#yeah. they were also James' friend. but they were also Keith's friend. no these are not mutually exclusive things

[discordiansamba]

concept where Keith abruptly turns Galra while he's still at the Garrison, except he has a roommate. That roommate is Kinkade. This somehow results in three out of the four (future) MFE pilots trying to smuggle Keith out of the Garrison, all while trying to doge both James and Shiro for two entirely different reasons.

kinkade, furiously texting rizavi: sos. keith's purple.

rizavi: what the fuck

kinkade: I don't know!!! Can you cover for him? You've got your first class together.

#extremely fond of the headcanon that Keith was actually on good terms with the other three MFE pilots like. #yeah. they were also James' friend. but they were also Keith's friend. no these are not mutually exclusive things #pov: you wake up and your roommate is fucking purple. what do you do. #mfe paladins au

[bluedemon1995]

“I want you and I know you want me too.” Enjoy!

Keith bites his lip, almost drawing blood, wanting desperately to butt in but knowing Katie would want to speak for herself. So, despite how much he wants to do so on her behalf, he keeps himself in check, somehow. Keeping his eyes on Katie, he’s taken by surprise when Lance stood abruptly, moving fast enough that he actually knocked his chair over.

“I don’t think so buddy, in fact, I know so. Go on, anda, sal de aquí. She does NOT”, at this point he slaps his hand on table and continues, “want you. I’m her bestest friend. I would know! And let me tell you, she doesn’t need some guy with a stick up his ass who thinks he knows everything!”

Keith froze, feeling vindicated by Lance’s take but also completely surprised at how strongly Lance rebuked Griffin. Why was his response so strong? Since when did Lance dislike Griffin? What was he missing? He eyes, tracked to Katie, as they always seem to do late, not wanting to miss Katie’s response? He bit his tongue a little more and managed not to say anything to Griffin even though he wanted more than anything for her to agree with Lance.

Not Griffin, please. Please. Heart pounding, he could feel his muscles tense. Like he was bracing for impact. Quiznack!

Katie sighed, replying firmly, “Lance, not your place!”

“What?! You’re not saying I’m wrong! You aren’t pining for him. He doesn’t make your race. Nor are you flushed and pining for just five more minutes of his time. In fact, James is always so full of himself, exactly what you hate. And I think you are-!“

“Lance!!! Stop, seriously.” She ran a hand through her longer hair, pulling slightly and then squaring her shoulders. Redirecting her gaze to James, she starts, “James, um, yeah, so, funny enough, I actually had no clue you were interested. I, well shit, I feel really unprepared for this. I honestly, don’t know what to say. But having this conversation at a full dinner table in the middle of the mess hall, well, this is probably not one of your better ideas.”

Griffin stands and takes a few steps closer to Katie, coming around the table to sheepishly state, “Yeah, I didn’t really think this through.” He grabs his neck and crouches down so he’s right next to her chair and I feel my fingers curl tightly in a fist.

Griffin continues, with no idea that I’m desperately trying not to act on the desire to punch him, repeatedly.

His eyes cut to me, then go back to Katie. He continues earnestly, “I’ve been feeling this way for a while and I, needed you to know how I’ve been feeling. I did NOT mean to put you in a tight spot or anything. I’m sorry. I’m usually way smarter than this, I swear. How about we table this for later? Maybe we can have a private dinner and maybe drinks?”

Keith blinks, when the fuck did his hand move to her chair? He didn’t think he could refrain from hitting him if he actually touched her.

Katie smiles and nods shyly. Shyly? What the hell? What does that mean? I look to Hunk and mouth, “What the heck?”

Hunk shrugs but doesn’t look too concerned. At this point, Katie’s alarm goes off and we all know it’s time for her to head back to the lab. Keith tries not to look too relieved. No actual date was set. Katie is rushing around throwing out her mess, with Lance practically in her pocket. What was he telling her now?

Keith waits for a few minutes, trying to formulate a plan. He shoves the rest of his burger in his mouth and stands, going to the conveyer belt for dishes on the opposite side of the room. He has to move. No time to lose, not now.

Suddenly he shoved back and pulled into an alcove. Straightening, he meets Griffin’s hard look in kind. They size each other up, and Keith resolves to not say a word. He doesn’t owe him anything now.

“Why couldn’t you just stay gone man. I had a plan. Isn’t there a ship that needs blowing up or some people that need saving?”

Keith looks up, “Look, I actually don’t have anything against you personally. Not anymore.”

Griffin smiles, relaxing at those words. Until Keith continues, “So you see, this actually has nothing to do with you. And if has everything to do with the woman I’m in love with. So, yeah there probably is a ship that needs blowing up or some people that need saving out there. But right now, I’m here on a purely selfish mission, to save myself.”

Luckily Cosmo appears so he continues, “So, hopefully that clears things up for you.”

He quickly moves with Cosmo at his side. He’s trying to think, but he can’t seem to focus. All he feels is panic. He’s too late. He’s missed his shot. He feels like he can’t breathe. He wants to scream and break things but fuck, he’s past temper tantrums. Making his way to his room on autopilot, he’s trying to think back and determine if Katie ever seemed like Griffin was something she was interested in.

Suddenly he stops at the hall where his room was to see Hunk, Lance and Shiro standing at his door. Hunk is looking at him, with pity? Damn, he was too late. He stops, right in the hall and staggers against the wall. Closing his eyes, he tries to pull himself together. But Shiro grabs him and pulls him into his room, “Hey, stop. Whatever you’re thinking just stop.”

Lance leans agains the now closed door. “Stop babying him Shiro. Look, I just put myself in the line of fire for you. It better be worth it, so tell me straight, are you back, and are you back for Pidge?”

Keith startles, he can feel himself start to deny but no, he’s done running. Done pretending that he was just a friend. Running only hurt him. He stands, looking Lance eye to eye. “Yeah. I’m back and Katie, well, I don’t know how she feels but, I, I love her.”

Keith braces for the questions, the threats.

Silence. Huh?

Hunk smiles and in two steps has him engulfed in a spine crushing hug. “Thank God! It’s about time buddy. Okay, what’s your plan? Should I make her favorite dishes?”

As he’s released, he looks at his other two friends, who are both smiling and looking relieved. Keith looks down and sees Cosmo, wagging his tail with a seemingly inquisitive look as well. Oh. Guess he was the only one surprised by his feelings.

Hours later, Keith is dressed in his best black jeans, black t-shirt, black boots and his current favorite leather jacket. He has an extra helmet and is sitting on his bike outside of the lab. After some well timed calls, he knows she should be heading out now and her car is currently in the shop. So while Matt was supposed to pick her up (and at his request in the far end of the parking lot) but hopefully she would be open to a ride.

He sees her wave to her interns and turn to the lot Matt was supposed to be in. He takes her in, knowing she was oblivious to what he saw. Her hair was haphazardly pulled back and she had on her leggings with a flannel and her worn in boots. But more than that, Keith could see the smirk that never failed to pull on his own emotions. He saw that even though it was late as hell, all of her interns were with her, not because she demanded but because they wanted to help her, see her genius at work, hell she was probably the only senior staff member who broke rules regularly. He knew for sure; her staff were the only ones in the Garrison who dressed down, wore jeans and tshirts with puns or whatever they wanted. Because she pushed. She fought. And damn if that wasn’t sexy as hell.

He took a breath, calling out, “Hey short stack.”

Keith saw her laugh, and even though he couldn’t actually hear it, he knew what it sounded like and damn, he wanted all of her. All her laughs. All her smirks. All. Of. Her.

She sauntered over, taking her time. “Dude. Did you just join the Blades because their uniform fit your aesthetic?”

Keith grinned. He liked the way her eyes moved up and down him. Score another one for Lance. He was going to rent a car and dress up but Lance said no. Instead, he pulled his hair back and dressed him like a kid. Obviously, he knew what hit Katie’s buttons.

He took a deep breath, “So I know Matt was going to pick you up, and he could still. But I was hoping you’d wanna take a ride with me.”

Katie stood, just beyond his reach. He wanted to haul her up to him, hold her and tell her how much he wanted her. Always. Even when he was oblivious to his own feelings, even when he was fighting them. But it had to be her choice. Always. But damn, he wanted her.

Katie slowly nodded, “Yeah, a ride sounds good. Let me go and get a jacket.”

Now he did reach out, grabbing her hand and slowly pulling her closer. When she was right in front of him, he shook his head. “No need.” Shrugging out of he jacket, he swings it around her shoulders, “Wear this. I’m good, I run hot anyways. So, you in?”

Keith’s hands reflexively tightened on the jacket pulling her infinitesimally closer. So close he could feel her body heat, smell her shampoo and see her bite her lip. “Yeah, I’m in Kogane.”

Keith grins, “Yay.”

Laughing, Katie pulls her arms though the sleeves and grabs the helmet on the seat. Keith moves to help her with the strap and quickly get on the bike, pulling his helmet on as well. Reviving the engine, he waits until her arms wrap around his middle and then takes off.

First, he drives, rather aimlessly until he finds himself on his way back to his shack. Or well the shack he used after Shiro disappeared. Stopping and stretching, he couldn’t help loving how she looked in his jacket, or how when she raised her arms, he could see the skin of her belly. He took an instinctive step forward.

He reached for her hand, “Katie, it’s time. Fuck Griffin and his shitty timing. I was doing this from the day I landed. I want you and I know you want me too. But I don’t just want your body. I want it all, your body, your mind, and your heart. I want it all.”

He knew he was intense. He knew he was possessive. He knew he had a laundry list of issues. But, if anyone could handle him, it was her. Always her.

#kidge #keith kogane #katie holt #keith x pidge #keith and pidge #pidge and keith #voltron #fanfiction #pidge #keith #griffin #mine

[clairelsonao3]

OC Name Meanings Tag

Thanks to @starlit-hopes-and-dreams (post here) and @mysticstarlightduck (post here) for this one that I've been looking forward to for weeks! I'm a total name nerd and am obsessed with name meanings as well as new, trendy, odd, and/or obscure names (too bad many of these started out as generic placeholders!)

For obvious reasons, though, I can't help but wish you'd waited a bit longer to tag me in this. 🤣 But, here goes.

Some very minor spoilers here for Ch. 16 onward.

Louisa is German for "famous warrior," a surprisingly strong name, but, then again, this is a girl who has a way of surprising people with her strength. It's also one of the many, many girls' names I've had a crush on for years, and one of the many I probably won't ever use for my own (eventual) child. So I gave it to my fictional child instead. 🥹🥹

I established in an earlier tag game that she was named after both her maternal and paternal grandfathers (Louis and Daniel). So for the rest of her name, we have Danielle (Hebrew: "God is my judge," and Phillips (Greek: "horse-lover") (and literally the first surname that popped into my head as a placeholder, and I'm very annoyed because it's so common. Oh, well.)

Maeve is interesting. She should have a Luxembourgish name, but she's not one for convention. So the name is actually Irish, for "she who rules" and Maeve, a lover of fantasy stories, chose it herself after the mythological warrior queen. It's also a variant of Mab, Shakespeare's Queen of the Fairies, made famous in Mercutio's soliloquy from Romeo and Juliet. Conveniently, we haven't gotten around to learning her surname yet.

Erica is Norse for "eternal ruler," and Muller is German for "miller." Another name that started as basically a placeholder, but I've come around to it.

Milagros (Spanish: "miracles") who, in a plot point of sorts, named herself, has the full name of María de los Milagros de Ulloa y de la Torre-Giralt-Muller, chosen to honor an obscure Spanish astronomer who discovered Ulloa's ring aka the fog bow: Antonio de Ulloa (and hyphenated with Muller, obviously, for her wife). Interestingly, María de los Milagros is one of many Marian titles, meaning it's a Catholic name commonly used in Latin America referring to the Virgin Mary aka "Our Lady of the Miracles," though knowing Milagros, that's definitely not why she chose it.

Keith (Scottish: "wood") and Corey (Irish: "from the hollow") have the dubious honor of being the two most bland, generic, white-bread male names I could think of at the moment I created the characters. 🤣 Killeen is Irish and a variant of O Cillin, referring to St. Killian, the patron saint of rheumatism. But actually, it was just stolen from a friend of a friend; it seemed rare enough that no one would be offended when I used it for the worst character in the story. 🤣

And in case anyone remembers or cares that Lou's mom's name is Zoe, it's Greek for "life."

Jacob is of course a variant of James (Hebrew: "supplanter"), and I lazily stole Wallach from old-timey Western actor Eli Wallach, who was best known for playing the bad guy in The Magnificent Seven. But I mostly chose the surname, again, because I'd never heard it anywhere else, so, less chance of offending anyone. And before I knew he was going to be German. Luckily the name IS German, from valche, meaning "foreigner from a Romance country, usually Italy." Yeah, I'm confused too.

Resi/Tresa are German variations of Theresa (Greek: "late summer.") Hahn is also German, meaning "conceited, flamboyant, or sexually active." Really.

Felix (Latin: "happy") and Arlo (multiple origins, all relating to "hill") were chosen because they're two currently trendy baby names that I hate, hate, hate. (No offense to anyone who named their kid that, lol). And their surnames, which were only mentioned once and I'm not bothering to look up the meaning of, were chosen because they're two prominent family names on the island where I live, as kind of an in-joke.

Lemaya: As far as I can tell, it's made up (but not by me!) Maya has a ton of different meanings in various languages, the most common being Sanskrit, "illusion or magic."

Obadiah: (Hebrew: "servant of God"). I'll leave that there.

And that's pretty much everybody -- oh, wait. I'm missing someone? Imagine that. 😅

Okay. I'll tell you what. Because this is a post about names and I'm feeling cute, I'll leave you with a couple of hints: his first name is of Hebrew origin and was chosen for both sound and meaning.

I'll try gently tagging the following:

@romanceandshenanigans @janec23 @lucylyricism Would love to find out where your OCs' names came from!

#oc names #tag game #gsnbtr #my writing #writeblr

[double-hoe-seven]

Daddy’s Home

Summary: As much as you love your husband, when he comes home there’s nobody happier to see him than your son. Pairing: Darry Curtis x Reader Word Count: 1,700 Warnings: Fluffy fluff, Domestic!Darry, Daddy!Darry, Darry generally being the loml

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and I do not claim to own the characters.

Dear god, you were tired. Between the two-year-old wrecking havoc in the living room with Two-Bit and the fussy three-month-old you were trying to bottle feed, there seemed to be little time for peace. It was a lot of things; it was tiring, draining, frustrating, and sometimes annoying, but it was also rewarding, heartwarming, beautiful, and most of all, it was happy. This was your family; your husband, your two sons, your two brothers-in-law, and their four friends who you loved. A loud thud from the living room pulled your attention away from the infant refusing the bottle. Before you could ask what happened, Keith called out, “everything’s fine! I just dropped my shirt... with me in it!” Following his statement was the sound of quiet giggles from your son James.

“Oh thank god,” you mumbled to yourself when Tommy finally accepted the bottle, a sigh of relief leaving you. You needed to get him used to the bottle so Darry could feed him at night and so he’d be ready for daycare when you went back to work. Taking a seat at the kitchen table, you smiled as you watched him. So far, both boys were the spitting image of Darry when he was at these ages, except that James's eyes were closer to yours than to Darry’s. “You shoulda stuck to breastfeeding the little man, none of us minded,” Dallas said as he passed by on his way to the fridge, snickering to himself. “Wanna try sayin’ that again when Darry gets home, Dal?” You teased. “No ma’am, I do not,” he shot back after grabbing a beer. He came over to the table and looked over your shoulder. “He’s a pretty cute little shit; I can’t wait to teach him how to pick up girls.” “I’ll skin ya if you do, Dally,” you said with a small hum and a smile, not even looking away from your son. You heard him gulp quietly and mumble, “noted.”

You finally looked up at him with a small smile. “Since you’re here, can you finish feeding him so I can get dinner started?” “Nope,” he said, making the ‘p’ pop. “C'mon, Dally, please? All you’d need to do is hold him and the bottle until he’s done,” you pleaded lightly. “Fine, but I ain’t doin’ nothin’ else,” he said with a huff, though you could see the little gleam in his eyes as you positioned his arms and placed the infant. “Thank you, Dallas,” you shot him a grin before gathering everything you’d need. You always found it adorable how Dallas still pretended not to like kids, even though he’d bend over backward for James and Danny. “Is everything still goin’ okay with you and Val? I know you were nervous about moving in together,” you asked him as you got dinner ready. “I’m still gettin’ used to it, but I don’t hate it. It ain’t the worst thing in the world,” he answered, trying to sound casual. But you knew, you knew how much he cared about her.

Not long after you put dinner in the oven and you’d taken Danny back from Dallas, the living room went silent for a minute before James squealed happily, “daddy!” When you walked into the living room, you saw your husband prying your son off of his leg and scooping him up. “There’s my big guy! Did you help your mom while I was gone?” “Yeah!” he replied excitedly. Your son clung to Darry like his life depended on it, squeezing him as tightly as his little arms could manage. “How was work?” You asked, giving him a gentle peck on the lips and ruffling James' hair a bit. “It was good, baby. How was everything here at home?” He asked happily. “As chaotic as every other day is, we had fun. I had to drag little man there home from the park this morning,” you told him with a quiet laugh, gently bouncing Joey on your hip some. “Dinner will be ready in about half an hour, so why don’t you and little man there take a seat and read the paper while I go put the littlest man in his crib,” you suggested, nodding over to his chair.

“Thanks, darlin',” he sent you a tired grin, kissing the top of the infant’s head before taking his seat, letting the toddler get as comfortable as possible in his lap. Darry opened the paper, letting James hold one side as he read. “What’s that say?” He asked, pointing to something in the sports section. “It says ’Sooners suffer a humiliating 2-6 loss in against Longhorns’,” he read aloud, moving his finger along with the words so James could see which words were what. “What’s that mean?” He asked curiously, squinting some to look like he was reading the details of the game. “That means that our favorite team, the Sooners, lost their baseball game to the Texas Longhorns this weekend,” he explained.

When you came back downstairs, you smiled as you watched your husband explain baseball to your son, who nodded along, even though you could practically see the words going in one ear and out of the other. Some days, you thought you could watch him with your boys all day long. He was amazing with them from day one. You leaned against the banister with a grin as you watched them read the funny pages together, the toddler’s laughter ringing out even when he didn’t completely understand the jokes. When he settled down some, he leaned against his father’s chest, half paying attention to what Darry was reading and half looking at Mickey Mouse on the TV with one hand fisting his dad’s shirt.

You finally pushed yourself away from the railing and walked over, wrapping your arms around Darry’s neck, and rested your head on his shoulder after kissing his cheek softly “if there was an award for it, you’d definitely receive a father of the year award, honey.” Your son leaned against your arm comfortably, his attention fully focused on the cartoon on TV. “I’m just followin’ your lead darlin’, you are one supermom for doin’ as much as you do,” he countered, looking up at you with an adoring gleam in his eyes. When you leaned down to give him a quick kiss, you both chuckled at the 'blegh’ you heard from your son. Darry ruffled his hair and teased “you hush, one of these days you’re gonna find a nice girl and you won’t be sayin’ 'blegh’ when she wants a kiss.” “Nu-uh!” He argued immediately. “Yuh-huh,” Darry countered, as any mature adult would “a nice, pretty girl’s gonna ask you for a kiss when you’re older, and you’re gonna look into her eyes and realize you’d give her anything she wants in a heartbeat because you’re head over heels in love with her already.”

“You love her because she laughs at your jokes. She’s as smart as she is beautiful, even if she doesn’t always think she is. She’s sweet too, she always shares her snacks with you and doesn’t get mad when you throw sand at her on the playground, instead, she throws some back. Then when you’re both older, she helps you when you struggle in classes and waits for you after football practice so you can walk home together and she even goes to your games, even though she doesn’t care about sports. You sit next to each other on field trips, too. There will be times when you don’t like her that much, but you’ll always love her,” Darry recalled fondly, looking up at you with a grin, making you blush some and grin at the memories. “Are you talkin’ about mommy?” Your son asked after looking at you both curiously for a bit. “I sure am,” he answered proudly.

You started to add something but the oven timer interrupted you. You kissed them both on the cheeks and smiled. “C'mon, dinner’s ready.” They both cheered happily and jumped up; like father like son. Darry followed you to the kitchen, carrying the squirming, giggling child. While you took the pot roast out of the oven and got everything situated at the table, Darry set your son up in his high chair with his own food. Dinner went smoothly. You and Darry talked about your days and James talked about his day, telling Darry every little detail from the spots on the dog at the park to the colors of the sprinkles on his ice cream cone. Darry offered to clean up dinner while you bathed James and got him ready for bed. He came to stand in the doorway to his room while you finished reading 'Goodnight Moon’, his little chest rising and falling slowly as he was fast asleep. As quietly as possible, you got up and turned on the nightlight on your way out of the room, leaving the door open a crack.

Once back in your bedroom, you both let yourselves just collapse onto the bed, immediately snuggling up to one another. You were surrounded in comfortable silence for a few minutes, almost drifting off to sleep, until Darry spoke up. "So, when are we gonna talk about number three?” “When Danny turns 1 and not a day before that,” you mumbled with a yawn. He laughed quietly and wraps his arms around your body, holding you close to him. “Fine.” This time, he yawned. “Y'know, he’ll be in our bed by the time we wake up in the morning, right?” You nodded tiredly. “yup, he’s a snuggler. Just like his daddy.” Sure enough, when the alarm went off (i.e. Danny crying) at a quarter of 7 in the morning, James was happily wedged in between you, his thumb in his mouth and his other hand holding his most prized possession; a blue shark plushie Darry won for him at the carnival. This sight was too cute, almost too cute to disturb, but you had a crying baby to nurse and breakfast to make and Darry had to get dressed for work, eat, and get out the front door without the toddler clinging to his leg begging him to stay home for the day. They were your perfect little family.

Tag Team: @bdffkierenwalker​

#Darry Curtis #Darry Curtis x Reader #Darry Curtis Fic #Darry Curtis fluff #Darrel Curtis #Darrel Curtis x Reader #Darrel Shaynne Curtis Jr #The Outsiders #The Outsiders (1983) #The Outsiders Fic #Domestic!Darry Curtis #Daddy!Darry Curtis

[jalapenobee]

Keith disappears (probably run off but you can go the route of kidnapping). They find Keith with a massive gash and he's delirious from blood loss. Lance is like "You're the worst friend I've ever had." So Keith is like "You're a horrible friend too. You'd make a better boyfriend." Then Keith pretends not to remember once he's fully healed.

Finallyyyyy it’s finished

You’d make a better boyfriend

Also new setup yaayyyyy

Summary above ⬆️

935 words

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Him and James were talking, and James must’ve said something, because Keith slapped him and stormed away. I can’t find him!”

“Alright, get the others and we’ll meet at the castle and make a plan.”

Lance hung up the phone and pushed his way out of the crowded hotel in a panic. This was supposed to be a relaxing, fun vacation with some of the best Garrison pilots, Romelle, Coran, Allura, and everyone else, but nooo, James just had to ruin it. Who invited him, anyway?

Arriving after Allura and Hunk, Lance found Pidge and they had headed towards Coran’s rented beach house, which they called the Castle. They’d already booked a hotel before they knew about it, so they only went there for celebrations or gatherings or to meet for plans. Like this time.

Pidge got to the door first, slamming her body against it as the handle turned, and both her and Lance tripped inside the room. Allura had brought a map, and she and Hunk had it spread across the floor. Coran and Shiro came in, and they had devised a search plan by the time Veronica, Acxa, and Romelle arrived.

Pidge and Hunk would look into security cameras around the city. In secret, of course. Going to jail wasn’t on the agenda. Allura would check the hotel and the surrounding area, and Coran would check the beaches around the island. Shiro and Veronica would head to the west half, while Romelle and Acxa would ask around and skim the east half. Lance tasked himself with Acxa and Romelle’s jobs, just a hell of a lot more thorough on the whole island.

With the nine of them, they were sure to find Keith.

><><><><><

Hoetron, 47 minutes later

pidgeon-of-the-sky: GUYS WE FOUND HIM

pidgeon-of-the-sky: back entrance of that bar we went to yesterday, hurry

pidgeon-of-the-sky: he’s in bad condition

they-call-him-the-tailor: WHAT

pidgeon-of-the-sky: hurry

they-call-him-the-tailor: omw

romellephant: me too

shitogane: calling 911

“Keith, are you okay? Look at me, man.”

Pidge lifted Keith’s chin up with two fingers and wiped a smear of blood away from his forehead with her thumb. “Lance and everyone else is gonna be here soon. Come on.”

“Lance?” Keith’s voice was dazed, like he wasn’t fully there.

“Yeah.”

“I like Lance.”

Pidge nodded and took off her sweater, wrapping it around Keith’s leg to cover the long bloody gash, probably from a knife. She guessed he might’ve gotten into a bar fight after what happened with James.

“I know. Can you stand?”

“Maybe… I don’t know.”

Sighing, Pidge put her arm under Keith’s and stood up, taking the latter with her. He stumbled and leaned against the rough brick wall for support, but he looked to be fine with walking. They made it to the front of the bar before Keith collapsed, covering his forearms in more scrapes from the sidewalk. Lance, along with the others, were now running towards them, Shiro with his phone to his ear, calling 911.

Ducking out from under Keith, Pidge slipped out of the way to let a frantic Lance carry him. She stepped away to join the small crowd of their friends, gathered around Shiro.

“Mm… Lance, is that you?”

“Yeah. You can’t scare me like that, man. You can’t do that to me.”

Keith’s brows furrowed in anger and confusion. “You’re mean. A bad… bad friend.”

“Well, so are you.” Of course Lance didn’t mean it, but it was one of those impulsive, in-the-moment lines. And friends shouldn’t disappear and make the other worry, especially if the one worrying had a tiny non-crush on the other.

“You know what?”

Lance helped him get to the edge of the sidewalk, both hearing the ambulance sirens from the right. Keith was practically leaning on him, weak and delirious from blood loss. “What?”

“You’d make a much better boyfriend than a friend.”

“What?” Lance’s head whipped around to face Keith, who kept his eyes on the ground.

He nodded, anger faded away and replaced with dazed content. “Yeah. You’d be a better boyfriend.”

><><><><><

“Can I have a moment alone with him, guys?”

It was early the next day, and Keith had gotten minor surgery and James had gotten a long talk from everyone else (and a “minor” beating too, but no one needs to know that). Lance was now requesting a few minutes with Keith in private, getting a nod from everyone else. They filed out with quiet chatter following.

Lance now stood at the side of Keith’s hospital bed (I just realized I’ve written Keith in the hospital twice now), staring down at him. Keith didn’t meet his eyes.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

Cue awkward pause.

“So what was that thing you said yesterday? About me making a better boyfriend than a friend?”

Keith’s mind wrapped around that memory. He remembered, of course, but he couldn’t let Lance know that. His mind took that tiny little snippet of time and hid it away from his eyes, so Lance couldn’t look and see. Keith rubbed his forehead and pretended to be oblivious.

“What are you talking about?”

“The thing. That you said. I remember, you said that I would make a much better boyfriend than a friend.”

“I have no idea what you’re saying.”

“Oh, come on!” Lance threw his hands in the air in frustration. “Pidge gave you to me? I said you couldn’t scare me like that? You said I was a bad friend? That I’d make a better boyfriend? Keith. We. Had. A. Bonding. Moment. I… I cradled you in my arms!”

“Nope. Don’t remember. Didn’t happen.”

#before I say anything: #the reason why there haven’t been keep reading links on my writing is #my computer shut down #I have to operate from my iPad #but I’m gonna use my brother’s computer #there’ll be keep reading links soon I promise #this bonding moment thing #I’ve used it twice #I’ve written Keith in the hospital twice #I need to get original content huh? #anyway #voltron #klance #anon asked #viv asked #keith kogane #lance mcclain #vld #my fics #vld fanfic

[akocomyk]

Dating Game

2023’s 8th Most Memorable Moment

When my ex and I broke up, one of my friends urged me to talk and meet new people through Bumble dating. It can be my distraction and coping mechanism from the heavy emotions I was feeling. My goal was to just enjoy the dating experience and not necessarily focus on getting in a relationship—if it does happen, then good, but if not, then that’s also okay.

What’s important is for me to not wallow on the side effects of my grief.

When I set up my profile, I included a video of me doing a cover of Daniel Caesar (and H.E.R.)’s song.

Did it work? It damn well did.

And in turn, it gave me one of the craziest experiences in my life—and there’ll be more about this as we go further up the Top 11 list.

In the first one to two weeks I’d been swiping and talking, at least five people expressed their intentions in going out with me. There was also a period when three people were courting me at the same time. And... Yeah, this wasn’t even the crazy part I mentioned earlier.

There were 14 notable people in this experience, including those I had been in significant talking stages: Steph, Pat, Shan, Gerome, Boom, Rupert, Vry, Adri, Jai, Kenneth, Kim, Keith, James, and John.

Most of these people I talked to or went out with from June to August. One of them was the guy whom I promised to date ‘til the end of 2023. One had halitosis. One hoped he could get a partner before he moved to the US. One I liked but was inconsistent. There’s one guy I really vibed with and we had mutual feelings for each other, but he said he was indecisive and I deserve someone more than him. Then there’s a dentist who hasn’t moved on yet from his past heartbreak—we still talk to this day.

So, unfortunately, none of them ended up being my partner—at least, for now? I mean, we can’t tell what the future has for us. However, I’m still thankful that these people have been a part of my 2023. No matter how small that part may be, I’d still have them etched in my memory.

I’m no longer as active in Bumble as I was before. Because... reasons. And one of those reasons is… dating can be quite exhaustive. You talk to people, you let them in to your life, you meet them, etc., and even after doing all this, nothing happens still. You’re just left emotionally, physically, and financially drained. And it’s not easy to take in the fact that you hurt people when you’re incapable of loving them back, even when they’ve done nothing wrong and only mean to make you happy.

Kaya nga may nagsabi sa’kin ng, “Loving you is not for the faint of heart.”

If there’s any good takeaway from this memory, it’s how I regained my confidence in conversing with other people. And more importantly, I was able to realize my worth as a person. In a sense, no longer will I accept the bare minimum if someone desires to jump on a commitment with me. I have witnessed what people are willing to do to win my heart, and it showed me the difference between the things that I deserve and don’t deserve.

#Top10Memories #11Heartsof2023 #Spotify

[goldilocks-pony]

Tough Guy Chapter Two

Yes, I haven't forgot about this fic.

Warnings: Intrusive thoughts, thoughts of manipulation, detention center

Tagging: @theoutsidersisruiningmylife, @sarcasticpenguini, @cha0s-incarnated, @sophie-i-guess13, @mx-misty-eyed, @serpentski, @thefingerinthemiddle, @pasta-and-isopods, @james-fucking-hates-dallas, @papa-no-cheese

---

Waking up to a stranger in the bed across from you isn't what you expect on an average morning, but being here was hardly average. He couldn't even say it was the first time something like this had happened. Then again, he had spent a lot of time here.He had woken up before the sun had even fully rised, as per usual. He grabbed the deck of cards that lay near the head of his bed and started shuffling. He wasn't great at card games and usually only played to show off his shuffling skill. He'd deal for all the local poker games that went on in bars. Not the classiest job, even for a juvinile delinquent but it paid, and lord knows if he kept getting locked up Buck might just start making him pay rent. It's not like that dead beat had trouble making due, not as much as most the greasers, but he was tired of Dallas going in and out of every center in the state. Regardless, Dallas kept shuffling despite it not taking up enough space in his mind to keep him entertained. Hopefully soon someone would check on him and let him have a book. He usually wouldn't even give a second glance towards books but it's about the only way to keep from insanity here. He glanced at the kid who laid across from him. He was a bit stocky but well built, and had long redish brown hair. A bruise had stained his left cheek bone, kid must've gotten into some fight to get sent here. Either way, he couldn't judge him just yet, when he wasn't even concious. Curiosity nearly got the best of him as he took a breath to clear his troat and wake him up, but then he realized that he wasn't there when he went to sleep. Who knows what time he got to sleep last night, you never have a restful first night sleep here anyway. Waiting for something, anything, was not Dallas' favourite task. In fact, it had to be one of his least favourite things to do, but it wasn't something he could avoid in here. He dealt out the cards to play solitare, the only game he knew that you could play with only one's self. As he sat down the last of the deck the boy across from him tossed in his cot and then sat up, his legs swinging from the bed and hit the concrete floor with a clunk. His hand reached up to rub his eyes, clearly he hadn't had enough sleep. His voice also indicated he was in need of a good drink of water as well when he blurted, "Good morning, I know it's probably not typical to wake up to a stranger in your room." He chuckled after that, Dallas couldn't see how waking up with a stranger could be anything but eerie unless you were drunk the night before. Regardless of the other boy's obvious attempt at being friendly, Dallas met him with a cold and sharp tone, "What's your name?" The other boy had a slight hesitation, as if he wasn't expecting such a harsh tone, when he finally replied, "Keith, but everybody calls me Two Bit." Dallas pondered such a nickname, he looked down at the floor until he finally spoke up, "Well, 'Two Bit', my name's Dallas. I'm not here to be your friend but if you have any questions I can show you the ropes of this place." Last time Dallas got a roommate he got on bad terms very quickly which made it unbearable to stay with him, the only reason he never punched him was because he didn't want an extended sentence. Besides, maybe the staff would notice him helping this 'Two Bit' and would write him a good word. Two Bit inturrupted his thoughts, "You gonna play cards alone? I know a few games." Dallas sighed, "Yeah sure, you know how to play black jack?"

#darry #the outsiders #dallas winston #dally winston #ponyboy curtis #two bit mathews #johnny cade #s.e. hinton #darry curtis #outsiders #sodapop curtis #twobit mathews #dalbit #the outsiders fanfiction #the outsiders fanfic #fanfic #fanfiction #mintt writes

[piratewithvigor]

Journey Out Of Darkness: The History Of Kane

Chapter 3: Paul And James And Thomas

Sometimes, young boys just die...

Last Chapter AO3

Taglist: @the--blackdahlia @coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe @wendigoruble

Ma was talking.

Abel could hear her voice, clear as a bell, coming through the door to the funeral parlor office, which he was standing right in front of. He pressed his ear to the door, focusing hard. He could hear her voice, but not what she was saying. The question was if she was with a client. If she was, he was under strict instructions not to disturb her. Ma and Dad had been drilling him on those instructions since he first learned how to open a door. Clients were very sad people going through a very hard time in their life and Abel didn’t need to make it harder by bothering them. He didn’t want to bother them, though. He wanted to tell Ma what had happened today at school, his first day of second grade; he had made a friend, a boy named Brian Erben, who lived a quick bike ride down the road and was over the moon to hear that Abel would also like to play with his racing set. He’d been looking for someone to race since he first got it. If Ma wasn’t with a client, she could call Brian’s folks and set everything up. He could be racing those cars in ten minutes flat.

Whoever was in there with Ma must have said something funny, because she laughed. She never laughed if she was in with a client, because clients were never in a laughing mood. Maybe one of her friends had come over for tea and a chat and lost track of the time. Maybe Mrs. Keith or Mrs. Larrabee or…

No. As Abel listened closer, he could hear a man’s voice. Dad. It had to be Dad. That was good, Dad would be happy to hear about Brian too. He always worried about Abel finding friends without being involved in sports, or roughhousing on the playground, but on his very first day of school, he’d made a friend who also wanted to do something that wasn’t rough or dangerous at all. Heck, Dad would probably even offer to drive him over.

Ma laughed again. She was almost giggling. 

Boy, everyone was in a good mood today.

Abel turned the knob and pushed the door open without even bothering to knock. 

The giggling stopped.

Ma was sitting on the couch on the far side of the office. There was a man sitting next to her with a hand on her knee.

The man was not Dad.

The man was Paul Bearer.

Bearer was a stocky little man with black hair and a mustache who worked in the funeral parlor with Abel’s parents. He was an apprentice now, learning how to be an embalmer from Dad. Or maybe was one and just worked with him. For some reason, he liked playing around with the dead bodies and chemicals in the basement. He seemed nice enough, or it felt like he was trying to be. For some reason, Abel trusted him about as far as he could throw him. He even offered to let Abel stay up late when he babysat on occasion, but Abel always preferred going to sleep early instead of spending time with the man.

Ma stood up quickly, her face a little red.

“Abel Percy Carrion. When a door is closed, what do we do?”

“Sorry.”

“What do we do?”

“Knock.”

“That’s right, we knock.” Ma ran her hands over the front of her dress, smoothing out where Bearer had been flattening the fabric. “What if I’d been in here with a client? What if-”

“I said I was sorry.” He didn’t mention he knew it hadn’t been true, that he’d been eavesdropping. That was a whole other mess he didn’t feel like getting into.

“That’s alright. No harm done.” Bearer stood up himself. He wasn’t that much taller than Ma. Heck, he wasn’t that much taller than Thomas. “How are you, Abel? Good to see you again. You remember me, right?”

“Yeah. I remember you.” Abel tried his hardest to not sound as disdainful as he felt. Whatever the case, Bearer didn’t seem to notice.

“Good, I’m glad. So how was school today? Big day, right? First day of what, first grade?”

“Second.”

“Second. My, my. You’re growing up so fast. Seems like just yesterday, you were running around underfoot, still trying to get into the basement.”

Abel rolled his eyes; he hated when grown-ups talked to him like that, like that just because he didn’t see someone every day, he was always frozen in time as a baby. What was he supposed to do, apologize?

Well, maybe for the eye-rolling, given how Ma shook her head and crouched down in front of him, like she always did when she wanted to scold him, but didn’t want to make a scene in front of a guest.

“Now, Abel. You be nice to Mr. Bearer, please.”

“Paul. I want the boy to call me Paul, Susanna,” Bearer said, sounding far more serious all of a sudden. “You remember– like we talked about?”

“That’s right, I’m sorry. Call him Paul.” She put her hands on Abel’s shoulders to make sure he was paying attention. “You think you can do that?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He looked up at Bearer again. “Paul.”

“That’s right, that’s good.” Bearer was smiling now. Like being called the wrong thing was what was changing his mood so wildly. “You and I should be on a first-name basis, Abel. Given how long I’ve been working here, and all. We’re kind of like family, don’t you think?”

Before Abel could get mouthy, Ma’s hands tightened on his shoulders. A warning. He was about to ask her to ease up when he noticed what they’d been working on before he came in. Paper spread all over the coffee table in front of the couch. Old-looking papers. The edge of a book peeked out underneath them. A big, brown oversized book.

The Kane family scrapbook.

Bearer’s eyes followed to where Abel’s had landed. He bent down and picked up a handful of the papers.

“Speaking of family…”

He tapped the papers on the edge of the table, straightening them into a fairly hefty stack. A thicker stack than any book Abel had read before.

“...you might be interested in these, son.”

“What are they?” He didn’t want to mention that he asked because the longest and most difficult book he’d read so far was Fantastic Mr. Fox. 

“Copies of some things I found the other day at the university. Some information about your family, Abel. The Kanes.”

“My name is Carrion.” Besides Dad calling Ma Susanna Kane when he was frustrated with her, he had no connection to the name or to the family. He’d met none of the relatives, and as far as he knew, he and Thomas were the final descendants. 

“It is, isn’t it?” Bearer didn’t seem at all upset to be corrected. “The name doesn’t really matter, does it, Abel? Blood is what’s important. Believe me, considering my line of work, I ought to know.”

“Oh, yes,” Ma said from behind him. “Blood’s what matters. Names can be changed, blood can’t.”

“The blood running through your veins, Abel. Your family’s blood. That’s what these papers are all about; family. Take a look.”

He thrust the stack into Abel’s face. Against his better instincts, Abel took a chance at glancing at the top page. Surprisingly, there were only two words on it.

You’re dreaming.

A chill ran down his spine.

“Oh, no…”

“Oh, yes,” Bearer smiled. 

Abel spun around when he noticed he couldn’t feel Ma’s hands anymore.

Ma was gone.

Abel turned around again.

The writing on the paper had changed,

She’s dead.

Bearer was laughing. Abel stumbled backwards, away from him and the papers, back into the office door behind him. It was hot, too hot. He smelled smoke.

He remembered everything.

“Ma…” he whispered. “Dad… Thomas…”

Bearer held up the top paper with one hand and pointed to it with the other.

Dead Dead Dead All Dead

Bearer was staring Abel down, like he was looking into his soul.

“Didn’t I tell you, Abel? Didn’t I tell you the papers were all about your family? Now you know everything you need to.”

“No…”

“Yes. They’re dead, Abel. Dead and gone. It’s just you and me now, son. I’m the closest thing to family you got left.”

Bearer grabbed his arm in a grip far stronger than Abel expected. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t break free

–

The night after the fifth and final operation was one of the least productive during his entire stay thus far. He’d thrashed around so violently in his sleep that he’d ripped away half the evening’s work, a sheet of skin about the size of a shirt pocket from his right arm, making a sixth operation necessary. The nurses were given a new, far more powerful sedative and two new instructions: the sedative they had was enough to kill someone with only a miniscule overdose and to get as close to that line as possible so the boy would get nowhere near consciousness.

He didn’t.

–

That sleep was one of the longest Abel had had.

When he opened his eyes, he was lying on the floor of the house. Right in front of the stairs, hardly ten feet away from the front door. The fire was out.

The door was still open.

There were voices outside. Strangers, a lot of them. His vision was a little fuzzy, but he could easily recognize the firefighter coats milling around. Footsteps sounded on the second floor above him, came running down the stairs. Thomas. Alive, unharmed, unburnt.

His brother ran right past him, and out through the front door.

“Thomas!” Abel called, struggling slowly to his feet. “Thomas, wait for me!”

He made it just outside the door before a young man in an EMT uniform grabbed his arm. “Hey, buddy, where you think you’re going?”

“My brother…” Abel looked around the grounds, trying to find Thomas to point him out. He had to be with him. Thomas would keep him safe. 

“No, no. Come on over here and lie down on this gurney. You’re dead.”

“I’m not!” Abel pulled away from the man and began running through the crowd of people, following the glimpses of long red hair that kept weaving through. Thomas was running too. And he was faster. He’d always been faster. Bigger, stronger. Better. Thomas was getting away from him, leaving him behind. He’d never do that, but he was.

No, Abel thought. He can’t; he’s all I have left.

Tumbleweeds blew across the road, stopping him in his tracks and obscuring his vision with the dust. Or was it smoke?

“Thomas! Come back!”

Paul Bearer stepped out into the road, in front of him. Where had he come from?

“Hey, Abel. Long time, no see.”

“Get the hell out of my way.” Ma wasn’t around to scold him for language. He needed this man to know he was in no mood.

“Now hold on a minute, son.” Bearer shook his head and turned, raising a hand to his brow to shield his eyes from the morning sun. “Where you going?”

“My brother.” He pointed down the road. “Thomas. He went that way.”

Bearer shook his head and held up a piece of paper. “Don’t think that’s possible, Abel. Don’t you remember?”

The words on it…

Dead Dead Dead All Dead

“It is possible! It is! I saw him!” He tried to shove past Bearer, but his arm was gripped tight.

“Alright, alright, simmer down. I got my car over there– we’ll go look for him, me and you. How’s that sound?”

Bearer was smiling. Abel hated when he smiled.

“Doesn’t sound good.” He pushed Bearer away. The man’s laughter followed him as he ran, heading down 17 again, running right along the faded yellow line, scanning the horizon for any sign of his brother. All that the view offered were half-dead shrubs, the occasional mesquite tree and a row of purple mountains in the far-off distance. Even with the wide-open plains, there was no sign of Thomas. Not even a trail through the growth beside the road. The only thing that broke up the natural horizon was a signpost a few hundred yards ahead of him. He walked up to it, and around it, read the words in big black letters on the front.

Welcome to MARFA, TEXAS

Then in smaller letters underneath:

Home of the World-Famous Marfa Lights

Giant filmed here, 1955

Giant. That had been part of the Kane family curse too. Abel recognized the name. It was the page with the most pictures, so he’d looked at it often whenever Thomas pulled him into the book. They’d included an article about the making of the movie, then some handwritten notes about his grandpa, Robert Kane, who Abel had never met. The film company was going to be in town for a long time and they needed someone who knew it well and was able to help with locations and the hospitality businesses in town. Robert Kane was just the man. He’d gotten to be friends with the stars of that movie, one star in particular, who had hundreds of articles written about him, who’d died young in a terrible car accident right after he made the film…

Abel remembered the first time he’d seen those articles now, that day when he’d found Ma and Paul Bearer in the office. Paul Bearer had found those articles up at Sul Ross, the university he’d attended while he was an apprentice and still took a few night courses now and then. He’d been researching the curse for her, but that wasn’t important now. What was important was finding his brother.

“Thomas, where are you?!” He yelled, his voice cracking from the tears that were about to overflow. 

He turned and yelled again into the field that bordered the road. No one answered him in that direction either. The only thing he could hear was a car driving out of Marfa. A bright red one being driven by a young man whose face looked awfully familiar. He smiled and gave Abel a thumbs-up and yelled…

“What curse?”

Just as he passed the ‘Welcome to Marfa’ sign, the car seemed to hit something that Abel couldn’t see, flipping over and exploding into flames.

Abel tried to avoid the flames, but they started chasing him, chasing him back down the road towards Paul Bearer, who was waiting for him with open arms and smiling, and so Abel turned and let the fire catch him.

He didn’t feel a thing.

He just watched the fire as it consumed every inch of his body. It was everywhere he looked, on his arms, his legs, climbing up his stomach, burning him, burning his clothes, orange and red fire, yellow and gold fire, fire so bright its image was seared into his brain.

The image stayed with him until darkness took its place and swallowed him whole.

–

The sixth operation was a success. The boy hadn’t moved an inch, but it was still two more weeks before the grafts were healed enough to move him. They didn’t need to rush this time, so they sent him in an ambulance to Big Bend in Alpine. A slow moving ambulance driven by an EMT with explicit instructions to keep it below 50, even on the highway.

“So you don’t tear the skin and we have to operate all over again,” one of the doctors explained. The driver had nodded, but the near-crawling pace on the highway stifled him enough to want to push it up to 70, a speed he maintained without a second thought until he entered Marfa. The sign reminded him that Giant had been filmed there, which reminded him of James Dean, which reminded him to ease off the gas.

Made him think of something else too, something a friend of his, a nurse down in Marfa, had told him about Dean’s death. That it had happened because the actor had been friends with one of the locals, some family his friend had heard was cursed or something. Some sort of nonsense like that.

#technically this was supposed to be the second half of chapter 2 #but I might divvy up all the chapters cause 4000 words feels like a lot #ah well #y'all will read the whole thing eventually anyway #WWE #WWF #Undertaker #Kane #UT #Writing #Fanfic #Journey Out Of Darkness

[dreamwritesimagines]

Burn The Witch 2 - First Impressions [Bucky Barnes x Reader]

A.N: Thank you so much for your wonderful support and feedback to the first chapter my loves ! ❤ Here’s chapter 2, I hope you like it as well and please let me know what you think! ❤ Thank you! ❤❤❤

Word Count: 2500

Warnings: Mentions of blood, sex, violence, death, manipulation, language.

Summary: First impressions can be wrong.

Chapter 1 

Being a spy for years had taught you to be able to tell whether a mission would be dangerous or not before they even sent you there.

For example, the mission they had put you on three years ago where you had to poison the target in a very crowded ballroom while pretending to be an artifacts expert was a dangerous one.

Or five years ago when you had quite literally brought a dagger into a gun fight in a storage unit, that was also quite dangerous.

But something told you that going after Bucky Barnes would be the most dangerous mission you’d ever had so far, and you weren’t even going to be engaged in a fight.

Instead you were expected to make him fall in love with you, which-

To be honest, engaging in a fight would’ve been much easier.

“This is unacceptable.” Your best friend paced in the empty conference room while you nibbled on the chocolate, keeping your eyes on your phone. “You should’ve said no.”

“I can’t say no, it’s a mission.”

“No, it’s my father treating you like a—like a—“ she threw her hands up, “Honey trap!”

You shrugged your shoulders, scrolling down on the screen but then looked up when she snapped her fingers in front of your eyes.

“Y/N!”

“Chloe if I nail this mission, I’ll get the position I want. I could be a handler next year, do you know how big that is?”

“You need to stop pretending like you’re fine with this.”

“You’re sending me the files tonight right?” you asked, ignoring her huff of impatience and she sat down, crossing her arms.

“Yes,” she said, “Everything there is to know about Bucky Barnes is in there, lots of things you could use. I gathered it myself. His past, his interests back then, what he has been doing since he got here, his favorite porn, his favorite musicians—“

“I’m sorry, what was that last one?”

“His favorite musicians?” she played dumb, grinning and you shifted your weight.

“You wouldn’t do that background check on me, would you?”

Her grin widened as she wiggled her brows, “Just so you know, you’re such a cliché.”

“Jesus Christ.” You slipped a little in your seat, your cheeks burning, “I hate you so much.”

“No you don’t,” she sang and you tried to focus on the screen, but the door to the conference room opened, gathering your attention. Your jaw dropped as soon as you saw the figure stepping inside and you jumped on your feet as Chloe gasped.

“Keith?”

Keith was the third member of your small friend group. He was a field agent just like you were, and for years you, Chloe and Keith had always had each other’s backs, in or outside of missions.

Back at the academy you were inseparable and it had been months since you had last seen him.

“Figured I’d find you two here,” he said, “I just followed the scent of despair.”

“I thought you were still in Prague!” You rushed to hug him and he ruffled your hair before you batted his hand away.

“I was but I got called in at 5 in the morning. General’s orders.”

“It was about time my father did something right.” Chloe came to kiss his cheek, making him grin, “Gosh, it’s so good to have you back!”

“Good to be back, gorgeous,” he lifted her up in a hug before setting her down as she squealed, “I missed you.”

Your jaw dropped when you saw the file in his hand, “Hold on. Is that what I think it is?”

“It could be,” he told you, “That is, if you’ll have me in your mission.”

“The best news I got since I landed.” You pumped your fist in the air “Yes! Yes I do want you in the mission!”

“So then,” he said as he sat beside you and put his feet up on the table while you leaned back, “Is what I heard true?”

“Yes and you need to tell her she’s being ridiculous,” Chloe motioned at you and Keith pursed his lips.

“I just thought we put this whole honey trap thing behind us back in 1950s.”

“Exactly!”

“Guys come on, if Accords pass—screw that, even if they don’t pass, think about how we can use Barnes.”

Keith clicked his tongue, tilting his head.

“Will we use him more than we’re using you right now?” he asked and you rolled your eyes, grabbing the file in his hand.

“Your alias is Whistler this time?”

“Yep,” he nodded, “General says yours is Shrike?”

“Mm hm.”

“Considering what this Barnes mission entails, I’m surprised he didn’t call you Swallow.”

You kicked at his boot and he let out a laugh, holding his hands up.

“What? That was the terminology back in the day for agents seducing people for the mission, wasn’t it? Raven for guys, swallow for girls.”

“Hilarious,” you deadpanned and Chloe sat on the table, still pouting.

“You’re both fine with this then?”

“Chloe, the guy was around in World War 2,” you said patiently, “If I don’t want to sleep with him, I’ll just tell him I’m waiting for marriage, it’s probably not a foreign concept for him, old times and all. Happy?”

She arched a brow, “If you say so,” she said, “But you know there are examples of undercover agents falling for their targets, right? Especially in situations like these.”

Keith chuckled, “Yeah, that’d make a great story for your grandchildren.”

“Except that I wouldn’t get to have those grandchildren because I’d be killed.”

“Don’t say that!”

“Just let me know beforehand if the Winter Soldier decides to make an honest woman out of you,” Keith said and you stuck your tongue out at him.

“Look at you, making jokes.”

“I’m a funny guy, thank you very much,” he said, “So what are we doing tonight?”

“Killing some Hydra scum,” you said, “There’s this gallery opening, apparently evil guys love art nowadays. Who knew?”

“You need a spotter?”

“Sure thing.”

“After you guys are done killing that target, can we hang out?” Chloe asked, “We need to catch up.”

“Only if I get to pick the movie,” Keith made a face, “I don’t trust your taste after the last time.”

“10 Things I Hate About You is a classic!”

“Do you want to hear the one thing I hate about you, Chloe? Spoiler, it’s your taste in movies.”

“Play nice, kids,” you said, skimming the lines on the screen and Chloe huffed.

“Fine. And after that, we can work on the seduction mission.”

“You’re in on that as well?” Keith asked and Chloe nodded.

“Duh.”

“Look at us, Charlie’s Angels is back.” Keith said, “Wait, does that mean General is Charlie?”

You supressed a laugh and shook your head fondly, looking at Keith.

“I missed you, asshole.”

“Missed you too, trouble.”

                                                       ***

Working for the division you did had its advantages, and it never stopped to surprise you how you could always get the newest gadgets before going on missions. Chloe had installed certain features into your “sniper costume” as she put it, and one of them was a ring that would call the nearby agents of your team to your location, and the other one was a ski mask that was both bulletproof and could change your voice.

“Batman does it, why not you?” she had said before making you try it.

“Shrike, ma’am?” Keith’s voice echoed in your ear and you adjusted your earpiece before checking the harness around your waist, just in case you needed to jump off the building. Your team was already in position if you were in any way compromised, and you started setting your sniper rifle.

“Since when do you call me ma’am?” you asked Keith and he chuckled.

“Since they put you in charge of a team.”

“Don’t listen to him, guys,” you said to the rest of the team and took a look at the city lights, taking a deep breath.

Rooftops were always peaceful, even when you were holding a sniper rifle.

“ETA of the target?”

“Two minutes.” Keith said and you pressed your lips together, pointing the rifle at the entrance of the gallery, looking through the scope.

“So I think I found a movie for tonight,” Keith said as you shook your head slightly, trying to focus.

“Later.”

“James Bond?” he asked, “We can take a shot every time the movie gets something wrong about being a spy. We’ll probably be hammered by the end of the night.”

“One minute, Shrike.” One of the agents said and you exhaled through your mouth, your finger on the trigger.

“No seriously, don’t you guys like James Bond? I think it’s because of that movie I chose this line of work, but—“ Keith was cut off when you pulled the earpiece out of your ear to have a moment of silence so that you could concentrate when the target arrived, but as soon as you grabbed the rifle again, you heard the familiar sound of someone racking the slide of a gun, followed by a calm voice.

“Easy there,” he said, “Put the rifle down.”

You cursed at yourself in your head, then withdrew your hands from the rifle. Your earpiece was off, meaning that no one in your team could hear you, and you checked whether you could grab the gun from him, but he wasn’t standing close enough.

Professional.

You held up your hands, then slowly turned to see who was threatening you before your heart dropped to your stomach.

Damn it.

This was definitely not the way you were supposed to meet Bucky Barnes.

Thankfully you were wearing a ski mask, so your identity wouldn’t be compromised and the next time you met him, you could pretend.

And he would be none the wiser.

You pressed on the ring Chloe had given you to alert the others, keeping your eyes on the barrel of the gun.

“I thought I saw a glimpse of a scope.”

“Congratulations,” you deadpanned, trying to stall so that your team could get there, “You want a watch as a prize? A refrigerator?”

He looked almost surprised at your snarky comment and you shrugged your shoulders.

“Listen, it’s my target. So if you want to kill him, too bad. I was here first, early bird and all that, shoo.”

Even you could see his confusion that lasted for a second and a small smile pulled at your lips.

“Ah. You don’t know who my target is.”

“I know I’m not going to let you kill someone in a pretty crowded gallery.”

“Even if it’s some Hydra scum?” you asked and he pulled back.

“What?”

You stole a look at the entrance of the gallery over your shoulder as the limo pulled over.

“Mm hm. You really shouldn’t be stopping me Barnes. We got this, you can go and play the superhero with Wilson.”

“You know who I am.”

“Everyone knows who you are,” you stated, making him pause for a moment.

“I didn’t catch your name.”

You tut tutted, “Don’t be greedy.”

“Well, how do I know you’re not lying about your target if you can’t even give me your name?”

“Why would I lie about my target?”

“So that I would let you shoot him.”

“Aw, you’re cute,” you taunted him, tilting your head, “But I don’t recall asking for your permission.”

He stared at you for a couple of seconds.

“Who are you?” he asked and you grinned as you heard the footsteps coming closer.

“Until next time, soldier.” You said as the team burst through the door, guns blazing. He turned around to point his gun at the agents, immediately taking cover as you picked up the rifle again.

It was time to get back to work.

You looked through the scope, found the target and pulled the trigger, blood splattering over the walls and chaos erupted over the street instantly, people screaming and running everywhere. You looked over your shoulder to see your team managing to keep Barnes busy with the constant gunshots, then you checked the harness around your waist again and jumped over the roof to land on top of the car waiting for you in the street. The rope went up to the roof as you unbuckled it and got into the car, pulling the ski mask off your face.

“You weren’t compromised, right?” Keith asked and you shook your head.

“I’m not an amateur,” you said as he stepped on the gas, the car breezing through the road. 

“You don’t look so happy,” Keith said after taking a look at you and you pursed your lips together, deep in thought.

“He didn’t take me hostage.”

“Hm?”

“When the team burst through the door and I turned around to kill the target. He’s a super soldier, he could’ve grabbed me, use me as a leverage to get out of there. That’s what I’d do but he didn’t attack me or the team, he took cover.”

“So?”

“Keith, it’s the fucking Winter Soldier we’re talking about. He can kill a team of agents in seconds, but I bet he just got out of there. Without hurting anyone.”

“Maybe he’s just a good person.” Keith chuckled and you slipped a little in the seat, biting at your fingernails.

“I guess.”

“Would it be so bad?”

“It would make no difference,” you muttered, keeping your eyes on the city lights, “Good person or not, he’s my mission.”

“Clearly, but aren’t you going to feel just a little guilty if he ends up being a good guy?”

You scoffed a laugh and turned to him.

“I’m no use to anyone if I develop a guilty conscience,” you stated, “Much less to myself. You know that.”

A silence fell upon the car before he heaved a sigh.

“Listen, Chloe has a point as always,” he said, “These kind of missions are hard, okay? The longer you’re playing your part, the easier it will be to believe it. Feelings get involved, there are bunch of agents who ended up hesitating when it was time to bring their target in, so if you—“

“I won’t hesitate.”

“Y/N.”

“I won’t hesitate,” you repeated, “I swear. The minute this mission is over, I’ll bring him in. Orders are orders.”

Keith let out a whistle, “If you say so.”

You bit inside your cheek and leaned your head on the window, fixing your gaze outside.

“Considering the lack of alternatives,” you rasped out, “Yeah. Yeah I do say so.”  

Chapter 3 

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #the winter soldier #the falcon and the winter soldier #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes imagines #bucky barnes x you

[erithel]

This is just an annoyed observation but it's kind of irritating that the show and, then subsequently, the fans lets Keith get away a lot w of messed up and hurtful actions and words that they condemn the other characters for. Allura and Lance are treated as racist and an aggressive bully for minor scenes that they developed past. But when Keith does something bad -physical altercations, name calling, endangering his team mates, compromising his friends' efforts with the coalition

Anonymous also adds:

-it gets brushed away by the show and fans as the other side deserving it and keith is the one wronged. Two examples- fandom and the show condemns james griffin and lance for comments made about Keith's family, but is quiet when Keith makes inflammatory remarks about Allura and Pidge's late/missing family. And when Keith chose to do a Blade mission instead of leading his team, and the team almost died, fans were more, confusingly, upset that Keith was sad that the team was mad at him and the show's narrative encouraged the line of thinking that the team were the assholes. There's other examples of this double standard but it's very annoying how keith's expressed flaws and more negative characteristics are rewarded or handwaved by the show and fandom and yet slammed if another character does it. I love him and I love his complexity but the golden child "poor doe eye keith gets picked on" thing that is so popular and rewarded by the show and fans does his character no favors.

The short explanation that sums up your observation here is that they treated Keith as if he was the main character, but they did it improperly. By that I mean, it was as if they decided halfway through that Keith was supposed to be the main character – but something like that needs to be decided up front, and for a show like this, the only way it truly works is that if it's an ensemble cast situation.

And, okay, I've been wracking my brain, but when was Lance ever called racist or a bully? What bad comments did Lance make about Keith's family?? I'm not saying this in the sense of Lance can do no wrong, I genuinely can't remember examples of this happening in the show. And, I'm sorry, but James should be condemned for his comment about Keith's parents. "Oh yeah? Is that what mommy and daddy told you before they –" Before they…abandoned you? Died? Whatever he was about to say it had everything to do with making fun of Keith for being an orphan, and that's just not okay.

On the flip side, I am assuming you are talking about Keith's comments during the episode when they were lost in space. I understand and see the double standard you are talking about here, and that's all I am going to say about that because I've brushed on that particular episode before, and the explanation that I've given myself for his behavior feels logical, and circumstantially different.

Now…I want you to read back that last sentence.

Because here's where we get to the source of the problem.

I try to keep these hot takes as fair as possible for all characters. I really enjoy being able to actually put thought into this stuff and find reasonable explanations for how the show portrayed them, and their actions.

But that's the problem: That's the show's job.

Since we were provided only surface level explanations for so many aspects of the show; because we were shown things happening, and we were just expected to accept them at face value – it's so easy for people to misinterpret character's intentions and the things they say.

This is why it's so important to show characters actually going through development. It's so important to show how they feel, and have them actually have conversations with each other.

Of course to a certain extent, fans will always interpret character's actions and behavior to fit their own narrative, but with VLD we were given so little to work with, it was basically a blank slate for fans to fill in however they chose. And that's how there can be so much discourse over character flaws and strengths – because the fans had to fill in their own explanations and backstories.

This brings it all back to what I've said before: It's so important to have a plan from the get-go.

If they had planned for Keith to be the main character, and had written him as the main character from the start, this wouldn't be an issue in the first place. But since they did not, it absolutely can come off as special treatment, or a double standard, like you said.

And that's just shitty all around.

#asks #erithel's hot takes #vld #keith kogane #series critique

[klanced]

Rolo, giving an update over video-comms: ... And that’s the lay of the land, in this sector at least. Nothing else to report.

Keith: Thanks for the update, Rolo. Take care.

Rolo: Over and out.

[His transmission ends. Keith turns to realize everyone is staring at him.]

Keith: ... What?

Lance: Dude. “Take care”?

Keith: What??

Hunk, vaguely hurt: You’ve never told me to take care.

Pidge: Yeah. Usually you’re all like, “Good luck. Don’t die.” And then you just hang up, ‘cause you have no manners at all.

Keith: I do not sound like that. Also, what’s the difference? Isn’t that the exact same thing?

Allura: It really isn’t.

Shiro: I’m pretty sure I saw heart eyes.

Keith: Shiro.

Pidge: Oh. My gosh. You have a crush on Rolo!

Keith: Ahwufawuh- WHAT. No! No way! First of all, he’s way too old for me-

Lance: Oh my God, you’ve actually thought about this.

Keith: NO. SHUT UP? I just think he’s cool, that’s all.

Hunk, gleefully: You totally have a crush on him. Or like, a crush on the idea of him. How long has this been going on? Since the moon?? That’s adorable.

Coran: Now that I think about it, the two of you were awfully chatty together... You were hovering over his shoulder quite a bit!

Keith: I was just keeping an eye on him! 

Lance: I’m sure you had your eyes on something-

Keith, louder: -Since, as you all know, he and Nyma ended up stealing the Blue Lion!

Allura: But you didn’t know that at the time, correct? Keith, you truly are adorable. You can do better though. 

Pidge: Yeah. Like, Rolo’s nice enough and all, but sometimes you’re better off crushing on the potential, not the actual person.

Keith: You’re fourteen. Why do you sound like someone’s soul grandma?

Pidge: I will have you know that I have liked a lot of straight girls, thank you very much!

Shiro: Honestly, I’m just glad this isn’t another James Griffin incident.

Keith, who told Shiro that in strict confidence when he was 15: SHIRO.

Hunk, with all the glee and dismay that comes from realizing your friend has garbage taste in men: Oh, my GOD.

Lance: Keith. I am begging you. Begging you. Look me in the eyes and tell me the truth: Did you actually have a crush on James Griffin?

Keith: ..............

Hunk: Keith...

Pidge, cackling: James Griffin? JAMES GRIFFIN?! Are you good? Are you well? What is wrong with you.

Lance: I cannot believe you liked James Griffin. What, was Bieber Fever not enough for you?

Keith: Can we PLEASE stop saying his full name. Look, I was fifteen. I only knew, like, ten guys; I was making the best of a bad situation.

Pidge: In what farking universe is James Griffin the best?!

Allura: Who is ‘James Griffin’?

Lance, gleefully: Only the sexiest bachelor at the Galaxy Garrison!

Shiro: Imagine Lotor, if he went through an industrial grade fan.

Allura: ... Ah.

Pidge: Okay, but seriously: why James Griffin? I always got the vibe he was homophobic?

Lance: I’m pretty sure you have to know gay people exist to be homophobic.

#this is an anti james griffin blog thank you. #shitpost #voltron #keith #rolo #pidge #hunk #lance #allura #coran #shiro #shiro is like hey. wanna hear about keith's scene phase? #pidge: keith. being gay is a choice and you're losing. #o also this is an excerpt from #v:lr

[greenflamedwriter]

Edens Garden

So as a kid I found some images on google and used them for anime slideshows [that was a thing on old school youtube] So I found some images and came to the conclusion of a story. It was called Messiah a BL game, so past twelve year old me looked at it and thought.

There's a seme vampire in love with a uke femine boy and a bratty switch who also has a crush on the uke [Yaoi was super popular back then don't judge me] Both the uke/seme had sex and the brat didn't like it. But I always shipped the THREE of them and thought majoirty of it was consensual. That the Uke was picked on and abandoned and was [/suicidal] and had to choose with which person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Wholesome and consensual :D

As an adult I recently was looking into the Messiah story because of yeah I loved that as a kid and couldn't get my hands on any english translations at the time- I wonder if any png are still floating around-

...

0.0 It is messed up like Evangelion messed up- I can't believe I shipped it, the story I thought it was- was better in my head while I hate what it originally was. Ignorance is bliss.

SO. I decided to write a poly ship of Shklance with Messiah [oh what I THOUGHT it was about] and write Keith and Shiro being soulmate vampires and Lance being the third wheel before becoming a solid third.

So Here's the beggining from Keiths POV tell me what you think.

CHapter One: The Beggining.

Keith Kogane knew he was different from the others, day one. His dad was always patient with him, that patience frustrated Keith, and other situations whenever people would talk down to him. Why was it that no one could understand what he meant?

He would say something and find people giving him funny looks, only for someone to repeat what he spoke but just phrased it differently. And they would act like they were doing him a favour.

It irritated him to no end. He decided to never speak and when he did he would find himself in the middle of fights.

One particular fight was against James Griffin and his lackeys, Keith only told him how it was, he didn’t like James and that was it. But apparently you can’t tell a kid you don’t like them you have to lie then hate them behind their back.

Which was just…stupid.

In the confusion Keith realised during the fight most of his opponents disappeared, he barely had a chance to see a kid help him until he punched him by accident.

“Owch- Ah dude I was helping you!” He proved it when James appeared in his blindside, taking advantage of the disruption but the kid pushed him back.

James and the others ran off while the kid was crying about his nose.

“Oh my god is it broken? Please tell me- is it bad?” He babbled and Keith could only think this kid was so strange. 

“Shut up, let me take a look-” The kid paused, holding still, tears pricking his eyes “It’s fine- just clipped it.” The boy relaxed “oh thank god- hey where are you going?”

“Home?”

“Oh cool, mind if I walk you?” Keith felt suspicious, but seeing the kids bloody face and knowing it was his fault made him reconsider. Keith sighed “Fine, you can clean yourself up at my place.”

“Cool. Oh yeah I’m Lance! Lance Mclain.”

“Uh Keith.” keith said feeling ten kinds of awkward as the kid- no Lance- babbled “God you were so cool, I’ve always wanted to talk to you, the others think you’re amazing-”

“They what?”

First time he was hearing this, Lance flapped his hand “Yeah they say you’re like Shadow the hedgehog- really cool and aloof the Sonic X and Adventure shadow not Sonic boom shadow.” Lance pulled a face and Keith couldn’t help but smile.

This kid was weird.

Lance stuck to him like glue, and Keith had no idea why, they both formed a timid friendship and Keith found himself talking about him to his dad. 

Keith had a friend and when they both turned fifteen they were talking about their future, Lance wanted to be an astronaut and Keith wanted to be a fireman. Like his dad.

Their dreams came crashing down in the same year, Lance realised he wasn’t smart enough to be an astronaut, and it felt like an impossible dream- but it wasn’t just that.

Keith stopped coming to school, there was an accident- a fire. And Keith never wanted to be a fireman again.

He lay in bed, his dad's coat laying on top of him, his Dad was gone. In just one night everything Keith knew was gone, a social worker came immediately to help him- he wanted nothing to do with them, he wanted to be left alone.

He heard the doorbell and ignored it, if it was one more adult coming in to tell him what to do, treating him like an adult and talking about the next step- he couldn’t focus on that he needed to be alone-

 “Keith…?” It was Lance.

Keith stiffened, drawing his dad's coat closer, “oh…Keith.”

He didn’t need this- he didn’t need pity!

He heard Lance walk away, his footsteps faded and sighed with relief, until he heard a clattering and banging- instantly irritated he stood up and stomped to the kitchen and froze to see Lance making coffee.

  “I lost my grandma last year, we were so focused on the next step, funeral arrangements, calling friends and family it soon became everybody else's business and we wanted to hold ourselves away have a moment to process and yet we were guilt tripped by not grieving properly to the people outside unless they’ve been there then it was none of their business.” Lance turned holding both cups.

“I won’t ever understand what you’re going through but I can emphasise. We got through that together as a family. We were talking to one another that was healthy. But bottling it up isn’t. I know you’re not ready but I want you to know I’m here.” He held out a cup and Keith took it. He didn’t feel anything at the moment, just numb.

His dad was dead, his dad died…his dad was gone.

Instead he felt a cold heavy weight in his chest as he sipped his drink. 

“How did you get over it?” Lance grimaced, placing a hand on Keiths arm “One day at a time.”

One day at a time…one step at a time. Keith inhaled.

It was hell, and yet Lance was there every step of the way, Keith snapped he yelled he cried he was at his worst and felt ashamed of himself and yet Lance never left him and took it.

“You don’t deserve that-”

“I know you don’t mean it, I know you’re angry it’s okay to vent and let it out.”

“Doesn’t mean I take it out on you.” Keith spoke and tried to finally organise his thoughts and deal with it, look at paperwork and actually fucking read it.

Along the way years passed, and he was then approached by Lance at their graduation, Keith wouldn’t have graduated if it wasn’t for him helping him every step of the way.

Lance found an apartment and was looking for a roommate, Keith was stunned and found himself accepting without thinking it through.

 Lance and Keith went to the same University, Lance became a writer he planned on writing for science journals about the discoveries of space.

 “I already know everything about space- if I can’t get there then I can at least put the knowledge up to good use.”

It was just to stay closer to Lance, Keith had no idea what he was going to do with his life, he was just floating.

He choose the art and design course, thinking how can you fail art?

And…he ended up enjoying it. It was therapeutic and his teachers had faith in his work, he found himself drawing Lance as he was working on his stories then found himself realising with horror that he liked him.

He was in love with his best friend…

Keith said nothing, how could he? Even if Lance liked him back it just- it was never going to work.

Keith was a mess and emotionally stunted, he had no future and Lance was doing this for him, he helped him over and over again and he just…Lance deserved better.

Keith found himself becoming detached from it all, looking at his and Lance’s relationship he realised without the young man there was nothing here Keith had any interest in.

He had nothing.

He felt something change within himself, a detachment to all of it, but Lance was his only anchor.

Keith would find himself watching Lance sleep, or even touching Lance's clothes before realising what he was doing and snapping out of it. Shamed burned in his stomach before leaving the room like a bat out of hell.

One night when Keith went out to drink his sorrows he came back to see Lance getting out of a shower.

Something inside shifted, a hunger- a need or obsession to have Lance, to grab him and take him.

“Keith?” Lance asked, finally realising Keith was there and walking towards him, “Lance…” He slurred

“Are you drunk?”

He wasn’t he couldn’t be, he’d never been more sober, he pushed Lance against the wall of their shared apartment, pressing in closer, lance grunted his face scrunched in irritation "Keith what the hell-”

Keith pressed forward his lips smashing against Lance's effectively shutting him up. Maybe he was drunk? Lance relaxed and kissed back, Keith felt elated that Lance wanted him back, wanted him as much-

Keith pulled back, hearing Lance gasping for breath, and leaned down, kissing the corner of his mouth and leading down to his chin, his neck opening his mouth of his own accord and pressing it against skin about to suck.

“K-Keith!” Lance yelped, it was a beautiful sound- but something was wrong.

He tasted blood, and instead of panicking he wanted to take more until- Lance slumped.

Keith gasped, finally snapping out of it in a panic and pulled back.

Lance was swaying, his neck had small holes with blood seeping out.

Keith couldn’t breathe.

He helped Lance to bed and cleaned his neck and froze to see it fade from the Cubans skin, the mark disappearing from sight. Keith shook his head, was he imagining it? No he tasted blood. Keith touched his lips gingerly.

He could still taste it.

The next morning Lance had no memory of what happened and Keith lied, claiming he had no memory of the event.

He was a monster- he hurt Lance and if he stayed he would hurt him again.

Keith went out again after failing another University assignment, how can he concentrate when everything was spiralling out of control?

Going to a local bar, he found himself gravitating towards men with dark skin and brightly coloured eyes- they reminded him of Lance- 

No.

He shook his head, he couldn’t do that- he couldn’t lose control again in case he did attack his best friend.

“Hey back off! I said no.”

Keith stared at a taller man with muscles for days, the man was handsome but looked like the type who didn’t understand the word no.

Perfect.

Keith was slowly losing his mind, something was wrong with him. He hurt people, but the marks would disappear, like nothing happened. When he didn’t, he felt awful and snappish.

He started taking them to the apartment, he figured it was safer there. With the chance of Lance being there not wanting to hurt him or lose himself might stop Keith from going too far.

It didn't stop his partners from rough themselves. Keith could defend himself but he held himself back.

He wanted to get hurt.

He wanted to feel and deep down knew he deserved it- something was wrong with him and no one could help him.

One day it got too far, and thats when Lance walked in.

He never meant for Lance to see him like this, pitiful and pathetic- 

He thought Lance would be disgusted, or run away.

He didn’t, Lance exploded, almost attacking the man whose name escapes Keith, and kicked him out the apartment and aimed his glare at Keith.

Keith flinched, he was in trouble.

But instead Lance surprised him, he took Keith to the couch and cleaned him up and placed a cup in his hand and a blanket over his shoulders.

Keith hunched in further feeling awful, he shouldn’t be treat like glass, he didn’t deserve Lance’s pity. This just made him feel worse.

He heard Lance sigh and braced himself for the worst.

“Why do you do that to yourself Keith? Go for those types I mean?” 

Keith almost bit his tongue from saying something stupid, like.

They’re not you.

He couldn’t say that, he couldn’t risk it. 

“I-I don’t know, it feels as if somethings missing and I just…I don’t know what it is.” 

It went worse after that, Keith found himself slipping, getting more irritated and leaving home more and more- it wasn't a lie, Keith DID feel as if something was missing, he couldn't sit still or stay here anymore.

it was unfair to Lance and it just made him hate himself more.

He was spiralling and had no idea on how to get out.

One day when he came home he froze to see Lance grinning at him.

What did he do?

“Turn around, mister. I have a surprise for you.”

This was different. “I- huh?”

Lance chuckled and turned him around pushing him out the door “Come on, I have something to show you.” 

Keith found himself smiling before it fell when he was brought down stairs out the back and saw a bike.

One he was saving up for months. Lance tossed him the keys “Here you go.”

“I-Why?” Keith asked, completely flummoxed. He barely even told him- Keith was too busy trying to bring up the topic but chickened out each and every time.

 Lance gave him a secret smirk, “You’re cooped up.” He looked on ahead smiling at the bike. “You always said you wanted to see the world- well America, so go on and conquer or something and bring me back a postcard.” 

Keith’s eyes watered, how was Lance real?

It was as if he knew Keith better than himself, he wanted to go but had no idea on how to even say it.

He hugged Lance instead, crushing him against him.

The distance helped, Keith could finally breathe and weirdly enough he knew more about Lance from a distance than when they shared an apartment. Maybe he put too much energy in hiding his feelings than knowing Lance.

Keith read his letter and smiled, Lance was talking about his family and the chaos they held every year- but then he mentioned something that had Keith gripping the paper and almost tearing it.

Lance had met someone, she moved in- her name was Romelle.

Keith couldn’t believe it, his eyes burning but what did he expect? He didn't own Lance, and Lance owed him nothing when he had no clue about Keiths feelings. He brought this on himself.

Didn't mean he had to like it though... Taking a moment to rationlise this, he sighed in relief. He never wanted to drag Lance down or hurt him, this was for the best.

Months passed and Keith wondered if Lance would even invite him to the wedding.

Until one day he got a call on his phone, he just bought it and got Lance’s number first, he missed his voice.

“Hello?” “Keith?” 

Keith instantly tensed, something was wrong, “Lance what is it?”

Lance gave a watery laugh, “Do I sound that bad?” 

Okay, now Keith was really worried “Lance what happened?”

“Romelle died.”

Keith froze, what?

“We were in a car accident, it happened a week ago I just got home from the hospital and I looked in the fridge and found leftover pasta and thought Romelle is not going to have this, she never will again and I just couldn’t breathe and I didn’t know who else to call-”

“Lance, it's okay, what are do you doing now?” Keith asked- truthfully he had no idea what he was doing.

“I- god." He took a shallow breath, "I need to call her family, my family, I need to let them know what happened although- no wait the doctors called ahead so they know but I need to call them to pick up her things-" His voice broke at the end and Keith couldn't take it. “No Lance, it’s late.” And it was, Keith got up grabbing his jacket, ignoring the man in his bed, while he grabbed his keys for his bike and his bag.

“Go pour yourself a drink- water!” Keith added on as he slammed the door shut.

“Keith are you busy- I’m sorry I shouldn't have called-” “I’m not busy, I’m just going on a walk, have you got a glass?”

“Shesh, bossy.” But Lance’s voice wasn’t in it and Keith bit his lip.

Keith got on his bike. Once he calmed Lance down and once the call ended did he pocket his phone and turn on the engine for his bike.

He was going home.

Lance opened the door surprised to see Keith. His eyes widened in shock. “Keith?”

Keith smiled “Hey Lance, mind if I come in?”

Lance nodded slowly backing away, “Uh, yeah?”

The place was a mess with papers everywhere, and photos of Lance and…Romelle.

God, Keith never even had a chance to meet her.

Loss wasn’t like a movie, five stages of grief...sad, then anger then acceptance was a complete fallacy.

It was as if your whole world was on mute, days went by agonisingly slow and fast at the same time, all the mundane tasks came and went. Lance was just busy, running around looking down and answering phone calls, what happened, how did it happen.

It was one of these calls when Keith heard the story and almost stumbled into the wall in shock. Both of them had went on a drive, they crashed the car and Romelle was pierced with pipes from the lorry in front. Lance was in a coma in a hospital.

Keith had no idea he was hurt- he didn't tell him. And the first thing he did when waking up and coming home was calle Keith.

And Lance was still babbling away with the doctors, funeral directors, her family, explain everything. Write down a number for a therapist that Keith knew he wouldn’t call.

Keith had to remind Lance to have a shower, eat food and drink.

He saw Lance staring at the hallway, probably thinking Romelle was never going to be in this kitchen again, he had a tub of leftover pasta for her and he’d have to eat it or it’d be ruined, her clothes were here as well.

He saw Lance in the mornings with dry skin and red rimmed eyes, he stopped speaking withdrawing into himself. And keith was too useless to help him, he can’t remember what Lance did for him when his dad died just that he was there every step of the way.

Keith had found himself moving back in, Lance barely seemed to nootice except he would turn when he heard Keiths footsteps then looked down as if he was ashamed. He would even flinch if Keith got too close.

Lance would be asleep then jump for hearing the slam of the fridge late at night then go back to sleep.

Keith thought his prescence wasn't helping, until Lance began to have nightmares, he would scream and thrash and Keith was there to calm him down. Lance would cry in his arms and the two would lay in bed together. Days passed and Lance would ask timidly if Keith could sleep in his room he was always used to someone being there, he had a big family and sleeping with Romelle.

“Forget it, sorry I said anything-“

“It’s fine, I’m the same.” Lance gaped then nodded looking down with his lips turned downward.

Keith can’t remember the last time Lance smiled, he was a constant source of happyness and stupid grins. And Keith wanted to hurt someone something but knew he couldn't fix this.

Days slipped into weeks to months and then a year. Days bleeding together and time falling through their fingers like quicksand. 

“Keith, let’s go on vacation.”

Keith almost swallowed his cereal wrong “What?”

“I need to get out the house.” Lance spoke and Keith found himself nodding.

“Uh, yeah sure.” 

________________________________________________________

Posting here as I want this in my official story but as a beggining chapter it feels boring. I want it from Lance's pov in the first chapter and second and then from Shiro's and Keiths later on.

#Shance #Shklance #Sheif #Shiro/Keith #Shiro/Lance #Keith/Lance #Shiro/Lance/Keith #Vampire story AU #Some Smut later but this thing has guidlines so you'll have to read y ao3

[imaginationintowords]

Folklore [song series]

my tears ricochet

Modern Day AU! Bucky Barnes x Natasha Romanoff; Steve Rogers x OC!Reader

Plot: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s new album Folklore. The story follows the timeline of Bucky and Elizabeth’s life throughout the years

[warnings: death, and funeral]

word count: 4829

[a/n: sorry for such a long wait. I've been busy. I thought once I was done for the semester I would have a lot more time to work on my stories, but if anything my summer break has been more hectic. Just because I haven't been posting, doesn't mean I haven't been working on them. Just know that I am working on the new chapters for this and for TKWBA, just need a bit of patience from you all. Also thank-you for the continue love and support on all my work]

Series Masterlist

Tag list info here [if you want to be tagged please read this]

Age: 21

Year: Sep. 2015

Location: Brooklyn, NY & Stanford, CA

Elizabeth was sat at her desk doing her homework. She was anxiously waiting for Steve's call about the baby arriving. He had called her two hours prior to let her know that Natasha had gone into labor, and they were at the hospital. Steve told her that he'd call her as soon as he heard the news. She tried her hardest to focus on her homework, but she found herself constantly checking her phone for any updates.

Suddenly her phone started going off. She instantly picked it up and answered the call.

"Is the baby here?" She immediately asked.

"Liz," Steve choked out.

"Steve, what's wrong?" She could hear the distress in his voice.

"Natasha, she," he tried to say but the words got caught in his throat, and she could hear the soft cries.

"Steve, breathe," she tries to calm him down the best she could without actually physically being with him.

Elizabeth was simultaneously trying to keep herself calm, and not rush into any assumptions.

"She died," he said after calming himself down enough to tell her what happened.

"She died?"

"I guess there were complications, he tells her, still unsure of what exactly happened.

Steve hadn't thought to ask further into what exactly happened when Bucky's mom called to tell him the devastating news. He couldn't wrap his head around what she was telling him. He just never imagined that this would be the outcome of his best friend welcoming his first child into the world.

Steve clears his throat trying to force the lump back down.

"I'm catching the next flight out to New York," he tells Elizabeth, "I just gotta be there for Bucky."

"Yeah, of course," she says, completely understanding.

"I know you can't exactly fly out now, without letting your professors know, so as soon as I find out all the funeral," his throat catches at the word, he takes a small breath, "all the funeral information I'll let you know."

"Okay that works," she agrees.

"Okay. I haven't to pack real quick and get to the airport within the next hour," he tells her.

"Okay, I'll let you go."

"Wait, Steve," she calls out before he could hang up.

"Yeah?"

"I love you," she says with a shaky voice.

"I love you too, so much," he says, "I'll text you when I board the plane."

After one final goodbye, Steve hangs up the phone.

The flight seemed like Steve's longest one he's ever been on. As soon as he landed he quickly grabbed his carry on, the only thing aside from his backpack that he brought with him. Elizabeth had messaged him letting him know that she could bring more of his stuff once she flies out.

Steve made his way out of the airport to find his mom waiting for him by her car. He quickly made his way towards her and wrapping his arms around her.

On the drive to Bucky's apartment Steve sent Liz a text letting her know he landed. He then called Bucky's mom to let her know he was on the way.

"Thank-you for coming out Steve," Winnie thanks him, "The baby is just about to get discharged, we should be at the apartment before you get there."

"Of course, I'll see you guys soon," he says hanging up the phone.

Steve then sends a quick email to his boss and professors explains his absence and why he'll most likely be gone for a couple of weeks.

An hour later Steve's mom was stopping outside of Bucky's building.

"Let them know I'm here if they need anything," his mom tells him before he exists the car, "I'll come back at noon with lunch for everyone."

"Thanks Mom," he says leaning over to kiss her cheek.

Steve exists the car leaving his bags with his mom. He takes one final breath before walking to the front doors. Steve presses the call button for Bucky's apartment and was immediately buzzed in.

As soon as he reaches Bucky's door, he knocks quietly. The door opens and he's welcomed by Rebecca. He takes in the sullen face on the teenage girl.

"Hey Bec," he says.

"Hi," she quietly says, as they hug each other in the door way.

When they pull apart she steps aside letting him inside.

"It's just my parents and I here. Bucky didn't want to deal with a lot of people right now," she explains to Steve.

"Steve," he hears from his left, Keith, Bucky's stepdad makes his way out of the small kitchenette over to him, and embracing him, "Thank-you so much for coming. We know you're a very busy person."

Before Steve could respond Bucky's mom Winnie walks into the living room.

"Oh Steve," she immediately wraps her arms around him.

"Thank-you so much for coming on such a short notice," she says. Steve could hear the shakiness in her voice. He could tell she was trying to keep it together. No doubt the last 12 hours being the most stressful and emotional she's ever been.

"There's no need to thank me. This is where I need to be," he tells them.

"Let us at least pay you back for the flight," Keith says.

"No, don't worry about that," Steve waves him off, "I had a lot of miles that needed to be used."

"Well, thank-you again," Keith nods his head, understanding where Steve was coming from.

"You can go on ahead Steve. Bucky is waiting for you in the nursery," Winnie tells him, giving him an assuring nod, he nods back making his way towards the nursery.

The short walk seemed like it was much longer. Steve has never felt so nervous in his life. When he approaches the closed door, he softly knocks on it.

"Come in," Bucky calls from inside.

Steve walks in, closing the door behind him. He's immediately greeted by Bucky sitting in the rocking chair in the corner of the room, feeding his newborn daughter.

"Hey," Steve softly says, not sure what to say.

"Hey," Bucky greeted Steve with a sad smile.

It had been 12 hours later and it still didn't feel real to Bucky. The hospital had even offered the chance for him and Poppy to stay a couple of days, but all Bucky wanted to do was to go home and get away from the hospital. But now being back in the apartment without Natasha was surreal. He was trying his best to keep it all in, at least while the baby is awake and needs him.

He was determined in being the one that cared for her, even when his mom offered to take care of her for a few hours while he gets some rest. He assured her that he needed to do this. He had to do it alone, because he knew that soon enough it would just be him and Poppy.

Bucky was very grateful when he heard Steve was flying out. He felt like Steve was the only one he could really talk to about everything going on.

Steve was still standing by the door, just watching his best friend be a dad for the first time. He had no idea what to say in this kind of situation. The words were caught in his throat the moment he actually saw Bucky.

"Thanks for coming," Bucky says breaking the silence. Steve immediately looks away from the baby to meet Bucky's eyes.

"You would've done the same thing," Steve says, "And like I've said before, I'll always be here for you."

"I don't care how far, I'll always be on that first flight to you," Steve continues, he glances down at the now sleepy baby, "You're my brother Buck."

There was a moment of silence between the young men. Both understanding what the other one means with such few words.

Steve watched as Bucky gently placed the sleepy baby on his shoulder to burp her.

"It suits you," Steve quietly remarks.

"What?" Bucky looked up at him confused.

"Fatherhood, it suits you," Steve says again, stepping closer to his friend.

"You think?" Bucky looks back down at the now sleeping baby.

"Yeah. I know it's only been less than a day, but you look natural. Make it look easy."

"Thanks," Bucky smiled, getting up for the he chair and walking over to the crib to gently place Poppy in.

Steve walked over, standing next to Bucky, watching the little one sleep peacefully.

"What's her name?" Steve whispered, realizing that he hadn't found out what the name of the baby was.

"Poppy James Barnes," Bucky proudly says.

"That's cute," Steve commented, he placed his right hand on Bucky's left shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

Bucky looked over at Steve and they both nodded their heads in agreement, before falling into an embrace.

"I am so sorry," Steve quietly says.

"It happened so quick, she barely even got to see the baby," Bucky quietly cried into Steve's shoulder, "I never even thought of this would be the outcome. I never imagined I'd be coming home solo with the baby."

Steve tightened his embrace on Bucky, just listening to his friend.

"I don't know how I'm going to do this Steve. I don't know how I'm going to raise her without her mom. I'm trying to keep it together to not worry my mom, but fuck Steve, I don't know what I'm doing. I'm scared I'll screw this all up. I'm scared I'll screw her up.

"I'm so scared Steve," Bucky cries.

"It's okay to be scared," Steve tries his best to comfort Bucky, "I'd be more concerned if you weren't scared. This is entirely new territory for you. You're raising a child, a child who unfortunately no longer has her mother. That alone is a fucking terrifying thing to go through.

"It's not going to be easy. There's no point in lying to you, and saying it will. You and I both that won't be the truth. But if there's anyone I know who could do this, it's you Buck. You're the strongest person I know. Whatever has happened before this doesn't matter. The only thing that matters now is that little girl. And I know damn well you're going to give her the best life she will ever have," Steve pulls away from Bucky and holds onto his shoulders.

"And you're not alone in this. You have a lot of people who care about you, and now Poppy. You will never be alone. You'll always have someone to call, someone to help you. You're crazy to think we would ever leave you to do this alone. We're here, and we're not going anywhere. You and Poppy will never have to be alone. She might not have her mom, but she's got you, and I know damn well you won't ever let her wonder what being without one parent truly feels like.

"You've got this Buck," Steve assures him, "And we're here every step of the way."

"Thanks Steve," Bucky sniffles, wiping the tears away.

"No need to thank me," Steve smiles, "Now why don't you go take a nap. Get some rest. We're here if Poppy wakes up."

"Yeah I could use some sleep," Bucky yawns, his adrenaline from the last 12 hours fading away.

Steve walks Bucky to his bedroom and watches as he gets into his bed, and quickly falls asleep. He quietly closes the door behind him, with the baby monitor in one hand checking to make sure Poppy is still asleep.

He walks back into the living room, placing the monitor by the tv for everyone to see and hear.

"They're both asleep," Steve announces to the room.

"Oh thank goodness," Winnie sighs, "James hasn't taken a moment to rest since everything happened."

"Knowing Bucky, we'll probably have to be forcing him to rest for the next couple of weeks," Steve says.

"I just got off of the phone with Natasha's father," Keith said walking back inside the apartment.

"What did he say?" Winnie asked.

"He said that the funeral is all up to us," Keith sighs, "Something about how Natasha made her own path with getting pregnant, and that once she left she was no longer his responsibility."

"He really said that?" Winnie asked mortified.

"I'm afraid so," Keith sighed, "I tried reasoning with him saying we would handle everything financially and he can come to the funeral but he said no."

"What kind of father doesn't show up to his own daughter's funeral," Winnie shakes her head in complete disbelief.

"Explains why Natasha was the way she was," Rebecca whispered, so that only Steve could hear her.

He reluctantly agrees.

Two weeks later

Elizabeth was helping Steve with his tie in his childhood bedroom. She had flown in yesterday for today's funeral services. Elizabeth had gotten in late last night, so she still hasn't seen Bucky or Poppy yet. She was a let to get a week off of work and her professors gave her an extension on her assignments when she explained to them what happened.

"I still can't believe Natasha's dad isn't going," she says as she straightens out Steve's tie.

"Bucky's mom is still holding out hope that he shows up," Steve says.

"What does Bucky think of it all?" Elizabeth asks.

"He's not worrying about it," Steve explains, looking over himself in the mirror, "His only concern right now is Poppy and only Poppy. If Nat's dad shows up then he does. But as of now Bucky has made the decision that he will not be in Poppy's life. Not until he proves himself."

"That's very mature," she says grabbing her purse.

"This Buck is like a whole new one you've never seen before. Fatherhood has made him a thousand times more grown up these last couple of weeks."

"That's good."

"Ready to go?" Steve asked her, grabbing the keys to his mom's car.

"Yup," Elizabeth says following Steve out.

Bucky had asked Steve to pick him and Poppy up, and Steve had of course agreed.

They arrived to Bucky's apartment in fifteen minutes. Walking up to Bucky's door they could hear a lot of commotion coming from inside. Steve used the key Bucky gave him to let himself and Elizabeth in.

As soon as they walked in they were greeted by the sounds of a baby crying.

"Buck?" Steve called out.

"We're in here," he calls from the nursery.

They go to the nursery to find Bucky looking frazzled while trying to change Poppy's diaper.

"I'm so sorry. I'm running so behind," Bucky tells them, glancing over his shoulder quickly,

"Poppy didn't sleep well last night. And nothing I've tried has been working."

"It's okay Buck, just take your time," Steve calmly says.

"I still need to shower, shave, and get dressed," Bucky rambles, "She's going to need another change of clothes because she spat all over herself, and my mom only bought this one outfit for today."

"Hey Bucky, calm down," Elizabeth calmly spoke up, placing her hand on his back, "Take a breath."

Bucky felt the warmth and comfort from Liz's touch. He listens to what she says and takes a deep breath.

"Okay good," she says, "now you go get ready. Steve and I got this."

"Okay," he nods his head, handing the baby over to Elizabeth, "thank-you."

"Of course," she softly smiles at him, "now go get ready."

Bucky quickly makes his way out of the room and into his own to get ready.

Elizabeth looks down at the small baby in her arms. She could see so much of Bucky in the baby with hints of Natasha. It was a little strange for her to be holding Bucky's baby and it not being her baby as well. Not that she ever wanted to get back together with Bucky, because she didn't. There was just a little voice in her head, that of her teenage self, saying how it was supposed to be them, doing this together.

She quickly shut the voice down.

Elizabeth was incredibly sympathetic of Bucky's situation. All she wanted to do was be there for him, as a friend. She wanted Bucky to succeed as a father, and she would do what she could to make that happen.

Steve silently watched Elizabeth watching Poppy. He couldn't really read her expression. He hates to admit it to himself, especially with everything going on, but he was slightly worried about how Liz would react to all of this. He had faith in their relationship, of course he trusted her immensely. But he still couldn't help but feel like she might decide to leave him for Bucky. Elizabeth turned around to see Steve looking at her with a distant look in his eyes.

"You good?" She gently asked, breaking him from his self-destructive thoughts.

"Yeah. You?"

"Yeah," she nods her head, handing the baby over to him, "I'm going to try and find her a new outfit.

"Okay," Steve says sitting down with the baby.

"I love you," Liz quietly says to Steve, knowing what could possibly going through his mind, if hers was also wandering.

"I love you," Steve replies back, finding himself relaxing at just hearing those three words, any doubt slipping away.

30 minutes later Bucky was ready to go. He walked out to the living room where he found Steve and Elizabeth sitting with each other holding the baby. He paused for a moment taking in the scene in front of him. He felt a sense of warmth and low flow through him as his closest friends admire his daughter. In that moment he knew he had made the right decision in what he would tell them next.

Steve glanced up to see Bucky leaning against the frame of the hallway.

"Ready?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, but I actually wanted to ask you two something before we go," Bucky says walking over and sitting on a chair next to the couch.

"Sure, what's up?" Steve leans forward, leaning on his knees, giving Bucky his full attention.

Elizabeth tears her eyes away from Poppy to also give Bucky her full attention. She smiles at him, letting him know he could continue on.

"I first and foremost just want to thank you Steve, for what probably is the hundredth time," Bucky says, "I know you have a lot going on with work and school. So I really appreciate everything you've done for me and for Poppy. And you too Elizabeth, I know you're incredibly busy especially with law school prep. And with everything that's happened between-"

"Don't," she stopped him, "What's past is past."

"Well anyways, thank-you," Bucky says, "Now here comes what I wanted to ask you two. There's no other two people I wouldn't trust more with Poppy. So I wanted to ask if you would be her godparents?"

"Really?" Elizabeth asked taken back by Bucky's request.

"Yes," he nods his head, "There's no one else I wouldn't trust with her if anything happens. It'll help me sleep better knowing she'll have two people who'll love her like I would. Two people who have so much love between them, that I know will always be together."

Both Steve and Elizabeth were taken back by Bucky's last statement. They knew Bucky had accepted their relationship, but to actually have him not only say it out loud but to practically give them his blessing, it meant the world to the couple.

Steve and Elizabeth both share a look with tears glistening in their eyes. Elizabeth nods her head.

Steve turns back to Bucky, "We'd be honored to be Poppy's godparents."

Elizabeth and Steve stood up to hug Bucky. All filled with a wide range of emotions. Bucky felt a huge sense of comfort after asking Liz and Steve to be Poppy's godparents. He knew he made the right decision, and he knew he could now sleep better at night knowing his daughter would be taken care of. And by two people he knows can love her the way he does.

After what happened with Natasha, Bucky just wanted to make sure Poppy would be taken care of. If she couldn't have her parents, then she would have the closest thing to having parents. And Bucky knows Steve and Elizabeth would be amazing parents.

That alone allowed him to be at peace for whatever may happen.

Arriving to the funeral location Bucky felt his nerves start to spike. He sat in the backseat looking out the window at the familiar faces walking into the chapel.

"You okay?" Elizabeth asked turning in her seat, after Steve parked the car.

"I don't know if I can do this," he mutters, glancing towards the sleeping baby in the car seat next to him.

"We'll be right next to you along the entire way," Liz calmly says.

"If you feel too overwhelmed we'll leave whenever you want," Steve tells him, "We won't stay if you absolutely can't handle it. No one will hold it against you."

"Okay," Bucky takes a deep breath.

"Stay here, I'll get the stroller out," Steve says, getting out of the car.

"No one is expecting you to be brave, Buck," Elizabeth says, "You're allowed to be vulnerable. You're allowed to show emotions."

He nods his head, taking in what she's telling him.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small necklace. Clutching onto it as if his life depended on it.

Elizabeth catches the small 'N' on it, realizing that that was the necklace Natasha wore everyday since she was 13.

Bucky takes one final deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.

"Okay, I'm ready," he tells her.

"Okay, let's do this."

Bucky was grateful that they arrived only minutes before the service started. Everyone was already seated in the pews.

He slowly walked down the aisle pushing the stroller, Steve and Elizabeth walking right behind him.

Bucky tried his best to avoid any eye contact with everyone. He couldn't bare to look at the pity in their eyes.

He caught sight of his family siting in the second row. He also noticed a man sitting alone in the first row.

He instantly knew who it was.

Once Bucky reached the first row, the man made to movement to greet Bucky.

Bucky cleared his throat, "Mr. Romanoff."

The older man looked over at Bucky, then at the stroller.

"James," he stiffly said, turning his attention back to the front.

Bucky awkwardly sat down placing the stroller next to his legs, away from Natasha's father, while Steve and Elizabeth sat next to Bucky.

The service was going smoothly up until the priest announced that Natasha's father would be making a speech, catching everyone off guard.

Bucky looked at the older man as he walked up to the stand. He turned around to face his mom, "Did you know this?" he whispered.

"No I didn't," she shook her head.

Right as Mr. Romanoff was about to start speaking, Poppy began to cry. Bucky quickly went to get her out of the stroller, while Steve quickly went to grab a bottle to help him out.

As soon as the baby calmed down Mr. Romanoff began to speak.

"First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for coming," he begins, "I really appreciate it. Natasha would be eternally grateful for all of you."

Bucky started to get annoyed by the beginning of Mr. Romanoff's speech. As if the man didn't turn down the invitation for the last two weeks. Now he's trying to act like the perfect father, as if he didn't kick her out and cut off his pregnant daughter.

"Natasha was a kind hearted person. Only wanting the best for those closest to her. She was the most selfless person you would have ever met," he continued on with his speech.

Elizabeth couldn't help but be confused by Mr. Romanoff's speech. She hated thinking ill of the dead, but that man had no idea who his daughter truly was.

"Natasha was so smart, earning her way into Yale. She was only months away from graduating. I was so incredibly proud of her. If only we would've gotten the opportunity to watch her walk across the stage.

"Other than leaving an everlasting impression on all of us, she also left behind a part of her. Her last moments on Earth was spent bringing in another Romanoff," he says.

Bucky's head snapped up to Mr. Romanoff, then towards Steve.

"Romanoff?" Bucky whispered, "This man has the fucking nerve."

"Ignore him," Steve whispered back, trying to calm Bucky down, "He's just saying all of this to make himself look good."

"Natasha brought her daughter into the world," Mr. Romanoff continued, forcing fake tears to fall, "I remember being by her side as she was in labor."

Bucky clenched his jaw, forcing himself not to call Mr. Romanoff out on his lies.

"As she was dying," Mr. Romanoff paused for dramatic effect, "Her only request was to name her daughter after her."

Steve paled his hand on Bucky's shoulder, trying his best to calm him down. It was too late, Bucky was already placing Poppy in Steve's arms.

"What a fucking lie," Bucky stood up shouting at Mr. Romanoff, causing everyone to gasp.

"James," Mr. Romanoff said through gritted teeth, as a warning.

"How could you just lie to all these people?" Bucky shouted, "How could you lie as if you didn't disown Natasha months prior when she told you she was pregnant. Or when my parents kept inviting you to the funeral, you kept saying no and how Natasha's decisions led to their death. How dare you say you were in the delivery room. As if you didn't have her number blocked.  My mom and I were there when things took a horrible turn. We were there when the doctor walked out and told us Natasha didn't make it. Not you! Us!

"Then you go on to make some shitty story about Nat's last words. Which is completely false. Natasha never wanted to name the baby after herself, you'd actually know that if you were actually present in her life. But you weren't. And you sure as hell will never be a part of your granddaughter's life."

Bucky turned to Steve and Liz, "Let's go."

They nodded their heads and helped put Poppy in the stroller. They followed Bucky as he walked out of the chapel.

After leaving the funeral services, Steve was able to calm Bucky down. Winnie had called Elizabeth to let her know that the burial services the next day were officially going to be private. Liz agreed that that'd be best for everyone involved. Especially with what happened during the funeral services.

The burial service was only attended by Bucky, and his family, along with Elizabeth and Steve.

Everything went along smoothly. Everyone giving Bucky the safe space to grieve.

After the burial, everyone gave Bucky a few moments alone at the grave site so he can say his final goodbyes.

"Hey Nat," he pauses taking a deep breath, "these last two weeks haven't been the easiest. But boy have they been amazing. I may be more exhausted than I've ever been, but boy is she worth it.

"She may only be two weeks but I can already tell she's going to be the most amazing person ever," he softly cries, "You would've loved her so much. But like I promised back at the hospital, she'll never not know who her mother was. I will always make sure she knows who you were. Always."

"Goodbye Natasha," he whispered, before walking away to join his family waiting.

Age: 26

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Year: 2020

"Daddy, what's this?" Poppy calls out to her father from his bedroom.

"What's what petal?" He asked walking into the room, finding her surrounded by boxes, as they prep for their move uptown.

"This," she holds up the small necklace with the 'N'.

Bucky kept that necklace in a small box in his nightstand. He kept it at the bottom of his nightstand for safe keepings. Planning on one day to give it to his daughter. He always planned to wait until she was 16, but he figures now is as good as ever.

"That was your mommy Natasha's," he said walking over to her, and sitting next to her on his bed, "She got it when she was 13, and wore it every day up until when she died."

"It's pretty," she says admiring it in her hands.

"It is isn't it," he smiles at his little girl, "It's now yours."

He grabs the necklace from her little hands. He unclasps it, then gently moves her dirty blonde hair to the side. He places the necklace around her neck, and clasps it shut.

"Thank-you daddy," she smiles brightly at her father, admiring the necklace that now lay on her chest.

Bucky smiled at his daughter, watching as she kept admiring the necklace. It was a little big on her, but he knew she would grow into it.

"Anything for you baby," he kisses the top of her head, "Anything."

#folklore song series #my tears ricochet #my tears ricochet folklore song series #bucky barnes x natasha romanoff #buckynat #bucky barnes angst #bucky barnes fanfiction #steve rogers x oc #original character series #steve rogers x original character #original female character #steve rogers x original female character #angst #steve rogers angst #bucky barnes fluff #natasha romanoff fanfiction #natasha romanoff angst #modern day au #bucky barnes modern day #bucky barnes modern day au #bucky barnes modern au #folklore taylor swift #avengers modern day au #mcu modern day au #steve rogers fluff

[seredelgi]

One Tree hill ships ranking

So ok, this is very mainstream but I just wanted to do this thing. This is my opinion, no need to get upset.

Note: I’m only rating couples that did, at some point, develop some sort of romantic  or pshysical feelings, wether mutual or one sided. Also, I will be rating them based on how much I enjoyed them. This means that if one is higher, it doesn’t mean it’s better on every aspect.

1. Nathan Royal Scott & Haley James Scott

Is there even anything to say? Those two are soulmates.

2. Peyton Sawyer and Jake Jagielski

Because those two had such perfect chemistry, and Peyton did deserve a guy like Jake.

3. Brooke Davis and Julian Baker

Damn am I glad that Brooke finally got the happy ending she deserved. She could finally feel loved and taken care of, and Julian was so good to her.

4. Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott

Because, as much as I hate Lucas for breaking her heart twice and for pretty much being unsufferable, he was his best version of himself when he had Brooke at his side. Plus, those two have great chemistry.

5. Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott

They were kinda cute, even though I definetely felt less chemistry than there ever was with Brooke, Lucas has always loved and wanted Peyton more. I’m happy they got together in the end, I just wish they had realized it without breaking hearts all over town.

6. Brooke Davis and Chase Adams

I don’t know why, but I loved this storyline very much, even if it didn’t last that long.

7. Skills Taylor and Bevin Mirskey

Too cute omg, deserved so much more screentime.

8. Karen Roe and Andy Hargrove

Liked their relationship far more than her and Keith, and loved Andy’s character. Pretty underrated.

9. Quinn James and Clay Evans

Kinda cute, even if, let’s face it, completely predictable.

10. Marvin “Mouth Mcfadden and Millicent Huxtable

Cute, even though they never really interensted me that much.

11. Skills Taylor and Deb Lee

I thought they were funny and very cute, despite the age gap. I could see Skills going for an older woman. Sue me.

Also, Deb’s best era.

12. Lucas Scott and Rachel Gatina

Well, what can I say? I kind of enjoyed watching Lucas end up going after someone else while two beautiful girls are already after him.

13. Karen Roe and Keith Scott

I’ll be honest, I’ve never really liked the two that much even as characters, so I wasn’t really into it. That, plus the absent chemistry, and the typical storyline of the man who is in love and never tells it because??? But, they were left without any clousure, and they had a daughter, so…

14. Brooke Davis and Owen Morello

They had something, but the show decided to ruin it.

15. Chase Adams and Alex Duprè

So yeah, they made sense.

16. Brooke Davis and Felix Taggaro

Ok so, I didn’t enjoy them that much, and they were pretty toxic, BUT at least I could see him really caring for her even if his ways were more than flawed. Brooke just deserved better tho.

17. Dan Scott and Karen Roe

I know, I’m surprised they made it so high, but the thing is, even if they were, of course, a big fat no in the end, I feel like the show had to explore their dynamic at least once before putting it away for good. I enjoyed that storyline very much exactly because of the complications that it developed.

18. Nathan Scott and Peyton Sawyer

As a couple? Absolutely freaking not. Worst pairing ever. They brought the worst in each other, but as friends? They just made perfect sense.

19. Nathan Scott and Brooke Davis

If there ever was a universe in which Nathan Scott wasn’t madly in love with Haley James, which I highly doubt, than in that universe, these two still fuck. In our universe tho, they were, without a doubt, the most underrated friendship of the show. And we were absolutely ROBBED of more scenes.

20. Dan Scott and Rachel Gatina

Ugh, as much as I see the reason behind them together I just wish they hadn’t done Rachel so dirty. Such a good character, but they kinda let her go in the latest seasons.

21. Nathan Scott and Rachel Gatina

As much as I would have never have beared the sight of them actually together, it was kind of fun to see Rachel try.

22. Dan Scott and Deb Lee

Absolutely freaking worst couple of the show, brought the worst in each other, and were never able to get through their differences, not even for their son.

23. Haley James Scott and Chris Keller

Haley’s lowest point, we can all agree on that. But I kind of feel like this had to happen to make her and Nathan’s relationship even stronger.

24. Peyton Sawyer and Julian Baker

Not gonna lie, I was pretty interensted when it became clear they had a past and it seemed like he wanted her back, but then, as soon as the Brooke/ Julian dynamic developed, I just didn’t want Brooke to have someone to share with Peyton all over again.

25. Lucas Scott and Lindsey Strauss

A pathetic attempt at making us fear they wouldn’t have let Peyton and Lucas finally be happy, and yet another excuse for Lucas to behave despicably.

26. Chase Adams and Mia Catalano

I’m sleeping already.

27. Peyton Sawyer and Peter Wentz

For real?

28. Julian Baker and Alex Duprè

I cannot express how much this relationship frustrated me. Because I got that, but why can’t Brooke just get a break and have a man without competing with anyone?

29. Rachel Gatina and Cooper Lee

No. Just… No.

Surely I’ll be missing some. Some of them i didn’t put ‘cause they’re not enough relevant to me.

#one tree hill #oth #ships #oth ships #brucas #naley #leyton #brulian #nathan and haley #nathan and peyton #lucas and brooke #lucas and peyton #peyton and lucas #brooke and lucas #peyton and jake #jeyton #jake jagielski #millicent and mouth #karen and andy #karen and keith #skills and bevin #quinn and clay #skills and deb #lucas and rachel #rachel and dan #dan and karen #dan and deb #brooke and chase #brooke and owen

[dreamerswriter]

Keith x Acxa: Do You Want to Marry Me?

Alright Voltron Fandom, come and burn me on the pyre, I ship Keith and Acxa! I just didn’t like Keith and Lance. It never made sense to me. I think Keith and Acxa made a lot more sense since these two worked together a lot, and also POWER COUPLE! Heck yeah! 

Also, yes, this is based off the scene from Pirates and the Caribbean 3. I can totally see them doing this. 

Ahem, well enjoy! 

The paladins were travelling around the galaxy, but this was interrupted when the Atlas was being stormed by Space Pirates! Their lions were currently recharging after their last battle, so they were relying on their own weapons and skills for now.

“They keep coming!” Matt shouted as he wacked one space pirate out of the room.

“Don’t give up! We can handle this!” Shiro shouted as he stabs one space pirate, “We will get out of this!”

“Are we sure?” James yelled from nearby as he tossed one grenade at one of the groups of space pirates.

Acxa easily cut down three space pirates with her blade and jumped to Keith’s side, “Shiro’s right. We can win this”  

She wiped off some sweat from her forehead as she blocked the sword of a space pirate. She then cut down the space pirate as she smiled at Keith. Keith stared at her for a bit. She was a very graceful fight, but she was also very important to him. True, the two of them have traded blows, but they were able to become great friends.

“You gotta say what you feel” Lance’s words echoed in his head.

Keith cut down one incoming space pirate as Lance’s words echoed in his head. Keith then glanced at Lance and Allura. The two of them were watching each other’s backs and staying close to each other. Keith nodded his head in determination. He ran to Acxa’s side and blocked the strike of a space pirate. Keith kicked the space pirate away and turned to face Acxa.

He grabs her hand and twirled her around to face him as he asked, “Hey, so uh, I was wondering if you wanted to get married or something”

Acxa was surprised by his suggestion as she took out a gun and shot down one space pirate, “Uh, we are kind of in the middle of something”

“I know, but” Keith began as he pushed Acxa behind him and stabbed an incoming space pirate, “we might not get another chance like this, so I dunno, we can do it now”

He smiled at her as he waited for her answer. She blushed a bit as she smiled back him. She nodded her head at him and held his hand.

Keith gripped her hand as he saw Shiro fighting across from him, “Shiro! Marry us!”

Shiro stared at the two of them in disbelief as he blocked one strike, “I’m currently busy at the moment!”

He quickly cut down one pirate.

Pidge shouted as he bounced up and down “Do it! Do it!”

Lance quickly snipped one pirate coming towards Keith as he said “It will be a great story to tell to our children!”

Allura chuckled at her boyfriend’s words while Matt chuckled at his friends.

Hunk shouted “It will be quick! Come on Shiro!

James rolled his eyes as he said “You guys….”

Shiro groaned as he defeated one space pirate, “Aright! Fine! Keith Kogane, do you—” Shiro ducks from one space pirate’s blade, “take Acxa to be your lawfully-wedded wife?”

Keith gripped his sword in his other hand and cut down one robot as he shouted “Of course”

He smiled at Acxa who simply smiled.

“Great! Now, Acxa, do you take Keith to be your lawfully-wedded husband?” Shiro asked as he ducked away from a group of space pirates.

Acxa quickly shot one incoming space pirate as she gripped Keith’s hand “Yes”

Their friends quickly surrounded them in order to protect them from the space pirates.

Shiro runs from the group of space pirates as he shouts “Then by the power of the former black paladin, I pronounce- hey!”

Shiro nearly gets punched by one space pirate.

“I pronounce- Stop that!” Shiro shouted as he stabs one space pirate as more are coming towards him, “Gah! Screw it! Just kiss her Keith!”

Keith threw his sword at an incoming space pirate and pulled Acxa close to him.

“You’re crazy” Acxa said as she shot one incoming robot while holding Keith close to her.

“I know. I love you, Acxa” Keith said as he leaned in for a passionate kiss.

Keith wrapped his arms tightly around Acxa while Acxa held her arms around Keith’s neck tightly. Pidge cheered in delight as she took a few pictures. Lance grinned at Keith while pecking Allura’s cheek. Hunk hollered in joy. Matt and James laughed at their friends as Shiro just realized Keith grew up.

#voltron #keith #acxa #lance #katie #hunk #shiro #allura #Keith x acxa

[bluedemon1995]

Sorry for being so LATE!!! Work is not cooperating with me at all!

Day 10 Drive In movie-AU-no space just friends

Keith had never been to a drive in movie theater before and he was okay with that. Unfortunately his friends felt they needed to educate him. Which was why Keith was currently waiting to be picked up because apparently it was a no-no to take a motorcycle to a drive in. Keith wasn’t sure how this was going to work because he couldn’t see them all fitting in one car but who was he to say anything.

“Hey Virgin! Get your ass in the truck!”

Keith’s eyes closed and he absently prayed for patience. Lance was already getting on his nerves and they hadn’t even left yet! Opening them he stands and walks towards the huge pick up truck “Where’d you get the wheels?”

Hunk turned from the front passenger seat, “My dad got this a while ago but no one is allowed to drive it. Luckily my dad trusts Shiro more than me-so he said we could take it if he drove. We have all our stuff in the back. Hop in!”

Keith opened the door behind the driver’s and he saw Pidge scoot over to the middle. Lance threw an arm around her and Keith’s grip on the door tightened for a fraction of a second. He took a breath and hopped in. “Hey everyone. So is someone going to finally tell me what we are going to see?”

Pidge grinned, “Uh oh~no one told you? Shame on you Shiro!”

Shiro laughed, “What, he doesn’t care what we see. Besides it’s all about the experience.”

Pidge laughed, “Hear that Keith, it doesn’t matter.”

Keith smiled and shook his head, “You guys are bad, whatever. I thought your brother was coming too Pidge?”

“Yeah, he’s meeting us there because he has a tutoring gig. Which will be nice cuz then we could split up the drive home.”

The ride goes quickly and before he knows it they are parked in the second to last row, which supposedly was where trucks were supposed to park. Pidge said it was great because they were closer to the concession stand and bathrooms. But they were also very close to the cornfield behind them.

Once parked everyone toppled out of the car and moved to the back. Hunk had a picnic basket of actual food. Keith figured his face must have shown his confusion because Pidge grabbed his arm, “Hey we are going to get popcorn and stuff, be right back!”

She pulled him to the concession stand and once in line explained, “So the food here isn’t great and you know how Hunk is. But we want to patronize them so we buy popcorn, nachos, and I really like their licorice ropes.”

Keith grins, “Oh yeah, and you hate setting stuff up so this makes sense.” As they go through the line, Pidge asks him if he downloaded Genshin Impact yet and he shyly nods. He just started and he knows Pidge is way ahead of him. But she doesn’t care. She leans in close and motions for him to open it up. As he does so, he hears, “Katie? Is that you?”

Damn, he knows that voice. If it’s Allura then that means Lotor is nearby. Pidge turns and smiles, “Oh, hey Allura. How have you been?”

She whispers to Keith, “Her and Matt used to be in the same class, you know with Shiro?”

Keith nods slowly, he really wasn’t a fan of her but he wasn’t going to start trouble. Beside Lotor was the one who he didn’t like. He nods and keeps looking at the game while Pidge makes small talk. As they get to the front, each grab a bucket of popcorn, and Pidge grabs the nachos. Keith remembered she said she liked the licorice so he tells the guy at the counter to grab five licorice. He’s rewarded when Pidge give him a nudge. The damage wasn’t too bad so Keith pulled out his wallet, only to look up and see Griffin. God, what an asshole. This is why he didn’t go places.

Griffin sneers, “Keith.” But then sees Pidge and instantly turns on the good boy act. “Oh hello, Katie, so nice to see you again.”

Pidge nods, “Hey James.”

Keith quickly hands over the money and tries to escape but then Griffin interjects, “I haven’t seen you lately. How have you been?” Keith cannot help but roll his eyes.

Pidge replies, “Good. We better get moving the line is getting longer by the second!”

Keith quickly moves and maneuvers Pidge in front of himself. He turns to look back and sees Griffin is still staring. He deliberately moves closer to Pidge and leans to murmur, “How do you know HIM?”

Pidge grins, “Last year he was my partner in lab. Why?”

Keith frowns, “He’s a jerk and I don’t like him. You should-“

“Gonna stop you right there, I already have a brother.”

Keith holds his tongue but really feels cornered. He hates him and he doesn’t like how familiar he talked to Pidge. But knowing he’s risking pissing Pidge off if he continues he finally decides to hold his tongue. Maybe he’ll say something to Shiro who could let Matt know…hmmm.

As they arrive back to their truck, he can see their progress. Hunk has a whole spread on back seat full of snacks. Shiro and Hunk seem to be set up along the back, with blankets and pillows all around. He turns to Pidge, whispering, “So where do we sit?”

Pidge grins, “Just squish in!” At Keith’s frown she lets out a peal of laughter. He smiles, thinking, just this once, it might not be too bad to be put together close.

Just then her brother pulls in, he has a smaller pick up truck but he can see how this will work. Matt got his truck as close as possible so the beds of the trucks are almost touching. Matt rushes to the food, “Man I’m starving!”

Pidge pulls on his arm, “Hey help me.”

Keith is moving with her before his mind even catches up to what his body is doing. O-kayyyyy, guess he is helping set this up too. He ended up doing most of it but mostly because Pidge was ordering him around while eating the popcorn.

Done. He hopped out of the truck and grinned, “What do ya think?”

Pidge grinned and offered him the popcorn tub, “Looks great, now let’s get in or else they will steal our spots! Give me a boost or hold the tub.”

Keith went to step closer, when Lance interrupted. “Pidgey!!! Did you see Allura? She’s with that jackass Lotor. Ugh, he’s the worst!!!” He practically throws himself on the bed of Matt’s truck, “Hey what are you guys waiting for the movie is starting.”

Keith tried once again to hold onto his frustration and not just grab Lance’s leg out and pull him to the floor. He took a deep breathe and tried to just let it go. He looks up and sees Pidge rolling her eyes. She handed him the tub and pulled herself up. When she scooted back she asked, “Aren’t you coming up? Orrr… I mean you could sit with Shiro and Matt, I know everyone can’t take Lance’s constant questions during a movie.”

“Hey, now that’s just mean Pidge!”

Keith stared for a second, “Oh yeah, I don’t mind. It’s not like I really listen to him anyways.”

As he climbed in he tried to get between Lance and Pidge but Lance wouldn’t budge, luckily he was laying down so he could still see Pidge. After the previews, he saw what they were watching…Halloween. Of course! While he typically wasn’t a fan of scary movies, it was a classic so he figured at least he’d be entertained.

He felt like it was slow going but that worked in his favor. Lance got bored and went to eat, then decided to let Hunk know every thought that passed through his head. Since Hunk hated scary movies he was fine with it. Which left him and Pidge. Alone.

Well not really alone since everyone was just to the side of them but he slowly moved to be in the middle more and when he noticed Pidge was shivering he motioned for her to get closer to hi. He was naturally warmer so he figured it was a good opportunity. Pidge gladly shuffled over and over the course of the movie his arm went around her, then she snuggled in then suddenly she was climbing and moving his legs so she could sit in between them and lean against him. Keith felt like his heart was beating out of his chest and not because of some dumb movie.

He slipped his arms around her and linked his hands together, savoring the closeness. While not much for cuddling for some reason, everything with her just felt … right.

It felt nice support her weight against his chest. It felt right holding her during the scary parts. He didn’t mind her explaining how some of the things that happened could not be true in reality. He even liked when she offered him a bite of her licorice top. Finally the movie was over and Shiro looked at him, “So. Glad you came?”

He couldn’t help the smile on his face or how his eyes went to Pidge. “Yeah.”