattly. “She...she said she talked to Keene and-and he said I wasn’t spending as much t-time at the Coven as I said...he...he didn’t know--”
“Hey, we know, we know,” Emira said softly. “What else?”
“Sh-she demanded to know where I-I’d been,” Amity sniffled, holding herself. “I did...didn’t want to tell her, so I,” She inhaled. “I got mad...I got mad, I told her it wasn’t...wasn’t her business…I didn’t even really li-live with her…”
The twins fearfully glanced at each other. Nobody talked back to their mother. Not unless they wanted a death sentence.
Edric raised his hand and Amity flinched, and he felt a stab of pain in his chest.
He slowly, and genty, brushed his hand by her shoulder, right below where her bruise was.
“It...it didn’t go well,” Amity murmured, pulling off her gloves and revealing she had a bruise around her left wrist, looking like she had been sharply grabbed.
“Did mom do this?” Emira demanded quietly, gesturing to the nasty mark on her face.
Amity didn’t answer.
“She said sorry right after,” Amity mumbled, almost inaudible.
The twins stared, horror striking them to the core. Edric wrapped his arm around Amity’s shoulders, pulling her closer. She let him, sniffling.
“...you’re not going back there.” Emira decided. “I don’t care how many laws we break. You won’t.”
“I already told them,” Amity murmured, glancing over at her. “I...I said I was a member of the Emperor’s Coven and they, they couldn’t tell me what to do anymore…”
She lifted her unhurt hand to her cloak and withdrew Fang, her palisman, who was curled around her fingers and looked up at the twins.
“Eda showed me a re-recording spell before I left. They know I can use it if, if they try to get me back.”
Neither of the twins wanted to know what that snake had seen.
“Good, because you were never going to go back there to begin with.” Edric said firmly. “Well, no, no, not good, that’s probably not--”
Emira punched his arm and he winced, but obediently went quiet.
“What if she finds out I live here?” Amity asked quietly, curling closer into Ed’s shoulder. “She-she’ll try to do something. What if she cuts you off?”
“We don’t want anything to do with her anymore, I assure you.” Emira growled.
“You-you need the money,” Amity sniffled. “I know you do.”
“We can start making our own--” “Please,” Amity turned her head, giving her sister a scared look. “Please don’t cut off mom. She’ll do something worse.” She said, voice going quieter. “Not yet. You need it now. I’ll be okay.”
Emira wanted to argue, she really did.
But she couldn’t.
Getting jobs in this time of the Boiling Isles, and in this region, was tough. Especially for illusionists. They’d made a bit of money here and there, but a lot of their support came from their mother and father, who grudgingly handed it out so to make their children at least look like they were surviving on their own, for the public.
And it wasn’t like any of them could go to the coven just yet. In a real court battle, they knew their parents would win. They always would.
It was their public image that worried them. And for now, the Blight children had the upper hand.
They’d have to let the spider come to them. As horrifying as the thought of waiting sounded.
“Alright,” Edric related, drawing circles on her arm. “But you aren’t going anywhere near them. Not ever again. Do you understand?”
Amity didn’t respond. She just pulled herself closer to Edric, shuttering with the strain to hold back sobs.
Edric pulled her into a real hug, and Emira wasn’t far behind. They both murmured words of comfort as Amity muffled her cries in Edric’s shoulder, tense with the effort.
If this was what the Blight name meant, they didn’t want it.
79 notes · View notes
katrina765 · 3 years
Text
Tumblr media
++++
summary: y/n knows something’s wrong. things feel like they’re slowly collapsing as she sees her mother slip away. why was it always the prettiest roses that got picked.
song: heaven’s not too far 
pairings: molina!reader
words: 3k
warnings: angst, death, cancer, pain, lots of crying
a/n: this one hit a little bit too close to home for me. i really put everything i had into this, so enjoy:) i’m so sorry if this broke you. i may or may not have caused the fam some heartache-
++++
“your mother is sick.”
that’s how a doctor broke the news to you and your siblings. carlos was too young to understand fully, julie had many questions, but you were silent. once the words were spoken, the reality of the situation crashed down on you.
you’d known your mother wasn’t doing well for a while. you were one of the first ones to notice when she’d started eating less. it was you who asked why she was tired all the time. she just wasn’t characteristically her and you saw that better than anyone.
only days after she had gotten progressively worse was when your father decided to take her to the hospital.
“y/n, you don’t mind staying home with your sister and brother, right?” your worried father asked as he rushed to grab his keys and jacket.
“of course not, papa.” you pressed a kiss to his cheek, wishing him a safe drive to the hospital.
before leaving through the front door, ray glanced back at you. his eyes held nothing but fear and worry. you could tell he was hesitant to go- hesitant to get answers.
“everything will be fine, papa.” that was all the reassurance he needed. with a silent nod, he closed the front door and made his way to the car where your mother had been waiting.
truth be told, you didn’t know if everything would be fine. there was a feeling in the back of your mind that was screaming at you. it yelled, begged, for you to listen and prepare yourself. deep down you knew things were about to change, you just had no idea how much.
months have gone by since that day. weeks have been spent in the hospital, in and out patient rooms becoming a normality. rose has gotten worse. the doctors have been doing everything they can to slow down the progression of the cancer, but she’s still feeling just as awful as when she came in.
maybe even worse.
that’s what pained you the most. watching your sick mother try to comfort your family. everyone knew she was the strongest one, but it really shone now. you knew she was dying and yet you watched as she ran her fingers through your brother’s hair, soothing him as he curled up on her side. she continued to write music with julie, sitting at the piano for longer than she should have.
she wasn’t the same as she used to be. the medicines had taken their toll on her body and it seemed like each day she grew weaker. you knew there was only so far she could go before it all became too much.
the chains creaked as they swung back and forth, supporting the weight of your baby brother. he was a light child, easily soaring through the air as you gave him gentle pushes forward.
your sister sat on the seat parallel to him, kicking her feet in time with her swings. she giggled carelessly as your mother jumped in front of her, catching her ankles each time.
“mama, you’re gonna make me fall!” julie squealed, pulling her feet away from her mother’s grasp.
rose jumped again, sticking her tongue out and rolling her eyes which sent julie into another laughing fit. all that filled the park were the sounds of the giggles that were exchanged between your mother and sister, occasionally you and carlos chiming in with laughs of your own.
“jules! don’t go too high! the birds might get ya!” you scrunched your nose, teasing the young girl. you found endless enjoyment in joking around with the little seven year old.
“mama, catch me!” without a second warning, julie jumped from the swing and into your mother’s arms. luckily, rose caught the small girl with ease, spinning in a circle once she had landed. “the birds were gonna get me!” julie dug her nose into the crook of your mother’s neck, shielding herself from the ‘birds’.
“they’ll have to go through me first, bebita!” rose raised a hand to julie’s head, holding her protectively close.
“oh yeah?” you called from behind carlos’ swing. julie lifted her head to watch you pull your brother up and onto your back, spreading your arms out to replicate wings. “hold on tight, calito!”
your baby brother clung onto your neck, giggling furiously as you darted towards the girls, imitating bird noises. as you squawked and flapped your arms, julie and your mother scrambled to get away. you chased each other through the park enjoying the warmth of the summer sun and each other’s company.
“ray! i-i said this already,” rose spoke in a hushed tone to her husband, taking a break between her words to take deep breaths.
“sí, i know but-”
“i don’t want to tell them how bad it is!”
you hadn’t been able to sleep tonight. endless streams of thoughts flowing through your mind had kept you awake. your world was turning upside down and it was only a matter of time before it overwhelmed you and consumed you completely.
the floorboards of your bedroom creaked gently as you made your way towards the staircase. you paused when you heard your parent’s conversation grow slightly louder. it wasn’t like your parents to fight and you certainly weren’t one to eavesdrop if they did, but you couldn’t help but halt all plans to head to the kitchen.
“all i’m saying, rose, is it wouldn’t be a bad idea to-” ray paused, taking in a shaky breath before continuing. “it wouldn’t be a bad idea to- to prepare them for-” the choked sob that escaped your father’s mouth caught you off guard.
the guilt of listening in was weighing on you. this wasn’t meant for your ears and yet your feet refused to move. at the top of the stairs is where you remained.
“i can’t do this without you. how am i supposed to raise all three kids without you? without their mother?” your father whispered. his words barely registered as you strained to hear.
“i believe in you, mi amor,” your mother leant forward, pressing her forehead against your father’s. her voice lowered to a whisper and you almost missed her next words. “you’ll do an incredible job without me. they have an amazing father to guide them through whatever life throws their way.”
“it still won’t be the same…”
silence filled the molina household once more. tears ran down your face as you let your mother’s words sink in. she was trying to shield you all from the truth. all she wanted to do was protect you.
tugging your knees to your chest, you sat there for a while. the occasional sniffle coming from your parent’s bedroom or your own nose as the weight of it all set in.
if thoughts hadn’t been clouding your mind before, they were surely suffocating you now.
“go, go, go, carlos! c’mon!” rose cheered, urging her son to move forward.
“mama, i’m scared!” the little boy called back, shakily pushing his feet onto the pedals.
“you can do it, mijo! the carlos i know wouldn’t let a little red bike scare him!”
“ready, carlos?” ray piped up, ready to release his hand from his son’s seat.
the child stuck his tongue out in concentration, debating whether or not he could hold himself up on the bike. the handlebars shook slightly as he steadied himself, but he was quick to regain control.
“c’mon carlos!” you and julie screamed from the opposite end of the driveway. the two of you had been sat on the concrete, blissfully strumming your guitars and jotting down lyrics. there was an upcoming school talent show and the two of you were preparing a song to sing to your fellow eighth and sixth grade classmates. your parents had urged the two of you to sign up, insisting there was no one more talented than their little musicás.
“i’m letting go, carlos!”
“papa, no!” in reality, ray had let go ages ago, watching as his son pedaled down the driveway towards his mother and sisters.
“mijo, you’re doing it!” rose clapped her hands together, scrambling to move out of his way.
the cheers and whoops carried on as carlos sped all the way down the driveway and onto the neighboring sidewalk. he faltered slightly on his turn, but continued down past the next few houses.
“ummm, maybe someone should chase after him.” julie suggested, stifling a laugh as your parent’s eyes widened and they rushed after the boy. he had zoomed past two more houses before they finally caught up to him and aided his stop.
“he’s never coming home again once he gets the hang of that, jules.” your sister giggled at your comment, nodding in agreement.
“mama’s gonna have to chase him everywhere.”
“papa?” you walked into the kitchen slowly, bunching up the sleeves of your sweater nervously.
“hi, y/n.” ray looked up from the cutting board, offering you a tired smile. “you okay, sweetie?” the shake of your head was enough to pull your father from his task entirely. he quickly wiped his hands on a nearby towel and rushed to your side.
“i just- i just wanted to tell you that i know.” your father looked confused. he was patient as you took you a minute to find the right words. this wasn’t exactly a simple thing to talk about. “i know she’s gotten worse, papa. she- she tries to stay strong, you both do, but i can see how tired everyone is. i want to help, but i-”
how were you supposed to help? what were you supposed to do? become a doctor- a scientist- and discover a cure to your mother’s disease all overnight?
were you supposed to reach inside your mother’s body and take out the cancer yourself? surely not.
what on earth were you supposed to do to make this situation better?
there was nothing you could do and that’s what hurt the most. that’s what hurt you all; being entirely helpless. you felt useless.
all you had were your words, music, and mother.
and you barely even had that.
“i’m scared! what if they don’t like me?” you paced back and forth backstage of your first show. it wasn’t anything big, you were a sophomore in high school performing at a school concert, yet this felt like the most important thing in the world.
your mother sat on the stairs leading up to the stage. she watched as you went left to right to left to right to left to right to left-
“mija!” she quietly scolded. you immediately stopped your pacing, looking at her with worried eyes. rose patted the stair next to her, ushering you over.
you found yourself rushing to her side, finding immediate comfort in her arm around your shoulder. you mindlessly fiddled with the bracelets on your wrist- the same ones your mother had gotten for you on your thirteenth birthday.
“carina, you’re going to do phenomenal. you’re the best singer i’ve ever heard. those students will be lucky to hear your voice.”
“but, mama-”
“no ‘buts’! i’m not just saying this because i’m your mother. i truly believe in you, y/n.” rose rested her head on top of yours, reaching for your hand to lace together with hers. “you’re going to do amazing things, mija. i can’t wait to see you out in the real world, one day. that’ll be my little piccolo on the big stage.”
the pacing.
it’s what you did when you were nervous. the backstage of your show, your bedroom, the living room, the studio, outside of the music room, and now another hospital hallway.
your sneakers squeaked against the freshly cleaned tile as you moved from one end of the hall to the other. your fingers were twirling the bits of string on your wrist while your mind was somewhere far, far away.
this was some cruel joke. it had to be. there was no way the universe or whatever god you believed in could punish such a good woman- a good family.
it had to be some mistake that a seventeen year old girl felt like she aged decades in a matter of three years because of worrying she did about her mother. wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around? sure the child could worry about the parent, but wasn’t the parent supposed to worry when their kid scraped their knee or when they turned on the stove for the first time?
it wasn’t normal for a young girl to cry herself to sleep because she was scared her mother wouldn’t be there in the morning to greet her. it was wrong.
and yet here you stood; pacing an empty hall while the rest of your family sat at your mother’s bedside in another cold, stale room. a copy of the million other cold, stale rooms you had been in so many times before.
a door opened, catching your attention. you hand instinctively moving from your bracelet to your mouth.
“y/n?” your father’s voice was tired. it was like he hadn’t slept in days. no, years.
“papa?” you took long strides towards him, panic rising with each step. the nibbling of your nails continued as he ran a shaky hand through his greyed hair.
“i think you should come- come in and be with us.”
that was when you snapped. of course you didn’t mean to. it was only a matter of time when the emotions you suppressed for nearly three years, rose to the surface.
“how? how, papa?” ray’s eyes found the ground, tears forming in them again. “how am i supposed to go in there and sit by her side while she- while she d- while she...dies?”
your own eyes had clouded over. with each word your throat closed tighter. it took everything in you to bite back the sobs that so desperately wanted to escape.
“mija…” your father cleared his throat before he continued on, eyes meeting yours once more, “i understand this is hard. this isn’t easy for any of us, but she needs you. y/n, you would never forgive yourself if you didn’t say goodbye.”
this time you let yourself cry freely, without any care of what sob or croak would leave you. ray moved over to you, wrapping his arms around you like he’d done so many times before. he pressed a kiss to your head as you continued to cry into his chest, mentally bracing yourself for what was to come. you knew he was right, you had to go in there even if it would bring you more pain than closure.
“let’s go in there, yeah?” your father whispered once you had regained control of your breathing and wiped the tears from your face. you were sure more were going to replace them, but you had to at least try to put on a brave face.
ray opened the door for you, revealing your red-eyed brother in an armchair. for being only nine, he had more pain in his expressions than you ever would have imagined. he stared at the foot of your mother’s bed, in a sort of daze. julie clutched your mother’s hand, kneeling next to his chair. her head was down as she silently cried against the blankets.
then your eyes moved to your mother. her eyes were closed. she was exhausted. you all were. her skin was like porcelain; pale and fragile. you’d never seen her in such a delicate state.
“hi, mama…” the tears returned and it was only a matter of time before your voice failed you completely. she stirred quietly, lifting her head to see you better. her lips formed the ghost of a smile as she ushered you over, releasing julie’s hand.
you took the seat next to her, gently lowering yourself onto her bed. she reached out for you, holding your hand tightly.
“piccolo…” her other hand raised to gently cup the side of your face. her thumb brushed away a few stray tears. you tried to stifle a chuckle at the silly nickname she used.
it was your first instrument; a piccolo. your parents weren’t very fond of the flute-like device, especially when you would practice at night. there were so many days baby julie had woken up crying from the high-pitched squeaks of your piccolo. your mother teased you about it years later.
‘my little piccolo, playing her little piccolo!’ she’d laugh.
“you know i hate when you call me that, mama.” you joked back, playing along.
“no you don’t, piccolo.” you shook your head, silently letting more tears fall. your mother’s smile faded as she watched you crumble. you were both so strong, but after coming so far, it was hard to keep your head up. “be strong, mija...for me?” she whispered.
“always, mama.”
“i know- i know it will be hard, but you can do it. do it for julie…” your sister looked up at the sound of her name. “for carlos...for your father...for me. i need you to do that.”
you nodded your head again, silently making that promise.
“i love you, mama.” was all you managed to get out before another sob filled your throat.
“i love you, my little piccolo…”
carlos had risen from his seat. he gently sat beside you, taking your hand in his. on the other side of the bed, julie and your father had done the same. the five of you linked together, all leaning in to rest your heads against each other for a moment.
there wasn’t another word spoken. your mother leaned her head back against the pillow and took in a shallow breath. julie cried against your father’s shoulder as carlos leaned on you.
then your mother’s hand went limp.
you squeezed your brother’s, almost as if to check that he was still there. he returned the gesture, crying harder into your shoulder when the machines had finally stopped their whirring.
that was it.
she was gone.
the molina family had to go through life with one less member.
++++
we three collection masterlist
++++
@mystic-writings @msmarvelsmain @poppin-peters @caitsymichelle13
16 notes · View notes
Text
New Dynasty Chapter 55
Peter watched as Wade paced the room. The older man was nervous and slightly twitchy as he moved. Slowly, Peter was coming to realize that the twitches were the man reacting to the voices in his head, the “boxes” as he called them.
“Please calm down,” Peter urged as Wade paced.
“I can’t—I mean, I shouldn't—shut up! I’m getting there!”
Peter felt a little hurt that the boxes got a full, complete sentence to themselves while all he got was broken grammar. He strode over and quickly grabbed Wade’s shoulders. “It’s okay!” he assured the man—still clearly not all there.
Wade gasped for a moment and then pressed his hands to his face. “I got a job.”
Peter waited. Clearly there was more coming.
Wade began to shift, like he wanted to pace—but he didn’t break away from Peter, who kept his grip light enough that Wade could break away. “It’s in New York.” He rushed on, quickly. “But it’s not a killing job and I know I said I wouldn’t kill in the city but it’s a good job for a friend and there’s no killing involved.” He paused. “I asked.”
Peter nodded. Sure, he knew Wade said he wouldn't kill in the city—and that was good. He also knew that Wade was a mercenary which meant he had to take jobs. He felt certain Deadpool was trying to funnel that money into Peter’s house without the boy knowing. He didn’t see why Wade was so worried about it.
“Do you need help?” he asked as he released Wade’s shoulders.
Wade stared at him for a full minute before suddenly dropping into a crouch with both hands on the back of his head. “Fuuuck,” he breathed. “You don’t—you just don’t know, Baby Boy.” Suddenly, in a lightning change of mood, he jumped back up and grinned. “It’ll be fun!”
Peter grinned back. “Of course,” he said. “You’re always coming along with me, so I’ll come along with you.”
“Woohoo!” Wade danced around Peter towards the door, and then shuffled back to avoid hitting Aunt May as she came in with groceries. “Oh, let me help you with that!” he said.
“You are a dear,” the old woman replied as she handed the bags she was carrying to him. “I have more in the car.”
Peter grinned. “Let me help too,” he said as he went out to the car.
After all the groceries were in and put up Aunt May invited Wade for dinner, and—for the first time since he’d woken up recovering in the house—he declined. “Sorry Aunt May,” he said cheerfully. “Spidey’s going on a job with me and I have to make sure it’s safe.” He twitched slightly. “Of course I know what recon is!” he said suddenly. “I just don’t normally bother!” He bowed, saluted, and then pulled his hood up before dancing out the door.
“Well, you certainly made him happy,” Aunt May commented. She looked at Peter and raised an eyebrow. “A job?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Wade said there’s no killing,” he said, “and I believe him.”
“Hmm.”
^^^
{Smooth, idiot. That was real smooth.}
[‘Make it safe?’ Just how are we supposed to do that? Just last week the Lizard knocked him off a building!]
“We do the best we can,” Wade said soothingly. It was something Peter had told him on one of their lunch dates.
{Date!}
[Dude, he’s way, way too young.]
“Not like that,” muttered Wade as he walked down the street.
[And why are we working for that bitch, anyway? She tried to kill us!]
“Everyone tries to kill us,” Wade argued.
[She THREW us into a VOLCANO!]
Wade winced as the words echoed against the inside of his skull. “But it wasn’t personal,” he protested.
[The hell it wasn’t!]
{Anyone else curious as to why she came to us? Considering she told us to go to Hell last time we met?}
“We have more skills than she does!”
[The only skill we have that she doesn’t is the skill not to die. Are you sure this is going to be safe for Peter?]
{Aw, relax. She’s also lazy.}
Wade reached his apartment and hauled out his maps of the city. Now, from what she’d said the object he was supposed to be collecting was in this high-security facility. All he had to do was—
There was a rap on the door. Then it turned into a vicious pounding. “Dammit Deadpool!” snarled his roommate. “Open the damn door!”
Curious as to why she needed him to open the door, he did so. His roommate, a pale young woman with hair in multiple colors, was holding one of her shoulders as blood seeped between her fingers. “You look bad,” he commented as she limped into the apartment.
“Don’t start,” she growled as she limped towards the medicine cabinet in the kitchen.
Wade saw odd purple and blue lights dancing in the spilled blood.
[That’s new.]
{Never seen that before. We sure she’s human?}
“Pretty sure she’s not,” murmured Wade as he closed the door.
“What was that?” demanded the angry voice.
“Your blood’s all sparkly!” Wade said cheerfully.
“Yeah? It’ll wear off.” Her voice lowered and she muttered to herself. “Fucking unicorns.”
{Hey look! The room’s brighter!}
Wade nodded as he looked at the literally glowing golden strands of hair next to the young woman’s head. They were the only parts not dyed. “Your hair’s glowing again,” he pointed.
“Fan-fucking-tastic,” muttered the woman as she grabbed a beer with one hand, smashed the neck of the bottle against the counter, and chugged it. She pressed the cool glass to her head. “I miss home.”
“Because of your hair?”
“That too.”
Standing there it occurred to Wade that his roommate was almost as indestructible as he was. “So Carol,” he said.
“Cora,” she corrected firmly. “As in, ‘Coraline.’ As in the other person on this god-forsaken lease.” She angrily tossed her beer bottle towards the trashcan and it hit the wall where it shattered. Most of the glass went into the garbage can. Neither of them really cared to clean up the mess.
[We ever ask where she came from? Because, I think it might be important later.]
{We said we wouldn't ask if she didn’t, so we didn’t.}
“Coraline,” Wade agreed. “I’m going on a job soon.”
“Good for you.” The phone in her pocket rang, she dug it out, and answered with a single word. “No.” She put the phone on the counter. “And?” she asked.
“And Spiderman wants to tag along. There’s no killing involved,” he added.
Coraline sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Deadpool,” she said wearily, “you accepted a job.”
“Yes.”
“In New York City.”
“Yes…”
“What’s the job?”
Wade beamed behind his mask. “Object retrieval!”
Coraline closed her eyes. “Object retrieval,” she repeated.
“Yup!”
“Deadpool, did you seriously ask the spider if he could tag along on one of your jobs—the mostly law-abiding do-anything-to-help-along-the-boys-in-blue spider, I’d like to add—when it involves stealing?” She looked at him. “I’m not an expert, but that sounds like a good way to alienate him.”
[She’s right.]
{Oh, my God! What were we thinking!}
“Gotta go!” Wade said realizing there was a crap ton of research he had to do.
“Yeah yeah, good luck,” muttered Coraline as she head towards the bathroom, limps already fading.
^^^
Peter crouched in the corner overlooking the building in front of them as Wade, in full Deadpool regalia, checked an odd little compass on his wrist. “What’s that?” he asked.
“My moral compass. Just making sure I don’t lead you down the wrong path, buddy,” said the mercenary as he put the thing away.
Some of the things the man said made absolutely no sense. “All right,” he said. “So, now that your moral compass is straightened out, what’s the mission.”
“Right. So, my client, my friend, works for these people who had this—thing stolen from them by these people. Now, they called me, instead of the police, because none of them are supposed to have it.”
Peter felt his lips twitch behind his mask. He wasn’t sure if they were twitching in distaste at stealing or amusement at the way Wade was putting the situation. “Let me see if I’ve got this right. A group of people, who were not supposed to have this object—whatever it is—had it stolen by this other group of people, and the first group has hired you to steal it back for them.”
Wade nodded. “That’s it. Contract complete when said object is in her, the contract holder’s hands.”
Peter nodded. He was slightly surprised at the formal phrasing, but Wade was a mercenary. Presumably that meant he had a lot of experience with contracts. “What’s the object?” he asked.
“Some kind of book. She said I can’t miss it.”
“All right.” Peter waited. “How are we getting in?” he asked.
Wade’s head whipped towards him. “What?”
Peter held back a sigh. “Your mission,” he reminded the other man. “Your plans.”
“That is both the single best and most terrifying thing I have ever heard from you,” Wade said softly.
“So, what’s the plan?” asked Peter, both anxious to get started and to keep Wade from thinking too much.
“Plan? Right, plan. Spidey, you’re backup. I want you to stay out of sight as much as possible. These people are sneaky, and I may need super-secret backup to get back out of there.”
Peter nodded. “All right,” he agreed. The two of them went into the building.
Everything seemed normal enough at first. There seemed to be an appropriate number of guards for what was a secret priceless artifact. The security was not quite the best, but appropriate. Pretty much all Peter had to do, as Spiderman, was follow along the ceiling keeping an eye out for surprise attacks. There were a few, and he webbed those would-be attackers to the walls and floors before Deadpool even registered that there was a threat, but nothing major. And Deadpool was very careful not to actually kill any of his attackers, a fact that Peter appreciated.
Before the mission Peter and Aunt May had sat down to have a talk and Peter understood that Deadpool was a mercenary known for killing. Knew it very well, in fact. He had accepted that there might be reasons fro Deadpool would kill on this job—because he was working and it simply might not occur to him to use non-lethal force. He was prepared for that.
When they made it to an inner room, Spiderman still hanging back in the shadows providing silent support, the game changed. On a wooden table was a single, huge book. It was blue. It looked like it was glowing.
Leaning against the table was a woman. She was tall, for a woman (slightly shorter than Wade), was wearing a white dress that looked like a bunch of feathers had been sewed together, and had long, cascading blond hair. “Hello Deadpool,” the woman said in a calm voice. She was holding what looked like a bunch of Popsicle sticks tied into the vague form of a human in one hand. In the other she held what looked like a bloodstained piece of cloth. Just behind her, on the table, was a tall, wide glass of water and a second doll.
Peter’s senses went haywire. This woman, whoever she was, was bad news. Deadpool merely waved cheerfully. “Hi,” he said. “I’ve come to get that book on the table behind you, and once I get it I’ll be on my way since I don’t want to kill anyone in Spiderman’s city.”
The woman chuckled softly and Peter felt the little hairs on the back of his neck raise at the sound. “Oh, yes,” she said as she wrapped the bloodstained piece of cloth around the doll she was holding. “I’ve heard about your little—team up with the human spider.” She moved to where the doll was being dangled over the water. “I’m surprised he isn’t here now.”
Another chill ran over Peter, warning him that something was about to happen. He tensed, not knowing what to expect as he looked around the room desperately for any sign of the danger his senses said was coming. He trusted his senses explicitly.
The woman simply released the doll to where it fell in the water. Wade gasped and choked as Peter stared, not certain what was going on until water began pouring from Wade’s mouth. The man was drowning. The woman dropped the doll into the water and now Wade was drowning.
Peter dropped to grab the doll, to haul it out of the water only to be easily backhanded out of the way by the woman, her nails ripping bits of his suit. “There you are,” the woman said in satisfaction. She smiled at Peter as she pulled a thread from his suit and tied it around the other doll. The merc choked one water as the woman snapped the leg on the doll.
And Peter felt his own leg snap in response before he collapsed to the floor. He gasped as waves of pain rolled over him—but he had fought his way through worse. He’d once swung through the city to catch Norman as Green Goblin with two cracked ribs. That had been bad. This was—still bad, but not quite at those levels yet. He swallowed hard as the woman walked towards him.
“Do you give up, little spider?” asked the woman in a voice that sounded kind, but his senses warned him were anything but.
“Never.” Peter shot webbing at her, and she easily dodged with a laugh.
“You are losing your touch, little spider,” the woman said.
Peter felt his lips widen in a grin. “Am I?” he asked as he yanked on the webbing. The glass fell to the floor. It didn’t break, but the water spilled out.
“Poor little spider,” said the woman sadly as she snapped the other leg. “Just doesn’t know when to quit.” She gasped as suddenly a sword protruded through her stomach.
“Want to bet?” snarled Wade as she fell off the sword, clutching the wound in her abdomen.
A dim part of Peter’s brain that was still functioning noted that it wasn’t a kill move. Even drowning, Wade had held back. As Wade picked him up, Peter webbed the woman to the floor. He also snagged the book with another piece of webbing; no reason to leave it behind. The book sagged as Peter reeled it in. “How heavy is this thing?” he demanded.
Wade glanced at the book. “If I recognize this,” he said absently, “about sixty pounds.”
“Sixty pounds?” demanded Peter, his vision graying slightly as Wade moved him. “What exactly is it?”
“I don’t think anyone is really sure. It sort of showed up a few years ago and has been bouncing around private collections ever since.” Wade carefully carried both Peter and the book out of the building. “Shit!” he swore when they were outside. “This was supposed to be a safe mission!”
Peter couldn't help but chuckle. “I don’t think there is a such a thing,” he said. “How many buildings have you been knocked off of?”
“Yeah,” said Wade as he walked. “But that’s me. I heal. I know he does too, but not as fast!”
Peter frowned. He healed both too fast and too slow. Too fast to risk going to a regular doctor and too slow to keep up with Wade.
“Not to worry,” Wade said as he tried to keep his steps even to prevent from jolting the injured spider in his arms, “we’ll just drop off the book-it thing and then I’ll take you back to Aunt May.”
They were a ways down the alley when suddenly the building they’d escaped exploded. Peter stared at the wreckage in horror. “All those people.”
“Not your fault,” Wade said quickly. He sagged. “Mine.”
“Your fault?” Peter frowned as he mentally reviewed the mission. Had the merc planted a bomb or something without Peter noticing? No, he hadn’t. Wouldn’t. “No,” Peter said firmly. “Not your fault, either.” He turned back to the wreckage. “It must have been some kind of self destruct,” he mused.
“Must have,” echoed Wade dully. “Come on,” he said turning and sprinting down the alley. Peter clung to consciousness with all he had. Every step hurt his legs more.
It didn’t take too long for them to reach Wade’s goal. Wade propped Peter (careful about jolting the injured legs) in a shadowed area of the park before taking the book to the swing set. Peter clenched his jaw against unnecessary sounds and worked to set the legs himself. He’d learned that his bones healed faster if they were set as soon as possible.
A woman, dark hair and sensual curves, approached the swing set. “Deadpool,” she purred.
Peter frowned. Used to hearing meaning behind words he read the dark irritation in her voice. Not usually the voice used to greet a friend. He looked up warily as the woman approached. Actually—she slunk more than she approached.
“Ana. You lied to me.” Wade’s voice was hard, cold, and almost unrecognizable.
“About what?” asked the woman, Ana, Peter supposed she was called.
“About the mission,” he said. “Medium security, no powers, that’s what you told me.”
The woman shrugged. “So they hired extra help after I looked into it. Not like you can die,” she added carelessly.
Rage flickered in Peter at the tone. He grit his teeth as he started to understand Wade’s casual attitude towards injury and dying. It took all his will to stay seated where he was and not draw attention to himself.
Wade merely sighed and tossed the book to the woman—who caught it easily. “That’s my friend,” the woman purred.
Peter had heard enough. He got up, barely registering the sharp pains in both legs, and strode over before webbing the book to her hand and the rest of her to the swings. “That,” he said grimly to the woman, “is no way to be. You can’t base ‘friendship’ on favors. That’s not how it works,” he told her before pulling his phone out.
“Spidey, what are you doing?” asked Wade.
“Look, you said the contract was complete when she was holding the book. She’s holding the book. Contract complete,” Peter grumbled as he dialed. “It’s me,” he told the operator. “Came across what looked like a shady deal at the park.” He rattled off the park’s address. “The buyer is webbed. The seller?” He turned to look at Wade and firmly added, “The seller got away.” He looked back at the woman as he slipped the phone back into his pocket. “They’ll be here in twenty minutes,” he told her. He took off quickly.
Wade loped off after him. “Hey, what?” he asked the hero.
Peter stopped for a moment and then looked at the merc. “All right, listen,” he told the man. “If something happened and you did kill someone in the city—we’d still be friends. Granted, we’d be friends with distance because I wouldn't be able to let you stay in the city—but we’d still be friends. It’s not dependent on you doing anything for me.”
The Deadpool mask stared at him for a moment, eerily still. Then he pointed down. “Do you realize you’re walking on broken legs?” he asked.
“What?” Peter looked down and stared as he gently stomped his feet against the ground. “Oh—huh.”
The two continued on their way. “You need to figure out how to do that on purpose,” Wade told him as he locked fingers behind his head.
“I wouldn't even know where to start,” Peter said wearily.
Later, the two men would find out that their mysterious adversary was known as The Witch. They found that out—the same time they found out that there was no female body found in the explosion.
6 notes · View notes
skzsauce01 · 4 years
Text
42nd Moon Pt 7
Description: By some stroke of luck, you get off the waitlist of your biology class. You’d never have guessed you’d find your soulmate there, let alone that he already has a girlfriend... Or that he comes from a fraternity of werewolves.
Warning: accidental nudity
Word count: 1.8k
Pairing: werewolf!Hyunjin x fem!reader, werewolf!Jisung x fem!reader
Chapter List
Tumblr media
“Hi.”
“Hey.”
“Please don’t apologize again.”
“I won’t.”
“Okay.”
You continue watching the child fit blocks into a sorting cube toy as Hyunjin sits on the couch behind you.
“How’s the, um.” He points to your wrist.
“Better. I hardly notice it anymore.” You raise it up for him to see. It, like his, is noticeably lighter in color now.
“Oh. Cool.”
You appaude when the baby fits the square into its hole. You hand her a triangle.
“How are you?” you ask without turning to face him.
“Good,” he replies habitually. 
You let out a low hum.
“Alright, yeah, it could be better,” he admits. “But I feel bad if I talked about it in front of, you know, you.”
He reaches to flip the box over to give his daughter the correct orientation, but you catch his arm. 
“Let her figure it out.” 
He follows your instruction and goes back to his chair.
“Talk about it.”
“What?” he asks, confused.
You whip your head around to look at him over your propped up knee. “It’s fine if you want to talk about what you’re going through. I know you haven’t talked to the boys about it because they’ll either blame you for everything or judge your masculinity or something, so let it out now if you’d like. People usually feel better when they do.”
“I have even more reason not to do it now!” he objects. “You have it so much worse, and it’s all my fault.”
You turn back around with a shrug to stop the baby from gnawing on a plus-shaped block. “My situation doesn’t prevent me from sympathizing. Let’s carry each other’s burdens.”
“Your burden isn’t the same as some breakup,” he argues.
“But it isn’t just some breakup, right?”
Hyunjin lets out a sigh and looks at his hands. “Yeah…”
You look back at him silently, waiting for him to continue. 
“I just really thought she was the one, you know? She made me so happy. I was willing to do anything for her, and I thought she felt the same.”
“Yeah…”
“And the child… she was the one who really wanted it. Remember when we fell asleep together that time? I felt so bad about it, I had to tell her. She got mad, obviously, and said she’d only forgive me if I gave her a kid. I couldn’t bear her leaving, so I-- I…” He buries his head in his hands. “It was stupid, I know. I even knew the consequences, and I still went with it. I still listened to her because I didn’t think she’d leave me like this. With her baby. Even now I can’t believe it.”
Hyunjin cannot hold back anymore and lets out an audible sob. You pick up his child and sit the both of you besides him. You rub his back as he cries.
“I really loved her. I really, really did. And she took that and she used it. Y-you know what I got in the mail just now?”
You shake your head and he pulls out a crumpled envelope from his back pocket. The return address indicates that it is from a law office. Inside are papers giving Hyunjin sole custody of the child. 
“Wow,” you breath softly. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I’m taking her, of course. She’s my daughter and, well, a wolf. I don’t have much of a choice, but I don’t know how to raise a child, or-or teach her the right things! I can’t even file my own taxes!”
“Maybe I can help,” you suggest.
He lifts his head up to look at you. Even his tears are frozen mid-fall in shock. “What?”
“For my, um, circumstances, the werewolf council is covering my living expenses for as long as I, well, live, meaning I’ll be living in one of the spare rooms here soon. It’d be convenient enough.”
“But why? Shouldn’t you hate her? She’s the reason why you’re dying!” 
“This isn’t her fault.”
“Well, you must hate me, right? You shouldn’t be helping me.”
“I think I can decide whom I help. And besides, I can’t hate you, Hyunjin. Maybe it’s just the soul thing talking, but I can’t.” You laugh dryly. “Sure, I can’t admit to loving you anymore, but love, no matter what state it’s in, is strong. So yeah, I should run as far away from you as I can, but I guess I’m the stupid one now for being here, talking to you. I suppose my own stupidity is why I kind of understand why you did that for Jiyoung. I understand, but I’m not validating it.”
“Then why still be here? Why help raise her?”
“Children need a mother figure for proper development; she didn’t ask to be a wolf or for her mother to leave, and I’m trying to make an impact with whatever time I have left, I guess.”
“W-well, th-thank you.” Hyunjin continues staring at you, eyes wide in surprise. The universe gave him the most pure-hearted soulmate, did it? 
You shake your head. “It’s for her.” You turn to the baby. “Isn’t that right,” you coo.
She stares at you for a moment before reaching to grab your cheeks. 
“Mama!”
88
Being a single father means a few changes for Hyunjin. For one, bath time. Hyunjin thought it was a good idea to take one with her so he can get clean himself at the same time, and also because he read about it on some parenting magazine and thought it would be cute.
“Ready for bathy with Daddy?” he gushes.
He feels the temperature of the water and gets in first before lowering her in too.
“Good. Just sit right here,” he says, setting her down on his belly. 
He scoops up some water and runs it through her hair. 
“Now where’s the shampoo?” he wonders aloud. “Ah, there it is.”
He reaches forward to the other end of the tub. Just as he is about to grab it, he feels something painful shooting up his left chest. He looks down and nearly faints.
“Y-Y/N!” he cries in panic. “Y/N! Y/N!”
You burst into the bathroom, your eyes darting around frantically to see what is wrong. You see Hyunjin crouched over himself with his face withered in pain.
“What’s wrong?”
“She’s-- She’s--”
He leans back for you to look. Unfortunately, he is unaware of what else he is letting you see.
“Ooh!” you exclaim, quickly throwing your arm over your eyes.
“What’s-- Oh my moon, I’m so sorry!”
You hand him a towel, and he tucks it around and under himself. When he gives you clearance, you rotate back around to see why he has called you.
On him is his daughter latched onto his chest. However, she isn’t doing so by her hands or arms; she’s using her teeth. To make it worse, she has turned wolf.
“When did she last eat?” you inquire incredulously.
“Breakfast? I was going to give her lunch after we cleaned up.”
“Okay, maybe feed her before being this-” you wave your hands in circular motions at him- “vulnerable in front of her.”
“She’s not even a year old! I didn’t think it would be a problem!”
You lean over to see her bite. “Can you stay like this for five more minutes?”
“Yeah,” he nods. “I think I’ve gone numb.”
You nod back. “I’ll be quick.”
After five minutes, you return with a bottle of warm formula. 
“Here, here, Li’l Pup,” you sing, holding the nipple to her mouth and scooping your arm around her waist.
The baby releases her father and chomps down on what you are offering. Hyunjin gives a sigh of relief when you lift her off of him.
“Thanks, Y/N,” he breaths.
“No worries. Finish your bath first. You can give her hers when she’s eaten.”
“Yeah, but.” He points towards you.
You look down to where he’s pointing and see that she is dripping wet, soaking through your shirt and dripping onto the floor. 
You are wearing a white t-shirt.
It’s your turn to yelp now. You pivot the other way and hold the pup a little higher to protect yourself.
Hyunjin faces the tiled shower wall bashfully. “Guess we’re even,” he coughs.
“T-this also means I can’t go outside right now,” you stamber. “Minho just cleaned the halls and will throw a fit if she drips all over it. We have to wait for her to turn back human.”
“Okay. I, um, I’ll be quick. Just keep facing that way.”
You swallow awkwardly. “Please do hurry.”
Hyunjin throws himself under then scrubs on shampoo in record time. After soap, he turns on the facet for a rinse. He feels his muscles relax as the hot water hits him, so he lets out a small sigh of delight. Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees your back rocking side to side so that at one moment he sees furry ears appear to your left and at another, he sees the tip of a tail poking from the right. He rotates his head fully toward you, a smile forming on his lips. He could get used to this-- this perfect family picture.
Wait, what? No. That’s not right.
Hyunjin shakes his head to clear it of thought. He goes back to rinsing; he’s wasted enough time even though he promised to be quick.
“I’m ready,” he tells you after two minutes.
“Are you covered?”
“Yeah.”
“Close your eyes.”
He does as told, and you turn back around to put a happily fed pup in his arms.
“Thanks again, Y/N.”
“Of course.” 
As you straighten up to leave, he calls for you once more. “Y/N?”
“Yes?”
“Jisung’s in the TV lounge you’d have to pass to get to your room. Take my hoodie; it’s next to the sink.”
You find the said garment and smile at the man with his eyes still squeezed shut.
“Thanks, Hyunjin.”
~ ad.gold
88 notes · View notes
okamirayne · 3 years
Note
Hi Rayne!! Just finished (yet another) re-read of BtB, and I don't think I've cried this hard in a long, long time - it was very cathartic. But, feels aside, I was wondering if you could tell us a bit more about Karibi? She's fascinating and I'm just dying to know more! (Sorry if this has been asked before!!)
Hi there, my lovely Anon!
Apologies for the delayed response. Aw, luv.  Always so, so chuffed to learn someone has revisited the series and even more touched to know it hits you in the feels <3.
But, feels aside, I was wondering if you could tell us a bit more about Karibi? She's fascinating and I'm just dying to know more! (Sorry if this has been asked before!!)
Karibi! <3 Firstly, no, this hasn’t been asked before, so imagine my excitement regarding an OC ASK -- can you picture it? TREBLE IT. XD 
Tumblr media
Another dear Anon asked about Naoki in a previous ASK and I thank you for your expressed interest in Karibi! It’s a funny one because I have two Karibi OCs -- the edited version I inserted into BtB and the original, original version. Given that we’re talking about BtB Karibi...let me rewire my character brain a moment and firmly draw a line or two...or twelve....
Tumblr media
Right! A Third War orphan, Karibi grew up in the orphanage outside of Konoha and proved to be quite a handful over the years given her feisty nature, constant escape-attempts, insistence on dressing and behaving like a boy (for which she earned consistent bullying and beatings), and her rough-housing free-for-all scraps with other kids -- as well as her routine habit of stealing food from the kitchens to give to a stray dog who constantly hung around the outskirts of the orphanage. It was easier for her to attach herself this dog than other kids who came and went, just like the voluntary care-givers. Her mischief-making, stealthy tactics, “never stay down” stubbornness and streetwise attitude soon caught the attention of a retired Konoha ANBU veteran (a patron of the orphanage) who interrupted a violent fight between Karibi and a group of local boys who’d stoned the dog to death. Observing how fiercely she fought (always getting up when knocked down) despite being outnumbered and beaten, the ANBU veteran recognized her potential, promptly adopted her, and trained her in ninjutsu, genjutsu and chakra control.
Their relationship was close, until it wasn’t.
Advancing quickly through the academy and ranks – winning zero friends along the way – she was soon put forward for ANBU by her adopted father, who immediately cut his ties to her, damaging an already tentative trust. Intended as a solo agent, she was immediately assigned to a 3-team ANBU unit named Team Yokai consisting of herself, Genma, and Naoki (Captain).
Enter in, bonding.
It was here, after a lot of boundary testing and testosterone busting, that she finally formed some hard-won emotional attachments after beating Genma and Naoki bloody in taijutsu combat – taunting them constantly to get up (“seven times down, eight times up”). While she was promptly one-upped by both in ninjutsu, her genjutsu prowess brought her right back onto an even keel with them both. Perfectly balanced, respect began to form between them – then friendship – which later led to a lover’s trine between the three of them. This was intense but short-lived; Karibi soon recognised that though she loved them both, she preferred women and also realised Genma and Naoki’s feelings for each other went a hell of a lot deeper than ‘close friends with benefits’. She knew they’d fallen for each other before either admitted it to themselves, let alone each other.
The three of them were inseparably close.
They were more than her friends or comrades – they were her family.
They kept each other going.
Karibi allowed Naoki to establish a permanent telepathic link with her whereas Genma only allowed it during missions and in the bedroom. Karibi kept her mind open to Naoki always, though he never intruded until years later after being listed as Killed In Action.
His death blew a hole in their world.
Their team was dismantled.
They would not accept another Captain.
To make matters worse, due to the unbroken telepathic link and the resulting ghost of Naoki’s presence in her head, Karibi never truly believed Naoki had died and her adamant ‘denial’ of this ‘fact’ created a heart-breaking rift between her and Genma.
This rift between them grew darker and wider as Genma turned to solo deep-cover missions and Karibi turned to drink when she wasn’t neck-deep in assassinations and a failed “could’ve been” relationship. And then one day the edge of all the smashed glass bottles in her life looked very, very tempting.
Genma found her, just in time – the first time at least.
Treated and cleared of suicide risk, Karibi was soon diagnosed as schizophrenic given the “voice” of her dead Captain in her head and this threatened her position in the ANBU – but her brokenness caught Danzō’s interest.
After a failed attempt to recover her relationship with her civilian lover and unable to mend the rift between herself and Genma, she signed on for a ROOT initiation mission – which sadly finished what she’d started with the bottle – though it was an impulsive and sudden decision rather than a deeply pre-meditated one. She disobeyed orders when sent into a child-trafficking operation being run out of an orphanage. This was a trigger for her. Rather than complete the ROOT mission of kidnapping a couple of kids for ROOT grooming, she murdered her ROOT partner and slaughtered the “nuns” who were supposed to be taking care of the children rather than indenturing them into the sex-trade to raise funds. When the ninja traffickers showed up, she lit the building on fire, and while the children escaped she made damned sure not one “piece of trash” running the trafficking ring got out alive.
She went down fighting in flames.
Her death was the final crippling blow to Genma. He went to Mizugumo immediately after that. Then he went to his own personal hell before Kakashi met him there in ANBU’s gutter and helped drag him out of it years later, saving him from the same fate as Karibi when he almost identically mirrored the blaze of glory tragedy with his suicide attempt in Tanzaku years later.
Random Trivia:
Karibi loved dogs and often kept an eye out for Inuzuka women looking for a bit of rough and tumble.
She dealt with a lot of possessive shit from Naoki. He was very possessive of his family/lovers and was only just about able to accept Karibi being intimate with others, even after he’d stopped sleeping with her. Genma always joked that Naoki only accepted her activities because her preference was for women, not men.
Karibi, like Naoki, felt strongly about the abuse of children, given certain illicit incidents she’d witnessed at the orphanage -- she and Genma understood Naoki’s childhood trauma and were the only ones who could handle him when he flew into a rare rage
Her favourite catchphrase was “seven times down, eight times up” (“Nana korobi, ya oki” which means “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” It means choosing to never give up hope, and to always strive for more.)
While her ANBU step-parent/mentor abandoned her in the end, she retained the green knit scarf he gifted her (the only gift she’d ever received from him other than her training and removal from the orphanage)
She began to fall for a civilian woman -- the scariest thing for her, other than losing her teammates.
Karibi’s top value was “resilience” and never giving up – which made her suicide attempt so painful for Genma to accept
She turned to Naoki for help retrieving memories about her parents – this enabled him to perfect his own kinjutsu to reverse memory erasure
She had a plethora of ear piercings and a tattoo Naoki inked on her hip
She loved various green teas
She had a crush on Kurenai – round about the same time Genma did, which made for an interesting competition between them….and a somewhat unfair irritation towards Asuma.
She was a bit of magpie in the ANBU and stole items on missions, donating them privately to the orphanage
She loved berry-picking and was very well-versed with poisons
Genma gave her chickenpox and she gave him hell for it
She almost managed to shove a spinning top up Genma’s ass – almost.
Genma accidentally broke her baby finger playing “thumb wars” and it never set properly on the joint, causing her to have a crooked little finger
Most of her illusion/genjutsu techniques focus around folklore creatures and light, which came in handy on missions dealing with highly suspicious village folk
Her dream goal was to one day be Goei Shotai to a female Hokage – a dream Genma later lived out for her when Tsunade came into power
Naoki was with her telepahtically when she died, as Genma was with Naoki when he died -- in that way, Karibi was not as alone in death as Genma always feared.
Wow, that was LONG.  Sorry, Anon! I absolutely love character-writing and development....I get carried away even if most of their story never makes it into the actual written piece. Thank you for asking about Karibi, I hope this insight gives you some answers! <3
9 notes · View notes
angst-king · 3 years
Text
I wont surrender to the pain pt1
(this is a different ship Shindeku in a future gen 2 AU, this AU will contain my favorite side ships and some of their kids but this story will be more centered around Shindeku’s family and their daughter)) They never expected to have a family like this, but they were so happy and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Just the day before Izuku had talked to Hitoshi. “Babe, would you ever want a daughter?” Hitoshi had gotten into bed with Izuku and had his arms wrapped around him. Hearing the question he shrugged. “It wouldn’t matter to me, though we do have a lot of boys, I wouldn’t mind if we had a daughter. Though if she decides she wants to be something else later on, that’s fine with me.” Izuku nods listening to his husband’s statement, he lays on his chest, looking into those beautiful lilac eyes. “I totally agree. Maybe we’ll get lucky and the system will call us or we could go out and check some orphanages or something sometime.” He says with a dreamy, sleepy smile on his face as he gives Hitoshi a kiss.
Today Izuku was coming off of work when he got a phone call from a hospital Izuku was familiar
with. “Hello” “Hi Izuku this is Aki” Izuku smiles when he hears her voice “Oh hi Aki, what’s up how’s work?” “It's good, I’ve got some news for you.” Raising a brow, Izuku asked back “what is it?” “Well we recently got a little baby girl, she was surrendered to us by her parents who are legally unfit to care for her and well. I know how much you like to take in anyone you can and thought you and Hitoshi would like to come and see her. Maybe even bring the boys?” Izuku seemed rather surprised that this had come up, he truly didn’t wanna miss this opportunity either! “Alright thank you Aki, I’m gonna talk to Hitoshi about this and then I’ll call you when I can.” He promises as he’s getting closer to home while he walks his way down the street. 
Stepping into the house he announces his presence and slips his shoes off. “I’m home!” And quickly three boys come running, well toddling. “Daddy! Daddy!” He grins widely seeing his little ones so happy to see him with his husband padding quietly behind them in case one of them falls on their face. Reaching down he picks all three of them up, they all giggled and nuzzled him softly. “Hi you three, how are you? Did you have fun with dadda?” He asked while kissing each of them on the forehead. “Yeah we had lots of fun daddy!” Spoke Yoshikori who was the eldest, right now he was four and his two younger siblings were both two. “Oooh what movie did you boys watch?” “Pawanomin!” Azuki says proudly while his younger twin was laying on Izuku’s chest. Izuku chuckles “Well I’m glad you three had a fun day with Dadda, now why don’t you three get ready for bed it's getting late for you three.” Azuki pouts at him, he didn’t like bedtime much at all. Izuku sees this “will you settle for one of us reading you a story before bed?” Azuki seemed to be thinking for a minute but had quickly made up his mind and agreed. So shinsou took Yoshi to his room to get ready for bed, while Izuku took the twins to their own bedroom.
Once all three boys were ready, they corralled in the twin’s room since it was easier than trying to move them from another room and then into their beds. Hitoshi had brought a book for them, they all got comfortable as Hitoshi read them a story. Izuku loved the way his husband read, he had a good pace, had a good tone and way of voicing characters. The kiddos began to yawn and curl up in their spots which Izuku Hitoshi pretended not to notice until Azuki, Shun, and Yoshikori were fast asleep. Closing the story book, Shinsou gingerly picked up Yoshikori and carried him off to bed, as Izuku put the twins into their own beds which were quite easy.
After the boys were tucked in with soft kisses to their cheeks, the two adults snuck out to their bedroom. While Izuku changed out of his hero clothes and into some casual pajama bottoms, Shinsou had done the same from his day clothes. Then Izuku remembered what he needed to talk to Hitoshi about. “Ah Toshi, I got a call from Aki.” Sitting on the bed Hitoshi looked over at him. “Ah your nurse friend?” Izuku nods while coming over to him. “She called to tell me that they have a little baby girl who was surrendered to them by her unfit parents. She asked if we’d like to come and see her?” Hitoshi smiled knowing his husband had a thing for kids who needed a home, and being someone who came from a familiar background and was adopted by two pro heroes. He couldn’t resist the idea either, hence why they only had one biological kid which was Yoshikori, Azuki and Shun had been adopted as babies, they were adopted at 6 months due to losing their single mother to a villain. Izuku and Hitoshi felt bad enough to honor the dying mother’s wish. She’d asked them to take her children, to which they did and have no regrets. “Izuku….”  Izuku looked into gentle lavender eyes. “Yes Hitoshi?” “can we meet her before we bring the boys?” “sure we can love” Hitoshi gives his green haired lover a kiss “we talked about this only a few days ago and now it's being offered to us.” Izuku sat in Hitoshi’s lap and laid into his frame as those two strong arms wrapped around his own body. “I know, I’m so glad we’re able to do this.. We even have a couple of rooms left anyway so we won't have to move, and we won't have to fill out paperwork.” Nuzzling his cheek Izuku gave a small delighted hum into the insomniac’s ear.
Izuku had made a few phone calls to make arrangements for Hitoshi and him to go and see the baby. The boys were with their grandpas and Izuku and Hitoshi were driving their way to the hospital. The drive wasn’t long but they did have to try and be a little secretive knowing how the media could be. Arriving at the hospital they held onto each other’s hand and went up to the front desk where a woman with brown hair, and blue eyes and was a tad short stood. 
“Aki?” The woman turned to the couple and smiled putting down her papers. “Ah hey guys, glad to see ya, alright follow me and I’ll bring you to her.” She says as she comes out from behind the desk with a glimmering smile that holds warmth despite the coldness of the hospital. The men nod and follow the short woman towards an elevator, she presses the up button and when the door opens, they go inside. The wait was just as short as the trip, and they arrived on the nicu floor.
 The floor was quite clean just like every other floor, and it had plenty of nurses and doctors hustling around. She brings them to a small room that was big enough to hold machines and a few other people in there as well as the patient themself who was placed into a capsule-like bed with rings that allowed for hands to go through and be in contact with the baby. Inside was a little baby, she laying on her back with plenty of wires, diapered with a pink and grey beanie, and an anklet hospital band. “This is her”
The infant squirms a little before opening her eyes, big shining silver eyes peer up at Izuku and Shinsou. She smiles at them raising her arms up towards them moving her legs as if wanting them to pick her up. Hearts melting as they watch this, Hitoshi asked “c-can we use these?” He gestures towards the arm entrances, Aki giggles as Hitoshi’s eyes soften with care towards the baby. “Sure, though be gentle with her, we need to keep the stickers on her to monitor her vitals.” Aki requests which Hitoshi nods and gently pushes his hand through the slots of the incubator. He’s cautious as if this being will shatter to a  million pieces if he makes a wrong move. His hands dance slowly feeling her soft skin around the wires, one of his fingers is grabbed by a tiny chubby hand. She’s looking at him, those big silver eyes are gleaming back at him with joy as she makes gibberish sounds at him he replies back. “Hi there lil one, you’re so cute” His voice is sweet, slow and hushed. Another trait Hitoshi had, patience and a gentleness not many people expected him to have.
The baby giggles as she is still holding onto his finger which he wiggled a little to her amusement. Izuki watches this while asking Aki. “So does she have a name?” Aki shakes her head “No not yet,we were thinking about naming her...do you guys have any suggestions?”  Then Hitoshi replied “Kishikimi” softly which the little one happily squeals at. “Kishikimi? Where’d you get that name?” Asked Aki “doesn’t that translate to ‘knight?’” Izuku smiles at his husband with fondness. “She’s gonna be strong, I can tell. She’ll be strong like a knight.” Commented the number one hero who giggles at the baby’s reactions. 
 This was how they met their now daughter Kishikimi, it was only a few months that they’d brought her home. The boys were actually quite happy to have a baby sister, it took some getting used to but, the boys were willing to help.
4 notes · View notes
avengerscompound · 5 years
Text
Like Rabbits - Chapter 3
Tumblr media
Like Rabbits:  A Black Widow/WinterHawk Fanfic
Masterlist // PREVIOUS
Buy me a ☕ Character Pairing:  Bucky Barnes x Clint Barton, Natasha Romanoff x Reader
Rating: E Square: none
Word Count:  2078
Warnings:  a little angsty a little fluffy, sex talk.   Baby making talk.
Synopsis:  While you and Natasha are contemplating starting a family together, Bucky and Clint are doing the exact same thing.  So two couples go take the same path to parenthood together.
A/N: This is a Nat/Reader chapter.
Tumblr media
Chapter 3
Natasha had taken a while considering how she would broach the subject of being a sperm donor with Clint and Bucky.  It wasn't exactly like asking to borrow a pen after all.  Sure both things you loaned out without the expectation of getting it back again, but the pen was never gonna show up 18 years later wanting to meet its father.
She had considered just encouraging them to have a foursome and then maybe you'd ‘accidentally’ get pregnant and then she could just say, ‘oh well not to worry, you don't need to be involved, we’ve got this’.  Asking for forgiveness was usually a lot easier than asking for permission.  This might be one of those circumstances where that wasn't the case though.  There was definitely a line she would have crossed that she has always sworn she wouldn't even go near.
In the end, she decided to try the sales executive tactic.  She’d take them out to a nice dinner to butter them up, and then make a proposition.
She’d booked a private room at Atera and it wasn’t until she was sitting next to you at the table in the three Michelin star and Clint and Bucky came in that she’d realized this was the dumbest idea she’d had to date.
Neither Bucky or Clint looked comfortable at all.  Clint was in an ill-fitting light brown suit and his tie was off-center.  He had a band-aid on his forehead and a bruised cheek.   He shuffled in the door, hunched over a little and looking around like he was about to be found out as an imposter.
Bucky’s clothes fit much better, but they made him stand out.  He was dressed in black jeans and a black leather jacket in a restaurant where everyone was in suits and cocktail dresses.  He stood stiff and on alert like he was expecting to have to defend himself being there.
Natasha smiled awkwardly and got up and kissed both their cheeks.  “This restaurant was a bad idea, wasn’t it?”  She said.
“Well, it’s not exactly us, if that’s what you mean,”  Clint said.  “It’s not you either.  Is it a special occasion?”
Natasha shrugged.  “I don’t know what I was thinking really.  Wanted to treat you.”
The boys both greeted you and took a seat.  “At least it’s a private room,”  Bucky said.  “Could do without the eyes on me.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”  Natasha apologized again.
A waitress came in and took your drink orders and explained the tasting menu to you all, offering you all wine pairing with each course.  Everyone passed and you and Natasha both ordered the strongest cocktails on the menu while Bucky and Clint both ordered a beer.
“So…”  Clint said turning back to Natasha.  “You said you’re paying right?”
Natasha started laughing.  “Don’t worry.  It’s covered.  I was…”  She shook her head and looked at you, hoping that the fact she had no idea what words to actually use to ask them.
“You were what?”  Bucky asked.
“Is something wrong?”  Clint added.  “Oh god, you’re dying aren’t you?  It’s cancer.  Nat, do you have cancer?
“Jesus, Clint,” Natasha said.  “Calm down.  I … that is to say we -” she reached over and took your hand.  “- just have a favor to ask.  It’s kind of a big one.”
“Oh, so you were buttering us up.  I get it.”  Clint teased, his body visibly relaxing.
“We kinda have a rather huge favor to ask too,”  Bucky said.  “Well technically, you,”  He added facing you.
“Me?”  You said.  “What do you need?”
The waiter came out and put the first course in front of each of you.  It was a small cup of broth with a ball of wilted greens sitting in the center.  Clint looked at it and grimaced.
“You ask first.  There is no way yours is bigger than ours.”  Bucky said.
“That's doubtful,” Natasha said taking a mouthful of soup.  She could see why Clint had reacted the way he did.  It tasted like grass.
“Might be best if you just say it, Tasha,” you said, rubbing her thigh under the table.
Natasha took a deep breath.  You were right of course, but now she was here it felt like the only answer Bucky and Clint could give was no.  “Lately we’ve been talking about starting a family a lot.  It's something we both really want to do.  We considered adoption but we think it might be something we end up on a waitlist forever for only to end up being rejected because of our jobs.  So we thought we’d have our own.  Only we are missing a key baby-making ingredient. We hoped one of you might… help us out with that…”
Clint and Bucky both stared at Natasha with their mouths hanging open.  They looked at each other still gaping in shock and then back at Natasha again.
“Um… so…”  Clint said slowly.
“It’s okay.  You don’t have to answer yet.  We understand if you need to think about it.  Talk it through with each other.”  You said, almost sounding apologetic.
Bucky shook his head and Clint reached over the table and patted your hand.  “Um…”  He repeated.
“Maybe you should hear what we were gonna ask,” Bucky said wincing.
“What is it?”  Natasha said.  Whatever reaction she had been expecting, it wasn’t this.  Complete panic was what she’d thought would happen.  She’d wouldn’t have been surprised by an automatic ‘no’.  Even Clint just casually saying; ‘Sure, why not, I love jacking off,’  wouldn’t have made her raise her eyebrow.’  This dumbfounded staring was freaking her out.
They both looked at each other again and Clint huffed.  “Okay.  I’ll do it.”  He said.  “So… we were gonna ask… if maybe… you -” he said looking directly at you. “ - would be willing to surrogate for us.”
“Oh my god!”  You squeaked, covering your mouth.
“Right?  So… uh… we’re willing to help you out but -”  Bucky said.
“Only so much uterus real estate at a time…”  Natasha said and let out a breath.  She looked at you and took your hand, playing with your fingers.  “Ignoring us, you think you would have done that, zaika?”
You furrowed your brow.  “Would need to think about it.  It’s big.  Like… it’s not just the am I involved with the baby.  It’s the being pregnant and then just handing the baby over.  I mean… my gut says I would want to help them… but I don’t know that I wouldn’t get attached.”
“Right,” Bucky said frowning.
“I mean, Buck… it would be fair.  You help us and we help you.”  You said reassuringly.  “It’s just a big ‘need to think about it’ decision.”
“But fair and having to have babies back-to-back is totally another thing,”  Bucky said.  “And if we did that, who waits?  Who gets to be parents first?”
Natasha frowned and reached over, running her fingers down the back of your neck.  “It’s a lot.  We can’t rush this.”
The waiter returned taking the cups away and putting down bowls with a scoop of black caviar and a scoop of burnt cream.  Clint wrinkled his nose again.  Natasha got it, but caviar she liked and she took a spoonful and savored the salty taste.
Clint huffed again.  “Is that how we’d do it?   I mean… if we do it.  Just two pregnancies in a row?”
“Well, unless it’s twins, how else would we?”  Bucky asked.
No one said anything, though you opened your mouth 5 times like you were trying to say something.
“Did you get stuck, zaika?”  Natasha asked, rubbing your leg.
“Okay, so part of me is like ‘my poor body’, and part of me is like ‘can I give up a baby I just carried for 9 months?’ but you know what is really sticking for me?”  You asked.
“What is it?”  Bucky asked.
“How can we split up siblings?  You both had siblings right?  What if they got raised by other people and you didn’t know?  What if you knew them even but just were never told that kid was your brother or sister?”  You said.  “Tasha, what if you found out you had a brother or sister?’
Bucky and Clint both sagged in their chairs and Natasha leaned back in hers.  She wanted to pull on her hair or rub her eyes with the back of her hand, but she’d spent so long on her hair and makeup and she really didn’t want to ruin it.
“We’ll donate,”  Bucky said eventually.  “We all shouldn’t have to miss out on something like this just because one of us has to.”
Clint nodded.  “Yeah.  Buck’s right,” he said.  “Take your pick.  And you know…maybe they can just know we’re they’re dad.  And spend some time with us too.”
No one said anything again.  Not even a thank you.  Which given that Natasha felt so excited her heart might just beat out of her chest they really deserved the thank you, and being hugged and kissed and hugged again that she wanted to do.  But it felt wrong considering they were missing out.  It would be much harder for them to find a surrogate than for you and her to find a donor.
The plates were taken away and bowls were put out with flowers in them and then a steaming, fish scented broth poured over the top.
“Really wishing we’d just got pizza now,”  Clint said, poking at his flowers.
“I’m sorry, Clint.  I’ll get you a pizza after.”  Natasha said apologetically.
“Hey,” you said, quietly.   “What if, we all do it together?”
“What do you mean?”  Bucky asked.
“I mean… co-parent?  We share custody.  You can be their dads.  We can be their moms.  We all win.  I mean, either way, even if we all adopted, we’re all family.  Right?”  You explained.
No one said anything again as they thought it over.  Though no one was eating the flower soup either.  The bowls were taken and replaced with trout liver and brown butter.  “Shit, I’m sorry, Clint,”  Natasha apologized.  “I really thought out of 24 courses you’d get some you’d like.”
Clint shook his head.  “It’s fine.  Other things to worry about.”  He said.  “How would we do it?  Will it be like a divorced couple?  We get weekends and holidays and you get weekdays?”
“Maybe…” You said.  “Or, maybe we could live together?  Or if not together, like… what if we bought two places, next door to each other and connected them through the kid's room?  Or something like that?”
“Huh,” Bucky said and took a long drink of his beer.  “You think we could do that?  I mean… would that be strange for the kid?  Or us?  I mean, we’re both your ex, Nat?”
Natasha shrugged.  “You’re also my favorite people.  I think I could handle it.”
“Huh,” Bucky repeated.
“And as someone who had no parents, I can safely say the idea of four loving parents is like heaven to me.”  She added.
“This is really something we can do?  We all get to be parents?”  Clint asked.
“I think so.  I mean… we should probably all think about it, right?  It’s a huge decision.”  You said.
“Yeah.  Yeah, right.”  Clint said rubbing his chin.   “Lots of things to consider.”
Bucky chuckled.  “You want to do it, don’t you?”
Clint nodded sheepishly and Natasha reached over and ruffled his hair, loving him even more in that moment than she normally did.
Bucky shrugged.  “I mean… it feels like fate.  We both come here wanting the same thing.  Maybe this is what was meant to happen.”
“Would we still get our farm?”  Clint asked.
They took the plates again and replaced them with smoked trout and pork fat.  Clint finally ate one of the dishes, albeit in one single mouthful.
“You wanted to get a farm?”  You asked.
“Oh yeah.  Keep them safe.  Get a dog.  Have a place that isn’t… Avengers.”  Clint said.
You looked at Natasha and smiled.  “I like it.  And we could build a place that works for us.  Where we have our own space and shared space.”
Natasha’s smile was mirrored by Clint and Bucky’s.  “I feel like this is happening.  Is this happening?”  Clint asked.
“I still think we should think about it,”  Bucky said.  “But I think I’m in.”
“Me too.”  You said.
Natasha smiled and took your hand and squeezed it.  “Yeah.  I think this is perfect.”
Tumblr media
// NEXT
231 notes · View notes
fiercestpurpose · 4 years
Note
hi u talked about how jean often gets overlooked as a mother, would u be willing to talk more about it? its really curious to me how scott is often associated with the role of 'father' and his relationships with nathan and rachel, how he 'failed them etc, gets talked about to death but people dont talk about jeans as much. anyways would love to hear what u have to say!
Hi! I really have three main categories of thoughts about this: Jean’s relationship with Rachel, Jean’s relationship with Cable, and Jean’s relationship with the idea of family/her own motherhood.
Jean’s relationship with Rachel is… complicated. First of all, Jean is incredibly important in Rachel’s life, but it’s not always our (616) Jean. Rachel is obviously the biological daughter of another woman, 811 Jean, and that woman raised her and was her mother until she died when Rachel was about 8 (well before the rest of Rachel’s X-Men did). Losing a parent that young is frequently very traumatic and defining, and it certainly was for Rachel, so she develops this relationship that is not so much with Jean as it is with Jean’s death. She comes to the 616 and she learns that Jean is already dead, and she vows to reclaim the name Phoenix and honour her mother’s memory (even though 616 Jean is not really her mother). And then, at least twice during the Cross-Time Caper, Rachel has to watch different universe’s versions of Jean die, trying and failing to save her. So Rachel has this whole relationship with Jean as a concept, with Jean dying and leaving her, before she and 616 Jean ever develop a real relationship with each other.
And sometimes, people (fans and writers both) use Rachel’s preexisting relationship with Jean As A Conceptual Mother as evidence that 616 Jean doesn’t really count as Rachel’s mother. However, 616 Jean and Rachel do have a relationship. It starts with Jean rejecting Rachel, denouncing her because she doesn’t accept the future that Rachel represents and doesn’t want to consider her as her daughter. She later apologizes for this, saying that she shouldn’t have pushed her problems onto Rachel because they weren’t Rachel’s problems to deal with. And we see them hug and make up and it’s clear that they consider each other family.
That relationship, the daughter viewing her mother as a concept more than a person, the mother pushing her problems onto the daughter and trying not to accept the future that she thinks the daughter represents, reads to me as a very believable mother-daughter relationship. The circumstances are a little strange, but the emotions are familiar. Many children have a hard time adjusting to seeing their parents as their own people. Many parents have a hard time recognizing their grown children as being their own people and also their children. It’s a very complex relationship that’s certainly worth exploring, and referencing it only when they want to make a joke of it (as X-Men Gold and All-New X-Men both did) is a sign of writers who are not really invested in the emotional lives of those characters.
Tumblr media
Onto Cable! In some ways, Jean’s relationship with him is a lot simpler because he is actually and inarguably her child. To be clear, she’s not his biological mother, and we’re going to put her blood relationship to his biological mother aside because it’s not actually that important. Jean is his mother because she raised him. In X-Factor vol 1, she becomes one of his primary caregivers once his mother is out of the picture, largely because she is dating his father at the time. (I’m not going to get into the whole Sinister-creating-Maddy-to-breed-with-Scott thing or the Maddy-living-in-Jean’s-head thing. It’s messy and it complicates things, but it doesn’t change the basic facts of Jean’s situation.) Jean in X-Factor is a co-parent with a day job, a woman who’s responsible for feeding the baby and changing his diapers and helping teach him how to walk and talk and keeping him safe from harm (that time she takes him into a fight excluded, of course). The first manifestation of baby Christopher’s psychic powers is that he and Jean share a special telepathic bond. It’s hard to tell how long this goes on for (comic timelines are, as always, vague and difficult to pin down), but it’s at least several months.
After Simonson’s run on X-Factor, baby Christopher is removed from the picture by being sent off to the far-future — only to be raised by Slym and Redd, who are, of course, Scott and Jean. As a Scott fan, a Jean fan, and a Scott/Jean fan, I’m always surprised and frustrated by how little The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix gets referenced. This is years of their lives that they spend raising their son. Specifically, twelve years, which is quite a long time, and means that Cable is probably 13 by the time Slym and Redd have to leave. Redd is the mother that Cable remembers when he grows up. She’s the one who rocks him to sleep, who negotiates with his father about how to properly raise their son, who does everything in her power to protect him while continuing to participate in a secret rebel organization. And the telepathic connection he had to her resurfaces, so that they are able to fight together on the astral plane.
Tumblr media
(If you ever want to cry about Scott/Jean or Cable’s childhood or the Summers family in general, I highly recommend The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix. I will forgive Lobdell any number of crimes because he gave us such an excellent miniseries.)
But she isn’t just there during his childhood. Jean has a relationship with her adult son as well. They work together as X-Men many times, before and after she realizes that he is her son. Of course, there are those incredibly cute panels you may have seen of Scott and Jean and Cable all getting together to celebrate Christmas. And after the defeat of Apocalypse, when Scott is believed to be dead, Jean and Cable become especially close. It is Jean that Cable confides in, sharing with her his feelings, his loss of purpose now that his war is over, how hard it is for him to be vulnerable again. And when Jean thinks Scott is still alive but no one else believes her, Cable is the one who comes with her and helps her bring him back. Unfortunately, post-Search for Cyclops, Morrison comes in, and Morrison has no interest in love or families and does have an interest in killing Jean off to further his ship.
Prime Cable is dead now, of course, so I cannot hope that writers will explore that relationship any further. (EDIT: Oh, yeah, he maybe sort of came back again in a comic last month. Clearly that shocking turn of events made a big impression on me.) I did enjoy getting to see Jean and Hope bond after his death over the love they shared for him, and I can wish that the writers will carry that relationship forward. As for Bable (baby Cable), he’s an angry teenager who experienced the events of The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix #4 about three or four years ago. He’s angry, he’s upset, he’s lashing out by killing his future self. There could be something really interesting there, in Jean’s relationship with Bable, if they chose to remember that he’s still the kid she raised. Her place as the mother of a rebellious teenager is complicated because he’s both the boy who brought her husband back to life and the boy who killed the adult son that she loved. If writers looked past the soap opera of it all to actually acknowledge the emotions involved, they’d see there was an interesting story there, one that is not just about the Scott/Cable relationship but necessarily involves Jean as well.
I’m sure there are things to be said about Stryfe and Nate Grey, but I honestly do not know or care enough about alternate versions of Cable to really have a coherent picture of Jean’s relationship with them, so I’m gonna skip that.
Next, I want to talk about Jean’s relationship with the concept of family. I would like to mention (as I always do), that Jean’s entire family — her parents, her siblings, and her siblings’ children — were murdered by aliens. How she feels about this is a mystery, as the comics have not addressed it at all, but she might feel guilty, because though it’s not her fault, they were killed because of her. She might also feel guilty because while family in the abstract is very important to her, her relationship with them was strained and she wasn’t as close to them as she’d like to be. She might also feel angry as hell that somebody decided to murder her family despite them doing absolutely nothing to provoke it. Any of those emotional responses would influence how she relates to her children and her granddaughter. Maybe she becomes a little more attached and attentive because she has no other family left. Maybe she distances herself from them out of grief. Maybe she rounds up her incredibly angry son and takes him into the stars to attack aliens so they can be angry together. I think any of those, done properly, could be interesting and in-character for her, and I just want some writer to acknowledge Jean as a character with her own history and her own relationships that shape her actions.
Finally, Jean’s relationship with the concept of her own motherhood. Jean is someone who wanted and expected to be a mother. I usually tend to read Jean as coming from a more traditional and conservative family, but I don’t think that’s an adequate explanation. I think Jean genuinely wants children. In X-Factor, she says, “I always thought we’d have a girl,” when talking to Scott, showing that she had thought about children being part of their future. When she talks to Rachel about her upcoming marriage to Scott, she mentions that she thinks it likely that another Rachel will be born. She wants kids, she’s seen them as part of her future for a long time, and then she got them! She got to be a mother, to Nathan Christopher and to Rachel, as explained above. I think a woman who wanted to be a mother and now is a mother should be allowed to have real relationships with her children. This isn’t like Emma, whose distance from the Cuckoos can be read as her viewing herself more as their teacher than their mother, since Emma always understands herself as a teacher. When Jean holds a baby in X-Men Red and winks at the mother and tells her that she’s implanted a psychic suggestion he not cry so much, that’s because Jean has been responsible for a baby before. Being a mother is part of who Jean is, just like it’s part of who Jubilee is or who Sue is, and I wish that writers and fans understood that.
44 notes · View notes