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covenofwives · 11 months

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Going Home

Dream and George are finally together again, and their first plan of action is to get to the End and kill the enderdragon. Easy enough right? Nothing will go wrong right?

Disclaimer: This is a non-tickle fic

Finally here and done! Part one of three to the next part of the God Sibling AU. This fic has no tickling in it and is mostly lore stuff. But do not worry, part two is coming right after this one and it has ticking. Feel free to skip this one if you like but you might be missing some stuff.

Apologies for the sudden perspective shift in the fic as well, originally it was planned differently and I really didn't want to undo all the work put in so they were merged to one.

Enjoy!

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It was nearing to a months worth of travel for Dream and George. The first couple of days had been spent sneaking and avoiding being caught while they traversed through the SMP and the Nether. George was lucky as he could still be seen without anyone catching on, but Dream had to jump to a bush or up a tree at the sign of anyone passing by.

Even with the server on high alert, the two had made it to the edge of the SMP’s usual zone and ventured out further. Their steps were easy now that they didn’t have to look over their shoulders every few seconds.

Even though they were far away from the usual area, they decided travelling by night would be better to avoid being caught. When the moon was high they’d walk, fighting their way through the mobs and when sunrise came they’d build a small underground home and sleep the day away. They’d usually wake around sunset and repeat the process.

The first week was spent with Dream explaining as much as he could to George. The stronghold, with the portal still in tact, would take the two to the End realm. After dropping the bombshell that Dream was from the End, he went on to casually explain that when they arrived, they’d meet a dragon and the plan was to kill it.

George’s mind raced wildly to all the information he was suddenly given and just told to accept. Setting aside his questions for now, his focus was entirely on the dragon. George had never seen a dragon before. Of course he’d seen pictures of dragons and heard stories of them, but that was all make believe. Now Dream was telling him that not only were they real, but they were also going to kill it.

“I’ve seen it once before, but I don’t remember it much.” Dream admitted as the two were carefully climbing over the vines on the tops of the jungle trees. “She was big - I think it was a she - and she’s vicious. She took over the End.”

“How are we supposed to kill it then?” George asked, trying not to let the mental image of his creature grow any larger.

“Because she’s been trapped there, alone, for years. Apparently she showed up in the End before I was even born. Way before. And she’s been trapped on this little island.” Dream explain, talking fast in the way he’d do when his mind was running high with excitement. “And she’s had no-one to fight. She’s had no-one to fight all this time so she’s probably grown weak, and even if she hasn’t she’ll be old by now. We can take her.”

Dream’s confidence was infectious, but also scarily daunting. Because when Dream was confident nothing could talk him out of it or change his mind and George made himself accept that.

After explaining his plan to kill the dragon, Dream said how the End was full of scattered cities that held powers unknown. Potions, knowledge, even the power to fly. If Dream and George controlled that, then they’d have control of the server. When George brought up XD being an issue, the blonde scoffed.

“He won’t even bother.” He shrugged. “He won’t even know it’s happened until we’ve got everything we need. Then he has to listen to us and we’ll make him see things our way.”

“What exactly is ‘our way’?” George asked.

Dream shrugged that answer off too, claiming the usual things about power over the server, having control over it all. George wasn’t so sure, but it’s not like he had much of a plan either. Control over the server was a tempting thought, even though it’d be a hell of a lot to explain to the others.

Speaking of the others, George had very tentatively tried to bring up the subject of Sapnap, and trying to talk with him and maybe get him involved but Dream shut that down. He claimed now wasn’t the right time for that, and they’d get Sapnap back but it had to be later, after everything was in place. At least George tried.

The second week, the two laid out rough battle plans. Assuming the dragon could fly - which Dream was sure she could - they’d need arrows. Dream had the plan that if George could distract her, he could build up and jump on the dragon to take out her wings. Once she was grounded it would be easier to fight her.

The third week, tension started setting in between the two. They were disorientated from the sleep schedule and everything was starting to annoy them. They’d bicker over nothing which turned into stupid fights and ended with them both stomping off to sleep separately. But it always ended when Dream would seek George out, shuffle into his bed behind him, hugging the smaller man and whispering apologies.

“I didn’t mean it.” Dream mumbled into the back of George’s neck. “I’m sorry. I need you, George. I can’t do it without you.”

And they would carry on, though George wondered if they would have been so forgiving to one another if they weren’t already so close to the coordinates. It came into the fourth week and the two arrived.

George had expected the thick forest to start breaking up into a clearing, or they’d eventually catch sight of a temple hidden in the overgrown forest but there was nothing like that. The two stood in the middle of the forest and only when George looked at the coordinates again did he realised what he missed. The stronghold was underground.

Digging down into the stronghold didn’t take as long as they had thought, but when George looked back up, the surface was a barely visible tiny dot. Dream broke through to the stronghold and George followed in after. George didn’t really know what to expect with a place called a ‘stronghold’ but somehow the place made sense. The two landed in a dark stone brick corridor. There were iron doors to the right and left and ahead there was a short staircase, leading down to a crumbled in wall.

Dream’s excitement overtook George’s curiosity to look around so the two had found the portal room in couple of minutes.

The room was wider than any of the other rooms. To the immediate left and right there were small pools of lava, making the room shine out in the dark corridors. The walls were lined with thin metal bar windows which didn’t make much sense since the stronghold was underground. The windows were looking out to complete blackness.

The main show of the room was in the centre. There was a three wide staircase leading up to what must have been the portal. It was a three by three wide structure, made up of strange blocks George had never seen before. They looked like stone, but slightly yellow and rough, and the tops of them were decorated with green trims. The middle of the block was hollowed out, making a perfect indent for the ender eyes to fit into. Under the portal frames was a huge pool of lava, which George quickly got rid off with water before any accidents could happen.

“Yes! This is it! This is IT!” Dream’s voice rose with his excitement and immediately set down his bag. He admired the portal frames, looking over every detail of them, while George took another look around the room.

In his shock to actually finding the room and looking over the portal he hadn’t noticed the strange growth along the back of the floor.

None of the stone bricks were cracked, but along the floor and climbing up the walls was a strange moss. Or maybe not even a moss. It looked like it had the same texture but it wasn’t spread out in large clumps, more like tiny little sprinklings here and there. There were small speckles of lights in the moss, pulsing with a faint glow every few seconds.

George thought the moss looked familiar. He was sure he’d seen it before, exploring somewhere with Dream and XD but when he looked at the moss on the wall his eyes caught onto the barred windows again. What he assumed was just the darkness of stone against the walls was actually more of the moss. Outside of every window it was covered in the moss.

“Uh… Dream?” George turned back to see Dream setting up a base of some sort. He had set up the beds and was sorting through his inventory. “What’s this… I don’t know, this moss?”

Dream gave just a quick glance over, hardly looking and turned back to his task. “I dunno.” He shrugged. “Moss must have grown from the damp.”

That seemed near impossible. The lava pools kept the room warm and dry, but it wasn’t exactly a normal looking moss so maybe it didn’t grow how normal moss did. George was more annoyed to the fact that Dream wasn’t taking it seriously.

“It’s not normal…”

“It’s not our concern. Just…come over here! Let’s go over the plan.”

George dropped it, because that would be the end of it. Dream had moved on to the next thing, and George would follow.

He had half expected Dream to want to jump right in to minimise the risk of being caught by DreamXD, but Dream had a lot of faith in their ability to remain hidden. He set up a small base for them in the portal room with the beds and made a last minute list of things they needed. The two then split up collecting them. Dream went to take on skeletons for the bows and arrows, and George’s collected as many blocks as he could.

Both exhausted from the day, they agreed to sleep, gathering their strength for the battle coming tomorrow. George could see Dream’s excitement before they laid down to sleep. He was practically shaking with glee, mumbling to himself and very few times he’d address George with, “We can do this. I know we can.” But George couldn’t tell if he was saying it as a confidence boost, or trying to convince himself.

George fell asleep staring at the moss glowing through the metal bars. The glow was eerily hypnotic, making George feel unsettled and fear if he looked away the moss would somehow move. He fell into an uneasy sleep, with the glow always watching.

The two woke, anxiety and excitement thick in the air between them. George was trying to eat for strength and settle his nerves as he watched Dream zip around from chest to chest, sorting out their inventories.

Dream must have woken sometime before George, because his once long and scraggly hair was cut short. It came to his shoulders now, unevenly cut, but it was looking more ruffled and fluffy than unkempt. He looked more like himself as he threw it back into a messy ponytail.

After an uneasy breakfast, they went over their materials. Each of them had a diamond sword, a diamond pickaxe, a water bucket just in case and iron armour (which George wanted to be diamond but they didn’t have time to find any). George was then given a bow with most of the arrows and Dream was given majority of the blocks mined with his own bow and a few arrows.

They both stood at the top of the stairway leading to the portal. All the eyes had been filled in except for one, which Dream held tightly in his hand. It pulsed more than ever, like it knew what was happening and just anticipating this moment.

“Once I put in the last eye, we need to jump in right away.” Dream explained. George looked over the edge nervously, obviously not liking the idea of just falling into a portal but he was glad he took care of the lava underneath.

“You remember the plan?” Dream asked and George only gave a slow nod, eyes not leaving the portal frame. “We can do this. Our plan will work. We have this.”

If the words inspired George as they seemed to Dream, it wasn’t shown. He just held his sword tightly and looked down to the portal. After a moments silence he gave a slow nod.

It was like the world fell into slow motion. George watched, with held breath, as Dream reached down and positioned the eye over the portal frame. His fingers slowly let go and the eye fell from his palm, falling perfectly into the frame. As soon as the eye touched onto the frame, a large thunderous boom erupted from the portal and echoed over what felt like the entire server. George’s ears felt like they were about to explode, but the feeling past in less than a second as the sound faded out.

The boom seemed to the right the world back into regular time. The frame suddenly lit up, and the spot in the centre was filled with a strange portal.

It looked like a night sky, but instead of a blue tinge, it was green. There were speckles of blue and teal stars shimmering and shooting through. It looked like DreamXD’s mask.

“We need to go now!”

Dream’s voice broke George from this thoughts and he looked over. His own expression must have been in doubt, because Dream quickly reassured him. “We’ve got this, okay? It’s me and you! We can do this!”

“Dream I…” How long had they stood here now? How soon would XD realise something was wrong and fly straight to them? How much trouble would they be in?

“Please George…”

Dream’s voice was soft and it flicked some kind of switch in George. Suddenly he wasn’t worried for the trouble he’d be in. His thoughts were on Dream. He imagined XD finding them, grabbing them both. He saw XD dragging Dream back to the prison, who was screaming bloody murder and he was locked away again. Locked further away with no visitors and no chance for freedom.

That thought scared George more than whatever lay on the other side of the portal. This was the only option now.

Dream’s hand outstretched and George grabbed it with no hesitation. Dream pulled, and the two fell into the portal together.

The nauseating feeling of teleportation was never something Dream got used to. In his defence, he had only ever felt this type of teleporting once before. Like plunging into cold water but without getting wet. It felt unnatural.

It could have been seconds or hours passed before Dream felt right again. He could slowly feel the world shape around him. The stone against his back was rough and uneven. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking up to a yellow sky.

No. Not a sky. It was stone. Rough, uneven yellowish stone.

Dream’s thoughts quickly went to George, and he looked around to see the brunette was not that far away. The two had teleported into what looked like a boxed off room, and George was only a few feet away, pushing himself to stand up.

Dream followed after, turning over and pushing himself up. The yellow stone felt rough under his hands. The air wasn’t cold, but it didn’t feel warm either. It was like an absent of temperature, something that couldn’t really be described. But as weird as the air felt, and as rough as the stone was it felt familiar to Dream. A thousand memories swarmed back into his head, making him nauseated with nostalgia, but he shook them away and tried to focus on the now.

Now he was here. He was in the End. He was with George. He and George were going to kill the dragon.

“Are you alright?”

George’s voice full of worry snapped Dream out of his thoughts and he looked over. The mismatched were worrying over him as well, confusing Dream until he realised he was leaning over the wall.

Quickly shaking off his fatigue Dream pushed himself up. He had to swallow back the bile in his throat before speaking, but he kept himself controlled and stood up straight. “I’m fine.” He forced his hand of the wall and made his legs balance. “The portal just confused me.”

It was eerily quiet, but the two knew there would be more outside this box. Dream chose a random wall and George helped him dig it out. George dug straight ahead and Dream started digging up, making a staircase up until he finally broke through to the outside. He called George up after.

Over the travels Dream had tried his best to explain the End, but there was really no words to describe it. When the two broke out into the surface it was a completely different world. They were on an island floating in the middle of a void. The sky was an endless sea of dark purple with what looked like tiny stars in the distance; never in focus.

The island must have been huge, as Dream couldn’t see the other end of it, but directly behind them was a fall into the void. All over the island enderman aimlessly wandered or stood in small groups speaking to one another. Few noticed the two and even less looked their way; though Dream and George were doing their best to avoid looking at them.

While the island seemed massive it wasn’t empty. Just a few feet ahead there were large obsidian towers that varied in different sizes. Some were tall, but others reached so high that the tops of them couldn’t be seen. They seemed to form an uneven circle around and Dream guessed there would be more towers on the other side of the island as well.

But why are they here? Did XD put them here? Do these towers keep in the dragon?

Dream tried sorting through the new memories. He thought he could remember seeing the black towers before, but he honestly couldn’t be sure.

“Where is it?” George asked, not leaving Dream’s side. He clutched his bow close to himself as he looked around. “The dragon? Where is she?”

Suddenly remembering the mission, Dream pushed aside his memories for now and his eyes scanned the area. A dragon would surely be easy to spot, yet Dream saw and heard nothing.

Going as quietly as they could, Dream and George ventured further to the middle of the island. Or what they could assume was the middle. The more tentative steps they took, the more obsidian towers kept coming in to view over the horizon.

“There’s something on top of the towers.” George pointed out. Dream looked over him, then followed George’s line of sight up to the tops of the tower. There was something on top of them. It was giving off a faint glow and bobbed up and down like it was keeping afloat. “What are they?”

“I don’t know.” Dream’s voice came out in a part growl through his gritted teeth. He was annoyed there was so much he didn’t know, so much he didn’t plan for, but it probably came out as being annoyed about George because his friend suddenly went quiet.

The words to apologise were on the tip of Dream’s tongue, but as he opened his mouth to speak, a sudden low rumbling sound filled the air and he shut his mouth quickly.

It sounded like it came from all around them. A deep growling within the stone that just grew louder and louder.

Dream switched to survival mode and grabbed George’s arm to pull him to one of the tall towers. They pressed their back against the obsidian while looking around for any sign of the dragon. Few of the enderman were moving to the edges of the island but they weren’t moving quickly or in a panic. The rumbling turned into growls and just before Dream left to check on the other side of the tower, he saw it.

It was a claw. A long, black claw attached to a huge black scaled hand that stretched up high before slamming into the ground, digging into the yellow stones. There was a low rumble and the hand pulled more of itself up. There was the huge body of the dragon. Dark opalescent scales shimmered and stretched along the flank. A large leathery wing outstretched up. The back leg caught onto the end of the platform and pulled itself up further. And just before the head of the dragon appeared, George grabbed Dream’s arm and pulled him to the other side of the tower and out of sight.

Dream heard the words “that’s her” again and again, but when he looked to George he realised the words were coming from himself. George hissed him to be quiet.

Dream strained his ears to hear where the Dragon was moving. The growls seemed to sway back and forth on the side of the pillar before the creature made her way forward.

The Dragon was larger than Dream ever remembered. She had a wide forehead that tapered to her muzzle. Her grey horns stretched along her neck, blending in with the spikes that ran down her neck and spine and ended on her tail.

Before she took another step forward, Dream and George slipped around the tower again, keeping out of sight. The Dragon growled again, and gave a half hiss as she walked towards the middle of the island.

“Dream look!” George hissed in a whisper. He pointed to the Dragon’s side, where there were long slashes leaking a neon purple blood. “She’s hurt.”

“Maybe we can get the jump on her while she’s weak.” Dream said, feeling hopeful for the first time since seeing the beast. “We can… Wait…”

Dragon hissed and winced as she made another step forward. She veered off from the centre of the island, going to one of the obsidian towers and slowly climbing up it. Her claws barely made a dent into the cooled lava stone, but she got enough of a grip onto it where her head perched at the top, and something began to glow and then shoot a ray of white and purple light towards her.

The ray wasn’t harmful, that was clear. Dragon almost seemed like she was consuming the light, opening her mouth and making a low growling sound but the light was shooting off, like it was electricity, into her chest and body. The thick gashes on her sides slowly began to close and then they vanished.

“Those towers heal her.” Dream mumbled out loud.

“What now?” George asked, his voice just on the verge of panic.

As Dragon climbed back down from her perch and sauntered over to the centre of the island, Dream and George pushed further back around the tower, completely out of sight, and began to revise a plan.

“Okay.” Dream started. “She gets healed by whatever is on top of those towers. I think I can see one of them.” He pointed out to one of the further towers. There was shape at the top of it, but he couldn’t make it out. “So I’ll go up and destroy them.”

“She’ll see you then!”

“Yes!” Dream quickly calmed his friend. “She will, so I need you to try and distract her with arrows. If you watch me build up and see just as I destroy whatever is up there, then shoot at her and get her attention. From a distance!” Dream quickly added when he saw George open his mouth to argue. “Then when I’ll destroy another one of those things and she’ll try get back to me. Then you distract her again.”

“That’s not going to work. She’s going to either charge and kill me, or she’ll go straight for you!”

“Then if she goes for me, you take over taking out things at the top of the tower! If she’s going for you, you can outrun her.”

“Outrun her?! She’s a dragon! She’s going to fly over and kill me!”

“Then do you want to take out the things on top of the tower?!”

He knew he was unfairly snapping. Being so frustratingly close to his goal and being argued with at every step was a pain; but he knew the questions and the concerns George were bringing up were important and valid to talk about.

“I just… I know you can do it.” Dream calmed himself down to talk again. He saw George’s shoulders slack a little. “But we’re so close, we can do this.”

“Can’t we just…leave the island?” George asked hopefully, pointing out to the edge. “We have ender pearls, blocks, and we can mine out a few more blocks from the edges of the island. We can look for the cities and ships without fighting her.”

“No! She has to die.”

“Why?”

Because Dream couldn’t think of the dragon without remembering a long ago promise. When he was small and lived here, and XD was constantly checking on the beast with a worried look on his face and Dream promised he’d kill the dragon. He’d free the End for everyone and XD had shot him down. He told little Dream he’d go nowhere near the dragon but Dream kept that promise in his heart. He’d kill the dragon and the siblings could go home again, and they could open the End for everyone else.

And XD would be proud of him again.

“She needs to die.”

He could see the fight still in George. He opened his mouth to say more, but instead he just closed his mouth. He resettled the bow on his back and sighed. “Alright…”

They made a check of where Dragon was, then set off. She was slowly circling the island, so Dream started climbing up the tower she used to heal herself. George said he’d get closer to Dragon but not too close and Dream only hoped he was in position as he got to the top of the tower.

The structure at the top of the tower was something Dream had never seen. It was hard to stare at without his eyes hurting. It was like two cubed crystallised glass that constantly bobbed up and down over the ground. The crystals were constantly in motion. One of the glass squares was on the outside and there was one on the inside, constantly spinning and flipping around but they never tangling or getting in the way of one another. In the centre of both of them was a dark pink cube. It was spinning in time with the crystals and glowing with symbols or text Dream couldn’t recognise.

Dream thought it best to be cautious dealing with whatever this was. He broke two blocks below him, making a sort of cover area for him and looked around for George. He couldn’t see the brunette at all. Dragon was still calm, so she hadn’t found him but he was completely out of sight. Dream had to assume he was somewhere behind one of the pillars and readied his bow.

The arrow hit the crystal, and the explosion was as loud as Dream suspected. He had ducked down behind the tower just as the fiery explosion rushed past his head. When the heat died down, Dream heard Dragon growl. He managed to sneak a look around the corner to see her whip her head around to the tower he was on and his heart thumped.

She took one step closer, slowly opening her maw but an arrow then flew to the side of her face. It hit to the side of her mouth and was enough to turn her attention. She made a half roar, and turned herself to the direction of the shot.

Dream just managed to catch George running behind a tower, next to a hole in the yellow stone. He jumped down, covered it up and by the time Dragon got behind the tower he was fully gone.

Relief flooded through Dream’s veins, relaxing the grip on his bow and began climbing back down.

Dragon was still frustratingly looking for George as Dream blocked up to the next tower. He looked around for any sign of George and he saw him just digging up from the ground, popping his head up and looking for Dream. When he saw Dream in position he readied his bow.

The two worked well, getting rid of two more crystals with this pattern. Dragon’s growls were growing more frustrating with every explosion and distraction. On the last crystal it took George two arrow shots before she gave up going for the tower. Dream suspected the next tower she wouldn’t give up and they’d have to deal with it.

It was a risk Dream was willing to take. That’s what he told himself as he climbed up the tower, stopping just a few blocks down. He raised his bow, aimed to the crystal…

And there was nothing there.

The bedrock platform was empty. Dream was stunned, aiming still where he was sure the crystal would be before lowering his bow and muttering a small: “what…?”

Had someone already tried this attack? Did DreamXD? Dream remembered they told him how they tried to fight Dragon when she first arrived. Did XD try and destroy these crystals too? Was that still not enough?

The rabbit hole of thoughts and regrets was suddenly interrupted as Dragon made a loud, almost shrieking roar and George screamed Dream’s name.

Dream looked around to where he saw George position, and then he looked at Dragon, who’s violet eyes were staring at George as she charged over. George quickly buried himself back into the hole he’d dug out, but Dragon halted where she’d last seen him. She dug into the stone with her thick claws and she snapped at the breaking stone.

“No!” Dream yelped, and kept screaming the word again and again as he aimed his bow again. He expected to see Dragon’s teeth turn red or hear George’s last scream, but nothing of the sort happened, giving him enough focus to aim for Dragon’s eye and fire.

The arrow landed just a little off the eye, but it was close. Close enough to pierce into a soft spot and she pulled her head back with painful scream. Her front claws dug the arrow out her eye, then she looked over to Dream with hatred. Pure, white hot hatred so great Dream thought he could feel it.

Dragon opened her mouth and Dream watched her throat light up with a deep purple, then a ball of fire was headed his way.

Survival took over and Dream jumped from the tower. It wasn’t one of the highest towers, but it was enough of a fall Dream probably wouldn’t get up if he hit the ground. But the ground was very vastly approaching and Dream knew even as he reached in his inventory for his water bucket he wasn’t going to make it in time.

Still he tried, and kept his eyes on the ground, but before he could bring the bucket forward, it was suddenly flooded with water and Dream’s landing only just hurt and not killed him. He splashed in panic, half got on his knees when George’s hand grabbed his arm.

The brunette was frazzled, with his hair a mess and his goggles half hanging off his head. He panted out “I…ender pearled…” to the question Dream thought of but didn’t have the breath to ask.

The water cleared away as George collected it again then he pulled Dream up and they both ran. Because the sound of Dragon was getting closer and closer.

Dream tried to think of a way George and him could build a cover fast enough and dig under until he heard the sound of wings beating. Knowing she was in the air, Dream pulled George in against one of the towers, keeping out of her sight for a second and started rambling.

“We need to hide! Or take her out now! Did you make tunnels underneath?” Dream looked to George.

“Not at this side!” George was looking through his pack quickly. “My picks almost broken. If you…”

There was another roar and Dragon flew around the tower, over the edge of the island. She turned, saw the two and shot off another fireball.

George had tried to run as soon as she turned, but Dream grabbed and pulled him back mere seconds before fireball flew by his face. It exploded on the ground beside the two in a fiery glory. Purple flames spread all over the stone, but then they kept spreading and seeping ever close to them, moving like liquid instead of fire.

It was a curious sight Dream would have loved to investigate further, but there was no time. He pulled George to run around the other side of the tower but somehow in the span of mere seconds, Dragon had fired another fireball to the other side of the tower and the fire flowed towards them in it’s eerie manner.

“Dream!” George screeched and pulled Dream back from the fire’s edge, but there was very little safe space the two could go. Trapped with the violet fire on either side of them, and Dragon was opening her maw again getting another one ready.

Dream pulled out his pick axe, ready to dig as fast as he could below the ground when suddenly everything went dark.

Dream and George were shadowed and crowded against the black towers. Their visions blocked by a flash of green, and suddenly the heat from the fires beside them died down. Dream’s heart simultaneously screamed in relief and leapt up to his throat as he looked up, and saw DreamXD above the two, shielding them with his body. Behind XD there was a huge wall of the yellow stone, making a wall between themselves and Dragon. She made another loud roar but XD’s face was turned to the two beneath him. Even with the mask, Dream could feel the eyes of anger on him.

Dream went to open his mouth, but XD snapped before he could talk. “Move!”

The wall curled around the boy’s left side, creating a small safe pathway around the side of the obsidian tower. XD shoved Dream towards it. “Get to the centre of the island! Run!”

The two followed the God’s orders and quickly slipped through the small gap. Dream worried Dragon would go for them as soon as they escaped, but he looked back over his shoulder and she was now focused onto XD. The wall lowered when Dream and George were safely out of range and she leapt straight for XD, diving into him from the sky.

Dream’s heart lurched into his throat and he stopped himself from running.

“What are you doing?!” George shouted, stopping a bit further ahead. “XD said to run!”

“I can’t leave him!” Dream shouted back. “He’s gonna…”

His words silenced when Dragon appeared again, but this time she was slammed forcefully on her side. She made a loud screech of pain and tried to get up but XD followed her, slamming into her throat and making a long gash from under her jaw to half way down her neck. He would have probably gone more, but one of her front paws smacked XD away before he could and Dragon was left wheezing, trying to pull herself up as purple blood pulsed from her wounds and made her legs weak.

He could kill her. Dream, thought with some semblance of hope. We could kill her.

XD managed to catch himself after he was thrown and landed on his feet. He gave one look to Dragon and when he guessed she wasn’t a threat then he suddenly zipped towards Dream and George. He seemed surprised to stop so suddenly and see they had stopped running.

“I told you to run!” He hissed and grabbed Dream’s arm.

His hand was bigger, his claws longer and his skin was shaking as if trying to hold together. Not just his hand, but his whole body. XD was taller and broader and his body seemed to be fighting with itself, his skin shaking and trembling every once in a while.

XD was shifting, Dream realised. He was shifting into his true form, and he was trying to stop himself. It was a form Dream had only ever seen a handful of times before, and each time was horrifying.

“I… I wanted to help!” Dream forced himself to look back up to XD’s mask. “You hurt her! We can help kill her!”

“No!” XD snapped. “You’re both going home. The centre of the island is a structure. I’m going to open the portal back home there, then you--”

The words ended in the loudest roar of pain Dream had ever heard from his sibling, as Dragon swooped in from XD’s right side and she twisted her head to get her teeth around XD’s body.

She bit down hard enough to draw out blood and make a sickening crunch. The golden liquid leaked through her wide teeth and onto the stone below before she whipped her head and threw XD off. He hit one of the obsidian towers enough to crack in the stone. The blood and purple ooze from within the obsidian mixed as XD’s body fell limp to the ground.

A rush of rage washed over Dream’s body, like he was being hit from a waterfall. Yet despite how suddenly the anger took him, he was surprised at how calmly his body responded. Instead of an outburst of rage like he expected from himself, he moved silently and quickly. One moment on the ground and the next he was leaping onto Dragon’s face, this time his sword stabbing right into her open and unsuspecting eye.

She roared with pain that Dream hoped hurt more than words could convey. He twisted the sword in to draw out another scream, then he was thrown off as she shook her head to dislodge him. She thankfully didn’t throw him far or as hard as she had with XD so Dream skidded to a stop with George already by his side.

He looked up to see George with his bow aimed and when Dragon turned her head to look at them with her good eye, he sent of a fire of three arrows right into them. Two hit and one bounced off a scale on her cheek, but now she was blinded and panickingly thrashing herself about to dislodge the weapons in her eyes.

George pulled Dream up then. Dream’s hands were shaking and he tried to hide it, but George could probably already feel it. He couldn’t bring himself to look at the tower, to see the unmoving form of XD lying there. Instead he focused on Dragon and her thrashing and when her flailing wings and tail were getting a little too close, he pulled George and they ran to the centre of the island.

There was a structure of bedrock in the centre of the island as XD said. It lay in a small dug out spot, only being spotted by the tall bedrock beam in the centre. The base was like the shape of a small fountain but it held no water. The bottom was completely bedrock. The only thing not was the torches around the top of the pillar.

“What now?” George panted.

Dream didn’t know. Dream didn’t want to say he didn’t know. He didn’t want to admit the one plan out of here lay with XD, who was still at the bottom of that obsidian tower. If he did he would have wailed and cried and he couldn’t afford to do that.

Dragon made a half roar half wheezing noise and Dream looked over to see her climbing up one of the obsidian towers with the crystal still there. It’s healing beam shot to her and their time to plan was becoming limited.

But Dream was lost. He didn’t know what to do. All he wanted to do was run to XD’s side and cry how sorry he was. How he should have listened. How he should never have pushed XD away. How he would never do it again. A thousand words he wanted to say and thought about saying so many times but the timing or his pride would never let him.

Dragon’s roars lost their pain and became angrier. She was healing and would be coming for them again. Dream saw George out the corner of his eye ready another arrow and Dream turned his head to him. He opened his mouth, ready to spill out everything he’d ever wanted to say to George when his shoulder was suddenly pulled.

He waited for the pain of Dragon’s fangs but there was no pain. It wasn’t teeth around him, but a hand. A large hand and Dream looked up to see XD stood above him. His right side was completely torn. His cloak was shredded and bloody. His mask had fallen off and XD hadn’t made the wraps on his face for his black voidless half face with many eyes were looking between Dream and George.

Dream wanted to weep but Dragon’s roar stopped him. She had perched on the tower before jumping off and swooping right for them.

“Get…through…” XD’s voice was warbled. His double voice was worst than ever, almost unintelligible but the words to understand were quite easy.

The centre of the bedrock structure was suddenly filled with a greenish void and many stars. It was the exact same pattern on XD’s mask. The same pattern as the portal that took them here.

George wasted no time and climbed down the dip to the portal. He grabbed Dream’s arm to pull him, but Dream didn’t move. “Come on!”

“Go…” XD’s voice hissed. Their jaw wasn’t right. It was partly broken, or shattered and it was trying to reset into a new shape.

Dream let himself be pulled down to the portal, but his eyes were on XD and he was screaming “Come with us!” But XD turned away.

The End God faced the End Dragon swooping down towards him, and as Dream screamed for his brother the world suddenly when black.

It was a whiplash motion of going through adrenaline and fear, mixed with the nauseating feeling of teleportation, for it all to suddenly end in a comfortable soft bed.

Dream panicked as soon as he felt the mattress under him and fell out of the bed. He hit the cold stone of the stronghold and looked around the room. He had been teleported back to the portal room. Back into the bed he slept in the night before, and George was struggling himself out of his own.

“G… George….”

“Dream!”

George was quickly beside him, pulling him up off the ground. His legs were wobbly and he almost fell, but George caught him and sat him on the bed.

“Stay calm. You need to control your breathing…”

“I…” Dream went to say he was breathing just fine, but then he realised that no, he really wasn’t. His chest was tight. His breaths were coming out in short hyperventilations and he couldn’t get in enough air.

“Slow your breathing Dream! You’ll pass out. Please…”

“I…” It felt impossible to breathe, then George’s hand touched onto his chest and it was like tasting air for the first time. His heart slowed and his lungs drew in the longest breath it could. “I-I left him!”

“You didn’t leave him, Dream.” George quickly reassured him. “There was nothing we could do. He saved us.”

“But where is he?!” Dream’s voice almost cried. He could feel his eyes well up with tears. “He’s not here!” George didn’t say anything to that, only putting more worry into Dream and he pushed himself to stand. “We have to go back in!”

“No! Absolutely not!” George stood up with him. “We’ll die!”

“XD will die if he’s in there!” Dream shouted, like it was the most obvious thing. To him it was. “We need to help him! We need to go back in! And we…”

A pop sound filled the air and DreamXD appeared. He was slumped over on the floor, bracing himself on his hands and knees, but he was there, with them.

“XD!” Dream and George both shouted, with a mixture of surprise and elation. Dream had never felt so happy than in that moment and then all of a sudden his happiness turned to dread.

XD pushed himself to stand on shaking legs. One of the arms on his right side wasn’t moving at all and lay limp by his side. He was coated in a mix of his own blood and the dragon’s, but all his attention was on Dream and George. His eyes were glowing with anger, flicking between the two of them before he raised a hand up to his face, waving and materialising his mask to cover him again.

“You!” He growled. “You fucking idiots!”

The two friends had just enough time to look at one another before they were grabbed. XD had both of their arms in his hands, gripped tight enough it was probably leaving a mark.

They were suddenly whisked off. The stronghold and the portal faded out from view and suddenly the three were back on the surface and outside. The air was sweetly familiar of flowers and mushrooms and without seeing Dream knew they were outside George’s cottage.

The hand around George’s arm let go, practically shoving George towards his home, but the hand around Dream’s didn’t.

“Wait…” Dream’s voice was small and George turned to look, realising it too.

His eyes went wide with worry and he looked up to the End God. “Wait XD! What…”

And that’s all they heard as XD whisked off him and his brother again. Dream dreaded he was going to suddenly see the lava wall again. He expected to feel heat and the three walls of obsidian would be encasing him again, but he wasn’t taken to the prison.

He was taken to somewhere completely opposite.

Instead of darkness, it was almost blindly bright. It seemed like a wide, never ending void of white nothingness, stretching on for miles. Dream looked around confused before the details suddenly came into view.

It wasn’t nothingness, it was a like a long, tall grand hallway. The whiteness of the pillars blended into the white void and stretched up too tall the tops of them couldn’t be seen. There were shadows of what looked like figures off in the distance, but Dream’s focus was physically pulled away as XD yanked him forward and the two began walking.

“Wha…Wait! XD!” Dream pulled at his arm, and tried to pull the hand off but XD’s grip was too tight and strong. His brother didn’t even look down at him, just facing forward to the white void ahead and almost dragging Dream along. “Wait! Wh-Where are we?! Where are you taking me?!”

“I’m taking you to someone who will watch you.” XD’s voice came out eerily calm, but Dream could hear the seething tone. “And then, I’m going to fix your mistake.”

#godsiblingau #covenofwords

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flower-biter · 3 months

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5 - 11 February 2024

Started new meds. Couldn’t sleep the first few nights and have been exhausted and spacey during the day, but I think I’m starting to adapt. Hilariously woke myself up with my own sleep-talking the second night. It’s very weird to dream again.

Met a pair of 10-week-old lab/poodle puppies! They are apparently office pups at the architecture firm next to my office, so I’m hoping to see them out and about. They were so fluffy and wiggly and sweet and looked like little teddy bears.

The days are getting longer and I’m a little sad about it, actually; I firmly believe that winter is the best time of year for sunrises and sunsets and I always got to see both on my commutes. I saw so many gorgeous skies this winter, but now I’m just blinded going east into the office and west to get home.

Beautiful barista at the coffee shop by my office drew a cute little doodle on my cup and called me “honey” and it made an already pretty good day even better.

Almost every day this week I’ve heard flocks of migrating geese calling as they fly over. I think about the Mary Oliver poem every time.

The blanket is really coming along! I’m about halfway through and though I can tell I’ve made a few mistakes, overall I’m really happy with it and proud to see progress. I also just really enjoy the process, the tactile experience of making something useful and beautiful.

Found a few silver hairs and am actually so excited about it? I get to get older?? I’m gonna be so cool and hot in my thirties 🥹

Even though spring is in the air - Saturday was warm and breezy and we had all the doors and windows open - I made one of my favorite cozy dishes, a butternut squash & caramelized onion savory tart. It’s one of my absolute favorite comfort foods and I made it for a little galentine’s day gathering, which doubled as a celebration for some very exciting good news for my friend who hosted.

Finished three books this week. None of them were books I was “supposed” to read (like ones for my class tomorrow, or physical copies checked out from the library, or even ones I own that have been on my tbr forever). Oops.

More Scrabble. Could “aioli” my way out of that one.

TWO pictures of Butterball this week because he’s just so cute and snuggly.

last week

#catalog of little joys #altogether a pretty good week #butterball

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elsanna-shenanigans · 2 years

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April Contest Submission #3: Sunday Coffee and Cocoa

Words: ca. 3,000 Setting: AU Lemon: no Content: No warnings. All Fluff

Sunday mornings: some hate it while others embrace it. It's the day before a new week starts and the inevitable feeling of having to leave your sanctuary to instead roam freely around other people. Going to work, college or just out and about. Sundays in the Oldenburg household were always different depending on the week beforehand. You either get hectic or calm. Today's Sunday, April 3rd of 2022, you're going to be greeted with a calmer environment.

Dawn begins to slowly break over the rooftops of the normally bolstering city to create a beautiful warm orange hue that slowly bleeds through the parted curtains in the darkened bedroom. An occupied balcony attached to the bedroom holds a beautiful young woman with snow white hair and intense blue eyes. A baby blue coffee mug nestled in between her pale hands as the warmth became her only salvation to the crisp cool morning. Spring had come in full clutch and the promise of summer was not far behind.

The steam from her hot coffee curled up and wisped around her nose, filling her senses with a mixture of vanilla and caffeine. In these moments of silence, Elsa was able to gather her thoughts. Thinking about the bigger picture that people call life. Her gaze never left the sky. Always watching as the sunrise became more prominent until the sun filled the sky completely. Deep purples, pinks and oranges are gone and replaced by a sky blue. Sunrises were always Elsa's favorite. Sunsets were her sister's favorites.

The thought of Anna caused a loving smile to break across the elder woman's face as she lifted the mug to her lips for a small sip. The scolding liquid always soothed Elsa upon first touch. Anna? Not so much. Anna hated coffee, she preferred hot cocoa. That was warm.

"Anna, it's not hot cocoa if it's warm."

"Yes, it is! You're just some crazy lady who would rather scold her taste buds off than enjoy her drink."

"That is not true."

"So true."

Elsa chuckles into her mug at the memory. It was the first night in their shared apartment, and Anna insisted on making her hot cocoa more of a warm cocoa. They bickered over the temperature of the drinks for a little while longer before Elsa had teased Anna into submission and caused the younger woman to blush a deep red and then leave the room altogether, so she didn't have an episode of word vomit in front of her beloved older sister.

Following the rays of the morning sun that illuminated the once dark room, there sat a nice queen-sized bed. A dark red comforter adorning the mattress with an unmoving lump in the middle. Bright red hair sticking out from the tops of the blanket and introducing us to another inhabitant.

Anna was a deep sleeper and Elsa knew that nothing would wake her if their alarm clock wasn't set to go off at 6 every morning. It was reaching 7 am and that gave Anna more reason to sleep in comfortably.

Elsa didn't return inside until her mug was completely empty. And she took her time with the beverage. Even drinking it after it had gotten 'Anna' warm. She quietly slid the balcony door open before stepping into the bedroom. The warm air greeted her like a warm blanket that had just been tumbled in the dryer and pulled out to be used. She took a second to let the last of the chill leave her body before heading over to her vanity and pulling out a notepad and a pen. She quickly wrote out a letter for Anna to read when she did finally wake up. She folded it up and then sealed it with a little heart next to Anna's name, just like how she knew her sister liked, before giving the mess of red hair a kiss. She stood back up to admire the slumbering woman, her heart swelling at the soft snoring sounds emitting from the covers. But eventually she left the room to start the day.

If the girls have nothing planned, then Elsa leaves the apartment to do some last minute food shopping. She always buys a week worth of meals on either Friday night if she's got weekend plans or Sunday morning. She'll mostly be out till early afternoon, around the time Anna does eventually roll herself out of bed. There have been times where Anna slept until she smelled food. While mostly she'll be up before Elsa gets back so she can help put away groceries and even cook.

With Elsa gone, the apartment grew silent. The smell of coffee lingering behind being the only reminder that she was even there.

~~~

10:58 a.m. was when Anna began to rouse from her sleep. She had a routine.

She'd first stretch out so far that it looked like she was being stretched out by some invisible force. She'd do this until all of her bones and muscles popped back into place only for her to melt into her bed. She will lay there for a few minutes, unmoving. And depending on how tired she was, she'd either fall back to sleep for another hour or she'd get up and begin her day. Then she'd sit up and yawn, stretch some more, and then slowly allow her brain to catch up with her body.

Today, however, Anna's hand had hit the note her sister left behind. Which was her reasoning to get up. She grabbed the perfectly folded letter and flipped it open while yawning into her free hand.

My dearest Anna,

I left to grab some groceries for the week. If you manage to wake up before i get there then go grab a bath and wait for me in the kitchen. It's your turn to pick out what we have for dinner and breakfast. And don't worry, I'll buy you some more hot cocoa, because it seems you only have enough left to make yourself a single cup.

Sincerely yours,

Elsa. ~ ❤️

Once Anna was done reading the letter, she was wearing a wide grin on her face. She absolutely loved it when Elsa left her notes like this. It wasn't an everyday thing but when she did manage to find time, Anna was never disappointed. She hugged the paper to her chest before scrambling off the bed to hide it in her secret spot away from Elsa. She wouldn't admit to it but she kept every last note Elsa had written to her.

It was a little wooden box that she found while thrift shopping with Kristoff. It had been damaged a bit but all in all, it was the best 5 bucks she had ever spent. And Anna kept it in a little cubby hole in their shared closet. It's the only area Elsa hasn't been in because the hole is covered by the stacks of shoe boxes, she owns that Anna uses as a door. Plus, Elsa hates dark places that she can't see. Half the time she thinks that there's creepy crawlers in them and she'd never know what she'd be touching. So, Anna knew it would be the best place for it.

Elsa knows about the place. But she's never looked in the box and she's never told Anna about finding it. She's not the type of person who dwells on secrets, so it wasn't a big deal to her. And Anna never pulls the box out, so she guessed it was something kept from her until Anna was ready to show her.

After Anna made sure the box was back in its spot, she replaced the shoe boxes exactly how they were before and then left the closet. She decided that she'd skip the bath until Elsa got back so they could enjoy one together after brunch. Of course, she stopped in to wash her face and brush her hair. Cause holy hell, she looked like some wild animal with how her hair stuck up all over the place. Ten minutes, and a sore head later, Anna found herself sat at the bar that separated the kitchen from the living room. A bright yellow mug in her hand with her warm cocoa.

She sat there and let her mind wander. Making it look like she was in a complete daze as she stared at the wall opposite her.

~~~

The sound of the front door unlocking didn’t catch Anna’s attention so by the time Elsa finished wrestling the bags of food that littered her arms, she walked into the apartment and spotted Anna still in her dazed expression. She still held her cup of, now, cold cocoa and Elsa could tell from the way Anna’s hair looked dull rather than vibrant, that she hadn’t taken a shower yet.

“Anna, are you okay sweetie?”

“Hm?” Anna’s glazed over blue eyes averted to where the sound of Elsa’s voice came from. She could barely focus on her sister as her thoughts remained in the past for a few seconds longer.

“I said, are you okay?”

As the elder woman set the bags down, she started to get a bit worried and slowly made her way over to her sister.

“Oh! Elsa!”

She then jumped when Anna exclaimed out of nowhere. Her eyes wide and hands held out as if she were trying to calm Anna down if need be.

“Hi there,”

“You’re home.”

“I am, yes. Are you okay?”

Anna giggled and raised her mug to her lips. Elsa’s left brow cocks when the younger girl sputters out the cold beverage before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “That’s cold.”

Elsa snorted into her shoulder as she turned her head. “I am okay, but now I need a new cup of cocoa.”

Elsa stepped in front of the other girl and held her hand out to press into her chest. “Aht aht! You didn’t take the bath I told you to take. Did you get my note?”

“Yes, and I didn't take one because I was waiting for you to get home.” Anna answered. She pressed her chest against Elsa's hand before offering her a little pout.

“We-well….um,” Elsa swallowed as she looked down at how Anna kept pressing into her hand before locking her gaze with her sister again only to remove her hand from her chest. “...how about you go get the bath started and then I’ll make us another round of hot cocoa.”

If Anna was a golden retriever, then her ears would have perked up so far and her tail would be wagging the mail off the table near where she stood.

“And then I'll join you. Sound fair?”

“Okay!”

And that was the last Elsa saw of Anna until she followed her moments later for a comfortable soak.

Of course, Elsa took the time to put the groceries away. Which took a bit longer than she would have liked? But she was able to start the hot cocoa in between so she would have it done by the time she was done stocking their cabinets.

“Elsa! ~”

The sing-song tone Anna held made Elsa shiver as she grabbed both mugs and slowly made her way into their room. She didn’t answer until she got in the bathroom and slowly placed the mugs down on the counter close to the tub. Anna was submerged under white bubbles that looked almost like snow.

“I’m right here, silly.”

Anna’s response was to flick soap at her, but it landed on the edge of the tub instead. Else just rolled her eyes good-heartedly and began to strip out of her clothes. She was grateful to the way the heat from the tub filled the room, she may love the cold, but she was still human and she absolutely loved getting warm after a day out in the blistering cold.

Once she was tub-worthy, Anna moved forward so Elsa could slip in behind her. Both girls made a noise of surprise while Elsa slipped in. Anna, because Elsa’s cold feet and legs slide along her thighs before quickly getting warm from the water. And Elsa, because of the temperature of the water.

After Elsa got comfortable and was able to lean back against the wall opposite the faucet, Anna leaned back so she could rest on her sister's chest. But she was quick to pull away and look at Elsa.

“What?” Elsa asked just as she tilted her head to give the younger woman a confused look.

Anna huffed and cupped her hands to grab some water before pouring it onto pale breasts. “Your nipples were cold.” she muttered.

Once Anna was satisfied, she turned back around and reclaimed her sister's chest.

“OW!”

Anna felt a sharp pinch to her left hip and jolted in the water before shooting a pout over her shoulder at her smirking sister. “Elsa?!”

“Don’t be crude.”

“Well don’t be such a prude.”

Elsa pinched Anna again, who just whined before sinking under the water till her head didn’t show. She stayed like that for a few seconds longer than Elsa would have liked. Only to re-emerge with soap and water clung to her red hair. The eldest of the two leaned in and started to wipe the soapy water from Anna’s face only to grab her by the hip and pull her in to rest back against her chest like before.

They stayed like that, in silence with Anna’s head rested back on Elsa’s left shoulder with her eyes closed. Elsa tilted her head to let her lips press to Anna’s temple with her arms wrapped around her small waist.

~~~

The bath had taken a whole hour of their afternoon. But eventually the water started to get cold, and the girls were getting hungry. So, they found themselves in mid-prep for their late lunch/early dinner of the day.

They both decided on chicken alfredo. Elsa seared the four chicken breasts in a skillet while Anna prepared the noodle water. After she got the water on the stove, Anna started to cut up some mozzarella and then grate the rest of it. Music played in the background and Elsa watched from the corner of her eye. She smiled to herself when she saw Anna sing into the end of the knife, she held like it was a microphone. She also still had her hair wrapped up in a white towel from earlier. Elsa had braided hers and let it rest on one side of her shoulder.

It was moments like these that let Elsa know she really loved her sister. Loved how goofy and wild she could be. After an hour of cuddling and now she had so much energy that she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with it. So, Anna danced and sang. Eventually though, Elsa started to chime in. She really couldn’t help it considering how contagious Anna was when she was happy.

The food had come together quite nicely. Elsa had let Anna make the sauce since she knew what the recipe had said without looking it up. This gave Elsa the chance to cut the chicken breasts up into thick slivers. It looked like she grilled it which gave the pasta more personality once it was mixed.

After the sauce, noodles and chicken were combined, the girls sat down in the living room with a plate each filled and two garlic breads each on the sides. Anna chose iced sweet tea while Elsa chose iced water.

A movie was selected between the two. ‘13 Going On 30’, and then after it’d be ‘There’s Something About Mary.’ Anna chose the former while Elsa chose the latter. Each movie was just as funny as the last in their own way, so the rest of the afternoon and evening was spent in quiet laughs and soft singing when a song popped on that both girls knew.

Eventually, Anna found Elsa resting her head in her lap as she dozed off near the end of her movie. This was the moment, and many like it from past Sundays, where Anna realized she honestly loved her sister. She happily gazed at her sister as she combed her fingers through her silk like white hair.

But Monday came early and both girls had a class/shift early in the morning. So, with little to no effort, Anna maneuvered her slumbering sister onto her back for a piggyback ride. She always thought this was easier for both, so she didn’t drop Elsa like she had last time.

She set Elsa on the bed once they got in their room and let her fall back onto the half-made bed. Anna pulled the covers back and coaxed Elsa’s half-asleep body into a sitting position.

“Elsaaaa.~” Anna sung softly as she supported a wobbly girl.

“Hmmmmm”

“Let’s go brush our teeth and then we can head to bed.”

Elsa stopped wobbling to instead rub her eyes. “Buh…the foods..”

“Already stowed away. Tv is off and the door is locked. I checked it three times.”

Elsa lifted her head up, eyes still shut, and then smiled with a pleased hum. “Good girl.”

Anna freezes on the spot before blushing and looking away from her older sister. She was finally able to get Elsa in the bathroom where they both brushed their teeth at a slow pace. Once the brushing was done, they flossed then gargled mouthwash.

“Teeth/” Elsa demanded tiredly. She watched Anna smile at her, all teeth. Not a single piece of food in place. But they were pearly white.

“Teefers.” Anna chirped and smiled when Elsa’s teeth looked the same as hers which Anna told her so before reaching over to switch the light off.

They slipped into their respected spots like every night and took the time to plug in their phones, set their alarms and turned off their side lamps. And just like two perfect puzzle pieces, the girls connected. Anna acted as a somewhat big spoon as she curled around Elsa. Their legs locking together while Anna pulled Elsa’s head against her chest. And within the hour both girls succumbed to sleep. The once lit room is shrouded in darkness as the room gets quiet and a single strip of moon light pours onto the ground through the window.

If you look close enough, you could see through the window as the stars litter the black sky above the rooftops of the buildings, the moon high in the sky and casting a soft glow. Just as much of a beautiful sight as when you get to see a sunset or sunrise. It was the perfect view to a perfect day.

#elsanna #april 2022 contest #prompt: home #submission

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vs-secrets · 1 month

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My overall theme for my pictures is peace. I wanted to emphasize the feeling one might get when looking at nostalgic pictures. All of the pictures I selected have been from a good memory, or make me feel serene. In the era of my life, I am experiencing major changes. My daily week offers work, school, and repeat. Every day is the same cycle over and over. The pictures I chose remind me of the good times in life. I look back at these photos and get hope for the future. The feeling of peace almost makes me sad. I feel melancholy, because my life isn’t at the point of these pictures anymore. I don’t stop and look at the beauty of life like I used to. I don’t take photos of the sunset or of the moon, which once filled my camera roll. Perhaps age is responsible for this, or simply tiredness. Regardless, the pictures I chose make me feel like life is beautiful.

The first picture is some Polaroids of pictures my best friends and I took during Senior Sunrise. During Senior Sunrise, all the seniors gather on the football field and watch as the sun rises. The school provides yummy breakfast like donuts and play nostalgic music. Every inch of the football field is crowded with friend groups taking a million pictures in hope of capturing the sunrise. I knew I wanted to have photographs from high school so I opted to bring my Polaroid. I look back at these and miss my best friends, even though I am still in high school. I get sad thinking about leaving them and making a new life that doesn’t include them. One of the girls in the picture has been my best friend since Pre-K, meaning I’ve known her for more than a decade. I can’t imagine navigating life without her. That morning will always be one of my favorite memories of high school.

I took this picture when I had went to Orlando at my stepmother’s house. The lake is right behind her house, and the balcony overlooks it perfectly. I feel myself melting into this picture. I can feel so relaxed and soothed when I look at the water and the moon. The ripples of the lake makes the water seem so refreshing. I’ve always been a big moon lover since I was a toddler, and I remember thinking how beautiful the moonlight reflected upon the lake. I love how dark and mysterious this picture seems.

I took this picture of my boyfriend and I holding hands the night we started dating. I chose to include him in the pictures because he is my peace in life. Throughout the mundane tasks of everyday life, the only thing that adds sparks to my routine is him. I look forward to calling him in the morning so I can hear his voice again. My boyfriend has no doubt become my inspiration. He motivates me like nobody else has before. This man has more faith and admiration for me than I have ever witnessed. My lover always believes I can accomplish anything and pushes me to strive for bigger. I can confidently say he has become my safe space and a true home for my heart.

The picture above was the first trip I look to PR (Puerto Rico). I felt so at peace and happy, my soul was beaming with joy. The country is beautiful. The food was excellent, the agriculture is rich, and the atmosphere was perfect. I loved seeing different building structures and excursions that we do not have in Florida. I am Cuban so I am familiar with Spanish. Visiting PR was like combining Cuba and the US. I felt nostalgic to all the trips I took to Cuba when I was younger.

The next two pictures were taken at the same location. The koi pond was at the entrance of the camping area when we first entered the campsite. The second picture was taken at the lake. I had never gone camping before but I love nature so I was excited. I felt at peace with so much greenery and animals around me. I am a big animal lover, hence why I am perusing Vet med. Camping let my soul relax and connect with nature. I remember journaling by the campfire and reflecting upon my accomplishments, and my future goals. Looking back at those goals, I managed to accomplish most of them today. I got hope that my accomplishments could be fulfilled.

The picture demonstrates peace by showcasing another day coming to an end behind a wise and old tree. While some things can be gone like the Sun or the candle, other things like the tree stay for a very long time. Self care time allows for your body to heal and become stronger, therefore allowing more energy. I tried to prioritize my mental health by setting time aside to reflect in nature. I find peace in taking time for myself and letting my mind go blank.

The last picture reflects peace by displaying calmness. The picture shows the waterfront being calm and still. The sky is clear with the sun setting in the middle of the picture catching ones attention. The picture was taken by my friends after dinner, which I cherish. I adore my friends and I love making memories with them. The palm trees also make me feel relaxed as I associate them with tropical and vacation feelings. The boats make me want to go out into sea and spend days sunbathing and sipping coconut water. I feel at peace in the background of this image.

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ultra-sports-things · 10 months

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2 days tour from Fes; 2 days tour from Fes to Marrakech; 2 days desert tour from fes

The 2 days tour from Fes to Marrakech passing through the Sahara desert of Merzouga is one of the popular tourist trips that are demanded by most travelers, especially those who want to walk and discover many natural places such as mountains, valleys, Kasbah, villages. and the Sahara desert. This private circuit that connects the two cities of the empire will give you the opportunity to visit many tourist and historical sites. Not forgetting to experience various desert activities like camel trekking, trekking, sand boarding and spending a spectacular night in a desert camp under the stars

2 days tour from Fes; 2 days tour from Fes to Marrakech; 2 days desert tour from fes

AC Private Vehicle During the Entire Tour + Fuel.

Experienced English speaking driver (Guide).

Breakfast and dinner.

Camel Trek With Professional Guide (Desert Tours).

1 night stay with breakfast at Desert Camp

Lunch

Tips/Tips

Personal expenses

Morocco desert tour 2 days

Merzouga is a small Moroccan city located in the Sahara desert, near the border with Algeria. Merzouga opens up to Erg Chebbi, a large expanse of sand dunes to the north of the city. To the west is Dayet Srji, a seasonal salt lake, often dry in summer. When it fills up again, it attracts a wide variety of desert and migratory birds, including warblers, nightjars, and occasionally flamingos.

2 days tour from Fes; 2 days tour from Fes to Marrakech; 2 days desert tour from fes

Morocco, a North African country on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast, is distinguished by its Berber, Arab and European influences. A maze-like medieval quarter, Marrakech's medina is a lively place, with its Jemaa el-Fnaa square and souks (markets) for ceramics, jewelery and metal lanterns. The Oudayas Kasbah in Rabat, the capital, is a 12th-century royal fortress overlooking the ocean.

2 days tour from Fes; 2 days tour from Fes to Marrakech; 2 days desert tour from fes

Spending a night in the Sahara desert is an unforgettable experience for first-time visitors to Morocco, and the Erg Shaqa dunes are the closest to Marrakech. This tour departs from the desert town of Zagora and includes a desert safari adventure in a 4x4 jeep and a sunrise camel ride through the sand dunes.

ITINERARY

In the morning we will pick you up from your hotel or riad in Fez and then we will start the first day of our trip towards Merzouga, one of the most famous tourist destinations in our country of origin. Our first stop will be in the city of Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco. It is a good place to do winter sports here in Morocco, for example skiing.

We will leave this place and head to the Azrou cedar forest, where you will have the opportunity to see wild monkeys and take pictures. We continue our way to Midelt, the town of Moroccan apples. It owes its name to the fact that it is located in the middle of an apple-growing area. After our lunch break, we will continue, passing the Al Hassan Addakhil dam, which is used to hold water for Ziz Valley agriculture and of course to provide flood protection (possibility to take pictures). Our next stop on this road is the panoramic view of the Ziz Valley.

The valley presents a great view of palm trees (the second largest palm tree in all of Morocco) between high cliffs, dating back to the Jurassic period. We will continue our way to Merzouga/Erg Chebbi, the Sahara desert. Where your camels await you to take you on an unforgettable adventure to your camp in the desert.

There you will have the opportunity to see the magical desert sunset and the sky full of stars.

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roger-that-cap · 3 years

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wildest dreams

witch!wanda x reincarnated!reader

summary: wanda had walked around the earth for centuries with no magic and hardly any soul left after losing her soulmate. she thought that her lover would never return and that the only reunion they would have would be in the afterlife, but a run-in with bucky changes everything after he insists that he met the long gone y/n at a fountain in the park.

yet another au by me...

word count: around 6.5k?

imma tag one person bc she gets upset when she isn’t tagged- and idk if anyone else would actually be interested?

@teenwonder

also this picture is not mine, and the dividers are by @firefly-graphics !!

without further ado, it’s almost 6 in the morning but i give you this!!

She held you tight, fingers digging into your skin as she trembled above you. The rose bushes were rustling in the wind next to you both, the sweet smell of the flowers contrasting with the moment. You were halfway gone already, eyes far off but trying to swim back to the surface, wanting to look at her one last time before the inevitable happened.

“S…” you tried to say, but she hushed you immediately, tears falling down on your face and mixing with your own. You shook her head at her as hard as you could, begging for her to let you continue. “Say you’ll remember me,” you ground out, fingers tightening around her hand.

“What?” Wanda asked, voice already thick with grief as she tried to decide whether or not it was better to keep the knife lodged between your ribs inside of you.

“When I come back-” you cut yourself off by coughing up blood, and Wanda didn’t even wince when it splattered on her cheek. “Back for you, promise that you’ll remember me.”

“Darling,” Wanda whispered back, her voice cracking as she bent over and rested her head on your stomach for a moment, hiding her sob. She could feel her magic tingling inside of her; under her skin, in her bones, dancing on her fingertips. “I wish I knew- I wish I just knew how-”

“Please.” You said, a desperate look in your eyes as you halted her words, already knowing what Wanda wanted. But natural magic was nothing to mess with. She sobbed again with her lips pressed together, no sound escaping her. You squeezed her hand tighter as the sun started on its routine descent, basking the two of you in an orange glow that you would have stopped to admire in any other moment in time. But Wanda would grow to hate that shade of orange with every breath in her. “Please.” It would always remind her of the sound of your begging, voice reaching for something that she couldn’t see.

Maybe it was the desperation in your voice, or the way that she just knew that you were well within your last moments, because she looked up at you one last time. “Of course I’ll remember you, darling. I couldn’t even dream of forgetting you.” There was a wheezing sound that came from your chest as you cracked a bloody smile, and then you gave one last squeeze before you looked away from her, your soul settling in the afterlife.

Wanda Maximoff would never forget it. Suddenly, her previously irrational fear of losing her magic became real, but that feeling didn’t even come close to the one she got when you grew lifeless in her arms.

Ever since you knew what a normal person was supposed to be like, you had identified that you, in fact, were not the normal person that you were probably supposed to be. Normal people didn’t daydream to the point where it felt like their bodies weren’t in the present anymore. Normal people didn’t have birthmarks under their ribs that aced and burned. Normal people didn’t feel out of touch with their world, like they weren’t even meant to be in the century they were in. Normal people didn’t feel like they were searching for something tirelessly, something just under their noses. And normal people surely didn’t dream of the same set of hands, same pair of eyes, or the same voice over and over again, a new setting every time, but always the same, faceless person. You either drew the same faceless person or rose bushes, and every sketch book you ever had was full of them.

At first, you were sure that you were going insane. Every time you closed your eyes, you would see a flash of reddish brown hair, or the same set of eyes, or the same pair of pale hands. You kept seeing this person without ever seeing a face for nights at a time before you went to see a therapist, who just ended up telling you that worrying about it was only going to make it worse, whatever it even was. But eventually, you learned to get used to it.

Acceptance turned into expectancy. You went to sleep knowing that there was going to be a pair of hands accompanied by the same slender fingers as always before you, sometimes intertwined with your own. You knew that there was going to be a set of eyes on you, watching you intently with no ace to go with them. You knew that you would hear whispers of the same voice, speaking so clearly in a language you didn’t even come close to understanding, and soon, you were craving to see and hear those things. And wanting to see them led to something that you never told your therapist; drawings.

You drew nearly every day under the sky, trying to find different park benches to see the sun rise and set at different angles for inspiration. You loved the sky, moon and stars alike, but there was something special about sunrises and sunsets. Sunrises and sets both meant new beginnings to you, out with the old and in with the new, and each rise and fall filled you with a strange feeling of nostalgia. You were watching the sunset on a park bench by yourself, a sketchbook sitting on your lap as you held an idle pencil, still thinking about the way you wanted to draw the hands. The birthmark between your ribs started to tingle, letting you know that it was about to burn again. That damn birthmark. You dropped the pencil and scratched at it, trying to beat the annoying feeling at its own game. You cursed the mark, but your eyes didn’t leave the sky, and you noticed your heart swelling in your chest, faint despair in the pits of it, churning around like the middle of the deep sea.

You shook your head and put your pencil in your hand again, brain not even having to work hard at all to see the features of the faceless person who was in your every dream.

Even before she ever met you, Wanda didn’t sleep well. She would toss and turn for at least an hour before she finally found some temporary, flimsy form of peace. Her sleep was always light and she hardly ever had dreams, which was customary for a woman like her at the time- an un-blossomed witch.

It was hard for her to remember the time where she didn’t have magic, but that time certainly existed. It lasted nearly thirty years. She never aged a day past twenty one, time moving past her without a care in the world. She was stuck right there, no magic except for the little bit in her bones that was keeping her young. And then she met you.

You were the person that kicked her magic into gear. You were her kindred soul, her other half and the power to her magic. Meeting you had flung her right into the world of magic and spells, things that she only watched others do, but even as she was introduced to an entirely different world, she could remember only really wanting you. Her heart and soul called to you far louder and stronger than spells called to her eager mind. When she met you, it all fell into place. It was an easy love, one that was never going to be disputed or questioned, and loved it. She was prepared to move heaven, earth, and the gods for you, if she had to. Your arrival into her life had caused her to finally blossom.

But now, she had bloomed and flourished and wilted all the same, and she was just waiting to decompose.

“Have hope,” was all that Bucky, a warlock who had been tortured enough in his own way, would tell her. “Have hope that something good will come to you, and it will.”

She never had the heart to tell him that good things hardly came to those who waited. He himself was a product of waiting, and it had served him well. Before he met his other half, he was taken by a rival clan and experimented on with spells that were so far past illegal that they made the casual witch shudder. Eventually, he was broken out and the rival clan was defeated, but he returned to them as an empty shell of a man. But then, Steve came, and then the man was nothing but a ball of light. His magic grew to be strong and so did Steve’s, and together they became known as some of the strongest practitioners of magic in the world.

But what did Wanda have to hope for when you were gone? What did she have to wake up for and smile at when she knew that she had buried you hundreds of years ago? It wasn’t even about the magic. She couldn’t care less about the way she felt the energy leave her- and it was dramatic- leaving in a singular burst of light the second you left. She only knew that you were gone, and that was the only thing that mattered, and it seemed to be the only thing that she even really felt.

Well, she did feel one other thing. Exhaustion. Exhaustion caused by the lack of you by her side. And exhaustion was exactly why she assumed that she was hallucinating when she felt a small tug at her heart, in a part of her brain that had been dormant for years and years. She shook her head and tried to take her thoughts away from you and the nagging feeling in her gut.

“Oh, no…” you exclaimed, voice tapering out into a whine as you watched the ruined paper sink deeper and deeper into the fountain, a fist clenching at your side in disappointment when you realized how many hours were lost, just like that, and then even tighter when you realized that part of you wasn’t even truly upset about the time spent on the ruined art. You were mostly upset that you lost the only vision of the hands that you had during the daytime.

You were on your knees, sleeves still all the way down as you reached into the water frantically, causing the paper to move even further away. You weren’t even worried about your sketchbook that had fallen open onto the pavement, more focused on the rapidly deteriorating piece of paper. You hardly even noticed the man who knocked into you talking, trying his hardest to make the situation better. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, is there anything I can do?”

“I mean,” you breathed out, taking the nearly disintegrated paper from the water and grimacing. When you realized that the man was fumbling to say something from behind you, celery apprehensive over the fact that you were upset, you took a short breath and turned around, giving him a small smile. He had dark brown hair that was cut short and crystal blue eyes that were striking, but you knew that they held thousands of stories by looking just once. He was holding your sketchbook, and by the way he was gripping it tightly, you could tell that he had flipped through it for a second. “It’s just a drawing. I guess I can make another one.”

His eyes widened. You saw his jaw slacken and his neck stretch out, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He blinked three times, and his parted lips trembled for a second before he slammed them shut. You cocked a brow at him, your sadness about losing the drawing being replaced by a weak feeling of uneasiness. “Sir?”

“Knew it.” His face was clear from any type of emotion as he watched yours, and when you opened your mouth to ask him if he was okay, a grin spread across his face. “I’m Bucky, what’s your name?” You furrowed your brows at him, asking what the hell had just occurred without saying a single word. “I’m sorry, you just looked really familiar.”

Just like that, you smiled. You knew that feeling, you felt like you got deja vu far too often to be normal. You hated when people made you feel strange for it, you always had, so you tried your best to ignore it with him. “You’re fine, don’t worry. I’m Y/N.” You extended your dry hand for him to shake it. He stared at it for a moment, and then with an eagerness that made you smile, he shook your hand.

“‘I’m Bucky.”

For a moment, you could have sworn that you had done more tha just seen him before. Could have sworn that you had shaken his hand, met him before, been at the receiving end of his blinding yet somewhat shy smile. It flashed through you warm and bright, and you cleared your throat before pulling your hand away and realizing you had held it for too long. You cleared it again when you saw something flash in his eyes, a weak smile lifting on your lips.

“It’s not her.”

Wanda was furious. She was insulted more than anything, really, angry that Bucky could even mistake the light of you for someone else. She knew that you would never grace the earth with your presence again, and she was so used to the fact that she was going to have to die before seeing you again. And for one of her closest friends to try to convince her that you were back?

“She would have already found me.” And Wanda believed that with her whole heart. You had asked her so long ago that you remember her, like she could ever forget. Your scent was so flowery that whenever she walked past a growing garden that she smelled you, your smile was so bright that she saw it in the way the rays of sun came down on the earth. She heard your laugh in the chirping of the birds every morning, and she saw your playfulness in the running waters of the stream by the cabin. She could never forget you, because everything was traced back to you. And you would never return without finding her.

“I don’t think she even knows it yet, but she is looking for you.” Bucky insisted, stepping forward and receiving Wanda’s burning glare while Steve stepped to the side and let it happen. “I bumped into her and she dropped her sketchbook. I saw her drawings- she drew your eyes.”

Wanda’s heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“She dropped the drawing of hands in the water, but I saw she had drawn eyes that looked just like yours, hair the same shade as yours, even drawn the necklace you used to wear. She draws roses, too. I swear to everything above, it’s her.”

She could feel herself getting warm, the sort of emotions stirring inside of her that had the potential to turn into a singular weapon. The thought of a rose bush made her sick to her stomach. “It’s not her.”

“You forget that I knew her, too,” Bucky stated, and Wanda’s desolation was replaced by some ancient feeling of possessiveness. “I could never forget her face, and that was it right there. That was her face, without a shadow of a doubt, And her voice-”

Wanda’s face curled into a snarl. “Stop talking about her.”

“Hey, Wanda, take a deep breath,” Steve cut in, ever the mediator, but Bucky was hardheaded. If he thought something needed to happen, he was the one to push for it to happen, and he needed her to see.

“She looks the same as she did the day she left.” Wanda let out a choked noise. For a second, all she could picture was her lover dying by the blooming rose bushes in the sunset, ruining two of the most beautiful things in life at once. The third (but first) was you, but not even your horrible death could taint Wanda’s memory of you. You would forever be the brightest and most beautiful thing to grace the earth. “I got her number, we’re meeting at a coffee shop a few blocks away.”

“Leave her alone.” Wanda said through gritted teeth, tears welling up in her eyes. When she saw the brunet’s eyes widen and his mouth drop open, she spoke before he could get a word in. “Just stay away from her, Bucky.”

All she could think about was your death. The way you choked on your own blood. The way you cried and looked up at her, but still managed to smile. And as she was consumed by rage and memories, the only other thought in her mind was that she was yours and you were here, and that she couldn’t save you then. But she was surely going to preserve your memory from Bucky’s mouth.

“I know you feel it coming back. You haven’t felt it in so long, but it’s warm, right? It’s powerful. You always were the strongest, and you’re not dormant any longer. Stop lying to yourself and depriving yourself of love, Wanda. You know Y/N-”

She saw red. Red as red as the fires that burned in the magma underneath the ground, as red as embers in a fire. “You don’t get to say her name.” She saw so much red, so much hot anger that hardly covered her sadness, that she didn’t even see the way that she had her hand out red coming from her palm as she lifted Bucky right off of the wooden floor of their shared home. “You don’t get to talk about her.” There was a warbling noise in her ears, whispers that sounded like her name, getting louder and louder until she finally realized it was Steve trying to get her attention.

“Wanda.”

Instantly, she dropped her arm and watched Bucky fall to the ground, landing in a crouched position. She watched him catch his breath on the ground. She opened her mouth to apologize, to say that she felt terrible and that she had no idea what happened, what took over her, but she was stopped by the brilliant smile that came onto Bucky’s face.

“You used magic.” He said, slowly and steadily, not a hint of hesitance or animosity in his eyes or voice. Instead, he seemed more proud than anything. “You can’t deny this now, Wanda.”

She was hyperventilating, the pain in her chest intensifying as she tried without any results to get the right amount of air in her lungs. She felt her knees hit the ground before she knew that she did, her hands covering her face as she sobbed into herself. Her heart ached, tugging in so many different directions as her brain fought to rationalize what everything meant. She had used magic, and that meant that you were back, in one way or another. She was in disbelief. She was in despair. She was in shock.

“I know you do, I know you do,” It was Steve’s arms around her, and Steve’s voice in her ear, and she realized that she had been saying I miss her, I miss her, over and over again until the words jumbled. “We know you do, Wanda. We miss her too.”

But he didn’t understand. He hadn’t lost Bucky since he had found him. He hadn’t walked the earth for centuries after losing the only thing that mattered to him as an empty shell of the person he used to be. He would never understand, but that wasn’t his fault. In fact, she prayed that he would never understand.

“I’m sorry I approached you like that,” Bucky said, crouching down and hugging her just as Steve was, enclosing her into a hugging circle. They were coven, related by magic, and just being around them made her tears subside. “But you know that I would have never said anything like that unless I was one thousand percent sure. I would never do anything to hurt you, Wanda. All I want is for you to be happy. And I know that I found her.”

And how could he want anything but the best for her? He knew her just as much as Steve did. Just as much as she probably knew herself. He and Steve were the ones who stormed the coven that took you from her by her side, and they were the ones that helped her send them to their graves. They supported her through thick and thin, through revenge and peace, and mostly, they loved you almost as much as she did. Why would Bucky lie?

Wanda blinked, staring down at her hands in fear and wonder as her heart beat started to get away from her. Steve’s warm hand landed on her shoulder, and she flinched from the sudden touch after such a rush of power.

“I think you should go with him, Wanda.” Her heavy breathing was all that filled the air for a moment. “Just take a look at her from outside so you can leave if he was wrong without anyone knowing, but you should at least try. I think Buck’s right.”

Wanda’s breaths were still labored. Her hands trembled as she moved hair from her eyes, and her lip quivered before she found the strength to mutter a few words. “Will she- will she remember?”

“I think she will,” Steve said softly. “But she’s probably just a human. It may take more than just seeing you for her to remember everything.”

Her eyes were wet with tears, and her heart was so big with warmth and need that she was scared that it would burst open at the seams. But she was even more terrified to lose the idea of you. Slowly and shakily, she nodded, her head bobbing up and down as she sealed her own fate. “I’ll go.” She saw Steve give her his fatherly and supportive smile, small yet full. “I’ll see her.”

You didn’t know how you were gently swindled into giving Bucky your number. You knew that it was nothing but friendly, but he was so charming that you felt like you could never not know him. In fact, it felt like you already did know him. He said something about maybe commissioning an artwork of yours, and of course that excited you. You were going to meet him at a coffee shop, in a public place even though you weren’t the slightest bit afraid of him. But something felt different.

It started once you got into your car. You were driving to get to the shop when tingles came down your spine, and bumps raised on your arms, like someone was whispering against your skin. You started to feel warmth come and go in waves, brushing against your mind and then retreating again. You shook off all of the strong feelings as you turned your car off, parked in front of the coffee shop while the music from your speakers filled the silence, soft piano music that was perfect for the weather.

It was drizzling, the kind of weather that you liked to call a “lover’s drizzle” because of how often it was seen in romantic scenes. Scenes of confession, of reunion, of desperation between two lovers- more often than not, they had the mild rain to stand in. You turned the music down before shutting your car off and then stepping out, closing the door and locking it immediately before walking briskly to the entrance of the coffee shop with your recent drawings in hand.

Bucky wasn’t there when you arrived. In fact, hardly anyone was there besides the few employees, who smiled at you when you entered but otherwise fell back into conversation amongst themselves, which was fine with you. There was one beefy blonde man who was sitting with a laptop and a ball cap on. He glanced up for a moment and then took a double take, blinking hard at you with a star struck look on his face, and then he shot his gaze back down and went back to typing.

You sat down at a table for two, the only type of table that was there besides the long, awkward study tables that they had set up in the center of the room. You would much rather take the intimate setting of a two-seater than to sit in the middle of the shop, so you did just that. You flipped through your work, looking at it closely now that you had the time. He had mentioned something about possible portrait work for a friend of his, so you naturally brought most of the drawings that you had done with hands, arms, eyes, hair, nearly everything that was the closest to your heart. You rested your palm on top of them and watched your fingers trace the slender ones that you had drawn in what felt like by memory at the time, like you were just remembering the way an old friend’s hands used to look. You peeled that one back and looked into the eyes, the strangest and prettiest light green color that made your heart pound every time you looked at it. You took a deep breath in.

“That’s gorgeous.” You jumped in your seat as the chair in front of you pulled out from under the table, and there was the charming brunet that you had met by the fountain, giving you the same welcoming smile that he first granted you. You smiled back without hesitation, your heart warming at the sight. “You sure can draw.”

“I try,” you joked, your grin nearly splitting your face. “Do you drink coffee?”

“Nah,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “But I like tea, though.” You gave him a thoughtful look.

“Are you into herbal healing?”

You could have sworn that there was some sort of excitement in his eyes, but you weren’t sure enough by the time he opened his mouth again. “Yes, actually! What, does it look like I’m into it?”

“No,” you answered, and it was true. Bucky was huge. He had the kind of build that intimidated other guys at the gym, the kind that made athletes jealous. He looked like the typical meathead, but he was sweeter than you could have imagined. But he looked nothing like a man who would be into herbal healing. “Just a guess.”

“Pretty good guess,” he mused, and you grinned back. Your head was in the clouds of some strange deja vu when he asked you if you wanted something, and the entire exchange of whether or not you were going to pay was on the back burner as you sifted through your thoughts. By the time he came back, you noticed that you must have told him that you liked hot chocolate, and that he must have paid. You scolded him before he sat back down, waving you off. It was silent for a few moments as you looked out of the window, the rain still steadily working through the atmosphere. The cup was comfortingly warm.

“Can I ask you something?”

With any other man, you would have immediately told him no, or at least have your guard up. But there was just something deep down, so buried that it was faint, but it was there, that told you that he was nowhere even close to being a threat. “Yes.”

He nodded, taking a sip of his tea and then putting his cup down gently before giving you an intense look. “Who’s the girl?”

You frowned. “What girl?”

He raised a singular brow. “The one you draw.”

Your breath hitched in your throat. You blinked twice, and then tilted your head to the side. “I don’t draw just one person,” you said slowly, the lie dragging its way out of your mouth and through your teeth. “They’re different people.”

“Oh,” he said, but the smirk on his face told you that he knew you were lying to him and to yourself. You sipped your drink and something tugged at you, telling you to look out of the window and into the rain again, just one more time before you spilled your guts about seeing things- and then something caught your eye. A flash of a familiar reddish-brown. You turned your full body to look that way, and once you did, you nearly dropped your cup.

There was a woman staring back at you, eyes wide and full of so much emotion that the artist in you wanted to rush to make an unworthy attempt at capturing it. Her lips were parted in pure shock, but you were watching them tremble even from far away. She was getting slightly damp in the rain, but she stood there like it didn’t even matter, just locking eyes with you and sending your heart rate through the roof. When your eyes finally came back to hers after looking at her for what felt like the quickest eternity, you gasped. You knew those eyes.

If you weren’t so deep into gazing at the woman stuck behind the glass, you would have noticed the pleased and content look on Bucky’s face, and the look that he gave the big blond sitting with a ball cap on all by himself. You would have noticed the way that the blond man was turning his body towards your table, watching with the same amount of anticipation as Bucky was. You tried to understand why she looked so familiar, why she was scratching the part of your brain that always tried to convince you that you were much older than twenty something- and then it hit you.

You had been drawing this woman. And you had been thinking about her ever since you knew how to think. It was just the first time you were ever seeing the full picture. “I-” you muttered, eyes stuck on her and the way she looked like she was about to topple over from emotions. The words got stuck in your own throat as you weakly tried to get your mind to take you back to the conversation. “I- excuse me. I have to- I’ll be back- excuse me.” Your chair made a loud noise as you stood from the table in a haste, pushing the door open and walking towards the woman who was still standing on the sidewalk, dumbstruck.

Before you even knew you were outside and into the rain, you were standing not even four steps away from the woman, who was now looking at you with an incomprehensible look on her face. You couldn’t even feel the rain on you. All you could feel was her gaze and the warmth that was settling in your stomach and chest, and the same intense familiarity that was hitting you when you looked at Bucky. But it was so much stronger.

“I-” you frowned, taking a step closer and resisting the urge to reach out and touch her. “Do I know you? Have we met?” You had to have met. You had seen her in your sleep, in your daydreams, in your sketchbook. And still, you never could have imagined how beautiful she was.

She was silent.

“I know this is random and that I just bum rushed you, but, did we go to school together or something?” You were embarrassed. You had never begged someone to remember you before, but this woman was different. She hadn’t said a word to you, and you didn’t even know her name, but you were enraptured. You swore you knew her. You swore you saw her eyes glaze over for a second.

“You really don’t remember, do you?” Her voice struck something familiar in your chest, something warm and comforting. It was so familiar, so far back in your memory that it felt like home. Her accent, her inflection, the way she spoke slowly yet deliberately. It was all there in your mind, but you just couldn’t figure out how you knew it so well. “You don’t remember who I am?”

That had you closing your mouth. You tilted your head to the side at what could have been a hostile question, but her tone made it sad. Did you forget a high school friend? “Oh, um, I know you from somewhere, but I can’t really-”

“Think.” The desperation in her voice made your knees shake. If she were anyone else, you would have told her to go away, but you couldn’t. You didn’t want her to go away. But you couldn’t quite place her either, even though your own heart was screaming at you to remember.

“I’m sorry,” you said, a hurt expression on your face. You braved yourself to leave, taking a deep breath and giving her a weak smile that embarrassed you even further. “This was weird of me. I’ll just-”

She was reaching for you. Time started to run slower as her pale arm extended towards you, long fingers that you had committed to memory and to paper a thousand times outstretched. Your mouth dropped open ever so slightly as you stood in place for a second, body still until you subconsciously leaned forward, your nerves buzzing under your skin.

For a second, the only thing you could do was look at the point where her skin touched yours.

You had seen magic before. You had seen it in movies and at theme parks and when miracles happened, but nothing ever like when her skin touched yours. You swore that the warmth that your body had been feeling kicked in even stronger, surrounding you in comfort. Her hand was wrapped around your arm, gentle yet begging, firm yet wishing all the same for something you couldn’t quite see yet. You looked up and into her eyes, the eyes you had drawn and seen so many times, and then you saw it.

You saw it in more than flashes. They were coming in at the speed of light, but somehow you were able to catch every moment and every feeling that came along. You heard her voice as clear as day, ringing with laughter. You saw the two of you attempting to skip stones. You saw her enchanting your stones behind your back to make you think you had actually done it. You saw her mouth brushing over your cheeks, your mouth, your forehead. You could feel her hands on you, holding you, protecting you, cherishing you all the same. You could remember the way that you felt when you saw her standing in traditional witch’s clothing, being inducted into her coven as a blossomed witch. You saw everything and nothing, and you remembered it all.

Wanda.

A strangled sound escaped your body, so feral that it scared you, but you didn’t care. You pulled her forward, your head clashing against her chest. You could feel her shaking, like she wanted nothing more than to hold you just as tightly, but she was hesitating. “Wanda,” you called out, hugging her tighter, and then, like something in the universe stretched too far and then snapped right back into place, she was returning the embrace.

“I thought I had lost you forever,” she said, her voice hollow yet so full, so expressive. “I lost you, darling.”

The memories were all there, like all it took was a touch, but you were still coping with the knowledge. You had been murdered. Murdered by witch hunters, way back when witches were known and feared. That had to have been hundreds of years ago, you knew it. But still, your focus was on Wanda. It always would be on Wanda, forever and always. Just like hers was on you.

“You didn’t,” you managed to say, your own voice thick with emotion as you buried your face into her neck, finally feeling the texture of the hair that you tried so hard to get right. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere ever again.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, suddenly sobbing in your arms. You had no idea how you weren’t being interrupted in the crowded streets, but when you took a look back inside of the cafe to see the men who you so clearly remembered as Steve and Bucky, you knew it had something to do with them and their fulfilled smiles. “I wasn’t able to save you. I let you die, and I’m so sorry, darling. I’m so sorry.”

Her words brought you back to the present. “Wanda, no. No, no, no.” You wanted to pull away and look at her face, but the second you started to, she held onto you even tighter. You leaned your head back onto her chest. “It wasn’t your fault. There was no way any of us could have known, and no way that you could have saved me. It was beyond us.”

“Nothing should have ever been beyond us.” She argued softly. “I’m so sorry.”

“But it was,” you said. “And now it’s behind us. Don’t apologize, Wanda.” You wiggled around and got free enough to look up at her teary face. “I may not have recognized you, but now that I do, I can’t believe that I ever forgot you.”

“A new life will do that to you.”

“Is it really a new life if I remember everything?” You said softly, the rain long gone as you stood with each other, bodies nearly molded together with how close you were.

She pulled away to look down at you, her eyes and overall expression tense, and then there was a look that you recognized from a long time ago. It was a look of sweet desire. You closed the cap between the two of you, pressing your lips to hers in a way that proved that you were both two lost souls who had wandered their way back to their other halves.

“It can be whatever you want it to be, darling.” Her lips brushed your again, soft and tender and eager for more touch. “As long as you let me be in it.”

#wanda x fem!reader #wanda maximoff x female reader #my fics #witch!wanda #marvel au #witch!au #scarlet witch #wanda x reader #wanda maximoff #no idea what to tag this-#wanda x you #lgbt marvel #lgbt

488 notes · View notes

timextoxhajima · 3 years

Note

hi dana.. if it’s possible can i request some angsty wangsty based on niki la la lost you with eric🥺 and ughh i really love your writing like crazyyyyy

♥ title: la la lost you in april [also part of @sunlightwoo ‘s 12 Months I Loved You collaboration project]

♥ member: tbz eric

♥ genre: f2l, ex! eric x fem! reader, model! eric [SFW!]

♥ warnings: swearing, some mentions of sex [like, once i think]

♥ wc: 3.4k

♥ a/n: sis when i first heard the song I absolutely loved how you used 'angsty wangsty' so I hope this one does it for you the way you imagined it <3 [fyi i wrote it in like, a camcorder recording audio format which is something i’m trying out so please hmu on whether it’s difficult to read/understand!]

[REC: APRIL 2, 2019 - 6:39PM] SOLO LOG #1

Are you seeing this? This is the most beautiful sunset I’ve seen. I gotta get a shot of this-

Hey! Hey! I could help you take a picture with the sunset if you want to!

Oh! Would- Would you? That’d be great!

Of course!

...

Here. Is it alright?

Yeah, yeah, it’s cool! Thank you so much!

Are you recording something? Is it a- Are you vlogging? Are you a vlogger?

Yeah, no... I’m actually on a solo trip for a bit.

Oh, where are you from?

Just the next state.

Ah! You’re taking a break off... life then? I assume? Sorry if that came out weird.

No! No no! It’s alright! Yeah, I just needed a short break from... y’know, school and everything. My semester ended pretty early on so I took the chance to come out here and... see some new sights, meet some new people.

I get that. Well, for a start, what’s your name?

Oh, I’m y/n. Nice to meet you! And you?

I’m Eric.

[REC: APRIL 4, 2019 - 10:34PM] SOLO LOG #2

It is the 4th of April, 2019. I know, I know, I’m meant to do a daily vlog for all the 50 days I’m here but... it’s been... wow. Um... so I met Eric, the first day I touched down. The beach is just, about a 10 minute walk down and the sunsets are absolutely gorgeous. But uh... call me a fool and say that I’m living in the clouds but- what are the chances?

He’s funny, he’s such a great person to be around with y’know? Never a moment of like, awkwardness or stress and my God, look at me talking about a boy like that, though I met him 2 days ago.

...

Um, he’s a freelance model. For those freelance shoots by UNIQLO or Target or something and he complains about the pay sometimes, but he looks good infront of a camera, so he’s... actually the one who won at life, really.

I’m not seeing him soon because he’s got a shoot out of town and he’ll be back next week. But I did get his number and he’s been texting me since.

...

Wouldn’t it be funny if we end up together and then I have this whackass of a reel to show him? Jesus... I need to stop getting ahead of myself here. Freakin’ living in the clouds, aren’t I?

...

Anyway, I’m gonna go and see if I can get my weird projector shit up and working. See you.

[REC: APRIL 7, 2019 - 5:14AM] SOLO LOG #3

It is... 5am... uh, April 7th- and I was just binging FRIENDS through the night, waiting for the sunrise before I get some shut eye and then... Eric just asked me out. Oh my God! Um, he’s coming back this Thursday and I’ll go see him at the airport before we go get dinner.

It was really funny ‘cause he had to wake up early for a shoot today and so his day has just begun but mine’s coming to an end and I just- I’m rambling so much, it’s kinda- it’s kinda sad, isn’t it?

I think I’m too happy to sleep right now so I’m just gonna text him some more before the sun rises- oh! He replied!

...

Anyway, I’m gonna go and finish up this last episode before sleeping. Hopeful I can sleep. Bye!

[REC: APRIL 11, 2019 - 4:28PM] SOLO LOG #4

I am on my way out right now to go meet Eric at the airport, and I’m... it’d be an understatement to say that I’m excited. I know I’ve only known him for like, 2 days before he left but... I miss him. Is that possible? Missing someone despite knowing them for 2 days?

Anyway, I gotta go. Don’t wanna be late to see him.

[REC: APRIL 13, 2019 - 10:23AM] SOLO LOG #5

Oh! Is that what you had-

Yeah! It’s the same camera!

What are you vlogging for, actually? Like-

Nothing, really. It’s just for my own usage-

Wait, you didn’t like set that up last night while we-

Oh, God, no! Who do you think I am?

I don’t know, I mean, we’ve known each other for... is it two weeks-

Just under two weeks-

Jeez-

I know, I know, oh my God.

...

I don’t regret it though. Yeah, like- I don’t really go down to the beach that often in the first place and it just- it just so happened that you were there that day and I saw you struggling with this old thing-

I was not struggling!

Yeah you were!

I wasn’t-

I’m kidding! Gosh, you’re so cute.

...

Are you gonna have the camera recording while this carries on?

I forgot it was on-

One day we’re gonna accidentally make a sex tape-

Eric!

[REC: APRIL 17, 2019 - 1:15AM] SOLO LOG #6

-ould you pass me the hot water?

Mm? What?

The kettle over on the counter. Careful, it’s hot. Yeah, thanks.

Do you need help with-

It’s just instant noodles, sweet. Doubt I need a diploma for this. You’re recording again?

Yeah, does it bother you?

No, no, ‘course not. Though that means I can’t really do whatever I want to now.

What does that mea-

...

I can... still taste that bit of milk tea you had just now-

Could you tell it’s zero sugar?

I don’t think that matters, it’s still sweet and not great for your health to have that so much.

Aw, and yet you’re the one who suggested noodles at this timing, yeah?

You were hungry too!

...

Here, it’s done. Help me get the bowls?

Did you even wash these?

Yeah, I did. If you don’t trust me, you can run them under the water for a bit.

Mhm. Here.

If it’s not enough, we can call for Macs.

Y’know, I’ve never had Macs past midnight back at home.

What? Really? Well, when you get back in May, would you try?

Yeah, why not? Maybe I’ll do that when I’m back in school.

...

What date is it today?

April... hold on, um, 17. Careful, that’s hot.

...

When are you leaving again?

May 22.

Are you planning on coming back anytime soon after?

I don’t know. I have school to worry about and the only other time I can come back’s probably during winter break in November.

...

I won’t be around in November.

Mm? Why not?

I’m moving.

To where?

I’m not sure yet, but I need to move depending on whether I get it and where the shoot’s at.

Shoot? It’s a big project, huh?

Yeah, it’s- it’s a pretty big deal.

...

I’ll- Let me just go and...

[REC: APRIL 20, 2019 - 7:49PM] SOLO LOG #7

-idn’t have to!

No, c’mon! It’s such a great time to get this on camera! Come on, tell us what just happened!

Well, I just scored a huge model contract with Calvin Klein - in Manhattan.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I’m so fucking proud of you, oh my God! Can you believe it-

No, fuck off, I can’t either!

Oh! Calvin Klein!

...

I swear, you’re an angel sent to me-

Fuck off!

I’m serious! it’s so timely- I just can’t- I’m just so happy to have met you.

...

Well, you heard it first here, ladies and gentlemen. Eric Sohn is a new model for Calvin Klein - Manhattan.

[REC: APRIL 21, 2019 - 12:40PM] SOLO LOG #8

It is 12.40pm... April 21st, 2019. I’m finally back in my apartment after crashing at Eric’s for the last... 10 days? I think it was 10 days. My clothes were running out and I didn’t want to hike up his water bills so I just came back and- y’know did my own laundry.

...

Well, it’s- it’s been an absolute dream. The last thing I expected to... have, or meet? Here, is Eric. Um, but I know I’m probably going to regret this. Especially when May 22 comes. Uh... this is... it’s real bad. I mean, we’re great, y’know? But... it’s bad, because I know it’ll hurt. Like a bitch. When my time here is up, and I gotta go back to my reality, and Eric’s gotta stick to his.

We haven’t really talked about it. May. I don’t think he wants to, and I don’t think I want to either. 50 days is too short. Either that, or I shouldn’t have come here in the first place. I shouldn’t have gone to the beach that day, in that hour.

...

I just wish we had more time. I wish 24 hours were... maybe about 100 seconds more per minute. Does that make sense? 160 seconds per minute. Then again, I don’t think that’d solve my problem. I’ll still be on a ticking... time bomb.

...

I know I shouldn’t say this. I know I can’t. I know I can’t afford to. But... I... I love him. I love Eric. With every... bit of me. It’s so... disgustingly cliché, but I feel so... comfortable with him. There’s really nothing we’d fight about, and even if we disagreed on something, we’d play it off like a debate, then forget about it the next day.

...

I love him. I do. And I’m going to regret this later. Without a doubt.

...

[REC: APRIL 27, 2019 - 2:02AM] SOLO LOG #9

-ou can see the stars?

I don’t know, that’s why I’m trying, sweet.

...

Can you see them?

Yeah, maybe if I just turn this ISO- Oh! I can kinda see the North Star-

Oh! Yeah, you can! It’s really feint though.

Right.

It’s okay, we can just lay it down here-

On the grass? Will your camera be fine?

Yeah, yeah, or else you can just put in on top of my bag- here.

...

Here, can you see me? Am I in frame?

Yeah, you’re in frame.

Okay, great. Now get over here!

...

I can taste the smoothie you had just now.

Too sweet?

A little.

...

Oh my God! Put me down! Oh- not there! It’s ticklish- AHHHHH!

...

y/n, I have something to tell you.

Mm? What is it?

...

Hello? Earth to Eric?

I... I love you. So much... and I can’t bear to see you go in May.

Oh, Eric...

No, I- I don’t want you to stay- or even think about it, ‘cause, you have your priorities and I have mine y’know...

Mhm.

I just... I just wished we had more time.

I do too. I really do.

...

Eric?

Hm?

I love you too.

...

[REC: MAY 1, 2019 - 4:23AM] SOLO LOG #10

1st May. 4...30? Am? I believe. Um, Eric’s sound asleep in his bed and I couldn’t sleep so I decided to do a log.

...

I have... 3 weeks left. 4 weeks have gone past just like that, and I don’t know what to think about it. I came for a 50-day retreat. No stress, just myself and peace and quiet and tranquility and yet-

...

I- I don’t know if I can do this.

...

[REC: MAY 7, 2019 - 3:58PM] SOLO LOG #11

So, Eric’s in shoot right now and I’m on the way into the studio with some donuts and coffee to surprise him. I called his manager and asked if it was okay so- I’m pretty psyched to see his workspace.

...

Hi, I’m y/n, I’m here to visit Eric?

Ah, okay! Hold on, let me just get you signed in with the pass-

Count me in!

You sure? This Saturday at the prep-party?

Yeah- Oh!

Eric!

y/n! What are you doing here?

I wanted to surprise you. Am I... interrupting anything?

Oh, not at all!

You must be y/n! Eric’s told me so much about you!

Did he? And you are...?

I’m Chelsea! I’ve been attached to the same Calvin Klein contract he recently got, so you could say we’re colleagues!

Well, nice to meet you! Oh, right, these donuts and coffee are meant for you guys actually!

Oh! You’re too kind! Eric, you’re such a lucky man.

I know, she’s just... everything.

Anyway, thank you so much for these. I’ll bring them back down to the studio for the crew to share. But Eric’s pretty much done for the day actually, so you guys can leave if you want to!

Are you sure? Don’t you need help downstairs with the equipment?

No, no! It’s fine, there’re more than enough people downstairs. Go have your date, and maybe you can bring her along with you for the prep-party this weekend!

What’s the prep-party... preparing for?

Oh, you’re so adorable! It’s a prep-party for the end-of-May shoot we’re gonna have. it’s a collab with DAZED so it’s a pretty big project.

You never told me you were involved in a collab with DAZED.

I was gonna tell you today.

He has been pretty busy recently, maybe slipped his mind. Anyway, thank you so much for the donuts and I’ll hope to see you at the pier this Saturday, mm?

Yeah, sure. Thanks Chels.

No problem! It was so nice to meet you, y/n, I’ll see you Saturday!

Okay, bye!

Bye, Chelsea! It was nice to meet you!

Bye!

...

Sweet, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?

I wanted it to be a surprise. I thought you said you’d end pretty late?

The filming was cut short because the shots were better than expected so we ended early.

Oh, I wanted to film you while you were at work.

You have that on?

Yeah- why?

No, just wondering.

Are you uncomfortable?

No, no, it’s just... I really didn’t expect you to come to the studio.

...

[REC: MAY 11, 2019 - 11:12PM] SOLO LOG #12

It’s 11:12pm, 11th May, 2019. 11 days to departure.

...

I... saw... Chelsea and Eric... um, out by the garage-

...

Well, I guess... it looked like they were just... having a really good talk. Or something.

...

I left. I couldn’t watch it. So, I left without telling Eric. I did tell his boss that I wasn’t feeling well and I had to leave first.

...

I guess this is the part where I regret it, isn’t it? Um... I don’t know... how... I’m gonna explain this to him when I see him again. Which is supposed to be- um- the rest of the night. I was supposed to go back to his place with him and I’ll stay for the weekend before I come back to pack my things, so-

...

y/n, are you home?

...

shit.

y/n, I know you’re home. I heard you talking. Open the door, I need to talk to you.

...

[REC: MAY 12, 2019 - 2:00AM] SOLO LOG #13

...

I look like shit, don’t I? God, my eyes hurt like a bitch.

...

I don’t think I need to say what just happened for you to guess what just happened, right? This... says it all.

...

Fuck.

...

I shouldn’t have come here. How did- How did my retreat turn out- turn out like this?

...

This is- This is too much. Too much in too short... of a time.

...

I don’t think... I don’t think I can do it. Not anymore.

...

[REC: MAY 19, 2019 - 9:59AM] SOLO LOG #14

It’s May 19th, 2019, almost 10am. I just came back from a morning walk by the beach just to... reminisce a little before I leave on Wednesday.

...

I... haven’t seen Eric since the prep-party. I blocked him and I told him not to come over, though I think he has, like, a few times. I thought I heard someone come up to my door, but he never knocked.

...

So, this is how it ends, huh? A 50-day romance cut short like that. Into about, 40?

...

It’s crazy to think that I had... the experience of a whole relationship in 40 days. I definitely did not sign up for that when I booked this 50-day retreat.

...

It was fun while it lasted, though. It was. I don’t think I’d find anybody else like Eric, and I guess it just sucks that it had to end like that. Things happen, right? That aren’t... in our control.

...

[REC: MAY 21, 2019 - 8:07PM] SOLO LOG #15

May 21st. About 8pm. I leave in about 15 hours.

...

All my stuff’s packed. Definitely more things to bring home than I brought here. Half of these things were bought by Eric and given to me. I’m... actually not sure if I should bring them back.

...

I don’t- I just don’t think I’d have the heart to throw them away.

...

Nor look at them when I’m home.

...

Should I even bring this camera home? Maybe I should wipe your memory before I bring you home, hmm?

...

It feels like a dream, doesn’t it? Everything that’s happened. It feels like a fever dream. Maybe when I’m finally home, I’d wake up and it’d be the day I come here.

...

Maybe.

...

[REC: MAY 22, 2019 - 10:03AM] SOLO LOG #16

-ny more luggage?

Nope.

Alright then, I think you’re all set. You still have about an hour’s time before the gates are open so you can get a cup of coffee or something, yeah?

Okay, thank you!

Have a nice flight ma’am.

Thanks.

...

Good evening ma’am, can I check your boarding pass?

Yeah, sure.

...

Okay, you’re good to go. Have a safe flight.

Thank you!

...

[REC: MAY 22, 2019 - 11:34AM] SOLO LOG #17

It is about 11.30am and I’m on the flight, and here’s the view outside. Sky’s pretty clear and this thing says that the weather’s great so, it should be a smooth flight without turbulence.

...

This is it. This is really it.

...

Um-

Hi, ma’am, I’m gonna need you to keep your camcorder.

Oh! Yeah, sure, sure, sorry!

[REC: APRIL 2, 2020 - 12:48AM] ERIC LOG #1

Wow, this is... weird. How did you do this last year?

...

Um, hi. y/n. If you’re watching this then I’ve somehow managed to get this synced into your camera by some weird... bluetooth, iCloud shit that Felix helped me figure out.

...

It’s been a year. And... I just thought you should... see this, or hear me out, at least. I know we didn’t end on the best terms... and I’m sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have yelled at you for being unreasonable for something that was... suspicious. I should’ve understood.

...

I should’ve been there. To see you off. And I’m sorry I didn’t. I... was scared, that I wouldn’t be able to let you go if I went to send you off. I was a coward. I still am.

...

But I do want you to know that... those 50 days were the best days of my life. Albeit it ended horribly, but nothing could... nothing- nothing will ever replace what happened last April.

...

I said I love you and... I still do. Every day I think about you and your smile and your voice and- and I cry to sleep... worrying that I’d forget how you sound like, or how you laugh and how... how you smell like. My bed smelt like you even after you left.

...

I just- I love you. And I miss you. And I’d do anything to go back to what we had. I’d do anything to get- to get you back.

...

I’m sorry.

...

the clip comes to an automatic stop. the white triangle slapped onto the screen, begging you to play it again. you look up from the screen, watching the famous calvin klein ad that hasn’t stopped playing in the last month.

he hasn’t changed one bit. not his hair, not his smile, not his voice.

it’s a bittersweet pot of memory stashed in the back of your head when the memories flood back. looking back down at the camera, you count back the days - it was synced just last night.

the pile of tissues by your thighs are carelessly huddled into the bin next to your feet, mentally berating yourself for going through the memory instead of formatting it.

you stand, fingers shutting the screen back onto its body with a soft click. the tv blacks out when you press the red button on its remote.

you’re halfway into your kitchen when there’s a knock at your door, and you immediately gasp, blinking rapidly.

“oh, it’s my fucking projector!”

rushing to the door, you don’t hesitate to get the door open.

and yet, like the heavens were providing you with all the light to stop you from doubting yourself, your lungs empty themselves like vacuums.

your heart stops.

your breathing stops.

“eric... what are you doing here?”

222 notes · View notes

scandinavianfairytale · 3 years

Text

Merveille

Pairing: Past and kinda present Bucky Barnes x Wife!Reader

Warning: None, just cuteness overload 😊

Your eyesight was rapidly declining since you turned 87. Surprisingly you were okay with it, after all you lived a long and great life and saw so many beautiful things and places. Besides, it was part of getting older - while the medicine advanced exponentially it still couldn't prevent aging. The only thing that you mourned over were the picture albums you could no longer browse. They were the only material thing that you refused to part with, even though you lived a nomadic lifestyle most of your life.

Your great granddaughter Grace knew how deeply you mourned the pictures that were now only blurry smears on a faded white background. She was the one that inherited your knack for photography and in her free time she operated as a freelance photographer. Growing up and being educated in the modern world, Grace had more tools available to her and decided to surprise you for your 97th birthday. She kept borrowing albums from you and slowly digitalised all of them.

"Happy birthday, Grandma." Grace smiled as you opened your front door and were greeted by your beautiful and smiling great granddaughter. You invited her inside and offered her some coffee and biscuits. You chatted for a bit, before she clasped your hand.

"I have a special surprise for you. Get ready and meet me outside." She smiled and you quickly went to get changed, well as quickly as your old bones would let you.

When you locked your front door, Grace helped you to the car and drove you to the second location - the rented photography studio she worked in when she had some additional time. Loud clapping startled you as you opened the doors and were met with all your friends and family. They congratulated you and sat you down in the small space that was now filled with chairs. The giant white wall that usually had hundreds of pictures hanging from it was now completely bare and Grace sat down next to you.

"Happy 97th, Grandma." She kissed your cheek and pressed a button on the remote she held in her hand. In front of you, the white wall came alive with giant pictures of your life. Tears welled in your eyes and you clasped Graces' shoulder and leaned on her. She watched you with a giant smile on her face.

Your hand covered your mouth when you saw the first picture of you and Bucky - at the signing of The Hobbit in 1937, your first date. Your whole life was displayed on the big screen and after three years you could finally see it clearly again. The good, joyful though and sad moments of your life with Bucky, before he disappeared on that mission with Steve. How you packed up your apartment after the war and set out to explore the world with your kids. Your kids growing up with changing scenery in the background. Your van. The thousands of landscapes and sunsets / sunrises that you caught. The wedding photos of your kids. Your grandchildren. And great grandchildren. Steve returning in your life, the picture side by side with the one they took together before he became Captain America. And the day you found out Bucky was alive. In between the slideshow stopped and you had to tell the story behind the photo. It was so cathartic to replay them again.

As the last picture left the wall you turned to Grace, wiping the tears away, and hugged her as strongly as you could.

"Thank you, Grace. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"Wait, there's one more part to this surprise." you heard from behind you and Steve came into view. He clasped your shoulder and bent down to hug you. The door opened carefully and Bucky walked in, looking uncomfortable and awkward.

"J-James?" You asked, not believing your prescription glasses.

"Hi, Doll." He smiled as he set his eyes on you. Even though 65+ years were added to your exterior, he could never forget the love of his life. He was trying to avoid seeing you since he resurfaced, too afraid of what you'd think of him, even though you begged Steve to convince him. And now there he was, standing in front of you, looking exactly like he did in 1944. You stood up, wobbly, Bucky immediately grabbing your hand to help you. All you could do was stare. You lifted you hand and cupped his face. It felt like time has stopped and you remember, vividly, how your life was like back then. How happy you were. And how heart-breaking it was to lose him.

"It's really you." You smiled and hugged him. You quickly ushered him forward and made him meet the family they created together. He was immediately swarmed by his kids and other relatives, a million questions flying his way and hand squeezes offered from every direction. You stood by the side, observing your husband socializing with his family - it was everything that you ever wished for.

"How are you feeling?" Grace came to stand by you. You leaned on her again, your eyes twinkling with happiness.

"Content. You gifted me my greatest wish, something I thought impossible. I love you, Gracie." Grace smiled at you and kissed your forehead.

Thank you for reading! 😊💙

The GIF is not mine, belongs to the amazing creator 🙏😊

Merveille means miracle in French and this whole thing that happed in the story, the reader would describe it as Merveille. The reader spent a lot of time in France and while she has been back in the States for years now, she still uses some French words to describe certain feelings she feels. The ones too special to use English for. 😊

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #sebastian stan #marvel #merveille #miracle #fanfic #short story

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pascalpanic · 3 years

Text

Picture Perfect (Marcus Pike x f!Reader)

Summary: You reflect on a perfect vacation with Marcus.

Warnings: language, talk of flying in planes, mentions of food, implied sexual content and sexual flirting

W/C: 3.6k

A/N: happy Easter loves!!! I really adore this fic and hope you guys do too! It’s part of the Beyond the Sea series I’m writing with the lovely @mandoalorian

Beyond The Sea Masterlist

You never thought you’d see the day when Agent Marcus Pike relaxed for more than a few hours at a time. Luckily, your hand holds three Polaroids, all of them proof of the wonderful week of rest and recharging the two of you just experienced. The plane is leaving now, the islands of Hawaii behind you and endless ocean outside of your plane window. Marcus is snoozing softly, head pressed to your shoulder, and you press a kiss to his beautiful temple. This is the man who holds all of your heart in his hands, and you’ve never been so sure that someone would protect it with their life.

He stirs at the sensation and you chuckle quietly. The roar of the airplane’s pressurized cabin makes everything quieter, and you smile as those brown eyes flutter open. “Just me. Love you. Go back to sleep, babe,” you murmur, and he complies, eyes slipping shut as he nuzzles closer. You look down at your hands again, at the three Polaroids.

The first photo makes you giggle. It was taken the first full day the two of you had in town. Marcus holds a tiny crab in his hands, a look of wonder on his sun-kissed face. He’s shirtless and crouched down, wet sand packed beneath him and patterned swim trunks bringing color to the photo.

The second photo melts your heart. Marcus lies in a hammock in the Polaroid, asleep in the shade. Stripes of light peek through palm fronds, illuminating bits of your boyfriend’s warm body. He wears board shorts and an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt, his normally gelled hair forming soft waves. The sun you’ve spent your days in lightened it, leaving light brown and even blonde streaks in the top layer. A soft pink covers his nose and cheeks- a result of the sun as well. His ukulele is lying next to him in the hammock.

The third photo makes you tear up at the memory. Two dark silhouettes- one clearly yours and one clearly his- are just outlined against an orange, sunset-colored sky.

You and Marcus arrived at your condo late at night, tired after the long flights, both cross-country and then across the Pacific Ocean. You’d flown first-class, Marcus insisting he spoil you. It was comfortable, but the pressure of the cabin made your body ache and your joints swell. It was impossible to sleep, even with him to use as a pillow.

The first morning, Marcus rises late: it’s about 10 A.M. local time, and he sighs as he finds you still snoring next to him. You look so peaceful and sweet that he can’t bring himself to wake you.

For the next half hour, he sits on the condo’s porch, overlooking the water. He smiles softly as the occasional breeze passes through, noticing that the air slowly warms.

When you finally wake, you wander out to find Marcus on the balcony. You gasp in excitement as you see the rushing surf. “Oh my god,” you grin and wrap your arms around him from behind. “It’s so gorgeous.”

“Good morning to you too,” he teases as his hands rest on your arms. “Isn’t it though?” He leans back against you, watching the seagulls play in the splashing water. “How did you sleep?” He asks, still eyeing the sprawling ocean. There’s a small reef a few yards from the shore, shallow enough to walk in.

You notice it too. “Good. Can we make some coffee then go explore those little tidal pools?” You ask excitedly as you point at them, resting your chin atop Marcus’s chocolate-brown bed head.

“Of course,” he chuckles, turning to kiss the side of your face. “It’s the perfect time to get some sun, too. We’ll get our swim gear on.”

You press a soft kiss into the top of his head, smiling contentedly at the ocean and Marcus’s steady breathing beneath your arms. “I love you,” you practically sing to him, overwhelmed by the happiness of the morning.

“I love you too, pretty girl,” he murmurs back and turns to kiss you softly.

Twenty minutes later, each of you finished with one cup of coffee and changed into your bathing suits, you head down to the water and wade in. You squeal as the cold water laps at your ankles, your pink Polaroid camera hanging around your neck. One hand clutches at the pink plastic, lifting it instinctually to keep it dry. Marcus laughs and takes your free hand, the two of you commenting on the water and the sun as you wander to the rocky shoals a few yards out.

The volcanic rock in front of you is filled with holes and crevices, and it’s teeming with life. Marcus’s eyes widen in excitement as he sees a tiny crab. “Oh my god,” he laughs. “Look at this little guy!”

Walking closer, the crab doesn’t scuttle away. “Oh, do you want to be friends?” Marcus coos, squatting down.

“Careful of the waves, babe,” you remind him, a hand on his spine, between those gorgeously thick shoulder blades. “Don’t wanna get a concussion.”

Marcus shakes his head, absolutely beaming as he scoops up the little crab. “Oh, aren’t you the sweetest thing,” he mumbles to it, admiring its brown shell and tiny claws. “You remind me of that guy from Moana.”

Of course your boyfriend would draw that connection. He mutters the lyrics to Shiny from the movie to the crab as he turns to face you, holding it up. “Look, this is our baby now.”

You laugh and shake your head. “Well, I suppose our child needs a name,” you chuckle, daring to stroke the back of the crab’s shell. It snaps its little claws in return, grabbing at nothing in the air.

“Well, how about the crab from Moana? The Tamatoa?” He asks. The little thing’s claws are clacking rhythmically to some inaudible beat.

“Hmm.” You think about it for a moment, lifting the camera and snapping a photo of Marcus holding the tiny crab. “It’s a snippy little thing. Maybe we should name it Teresa,” you snort, laughing to yourself at your own joke.

Marcus frowns. “No, I like it much more than her. You’re our little Tamatoa, aren’t you?” He coos, holding it up to give it a little kiss on the back of his shell.

Classic, typical Marcus. Giving all of his love with no regard for his own safety. You almost see it in slow motion as the tiny crab snips the tip of Marcus’s nose. “Motherfucker,” he cries at the feeling, setting the crab back down immediately.

It makes you laugh much harder than you should. Leaning onto your boyfriend’s tanning skin, you wheeze out laugh after laugh. He joins you too.

When you both finally settle down and catch your breath, you giggle up at Marcus. “Okay, so that little shit was definitely a Teresa.”

Marcus laughs this time, giving you a brief kiss. “You are the absolute love of my fucking life, baby,” he chuckles and the two of you continue your walk.

Marcus has always been an early riser, and you forgot to close the shades last night before you passed out in the ridiculously plush bed. The early sunrise warms Marcus’s face until he wakes. He rolls over with a yawn and a stretch before kissing the side of your face. You grunt. “Hi.”

“Good morning, angel,” Marcus’s soft voice coos to you, an arm snaking around your middle. “The sunrise looks beautiful. Want to see?”

“No,” you frown. “Wanna sleep more.”

Marcus pouts, kissing your forehead. “Baby.”

“Fine,” you groan, the sleep starting to wear off anyway. “Only because I love you so much. And because I love your dick and don’t want it withheld from me this week,” you tease, sitting up and kissing him softly.

“Yeah yeah,” he laughs and stands, wandering over to the large window in the bedroom.

Your eyes widen at the beauty as you see the gorgeous colors of the sky. The sunrise is behind you, but the horizon is still shifting in hue, pinks and purples and oranges with the dark blue slowly fading away. Marcus wraps his arms around you as you stand next to him. “See. This wasn’t so bad to get out of bed for.”

Nodding, you rest your head against his chest. “I suppose it wasn’t. I’ll go make us coffee,” you murmur and press a kiss to his bare pec, giving his ass a light squeeze as you walk past him.

The two of you make your plans for the day over the coffee, discussing your options and ultimately choosing that today would be the perfect day to find a secluded little beach and just relax in the sun. They wouldn’t be hard to find around here: unlike other places you’d been, it seemed like the shore was endlessly beach.

Parking in a free lot, locking your ragtop Jeep behind you, you and Marcus wander down the beach for a while until you find the perfect spot. How did you know? Marcus spotted the perfect marker: a hammock.

Tied between two palm trees, under the shade of the fronds, was a woven hammock. It had no pillows, blankets, no one around and no belongings. Marcus decided it was yours now- or at least for the day.

The white sand is warm beneath your feet, flying out as Marcus chases you. You’d stolen his sunglasses just moments ago and now you’re running. “Get back here!”

“Only if you fuck me right here and right now!” You teasingly call over your shoulder.

Marcus stops, as if he’s considering it. You do too. Then he picks up into a faster run. “There’s too much sand for that, you little shit!”

Giggling, you stop and let Marcus crash into you, his warm body slick from the tanning oil he’d slathered on. You naturally wrap your arms around his neck. Marcus plucks the sunglasses from your head and puts them back on. “Thank you.”

“Any time, Pikey,” you tease and kiss him softly as his arms wrap around your waist. That was the name you’d called him when you first met, when you were young, up-and-coming interns for the FBI.

The two of you wander back, lying on your beach towels for hours and absorbing the warm rays. You and Marcus snack on some packed food, staring out into the ocean and chatting. It’s absolutely perfect.

Marcus is ever the early riser. You’re usually the one to end up taking a nap if the last night of sleep didn’t satisfy you or Marcus woke you up for some godforsaken reason. As he lies next to you, though, you hear a yawn slip from his lips. “Sorry, what was that?” You clarify teasingly.

Marcus scowls. “I get tired too.”

“Bullshit,” you laugh. “Do you want to go cuddle in the hammock?” You ask, and he nods as he sits up.

Marcus is wearing just his board shorts, but there’s a cool breeze in the shade. He tosses on his Hawaiian shirt, leaving it unbuttoned. He looks so effortlessly cool, that brown hair starting to get slightly wavy from the salty air. His sunglasses sit just slightly lower on the bridge of his aquiline nose, and it makes you grin. You toss a t-shirt on as well, and you grin as you realize Marcus opens his ukulele case.

“I knew you’d use it,” you grin at him as he settles in the hammock. He’d debated bringing it along, contemplating the hassle, but you’d told him he practically had to- you’re in Hawaii, after all. You scoot in next to him and rest your head on his shoulder.

“Will you play me a song by Abba?” You ask him softly, the rush of the ocean and the wind filling your ears.

Marcus nods and kisses your forehead before giving the strings a strum to test some chords. He finally starts playing a soft version of Andante Andante, and your eyes slip shut. His voice is so beautiful and soothing, and you can’t help but quietly sing along.

“I’m your music… I’m your song…

Play me time and time again, make me strong…”

He’s everything you’ve ever wanted, ever prayed to whatever being up there that you’d meet the right person for you someday. He’s soft and warm and strong. He’s protective but gentle and the most caring man to ever walk the face of the earth.

Marcus starts noodling around on the ukulele, playing some random chords and notes. “I love you so much,” you sigh and snuggle in tighter against him.

He puts down the ukulele and wraps his arms around you, kissing your temple gently. “I love you too, baby. So much, endlessly.” He’s so perfectly cozy that you cuddle on top of him, and he welcomes the position. He wraps his arms around your body and kisses your neck.

The two of you stay cuddled up like that, tired from the long day in the sun, for quite a while. Before long, you recognize the different breathing pattern Marcus has slipped into- sleep. Smiling softly, you allow yourself to remain nuzzled into your boyfriend’s body for a while longer.

After some time, you sigh and realize you should probably wake him and return to the condo. The sun is starting to sink lower in the sky: not enough to be sunset, but enough to know what’s approaching. Careful not to wake him, you clamber out of the hammock and grin at the image. It’s too perfect.

You grab your Polaroid and snap the photo: Marcus is asleep, sunglasses fallen down his nose, Hawaiian shirt open, ukulele next to him. The hammock sways in the breeze, peeks of light from between palm leaves shining down on him. You giggle when the photo develops and it’s the sound of your laughter that wakes him. “Huh?” He groans, sitting up and losing his balance as he realizes his resting spot is moving.

You walk over on your knees, the sand moving with you and allowing you to do so. You kiss him gently for a moment before breaking away. “You fell asleep, love. It’s just about time to head back to the condo.”

“How long?” He asks groggily, pushing up his sunglasses and rubbing his eyes.

“You were only out for about half an hour,” you assure him and rub his arm.

His eyes are still closed but he smiles at that. “I heard you take that Polaroid,” he chuckles, and pulls you in for another kiss that muffles your noise of defeat.

Two days later, you can hear Marcus singing along to his music in the shower as you get ready for the evening. Sitting at the vanity in the suite’s luxurious bathroom, you apply your makeup, opting to keep things light. You wear a nice outfit and fidget with your appearance in the mirror, touching little things here and there.

A few minutes later, Marcus wanders out with a towel around his waist, his skin reddened from the hot shower. “Hey. You look… amazing,” he grins as he looks at you, taking in the sight. “I can’t compete.”

You grin and walk closer, putting a hand on his warm skin. “It’s a good thing it’s not a competition,” you tease, faces close together. “You’re going to look wonderful too.” You kiss him softly for a moment before he breaks away to get dressed.

The sun is above the horizon, just about to sink into sunset. Fuck, Marcus thinks to himself as he realizes he needs to move quickly. He puts on the nice outfit he’d picked earlier, messing with his hair in the mirror. Not more than few minutes later, he’s back at your side. “Ready?” He asks.

You nod with a smile. “You hurried.”

Marcus shrugs, pursing his lips and shaking his head. You know that look, you’ve known it since the very first time he did it. He’s terrible at bluffing. Something is hidden behind those eyes. “Just… don’t wanna miss sunset,” he murmurs and kisses you on the cheek, shoving his hands in his pockets.

You’d planned on dinner at a luxurious restaurant located within a fancy hotel, but Marcus insisted that you’d be at the beach for the sunset. When you finally reach the resort, you wander through the gorgeous surroundings until you find the white sand beach in front of you.

Marcus walks with one hand in yours, the other in his pocket. He’s quieter than normal, holding back his remarks about the wildlife and gorgeous architecture of the buildings.

There’s a small gazebo just off the sand, and Marcus walks you up. “Well… surprise,” he chuckles, showing you the little shelter. It’s strung with twinkling lights and white gauze, the ocean’s breeze rippling the fabric. There’s a table with a white cloth covering it, champagne glasses at the ready and flowers sat in the center.

“I thought you said we were eating at the restaurant,” you exclaim but laugh in surprise, setting your purse and Polaroid camera next to the chair.

His eyes twinkle with excitement. “Well, they offered this. How could I choose the restaurant when we could have dinner in our own little private gazebo?” He chuckles. “They won’t start the service for a little while. Want to go walk on the beach a little longer?”

“Marcus,” you coo and take his arm, wrapping both of your arms around it. “You’re the most romantic man on the face of the earth.”

He shakes his head and kisses your forehead. “Only for you. Come on, let’s walk.”

The two of you stroll along, the gorgeous sunset behind the dark and rolling ocean. The breeze rustles Marcus’s hair, and you grin as you see it happen. “This is… amazing.”

“You’re amazing,” he mumbles and nudges you with his shoulder, making you stumble to the side and laugh. “Can I ask you something?”

Looking up at him, you breathe out a small laugh. “When have you ever asked first?” You tease him, but you stop when he stops walking.

His hand squeezes yours a little tighter and he moves so you’re no longer standing side-to-side but facing each other. He takes both of your hands. “You know how much I love you. I really can’t imagine you wouldn’t, because I know you love me just the same.”

Your brain flies a mile a minute as he starts talking. It sounds too planned, not at all the spontaneous man your Marcus is and has always been. Wait-

“You are, without a doubt, the best thing in my life. I’ve been burned by love before, but you’re everything I’ve ever needed. You’re the only one who has ever reassured me and calmed me and silenced that endless buzzing of fear in my head. I know you’d never leave me, and I hope you know I’d never leave you.”

“Marcus,” you whisper, and your eyes well with tears as he falls to one knee in the soft sand, his own eyes shimmering with tears.

“And, if it’s alright with you, I want to promise you I’ll never leave you. I want to make it so official that nothing can ever separate us, not time or distance or anything. And I figured the best way to do that is, well… fuck, I messed it up,” he winces. “I had all the words, I swear-“

“Just ask me the question, baby,” you laugh, the tears falling down your face. You know what’s coming now, as he reaches into his pocket and presents you with a velvet box.

He opens it and inside is the most gorgeous ring you’ve ever seen. It suits you. Of course it does: Marcus knows you better than you know yourself. You can tell when you look into his eyes that no one else ever would or could know you like he does.

He stutters for a moment before you fall to your knees in the sand in front of him. “It’s okay, you know what I’m gonna say,” you say quietly, cupping his face with both hands. “Just… say it. Please.”

He bites his lip then looks into your eyes. “Will you marry me?”

“Of course I will,” you laugh and wrap your arms around his neck, kissing him happily. “Yes, Marcus Pike. I will marry you. I love you so much,” you murmur in between kisses.

“I’m so pathetic,” he laughs as the happy tears trail down both of your faces, him sitting back on his heels and you following suit.

“Oh shut up,” you laugh and hold out your left hand. Marcus takes the ring from the small box and slides it onto your finger, grinning as he notices it fits just right.

Swallowing hard, you laugh at the fact that your makeup must be trailing down your face. Marcus wipes the tears with one large hand, his other cupping yours and admiring the way the ring looks against your skin. He kisses your knuckles and you giggle uncontrollably.

“I get to be Mrs. Pikey now,” you grin and he nods.

“Of course. I mean, if you want to take my name. You don’t have to,” he rushes, shaking his head and blowing a raspberry. “I didn’t even think about that really, just figured that you’d tell me what you wanted first.” His words are a blur of relief, the anxiety fading from his body.

“Marcus,” you laugh softly, your hands cupping his face once more. “It’s okay. Just… relax,” you laugh as one of his hands covers yours, his fingers slotting between yours.

He nods. “I think I finally can now,” he chuckles and kisses you one last time.

taglist:

@remmysbounty @mishasminion360 @blo0dangel @binarydanvvers @sleep-tight1 @apascalrascal @randomness501 @spideysimpossiblegirl @notabotiswear @pedro-pastel @sanchosammy @lv7867 @greeneyedblondie44 @hunnambabe @astoryisaloveaffair @emesispo @pedritobalmando @magikfanatic @sugarontherims

#marcus pike #marcus pike x reader #marcus pike headcanons #pedro pascal #jose pedro balmaceda pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal x reader #the mentalist fanfiction #the mentalist

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joonkorre · 3 years

Text

Rules for Night Guards at Golden Locket Ent.

@drarrymicrofic prompt: sunrise/sunset. ao3

Hello to the new hire,

I know you must be confused. Why are you finding this raggedy piece of paper in your brand new office? Well, first of all, there’s a reason why they keep this office shiny and clean. If it’s not spotless by sunrise, would anyone take the job?

Either way, I’m the one making sure this paper is found by new hires (perks of being a janitor with all the keys). The higher-ups don’t know this building like I do; they know that people can’t work here for even a week, and that’s it. They don’t know enough to solve the problem, they’re too scared to, and no one bothers to ask an ancient janitor.

After your first night here, though, you’ll have a lot to ask. The janitorial staff is not allowed to speak to any employee, including you, so read this document carefully. I’d say take pictures of it front and back, but taking out your phone to access them on the job might not be a good idea, especially as the night progresses.

Again, read this until the rules are tattooed in your head. Many have not heeded me. They’ve either quit or lost more than a job.

Pay attention.

Rules for Night Guards at Golden Locket Ent.

[DO NOT DEFACE THIS DOCUMENT IN ANY MANNER]

Always arrive at your office before sundown. That’s why you’re called here early. The door doesn’t have to be locked, but stay in your office.

8 PM is when your shift starts. Begin by doing your routine check, two rounds for each floor. Finish the 1st floor in no more than 25 minutes.

If you see trespassers, don’t bother chasing them out if you see upturned rubbish bins (see Rule #8).

There will be another night guard who also has a document of their own. Greet them, remember their face. Don’t be surprised if you see a different person the next day, you know how it is around here.

You might meet another person as you walk up the stairs to the 2nd floor. They look the same as the other night guard, but there are slight differences. It doesn’t work here. Do not respond to any and all of its attempts at getting your attention.

After 9 PM, don’t look out the floor-to-ceiling window on the 3rd floor. It will be difficult and the noise will only get louder, but it is strongly recommended that you do not look. Be patient, it will be gone.

Leave the opened file cabinets be.

Be mindful of upturned rubbish bins. If you see one, hide in an office and lock it. It’s some of the building’s inhabitants’ feeding time. Wait until the second set of footsteps passes, then you can come out.

On the 4th floor, there will be a man with glasses. Sometimes you’ll see a boy or a teenager instead, but the glasses are the same. Engage in conversation with him. Deny that you work here.

If the man finds you interesting, he will walk with you as you continue your routine check, and will eventually ask you to let him out. There is no telling how he’d react, but the best response is a polite rejection as you “don’t work here and don’t have the right.” He might use other means of persuasion, in which case defend yourself and/or negotiate with him as best as you can. This is where many people have failed the test.

Between the hours of 10:21 PM and 11:09 PM, it is imperative that you return to your office and monitor the building using the security camera system. Do not go out to the courtyard before your shift is over. Only the other security guard knows the rules to navigate it.

Camera #3 has to be off. If it turns on, cover it entirely.

At 1 AM, there will be two knocks on your door. You will open it and find no one outside. Remark on it aloud, then lock your door, both bolts. Sit with your back facing it.

The paper shredder near the right of your work desk might move when you are not looking. It is always unplugged. If it turns on and alerts you of jammed paper, don’t fix it. Fingers aren’t easy for us to scrub out.

You are to stay out of your office from 2:16 AM to 3:26 AM. No source of light other than your company-issued flashlight is permitted when you are in the halls at this time, including phones and other smart devices. They will deceive you.

Camera #11 will show a being running just off-screen. When it does, check your door three times to ensure that it’s locked. You will have to re-lock it.

The man with glasses will stand in front of the 4th floor's fire exit and look directly at Camera #7. There will be a banging on your door, which will increase in intensity. No matter how tempting it is, do not open the door under any circumstances.

The man will start to talk about how you look very similar to his best friends—a man with ginger hair who can "eat anything" and a curly-haired woman who is "smarter than Einstein" are described—and will plead with you to help him escape. If you are a man with blonde hair, it’s reported that instead of comparing you to his friends, he’ll threaten to “throw you into [redacted] to rot with your fucking father when [he] gets [his] hands on you," and grows extremely hostile. Do what you can to keep him from breaking the door down.

When a camera moves, turn off all the lights in your office. Hiding under the desk for at least five minutes is encouraged if you want to lessen the chances of the creature seeing you.

Remain in your office when you’re done with your tasks until dawn. After sunrise, you’re allowed to walk around inside the building. Leave using the front entrance when your shift ends at 6 AM.

I admit this doesn't sound fun at all. But as someone who’s worked here for longer than she can remember, once you’re used to all the quirks of this place, it’s worth it. High wages, no nosy bosses hovering over your shoulders, great benefits. You can do whatever you want in your office, as long as you follow the rules. Trust me, you’ll like this job.

Just keep an eye on the monitor and the clock, will you?

P.S: If you're able to read this postscript, I know you have a wand. Call me Muggle, No-Maj, whatever, but I’ve seen it all. Here’s a final piece of advice for people like you—your neat little sticks are useless here. Feel free to try, but it’s better to leave it at home than have a broken wand, no?

[crackling noise]

“Hello, uh, Jaclynn, is it?”

-Hey, Drake. And yeah! Ha, wow, this is kinda weird. I’ve never used a walkie-talkie before.-

“Me too. Um, question, do you have a… an old-looking… letter? On your desk? Maybe in a cabinet?”

-Oh, um.-

“Jaclynn?”

-You… received that document, too? With all the rules?-

“Yes, actually. Reckon it's some sort of idiotic prank by the last night guard, right.”

-I, I don’t know, to be honest. I mean… I thought it was, but it’s. It’s starting. Whatever’s going on, it’s right there in the rules.-

[pause]

“Shite.”

-Yeah, I get that. Fuck, I’m scared, haha, fuck. Is it starting for you, also?-

“Not for another, ah, 10 minutes. I can’t leave my office until then.”

-Okay. Okay. I’m not supposed to come into the building.-

“And I’m not supposed to come out to the courtyard.”

-Fuck.-

[pause]

[distant whistling]

-Fuck, fuck, it’s here. It’s here.-

“Okay, alright, stay calm. Stay alive. We both stay alive our first night, and I’ll, I’ll get us kebabs.”

-Not sounding too confident there, mister.-

“I promise. We adapt, we survive, we get our paycheck, and we eat good food. By 6 in the morning, we’ll meet by the front gate.”

-Goodness, Drake, that sounds so nice.-

“Mhmm. I’ll have this thing turned off the whole night, you should do the same. Read your rules, okay?”

-Same goes for you. You owe me kebabs and Indian, too.-

“Noted. Good luck, Jaclynn.”

-Don’t die, Drake.-

[crackling sound]

[silence]

#drarrymicrofic #drarry #drarry fic #drarry fanfic #draco malfoy #harry potter #living-in-the-muggle-world draco malfoy #cryptid (?) harry potter #what is the best r/nosleep genre and why is it always about rules #fucking love that shit #i was gonna write something sentimental but i couldn't get the idea of #being stuck in a horrific situation out of my head #spoilers both jaclynn and 'drake' survive and they have a lot of #celebratory meals together bc wlw mlm solidarity #and whatever is going on w the building & the man on the 4th floor..#'drake' is determined to find out. good for him #joonkorre writes

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wlntrsldler · 4 years

Text

Falling (Bucky Barnes Series)

PROMPT: Bucky has been distant lately. Y/N doesn’t know why.

WARNINGS: ANGST, tears? sadness?

Song Inspiration: Falling by Harry Styles

FALLING | FINE LINE | SHE

SERIES MASTERLIST

You couldn’t pin-point exactly when Bucky started becoming distant. One day you just realized his lips no longer lingered on your temple, his hand stopped finding yours in the crowd, and his eyes avoided yours in conversation. Maybe you were too blinded, too naive, to see it. You lost him slowly.. and then all at once.

You didn’t think about it at first. He’s just busy, you told yourself, he’s an Avenger now, he has other things to worry about besides what dinner will be for tonight. You tried to pretend that you didn’t stay up until past 2AM, waiting for him to stumble into your shared bedroom. You tried to act like you didn’t notice that he barely looked up from his tablet while you talked about your day. You tried to push past the hurt that you felt when he stopped kissing you good morning. You tried, you really did.

You spend most of your days wrapped in a blanket, in one of his old sweaters, alone on your couch. You lost hope on him coming home for dinner... or even coming home at all. These days were all the same. Everyday felt like it never ended- there was no sunrise, there was no sunset. It was just everyday, over and over again.

The team would call you sometimes to check-in, saying how much they missed you and how you should come with Bucky to the Tower sometimes. You’d just laugh it off knowing that Bucky would insist that you not go. For your own safety, he’d always say. It was starting to sound like an excuse. Truth be told, it probably is one.

Nat came to visit. She brought you a pound of that Argentinian coffee that you loved the last time you visited them. You went through three cups, buzzed and hyper, with Bucky’s metal arm slung across your waist. Nat knew something was wrong the minute she saw you. Honestly, she didn’t need to be a trained agent to figure it out. It was obvious, anyone could see it.

She didn’t ask though, knowing that you’re not one to talk about things. But you knew she knew. It was in her mannerisms, her words, her comfort. She held onto you for a hug a bit longer than usual and she avoided the topic of Bucky the whole time she was over. When Bucky got home he was surprised to see you and Nat nursing glasses of wine. You were surprised that he was even home.

“Hey, Barnes,” Nat cleared her throat, refilling her glass. “Nice of you to join us.”

“Hey, Nat.” Bucky’s eyes flickered to you for a second. His eyes were empty. Since when were the bags under his eyes so dark? “What are you doing here?”

“Came to visit, Y/N.” She shrugged, shooting you a comforting smile. She placed a hand on top of yours, giving it a light squeeze. “You’ve been hiding her from us. I missed her.”

“I missed you too, Nat.” You replied, rubbing a thumb over the back of her hand. “Babe, you want a glass?”

He gulped, looking at you and Nat. “Sure.”

The hour that Nat stayed after Bucky showed up was nice. The air in the room felt lighter. You saw quick glimpses of your Bucky during the short hour. He was always like this. Around other people, he was the same, like nothing was different between you two. He replies like how he used to, not his one word, dismissive sentences that seemed like he only reserved for you.

Nat said goodbye at around 10PM, kissing your cheek and mumbling an, “I love you,” to you. You almost didn’t want her to go because you knew Bucky would go back to acting like he didn’t know you. But you knew it’s bound to happen.

Once you shut the door, you saw Bucky get up from the couch, wiping his hands on his jeans. He started to pick up the wine glasses to take them to the kitchen. You stood by the door, listening to the sound of the kitchen faucet running. You leaned against it, taking a deep breath once you heard him shut it off. What happens next?

“Y/N,” Bucky started, coming back into the living room. “I’m gonna get ready to sleep.”

You noticed his choice of words. You didn’t know if he did it on purpose or if the words just rolled off his tongue as easily as they pierced through your heart. To sleep. Not to go to bed. Maybe you were overthinking but you always associated “going to bed” with the thought of you both going to bed together and the fact that he didn’t use those words just reiterated a fact that you knew too well: You wouldn’t be in the same bed tonight.

“Okay.” You managed to squeak out.

“Goodnight,” He said, awkwardly shifting his weight from his toes and his heels. “I already washed the glasses so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Thank you.”

Bucky nodded, giving you one last look before he disappeared into the dimly lit hallway. His face looked tired. You wondered if it was because of you.

You began cleaning up around the living room- picking up cushions, throwing scraps of trash away, and folding the blanket you always covered your legs with. It smelled like Bucky. It was the closest thing you had of him, nowadays.

You heard him enter your bedroom, shutting the door behind him completely. You felt a drop hit your thigh. You didn’t realize that you were crying.

How did you get here?

You leaned back on the couch, wrapping your arms around yourself and let the tears fall until you fell asleep.

You woke up to the sound of plates being placed on the coffee table. Your eyes fluttered open, catching a glimpse of Bucky’s metal arm putting breakfast on the table. You whispered, your voice cracking, “Buck?”

“Shit, sorry, Y/N.” He apologized, rubbing the back of his neck with the same hand. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

You waved him off, sitting up on the couch. You blinked a few times to focus your vision on the scene in front of you. Did he make you breakfast? “What’s this?”

“Breakfast. I figured you were tired.” He replied. Bucky studied your face, eyebrows furrowing. You suddenly became self-conscious, no longer used to his eyes on you. You gulped, tugging at the sleeves of his sweater. “Have you been crying?”

Your eyes widened, completely forgetting about last night. You nodded, trying to come up with a quick lie. “Oh, yeah... I watched a sad movie and I guess I passed out on the couch.”

Bucky nodded, accepting your sentence. “I gotta go. I’ll probably be home late, don’t wait up.”

“Okay.”

Your eyes followed him as he walked out of the door, leaving you by yourself once again. You reached over for the coffee Bucky prepared. It smelled exactly like your favorite. You knew he opened the pack Nat brought with her.

You took small bites of your food, not trusting yourself to eat the entire plate. You felt sick to your stomach. Since when did you lie to Bucky? That wasn’t like you. You sighed, putting the warm cup down. You looked around the room, eyes landing on the many pictures of you and Bucky.

The pictures were mocking you, you were sure of it. Those pictures were a constant reminder of what you had. The Bucky and Y/N that the two of you are now are just ghosts of who you used to be. The tears started to form in your eyes once again, having to blink them away to stop yourself from crying.

You started to tear down the pictures, placing them in a box for safekeeping. You wanted the memories, you just didn’t want them staring at you to remind you of what you lost. You began to put up the art pieces you bought from a local gallery a few months ago. The colors clashed with your furniture but it would have to do while you looked for replacements.

You spent the rest of your day in your home office, working away and finishing projects that weren’t due for a few more weeks. You kept yourself busy to forget about everything else that was going on in your life. You looked at your clock, 11:37PM, and still no sign of Bucky. You placed your arms flat on your desk, pushing your laptop to the side, and fell asleep.

Your slumber was interrupted by sudden movement. You rubbed your eyes, unaware of what was going on.

“It’s okay, go back to sleep.”

I must be dreaming.

You looked up and saw Bucky. He was carrying you in his arms, still in the same clothes he left the house in. He must’ve just gotten home. He looked down at you. For a quick second you could’ve swore that his lips curled up to a small smile. You missed that smile. “What time is it?”

“1:54.” He responded, opening your bedroom door and placing you on your side of the bed. “Been looking for you. Should’ve figured you were in your office.”

“You just got home?”

“Yeah, I’m about to head back out though.”

“Oh,” The disappointment was evident in your voice. You pulled the blankets to cover your body, getting cozy in the cold sheets. “Where are you going?”

“Mission.” He started to dig through his drawers, pulling out a pair of jeans. “Just needed to get some clothes before I go.”

“Oh,” You repeated. “Be safe.”

“Thank you.”

That was all that was said.

You faced away from the door, holding in your tears again. Once you heard his footsteps fade into the silence of the night, you let out a choking sob.

Bucky was never around.

“Y/N?” Bucky called out. “I’m home.”

The apartment was unusually quiet. He’d been gone for three days and he missed you. Things were finally in place and everything was just right. He saw the walls for the first time, confused when he didn’t see your pictures on the wall.

“Y/N?” He tried again, walking over to the box on top of the coffee table. He dug through it, seeing the pictures he was looking for. Once he reached the bottom of the box, he left it alone, thinking that you just put them away to hang them up somewhere better. “Y/N?”

He checked the kitchen, the bathroom, the dining room- nothing. He walked into your bedroom, seeing it spotless, like it hasn’t been used in a while. It smelled of fresh laundry, untouched and brand new. It didn’t smell like you. Bucky didn’t like it.

“Y/N? Are you in here?”

He was about to leave the room when he saw the white paper in the middle of the bed. It almost blended in with the empty sheets. It was addressed to him.

Bucky ripped open the envelope, nearly tearing the letter in half. He frantically unfolded it, hands shaking with every word that he read.

“Bucky-

I love you. You know I do. I’m scared that a part of me always will. I’m bound to you... but I can’t do this anymore.

The past few months, I’ve been alone. You’re not here anymore, Buck. I’m not mad at you, don’t worry. I get it. Sometimes people drift apart, that’s life. The thing is, I’m still here. I haven’t moved from where I started. I’m still hopelessly in love with you, watching you stray further and further away from me everyday.

I don’t think you have the strength to let go. Honestly, I don’t even know if I do either but one of us has to.

I love you, Buck.

- Y/N.”

Bucky shook his head, chest rising up and down. You wouldn’t leave him. You wouldn’t.

He ran to your office, nearly tripping over his own feet. The door swung open and Bucky’s face paled at the sight. Everything was gone. Your bookshelf littered with books and random things you picked up from target- gone. Your fuzzy slippers that you only wear in your office- gone. Your laptop- gone.

The only thing left was picture of the two of you from your first Christmas together, kissing under the mistletoe, on your desk.

He looked down at the letter in his hands, his eyes re-reading the words “I’ve been alone. You’re not here anymore.” He thought about the past few months and all the secrets he kept from you.

Bucky started treatment. It was a risk, Tony continuously reminded him of it every time he showed up for the next dosage. But it was a risk Bucky was willing to take.

He wanted to be free from the Winter Soldier. He didn’t want those words to have a hold on him anymore. He wanted a shot at life, to grow old, to experience things, to live, to love- all with you.

He wasn’t allowed to tell you. He wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. Only Tony, Shuri and T’Challa knew about it.

For months Bucky would go see the three of them to get injected by a reversal serum created in Wakanda. He offered to be the guinea pig of the experiment. “If there’s a chance of this working, I’ll take it.”

He endured painful trials, some days he even stayed in the lab because he couldn’t move. Sometimes the serum made him physically stronger and he couldn’t control himself. His arm would touch something and destroy it, even if he didn’t want to. He had to stop himself from touching you, afraid that he’ll hurt you. He distanced himself away from you because he had to.

He just wished he could’ve told you that.

But this last mission was the final treatment. After trial and error, the serum finally worked. It was over. He was finally free.

Bucky couldn’t wait to get back home to you- to kiss you, hug you, love you, and murmur sweet nothings in your ear. He would be able to tell you everything that happened in his life and how it killed him to not wrap his arms around your waist or cuddle you in your sleep. He was so excited to spin you around in circles, your beautiful smile that he so dearly missed, finally making its way to your face again.

He didn’t expect to come back to an empty home.

Is it even a home anymore?

Bucky reached down for his phone in his pocket, his heart stopping when his finger grazed over the velvet box instead. He almost forgot.

He pulled out the box, opening it. The ring sparkled against the rays of sun peeking through the curtains of your bare office.

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thr-333 · 4 years

Text

Just Another Class Trip :) Part 5

If you don’t get to fight Batman on your class trips I feel sorry for you because Marinette did and she had a great time. Besides from the fact the miracle box went missing that was kind of a downer.

First< Previous >Next

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“Marinette Dupain-Cheng!” Chloe yells at her, Marinette pops her head up through the trash, “Just what do you think you’re doing?!”

“I’m looking for something Chlo,” Marinette tries not to betray the panic in her voice.

“You did not ditch us today to search the trash!” Chloe practically screeches, stomping her foot.

“Chloe! I just really, really need to find this ok?!” Chloe actually recoils at Marinette snapping at her, guilt claws at her, adding more scratches to her conscience, “Sorry, I’m just stressed,”

“You need to relax Mari,” Chloe sighs, she cant, she cant! She cant! “I will only forgive you if you come upstairs and have a shower right now ,”

Marinette glances to Tikki, who nods. They’ve searched the trash here three times over, the Miracle box isn’t here. She lets Chloe lead her upstairs, the ground feels like it's swaying under her feet. The pressure like she’s about to vomit has persisted for hours.

“I will be standing right here, so don’t even think about leaving before you are rid of that smell,” Chloe pushes her into the bathroom.

“Tikki what am I supposed to do,” Marinette curls into herself, as soon as the door closes “I looked everywhere, it-it’s gone ,”

“It’s alright Marinette I’m sure you’ll find it, you just need to think things through,” Tikki pats her arm, not blaming her even once, making everything so much worse.

“Exactly, so chin up,” Kaalki commands, Marinette listens looking at the hovering Kwami with swimming vision, “Now make a theory and we’ll work from there,”

“Only Adrien was in the apartment but he didn’t take it,” Marinette works through her thoughts, “I know he wouldn't have,”

“Good,”

“He was gone for two hours talking with Chloe and Kagami,”

“Exactly,”

“So someone stole it during that time,” Marinette had already concluded that but it was nice to lay it all out, “I thought it was Lila, but she would have just thrown it out,”

“Or,”

“Or kept it,” Marinette gets the picture, formulating a plan, “I have to search her room, as Starling they can get away with it,”

“Good I’ll transport you in there,” Kaalki nods, dipping into her bag to get a sugar cube, “Now change,”

Marinette listens and within minutes they are in Lila's room. The shower running back in Chloe's room. Starling pokes around the room, searching under the bed and in the closet. She spreads out to the whole apartment since Lila isn’t sharing with anyone.

She is opening the oven when the door opens. She freezes, coming eye to eye with Lila. In a split second Starling darts into the bathroom.

“Come out of there!” Lila bangs on the door, “Who are you! I’m calling the police!”

Marinette doesn't give her the chance, teleporting out of the bathroom.

Chloe fights to make her come to dinner that night. Marinette doesn't have the strength to argue and so is dragged along, glaring at Lila from across the table. Lila just looks smugly back, she has to know where the Miracle box is, she just has to.

“Is that the new Wayne?” Marinette hears someone across the restaurant whisper.

Wonder who they’re talking about

“The one with the pink scarf?”

“Take a picture!”

If Marinette could summon the energy she would go over and ask what they meant. Or tell them they had the wrong person. Instead she just hides her face in her arms, lying on the table.

“Head off the table,” Madame Bustier chides, Marinette listens, but doesnt bother answering.

“Oh Marinette,” Lila’s voice is so grating she is ready to send her head through the table, “You look just terrible, what happened?”

You

“Are you ok Marinette,” Rose asks, she was actually nice to Marinette either unaware of the divide or not caring, “Do you want to go back?”

Marinette supposes Lila never had to lie about her to Rose. As she was already running around after Lila trying to make sure she was comfortable, Marinette just fell by the wayside. Either way Marinette can see that changing in the near future with how livid Lila looks that Marinette got the slightest bit of positive attention.

“I know jetlag can be bad, with all my travels,” Could you get to the part where you antagonise me already? “But don’t you think you’re being a bit dramatic?

“Sure Lila,” Marinette sighs, actually getting a few shocked gasps from the class.

They all probably thought that if Lila said the sky was blue Marinette would disagree. Well she would probably double check. Plus the sky is black at night. And multicoloured during sunrise and sunset. You know what? Screw it, Marinette would not trust Lila if she said the sky is blue.

“So Lila,” Alya speaks up, “ What's the worst jet lag you’ve ever had?”

“Well..”

Marinette doesn’t bother listening. She does get the side eye from Alya.

This doesn't mean I like you

Feelings mutual buddy

However it does allow her to lean against Kagami for the rest of the night and doze off. Marinette doesn't pay anymore attention to Lila’s lies the rest of the night until it comes to getting back to the hotel. They are all piling into taxis when Lila weasels her way into getting her own. Covertly Marinette slides a hundred to the driver and sends them to a less than savoury part of town. Now it’s just up to Starling to keep up.

Luckily for her Lila decides to be an idiot, and actually gets out of the car. So Starling drops in front of her when the taxi drives off.

“You!” Lila backs up into the alley, really ?

“You stole something,” Starling stalks forward, appearing every bit of threatening as a sleep deprived guardian of the miraculous can be, which is pretty fucken scary when the Miracle box is on the line, “Where is it!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Lila tears up.

“Do not lie to me ,” Starling punctuates the threat by bending a discarded metal pipe in half.

Lila squeaks, as she backs up against the wall, Starling cages her in.

“WHERE IS IT!”

The absolute terror on Lila’s face is so gratifying for a moment. Then a cold terror runs down Marinette as Lila smiles. The same smile that promises to ruin her life every day.

“Help!” Lila cries, her voice quavering in a poor imitation of the actual fear she just saw, “Please anyone!”

Anyone turns out to be the hand on her shoulder that rips Starling back. They go to grab her arm but she flips out of their grasp, getting enough distance to come face to face with The Batman!

Before she can even think about formulating a response Batman lashes out, going straight for her gut. Starling side steps, twisting around to stand in Batman’s blind spot, making him turn to see her.

“Why are you attacking a civilian?” He demands, a knife she dodges barely grazing her cheek.

“She stole something,” Marinette drops down as he swings a punch at her head.

“That’s not true!” Lila cries, huddled up against the wall, “They broke into my hotel room today! And then they attacked me! They’re trying to kidnap me!”

“She’s lying!” Apparently that’s not convincing enough as she dodges a kick, having to roll away, thankfully towards the exit.

She tries to make a run for it, getting halfway up the fire escape of the next building when a Batarang pins her cape down. She tears it out, throwing it back at the shadow who hangs in midair.

Wow that is not aerodynamic at all

She watches as it tapers off to the side, falling to the ground. Batman swings onto the staircase of the fire escape. She dodges, she slips on a stair, losing her balance. Batman aims a punch for her sternum she has no choice but to block. It hurts getting an armoured glove full impact onto her relatively light arm guards. In her defense she never prepared to fight The Batman.

He seems to be taken aback that she is able to block his punch, or is re-planning. She takes the opportunity to use her bit of super strength to push him off the fire escape, double checking he still has his grappling hook. He falls down as she bolts up the stairs. By the time she reaches the top he is already on the roof

She has no weapons to defend herself against another Batarang. She can’t slip away like she did last time so has no choice but to dodge.

“I don’t want to fight you!” She yells, rolling out of the way of another Batarang.

“I’m sure you don’t,”

“Not like that!” There's no reasoning with him then, he made up his mind and is going to beat her before asking any questions, “You know what never mind!”

She sprints to the edge of the building. He doesn’t particularly try to stop her, after all he thinks she has no escape route. Which means he was not expecting her to jump right off the building.

“Kaalki, Full gallop,” She says quietly to her Kwami, putting on her glasses.

She transforms, opening a portal inches from the ground, she lands in her hotel bedroom. Dropping the transformation, she collapses onto the bed. She pants lungs burning, soon she realises she hasn't been taking any air.

What does she have to be stressed about? So she lost the Miracle box, an ancient treasure able to harness the gods? So it was all her fault for shirking off her duties for fun. So it was all her fault that she technically attacked a civilian without any proof. So it was her fault Batman attacked her and she’s probably a criminal now. So what?

She chokes around words, apologies to her Kwamis, to Master Fu, to everyone she has failed today. Instead her vision blurs and she has to take gasping breaths, shuddering in the warm room. She curls up on top of the blankets tucked in too tight to provide her with comfort. Too perfect, too well done, everything she isn’t.

Tikki nuzzles into her cheek, Marinette shudders out a breath, curling more into herself. Kaalki comes to rest near her heart. The magical thrum of the Kwami calming her heart beat. There are no words. There don’t need to be. There’s no one here to send Akuma after them. For once Marinette can cry, let her emotions run rampant. Then she’ll harness everything she has into protecting the Miracle box.

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