#writing: wheaty

[bigbywlf]

DEPUTY OF HOPE COUNTY ❈ BLUE HAWKINS 

template by @zevlor

[elmp]

Better Snort Your Wheaties

Cocaine? Check. Weed? Check.

Chocolate milk? Check. Breakfast

Of Champions? Check.

[orionlancasterr]

IM JUST A NOTCH IN TOUR BEDPOST AND YOURE JUST A LINE IN A SONG

[starrbishops]

⟡Just a Little Meddling⟡

(John Walker x f!Reader)

Summary: Walker's feelings for you are obvious to everyone except you. Tired of watching him pine, the team decides to do something about it. - ao3 version

Word Count: 4k

Notes: Set after the events of Thunderbolts*, love confessions, first kiss, reader is described as wearing a dress and being shorter than John (he's 6' 2" so that's pretty much everyone but thought I'd mention it) New Avengers team shenanigans, John Walker yearns

a/n: I've wanted to write a Walker fic feat. the rest of the team so bad so this is it! I do love the family dynamic of the group and this was really fun to write.

“We are out of Wheaties!” Alexei yells out, jolting everyone seated around the dining table. Ever since they’d put the group of you on the box, Alexei had refused to buy any other cereal.

“Oh no.” Yelena deadpaned as she took a sip of orange juice. “This is tragic.”

“Whatever shall we do.” Ava sighed as she leaned back in her chair.

“We will get more!” Alexei declared, storming over to the table. “Bob, you will join me on  trip to the supermarket.” he pointed at the man as he spoke. “We need food anyways, Walker uses every ingredient when he cooks.”

“Hey!” John raised his hands in argument. “I make you all breakfast and this is the treatment I get?”

“Oh come on, Walker, we all know why you do this.” Yelena took another bite of her own food.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” he insisted.

Bob shrugged from his seat by the blonde. “I mean, no offense, Walker, but you’re kinda obvious.”

“What’s going on out here?” you walked into the room, rubbing our eyes as if you’d just woken up. John immediately jumped out of his seat, grabbing the extra plate of pancakes that he’d made. 

“Hey, made sure to make some extra for you.” he handed you the plate before nervously shoving his hands into his pockets. You smiled as you looked at the dish before you.

John was a surprisingly good cook. None of you could have predicted he was actually competent in the kitchen, but he’d become the designated chef of the group. Today, he’d taken the liberty of making you all blueberry pancakes ‘out of the goodness of his heart.’

“I love blueberries! Thanks John.” you grinned up at him before taking your seat, his eyes trailing after you. Yelena and Ava each gave him a knowing look, to which he scoffed before sitting back down next to you.

“We are in crisis.” Alexei announced to you, slamming the empty Wheaties box in front of you. “We have no Wheaties!” You held back laughter, glancing over at John with a grin at the ridiculous situation. Yelena groaned and covered her face out of embarrassment.

“I think we’ll survive, Alexei. Besides, John’s a great cook, he can tide us over till we go to the store.” you pointed at Walker with your fork, not looking over to see the way his face went red and his smile widened just a bit at the praise. Ava chuckled under her breath at it.

The five of you sat together, conversing as Alexei finally broke his no-Wheaties hunger strike and ate some of John’s pancakes. Walker couldn’t care less, honestly. Yelena may have been mean, but she wasn’t stupid. He liked you; a lot. You were sweet, smart, beautiful. And you would never go for someone like him, so he was left with nothing to do but small things like these. Making your favorite breakfast, looking out for you on missions, saying dumb things just to make you laugh. Anything to see you smile.

“Shit, it’s Val.” you groaned as you looked at your phone. “I gotta take this.” you stepped away, John staring as you left the room. Before you, he’d never been one to gawk at women, but it was getting to the point where when you were in a room, his adult brain turned off and his monkey brain turned on.

“Christ, Walker, you have no shame.” Ava laughed as she noticed John staring, snapping him out of it.

“What?”

“You’re like a lovesick puppy.” she joked, Yelena laughing with her.

“What are you talking about?” Alexei questioned, looking confused between Ava and John.

“Nothing, they’re just being annoying-”

“Walker likes her.” Yelena tilted her head to where you’d just left from.

John just hid his face in his hands, sighing as Alexei processed the information.

“Is this true, Walker?” he asked, seeming genuine in his questioning.

John shrugged. “If I say no, would you even believe me?”

“No.” Yelena and Ava spoke in sync, Bob shaking his head as well.

John threw his hands up, leaning back in his chair. “Fine, okay, I do like her. Are you happy?”

“YES!” Alexei practically jumped up from his seat, moving to smack John on the back.

“Ow!” he recoiled at the super soldier’s touch, Alexei hitting much harder than he intended to. He leaned down to squeeze John into a hug, all but suffocating him in the process.

“Ah, young love. You would make beautiful couple, John. Strong super babies. Would be great for marketing as well.”

“Dad!” Yelena called out from across the table. Alexei just waved her off.

“I joke. But it’s true, you would be wonderful together.”

“Thanks.” Walker choked out. “Please let go.” he caught his breath as Alexei released him. 

“Why have you not told her this?”

“He’s scared.” Ava piped in. “Thinks she’s too good for him.”

“Well…” Alexei shrugged.

“Hey, you just said we’d be a good couple!” John cried out.

“Yes, but in terms of leagues, she is up here-” Alexei held his hand up horizontally. “And you are here.” he held his other hand up lower than the first. Yelena again laughed, even Bob chuckling a little.

“You are very handsome man, John, very strong, but you need to be firm. Tell her your feelings. Say, ‘I love you, and I want to be strong man for you. Let us make passionate love.’”

“I am not saying that!” John said as the rest of the table burst into laughter.

“What’s happening?” Bucky yawned as he walked in.

“Alexei is trying to get Walker to admit his crush.” Yelena explained between giggles.

Bucky looked confused. “What, you still haven’t told her?”

“Is it that obvious?” John threw his hands up before covering his face again, prompting more laughter from the others.

“Hey, just saying, you’d be a cute couple. I think she likes you.” Bob leaned over, trying to encourage him.

“Thank you Bob, but I know I have no chance.”

Bucky chuckled. “You give up real easily, don’t you Walker.”

“Look, all of you-” Walker gestured around the table. “She’s out of my league, okay? She can do better. And none of you are going to tell her about this, got it?”

Yelena shrugged, face red from laughter. “Okay, if you’re choosing cowardice, that’s your choice.”

“We won’t stand in your way.” Ava laughed as she stood, taking her plate to the kitchen sink.

“I think you should just tell her. Get it out of your system.” Bob shrugged.

“Yes! Be brave, that is what women want. Strong provider who is not afraid of feelings.” Alexei added.

“I don’t know about all that.” Bucky patted Alxei’s shoulder. “But he’s got a point. She’s gonna find out at some point, Walker.”

“Not if I can help it.” he insisted as he began cleaning up dishes. 

“Hey, what’d I miss?” you walked back into the room, John straightening up nervously.

“Nothing!” he yelled immediately. Yelena giggled again as Bucky just sighed. 

You looked around at the group, observing Ava holding back laughter, Bob looking nervous, and Alexei looking up expectantly at John. “Okay.” you finally said. “John, do you mind coming with me to this stupid meeting thing later? Val’s insisting I bring someone.”

“Yes!” John immediately replied. “I mean, no of course I don’t mind.”

You smiled, a look of relief that John had memorized. “Thank God, I cannot do this alone. It’s at 11, I gotta go get ready now.”

“Yeah! I mean, I’ll get ready too. For the meeting.” he all but ran to you, following you into the hallway as the others watched.

“God, he’s pathetic.” Ava chuckled as she rinsed off her dish.

“Give him a break, Starr, he’s in love. It’d make anybody crazy.” Bucky warns as he sits down at the table.

“So we are going to do something about this, right? I don’t know how much more of this I can stomach.” Yelena asked the group.

“Walker seems like he needs a little push.” Alexei made a pushing motion as he said the word. “Something to make him act, finally.”

“You want to meddle behind both of their backs?” Ava asked as she rejoined the group at the table.

“Yes, obviously. They both need it.” Yelena gestured to the hall where the two had left.

Bucky ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, this isn’t our business.” he sighed. “But watching Walker like this is kind of sad.”

“So what’s the plan?” Ava asked.

The five sat in silence, thinking on how to get the two together. 

Finally Bob chimed in, with “I have an idea!”

You flopped on the couch, John joingin you as the two of you arrived back at the tower after Val’s meeting. After three hours of her droning on and on, it was a relief to be in the quiet of the Watchtower.

That was shortly interrupted by the entrance of the others into the room, ALexei immediately beginning his questioning of how it went.

You turned to John with a pleading look on your face. Please field his questions for me.

John just sighed, unable to say no to you, turning to Alexei to summarize the meeting. Bucky took a seat between the two of you.

“How you feelin’?” he asked. You just chuckled.

“Like my brain is mush.” you put a hand over your eyes.

“Val’ll do that to you.” Bucky jokes as he leaned back. “Hey, I wanted to ask you something.”

You moved your hand, facing the super soldier. “Shoot.”

“Mel’s got this friend, nice guy, good looking, smart, your age.” he listed off. “He works for Val too, thinks you’re pretty cool.”

John tunes into the conversation, focus shifting from Alexei’s questioning to suspicion as to what Bucky was getting at.

“Mel wanted to know if you’d be okay with us setting you up with him.” Bucky explained. “Obviously, it’s your choice, but I thought I’d put it out there.”

“Oh!” you replied, face one of surprise and confusion. “So, like, a date?”

“Yes, a date.” Bucky nodded.

Alarm bells went off in John’s head as he listened. What the hell was Bucky doing? Trying to kill him? It could be genuine, he knew he and Mel were close, and of course there were plenty of guys who’d kill for a date with you. He just never thought Bucky would go there.

“Well, I’m not really sure, it’s been a while since I’ve dated.” you nervously replied.

“Well that’s why it’s good. Get you back out there.” Bucky patted you on the back. “Doesn’t have to be serious. I just want you to be happy.”

Your eyes flitted over to John briefly, catching his look of concern as Alexei droned on in the background. “Okay. Yeah, sure, why not?”

He was so screwed.

“So, how are you feeling?” Yelena sat down next to Waker with a cup of coffee, interrupting his blank staring at the TV.

“Hm?” he hummed out, still barely in reality.

“You know, about your crush going on a date with some other guy.” she elaborated. “One who’s not you. Even though you’re in love with her.”

“I never said that.” he snapped back, although he didn’t move from his spot. “It’s fine. It’s her choice.”

“You’re seriously not doing anything?” The two jumped as Ava phased in behind them, looking disappointed at John. “You’re just going to keep wallowing here?”

“I’m not wallowing.” he muttered.

“You’ve been sitting there for three hours now watching all the Mission Impossibles. It’s sad, Walker, very sad.”

“They’re good movies.” he mumbled under her breath, eliciting a sigh from Yelena.

“Walker, please, just do something. She likes you, you just need to man up and tell her.” she insisted. Walker just stared down at the floor

“Don’t you think if she liked me she wouldn’t go on a date with another guy? I’m not exactly subtle, you all figured it out.”

“Yes, but she’s ridiculously oblivious.” Ava climbed over the sofa to sit next to John. “You both are. It’s why you’re perfect for each other.”

“Exactly! You just need to do something about it.” Yelena grabbed Walker’s shoulders and shook him, startling him out of his misery.

“Jesus, stop, okay! Look, she made her choice, and I’m not gonna get in the way of her being happy, alright? She deserves better.” With that, he stood up and walked away, leaving the two women looking at each other with disappointment.

“Oh God.” Ava flopped back onto the couch. “He’s worse than I thought.”

“Let’s hope Bob knows what he’s doing,” Yelena said, Ava nodding in agreement.

Meanwhile, you stood in your room, fiddling with your dress as you got ready. The longer you stare at yourself, the worse you feel. 

You were unsure of this from the minute Bucky brought it up, but it wasn’t like you had any excuse not to. You’d been harboring feelings for John for a while now, something you’d held close to your chest, afraid and unwilling to admit to them. You hoped this would take your mind off of him.

A knock at the door startled you from your thoughts, followed by Bob entering the room.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” he joined you by the mirror, staring into it alongside you.

“Like I’m gonna puke.” you admitted, arms crossed as you evaluated yourself. Yelena and Ava had helped you pick the dress; it was dark blue, shorter than you’d usually wear (“It’s sexy! You need to maximize hotness for this.” yelena had insisted) and hugged your curves tightly. You’d thrown on an old leather jacket you’d found in your closet to combat the awkwardness you felt, though it was still there, and combined with the guilt you felt about John, it was eating you alive.

“That’s fair.” Bob agreed, putting on a hand on your shoulder. “You look great, though. From an objective standpoint. I wouldn’t-”

“I know, Bob. Thank you.” you cut off his nervous ramblings, smiling over at him. “I just feel like crap for some reason.”

“Is it because of John?” you whipped around at the mention of the name, Bob just staring at you like it was a normal question.

“I- what- what do you mean?” you stuttered out.

“Nothing, it’s just, you guys seem really close. He’s been mopey all day, I thought maybe you had a fight or something.”

You sighed, aptly in relief and partly out of sadness. “Yeah. I don’t know what’s up with him. He’s been weird for days.”

“Yeah. Wonder what it could be. Started around when you agreed to the date, right?” Bob pointed out.

“Yeah, I, uh, guess so.” you nodded, confused at what he was pointing out. “You think that has something to do with it?”

Bob just shrugged. “I don’t know. Just stating the facts.” he peered down at his phone. “It’s almost 6:30. You might wanna get going.”

“Yeah, yeah I should.” you grabbed your purse from your dresser, joining Bob as you walked out of the room.

The other four members of the group sat on the sofa, watching some old action movie that's been left on. 

Ava whistled as you walked in. “Lookin’ good. That guy’s not gonna know what hit him.” she smiled at you. You gave a small grin back, trying to force yourself to be excited.

“What a beautiful young lady.” Alexei stood, rubbing your shoulders with a fatherly smile on his face. “And a very lucky young man is waiting for you.”

“Thanks, guys.” you grinned at them.

“In fact, everyone should see you. WALKER!” Alexei yelled out. “GET IN HERE!”

“Oh, John been in a mood all day, he doesn’t need to-”

“Jesus, what is it-” John stopped in his tracks as you turned to face him, wearing a nervous smile. He looked you up and down, admiring how the dress almost molded to your body, the larger jacket hanging from your shoulders. God, he wished that was his jacket right now. And you’d done your makeup, somehow becoming more radiant than you usually were. He always found you attractive, whether you were bloody and dirty from fighting, or done up like this.

The two of you just stared at each other in silence, you unsure what to say, John’s brain attempting to process the sight before him. “She looks nice, eh, Walker?” Alexei chuckled as he patted you on the back.

“Um, yeah.” Walker finally managed to choke out. “You look beautiful.”

You smile and nod sharply. “Thanks, John.”

Alexei turned you to face him. “Well, romance awaits! Let’s get you to your date.”

He pushed you towards the elevator gently, the others saying their goodbyes and giving good luck wishes as you walked away. As you stepped in, you gave one last glance at John, who still stood frozen in what seemed like a state of shock, eyes boring into you. You didn’t realize you’d been holding your breath till the elevator doors shut, and you couldn’t see the others anymore.

“Well, there she goes.” Yelena announced, turning back to the TV. “Nice work, Walker.”

John didn’t even respond to her tease. He just kept staring out at the elevator doors, as if he was trying to melt them with his mind, somehow bring you back up.

“John, you alright over there?” Bucky asked, sounding a million miles away to John.

He was stupid. He was so, so stupid. How could he just let you leave like that? Let some random guy, who didn’t even know you, know how amazing you were, take you out? It wasn’t right. Jealousy burned in his chest, imagining him getting to hold you the way John thought of constantly. Getting to touch her, to feel the warmth of you close up, do things to you JOhn could only imagine as he tried to fall asleep at night. He wouldn’t know how to treat you. How could he? John knew you; knew the small things, like your favorite foods, your nervous ticks, the way you laughed when you were faking and when you genuinely found something funny, how you picked at your nails when you were bored, how you fidgeted with her clothes when you were nervous.

And the way you looked at him-hesitant, nervous. Not in an excited way. In a way that he knew meant you wanted to get out of this. That you were unsure, unhappy. 

You weren't happy.

That thought was all John needed to make him run to the stairs, the others calling out after him. He didn’t even listen as he descended, running as quickly as possible to reach her before it was too late.

Out of breath after scaling the steps, he looked around the lobby frantically, searching for you out in the crowd. He spotted you heading for the door, calling out your name as he sped over to you.

You turned confused as a red-faced and panting John stood in front of you, trying to catch his breath. “John, what’s going on?”

“Don’t go.” he panted, “Don’t go on that date.”

You stared blankly at him, confused at his sudden fervor. “What?”

“You can’t.” he insisted. “Please, don’t go.”

Your mouth hung open, perplexed and surprised. “What, I-why not? You couldn’t have said this earlier?”

John looked down at you, eyes full of desperation and humility. “I was- I was scared.”

“Of what?”

“You.” he said, taking a step towards you. “You fucking terrify me. Because you’re amazing, because you make me feel like nothing else in the world.” he sighed, eyes not moving from yours. “God, you scare me more than anything because I’m in love with you and I don’t know what to do about it.” he ran a hand through his hair, still breathing heavily as he looked down at you.

You just stare back, shocked and unsure. “You mean all that?”

He nodded fervently, taking another tentative step forward. “I do. And I’m so dumb for not telling you sooner, and for even thinking I could have a chance, but I’m here now.” he reached out, gently taking one of your hands in his. “And I love you. I really do. Please, don’t go.”

You stand, mouth hanging open, unsure what to say, if anything. John just looks defeated and terrified, letting himself be more open and raw than he’d been in years.

You close your mouth, settling on a decision. You reach your other hand around the nape of his neck, pulling him down to your level as you kiss him, hard and intense, an act built from months of longing and suppressed feelings, all let loose with his confession.

He’s still for just a second,  brain catching up to his body, before he’s kissing you back, snaking a hand around your waist and cupping your face with the other, tongue slipping into your mouth as he tries to pull you infinitely closer to him.

In that moment, John feels perfect bliss; you against him, your soft lips against his, hand running through his hair mussed from his frantic run to catch you. He could stay like this forever, he thinks.

Unfortunately, you do finally have to pull away to breathe, panting as you lean into John, his arms rising to hold you against him.

“God, I’m so in love with you, John.” you mumble against him, breathing in the scent of him. “And I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, and the team, but god, you’re so great.”

John smiles, planting a kiss to the top of your head. “God, you’re perfect.” he hugs you tightly against him as you rest a cheek on his chest. “You’re everything. I swear, I’ll give you everything, if you’ll let me.”

You nod, opening your eyes to look up at him. “Yes.” you nod fervently. “I don’t need anything, I just want you, John.”

He chuckles, leaning down to give you another kiss. This one is softer, a promise of more to come.

You smile, leaning your forehead against his as he breaks the kiss, only to be interrupted by sudden cheering behind you.

The two of you turn to see your teammates clapping and smiling at you, Alexei holding up his phone as he takes a video.

“Finally!” Yelena yells out, coming over to hug you. “Took you too long enough.”

“You planned this?” you ask, looking out at your friends. John just stands still in shock, hands still firmly planted on your hips.

“Well, it was Bob’s idea.” Ava nudges the man next to her, who gives a nervous grin. “We all just helped.”

“God, this is beautiful.” Alexei suppresses a sob as he pockets his phone, walking over to join the two of you. “I feel like a proud parent.”

“You planned this.” John states, still processing as he glares at Bob, who just shrugs.

“You said you wouldn’t do anything about it. We thought you needed a little push.”

“And clearly it worked.” Bucky gestures to the two of you, prompting you to laugh at the insanity of the situation you were now in.

“You didn’t want to tell me you liked me?” you peered up at John, who somehow got even more red than before.

“Well, I uh… I figured you were out of my league.”

“And you are.” Ava adds as she phases over to you. “But if someone deserves the privilege of dating you, I guess he’s alright.”

“Hey.” Walker’s voice has no bite to it, smiling as he looks back down at you. “Really though, are you sure about this? You want me?”

You chuckle, moving a hand to his cheek, him leaning into your touch. “Yes, John, I’m sure.” you pull him down to kiss him once more, not caring about your friends around you. Yelena and Ava make disgusted sounds as Bob claps, Alexei cheering in the background.

“Shut up!” you push your friends away as you pull back, although you smile doing so. Alexei wraps the two of you in a bruising hug, taking your breath away.

“I’m so proud of you two!” he yells. “It’s like my beautiful daughter and my big strong son are in love!”

“How would that work?” Yelena asks as he releases the two of you, giving John a slap on the back. 

“Good work, Walker, I told you, express your love, be honest, and then, you make beautiful passionate love-”

“Okay, Alexei, thank you!” John cuts him off, brushing the others away as he pulls you to him. You laugh as the others move to file back into the elevator, looking up at John.

“Beautiful passionate love, huh?” you joke.

“Alexei has some interesting advice.” John just grins as he puts an arm around your waist, walking with you to join your friends in the elevator.

a/n: This is my longest fic to date and it was written in one sugar high induced sitting and I really don't know how I did it. But here it is! Ain't much but it's honest work :)

[shefollowedthestars]

dating ava starr headcanons ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

warnings: thunderbolts spoilers!! and some unedited thoughts

notes: MY GIRL SINCE ANT MAN AND THE WASP <33 i love her sm and needed to write something for her. this is just an accumulation of thoughts i've had about dating her since i watched the movie! hope you enjoy <3

you do her hair all the time! braids, pigtails, half up-half down, any hairstyle in the book is one you'll do for her. she loves the feeling of your hands in her hair and it relaxes her more than anything else after a tough or long mission.

sometimes when you're holding hands, she'll phase in and out through your hands and it can be a comfort and something soothing for you, but sometimes it's a funny way for her to tease you. it's her version of a 'tickle attack'!

alexei is the BIGGEST supporter of your relationship with ava. when ava said that she wanted the team to meet her new girlfriend, he was ecstatic, saying how great it was that someone on the team finally had a partner and he was even more ecstatic when he got to know you. think of him as you and ava's honorary dad who loves you embarrassingly lol. he would definitely think of adding the ally flag to the 'avengerz' merch and be so excited about it.

ava is such a witty and sassy person and so when you two first met there was a lot of back and forth play insults and banter - there definitely still is now, just some of those moments have been replaced with softer, gentler ones.

she's insecure about her laugh, but you think it's the most beautiful thing to ever grace your years. whenever she laughs at your jokes or at a situation, you can't help but admire her the sound, it brings you more joy than she could ever imagine.

she always asks for your opinion on a new suit before she chooses. she brings all the options home and shows them all to you. you sit on the bed, eating a box of thunderbolts wheaties, rating them and picking your favorites.

you keep a box full of magazine clippings, printed out comments and drawings of ava that you found on news outlets. all of them are complimenting her and some comments and art pieces were written and made by little girls that look up to her. the first time she broke down, post 'new avenger' status, you brought the box out to comfort her and show her that she's capable of being an amazing person - a hero, that people can look up to.

[redbuddi]

L being an accomplished tennis player is so funny to me. This scrungly dude raised in a basement to be the best at detectiving found enough time to become a British National Champion. What did he look like on the court? Who were his teammates? Did he have fans? Did they write rpf about him? Did he ever take any sponsorships? Imagine grabbing a box of Wheaties (the breakfast of champions) and seeing the most curled up palest goblin child youve ever seen right there on the box

[amoebadue]

MISCOMMUNICATION

Bob Reynolds (Sentry) x Reader (Female Reader)

Contains: Mature Themes; kidnapping, murder, guns, violence, Void, threats, choking, I can’t think of anything else off the top of my head

Reader described as having hair but everything else should be fairly neutral? Jealous Bob, Jealous Reader, Miscommunication (duh lol), Bob needs a hug, mutual pining, yearning (from both), John Walker being himself? Yelena’s just trying to help, Bucky needs a nap, Reader wears a dress (picture Anastasia’s Opera Gown)

Word Count: ~10k

A/N: This is my first fic ever so please be kind. Feel free to give (friendly) feedback!!! Let me know what you guys think of this!!

Yelena had planned a girls night to find dresses for Valentina’s gala later that week. She insisted it would be good “team-bonding” (at least for the female half of our team).

“I’ll be okay. It’s not like you’ll be gone long…right?” Bob looked at You with a nervous grin.

“We’ll only be gone for a couple hours. And if you need me, I can always fake a migraine and come home early.” You winked at him. He grinned back.

“Now get up,” tugging his arm, You pulled him out of bed, “we have ‘family breakfast’ since we’ll be gone for dinner.”

—

“Order up!” Alexei had not woken up as early as he had planned. Now he has Walker, Bucky, and Bob running an assembly line of breakfast food. He tried to pass it off as “making today a girl’s day rather than just a girl’s night”. The girls weren’t about to argue with him.

“Why can’t we just eat cereal?” John muttered as he angrily flipped pancakes.

“I like cereal!” Bob looked longingly at the cabinet that held the New Avengers themed wheaties, before Alexei stood, arms crossed, between Bob and his beloved breakfast food.

“You can have cereal tomorrow. When we can have another family dinner instead.” Everyone groaned.

“We don’t need to have ‘family dinner’ every night, you know.” Ava sniped.

BEEP BEEP BEEP. BEEP BEEP BEEP.

“AHHHH Bob!! The bacon!!!” Alexei started waving his arms frantically as Bob turned back to the stove. Where there used to be a pan with bacon, there was now a 3 foot tall grease fire.

“Pour water! Get water!” Alexei yelled at John as he ran to the sink.

“That is not how you put out a grease fire!” Alexei was already running back to the stove with the glass of water.

“Walker, stop him!” Bucky rubbed his face, already exasperated.

Bob had backed himself into the corner. Coincidentally (or not), he was right next to the cereal cabinet. He grabbed the box and several bowls as he made his way back to the table.

Or he tried to get back to the table, only to be stopped as John’s shield flew past him and into Alexei’s back.

Alexei fell to the ground with his cup.

“The water! NOOOOO!”

Bucky stepped over the fallen body and put a baking sheet over the burning pan.

“Guess we’re having cereal. Again.” He side eyed Bob who was happily pouring cereal into his bowl.

You turned to Bob as he slid your bowl over, “Did you do that on purpose?”

He just winked at you. You snorted and smacked his chest lightly.

The team ate their cereal in silence. Mostly. There was the occasional sigh from Alexei as he gazed sadly at the messy kitchen.

—

After breakfast you returned to your and Bob’s shared room to finish some reports. Bob followed.

As soon as the door shut, he spoke.

“I totally did that on purpose.” Your cheeks burned red as you laughed. Reaching for her laptop, you settled into Bob’s side as he sat on the bed. He wrapped his arm around you.

“I knew it!”

After your mutual laughing fit, he turned on the tv to that week’s sports news recap while you finished writing reports. By the time you finished, it was 4 o’clock. Soon enough, Yelena would be knocking on the door to get you to leave.

You stood up and stretched. He looked at you with a lazy grin.

“You could always stay here, you know. I’m sure they’d pick a dress you’d look good in. You look good in everything.” His cheeks flushed a light pink.

You held his face in your hands and put your foreheads together.

“You flatter me. You’re very persuasive, you know.” You murmured lowly. His breath hitched. You pulled away. “But not persuasive enough.” You laughed as you took a step back.

He grabbed your hand and you turned to face him.

“Can you at least tell me what color dress you’re getting?”

“It’s a surprise! Plus I won’t know until I find it,” You leaned down and placed a quick kiss on his jaw, “But don’t worry, I’ll get you a tie to match.” And then you were gone.

—

You hadn’t expected there to be this many dresses to choose from. Rows and rows of different colored gowns filled the department store.

“Over here.” Yelena dragged you to the back corner, away from the salespeople who were whispering excitedly as they side eyed the group of 3.

Before entering the store, the girls sat in a coffee shop across the street. Yelena insisted they go over the plan.

“Our objective: Find (each of us) a dress for Valentina’s gala.”

“I need to get a tie for Bob, also. So we can match.” Ava snorted. Yelena gave you a pointed look.

“We’ll get the tie after-” Yelena huffed and turned to Ava, who hadn’t stopped laughing.

“Sorry, sorry. They’re just so…cute. Matching tie. Honestly.” She snorted, “Bob, The Sentry…Void. Having a matching tie. The same guy that encompassed all of New York in darkness a year ago, wants to match his girlfriend. It’s cute. It’s funny.” The girls all looked at each other and burst into laughter. It was another several minutes before they called down enough to listen to Yelena go over their battle plan (shopping itinerary).

Mission Objective : Find a dress

Secondary Objective : Avoid all contact with other people

To make it a little more fun, the girls decided that the first one to be approached by someone out of their group has to pay for the other girl’s dresses.

Ava decided to go to the stay at the front and regroup after she found something that would fit over her suit.

At the back of the store, You and Yelena got to work shifting through the dresses on the racks.

“This dress would go perfect with your eyeliner.” You held up a blue dress for Yelena to see.

“It’s too…big.” You looked down. You had to agree with Yelena, it was rather poofy. “But the color is nice.” Yelena continued, “I was thinking maybe I’d try something green.”

“Okay, well there’s some green dresses over there,” You pointed to the rack against the wall, “These are all too blue.”

“Maybe you should get a blue dress. It would go with those shoes you got the other week.”

“Good idea! But I definitely need something less…” You looked at Yelena, “Big.” You both said at the same time and then promptly burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Ava phased through the wall behind the rack they were standing in front of.

“Nothing, just thinking about how you could hide the entire tower under here.” That set off another fit of giggles.

“Oh well, I found my dress. I could probably just take it and they wouldn’t notice.” The girls looked over to the salespeople who were trying to placate a woman yelling about their return policy.

She snorted, “I can’t imagine Valentina would be too happy about one of her New Avengers robbing a clothing store.”

“Suppose not. Oh well. Hopefully we don’t have to return anything.” More laughter.

“Oh wow.” You gasped. Stepping away from the other girls. There at the end of the rack was the most beautiful dress You’d ever seen. It was a strapless dark blue dress with a glittery sheer cape.

“That’s the one.” Yelena peeked over your shoulder.

Ava hummed in agreement, “You have to get it.”

“Now that we all have our dresses, we can check out. Since nobody was approached by anyone, maybe we should charge it to Valentina’s card. I mean…she is the one insisting we attend the gala.” They shared mischievous looks and burst into a fit of giggles.

“Maybe we should also buy dinner with her card since we had to spend our free time preparing for a work event.”

“Yes!”

—

Back at the tower the boys had finished their 14th round of competitive Mario Kart. Alexei kept losing and demanded a rematch every time. Eventually, he rage-quit but was able to unsuccessfully play it off as getting the pizzas they had ordered.

As soon as the elevator closes, John starts, “How can he drive people around in a limo and still be so bad at driving games.”

Bucky snorts, “You’re one to talk! How can you be so loud but still say nothing?” He laughs before a pillow smacks him in the face. That just makes him laugh harder.

“Whatever, man. The real question is how Bob managed to win every single race.”

“I had a lot of time to practice when you guys were all on missions and stuff.”

John gave him an incredulous look and scoffed, “And you chose to pass the time with Mario Kart?”

“Yeah,” he laughs as he says your name, “She always wants to play when she can’t sleep.” John laughs at the dazed look in his eyes as he talks about You.

Bucky cuts in and repeats your name, “How’s that going?”

Bob’s cheeks start turning pink, “Good…really good. She’s always around. She’s even getting me a tie that’ll match her dress.”

John let out a loud laugh, “Geez, you guys are always together! And matching ties? How clingy is she!?” He snorts. “Do you ever get a second alone?”

Bob flushes at this, “Well, I mean…sometimes she has training or paperwork, but she tries to do the paperwork where she can sit by me.” Bob pauses as he anxiously fiddles with the sleeves of his sweater. He flinches when a door shuts down the hall, “But I really don’t mind. If anything, I’m the one that wants her around.”

John nods at this but Bucky frowns at the empty doorway. He could’ve sworn he’d seen You.

—

By the time You and the girls had returned from the store, You were exhausted. Yelena offered to hide your dress so Bob wouldn’t see it before the gala. You accepted. Now all you wanted to do was curl up in bed with Bob while he ran his fingers through your hair (his favorite pastime).

Unfortunately, your plans were thwarted after hearing the guys talking in the common room. After hearing Bob say you were always with him and then hearing him agree when John called you clingy, you were not all too ready to cuddle up with that man.

You thought Bob would want to match. It’s only his second gala. And your first as a couple! You’d been dating for 7 months now, and you thought having you around had helped him keep calm. At least that’s what he’d told you. Had he lied to you? He wouldn’t do that…right? You tucked the tie into the bottom drawer of your nightstand.

No, you decided, he wouldn’t…Would he?

A knock on the door took you out of your thoughts.

You cracked open the door to see Yelena standing there, “Oh. Hey.” You cleared your throat, “What’s up?”

“Ava and I are going to watch a rom-com. Do you want to watch?” Yelena squinted at you, “Are you alright?”

“Oh yeah, I’m fine! Just a bit tired. I think I’m just gonna go to bed.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Plus you didn’t want to risk running into Bob right now.

Shutting the door, you shook your head and told yourself that you’d feel better in the morning.

—

By the time Yelena got to the common area, Ava had already appeared with a bowl of popcorn in hand.

“You cannot kick us out just for ‘girls night’, Ava.”

“Yes they can!” Bob jumped up excitedly.

“Oh shut up Bob, you just want to make your girlfriend happy!”

“What’s wrong with-”

“Speaking of your girlfriend, she’s going to bed early.” Yelena interrupted. Bob nodded, moving quicker so he could get to you before you fell asleep.

He went to walk past Yelena, but she grabbed his arm. He gave her a questioning look.

“She said she was tired, but…she didn’t look well.”

Worry filled his eyes, “Is she sick?” They flashed silver, “Hurt?”

“No, no. I think she’s just…well, I’m not sure.” She paused, “Just let me know if she needs anything.”

He nodded and headed for his room, his pace quicker than normal.

John snorted as he left, “Maybe he is the clingy one.”

Everyone laughed at that.

—

Bob knocked hesitantly on the door. Furrowing his brows when he doesn’t hear your voice.

He cracks open the door and seeing that the lights are off, decides to whisper your name, “Are you still awake?”

You were never able to fall asleep easily without him. Or at least that’s what you’d told him. Maybe you really weren’t feeling well.

He approaches the bed and places the back of his hand against your forehead. No fever. He decides to get ready for bed.

After he brushes his teeth he grabs a cup and fills its with water. Placing it on your nightstand, he notices that you’re facing away from his side of the bed. Had he done something? Were you mad at him? No, you were fine when you left. Maybe you really were sick.

He walked around to his side of the bed and laced down. Facing you, he counted your heart rate. He frowned. Your heart was beating much faster than it normally did when you were asleep. You must be really sick. He needs to call a doctor. As he went to reach for you, you flinched slightly. You’re awake, he realized, and ignoring him.

His frown deepened. Maybe you really were mad at him.

He stays up, waiting for you to turn and face him. You don’t.

—

The next morning you wake to an empty bed. You frown. Bob is always in bed longer than you, even if he wakes up first. Maybe he really did want space.

You pushed the covers aside and got up. How could I have pushed him away? Why doesn’t he want me anymore? Maybe he thinks I don’t appreciate him? At this thought you start to make the bed. And rinse the water cup he’d given you.

Your heart hurts. Even when you annoy him, he’s still thoughtful. You think he’s too good for you.

After tidying the rest of the room, you gets ready for training. Maybe you can talk to him then.

—

Bob walked back to the room, the two coffee cups were shaking in his hands. He’d hoped they could talk over coffee. He hoped you’d want to talk.

Opening the door he backed in. He took a deep breath and turned to-

Nothing. The room was empty. The bed was made. He felt like al the air had been knocked from his chest. He always made the bed. He liked feeling useful. Needed. Especially by you.

The cup of water he’d given you was gone too. In fact, the whole room was clean.

Maybe you really didn’t need him. Maybe that’s why you were distant last night. Maybe you’d finally realized you were too good for him.

—

When he got to the training room, you were already standing at the bench. Setting your water bottle down as you spoke softly to John. Bob frowned as he looked at you. Did you always stand that close to John?

A hand on his shoulder shook him out of his thoughts. Yelena gave him a strange look as he turned to face her.

“Are you alright, Bob?”

“Fine.” She frowned. He stomped past her to the punching bags. He wanted to hit something. Or someone.

Your laughter rang out behind him. He glared at the bag in front of him, not wanting to turn and see you laughing at something he said.

“Bob, what’s going on with you two?”

“Nothing.” She didn’t need to know how true that was. Nothing was going on with them. She wouldn’t even look at him. He shook his head, maybe she’s just having a bad day.

“Okay let’s pair up! We’ll switch through stations around the room.” Bucky’s voice rang out as he stepped into the training room.

Yelena grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the mat, “Let’s be partners.”

Bob hadn’t wanted to be partners with Yelena. He wanted to pair up with you. Maybe he should let you train without him. Maybe you just need some space.

—

Hearing Bucky’s order, you turned to face Bob, wanting to pair up with him. Hopefully you’d be able to talk then. But instead you watched as Yelena pulled him to the mat. He didn’t even look at you.

John said your name softly, “Wanna pair up?”

You looked past him, back at Bob. He was already looking at you. He smiled at you, you noted that his smile looked tense. You furrowed your brows. What’s wrong with him? Is he okay? Maybe he really had gotten tired of you. Maybe you should just give him some space.

You focused your gaze back on John. He grinned.

“So?” He prompted.

“Yeah, of course!” You smiled back, albeit not as wide as you normally would, he noted.

John nodded towards the mat and started heading in that direction.

Okay, you thought, let’s get this over with.

You looked back at Bob, who was laughing at something Yelena said.

Maybe he just needs some space. Then maybe he'd want you around again. Maybe then he’d choose you as his partner. Maybe he just needs some space.

—

If he had to watch Walker pin you to the ground one more time he was going to break something. Preferably Walker himself.

CRACK.

He looked down. The metal weight he’d been holding was now snapped in two.

“Easy, Bob. Valentina’s going to throw a fit if we break anymore of her ‘state of the art training machinery’,” Yelena grinned, “What has gotten you so worked up, anyways?”

She looked towards the mat where you and John were sparring.

She laughed before speaking, “Oh Bob, you have nothing to worry about. Her and Walker are just friends. Plus she loves you.” He wasn’t so sure about that anymore. But he couldn’t let Yelena know. Not until he was sure.

Shaking his head, he tried to push those thoughts away…to no avail.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“She does, Bob.” She looked back towards John, “Plus he is a good friend. He’d never do something like that to you.”

“I guess.” She frowned at his seemingly limited vocabulary, maybe she should just try to distract him. Maybe he’d feel better then, she thought.

A loud obnoxious (or so thought Bob) laugh cut her off before she could speak.

CRACK.

And there goes another weight.

—

Lunch hadn’t gone any better. Neither had dinner. At lunch, Bob chose to sit in his regular seat, hoping you would sit next to him — as you normally did.

You didn’t. You hadn't even gone to lunch. And neither had Walker. And then he hadn’t seen you at all that afternoon.

Then you arrived late to dinner. Your smile exasperated as you sat in the seat next to John, who had arrived shortly before you. Bob frowned at his plate. Was he that easily replaceable?

—

You were distracted during training. John had beaten you every time you sparred. Each match had ended with you pinned to the mat, confused as one second you were looking at Bob and the next you were being slammed into the ground.

“Okay, I’ll bite. What’s wrong with you today?”

You looked at John, who held his hand out to help you up. You rolled your eyes. Now he wanted to be a gentleman. Unlike moments before when he’d body slammed you.

“Nothings wrong.”

He scoffed, “Sure. Nothings wrong.” He looked at where Yelena and Bob were weight training. What that man needed to lift weights for was beyond him. Maybe he just wanted to show off in front of his girlfriend. He snorted at that. “Why aren’t you paired up with your boyfriend?”

You glared at him, “He obviously wanted to train with Yelena. It’s not like we always have to be together, all the time.”

He narrowed his eyes, “Are you jealous?” He followed you to the bench. Chuckling softly as you attempted to escape his questioning.

He bit back a laugh as you snapped a quick no.

“You’re totally jealous.” This time he didn’t hold back his laughter.

“I’m not. But whatever. Think what you want.” You shot him a quick glare as you took a drink of water. He gave you a pointed look. “Go away.”

“You don’t want me to go away. Because then you’d be alone because your boyfriend would rather hang out with blondie than you.”

You gasped and smacked his arm. “You are such a jerk. It’s no wonder your wife left you.”

He snorted. “That’s a low blow.” He wiped the sweat off his brow. “Anyways, I still need to get new dress shoes for the gala,” he glanced at you sideways, “after your boyfriend's last incident. Anyways, wanna come with? It would probably do you some good to get out of the tower.”

“I was just gone like half of yesterday. But sure. Whatever.” He snorted once again at your passive-aggressive response.

—

Several hours later you and John had returned from your shopping endeavors. At lunch, he had managed to worm his way into your mind and make you admit that you were, in fact, jealous of Yelena.

He had assured you there was no reason to be. You had confided that you worried he might be getting sick of your presence.

John had laughed obnoxiously and incessantly at that. Once he’d finally managed to calm down he’d said, “I am certain there is no way that Bobby doesn’t want you around. He’s practically obsessed with you. I think he’d glue himself to you…if he didn’t hate the feel of glue on his hands. Actually, he might just do it anyway.”

You hummed dismissively as you looked out the window. How could he say that? He was there with Bob last night. He was the one Bob was talking to. He was the one that had called you clingy. Not the only one, she thought.

You’d never taken John for a liar, but you also never thought you’d lose Bob to your clinginess.

You considered that it would probably be annoying having you around all the time. He never gets any time alone. But you worried about him. You knew how he got when he was alone. You thought your presence made him feel better, but maybe not. Maybe you had overestimated your place in his life. He was the ‘Golden god’ after all. And you were…nothing compared to him. You shook your head.

“We should get going. Your shoes aren’t going to find themselves.” You redirected the conversation.

“You’re such a dork.” He snorted at the look you gave him.

“And you’re an abomination, don’t talk to me.” He snickered as he held the door open for you.

—

In the elevator at the tower, John had told you to talk to Bob after dinner. He’d reminded you that he and Yelena were just friends.

“Plus he always wants to be with you. You’re the one he chooses to spar with. Yelena was the one that picked him as her partner earlier, not the other way around. And, he always sits by you at meals.”

You smiled at him. You felt a bit more confident about your relationship with Bob now after speaking to him. John was a good friend, some of the time. You frowned as you remembered his conversation with Bob last night. You shook your head. You walked past him as the elevator opened, hoping to get to dinner before you lost your nerve.

“I’m going to set my bags down. I’ll meet you at dinner.”

He nodded in affirmation.

After putting the bags away, you headed to the kitchen. Walking in, you searched the table for Bob. You headed for your seat, only to stop when you saw Yelena happily eating mac and cheese…in your seat. Next to Bob. You glanced at John, who just shrugged at you.

Bob hadn’t even noticed your arrival for several moments as he was too busy whispering something to Yelena.

His back straightened suddenly and he turned to look towards the woman who had just walked in. Bob looked between you and Yelena, who was oblivious to the silent exchange happening. He frowned as you walked over and sat next to John, and smiled at him.

Bob looked away from you. Suddenly he wasn’t hungry anymore.

After seeing him whisper softly to Yelena, neither were you.

—

The next two days were a lot of the same. You gave Bob space and he gave you space.

At meals, he’d sit by Yelena and you’d sit next to John.

At training, you’d train with anyone but each other.

At nights, you stayed turned away from him, pretending you couldn’t feel his eyes on you.

By the morning of the gala, the rest of the team was fed up with their behavior.

Bob was more irritable. His eyes flashing silver more times than not.

And you were avoiding everyone altogether. Except maybe John, be he also couldn’t find you half of the time.

The rest of the team gathered in Bucky’s room (against his will) to discuss what to do about the situation.

“Whatever is going on with those two needs to stop.” Bucky.

“For once, I agree with Bucky. Bob, or Void actually, told me that he was glad my wife left me and that I was going to die alone. He said I should just kill myself and be done with it.”

“Jeez. He told me that I should've stayed in the lab. And that I should just take my suit off and allow myself to disintegrate so that-”

“Well he told me-”

“Hey, guys— we don’t need to talk about what he said to us. He didn’t mean any of it. But we do need to figure out what’s wrong with them before Void gets out of control.”

“Okay, Bucky, how are we supposed to know what’s wrong with them? It’s not like either of them are super approachable right now.”

Yelena scratched her nose. John coughs. Everyone turns to them.

“What do you guys know?”

“Why are you avoiding eye contact, Lena? Lena, answer your father.”

“Well, Bob doesn’t really know what’s wrong. And I don’t either! But the night we went shopping for our dresses; me, Ava and,” she says your name, “When we got back, she went to put her bags away and she was happy. But when I asked her about the movie, she seemed…off. Like there was something wrong with her. But I don’t know what it could be. Especially since Bob was still with you when we started the movie.”

“Yeah, Bob was still with us that night. We were talking about…oh no.” John’s eyes widened.

“What?” Yelena asked.

“Oh no.” Bucky repeated John’s words.

“What?” Ava asked urgently.

Bucky smacked John on the back of his head, “This guy thought it would be a good idea to tease Bob about how much time his girlfriend spends following him around. Called her clingy.”

John rubs the back of his head sheepishly, “How was I supposed to know she’d hear? Plus, he didn’t even call her clingy. He just said they’re always together. Not that he minds. And why would that upset her?”

“She obviously didn’t hear the whole conversation.”

“Oh yeah, obviously.” He rolled his eyes.

“Guys, this is serious.” Yelena interrupts, “She doesn’t think Bob wants her around and Bob thinks she doesn’t want him around.”

“Well what are we supposed to do?” Ava questions.

“Whatever it is, we need to fix it before the gala.”

—

They did not fix it before the gala. In fact, they just made things much much worse.

While You were out, Yelena broke into yours and Bob’s shared room. She found Bob sitting in the bed with his hands cradling his head. Muttering to himself.

“She…gone. Doesn’t want…broken…stupid…leave…hate…miss her…doesn’t miss you…scared…she’s not…gone…left.”

”Bob.” His head snapped towards her, eyes red, cheeks stained with tears.

“You should go.”

“Oh Bob,” she sat next to him on the bed, “What is going on with you…” she trails off at Bob’s sharp look.

“There’s nothing going on.” Yelena’s gaze softened despite his sharp tone.

“There is definitely something going on. You’re like, well this.” She gestures to his tear stained face, “And she’s avoiding everyone. Well everyone except maybe Walker.”

Bob let out a dark chuckle. “Of course she’s with him.” He muttered, mostly to himself but Yelena heard it.

“That’s the problem? Walker? John Walker? Oh Bob, you know they’re just friends. That’s all they’ve ever been. And she’s dating you. She’s not the cheating type.”

“Well she’s hardly ever with me anymore. She can barely get through meals together in the same room, much less look at me. Which she doesn’t.” He laughed bitterly, “Even at night, she pretends to sleep, and I pretend not to notice,” His eyes flashed silver, “I bet she doesn’t pretend to sleep when she’s with Walker,” He glowered at the doorway, “I bet she doesn’t need to for what they’re doing.”

Yelena gasped, “Bob! You know she’d never do that.”

But Bob was gone. This time his eyes didn’t just flash. This time the dangerous glint stayed.

“Actually I don’t know. Maybe I would know if she wasn’t so busy throwing herself at any man available.”

Yelena gasped, “You don’t mean that.”

He looked back at her, expression cool, “I do, I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.”

He continued in a lowered voice, “Pretending to sleep while she is in my bed.” He stood up then, voice firm, “I should kill him. Then she’d come back. She wouldn’t have to waste any more of her time with him. She thinks I’m not good enough for her? He’s so much worse.”

Yelena shot up then, “You cannot kill Walker. She’d never forgive you.”

His eyes kept their silver glint, “I don’t need her to forgive me. I just need her to stay.”

—

Yelena left the room, shutting the door softly in hopes she wouldn’t agitate him further. She turned around quickly at a sharp gasp.

You were standing there, across from Yelena.

“You can’t go in there.”

“Right…” You trailed off, “And why can’t I go into my room?”

“Technically it’s Bob’s room.” Yelena flinched as she said the words, already wishing she could take them back.

You flinched too, taken aback by Yelena’s words. “Did— did he tell you that?”

“Um,” Yelena looked around desperately, hoping someone else from the team would show up to help her, “Not exactly.”

“Not exactly.” You repeated, “So he did then?” You glared at the doorway that Yelena was still standing with her back to. You are mad now. How dare he call he go behind your back and call you clingy. And now he was hanging out with Yelena alone in their his room? Oh, you were mad. You were furious.

“Where’d you put my dress?” You asked suddenly. Yelena’s body went rigid at your icy tone. You were going to make Bob regret ever pushing you away.

Yelena frowned at the bite in her friend’s tone.

“It’s in my room. I’ll help you get ready.” Yelena pulled you down the hall towards her room.

—

3 hours later, your hair was in a sleek low bun with tendrils framing her face.

Your makeup was done, complete with shimmery silver glitter coating your eyelids. You were wearing the dress you’d picked out with the girls.

Bob was going to lose his mind. If he cared enough to notice you. And maybe you were being dramatic. Maybe you were overreacting. But…it had been days and he hasn’t tried to talk to you. He hasn't reached out. You shook your head. Enough about Bob. You weren't going to cry and ruin the makeup you had just spent so long applying.

—

“Look over here, over here!”

“Bucky!”

“Congressman Barnes!”

“Ma’am! Ma’am!”

You forced a smile as you passed the paparazzi on the way to the entrance. Yelena and Bob were going to drive separately. You weren't told why, but had noticed hushed whispers exchanged by the rest of the team. Maybe none of them want you around. You frowned. Not everything is about you.

John guided you to the bar with his hand respectfully placed on your back. At least he seemed to want you around.

“You look miserable.” John snorted.

You glared at him, “I am.”

His expression softened at your words. He glanced at the entrance. Bob and Yelena had just walked in. He cursed under his breath. Yelena was supposed to keep Bob at the tower, Valentina’s orders that the whole team had to make an appearance notwithstanding. He shook his head, he needed to get away from you.

He snapped his head towards you, “I need to talk to,” he scanned the room for a familiar face, “Valentina.” He flinched, hoping you wouldn’t notice.

So maybe he doesn’t want you around.

You pretended to laugh it off, “When have you ever wanted to talk to Valentina? Whatever.” You pushed him away playfully, hoping he wouldn’t see how hurt you were.

He wanted to say something that would make you feel better, but he had to get away before Bob saw them together. Man, he really did not want to be killed by someone named Bob.

—

“Come on, Bob. Wait up.” Back at the tower, before the gala, Yelena was attempting to stall Bob. She had already resigned herself to the fact that she couldn't keep him from the gala if she tried.

“No.”

“Bob, wait!” He ignored her.

Yelena and the team had agreed that she’d stay back with Bob. He was already struggling to keep his other side at bay, even without fighting with his girlfriend.

“You don’t even have a tie!” He turned to her with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

“I was supposed to have a tie. She was going to get one that would match her dress. When she went shopping with you and Ava. In fact, she was fine before leaving with you.”

He paused momentarily. Then his hand shot out and wrapped around her neck.

She clawed at his hand frantically. He lifted her slowly off the ground.

His voice took on a darker tone, “What did you say to her?” He glared at her.

With his hand still around her neck she choked out a soft, “Nothing. We didn’t say anything at all.” She shut her eyes tightly. Everyone else had left already, they’d rushed you out the door. “She was fine until we got back.”

Her vision was getting spotty now. “She only seemed upset when I went to ask if she wanted to watch a movie with us. Really.” Her eyes pleaded with him. He glared back.

He tilted his head thoughtfully to the side and set her down.

“I’m going to the gala, I don’t care what you do. Just don’t get in my way.”

—

Miraculously, sometime between him choking her and them arriving at the gala, she had managed to get Bob back.

Yelena finished concealing the bruises on her neck as Bob tried to remember what had happened back at the tower.

She shushed him as he mumbled apologies repeatedly.

“Just don’t hurt anyone else, Bob. Don’t hurt her.”

At that, he seemed to shrink in on himself.

“I wouldn’t hurt her.” But all he could think of is that he already had.

—

The back of his neck burned as cameras flashed. He could only hope the pictures wouldn’t show his shame.

Yelena whispered soft reassurances as she pulled him past the paparazzi. The noise of their shouts drowned out as he kept his eyes on the door.

Only 3 more steps and then no more cameras.

Once they got inside, he felt like he could breathe again. He tried to relax his shoulders but they didn’t seem to want to stay down.

He frowned as he noticed Yelena stop next to him. He looked around for whatever could’ve made her freeze like that.

His body tensed as his eyes landed on you. The air was knocked from his chest as he looked at you. You were beautiful. He smiles and shook a step forward, only to stop when he noticed what you were doing. As you sat at the bar, you were laughing — with John Walker. His chest tightened.

He glowered at Walker as he walked away from the bar. Leaving you behind. His girlfriend.

Mine. The other side of him was screaming in his mind. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to go to you or tear Walker apart limb from limb.

“Bob.” His ears were ringing.

“Bob.” His hands were shaking.

“Bob!” His blood ran cold.

Ignoring Yelena’s hushed exclamations of his name, he walked towards his girlfriend.

His girlfriend who was watching him approach. Watching Yelena tug on his arm. Watching him glare at her. At her.

You wiped your palms on your dress, hoping to calm your racing heart.

He froze. Eyes darting to your right. You followed his gaze.

Standing next to you was a man. A man who happened to be very important, as he was the biggest investor in the New Avengers.

You weren't sure how Valentina had managed to convince him to invest in the team, but you were sure that Valentina would kill you if he stopped funding the team because of you. All you wanted was to smooth things over with Bob.

Your anger had started to dissipate when you’d seen him walk in. Cheeks flushed, chest heaving.

That was your boyfriend. Your boyfriend. You loved him. And you wanted to fix this…thing between you two.

But he’d have to wait. At least until you were done ensuring that your job was secure for the foreseeable future.

You shot out of your chair, hands rushing to shake his.

Rushing so much that you managed to knock the drink out of his hands and all over his suit.

A few strangled gasps rang out from around the room.

“I am so, so sorry, Mr….” You trailed off, remembering that you didn’t actually know his name. Your cheeks turned pink as he laughed.

“Kennedy, Ma’am. And no worries, this suit was only several thousand dollars.”

“Oh, only several thousand?” You laughed, hoping your awesome sense of humor and charm could keep him from withdrawing his investments.

“Yes, I will admit it’s one of my cheaper suits…” You laughed politely in turn, wishing this conversation would end soon.

—

He was seeing red. The hair on his arms stood straight up. He growled. He actually growled.

Yelena was fully pulling his arm now. Attempting to drag him towards the back of the building.

But he wasn’t budging. He stood there, watching you laugh at something this guy was saying. Did you even know him? And if you did, how many other men did you know here? Bob shook his head and looked at his feet. That was Void talking, not him. What’s the difference? He snapped his head back towards you.

You were looking back at him. The man is still talking beside you, but you were looking at him. He grinned sadistically. You flinched. He glared at you before turning abruptly and walking away..

—

He had to get out of there before the Void took over fully. Yelena ran after him.

“Bob! Bob! Wait up.”

He continued stomping towards the balcony, mentally thanking Bucky for making the team go over the floorplan and exit strategies.

“Bobby.” He turned sharply and lifted Walker by the collar of his suit jacket.

“Stay away from her. Don’t touch her, don’t talk to her, don’t go near her. Stay. Away.” He glowered at John through the fringe of his hair.

“You gotta calm down, man. Someone’s gonna get hurt.”

“I’m going to hurt you if you don’t back off.”

Bob’s eyes glinted silver as he threw Walker to the ground and took off into the night sky.

—

Back at the tower, Bob had managed to calm down from his murderous rage. Slightly. Void was gone but Bob still wanted to strangle Walter Walker and that man at the bar.

Unfortunately, by the time Bob came to, the bedroom had been trashed. She is going to be so mad when she finds our room like this, he thought. He hurriedly started cleaning the room that had been torn apart.

He started by picking up the shards of glass from the lamp he’d thrown. Your lamp. Man, he’s really done it this time. He shook his head as he assessed the damage. It was bad. Really bad. The voice in his head got clearer as he gripped the dresser.

You always mess everything up. No wonder she wants nothing to do with you. She can’t even stomach looking at you.

He groaned as he cracked his neck. Your water cup had been knocked off the nightstand. He still left water for you every night, hoping you’d acknowledge him. Hoping he could still be useful.

As he reached between the nightstand and bed, he noticed that the bottom drawer had opened. Inside it lay a dark blue tie. He frowned as he slowly pulled it out of the drawer. So you had gotten him a tie? He thought you’d forgotten. Or chosen not to. There was only one thing he could think of now.

Why hadn’t you given it to him?

—

After seeing Bob stomp away, you hurriedly excused yourself from the conversation with Mr. Kelley? Campbell? Carter? You weren't sure, but it didn’t matter.

All you wanted was to see Bob. To apologize for being clingy? To beg him to give you another chance? You weren't sure exactly, but at this point you were willing to do anything if it meant he’d want you again.

You headed for the service entrance. Mentally thanking Bucky for making the team go over the floorplan and exit strategies.

Ducking past several servers carrying trays, you finally made it to the door. Steeling yourself against the cold air, you ran towards the tower.

It was only 4 blocks, what’s the worst that could happen?

———————————————————

Well, as you later found out, the worst that could happen was being kidnapped.

Bob was going to kill you. Or them. Or you and then them. Or vice versa. Probably vice versa.

“Hey I’m talking to you.” You tuned him out as he started spouting off obscenities. “I said, if you want to go home, you better hope your people are willing to pay more than my buyers are.”

“Okay, I’m…” You pretended to be nervous, mascara streaks running down your face. You made a mental note to buy waterproof mascara, although this did add to your theatrics, “I’m sure they will. They just need to know that they need to,” a hiccup to emphasize your distress, “need to know that they have to — have to pay.” You sniffled at the end. A pause.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, lady. I’ll get you a phone. One call. That’s it. If they don’t answer, you’re going to the highest bidder. If they do answer, well, you’re still going to the highest bidder, it just might be them.” The man laughed as he walked away. Bingo.

You looked around frantically, trying to gauge your surroundings. Looks like they brought you to an abandoned warehouse. How cliche. The wall to your right was covered in broken window panes, the bottom ones had tarps covering them.

There were several other men milling about; cleaning weapons, sorting cash, one was even drinking. Typical henchmen activities.

The man from before came back holding a dingy duct tape wrapped burner phone. They either weren’t very good at their job or just not paid well.

She looked him over; dirty jeans with a hole at the ankle, moth eaten shirt with oil stains, and a backwards baseball cap covered in grease marks. He wasn’t even trying to hide his identity. You rolled your eyes. Of course you’d be kidnapped by amateurs. The team was never going to let you live this down.

“One call.” He gave you a pointed look as he held the phone out to you.

You looked down at where your hands were tied to the chair you were sitting in.

“Um?” You prompted.

“Oh yeah, here.” He cut the rope that was strapping your dominant hand to the chair. You wished you could have laughed at him. Out loud. You definitely laughed in your head.

He handed you the phone. You thanked him in a ‘tearful’ voice.

Dialing Bob’s number, you prayed he’d answer.

One ring.

Two rings. Your breath hitched.

Three. You closed your eyes.

“Hi, it’s Bob. I can’t come to the phone right now but leave a message and I might get back to you.” You cringed. Your eyes starting to water. He didn’t answer. He always answers.

“Hi Honey,” You cried, not even having to pretend anymore. “I miss you. I’m so sorry about —” The kidnapper barked at you to get to the point. A few of the other men looked over at them. You hiccuped. “Um, I was kidnapped. He said that I’m going to be sold to the highest bidder.” You sniffled. “And if I’m lucky, it would be you.” Your eyes darted past the man, to the others, counting how many weapons there were. You paused, pretending to listen to the person on the other end of the line.

You turned to the man who had kidnapped you. “How is he supposed to pay you?”

“Tell him to bring cash, go to the train depot by the docks, and I’ll find him.” Bingo again. Now you knew where you were. You repeated the information back into the phone.

“I’m sorry I’ve been distant and I love you, Honey!”

“Enough!” He took the phone from your hand, “Your one call is up missy. You better hope he —”

You jumped up, turned around and swung the chair into him, knocking him backwards.

“What —” Before he could even finish his sentence you had cut the rope off your other hand using the knife in your thigh holster. You tackled him to the ground. Mentally scoffing at how they didn’t even check for weapons.

A shot fired, hitting the ground next to you.

“Hey, watch it! She’s no good to us dead. Or mangled.” You jumped up.

As you swung her fist into the closest man’s jaw, you calculated the distance between yourself and the door.

Too far.

You turned back to the man and punched him in the neck. Wind knocked out of him, he fell over. Then you were able to kick him in the head and knock him out.

Another shot. And another. You dodged both of them.

You reached for the gun of the closest assailant, he jumped back. So you jumped with him. Tackling him to the ground, you grabbed his gun and shot him in the shoulder then the stomach. He cried out as his blood soaked your dress. Then you shot him in the head.

Another shot rang out, clipping your side. You gasped in pain, groaning as you rolled over, dragging the man's body with you for cover.

As you pulled his body towards an overturned table, you looked around the room. Only 2 men left. The man with the phone and the drunkard.

Well, you couldn’t get information from the drunk.

As soon as you were behind the table, you let the man drop from your grasp.

Shots continued to ring out, splintering the wood of the table you hid behind.

You checked the gun’s magazine clip. Only 2 bullets.

You checked the man’s body, no extra ammo.

Seriously, what kind of man doesn’t carry around extra ammo?

Well, at least you’re a good shot.

As soon as the shots stopped, you peeked over the table and aimed for the drinker’s head. His body fell to the ground, a slight ringing in the air as it echoed your shot.

The man with the phone looked at his co-kidnapper’s body. While he was distracted, you shot him in the hand, making him drop his gun. You leaped over the table and wrapped your legs around his neck, knocking him to the ground. You pulled out your knife

Knife to his throat, you threatened him.

“Shhhh, shhhh, don’t worry, I won’t hurt you too bad. ‘S long as you do what I say.” You grinned wolfishly as he whimpered.

“What’s your name?” He looked around desperately, only to find all of the others’ bodies lying still.

“Henry. Henry Miller.” His voice high.

“Okay Henry Miller, here’s what we’re gonna do…”

——————————————————

You were able to call the police using Henry Miller’s burner phone.

They made quick work of searching the warehouse. It was empty aside from a couple bags of cash and files, presumably saved to use as blackmail.

Henry managed to get a plea deal in exchange for everything he knew about the rest of the trafficking organization.

You were offered a ride back to the tower and quickly accepted, figuring you weren't going to try your luck walking alone in heels through the city. Again.

Bob was gonna kill you. If you didn’t kill him first for not answering.

—

Bob was a mess.

When the rest of the team had arrived at the tower, several hours after you and Bob had left, he’d asked where you were.

The team exchanged tense glances before telling him that you had left the gala alone. That they figured you’d be back by now.

Yelena said she had tried to call him, he held up his broken phone in response.

He croaked out your name before clearing his throat, “She left me a message earlier, but I couldn’t open it. What if she needs help?” His eyes started watering. He wiped the tears away roughly, not caring to hide them away from the rest of the team.

“Well, what’re we supposed to do? Scour the city? Send out a search party?” Walker questioned.

Bob glared at him, “If we have to. I need to find her.” Softer he spoke, “I need her.”

The team exchanged glances again.

Alexei spoke up this time, ever the optimist. “I'm sure she’s fine. They do not call her Nightstalker, Killer of Men for nothing.” Walker snorted.

“It’s true. She’s probably just getting food at that food truck you guys like.”

Bucky cut in, noticing Bob’s chest starting to heave, “We can access the message, let me just plug it into this transcriber.” Bob nearly chucked the phone at Bucky.

Walker snorted.

Bob just glared at him in response. John put his hands up, “Okay, well on that note, I’m going to bed. Wake me for breakfast when I can rub it in your faces that you’re all being dramatic and she’s fine.”

“I hope he never wakes up.”

“Bob!” several voices call out.

“Okay that's actually hilarious, Bobby.” John snorted, “And with that, I bid you adieu.”

“Bob, you can’t just say that.” Yelena chastised.

“We need to find her.”

“We need to be nice to our teammates.”

Bob rounded on Yelena, eyes flashing silver. “I need her to be okay. I need to find her. So suit up and look for her or get out of my way.”

“Okay, file is ready to transfer.” Bucky spoke.

Bob was there in a flash, hands grabbing onto the desktop. the rest of the team, minus John (and you) gathered around, close enough to hear but far enough to avoid Bob’s wrath.

Your voice started playing through the speaker.

“Hi Honey,” The metal of the desk creaked as Bob tightened his grip as your voice trembled.

“I miss you. I’m so sorry about —” A man could be heard yelling something unintelligible from the other end of the line.

You hiccuped, “Um, I was kidnapped. He said that I’m going to be sold to the highest bidder.”

You sniffled as Bob started to shake with rage.

“And if I’m lucky, it would be you.”

A pause. Bob’s heart pounded, threatening to burst from his chest.

Your voice was distant as you spoke this time, “How is he supposed to pay you?”

A man’s voice. The same one that was yelling. Closer this time, “Tell him to bring cash, go to the train depot by the docks, and I’ll find him.”

You repeated the man’s words. A sharp inhale, yours.

“I’m sorry I’ve been distant and I love you, Honey!”

“Enough!” The man’s voices was even closer now. Too close. “Your one call is up missy. You better hope he —” The message stopped.

Bob was panting now. His blood ran cold. His eyes were solidly silver as he crushed the desk beneath his hands.

“Get your suits on. Find her.” Bob tossed the couch into the wall as he passed, headed for the balcony.

“Um guys?” Ava spoke softly.

The rest of the team had started suiting up as Bucky worked on pinging your location using the gps tracker you kept in your shoes.

“Guys.” No response.

“Guys!”

“WHAT?” Everyone turns to look at Ava.

“It’s her. She’s back. Downstairs.” Bob appears next to her, faster than humanly possible.

He rips the tablet from her hands, watching it intently. On it, he sees a police car pull up outside the front of the building. He watches as an officer walks around to the passenger side and opens the door. A woman steps out, dress soaked in blood, bandages wrapped around her forearms.

Bob freezes. The elevator dings. Everyone turns with bated breaths. The doors open with a soft woosh.

You step out of the elevator, adjusting the neckline of your dress. You freeze when you see the rest of the team.

Bob breathes out your name. You’re already looking at him.

“We’re just gonna…”

“I’m going to…”

“We can talk in the morning…”

Everyone started announcing their departure. Ava phased through the doorway. Yelena pulled Alexei out into the hall.

You and Bob continued to stare at each other.

Bob's eyes wandered over your figure. Taking in your mascara stained cheeks. Taking in every cut and bruise. Every bloody bandage. He winced.

You took your time looking at him. His suit jacket was off, shirt untucked with the top few buttons undone.

In one hand he held a broken phone and in the other he held the tie you’d gotten. Your gaze softened.

“You got me a tie.”

“You didn’t answer the phone.”

You both spoke at the same time.

Your eyes watered.

He blinked.

“You —” he cut himself off with a shuddering breath, “you got me a tie. Why didn’t you give it to me?”

“You didn’t answer the phone.”

“My phone —”

“Is broken. I know.” You closed your eyes and laughed breathlessly. “I’m just processing that.”

You snapped your eyes open to look at him. He stared back, eyes wide. He’d missed your laugh.

“If your phone wasn’t broken…would you have…would you have answered?”

“I’ll always answer.” You nod hesitantly at this. He clasped his hands together behind his back, hoping to ease the burn as they yearned to reach for you. To touch you. To reassure you. To make you understand how much he cared, how much he needed you.

He was looking at you reverently, eyes glassy as he spoke, “I’d do anything for you.” Your eyes burn with unshed tears.

“Really?” You asked, looking up at him in wonder.

“Just say the word and I’ll do it.”

You smile at him. For the first time in about a week, you smile at him. He exhales softly.

He smiles back.

“You got me a tie. Why didn’t you give it to me?” He repeats his earlier question.

“I didn’t think you wanted it.” He flinches at this.

“Why would you think that?” He asks incredulously.

She looks away. Eyes wander over the common area. She blinks. Just now noticing the torn pillows and broken television.

“What happened in here?”

“Why would you think that?” He asks more firmly, ignoring her question.

You look up at him. Your shoulders sink and your cheeks turn a bright red. You tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. He wishes he could do that. He wishes you’d let him.

“I heard you talking to John.” His hands clench at the mention of the other man, “You said I was…always around. He called me clingy. You agreed. Or…you just didn’t disagree.” You trailed off as his gaze got more intense. “I thought you wanted some space. So I gave it.” As you spoke, he stepped closer, reaching for you.

“Space is the last thing I want. And you’re the last person I’d want it from. Yeah, I told John we were always together, but I also told him I didn’t mind. That I want you around. That if anything, I’m the clingy one.” He took a shuddering inhale. “These past few days, without you, with you ignoring me — it’s been killing me.” He put his hand on your face, holding it to his chest.

“Please don’t leave me.” His voice cracked, “Don’t push me away again.”

You shook your head rapidly as you wrapped your arms around his neck. Standing on your tiptoes you peppered kisses across his face. You pressed your lips to his. He grinned against your lips.

They could talk about what happened to you in the morning. For now, it was enough that you were here. That you were his.

Tightening his hold on you, he hoisted you up and carried you down the hall to your bedroom. The one you shared.

He set you down inside and softly shut the door.

“Oh wow.” You breathed out.

Looking around the room, Bob remembered the mess he’d made and then abandoned after finding the tie.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”

“‘Oh yeah’ he says, ‘Oh yeah.’” You giggled. He turned to glare at you playfully, but found he couldn’t even pretend to be upset with you. Not when you were smiling at him. Not when you loved him. So he settled for picking you up and tossing you on the bed. You laughed as he pounced on top of you.

“Tell me you love me.”

“I love you, Bob.”

He blinked at you.

“Again.”

“I love you.”

You pressed more kisses across his face.

Burying his face in the crook of your neck, he repeated his words, “Tell me again.”

“I love you.”

He felt like he could breathe again. His eyes watered as he smiled widely.

“I love you too.”

A/N: AHHHH THIS WAS MY FIRST EVER FIC (so please be kind), but I’d love any feedback!! Let me know what you guys thought of this!

-Xoxo, Amoebadue🤍

[jujutsukgojo]

The Baby Project Chapter 3

Izuku Midoriya x reader

chapter one, chapter two

Summary: Izuku declares, “I’m right here.” Like it’s the most natural thing to him. tw: Dead beats, pee, angst and fluff, idk what else. Izuku and mc will be fast paced but it's alright.

You jolt awake by a baby’s scream. You gasp and look around for the source of the vicious noise in the dark. You pat around for your phone, totally believing it’s some demonic alarm clock. A sniffle in the dark knocks that theory out. Immediately, you take your eye mask off and go to his bassinet. “What’s wrong, little ma-”

  He’s bigger and busting out of his onesie. You unbuckle it and take it off as carefully as you can. “It’s okay, it’s okay.” 

  He has red marks on his legs and arms from the tightness of the clothing. You rub them in an attempt to soothe him then fit him into a new diaper. It’s good luck that you accidentally got the wrong size that one time. “Poor baby,”

  You kiss his head, talking low and calmly. “I know, it’s rough growing up. It’s even tougher when you don’t understand it.” 

  He starts to calm down and is able to no longer have his head totally supported. It raises a little then settles back down as he is close to your chest. “Are you okay, now? You only got a diapy on!” You say in a light tone, making him huff. You pepper him with kisses and set him back down. Since he’s bigger, you check him and see that it still says four months.

 “You ate your Wheaties or something?” Something isn’t right. He’s bigger than the average four month old yet shows nothing in his age. He can even hold his head up completely.

   You kiss his forehead and see him look up at him with what you could swear is love. His face is still chubby and his eyes still sparkle. If it weren’t for the school insisting on it, you’d swear there is a soul behind those eyes. You go to your desk and flip the flower lamp on. Underneath it is the paper part of the project. It asks questions of each month, the costs, and experiences. How far did the age jump and when. That part’s redundant since Hatsume is tracking the exact time and ages. Then again, this entire project is dumb so why wouldn’t there be dumb questions?

   “I better write all of this down.” So, you do. You finally start to do that part of the assignment. Write your experience on the paper and his milestones. It’s early in the morning now and Noa is quick to rest again, funnily enough. You decide to leave out Kaibara’s lack of involvement since they already know that. You still can’t believe you told the teachers. You can’t believe he got aggressive with you because he didn’t like pink on his son. Now, it’s like a waiting game to see Kaibara’s next move. It’s the suspense and the end result. Facing him head on is of course nerve wracking, but the ending is scary.

   The fluffy pen grazes across the paper effortlessly as you reminisce. This project started just recently, and you’ve already learned so much about babies and life. You just wish you didn’t have to learn it this way. You wish the heroes would actually care about anyone but themselves. Then again, they have let too many people slip through the cracks to erase that possibility.

 You fall asleep at your desk. Drool slides out your mouth and onto the surface and part of the paper. Noa is quiet, resting peacefully in Yona’s gifted bed. You had a dreamless sleep once again. The birds tweet as the sun pokes through your curtains. You turn your head and sigh. The door knocks hurriedly, waking you up fully. You wipe the drool from your mouth and walk to the door with shaky legs. “What?” Your voice is thick with sleep and sand in your eyes. 

  “Where were you?” Riko stands in front of you. You blink a couple of times to register it. “You’re back!” 

  “Yeah, and you weren’t. Where were you?”

You notice her uniform. “What? What time is it?”

“Noon! Snipe is looking for you and wanted me to get you.” Your alarm didn’t go off. Noa would have let you know with a wail if something woke him up. “M-my alarm-” you rush to your bedside and see the device blank. 

It was set, you’re sure of it. Your eyes look around and see some things have moved. Did you really have a dreamless sleep? You look at Noa and wonder if quirks can affect them since they’re so life like.

  “Oh shit…okay, I’ll get ready. Tell him I’m coming.” You look around dazed then grab your bathing items. When you go to grab Noa, Riko stops you. “Can I do it?”

You’d prefer her to handle Snipe but you’re not going to argue. “Sure. I’ll just be a moment, I promise.” You wondered why she would want to given what happened. After your extremely fast shower, you brush your teeth and switch rooms with Riko. Noa babbles and blows bubbles at you. He seems to be a friendly baby. First, he’s fond of Izuku then Riko. 

You do the bare minimum with your appearance which bothers the shit out of you, but you are way out of time. “Can’t believe it. I can’t believe I missed school like this.”

   “There are plenty more classes to go, miss drama.” She looks confused at the stash of diapers. “What’s this?” 

“Special Hatsume diapers. He’s allergic to normal ones,” She raises a brow. You nod. “I know, right? So far, it’s been a pain in the ass to afford.”

   She holds up different shirts to him. “Which one, eh? Blue or black?” She pokes his toes, making him laugh. “Black? You sure?” 

  Putting the finishing touches on yourself, you watch her and Noa. She's a natural and seems to be having fun with him. “You sure you don’t want to do this? I know what that thing did but…I’m sure Snipe will understand.” You don’t blame her for quitting at all. Whatever the grape bastard did, it was enough to traumatize Riko and deserve his fate with the school. Not to mention his hero career.

  “No. He completely ruined it for me. I’ll wait for the real thing.” She lifts Noa up and shows you her work. You smile at them. “Dazzling, simply dazzling.” 

  “I know, I know.” Noa reaches for her turquoise hair. “You sure? You’re great at this, Riko. I don’t think it’s too late.”

  She shakes her head. “No. I’ll wait,” Noa finally reaches his goal of pulling her hair. “The things he was doing were too much. I’ll settle for being an aunt right now.”

   “I understand. And,” You walk up to her. “I’m sorry I didn’t see the signs sooner.” At the time, the assignment had just started. In a short span, the grape had hurt her. During class she was quiet when her phone went off. There were times she would suck in her lips and look straight ahead. You thought it was because she was afraid of getting in trouble. Now that this all came out, it was clear that she was trying not to cry. That alone makes you want to beat the shit out of the grape, his friends, and his teacher. He should have been gone a long time ago. Why did they wait until it was at the expense of Riko?

  You pack Noa’s things in the diaper bag and head out the door after Riko. “It’s no problem, peach. Thanks for not asking for details.” You pause and look back at her. Suddenly, a pretty face comes to mind.

  “Ema?”

“Of course, the little demon.” You let out a short laugh. “You love her anyway.”

As the two of you make your way to class, you walk slower and ask, “I don’t need to know the details but…if you need counseli-”

“Counseling?”

“Yes, counseling. Mental health is extremely important. Even if you think it’s nothing or that your pain isn’t serious, take the time and care for yourself. If you need a professional, it’s no one’s business but your own.”

  She sucks in her lips. “I’ll think about it.”

Inside the school, you pass students to head to your floor. On the way, Riko is lighthearted, happy and has a pep to her step while holding Noa. Now that he's more developed, he has more expressions. Not a single one has been sad except for the Kaibara incident.

The minute you walk in class with Noa in Riko’s arms still, Snipe tries to calm your classmates down. You move your hands to get them to settle down. “I know, I know. Leave your offerings on the table.” 

  Benio smirks. “I'm liable to kiss you, puppy.” You sigh. “After class, Benny. When I can get handsy.” 

 Snipe growls for you to be quiet and points to your seat. The air is lighter in the class. The stress and frustration are obviously still here, but the load is lifting now that you spoke up about their partners’ behavior.

You didn’t expect this. You can see some of your classmates without their babies. The heroes must have them to prove something. All except for Kirishima who has been great from the start.

  Benio still has his baby girl. She sits on the side of him, content. She mainly looks like him already, only having Yaoyorzoru's eyes. You smile at how she's looking at him. Starry eyes and all. For a robotic baby, they sure are life-like. If she were real, she’d definitely be a daddy’s girl.

   Looking around and seeing how much the babies have grown makes you proud. A lot of them are doing it on their own and they've gotten pretty far. 

  There's a knock on the door. It opens and Kirishima steps in, quietly asking for Ema. He whispers, “We have training right now and it's not safe. I also have my internship later.”  

  “It's okay. Talk to you later?” Kirishima nods and apologizes for the interruption. He kisses the baby goodbye and waves at everyone. Everyone says goodbye in unison.

“Why couldn't I have that? Instead, I got stuck with Kaminari.” Jule puts his hand on his hips. You can't help but laugh yet at the same time, remember how much it hurts him that he doesn't have that.

________________________

“So, U.A. stepped up and told the hero students about themselves?” Riko asks then shoves some food in her mouth. You swallow some of your water. “Yep. Apparently, there were some that were very involved, so they didn’t get docked points. Everyone else got punished.”

“Yeah, thankfully they’re stepping up!” Ema gives a slight bounce. Kirishima has been a great partner and was even commended for such.

  Benio scoffs. “Whatever.” He hasn't touched his food, and that plate is looking real tempting. You stretch out your fork to grab some of the beef from his lunch. He smacks your hand. You grumble. “Probably cold and nasty anyway…just like you.”

And here you were having dirty thoughts about him. You side eye your friend and what could have been. You shake your head. "We could've had it all." Riding into the sunset on a tropical island or something. With pina coladas...getting caught in the rain, we're not much into health food, we are into champagne-

"Will you stop?" They don't appreciate you in any way, shape or hum of a 70s song. One day they'll miss you.

He goes silent and takes a deep breath. “She only has her for like two seconds to show her off then hands her back to me even if she's not doing anything!”

The table remains silent, intent on listening. “It’s just frustrating. Whenever we have to do that report-”

“Report?” You perk up and a heavy worry starts to settle in. It can’t be that report. There’s no way that your progress report needs to be turned in. You thought it would be like a journal, something to turn in at the end. “Our progress papers are supposed to be turned in.” 

“Son of a bit-”

Ema sighs. “He was talking! I’ll help you after, (Y/n). Jeez. Continue Benio.” 

“Whenever we do the report, she comes up, looks at my notes, corrects my grammar and turns it in. She’s literally copying my homework.”

You wince. Hearing his story, it makes you even more nervous. You’ve written some of the progress down but not everything and haven’t turned anything in. Not only that, but it is a partnered report.

“Her attitude changed a little but I’m still mad about it. All this time and it took for her to get points deducted for her to notice how wrong she is? Even now, where is she?”

His frustration isn’t unwarranted. Look at how they’ve been acting. And it is irritating that it took this to have them wake up.

  Riko finishes her plate. “I'll help out. Sometimes, though.”

  Benio looks up at her with a smile on his face. He nods and mutters a thanks. Noa starts to get fussy again. “Baby boy, speak in a language I can understand, please.”

You fed him with what formula you had left, changed him, all of it. Speaking of formula…

“I'm out of milk and I need more. I'll talk to you guys later! And Benny,” You kiss his cheek, much to his shock. “If you want, I’ll beat her ass.”

“Ha, yeah. While you’re at it, get a gummy from Recovery Girl after she floors you.”

  Up the stairs you feel a familiar presence. Izuku walks behind you with his books in his hand. He's looking down at the steps, not realizing you're there until he is two steps behind you.

  He calls your name surprised. “Is that Noa? He's gotten so big!” He strolls up to you and coos at Noa. “May I?” 

  You hand Noa over to him and trade for his books. “You don't have to. I can do it.”

“You're carrying my grade. I'm not risking it.” The two of you walk to the support course. You suck on your teeth and head inside, hoping Mei Hatsume doesn't get on your fucking nerves. She's not a bad person, she's just a little much.

  “Mei? Mei!” You call out. She rounds the corner with a big grin. “Midoriya!”

“Oh hell no, Mei. Me first. Don't touch him.” She whines and groans. “Why not! I haven't seen him in forever!”

“No. You haven't tested on him in forever. I need help first. Touch him later.”

“Do I get a say?” Izuku’s voice is quiet. “No.” You and Mei say in unison. She asks what you need, already working on another one of her “babies”. 

“Formula, please.”

“Oh, that reminds me!” She goes to a small desk with a desktop computer. There are only papers next to it, no doohickeys or thingamabobs. It's unusual for her and her chaotic nature.

  “I need to speed you up.”

“For what?” Mei continues to click the mouse then types on the keyboard. She answers, “Yeah, the care levels are looking good so we're moving it along.”

  He's at four months already. Suddenly, in Izuku’s arms, Noa grows again. Izuku’s face is bright. “This is-!”

“My beautifully amazing baby!” Mei practically jumps. You stare in shock at how he's grown. “Did he grow in age, yet?”

  “How do I check?” Izuku looks all around Noa. His large hand cradles his head gently as he searches. 

“Izuku, I don't think you have to support his head anymore.” Izuku slightly lifts Noa up as if he wanted you to give him another look. “You sure? I mean, he’s so small.” Izuku tilts his head and his eyebrows drawn. 

 “Check his tummy!” Mei calls out as she starts to speed walk away. You turn to her and yell, “Wait! I still need some!”

She tosses the items to you. Izuku catches it right before it hits your face. Hatsume hasn’t charged you yet. 

“Um, Mei? The total?” You dig in your bag and stop when Mei says, "On me this time.”

“W-why?”

She’s quiet this time. Not whispering or anything, but calmer. 

“It was brave to stand up to Kaibara and the staff. So, I’ll take this one.” She turns to leave. Noa babbles and claws Izuku’s face. His delicate fingers pull on his freckled cheek. Izuku doesn’t seem to mind at all. You give a breathy laugh and scratch your head. 

“Um, check his belly. It’ll say how old he is.”

  He looks to you. “Can you hold him for a second while I take my jacket off?” You raise a brow but do it nonetheless. Izuku folds his jacket and places it on the desk. “Alright, I’m ready.”

  You suck in your lips and try not to smile. He’s so gentle with Noa. Izuku finally sees his belly. “Four months.”

Disappointment and confusion settle in. What did she mean by speeding it up if the screen still says four months? 

“But he’s grown…” Izuku shrugs and buttons him up. “That’s no worry! The fact he’s gotten a little bigger shows that it’ll happen soon.”

------

“Are you sure you don't want me to walk you?” His voice is shy. Borderline nervous. “Yeah, Izuku. It's alright. Thank you for holding him.” 

He stares at you with a shine in his eyes. A smile is on his lips then he shakes his head and says, “It's no problem! I can help anytime!” There is a flush to his freckle cheek. Is this a medical condition? “Thanks,” You stare into his emerald eyes. “Sad that you're here more than Kaibara.” 

His name is bitter on your tongue. Izuku raises a brow. “Is he still mad?”

You haven't talked to him since this started. Him and the rest of the course are bitter beyond belief. What did you expect? Of course he'd be mad.  You were (are) mad but it's all real. You're scared, tired, and frustrated. Everything you said needed to be told. It isn’t your fault that the rest of the hero partners got in trouble for their own failures. Now, Kaibara is ignoring you all together. 

  “Do you have his number by chance?” You hold onto Izuku’s jacket and hold the door open for him as the two of you leave the support course’s lab.

“No, sorry. I only have a few from class B.”

Shit. You lick your lips slowly. You want to talk to him, to let him know about the report and for him to see Noa, to at least hold him. “I need to go to class.” 

  You set his books and jacket down on the floor to adjust your wrap that's been hanging loosely behind you. “Do you think he's old enough to be carried on my back?”

Izuku freezes. “I-is that safe?” He hangs onto Noa, rubbing his back. You chuckle at how he seems like a nervous new mother.

“Okay, I'll just do the front then.”

“Oh, thank God.” Noa babbles some more. Noa is more vocal and that'll increase as time goes on. You have to remember to practice with him.

Noa messes with Izuku’s hair again. You study him as he moves his focus from Izuku's hair to his face. Noa tugs on the hero's cheek. Izuku is close to you, and you don’t know what to do. You can feel his body heat and one step closer his heartbeat. He doesn't notice in the slightest or just doesn't care.

“You know, even if he is one of Mei’s babies, he’s adorable.” Izuku pokes Noa’s chubby cheek.

--------------

The day went by fast and the next is no better. By now, you’re walking into the cafeteria after catching Snipe after class.

You walk into the cafeteria after your short talk with Snipe. You didn't know to turn in your progress report, so you said that you’d give it to him at the end of the day. Unfortunately, it’s a partnered thing. So, given what happened with Kaibara, you thought he’d give you some leniency. Nope.  Mr. Snipe is clearly pissed at how you talked to him when this whole thing came out. Finally, after a few seconds of scolding, you ducked out the door and rolled your eyes. You have had enough of heroes. And to be honest, you're mad at Snipe. When this assignment is done, you won't look at him or any of the other teachers the same.

  You spot your friends at their usual table and notice that Yaomomo is heading over there, and she is actually holding Kobeni. Your jaw drops. Right when you walk over, Ema calls your name. 

“Sit with us!” You find her with Kirishima and his crew, including Izuku who is animatedly talking to Kirishima. “I'm good.” 

“Please!” You roll your eyes and say, “Fine. But I got to talk to you know who.”

“Oh…” 

 You search around and finally find him talking with Kendo who waved him goodbye. You head over to Kaibara and bite your lips nervously. This is the first time you’ve talked to him since you snitched. His eyes flicker to you and his face settles into a quick frown then changes his expression. It's amazing how fast he can do that. 

“Kaibara, can we talk?” You want your voice to sound a lot stronger than what came out.

“Sure.” He guides you out of the large, student filled room. You notice the glances and maybe even venomous looks given. Whether it’s to you or Kaibara, they’re there. You wouldn’t be surprised if it is you that they hate. However, a lot of them aren’t hero students. So, why would anyone from the other courses have a grudge against you?

   The two of you go out of the door and turn down the short hallway. At the end is another glass door that leads to the courtyard of the school, with luscious green grass and not a speck of litter in sight. He doesn’t hold the door open for you and Noa and you don’t expect him to. It’s quiet for a moment until he opens his mouth. “Are you having fun?”

“What?” There’s a heavy ball in your gut. He cocks his head to the right. “You must be. Everyone’s patting your back while my reputation gets shit on. I mean, you have to be pretty proud of yourself.”

   You shake your head. “No, I’m not proud-”

“Yet you did it anyway? Did you forget that actions have consequences?”

 You’re trying to hold your anger in since Noa is present. “Getting scolded was yours. What you did was deplorable, and you know it.”

He starts to laugh. You look around for a mirror to see if he's watching how much of a clown he is because this isn't funny.

“What’s so funny?”

“Ha, ha! Nothing, I just didn't expect a waitress to know that word." Your mouth drops. “First of all, customer service workers deserve respect, including me. So, let’s put that down. Second, now I know why you are so triflingly ugly. This fucking attitude. Third, the reason your reputation is getting shit on is because you deserve it.”

  He rubs his face. “This is based on real life, right? Our future? My future?”

“Duh.”

  “Then, you would ruin a future because of a disagreement?”

“Futu- disagreement? What the hell are you talking about? Explain.” God, if Noa was not in your arms...

  “Everyone’s been giving me shit because of you. Including my mentor. By the way, he’s reconsidering my internship, so thanks for that. Because of your dramatics-”

“Un-explain.” He stops his rant to look at you. “You jeopardized our grade and are still doing it with you not participating! This is on you, not me.”

  “You act like he’s real. Like he’s an actual human being who has to be watched all of the time. I left him alone and he was fine.”

  Your nose flares as your anger begins to boil over. Suddenly, you stop when his words set in. “When you took care of him? He was alone?”

He claps his hands slowly. “Amazing how you remember that now but not when you were ruining m-”

“You left him alone?” You yell. Noa hasn't made a sound.

Kaibara steps closer. “He isn’t real. This is just a grade, and you decided it was best to ruin my future for a grade. And it isn’t even a major one.”

He left him alone. Is that why he’s stuck at four months old? Did Kaibara do something? He stops and gives a fake sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry I hurt you and scared Noa, truly. But what you did was worse. How is that fair?”

And he's calling you dramatic?

 You take a deep breath and try to get your mind back to the original topic, so you don’t really go off. “Now who’s being dramatic? You got in trouble. Your license hasn’t been taken away, dumbass.”

You stop tapping your foot when Noa caresses your face. “We have those reports due at the end of every month. I have the majority of mine written down, so I’d like for us to get together and do them but in order for that to happen, we need to work together.”

He doesn’t say anything for a second. Finally, he gives you that smile again. “I want what’s best for Noa.”

“Me too. So, you with me?” You’re stiff when your gut instinct senses something's wrong. He’s hiding something. Even though you are dealing with him, you think of the original cause. All this is because of Endeavor and his family. Now here you are dealing with this jackass and his fake smile. Because of the Todoroki's you now have to look at this illegal circus in front of you. 

You want to finish this project and get a good grade, not have to deal with this delinquent. 

“If it’s going to clean my reputation, that’s just a bonus. My kid matters, you know? How about this weekend?”

“I can’t this weekend. How about Monday after school? We can hang out and work on this.” You’re biting the inside of your cheek, hoping he won’t realize that you work this weekend. Yeah, you can move stuff around for him. But you don’t want to deal with him right now.

“Sure. Monday.”

You promised Snipe you'd hand it in today, but he'll just have to settle for it to be on Monday. That's bothersome but right now, you want to take fifty showers.

Looking at Sen's passive face, you notice that there is a small hopeful wish inside you. A little flame that goes way back. Now, you think you might be giving it to your son with this one question that was asked once years ago.

“Do you want to hold him?”

Kaibara rolls his eyes. “I’ll see him Monday, won’t I?”

 You leave and head back into the cafeteria without an appetite.

-----

Inside, you sit quietly while the others talk. Ema was curious about your behavior but didn't question it. She will most likely bombard you with questions later. Right now, you sit in silence as the friends talk over each other about God knows what. The noise is almost enough to snap you out of your daze. 

That encounter with Kaibara just doesn’t sit right with you. There’s something lurking underneath that you can’t put your finger on exactly. It’s definitely shady, though. Suddenly, a shrill cry snaps you out of your daze.

“Why are you crying, cherub?” You prop him up. “Support his head!” Izuku brings his hand to the back of Noa’s head. You almost forgot that Izuku was sitting next to you. “He’s fine. I’m telling you, Mei just messed up. He has to be more than four months old, he doesn’t need his head propped up. Besides, he’s done it before.”

“Still, you need to-wait, you let him do that? ”

“He’s fine-” His eye twitches before you can get your full answer out.

“No, give ‘im. You’re making me worry!” Izuku literally grabs Noa and before he can support your baby’s head, you tease, “See, you aren’t even holding it.”

“Ah!” 

Izuku scrambles to hold him. Noa laughs and kicks his feet. Kirishima and the rest of the table follow. It’s a blessing that he’s a happy baby. There are dolls that have colic or are just plain onery. Also known as, Mira, Sakura and Bakugou's baby girl. 

 “Midoriya, please. He’s fine. A lot of babies around that age can hold them up.”

“You sure? He’s so small…” Izuku makes faces at the baby who sticks his tongue out, mimicking Izuku. Ema looks at you with a grin you can’t place. “You look good with Noa, doesn’t he?”

  Kirishima looks at her for a second. “Yeah! Midoriya, aren’t you having fun with (Y/n), sorry, I meant Noa.”

  “I am!” Izuku focuses back on Noa. Then, Noa begins to cry in Izuku’s hold. You pick up Izuku’s chopsticks and gather some rice from his katsudon. “He’s too young!”

“Let’s just try it.” You place a little rice in Noa’s mouth. Since he is getting bigger, it doesn't hurt to try solids, right?

Izuku’s about to scold you again until Noa chirps happily. He kicks his little legs and giggles. Izuku’s thick finger presses against Noa’s chin to encourage Noa to open his mouth. "Chew, Noa!"

"Izuku, I swear he's fine." You give Noa a little bit of the egg in the katsudon. Flavorful dishes like this aren't generally recommended at his age, but a little won't hurt a robot baby, right? Noa opens his mouth wide for more food much to your amazement. Izuku decides to join in on the fun and hand feed him some more white rice. "I guess I should be feeding you both now, huh?"

  "Slowly, and not all the time-"

"Izuku, I know!" You groan. He chuckles nervously, slightly embarrassed. You quickly take out a notepad and write this down. "For the report." You say when you notice Izuku's eyes on you. "Do you want help?"

"You're doing enough, that's fine." Izuku cautiously lifts his hand away from Noa's neck. You roll your eyes and huff. He's acting more like a first time mom than you are! Izuku then grabs his phone and keeps it on Noa. "Maybe a recording will help? This is a milestone, right?"

  You stop writing and laugh. Going along with Izuku's weird and probably useless plan, you feed Noa and abandon your note taking. Ema's chin is on her hands. "Aw..."

Noa sees the plate of rice next to him and grabs a handful. It's cute how his chubby hands grab the rice, turning it into mush. He squeals in delight at the flavor. Izuku captures every second of Noa's newest milestone. Suddenly, ruining the adorable scene, a horrendous smell interrupts it. "Oh my God!" 

You and Kirishima start to gag. Izuku curses and lifts Noa away from him. Ema coughs. "(Y/n), do something!" 

“He’s full. I’ll be right back.” You grab him from Izuku. Ema rolls her watery eyes. "What tipped you off?"

"(Y/n), what the hell is wrong with Noa's ass?!" Kirishima fans in front of his nose. You huff and back away from the table, slightly offended despite the stench. Izuku shyly follows you.

“You sure you don’t need me?” 

“I can change his diaper, hon.” You're not sure about this one, though.

“Ooh!”  Ema starts clapping her hands with glee. You point to her and have pleading eyes for her to shut up. “Shut it, Ema. Don’t start.” 

Ema remained unfazed. She waved at the two of you. “We’ll see you guys later! And Midoriya,” Izuku turns around. “Uh, Eijirō and I have to cancel the weekend.”

“We do?” Kirishima stops kissing Hana’s cheek. She has his eyes. Nose and up are him and below is definitely Ema. It’s amazing how these babies' faces are changing. 

Ema elbows him. “I-I mean, yeah! We do! Ema and I have to work on our report and then we have Hana-you know, we’re absolutely swamped, ha, ha.” Kirishima's smile is as fake as Kaibara's heroics.

  Izuku pauses then sucks on his lips. His round eyes get bigger. “R-right! Right! I’ll see you later.”

  You bid them goodbye. To your side is Izuku who keeps up with your speed. “You know you don’t need to do this, right? I’m capable.”

“I know you are! You-you're amazing with Noa.” You bite your lips and look towards the ground. That has been something heavy on your heart from the start. Being a parent is one thing but being a good one is another. You struggle with this and see how everyone is better than you are. It's like all of them have more and do more. To have someone you just met say that you’re doing amazing despite your inadequacy has you feeling warm in a good way.

“Thank you, Izuku.”

In the general studies commons, you lay Noa down on the coffee table, not thinking to put a blanket or something underneath him. You had placed his diaper bag at the side of the couch where Izuku sits. 

“Hand me-no, that one-the one right there!” Izuku searches the bag. He pulls out the diaper. “This?”

“Yes, thank you.” You roll your eyes and take the diaper. When you take his bottoms off, Noa gains this strange look on his face. Brushing it off, you ask Izuku, “Wanna learn?”

“Uh, sure. What side does it-” Izuku gestures to the diaper. Smiling, you begin, “Like this-” 

Suddenly, right as you open Noa’s used diaper, the unthinkable happens. You scream bloody murder, as warmth hits your chest and shoulders. Izuku gasps then scrambles away. You jerk back away from the baby. 

Noa, your own doll son, is peeing on you. You, his mother. 

  “Oh my God!” Izuku laughs and holds his phone out, recording your horror as you distance yourself from the stream by pressing yourself impossibly close to the couch. “Are-are you recording me?” 

Seeing this, you grab Noa and hold him up to Izuku. The little bastard stops peeing. Izuku has tears in his eyes. You glare at Noa. “Are you kidding me?!”

Noa laughs, matching Izuku’s. “I can’t believe this disrespect!” You stomp your foot then make a disgusted noise when it begins to cool. “It’s cold!”

Izuku reaches for Noa, who stops laughing. “You go get cleaned up-”

“Noa, no!” Izuku shouts as Noa gives him the equal treatment. Noa stops and looks triumphant. “Ha!” You point.

Noa’s shirt is raised a little and on his tummy is eight months. Who knew that all he needed to do to grow up was pee on you?

_____________________________

Izuku’s a little wet from the shower. He rubs the top of his curls, causing them to shake and small droplets to fall. After Noa's pee parade, both of you decided to take showers. Thankfully, the baby was very calm when you decided to bathe with him, not once screaming when the water touched him. Maybe Noa's growth will stop the tears a little.

“I have to get him bigger sizes. Look at him!” Your poor chunky baby is busting out of his clothes. His diaper barely fits, and you just got this size. Shit, shit, shit. "I have to go to Hatsume first then-"

“I’ll go to Hatsume, you go find something to put Noa in for the time being. Afterwards, we'll go to that little store around the corner." You bite your cheek for a second. "If you want to come with me then know that you'll be doing some heavy lifting."

He perks up. “It’d be great for training.” Before he goes you reach for your bag. "Here, if I remember right the diapers should cost the same no matter the size-" You turn to find him gone. You should be happy, grateful, maybe even flattered. Yet here you sit with this terrible feeling of embarrassment. 

You put Noa on your hip and smack your cheek. Now is not the time for self-pity or whatever. Now is the time to get the little man into something presentable. In your room, you search around. His stash of clothing is so small compared to him now. You sigh and go through your own clothes. He'll just have to settle for one of your tops. He squeals and reaches for you after you put it on him.

"You excited, mini man?" You ask as you are in the elevator. Noa claps and tries to talk the entire time, having a full-blown conversation. The door opens and you see Izuku waiting for you in your dorm's commons. In his hands are several packs of Hatsume's diapers. The doors threaten to close on you since you haven't moved. 

  Izuku comes up to you and stops the elevator doors from closing. "Are you okay?" He puts his hand against your forehead. "Your temperature's fine-"

"I-I'm fine," You blink several times. "Positive. Let's roll." He looks at you skeptically. You grab a diaper from him and walk past, not wanting him to question it further. 

Izuku has a bit more pep in his step as the two of you walk through the campus side by side. You pass people who are heading towards the main building. Every person around stares at him in awe. The many eyes are nerve wracking and overall annoying. Rather than bringing it to his attention, you let it slide and walk faster.

The two of you walk into the same shop you went to with Kaibara. The employee immediately recognizes you. Apparently, she recognizes Izuku just as well. In an instant, she trips over to introduce herself. “Thank you for everyth-”

  When she grabs his arm, you feel something tingly, something that would be bitter if you could taste it. “That’s enough. Izuku, come with me.” You grab his hand and lead him away. It’s, um, not subtle. Worst of all, you don’t know why this is. Why did you become jealous? You’re not so naive to be ignorant to what jealousy is. Not when you’re so familiar with it.

  You pull out a list of things the little turd needs. “Shirts, pants, shoes, literally everything.” Izuku takes him out of your wrap. Smiling, he says, “And a carrier. This can’t be good for you to wear all the time.”

Before you can defend it, he adds, “We'll get bigger sizes so he can grow into them.” He bounces the baby. You are about to tell him he doesn’t like to be bounced when you realize that Noa isn’t crying. That he has only cried with Izuku once.

  Your eyes twitch and nostrils flare. “You’re right.”

You’ll handle that later. Then, you see it. He isn’t a full-fledged hero yet. He’s still interning and is just now getting back on his feet. Yet this is an opportunity that you can't pass up. “How about this?”

 You hold up a green jacket with long stems at the hood, resembling bunny ears. It’s Deku merchandise. Along with it are other ones, too. A Uravity helmet, gloves that look like Dynamight’s with grenade print at the wrists, there are Ingenium’s shoes. All over are merchandise for kids in honor of heroes that fought in the wars. There are scarves that resemble Aizawa and that one tired kid's ropes and a Lemillion blanket that matches his red cape with his symbol in the corner.

  His breath hitches. You place the jacket in the cart. “It’d be cute-are you okay?”

His eyes are watery as he looks at the cloth. He leans in and excitedly declares, “We’ll get everyone’s! I’ll pay for it myself!” Your eyes are wide at how passionate he is about this. “Um…okay?”

Now, Noa is in his Deku jacket and Ingenium shoes that are a little bigger than what he can actually wear right now. Izuku’s eyes are down to the sidewalk. Noa rests in his arms, not yet in the carrier, and points to everything that catches his attention. Izuku’s behavior changed once he saw the merchandise. He paid for them like he said he would. Is that the reason for the difference? After dealing with Kaibara, the correct thing to do is ask.

   “Are you bothered about paying?” Blunt and to the point. Izuku blinks then asks, “No, why?”

  “You’re acting weird so I just thought…” You shrug and let the sentence trail off. “I’m happy to do it. I’m happy for everyone and can’t wait to show them. It’s more of my things that I feel off about.”

  Before you can ask why, he changes the topic. “He does look cute, right?” Noa smiles and pulls on Izuku’s hair. “Yeah, yeah, cute as can be.”

  You adjust the bags and continue to walk. “Let me.” He takes the bags from you. “W-hold on you got Noa.” 

  Somehow, he takes the numerous bags from you and hands you Noa with ease. It’s probably the training he does or something because you are clumsy compared to him.

 You sigh and shake your head. “You know you don’t have to do this, right?”

“I want to! I really like y-uh, Noa! He’s adorable. He’s the cutest baby I’ve ever seen.” Your face begins to warm not only because he thinks Noa is cute, but that Noa looks like you. A fact pops in your head cooling you down. “He’s not really a baby, though.”

“Still a cutie.” He takes a better look at Noa. “Looks just like you. I don’t see Kaibara at all.”

“Really? I see it in the nose a little bit.”

“Mm, nah. See,” He delicately traces his finger along the little mound. Noa sneezes anyway and smiles. “That right there is you. You both have a cute nose.”

Your nose is something you never thought was cute. But the weird unintentional comment makes you feel…flattered? Amazing? Pretty? It’s such a weird feeling that you've never felt before or at least haven't in a while. You feel like shrieking for some reason. Why? You've just met this guy and only know him through a friend of a friend. Nevertheless, his adoration of Noa and your nose makes you feel good.

You hold the door open for him to enter inside your dorms. You can't help but feel that you forgot something now that you're inside the campus.

“Ah, do you have anything to do this weekend?” You turn to Izuku who looks absolutely in pain. “Um, yeah? But only for a bit.”

“O-oh. Never-never mind then!” He retreats and puts the bags gently on the floor. Even from his side profile you can see the disappointment hidden behind those bright eyes of his. “I can make room, of course. Why’d you ask?”

“Well, um, I would like to spend some time with you, if that’s alright. But if you’re with Kaibara , then I don’t want to intrude.” He rubs the back of his neck and doesn’t make eye contact with you. You hear him mutter something about plans and how you don’t have to feel obligated. That’s all you catch with his muttering. 

“S-sorry! I know that freaks-”

“I don’t mind, I like it. I think it’s endearing.” He gives a little gasp with a widening smile. “I-In that case, um, thanks. You’re the first one.”

  You can’t help but smile. “What do you have in mind, anyway?” 

“Ha, well, there's this restaurant I’ve been wanting to try-you don't have to by the way! I just know they also have some food that I think Noa’ll like!”

“Sure.”

“You probably have so much going on, this was dumb I’m-wait, what?” Izuku sputters, shocked that you agreed.

“I’ll go. But it’ll have to be before ten.”

“Of course, the curfew is at nine!”

“I mean, I have to be asleep by then.” He plays with Noa’s peach fuzz for hair. “Is it Noa’s schedule?”

“No, my own. I trained myself that way because of my quirk."

 He perks up and gets close, sitting on the couch next to you. You move the many bags out of his way. “What’s your quirk? How does it wor-” Ah, you heard from Ema a while back that he was not only a hero fanatic, but a quirk nerd. He has notebooks dedicated to them. 

“Uh, it has to do with dreams. It isn't the best.”

  His real quirk has to be something with conjuring because this notepad came out of nowhere. Where the hell did he keep it? How deep are his pockets? He opens it and finds a page deep in the middle. “Tell me more, please? I’d love-”

Noa is on the floor next to you, bringing out his favorite toys from his diaper bag on his own. Izuku continues his rapid fire of questions. You decide to go with the first one. “I don't remember the name because I never cared to do anything with it. It has to do with dreams."

He writes fast. “How?” This is like an interview. You pray you're not sweating too bad. “I don't know if I could actually bring, like, a dream of Bikini Bottom-"

“What?”

“I couldn't think of anything!” You're failing this interview. You could have said anything else. Maybe if you weren't such a dumbass and actually paid attention to it, you could explain it better.

“Sorry, sorry. Continue, please. It’s been so long since someone's let me do this.”

  You nod and say, "I never tested it to see how far it can go. What I do know is that I can't change one."

Noa hits your foot with his block. You put it on top of his head. "I know for a fact that I won't be able to save you from a nightmare, but I can hold your hand, type of thing." You wave your hand dismissively, not really caring about quirks in the first place. Since no one is allowed to use them, then why are they important?

“I think it'd be harder for me to do anything to another person than for me to use my own, though. So, if I dreamed of Bikini Bottom," You scratch your cheek. "Then I can show you? Maybe I could bring you there or something."

“So, controlling dreams?”

“No. I can't control dreams; I don't know if I can even create them. I honestly never looked into it. Quirks have never been a big part of my life." Izuku stops and stares at you. “Don’t worry, though! I never let my quirk get out of control. I take medicine at night to stop it.”

He looks at you with a curious and what you could swear is cautious, face. There’s a clawing feeling that reaches from your stomach to your throat. You shake your head, not wanting him to feel that you would violate him by entering his dreams or something. “It’s not the best-”

“I think it’s wonderful. I bet it’s beautiful," No one has ever said that. Then again, you've never really talked about it either. “Have you tried training it?”

You give a small 'no'. Izuku smiles a little and plays with one of his curls. “Since the Sports Festival is coming up and I’ll be busy with it, would you like to trai-”

The bell rings cutting him off. That's what you forgot. You've been here so long with him, you totally forgot about school. In fact, school is over. The two of you missed half of the school day. You jump up and go to grab Noa who has decided that he must defeat another milestone. 

“Go baby, go!” You cheer Noa on as he crawls towards your sneakers. “Oh, oh, oh, hold on! Hold-” Izuku fumbles with his phone to record it. 

______________________________________

Early Saturday, you called your boss for a change of schedule so you could be with Izuku. You even promised to work all day and night on Sunday. She said no. And when you told her the reason, she looked like the Grinch.

  “Um, I know you wanted to go to that restaurant but how about another? I know a place with somewhat good food and good prices.”

“Yeah?” He puts Noa in the carrier and picks it up along with the diaper bag with All Might on it. When the first one you bought broke, Izuku insisted on getting one for you. Of course, it had to be one with All Might's face on it.

  “I gotta warn you, the food is subpar at best, and the floors are sticky, and the service is horrendous.” He tries not to laugh. “If you like it, then it must be something.” Despite him having his hands full, he opens the door for you.

The devil stands at the register. “Oh hello, there! Such a beautiful couple. And who is this cutie?” You are literally shaking. Izuku messes with his curls and doesn’t correct her. “This is Noa. Say hi, bud.” Noa looks up at her and reaches for the devil who just happens to be your boss.

“Sorry, we’re still working on him talking.” 

She looks at him and gives a kind smile. One that isn’t devious or fake. It’s just kind. You still don’t trust it though. “I bet you’re doing great,” Like you predicted, it turns into a smirk.

“Hey, what word are you trying to get him to say?” Before Izuku can answer, you say, “Retirement home.”

She freezes. Her kids and you have an ongoing joke about admitting her when she gets old and even more senile. Ken has even joined in on the fun. 

Izuku raises a brow. “I was thinking mama…” 

Yona recovers. “Oh, come on, with a man like you by her side? I bet he says dada first!” 

“I’m still voting for retirement home. It has such a nice ring to it. When I hear it, I think of that little government funded one. It doesn’t have a shuffleboard or filet mignon, but at least there are beds. I bet he could also say funeral home.”

  She stops then and gives a glare. “Let’s find you a table.” 

Izuku leans into your ear. “Do you know each other?” 

Shit. “Ah, yeah. I come here quite a bit.” He nods at your explanation. The two of you are seated right in the middle, no doubt a deliberate seating since it is in perfect line with her and Ken’s nosy asses.

“I’ll leave these to you.” She sets menus down. Noa is sitting in his highchair, wiping it with his hand. This is not the first time he’s been here, clearly. Yona cocks her head as she studies Noa. “He’s got a good shaped head.”

 “What?” Izuku takes a drink of the water Yona poured in his green class. You don't blame him for being confused. It's a random ass thing to bring up. “I’m just saying. You two did good at shaping his head.” 

  You rub your face. “Thank you, ma’am. I already know wha-”

“I bet he gets it from you hon. What’s your name, again?” She places her hand on the back of Izuku’s chair. “Izuku Midoriya.”

“That name sounds familiar. Anyway, he must’ve got your head because hers is annoying looking.”

Bitch. Your head is perfect. It is the best shaped head in the universe and how dare she question that. Besides, shaping Noa's was a chore since he felt the need to lay on one side. Thankfully, it isn’t misshapen like Hana’s. 

  “You know what? He actually looks like-”

“I know what I want, ma’am!” You will haunt her dreams. Yona huffs and asks the bewildered Izuku what he’d like. He watches the two of you. “I’ll have the same as her.”

“Ah, and the cook would-”

“Tell him, block 5 for me please.” Ken will get the hint of his prison stunt. Yona purses her lips and walks away. Izuku leans in. “Are you sure you don’t know them?”

“Positive. I just come here a lot.” Izuku takes in his surroundings. “It is quite homey. Like a mom and pop’s shop.”

“Hopefully the awful food doesn’t chase you away.” Noa cries and tugs his ear. You hope he’s just sleepy and it’s not an ear infection that’s been going around. If so, you’re in trouble. For some reason, Hatsume decided that viruses and crap should be added to the project. Well, it was either her or the heroes.  “Here, let me.”

Izuku cradles him and gives him kisses. Noa wails and messes with his ears. “(Y/n), he isn’t sleepy, what-”

“Ear infection is my guess. Mei should have something for it,” You call out, “Yona, we need it to go! I’m gonna take Noa back.”

  “Shouldn’t we pay?” Izuku gets up, bouncing Noa in an attempt to calm him. “Nah, it’s fine.” You don’t notice the suspicious look on his face. 

__________________________

It’s June now, and Noa is still eight months old. Compared to his newborn phase, this is a little easier. Not by much since he is a curious little beastie who likes crawling and getting into things. And of course, you forgot that babies teethe. The dreaded shrill screams that he has every once in a while, makes you want to reach for the bottle of alcohol for yourself rather than put it on his gums. To stop that, fucking Deku made sure to get Noa Mei's cream for it.

“You’ve grown so much, little one.” Noa babbles in response. Lately, he has been vocal and clearly trying to speak. “Yeah?”

He responds in his usual way. “What’s your first word gonna be? Mama? Eh? Ma-ma.” 

He ‘blahs’ in response. “Close, I guess.” You pop a boh-boh back in his mouth and set him down on the floor. He immediately crawls around and gets into your bag. “Hey, hey!”

You take a pencil away from him, causing him to huff in protest. His disappointment doesn’t last long as he speedily crawls away towards your shoes. Lately, Noa is deciding that your shoes are priceless entertainment. 

 The Sports Festival is coming up and the hero course is busier than ever and bursting with excitement. This is the first one since the wars. They canceled last year for obvious reasons and there was a debate if they should continue them at all. The majority vote went to the tradition continuing.

Izuku has been tough to get a hold of which sucks because Noa does not like that. He needs his buddy, apparently. You decide to text him. 

“Does this seem okay? ‘Hi, Izuku. I would like to hang out with you again sometime soon. It’s okay if you don’t want to.’”

Noa just looks up at you. “Yeah, sounds very,” You struggle to come up with a word. Noa seems to get it quicker than you do with his, “Ba.”

“Stiff. Yep, that’s the word.” You type some more with Noa crawling onto your lap looking down at the screen. “How about this? ‘Do you want to hang out sometime?’ ”

 Noa hums then blows a bubble. “You’re right, that’s fine.” You hit send with your face warm. You whisper, “I just asked out a boy. Oh my God.” 

Izuku has been around you a lot but you’ve never asked him out. No, you still didn’t! This isn’t a romantic thing. It’s about Noa and his attachment to him! It’s not like it’s a date. When he took you out to eat at the restaurant it wasn’t a date either since Noa got an ear infection, so it was cut short.

  You smack your forehead repeatedly. “Stupid teenage hormones!” That has to be it.

Your phone vibrates in your hand. Noa touches the phone, his drool getting on the screen. You wipe it off and read what Izuku sent you.

I’d love to! How about Friday?

Stupid teenage hormones. The phone vibrates again. 

Will you cheer me on during the festival?

You answer, Noa and I both will.

You didn’t originally want to go but now you’re a little excited to watch. Stupid teenage hormones.

_______

Izuku invites you to watch him train instead of going out to what was not a romantic outing. You go, not really knowing what to expect. Him doing pushups or something? That’s wiped out when you open the heavy metal door and enter the large room. 

You didn't realize when he said train, he meant train. The students of Class A soar through the air. Flames and rocks fly around as debris crushes buildings. Suddenly, you spot familiar green hair in the air with his leg ready. He isn't wearing his suit yet still displays great power. You don't know the name of who is coming at him but one kick from Izuku sends the guy down after hearing a crunch from his body. 

Of course, your doll son is entertained and kicks his own legs. He reaches his hands out and squeals when Izuku comes down to land on the cliff, making it crack underneath him. You don't know how he's able to do it, thick thighs or not. He turns his head when he hears a baby’s laugh. “(Y/n)-ah, Noa!” He jumps down and runs to you.

Noa’s back is against your chest and your arm underneath his legs. Izuku sees this. “Uh, here, like this.”

He readjusts to set him on your hip. You glare at him. “He was fine.”

After sighing at his picking, you say, “You were pretty amazing.” From what you saw, at least. “It’s unfortunate you hang out with trash, though.”

“(Y/n).” He says with a pointed stare. Noa reaches for him with a big smile on his face. Izuku grabs and holds him. Izuku gives Noa a big kiss. “I missed you! Didn’t think you’d remember me, honestly.”

“You talked to him all the time.”

“Not as much as I should, though. Sorry about that, Noa.” Noa presses his face against Izuku’s chest. It’s a sweet scene. There’s no way Kaibara would do this. He barely participated with the report, and he didn’t even look at Noa.

Izuku gasps, knocking you out of your thoughts. He cheers and even congratulates your doll son for growing in length. And if you were crazy, you’d swear his eyes got a little rounder and his face shape, although still adorned with chubby cheeks, doesn’t match you or Kaibara’s. They’re Izuku’s. Noa has your eye color and nose, what may be your lips and Izuku’s chin. Does he see it or are you crazy? 

Before he can say anything, the electric guy comes up. “I didn't know you were doing it! He’s so cute!” The blond pokes Noa’s cheek. Looking at him you are reminded of Jule. He’s doing alright now but he still struggles. When this first started, you remember he had thrown up because of the stress. His partner, the electric guy, wasn't and isn't helping. Your tongue is loose on its own accord. “You know who else is cute?”

He raises a brow and tries, keyword tries, to act suave. “Certainly you. My name is Denki Kaminari-”

“Your child. You’d know that if any of you actually did something. Do you even know the name? How about your partner’s?” 

The class became quiet. Kaminari’s eyes waver a bit. A person stops their quirk in the middle of using it. You can't stand them. Them breathing the same air as you makes you sick. “Wanting to be a hero yet can’t take responsibility after pushing your grade us-no, hey!” Izuku tries to usher you out. You continue your rant about Kaminari's lack of effort in the project.

"Your partner's name is-stop it! Hey!"

Izuku carries Noa in one hand and you in the other. He doesn't say anything. Aizawa follows and calls Snipe who is groaning. Izuku manages to take you out of the training room and into a hall around the corner. His silence and tension bother you.

Are you going to apologize? Hell no.

Snipe comes at you at a fast pace. Izuku has yet to let you go. “(Y/n) (L/n), in here. Now.”

You snatch Noa and go inside the empty room right behind you. Snipe points his finger at you. “This is it. I have had it with your disrespectful, insubordinate, attitude. Look, I understand you’re angry. Everyone has been there. (Y/n), you can’t take your wrath out on everyone else.”

“Then who? Who can I take it out on? This is all unfair. So tell me, when and how can I be angry while they can sleep at night with no remorse? With no burden?”

“They have them. They’re just more mature than you.”

“They’re old. You have put this on young people. They, you, have been disrespectful. Everyone kisses your ass while the people whose hearts you swore to protect get crushed constantly. Tell me,” Your voice shakes. “How does this project help us? Not them. But us? Because they're out there living their best life while we are the ones to suffer for what seems like nothing.”

  Snipe says nothing. “All I did was bring it up. Why is that so wrong?”

 He takes off his mask for the first time. “It’s teaching both of you. They’ve grown up in a way you didn't, and will not, have to. You have faced the effects of war which you shouldn’t have in ways they never faced. Now it is time to raise you both in a way that prevents that. An opportunity to bond and grow together.”

  You rub your eyes. “Answer me! How can I take out my anger then while they get off of everything ? We apparently have a test today-”

“Which you are missing!”

  “So bent on them. Damn, man! When are you going to start being a hero?”

“I am-”

“Being our hero? I’m tired, Snipe. I’m sick of getting in trouble for nothing and I didn’t even get to study for this dumb test. Did any of us? Bet they did!” You point to the door. You immediately left and pushed Aizawa away from you since he was in the way.

You’re sitting on the bench outside of the school with your head in your hands. The breeze slightly cools your face.  

Desperately, you want to excel. In this project, life, and this school. You want to be a good student and person. You’re so tired. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Everything is so heavy. Noa’s sleeping better, just not enough. He’s easier to handle to an extent. Not to the point where you can go to class and do your work. Yeah, you skipped. What’s the point of going, though? Snipe yells at you when he’s too loud and everyone glares at you when it starts a chain reaction. 

  You can’t focus. You can’t sleep. You try to work hard in school and work harder at the restaurant. How can you get rest when you don't have time to?

 The scholarship covers the tuition, the dorm, and Recovery Girl's and Lunch Rush services. And with Lunch Rush you have a limited amount, just like a public school. If you go over, you have to pay. And what about everything else you need? Add all of that with Noa's expenses, you're drained. Plus, if anything happens to him, no doubt would that come out of your pocket.

Caring for Noa is exhausting. He's a good kid, totally! You also have experience with children. You've babysat before. However, taking care of a child on your own is very different, especially when the father disregards you and hurts you. The hero students don’t have to worry about this. Seeing them living and laughing just makes you so angry. 

  Your body feels so heavy. The salty water slides down your face and onto the sidewalk. Your nose runs embarrassingly as you sway from the weight. Noa coughs and sniffles. It snaps you up and grab him. “Hey, little man.”

  You try to rub your face. He doesn’t understand, he’s a doll which causes an ache in your chest. This has gone on too long. He feels so real. And you are crying too much, feeling way too much. Seeing the future heroes happy and content just hurt you so, so, much. Snipe, your teacher, is hurting you too. It's stupid, right? You know what to expect from heroes by now.

  Feeling the chill again, you decide to get up to bring him inside. Can he catch a cold? Suddenly, a hand touches your back. You jump and face them. Izuku stands there without an expression. You’re so tired. You don’t have the energy to say something snappy if need be.

Instead of going for it, he hugs you, being careful with Noa. The doll baby snuggles up to him. Izuku places his hand on the back of your head holding you close. You don’t know him well enough to be like this. You let it happen anyway. He’s warm and smells good despite his training about an hour ago. 

 “It’s going to be okay, (Y/n).” Your lips wobble. You're sick of that. “I know we don't know each other very well but I thought you’d need it.” 

He speaks again. “Snipe said you made a point and are letting all of you redo the test. I guess not everyone got to study,”

Is that supposed to make you feel better? It took for you to run out here and cry for him to notice he is doing all of you wrong? It’s humiliating and dramatic, isn’t it? There are literally people dying and here you are crying and making your teacher feel bad.

“So, I’ll help you, okay? Tonight, we can have dinner in the commons and do it together.” He rubs your back. This is so embarrassing. You want to scream at him, kick him, anything. You want to burn this school down with the heroes in it. Maybe even the dolls, too.

Izuku declares, “I’m right here.” Like it’s the most natural thing to him. Right then, Noa's tummy dings to show he is one years old. You hate how his first year is seeing you cry.

---

Tag:

@js-favnanadoongi

[badkitty3000]

Can you write Five (adult body) getting with a gorgeous woman for the first time and going on a bit of a power trip and just extreme edging and playing with her and kinda humiliating (actions not words)

Sorry this took a bit longer to write...I got a little carried away with this one and it ended up being longer than anticipated. But I loved this idea and I got very excited about it!

I decided to write this from Five's POV. I still consider this a reader-insert because the MC is not named. But there is no use of "you" in it, only "she" and "her".

Thank you so much for this request. It was really fun to write! 😽

Tamed

Five x Reader One-shot, 8143 words

Warnings: Smut, Edging, Physical age difference (older woman, younger man), everyone is an adult

I sigh heavily as I survey the shelf of cereal in front of me. I mull over my choices, humming quietly along with the Neil Diamond song playing on the grocery store speakers overhead. Wheaties, Grape Nuts, Cheerios. I wonder what the fiber to protein ratio is on these? God, I’m bored. Is this really my life, now? It’s true that I wanted a peaceful life without the threat of the world ending or the people I know getting obliterated and dying. And it was nice for a while, don’t get me wrong. I liked not having to worry about my family, now that they were all safe. And I didn’t need to act as a cold-blooded serial killer anymore. I could just be the normal man I had always wanted to be. But I’m beginning to think that normal equals boring.

I have my powers back, so at least there’s that. As much as I wanted a simple life for myself, that doesn’t mean I wanted to be just like everyone else in every way. Those years of having no powers were a downright nightmare, so thank Christ that didn’t last. So, yes, I can blink and time travel and kick the living shit out of almost anyone, but it’s still all so…ordinary. Most days I just wander around the city, enjoying the peace and quiet, but also wondering what to do next. There has to be something else, right?

I am still in the body of a much younger person, despite being mentally in my 60s. Physically, I’m around 20, and while I’m definitely not complaining, it has left a lot of years ahead of me. It has also complicated the dating scene. In the beginning, I had to wait it out a few years, and let me tell you, it’s rough being a horny old man in a 13 year old body. And a horny 13 year-old with the mind of an old man. But I did end up getting plenty of handjobs, so there’s that. Unfortunately, they were all self-executed.

But now…now, I am starting to reap more benefits of this strong and youthful body I found myself dumped back into all those years ago. Women notice me. Men notice me. And the attention is not half bad. It still leads to another dilemma, however.

Let’s say I would like to indulge in some adult activities with a woman. I have no problem finding someone to fill that role. That makes me sound like an asshole, but it’s true. On my way into the store today, I noticed a young woman looking me over like I was a piece of meat. I’m fairly certain that if I had wanted to, I could have strolled on over, struck up a conversation, and had her back at my place in an hour. I know this, because I’ve done it before. But afterwards, I feel like a real creep. They don't know my real age, obviously, and unless they have some unresolved daddy issues, I’m guessing they would be none too happy to find out. Not to mention there’s usually not a whole lot for the two of us to discuss. So, I ignored this most recent prospect and am now standing in front of a line of breakfast foods before heading on over to the soup aisle. 

I sigh heavily again.

“If you get the bigger box, it’s actually more economical, you know.”

I glance up, Fiber One cereal in hand, to find a woman standing next to me, the amusement on her face giving the impression that she’s up to something crafty. My mouth opens partly, but no sound comes out. She is maybe the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m talking supermodel-gorgeous. With her dark auburn hair and dramatic curves, I can’t stop staring like there’s something wrong with me. And here’s the real kicker: she’s probably in her mid-forties. Finally, I find my voice.

“Nope. I have a coupon, so…the smaller box is cheaper,” I offer, shaking the box in front of me with a smile. As if what I just said is a real panty dropper.

She nods, still smirking, and then I see her light brown eyes slowly move their way up my body until they’re back at my face again. One of her eyebrows quirks up playfully, insinuating she might like what she sees. She’s not even trying to hide it. 

“Shouldn’t you be buying Lucky Charms or something?”

I let out a small laugh and run a hand through my hair. “Do you mean, shouldn’t I be buying a kid’s cereal instead of something your grandpa probably eats?”

She shrugs. “Something like that.”

“Let’s just say my outward appearance is not a direct correlation to my mental maturity.”

She puts a hand on her hip and eyes me up and down again. “Is that so? Well, they say age is just a number, right? As long as that number is 18 or older.” She gives me a wink.

I almost keel over into the oatmeal, but I keep my cool. I return her flirtatious come-on with my own, flashing her a slanted smile as my gaze travels over her amazing body. I figure if she’s not going to be subtle, neither am I. 

“I can assure you two things. One, I am safely past that number. And two, if you need further proof, I’d be happy to demonstrate that I am most definitely not a kid.”

She lets out a breathy laugh and I pride myself on the fact that I may have flustered her.

“Cute and confident. I like that. Unless it’s all talk, of course.”

I cock my head to the side, a smug smirk on my face. “One way to find out.”

The corner of her mouth turns up, amused with this little game. “And what way is that?”

“Why don’t I whip it out and show you?”

I may have actually shocked her, because her eyes widen for just a split second before her devious grin is back. “Right here in the cereal aisle?”

I nod, and then reach into my pocket. I see her eyes wander down to my crotch. Then I pull out my wallet with a flourish and hold it up. She laughs loudly and genuinely, while I pretend I don’t understand, furrowing my brow in confusion.

“I was talking about my I.D. to show you my age. Did you think I meant something else?”

My face breaks into a grin and I put my wallet back. She smiles again. “Very clever. You must have a pretty big brain to go along with that handsome face.”

This a total, obvious set up, so of course I take the bait. “I haven’t had any complaints on size,” I answer, looking her dead in the eye.

She pauses for a second, as if mulling it over. Then she nods a little. “Hmmm,” she says, her pink lips pressed together. Without another word, she turns and starts pushing her cart down the aisle, away from me. I watch a little sadly, even though the view from behind is spectacular. I feel like I need to say something, so I call out.

“Aren’t you even going to give me your name?”

She doesn’t stop, but she answers back over her shoulder. “For now you can just call me Mrs. Robinson.” Then she pauses and turns to look at my stunned expression. “And if you understand that reference, then I hope we run into each other again very soon.”

I watch, dumbfounded, as she turns down the next aisle and is out of sight.

“Fuck,” I exhale out loud. Then I look down at my box of old man cereal and frown. “Of all the things I could be holding, did it have to be something that advertises the benefits of fiber? Couldn’t she have caught me with some wine or a goddamn box of magnum condoms?”

I glance up after I drop the box into my shopping basket, just as another woman passes by. This one, however, looks to be about 90 and is using a walker. Her confused look tells me there is nothing wrong with her hearing though, and she caught every word I just said out loud to myself. I smile, embarrassed.

“There’s good coupons in the ad today. Might want to check it out,” I offer.

She gives me a terse nod and she’s off, probably to buy the same cereal as me, and I head toward the check-out shaking my head at my dumbassery.

Five days later, and I’m back at the store. This isn’t my first trip back, hoping to run into the beautiful woman again. After learning through the way of the kid at the check-out that first day, I found out her name and situation. Apparently, she is quite the cougar on the hunt. At least according to Brad the bagger. She picks out a new piece of young, clueless arm candy at least once every couple of weeks. Even one of the stockboys in the back was chosen at one point. The stories he told the other guys at the store were legendary. She likes to be the teacher, and show them how to do things right. This is all hearsay, but I’m inclined to believe it after our little back-and-forth the other day.

She doesn’t know what I know, though. And that is the fact that I don’t need a teacher. I do things right the first time. And I do them pretty fucking well.

The woman has gotten under my skin. She is the excitement I have been looking for. And her age and my age, in this situation, aren’t a problem. It’s perfect, actually. So, each day since that day I saw her, I have been dressing in my black, three-piece suit and going back to the store. I look around, doing a few loops until I’m certain I’m not missing her, and then I buy some random item so I don’t look too suspicious. A carton of milk, a toothbrush, a stalk of celery. Brad the bagger has me figured out, though, and he gives me a lopsided smile that I know means “Better luck next time”.

This time, though, when I make my way down the frozen food aisle, I stop when I hear a voice from behind me.

“How did that cereal work out for you? Did you get enough fiber intake?”

I smile to myself before turning around. I put my hands in my pants pockets and spin on my heel, facing her head-on. She’s just as fucking gorgeous as the first time I saw her. Maybe even more. The tight, white, button-down shirt she is wearing is sleeveless, and I can see she is wearing a black bra underneath. It shows off her toned, tanned arms and just enough of her cleavage to make it interesting. The small shorts she has on are hugging her hips just right and those eyes of hers are framed in dark lashes that blink slowly as she looks me over. 

“Yes, actually. I think I got all of my nutritional needs met, thank you.”

She nods. “Nice suit.”

“Thanks.”

“You know, I wasn’t really sure I’d be seeing you again, but I’m glad we ran into one another. Must be fate.”

I nod. “Must be.” Then I give her a grin. “I definitely have not been coming here everyday hoping to run into you.”

Her eyebrows raise in surprise. “Well, you’re not very subtle, are you? I never did get your name.”

“Five Hargreeves,” I say, extending my hand.

Since the reset, the Hargreeves name lives on. If you bear the name of my adoptive, world-dominating father, that automatically means you are special. We all have powers and everyone knows it. But the Umbrella Academy as a team has ceased to exist, even in people’s memories. So, she doesn’t know who I am and it just sounds like I have a number as a name for no reason. Some of my siblings have changed their names to try and start over with a clean slate; hiding their powers from the rest of the public. Not me. I’m too old and set in my ways. Besides…I could have picked a different name a long time ago and chose not to. No use in doing it now.

“Hargreeves? So, you’re one of them?”

She takes my hand in hers to shake it, leaving it linger just a little too long. Her question isn’t accusatory or judgmental in any way. She only sounds curious.

“I am,” I answer, but I don’t follow it up with any detail.

“So what can you do?”

Her question is obviously about my powers, but I’d rather keep our little game going.

“Many, many impressive things.”

She gives me a half smile and nods her approval. “Five huh? Interesting. Well, my name is not actually Mrs. Robinson, as I’m sure you figured out. It’s –”

I interrupt her. “I know who you are.”

“Oh really? Am I that famous around here?”

“Seems that you are. You have quite the reputation.” I pause. “In a good way.”

She smiles coyly again. Then she turns to the glass doors of the freezers that are lined up against the wall. She opens the door and reaches in to grab a bag of vegetables, a white cloud puffing up around her from the cold. When she closes the door again, she turns to face me. I glance down at her chest. The cold air has caused her nipples to harden and are clearly visible through her tight shirt. She sees me notice and lets me stare for a few more seconds before dropping the bag into the basket looped over her arm.

“Since you’re here, would you mind helping me with something?” she asks, brushing her hair over her shoulder.

Her question jolts me out of my little daydream of running my tongue and teeth over those delicious looking peaks and I rub the back of my neck.

“Of course.”

She points back at the freezer. “Can you reach something on the top shelf for me?”

I nod and she opens the door, the blast of cold air hitting us both in the face. We’re standing close to one another now and I can see the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and around her mouth. It somehow makes her look even sexier.

“What do you need?” I ask. She’s a couple inches shorter than me and I look down at her.

Her eyes don’t move off of mine when she answers. “I need some sausage.”

I almost laugh directly in her face, and I can see she is trying to hold it together, too. But we’re both having too much fun to break now. I glance up to the top shelf and sure enough, there is a box of breakfast sausages. I put my hand on one of them.

“These?”

She shakes her head. “The big one.”

With a giant grin, I grab the bigger box and pull them down. Then I close in on her, until we’re so close her perfect tits are practically rubbing against my chest. I see her take in a sharp breath.

“That’s the one,” she says with a nod. “Just put it in my basket. If it will fit.”

“Don’t worry. I can make it fit,” I say as I smirk and look down at the almost-full shopping basket.

There’s a small opening along the side and I push the box into it, shoving it in to make a snug fit.

“See? Perfect fit,” I assure her as my hand brushes against her bare arm. “You just have to know how to slide it in.”

We stand there a second longer, our bodies so close I am having a hard time not pulling her in and fucking her into the frozen tater tots. The ridiculous innuendos are making us smile, though, and pretty soon we’re both laughing. Her laugh is nice and I like hearing it. It feels good to laugh with someone.

“So, Five…do you still have more shopping to do?”

I look down at my empty hands, then back at her. “Nope. I got what I came for.”

With another thoughtful nod, she sets her basket on the floor. “You know, I just remembered I left my wallet at home, so I guess I won’t be able to pay for these.”

“That’s a shame. You probably shouldn’t be driving without a license, either. Maybe I should take you home.”

She reaches out and slowly pulls my tie out from inside the vest of my suit, running two fingers down the silk edge of it before dropping it again. 

“Well, aren’t you such a nice young man? You must have been a boy scout.”

I shake my head and put my hands back in my pockets, trying not to moan directly in her face from her touch and the way she’s looking at me. “Not exactly.”

She shrugs and turns around, walking away. Apparently, I am supposed to follow her like an obedient little puppy. And I will for right now. I can play this game, too. I’ll let her think I’m some dumb kid that doesn’t know how to work a vagina and will cum all over her hand the first time she touches my dick. But she doesn’t know I’m about to prove her very, very wrong. I exchange looks with Brad the bagger, who is giving me a thumbs up, as I follow her out the doors.

I lead her to my car, and she stops when we reach it, surprised at what she’s seeing.

“Wait, this is your car?”

“Why? You don’t like it?”

She shakes her head. “No, no, it’s great. It’s just I wouldn’t have guessed you’d be a Corvette Stingray guy.”

I walk around to the passenger side and open the door for her. It’s a nice day out and I have the top down. It’s also freshly washed, so the blue paint is shining. I watch her legs and ass as she slips inside onto the leather seat, and I close the door gently. When I cross over to the driver’s side and get in, she looks over at me with a smile and it doesn’t even feel awkward. We know what we’re doing, so there’s no need to try and pretend something else is going on here. 

“Where to?” I ask, turning the key in the ignition. The car roars to life.

Once she gives me directions, I peel out of the parking lot, rounding the corner at top speed and head out onto the main road. I like to drive fast, and when I look over at her, she is laughing; her hair blowing behind her in the wind and the sun shining on her face. Seeing her happy and excited like that makes me feel good. I kick it into fourth and whip around the cars in front of me.

We arrive a few minutes later. She lives in an unassuming house in an unassuming neighborhood. When she unlocks the door and lets me inside, I take a look around. The house is clean, tidy, and tasteful. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. Maybe leopard print sofas or a sex swing in the middle of the living room. But, no, this is very much a normal looking home. 

“Please, make yourself at home,” she says, gesturing to the living room we’re standing in before walking into the open kitchen that is right next to it.

I shrug off my suit coat and do away with my tie, laying them across the back of an armchair. I unbutton the top couple buttons of my shirt and roll up my sleeves as I join her in the kitchen.

“Would you like a beer?” she asks, her hand on the refrigerator door.

I can’t stop staring at her, and I’m dying to see that body that I know is fucking gorgeous under those clothes. But, I wait.

“Actually, do you have any scotch?” I ask.

She looks surprised and then she tilts her head. “Yes, I do. I have damn good scotch, in fact.”

“Great.”

She points to a cabinet. “In there. There’s glasses just to the left.”

As I turn to open the cupboard, I say something about how I’m impressed with her choice of booze. I pull the stopper out and fill two glasses halfway.

“Most of my guests don’t appreciate good quality scotch.”

I hand her a glass and take a sip from my own. She’s right; it’s damn good.

“I’m willing to bet I’m not like most of your usual guests.”

She eyes me up over her glass and shakes her head. “No. So far, you’ve been surprising me.” She takes a drink and lowers her glass again. “So, these powers you have. What are they, exactly?”

This is the perfect invitation and my mouth pulls into a smirk. I set my glass down on the counter behind me. With no warning, I blink the few feet that separates us and I reappear almost on top of her, with my body brushing against hers as she audibly gasps.

I place a hand on the side of her neck, my thumb rubbing lightly across her cheek. “That,” I answer, before using my other hand to take her glass and set it down behind her.

I can see and feel her chest starting to rise and fall at a more rapid pace as she stares up at me, her lips slightly parted. I don’t want to wait anymore, so I lean in for a kiss. It’s soft at first, but when I feel her mouth respond to mine, it becomes more heated. Soon, I am pulling her to me with an arm around her waist. My hand is still on her neck, and I chance it by giving her hair a soft tug from behind. I hear her breathe in sharply through her nose and she presses into me further.

When we finally break away from one another, our heads still close together, we are breathing hard and fast. I push my groin against her so she can feel what she’s doing to me. I see a small smile form on her lips.

“Is this what you’ve been wanting from me?” I ask quietly.

She lets out a very soft sigh and closes her eyes before opening them again and pushing back against me.

“Among other things,” she says.

I nod before diving back onto her mouth again, hungry for more. Her hands run down my back and down to my waist, then back up my arms. I love the feeling of her hands on me and it’s getting me even more riled up.

I stop again, leaving her breathless. Without bothering with anymore questions, I rip her shirt open down the front, tearing the buttons apart until it’s fully open and I slide it down her arms, letting it drop to the floor. She doesn’t try to stop me and when I take a few seconds to admire the view of her magnificent tits in the thin black bra she is wearing, she gives me a smile. I run my hands over them and she tilts her head back.

“You’re fucking gorgeous,” I tell her. When she looks back at me, I raise one eyebrow. “But I think you already know that. Don’t you, honey?”

She gives me a small laugh. “Honey?”

I put my hands on either side of her waist and pull her in with a sharp tug and suddenly she’s not smiling anymore. But she is clutching at my shirt on my back.

“You know exactly what you’re doing with that amazing body of yours. And you like it when you have to show your little boy toys how to handle it, don’t you?”

She is looking up at me in surprise, her chest flush with mine and my dick grinding into her. She takes a loud breath in and her hands fall to my waist. Her mouth twitches up at the corner and she shakes her head.

“Damn. You figured me out.”

My hands find their way down to the front of her shorts and I start to slowly unbutton and unzip them, all while looking her directly in the eyes. I do not return her smile. I want her to know I mean business.

“That’s not what’s going to happen this time.”

I push her shorts down and they drop to the floor at her feet. Her small, black panties match the bra and I immediately want to tear those off, as well.

“What is going to happen, then?” she asks, still trying to maintain her air of coolness, but I can see I’m getting to her when she swallows hard.

I don’t answer, but I do drop to my knees in front of her and look up at her shocked face. I yank the panties down in one motion and she steps out of them. With one more look back up, I lean in and drag my tongue up her slit; slowly and deliberately, while she lets her eyes close and her head fall back. A soft whimper escapes her throat and her hips push subtly into me. She tastes so good, just like I knew she would, and I give her another long lick.

“We’re going to have some fun,” I tell her, before giving her a soft kiss right onto her sensitive mound. She makes another breathy noise above me, and I take that to mean she likes my plan.

I know she still doesn’t realize everything I am capable of yet, but she will. I have decided, as a personal challenge to myself, that by the time I am through with her she will be begging me for more. I’m going to ruin her so that she won’t even be able to think of anyone else but me. And I’m not going to stop until this wild cat is a domesticated house kitty, purring in my lap. The thought makes me grin salaciously before my mouth is back on her.

I don’t bother starting out slow. I’m eating her out, sucking at her clit and flicking my tongue over and into every crevice, all while gripping her thighs so tightly my fingers are digging into her skin. She moans out loud, and I push her roughly backward until she is clutching at the edge of the counter and her ass is up against it. I pull my face off of her just long enough for me to take a hand and slap the inside of one of her thighs. She looks down at me, startled.

“Spread them for me,” I demand.

She follows my instructions, widening her stance, and I go back in for more. I could eat this pussy all day, and I shove my tongue inside of her. Her slick is pouring out of her the more I work her over; coating my mouth in her delicious taste. The loud breathing and even louder moans I hear are turning me on and my cock is straining inside my pants.

“Fff…oh my g-ahhh…yes yes…ff-iii…”

I let out a tiny laugh because the sounds and words she’s saying make no sense. I can’t tell if she wants to say my name or curse, but either way I know I’m doing something right. I’ve got her brain all scrambled, which is what I was aiming for.

I keep going, fucking her with my hungry mouth while she gets more and more worked up. Her whines are becoming higher in pitch and she’s desperately trying to grind against my face. When I feel her hand on my head, her fingers laced in my hair, I know I’ve got her. She tries to push my face harder into herself.

“Five…keep going…more…” she stutters out, and I know she’s teetering on the edge.

Instead of letting her come all over my face, I immediately back off. She tries to pull me back in, but I don’t let her. I look up at her as I catch my breath, my mouth wet from her dripping pussy, and I love how fucking desperate and sad she looks right now.

“What…fuck…I was right there,” she pants, as if she thinks I made some mistake and I didn’t realize she was about to finish.

I shake my head slowly, like the smug asshole I am, and rise up until I’m looking down on her again. Her chest is heaving and she’s looking at me like she can’t quite believe what is happening.

“I know, sweetheart. That wasn’t fair, was it?” I ask condescendingly before giving her a kiss on her cheek.

She stares at me in disbelief for a second before one side of her mouth quirks up. “You were right. This is not how I thought this was going to go.”

I stroke her cheek and brush a piece of hair off her forehead. My movements are slow and gentle, and I’m taking my time. 

“But do you like it?” I ask quietly, before guiding her face to look at me with a hand on her chin.

She swallows nervously again, but that tiny smile is still there and there’s a hungry spark in her eyes. She nods.

“Yeah. I think I do.”

When she pulls me by my belt loops, hard so that my groin slams into her, I chuckle. “The more you want it, the more I’m going to make you wait.”

Her eyebrows draw together with frustration. It’s the first time she’s looked significantly younger than her age, and she almost appears to be on the verge of a temper tantrum. I can tell she’s used to getting her way all the time. I like teasing her, but I also don’t want to be that much of a jerk. Plus, holding out is killing me, too.

“How about this, I’ll give you a choice. I can either fuck you here, on the kitchen countertop; or we can go to the bedroom. Whichever you want.”

She makes a little gutteral noise in her throat and her eyes flutter close for half a second. She tries to push against me again, but I don’t let her.

“Bedroom,” she whispers.

I nod, pleased with her choice. There will be a bigger work area for me there. She takes me by the hand, leading me down a hallway. I know she’s a little embarrassed, because she’s completely undressed except for her bra, and I still have all of my clothes on. It further drives home the point that I’ve taken the reins here.

Once we’re in the bedroom, she tries to pounce on me again, but I gently push her back onto the bed. She doesn’t say anything, just looks up at me with those beautiful brown eyes and waits. I think she’s starting to understand the game now. As she watches, I strip off my shirt and pants. Then I climb over the top of her in nothing but my boxers. She immediately lies down on her back beneath me.

I begin kissing her again; hot, open-mouth kisses that have her shoving her tongue inside my mouth and pulling me down on top of her. I reach around to unhook her bra and throw that off to the side somewhere. Now she’s completely naked and I just have to take a minute to admire the view.

I raise up on my forearms, pulling away from her mouth, and look below me. Fuck. I’m not sure how it’s possible that I ended up with this absolute work of art that is dying for my dick inside of her right now, but here we are. It’s a goddamn miracle, is what it is. 

“Do you know how stunningly beautiful you are?” I ask sincerely, still not taking my eyes off her luscious curves.

This seems to make her a little flustered and I even see her blush a little. It has me thinking that maybe these dumbass toddlers that she’s been bringing back here haven’t exactly been as appreciative as I am. They apparently didn’t realize that they should have been worshiping her, not just fucking her and leaving. What a tragedy.

She laughs quietly. “Ok.”

“I’m not kidding,” I tell her, looking her in the eyes again. “You’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met in my life.”

When I say that, our eyes locked on one another, I can feel something click between us. A connection is made. I can see that she believes me and I’ve made her feel good about herself. But there’s something else there, too. Something I don’t know how to describe. But I like it.

“Thank you,” she whispers with a smile.

She reaches up to push my hair back off my face, and then she is pulling me down again with a hand on the back of my neck. I let her take the lead for just a second because it feels so good. My body is covering hers as we trade more deep kisses back and forth, and I position myself so that my hard cock is pressing between her legs. She moans into my mouth and opens her legs wider for me. 

I keep at it, rubbing up against her; the cotton fabric of my boxers creating a shield of friction between us, but she is still getting off on it. It obviously feels amazing to me, too, and I am honestly thinking of foregoing this whole orgasm denial thing I’ve got going on and just fucking her as hard as possible right now. But I don’t. I continue to rut into her as she presses harder and harder against me, jerking her hips up and digging her nails into my bare shoulders.

“Oh my god,” she whines next to my ear. “Please…”

I smile to myself, my face hidden in the crook of her neck. I give her a sharp bite that makes her squeak. 

“I love that you’re so needy,” I tell her, moving to the other side of her neck and sucking a bruise onto it. “I bet you never begged for someone’s cock before, have you?”

She doesn’t answer, probably because she’s either too focused on humping me or she’s embarrassed that I called her out. Either way, it’s a win for me. She keeps grinding against me, her actions becoming faster and more desperate. I can feel her hot, wet pussy with each pass over my dick, and oh fuck, it makes me want to lose my mind. I can’t even really believe I’m holding out this long, but I’ve made it this far I guess. Let’s keep this going.

As soon as she is completely lost in her own little world, eyes closed and hands clutching at my arms and back, I can see she’s so close to coming again. She’s making small grunting noises and whimpers as she rams her swollen clit against me. 

“Oh shit…oh shit…” she starts chanting and her grip on my skin tightens.

The grin on my face is extremely cruel as I suddenly move off her, sitting on my knees in between her legs. Her hips move up, only to meet nothing but air and her eyes fly open.

“What the fuck!”

Her eyes are wide and she’s breathing like a freight train. Her hips keep twitching just slightly, like they haven’t quite caught up to the rest of her body yet. She looks pretty pissed off and it’s adorable.

“Did you think I was going to let you get off just from grinding on my dick like that?” I shake my head, pitying her. “Honey…I thought you figured this out.”

“You are a bastard,” she fumes, her jaw clenched tight.

“It’s really hard to take you seriously when you’re wearing nothing but the marks I just gave you. You’re still so soaking wet for me I can see the evidence in a pool on the sheets.”

She’s quiet again and a soft blush blooms across her chest. I know it is killing her to be this vulnerable right now, so I decide to throw her a bone. Still resting on my knees, I pull my boxers down over my cock, letting her have a good look before maneuvering them the rest of the way off. I stay where I am and make her watch.

Taking my rock hard dick in my hand, I give it a few slow strokes while maintaining eye contact with her. She has propped herself up on her elbows and she’s practically drooling over what she’s seeing. I might not be porn star-level big, but in the scheme of things, it’s mildly impressive. At least, she seems to think so.

“Damn,” she rasps out before looking me in the eyes again. She is dead serious when she tells me, “I want you to fuck me with that.”

I laugh because I just can’t help it and even she smiles at that. I reach down and take one of her hands, pulling her up towards me so that she is sitting up.

“Come here,” I say gently, although my face is back to being serious. She shuffles forward a little and I grab her around the waist, positioning her so that she is straddling my lap while I stay kneeling.

The position makes my cock rub against her slit again, and she’s already trying to roll her hips into me. I let her do that a few times, mostly because it feels so goddamn good, but then I hold her still with my hands on either side of her waist.

“I know how badly you want this. And I’m going to give it to you, don’t worry. But you’re going to have to be a little more patient, ok sweet girl?”

My tone is patronizing and she doesn’t like it. But after a few seconds she gives me a small nod. I go back to kissing her, because I seem to not be able to get enough of her lips against mine, and I tangle my fingers in her hair. She groans when I give it a sharp tug.

Without pulling away, I move my hands back down to her hips and start to guide her. Very slowly, I move her body over mine, so that her dripping wet slit is sliding back and forth over my dick. I let out a long, low moan and tighten my grip on her. 

“Please,” she’s whimpering against my mouth again.

“Please what, sweetheart?” I tease, moving my lips to her neck and her shoulder while still keeping control of her pace on top of me.

“Please fuck me.”

It’s so pathetic the way she’s whining that I want to laugh. But I’m also pretty damn close to begging too, and I have to keep trying to focus on not letting myself slip inside of her just yet.

I shake my head, denying her request, but I do pick up the pace a little. I start moving her faster, until she’s grinding hard onto my shaft and I can see she’s just about ready to come again. 

“How do you feel, sweetheart? Is that good?” I ask softly near her ear.

She nods, her eyes still closed. “God, yes…so fucking good. I’m almost there…please.”

“I know you are,” I tell her.

She starts whining and moaning louder and grinding into me harder and she thinks I’m going to let her finally give in to her orgasm, but just as I see her start to tip over that edge, I use my strength to throw her off of me so that she is on her back again.

“Fiive…”

She draws my name out in a long, demoralized cry that is so sad and so pitiful, with her eyes that are pleading for me and her mouth open while she gasps for breath. Oh fuck…I need her.

This time I don’t tease or prolong anything. I’m hard as a rock and dripping with pre-cum and I need to be inside of her now. But there’s one last thing I’m going to make her do for me.

I grab onto her again, and instead of throwing her around, I use my handy spatial manipulation powers and blink us both into the position I want. This is always a risky move that could end with someone accidentally sailing onto the floor or my genitals being smashed into a pancake, but luckily I get it right. I land on my back and she is on top of me. She lets out a short shriek of surprise, but when she realizes what happened she smiles down at me.

“Ride me,” I tell her, not even bothering with an explanation of how or why I flung her through the vacuum of space. “Now,” I emphasize through gritted teeth, in case she was not getting the point.

She gets it, though, because it only takes her a couple of seconds before she is sinking down onto my cock until I’m fully buried in her tight sleeve, and holy shit, it’s the best thing I’ve ever felt in my life.

We both let out a loud moan from how amazing it feels after all of the anticipation. She leans back, grabbing my legs behind her for leverage, and she starts to rock her hips forcefully on top of me. I reach up to squeeze and mold each breast in my hands, watching as her beautiful mouth drops open and her head falls back.

Her movements are driving me crazy, but I still want more. I lower my hands so I can clutch at her hips again, but not before I slap her on the ass with a loud smack. That got her attention and her head snaps up again, eyes wide.

“Look at me,” I demand.

She does and I hold her gaze while I pump her body faster and harder on top of me. I’m pushing my own hips up against her, trying to feel as much of her as humanly possible, but I swear it’s still not enough.

“Fuck me harder. Come on, harder,” I tell her, and I vaguely wonder if I sound as pathetic as she did earlier. I don’t care. I’ll beg on my knees if I can get more of what I’m feeling right now.

She bites at her lower lip in concentration and nods at my request, speeding up her forceful thrusts until she’s almost all the way off of my dick before slamming back down again. Her tits are bouncing so perfectly and her face is flushed. I really don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to last when I look at her like that.

I’m starting to sweat now with how hard I’m working at trying to drill into her, and all the while I’m feeling that warm, amazing feeling in my lower abdomen that means I’m about to lose it. I see by her face and hear from her high-pitched mewls that she is close, too. I’ve got to dial it up a notch, so I move one hand off her hip and start vigorously rubbing her clit with my thumb.

That does it, and she starts thrashing erratically, head tilted back, while she wails like she’s in pain. I know she’s not though, because after another second her pussy is fluttering tightly around my cock and she’s screaming so loud I would be shocked if it weren’t for the fact that I’m also coming fast and hard.

“Fuuuckk,” I yell out, joining her shaking and shuddering body with my own spasms as I push her down as hard as I can manage while unleashing my cum inside of her.

It takes several minutes of loud panting and aftershocks, while she lays on top of my chest and I stroke her back. I’ve never experienced anything that intense before, but I really hope I get to again sometime soon. I finally start to slip out of her and she rolls off of me to lie next to me. 

I don’t know what it is, but there’s some weird connection between us, and I know she can feel it too. It doesn’t matter that I teased her mercilessly and stripped her of all of her control. I smile over at her and lean in for a kiss while trying to smooth her tangled hair down. 

“I wasn’t expecting this,” she says with a small laugh, and I know she’s talking about picking up a supposedly naive kid and having them rock her world, but it has another meaning too. She wasn’t expecting to feel like this. And neither was I.

I shake my head with a smile and trace her lips with my fingers. “Me either. But I think I could get used to it.”

“Me, too.” She pauses and looks a little nervous. “Normally I wouldn’t ask this, but…do you want to stay for a while?”

I don’t even pretend to think about it or try to play cool. “Yes, I’d love that.” When she smiles, she looks so relieved and happy, and I go in for another kiss. “Go get cleaned up and I’ll go grab our drinks. But I want you right back here in bed for me, ok?”

I was sort of teasing, but she smiles her gorgeous smile and nods her head. “Ok.”

Once we’re back in bed, with me propped against the headboard and her leaning against my chest, we gradually sip our scotch and I run my fingers through her hair.

“So, I have to ask. You don’t seem in any way like any other man your age. Why is that? How are you so different?”

I pause for a second while I decide if I want to get into all of that. But then I think, why the hell not? I like this woman and if she wants to know about me, I might as well start with the big truth.

“Well, get comfortable, because this may take a while.”

☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️☂️

It’s a month later and I’m back at the same grocery store. I only needed a few things and I wait in line until it’s my turn to check out. As I watch my items get scanned over the red laser, Brad the bagger steps up to help out. He recognizes me and gives me a big grin.

“Good to see you, it’s been a while.” He takes a look around. “I haven’t seen her here in a while, not sure why. But, hey, did you ever seal the deal before? Me and some of the guys in back have a bet going.”

“Is that right?” I say with a sly grin. “Which way did you bet?”

Brad looks shocked like it could be any other answer. “That you did, of course! I saw the way she was looking at you; like the cougar caught her meal for the night.”

He laughs at his joke and I smile a little, just as my girl comes jogging up behind me to put a jar of olives on the belt before my order is finished.

“Here you go, honey, sorry it took me forever to find it,” she pants, slightly out of breath. “Are those the right ones?”

I smile down at her and nod. “Yes, darling, thank you.”

As she squeezes past me, pleased with my praise, I give her a small smack on the ass. She turns around and rolls her eyes at me before flashing me one of her pretty smiles that makes me want to melt onto the linoleum floor beneath my feet.

“I’m going to wait in the car,” she tells me, before giving Brad a little wave on her way past.

I swear, it looks like every bagger and stock boy in the whole damn store has now gathered nearby and are staring in awe at the scene they just witnessed. I pretend I don’t notice, but I can’t help feeling proud of myself and it’s hard to keep the smile off my face. As I am paying and taking my bag from Brad, I hear someone in the crowd whisper a little too loudly.

“Did you see that? How the fuck did that dude tame the cougar?”

I definitely can’t keep the smug look off my face now and I nod at the group of jackass kids on my way out the door. “Gentleman.”

Then I head on out to my Stingray, where my dream girl is waiting patiently for me.

[gingernut1314]

Confidence: Zoro

Roronoa Zoro x F!Reader

Summary: You have never been defeated. No man or woman to have ever partaken in your challenge have come out victorious, only further solidifying your reputation. That is, until Zoro comes wandering into the bar you have set up your latest challenge in. You're confidence and his inability to back down from a challenge has Zoro feeling rather--weird toward you. A weird feeling that has him staying around you longer than he knows he should.

Warnings: tiny bit of angst, heavy alcohol use, mild talk of age difference (everyone in this fic is 18+), smut (dom x dom, p in v, hand job, fingering), very, very mild anime spoilers, Zoro not knowing what emotions he's feeling for 6K+ words

Word Count: 6.9K (Oops--my hand slipped)

A/N: This is my first time writing for Zoro soooo please be nice to me 🫣 I tried my best lol. And you already know I'm sorry about the word count--this whole mini-series was born from an inability to control the word vomit I type down, so the same thing happened here 😬 This is the 2nd part in the requested 'Confidence' series and I hope you all enjoy!!!

↞ to Confidence Masterlist and original request | to One Piece Masterlist | Request Rules | Blog Navigation ↠

“She has never been defeated. No man or woman alive can best her.”

“She’s as strong as a man.”

“No--as strong as ten men.”

“Ten--” A scoff, “try a hundred men.” 

These were the whispered and bewildered words of the patrons of the bar Zoro had wondered his way into. Words that piqued his interest as he made his way towards the bar, eyeing the gathered crowd of men just off to the side. An interest that was stifled when a mug of beer was placed in front of him--beer he’d been itching to have since he hoped off the Merry and onto the docks

Just when he had taken that first, refreshing sip of the wheaty drink, his name floated amongst the whispering. His name, his recent bounty, and his skill--skill they bet would take down whoever you were.

And Zoro was completely uninterested, a deep sigh huffing through his nose as he took another large, gulping drink. This would mean he would have to leave the bar he had just found. Leave because his name would only gather unwanted attention to him and his crew who had been trying to avoid attention of any sort.

You tucked a handful of berries into your pocket as the man before you cradled his arm, which you had so unfortunately snapped. Had just readied yourself to take on the next man who sat eagerly down in front of you when you caught a flash of green hair--of three swords strapped safely to a hip.

Roronoa Zoro.

He was a man you had heard rumors of throughout your travels through the Blue Seas. For an ex-bounty hunter, alleged demon, and holder of a hefty bounty he looked awfully--young to have gained all those titles and glory. Titles and glory that come with hard work--years of training. Years after tortuous years you had undergone to get to the level of skill you had achieved. 

You were proud of your achievements and no man, young or old, would make you feel any less…but it didn’t stop you from needing to challenge him. To test your power against his and see if he could finally beat you after all these years.

“A man carrying that many swords,” You called, silencing the crowd who gasped collectively, parting to allow you a better view of the pirate who was making his way out of the bar, “must be making up for something rather…small--weak.” 

Zoro stopped in his retreat, unwittingly taking the bait you had thrown at him

He turned his eyes, which were as dark as the night sea, onto you, looking like your remark hadn’t affected him--a remark you’ve known to throw many a man into a wild rage.

“Hardly.” He huffed on a blink. He watched you grab the man who sat before you by the scruff of his shirt and throw him out of his chair, sending him rolling onto the floor and nearly knocking over another who got in his way. Watched you gesture toward the now-empty seat before you.

“Then prove it, pretty boy.” You said, confidence and ego dripping from your every word. Dripping from the way you held yourself to the way you kept your features in that of cool, collected, confidence. It was a confidence and ego that called to Zoro’s own--called to it in a way he could not ignore as he usually would.

You smirked as he made his way over, sitting down in his seat--sitting down in his seat in a proficient way that anyone else in this room would have thought normal. But it was far from normal. You saw it for what it was--a call to his true abilities.

“How will I do that?” He asked you dryly. You placed your elbow on the worn, wooden table and raised your hand to silently let him know to take it. The famed swordsmen did no such thing, only eyeing it. “An arm wrestle? That is hardly a challenge.” He all but scoffed at you. 

“Oh? Scared?” You teased, making the man narrow his eyes the slightest bit at you. “Thought you weren’t making up for something?” Zoro grasped your hand in his, steadying his elbow just a little ways before your own. 

Zoro noted your hand was strong and calloused just any decent sword wields would be--but it also sported elaborately painted nails in a beautiful shade of purple with gold detailing. 

He liked those colors was the next thought that crossed his mind before he could shut it down.

“If I win?” He asked, knowing better than to take your bait twice. Your eyes lit with excitement as a chuckle spilled from your lips. A chuckle that took him utterly off guard.

“If you win, I’ll buy you a drink and let you do as you wish to me. Whether that be death, a task needing to be fulfilled, berry, or a quick fuck in the alley. You’re choice.” Zoro’s gaze fluttered over you again. Confidence--such confidence that had their hooks buried deep in his flesh. Hooks he knew he needed to rid himself of before something bad came his way. 

“You buy me a drink and show me to the docks.” You nodded at the fair wager. “And if you win?” You let your eyes wander over the swordsman’s body--over his strong stronger, calm features, and lips that you could tell were just full enough to be perfectly kissable. 

“If I win, you buy me a drink and give me one of your earrings.” You said eyeing the three, golden earrings dangling from his ear. Ones that had hardly moved as he walked over to you. Hardly moved as he sat and took your hand in his own. It was all call to the skill you were about to pit yourself against. 

Your response surprised Zoro. He’d taken on many challenges and won many duels, but never once had someone asked him such a thing. Such a strange request.

It only made those hooks dig deeper.

“I agree to your terms.” He said, readying himself to take you on.

“And I do yours.” You spoke on honey-dripped tones that had few men around the room huffing in flusteredness. 

Berry was passed around as bets were made. Whispered words laid just under the surface of the silence which had fallen over the bar. Whisper about who would win, how they would win, and what in all the gods’ names was Zoro thinking for just asking you for directions and a drink.

Zoro and you gave each other a brief nod before your challenge began.

You knew in an instant he had earned his bounty as such power bore down onto your arm--power that had your excitement whirl around in your chest, a laugh you couldn’t control spilling from your lips.

Zoro knew just as quickly that you had earned the reputation he had heard whispered around the bar. Knew that you weren’t worth ten men--not even a hundred. You were worth a thousand. 

But Zoro was, unfortunately for you, worth two thousand men. 

Arms shook, sweat pooled and dripped down brows, the wooden table whined and shook until--

Your arm budged. Budged and struggled to regain what little space you had lost. Another cheerful laugh flew from your breathy lips. 

A laugh that had Zoro’s chest feeling all--weird. 

Why were you laughing? You were losing?

Another inch was lost to you. And then another and-- 

The table snapped in two beneath the power roaring around the two of you. You were pulled from your seat and all but into the lap of the man you had nearly lost to.

You cursed, angered at the cut-off challenge only to find a deep, rumbling chuckle spill from Zoro’s lips. A chuckle you instantly liked and wanted to hear more of. A chuckle that rumbled through you as Zoro leaned in close, his breath brushing against your cheeks in a way that had your body heating.

“Let's get that drink.”

You both ordered a round for the other. A round that turned into two, then three, then four, until it was turning into another full-on challenge. One the patrons around the bar fed into by buying you both shots and drinks. 

Berry once again flowed. Bets were made and whispering dealings on who would win floated around the now music-filled bar. 

Zoro finished his eighth beer when he turned to find you finishing off your own eighth, flashing him a smug grin that had that strange feeling stirring in his gut.

“Slowing down?” You teased him, grabbing for your fourth shot given to you by one of the men sitting closest to you. 

“Hardly.” Zoro scoffed, ordering himself the same shot you had been given. “Just let me know when you need a break, princess.” He said in that dry wit he teased you with. 

“Princess--I like that. I think if I win, instead of buying me a drink, you’ll have to only refer to me as a princess.” Zoro raised his shot glass for you to click yours against. The liquid warmed your throat as it flowed downward, a warmth that spread through your body again when your eyes caught sight of the swordman’s strong throat bob on his swallow. 

“Fine. I still want a drink. But you’ll buy me a bottle of sake instead. A nice bottle of sake. Top shelf.” You nodded, pushing your empty shot glass away and replacing it with your ninth beer. Zoro was quick to follow. 

“Of course. Only the best for the great Roronoa Zoro.” 

You two had five more beers, two more shots, and a tiny cup of cheap sake before most of the partons left for the night, defeated. The bar closed soon after the last handful left and you two were kicked out, ending your second challenge before it truly began. 

“What bar closes before one?” Zoro gruffed as you two walked through the all-but-deserted streets of the port town. Only a few drunken men stumbled home, singing off-tune shanties and relieving themselves against the sides of buildings. 

“The kind whose clientele should have gone home an hour ago.” You huffed, placing a hand on the sword at your side absentmindedly. “I will show you to the docks. I assume your captain is waiting for you.” Zoro eyed you again like he wasn’t sure what to make of you. “Tell me…how did the mighty hunter become the prey?” 

“I am still plenty the hunter.” He said with that smugness that mirrored your own.

“Oh of course. A 60 million berry bounty doesn’t come from just laying down and being complicated.” You said, all but purring his way. It had that feeling in Zoro’s gut fizzing again. Made him want to challenge you again--over and over until a victor was found. 

“You tell me since you seem to know so much about me already.” You huffed, turning your face away from Zoro. He watched the moonlight make your eyes sparkle--watched your painted fingernails tap over the hilt of the sword at your side. One he could tell from the hilt was of strange make and good caliber. 

“Don’t flatter yourself, Roronoa Zoro. Your name has been whispered in the wind for a long time now. Your face now posted everywhere one can find space.” You said pointing towards the nearest building, where a few wanted posters had been plastered onto. 

Sure enough, there was Zoro’s face and bounty just next to Luffy’s goofy grin. 

“Stories of what you did in Alabasta are told in many a bar I’ve conducted my challenges in. I have good ears. Nothing more.” He almost would have believed you had the corner of your mouth not twitched. Had your painted nails not tapped over the hilt of your sword again.

“Who are you then? Bounty hunter? Marine? Pirate?” Zoro’s gut clenched as you turned your gaze back onto him. A gaze that pierced through him like a dagger. You chuckled. A chuckle that tickled at Zoro’s ears in a pleasant way that had his gut unclenching, only to clench up again like some fist. 

“I am merely looking for the one who will finally win my challenge.” Zoro wanted to know more. It was almost like a need to know who you were. Had you been a pirate once? A bounty hunter, just as he had? Who had trained you and how long would you be able to hold out against Zoro’s own blades? 

And it was all very--weird. Weird that you were making him feel all strange inside--making him want more of that feeling. 

You came to a stop at the entrance to the docks, Zoro stopping with you, his eyes hardly leaving your features. 

“I am sure you will be able to find your way back to your ship from here?” Zoro huffed, scanning over the docks, easily spotting the ram's head of the Merry just a little ways away. “Then it has been an honor to challenge you. May our paths cross again.” You said with a small bow of your head before starting off in the opposite direction of the Merry. 

“We haven’t finished the challenge yet.” You paused, looking back to Zoro with a small smirk.

“I have more sake on my ship if you wish to continue there. I doubt any bar for miles will be open.” Zoro scanned over your features once more. Over your body which you held so confidently.

He shouldn’t. Not when everyone in this town and the next knew what his face looked like--what Luffy’s face looked like. 

He needed to get his crew out of here before the Marines came sniffing around…but your smugness and ego and confidence were pulling at Zoro in a way he had only felt once before towards Dracule Mihawk, but this--you were different than the great swordsmen. You with your shining eyes and painted nails adorning his favorite colors of purple and gold. 

He should go. Leave you and your challenge…but Zoro had never been known to make good decisions before.

And he never backed down from a challenge. 

“Sake it is.” 

Your ship was tiny compared to the Merry, but seeing as it was a vessel manned by one person, it made sense. It was cozy and filled with trinket after trinket. Swords, daggers, and all sorts of weapons hung on the walls. Rings, necklaces, and all sorts of treasure sat on shelves blocked off by glass--and was that a finger bone sitting next to a golden goblet? 

Zoro came to realize these were trophies from your wins. Trophies his earring would surely join if you won against him--which he thoroughly doubted. 

You requested that he remove his boots before fully entering the inner workings of your vessel, just as you had. He obeyed the request without questions, not wanting to disrespect your hospitality. 

He watched you move around the small kitchen area, pulling two, wooden o-choko cups from the cabinet and then grabbing a bottle of sake from the fridge. 

“Let’s make this fun.” You said, sitting down at the kitchen table, gesturing with your hand holding the sake bottle for him to join you. “I have three more bottles after this one. Every time we finish a bottle and a victor hasn’t been granted, then we get to ask the other a question and you have to answer.” 

Zoro hesitated at your request. He knew better than to share details of his life with anyone. Hell, his own crew hardly knew much about his past…but he came this far. Had already boarded your ship and accepted your hospitality, he couldn’t leave now. 

And he couldn’t refuse the offer of free sake. 

“Only four bottles? Please, that’s nothing.” Zoro said sitting down across from you, taking one of the wooden cups and holding it out in sign to fill it. You poured the liquid into Zoro’s cup before passing the bottle to him, repeating the process but with your own cup. When both cups were filled, you lightly touched your cups together before taking that first sip of the fruity, apple-hinted sake you had purchased just the other day. 

“If you're that eager for me to ask you a question, then might as well just skip right to the chase.” Zoro huffed in something like mock amusement.

“Get to drinking, princess.” 

You both sat, sipping on your sake and passing the bottle back and forth to refill each other's cups. You both made idle, yet engrossing chit-chat about different types of swords and their capabilities before you finished that first bottle of sake. 

“Tell me your name.” Zoro requested as his first question.

“I feel like that is a waste of a perfectly good question.” You mused, rising from your seat to grab the second bottle of sake stored in your fridge. 

“You have to answer, remember? Your rules.” You chuckled, filling Zoro’s cup with the freshly open bottle of sake. But you told him, family name and all. A name Zoro repeated low and slow, rolling it over his tongue as his brow furrowed in thought. 

“Sounds familiar.” 

“I can assure you, it’s not.” Zoro let it go with a casual shrug as he took the sake from you and filled your cup. You both clicked glasses and took your first sip. Your eyes scanned over his chest, which his shirt hung open to expose. “How did you get that scar? Pretty nasty.” 

Zoro took another sip from his glass, watching you closely. Scars were seen by most as failures--as defeats. Gods’ know how many times you had scarred one of the men who had challenged you just to see the devatated look on their faces. 

“I challenged Dracule Mihawk to a duel. Lost.” He said simply like it was hardly a big deal. He said it simply even when that name shot through you like a hot iron. A name that had your anger rising in your chest.

Zoro took note of the anger that flashed through you at the mention of Mihawk. An anger that looked more like wrath than mere anger. He wondered what that was for? What had happened to make you hate the man so much…maybe that would be one of his questions. 

“Why--” Zoro cut you off with a shake of his head. 

“Keep drinking, Y/N, and if you make it, you can ask.” You huffed and continued to sip on your sake. 

The second bottle was finished much quicker than the first, mainly because you had been chugging your cups like an utter fool so you could ask your question. 

“Sake is meant to be enjoyed you know.” Zoro gruffed at you as you stood. 

“Ask your question.” You commanded. Zoro blinked his eyes at you, amusement flashing in them as you opened the fridge door. 

He liked your anger. It was fun to tease out of you.

“What’s with the finger?” He asked, shoving a thumb over his shoulder. That seriousness and anger that had overcome you banked the slightest bit at his question. You’re shining eyes gleamed in excitement at its mention. 

“My first trophy. He lost his challenge to me and instead of paying up the berry I had asked for, he tried to kill me. Took his hands for it.” You mused, eyes unfocusing as you remembered back. “Lost them both along my travels. His pinky is the only thing that remains.” You said, wiggling your pinkie at Zoro who laughed. A laugh that was hardly above a chuckle, but a laugh all the same.

It was--stunning. And hardy and fit him so well. One you wanted to hear again and again.

“What a pity.” You shrugged as you sat back down across from the swordsmen. 

“Why challenge Mihawk?” You asked, pouring Zoro more sake. He found that seriousness began to seep back into your features. “That man walks with death herself. She shadows him--sponsors him like some god would their chosen champion.” Zoro took the bottle from you and returned the favor. 

“Because I made a promise to someone a long time ago that I would become the world’s greatest swordsman. Mihawk is the holder of that title. I thought I would win. I was wrong.” He said simply yet again. 

Said it so simply--too simply, like he hadn’t gone up against Dracule Mihawk and left the encounter alive. Went up against the hawk-eyed Warlord, who had hadn’t always been as such. Who had once hunted those very marines he now served. Marines he had slaughtered regardless of who their deaths might hurt. Zoro had walked away from that true demon alive and was playing it off like it wasn’t a big deal. 

“I do enjoy myself a man with a vow,” You said, trying to lighten your mood, before clinking your cup with Zoro’s. “And a death wish.” Zoro held your eyes as you took a sip of your sake and he a sip from his. Eyes that dug into him deeper than any had before. 

“Any swordsman worth their weight in the steal they carry has one.” 

“I’ll keep drinking to that.” 

You both finished the third bottle in the span of half an hour. A bottle that merely had you feeling full rather than anything more fun. You found you were able to withstand the effects of alcohol the more you learned how to control your body in ways others never would. Ways Zoro seemed to understand as well. 

“What are you? Truly.” Zoro asked as you pulled the last chilled bottle of sake from the fridge. 

“I am nothing now but a lone traveler…” You said shutting the fridge door with your hip. A movement you saw Zoro track with those deep, dark eyes of his. “but in a past life one might have found me selling teas in my mother's shop.” 

Zoro watched closely as you sat down before him, something like pain flashing through your eyes. A pain he himself had felt once before. “Until death knocked on my door and changed that.” Your voice dipped dangerously low as you poured sake into Zoro’s cup before passing the bottle to him. “Then I did a quick stint as a pirate.” Zoro filled your cup, placing the bottle in the middle of the table.

“That’s how I know you. You had a bounty.” You narrowed your eyes at him. 

“Had. A long time ago.” You huffed, “Why the three swords?” You asked, changing the topic and pulling that calm and collected mask back on. Zoro’s hand came to rest on the three swords at his side when brought to their attention once more.

“My vow--I made it to a friend.” He said, deciding it wouldn’t hurt to tell you of his childhood friend. At least just vaguely. It wouldn’t hurt when you had told him just as vaguely of your pain. “When she died I was gifted her sword. I then crafted the Three Sword Style which I have been perfecting ever since.”

The fourth bottle was finished off just as you two had gotten halfway through discussing the ways you both had trained in swordplay, which took a pause as you poured the last half of the sake into Zoro’s cup.

“Why seek out defeat?” He asked, taking the bottle from your hand. His fingers curled around yours, holding them there as he leaned forward. Fingers that all but made your skin sizzle like you were touching fire. You slide your hand out from under his, trying to forget about the feeling of it against yours. “You are the strongest woman I have ever come across. Why look for your skills to be diminished?”

“Why seek out fame?” You asked back on a near snap, which the pirate hardly seemed to pay mind to your tone. “Why seek out titles that are only words to be spoken? Why seek out a title that will only have silly little boys, like yourself, hunt after you and inevitably kill you?” 

Zoro blinked at you. He ignored your jab at him once again. A jab that was only meant to rile him to anger. He was collected enough to not take your bait for a third time that night.

“I have a death wish, remember.” He said, taking his cup in his hand, leaning in closer than he needed to fill your cup. “Your turn.” He said with that gruffing voice. A voice that had your body growing warm. A warmth completely unrelated to all the alcohol you had drank. 

“Because I’m tired of winning.” Zoro watched you raise your cup for it to be filled. He watched your eyes as he filled your cup. Eyes that shined brightly yet held a dullness to them that called to that exhaustion you claimed. He placed the sake bottle down and raised his cup for the last cheers of the night.

“Are you sure you’re not ready to tap out?” Zoro asked, keeping his cup just out of reach of yours. Asked in that dry humor of his that had you narrowing your eyes at him.

“Hardly. Are you?” Zoro chuckled. A chuckle you paused your riling emotions to listen to. To memorize dispute only having just met the man. 

A man who could beat you despite your continued challenges. You knew he could--had felt it during your first challenge. You were big enough to admit defeat when it came time for it. When someone truly earned it. And Zoro had earned it…but you couldn’t help but want to keep his company a little while longer. 

“Hardly.” And your cups met each other in a gentle kiss before you both took that first, last sip. “What now?” He asked, leaning back in his seat heavily.

“I don’t know.” You said on a shrug, taking another sip as you leaned your forearms on the table. “A drawl?” The room fell quiet--a quiet that lasted all of two seconds before the both of you were laughing at such an absurd idea. 

“I didn’t know you to make jokes,” Zoro said as his laughter evened out. 

“Oh, I’m sure I have pulled a chuckle or two from you tonight,” Zoro smirked, sipping his sake. “This table is sturdy enough. We could try arm wrestling once more?” He eyed you long and slow. Eyes that danced over your face and down your neck. 

“Finish your drink and then we can resume your first challenge.” You smiled, excited as you set on sipping your sake faster than you knew it should be sipped. But you couldn’t help it. Not when you were eager to get back under that power that rolled off him in waves. To press your own power against it and feel it wane against his fire. 

 You both slammed your cups to the table and had your hands clasped together hardly a minute later. It seemed you both were eager to complete this challenge. 

Zoro gazed into your eyes and you gazed into his on a pause. A pause and a nod of the head before the challenge resumed. 

Once again, you were reminded of his power. Of how good it felt to feel your strength weaken against his. 

Arms shook, brows beaded with sweat, and heat pooled in your abdomen. A heat no man had been able to stir for a long, long time. No man had been worth its sizzling flames. 

A little noise spilled from your lips. A noise that had Zoro’s attention pulling from your shining eyes to your lips. Lips that hung parted on that small noise that had that weird feeling grow and thrash about in his abdomen. 

“Fuck.” He cursed on a deep rumble that had you clenching your thighs together against the frustration building in you. 

“Fuck, Zoro--win.” You all but begged the swordsmen, whose teeth were clenched so tight you thought they might fracture under the pressure. “Win, win, please.” You continued. 

Despite your pleas for him to win against you, you hardly gave up your hold on his hand. Hardly gave into his power. You fought against it, just as he fought against yours. A fight that your arm had just begun to yield under when Zoro cursed yet again. 

Zoro couldn’t focus. Not when you were making those little noises and begging him to dominate you. Couldn’t focus when you looked just as bright as your eyes--when your painted nails were pressed flush against the back of his hand. Not when that weird feeling wanted him to win against you in another way. 

The alcohol. It was the alcohol making him feel this--needful for you. 

He knew that wasn’t it. Knew he was hardly even tipsy. He knew he had felt this way as he had drunk his first beer. 

“Fuck it.” He hissed, reaching across the table to grab your cheeks in his free hand. You sucked in a breath as he all but pulled you across the table, lips pressing harshly against yours. You fought back against his lips in a fiery kiss that any outside might have thought looked more like two dogs mauling at each other's faces than any true kiss. 

But it was a kiss you felt your body ignite against--that you could taste the sweet, fruity sake you had drank on his tongue and lips. One that made your pussy throb and your limbs grow fuzzy as you climbed onto the table, knocking over the empty sake bottle as you crawled over it. 

He all but pulled you off the table into his lap where you moved so you could straddle his waist and press your kiss down onto him. 

Hands grabbed at clothes and relieved the other of their shirts, which were tossed to the ground before lips were rapidly moving against the others. Your hands smoothed over his hard-earned, muscle-lined chest, feeling the slight raise of the scar Mihawk had given him.  

Zoro’s calloused hands moved from where they grasped your hips upwards, sending goosebumps rising along your skin. 

He felt a scar along your hip bone, one that cut up your side, and another he felt just under the edge of your bra. But never once did he feel a scar on your back. 

You were a true swordsman. A true warrior. 

It had him grabbing you tighter. Had him hosting you up as he stood before pinning you on the table, fingers unbuckling your belt and unbuttoning your pants.

Zoro yanked your pants down your legs, trailing hot, opened-mouth kisses along your scarred skin making a huffing moan escape your lips. You ran your fingers through his green hair before grabbing for your pants which he wasn’t pulling off fast enough. 

You yanked them off, grabbing him back against you and claiming his lips harshly as you rose off the table onto your feet. 

Zoro’s back hit the wall, making the swords and other various weapons rattle upon impact. You wasted no time in going for his belt, which fell away from his hips under the weight of his three swords. 

They had just fallen to the floor with a dulled clatter when Zoro was turning you so that he could slam you against the wall, throwing his skillful power into you which had you moaning in gleeful pleasure. A throwing star, which had been hanging just beside your head, fell to the ground and embedded itself in the wood there. 

You wanted him to do that again. To move you despite your own power fighting against him. 

Your hands grabbed for Zoro’s pants again as his hands grabbed for the clasp of your bra, which he fumbled with and found he couldn’t figure out the mechanics of. One last harsh kiss was given to Zoro before you pushed him away, going for the clasp behind your back. 

��Pants.” You grit at him. He huffed at your commanding tone, but did so regardless of his want to ignore it. 

His breath hitched in his throat as you threw your bra off, your breasts falling from their confines and making his mouth water at their heft. You yanked your underwear off just as Zoro had finished pulling his pants off, leaving you both bare to one another. 

Your eyes scanned over his body shamelessly. Scanned over the scars he bore--the large one cutting across his chest, another smaller one on his shoulder, and two more rounding his ankles. Scanned over the sheer amount of strength that radiated off him that you needed to grab and feel against you all over again. Scanned over his cock, which twitched in the open air, precome already spilling for its tip.

Zoro looked over your body just as you did. A body that was strong--well-honed muscles built throughout it from the years of training he knew you had gone through. Muscle that did nothing but enhance your utter femininity. From your hair to your shining eyes to that shade of purple he found your toenails were painted as well. 

Zoro thought you might have been the prettiest thing he had ever laid eyes on. 

You were grabbing at Zoro just as he was grabbing at you. Lips caressing in that harsh manner that had your abdomen burning. Bare bodies pushed and pulled and felted at the other in a way that had your head spinning. 

You slammed Zoro into the door that led to your chambers, his teeth finding your neck in a pinching bite that was sure to leave a bruise as your lips pulled away long enough to open it. You shoved Zoro through the open doorway, his hands grabbing for your arms to pull you with him. 

He used the momentum of your shove to switch positions with you, lips claiming yours as he guided you back toward your bed. When the backs of your legs hit the frame, you climbed onto the plush mattress before he could shove you down, not wanting to give your position up quite yet. A position you wanted him to fight you for. He climbed in after you, lips hardly leaving the others.

That push and pull began again. You tugged at Zoro who tugged right back. It was a continuation of the challenge you had been waging to see who would come out on top--literally now. 

Your fingers brushed down his strong stomach before wrapping around his hard cock, pumping him nice and slow in a way that had him hissing out a breath. You watched his brows furrow under your admissions--watched as the corner of his lip twitched in a near snarl as your thumb passed over his dripping head. Your touch spurred his hips into motion--thrusting into your hand with each pass of your thumb. 

“I think I like this type of wrestling much better, don’t you?” You teased, tightening your grip just that much more around him. His fingers dug into your skin. Dug hard enough you were sure it would leave a mark. You wanted it to leave a mark. “I think I like the idea of having you come all undone first, looking so, so pretty.”  

His hips halted their mindless thrust, eyes narrowing down at the smugness that had filtered into your bright gaze. 

“Is that--” He hissed, finding your hand stilling working him in a way that was tortuous. “Is that a challenge?” You smirked. 

“Should it be?” You continued to tease, eyes fluttered to look at his parted lips which huffing breaths floated out of. 

“Same rewards?” He asked, making you nod.

“If that’s all you still wish for, then yes.” You lulled, leaning up to brush your lips against his. “But I think you’ll find it a harder challenge to win then--” You sucked in a shaky breath when a finger dipped into your needy folds. A finger that had found your clit in seconds and was applying just the right amount of pressure and type of touch to have your hips moving to get closer to such pleasure.

“I’m sorry,” He huffingly teased back, pressing your chest flush against his as a shit-eating grin plastered itself onto his kiss-puffed lips. Your hand paused its working of Zoro’s cock at the sudden sparks he sent shooting through you. “What were you saying?” 

“How--how did you--fuck,” You cursed, grabbing hold of his shoulder for balance. Jolt after jolt of pleasure rushes up your body. Pleasure you had only even been able to fully give yourself. 

“I think,” He gruffed brushing his lips against your ear, making a shiver rush up your spine. “That I’m going to have you coming all undone for me, Y/N, and then enjoy myself the best sake this little island has to offer.” His gruffing voice rang in your ear.

“In your dreams.” You huffed, swallowing a moan that wanted to escape. 

Zoro grunted as you resumed moving your hand up and down the length of his velvety cock. A movement that had Zoro stopping the circling of your clit only so he could shove your thighs open wider, all so he could sink a finger into your dripping pussy--and then another. He curled and pressed them into that spongy spot up in you that had stars flying across your vision--stars that grew in number when his thumb found your clit once more. 

Huffs and pants and grunts and cut-off moans between near-violent kisses filled the space as you fought to get each other off--to get the other to lose the challenge you had been trying to finish the whole night. 

You pulled away once more when Zoro gave a deep-chested moan. A moan that had his brows knitting together and his hips jerking against your hand as if to pull away because--oh yes.

“It’s okay, pretty boy. It’s okay. You can come for me. Yes, yes, please come for me.” You comforted, placing a gentle kiss on his flushed cheek and picking your pace up just that much faster. “So strong. So powerful. Come on my hand and let me taste just how--” Your words were cut off as Zoro pulled his fingers out of you only for them to wrap around your throat in a tight hold. A hold that nearly had you coming right then and there. 

He pinned you to the bed, your hand slipping from his cock in the process. But it didn’t stop you from wrapping your legs around his waist and rubbing your dripping, needy pussy against his twitching and as equally needy cock. 

“You talk too much.” He hissed, the hand not pinning you to the bed running down your body so that he could reach for his swollen cock. “I’m gonna make you come so hard around me you won’t remember how to speak.”

“Yes--please.” You panted out as he pressed the tip of his cock against your fluttering entrance. A pant that turned into your own deep-chested moan as he sunk himself into you, inch by glorious inch. A moan was met with Zoro’s grunts as he bottomed out in you, your pussy flexing around him as it worked to accommodate his size. 

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling yourself up enough to claim his rough kiss once more as his hips began to move his cock within you. 

His pace gradually began to quicken. A pace that grew so brutal, that tears brimmed in your eyes at the pleasure he pounded into you. And when his thumb found your clit again--oh gods you knew you might not win out against him. 

And as lust and pleasure fogged your brain, you found you wanted him to win. Just as you had wanted him to win against every other challenge you threw his way that night. 

“Zoro--oh fuck, Zoro keep going. Please, please, please.” You begged against his panting mouth. He kept up his wicked pace, the sinfully wet sounds of your pussy getting utterly destroyed filling your ears and adding to the pleasure that was rolling through you. 

Sweat slicked over skin, bodies buzzed and shook, lips moved frantically and hungrily. And that release your body begged for built and built and built and you had just began to tip over the edge. Your finish just a breath away--hot ribbons of come shot into you.

Zoro had come just seconds before your pussy was clenching around his twitching cock. Just seconds before you were moaning his name and holding him close as you’re finish rushed through you. His solid body fell on top of yours, chests full of uneven and choppy breath. 

“You win.” He huffed into your neck. You sighed deeply, running your fingers through his green hair. 

“I was only teasing--” Zoro pulled his face away so he could look into your eyes. Deep, dark eyes that never looked away from your face as he unhooked an earring from his ear lobe, holding it out for you to take. 

“You win, princess. Fair is fair.” You gently took the gold earring from his hand, brushing your knuckles over his cheek. A touch the swordsmen leaned into, his lips leaving a burning kiss to your writs. “Put it next to the finger.” You laughed, leaning forward and placing the softest kiss of the night to those lips of his. Lips that kissed you back just as soft--slow. A kiss that had your heart beating against your ribs.

“Just for you, pretty boy.”

Tags: @lostfirefly

[marveln4tural]

A Day with the Thunderbolts*

Since I never got to write an OG Avengers Tower fanfic, here is a Thunderbolts* Tower fanfic! Warnings: There may be some spoilers but it's mainly just the characters names in the movie and this was proofread but not very well. Enjoy and let me know if I should write more!

You never thought you'd be an Avenger still after Tony and Steve were gone. You sort of worked for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine just as a vigilante for hire. When all the stuff happened with Bob and after Valentina made that announcement, things were hectic at first. Everyone was scrambling to get the Tower fixed and to get everyone's room done and then there was finally a peaceful lull. There wasn't much to do and you and the others didn't have to worry about Bob because…well…he's Bob.

It's around eight am and light filters into your room, your curtains making the sunlight a pale yellow as it hits your bed. You sigh as you get up, getting dressed and putting your hair up in your usual fast bun.

As you walked to the kitchen, you smelled eggs and bacon which were being made by Bucky as usual. And heard knocking. In the walls. Ava was in the walls. Again. You roll your eyes, grumbling to yourself. You get to the kitchen and sit down at the counter, swiveling a bit on the stool. Bucky looks at you, the ends of his mouth twitching at your grumbling.

"You okay, doll?" He asks, pouring you some coffee.

"Yeah, just tired." You mutter, taking a sip of your coffee.

You hear booming steps and Alexei walks in with groceries. You give him a weirded out look. "You went to the store?"

Alexei nods, smiling widely. "Yes! We ran out of the Wheaties!"

Bucky rolls his eyes, "I made breakfast already, Alexei. You didn't need to do that."

"Yes but Wheaties are good for you! Very nutritious!" Alexei exclaims.

"So are eggs and bacon- Okay, whatever." Bucky mutters, giving a dismissive wave.

You can't help but smirk, looking at Bucky serve out breakfast. You hear Walker walk in, his calm but firm footsteps echoing through the room. "Good morning." He greets, drawing out the o's in 'good' and 'morning'.

"Morning, Walker." You reply, now eating.

Bucky slides Walker a plate and Walker nods at him, taking the plate and starting to eat. You then hear timid footsteps. Bob. You look up and see him.

"Hey, Bob." You smile, patting the stool next to you.

"Hi." Bob replies, timidly smiling back as he sits next to you. Bucky hands him a plate which Bob takes with a grateful but small smile.

You all continue to eat, Alexei's voice occasionally booming out to talk about the next mission even though you all haven't had a mission in months. You all just stopped small crime in the city, nothing major. It was almost...peaceful. Until you see Walker roll his eyes. You're surprised they hadn't rolled all the way back in like in Beetlejuice from the amount of times he's rolled his eyes.

Despite him being an asshole, he was a pretty good guy. He just had a jackassey facade ninety percent of the time.

Even though Valentina set this all up, it felt like home.

[chloeclu]

random headcannons i have for john walker

(this started off as so unserious and then got really sad really quick, my bad gang) (slight 18+ warning) - he wears American flag swim trunks - he has blond moments all the time - he used to play hockey and soccer when he was younger, but settled on just football around middle school - he kisses letters before he puts them in the mail box - he refuses to buy Alexi the Wheaties with their picture on it for the tower, due to his superior taste in Honey Bunches of Oats (this is technically cannon but whatever) - him and Lemar used to pregame their football games by shotgunning Red Bulls and then chasing them with Gatorade - his favorite Gatorade flavor is red (fruit punch, do NOT offer him strawberry) - i've been having a hard time picking a pop diva that he would like, i would say it's a tie between charli and billie - he joined the military because of his older brother (also probably cannon) - his sister, Kate, is a Subaru lesbian - she came out to him after he came back from Westpoint, to which he learned their dad was not accepting, and after telling her he loved her regardless, had a huge argument with their dad in the kitchen - he has his brother Michael's birthday tattooed over his heart, and then got Lemar's on the other side of his chest - he named his son Michael Lemar Walker, after his brother and best friend, the only men he's ever actually looked up to in his life - he got his son's initials tattooed somewhere in easy sight so he can look at them in times of trouble (think what he did with that medal in FatWS on his make shift shield) - he's terrified of turning out exactly like his father (who i just KNOW is a horrible person) - which is where he got those anger issues, feelings of inadequacy, desperate need to please, and to be perfect (thanks Caleb Walker)

GOON TIME >:) (and i'm glad his xreader authors agreed on most of these lmao) - he has a happy trail - he's a shameless munch - he has a praise kink FOR SURE - he likes when girls overpower him - and he's a switch (i will not be told otherwise) - i think we all are demons over super serum stamina, which of course he has - he might like boys...just a little bit... am i using these all for my fic i'm writing? OH FOR SURE! And you are welcome to use them too, and you better tell me if you do, cause i WILL read it!

[johnwickb1tsch]

18 👀 I’m curious to see if there’s any scenes that didn’t make the cut in one of your fics?

Oh man, that's a good question Scoob! Usually I manage to jimmy things i write in SOMEWHERE, but this is the only scene I could think of in my scrap pile that I'm absolutely sure I'm going a different direction after banging my head on the table about it. This was fun but way too tame for what the story requires. It's from the Constantine x femVampire!Reader fic. Reader is feeling sorry for herself because Constantine is ghosting her AGAIN, when she meets a mysterious stranger... I know you can guess who it is. 🤣🤣

The Girl Next Door - Deleted Scene

You do your best not to think about John Constantine–and fail at it most of the time. You find that the blood of evil doers nourishes your body, but does not really satisfy. What you really crave, like the most filling meal, and the most delectable dessert, is a 6’1” drink of sardonic demon hunter.

You do wonder why. Things had seemed fine, when you parted ways just before dawn. He’d kissed you with a tenderness that tied up your heart, his big hand dwarfing the side of your face, holding you like you were something precious to him. 

The memory just twists the knife a little more to the left. 

You continue to feel that presence, that omnipresent seething energy, that sensation that you are being watched. But it never shows itself, so you do your best to be vigilant, and continue to go about your business. 

You are delighted one night when you find a bookstore/cafe open late. Shopping has become hit or miss, with your new nocturnal hours. You can order things, of course, but it’s certainly not the same. 

The old hippy at the register offers you a smile before going back to his dog eared copy of Invalids Home From Hot Climates. The place smells like coffee, and books, and you feel like you might have stumbled through the gates of your own personal little heaven. 

Aren’t you supposed to burst into flames or something?

Thinking that maybe catching up on your reading will help get you out of your funk, you start to wander the stacks, pulling titles that interest you. Classics you’ve always meant to read, but never really had the time. Sylvia Plath, D.H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf and John Steinbeck, James Joyce, Octavia Butler, Margaret Atwood, Herman Melville, and Agatha Christie all pile up in your hands. 

On the highest shelf, Anais Nin catches your eye. You reach for it on tiptoe fruitlessly, balancing your stack of books in your other hand. It is way over your head. You could jump for it without spilling your bookish burden–but you know it would not look human to the few other people milling around the shelves and curled up in the comfy reading nooks. 

A long arm reaches over you, plucking out the book, and only then are you aware of a solid presence looming behind you. No one has managed to sneak up on you like this since the night of your undeath. Unnerved, you whirl, putting your back to the stacks. Only narrowly do you manage not to bare your fangs like a startled kitten in this public venue. 

You find a tall man dressed all in black standing very close to you, his arm still raised with the book dwarfed in his big hand. His angular face is accented by a short beard; longish raven hair brushes his collar. Dark eyes fix on you curiously; the weight of his gaze almost makes you squirm. “Saw you struggling,” he explains simply in a deep baritone, offering you the cloth-bound tome. 

You find you cannot look away from those bewitching dark eyes, almost as though you’ve been hypnotized. It’s more than the fact that he is panty-drenchingly handsome–there is something mesmerizing about him, and you’re not sure if his power is sinister or simply…profound.

Almost absently, you accept the book, adding it to your stack balanced in your hand. 

He looks at your copious selections with a smirk. “Someone’s been eating her wheaties.” 

You realize it probably does look odd, for a woman of your size to be toting around such a load one-handed. You make a show of clutching your stack to your front with both hands, feeling ridiculously shy as a school-girl, as though the barrier of old books might provide some protection from this stranger’s charm. 

 “Just…catching up on some reading.” 

He offers the slightest smile for that, not showing teeth, and you cannot tell if he is flirting with you, or sizing you up. There is something odd about his energy. Human, and yet…heavier. His aura is like a thundercloud, and you’re not sure if you are intrigued, or afraid. He’s just this side of being in your space, and a part of you wants to ask him to back up–a part of you really doesn’t.  

“Have some time on your hands?”

“Something like that.” 

He nods, and makes no indication that he intends to move, his attention fixed fully down upon you. 

He gets the honor of being the only man, aside from John Constantine, who has made you feel even a little nervous since you turned. You’re not sure you like him very much for it. 

“What did you find?” you ask, hoping to break the tension, pointing at a little green book in his other hand. It looks old, older than any of your selections. 

“Robinson Crusoe.” 

“Looks like it's seen better days,” you observe with a sad pout, sorry to see a book in disrepair. 

“I’m going to fix it,” he tells you, the first hint of warmth entering his expression. 

“Oh?”

“It’s a hobby of mine.”

Like this man couldn’t get any hotter. 

He smirks at you, like you said it aloud. 

For some stupid reason, you start to blush. 

“Can I…buy you a coffee?”

“Why?” you blurt, mortified the moment it leaves your mouth. 

His smirk widens to a smile, and he seems to struggle with himself, trying not to show his teeth. 

“Just thought you have a nice stack,” he answers utterly deadpan, and you are dumbfounded as those eyes that seemed like black holes moments before sparkle. 

“Um…thanks for the offer…” 

He takes a step closer, and then he is crowding you against the shelf, his broad body dwarfing yours. Something about his presence makes you forget that you’re a vampire, and you could rip out his spine with your bare hands if you wanted to. He makes you feel small, and a little vulnerable, and fuck you if you don’t kind of like it. 

“You don’t drink coffee?” he fishes, and you feel like the two of you are speaking in code, but only he has the key. 

“It’s not my favorite,” you admit, resisting the urge to tack on anymore. 

“What do you like to drink?”

As though on cue, the spiced scent of his cologne and his skin makes its way to your nostrils; and beneath that, what you are sure would be a heady taste of his lifeblood. If you didn’t know any better…you would think he was baiting you with vampire pheromones, or something. The wave of longing that hits you is intense, and you have to close your eyes and lean back from him. You take a deep breath–which does not help. You feel like you’re paralyzed, and when you open your eyes you find he is leaning over you with an arm on the shelf again, nearly nose to nose with you. 

You try twice for your voice, and it will only come as a whisper. “Please don’t.”

Don’t what, you don’t even know, but something is weighing on you and you feel like you can’t move.

You flinch as he reaches up to touch you, the tips of his fingers resting on your throat, just above your surprisingly pounding pulse. His eyes settle on your mouth, before rising to meet yours, and you are both hopeful and terrified this strange, captivating man is going to kiss you. 

He speaks, though it doesn’t really break the spell. 

“Be seeing you, vampling.”  

With wide eyes and utter shock you watch him stride away from you–and my god, what a glorious view. Long powerful legs, and an utterly biteable rear end. There is a pause in which you presume he pays for his book, before the bell over the door chimes, and he exits onto the street.

You stand where he left you for a good half hour, re-learning how to command your limbs, and maybe, your brain. 

[derelictlovefool]

gn!reader/deputy and eli get stuck in a bunker or cabin together and gasp there's only one bed!

seriously tho I love your writing and thank you for writing for Eli there's not enough fics with him 💚💚💚

Title: No One I Trust More

Notes: This is truly the only trope ever <3 Thank you for the kind words, this was a treat to write! I love writing for Eli, blessed golden-hearted mountain man with a tragic storyline <333

Warning(s): Canon-typical violence, bear encounter

Words: 4k

Bullets whiz through the air like miniature torpedoes, the tiny metal pellets digging into the bark of trees and the hard soil of the earth. You follow Eli through the mass of trees and foliage, your heart beat pounding in your eardrums and adrenaline coursing through your veins and making everything seem too slow and too fast all at once. Eli ducks behind a tree and you copy his movements, ducking behind the tree opposite of him. You hold your gun in your hand, taking a second to recollect yourself as Eli offers a small amount of cover fire with his arrows raining down on the peggies like hellfire.

You heard the drop of at least two bodies in the onslaught and quickly swivel on your heel, pressing your shoulder into the hard bark to steady yourself as you aimed at the incoming threats. You fire off four rounds and three bodies drop, you duck behind the tree in sync with Eli and you both look at each other with approving nods as you suck in deep breaths.

"We can't keep running all night Eli, we gotta lose 'em." You say with urgency, checking your clip and counting your bullets. You only had one spare clip left and it would not last another round of a firefight—You also noted Eli's dwindling supply of arrows. He cursed and hit his head against the tree he was behind, knowing Wheaty wouldn't be able to find you both if you kept moving. The distress call you'd made twenty minutes ago was about a few miles south of where you were now and you were nowhere near the Wolf's Den. You were a little bit screwed but oddly with Eli here you didn't feel too helpless about the situation.

You were a good team. You'd made it outta worse.

"Okay," he breathes out harshly, "there's a bunker stashed west of here if we're where I think we are. C'mon." Eli nods to the right and goes low to the ground, taking advantage of the tall grass as he crouches. You follow suit after firing two warning shots at the hidden peggies, the sound of metal hitting bark following after you.

You follow Eli through the tall grass, sneaking to one patch of foliage and another, slowly making your way down hill. You watch his back and make sure to keep close behind him, your feet are aching and you're desperate to get to this bunker, a moment of reprieve would be heaven. Eli holds a hand up and you halt instinctively, ducking further toward the ground and watching his hand like a hawk. You listen as rushing footsteps go over the hill you were just on and a shuffling goes a mere foot in front of you.

Brown fur peeks over the grass and you can't believe how unlucky you both have been today, first stumbling upon a small peggie camp and getting spotted immediately and now running into an adult brown bear.

Your hand reflexively reaches out to rest on Eli's shoulder, as a way to reassure as well as making it possible for you to pull him back if necessary. The bear pauses ahead of you, turning its large head and huffing out a deep breath as its big brown eyes survey its surroundings. Your heart hammers in your chest but you're grateful to hear the footsteps from the hill have fallen away. Eli leans back into your hand, lowering his own slowly as the bear begins to move in the direction you both had just come from. It makes a throaty noise and you feel your nerves fray at the way the ground shakes with its heavy steps. At least that would keep the peggie's busy if they felt like coming back around this way.

Your head falls forward, leaning on Eli's backpack as you exhale as quietly as possible. He exhales as well, his shoulders sinking as the bear continues on its way.

"Fuck this day man." You almost laugh but you're too tired to muster it, Eli manages a chuckle in response however.

"I second that."

You both continue on slowly, feeling your heart beat skip at every noise and too harsh a breeze. You run out of tall grass and make a run for the bunker Eli was leading you too. He stops beside some foliage and digs his hands under the piles of dead leaves, grass and twigs. A metal mechanism is muffled under the mass and he grunts as he tries to pull it upward.

"Gimme a hand here dep." He asks and you oblige, digging your hands under as well and clumsily finding his holding a large circular handle. You adjust so you're holding it and begin tugging alongside him, the grass rips away and dirt falls as you manage to bring it up. You both stiffen at the sound of running and shouts, far too close for comfort. Eli stops when the hatch is open enough for you to duck past him and get situated on the ladder. You slide down the ladder quickly and move out of the way for Eli. As he makes his way inside he pulls the circular door shut, almost falling but catching himself and making his way down the ladder at a more cautious pace.

You walk further into the bunker, it was dark and damp, the first small section full of shelves of canned food and water bottles by the dozen. The second room had a single bed and a desk pressed up against the opposite wall; a radio and map were on the desk with what looked like a conspiracy theory wall meticulously pinned up above it. Further on it looked like it dipped into another storage area and possible bathroom, a small bunker compared to some you'd seen already but it would do until the coast was clear.

Eli walks past you, on guard as he checks under the bed and then stalks towards the end room, aimed to maim at any sign of threat or unwanted company. You ease your gun into its holster and sit on the bed, needing to rest your legs and your lungs.

"Coast is clear…" Eli mutters as he walks back into the main room, stopping by the desk to fiddle with the radio. It was working, surprisingly, and he quickly put it on the Wolf's Den channel. The first thing you heard was Wheaty, his voice listing off the coordinates you and Eli had given him thirty minutes prior and affirming you both were in fact, not there. Eli would have just grabbed his good ole handheld radio to get in touch with him but he'd lost it during a struggle with a particularly unruly peggie. Seriously, shit luck today.

"I reckon we hole here a half hour before headin' back to the Den." Eli sighs, turning and crossing his arms over his chest, leaning back against the desk. His usually messy hair was absolutely mangled and clung to the sweat on his forehead, leaving him looking even more haggard than usual. You were sure you looked similar, if the grime on your arms and clothes had anything to say about it. You nod and swivel around, falling back onto the bed and letting out a groan as your body protests to being straightened out. It felt like heaven though, finally getting the weight of your feet and knees and just laying completely still.

You glance at Eli who averts his eyes to the roof a little too quickly, you roll your eyes and scooch over on the bed. It wasn't big but it could fit you both, it'd be snug but hey, you wouldn't complain.

"Get over here Eli." You slap the bed beside you. Eli clears his throat and looks like he's about to move but decides to stay put.

"I can just, uh, sit over here, s'fine."

"Eli, we're not twelve. Get on the bed man." You snort and Eli pauses before laughing gently. He rubs the back of his neck as he walks over, sitting on the edge of the bed gently before falling onto his back beside you. You're both shoulder to shoulder and you fall into a comfortable silence as the seconds ticked by. You notice Eli shift ever so slightly now and then but choose to be nice and not tease him about it, he always got a bit flustered when the two of you were alone and in close proximity for a long time. It was cute.

You exhale, closing your eyes and soaking in the absolute quiet of the bunker, only the subtle electrical buzz rang through the air.

You couldn't put into words how moments like these were near sacred, the calm and quiet was near extinct in your life and you savoured every second of it. Especially with Eli, despite the circumstances of your meeting you'd had plenty of serene moments with him, he gave you a chance to breathe in a place where it felt as if all the air was being stolen away. You appreciated having him in your life and every day you hoped you'd both make it to the other side of this thing; maybe if you did you'd have time to test the waters of your relationship. Maybe follow the spark that ignited everytime you two looked at each other for a tad too long or your hands lingered a few seconds longer than they should.

"I'm sorry about this dep."

Eli's voice is quiet and you turn your head to look at him, brows furrowing as he stares long and hard at the ceiling.

"What're you talkin' about?" You mumble, perplexed by the sudden apology.

"For getting you into this mess, feels like I keep dragging you into shit when you're already doin' all you can for the County and I just– I'm sorry." Eli cleared his throat and shook his head, flexing his hands over his stomach as he breathed through his nose. You stare at him for a moment before shaking your head and pushing yourself up onto your elbow.

"Eli Palmer, you have not once dragged me into something I haven't been ready for. Neither of us signed up for this shit but we're doin' what we can and I prefer doin' it with you than on my own. I'll follow you to hell and back until I take a bullet between the eyes or the Seeds put me down, you got that?" You say sternly, not letting Eli drop his gaze.

"I won't let them put you down dep." Eli responds just as quickly and earnestly.

"Yeah well, you watch my ass and I'll watch yours. No one else I trust more honestly." You smile, patting his chest before shifting back down, now laying on your side with your hands tucked against your chest; hovering just an inch away from Eli's bicep.

"Really?" He seems surprised by your wording, you'd done everything in your power to keep yourself guarded, even from the rest of the resistance. Trust wasn't something you gave easily, Eli had figured that out pretty early on. He would like to say he was the same but he still found himself a tad trusting when faced with someone he thought had a good heart. He had some hope in humanity left in him that you struggled to have on a good day—of which there weren't many nowadays.

"Eli, you are the only reason I've made it this far. You've saved my ass plenty so, yeah, really." You affirm.

Eli's mouth falls open, as if to say something more but he closes it as his gaze flutters down your face. He nods, swallowing hard and turning his gaze back to the ceiling. Time ticks by with the two of you laying in the peaceful silence, your bodies melting into the bed and your weary muscles relaxing after hours of being tense and straining. You can't remember the last time you took a nap, you'd snuck in small sleeps where you could but you wouldn't consider them a nap. Right now you could almost say you felt safe, enough to close your eyes and drift off for just a bit.

And you did, all but cuddled up to Eli's side.

Eli felt frozen, his body stiff as he counted down the seconds. Your head was resting on his shoulder, one of your hands lazily tossed over his forearm and foot tucked under his ankle. He wouldn't dare move a muscle, he didn't want to even think about waking you, you of all people deserve a rest and the idea that he could guard you while you took it had a warmth spreading through his chest.

It was obvious to everyone that Eli was sweet on you, ever since he and Wheaty found you and brought you back to the Wolf's Den. There was something about the way you carried yourself, the way you looked at him—talked to him. It didn't take long for him to be constantly checking up on you and worrying about you non-stop. It had even gotten to the point Tammy had snapped at him about acting like a lovesick schoolboy while there were people out getting killed.

It was a solemn reminder whatever was going on between you two was not something he could really focus on—as much as he wanted to anyway. He'd love to finally have a damn shower, show you he cleans up nice and take you to whatever restaurant or fast food joint you want to go to. He wanted this madness to be over so he could enjoy more moments like this, you curled up by his side sleeping soundly. He wanted you to be safe. He wanted you both to be safe, together if you wanted that too.

Today had just driven that into his head more, every bullet that grazed your skin, every knife narrowly dodged was another moment Eli felt sick to his stomach—he couldn't even fathom what he'd do if you got seriously hurt. Like, down for the count, probably not gettin' back up, type of deal. It wasn't an option he could fathom, you were the deputy, nothin' had stopped you yet. He dares to tilt his head, just to be able to look at you. Admire the way your eyelashes fan over your skin, the way your mouth was squished by your cheek thanks to the contact with his shoulder. You looked so human and so damn breathtaking.

Another bold move—he reaches up to trace his fingers along your forehead, lightly across your cheek. Aside from the grime and dried blood, your skin was soft and Eli allowed a stray thought of what you'd look like cleaned up for a date. You'd probably look too damn-good and he'd trip over himself like an idiot, he wouldn't be surprised. You'd had a way of making him act like a kid around their first crush, a side of himself he hadn't seen in a long time.

He wondered if it was bad luck that timing had made you both meet in the middle of a cult takeover or a weird twist of fate that'd have a happy ending. With the Seeds behind bars, Hope County freed and you two welcome to do whatever the hell you damn well pleased. Eli smiled, he wanted to be there the moment you let all of this weight off your shoulders—to finally see what you looked like when you weren't being Hope County's personal Atlas. Probably something just like this, soft and serene. He didn't know how he'd end up by the end of all of this but if he had you around he wasn't too scared, whatever pieces of him were left on the ground he could tape back together again—with you standing by him, he could do just about anything.

The radio spurts to life a few more times while you're asleep, snippets of Wheaty's worried voice and Tammy's harsher scolding telling you two to get your asses back to the Den if you're not dead. It's only after the half hour is well and truly gone by that Eli shakes your shoulder gently, freezing as you grumble in your sleep and shuffle closer. Your arm skirts over his belly before clutching onto his waist, your head smoothly gliding down to his chest; right over his racing heart.

"You awake dep?" He asks, unsure of the answer and if he would prefer if you were still asleep or not. If you were asleep and cuddling up to him he could say it was nothing but if you were awake… How was he supposed to ignore it? While friends could absolutely cuddle and share a bed, the circumstances had you both dangling over the edge of 'more-than-friendly'—to the point where you cuddling up to him like this could be what gets him to admit a thing or two. To himself and to you.

But after a beat of silence he notes, with disappointment, that you were, in fact, still asleep.

Maybe it was for the best.

"We gotta get goin'," He shakes your shoulder more firmly, needing an out now that he realises how fast he was ready to throw aside focusing on the matters at hand at just the mere thought of you doing something with a smidge of a hint that you reciprocate his feelings. You groan in protest and burrow further into his side, and Eli can't help but laugh, he had never seen you woken up before and he had not expected you to be like this. He wasn't a fan of getting up after a good nap either, but you were both needed elsewhere and any more time here was the possibility of more lives lost.

"C'mon dep." He cooes, and you finally stir back to consciousness, looking up at him blurring with a squinted gaze and unhappy frown. He sees your eyes refocus, sees you realise what you're doing, and is almost gleeful when you drop your head back to his chest with a grunt.

"Five more minutes, you're comfy."

He throws his head back with another laugh, if only to cover the rapid acceleration of his heartbeat within his ribs. He wondered if you could hear it—feel it.

"Thanks for letting me catch a few winks, haven't slept next to someone in… I don't even know how long." You murmur quietly, and Eli nods, unconsciously lifting a hand to hold your shoulder as he stares at the ceiling. He could soak up just a few more minutes, a few more minutes in an embrace with you that was too good to be real. That thought makes him want to roll his eyes at himself, he was losing it over cuddling. Damn, what did you do to him? And did you know you were doing it?

"You didn't get any sleep, did'ja?" You turn, resting your chin on his peck as you look up at him, and Eli feels himself fall short of breath. Your eyes are half lidded from drowsiness, mouth set in an inquisitive pout, and it's just all too much for him. He sits up, taking you with him—and maybe that was a worse idea since your horse ends up strewn over his lap. You grumble as you push yourself up, hands on his thighs and sending all sorts of shockwaves through him.

"I—Uh—Nah. Someone had to keep watch, just in case…"

"Well, thanks for looking after me then, I'll spot your next nep to make it even." You offer a tiny grin, and the magnetism of it is all too much for Eli. You're too close, the proximity making your usual charm hit him full force and drag him under its waves with no mercy. He's leaning into you despite himself, one hand resting over yours as you watch with an unreadable glint in your eye.

This was ridiculous.

"Awe to hell with it, dep, I gotta tell you," he sucked in a deep breath, ducking his head down and squeezing his eyes shut, "I know we ain't really got time for this type of thing and it's fuckin' stupid of me—"

"I like you too, Eli."

Your voice cuts off his soon to be long-winded ramble and he flings his head up so fast that he gets an ache in his neck. You smile softly back at him, and his mouth opens and closes a few times as he takes you in—you were being serious. One hundred percent genuine. He almost couldn't believe it, despite the flirting here and there he never could have guessed, or maybe he just didn't want to get his hopes up.

"Huh? Wh–You do?"

"I was waiting for you to say something, I didn't wanna make shit more complicated for you if you weren't up for it." You shrug, as if it's the most casual thing in the world and he can't help but reach out to grab hold of your shoulders. He didn't want you to slip away, for him to blink and have this just be a dream. You felt the same way, and you had for a while. God how long? How long had he been missing out on whatever it is you two could have had already?

"I think given the circumstances you are the least complicated thing I got in my life right now." He grins and you snort.

"I'll take that as a compliment but watch yourself." You waggle a finger at him with your own grin and if he were standing he would have gone weak at the knees. Everything you did was mesmerising and he was down for the count here. You had him wrapped right around your pinky finger and he wouldn't have it any other way.

"So.. Shit what now?" He laughs and you join in, shaking your head at how ridiculous this is.

"I don't know, I've been wanting to kiss you for six months, how about we start there?" You suggest, one hand resting over his heart as your eyes flicker to his lips. All the air escaped him at your words and he felt starstruck at just the idea of kissing you. He nods, owlishly glancing from your eyes to your mouth as his mind goes blank. He can't remember the last time he kissed somebody and he had a feeling he wouldn't remember at all after kissing you. And he was right.

You make the first move, leaning in and pressing your lips to his, he's stiff at first—in fear of fucking up. But then he relaxes and his lips move against yours smoothly, sharing a kiss that's been building up like a wildfire. And it ignites like one too, soft and curious pecks turning into passionate, long kisses with maybe a bit too much tongue on his part; he was drunk on just the taste of you and you didn't seem to mind one bit. This was more than he thought he'd ever get to share with you, lips and teeth and tongues—a small frenzy full of the feelings you'd both kept hidden for months. It was more than enough, all he needed to get back into the fight and make sure you both got outta this damn thing alive.

"I'm gonna take you on a date," He breathes once you both back off for air; foreheads pressed together and hot breath mingling between you both. You laugh and grab his jaw, fingers running through his hair and pulling him in for another burst of short kisses.

"Where you gonna take me?" You ask, a smile brighter than any you'd graced him with before shining in the small bunker like the sun. Blinding and warm.

"Anywhere you wanna go, anything you wanna do. We'll have dinner, watch a movie, cuddle up on a couch. You smiled as he rattled on breathlessly, closing his eyes to enjoy the feeling of finally being able to be totally honest with you.

The radio crackles. You both look at each other, clinging to the other's body and not wanting the happy moment to end. You sigh first, letting your head to his shoulder and hand fall to his neck.

"After this is all over, I think I'd really like that Eli." His name dances off your tongue and it just melts Eli even more. He kisses your hair and wraps his arms around you, you'd head out in a minute and face the wrath and worry of your friends when you got back to the Wolf's Den but for right now—right now you soaked in the happy ideas for the future. Your future.

[jasperbynight]

And Hell Followed - A Far Cry 5 x FtM Reader series Part Eight

Deputy Y/N Jackson is in the middle of a Holy War in Hope County Montana. Originally sent to arrest Joseph Seed he ended up becoming the leader of the Resistance, but the deputy has a secret. A secret that only Whitehorse knows. When his younger brother and sister show up one day out of the blue, Y/N finds out that his own personal hell has found him. Now with the help of the very people he was supposed to stop can he save his family and himself?

I know this summary sucks.

Anyway I hope you enjoy this slow burn series

Trigger Warnings

Mentions of past child abuse

Mentions of past child SA

Mentions of SA

Stalking

Guns

Drugs

Religion bashing (the Deputy has religious trauma)

Religious trauma

Transphobia

Homophobia

Angst

Warnings for this part are Guns, Transphobia, use of the T slur, misgendering on purpose and intensionally using the wrong pronouns for the reader.

Please enjoy, I'm glad to be back writing.

Tag list

@gamergirl-06 @capriskunk @transpanda07

Let me know what you think

-------------------------------------------------------

Chaos erupted as everyone started yelling over each other.

"Everyone shut up and be quiet!" Whitehorse yelled, causing people to yell even more.

"How can anyone be ok with this, Eli did you know?" Wheaty asked as he and the other Whitetails started to pace.

"Yes I knew, that's why I agreed to this meeting"

"Then why didn't you say anything to the rest of us?"

"Because I knew that you dipshits would react like this"

"This is bullshit Eli and you know it" one of the Whitetails said angrily.

Joseph approached Whitehorse who looked conflicted about the news he just heard.

"Sheriff Whitehorse, I know that we don't share the same ideals and beliefs but I can agree to the ceasefire and convince the project to agree as well, I have seen the way my brother has changed since meeting the Deputy, it's been good for him" Joseph said as Whitehorse looked at me before nodding his head in agreement.

"I don't know how the others will react, you still have two of my Deputys and the Marshal, if you release them then that would help convince the others to the agreement"

"Consider it done"

Jacob started to approach me, causing John to push me behind him.

"Don't you dare" John said, his voice stern and deep.

Jacob smirked before handing his gun to Eli, who was confused but took his gun carefully.

"Easy Johnny, I'm not going to do anything calm down" he said before pulling John into a hug "I'm happy for you little brother"

The two hugged for a bit before Jacob released John and started to walk over to me.

"Deputy I don't think I have to tell you what I will do to you if you hurt my little brother?"

"You don't have to worry about that Jacob in fact if I do hurt him I'll hand you the gun"

We looked at each other for a moment before Jacob let out a small chuckle causing me to let out a tiny laugh.

"I'm going to radio Nick and the others, have this info coming from me instead of hearing it anywhere else" I told John who nodded his head in agreement.

"I'll let the chosen know that your friends are to be let in as well as Nick and your family" he said nodding to his brothers and Faith, before leaving the church to talk to the guards.

Pulling out my radio I set it to the joint channel, so it was easier to talk to everyone.

"Guns for Hire, it's Dep, I need you guys to listen"

"Copy that, Deputy" I heard Grace say.

"Yo Deputy, oh man me and Sharky were just saying we need to get the three of us together again to drink some of this moonshine we made" came Hurk's voice.

"Why am I not surprised you two are doing something stupid" Jess said in her usual tone.

"I hope this is important, I was in the middle of yoga with Xander and we were doing the downward dog" Adelaide said.

"Adelaide, I did not need to hear any of that while I have young impressionable children with me, anyway what's up partner?" Came Nick's response.

"Look, I'm at Joseph's church with Sheriff Whitehorse, Eli and some Whitetails, we've decided on a ceasefire and I need you guys here so I can explain something in person, I'm telling you guys first before telling the others because honestly both Mary May and Tracey scare the shit out of me" I said.

"Oh shit sounds like the reason is really important if Eli is there, I'll be there soon, do you want me to grab Dutch while I'm at it?" Jess asked.

"Na I'll radio him next, might have to make an in person visit ya know"

"I'll be there soon, am I bringing Ava and Elijah with me?" Nick asked.

"Yes please, and be safe" I replied.

"Sharky here, Hurk's just gone to load up the truck then we'll be with ya, I just gotta get my pants on"

"Oh Sharky, tell the Seeds I'll be landing Tulip soon and I want her left the way I bring her" said Adelaide.

"I was already on my way when you mentioned a ceasefire, I thought if everyone is there might as well give you back up Deputy" Grace said.

"Ok well I'll see you guys in a bit, if on your travels you see Boomer, Peaches and Cheeseburger, can you bring them with, I want my siblings to meet them" I said.

After everyone confirmed they heard me I put my radio down as Whitehorse came to stand by me as i noticed Joseph approach the stage of his church where we first saw him that fateful night.

"Ok everyone listen, me and Sheriff Whitehorse have come to an agreement, Eden's Gate will hand over Deputys Pratt and Hudson, and we will stop all Bliss production in order to prove that we agree to the ceasefire..." he began to say before Wheaty cut him off "What about all the people taken by you guys that are being kept at the Veteran's center and all the other bunkers?"

"I'll go get them" I said causing one of the Whitetails to laugh.

Her face cold and empty as she looked at me.

"Oh yes, send in the Deputy, the savour of Hope County, the one person we relied upon to help us only to find out the trany was sleeping with the enemy!" Yelled the only female Whitetail I had only briefly met besides Tammy.

"How did you... Eli did you out me to everyone?" I asked him.

"What? No kid, I would never do that, I kept it secret like you asked me to, I don't know how she found out" Eli said, his voice sincere.

"I found out when I was in charge of checking the secretary cameras, you know Deputy you should be more careful where you bandage up your wounds." the female Whitetail said before drawing her gun to my head.

"This thing betrayed us, said we could trust it, then just because the bitches deadbeat father shows his face and puts everyone in danger, oh now we're agreeing to a ceasefire, not when I don't know she was sleeping with John Fucking Seed!" She yelled at me, about to pull the trigger when...

"I won't do that if I were you"

[loops-n-boops]

While I'm on my bullshit I've decided to bless y'all with more Seed boy headcanons!

Jacob Seed

He can fall asleep anywhere. Will he stay asleep? No. But will he take a good thirty minute nap the moment he sits down in one of the piews? Yes.

Secretly doesn't hate Wheatys radio. He will never admit it but one of the chosen caught him humming Safari Song one time and no one will ever let it down

He fucking loves peanut butter. If he needs a snack and any of the options have peanut butter in it he will down that shit in twenty seconds

He has gotten high with John a few times. The first time it happened was a few months after they got to hope county. The two walked into a convenience store, high at about ten pm and knocked over a whole display. (Someone ask me to write a stoned John and Jacob fic please I'll have a blast)

Jacob and John came out to each other while stoned and the conversation went like this:

"Jacob would you still love me if I liked men?"

"No way me too"

To he more specific about my Jacob Seed sexuality HC I think he's Asexual Homoromantic.

He first started questioning his sexuality when he was about thirteen, finding himself attracted to one of their neighbors.

He calls Joseph Joey and John Johnny, he just doesn't do it in front of others.

When he's bored he radios John and starts screaming the DuckTales theme song (I don't care that it's kinda out of character, he's the annoying older brother dammit

Joseph Seed

When he first started talking to John again he asked him how high he was and John said "No, it's hi how are you" and to this day he views this as the funniest conversation he's ever had

He has a snort laugh

His favorite spider men are Peter B. Parker, Spider Punk and Spider Noir

He sleeps on his back and often people need to put their finger under his nose to make sure he's alive

He can't drive

He knows how to knit

He is afraid of Hurk Jr. and Sharkey. It is purely because they are extremely unpredictable

Would give homophobic target workers speeches on why they're wrong during pride month

When Jacob and John get too childish he pulls them by the ears

John Seed

When mad at Jacob he calls him dumbo

Do you need a hickey covered? Call him, he'll get it done quickly and accurately

He has shitty doctors handwriting

He doesn't spend much on himself but when he does end up spoiling himself you bet your ass yes coming home with a lot of candy and a four pack of beer.

He hates beer by the way. He prefers red wine and vodka.

He paints his nails when he gets bored

He loves Gordon Ramsey shows and will binge them at three am

He tends to bite his nails when nervous

Is the only Seed family member that understands social medias. However he isn't the social media freak most think he would be. He is so glad Joseph hasn't had the idea of having an official because he knows he'll get into so many comment section fights