#then we decided to go to lowe’s cause she was lookin for some new lights and flooring for her room

[swan-of-sunrise]

The Right Choice (Tales From The SSR)

Summary: After squaring away his new position within the West Coast SSR, Jack finally asks (Y/N) out on a date.

Pairing: Jack Thompson X Reader

Word Count: 1.7k

Warnings/Disclaimers: None

A/N: Here’s a look at what happened almost immediately after the end of Specs and the Flyboy, and there’s a lot of fluff here! Thank you for reading, I hope you all enjoy!

The Right Choice December 1947 West Coast Strategic Scientific Reserve, Los Angeles (Previous One-Shot)

“Just when I thought we’d finally gotten rid of you for good, you had to go and fall in love with my top codebreaker,” Daniel said with feigned exasperation, the corners of his mouth curling upwards in an amused grin as he hung his crutch up onto his hook and sat down behind his desk. “Just my luck, huh?”

“Mm-hmm.” Jack absentmindedly hummed at the chief’s words while he stared through the office window at (Y/N); the codebreaker was finishing up a report on her typewriter, her reading glasses perched on the end of her nose as she concentrated on her work. Her vivid red lipstick had long-since faded into a pretty shade of pink and while he admired the focused expression on her beautiful face, he felt himself begin to smile at the memory of their passion-filled kisses. He still couldn’t quite wrap his head around the fact that his massive leap of faith had actually paid off and that (Y/N) loved him just as much as he loved her; I’ve gotta be the luckiest son of a bitch on the face of the planet, he thought to himself, his heart leaping in his chest when the codebreaker’s eyes met his and returning her shy smile with one of his own.

“…Jack? Hello, Earth to Jack!” Jack quickly turned his attention to Peggy, who leaned against the edge of Daniel’s desk and let out a low whistle. “I think you’ve got a little bit of drool on your chin, Lieutenant…”

With his face beginning to warm in embarrassment, Jack shot back, “Oh, you’re one to talk, Carter, you know how many months I had to put up with you makin’ eyes at Danny Boy here back in New York?” Peggy scoffed while Daniel’s ears turned pink, and Jack flashed them both a triumphant smirk before leaning back in his chair. “So, how’s this job interview gonna work? Did you two want my resumé or my list of references first?”

Daniel chuckled and shook his head. “That’s really not necessary, Thompson, you’ve got a job at this branch as long as I’m running things; we just wanted to hear the whole story about how you turned down the CIA position.”

“Yes, from what we’ve heard Senator Cooper was quite insistent that you take up the position,” Peggy added, her nose wrinkling as she mentioned the senator’s name. “I can’t say that I’m very fond of the man, especially after hearing about what he said to (Y/N) during his visit.”

Jack nodded in agreement. “You and me both, Peg, he’s a real horse’s ass. There’s not really much to hear, though-”

“C’mon, Thompson, it’s the least you can do! You know how hard it was keeping all this a secret from (Y/N)? A very sad, very lonely (Y/N)? Rose and Zhang nearly spilled the beans at least three times this week, and even I almost blabbed earlier at the hospital.” Daniel pointed out as Peggy nodded in agreement, and Jack let out a defeated sigh.

“Well, by the time my first plane landed in Colorado I knew that I wanted to come right back here but I figured that there were things I needed to settle before I could; I had to thoroughly vet my replacement – and before either of you wise-asses ask, no, Chief Harding’s not a Russian spy – and I had to get out of my apartment’s lease and arrange to have my things shipped out here. After I did all that I paid Senator Cooper a visit at his office downtown, returned his letter of recommendation and told him I wasn’t interested in being his political tool before storming out. Doesn’t make for a very interesting story, but that’s pretty much everything that happened.” He caught Daniel and Peggy exchanging a skeptical look and frowned in confusion. “What?”

“You remember Angie, my old roommate from New York? Well, she’s friends with one of the secretaries who works downtown at the senator’s office and the other day, she telephoned to tell me all about the verbal altercation her friend witnessed between Senator Cooper and a rather irate federal agent,” Peggy explained with a knowing gleam in her brown eyes, continuing on as Jack began self-consciously rubbing at the back of his neck. “According to the secretary, the agent read Cooper the riot act for not giving proper credit to the team responsible for closing a major case over at the West Coast SSR; he was adamant that the case never would’ve been closed if not for the entire group of people he worked alongside.”

“Nah, it must’ve been some other federal agent, Peggy, ‘cause Thompson here’s never been very big on sharing credit…or being nice…”

Rolling his eyes as Daniel and Peggy exchanged amused grins, Jack ignored the heat rising in his face and replied, “You two’re hilarious, you know, you could give Crosby and Hope a run for their money. I told Cooper off ‘cause it was the right thing to do…and I thought it might make up for taking all the credit when we closed that Leviathan case back in New York.” He shifted awkwardly in his seat and shrugged. “What can I say? I was a real ass back then, but I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf.” His eyes flicked back over to (Y/N) and he couldn’t help but smile, knowing that the codebreaker had been a large part of what inspired him to become a better man. “A fresh start here in L.A. with (Y/N)’s all I’m lookin’ for.”

Daniel’s smile was full of warmth when Jack turned back to him and he leaned across the desk to offer him his hand. “Well, Agent Thompson, let me be the first to welcome you aboard the West Coast SSR.” Jack grinned and shook the chief’s outstretched hand. “And since there’s no way I’m gonna get either of you to focus on any work now, you and your new partner can go ahead and take the rest of the afternoon off.”

“Yes, you two deserve a fun evening out!” The happy expression on Peggy’s face was soon replaced with mischief as she arched a playful brow. “But not too much fun; it’s a work night, after all.”

Jack rolled his eyes as he got to his feet and jokingly retorted, “Yes, Ma.”

Bidding Daniel and Peggy goodbye, Jack left the office and paused for a moment to nervously fix his tie before making his way over to (Y/N)’s desk; the codebreaker, who was still typing away on her typewriter, looked up from her work and smiled as he leaned against the edge of the desk. “I suppose I’ll have to get used to calling you ‘Agent’ now instead of ‘Chief,’ won’t I?”

“C’mon, Specs, we both know that you’re just gonna keep calling me ‘Flyboy’ instead.” He chuckled when she gave him a noncommittal shrug. “But yeah, you’re lookin’ at the West Coast SSR’s newest field agent. And my interview went so well that Chief Sousa even partnered me with the branch’s top codebreaker, can you believe that?”

(Y/N) smiled in amusement at his reference to their contentious first meeting but played along, arching a curious brow and replying, “I take it that you’re fond of codebreakers.”

“Absolutely crazy about ‘em.”

“Even the ones who wear reading glasses?”

“They look cute with specs.”

“And the ones who don’t make very good spies?”

“Hey, nobody’s perfect.”

“How about the ones who’re messy and can’t keep anything clean?”

Jack winced in mock distaste. “Now that’s a deal-breaker.”

Laughing, (Y/N) took off her reading glasses and shook her head in mild exasperation. “You’re a jerk, Jack Thompson.”

“And you’re beautiful, (Y/N) (Y/L/N).” His heart warmed at the flustered expression on her face as she began anxiously organizing her cluttered desk. “I’ve got even more good news; Sousa’s given the both of us the rest of the day off.”

She tucked several files into one of her desk drawers and closed it with a small chuckle. “Time off for good behavior?”

“Something like that.” Suddenly overcome with nervousness, Jack crossed his arms over his chest and cleared his throat before tentatively continuing. “Since we’ve both got a free afternoon, I was wondering if you’d…well, if you’d like to…to do something? With me?”

“I’d love to! What did you have in mind?”’

“Well, The Olympic’s still showing Miracle on 34th Street; I’ve heard it’s a pretty good flick and I know you’re a big Maureen O’Hara fan,” He reasoned, his calm exterior hiding the overwhelming sense of relief that washed over him when she accepted. “So, how ‘bout a movie and afterwards, milkshakes and fries at Lou’s?”

(Y/N)’s smile widened as she nodded, and the both of them went to fetch their hats and coats; while she was preoccupied with pinning her hat onto her hair, Jack quickly threw his fedora and coat on before grabbing her coat and holding it up for her to slip into, feeling very gentlemanly as she did so. The two of them left the bullpen and walked down the hallways of the West Coast SSR together, both of them occasionally glancing over at the other and smiling whenever they were caught staring. It wasn’t until Jack’s hand tentatively reached over and held hers that the unspoken tension finally came to a head; in an instant, he was being pulled into the nearest supply closet and his back hit the closed door as their lips met in a passionate kiss. Soft hands moved to cup his face and hold him against her while his own arms slipped into her unfastened coat and wrapped snugly around her waist, tugging her close as he lost himself in the sweetness of her lips.

The codebreaker was the first to break away, a little out of breath as she reached up and flicked on the light bulb hanging from the ceiling; her lips were swollen and her (Y/E/C) eyes were gleaming with happiness, a soft smile on her face as one of Jack’s hands reached up to caress her cheek. “Well, baby, that confirms it.”

“Confirms what, sweetheart?”

Jack grinned. “That I definitely made the right choice.” His fingers held her chin as he ducked back down, their lips meeting in a softer and more meaningful kiss; when they finally pulled themselves away from one another, they straightened their appearances before ducking back out of the supply closet and continuing down the halls, their smiles reaching their eyes as their joined hands swung between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Lol I love seeing these two together, they deserve to be happy after everything they’ve gone through! Thank you all so much for reading and commenting! I’ve created a Spotify playlist inspired by this series, and I’ll be updating it every time I upload a new one-shot. Enjoy!

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0iKzLZlEK1rTaSIiW5zRlk?si=97af3c9ce3ff4b65

“Tales From The SSR” Masterlist

“Specs and the Flyboy” Masterlist

Tagging: @nnon-it-up​​​​​ @fluffymadamina​​​​​ @remmyswritings​​​​​ @ourstarsailor​​​​​ @coffeeandcrimeshows​​​​​ @darkusangelus​​​​​ @josis-teacup​​​​​ @marvel-jackt-loki-buck​​​​​ @yeetyeetchickenmeat​​​​​ @sameoldbaby​​​​​ @theserenityspace​​​​​ @seeing-but-not-observing​​​​​ @supervoldejaygent​​​​​ @momc95​​​​​ @brooke0297​​​​​​ @kinda-c0nfused​​​​​​ @outoftheregular​​​​​ @mads-weasley​​​​​​ @mostclevermiss​​

#tales from the ssr #jack thompson x reader #peggy carter x daniel sousa #agent carter #jack thompson #peggy carter #daniel sousa #rose roberts #marvel cinematic universe #strategic scientific reserve #specs and the flyboy

[itskateak]

Mint Ice Cream & Bubblegum Kisses - Chapter Six

(Bucky Barnes x Single Dad!Reader)

Chapter Summary: Bucky offers to help Y/N take Peter Parker and Angelica out for the day since they've been causing chaos and getting into trouble. The hiking trail behind the compound seems like the perfect place.

Word Count: 3.8K

Warnings: Some Language (Sam and Bucky were military men shh), Sam Wilson being a great friend and actual character instead of a 2D support, Anxiety attack, Mentions of time-correct homophobia, Fluff, Sam and Bucky being Bros, Sam Wilson being an Ally

A/N: For those who don't know, my best friend is in the hospital and I had to take a break from being online and writing for a bit. He's doing great right now and is getting much better :) - also, I know I have a thing for Bucky and that log crossing a river. Okay just let it happen. It's cute. 

And as a final side note, I really hope I’m putting more character into Sam Wilson. I wanted to expand on Bucky and Sam’s friendship more in this chapter and to build Sam as an actual character. I’ve read countless stories where he’s just a prop to get Bucky and the reader together or to just be Best Friend to Bucky and go along with anything. Sam Wilson is his own person and I really, really hope that he’s got some life in him in this one. Feedback on that would be nice if anyone wants to give it :)

Taglist is open! PM me, send an ask, or @ me on a chapter to let me know you’d like to be tagged! Strikethrough means I couldn’t tag you, but I will send you a message with a link to the new chapter when I update. :)

Masterlist

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Y/N checked his messages quickly, head tilted as he waited for it to update. Over weekends, he decided to work three hours each day to make sure nothing important and time-sensitive came in. He was close to the end of those three hours, which wasn't eventful at any point. Just low-level information relating to other movements that he'd already taken note of earlier that week.

He watched the few messages come in and glanced over them. Nothing seemed to be important other than Gamora saying that they would be stopping by to drop off Peter Quill for a recovery period. Something about an injury he gained through his own stupidity. He responded with a confirmation and said that Monday afternoon would be best since the landing strip would be clear.

"Do you have a minute?" Bucky called from the doorway. He smiled, but it looked a little forced. His posture was closed off and he looked physically tense.

"Always. What's up?" Y/N pushed away from his desk and closed the programs on his screen since he didn't need them anymore.

"Uh...I'm kind of...having an anxiety attack or something." Bucky said though it sounded more like he was questioning himself. He ducked his head sheepishly for a moment. "And Steve and Sam are not here and I dunno what to do."

"Oh. Okay." Y/N was taken by surprise for a moment. "Uh, come on in. Let's see if we can calm you down."

Bucky nodded and sat rigidly on the edge of the couch, his arms wrapping around his stomach. His fingers bunched up the fabric of his shirt and he gasped suddenly. He cracked a slight smile and snorted. "Didn't realize I was holding my breath."

"Breathing's important, Bucky. Do you know what set this off?" Y/N asked, pulling his chair up to the side of his desk and giving his full attention to Bucky.

"Loud noise. Not even sure what it was. It took me off-guard and...then I fell off the obstacle course." Bucky grimaced and took a deep breath, his eyes closing for a moment. "I...have a fear of fallin'. Ever since I fell off the train."

"Is it the height or the feeling of falling itself?" 

"The feel. I hate it." Bucky wrinkled his nose up in disgust. "I can still remember the feeling of my stomach in my throat."

"Hey, don't think about that. No need to get yourself even more worked up." Y/N paused, trying to find a random question to distract him with for a little bit. Maybe taking his mind off the things causing him anxiety would help calm him down. "Tell me about something Steve did in school. Did he ever get into big trouble?"

"Oh, yeah. This one time - it was like sixth grade, I think - he nearly got us suspended for a week. Johnny Sarsburg, a boy in our class who picked on Stevie for being short, was this tall and burly kid. Real jerk of a guy." Bucky moved his arms and laced his hands together. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. "One day, Steve got fed up with all the nicknames. Shorty Stevie, Munchkin Man...they went on and on. So, Stevie stood up to him. Thank God I was there, though."

"Don't tell me he tried to kick this kid's ass." 

"He tried to kick the kid's ass." Bucky nodded with a tone full of disappointed frustration.

"Oh, no." Y/N snickered behind his hand. 

"So, it was recess and Johnny came up to us. Stevie tried to hide behind me for a second, but I shoved him away. Johnny started picking at him and picking at him. Steve straightened up and clenched his fists, looked Johnny in the eye, and said: I may be short, but I'll always be a bigger man than you." Bucky laughed, breaking out into a smile for the first time. He ran a hand through his hair. 

"He didn't!" Y/N could see Steve Rogers, the man who had no regard for his own personal safety and hated bullies, doing something so ridiculous but just so...Steve.

"He did! Johnny didn't like that so much, so he cocked back his fist and came at Steve. Stevie tried to fight back, but he really wasn't a fighter back then. Just looking at a running track could make him break into an asthma attack and thinking about lifting a book could've snapped his spine."

Y/N snickered, shaking his head. Bucky was looking far more relaxed than he did when he came in. His shoulders weren't rigid and he wasn't gasping for breath. Though, it looked like his hands were slightly trembling still. "So, how'd it turn out?"

"At some point, I grabbed Steve around the waist and tried to haul him away. But Johnny didn't like that either, so he went after me. Now, I was a bit of a troublemaker so I knew how to fight. I wasn't lookin' to get into trouble, but Stevie had dragged me into a mess. Had to clean it up, like I do now." Bucky winked and chuckled. "The teachers had to come break it up and we had to explain what happened. Johnny was suspended for a week and our parents said they'd punish us at home, so we got off easy." 

"Even at home?"

"Oh, no. My dad was pissed and Stevie's mother almost hung him out with the laundry. But at least we weren't suspended like Johnny was." He leaned back against the couch and sighed. "Did you just distract me?"

"Maaaaybe. How're you feeling?" Y/N laughed and checked the clock. His time was up which meant the rest of the day was his to do whatever he wanted.

"Better. Not like I'm choking on my own air, at least. I'm still wired, though." Bucky held his right hand up to show how it was still shaking a bit.

"Wanda told me about a hiking trail behind the compound. We could go check that out and get Peter and Angelica outside for a bit. If you're up for that, of course." Y/N offered. He secretly hoped Bucky would take him up on the offer. He wanted the chance to talk to him more when they were both completely sober.

"That sounds...great, actually. Besides, I don't think you could wrangle both of them on your own." He said with a teasing lilt and stood. "I'll find Peter and meet you downstairs."

"I need to shut my computers down first." Y/N pushed his chair back and moved his mouse to wake his monitors. "If you find my kid before I do, send her my way."

"Roger that."

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Peter was walking a few feet ahead with Angelica on his back, bouncing her every so often to make her squeal and laugh. There was a light breeze rustling through the branches of the trees, which were providing the right amount of shade from the late autumn sun. The weather was that perfect balance of warm and cool. Just right for a light jacket. The trail wasn't well used, evidence provided by the undergrowth creeping along the edges of the path, threatening to overtake it. 

Y/N and Bucky were casually talking as they followed the kids. The conversation flowed easily between them like they'd been friends for years. 

"So, she's how old, again?" Bucky asked, hitching his chin toward Angelica.

"Eight. Nine next Wednesday." Y/N smiled wistfully, watching his daughter shoot a bright smile at him over her shoulder. He'd been so afraid that this move would've negatively affected her and caused her to be miserable. But she had never looked happier or carefree. She'd always been a solemn little girl with many worries on her shoulders.

"She's growin' fast, huh?" Bucky smiled, too, shaking his head as another loud squeal floated back to them.

"Too fast. She's always gonna be my little girl, though." Y/N glanced up as a couple of birds flitted from one tree to the next. "I'm glad she's happy here and finding her place. She doesn't say it, but I know she feels like an outsider sometimes."

"Why's that?" Bucky asked, sinking his hands into his pockets.

"I know she feels out of place among friends a lot. The fact her mother isn't around and she doesn't have a second parent...some kids can be really mean about that." He sighed. "And it's not like that's her fault. But she feels that way and I don't know how to help her."

"Why would she think it's her fault?" Bucky stepped closer as if he knew the topic needed to be kept quieter to not disturb the girl a few feet ahead.

"I don't know where she got the idea, honestly. Her mother did leave a note when she left and part of the reason she left...well, Angelica wasn't exactly planned." Y/N muttered the last part to make sure it didn't reach his kid. He loved her, he really did. At first, he'd been terrified at the prospect of being a father when he wasn't ready. But the moment he held that little girl in his arms, he was smitten. "And her mother said some...nasty things in the letter about her."

"I can't imagine how that would've been for you." Bucky gave a sympathetic grimace. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

"No, it's okay. I don't talk about it much because it's in the past and we're doing great without that woman." He shrugged and smiled. "I kept the letter, though, as precautionary measures in case she ever decides to come back and fight for custody. I doubt that would happen, really, but the court system is so messed up and might not rule in favor of me despite the fact I've raised her."

"If a court of law can see how much you love that kid and how much she loves you and is happy with you and still not let her stay with you, then I might have to return to my vigilante days." Bucky joked, though he sounded and looked serious.

"Bucky, no."

"I'd do it."

"I know, but no." Y/N laughed and shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, but I think an appeal would work better."

"Okay, you have a point," Bucky said. "So, I've never asked but what got you on the team? Steve didn't tell me and Stark won't because he's still mad about game night five months ago."

"I caught four embezzlers in the compound by hacking into the hidden servers that keep backups of pretty much everything, even if it's been wiped from the main servers. I would've gotten away with it if I hadn't tripped the single silent alarm monitored by FRIDAY. Tony promoted me shortly after I handed the information over to Grace Stevens in accounting." Y/N explained with a smile. "I thought I was fired or being thrown in jail. Those were the most terrifying few minutes of my life."

Bucky whistled. "That's impressive. Even Nat couldn't get through Stark's security lines to retrieve deleted footage of him drunkenly singing karaoke in his lab."

"I might have to go digging for that to earn a favor from Nat." Y/N took his phone out and made a reminder, causing Bucky to start laughing. His eyes crinkled up at the corners with his bright smile. "Oh, Pete, be careful! That might be slippery!"

Peter was halfway across the large fallen tree trunk over the moderately moving river. He turned his head to listen to Y/N and nodded, shifting his grip on Angelica. He moved slower then, watching his footing to make sure they didn't fall.

"So, we're gonna cross that?" Bucky asked, eyeing the log warily. Falling. He hates falling. That's right, Y/N thought. Of course, he'd be uncomfortable with something like this because he might fall.

"I guess. Wanda said there's lakeside access across the river and down the path." Y/N stopped at the tree, watching to make sure the kids made it across safely. He trusted Peter, considering the kid was a literal superhero and gymnast, but he was also a dad and his Dad Instincts were kicking in. "You gonna be okay with crossing?"

"If I don't fall, I will," Bucky forced a smile, but Y/N could see the anxiety behind it. 

"Here, take my hand. We'll cross together and we'll go slow. I'll make sure you won't fall." Y/N held his hand out to Bucky and tried his best to ignore the small jolt of electricity that shot through his veins when Bucky accepted it. "Come on."

"If I fall, I'm dragging you with me," Bucky said with a joking tone, but there was a shake to his voice as he stepped onto the log after the man holding his hand.

"Valid." Y/N snorted before focusing on where he was putting his feet. He couldn't slip and risk giving Bucky a heart attack. He was trusting him to get him across this river safely. "If you need to stop at any point, just tell me and we can."

"Nope. Just keep moving even if I start to freeze up because if I stop, I won't move again." Bucky was able to flash a quick lopsided smile even though he was doing something that ultimately terrified him. 

"You got this, Bucky!" Angelica shouted from the other side, bouncing on her feet like a highly-caffeinated bouncy ball. "You're almost there!"

Y/N grinned to himself. Leave it to his kid to become a cheerleader for them without even knowing that Bucky really needed that encouragement. He swore his daughter had supernatural abilities of knowing what someone needed when they needed it. When she was much younger, there had been nights where he was stressed about making ends meet and she would crawl into his lap and hug him tightly until he forgot what was bothering him.

Lost in thought for just the brief moment spelled ruin for him. His foot slipped on a wet spot and he lost his balance.

Bucky grabbed his arm and pulled him back, keeping him steady until he regained his footing. He chuckled. "Jeez, Y/N. I thought you'd be saving me from falling and not the other way around."

"You're lucky I'm nice 'cause I would've just shoved you off this log and let you wash down the river." Y/N retorted though he couldn't keep his expression stern and a smile broke out. "So, that spot's slippery. Be careful."

"Oh, I was just planning to plant my foot on it and run the rest of the way." Bucky teased, appearing way more at ease than Y/N expected he would. Maybe that's what happens when someone has to save their non-fearful friend from falling.

Once they were on the other side and on solid ground, there was a pause of silence between everyone before they all burst into laughter.

"Mr. Barnes, your face when Mr. L/N slipped! You were so surprised!" Peter bent over, trying to catch his breath. 

"Y/N, I thought you were a goner for a moment. And if I hadn't already had a hand on you, I probably would've just let you fall." Bucky was barely able to speak through his laughter, smile so wide his eyes were crinkled up. 

"Oh, I see how it is!" Y/N acted offended. "See if I ever team with you on game nights again."

"Ooh, he's serious." Angelica giggled, wiping tears from her eyes. 

"I'm sorry, Y/N but I was not risking falling just to save you if I hadn't already had your hand." Bucky took deep breaths, also wiping his face with his jacket sleeve. 

"What happened to till the end of the line?" Peter asked, taking deep breaths. 

"That's a me and Steve thing. And even then, I'd just let his dumbass fall." Bucky winced. "Sorry, language."

Angelica grinned broadly with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, don't worry. Papa swears a lot more than you might think. He thinks I don't hear  him mutter things under his breath, but I do."

"You little snitch!" Y/N exclaimed. "I can't believe you!"

"Oh no...Angelica, we gotta go!" Peter scooped Angelica up and dashed down the trail. Y/N started to give chase but slowed down as they turned the bend. 

Bucky followed at a slower pace, shaking his head in amusement. He caught up to the father who was straightening his jacket. "You're not going after them?"

"Nah. I just made them think there was an actual threat. They'll probably get all the way to the lake before they realize I'm not actually chasing them." Y/N grinned. "So, want to tell me about that game night five months ago?"

"It started when Nat brought vodka back from a mission in Russia and decided not to tell us it was hundred-proof..."

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"Hey, Buck. How's your day?" Sam asked as he entered the training room with a towel around his neck and a water bottle in hand. "Sorry that Steve and I dipped on you."

"Don't worry about it. It's alright," Bucky grunted before setting down the set of weights he'd been lifting. "My day was pretty good. Except when Stark accidentally set off an explosion in the lab while I was running the obstacle course. Scared the hell out of me and then I fell off."

"Shit, man. You okay?" Sam placed his water bottle and towel on a bench near Bucky. "I know you don't like falling and loud noises so that just seems brutal."

"My adrenaline kept it low but I still started to freak out after I cleaned up." He admitted before taking a drink of his own water and using his shirt to wipe some of the sweat from his forehead. "Y/N helped me out with that."

"You went to Y/N? Why not Bruce or Wanda? Hell, even Nat?" Sam arched his brow and there was a hint of something behind his eyes.

"Dunno. He's nice, ya know? I figured he'd have some experience with that kind of stuff. Having a kid would teach you how to calm someone down when they're freaking out and I've seen him chill Angelica out faster than she could even process why she was upset." Bucky said, sitting down on a bench to give himself a break. He'd been in the training room for an hour already and it was about time to take a breather. "After that, we took Angelica and Pete out on that hiking trail Wanda found just to get them outside since they were causing trouble and everyone needed a break."

"Hey, as long as you found a way to calm down and not have a panic attack, I won't knock it. Happy for you, man. You're doing really good recently." Sam started to set up the machine he liked to use. Can't have a tree without the trunk, you know what I'm saying? Sometimes Bucky really didn't like Sam, but he was a great friend and great company when he wasn't being an annoying shit. But then again, he could be an annoying shit when he wanted to be. "Proud of you, man. Long road, but you're sticking with us."

"Yeah, yeah. Save the sappy shit, would you?" Bucky leaned his head back against the wall, taking deep breaths. "The hike was nice. Though Y/N almost fell off the log when we were crossing the river. I caught him before he did, but if he hadn't been holding my hand, I would've let him fall."

"You told him about your issue with falling?" Sam straddled the bench and rested his forearms on his thighs. "Dude, it took you like eight months to tell me about that and he's been here four months."

"Don't take it personally, Wilson." Bucky shrugged with a smile. "He's just got that calming feel to him. He's easy to trust and he's just really nice."

"And you were tellin' me to quit with the sappy shit? Do you hear yourself?" Sam cracked a smile as well. "I like Y/N, too. He's a good fit for the team."

Bucky nodded, agreeing. There had been something missing in the team dynamic for a while that no one could quite name or place, but Y/N and his kid had certainly brought it. The game night had really shown some of Y/N's full personality away from his daughter, though Bucky liked having Angelica around a lot. She was bubbly and sweet and brought a little bit of light on his bad days.

But Y/N...Y/N was just so thoughtful and selfless. It was obvious when he'd walked into his office that Y/N had no idea how to help him and was taken aback, but he'd helped him anyway. He showed genuine interest in the story Bucky had been telling him and even invited him along to an outing. They hadn't exactly hung out outside of the team nights and work hours. It was nice and he liked the idea of getting to see Y/N more often out of that stuff.

"Wait, don't tell me...Barnes, do you have a crush on Y/N?" Sam asked with a cocky grin.

"What? No!" Bucky said far too quickly, his face starting to flush. He was lucky he was already a little red from training, but Sam knew otherwise. His grin widened.

"You totally do!"

Bucky went to defend himself again but he sighed and turned his head away while Sam started to snicker. "Fine. Maybe I do a little."

"Man, I didn't take you for one to like guys," Sam said.

"Is...that an issue?" Bucky asked warily, his heart starting to flutter in his chest. For most of his life, he'd shoved that part of him aside and hidden it. Sure, he fooled around with a couple of guys in the forties but it never went very far. And war made people do desperate things. But he was worried that even now, he'd have to keep that part of him tucked away and ignore it.

"Hell, no. My best friend in college was the most flamboyant gay guy I've ever met. Smart as a whip and a beautiful musician. I don't give a shit, but I don't wanna hear about all the details. And that goes for women, too. That stays private, man." Sam wrinkled his nose up and it made Bucky chuckle. "I don't know how it was back then, but people are a lot more accepting now than they were. They legalized same-sex marriage a few years back. And if anyone gives you shit about it, I'll kick their asses."

"Thanks, Sam. That means a lot." Bucky smiled. "But if you tell anyone that I have a thing for Y/N, I'll kick you off the helicarrier again."

✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ 

Taglist: @shadowolf993​ @supernaturalwintersoldier​ @booty-ass-hoe​ @fightmemacbeth​ @pastel-boy-sungjae​ @unsure-username​ @myybebe​ (it works!! ^-^)

#mint ice cream & bubblegum kisses #Bucky Barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x male reader #bucky barnes x male!reader #bucky barnes x single dad!reader #james buchanan barnes #sam wilson #bucky barnes fanfiction #mcu fanfiction

[thirsty-pixie]

New beginnings

Warning: smut unprotected

Request for @captainamerica97

"Harry stop people are watching" I laughed and pushed harry away while he was trying to kiss my neck. I had been holding put from Harry for about two and a half weeks now and he was hating it. It started after a fight we had about one of the girls that came into the restaurant flirting with him and he said it wasn't a big deal. I was only mad at him about it for a few days but I decided to see how long I could do it just to drive him crazy. "If you two keep going like this you're gonna scare away the customers" I laughed and looked at Uma who was walking out with a plate of food. "Its all him Uma" I said nudging Harry off of me with my elbow he just smiled and winked at me.

That night Harry had invited me over for dinner, I couldn't resist since he said he would make me my favorite dish. He may not look like it but he is an excellent cook. I check myself in the mirror making sure my makeup and hair looked good before walking out the door. I had a cute dress that was probably a little too short but I knew it would drive him wild. I recieved dirty comments and whistles from some guys at I made my way to Harry's place, and I tried my best to ignore them.

I knocked three times on his door and the door swung as if he had been waiting right next to it for me. "Hello love" his low raspy tone mixed with his accent gave me chills. "Hello Harry" I gave him a kiss on the cheek befor walking passed him into the house. "You look absolutely enchanting in that dress" he said as he shut the door and followed me in. He placed his hand on the small of my back and lead me to the table where he pulled my chair out for me. "Thank you it looks amazing by the way" I chimed smiling as he sat down.

Throughout dinner we talked about out parents and everything else going on in our lives. Afterwards he smiled at me deviously and pulled an old bandana from his pocket, he curled his finger motioning for my to come to him. I blushed and walked towards him, he folded the bandana and tied it over my face blindfolding me. "I have a surprise for ya" he whispered in my ear sending a chill down my spine. He gently pushed me forward his hand lightly holding my shoulders as he guided me to the surprise.

"Ya ready?" He purred in my ear making me smile "yes" he pulled the blindfold off and I gasped. His room, that was usually a mess, was cleaned he had lit candles placed throughout the room and a bottle of my favorite peach rum and two glasses set on the nightstand. "Yep.... I'm pretty romantic" he stated proudly causing me to laugh. I sat on the bed next to him as he poured us each some rum, after a few glasses he was on top of me kissing my neck. I was running my hands through his hair breathing heavily as he pressed against me his hardened bulge pushing against thigh. He pulled back and looked at me his eyes trailing down my body then back up, "what?" I asked self consciously he just smiled.

"How did I get so lucky. I got the prettiest girl I've ever seen all to myself" I blushed and pulled him down by his shirt pressing my lips to his. I grabbed the hem of his shirt and gave it a small tug, he took the hint and sat up pulling his shirt off in one smooth motion. I traced my fingers down his chest lightly and over his abs stopping at his pant line, I looked back up at him and he had a smirk plaster in his face. I rolled my eyes and giggled he knew I loved his abs but I usually never feed into his mammoth sized ego.

Harry leaned down to kiss me while sliding his hands under me to unzip my dress, once he unzipped it he gently slid it off my shoulders and down my body. He dropped it off the edge of the bed and slowly started kissing my thigh. He kissed up my thigh gently biting my hip before continuing to kiss up my stomach. He placed his hand on one of my breasts and gave it a light squeeze before returning to my lips. His tounge trail over my bottom lip before dancing into my mouth flicking and twisting along with my tongue. He unclasped my bra with one had and slipped it off throwing it off the bed, he pulled away and began kissing and licking the freshly exposed skin causing me to moan loudly. I arched my back and I felt his breath on my stomach as he made his way between my thighs.

I felt his hook his fingers into my underwear and he slide them down my legs. I felt his finger slide down my folds slowly before sliding back up, he hummed then brought his mouth to my clit. He flicked his tounge slowly then rapidly changing pace every few seconds, he sucked and nibbled before pushing a finger in. He pumped his finger slowly as his tounge traced small circles over my clit. He added a second finger and began pumping faster and curling his fingers. I moaned bucking my hips trying to cause more friction driving myself closer to climax when suddenly he stopped. "Ah ah ah not yet love" he began undoing his belt pulling off his pants and boxers all at once.

I whined as he positioned himself over me, he slid his men up and down my folds agonizingly slow causing me to whine again. He pushed the tip in slowly and pulled out again teasingly, "H-Harry" I begged making him smirk. He pushed in slowly until he bottomed out a low growl escaped his lips and he began to thrust. He propped himself on one elbow the other hand holding my my up around his waist as he roughly thrust into me. I screamed and threw my head back, Harry brought his lips to my neck kissing and biting the sensitive skin causing me to moan louder.

He squeezed my thigh tightly his fingers digging into my leg most likely leaving bruises, he moaned and cursed while bucking his hips into me. His moans grew raspy and his thrusts became sloppy, meaning he was nearing his climax. He dropped my leg and sat up continuing to thrust as his thumb circled my clit, I arched my back and moaned and I finished. Harry stopped thrusting and sighed laying beside me he kissed my cheek and smiled. "Its been to long I'm out of shape now" he said making me laugh "Harry. It hasn't even been three weeks" he chuckled befor pulling the covers over us. We cuddle and talked until the last candle burnt out before we fell asleep.

I paced back and forth in my room holding passing the test sitting on the table with each lap I did. I combed my fingers through my hair and groaned "how can this happen?!" I sank dont onto my bed holding my head in my hands. How am I gonna tell harry.... I'm too young to have a baby..... "Y/n I'm home"

"Shit!" I whispered jumping up to hide the test as my mom came into my room. "Uh hi mom" she raised an eyebrow at me and folded her arms "are you alright? You look pale" I nodded and smiled "oh I'm just a little hungry" she nodded and said ok before leaving to go make lunch.

It had been about three weeks since the night I spent at Harry's, we had hooks up a few times since but he wore protection all those times. My shift at Ursula's was in two hours and Harry wanted me to come over an hour before to help set up some new lights he had gotted for his room. I chewed my fingers and looked at the tattered magazine that was now covering the pregnancy test. I set the magazine to the side and grabbed the test sliding it in my back pocket before heading down to the kitchen.

My mom had made me a sandwich and left a note, "went to the market to get more bread see you after work -love Mom" I smiled and grabbed the sandwich taking a big bit before running out the door to go talk to Harry. On the way I at the sandwich but had to stop and throw up because I was so nervous.

By the time I got to Harry's I was shaking. "Hey what's wrong?!" He asked as he sat me on his couch. "Uh we uh we need to talk" I stuttered felling nauseous again. He nodded with a concerned lookin his eyes, I stood up and began pacing trying to think of a way to tell him. He watched me nervously as I pinched the bridge of my nose, I felt like I was gonna throw up again and I broke down and state crying. Harry jumped up and hugged me rubbing my back and combing my fingers through my hair, "hey it's ok just talk to me..... you're scaring me babe" he whispered to me as I cried.

I nodded pulling away from him I slid my hand into my back pocket wrapping my fingers around the test, "Harry..... please dont be mad..... but I..... I'm pregnant" I pulled the test from my pocket and held it out in front of me. His face went pale as he grabbed the test "ya serious?" He asked his voice monotone like he had turned into a robot. He looked at me and smiled "can we keep it?" He sounded like a kid asking his parents is he could keep a stray puppy that they had found. "Um yeah if you want to we can" I mutter a little confused by his reaction.

He dropped the test and wrapped his arms around me I laughed as he spun me around. A weight lifted of my chest and he set me down and kissed me, he got down his knees and put his ear against my stomach. "All I hear is grrrurrrghrrrrg" he said looking up at me. I almost fell over laughing "Harry it's too small for that yet, plus I thing that's just my stomach growling" Harry gasped and went to the kitchen. I heard plates and pans clanking and he came back out with a plate full of snacks. My eyes began to water as I sat down, I was relieved he seemed happy about it.

~~~~

"Argh there" Harry groaned as he set the last box down. We had decided that I should move in so when the baby was born we would all be together. I smiled watching Harry as he bent down placing a hand on my belly "alrighty we got mamma all moved in...... oh my god Y/n I felt a kick!!" I laughed and kissed him. It had been about 7 months since I announced to Harry that I was pregnant and it seemed like life couldn't get any better. He was more excited to have the baby that I was it was the cutest thing.

#harry hook x you #harry hook imagine #harry hook #harry hook x reader #descendants #descendants 3 #descendants smut #descendants imagine #descendants x reader #descendants 2 #harry x reader #harry x you #harry imagine #harry x reader smut #harry hook x reader smut #harry hook smut

[gothamsforgottenchildren]

The Forgotten Children Chapter 3

Zack

“Okay I get why you need to be here, but why did I have to come tonight?” Leigh Ann asks. She is tugging at the collar of her turtleneck like it is too tight or is uncomfortable. It’s a dark red sleeveless, turtleneck top, with built-in armor and has gold accents. It’s paired with a gladiator skirt, boots, and forearm guards. It’s a good thing we don’t have to worry about her getting cold.

I roll my eyes at the radiant girl. She’s been messing with her outfit since she put it on. That’s what she gets for wearing her new suit for the first time in the field.

“You’re here as backup so no one tries anything. Also, stop messing with that, you’re gonna stretch it out,” I say.

She groans, throwing her arm dramatically on the ground, “Do you honestly think anyone will show?”

I shrug, “It’s Gotham.”

She snorts, but nods. This causes her long brown hair to fall into her face. To anyone else, it would cause her features to be lost in a shadow, but for me, I can easily see the grin on her lips, and the fire in her dark brown eyes. Leigh Ann has always been easy to read if you can see her eyes. The light within them is currently dancing like flames in a bonfire, playful.

“Whatcha lookin at?” she asks me, pulling her hair up into a slick high ponytail.

“Just you,” I say. I know she won’t take it the wrong way. We’ve known each other too long for that to happen.

She shakes her head at me, “I love you but you’re a psychoanalyzing dork.”

She isn’t wrong, so I can’t really say anything. We sit in silence for a while, I’m just enjoying the warmth of her company. When I hear something from in the distance. It was footsteps, lots of them. “We’ve got company,” I warn her, standing up and moving into position.

I watch as she climbs off the roof of one of our warehouses by the sea pier in the Amusement Mile. She may not be as fluid as Kat, but she knows what she’s doing. By the time Penguin’s thugs show up, she’s waiting for them and I’m hidden in the shadows.

The Penguin not long ago was injured badly by the Red Hood, and ever since then, his gang has been wreaking havoc on everyone. They have no boss giving them orders, so they’ve turned into essentially a gang of anarchists. The main problem with that is they seem to think that we’re low enough on the totem pole to be a victim of their riots.

When they see Leigh Ann or as they know her, The Devil’s Flame, I see mixed reactions throughout the group. Some of them are scared, some notice that she’s by herself and gets excited, and some are angry. Ignatius Ogilvy steps to the front, he’s Penguin’s right hand within the gang.

He’s a white man with blonde hair. He’s dressed well for a guy who’s supposedly going to get his hands dirty. Honestly, I believe that he’s the boss who sits there and does nothing while his underlings do all the work. It’s going to get him killed one of these days.

I cock my head to focus my hearing on his heartbeat. It’s elevated. I can smell the fear rolling off of him. He’s nervous around Leigh Ann. Good, he should be.

She stands her ground. Her body is open and in a relaxed stance, but one she could quickly fight in. To be fair though, she doesn’t really have to move much to hurt people.

“This warehouse is under the protection of the Second Borns, you need to leave,” Leigh Ann says. She is looking Ignatius dead in the eye, waiting for his move.

I hear his heart rate spike as he debates what he is going to do. He lifts both hands in the air in the classic “I surrender” pose, but then he tilts his head, dropping his hands and shrugs. “It’s dangerous for a beautiful lady like yourself to be all alone in Gotham at night,” he says.

“I can handle myself just fine,” she says.

“We’ll see about that,” he says, before pointing a finger at her, yelling, “Get her!” Then I watch as all of his men storm at Leigh Ann or should I call her the Devil’s Flame because that’s who she truly is in moments like this. She is no longer the girl I know with kind eyes that have a dancing flame, she is now a roaring forest fire that only wants to burn everything in its path. Her entire body becomes alight. Her onyx-colored eyes are engulfed in flames along with the rest of her body. She is the human embodiment of destruction and she does it all with a smile on her face. I have to look away because looking at her is like staring at the sun, which is too much for my sensitive eyes. I hear the screams though. I’m sent here to protect her, as backup, but I’m rarely needed.

I make myself busy by watching the skyline. The entire area around me is illuminated by her power. It makes it harder for me to hide, but it also makes it harder for others. I notice movement in a window a ways away from us, in a building that should be abandoned. There’s a sniper in that room taking aim at Leigh Ann. Or at least trying to. It’s hard to aim at something so bright, I bet they didn’t think it was going to be here in charge of watching the docs. It’s normally just me. We’re currently trying to claim them for ourselves.

I take off anyway though. With one leap from the ground, I unfurl my wings, pushing them down to gain height from the ground. Now even though I am flying I still try to stick to the shadows the best I can. If they try to shoot at Leigh Ann, they will most likely miss or the bullet will melt because of the heat. If they shoot at me, I can be shot out of the air, which sucks.

Flying is one of my favorite things, even if I don’t like how sore it leaves me after. I love the feeling of the wind flowing through my hair. I purposefully keep my brown hair longer than I should because it makes the sensation so much better.

I get to the spot where I can quickly fly across and take the person out. I fly across to the window, left to where they are. I move so quietly that they don’t notice me. I open the window and slip in. The room is empty and dark. I can see a door on the right wall, joining the two rooms. Once I finish picking the lock, I open the door to see an older man’s back facing me. He is a white man in his late forties. He isn’t anyone important, no one I need to think twice about before crossing, or killing. I walk across the room, silent. When I finally get to the other side, where I stand right behind him. I clear my throat. I wish I can see his face, but his back is to me. Before he can even turn around, I’m grabbing his head in my hands and snapping his neck.

I let his body drop to the ground, grabbing his gun and unloading it. Then I step over his body and climb out the window he had shot out of.

I take off again, this time flying towards Leigh Ann. I can tell that she’s finished most of them off, or at least scared them off. Leigh Ann typically tries to maim instead of kill. I swoop down to one of the men trying to escape, grab his head, and twist it while flying up. Once I’m twenty feet in the air I drop his body on a woman trying to run away as well. I look up in Leigh Ann’s direction, her bright flames are starting to dim, as she’s powering down.

I land next to her, just as the last few disappear into the shadows that are Gotham City. She is grinning when she turns to me. She’s upset about something though, judging by the dampened light in her eyes. It looks like a fire out in the rain; fighting to stay alight against the force of the cold attacking it.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her. It isn’t right for someone as radiant as her to be so dim.

Her grin slips for a second, “It’s nothing important, I’ll talk to you about it when we’re somewhere secure. We need to leave because this fire show is likely to attract unwanted attention,” she whispers. She knows I can always hear her.

With that, we start our walk home. I feel the ache in my shoulders and back start. I should take a long hot bath when I get home. I must be walking weirdly because Leigh Ann wraps her arm under the coat concealing my wings, applying warm heat, soothing my sore muscles. I wrap my arm over her shoulder, and she leans her head against my side as we walk.

“Does that help at all?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say, trying not to shudder. Apparently, I don’t succeed, because she chuckles when I do. “We need to stop and let you change though, or at least throw on a coat. You’re too noticeable in that outfit,” I tell her.

“Okay Dad,” she says, pulling apart from me, and reaching into the garbage bin where we stored her clothes earlier and sliding on a pair of black pants, a red turtleneck, and a dark brown mini trench-coat.

We walk along in silence for a while, just trying to blend in. We have to make sure no one is following us back to our home. I decide that it was safe to start the descent home, when I hear a sound, my knees buckle and I fall, clutching my head. I vaguely catch Leigh Ann’s scared expression out of the corner of my eye before I blackout.

I wake up to warm hands and silence. I’m now in an alley with sound-canceling headphones on. My head is laying in Leigh Ann’s lap, her hands combing through my hair. I reach up towards the dial that controls how soundproof the headphones are, and turn them down slightly. I can still hear the noise, but it’s manageable now.

I look around, taking in my surroundings. There are brick walls on either side of me, Gotham’s starless night sky is overhead. It’s as dull and lifeless as always. There is too much pollution in Gotham to see stars. The weirdest part is the fire escapes. They are the kind installed in residential areas.

“In an alley. We’re just a couple blocks over from where we were,” Leigh Ann said.

I look at her in a panic. Why would she bring us to a random ally in Gotham if one of us is down?

“Don’t give me that look, we’re totally safe,” Leigh Ann said, rolling her eyes at my paranoia, “This area of Gotham is relatively safe. Plus, you’re super heavy.”

I pull myself out of her lap and lean against the brick wall, shuddering from the sudden lack of warmth. I lean my head back, looking up, trying to piece together what happened. I remember the sound. Knowing that the headphones are probably blocking out the noise, I turn the dial down. Then I hear it. It is a high-pitch ringing. It’s super familiar.

My eyes widen, “We have to go! The sound it’s someone’s emergency beacon.”

I watch Leigh Ann’s head whip towards me, causing her ponytail to hit her in the face. She ignores it. She whips her phone out of her pocket. I watch as she presses the first number on her emergency contact list. Riddle.

I know because my phone’s set up the same way. All our phones are programmed to have him listed as our first contact on our emergency contact list.

“Riddle? We have a problem,” Leigh Ann says into the phone, getting up to pace the ally.

I can’t hear his side of the conversation because of my headphones. I’d be willing to bet his response was a shortcut, “What?”.

“Someone’s emergency beacon has been activated,” says Leigh Ann. She stops pacing, tilting her head to the side, and furrowing her eyebrows in the way she does when she’s really trying to pay attention to what someone is saying. This is until her eyes widen, the flames in them sparking for a second. She pulls the phone from her face saying, “Of course you knew this already.” She then turns to me looking exasperated. “Who told you?” she asks, before exclaiming, “Robert!”

I roll my eyes at her. It’s not a hard puzzle to figure out. Robert very rarely leaves the house, and when he does, Riddle’s normally with him.

“Ask Riddle what he wants us to do,” I tell her.

I watch as she asks Riddle my question. She makes that face again, before pulling her phone away and quickly shoving it in her coat pocket. “He wants you to find whoever's triggered the alarm. Once you do make sure it’s safe to enter before you engage. He explicitly told me to tell you not to throw yourself in danger if it can be avoided.”

I stand up, nodding, “Am I taking you with me, or leaving you behind?”

“Behind for now. Once you get intel on the situation, your orders are to engage only if necessary and then call in using our phones to get more orders,” she says quickly. She is clearly upset but trying to stay focused. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to stop and console her, but I know that I don’t. I have to go.

Leigh Ann is caught up in her thoughts. She’s looking towards the mouth of the ally. I take off my jacket, wad it up, and chuck it at her. I listen to her shriek in surprise, before jumping up to take off into the air.

Before I even got to the building I could smell the blood. I know it’s Kat’s. His blood smells different than everyone else's because of his mutation.

“Shit Kat,” I whisper when I land on the neighboring building, “What did you do?”

#theforgttenchildren #thesecondborns #batfam #dc extended universe #dc imagine #dc universe #dc comics #dc #original story #original work #original character #fanfic #fandom #gotham #book #bookblr #story #kat kyle #batman #leigh ann lynns #garfield lynns #firefly #robert jones #zack langstrom #kirk langstrom #francine langstrom #manbat #she-bat #riddle nygma

[suckerfordylansstuff]

New Journey (S.H.) Prologue Season 2

Pairing: Steve Harrington x henderson!reader

Summary: Y/n Henderson joins her brother’s little adventure and makes a new friend on the way.

Warnings: swearing

Notes: tell me your opinion on this chapter. If you wanna be tagged just comment and also english is not my native language. Enjoy!

Not requested 

Also gif not mine

~ New Journey Masterlist >> Chapter 1 

“Hey, Steve! Steve, wait up! ”

A year has passed since the whole upside down thing and fortunately your life is still pretty much the same. You were doing great in classes, you still hang out with your friends and your family was stronger than ever. You were extremely glad that your brother and you of course, but manly him, made it out alright after those Demogorgons came around. You were both now safe, but the memories still haunted you.

He just missed Eleven a lot. And you can’t blame him. That girl had an impact on you too. You just felt like you had to protect her, but you failed. You weren’t there when she disappeared, you were with the quite weird trio. Well four with you too. Jonathan, Nancy and Steve. Jonathan had told you everything that was happening from the day Will went missing, since you two were best friends because of your connection from your brothers. You were devistated. You loved that kid with your whole heart and when weird things started happening you were more than willing to help. Nancy came along too and after the events you grew even closer with her.

One thing tho changed. Your opinion in Steve Harrington.

After he decided to actually come back and help (and save your life from the terrifying creature) you saw him in a different light. You weren’t friends. No. More like acquaintances with shared drama. You two just gave small smiles while passing each other and had little chit chats whenever you were both waiting for Nancy to exit school. And to your surprise you realized that he was actually a decent guy, once he had left that awful little group of his.

But now, you really could not believe that you were running after “King Steve” to see if he was ok. Well.. former King. Now that Billy guy had taken over High School. Ugh Billy. If you thought that Steve was an asshole, Billy was 10 times more of a douche than him. He was a jerk that just wanted to show off, bang girls and be an idiot. Tonight at the party he had tried to hit on you too, but he failed miserably, since you didn’t take this kind of crap. He was actually ready to hit his “second chance” with you when a troubled Steve came running from upstairs and directly out.

You were with Jonathan at the time and when he pumped shoulders with him, he made eye contact with you and you were able to see the state he was in, but he didn’t stop. Even when you grabbed his hand he didn’t stop. But now that you were trying to catch him and were yelling his name, he did.

“ What?” he simply said when he turned around, head low so you wouldn’t be able to see the tears in his face. But you already had.

After quickly catching up to him -‘damn high heels’ you thought. You were dressed as Sandy from the movie Grease and of course your outfit had to be from the scene of the best song from the whole thing- you started questioning him “ Steve.. What’s wrong? What happened?”

“ Nothing you need to worry about..” he said coldly and started walking away from you, but you couldn’t just leave him. So you walked up to him to stop him from getting any further away.

“ Steve. Something is crearly wrong. Please tell me what happened, maybe I can help.” you told him as sweetly as you could.

“ Yeah.. Like you care, Henderson. Just go, I don’t need your pity.” Steve told you and made his way around you to leave once again. But you did want to help. You did care. Even if it felt weird that you wanted to make him feel better, you did.

You were ready to call his infamous name again when he stopped, sighed and turned to look at you. Only then were you actually able to see the hurt look in his eyes and you started to connect all the dots together “Did you know?” was his simple question, but you knew what he meant.

You had seen the scene that occurred between him and Nancy earlier, he was just fine when he took her upstairs, but then he left the house like a hot mess. And Nancy was very drunk. So much that she may not have been able to control what she was doing.. Or saying.

“Yes, I did..” you answered, but continued when his face fell much further than it already was, if that was possible “But she didn’t tell me. I just.. I just figured, you know? You looked at her the way she looked at someone else..”

'Why did I continue?’ You questioned to yourself. What you just said did not make something better. Most likely made it worse. You just did not seem to stop talking when you needed to.

“ Was I so.. so oblivious?” he said quietly more to himself than you and sat down at the pavement. You followed his actions and sat next to him, as a way to try and comfort him the best way you could.

“ It could happen to anyone..? ” you said slowly not sure what was the right thing to tell him right now. He chuckled. Not what you had expected him to do.

“ Y/N, you.. You really don’t have to pretend like you need to make me feel better. Don’t try.” he sniffed and run his hands through his hair and like magic it stayed the same way.

You stayed silent trying to think of the right words to say to make him understand that you did want to be here. You just couldn’t. Your mind was blank, the only thing in it was the sad expression the messed boy has beside you.

You both stayed silent until he spoke again “Just go.. Don’t waste your time with me..” and you finally were able to think again.

Even if Nancy was your dear friend you had to admit that she surely did a number on him. He didn’t deserve it. He truly loved her and his heart was crushed in seconds in the most terrible place and moment ever. And then you realized that you were angry. You were angry with how Nancy made him feel. You knew that she shouldn’t be in a relationship were she doesn’t have to offer something to the other person, but she couldn’t just blurt it out like that.

“ No.” you replied after several seconds.

Steve looked up to you with disbelief in his eyes surely not waiting for that answer. He was sure that you would leave. Like everybody seems to do.

“I’m not leaving. You clearly need someone right now and I’m gonna be here for you. You’re hurt Steve and that’s okay.. But, what Nancy did.. It’s not. No one should find out something like that like this. And no one should be alone after it, so I’m gonna stick here with you and you can’t do anything about it. And you don’t have to talk. I mean- if you want to you can, but if you don’t feel like it, it’s okay. We can just.. Just enjoy each other’s company.” you finished with a smile and turned your head looking forward missing his surprised and glad expression on his face.

He did want someone there. He did not admit it, but he was happy you stayed. He was always fond of you, especially after that crazy night at the Byers’ house, but he was afraid to get to know you better cause he thought you disliked him. Guess he was wrong.

After some minutes in pure silence he spoke up “You need a ride home?” he looked at you. He seemed better, hurt but better than before. His tears had dried but his eyes were still red.

“No, Jonathan brought me here and I don’t want him to be concerned about where I am.” you answered with a small smile.

“ Well.. Seeing that he is now busy with taking a drunk Nancy in his car, I don’t think that he remembers he owes you a ride.” he finished pointing on your left.

You turned and indeed saw Jonathan getting, with a little difficulty, Nancy into his car and driving away. He didn’t seem to remember that you were there too. You sighed and cursed under your breath.

“ So.. You rethinking my offer now?” Steve said getting up and looking at you down.

“ If you don’t mind I’d appreciate it.” you said after getting up too.

“ My car is that way” he replied and started walking with you behind his track. You got in the car and started driving. You didn’t really talk, but neither of you minded. You just needed to relax and that was easy to do with Queen songs quietly playing, the wind softly hitting your faces and the nice silence.

After about 10 minutes he pulled up to your house “ We’re here” he said and turned to look at you, not meeting your eyes

“ Thanks.” you answered softly “ Have a good night. ” you continued and got out of the car, but you were able to to hear him say “Wish I could.”

You really wanted to make everything better, but that was something he had to work with himself too, but you still were worried. So you just stopped and bend down to look at him through the open window in his driver’s seat.

“ You sure gonna be OK?” you asked looking at him like he was fragile.

“ Yeah, Henderson.. Don’t worry about me, I’ll do just fine.” he responded with a small smile on his face that definitely did not reach his eyes.

His eyes.

So red and so hurt. The warm brown was now cold and no life was in them. Like you said you weren’t friends, but for some reason it hurt you and made you mad to see him like this. Finally you genuinely smiled at him and said that if he ever wanted to talk to someone you would be happy to listen. He thanked you and then left.

You watched him disappear into the cold night and when he was out of sight, you turned and headed for your house. And to your suprise your brother was looking at the garbage. A year ago that you have weirded you out, but you were used to weird stuff by now.

“Watcha lookin there, little man?” you said a bit louder than you had entended to and that made Dustin jump from fear and curse under his breath.

“Jesus.. Y/N, don’t scare me like that.” he told you and returned to looking at the bin.

“Hey, what’s so interesting in there?” you walked up to him curiously.

“I would answer you if I could.” he answered and you pushed him softly away to take a look. A look you would regret later.

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington #steve harrington x you #stranger things #steve harrington imagine #stranger things imagine #steve harrington fanfic #stranger things fanfiction #dustin henderson #henderson!reader #jonathan buyers #nancy wheeler #joe keery

[buffysresources-archive]

﹠　.　　　　⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯　　　　sentence  starter  meme， ungodly hour pt i.    these  are  all  lyrics  taken  from  chloe  x  halle’s  album  ungodly  hour.  change  pronouns  or  anything  else  as  needed to fit for your muse(s).

꒰    forgive  me   .    ꒱

“  bettin’ you’ll regret what you did just a little.  ” “  why you wanna plead the fifth?  ” “  you ain’t gotta tell what it is cause i saw the messages.  ” “  i saw the messages.  ” “  you must got me fucked up.  ” “  i think i had enough.  ” “  so forgive me.  ” “  i been goin’ too hard in your city.  ” “  so forgive me cause i’m not teary.  ” “  best believe i’ll move onto better things.  ” “  oh, you lie.  ” “  give me back all my time.  ” “  so forgive me, no, not really.  ” “  i’ve been sittin’ here, watchin’ you go insane.  ” “  i’ve been sittin’ here watchin’ us fade away.  ” “  don’t you see what you done threw away?  ” “  no one’s hittin’ you on the loop.  ” “  goodbye, you stay wastin’ time.  ” “  no, you never try.  ” “  you said this for life but you know you lied.  ” “  but you know you lied.  ”

꒰    baby  girl   .    ꒱

“  they make it look so easy.  ” “  one day i’m talking to jesus then i was talking to demons.  ” “  oh, all the sights i’ve seen.  ” “  try so hard to let it go but today i’m just feelin’ low.  ” “  baby girl, it’s your world.  ” “  do it for the girls all around the world.  ” “  do it for the girls.  ” “  you know my nights be teasin’ me.  ” “  every day i gotta please them.  ” “  i’m picking up the pieces.  ” “  but i’m still so clean.  ” “  so don’t you forget.  ” “  so don’t you forget about the little girl that you met now.  ” “  she’s still got your back.  ” “  don’t let the world take back all the love you gave out.  ” “  this is all our world now.  ” “  this is all your world now.  ”

꒰    do  it   .    ꒱

“  i beat my face.  ” “  movin’ fast  ” “  takin’ pictures, make sure you can’t see no lace.  ” “  that wig secure like the money in a safe.  ” “  i look like bae.  ” “  when i’m outside, please don’t make me wait.  ” “  please don’t make me wait.  ” “  the party startin’ when we pull up to the gate.  ” “  girl, we’re so late.  ” “  i’m just with the crew.  ” “  we ain’t out here lookin’ for boo.  ” “  cause some night be better with you.  ” “  it’s a homies-only kind of mood.  ” “  no drama, no baby mamas, keepin’ it cute.  ” “  that’s just what i do.  ” “  that’s just how we do it.  ” “  you liking what i do?  ” “  you could do it too.  ” “  no complaints.  ” “  left the heels at home.  ” “  i’m on my sneaker game.  ” “  where you from?  ” “  tell ‘em outer space.  ” “  a bag the only thing i’m tryna chase.  ” “  just tell the dj press play, rewind, keep it on repeat.  ” “  i’m light on my feet.  ” “  keep stuntin’ on your enemies.  ” “  good vibes only.  ”

꒰    tipsy   .    ꒱

“  i’ve been crucified, darling.  ” “  ghosts haunt me like new orleans.  ” “  i’ve been charged with murder.  ” “  need someone to push me further.  ” “  i’ll hit you where it hurts if you don’t put me first.  ” “  i’ll hit you where it hurts.  ” “  i don’t give no apologies.  ” “  if you lose a life, that’s not on me.  ” “  better treat me better than those other guys who change up like the weather.  ” “  it is such a shame that they went missing.  ” “  they can’t find ‘em now.  ” “  i wonder how i accidentally put them in the ground.  ” “  i might be a little tipsy on your love.  ” “  makes me a little crazy, but so what?  ” “  you’re strumming on my heartstrings, don’t be dumb.  ” “  you’re strumming on my heartstrings.  ” “  don’t be dumb.  ” “  if you love your little life then don’t fuck up  ” “  don’t fuck up.  ” “  i’ll take you to the afterlife if you ain’t actin’ right.  ” “  i’ll take you to the afterlife.  ” “  key your car and crash the lights.  ” “  i’m not polite.  ” “  then i’ll hunt down your family, let ‘em know about the tragedy.  ” “  then i’ll hunt down your family.  ” “  let ‘em know about the tragedy.  ” “  who did it? a mystery.  ” “  you know that it was me.  ” “  don’t you mess up, baby.  ” “  don’t be dumb, boy.  ” “  in your ear like a radio.  ” “  i’m a bad girl.  ” “  shake a lil ass if you’re crazy.  ” “  we just havin’ fun.  ”

꒰    ungodly  hour   .    ꒱

“  hit me with your eyes.  ” “  i’ve never seen that king of view.  ” “  the way that it went down, that’s when i knew.  ” “  but i can tell you need to work on you.  ” “  don’t you know that talk is cheap.  ” “  you can’t fool me.  ” “  i wish that you could back it up for me.  ” “  you know that i heard it all before.  ” “  you’re hesitant but you could give me more.  ” “  i know you like to play those silly games.  ” “  when you’re done, call my name.  ” “  when you decide you like yourself, holler at me.  ” “  when you decide you need someone call up on me.  ” “  when you don’t have to think about it, love me at the ungodly hour.  ” “  love me at the ungodly hour.  ” “  i don’t have the time to teach you how to love all over again.  ” “  let me ask you this: are you givin’ all that you could give?  ” “  are you givin’ all that you could give?  ” “  baby, just know i want you here.  ” “  come here, right here.  ” “  won’t you love me?  ” “  won’t you hold me?  ”

#sentence starters #ask meme #rp meme #sentence memes #meme #꒰ ＃ prompt . ꒱

[sxveme-2]

strawberry pancakes // bucky barnes

MASTERLIST

SEQUEL TO BLUEBERRY PANCAKES

DESCRIPTION: Lily Osborne and Bucky Barnes were never blessed with an easy relationship. Whether it be emotional trauma, or Lily's parents trying to be evil scientists. But they somehow made it work, after coming together once again after the birth of Lily's nephew. They were smooth sailing for a while. He proposed, they got engaged, but have yet to marry. While also juggling raising a teenager together as Hunter reaches the age of 16 now. All the while struggling with adjusting to their new lives in Long Island, balancing careers. Meanwhile, Lily struggles with the new found fame of being the fiancé of The White Wolf; and handling the tabloids critiques on her life and gossip columns digging up any information they can on her. While trying to maintain a low profile; and handle her life as it is. And becoming parents. Lily for the second time, while Bucky, well, this is his first attempt at a biological child. All the while a new threat from their past rises up once again, blind siding the family. Bringing forward old hatchets that had been buried, and putting their relationship at risk once more.

DISCLAIMER:  I do not own any original Marvel characters! All canon plots and canon characters belong to Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios. This is an original work. You may not publish it anywhere else

STATUS: Unedited

NOTES: Takes place after endgame. I have elected to ignore Tony's death and Steve's leaving. Did not happen. Quick Reminder! My works are only published here, AO3 and on Wattpad, thank you.

Chapter Two: The One With The Dinner

Warnings: N/A

Word Count: 2241

    “Who does that woman think she is?” Lily exclaimed as she burst into the Barnes residence, “Telling me I need to calm down. She called my fiance a terrorist.” The blonde fumed, storming into the kitchen to start making dinner.

“Doll what’re you doing?” Bucky sighed as he set Stella down, following the woman into the kitchen, “We have the conference tonight. Remember?”

Lily dropped her hand from the cupboard, placing her face into her hands. She had forgotten that Bucky and she had an Avengers conference dinner that they had to attend. The dress she wore was sitting in their room, calling for her to go put it on. She could feel the pressure laying on her shoulders from the level above her. The blonde turned her head, meeting Bucky’s eyes. He looked sorrowful and sympathetic, knowing that Lily wanted to stay home more than ever.

“Is that tonight?” Hunter asked as he joined the others in the kitchen, “Did we agree that Stella and I were coming?”

“Yeah, why don’t you start getting ready,” Bucky began, “Take Stella with you to her room. I’m just gonna talk to mom quickly.”

Hunter nodded and took his little sister from Bucky’s arms, glancing back at his mother as he walked up the stairs to the second floor of the house. Lily leaned back against the counters of the kitchen, her face still resting carefully in her hands as she attempted to calm herself down. The entire day had been something out of a nightmare for Lily, especially when she learned about what happened at Hunter’s school. The anxiety in her skyrocketed, and she wondered what everyone around them thought of the two’s relationship. About Bucky raising two children. Marrying an “all-American girl”, or so the tabloids had been saying over the last few years when the public got a hold of their relationship and Lily’s story.

“I know you hate these, baby,” Bucky whispered, walking towards the blonde and placing his hands on her shoulders, “I know. I’m sorry.”

“It’s been a very, very long day,” Lily whispered, removing her hands from her face and staring up at the man, “Don’t apologize. Let’s just...let’s just go get ready.”

“Wait wait,” Bucky sighed, taking Lily’s hands and pulling her closer to his chest, hand moving to the side of her face.

“What’re you doing?” She sighed, tilting her head into his hand.

“Jus’ lookin’ at ya,” he purred, Brooklyn accent pushing through, “My beautiful, beautiful, fiance.” The brunette cooed, bending down and pressing a gentle and barely-there kiss to Lily’s lips.

Laughing softly at his words, Lily squirmed from Bucky’s grip, “Sam’s right. You have a staring problem.” She teased, poking her fingers into the brunette’s stomach before turning towards the stairs.

-----

Lily sighed as she readjusted her black peacoat. Her hands dusted off the satin material of her dark green dress that had a black lace pattern along the entirety of it. After readjusting herself, Lily bent down to Stella’s height, smiling softly at her beaming daughter. The four-year-old wore a white dress with a baby blue floral pattern along the entirety of it, white tights on her legs, with bright white ballet flats as well. Her dark brown locks pulled into a bun, a baby blue flower pinned onto it.

“You do love dressing up, don’t you?” Lily cooed, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s cheek before standing up, running her hand through her curled blonde hair, “Shall we?”

“That makes one of us,” Hunter muttered as he readjusted the white dress shirt he wore, glaring over at the crowd gathered in front of the building, “I feel like a clown right now.”

Lily chuckled softly at her son and ruffled his tousled blonde hair, before picking up the four-year-old girl. The dinner was being held in Gotham Hall, a beautiful place where the Avengers were gathering to recognize a few that were retiring, and welcoming more who were joining in on the initiative. It was a televised event, and each Avenger was individually introduced to the hall, including the families. Meaning Lily, Hunter, and Stella were being introduced alongside the White Wolf, aka Bucky Barnes.

“Did we remember to tell Tony to have the chef make Stella chicken fingers? She won’t eat what’s on the menu.” Lily sighed, following Bucky as they walked towards the entrance, smiling at a few of the paparazzi and fans.

“I told him, as did Steve. Mostly because we had to ensure that Leo also got chicken fingers.” Bucky chuckled, hand resting on the small of Lily’s back, other arm slung around Hunter’s shoulder.

The family waved and smiled as they walked down the sidewalk, shielding Stella’s eyes from the bright lights. Friday night in New York was already an insane time, and with an Avengers event, it only grew more hectic. Which is not always the best for a four-year-old who was not the biggest fan of large crowds. Hence why she thrived in the countryside in Long Island, enjoying her time alone or with a few of her close friends. It sometimes freaked Lily out just how much the girl was like her father. But warmed her heart at the same time.

“Let’s go find our seats,” Bucky whispered in the blonde’s ear as the four walked into the hall, making their way through the halls towards the dining area, finding their seats with Sam and Steve.

“Well look who decided to show up,” Sam chuckled as he embraced Bucky, kissing Lily on the cheek, “You lot clean up well, hm?”

“Your girlfriend cleans up better than you,” Bucky teased as he embraced Rose, kissing his fiances sister on the cheek as well before taking a seat next to Lily, “Even Leo looks better than you.” He teased, winking at the five-year-old boy across the table.

“He was being nice Buck, c’mon,” Steve chuckled, clapping the man on the shoulder before smiling as Natasha joined the table, “Now the whole families together again.”

“Oh don’t go pestering cyborg, I looked at the playlist Tony made,” Sam chuckled, sitting at his seat, “He’s got Marvin Gaye on there. Might be the thing that sends robocop over the edge.”

Lily chuckled and shook her head, pouring a glass of water for Stella and placing a straw that was on the table in it. She loved hearing the banter between the three and laughing at Rose and Nat’s interjections. Lily herself was not the best at bantering back and forth with them all, but apparently, a few of her quips were some of the funniest things said. Hunter as well. Neither of them were big talkers, which is why the two never really enjoyed the events that they had to attend.

“When are they doing introductions? Just to prepare Stella for the camera that comes zooming around,” Lily hummed, catching Bucky’s attention, “You know she freezes when they come by.”

“We’re up first,” Steve commented, sipping his whiskey, “So it’ll be done and over with quickly.” The blonde chuckled, pinching his goddaughter’s cheeks gently, “But they may be doing interviews. Tony sent an email.”

Lily glanced to her side, watching Bucky turn his head away from her gaze and focus on the whiskey he himself had. The blonde shook her head, focusing her mind on the water in her own glass. Hunter seemed to go a bit pale as well, most likely worrying he’d have to speak. Lily nudged Bucky’s arm, nodding towards Hunter. The brunette nodded, turning to the boy and whispering to him. Lily sighed softly, watching Hunter relax at his words.

Time went on and Lily felt herself relax a bit. But when the camera crew entered, her anxiety skyrocketed once again. Bucky’s hand rested on her thigh, the coolness of the metal seeping through her satin dress, causing goosebumps to pop up along her skin. Stella was busy on Lily’s phone, too distracted to really see the cameras entering and everyone setting themselves up. Lily pursed her lips and turned to Bucky, looking up at him through her lashes. The older man bent down and pressed a kiss to the woman’s forehead, soothing her nerves. Or at least trying to, as the cameras made their way over.

“Welcome everyone to the annual Avengers Dinner!” The announcer chuckled, her voice radiating through the speakers around the room, “Let’s start this legendary night with the star of the show, Captain America!” She grinned, “Or, should I say. Captain Americas.”

Lily sighed softly as she watched Stella lift her head, dropping Lily’s phone into her lap. The blonde rested her hand on her daughter’s shoulder, squeezing gently as the cameras made their way towards the table. The announcer plastered on an obviously fake smile that made Lily want to leave the room, but she stayed silent as she came closer.

“Look at this lovely group,” she chuckled, “Steve Rogers, always an honour to see you here. Alongside the ever ravishing Black Widow, aka, Natasha Romanoff. And who do we have here? Sam Wilson, aka Captain America, and fashion designer Rose Osborne! With her little one.” The redhead grinned, gesturing to the group before turning her attention to the family of four, “And last, but not least, the Barnes. James Barnes, the now-retired White Wolf, with his stunning fiance, Lily Barnes. Have you two tied the knot officially yet?” She asked, lowering the mic to Lily.

The blonde flushed a deep red, chuckling softly, if not awkwardly, “Not yet.” She stated simply, readjusting in her seat.

“What’s the holdup? We’re all dying to know!”

“Just been busy.” Lily hummed, glancing over at Stella, who was staring down at her lap.

“How could I forget! You two have your own kid,” she hummed, glancing over at Hunter, “Kids, sorry. Stella and Hunter correct? How do you two feel about the announcement tonight?”

Bucky jumped in, taking over as he saw Lily’s confused face, “Walker has had a past. But I’m sure he’ll do great. Especially with some reinforced supervision.”

-----

“Walker!?” Lily whisper yelled, pushing open the front door, “What the hell is Tony thinking?” She muttered, dropping her purse as she cradled Stella’s head on her shoulder.

“We tried to talk him out of it.” Bucky sighed, nodding up the stairs for Hunter to head up to bed.

“It’s ridiculous,” Lily sighed, following her son up the stairs, Bucky following close behind, “Was what happened nothing to him? He decapitated a man in a town square.” The blonde continued, walking into Stella’s room, slowly stirring her, “Darling wake up, gotta get you into PJ’s.”

“He redeemed himself near the end of it all,” Bucky sighed, pulling pyjamas out of his daughter’s dresser, “Maybe that counts for something in Tony’s books.”

Lily had her own personal reasons to resent the man. Whenever there was a function where he attended, he was always a bit friendly with the blonde. Bucky mostly stepped in before it got too far, but still, it made Lily uncomfortable regardless. But above all of that, the events that happened with the Flagsmashers was something that Lily couldn’t get past. Bucky had gone to help with the entirety of the ordeal but ensured to keep in constant contact with Lily, who was sitting at home, pregnant as can be.

She remembered the day he came home like it was yesterday.

-----

Lily watched the TV with relief in her eyes. She watched Sam’s speech with pride, her heart swelling at his words. She had always admired Sam, and watching him officially take up the mantle was something Lily would remember for decades to come. Her hands rested on her swollen stomach, counting down the minutes before she could see her boyfriend walk through the door of the Manhattan home they still lived in.

Lily made her way to bed, laying uncomfortably in it. She didn’t remember how she was able to sleep when pregnant with Hunter, but the baby currently growing inside of her was making her want to turn back the time and keep Bucky at bay that night she was positive was the day the fetus was conceived. Though she knew deep down, she would want to relive that night time and time, and time again. As she tossed and turned, the blonde wondered if Bucky was still directly in the middle of the city.

When the door opened, she felt herself almost float up from the bed. Turning her head, the blonde jumped from the bed and walked towards the man, not hesitating to kiss him deeply as his hands found her cheeks. When they broke apart, he dropped to his knees and pressed his lips to Lily’s seven-month pregnant belly.

“Please tell me the arrested walker,” she whispered, running her hands through Bucky’s brown hair, “Please.”

“They didn’t...I’m sorry my love.” He whispered, standing to his feet, “We don’t know what’s going to happen with him.”

-----

Three years later, they figured out just what would happen to Walker. He’d be given the same privileges as people who had saved the world countless times, including that of Lily’s fiance. It sat heavily on Lily’s shoulders as she undid Stella’s hair, placing the elastic to the side and running her nimble fingers through the dark tresses as Bucky helped the young girl get changed into her pyjamas.

After the two tucked their daughter into bed and undressed into pyjamas themselves, and climbed into bed, Lily let out a heavy sigh. Not only was the Walker situation heavy on Lily’s mind, but the announcer’s comments on the state of their engagement did also as well. She never really thought about it. The two had been busy, there was no time for them to really sit down and properly plan a wedding. But then again...Steve and Nat had been able to. Their own rehearsal dinner was in a week. They had gotten engaged about six months ago. Lily and Bucky...they had been engaged for two years.

Yet legally, they weren’t married. And it worried her.

“Why haven’t we gotten married yet?”

#Bucky Barnes #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes x female oc #james buchanan barnes #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes fluff #original female character #female oc #OC #oc x canon #oc tag #marvel #marvel fanfiction #the winter soldier #tfatws #The Avengers #fanfiction #single mom #sebastian stan #romance #fluffy #comedy #james bucky barnes

[delemenko]

"Alright, Cowboy."

Look, don’t ask me what happened while typing this.  The title is probably gonna change ngl. I don’t know. This ended up way longer than I anticipated, and I don’t have a beta, so there might be typos. Some things to keep in mind for this post:

This is pre-movie Cowboy. Hell, this is pre-Cowboy Cowboy. I have headcanon that his birth name is Harris (I just like the name.) So, Harris=Cowboy.

Adelay does not/can’t speak. She uses sign language.

I’m gonna put this under a read more link. I hope you enjoy this fic. Constructive criticism is appreciated and welcomed! 

"You sure you don't want to just buy the hat? That's like, the third time I've caught you just lookin' at it through the window," a low voice called, causing Harris to look away from the hat in the window and to the source of the voice, breath visible in the cold February air.

"Juka-"

"Better yet, I could just buy it for you, if you really want it."

"No, it's good. It's really expensive. I don't need a new hat right now. I'll buy it when I get the money for it." He told her, walking away from the window. The two walked down the street, stuffing their gloved hands into their pockets. "If you're lookin' for a reason to buy it, A.J. might want it to add to her collection," He mentioned, which Juka replied by shaking her head.

"She said she already has two. Pretty sure she thinks it's a threat if I say I'm buyin' a cowboy hat. Nevermind that I might wanna just get myself one," she said back, causing them both to laugh. 

The two continued their walk together, until they parted ways to go to their own houses.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” He said, before turning down the street.

“Yeah, bye.”

Juka watched him walk down the street before shaking her head. "I'm getting him that fucking hat."

-----

Harris didn't care much for parties, especially when he was what was being celebrated. He didn't like being around a lot of people, even if he was starting to get accustomed to it. Plus, since Adelay promised that there was only going to be a handful of people, he relented.

"It's literally going to just be you, A.J., Juka, Noah, and me." She signed, as the two walked up the street to Juka's place.

"Oh, I expected you to invite a couple of other people."

"You have other friends that I don't know about?" She let out an exaggerated gasp. "Harris, I'm hurt!"

He laughed lightly. "Well, I don't, but I'm sure Noah and Juka do," He said, as they walked up to Juka's apartment, trying their best not to fall on the icy steps before heading into the building.

Adelay shook her head. "They might, though I'm not sure. Plus, I don't think they really want to get their outside relations involved with us just yet."

Harris knocks on the door and receives a warm "Who is it?" In response.

"Hey, it's Harris and Elle! Can you let us in?"

The door unlocked and opened a moment later, and Juka stood there, strands of curly, light brown hair covering her eyes. "Why are y'all only early when we hang out at my house?" She asked, causing the other two to laugh slightly before they were invited in.

Noah and A.J. were already there, sitting on the floor in the living room playing cards. 

"I'm out," Noah said as he put down his last card on the pile causing A.J. to look up from the discard pile in surprise.

"Seriously? I had half of my deck left!"

Noah just shrugged. "Sorry, you gotta move quicker!"

A.J. gathered the cards and began shuffling the cards again as Harris and Adelay walked up. She looked up at the new guests "Oh, hey! Happy birthday!" 

"Thanks!" Harris said with a smile. "What are you two playing?"

"We were playing Speed. Take a seat. We're playing blackjack next, unless Juka hurries back," She said, shifting over to make room for the others. Harris came over and sat next to her, while Adelay sat down between him and Noah.

A few light footsteps could be heard from the stairs before Juka walked into the room; her fluffy hair no longer in her face and instead being pulled back by a scarf. She grabbed a large brown bag from the closet and a drink from the table before sitting down. "Do y'all wanna give him your gifts first or should we wait?"

"Eh, if he wants to. Honestly, I got him more of a joke gift," Noah said, holding up his bags. 

"I'm really bad at getting gifts. Here's five bucks and a card telling you things," Adelay signed, before handing over an envelope, which Harris took with a chuckle. 

He opened the envelope and pulled out the card and read it. "'Harry, you're fun to have around and while I talk about how you look annoyed on a daily basis-' I do not!" He said, looking at Adelay with a slightly surprised look on his face.

"Finish the card, man."

"'I only mean it half the time. I hope you enjoy this special day all about you and take this money to buy yourself a birthday gift on my behalf. Love, Elle.' Aww, thanks, Elle! Can I give you a hug for this?" He asked, putting the card back into the envelope. Adelay feigned annoyance before giving him a hug, which he returned.

"I can go next. Unless Noah or Juka want to go?" A.J. asked.

"Eh, if you want. I already know what reaction my gifts are going to get," Noah said with a snicker.

"Well, since you're so sure that you know how I'll react, why don't you break out your gift then?" Harris challenged, causing Noah to grab his bag.

"Alright, here. In fact, I'll buy you lunch if I can predict everything you're gonna do!" Noah said, handing his gift over. 

 "You're on. Juka, can we have some paper and a pen?"

Juka grabs the items and hands them to Noah. "This oughta be good," she said, sitting back down on the couch.

Noah wrote something down on the paper, tore it off and handed it to Adelay. She looked at it for a moment; A.J. moving over to see what Noah had written, as Harris started opening his gift. He looked in the bag in confusion for a brief moment. He looked at Noah, still a bit confused before he went back to looking in the bag.

"Wh- oh, I know what this is for. I know exactly what this is for. Real funny, Noah." He looked at Noah and pulled a pack of towels out of the bag. He looked at Noah, "Thanks for the towels," He said, putting them back in the bag as he noticed Adelay and A.J. trying to keep their laughter down. A.J. was leaning on Adelay for support; her face bright red. "What are you two laughing at?"

Adelay handed him the slip of paper as the two continued their laughing fit. He looked at it, Juka looking at it over his shoulder, and they both realised that Noah had predicted everything that he did almost perfectly. "Huh." He looked at Noah, who rests his face in his hands with a satisfied smile on his face, looking back at Harris.

"Make sure to keep your pack of towels on your person at times. You never know what could happen!" Noah said with a mocking tone.

"I mean, they are functional and shit, but why did you get him towels exactly?" Juka questioned.

Harris let out a sigh as Noah chuckled. "While Noah and I were out a week ago, some lady spilled her drink on me. Neither of us had anything to cover it up or dry it, so I had to walk home, looking like I'd pissed my pants. I was wearing light jeans that day, too," He said as Noah handed him a card with some money inside.

"I expected that to be funnier. Still funny, just not as funny as I'd expected," Juka responded causing Noah to shrug in response.

"I feel like you had to be there, really... Juka, you want to give him your gift or should I go first?" A.J. queried. “I can go next if you want me to.”

“Nah, you can go now.” 

"Mm." A.J. grabbed her gift and handed it to Harris. “Here you go." 

He unwrapped the gift to see a bunch of songs transcribed to be played on acoustic guitar. "Daydream, Venus, More Than A Feeling, Roundabout- Are these all just songs for playing on the guitar?" He asked looking up at her.

"Well, you mentioned that you wanted to learn to play these, so I got them all transcribed." 

"There's like ten songs in here! How much did this cost? Transcribing songs ain’t exactly cheap. When did you even have time to do this?"

"Don't worry about it. I have my ways!" A.J. said, a soft smile appearing on her face. Harris was about to protest when she spoke again, "Don't worry about it, Harris."

The two looked at each for a moment before he smiled again. "Thanks for the songs." He said, giving her a hug. 

Juka grabbed her bag and before she handed it over to him, she said, "Promise me you won't get mad."

"What? Why would I get mad?" 

"Just do it."

"Okay, I won't!" He said as she handed him the bag. He looked into the bag and saw what looked to be a black hat. He pulled it out of the bag to see that it was the black Stetson that he would look at whenever he passed by the hat store. The one that he asked Juka not to buy for him because it was pretty expensive. "I should've known you were gonna buy it. I was gonna get it myself!" 

"Well, now you don't have to," Juka replied, taking a sip of her drink.

"I can’t take this..." 

“Why not? Look, man. If you’re not gonna wear it, I will. If you really don’t want it, I won’t force you to take it. But if you do want the hat, take the gift. I mean, there’s never too big a price for one’s happiness,” Juka said, crossing her arms and sitting back.

He thought about it for a moment. “Alright. Thanks for the gift, Juka.” 

"Of course. You gon' try it on?" 

He put the hat on, and walked over to the mirror. He figured he looked good enough, a big smile appearing on his face. 

"Get this man a horse!" Noah yelled out.

"Yeehaw!" Harris said with a laugh.

"Good to see that you like my gift," Juka said, amused.

"It's a nice hat! Is this why you have so many hats, A.J.?" He asked, fixing his hair in the mirror.

"No, I just have a problem. Don't get into hat collecting. You will not get out," She warned him.

"This is a really good quality hat. I might just wear it all the time now." 

"Yeah, alright, Cowboy. Actually, I’ll just call you that from now on if you decide to always wear the hat," Juka said to him as she went to get another drink from the table. 

"I probably will, too, honestly," Noah added, which caused A.J. and Adelay to nod in agreement.

"Sure, alright," Harris replied, sitting back down.

"Hey, let me try on the hat!" Adelay signed, which caused Harris to grab his hat and hold it close.

"Hey, can I at least wear it once? Lemme break it in a bit!" He told her, which she seemed content with.

"Fair enough."

They spent the rest of their time playing games until Adelay and Noah said they had to get home. After cleaning up and exchanging goodbyes, Juka turned to Harris and A.J.

"Are y'all leaving, too?" She questioned.

"I probably should go. I need to get home before Nik and Lydia do," A.J. said, standing up and heading to the door. 

"Okay. What about you?" Juka looked over at Harris.

"Yeah, A.J. and I can walk home together since her house is on the way," came his response as he also stood up, grabbing his gifts and packing them up.

Juka walked the two to the door and they all said their goodbyes before the pair left.

-----

"How much was that hat anyhow?" A.J. wondered aloud as the two walked down A.J.'s street.

Harris tilted his head in thought. "Eh, I wanna say it cost about 15 dollars or so." 

She raised an eyebrow at that. "You were gonna spend 15 dollars on a hat? That seems a bit much, don't you think?"

"Didn't you spend 20 bucks on your derby?" He shot back, looking at the hat in question as it sat on her head.

"I literally collect hats!" 

"You still spent 20 bucks on a hat, and I'm pretty sure you've done it more than once," He pointed out.

"... I've done it thrice, but-" 

"Still done it," Harris said, a smug look on his face.

"Yeah, sure. Leave my hats collection." The couple approached A.J.'s building. "I hope that you had fun today,"

"Yeah, I did. Thanks for the gift," He said, giving her a tight hug, which she returned.

"Of course. Thank you for walking with me. Now get home before you get into trouble!" She said, releasing him from the hug. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"See ya." He turned and walked down the street and she watched him walk down the street, his black Stetson standing out against the snow-covered sidewalk.

When he was far enough away, she found herself chuckling. "Alright then, Cowboy," she said quietly, before walking into her apartment.

#the warriors #the warriors 1979 #cowboy (the warriors) #kaleny's questionable quality fanfiction #fanfiction

[ghostly-cabbage]

Frigid (Chapter 2)

Genre: Horror, Angst

Chapter Rating: M (Language, gore)

Word count: 4,391

AO3  FFN 

<<Previous | Next>>

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Today is really stressful, but hopefully this makes someone out there feel better. Enjoy and tell me what you think!

*

Danny flew through every room in the school, even the basement, but the unidentified ghost was gone. He pushed a gloved hand through his hair and swore under his breath. Just his damn luck. At least he’d caught the mountain lion ghost in the thermos. At first glance he’d thought it was Bertrand and Spectra, but that theory had been dashed. The big cat had got him good but it didn’t seem to have any intelligence beyond a wild animal. 

He’d looked long enough that the ghost alarm had been turned off and people started heading back into the building. It was also long enough that his wound had melded together, and the stains on his gloves were the only evidence he’d sustained an injury in the first place. That too would be gone the next time we went ghost. 

He slipped through the wall of the bathroom and dropped down into a stall to transform back. He poked his head out through the door of the bathroom to make sure no one was paying attention. Everyone was too busy trying to figure who’d seen the ghost to care. It was normal for people to hide in the bathrooms during an attack anyway. Right. First things first, he had to put the thermos back in his locker. Classes would resume in a few minutes. 

Sam and Tucker were waiting at his locker when he got there. They perked up when they saw him. 

“Who was it this time?” Sam asked. 

“I don’t know, it was a new ghost,” he said, trying to seem less troubled than he was.

“Ghost Gage readings put it at a level six,” Tucker reported, turning his phone around to show Danny the readout graph that did in fact place its power level around a six.

“What was the reading on the other one?” 

“Let’s see…” Tuck fiddled with his phone for a second before finding it. “Four and a half? A five at first.” 

“A new ghost, huh? That hasn’t happened in awhile,” Sam pointed out. 

“Tell me about it,” Danny unlocked his locker and set the thermos on the top shelf, safe until after school when he could flush the ghost back into the Ghost Zone. “She didn’t seem to know who I was, which is a good thing I guess.” 

“Well, hopefully they won’t come back after you send ‘em back into the Ghost Zone.”

“Yeah…” He rubbed at the back of his neck as he closed his locker. “About that. I sorta only caught one. The level six hightailed it before I could get her pinned down.” Danny started to walk towards his next class. 

“So what’s her deal?” Sam fell into step on his left, and Tucker on his right. 

“I don’t know, I didn’t get much from her. She had one of those stick things that sheep farmers have though.” 

“A shepherd's crook?” Sam supplied.

“Yeah, that. She didn’t say anything to me either, just... screamed.” It wasn’t that odd that a ghost wasn’t very talkative, but something about her was rubbing Danny the wrong way. 

“Creepy,” Tucker said. “I’ll start a file on the ‘Shepherd’ then.” He tapped on his phone as they walked, not even bothering to watch where he was going. Danny reached out and grabbed Tucker’s elbow to phase him through a trash can just before he toppled into it. “Wait, was the scream anything like your wail?”

Danny shook his head. “No, that’s the thing guys, she didn’t directly attack me. Just her lackee mountain lion.”  

“Huh. Well, with any luck, the next encounter will get us some more solid data. Cause right now we’re lookin’ pretty sorry. She wasn’t around long enough to get a read on her core type either.” Tucker's face was wrinkled in concentration. 

“We’ll take what we can get, thanks Tuck.”

“I should really start charging you for my services. You know how much work all this is?” He waved his phone at them.

Danny laughed. “You wanna do my job instead?” Tucker was quiet for a second. 

“Yeah, not a chance.” 

“You sure? I could go find Desiree for old times sake,” Danny suggested with a shit eating grin. Tucker narrowed his eyes at him. 

“Dude. Low blow.” His tone was good humored and easy. One of the perks of being friends so long. They shared a smile and Tucker punched his shoulder. “Alright, I got History, see you guys,” he gave them a two finger salute and peeled off. 

“Did you do the algebra homework for today?” Sam asked as Tucker left. Danny felt his breath seize in his throat.

“There was algebra homework already?” He squawked. 

“Relax, I’m kidding,” she laughed. 

He put a hand over his heart and let out a huge breath. “Sam, don’t do that! Gave me a heart attack, are you trying to kill me again?” 

________________________________________________________________

After algebra Danny had chemistry. He said goodbye to Sam in the hall and headed to the science lab. When Danny got to class Wesley was already there. He was sitting at their table staring a hole into the white board at the front of the room. 

Danny thought back to the last time he’d seen him, cornered against a locker and eyes filled with terror. He dropped his textbook on the table and Wes jumped so violently Danny was surprised he stayed on his stool. His expression morphed from fear to annoyance as he looked at Danny. 

“What’s wrong, man? You look like you saw a ghost,” Danny said. A part of him almost felt bad for going for such an obvious jab, but Wes had made it clear on day one that he didn’t like him. So why be nice? Danny used his foot to drag his stool out and he slumped onto his seat. 

“Ha ha,” Wes replied, voice brittle. He resumed his staring contest with the whiteboard. Danny shrugged, unbothered. Kids came in and took their seats in small groups. Valerie was in this class too, and came in two minutes to the bell. The two still had an unspoken truce that translated into mutual respect. It was pretty close to a friendship. At least when he was Fenton. She came up to stand next to his desk, books tucked in the crook of her arm.

“Hey, Danny. Did you see the ghost today?” From the corner of his eye he saw Wes glance towards them. Val seemed to notice the attention too. “Just curious, from what I can tell not many saw this one. Which is weird for us.” In his last class all the students had been buzzing about the ghost attack, it was the first one of the new school year after all. Everyone had been speculating on which ghost it was and whether Phantom had shown up. 

Danny shook his head. “Sorry, Val. I was on the other end of the building and evacuated with everyone.” 

“Hmm. Okay, thanks.” Danny could see the gears turning in her head, probably frustrated she didn’t get her hands on it /or/ him, but she didn’t say anything else, and went to sit down at her table. Danny could feel Wesley’s eyes on him, and he sighed, turning on his stool to look at him. He was probably going to regret this.

“Lemme guess, you have questions.” Wesley looked reluctant but no less pissed. 

“Everyone just… Accepts that ghosts are a thing here?” He said it in a low voice, like he was afraid of being overheard by someone. 

“Uh. Yeah? Pretty much. Most people anyway. It’s been like this for like two years so… Yeah, people are kinda used to it by now.” 

Wes looked confused and conflicted. He was silent for a beat, before he asked his next question. “What can you tell me about this Phantom guy?” If Danny had been drinking something he probably would have choked on it. 

“Uh. I don’t know, what do you want to know?” 

“Who is he? Why is he here? What’s so special about him?” 

Danny blinked at the barrage of questions and struggled to find words. “Well, he’s—” the last bell rang and Mrs. Merriweather stood up from her desk. Danny almost sighed with relief. She pushed her rounded glasses up, and soothed down her pencil skirt.

“Alright kids, find your seats and settle down. We’re going to review lab safety today, and tomorrow we’ll be starting our first lab. Also the scheduled ghost drill will still be taking place, and because I detest the regulations I’m going to go ahead and tell you it'll be around 2:15 during this class.” She walked across the classroom and flicked off the lights. The projector hummed from its place hanging from the ceiling and Mrs. Merriweather wasted no time hopping to her powerpoint presentation on proper lab etiquette. Danny took the opportunity to shoot a text to Sam and Tucker about the ghost drill. At least this way they didn’t need to be on high alert. Besides, Danny had practically grown up in a lab, he knew this stuff backwards and forwards.

Wes glanced sideways at him, but said nothing. Danny shoved his phone back in his pocket and slouched forward onto the table. He stifled a yawn and struggled to keep his eyes open. A nap sounded fantastic at the moment, he’d been up half the night trying to talk Kitty through her recent fight with Johnny. Jazz said he should try and be helpful and build trust so they were less likely to take out their lovers' quarrels on him. Not having to get smacked around was all well and good but he wasn’t a ghost therapist. That was way more Jazz’s wheelhouse. He’d never say it out loud, because he’d never hear the end of it, but he missed her.

“Mr. Fenton.” Mrs. Merriweather had her hands on her hips. Crap.

“Yeah?” 

“What did I just go over?” 

“Uh… eye protection?” 

She sighed. “Danny, what part of this seems unimportant?” 

“None of it! Er, I mean, all of it? It is important, but I mean it’s not like I can even use any of this stuff anyways so…”

Mrs. Merriweather pinched the bridge of her nose. “And why do you think that is?” Annoyance squirmed in his stomach. “Not because I don’t know anything about lab safety. I know how to be safe in a lab, it’s not rocket science.” 

“Well, since you know everything there is to know, then you’ll be happy to hear that I’ve just decided to give the class a quiz tomorrow on this powerpoint.” There was a satisfied twinkle in her eyes, and Danny swore she loved to torture kids, and being a teacher was the only legal way she could do it. The class broke out into groans. 

“Nice going, Fenton!” Someone spat from behind him. He wanted to phase through the floor and just go home. 

“Pay attention or get detention everyone!” Mrs. Merriweather warned them. It was her favorite thing to say. She turned back to the slide show and continued her spiel. 

The ghost drill was nothing unusual. Despite knowing it was coming, most of the class still jumped when the alarm started, Danny and Wes included. They all evacuated the building and stood outside in the school yard the exact same way they would a fire drill. It was a waste of time, especially since they’d already had a ghost attack today. 

Thankfully, Wes had slipped off to stand with a guy that looked like his older brother, if the resemblance meant anything. Wes probably didn’t want to be seen talking to him if there was any other option. Danny had to hand it to him, he caught on fast. What that also meant was he didn’t have to try and fumble his way through an entire conversation answering questions about Phantom. Danny just hoped Wes ended up asking someone who had a more progressive opinion on him, someone like Paulina, or hell, even Dash. 

Danny spent the last of the drill hanging with Sam and Tucker. The obnoxious sirens had shut off at least. Danny hated those things, his parents had recommended and got approval for the installation at the start of school last year, along with a state of the art ghost detection gadget. After the third “false alarm”, courtesy of him, they got rid of the ghost detection in favor of the manual alarm buttons. That had been a rough week. Danny hadn’t known a peaceful ghost fight at Casper since. 

Eventually the drill was over, and the teachers started ushering kids back into school for the last period.    

“So, what’s going on after school?” Sam asked as they were funneled into the entrance.  

“I’ll probably swing by my house to drop my stuff off, then I’m gonna look around town, see if I can’t find that new ghost hanging around anywhere.”

“Pizza at my place after?” 

“Aw hell yeah, Sam! Wings too?” 

Sam rolled her eyes. “Yeah sure, Tucker, you can order wings. Just keep them away from me, will ya?” 

Danny snorted. “Sounds like a plan, I’ll text when I’m on my way.”

“Or if you need help with that ghost?” she added sternly. 

“Yeah yeah, fine. That too.” He waved a hand dismissively at her. 

_______________________________________________________________

Tucker and Sam walked home with him like they normally did, exchanging goodbyes and “see you later”’s at his front steps. They continued down the street as Danny pushed into his house. He took a deep breath, relaxing into the familiar smells of home. It was weird, not seeing Jazz on the couch with twelve open textbooks taking up all the space on the coffee table. He headed for the kitchen, his empty stomach not willing to wait for pizza later. He dropped his bag by the banister so he could pick it back up on his way to his room later. 

When he walked into the kitchen, his mom looked up and brightened. She had a bunch of papers all laying out on the dining table, some in piles and some splayed out in an order that probably made sense to her at least. She didn’t have her goggles on, instead she had them pushed back like a headband.

“Hi, sweetie! I didn’t even hear you come in. How was your day at school?” 

 “Fine,” he said with a noncommittal shrug. Danny walked past the table to the fridge. As he passed he noticed that the papers were readouts and raw data sheets. Some looked like her own notes which featured the words “ghosts”, “core”, “ecto-signature” and the like about a dozen times. It wasn’t exactly abnormal for his parents, but it did peak his interest.  

He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a can of strawberry soda and an apple, enjoying the feeling of the cool air on his face. He nudged the fridge door closed with his foot and turned towards his mom. 

“So,” he took a bite of his apple, “what’re you workin’ on?” Normally his parents kept all the research down in the lab, unless of course they were close to figuring something out, and were running out of counter space down there. He walked back over and pulled out a chair to sit.

Over the years he’d gotten somewhat closer to his parents. Well, he was more confident in his secret keeping ability now, which was what it boiled down to. Plus, it was advantageous to try and keep track of whatever ghost obliterating tech his parents had come up with this time, which was easier to do if he acted interested in their work. Especially now that Jazz was gone.

His mom’s grin got even wider at his question and he could tell she was bursting at the seams to talk about it. She put her pencil down, and swept up her mug to take a quick sip. It was white with Fenton Works plastered across the side.

“Ghost cores!” She set her mug back down, and pulled her goggles off her head. It let loose a few locks of her red hair that she quickly tucked behind her ear. “So, as you know all ghosts have power cores,” she shuffled around in her research, looking for something in particular. “Except, all ghosts have different power core ‘types’.” 

“Uh-huh,” he nodded along as if it was all new information. He took another bite of his apple. 

“So! Your father and I are working on not only a better method of categorizing ghosts that takes into account their power level but also the type of elemental core they possess. We think if we can find more commonalities and differences it will help find more exploitable weaknesses.” She found the page she was looking for and offered it to him, standing to lean over the table. Danny set his snack down and took the page to skim over it. It looked like a bunch of data on ghost’s with their power measurement, core type, temperature, ectoplasmic density, each a value that was plugged into an algorithm that spat out a number for a final threat level. 

“See, before, we would base an ecto-entities power level solely on the output of the ectoplasmic energy, but with this algorithm, we can have a more in depth understanding of the possible damage a ghost could do and how to counter it.” 

“Hence the ‘threat level’ rather than just ‘power level’?” he said glancing up at her.

“Exactly sweetie!” Her eyes softened as she looked at him. “Oh, you and your sister, you’re both so smart.” She came around the table to brush his bangs out of his face, and squish him in a one armed hug. “I couldn’t have asked for more perfect kids,” she said and kissed the top of his head before releasing him. He forced a smile. She said that now, but she didn’t know what he was. Who he was.

“Now, the issue is trying to find all the core types.” She leaned a hand on the table to look over his shoulder at the paper he was holding. “So far we know about fire, electricity, ice…” She held her chin thoughtfully. “And despite what the core may be, that doesn’t always mean their powers are a direct derivative, the applications of a core type can be extremely varied with only a thin connecting thread,” she muttered. Danny almost didn’t know if she was still talking to him, or just thinking out loud. “I’m doing research on what determines a ghost's core type. So far the leading theory is based on how they died. We think it’s the main contributing factor but I need more subjects to find anything conclusive.” 

If that were true, he’d have an electricity core. The thought made his breath stick in his throat and a cold sweat break on his forehead. Danny went to open his soda— or he would have, had it still been liquid. Instead there was a thick layer of frost on the outside of the aluminum where he’d been holding it, and the contents were frozen solid, bulging the top and bottom of the can. Yikes. He shot his Mom a panicked look, but she was thankfully too absorbed in her thoughts to notice. He handed her back the paper before he froze that too. 

“Sounds pretty cool, Mom. Welp, I gotta go do some reading for class so—” 

“Danny-boy!” Boomed his dad’s voice. He winced and turned to see his Dad coming up from the lab. 

“Hey, Dad.” 

“Helpin’ your Mom with some good ol’ fashioned ghost research are we?” 

“Actually I was—” 

“Maddie, I did what you asked! I tore the whole lab apart, but I still didn’t find the Fenton Ghost Gage anywhere.” Uh-oh. Danny slowly got up from the table and went to make for the door. 

“That’s odd, I swear I left it by the control panel a few weeks ago...” It was quiet for a moment. “Danny—” he turned back around, feigning ignorance with every ghostly molecule of himself. “—have you seen the Ghost Gage sitting around anywhere?” 

The New and Improved Fenton Ghost Gage was a relatively new invention, which actually worked pretty well. Except of course for the glitch that registered a level ten plus ghost in the house. His Mom had theorized that it was because of the proximity to the Ghost Zone that it was giving the off the charts false reads, and left it sitting in a tub of inventions to be tweaked. It was now safely placed between the drywall and plumbing of Casper High, sending it’s readings directly to Tucker's phone. Of course they’d already made the modifications for it to read core types, thanks to Tucker.  

“Nope, sorry. Have you checked the couch cushions? Or the fridge?” he suggested. 

“Of course! The couch! Good thinking, Dannio!” His Dad clapped him on the back with so much force the soda can flew from his grasp, and promptly exploded on contact with the tile floor. Right. Frozen soda explodes. Idiot. 

The outside had been completely frozen, but apparently on the inside it was slush, which was now all over the floor, the walls, the ceiling, and the three of them. It looked like a sugary crime scene. He quirked a nervous smile.

“Oops?” 

________________________________________________________________

Thankfully the soda caused only minimal damage to his parents research papers, but by the time he was done helping clean, the soda on his clothes had dried and gone sticky. Looked like there was no easy phase clean for him. He excused himself upstairs under the false pretense of doing homework and was gone the next minute. 

Time to find that ghost. 

The wind whipped through his hair and whistled past his ears. It was getting colder by the day and he loved it. The leaves on the trees would start turning soon, turning Amity into a collage of colors. If it weren’t for school, he’d love fall. 

He made it to Casper in a minute flat, and started his search there. The weight of the thermos was a constant reassuring weight on his hip as he circled outward. If she was lurking anywhere, his ghost sense would let him know. He flew up and down streets, block after block, but he was getting nothing. Well, unless he counted the people on the street that whooped and pointed at him as he flew past. 

He’d just gone by the Nasty Burger when a crackling bolt of energy zipped past him and punched a hole through a billboard. He recoiled and adrenaline flared through him; or whatever the ectoplasmic equivalent was. He flipped around to see a familiar ghost hunter. 

“You never learn your lesson, do you, ghost?” Valerie growled. 

“I’ve never been the best in school, so I’m gonna say no,” he said with a grin. Another blast shot past him, but he didn’t give her the satisfaction of flinching. 

“Shut up, I know you were at Casper today. What can you tell me about the new ghost?” Danny huffed. He and his friends weren’t the only ones that had the school bugged. 

“You probably know about as much as I do, Red. She was gone almost as soon as I got there.” 

“Like, I’d buy that!” Despite her helmet he could tell she was just as pissed as ever. He splayed his hands in a placating manner. 

“Honest, why else would I be out here combing the city?” 

“How should I know what you’re planning? You’re probably out here waiting for the opportunity to ruin someone else’s life.” 

Danny groaned. “Seriously Red, I said I was sorry like two years ago, you need to learn to let stuff go.” Danny liked to think that deep down she knew he wasn’t there to hurt anyone. She certainly didn’t like him, but she had at least started giving him an opportunity to explain himself before trying to waste him. Baby steps he supposed. 

“Back at’cha, ghost.” She lifted her blaster and it whined as it charged. Welp, decorum was over for the day. He went intangible and rocketed through the billboard. Once on the other side he went invisible and tore off in a different direction. He knew she could track him, but it was worth the few seconds it bought him. The sound of her jet sled roared as she gave chase. 

Pink charges of ecto-blasts peppered his flight path, near misses and wildly inaccurate alike. He zig-zagged, holding onto his invisibility and intangibility as he slipped through buildings. This was the easiest way to lose her, she had to take the time to skirt around huge objects, or waste the time to go straight up allowing him to widen the gap. Not to mention, while intangible the lack of wind resistance put his speed at around 130 Mph. Last time they’d checked at least. 

Once he was sure he was far enough away from Val to have dropped off her radar, he turned and headed for home. He phased through his window and transformed back, flopping onto his bed. He’d been all over town and hadn’t got a single whiff of the new ghost. At least Valerie was on it too. Still, it didn’t make it any less frustrating. 

He glanced at the clock on his nightstand which read 5:10. He’d check for the ghost again after dinner with Sam and Tuck, maybe then he’d at least be able to avoid Valerie. For now, he could really use a break.      

#danny phantom #danny fenton #fanfic #danny phantom fanfiction #phan phic #phandom #frigid #my writing #wesley weston #wes weston #kyle weston

[killmongerkink]

11:37 PM - Part 3.

Summary: Erik and you meet up at an unlikely location. 

Pairing: Erik ‘Killmonger’ Stevens X Black!Reader

Warning: oral sex & fluff. 

Length: 5k

BTW: i really wasn't planning on continuing this series. i kinda fell out of love with it, but then i reread my work and it made me want to write all over again lol. i’ll try not to take so long with writing these next few parts :/. enjoy and sorry for any typos!

CATCH UP: part 1 / part 2

MASTERLIST

"So, who's that broad you been chillin' with?"

Erik's attention was momentarily pulled from the game as Aaron questioned him. Him and his boys had been in the house for most of the day, deciding to meet up and chill since they didn't have shit else to do on a Saturday. It was Erik's day off at Acuity Brands where he was the lead data engineer, Lo had pulled a double shift to get the day off and Aaron didn't know the definition of a job, so it was a unanimous decision to link up.

"Chill with that broad shit man, she got a name."

"Well you won't tell us her name, so what the fuck else are we supposed to call her?" Lo replied, his head still stuck in his phone as he watched some rap battle on Twitter.

"Y'all ain't got to know her name, just know it ain't broad. Have some respect."

Aaron gave Lo a look in which Lo returned, before they both busted out laughing. Erik sat back, unamused by the two men. They had been questioning him since they got to his crib about the new girl he had been seen walking home a few times. He should've known niggas on the block couldn't mind their damn business. It's not that he had a problem with people seeing you with him, he just didn't want others knowing about what he had going on or trying to get to know you. You were the only thing in his life that he didn't have to share. When it came to his job, he shared that with his co-workers and uptight boss. When it came to his apartment, he shared that with the few close friends he had. When it came to you .. you were his. Not in the sense of you being his girl or anything like that, but he appreciated the fact that he was the only person you really knew here besides your Uncle and classmates. He was the one that got to walk you home, take you to all the dope mom and pops shops and show you the hidden foot spots around Harlem. The last thing he wanted was you getting close to someone else because then he'd be on the back burner. No longer would you need him to walk you home and he wouldn’t be able to see your face light up when he showed you something new due to someone else beating him to it. He'd be damned if that happened. His eyes shifted over to Aaron doing a broke down version of the woah and Lo hyping him up, especially not these niggas.

Erik wasted no time pulling out his phone and searching for your Instagram. It had been a while since he saw you, a week and a half to be exact. He didn't hit up the gas station these past couple days because he didn't really have anything to get, and he could only eat so many donuts and snickers before his body would start paying for it. During those days, he kept up with you via social media which wasn't much since you barely posted. Neither did he, but shit ... he wanted to know what you were up to. He could've just DM'd you since he didn't have your number. The realization making him pause, why didn't he have your number? He was gonna make sure he got that shit the next time he saw you. He could see you now, being all shy and awkward after he asked and the thought made him chuckle.

"What's so funny? Yo' ass being all quiet and shit. You lookin' at titties?" Aaron eyed Erik suspiciously, leaning back and craning his neck to look at his phone screen. 

"Yo, you ever mind your business?" Lo quipped back. "Now you know E private. I'm surprised his ass even got us in his crib, you know he be acting like he got the secret formula and shit in here." Lo shook his head, eyes still glued to his phone. 

Since Lo had been cool with Erik before Aaron, he knew him better. Erik didn't like people in his personal business or space, close friend or not, and if you began to ask one too many questions, he'd get suspicious quickly. Everyone knew that, but there were some people that just couldn't get the hint or just didn't give a damn and that was Aaron.

"Y'all so sensitive, acting like my gotdamn momma. I just know y'all better change them attitudes by tonight. You know his girl Tae having a kickback and we gotta be in there.” He pointed towards E, a quick “she ain’t my girl” leaving Erik’s lips. “She bringing all her homegirls from her campus and you know what that means." Aaron rubbed his hands together, a sly grin on his face as all three men exchanged a blur of ayeeeee's and yeeerrrrrr's. 

The apartment was pretty packed when Erik and his boys arrived. Most people already had drinks or a blunt in their hand, some boo'd up on the couch while others played dice and beer pong. When a few eyes noticed their presence, they were met with daps and laughs. A few random girls came up, offering to make them drinks and they nodded along, not dumb enough to refuse being served. 

They all made their way through the numerous bodies, standing by the kitchen entrance where Tae was talking loudly to a few friends. Erik had met her at a party a year or so back, and since then she’d been around. He threw her one of his signature smiles, knowing that it would make up for him curving her for these past couple weeks. It wasn't as if he was doing it on purpose, he just had more important shit to do with more important people. She acknowledged his smile by rolling her eyes and turned back to her conversation. He stayed put, knowing that she was trying hard not to walk over to him. He was pretty sure she already dogged him out to her friends, hence why they were all trying to look at him without being obvious. All it took was one of the randoms to hand him a drink before Tae was walking up.

"Hey Neicy, the girls in there need some help. Would you mind?" Her eyebrow rose, silently challenging the girl to not obey.

"Uh, sure thing." She nodded, looking at Erik one last time before shuffling back into the kitchen. 

Tae turned to him, sighing heavily as if the last place she wanted to be was here. While she was busy putting on a show, he took the opportunity to really look at her. It was easy to write her off since she was away at school, but now that she was back for the weekend he was planning on making it up to her. It didn't hurt that she looked even better than the last time he saw her.

"You been giving my shit away?"

Tae gave him a confused look before catching onto to his comment. Her shoulders bounced, her drink sloshing in her red solo cup. She knew that he wasn't one that was fond of someone else being in his shit, something he had made known when they first fucked. Word got around quick here and since he hadn't heard anything, he figured she was behaving herself at college. Tae looked over her shoulder, pleased that everyone was occupied in their own little world and looked back at Erik, saying nothing as she grabbed his hand and walked him back towards her bedroom. 

Erik relaxed at the end of the bed, careful not to spill his drink on himself while he leaned back and rested his weight on his elbows. He stared up at the ceiling for a second, wondering what you were doing. Probably home, catching up on work or watching Netflix. Tae's hands made quick work of his belt and jeans, pulling them down to his knees along with his boxers. A few seconds later, she made herself busy by licking a broad stripe along the length of his dick, going back and forth with no hands. She craned her neck to the side, using her tongue to lift the weight of his head before his dick was sinking into her warmth. Releasing a sigh, he felt tension flow from his body and into her mouth. It had been a minute since he got some head. He wasn't one to just lay down with anybody, so he kept a select few around that he could depend on. One of his favorites was Tae, but that changed when she started handing out ultimatums. She knew what it was since the beginning and that he wasn't in the correct mindspace for anything too serious. All Erik wanted was a girl he could chill with and fuck, all that extra shit didn't interest him. When he was told "either you cuff me or I'm not fucking with you anymore", he took that as his hint to dip on her, but it wasn't long before she was right back where she always was - on her knees.

Erik wondered if you were the type to do that, force someone into something that you knew they weren't interested in ... nah. If anything, you would be the one getting pushed to do something. Your quiet and shy nature was enough evidence to prove that, but he did notice that more of your personality was starting to show. Maybe it was because you were finally getting comfortable around him, maybe it was because he didn't allow you to shut down and crawl back into your hole when you were with him. He could see that you were goofy as hell, true to yourself and actually educated on various topics. He was just waiting for you to realize that. 

His attention was brought back to Tae when he felt her by his balls, her hand resting underneath them and her fingers wrapping around his dick, holding the two together in one hand. Her attempts to deep throat caused his hips to raise on their own, his girth making it nearly impossible for her to swallow it all, let alone get his nuts. That didn't deter her from making sure to give an adequate amount of attention to all of him though. He appreciated her efforts and enthusiasm, her watery eyes proving that she was really trying to go all out tonight. She dragged her mouth up his length, a loud pop resonating in the dark room before her hand jerked him slowly, Erik's low grunts mixing with the sounds of squelching due to a mixture of his pre-cum and her excessive amount of saliva. 

The image of you replacing Tae's form popped into his head and he felt his body jerk. Had you ever even done this before? He wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't, but the thought of you eagerly wanting to prove yourself as you kneeled in front of him had him ready to bust. Your lips were always glistening with that damn lipgloss he would see you use every now and again. And he could tell you had a long ass tongue from the times you would randomly stick it out after saying something funny. Shit would probably feel like heaven.

"Erik, what's wrong? Why are you being so nice?" She pouted, sticking her tongue out and slapping his head against it hard before sucking it to her mouth, only paying attention to his tip as if it was a lollipop. 

Her comment made him freeze, looking off to the side and realizing what she was saying was true. Usually, he was rough when it came to anything sexual. He got off to it, taking control and spitting out obscenities. There was no time to be soft and sweet, it just made the nut take longer to come in his opinion. So why the fuck was he being so laid back all of a sudden? A part of him was ticked off as he thought about it, raising up from the bed and gripping Tae's hair in his fist, earning a cry from her. 

"Ow Erik, that hurts.." Obviously not enough since seconds later she was back to doing her job. 

Now he was annoyed. He didn't even know why he bothered coming in here with her. He wasn't feeling it anymore and he just wanted to go for a drive, maybe stop by a place that he hadn't been in a couple of days. But he couldn’t pass up on some quick head so he sat back and let her do her thing, calling her out her name and holding her head in place so he could fuck her mouth. He ignored her hands trying to push against his thighs and watery eyes, his dick staying in the back of her throat as he fed her, dick draining his kids into her mouth before letting her go. With a deep sigh, he leaned back against the bed and relaxed. Tae quietly walked off to the adjoining bathroom, the water running filling the relatively quiet room except for the heavy bass vibrating through the walls. A few minutes later she was back, a warm feeling casing his dick as she wiped him carefully, planting a kiss on his head when she was done. 

“You must’ve really missed me huh? That was a big one.”

Erik ignored her question, raising from the bed and setting his cup on the dresser before pulling back up his clothes, Ferragamo belt buckled as he checked himself out in the mirror quickly. He chugged the alcohol down, discarding his cup back on the dresser for her to clean up.

“You know, you could visit me at school sometimes. My roommates are always out so we could have the place to ourselves. I hate that we only see each other when I come back home.” She shuffled out the door behind him, huffing when she realized she was being ignored.

Before they could reach the main area where the party was being held, he turned around and backed her into the wall. She looked up at him with desire in her eyes, hands smoothing his shirt across his chest as she eagerly waited for him to continue. Erik knew the hold he had over her, he could throw her to the side and she’d still come running back. Some would say he was trash for playing with her heart, but Tae knew what it was and she could make her own choices. Since she was going to be around for a couple of days, he wanted to keep things between them on a good note. He was way overdue for a good fuck and wanted to hit it at least twice before she went back to campus. He looked at her for a moment, her eyes slightly wet and still red from her tears earlier.

“How long you gon’ be in town again?”

“Until Tuesday. That gives us four whole days to do whatever we want. I could come over one day, maybe cook for you?”

Yeah, that wasn’t about to happen, but Erik wasn’t that much of an asshole to turn her down so bluntly at her own party. He just rose his brows, acting like he was thinking it over before shrugging, letting her know that he’d think about it. As he walked away, he knew the only way they were gonna meet up was if he came to her place. No one knew where he stayed except for family and those he considered family, and he was trying to keep it that way. He really just wanted to know how many days he had left until he could link up with you. With Tae in town, it would be next to impossible so he had to play it smart. He didn’t want you knowing about her and damn sure didn’t want her knowing about you. 

The house party had got crowded in the time they were away, more bodies littering the living room and kitchen. Erik made his way through the few people standing in the hallway, head turning slightly to his left when he saw some new people that wasn’t there when he came. It was a couple of girls and he didn’t really pay them any attention until a certain one caught his eye. Her hair was down in front of her face, slightly hiding her from his view. She looked good from the side, not as dolled up as the rest of the females surrounding her, but that just made her stand out more. He liked that she wasn’t trying too hard, she was just chillin’. Oversized baby blue t-shirt, black biker shorts and some Jordan 1 UNC patents on her feet. He nodded his head to himself, silently approving her fit.

Fly lil thing. Ass fat too.

If it wasn’t for Tae on his heels, then he would’ve tried to shoot his shot. Just as he was about to keep it pushing, Tae’s loud shrieking made his face screw up as he looked back her, confused at her loud ass outburst. She told him to wait there for her and brushed past him, running up to the new group and wrapping her arms around their shoulders. He begrudgingly listened, hands stuffed in his jean pockets as he looked on. She turned around and skipped over to him, wrapping her hands around his forearm and pulling him over to where she was once standing. 

“Guys, this is Erik. Erik, these are my friends from school.”

He nodded his head and went to reply until baby blue turned her head in his direction, the room around him pausing briefly as his eyebrows lowered in confusion before raising in disbelief. 

The last thing you expected was to see Erik at Tae's party. 

Tae had invited you about a week or so ago, along with a few others girls from your sociology class. She was having it at her cousin's apartment, which was where she stayed when she wasn't on campus, and made sure to make all the girls promise that they would come. Claims of it being the best party you’d ever go to and not wanting to come off rude, you decided to go. You could tell early on that keeping up with appearances was a big deal for her. You couldn't recall a day where she wasn't looking her best or even seemed stressed. How she did it? It was above you. There were moments where you saw the real her, but they were few and far between. Whenever she would realize she was dropping this 'confident bad bitch' persona she liked to put on, she would quickly tighten up and go back to being the girl everyone knew her as. On campus, she was the IT girl. Guys wanted her, girls either wanted to be her or fight her. She was one of those people that you would rather have as a friend than an enemy for sure. So you knew you had to show your face, she’d feel some type of way if you didn’t. 

You didn't know if you should say hi to Erik or not with the way Tae was holding onto him. It was very territorial and knowing her, she wouldn't appreciate the fact that you two already knew each other. The girls all said hi after she introduced him, yours coming out a little later than everyone else's as you looked at him a little confused. Were they dating? He hadn't pushed her off or said anything since she brought him over and with the way she was going on and on about him, they obviously had some type of relationship. He nodded his head and mumbled a low "wassup" back, his eyes passing over your classmates before resting back on you. So this was why you hadn't seen him lately. He was spending all his time with her.

"You guys having a good time? Happy you came?" Tae smiled brightly, eagerly looking at you all and waiting for a response. 

"It's lit, your cousin is so cool for letting you have it at her place." "Girl duh and you got some fine ass friends, introduce me to some." "Hell yes. If not, I would've been stuck in the house being bored." Everyone spoke over one another.

She nodded her head, catching on that you hadn't spoke yet and looked at you, raising her eyebrow. 

"It's great." You smiled brightly. "I’m happy I came."

"Uh, I'm so happy you guys are having a good time. Well, I need to go make a couple more rounds. Someone here was occupying my time and I couldn't say hi to everyone." The smirk she threw Erik when she looked up at him had your eyes desperately wanting to roll, but you stopped yourself. 

There was no reason for you to be mad. It's not like you guys were close friends or anything. He was just a regular that you'd ring up. The same regular that made it a routine to walk you home from work. The same regular that had been introducing you to some of the best food spots that you ever could've imagined. You couldn't even begin to think about all the good food that you'd scarfed down in the past week. Either way, it was obvious that the Erik standing before you and the Erik at those times were different people. You could feel his energy and it wasn't the same sweet flirty one that you were used to. Instead, he had this confident air that was clouding over him and you would've thought it was attractive if it wasn't for him standing next to Tae. 

You all nodded and told her you'd catch up afterwards, your eyes not bothering to look back at the man before you started to make your way into the kitchen. A red solo cup later, you were perched on one of the barstools and listening to some funny story that Marissa was telling, or at least trying to. From where you were sitting, you could see Erik and Tae perfectly. She was sitting on his lap as she talked to some people, his hand on the couch armrest before she was pulling it around her. He kept his arm around her waist, his head slowly looking around the apartment until he was looking at you. Making eye contact was inevitable, since you were too slow to look away or play off your obvious staring. You gave him a small smile, the corner of your lip raising quickly before going back down. He returned it, eyes casting downward before he was turning back to those around him. 

The next hour and a half flew by. The company of your friends mixed with some of your favorite songs and a funny ass dance battle between some guys had you enjoying yourself. Somehow you ended up joining a group of people playing Never Have I Ever and you felt a little left out as everyone knocked back shots while you just held yours. The questions started off fun, but quickly turned sexual, making your lack of experience obvious when you could do nothing but watch everyone drink. You lied on a few, and laughed off others, all while unknowingly being watched. When you realized it was around 1:30 am, you decided it was time to dip. It was pretty late and you had work tomorrow, along with an essay to type up. You didn't want to regret it in the morning, so you bid your friends a goodbye and promised to text them when you made it home. 

As you got up and hugged them all, you made eye contact with Erik’s back as he laughed loudly at something. Surprisingly you didn’t spot Tae anywhere near him. You didn't really want to talk to him, annoyed that he hadn't spoken to you the entire night and instead decided to stick to Tae as if he was on a leash. It seemed like he was fine when it came to walking you home in the dead of night, but couldn’t be bothered with a simple “how are you?” now. You couldn’t even lie to yourself and say this was shocking. This wasn’t the first time a guy had ignored you around his friends and you were sure it wouldn’t be the last.

The walk home was going to take you about 15 minutes, which wasn’t too bad you guessed. It was late so the sun was long gone now and there’d be a nice breeze to accompany you. You had your little pepper spray if anything went down and a baby taser your Uncle pretty much forced you to carry. Exiting out the building, the lights from neighboring apartments and the corner stores kept the block lit for you. You were happy that you decided to get out a little, but couldn’t deny that being alone was ten times better. You could finally breathe and walk freely without worrying about bumping into somebody or vice versa.

After 6 blocks, you were starting to feel the repercussions of walking in shoes that weren’t broken in. Your heel was starting to throb, but you did your best to ignore it and adjusted your bag over your shoulder. The sounds of cars here and there weren’t out of norm, but you started to get nervous when you realized that one was driving suspiciously slow for no good reason. You hadn’t been paying attention so you had no clue how long they’d been there, but as you heard the slow and steady rumble of the engine trail behind you, you began to wish you had stayed at the party. Or at least gotten an Uber. Nonetheless, you kept walking and looking forward. It wasn’t until you stopped to let a car pass that a deep voice met your ears.

“You know I could’ve kidnapped your ass if I really wanted to right?”

You clicked your tongue, head shaking slowly as you recognized who it was. Of course it was him. With your arms crossed over your chest, you turned your body towards the car and slowly walked over. This was the first time you had actually seen it and it actually fit him, intimidating and sexy. You held back your smile as you watched him tilt his head at you, before knocking his head back, inviting you to get in without words. As much as you wanted to, thoughts of him and Tae together held you in place. They had something going on, you were sure of it, so you didn’t want to continue getting too close to him just to end up with your feelings hurt. You were also still salty that this was the first time he was speaking to you this night. 

“Shouldn’t you be getting back to Tae’s? I’m sure she’s probably wondering where you went.”

“Who says she doesn’t know already?”

“Based on the fact that she wouldn’t let you out her sight, I highly doubt that.”

Before Erik could respond, his phone started ringing. As he was going to answer it, he whispered a quick "get in" that you didn't obey. You could tell he was getting annoyed, but it was funny watching him roll his eyes like a spoiled child. The noise around you guys unfortunately prevented you from hearing his conversation, so you were stuck using your context clues to figure out what was going on. 

"Sup?"

"My bad bro, I had to dip out real quick. Something came up."

His thumb pointed towards the passenger seat and you shook your head, amused as he sucked his teeth and sat back. He stared at you as he continued to talk and you tried your best to look everywhere but him. At the stop light, at the LED open signs that blinked in the business windows, even at the empty trash bag that was currently rolling down the sidewalk. Literally anything to stop your eyes from landing on him. 

"Catch a fucking Uber my nigga, the fuck?"

"Not tonight. I got important shit to handle. I'll hit you tomorrow."

From your peripheral, you watched him hang up and stick his hand out the window, reaching for you. He was definitely trying to be cute, small pout on his face as his fingers finally brushed against your arm. 

"Why you playing hard to get?"

"I'm not. I'm just trying to figure out why you're so adamant about me getting in your car when I'm literally like 5 blocks from my place."

"A lot can happen in 5 blocks and if you don't get in, I'm just gonna follow you the rest of the way."

"That's really ... stalkerish."

"I don't care." He said bluntly, shrugging his shoulders. 

After some time, you finally listened and got inside. Deep down you wanted to hop in as soon as you saw him, but you wanted to see if he was gonna be persistent. His eyes followed you as you slipped inside, purse now in your lap as you protectively held it against you. It was being lifted off you and onto the floor with a huff seconds later, Erik’s hand pulling the seatbelt around you, unaware of how his knuckles were brushing against your breasts. He was too busy going on about how you shouldn't be walking late at night to notice. You stayed quiet, stomach now in knots as he tried to find the buckle that your thighs were hiding. You lifted up some, assisting him and trying not to overthink when you felt his hands on your hips. Finally he clicked it in and you were able to breath, relaxing into the seat as he took the car out of park and rolled up to the now red light. 

"So, what important shit do you have to handle?" You questioned innocently. 

"You."

* * * * *

taglist: those below are people that asked to be tagged, i saw in my notes on part 1/2 or mutuals :). if you don’t wanna be tagged in future updates then please let me know!

@hearteyes-for-killmonger @erikaintdead @chaneajoyyy @james-heaven-barnes @iamrheaspeaks @raysunshine78 @kimpossible1977 @twistedcharismaaa @janelledarling @thadelightfulone @thehomierobbstark @purple-apricots @yoyolovesbucky @journeytomeee @wakanda-inspired @l-auteuse @ghostfacekill-monger @hidden-treasures21 @eye-raq @enigmaticaphrodite @junesbride @scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade @werkoutbliss @imagine-n-shit @honeytoffee @michaelsgoldengurl @theblackblackwidow @destinio1 @eriksprincess @blowmymbackout @melaninmarvelgirl62 @savagescorpion @blackgirlreadsfanfic @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @vikkidc @maddiestundentwritergaines

#killmonger fanfiction #erik killmonger #erik killmonger fanfic #erik killmonger fanficiton #erik killmonger x black reader #erik killmonger x oc #black panther #black fanfic #black panther fanfic #black reader #black fanfiction #black panther fanfiction #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #erik stevens fanfiction #Erik Stevens #michael b jordan #michael b jordan ff #michael b jordan fanfic #michael b jordan fanfiction #black panther ff #erik killmonger ff #killmonger ff #erik killmonger x reader

[legolaslovely]

Just Us and Fili

A/N: This is long af but I’m really proud of it! Also, I’m going through a Kili stage as you can all see. Hope you enjoy this story with our little babee. And props to you if you get my little Poldark reference! I’m obsessed.

Pairing: Kili x Reader

Word Count: 3,696 <don’t let it scare you! I promise it moves!

Warnings: teeny angst for plot, FLOOF, allusions to smut, drinking/drunk characters 

Summary: Kili, Fili and (Y/N) have a last night of fun at the pub before meeting Kili’s intended from another kingdom. Kili begins to have second thoughts.

Masterlist here

You were reading by the bright but fading light of the window in your chambers when the large door swung open. You glanced up to see the princes falling into the room.

“What are you-” you began.

“Damn it, Fili! We need to knock first!” Kili whisper shouted. “Come, come, come, we’ll do it again. Go! Go out.” He dragged his brother out into the corridor and closed the door again.

You rolled your eyes and chuckled, waiting for the sound. When they knocked, you called, “Who is it?”

“Damn it, (Y/N), you know it’s us,” you heard Fili growl.

“It’s Kili! And Fili. May we come in?” Kili said through the door over his brother.

“Come in,” you called, stifling your laugh.

Again, they stumbled into the room. Their shenanigans were nothing new to you, and often you took part in them. The three of you had been friends since you were dwarflings and you could usually read their minds when they were up to something. But today, you weren’t sure of their plans.

“What’s got you two so riled up?” you asked, taking in their heaving chests and flushed faces. You guessed they had run to your chambers from the other side of the mountain.

“We came to get you. We’re going to the pub,” Fili said, leaning on the wall in front of you.

You placed your marker in your book and set it on the windowsill before standing up with a stuck out hip. “I think I’ll pass. Going to the pub with you two is never a good idea. I learned that lesson well last time.”

“We’ll behave,” Fili said.

Kili took your hand and pulled. “Please, (Y/N). This may be the last time it’s just the three of us.”

That had dawned on you before he actually said it. It had taken weeks, but Thorin had finally put the last arrangements of Kili’s marriage to plan. Tomorrow morning, a kind and beautiful princess from another kingdom would arrive in Erebor to marry Kili in a few days. You were excited and happy for him, but you knew things would have to change a bit.

You winced, thinking it over. You would have been kicked out of the pub last week if you weren’t with the royals of Erebor. Kili whined at your face.

“Please!” He hugged you tight, squeezing the air out of you and bending to push his face into the crook of your neck. “I’ll carry you on my back if it means you’ll come.” His words were muffled and contorted as he spoke into your skin.

You glared at Fili as he chuckled. Kili started pulling you toward the door.

“Fine, but I need to change,” you said.

“Nonsense, you look perfect,” Fili said. You stuck your tongue out at him.

“But I need to at least do something with my hair-”

Kili lifted from your neck. “Leave it down, I like it down.”

You rolled your eyes and then looked closer at Kili’s face. His skin was flushed and his eyes slower than usual. He giggled and lowered his forehead to your neck again. You looked to Fili with wide eyes. “He’s already drunk.”

“Yes,” Fili said.

“And we’re going to bring him to the pub for more ale?”

“Yes.”

You sucked in a lip. “Okay.”

Kili cheered and vaulted you up over his shoulder. He ran to the door before you could yell at him.

“Put. Me. Down. Now.”

He set you down immediately. “Sorry.”

***

You noticed mixed reactions when the three of you entered the pub. The bartender and illegally painted ladies welcomed the boys with open arms, knowing they would earn their gold tonight. The waitresses and some of the patrons, however, rolled their eyes or shook their heads, probably thinking about the trouble they had caused the week before.

You shied into Kili when Buck turned from the bar and grinned brightly at you. You should have known he’d be there. You knew he liked you but you weren’t sure how you felt about him. He was more forward than you would have liked him to be. So for now, you’d stay in the boys’ care.

The first round was easily chugged but you took your time with the second. The princes, however, were on their third very quickly. It didn’t take long for Fili’s attention to be pulled away from you and Kili. Maggie Vopper had hiked up her skirts and sat herself on his lap, twirling his mustache around her finger and giggling incessantly.

You rolled your eyes at one of her louder cackles and tried to pay attention to Kili. Most of the times you had asked him about his intended, he steered the conversation away from the marriage. Now, with Mahal knows how many beers in him, he chatted without reserve. You learned he was quite nervous about meeting her and especially about the wedding.

“You don’t need to fret, Kili. She’ll love you. I’m sure you’ll be very happy together. She seems so nice from her letters and Dain said she’s beautiful.”

“She is- she seems to be. But… I don’t know.”

“What?”

“Nnnnothin’,” he slurred.

You covered his hand with yours and smiled. “What? You can tell me.”

“What if I don’t love her? What if I love someone else? Then I’ll spend my whole life with the wrong person. I mean, I’ve always dreamed of living with… What-what if that happens?”

He was rambling now. “I don’t think you’ll regret this, Kili. I think you’re going to be really happy. I’m gonna go get something to eat for us, okay?”

He stumbled trying to stand. “I’ll go get it.”

“No, I’ll go. I wanted to say hello to Buck anyway.”

Kili wrinkled his nose. “He’s been staring at you.”

“No he hasn’t.”

You glanced to the bar. He was staring at you. Even from your brief look you could see his eyes were dark and his grin was wide. You almost shivered at the thought. But if you didn’t get Kili something to eat, you could imagine how sick he would be when he met his bride to be in the morning. Thorin would execute you. And Fili was no help in this matter, his tongue had been down Maggie Vopper’s throat for the last ten minutes. You took a deep breath and stood.

Kili grabbed at your hand. “Don’t go.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“I don’t like that guy. I don’t like the way he’s lookin’ at you.” He stood, cursing when he bumped his knee on the table. He was glaring at Buck with his hands heavy on your waist. “I don’t want you to go over there.”

“I’m just gonna get us some food-”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Well, I am. I’ll be right back. I can handle Buck.”

“(Y/N).”

You pushed his hair from his eyes. “Sit. I’ll be right over there, I’ll get your favorite. Stay here and make sure your brother doesn’t suffocate.”

You peeled his hands from you and walked to the bar, standing as far away from Buck as possible. But of course, as soon as you ordered Kili’s meat pies, his gruff voice was low in your ear.

“Took you long enough to come over and say hi.”

You turned, getting your ear away from his mouth. “Sorry, I was just-”

“With that prince again.”

You hummed and quickly changed the subject. “I heard your business is going well. The drop in price of… ore must be be-beneficial.” You were distracted by his gaze falling from your eyes to your lips to your chest and wished you had the chance to change your dress before you left the mountain. You spun away from him, watching the bartender go into the kitchen.

“Yes, it’s going very well-”

“That’s wonderful.”

“I could make you something.” He pushed your loose hair from your shoulder and again you were cursing Fili and Kili for whisking you away before you could braid it back. “Forge a necklace for ya. Or a holster for that pretty dagger of yours.” His fingers trailed up your skirt to your thigh and you jerked away, grabbing the food from the bartender and making your escape.

“Don’t think so. Thanks, though,” you called over your shoulder. You let out a held breath as you plopped the pies on the table and sat. “After you eat these we can go-” You looked up to Kili and swallowed your words.

He pulled his lips from the scantily dressed dam on his lap and looked at you. “No, thanks. I already have plans for the rest of the evening.” He stuck one of the pies in the dam’s mouth and bit off the other end. “This one won’t leave me when I ask her not to.” He took the other pie and stood, slapping the dam’s bottom as she led him upstairs.

You sighed, leaning back in your chair. When you looked up, Fili was staring at you. “What?”

“You think we should let him do that?” he asked.

You shrugged. “He’ll treat her well, at least. Might be his last ever.”

He hummed and returned to Maggie Vopper’s neck.

You waved at the bartender for more pies and they were soon brought over to you. You gave one to Fili and the dam on his lap and picked at the crust of yours, your appetite gone. You knew Kili was only drunk and all would be forgiven and most likely forgotten in the morning. But you had never seen him speak so to anyone, especially you. You pushed the plate away and leaned on your fist, trying to decide if you should leave the pub now, or wait for Kili to come down.

As you stared at the staircase, another one of the working dams ran down them, flying straight through the bar to Fili. She whispered something in his ear. “Help? What do you mean help?” he asked.

You straightened. “What?”

“She says the dam with Kili needs help with him. We may have let him drink too much.”

“We?” you said.

He rolled his eyes. “(Y/N), please. I’m a little indisposed here,” he said, motioning to the dam on his lap.

You groaned and stood. “Unbelievable. The things I do for you. I swear to Mahal, if I get up there and he’s naked, I’m coming right back down here and sending you up.”

Fili waved at you from inside Maggie’s mouth.

You huffed and stomped upstairs. As you rounded the corner into the corridor, someone ran right into you, knocking the air from your lungs. When you straightened, you saw it was the dam Kili had brought upstairs.

“You’re the royal rescuer?” she asked.

“I thought I’d be rescuing you from him. Where is he?”

She turned and waved down the corridor. “Third room down. He’s a mess.”

“I’m sorry about that, his brother gave him too much to drink.”

“Not that,” she said, hoisting up her corset. “He’s cryin’!”

“Crying?”

“Cryin’! Moanin’! A blubbering mess about some dam he loves more than anythin’. (Y/N) or somethin’. I tried everything but he can’t stop cryin’ about her lovely hair, her tiny hands, her sweet smile. I do a lot of things, but I don’t do that.”

She huffed and slid down the stairs. Now that it was quiet, you could hear him. You leaned your ear against the door and heard sniffles and soft, broken sobs. If you didn’t know his voice so well, you would have refused to believe it was him.

The door creaked as you opened it, but he didn’t take notice of it. You thanked Mahal that his trousers were on, but didn’t rejoice for anything else. Seeing him lying on the bed with his face buried in a pillow was heartbreaking.

You whispered his name, sat on the bed and pushed his hair from his face. It was tear soaked and his eyes were red and puffy. You winced. “Kili, what is it?”

His breath hitched. “I couldn’t do it.”

“Oh,” you said. Fili should be here for this kind of conversation. “Well, doesn’t that happen sometimes? It’s okay, she didn’t care.”

He slapped the pillow hard and sat up. “Not that, (Y/N)! Mahal!”

You pushed his hair behind his ears and wiped the streaks of tears from his cheeks. “Then what is it?”

He pushed your hands away and looked at you. You could see his eyes were still sluggish with drink. “Why did you go with Buck?”

“I didn’t go with Buck. I hate Buck. I went to get you some food so you wouldn’t be sick when you meet your bride to be in the morning.”

“Oh, Mahal,” he groaned, slamming his head back against the wall.

“Is that what this is about? The arrangement?”

“No! Yes. It is but it’s also about- it’s about everything! Why is it all happening now? Tonight?” He slurred his way through, dumping every thought onto you.

You took his hands. “Kili, look at me. What’s all happening now?”

He forced his eyes to yours and sucked in a breath, shaking his head. His hair fell around his eyes and the words tumbled from his mouth. “I thought I could do it- I thought I could do all of this, but I can’t. When I saw you with Buck I thought I just needed- to be with someone else but I couldn’t do it. And now she’s coming tomorrow and I’m supposed to be with her but I can’t do it. You-you… I can’t do it.”

You brushed his hair from his eyes again, twisting it back and away. He leaned into your touch like you were the only thing keeping him upright. “I don’t understand. I thought you were excited about the marriage.”

“I tried to be excited. I tried because I’m the prince and I have to do certain things and this is one of those things but I can’t because it’s not with you. I can’t live my life without you.” His voice broke in his thick throat.

“I’m not going anywhere.” More tears streamed down his face and you felt your chest tighten.

“I love you,” he said.

“I love you too, you know that. You and Fili are my closest friends-”

“No, (Y/N).” He took your hands from his hair and held them. “I love you. I can’t marry anyone else because I love you.”

You started to shake. You weren’t sure if it was the alcohol, or the late hour, or your shock but your fingers trembled in his. “But it’s all- it’s arranged. She’s coming tomorrow. I thought you liked her. You never told me this.”

He pulled your hands into his lap. “How could I? For the longest time the biggest barrier was that I’d lose you, I’d lose my best friend. Then, Uncle made the arrangements so quickly and didn’t tell me about it and then it was too late.”

You stood, dragging your hands away. It is too late, you thought. “Fili… will know what to do. I shouldn’t have come up here, he’ll help you.” You backed away and headed for the door.

“Please don’t leave.”

You froze. His words were a harsh blow to your stomach. How could you leave when he asked you not to? But how could you stay?

“Please don’t leave. Please, just-just lay here with me. Tomorrow I’ll do what I have to but tonight… I need my best friend, (Y/N).”

His broken voice made you want to crumble to the floor. It was the worst sound you’d ever heard. You pushed your own tears down and walked back to him, lying next to him on the bed. You hovered above him for a moment and he ran his fingers through your hair.

“You left it down. I like it down.”

You sank to lie next to him, resting your head on his shoulder. It took a while for his breathing to normalize and you felt his chest shake a few times in the aftermath of his sobs. But soon it slowed and when you knew he was asleep, you snuck a glance to his face. You should have known it wouldn’t be enough.

You propped yourself up on your elbow and took in his peaceful features. His skin was still red and puffy and again, you pushed his hair from his eyes. Your fingers gently traced his cheek, jaw, and neck until they landed on his chest. You pushed the black curls absently, thinking about all he had said. Looking back, it made sense. You didn’t think the pressure or the beer made him lie, but you did think it gave him the courage to finally tell you.

You returned to his side, thinking about what was to be done now.

***

It was probably the commotion downstairs in the pub that woke you up the next morning. You sighed and rolled, blindly and subconsciously reaching for Kili. When all you could find was empty sheets, you buried your face in the pillow and growled. “I’m gonna kill him.”

“I’m right here.”

His voice startled you. You spun and lifted your head to look at him. He was sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, fully dressed and fully awake. You suddenly felt very self-conscious, like you were missing a layer. You were.

At the foot of the bed was your outer corset. When you laid eyes on it, Kili said, “It was digging into you as you slept so I loosened it. You took it off but I don’t think you were fully awake.” He chuckled.

You stood, tucking your tunic into your skirt, and shrugged into the corset before lacing it up the front. “Thanks. Wearing this all night would have been a mistake.”

“I know it bothers your skin,” he said.

You glanced at him and felt yourself flush as he watched you. “We should get back. Your intended will be arriving soon.” You sent him a shallow smile.

“She’s not coming.”

Your fingers slipped from the laces. “What? What happened?”

He walked over and finished lacing your corset for you. “Last night happened.”

You watched his gentle fingers deftly weave and tie the strings. Then his hands were on your waist. “Kili. You didn’t have to- Just because… I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right. It’s not anyone’s fault. I can’t marry her when I know I love someone else. It’s not fair to her.”

“Or you.”

“Or me.”

His hair fell in his eyes and you resisted the urge to fix it. “Kili, I-”

“You don’t have to say anything right now, you just woke up,” he chuckled. He reached for your cloaks and handed you yours. You stopped his hands before he slipped into his.

“Wait, don’t. I don’t want to leave yet,” you said, staring at your hands.

“You want to stay in the sleazy room of the pub?” He laughed at you and tossed the cloak back on the bed. “You like it here?”

“This is where you told me you loved me, so yeah, I like it here.”

He pulled your chin up and studied your face. When he saw the sincerity in your features, his softened. He pushed your loose hair, running his finger behind the shell of your ear. You knew you had to say more but the look on his face took your words away. You started to fix the ties on his vest for something to do, something else to look at as you focused your mind.

“I don’t really know what to say to you. I’ve been trying to think all night, but I just-”

“It’s all right, (Y/N). I didn’t mean to spring it all on you like this. I know you don’t feel the same way and that’s okay-”

“But I do feel the same way.” You tugged at the knot you had tied and wrapped the strings around your fingers in the silence. “I’ve always loved you more than I thought I should. I just- I didn’t know what it was until you said it first.”

“Look at me,” he said with a chuckle. You smirked, despite yourself, and sighed as you dropped the ties of his vest. You looked up to see a sweeter than cream, knee-weakening, heart-swelling smile and you felt your chest tighten. “Let me court you,” he said. “If you have any confusion or doubts-”

“I don’t.”

“Do you ever let me finish a sentence?”

“I let you finish that one.”

His head dropped as he laughed. He grabbed your hands and kissed your fingers. “Let me court you. Let me show you how much I love you.”

“What will your uncle say? I’m no princess, Kili.”

“You’re a princess to me.”

You rolled your eyes hard but before you could look to him, he was kissing you. His arms wrapped tight around you and pulled you to him as his hand cupped the back of your head. He released you only to mumble against your lips. “Do not roll your eyes at me.” You could hear the smile in his voice.

You shook your head and threw your arm around his shoulders, bringing him down for another kiss that sent your heart soaring. He held your waist so tightly, it brought you to you tip toes. Then you felt him laughing.

“What?”

He set you down. “Can we please get out of this room? I don’t even want to think of the kinds of activities that have been-”

You grabbed your cloak and pulled him out the door. “Please don’t even finish that thought.”

“As if you’d let me.”

When you reached the corridor, he pulled on your hips and spun you. He bent to kiss your lips and then led you down the stairs and out of the pub. “Next time I see Buck, I’m gonna kill him.”

“Forget about him. It’s just us now. And Fili.”

“And Fili,” he said, pulling your shoulders into him and kissing your forehead as you walked arm in arm back to the mountain.

New taglist! Message to join! @emrfangirl @misslongcep @raindancer2004 @ladybugg1235 @xxbyimm

Tagging those who may like this or those who voted for Kili in the last voting! Hope that’s okay! If not, just shoot me a message! <3 @deepestfirefun @alae-megallen @c-s-stars @theyoutubemaster @camoolla @sassydeputykidfarm @littlefool-smalljester  @dashesofink @purringcatball 

#kili #kili x reader #kili fluff #the hobbit #the hobbit fanfic #the hobbit fanfiction #the hobbit fandom #the hobbit fic #lotr #lotr fandom #lotr fanfiction #lotr fic #lotr fanfic #fluff #aidan turner #aidan turner x reader

[sergeant-donny-donowitz]

Home (DonnyxFem!Reader Postwar AU)

Requested by @struggling-bee

@tealaquinn @war-obsessed @owba-chan @inglourious-imagines

Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist :)

When the bands stopped marching, and the parade confetti was swept away, and the boys were all home, things seemed to be back to normal. Everyone seemed to live perfect lives in box homes.  The boys were home. But for you, somehow the end of the war brought some problems... The boys came home... Meaning, your roommate immediately got married, and left you to pay all the rent. The boys came home... Meaning, you lost your job at the factory. Donny came home... Meaning, he was a decorated war vet, and was bored. He went back to work in his father's barbershop. He woke up in the same room he did as a kid. The adventures were over...Something he couldn't abide by. So he moved out... He kept his job, but he needed to start a life of his own... The interviews stopped and the awards waned. The war and the heroes were no longer on the front page. Something about communism and bolsheviks was on the front page, something Donny was too tired to read. He sighed, and flipped through the paper, finding  a section full of people looking for roommates.  His eyes ran lazily over the names, until he spotted a familiar name... "Y/n...Y/n L/n..." He squinted at the name as the dimming light began to set. He wondered if it was really you... And a day later, you wondered if it was really Donny. THE Donny Donowitz looking for a roommate...it was almost unimaginable to you... What were the odds... Then you wondered (and perhaps even hoped) that he'd recognized your name... And you caught yourself. You went to school together, that was all, and that was all years ago. He wouldn't have remembered you. Besides, being a war hero of his status probably made his ego blow up, and made him even more of a jerk than you remembered... Why would you even want to room with him? But somehow...even then you thought he was cute... "God damn it...." You muttered trying to get yourself to listen to yourself. Still you sighed...You always had a thing for that ballplayer...Boy could he swing, on the field, and in the clubs... You remembered seeing him that night...It was late May. A drowsy summer night, back in 1939. The world was consumed in a war that had not yet dawned on either of you. You had graduated from high school that afternoon. That night practically everyone you knew was at that dance. Donny was surrounded by his friends from the old baseball team, and the girls. You were with your friends on the other side of the club, dancing the night away. But every once in a while you'd glance at him, and wish you were the one he’d asked to dance... Then you'd laugh at yourself... That would never happen. Seven years passed, and there he was, at the door of your apartment. He wanted to look around before renting with you... You opened the door, genuinely praying that there was another jerk in Boston named, "Donny Donowitz...." But no. Of course there wasn't. He was leaning againt the doorway, "Y/n? It's really you! How are ya!?" You were a little shocked for a moment as you gripped onto the door, "You...you know my name?" "Of course I do! It hasn't been that long, has it? Graduation...well..I barely graduated...but it's only cause of you." He grinned, genuionely.

"Really?" He didn't quite catch the sarcasm in your voice. "Yeah! Ms. Changretta's history class was a fucking killer, and you saved me. Just like in physics...chemistry...art...anyway..." He cleared his throat. He felt so happy to see you again, and he couldn't quite catch why. You were just the girl he used to copy homework from... And maybe steal a glance at every now and then But that was just so long ago... Still, as hard as it was to admit...Donny Donowitz still had a crush on you, after all those years. He may have been a notorious war hero, but that didn't make him any less shy when it came to you... "Anyway....I heard you were lookin' for a roommate...and I'm looking for a roommate, and-" You raised your eyebrow, and subtly pressed your hand against your forehead, expecting it to burn, wondering if this was actually happening, "Come on in. Take a look around." He smiled a little. You always were a bit of a 'no nonsense' type of girl. Time was always of the essence with you... That didn't change, apparently. So he leveled with you, and you leveled with him. He needed a new place, asap. And you needed help with the rent.

Donny moved in, and life went on... Kind of... You had a job interview one morning, not long after. Your eyes shot open as you glanced at your clock. "Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit." You shot out of bed when you smelled something in the kitchen. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." You threw a robe on as you sped walked to the impending disaster... Instead you found Donny standing at the stove, making omelettes... "Good mornin' Y/n..." God, he'd practiced that in his head a million times and still didn't come off the way he wanted to. "Everything ok?" He raised his eyebrow when he looked at you, seeing how frantic you looked. "I...thought something was burning. I mean...you did almost burn the labs down once...." He chuckled, "That was a long time ago, kid." You smiled a little, and he glanced back at you, catching a glimpse at you in your night down.

He clenched his jaw, and turned back to the stove, clearing his throat, "Come on Donny...she's just your roommate...she's too smart for you..."

You looked down at yourself...

"Shit. Fuck. Shit. Fuck..."

 You stepped back into the hall, "I'll... I gotta get dressed..."

He nodded, "Yeah! I'll...get this ready for ya... No problem..."

You turned away, and walked back toward your room, but stopped for a moment...

Was he more of a sweetheart than you remembered?

Maybe...just maybe...you sighed.

Then  you looked at the time.

You stormed through your closet and got dressed, washed up, and then rushed out.

"Wait! You gotta eat

something

!"

You looked at him...

“Yup,” you thought damningly, He really was more of a sweetheart than you remembered.

He pitched an apple toward you. "Thanks, Donny!" You rushed out the door.

"Good luck-" You shut the door as he murmured, "doll..."

You ran all around Boston that day.

You had foolishly scheduled not one, not two, but three interviews back to back.

And halfway home you remembered you were out of milk...

And you decided to pick up some eggs too.

You sighed as you held the brown paper bags, and struggled to get your keys out. They fell to the ground. "Damn!"

You reached for them, just as someone else did.

"Rough day?" Donny got them for you and chuckled as he unlocked the door for you. He happened to just come back from work at the moment.

You both walked into the apartment. You flipped the lights on, he took the bags and set them on the kitchen counter as you took your coat off.

He put the groceries into the fridge, and smiled a little, appreciating that you brought some eggs...because he'd broken a lot of them accidentally that morning.

He was just nervous...Something that wasn't easy for him to admit, or even realize why.

"So, Y/n, how'd it go?" He turned over just as you set your coat onto the rack. And he saw a scar beginning at the right side of your neck, disappearing beneath your collar. You turned to him, but before you could answer, he saw the end of the scar. It ran from the right side of your throat to your left upper arm.

He was genuinely storming in his mind. He knew Boston was a rough town, but you had always been a bit calmer and smarter, and frankly more innocent. He wanted to know who gave you that scar, and who he'd fight for it.

"Where'd ya get that..." His voice was low, his eyes darting from the end of the scar back to your eyes, his brows furrowed.

You shook your head nad waved it off, "Ah, forget it."

"I won't."

The way he said it, you knew he meant it...

And if Donny Donowitz remembered anything, it was the face of every man who ever hurt one of his friends...

You sighed, "The pacific."

"Pacific?" He titled his head in confusion, "I thought you worked in the factory in the war."

"I did. But only for the last year of the war. Before that, I was a WAF." You knew he'd keep asking questions till he got the whole story, so you sat on the couch as you briefly explained, "We got shot down over some islands. I got this..." You gestured to your scar, a crude attempt at murder, and a ticket home the military called honorable discharge, but you called bullshit. Just a few months later,  the WASP program was shut down... "That was that..."

"I didn't know you shipped out..." He sat by you.

You shrugged, "Just a few weeks after you did." He nodded, understanding that was enough war talk for one night. "So...how did it go?" You smiled softly, "I got a job." "Why're you sad?" His lip pouted a little, though he didn't notice...you did... You noticed back in eighth grade, when he liked a girl... 'No...it can't be...I'm imagining things...' You denied everything, to yourself, and to him. "I'm not." He narrowed his eyes. "I've known you since fifth grade, and you're gonna lie to me  right in my face?" You turned your face away from him subtly, but he knew more than what you gave him credit for. He held your chin up gently, and turned your face back to his, "Hey, come on..." It was almost a whisper, but you could hear everything. The sincerity, the worry, the soft beginnings of love. Or at least, something like it. "You can tell me anything, kid." You sighed and leaned your head back onto the couch, "I used to be someone, Don..." Don... No one had called him that in so long. In fact, the last time he could remember someone calling him that was you, about seven years before, when you tutored him for a physics exam. Why he remembered that moment so vividly, he refused to explain to himself... But why he cared so much about it, and why it made him smile, he couldn't deny to himself. "What do you mean?" "I used to be a fucking pilot. I used to be head of my unit in the factory too for fuck's sake. I was top of the goddamn class all my life, and now all I can do is be a fucking secretary." You took a breath, "Now that the boys are home...girls like me have to stay home."

His heart broke in that moment... He could say anything, he could give you a million speeches, but not a word of it would change the truth of the matter. You, like millions of other women were robbed of the bit of humanity and freedom you had been given during war... Still, he tried his best... "Hey...Hey, come here." What possessed you to let yourself fall into his arms, you'd never know. But it didn't matter...because you did... And you fell for him, at last.  "You'll always be someone." "Yeah?"  Your head was in his lap, and you looked up at him. This time...This time he heard the sarcasm. He nodded, "Yeah. Everyone'll always be someone to somebody." What he really meant to say was: You'll always be everything to me... But somehow, after everything he did, every drop of blood he saw, every scalp he took...didn't matter. After all those years, he still couldn't muster up the courage to say it quite yet... "Easy for you to say, you killed fuckin' Hitler." You smirked as you looked up at him. His arms were around you protectively, his hands weaving their way through your hair, and his eyes tender, looking into yours. You'd known him for fifteen years... And you'd never seen his eyes like that before.

He smiled softly, and spoke like he'd been there all along, "You'll always be someone to me, doll..." Your heart skipped a beat, and in that moment, you found yourself in a place you never imagined. Far from war, out of a factory, and in someone's heart. You were home... And your head rested against his chest. The war was over, but there were still things worth fighting for... And from that moment on, it was you and Donny against the world.

Your lips pressed against Donny's in that moment. One of countless to come...

#Inglourious Basterds #inglourious basterds imagine #Donny Donowitz #donny donowitz x reader

[blake-belladonna-defence-force]

Ember/Shroud

Okay. I decided to try my hand at an au. Does it even exist yet?

It was mostly born from wanting a more serious reason as to why Blake was scared of dogs. I kind of feel bad.

I’m just going to call it “Emotional Support Soul AU” for now. Is this something people would like to see more of? Is it even a good au? Eh, it was a fun writing exercise at any rate.

Things to note:

Adam (abusive ex) is in jail.

Blake has come a long way but has residual trauma and depression

COMMUNICATION ISSUES

Yang does have a moment of being a lil forgetful and maybe a touch insensitive but she tries to make it better

Blake and Yang were roommates in college who decided to move in together

This is mostly because of Blake’s cat

They don’t know why but being too far apart physically hurts

So oblivious

Adam probably ran a dog fight ring or trained them to attack humans because he’s a goat lookin ass

Faunas are a thing

Set in Vale

Apparently soul pets or bonded animals or whatever are things here

The animal you were always meant to own/your guardian

Even more special if it’s your soulmates pet and it adopts you

Having your soulmates bonded animal approve of you is the highest complement

Both animals getting along and approving of each human in the relationship is rare and usually means they’re soulmates or something

They will often act as wingmen

It’s how Blake and Yang truly bonded as friends

Ember is a stray that Blake rescued as a kitten. When she finds out Yang is her cat’s bonded human, she’s surprised because: blonde party girl. She tried to keep Ember; does not go well.

Yang tried to keep Ember; does not go well

She refused to leave Blake but demanded that her bonded human stay

Even the cat ships them

————————————————————

“…Yang. What is that.”

“It’s a dog, Blake. Ya know, canine? Canis Familaris?”

“I know what a dog is, Xiao Long. I want to know why it’s in our fucking apartment.”

Uh oh. This was bad. Very bad. When Blake was mad she yelled. It was a part of her passionate nature; an injustice is done and Blake will have your head. But it was when she got quiet and spoke in that dangerously low tone of voice that you should probably start backing up. And never mention that’s she’s actually really pretty when she’s mad. Additionally, she was swearing and Blake only really swore when she was really pissed off. And apparently bringing home a Newfoundland equaled really pissed off the cat faunus.

“She needed a home. The poor baby was all alone, isn’t that right, Shroud?” Yang cooed adoringly at the friendly giant laying in front of their sofa.

“That is not a baby. That is a monster that I am sure will probably kill my cat.” Shroud whined and laid her head down, the dog almost seemed hurt. What am I supposed to do about Ember, Yang?!” Almost as on cue, a slender ginger tabby slunk her way into the living room. The cat immediately trotted over to Yang, headbutting her ankles fondly, completely ignoring her actual owner altogether. Before Yang could bend down to let the cat sniff her hands, Ember locked onto Shroud. She slowly walked over sniffed the giant nose that was presented to her. What truly surprised the two girls, however, was when Ember butted her head under the giant dog’s jaw before curling up against the dogs stomach and glancing at them as if to say “this is my bed now”.

“Ember, you traiter. I saved you from the streets when you were a kitten. I raised you and loved you like my own and this is how you repay me?!” Yang wished that she could say that Blake was joking but the cat faunus could be quite… extra when she wanted to be. To say the least; she was not pleased.

Yang walked over and scooped Ember up, not without complaint, and held her out to Blake.

“Aw, c’mon mum. Can we keep her? I’ve only just met her and I love her!” She pitched her voice, wiggling Ember around as though the cat were talking. This resulted in a bitten hand and a very disgruntled cat.

“You earned that. I pay half the rent, Yang. Couldn’t you have spoken to me about this first? You know how I feel about dogs.”

“Yeah, well, that’s kind of why I didn’t.”

“So you decided to ignore how I felt and go behind my back?” Yang winced. When you put it like that…

“Look, I’m sorry that I didn’t talk to you but my old high school buddy needed her gone ASAP. I couldn’t just leave her.” Yang made sure to look her friend in the eyes. She’d learned a long time ago that eye contact was important to the other woman and Yang always tried to make sure that she knew that she had Yang’s attention.

Blake didn’t say anything for a long while.

“Fine. Whatever.” She muttered, faunus ears pinned against her head, before turning on her heel and heading to her room. Yang cringed as she heard Blake’s door slam. Their uni days had taught her when to push and pull and when to back off. This was very much a back off situation. Even if she found it hard to understand why somebody would be so deadset against a dog.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Hours later, she was laying on the floor cuddling with both cat and dog when she heard Blake walk into the kitchen. She immediately headed over and stopped short. She knew Blake. She knew what she looked like when she was ecstatic, what she looked look when she was about to kick somebody’s ass.

Yang also knew what it looked like when one of her friend’s depressive episodes were kicking in. So the sight of a drained, red eyed and shuffling Blake was not new to her. It always broke her heart to see one of the most amazing, incredible people she’s ever met hurt like this. But to know that she was the potential cause…

“Blake?” Yang had never sounded, or felt, so small. Blake breathed deeply for a moment before turning to Yang.

“He used to keep dogs. Trained them to bite and attack. I don’t exactly have pleasant memories of them.” When Blake spoke, carefully holding her hip as it ached, it hit her hard. Of course, that was in the police report when they finally managed to get Blake’s ex away from her for good. Why the hell didn’t she put two and two together?!

“Shit, Blake. I am so sorry. I don’t know why I didn’t- it doesn’t matter. I obviously hurt you and I am so, so sorry.” Yang was close to tears herself at this point. She had seen how that man had broken her friend. Watched as Blake pulled herself from the shadows and stood tall and continued to repeat that process every single time he knocked her down. Now that she was finally free of him, she could be who she was meant to be. But that didn’t mean that he didn’t still haunt her. It hurt to see the pain in the other girl’s eyes but she kept eye contact. “I’ll find her a new home as soon as possible, I swear.”

Maybe that would have been it. Maybe she would have rehomed Shroud and they would have been done with it. But the canine in question suddenly walked into the kitchen and made her way to Blake.

“Just stay still, Blake. It’s okay, I won’t let her hurt you. I promise.” Blake was frozen but before Yang could grab her, Shroud sat at Blake’s feet and stared up at her. Yang paused. It was eerily similar to how Ember had decided that Yang was her bonded person. Blake’s breathing started to even out as she gazed at Shroud, who then proceeded to flip over onto her back and wiggle, tongue and jowls flopping comically.

“Hi?” Blake’s uncertainty would have been adorable had it not been for the situation. As the dog shifted, so too did Blake, her gaze becoming more curious than fearful. There was a patch of white on the dog’s black chest, seeming to form the shape of some kind of flower. “I think the fates are fucking with me.” Blake mumbled. “Because that is a Belladonna plant.”

Yang blinked. Blake met her gaze and before too long, the two women were giggling. Perhaps it was the fact that tensions were running high or perhaps Shroud had somehow known how to break the ice with Blake. Because when Blake spoke next, she left Yang surprised.

“Keep her.” Blake inhales shakily. “But please, for the love of God; train her properly. I can’t live like that again, Yang.” Yang immediately nodded and then, unable to help herself, ran over to hug Blake.

Only to be blocked by a large furry body. Shroud wasn’t growling, merely acting as a barrier. The dog had apparently thought that Yang was going to hurt Blake and was already trying to defend her. Wasn’t there a meme online about that? “I’ve only had Blake for one day but if anything happened to her, I’d kill everyone in this room and then myself.” Evidently, that was what was going on here. Not that Yang could blame the dog. Bonded animals did tend to be extremely protective of their person, if that’s what this was.

“Uh, Blake? I think that you have a body guard now.”

“Oh.” There was a light sniffle as the emotions of the past few hours crashed over Blake. “I think that that’s fair since you stole my cat.” Yang snorted, side stepping around Shroud carefully before wrapping Blake up in a hug.

“Not my fault she’s my soul pet or whatever the hell they’re called.” Yang defended herself. “I can’t believe that I’m going to need to ask a dog for permission to hug you.” Blake giggled weakly, burying her head into Yang’s neck.

“Just… lets take it slow, yeah? I’m not going to become a dog person over night. Even if she is my bonded animal.” Yang hummed. Well, that confirmed it. Most people could tell once eye contact is made. They felt a sort of unspoken promise; the creature would protect their sworn master, so to speak. The bonded animal would then act as a sort of body guard. It was useful many years ago but now it was more about them being glorified emotional support companions. Sometimes the matchups were odd. Yang had honestly beloved hers would be a golden retriever, not her best friend’s cat. And apparently Blake’s bonded animal was her best friend’s dog, despite the fear that she held for them.

Maybe Blake would never love dogs. But Shroud could at least be one dog that Blake could at least be comfortable with. After all, people were usually gifted the animal that they needed the most.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

It was a late afternoon when Yang realised she had been right. It had taken weeks, even months worth of training and slow progress between the two but eventually, Yang was forced to admit that Shroud was meant to never hers. Just like Ember was never meant to Blake’s.

She had just come home from work and had called out to Blake when she heard distant singing coming from the kitchen. Rounding the corner revealed a very surprising sight. One that made Yang melt.

Shroud had her paws on Blake’s shoulder as the young woman danced them around the kitchen singing along to the radio. Those gym sessions were really starting to pay off for Blake.

“You could be my Queen, I could be your dream. Oh, let me be your bumblebee.” Blake giggled as Shroud barked at her. It was a sign of how far they had come considering that she used to flinch at such. “Yang loves this song. Now that I mention her...I think that you might be a much better dancer than your mother, Shroud. Even if she doesn’t quite realise that staring is rude.”

Yang blinked. She’d been caught.

“Sorry, I’m just stupidly proud of you. So proud, in fact, that I’m going to ignore that jab at my awesome dancing abilities and my pride.” Yang glanced down at Shroud, who had dropped to all fours. “You going to say hi, girl, or are you just going to abandon me for a pretty lady?” Shroud almost seemed to glare at her before looking up at Blake who nodded solemnly in return. Yang let out more than a few grumbles about traitorous mutts and reached out to pet Shroud. Until she noticed an envelope in the dog’s collar. She rolled her eyes; they had taken to using the poor dog as a messenger, after all. Opening the letter revealed a reservation for one of the new high end restaurants in Vale. She looked up at Blake in confusion.

“It’s that new faunus cuisine place I told you about. You’re free Friday at six, yeah?” Blake was smirking and leaning up against the bench.

“Um, yes, why?”

“Because if you won’t make the first move beyond telling me I’m “feisty” and “pretty when I’m mad”, then I will.” Blake narrowed her eyes. “Don’t think that I haven’t noticed, Yang.”

“Oh. Am I that obvious?” Yang swallowed nervously.

“Yes. Also your sister and her “BFF” talked to me and have me informed to, and I quote, ‘take your pining, queer ass out before Weiss kills somebody.” I’m still not sure if Weiss wants me to date you or snipe you.” Yang felt her eye twitch. Those two...

“I mean, I’m more than happy to go on date with you and all, Blake, but I kind of want to kill them, now.”

“Want to pretend like nothing’s happened and mess with them for a couple of weeks?”

“How the hell are you so perfect?” Blake simply laughed and walked out of the kitchen with Shroud in tow.

“And of course the stupid dog follows her.” Feeling a bump against her ankles, Yang looked down. Seeing Ember, Yang quickly bent to hold her up to her face.

“But as long she keeps smiling, she can keep stealing from me. I mean, your mum already has my heart and soul, what else could I possibly lose?” She asked the cat quietly. Ember purred, apparently content with the results of her meddling from way back when. Yang smiled. It always made it a little more special when your bonded animal approved of your partner. If she was being honest with herself, so she was on cloud nine. Well, up until she heard Blake’s voice float down the hall.

“I heard that. Oh, you are so never living that one down, Yang!”

#rwby #sir? thats my emotional support soul #au #blake belladonna #bumbleby #yang xiao long #i have no idea if this turned as well as i hoped #thoughts?

[gloaming-eye]

In Patience’s Wake

(( This is the story of Sarlien coming into the void; he didn’t choose it in the sense of following Umbric, or Alleria. Instead, his is a more N’zoth-flavoured story. ))

It was early morning, if the mechanical click, click, click of the pocket watch haphazardly tossed onto the lid of the barrel near his bedside could be read true. What little sunlight that managed to sneak through the clouds gave proof of the day, but it filtered too much to divine time. It was scattered & muffled by the overcast haze that blanketed the sky, & further through the green-tinted seaglass buttressed in the wall of his cabin. He drew the greyish curtains with an errant toss of his arm regardless. There was still time for sleep.

Outside the deck was already abuzz with activity; the crew of the Patience was a tireless lot, tending to their duties without regard to the abysmal sky. The majority were young men & women, enlisted to the Stormwind Navy & shipped off with little more than a basic course in how to tie a proper knot. They were, however, apt to listen, & the orders barked by the chief’s mate who picked through the movements of their tasks were acted upon with deft attention. She strode across the deck as if it were second-nature, the subtle sway of her hips aligning with the rock of the ship beneath her oiled-leather boots. The cast of her features spoke to her time on the sea, as if the salt had crept into the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and brandished her hair with licks of white. The insignia of her rank was pinned dutifully to her breast, glinting gold in what little flickers of sunlight there was.   

Below deck was much the same, the passageways and rooms a hive of bustling folk. A midshipman picked through the various arenas with an eagle’s eye, leaning just far enough into the doorway to spy on whoever was within before passing on in a huff. This poor young man was searching for something, it seemed, & it caused him a great deal of frustration if the scowl on his face could be interpreted as such. Before he had managed to pass completely out of earshot, however, his fussiness caught the eye of a copper-haired man who had been elbow-deep in an organizational chart, delegating duties to the various cooks & crew ambling in & out of the galley.

“Arlett!” He shouted as the unfortunate-looking midshipman stopped - startled just enough to turn & aim a wide-eyed look at the man. “You know he sleeps ‘till noon. No use lookin’ when y’know where he is,” he winked, gesturing with his clip-board. 

The midshipman, Arlett, whose face contorted in vaguely-controlled annoyance under his mop of fawny-coloured hair, let out a long groan. “I had hoped today would be different,” he called back. “What am I supposed to do, Baker? This elf is insufferable..” All this earned poor Arlett was a bark of laughter from Baker, who waved a dismissive gesture with his papers & turned back to the collection of crew mulling over breakfast. “He’s the only one we ‘ave, mate. Light bless ‘im.” And with that their conversation had concluded, Arlett meandering with heavy steps towards the stairs that led to the quarterdeck & Baker listing off the duties of the day.

Sarlien was, even in his brightest days, predisposed to acting on his own accord & at his own pace. This wasn’t to say he was lazy, of course, but the fact that his internal clock left him burning the midnight oil more often than not left him vulnerable to the early birds that roosted on the Patience. This also left him open to the fussy whims of his assigned midshipman. 

The sharp raps against his door spoke of the very devil, & Sarlien - who was still cocooned cozily within his blankets - aimed a thin, one-eyed look at the source of the forsaken noise. “Chaplain, please! We’ll be landing today, & the surgeon wants to go over th--” Before Arlett could continue the door was swung open. Meeting his eyes was a tall man with sharp features, sharp ears, & a sharp attitude. The dull, blue-glow of his eyes were slits under his heavy red brows, and he spoke in a hoarse tone as if only moments before he’d been peacefully slumbering. The midshipman immediately pursed his lips, his gaze lifting to meet the quel’dorei’s face. 

“If I have to tell that surgeon one more time that I’ll /personally/ revoke his medical license if he makes another status meeting at the crack of damn dawn, Light help me,” With a wide yawn he lifted his arms high above his head in a stretch & then relaxed, one hand lingering to comb through the gentle waves of his unbound, amber hair. “I’ll be there shortly. Don’t wait for me.” And with that the priest closed the door, directly in the face of Arlett who stood in shakey silence before turning, sighing, & ambling back from whence he came.

There was something to be said about unrushed early mornings. There was a ritual that could take place, one in which the veil of sleep still softened one’s surroundings & gave peace to the coming day. But Sarlien rarely found such calm,even as he pulled on the dark-coloured trousers & clipped suspenders over his linen shirt. Even as his fingers dusted the invisible dirt from his orthodox trappings, buttoning the black frock up to his chin & encircling a golden chain over his collar. Even as he belted his sleeves above his elbows, rubbed life into his tattooed forearms, & pulled on a pair of worn, leather boots encrusted with dried salt water. Even as he smoothed back his fiery hair & bound it in a neat bun low on the back of his head. These things were all mechanical. There was no divine meaning, no connectedness he gained from this.

The chaplain passed across the deck unhindered by the goings-on; it seemed he too had the grace of a sea-worthy traveller as he strode towards his destination with meaningful steps. His blue eyes were lifted, but not to meet the gaze of those who watched him, rather to seek the horizon line. It was still clouded in haze - just as it had been for days - & there were no seabirds for miles. Even the sun couldn’t manage to drive the dreary mist away. Sarlien felt cold, even out here in the light of dawn. He shivered despite himself and moved on, casting off the creeping feeling that came from the fog.

“- and what will they think when their first deployment of medics is late? We can’t slow our course - we /must/ reach the harbor on time!” A booming voice echoed across the bridge for all to hear; though none turned to pay it any mind, the crew was smarter than that. None but Sarlien, who appeared upon the steps with a deadpan expression - earning a wide collection of faces upon his arrival. Some tipped their heads in greeting, others frowned, Arlett stared anywhere but the new coming chaplain as if ashamed, & the speaker paused with his eyes pinned to the elf. “Well. Nice of you to join us, priest,” he barked, crossing his arms over his wide stomach. “Fancy clearing some of this fog so we can make it to Boralus on time? Or do you hold us to the same standard of timeliness as you hold?” The crowd hummed & murmured, but said nothing as the uneasy air electrified around them.

Sarlien answered with an impassive wave as he stationed himself near the side of the bow, fingers curling over the banister as he looked to the water below. It seemed to him like boiling ink as the waves bubbled & crashed against the ship - not enough to cause commotion, but just enough to turn the stomach of a less seaworthy soul. “I am not in control of the mists, Dr. Lorden. Nor am I in control of time,” he offered, a tinge of bite to his words but nothing to be deemed disrespectful.

“So call the Light & clear it. We didn’t bring you so you could haunt your cabin & offer nothing b-” The boisterous Dr. Lorden started, waving a heavy hand around him as if to gesture to this universal haze - but he was cut short by a spritely young woman in blue & gold.

“Dr. Lorden,” she started, her words crisp as she set her grey eyes on the man stationed at her right - who almost immediately wilted. All bark, no bite, Sarlien decided with a ghost of satisfaction. “One man cannot turn the tide. Our Chaplain is deployed to assist the Church - and to ally with the tidesages of Boralus. It’s been a long time since our people have harbored in Kul Tiras, and his is a matter of diplomacy - not a flashlight.”

The majority of the conversing crew were clustered around a large, crescent-moon shaped table scattered with information. There were maps, timetables, various sheets of writing - but a map of the Great Sea was at its center. The coast of Stormwind City had been marked, as well as the island of Kul Tiras - and importantly Tiragarde Sound with Boralus at its prime. An enameled icon of a ship had been placed to represent the patience, a red cross emblazoned on her side to designate her as a noncombatant. She held healers, aside from the crew, destined to bolster the troops already deployed for the war effort. But her timing was less than ideal. 

“Now, if we’ve our squabbling out of our system, I propose we keep our heading slow. As I mentioned, our ships are sailing unfamiliar waters. I won’t be the Captain of a ship who meets its end chasing timetables in the fog. We are the /Patience/, after all. It may do you some good to reflect on that.” The woman nodded once, the ringlets of her blonde hair bouncing as she moved. It was decided - steady on. The group dispersed like the mists around them, seeking their positions or the solace elsewhere. Though disheartened by the idea of more days on the water, their Captain had made a logical decision. It’d be silly to try to play chicken with the unknown.

Sarlien had turned back to the stairs, intent on returning to his quarters when the soft-spoken Captain piped up behind him. “Chaplain,” she started, her cheeks round in a smile. She hadn’t been hardened by the sea yet. This was new blood - probably her first command. But it was apparent that she wasn’t seeking glory in this station - rather, the astute decision spoke to her critical thinking. Her mission was to deliver the medics to safe harbor; if that meant a few lost days, this was far better than lost lives. But even with her sharp mind her youth was apparent in the inflection of her voice, the dust of rosy pink across her nose, her sweet smile. 

And so the priest turned, less edged than he had been in the past. The nature of this woman was infectious, and one that softened the scowl on his lips. “You’re still free to speak to the crew, you know. I understand you’re an accomplished medic, as well as a bishop. You’re in the perfect position to inspire some hope in them; maybe not the /ship’s/ crew, but the medics.” He knew the meaning behind her words. She wanted him to rekindle the light in these soldiers’ souls; because that’s what they were in war: troops. Even the doctors deployed under the Alliance’s army would bend to the tide of the Horde if they found themselves on the wrong battlefront. These men were scared. 

“I believe that ship has already sailed, Captain Vale,” he answered gently, linking his hands behind him as he spoke. “They mistrusted me the moment I stepped aboard - you’ve surely noticed that I am by no means a part of the majority.” And this was true; Sarlien was not just the only ordained man aboard (for certainly there were many believers in the Light), but the only non-human individual aboard. 

He’d chalked this up to the nature of their deployment, in that the whole collection had been uprooted from Stormwind City, itself. Despite his standing in the Church of the Holy Light, Sarlien was greeted with wariness within most Alliance lands. Even more so now with the chaotic relationship between the Horde & the Alliance. It hadn’t been that long ago that Silvermoon fell, after all, & the only reason he ended up on the side of blue was happenstance. He was not collected by saviours in red - rather, he had run from the rubble of his city into the arms of a Silver Hand encampment. But this is a story for another day.

 “Don’t sell yourself short, Chaplain,” Vale chided, & looked over the ship’s edge to the churning waters as the elf had done before. “They trust you more than they trust whatever’s out there, I assure you.”

Sarlien had left the young captain to her business after their conversation, taking his leave with respect to her rank, but no promises that he would act on her advice. Instead he found himself back in his quarters to spend the day, watching the sun dim through the window as if entranced by the passing of time & the shapes that danced in the far away fog. Just an effect of the setting sun, the clouds, & the sea, he decided. So long as the Light lingered - however scant - their ship would be safe. He drifted to sleep at his desk, dozing into restless slumber over an open tome.

---

What awoke him was the bellow of crunching wood & the lurching movement of the ship coming to an abrupt stop. The sparse belongings that had been removed from his single trunk skittered to the floor and rolled towards the bow as if pulled taut against a bow string, books & loose objects flinging to the wall. Sarlien too was sent in motion, falling in a panic to the ground & leveled between a wall & what he could only imagine was furniture as the level of the ground threatened more & more towards vertical. 

He clambered for purchase, wordlessly calling out for help. But his voice was awash in the noises of the straining ship, the clattering fall of objects, & the cries of others so suddenly pulled from sleep & into whatever was happening. Managing to wrest free from being pinned, he crawled to the door - now almost located on what would now be the floor given the ship’s quickly changing direction. The noise was relentless, now just a drone of terror and rushing water as his fingers found the latch, pulled, & pushed the door aside despite the debris that had shuttered it closed. The glow of his eyes flared as he called on that far off, divine strength, a flicker of blue - & then brilliant gold. 

There was no chance of walking now, only a haphazard climb to the next door in his hallway atop fallen boxes and random objects piling. The water, too, had begun to spring through like fissures in the wood. This ship was failing - fast. He pushed hard against the first quarter’s door he found, vaguely hearing a bellowing shout from beyond it. He pushed harder & harder, but something blocked him from the other side. The priest relented, falling to another door where he struggled against it just as before. But before this one could so much as budge he found himself surrounded by the inky darkness of the nighttime sea.

The noise didn’t stop. It was as if the groans of the ship and bubbling cries of the drowning increased tenfold beneath the waves. He slammed a fist against the door, the movement dampened by the force of the water, before he pushed away - defeated. He needed to find a way out of this hallway, but his sense of direction had been thrown in the wake of the ship. There was too much around him, too many things were in flux. 

Suddenly - everything grew quiet. The jarring effect of hearing so much & then so little caused him only to panic further, that bubbling distress clawing from the pit of his stomach to his throat in a pitiful gasp. But there was nothing to breathe but water. So much water. He closed his eyes, the Light in the shadow of the crumbling ship snuffed out.

When he opened his eyes he found himself outside of the hallway. In fact, he found himself amongst nothing. Nothing but open ocean. There were no landmarks to tell him this, but his body was still suspended in the darkness. Perhaps this was death? He had no way of knowing, after all. There was a feeling of enveloping cold, something that chilled him beyond recognition. There was no sound. No light. No broken ship, or screaming companions. 

“Have you let go?”

The voice held no distinguishing features. It seemed both feminine & masculine, fierce & gentle. It shouted like ringing church bells in his ears, but somehow reached him like a whisper. His head turned despite himself to one side & then the other, searching. 

“Have you let go?”

It was a din in his mind, a clawing echo. But somehow it gave him some feeling of reassurance, like it released the knot in his belly with a single question. 

“Let go.”

Something moved in the far distance, just a subtle movement in the darkness. Sarlien thinned his eyes as if this would give him better vision, & there was another movement in the farthest reaches of his periphery. Still there was no terror growing in him, only curiosity. His hands reached forwards to try to paddle in the water but he found himself stuck in one position, if the movements meant anything to his location.

“Let GO.”

Suddenly he’d been struck. Thicere was a tinge of something akin to heat in the center of his chest, but it grew just as abruptly into cold, creeping ice. He managed to shift his arms, & claw at the space where the pain grew. Again he cried out & was met with nothing but the sweeping flood of water filling his lungs. He choked, & swallowed, & clambered against the growing ice that felt like splinters creeping further over his torso, into his arms, down his legs. It crept unrelenting & seeped into the very core of his bones, filling each atom of space with cold. 

In the back of his mind he would have likened it to being lit aflame. It seared into every nerve with a ferocity & pain that the priest had never known; not when his brother had doused the area around him in Light & he had been caught in the crossfire, not when the ghouls had ripped fissures in his arms as he struggled away from their capture. 

But just as the climax of the pain met the edges of his consciousness & his eyes began to fall back, it stopped, leaving nothing but a void in his chest that beat like a cold drum against his skin. There was no more water to keep him upright, & it was only the uneven, wet surface beneath him that gave him any clue as to where he was. Pieces began to fall in place. First was the scent of the sea, stones, moss, - but there was the taste of metal on the back of his tongue - blood. The call of seabirds rang clearly overhead like beacons of something curious far below. An arresting crash, and then a passing bubbling as the waves drew away. 

Had he survived? It was impossible - he felt his life slip by in the wake of drowning. There was no other explanation to the empty cold that ate at him, still. So he opened his eyes. Slowly things came into focus; the wood debris scattered on the coast, the lifeless bodies strewn over the smooth rocks, and the absolute stillness that veiled all but the rolling waves. He inhaled a deep breath despite himself, savoring the feeling but only finding himself reeling into a fit of coughs. As he wheezed, he curled in on himself and brought a shaky hand to his face. It was through a bleary blink that he stared at his palm. So cold, so grey - as if the life had been drained away and no color remained.

Still he struggled to his knees, and then his feet, powered by the same mechanical energy that brought him through those listless mornings. His dusky hands reached for purchase amongst the stacked piles of debri, slowly picking his way through the leftover wreckage. At each body he paused, laid a hand against their form for some sign of life, & then moved on. All were in the same state, but he checked on each as if in some trance. As if spurned on by the hope he’d failed to instill in these lost souls. But he found no life amongst them - none but he. 

Sarlien came upon the twisted form of Arlett, his eyes blown wide in horror. Then there was Baker, his fountain pen still pinned on his jacket lapel - though the ink it leaked collected in rivulets of the body’s blood. The surly doctor too, though only parts of him - only enough to identify. 

Captain Vale was one of the final bodies he’d found - it took so long that he’d begun to ignite some hope of her survival. Instead, he found the young woman with her arms twisted across the helm, pinned to the wheel by some sliding mass of wood. Her blond hair was splattered with blood, the color washed away by dirt and bile. Sarlien reached for one of her broken hands, his bluish-toned fingers cradling hers in a gentle embrace. He choked back a cry.

Was this all that was left in Patience’s wake?

#ic #sarlien #history

[flamehairedwritings]

The Fire In Your Eyes: Chapter Six

Characters: Arthur Morgan x Original Female Character

Rating: The whole series will be E, 18+ ONLY for violence, gore, character deaths, animal deaths, parent deaths, swearing, grief, sexual themes and sex.

Summary: Saved by Arthur Morgan when her town is attacked, a young woman’s past comes back to haunt her when she has no choice but to join the Van der Linde Gang.

The Fire In Your Eyes Masterlist

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The Bonds of Time

“Did you think I’d forget you? Just ‘cause I ain’t visited in a while?” Colm shook his head with a soft laugh. “How could I ever forget my only niece? You was a firecracker back then, too, runnin’ around, wantin’ to hold your daddy’s guns and shoot at the rats before the cat got ‘em.”

He laughed again and all she could do was cry silently, her breaths shaky. He talked so fondly.

"Shit, yeah, you was more entertainin’ than your brother—”

“Don’t you dare talk about him, you son of a bitch—”

“But he’s a ball of fire himself now.”

She froze. He smiled, his leg bouncing up and down slightly, as if in excitement, as if he had been waiting for this.

“He’s dead,” she whispered after a few moments, unblinking.

“Is he?” Colm watched her closely, his voice softer. “Or did he just decide to stay with us?”

She shook her head, at first slowly then firmly, her jaw tightening as anger started to build. “He went after you to kill you, he would have rather died than be part of your gang.”

“Yeah, that’s what he said himself,” Colm sighed, “But... when I told him it was Dutch and not me who killed your daddy, then, well... he changed his mind.”

Her hands curled into fists and she would have given anything to be free.

“He wouldn’t have believed you—”

“You don’t seem so shocked at that particular bit of news.” Colm tilted his head, a faux frown settling on his features. “You ain’t callin’ me a liar, either. It was my understandin’ from Thomas that you all thought I was the one to do it, so I guess you found out the truth, too. How recently? Go on, how recently?” he prompted as she remained silent.

"Before we came to meet with you,” she whispered, and he laughed with joy.

“Today? Ah, shit, girl.” He grinned at her in disbelief. “Out of the mouth of God himself, I presume?”

When she didn’t say anything he laughed again, shaking his head.

“Today, I don’t believe it...” He leaned his elbows on his knees. “I reckon you might owe me an apology of some sort, then.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, shit, you look just like your ma when you look at me like that—"

“Don’t you dare talk about her, you bastard, because of you she is dead.”

That made him pause just slightly. “Is that right?”

“Yes, we were living in Strawberry and your men attacked it a week ago. Do you even remember?” She spat each word out.

He nodded a few times. Then, a corner of his mouth twisted up. “Yeah, I remember. We were gettin’ young Colin and Andrew out of jail before they could spill their guts to the law. We ended up spillin’ 'em nice and good ourselves.”

“You killed them?” She stared at him, horrified. “So all that bloodshed, all those lives taken—”

“Is sometimes a necessity, to keep family safe.”

“You don’t care about family, Colm.” 

He chuckled, shaking his head. “It seems you don’t know me at all, my darlin’ Addy. We’ve lost out on a lot of time together.”

All she could do was stare at him, fresh tears sliding down her cheeks. She’d forgotten his nickname for her.

His smile widened a little more, before he sighed contentedly and stood with a quiet groan. “Well, I must be goin’ now, my darlin’.” Straightening up, he slid the ring onto the fourth finger of his right hand before returning his gaze to her. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, they’ll let you go, the law. You ain’t done nothin’ wrong.” He reached out and stroked her hair. This time she jerked her head away, her lips curling. He laughed. “Just like your ma... I’d take you with me, but I don’t fancy sleepin’ with one eye open. I’ll come and find you soon, though, once you’ve calmed down and seen sense.” He then gave her another fond smile. “Family should be together. Thomas’ll be so happy to see you.”

“He isn’t alive,” she half-hissed, half-pleaded.

He just smiled, then turned and walked away.

  "He’s dead!” she yelled after him, pulling against the rope, ignoring it as it cut into her skin. “He’s dead!”

He didn’t know how he’d found the energy to do it, but he’d freed himself. Freed himself from being hung upside down like a God damn animal ready to be butchered. He’d swung, managed to grab the metal file on the nearby table and picked the lock that held him bound. He’d used the same file to cauterise his wound with the help of the candle and, God, he didn’t know how he kept quiet as pain spread through his shoulder once more. He sat for a moment, trying to catch his breath─

The doors above opened.

“... he’s dead!”

Annie.

Shit...

“Shut your hole!”

Shit...

“I don’t wanna go to Mexico. I wanna go home... home!” Another voice, nearer.

Keeping hold of the file, he pushed himself up from the chair and staggered to the wall near the stairs, pressing himself against it.

“Hold on, I’ll be back in a minute.”

The man, carrying a lantern, moved down the stairs, paused, then darted forward, raising his lantern higher.

“What the hell?!”

Arthur lunged. 

Wrapping one arm around his neck and pressing his hand over his mouth, he started to choke the man, then twisted his neck, breaking it. Shoving the dead man side, he sucked in air, the task tiring him more than it should have.

You can rest when you’re dead, you idiot...

Searching the man’s body, he found a gun and throwing-knives. Knowing he couldn’t take them all on at once, he took the knives, opting, and praying, for a quiet escape.

Moving towards the stairs, he crouched as he ascended them slowly, straining to hear who was outside the doors.

“What’s he still doing down there?”

He paused at a new voice.

“It’s one thing torturing a man, it’s another putting him through stories of the homeland.”

A man passed by the open doors, mercifully, without looking down, a cigarette between his lips.

“He better hurry it up... I don’t wanna be here when the law comes for that side of beef.”

As the man’s voice grew quieter, Arthur started moving again, and peered out over the doors.

There was no one close by, but he could see lights shining from lanterns in a couple of places not too far off. Pressing his lips together, he stepped out from the stairs and, keeping low, turned to the left, spotting the man he’d seen speaking. Quietly, he approached and lunged once more.

It took mere seconds for him to break the man’s neck. This time he took the man’s gun, gripping it tightly. Glancing about, he headed towards the next source of light that was moving away from him. Fuelled by adrenaline now, he ran to the tree near it, paused for only a moment, then raced at the man, tackling him to the floor.

The man could only hiss out a brief, “What the hell?” before Arthur drove his fist into his face then choked him, watching the man as he died. Throwing him down, he huffed out a breath then stood, searching the area.

Where the hell is Annie?

He strained to hear once more.

“What are you lookin’ at, sweetheart?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, are you implyin’ somethin’ there, bitch?”

Pressing his lips together, Arthur moved quietly towards the voices, coming to an old shack and pressing his back against it.

“I didn’t think you would be intelligent enough to pick up on it.”

“I think you’re lookin’ for a fight, aren’t ye? Well, I don’t fight women—”

“How noble of you.”

“You ain’t any better ‘an me, sweetheart, at least that’s what I heard—”

“Shut your mouth, you bastard, or I will kill you.”

All he had to do was wait until the man was completely distracted, Annie was doing a fine job of that—

“Oh, yeah, and how are you goin’ to do that?”

At the sound of a second voice, Arthur grit his teeth and peered through a gap in the slats of the shack. All he could make out was the top of a fire, Annie’s skirt and a man’s hand. Lowering himself, he slowly moved behind one of the crates.

“Huh? Tell us. How are you goin’ to do that when you’re tied up like that? You ain’t gonna do nothin’, are you.”

The man laughed, and Arthur quickly rounded the crate, ducking behind a stack of them and—

His guns. Exhaling a short breath, he quickly collected his revolvers and gun belt from on top of the box beside him and secured them around him as the men continued to taunt Annie.

“You just like talkin’ a good talk, don’t ye? Just ‘cause ye know we can’t do nothin’. Talk all you want, sweetheart, ye’ll be ours soo—”

Ada gasped as the man suddenly choked on his words, a knife buried in his head. He fell to the floor, his eyes wide, narrowly missing the fire.

“What the fuck?!” The moustached man grabbed his gun and made to stand, but before he could even straighten up, a knife sank into his neck. He made a gargled sound and collapsed, his shotgun tumbling out of his hands.

“Oh my God...” she breathed, staring at his body.

“Hey, you all righ’?”

She inhaled sharply as someone suddenly crouched beside her and her gaze darted up—

Arthur.

She stared at him, trying to process that he was actually there and the state he was in.

“Oh my God, Arthur—”

“Are you all right?” he asked again, more firmly, but she could see he was just barely focusing on her.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine, my, my hands...” Her voice shook, in fact her whole body was shaking, and she didn’t know whether it was from shock finally settling in or the cold breeze that now blew over them.

“All righ’, hang on...”

As he used a knife to cut through her bonds, she took the few moments to study him.

Jesus Christ...

His face was bloody and bruised more than hers, he was only in his red long johns, there was a large patch of dried blood on his shoulder—

“Arthur, your shoulder, Colm said it was bad—”

“Don’t worry ‘bout me.”

Her arms fell as he cut through the last of the rope and she hissed at the stiffness, her eyes closing tightly.

“Shit, I’m sorry.”

She felt his arm around her back and his hand on the pole behind her.

“Annie... Annie?”

She opened her eyes and looked at him.

“You have to stand up with me, all right? We have to get out of here.”

She nodded a few times, wetting her lips.

“All right...”

Tightening his arm around her, he gripped tightly at the pole and pushed himself up, clenching his teeth as his body protested. Wincing herself, she held onto his good shoulder as they rose, her legs weak. Trying to plant her feet firmly as blood rushed back into them, she leaned against him, her eyes closed.

“Annie, we gotta—”

“I know, I know, just let me...” She could hear how weak he was, could feel it as he swayed slightly against her. Swallowing, she opened her eyes and looked up at him, his face close to hers. “All right, let’s go.”

Nodding, he let go of the pole. Keeping his arm around her, either to keep her up or support himself, probably both, he started to move.

“Over there...” he murmured, pointing at at a small group of horses under a tree. 

She guided them over as he searched the darkness for any signs of movement. Arthur didn’t believe Colm would have just left those four men to defend the camp, others must be around somewhere.

Ophelia and Faithful lifted their heads and each made a sound as they approached, turning and walking towards them. 

“Hey, girl...” Arthur murmured to Ophelia as Annie led him to her, and she ducked under his arm, reaching up to lift his hand and place it on the back of the saddle.

“Up you get, Arthur.”

His other hand settled on the pommel and he closed his eyes, pausing for a moment. Then, he hauled himself up, grunting through gritted teeth. It was painful to watch him, but just as she went to aid him, though, he swung his leg over and sat up, his head tipping back slightly. Exhaling breaths he must have been holding, he wet his lips and held his hand out to her.

“Come on.”

"I’ll be fine, I’ll get on Faithful.”

Before he could protest, she mounted Faithful and clicked her tongue gently, prompting him into a walk. Ophelia, perhaps sensing her owner wasn’t in a good state, starting walking, too.

Arthur, clinging to adrenaline and knowing he had to not only get himself but Annie away alive, too, made himself grip the reins tightly and straighten a little, urging Ophelia into a canter. Annie followed his lead as they turned down onto a wide dirt path. A lake was to their right, waves gently lapping at the shore.

They kept their gazes fixed ahead, searching the distance for anything.

“I reckon there’ll be more of ‘em in the area, so we just gotta get far away, then we’ll make a plan.”

His quiet words were slightly slurred and her eyes darted to him. He was leaning a little to one side.

Christ...

“Arthur—”

“Shit, look, there...”

Her head whipped up as they slowed their horses. There, in the distance, were flickering lights that were growing closer.

“This way, down onto the bank,” she whispered, turning Faithful and guiding him down onto it, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Arthur was following.

He stayed behind her and they kept to a walk to make as little sound as possible. Above them, the lights grew brighter and they began to hear the voices.

“Why does Colm want us there? What’s he gonna do if he’s tied up?”

“He ain’t worried about Morgan, it’s Dutch and his gang he’s concerned about. He don’t want ‘em ambushin’ us before the law gets here...”

The voices passed and Ada released a breath. There was no way they could relax just yet, though. Turning, she looked at Arthur. He sat slumped, barely holding the reins, leaning to his right.

Shit...

“We’ve got to go faster, all right, Arthur?” she murmured, her heart racing. “Just for a little while so we can put some distance between us and them, okay?”

He nodded but didn’t respond, and she thought perhaps he hadn’t heard her properly, when he cleared his throat and urged Ophelia into a gallop. Swiftly doing the same with Faithful, they raced along the shore, Ada keeping an eye on the bank above and the other side of the lake for any lights or O’Driscolls. She could hear Arthur breathing harshly beside her, and prayed to God Almighty that he just held on for a little longer as they passed under a train track that sat high above.

Glancing down, Ada noticed deep lines and hoof marks in the sand, evidence it was used as a crossing area.

That coupled with the tracks... She knew where they were.

“Arthur, look...” she called quietly, slowing Faithful to a stop, Ophelia automatically doing the same. “We’ll cross here. We’ll go at a walk so we don’t make too much noise.”

He just nodded again, his head dropping down slightly.

Please, God...

Taking the lead, she guided Faithful into the river, Ophelia following behind. She could have taken them further up the bank, crossed in shallower waters but she knew time was precious. Cool water rose up her legs, soaking her boots and the lower half of her skirt, and she couldn’t help but shiver lightly. Arthur made a sound behind her as the water soaked his legs and she looked back at him, her eyes momentarily darting to the bank behind them to check they were safe.

“Just a little farther, Arthur. We’ll just put the river between us, all right, then we can take it a little easier, okay?”

He didn’t respond.

All she could hear was the water sloshing quietly as the horses swan across. There were no birds, no voices, nothing.

They were so close to the other side.

Just get there, just get there, just get there...

She could have cried when the water started to lower as they made it to shallower waters and the small island close to the bank, and moments after Faithful stepped onto the shore, his gait quickening into a canter.

“Good boy, come on,” she murmured, urging him up the incline to the path above, checking Ophelia was indeed following.

Finally, finally, they made it onto the flat path. Blowing out a breath, Ada gently halted Faithful and turned to Arthur.

“If we just—”

She broke off with a sharp inhale as he collapsed to one side. Swiftly sliding off of Faithful, she lunged forward and caught him around the waist before he fell, her shoulder pressing against his chest. She could hear his ragged breaths against her ear.

“Shit...” she breathed, trying to adjust her stance as she supported the full weight of him. “You’re all right, you’re okay...”

Breathing hard, she squeezed her eyes shut before pushing him up, trying to get him upright. Keeping her hands on his sides, she steadied him as best as she could.

“You’re okay, you’re okay...” she repeated under her breath, almost to herself.

Lights caught her attention.

Staring beyond him, she saw lights moving slowly across the other side of the lake, farther down.

“Oh, shit...”

Whether it was O’Driscolls or travellers she didn’t want to wait to find out.

Gripping the pommel of Ophelia’s saddle, essentially just her straining forearm keeping Arthur up, she placed her boot in the stirrup and pulled herself up. Sitting on his bedroll, she slipped her other boot into the other stirrup and gathered the reins. She guided Arthur to lean back against her, tilting her chin up and resting it on his good shoulder.

“There we go, we’re all right...” she murmured, her whole body tense to bear the weight of him.

Nudging Ophelia’s sides with the heels of her boots, she prompted her into a canter, calling quietly to Faithful to get him to follow.

Just get back to camp, just get back...

“All right, girl, come on, take us home...”

Arthur’s head leaned against hers as they rode and she listened to his shallow breathing, her chest tightening.

Please, God, let him make it.

He swam in and out of consciousness.

He was cold and hot all at once, and everything was so painful he was almost numb. A gentle voice sounded close by, so close it felt like it was in his head. He couldn’t hear what it was saying but it sounded soothing.

Hours or minutes passed, he didn’t know.

The next time he came to, though, the voice sounded a little clearer, if strained.

“We’re here, Arthur... Please wake up...”

He gave a slight groan, and he thought he heard the person, the woman, breathe a ‘Oh, thank God...’

Ada watched him for a moment as he groaned, before she returned her attention to the path. She brought them back to camp from the north side; no one had been guarding it.

Please still be here...

As they rose up the small incline, relief flooded through her as the camp came into view, the tents, horses and wagons still there.

Pulling the already slowing Ophelia to a stop, she cleared her sore throat as she dropped the reins.

“Somebody help!” she called hoarsely, unsure as to whether anyone would even hear her.

Swallowing hard, she winced as she slid her boots out of the stirrups and slowly moved a leg back, her hands gripping Arthur’s waist tightly as she dismounted. Her knees almost buckled when her feet touched the floor. When Arthur tipped to the side and leaned against her, they did.

Her body finally gave out as she collapsed, Arthur falling with her. They landed on the ground, he with a grunt, she with a gasped inhale.

She could hear how weak his breathing was and it terrified her.

“Someone help!” she called again, her voice no louder than her first attempt.

Then, mercifully, someone appeared above her.

“Arthur! Annie!” Mary-Beth gasped, her eyes wide as she pressed her hands against her cheeks.

Karen was suddenly there, too, kneeling beside Arthur. “Oh my God, are you two—”

Then, Dutch was there.

“Arthur—”

“I told you it was a set up, Dutch...” Arthur groaned.

Ada gazed up at the sky, trying to regulate her breathing.

“My boy, my dear boy, what?” Dutch continued.

“They got... me and Annie but we got away...”

“He needs help,” she finally whispered, her gaze meeting Dutch’s.

He nodded slightly, staring at Arthur’s wound. “Yeah, that you did, my boy.” Straightening, he looked around, calling out, “Miss Grimshaw? I need help!”

"... he was gonna set the law on us...” Arthur carried on as Dutch, Mary-Beth and Karen helped him to sit up, his voice straining with the effort.

"... They had us over the river from Flatneck Station...” Ada murmured over him, blinking slowly.

Charles was suddenly there, gently brushing the hair from her face as his eyes swept over her and the state she was in. He carefully slid his arms underneath her and lifted her as if she weighed no more than a feather.

As he carried her away, she heard Pearson apologising profusely.

“... I’m sorry, Arthur, I’m, I’m so sorry, Annie—”

“It is a bit late for apologies,” Dutch snapped before calling out once more, “Swanson!”

Pearson swallowed hard before gripping Arthur’s arm as he, Dutch and Mary-Beth lifted him to his feet. “Mr Morgan, you’re safe now, you and Miss Sawyer are both safe—”

“Where is she, where’s Annie?” Arthur slurred, trying to look around as Dutch and Pearson drew his arms around their shoulders so they could support him.

"Charles has got her, don’t you worry, you’re both safe now,” Dutch soothed him gently as they half carried him towards his area, his feet stumbling slightly.

“Let’s get him to bed,” he heard Miss Grimshaw order, his gaze fixed on the ground. 

Was he insane or was the ground flowing like water?

With a slight grunt from both men, Pearson and Dutch lowered him onto his bed, Dutch repeating, “You’re safe now.”

Arthur huffed out a harsh laugh that startled them all. “That’s pretty, Dutch...” He dropped his head back against the pillow, his eyes already closing. “... That’s real pretty...”

Dutch watched him, his mouth in a thin line.

“Miss Grimshaw,” he murmured after a moment, “Will you sit with him awhile?”

"Of course,” Susan answered quietly. Pulling a chair from the table beside his bed closer, she patted Arthur’s arm gently. “You’ll be okay, Mr Morgan, you’re home.”

Dutch stared for a few moments, then turned on his heel and strode across the camp.

“You’re all right, Annie, you’re going to be fine now...”

She gazed at Charles as he carried her. She couldn’t quite believe it yet, couldn’t quite believe they’d actually made it.

“Am I really here?” she murmured, so quietly.

“Yes, you’re here now. You’re safe.”

He had such lovely hair. The soft ends of it brushed against her cheek.

“Arthur’s in a bad way.”

“Miss Grimshaw’s looking after him. She’ll take good care of him.”

She heard herself exhale a faint laugh, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly as her eyes suddenly filled with tears.

Good. Good old Susan. She would allow nothing to pass that she didn’t want, even death itself. Arthur would be safe.

Charles looked at her as he came to a stop and started to lower her down.

“Are you all right—”

“Put her in my tent.” John was suddenly at his side, a grim expression on his features. “She’ll need the privacy.”

“Thank you, John.”

She looked at John as Charles straightened again, adjusting his hold on her gently, and hoped he understood her silent gratitude, her eyes still shining with unshed tears.

John nodded, his hand lightly touching her shoulder, before he was gone, walking in the direction of Arthur’s tent. He passed Dutch, who was heading towards them.

She looked away, returning her gaze to Charles.

“I can’t feel my legs.”

“The bottom of your skirt is damp. Did you cross water?” He was speaking as quietly as she was, and it was so nice, like there was no one else in the world.

“Yes, it was the quickest way to get him back.”

“And you, too. We’ll have to get you warm, though.” Charles ducked a little as he entered John’s tent, and gently set her down on the bed.

A long breath left her as she sank against it, her eyes closing. She felt Charles kneel beside her, his fingers lightly touching her jaw, checking for swelling or fractures.

“How do you fee—”

“My dear girl...”

Ada’s eyes opened as Dutch stepped into the tent, concern etched across his features.

“Are you all right? What happened?”

Charles continued to carefully check her face as she spoke, her eyes half-open. “They took us on the ledge. Knocked us both out, I think, they certainly did me. When I came to, we were on the move, on their horses. We were crossing water, it was such clear water, I could see fish, and I started calling out, hoping someone would hear us. They hit me, and I just yelled louder, then they hit me again and again and again, and I fainted again...” She broke off to hiss quietly as Charles touched a particularly tender part of her cheek, relaxing at his murmured apology. “... The next thing I knew I was tied to a post. Then Colm...” She broke off again, his words suddenly flooding back.

The tears that had filled her eyes suddenly spilled, slipping down her cheeks. Charles paused his studying, one of his fingers gently brushing the tears away.

“What, my dear?” Dutch prompted gently, his eyes fixed on her. “What did he do to you, Annie?”

Her mouth moved slightly but nothing came out.

“Annie?” Charles murmured, his hand settling on her shoulder.

She turned her head a little to one side, then shook it. “Nothing. He did nothing to me.” She felt Charles relax. “He just... He’s just an awful man.”

“That he is,” Dutch agreed, anger seeping into his tone. “That son of a bitch... Miss Sawyer, I promise you, this great wrong will be righted, I will see to that.”

She just nodded, taking in a slightly shuddering breath.

“What happened after tha—”

“Where is she? Annie?!”

Sean all but burst into the tent, his eyes wide as he caught sight of her.

“Oh, darlin’, are you all right?” His frantic tone instantly softened as he knelt beside Charles, his hand finding hers.

She smiled weakly, her features crumbling slightly as she tried not to sob.

Don’t...

“I’m fine, Sean, really. It looks worse than it is.”

“That’s probably true,” Charles added, sitting back on his heels. “I can’t feel any breaks or fractures. Is there anywhere else—”

She shook her head quickly when she felt Sean tighten his grip. “No, no, it’s just my face, nowhere else.”

“Well, that is a relief.” Dutch sighed heavily before inclining his head. “I shall leave you to rest, then. Are you all right to tend to her, Charles?”

“Yes, if that’s all right with you, Annie.”

She hummed quietly. “Yes, that’s fine.”

“Can I stay, too, Annie?”

“Of course you can, Sean,” she murmured, her eyes closing.

“Very good. Rest well, Miss Sawyer.”

She hummed again, hearing Dutch exit.

“Sean, will you get me some clean cloths and water?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Her hand dropped from his, and she heard him leave quickly.

Fingers gently brushed her forehead.

 “Sleep, now, Annie,” Charles murmured.

She finally gave in to the exhaustion.

Warm sunlight danced across her face.

Karen hadn’t closed the tent flap properly last night.

Ada didn’t mind, though. It was wonderful.

She’d spent a full day sleeping after their return and the next resting. She’d relayed again all that had happened to Dutch and Hosea on that second day, Hosea sparing her from having to reveal all the details by gently cutting off Dutch’s barrage of questions. After that, the girls had joined her and talked with her, Mary-Beth braiding her hair while Karen and Tilly took turns showing off what they’d stolen recently. Sadie even joined them and laughed along, and when the other women left she quietly told Ada that Arthur was still sleeping but Miss Grimshaw had done the best she could and the wound looked a little better.

On the third day her body felt stronger but Sean had persuaded her to stay abed, telling her she should take all the time she needed to recover. Secretly, she was relieved. Something in her just couldn’t face leaving the safety this tent had provided from reality. He stayed with her all day and she welcomed his distractions, listening to his stories of wild adventures that might not have been all true and making her laugh until her stomach hurt.

On the fourth day, Abigail brought Jack to see her.

“He’s been complainin’ about wantin’ to see you,” Abigail said apologetically but, again, Ada welcomed the distraction, and listened to him talking about his drawings or the books he was reading or the fish he’d seen in the lake for hours. She had to hide her dismay when Abigail came to retrieve him, as the times she was left alone...

The nights were hard. Left alone with only her thoughts and memories, she couldn’t help but turn over Colm’s words in her mind, obsessing over the way he’d said it, his expressions, the language he’d used. Was he telling the truth? The idea of her brother being alive was as unbearable as it was him being dead. She didn’t want the tiny spark of hope it had built within her. If it wasn’t that she thought about incessantly, then it was the knowledge that her father’s murderer was sleeping only a few feet away. Could he even remember the two small children that had been there when he’d killed Michael O’Driscoll? 

The only brief reprieve she had was thinking about, despite what Colm had said, Arthur had saved her. He had come for her and saved her. And she had saved him.

If she did sleep, it was fitfully, waking always with a start at the slightest sound. She thought of getting up and walking around the camp but she didn’t want to talk to anyone, too vulnerable in that moment to mask her pain.

It was the fifth day, now, and she knew she could no longer hide away in John’s tent under the pretence she was recovering. She didn’t want to have to explain that while she might have physically recovered, emotionally she was still in complete turmoil. Mary-Beth helped her to dress, gifting her a slightly worn plain black skirt with pockets that went beautifully with the emerald blouse Sean had stolen for her. She then braided her hair again up into a bun, looking very satisfied and proud once she stepped back.

“There. Oh, you look beautiful, Annie! Here, have a look...”

She handed her the small mirror from the barrel on the other side of the tent that John probably used to shave with, and for the first time in five days Ada saw her reflection.

The cut on her eyebrow had scabbed over, making it look worse than it probably was. Bruises along her jaw and cheekbones were smaller than she thought, though they were still faintly purple and blue, only a few starting to turn a little yellow. Dark circles hung under her eyes, evidence that she was perhaps not coping as well as she wanted everyone to think.

What a fright you look, her mother would have said.

Mary-Beth had done a lovely job of her hair, though, so Ada smiled as she lowered the mirror, handing it back to her.

“Thank you, Mary-Beth, you’ve turned me into something wonderful.”

“Oh, gosh, no,” the other woman dismissed gently as she took the mirror, returning it to its position, “You’re very pretty, Annie, I just made your hair a little neater.”

Ada’s smile widened a little more as she pushed herself up to stand. “You’re the beauty here, Mary-Beth, neat hair or not.”

Mary-Beth beamed as she shrugged her shoulders. “I always like to look nice, so, thank you, Annie.”

Ada lifted a grey, probably once white, shawl from the end of the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders, about to follow Mary-Beth out when the other woman paused before turning back to face her.

“I think it was so brave... how you brought Arthur back like that.” She played with the ends of her chestnut-brown hair slightly as she looked at her. “You could have left him out there and saved yourself, so many other people would’ve.”

Ada looked at her, her forehead dipping slightly. “No, I couldn’t.”

Something Ada couldn’t quite place passed over Mary-Beth’s features, but before she could dwell on it the woman was smiling again. “Let’s go and get somethin’ to eat before Uncle has it all.”

Stepping out with her, Ada smiled gently as she pulled the shawl a little tighter around herself. “Actually, Mary-Beth, I think I’m going to go and see how Arthur is.”

The woman paused and the same expression appeared again, vanishing as quickly as it came. “All right, then. Would you like me to save you a bowl?”

“No, thank you. I’m not very hungry.”

Mary-Beth nodded and smiled widely before walking away. Ada watched her, her pace quickening as Uncle staggered towards the pot of stew.

Inhaling a long breath of crisp air, Ada tipped her head back and gazed up at the sky. A clear and brilliant blue.

Just go.

Wetting her lips, Ada turned and began to walk. From the corner of her left eye she saw that Dutch’s tent was, thankfully, empty. 

Someone had draped more cloths and blankets over Arthur’s area, probably to give him some more privacy, so she had to pull one of them back slightly to peer in. He lay on the bed, his eyes closed, lips parted. She watched him for a few moments, her gaze dropping to his chest to check if he was breathing. It rose and fell steadily; he was asleep.

The chair beside his bed was vacant so she quietly slipped past the blankets and took a seat, her eyes remaining on him. He didn’t move, his breathing remaining regular.

Sadie had updated her on his progress over the past few days and she said he’d seemed to be starting to get a little better. They had to make him eat, but that was nothing new, apparently, from a man who was so busy taking care of ‘business’ he often forgot or didn’t have the time. Someone had changed him into dark brown trousers and a cream undershirt, which had the faintest stain of blood just around where his wound was. She stopped herself from pulling back the open of his shirt to inspect it; Miss Grimshaw had probably patched him and the others up a thousand times before and was therefore most likely an expert. The stubble that usually framed his face had grown a little longer but his skin and hair was clean. He looked... gentle, for once.

What the hell am I doing here.

Blowing out a quiet breath, Ada lifted her gaze from him and stared ahead at the side of the wagon. Then, she narrowed her eyes slightly.

Were they... photographs?

She’d never noticed them before. Then again, she hadn’t exactly been around his area before to notice them. Sitting forward in the chair, she leaned over him a little, getting a better look.

One photograph had three men in it, one standing, two sitting down, in some kind of parlour. It only took her a few moments to realise it was Hosea, Dutch and Arthur, albeit them probably about ten years or more so ago.

A corner of her mouth lifted.

Arthur looked so young.

He probably turned a pretty head or two... I bet he still does. 

She had to stop herself from snorting loudly at the sudden thought. 

What a silly thing to think about. 

Her eyes darted to the next photograph.

It was of an older man, probably around Dutch’s age now, maybe younger, but she didn’t recognise him. He was holding some kind of board, however, and upon leaning a little closer she saw that it read, ‘Lyle Morgan. Larceny. 12-7-1847′.

It really does stay in the family.

There were a few other trinkets and items, too, like a horse shoe and an article that told of a robbery, one that probably meant something to Arthur.

Sitting back, her legs crossing, Ada grazed her teeth over her lower lip. She couldn’t stop herself from continuing to inspect. At the base of the bed was a chest with a rug thrown over it and his revolvers and gun belt rested on top, along with his hat. Beside her on the table was a flower in a bottle (a gift from Mary-Beth?), a cigar, a map and a picture of an older woman. She studied the picture, a corner of her mouth lifting. It had to be his mother.

Arthur mumbled quietly and her head quickly turned to him. His brow furrowed slightly and he mumbled something again, though she couldn’t make it out. She was about to murmur his name when his eyes opened.

Swallowing, he took in a long breath and exhaled it, then his eyes darted over to her.

She smiled automatically, wanting to put him at ease.

“Good morning.”

He watched her for a moment, as if his brain was catching up with where he was.

“Good mornin’.”

His voice was rough and low, somehow prompting her to make her’s quiet.

“What were you dreaming about?”

He looked away from her, then, his eyebrows raising slightly as he adjusted his head on the pillow.

 “Deer.”

Her smile seemed to want to linger. “That hungry? I’m afraid it’s fish for breakfast.”

He grunted his disinterest.

“Yeah, I’m not jumping at it either.”

“You’ve gotta eat somethin’.”

“So do you.”

“Yeah, but you look like shit.”

A sudden laugh escaped her before she could stop it, her smile widening as she raised her eyebrows.

“Oh, really? I do?”

He glanced at her before closing his eyes, a faint smile pulling at his lips, and she suddenly found herself very interested in it.

“Yeah, you look like you’ve been to hell.”

“Oh, I do apologise. You look radiant, however, Mr Morgan.”

“Yeah? I feel it.”

Her smile faltered as she watched him shift slightly, a pained wince flashing across his face. She played with one, frayed end of the shawl.

“You shouldn’t have come for me, Arthur.”

 His eyes snapped open and he looked at her in disbelief. 

“Are you kiddin’ me? You might be dead if it weren’t for me.”

“I would have been fine. The law doesn’t know I’m with you all, I could have told them the O’Driscolls kidnapped me and they would have let me go.”

“Yeah, and then what?”

Her mouth opened, then closed slightly.

“What, you would have come back?”

She didn’t answer.

“Nah, I don’t think you would’ve. Maybe I should’ve left you there,” he grumbled, directing his gaze ahead, dismissively.

Why did that notion offend him so?

Her skin prickled slightly.

“Do you remember the journey back here at all?”

His brow furrowed as he glanced at her, slightly suspicious of the sudden turn in conversation. “No.”

“Exactly,” she retorted, “You’d be dead in a ditch or a river right now if it wasn’t for me so show a little gratitude.”

He stared at her incredulously. “Why don’t you show me some gratitude, woman, I got you out of there, and you wouldn’t have been able to be a damn hero if it weren’t for me.”

“Well, you didn’t have to save me.”

“I didn’t have to save you?”

“No, you didn’t.”

He opened his mouth, then swiftly quashed whatever it was he was going to bite back as she arched an eyebrow, his teeth gritting.

“You’re a stubborn, irritatin’ woman,” he muttered.

“Yeah, well, you’re an ungrateful bastard,” she shot back, crossing her arms as she sat back.

They fell silent as he closed his eyes, probably praying for strength not to murder her, and she stared at him, silently daring him to snap back because there was something so simple and easy about arguing, despite how difficult she knew but absolutely would not admit she was being.

But... the corner of her mouth twitched just slightly.

He just looked so... put out. Like a cat that hadn’t been fed the moment it was hungry.

The question of the day was still nudging at her, too.

“Why did you save me, then?” she continued. “Seeing as I seem to be such an inconvenience, and don’t give me the ‘save people as need saving’ preaching or I will choke you and I don’t think anyone would stop me.”

His jaw moved minutely. “Save people as need savin’.”

She gave a humourless laugh. “So because Dutch says so?”

He turned his head to stare at her. “Because it’s right and there was no way in hell it was righ’ to leave you with those bastards.”

Her lips twitched again. “So you’re a criminal with a heart?”

He made an almost disgusted sound, looking ahead before he closed his eyes again. “Will you shut up? I’m tryin’ to rest here.”

The twitching broke out into a smile. Tilting her head, she lowered her voice into soft awe.

“Thank you, Arthur, for saving my life, you’re a real hero—”

“Ah, shut up, woman, before I tell Grimshaw you’re ready to get back to work.”

She laughed as he grumbled, folding her hands in her lap. Her gaze dropped as she was suddenly reminded of the absence of her ring. She licked her lips, shifting in the seat.

“I do mean it, Arthur,” she said after a moment, her voice quieter, “Thank you.”

“Yeah, whatever,” he answered, though he didn’t grumble.

Silence fell again, and it felt rather comfortable. She gazed at the photographs again, her eyes drifting from the one of his father to him, comparing. She found herself wanting to know what his childhood had been like. Had his father raised him in a gang? Or had he been kept away from it all as a child? What had led him to—

“He told me you...” Arthur’s voice startled her out of her musings, his words hesitant as her eyes found his. “... you weren’t in a good shape.”

She knew what he was dancing around.

“None of them touched me. In that way, anyway,” she answered, giving a faint smile. “I was just hit to be quiet, then tied to that pole. Nothing else.”

He nodded, casting his gaze over her bruises. “That’s a relief, then.”

“Yes, it is.”

She watched him for a few moments. His gaze returned to hers.

“Annie, can I ask you somethin’?”

She raised her eyebrows a little, rather surprised.

“Sure.”

"When we were talkin’, before we went to see Colm, somethin’ Dutch said... affected you.”

Her heart dropped. Keeping her features neutral, she lifted her gaze, as if recalling the conversation.

“Did it?”

“Yeah. When he was sayin’ about how he killed Colm’s brother.”

“Oh...” She pressed her lips together and shook her head slightly. “I just... it all seems so petty, doesn’t it? How this long feud started.”

He frowned. “Petty?”

She nodded, holding his gaze. “Yes. I’m sure there’s more to the story but... to play with people’s lives like that—”

“What ain’t you tellin’ me.”

Her mouth stayed open as she broke off, her eyes searching his before she frowned.

“Nothing, why—”

“You said someone was dead, too, when we were bein’ held by the O’Driscolls. I heard you yellin’ it, who were you talkin’ about?”

Her frown deepened. “It— I thought you were dead. Colm was spinning lies, trying to get me upset and he led me to believe you were dead.”

He didn’t answer, wanting to see what she said next. She remained silent, too, just staring at him.

She probably thought she was hiding it but he could see the pleading in her eyes for him to not press the matter, to be a gentleman and let it go. But he was no gentleman. He knew a poker face when he saw it, and a liar when he heard one.

“Annie... It don’t have to go any further than you and me, whatever it is.”

She continued to stare, panic starting to claw it’s way up.

“It’s nothing,” she implored, trying to keep her voice low because, God, who knew who else was around, but she knew she had already lost.

“Annie—”

“Not today.” She had to give him something. Shaking her head a little, she murmured, “Please, Arthur... not today.”

He studied her and she didn’t dare look away. Then, he sighed and nodded begrudgingly.

“All right... Not today.” He pressed his lips together before continuing, ”If you’re in trouble, though—”

“You dead yet, Morgan?”

John Marston, her unknowing saviour, brushed past the blankets with a bowl of stew, the widest grin she’d seen from him yet on his lips. It didn’t falter as he caught sight of her, inclining his head.

“Good mornin’, Miss Sawyer, how are you today?”

“Very well, thank you, John,” she beamed, grateful to him for the second time that week. “How are you?”

“Just fine, just fine.” His gaze slid over to Arthur. “I’ve been told to feed our patient, here.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake...” Arthur grumbled, closing his eyes as she stood, clasping her hands together.

“Oh, isn’t that wonderful! How kind you are, Mr Marston.”

“I do what I can, Miss.”

“Can I thank you again for allowing me the use of your tent?”

“Oh...” Arthur opened his eyes, fixing his gaze on the younger man. “So that’s why you’ve been lurkin’ around here, snorin’ on the ground beside me.”

“Well, you wouldn’t let me get in with you.”

“I’ll leave you boys to it.” Annie grinned as she departed and Arthur watched her, his mouth in a thin line.

How could she do that? Change from one person to another just as quickly as blinking? And what in the hell was she hiding? He’d had a feeling from the start she was and now he was so close to finding out—

“Come on, Morgan, I’m gonna feed you like a little baby bird.” John was still grinning as he sat down, holding the bowl towards him.

Arthur groaned. “Get outta here, Marston, leave me to die in peace.”

“No way in hell. Now sit up, old man, come on.”

“I should’ve left you on those mountains with those wolves.”

“But you didn’t.”

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