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steppingstonesuniverseguide · 2 years ago

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One More Step Out of the Pit: Chapter 6/26

Summary: It had been Tommy and Tubbo for practically forever. They clawed their way out of hell together. They discovered their superpowers together. They started working for the Superhero Guild together before even coming of age. Tommy probably owed Tubbo his life ten times over. So, when the three supervillains he'd been assigned to bring in managed to take Tubbo hostage, well, there was really only one thing to do.

He knew, of course, he was signing himself up for torture and death by offering that trade, but that was okay.

It'd have to be okay.

AO3 Link (See AO3 for Warnings.)

(This story is finished and has been posted on AO3 for a while, but I'm posting it on Tumblr so it's somewhere else too (considering the day AO3 was down a bit ago). The author notes will all be kept as well. If you are following the blog and don't want to see these posts, block the tag #backlog.)

Wilbur felt abnormally disconcerted with their current kidnapping victim, and he couldn’t quite place why. Taking heroes hostage was not at all an unfamiliar situation. Perhaps in a different world, the three of them would have more conflicted feelings about it, but it was just the way things worked. Assuming the hostage didn’t do anything to warrant it, no harm would come to them and they’d be ransomed back within a few days. It was an inconvenience surely, but there was no lasting damage.

Of course, typically, the heroes they fought, and by extension captured, were usually middle to high ranking and older. Most of them knew Phil personally since he’d only quit the Guild a bit more than a decade ago when Wilbur was 14. The oldest heroes were old friends and allies. Wilbur had even helped kidnap a couple of old babysitters. For the slightly younger crowd, Phil had even more of an in. Before quitting, Phil had taken a bit of a back seat from the fighting, feeling more comfortable training the new recruits. Thus, he’d gotten to know the now 30-something-year-olds that took up a good chunk of the 4-7 ranked heroes quite well, and even knowing Phil was an enemy now, there was still quite a bit of trust there. Phil could smile at them, crack an old joke about if they ever figured out something about their powers, and they’d be put at ease. They trusted Phil would not actually harm them, at least not off the battlefield.

This time was a bit different because this… this was a baby hero: rank one and obviously young. Wilbur still shouldn’t care too much. Sure, the kid was a bit scared. Oh well. He’d be fine. He wasn’t having a panic attack or pleading for his life, so they probably weren’t doing too much undue trauma. He was just kinda nervous. Yet, it still settled oddly in Wilbur’s chest, a foreign sympathy that surprised him because he’d never felt it in this circumstance before.

It was also strange because Mushroom Boy (as Wilbur had taken to calling him since he did not offer a name: real or hero persona) did not like Phil one bit. Phil had dialed up the gentle to 1000% with the kid, but it seemed the nicer Phil was the more the hero’s resentment and discomfort grew. For all of his boldness hiding things he knew were dangerous from them and then attacking them where his fellows had turned tail and ran, Mushroom Boy was still a bit green and a nervous wreck. Phil only managed to make it worse somehow.

Will had finally reached over to tap Phil’s leg twice to get his attention, the movement hidden from Mushroom Boy since they’d replaced the makeshift hat blindfold with a real one. He shook his head and mouthed ‘leave it.’ Phil frowned, but turned around and settled into the passenger seat, ceasing trying to needle the hero into talking.

The hero seemed relieved for a few minutes, but then seemed to grow a bit leery of the silence, so Will glanced at Techno in the rearview mirror. When he caught Techno’s eye, he jerked his head towards the kid. Techno looked at Mushroom Boy and then back at Will with a squint.

‘Me?’ he said with his eyes.

Will rolled his eyes and quirked one side of his lip into an almost scowl. ‘Yes you.’

“So…” Techno drawled after a moment of hesitation. Mushroom Boy tensed and turned in the direction of his voice. “First… first time?”

A long pause. “Being… being kidnapped by supervillains?” Mushroom boy finally asked.

“Uh, yeah.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, I see.”

Wilbur could not see Mushroom Boy’s eyes, of course, but he imagined he was absolutely reeling with the revelation that the well-renowned blood thirsty supervillain Blade was, in fact, a socially awkward nerd. Ah yes, that Will’s Techno alright.

Phil had his hand over his mouth and Will did his best to keep the steering wheel steady as his shoulder shook with silent giggles. Techno glared up at the both of them.

“It’s not too bad,” Techno continued.

There was a pause and Mushroom Boy shifted a bit uncomfortably. “Really?” he asked dubiously.

“Sure,” Techno said. “We’ll pat you down, make you change since some suits have weapons built in,” probably in this case hose him down somehow to make sure he wasn’t hiding any growable things, “and lock you in a room we have set up, but we’ll mostly leave you alone after that until the Guild calls to pay your ransom.” It was a sparse, but comfortable enough room for the couple of days people were usually in it with a one-way mirror so the occupant could be watched, but they mostly tried not to be too weird about it.

“That’s it?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Techno said. “I mean, it’s really just a political maneuver. We don’t really have anything against you personally.”

“…Right.” There was an odd hitch to his tone, but Wilbur didn’t pay it much mind. They were pulling into their garage anyway.

Their house and connected supervillain lair was a ways out from the city in the middle of a forest. It was very much secluded and difficult to get to, but even if someone managed to stumble across it, it was hard to tell from the outside that it was anything more than a nice, normal house. You had to go into the basement to figure out anything was strange. Of course, the basement was exactly where they were going. Wilbur put the car into park and pressed a button. Mushroom Boy jerked when the car started moving in an unfamiliar direction, namely down, as the floor lowered.

Phil continued to be quiet as they exited the car, but Wilbur opened the car door for Mushroom Boy. “Alright, come on.” He was actually surprised by the gentles of his own voice; he’d have sworn he’d been going for casually neutral. What was it about this kid? Or was Phil just finally rubbing off on him?

Mushroom Boy cautiously felt his way out of the car and to his feet as Techno rounded the back.

Techno touched the hero’s shoulder and the kid flinched. “Just helping you get where you’re going,” Techno informed him, and he relaxed a touch. At least he did before he just about launched himself onto the ceiling as a ringtone pierced through the air. To be fair, Wilbur jumped a bit too. This was why Wilbur had songs for his ringtones instead of the horrible default ring, but Phil was old and wanted his phone to ‘sound like a real phone.’

Phil pulled the phone out of his pocket and blinked at the caller ID. “Well, that was surprisingly fast,” he said. “Blade, watch him for a bit.” Techno nodded, but Phil was already strolling into the other room. Will met Techno’s eyes briefly before he followed Phil out into the hallway.

He’d just pressed the phone to his face when Will walked in. “Hello Dr-” Phil trailed off, cocking his head to the side slightly as his brow furrowed.

Wilbur raised an eyebrow at him, and Phil pulled the phone away from his ear, putting it on speaker.

“What was that?” Phil asked.

“I said I want to make a deal,” a voice said, firmly. It was familiar, but Wilbur couldn’t quite place it over the phone.

Clearly Phil was in the same boat. “May I ask who I’m speaking with?”

This seemed to throw the voice off a bit because there was a beat of hesitation. “I, uh, it’s the Red Glider.”

Wilbur felt himself straighten a bit at the name and gnashed his teeth. The man had barely said anything, and Wilbur was already irritated.

“And why are you the one calling me instead of Dream?” Phil asked.

“‘Cause he wouldn’t like the deal I’m offering, would he?”

Phil’s eyebrows shot into his hairline. “And what deal is that?” he asked.

“I want to trade,” Red Glider said without a lick of hesitation. “Clinanthium for me.”

What?

“What?” Phil asked.

“If you let him go and don’t hurt him, you can have me instead.”

Phil seemed justifiably confused by the offer. “I… see…”

“No tricks,” Red Glider said, apparently taking Phil’s hesitance for suspicion. “You can have me.” The serious tone he had been using slowly began to fall into seemingly nervous rambling as he tried to convince them. “It’s a good deal for you innit? You haven’t been able to lay a finger on me so far. I’m very much the Road Runner, you know? That makes you the wolf, yeah?”

“Coyote,” Phil corrected automatically.

“Right, right, yes, I never actually watched it. The Big Bad Coyote.”

Phil squinted a bit.

“The point is, you can’t catch me on your own, so here’s your opportunity. And… and he’s not worth anything to you, so you’re gonna get a lot more than you lose, you see, so it’s a good deal.”

Phil seemed to think about it for a long moment. The Red Glider was right, of course. It was a good deal. Mushroom Boy, or Clinanthium assumedly, was a low-level hero whereas the Red Glider had to be a lot higher to be purposefully thrown at them all the time. He was doubtlessly a much more valuable asset to the Hero Guild. Not to mention, having him here would mean that he was not out there for a few days. They really needed to get that suppression orb soon, and if he was all locked up, it’d be the perfect opportunity. No annoying little chickens flapping about and ruining their plans through pure luck and inanity. Oh, it would be a godsend. Of course, that raised the question of why this deal was even on the table.

Phil had apparently been silent for too long because The Red Glider spoke again, his voice abnormally vulnerable. “Please,” he said. “You can have me just not… not him.”

And oh, Wilbur realized, this was personal. That’s why he was the one talking to them and not Dream, why he said Dream wouldn’t like the deal he was offering. This was in no way Hero Guild approved. He’d probably snatched Dream’s phone to offer this. Mushroom Boy was important to him.

“You’d put on a power neutralizing cuff?” Phil asked.

Wilbur expected at least some hesitance there, but there was none. “Yes,” he said. “Whatever you want as long as he goes free. I’ll put it on. I won’t resist you taking me.”

“We pick the time and the place,” Phil said. “You come alone.”

“There’s no one to come with me anyways,” he said, his voice lifting at the end like he was trying for humor.

They hashed out the details which mostly was just Phil telling him where exactly to meet and when as well as once again warning him to come alone or they would know.

Wilbur half listened so he knew the plan but was mostly lost in his own thoughts.

“Get that shit eating malicious grin off your face,” Phil said the moment he ended the call.

“Oh, Phil,” Wilbur said. “This is the best day of my life!”

Phil sighed. “Will…”

“I’ve been writing a song for this exact occasion!” Will informed him. “Well, not this one. I figured we’d actually manage to catch the asshole ourselves not that he’d offer himself up on a silver platter. But I am still going to take advantage of this so hard.”

“Wilbur,” Phil said in his dad voice. “You can’t actually kill him, you know?”

Wilbur rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to make his brain explode. At least, not literally. I did however make a reddit post asking for the most annoying guitar chords to ever exist and know how to play every single one. I’m also pretty sure I invented a note that never should have existed between F sharp and G. I call it F double sharp and a bit to the left.”

Phil pinched the bridge of his nose. “I am not leaving you alone with him.”

Phil had set the meeting up for 1pm at an old train yard that held no significance to anyone but the three of them and far more to Techno and Phil than to Wilbur even though he had been there too.

Phil, deciding to put forth a healthy amount of caution, had flown there as soon as he explained to Techno what was going on outside of Mushroom Boy’s earshot. He’d scope out the area and make sure no one tried to set up any traps before the meeting time.

This left Wilbur and Techno to handle Mushroom Boy.

“What’s going on?” Mushroom Boy asked, rightfully confused since they’d taken him out of the car just to load him back into it.

Wilbur and Techno met eyes in the rearview mirror.

“Your release has been negotiated,” Techno settled on.

“Really?” Mushroom Boy asked. He once again proved himself smarter than your average hero by sounding more cautious than hopeful or relieved.

“Yeah.” Techno didn’t elaborate, and Mushroom Boy was not brave enough to push for more.

They arrived about 10 minutes before the meeting time, Phil flying down to meet them at the car as they exited, leaving Mushroom Boy in the backseat for now. “Everything seems normal,” he reported.

“Even if it’s not, it’s home turf,” Technoblade said. His hand did twitch for his sword a few times despite his words. Phil had reacted to the trade with calculated approval and Wilbur with barely contained glee, but Techno had reacted differently to the news. He seemed cautious, verging on unsure. It reminded Wilbur of all of the other times he’d watched Technoblade in this trainyard. Wilbur pushed those thoughts aside.

The Red Glider arrived about 5 minutes before the agreed upon time. Wilbur had expected him to make some kind of stupid dramatic entrance like usual, maybe hop off the top of a train car or something, but instead, he came walking through the train cars like a normal human being. He stopped close enough, but still a safe distance away from them.

“I’m here,” he said. “Where’s Clinanthium.”

“Blade,” Phil said. Techno nodded and stepped back towards the car to open the backseat. He heard him mutter a warning this time before placing his hand on Mushroom Boy’s shoulder and leading him back to Phil and Wilbur.

Wilbur watched the Red Glider’s body language as Mushroom Boy was shepherded closer. He was twitching nervously, his eyes darting over the other hero as though checking for injuries. The boy’s foot stumbled on a loose rock and the Red Glider physically reacted, jerking a bit. It was like Clinanthium was an exposed nerve that went straight to Red Glider’s heart.

Experimentally, Wilbur reached over his own hand to touch Clinanthium’s free shoulder, nothing near nefarious, but Red Glider went tense all over like someone was holding a knife to his own throat. Wilbur would have felt bad if he had any sympathy for the Chicken. They’d apparently found his Achilles heel.

Yet, apparently the weakness went two ways because Techno had reached up to take off Clinanthium’s blindfold and as soon as he saw who was in front of him, he went still as stone for about three seconds. Then… “Don’t you dare!” he yelled. “Don’t even think about it.”

Red Glider finally broke the gaze that had been steadfast on the other hero, turning to attention to Phil. He took a step closer to them, still hanging back a bit. Clinanthium continued to rage as he did, having to be restrained by Technoblade.

“No funny business?” Red Glider asked.

“Deal’s clean on our end,” Phil promised. Red Glider considered him for a long moment and then closed the rest of the gap. He reached out his hand expectantly and Phil offered up a power neutralizing cuff.

Clinanthium’s voice came out harshly as soon as the cuff touched Red Glider’s hand. “Tommy, if you put that on right now, I’m never speaking to you again.”

Tommy, apparently, looked over at him, meeting his eyes with a half-smile. “Kind of an empty threat, Big Man, innit?” he asked, and then he slapped the cuff around his own wrist. It lit up, glowing softly to confirm it was working. “Alright,” he said, looking up at Phil, shoulders back and an annoyingly defiant still despite his weak position. “Now let him go.” Phil nodded to Technoblade who reached to disengage the power neutralizing cuff on Clinanthium, but paused when Tommy said, “Wait.”

All three of them looked at him questioningly.

“Don’t take it off of him. He’ll try to fight.”

“Tommy,” Clinanthium hissed.

“I’m not doing this so you can die fighting them,” Tommy spat back. “I would’ve tried fighting them myself if I was willing to risk that.” He stepped forward and shoved a phone into the boy’s hands. “Call Puffy,” he said.

“Don’t do this,” Clinanthium begged.

“It’s already done. Go.” He reached out and shoved him away, hard enough to make the boy stumble.

“You can’t.”

Tommy turned away from him and looked at Phil. “Do me one last favor,” he requested. “Tie him up to something so he can’t try to follow.”

Phil hesitated.

“The deal’s not complete until he’s not in a position to be recaptured by you,” Tommy said, “and he’s not going to let that happen on his own will. Tie him to a pole. He has a phone. Someone will come for him.”

Phil eventually nodded and turned to Clinanthium. Tommy didn’t look back at the boy as he cried and screamed and fought fruitlessly against Phil, much harder than he had against his own capture. Techno reached out to the Red Glider after a few moments to lead him to the car.

“We could put him in the trunk,” Wilbur suggested.

Techno just gave him a droll look as he opened the backseat and settled Tommy into it. He did, however, actually restrain him to the seat where they hadn’t done so to Mushroom Boy. They weren’t stupid. The bastard would totally hop out of a car in a mad bid to escape if given the opportunity, and as much fun as seeing him break every bone in his body because he forgot he didn’t have his stupid chicken powers sounded, it would also be very inconvenient.

Phil came back after a few minutes. He looked a little ill with what he’d just done. “I made sure he got ahold of someone,” Phil offered.

“Good,” Tommy breathed.

“Don’t forget to blindfold him Blade,” Wilbur reminded as he put the car in drive.

The Red Glider was not nearly as shaky as Mushroom Boy had been, and no one really tried to talk to him. Wilbur was pleasantly surprised he wasn’t running his idiotic mouth the whole way, though he did wonder why. He’d expected him to chatter on and on about unrelated drivel like he did in their fights, but the car was almost completely silent the whole ride home.

It did not put a damper on Wilbur’s ecstatic mood whatsoever. He was going to make the little bastard suffer, and he couldn’t wait.

He pulled into the garage and they descended once again into their supervillain lair and goodness did it feel like an actual evil lair today with all of the thoughts going through Wilbur’s head.

He was practically skipping as Technoblade led the blindfolded man down the hall to what they’d dubbed the ‘receiving room.’ It’s where they usually checked hostages for weapons and made them change before taking them deeper into the more secure parts of the underground compound.

Phil left them at the door with no more explanation than, “I need to make a phone call.” He shot a meaningful look at Techno who inclined his head.

“We don’t need you,” Wilbur told him with a frown once Phil had left and Techno did not. He rolled his eyes and didn’t even seem to contemplate leaving. “Fine,” he said, leaving him to watch from the corner while Wilbur pulled the new prisoner deeper into the room. “First things first,” Wilbur said. “You can take off the blindfold and then I want the mask.”

He didn’t say a word, but his hesitant fingers did reach for the blindfold to undo it. They hesitated a bit more with the mask, shaking a bit as he reached for the edges. Wilbur could have snapped at him to hurry up, but he honestly enjoyed that he was struggling with the concept of unmasking himself in front of Wilbur; it made him feel powerful. It took a few long moments, but then Wilbur heard him take a sharp inhale and he pulled off the mask in a rush, almost throwing it at Wilbur.

Wilbur looked up to take his first look at the hero’s face, and every thought he’d just been having dissolved into thin air.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Tommy gritted out after a couple of moments of staring. His eyes were resolutely focusing on a spot above Wilbur’s shoulder.

He was young. Way, way too young. Wilbur had thought… he’d assumed he’d been some sort of mentor or something to Clinanthium which was why he wanted to trade. A parent had even briefly crossed his mind with how protective he’d seemed to be, but there was no way this kid was old enough to be a father. He looked like he couldn’t even grow facial hair. He was overly pale and had deep set bags under his eyes. His eyes were glossy, and he had obviously been crying in the car, apparently silently. Wilbur didn’t even know he knew how to do anything silently.

He also looked fucking terrified.

Discomfort crept up Wilbur’s spine as he continued to look at him. The thought rose from somewhere deep inside Wilbur that he reminded him of Technoblade when Wilbur had first seen him, when Phil had first met him.

Wilbur did not like that thought.

He turned away to look at Techno who had noticed something was amiss and was tilting his head to try to get a look at Tommy’s face, at whatever had made Wilbur freeze.

“Blade, you can handle this, right?” Wilbur asked weakly.

Techno blinked in surprise. “W-what?” he asked, but Wilbur was already turning away toward the door.

“I… I seem to be getting a migraine. I’ll be in my room.”

Author Note:

Wilbur: *has dastardly cartoony villain plans*

Tommy: *has a baby face*

Wilbur: ...

Tommy: ...

Wilbur: ...

Wilbur: And I would have gotten away with it too...

#backlog

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laedback-taurus · 4 years ago

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Tortured Souls

Pairing: Bucky x Reader Warnings: mentions of torture Word Count: 1310 A/n: requests are open! Should I do a part 2 to this?

As a little girl your parents had always told you that you’d grow up to help people, you’re sure that they didn’t mean you patching up a hydra assassin against your will but here you are. You hadn’t seen your parents in years, not since you were taken from them by Hydra. You were one of the Tesseract experiments, they kept you around only because you survived your interaction with the Tesseract, it’s been years and you had shown no signs of abilities. You had been pretty much marked as useless, until they discovered your medical skills and put them to use on their super soldier. You only knew him as Soldat, the two of you had hardly ever spoken, he didn’t seem to speak much as it was, yet over the years of treating his injuries and fixing his arm which you had been taught to do, you found yourself falling for the tortured man.

You remember the first time you realised this, you were assigned to watch over the fight between Soldat and the new winter soldiers as a sort of medic. You didn’t realise this would mean having to watch Soldat get beaten to near death. You had to hold back your cries every time a punch collided with his face or gut. You had been made to watch from inside the enclosure with the soldiers and some Hydra agents. Once Soldat couldn’t take anymore of the beatings the soldiers turned on the agents and scientist, one of them locking eyes with you before making a beeline for you. You backed up until you could feel the bars hit your back and braced for impact. Before the soldier could reach you, she was hit back by an all too familiar metal arm. Soldat stood protectively in front of you staring down the soldier that threatened your safety, shielding you and a Hydra agent from the rouge soldiers. Another solder made an attempt at attacking you, but they barely made it within arm’s length of your before they were thrown back against the bars by Soldat. He guided you out safely and shut the bar door, locking everyone else inside. He had saved you that day, he protected you without hesitation and to you, that meant that there was still a part of the old him there.

Tonight, was a night like many others, you had to lay in your cell, listening to his screams echo throughout the facility. In the beginning you tried to block them out by covering your ears, but it never worked. You sat up on the concrete slab you called your bed as you felt a tear slide down your cheek, your heart broke for the man you longed for. You wished that you could take him away, help him remember the man he once was but you knew that would never happen. You heard the lock on your door being undone and you quickly stood up, wiping the stray tear away as you did. The door opened, bright neon light filled your cell, making you squint at the sudden change in brightness.

“You are needed” a voice said from the doorway. You nodded and followed them out of your cell. The screams had stopped now, which was slight relief but know you had to face whatever injuries he had endured. You were lead through two locked gates before you saw him, he was slumped back in the chair attached to the device they used to mess with his mind. You slowly approached him and crouched down next him his arm had been damaged, and he sustained a few minor injuries here and there. He looked down at you while you examined him, no matter how many times they rewired his brain, he somehow always remembered you, you were a stubborn presence in his mind that he refused to forget. He watched you as you began working on his arm with the tools Hydra had supplied you with, he paid close attention to the way your eyes with squint now and them while you concentrated on fixing him up. Once you had his arm functioning correctly again you moved onto his injuries, you were always so delicate when it came to his wounds, you never wanted to hurt him further. You were gently cleaning away some blood from a small wound on his stomach when suddenly a warm hand cupped your cheek. You slowly looked up to see Soldat staring at you with his head slightly tilted, cradling your now slightly warm cheek in his hand. He gently caressed your cheek with his thumb, all while staring into your eyes. He gave you the smallest of smiles, something you had never seen grace his features before, it was only a slight curl of his lip, but it still sent a tinging feeling through your body, you could only imagine how beautiful his full smile was.

“Hurry it up” a voice demanded from behind you, making Soldat remove his eyes from yours. You had completely forgot there were agents around. For a second you had let your cruel reality slip away and it had just been you and him, what you wished you could have.

“Fond of her are you Soldat?” An agent asked from somewhere in the room around you. “I can’t say I blame you” he confessed, there was something about the way he said it that made your skin crawl. It was as if Soldat could sense your discomfort and shot the agent a deathly glare, making every other agent in the room raise their weapons on him. You looked up at him, gently resting your hand on his knee, bringing his attention back onto you, making everyone lower their weapons. You gave him a small smile to tell him that you were alight, which he seemed accept enough to let it go. There was something about the soldier’s instinct to protect you that made your heart flutter.

---

He had been gone for too long, way too long. He was sent out on another mission not long after you patched him up and everyone else had returned but him. You were sat with your back to the cell door, hoping to hear anything about his location and his safety. You sat there for hours, staring at the floor in front of you just waiting for any sort of answer when finally, agents started talking. Apparently, Hydra’s plan had been destroyed by some Avengers, the remaining agents were furious but also terrified now that authorities were on the hunt of remaining Hydra members. It wasn’t until right at the end of their conversation that they mentioned Soldat, he had been labelled missing in action, they knew he wouldn’t be dead, but he was on the run. They also mentioned the man he had been fighting, the same man that he had remember on the bridge, they called him Captain America, apparently him and Soldat were old friends. Your heart felt full at the thought of Soldat being free, maybe this Captain America would help him remember his old self. You brought your knees up to your chest and buried your head into your them. Your hands began to tremble as ear piecing screams filled your ears, surrounding you, this time they weren’t Soldat’s. Flashes of the previous hours played back in your head…You strapped to the same chair your Soldat had spent many painstaking hours in, the feeling of absolute dreed at the machine’s arms approached your temples and the excruciating pain of electricity making its way in to fry your brain. You cradled your head, hands clamped against your ears in a pathetic attempt to make to memories go away. You began to rock back and forth, quiet tears falling down your cheeks.

He’d come and save you…

Wouldn’t he?

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky #bucky x female reader #bucky x you #winter soldier #avengers x reader #avengers #marvel #bucky imagine #bucky x y/n #bucky fanfic #james buchanan barnes #james barnes #sebastian stan

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theauthorlives · 3 years ago

Note

When mail day comes, not only is there a letter waiting for Yancy, but also a package. Its obviously been opened and inspected many times over, but when he opens it, the tissue paper and bubble wrap protecting the gift are still intact enough to ensure the items weren’t damaged at all in their checking. There’s a page of folded lined paper atop it all with Yancy’s name neatly printed on it, so there’s no doubting who it’s for.

When he unfolds it to read, a large Happy birthday, Yancy! in block letters surrounded by cartoon balloons and streamers greets him, covering almost a third of the page in its exuberance. It’s clear that a lot of care’s been put into it; the doodles are shaded and outlined in careful pen, and a mix of bright highlighters colour it in excited tones. The test that follows is certainly less eye catching, but none the less heartfelt.

You didn’t think I’d forget, did you? Sorry if this doesn’t arrive on the big day, the mail system isn’t very reliable where I am. But I hope it isn’t too late. I’m even more sorry I couldn’t be there in person, though. I still think they should make exceptions for visitation on special occasions, but you know what a stickler for rules that Warden is.

Anyway. I hope you like the gift. It’s nothing expensive or huge, but I thought you might like it, and it’s the least I owe you for everything. I’m sorry I can’t always be there as much as I’d like to be, but I want you to know that you’re important to me. Probably one of the most important people in my life.

Have a good one, Yancy.

Love, an ex-inmate.

Underneath the bubble wrap is an old Walkman CD player, a little scuffed at the edges, and the buttons a little sticky, but still very much functional, complete with plug in headphones. Nestled alongside it are a collection of old CD’s. The best of Queen, original cast recordings of an array of musicals, a collection of jazz music, some others seemingly randomly picked... Somewhere in the manor the Actor’s found his collection missing a few members. But the DA figures he won’t mind too much. Yancy will appreciate them more anyway. At least, they hope he will.

@frxgments-of-frxgments

"Hey, Yance!"

"What, Mailhead?"

"Package!"

"What?"

The prisoner assigned to help deliver letters grinned as she tossed it in Yancy's direction. He caught it, immediately feeling how sturdy it was. Something inside was wrapped up tightly to keep it safe. It was lucky, as it was held close to his chest while the others in the Gang egged him to open it there and then. They wanted to know the juicy gossip! Yancy had to shake his head and retreat to the quieter space that was his cell. Whatever it was, it wasn't going to be anything ordinary. No journalist or podcast host ever sent something like this, after all.

There was even a chance this was a joke, and he'd rather not be humiliated in public. But that was pushed aside once he was sitting on the top bunk. Any worry that this wasn't his disappeared when he saw his name in a handwriting that wasn't familiar - if one ignored the fact that he didn't know the handwriting of many people. It only meant that he wasn't prepared for the explosion of art inside, and it brought out a hearty laugh.

As he read the first line, he suddenly knew EXACTLY who this belonged to. That bright-eyed, witty prisoner who bested him in a fight yet somehow became a friend despite it all. They'd been busy, as they ought to be with how intelligent and talented they were. What was it they worked as, a lawyer? Something real smart like that. They probably were drowning in paperwork of some sort.

His grin remained plastered on his face as he read the note. They were right - he should be allowed to have a friend visit! The third Sunday of the month felt like it was aaaages away!

Probably one of the most important people in my life.

That made him pause. They admitted they weren't good at trusting others, and had been convinced Yancy was tricking them when helping them out. They had gotten along quite well, hadn't they? It was a nice change of pace to know someone from outside the Gang, from the outside.

"Tch... They don't gotta put themselves under this pressure," he sighed, putting the letter beside him with the plan to stick it on his little noticeboard later. "They's is way more present than anyone else I knows."

Finally, his attention turned to the mound of bubble wrap. It was undone carefully to preserve as much as possible - it was great bribes for certain Gang members! - and placed in a folded bundle on the other side. Only then did he actually register what he was looking at.

"How in the...?"

A Walkman. One that would have been worth money before he was ever sent to prison, and a variety of CDs. Some he knew, and some he didn't. It was the perfect combination to expand his taste in music.

Tears had slipped out when he was distracted, a mix of delight and gratefulness that there was someone beyond the prison walls that bothered to remember he existed. The Walkman and the bundle of CD boxes were held close to his chest.

Hopefully his friend knew how much their gift meant to him. They had forgotten to add a return address...

#(I should legit be asleep but it would be a CRIME not to answer this)#frxgmentsoffrxgments #on the tablet #yv: don't wanna be free

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heliads · 4 years ago

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Radio Silence Chapter Three: Say Again

Poe Dameron has been assigned to work as an intel receiver to Acer, a Resistance recon agent. They’ve only ever talked through the comms, so when she’s captured by First Order troops he assumes she’s lost forever. When Poe accidentally rescues the absolutely infuriating Resistance spy Y/N L/N from a First Order Star Destroyer, he knows she’s got nothing do with with Acer. Right?

previous / series masterlist / next

They have only been on this ship for about three standard hours, and already Poe is beginning to go mad. The journey to the Kinoss system to deliver supplies to the Resistance supporters hadn’t seemed that long, yet somehow the return trip seems to crawl by, second by second. It could be because the ship is damaged and the flight isn’t as efficient as it was previously, or it could be because of the third passenger: a cocky, arrogant, altogether infuriating recon agent named Y/N L/N.

Suddenly, Poe can’t entirely blame the First Order for locking her in a cell. Of all the turns to take on that Star Destroyer, of all the detention blocks to wander past, they just had to pick the one with the girl who was his mortal opposite. There’s a problem with the nav screen, they’re both standing up to fix it. There’s an incoming call from headquarters, Poe has to race her to the comms to answer it. Poe knows he has an issue of always wanting to prove himself to people he doesn’t know, but with her, it’s the complete opposite. He can’t wait to get off of this ship and never have to talk to her again.

Finn, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying himself. His eyes cut between Y/N and Poe, a barely contained laugh written into every line on his face. Poe slumps down into a seat next to him. “Hey, pal, I thought you were supposed to be having my back in an argument, not watching this like it’s a podrace.” Finn just chuckles. “I’ve never seen someone so similar to you. It’s kind of funny, honestly.”

Poe’s mouth drops open in outrage. “We are nothing alike! She walks around this ship like she owns it!” Finn raises an eyebrow. “Is that not what you’ve been doing ever since you found out you’d be piloting a Mandalorian Needle?” Poe waves a hand dismissively. “That’s different, I was given control of the ship by the Resistance itself. She just happened to be on board.” Finn gives him a look. “Sure thing.”

Poe is distracted from delivering a no doubt witty defense by a choking sound coming from the consoles in front of him. “That doesn’t sound good.” Finn mutters, taking in the sudden appearance of several blinking red lights. Poe stands up, considering the controls arrayed on the walls and ceiling around him. “No, it doesn’t. I think the sublight engine power couplings were-” “Demagnetized by the jump to hyperspace?” Poe glances over his shoulder at Y/N, who has walked up in time to finish his sentence.

A slight smile surprises itself onto his face. “Yeah, actually. That’s right. How’d you know that?” That sound and these alerts aren’t just any ship problem, this is a very specific issue that Poe’s only seen once or twice in his life. The fact that Y/N knew it so quickly is actually pretty impressive, although he’d never say it to her face. Even this barest hint of approval is already hard to dole out- a smirk is present on Y/N’s face once more.

“You can stow the surprised look, you know. You’re not the only one in the Resistance who knows their way around a space cruiser. I’ll go check the couplings, you can pick your jaw up off of the floor.” With that, Y/N turns and heads down the corridor, a teasing grin still on her face. Poe makes a face at her departing back, and glances over to see Finn trying to hide a smile. Finn holds up his hands defensively. “Hey, say what you want about her but I’m glad someone’s finally standing up to you. The amount of times I’ve heard you brag about ships is astonishing and it’s pretty funny to see someone do the same thing to you.”

Poe doesn’t know what Finn is talking about, but he pushes it from his mind, standing up from his seat near the front windscreen to check the sublight engines near the back of the ship. Y/N probably has it handled, but he just wants to make sure everything is right. If he returns the Needle to the Resistance in a state of disrepair, they won’t let him fly anything larger than a speeder bike for the next decade.

Eventually, Poe finds Y/N leaning over an exposed panel near the engines, gaze riveted to the mechanical parts before her. Her sleeves are rolled up to reveal toned arms already streaked with grease, and she’s donned some light worker’s gloves to protect her fingers as she methodically fiddles with the couplings. She instinctively turns towards the door when she hears Poe approach. There’s a strange panic in her eyes, as if she’s not used to being in the same ship as someone. Then she relaxes and turns back to the panel, confidence once again flowing from her with such surety that Poe begins to question whether or not she’d looked uneasy at all.

“You know, I do actually know what I’m doing. You don’t have to check up on me.” Poe shrugs. “Not that many people have seen the demagnetization problem with the couplings. Guess I was just curious to see how you’d fix it.” Y/N shrugs, taking a step back to consider her work. “I didn’t know until about a month or so ago. A friend of mine told me about it.” There’s a slight smile on her face as she talks about her friend, whoever that might be.

Poe himself can’t help but think of one very important friend. It’s funny that Y/N should mention that she learned about the coupling issue from someone she knew- Poe can picture himself in that closet of a radio room, fingers tapping absentmindedly on the edges of the navicomputer as he told Acer about a problem he’d had with his X-Wing. He’d thought that he would have to replace an entire engine, but it turned out to be a simple fix. All he had to do was rewire and remagnetize, and then he was done.

He can still hear Acer’s static-laced chuckle over the radio channel. “I’ll keep that in mind for the next ship I steal,” she’d said, “I’m sure it’ll come in handy on this backwater planet.” Poe had protested, something about how all of his ship-fixing tips were handy, but she had just laughed and assured him that she’d write it down somewhere, just in case. Poe doesn’t know if Acer had ever thought about it again. It hurts more than it should.

Poe straightens up, forcing himself to return back to the present day. Y/N’s pausing with the replacement of the panel, staring at him with a quizzical expression. “You alright there, Captain Mechanic? You look upset.” Poe shrugs, flattening his face back into neutrality. “I’m just thinking about a friend of mine. It’s easy to lose people in this line of work, and I don’t know if she’s going to be alright.” Y/N’s usual smirk loses its conviction. “It’s hard to lose people, isn’t it? Even when you get away, there’s always someone that doesn’t.”

The room falls silent except for the beeping and whirring of the engines. Y/N seems lost in thought, then slowly closes the panel on the wall. She walks over to Poe, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder. “If it makes you feel better, people have a way of making it out. Maybe they’re alive after all and just unable to check in at base.” Poe frowns. “Actually, I don’t feel better.” Y/N’s face drops for a second, and Poe continues. “Do you know why? It’s because I had a pristine white jacket, and you are going to get grease stains on it. Your hands are filthy, you realize that?”

Y/N breaks out into laughter. “Here you had me worried, I thought I offended you or something. But you’re worried about grease? How are you an ace mechanic if you can’t stand grease?” She moves towards him as if she’s about to rub her dirty work gloves on his jacket sleeve, and Poe catches her wrist just in time. “If you keep that up, I’m going to turn this ship around and drop you off at that Star Destroyer again.” He tries for a glare, but Y/N’s grin just broadens. “We’re about three parsecs from base. Would you make a return trip to the First Order just for me?” Poe grumbles, dropping her hand. “I might. I just might.”

Poe has never been happier to see the entrance lights of the Resistance base hanger in his life. He rushes through the entrance codes before dropping the ship into a perfect landing in the designated zone. Poe, Finn, and Y/N file down the entrance ramp, but they’ve barely taken five steps into the hanger before there’s an excited shout from one of the ship workers. “Y/N? Is that you?” Y/N’s beaming as she is swept up into the embrace of a beige-clad mechanic. “Stars, Jala, how is it that the First Order didn’t break any of my bones but you have?”

This mechanic- Jala- just laughs. “First I didn't see you for months, then I heard that you were dead. Sorry I’m happy to see you.” Y/N holds up her hands. “I’m still alive, don’t worry about me. There was no way I was going to curl up and die in a First Order cell, it would kill my reputation.” Jala snorts with laughter, then cocks her head at Poe and Finn. “Who are they?” A teasing glow enters Y/N’s eyes, and she slings her arms around their shoulders. “These are the hotshots that pulled me from a Star Destroyer. Isn’t that something?”

Poe can’t help but grin. “We’ve been arguing this entire trip back and now we’re your rescuers? I would have liked the thank-you a little earlier.” Y/N makes a face at him. “Unfortunate.” Jala glances over at a message popping up on her comms unit, groaning. “I have to get back to work. You should probably go see the General and tell her you’re back, but we’re catching up after this! I know you’ve got stories to tell.” Y/N raises a hand in a mock salute. “I’m not sure I’ll have that many stories, Jala. Almost everything is classified, I’m afraid.”

Jala waves a casual goodbye, promising to drop by later with some drinks and expectations of Y/N’s anecdotes. Poe, Finn, and Y/N start heading down the twisting and turning corridors of the Resistance base to find Leia. On the way, Finn turns to Y/N with a curious look. “You know, you never really told us why you were in that cell in the first place. What, you were trying to find Resistance supporters and got captured?”

Y/N shrugs as they disappear down the halls. “It was mainly just recon work gathering intel from the First Order bases nearby. I think somebody found out or tipped off the stormtroopers, because all I knew is that I was relaxing by myself and then the First Order shot down my door.” They’ve arrived at the main debriefing room of the base, and although Leia’s in the middle of a critical discussion with some advisors, her eyes light up when she sees Y/N walk through the room.

To pass the time until Leia can greet them, Poe glances over at Y/N. “You were doing recon work in the Unknown Regions? Then you weren’t a tactical officer, you were a spy.” Y/N nods. “Exactly. I would relay information back to an anonymous receiver, and I did it for a long time until I was ambushed.” Poe mulls this over. “That reminds me of someone. Did you ever know a fellow sender named Acer?”

Poe figured it was a long shot to ask Y/N about Acer, but the second he says her name Y/N’s gaze locks onto his. She tries to play it off, but Poe can tell that he caught her attention. “I do, actually. How do you know her?” Leia is approaching them now, only a few feet away. “I’m probably not supposed to say this, but I was her receiver. We worked together for months before she disappeared. Do you know what happened to her?”

Y/N’s eyes widen. There’s something new in her gaze, a stunned realization. Poe can’t quite name the emotion, but he’s certain that Y/N knows something that he doesn’t. Y/N looks over at Leia, then back at him. “No, I- I don’t know about her. You were her receiver?” Poe nods, smiling slightly in spite of himself. “Yeah, until she dropped off the air. How did you know her?” Y/N gestures loosely with her hands. “We, uh, ran into each other as spies. While we were in action.” Y/N pauses for a second, then continues on, as if the words are racing out of her without even thinking about it.

“She mentioned you, I think. She kept making some joke or something whenever she mentioned her receiver. She never said a specific code name, but she’d always use some play on words about applause.” Poe chuckles. “I could see that. My name was Bravo, it was probably because of that.” Somehow, the thought stings like a vibroblade. Somewhere out there in the world, Acer was talking about him to another spy. She laughed to herself and made jokes that only the two of them could know, even when she was speaking to someone else. Stars, he misses her.

Leia notes the break in the conversation and smoothly begins speaking. “Y/N, it’s so good to see you again. We were worried that you were captured by the First Order.” Y/N winces. “I was, actually, but Poe and Finn managed to break me out.” Leia smiles at them. “I would ask why the two of you were in a First Order detention block, but I have a feeling that I don’t want to know.” Poe and Finn chuckle quietly, but Y/N’s expression still looks strained.

She turns to them. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to the General for a moment.” Finn nods, turning briskly down the corridor once more. Poe, however, is still wary over Y/N’s sudden change in demeanor. He leaves the room, but pauses just outside of their view, hovering by the wall as if checking his weapon. It’s hard to hear them from the hall, but Poe can just make out Y/N’s voice. It’s changed again, and sounds unhappy, almost angry. She’s asking something, a question. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell him?”

Leia is beginning to answer her, but Poe can’t make anything else out. He waits for a couple more seconds, then continues on down the corridor. Even after he’s left the room behind him, Poe can still hear Y/N’s voice echoing through his mind. What was Leia keeping from them, and why would it be important enough to render even the never-serious Y/N L/N into a state of panic and disarray?

radio silence tag list: @kesskirata, @ubri812, @itsnottilly, @20th-centu-fairy-girl

#poe dameron #poe dameron imagines #poe dameron x reader #poe dameron series #star wars #star wars imagines #star wars x reader #star wars series #poe #poe imagines #poe series #star wars poe #star wars poe imagines #star wars poe x reader #star wars poe series #poe x reader

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marveldc-imagines-hub · 4 years ago

Text

Subtitles: Episode 8, Previously On

Subtitles Masterlist

Summary: As they seek out Vision a Westview that doesn’t seem to want them to find him, more memories from [Y/N]’s past begin to appear. They almost seem drawn out of the dark depths of their mind by some unseen force but it’s hard to tell whether it’s friend or foe. Who is forcing [Y/N]’s memories to the forefront of their mind--Wanda or someone else?--and is it tied to the suddenly hostile Westview blocking them from finding Vision? Who is trying to keep them distracted?

Word count: 6,584

Warnings: Cursing, descriptions of death and declining mental health. Mostly angst, tbh.

Tag list: @madamevirgo @ravennight41 @multifandomgirl16 @cyanide-mustard @badasspolygenderfriend @austynparksandpizza @sophster1881 @haileyybird @maceidelic @alexpress @angelvinella

Ko-Fi Shoppe

~~~

You were too busy trying to calm the anxious gnawing in your stomach to notice Westview subtly changing around you. It wasn’t until a vine wrapped tightly around your ankle and made you almost trip and fall face-first into a fire hydrant that you looked around with a frown.

The vine itself—thick, spiky, and definitely not native to the suburbs of New Jersey—had sprouted from cracks in the sidewalk, which spread and opened further as other vines crept after it. After tearing the one holding you off and stepping out of its reach, you noticed the fences of houses reaching far past their yards to create maze-like paths that covered the sidewalks and street ahead of you. The houses that these fences belonged to were also warped in a way that made them look like you were viewing them through funhouse mirrors, stretching far into the sky and bending overhead in your direction like they meant to block you from leaving in that direction—or meant to block you from being seen by anyone flying overhead.

Your eyebrows arched so far up on your forehead that you weren’t sure that they were still there. “What the fuck is going on?”

You weren’t as concerned about the magic happening itself—if some random civilian walked by, they’d barely react at all and the maze and houses weren’t causing any actual damage, just being incredibly annoying—as you were by the fact that you couldn’t tell who was doing it. Your first thought was Wanda, naturally, but it made no sense that she’d be trying to keep you from finding Vision when she was the one who’d originally sent you to go get him; not to mention that she’s never created such a bizarre display of magic, at least intentionally. You considered yourself next, as you’ve known yourself to cause random transmutations when you get too antsy, but this wasn’t the type of power that you controlled and when you tried to reach out to interact with the energy, you received opposition instead of energy bending to your will. It was somewhat difficult to pick out because it seemed to hide away under the blanket of Wanda’s magic that reached across everything in Westview, but the aura of the twisted architecture surrounding you was dark and hostile.

You first attempted to humor whatever magic was at play and made your way through the maze but as you did so, the fences shifted around you to extend their white picket prison. You stopped and sighed. “The end is nigh… and I am not going to spend it dealing with this shit.”

A little voice in the back of your head told you that you could probably set fire to the whole magic mirror setup and be done with it but you ultimately decided against it; Wanda would probably find out and definitely wouldn’t be happy when she did. Instead, you placed your hands on the fence and as you did so, posts morphed into gates that you could easily pass through. You continued through the maze via this method and were surprised to feel the opposing magic back away from you after your pushback.

“Oh, thank god,” you grumbled under your breath as you made it through the last of the maze.

Unfortunately, you celebrated too early as the cement underneath your feet suddenly began to melt back into its liquid form. It would have been fairly easy to use your powers to reharden the cement but exhausting yourself fighting with the opposing force until the sidewalks of Westview shifted into grassy fields on its outskirts seemed like a bad idea in the long run, especially with the twins’ disappearance, Wanda dealing with Agnes’s strange behavior, Monica’s return, and the warning churn of your stomach telling you to stay alert. So, you settled for trudging along through wet cement until the magic decided to back off again.

Not so much trying to cause damage as it’s trying to mildly inconvenience me, is it? you thought.

Just as before, once the magic trying to keep you distracted was rivaled by your own, it receded and you were soon walking on the regular, hard sidewalk once more. You cleaned your pants and shoes up by turning the wet cement still clinging to them into something much more manageable—water—and continued on your way. Sorting through the mix of concern, nips of mild hunger, and the energy-seeking compass in the center of your now twisting in every which direction, you managed to eventually focus back into the feeling of Vision somewhere in the distance. It got stronger as you walked, so you began to pick up the pace.

Then your unseen opponent returned, stronger and now in the mental realm instead of the physical. At first, you thought the kickback was just Westview’s borders—the Hex, Monica had called it—trying to right the wrongs of someone within it having memories of the outside world, something you’d experienced before. However, you felt the menace rippling underneath the surface of the haze and when you tried to fight back this time, you were met with an angry strength. The fog making your head feel heavy seemed to spread through your bloodstream and take home in your bones, weighing your body down until you stood still and lame in the middle of a random neighborhood. You were a prisoner in your own body; you couldn’t move even if you wanted to, but you didn’t even know if you did because your brain was so full of dark storm clouds that you couldn’t think straight. You knew that you stared slack-jawed into space but it felt more like you were sitting in a dark room inside your skull and watching the outside world from a TV screen. As you watched on, the fog that took over your mind and body took your eyesight too.

===

The first few memories were fleeting.

You were a few years old and holding your mother’s hand. It was much less boney and knotted than you remembered your mother’s hand being, as was the rest of her. She was younger and stronger, standing next to you in a worn nurse uniform and overcoat and staring ahead with a scowl, concealing whatever emotions she was feeling otherwise. You were in a bedroom that was only vaguely familiar to you and the two of you watched an old man that was barely more than a skeleton slept under a heap of fraying blankets. As you stared on through the wide eyes of your child self, your grandfather heaved a final breath before falling into a deep, eternal slumber.

A couple of years older, you were in the old but cozy, sunny yellow kitchen that your mom love to cook in. You sat at the dining room table, kicking your legs and picking at the splitting wood as your mother and a stranger argued in the other room. You had never heard your mother raise her voice to such an extent before but at the time, you were much more concerned about what kind of sandwich you were going to help her make for lunch. You never saw the stranger aside from a flash of [H/C] as he left and he was never seen or heard of again.

You were still in the kitchen but its appearance had changed ever so slightly. Yours did too, as you were a teenager now, and now your mother sat across from you at the table. Though she was still healthy now, her overall haggard appearance would be one that she carried on for years to come. She was telling you about her doctor’s appointment but you were only somewhat listening as you were stressed about high school drama and final assignments to be turned in before summer break. You heard words like “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” but the meanings were lost on you in that moment.

Then you were in a nursing home. You could feel the harsh lighting, hear the TV from the lounge behind you. The smell of cleaning supplies burned your nostrils but the smell of your mother’s stale perfume soothed it. Unfortunately, nothing could soothe the ache that made your heart feel like it was going to shrivel up and die when you came to tell her that you changed your major in college so you would be better equipped to help her, only for her unable to recall having a child at all.

You were pinned against a wall in a Sokovian HYDRA base, although you didn’t know the organization that you were studying with was HYDRA at the time. Shivers of equal parts fear and exhilaration made your entire body quiver and the clipboard you’d been holding clattered to the ground. While a large group of Sokovian war protestors had to hunch together to fit in the cramped and cold holding room, Wanda seemed to take up the majority of the space just from her spot of holding you into place. Her hair was a mess and her face and clothes were dirty but her eyes were full of more life than you’d experienced during your entire time working in the base. She was angry and determined and powerful and gorgeous, and she told you that if you ever ran into her again that she’d kill you—and you were surprised with how okay you were about the idea, as long as you got to see her again. When she let you go and you apologized, she told you what she and the others were doing here; this was the catalyst that sent you investigating into HYDRA and finding out about their much more sinister nature, as well as the pain you’d helped cause.

Finally, the slide show of memories slowed and instead of being confined to your brain, you were back in your own body—or so you thought until you looked around and found yourself staring at a younger copy of yourself. Instead of Westview, you were in a HYDRA testing room, and instead of simply re-experiencing, you were quite literally watching a memory unfold around you as if you were an unwanted audience member standing around the active set of a TV show. Or a ghost, you decided, as the younger you walked through you as if you were nothing but air.

Your younger self was dressed in an all-black work uniform and lab attire, with an identification card clipped to your chest that granted you high-level clearance. You’d worked immensely hard playing HYDRA’s game to get to where you were now, which was standing in the control room with two other agents and preparing to analyze the test about to unfold on the other side of a large glass window. In the test chamber, a door slowly slid open and Wanda, unkempt and spacey, entered.

You wanted to break her out. Judging by the way your younger self tensed up—not enough to be noticed by your superiors; you’d mastered your mother’s emotional lockdown of a scowl at this point—your feelings weren’t far off from the initial experience.

Wanda made her way farther into the room, closer to a scepter with a glowing blue stone that was being held on a pedestal. As she did so, the younger you readied their clipboard and pen to take notes and one of the two agents spoke, “For our notes, Miss Maximoff, can you please state your name and confirm your status?”

The younger copy of your current partner did as she was told. “Wanda Maximoff. Volunteer.”

“Begin experimentation,” the other agent—a doctor and one of your immediate superiors—stated.

“Doctor,” the first man said, “with respect, not one subject has survived direct contac—”

He was broken off as the doctor flicked on the intercom to speak to Wanda again. “Touch the sample.”

Wanda made her way forward but before she could do much, the stone suspended in the scepter—the mind stone, you knew now—detached itself and floated towards her. As it got closer, its glow grew brighter and bright blue magic wafted over Wanda as she stared before reaching out to touch it. While you remembered this situation thus far, what happened next was completely new to you. The mind stone shattered before Wanda’s eyes, revealing yellow golden yellow magic that poured from the remains. There was an explosion of light and within it was a flash of a shadow. From where you were standing, you couldn’t quite make out the shape.

Then the light died and Wanda collapsed, and the rest of the memory ran as you remembered. The scientist and doctor ran out to check that Wanda was still alive, while your younger self recollected themselves enough to take pictures of notes and research reports from the control desk with an old school digital camera that they’d managed to sneak in.

“Well,” a familiar, incredibly out-of-place voice sounded from behind you, “that’s a surprise. I had no idea you and [Y/N] went so far back.”

You spun around to see Agnes and a modern Wanda standing just behind you. Agnes watched your echo with mild curiosity as they carefully rifled through the control desk and gathered as much information as they could to examine at a later time. The dark energy that radiated off the woman was the same that you’d sensed earlier, hiding just underneath Wanda’s own. Being this close to the unhidden source now, the magic felt sharp and acidic and tasted like bile on the back of your tongue. The anxiety that had been gnawing at your stomach increased tenfold as your guts twisted around themselves. It had been Agnes all along.

Past you finished their investigation as they were called in to take Wanda to solitary by one of the other HYDRA agents. When they rushed out of the control room, they passed through Wanda and Agnes, confirming that the women were in a similar state of being to you.

Surprisingly, Agnes was completely unaware of current you’s presence. She walked casually over to the desk and attempted to make sense of younger you’s rummaging before making a face and shrugging.

Wanda, on the other hand, was staring directly at you. To anyone else, it could be said that she was simply looking through you who the commotion happening in the test chamber, but when you met her gaze, the slightest of jaw clenches told you otherwise. While it was Agnes—Not Agnes, a ghost of a whisper in sounded in your head—whose magic had been toying with you, it seemed that it was Wanda’s doing, at least to some extent, that brought you to watch this scene with them.

“You know,” the ravenette said, “I really did like them for a while. They were fun to string along for entertainment, and they were a hoot at events and to run errands with. Such an awkward little thing. I could see their crush from a mile away whenever you three were around each other. I just thought they’d be the out-of-place, pining neighbor whose love was unrequited, a comedic plot device of sorts. I didn’t think you would actually return their feelings, let alone both you and your husband, you naughty dogs. I should have known sooner that something was up.”

You and me both, sister, you thought with a soundless snort.

“Oh well,” Agnes—question mark?—said with another shrug, “our friendship was fun while it lasted. Let me know if you ever get bored with them. We did often flirt a bit, [Y/N] and I.”

“What do they have to do with any of this?” Wanda asked, throwing a mild glower in the other woman’s direction.

“Why don’t you tell me?” Agnes responded with a sickly sweet smile, then walked past Wanda and out of the testing room. “Come along, dear! We’ve got much more digging to do.”

Wanda glanced at you one last time before following. After a moment, you trailed after them.

===

Past Wanda was sitting and watching sitcoms via the one amenity she had the dungeon-like room she was held in when your past self walked in.

“Wanda,” past you gasped and moved to rush to her side before freezing and throwing a glance towards a security camera in one corner of the room. The faintest blue-black light danced appeared to dance around your echo’s fingers as the lens of the camera warped and changed into a round silver disc, then the light disappeared and you watched yourself hurry to younger Wanda’s side.

She didn’t acknowledge you until you placed a gentle hand on her back. She jumped a bit and turned her glassy-eyed, hollow-cheeked face towards you; in the same instant, the TV turned off.

Past Wanda offered past you a wobbly smile that you returned. You reached into your pocket and pulled out a candy wrapped in colored foil that looked neon in comparison to the dull coloring of the rest of the environment.

“Hey, look, Wanda,” you tried, offering the candy to her, “I brought you something. Remember these? You told me once that they’re your favorite.”

Wanda stared blankly at your gift. After a moment, she took it and began picking at the foil.

Past you gave past Wanda another strained smile. Your furrowed brows caused deep lines to be etched into your forehead, showing no lack of concern, but you tried to stay positive. Gingerly running your hand up and down Wanda’s back, you carefully looked over as she freed the chocolate-covered candy from its wrapper. “You look good. You’re doing much better than you were when we brought you back.”

Wanda’s eyes lazily traced the pattern of the room’s stone walls as she brought her treat to her lips and carefully nibbled at it. When she found it free of tampering, she relaxed a bit and popped it into her mouth.

You watched as your past self rested their chin on her shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m going to get you out of here, Wanda. I promise that I’m going to save you. I just… wish you’d let me help you more.”

Well, young me, you thought, you certainly broke that promise, then went off and murdered a bunch of people. Nice job.

Wanda’s past self finally fully acknowledged yours; she rested her head on top of yours and her thin fingers brushed brushed over the knuckles of one of your hands. She shook her head and mumbled, “I have to do this. For my people.”

Your echo sighed. The two of you sat like that together for a few moments longer before you separated yourself from her and headed out of the room. As you walked out of the room, the silver that blocked the security camera transformed back into a lens. Wanda looked back to the TV and blinked, and the television turned back on.

“Huh,” Agnes piped up to Wanda again, “they were just as piney here as they are in Westview then. Weird. I thought they had a reputation as a crazy psycho killer outside? Hoo boy, did you see any of the work that they did after Sokovia? I looked into it when I figured out that they weren’t just another ordinary townee. The Alchemist? Wished I’d managed to keep them on my side; I’d love to sit down and talk about all the ways they tore up those agents.”

You grimaced. You never regretted going on a HYDRA manhunt but it wasn’t exactly one of your most redeeming qualities.

Wanda frowned. “Trying to cope with all they had done while working with HYDRA was too much and they had to do it alone. I told [Y/N] I would return but then I never did. They thought it was their only solution.”

You were surprised to hear her empathize with you, let alone know about your revenge spree at all. You hadn’t realized how much it felt like a secret that you had been keeping from her until a weight was lifted off your shoulders when she talked about it.

“Still,” Agnes said nonchalantly, “turning an alive former HYDRA agent into a very much not alive scarecrow and leaving posting him up in his own field? Genius and I love the creativity. And the way they turned the guy who shot them into a bloody bag of bones? Delicious.

“But anyway,” she went on, the glee in her voice shifting to something more pensive, “little orphan Wanda got up close and personal with an Infinity Stone that amplified what otherwise would’ve died on the vine. The broken pieces of you are adding up, buttercup. I have a theory, but I need more.”

With a wave of her hand, a dark wood door appeared in the room’s far wall. Wanda’s eyes widened slightly with recognition and she immediately walked forward and through it. Agnes trailed cheerfully after her.

You made a move to follow them but you didn’t make it before Agnes shut the door behind her. You jiggled the doorknob but the door wouldn’t budge, and then it melted back into the wall and vanished altogether. While you were relieved to be away from Agnes’s acrid magic, panic rose in the back of your throat at the idea of Wanda being alone with Agnes and you being trapped in a bizarre memory realm with no idea of how to get out. You ran your hands along the wall in hopes of finding the door’s outline once more, to no avail. You spun around to search for another route—

—and you were suddenly standing on a street in Westview.

This wasn’t Westview as you currently knew it but Westview before Wanda had turned it into her special little safe haven. Instead of watching this memory like a movie, you were now involuntarily reliving it as a prisoner of your head again as your body and mouth move on its own accord.

You were paused mid-walk across the street and staring at a breathtakingly gleeful Vision for the very first time. He was standing out in the open without a human disguise of any kind, wearing a very attractive form-fitting turtleneck and looking over an empty plot of land. He must have felt you staring because he turned his warm, earth-shaking gaze towards you.

“Hello there!” he hollered with a friendly wave and a smile that made you wonder if one look from a stranger could make you weep over how attractive they were. He stepped from the dirt plot to the sidewalk, then made his way to the curb. He held a slightly crumpled piece of paper in one hand and you could see a red heart in its center out of the corner of your eye.

For whatever reason—maybe because of the fact that there was a very inhuman-looking man, who was causing your body to have all sorts of reactions, walking towards you—you felt compelled to walk over and meet him.

“Excuse me,” Vision said as you got closer and pointed to the lot behind him, “I’m looking to buy this spot here. Do you live around here?”

Temporarily, while I try to look for a cure for my dumb-bitch memory disease, you thought. Instead of saying this aloud, though, you said something much more stupid. “Are you aware that you’re red?”

Vision blinked. He looked at his hands if he was in fact just now realizing this, then looked back at you with wide eyes. One hand moved to touch the golden gem embedded in his forehead, which you now connected to the mind stone on the previous memory that you had experienced—Wanda’s memory.

“Oh, goodness,” Vision said, “yes I am. I’m sorry, I hope my appearance doesn’t make you uncomfortable. If it does, I could make a more appealing one—”

You felt yourself break into a grin and one of your hands waved itself dismissively at him. “Not sure there’s a way to make yourself any more appealing than you already are. It’s just unusual is all.”

Vision chewed on one side of his bottom lip before smiling sheepishly at you. If only you’d been able to tell when this interaction had actually happened that he was “blushing” in the only way his synzethoid body allowed over you complimenting him; you would have had a field day with making him flustered.

Then his eyes drifted slightly above your eyeline and the hand touching his forehead gem fluttered slightly to the right—his left. Without thinking of how it might come off, he said, “You’re unusual-looking yourself.”

Luckily, you weren’t too easily offended. You briefly touched the gunshot scar on your forehead with one hand, the exit wound scar on your neck with the other, before dropping them both and shrugging. “Got shot in the head once. Operation gone wrong.”

“A soldier?”

Unfortunately, the version of you in this memory was already struggling to recall memories. Instead of telling the pretty stranger that, though, you said, “Something like that.”

Vision nodded and awkwardly fiddled with the paper in his hands. His gaze flitted around before settling on you again, “Well, I think you’re appealing too.”

You felt your cheeks grow warm but you hid your embarrassment with a snicker. “Thanks.”

The man cleared his throat. “Yes, well, that’s good then, isn’t it? That we both like each other’s looks just fine. Not… that I want you to find my visuals appealing. Not— not that that’s a bad thing to be doing so either! It’s just that—” he paused to collect himself. “I have a partner. A girlfriend of sorts.”

“Of sorts?”

“It hasn’t really been discussed,” he clarified, “but we are deep in the throughs of our relationship.”

“Congrats? Also yeah.”

Vision blinked. “I’m sorry?”

You pointed over your shoulder. “I live around here. In a hotel more often than a home but I’m considering getting a rental a couple houses over.”

Because if I don’t find who I’m looking for—a doctor? Scientist maybe?—I’ll be stuck here until I remember where I came from.

You were brought out of your grumbling thoughts by the childish excitement that erupted from Vision’s shining smile and spread throughout his body until he was practically vibrating. He quickly scrambled the rest of the way over and flashed the paper he held at you, then almost immediately folded it up before you could actually see anything other than a flash of red on white. He told you how wonderful it was to be meeting someone from the neighborhood and before you open your mouth to say anything in response, a billion questions seemed to pour one after the other from his mouth. You caught a few—did you know why the plot he was looking at was open, if there was a nefarious reason behind it lacking any home already? Was the neighboorhood safe, did you like it there?—but you soon found yourself distracted by the way the gear-like patterns in his blue irises swirled faster as Vision became increasingly giddy.

Then one word came flying out of his rambling mouth and you felt like you had been hit in the gut with a sack of bricks. You actually had to stop yourself from choking on a gasping breath and steel yourself in preparation in case he said her name again. Luckily, Vision seemed too deep in his his own thoughts that he didn’t notice you blanching from the kickback of yours.

Wanda? It couldn’t be. It wasn’t like there weren’t any other Wandas in the world. Then again, you’d never met another Wanda since your Wanda and there was something about her name coming from his mouth that assured you that his Wanda was yours too.

Is that why you had come to Westview? Was Wanda the one you were looking for?

You placed a hand on Vision’s shoulder, both as a way of grounding yourself and grabbing the man’s attention. It worked and Vision’s bumbling died off as he looked at you with wide eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, and lifted his free hand to scratch at the side of his neck, “I got quite carried away there, didn’t I?”

This past version of you wanted so desperately ask about the Wanda he spoke of, to confirm that she was the Wanda that you’d known in what seemed to be a past life at this point. You wanted to know if she was safe, happy, and if he was taking care of her in the way that she so needed after everything she had been through. When you looked at Vision, though, and the plot plans in his hand and the place of his and her future home, you bit your tongue. Something told you that it wasn’t your time to ask nor was it your right to do so. It had been so long since you’d tried to help the Sokovian woman escape a dingy HYDRA base and failed, and wherever she was now, she was probably better off without you intruding.

You put on a mask of a friendly smile to hide the way your heart was being picked to pieces by a thousand imaginary needles and gave Vision’s shoulder an equally friendly pat. “No worries. I do have to stop you, though, have an appointment to get to. I’m really not the person to ask about future home life—like I said, usually a hotel—but if I have anything to tell you, it’s that this is a good place to settle.”

Vision beamed. “Really?”

You dropped your arm and stepped away from the robotic stranger to take your leave. “This place is easy to turn into a home. You’ll love it here.”

Vision heaved a sigh a relief and he waved to you and you gave a parting nod and began walking. “Thank you! Oh, and it was nice meeting you, neighbor! Hope to see you again soon!”

Something deep in your heart told you that you wouldn’t be seeing the British gentleman again, or maybe you were finally coming to terms with the fact that your brain would drop yoru memory of him before the day was over. You cast one last glance over your shoulder, trying to commit every detail of Vision to memory the best that you could, before heading back across the street.

“Looking forward to it!”

===

One minute you were walking and the next you couldn’t feel any part of your body that was below your waistline. The scene had shifted again and you now found yourself staring spacily off ahead. You were outside and you felt the familiar presence of a large facility behind you but you couldn’t place what the building was for or why you were there. In fact, try as you might, you couldn’t place much meaning to anything. Your brain was blank aside from several questions that you had no answers to.

Why were you in a wheelchair? What had happened to your legs? Why were you outside? Why were there old people and people in scrub uniforms milling around you and talking to you in passing as if you had any idea who they were? Where was your mom? You had classes to attend and needed a ride.

You took a sighing breath and felt a tanginess of citrus on your tongue that sent shockwaves throughout your body—or what left of it that you could feel. Your eyes shot open wide and you swung your head around, looking for the source of the taste of candied citrus, the feeling of thin fingers carefully brushing across your knuckles. There was a memory there, clawing just under the surface of thought-killing fungus that seemed to have taken over your head over… however long it had been now. You just had to remember—

Before you could could remember, you saw her appear before your very eyes. She was walking down the street past you with only a green yard and strip of sidewalk separating the two of you. She wore a dark outfit and her hair cascaded behind her in the breeze, fluttering like flames. You couldn’t see her face well because of the distance you could feel the deep, powerful sadness radiating off her in waves; it was almost strong enough to force you into tears. Still, she walked with purpose and she held a piece of paper in her hand that she glanced at every other second. She happened to turn her head to toss a stray chunk of her back over her shoulder and for a brief moment you thought that her dark eyes met yours.

You screamed her name and attempted to chase after her. However, in that moment, you forgot that you were paralyzed from the waist down and stuck in a wheelchair, so when you lurched forward to stand, you were quickly greeted by hard earth knocking the wind out of you. You hissed in pain but the impact didn’t stop you, nor did your lack of working legs. You shoved the wheelchair away in a fit of irritation, then began crawling your way across the public yard, following a trail of a very specific shade of red as you dragged your body along.

You didn’t make it very far before you felt strong hands grasp your shoulders. You flailed around, prepared to fight whoever was trying to disrupt your mission, only for you stop struggling altogether when a flash of reddish hair appeared in the corner of your vision. You looked up at and stared at the only face that held solidity in your mind with eyes the size of dinner plates as she knelt next to you and helped you into a decent sitting position. Once you were settled, her hands moved from your arms to cradling your face and when you could see the heartbreak in her eyes this time, you actually did feel a few tears wet your cheeks.

Your eyes fluttered shut as her gentle hands caressed your face, brushed away the tears that were now flowing like a waterfall. Your own hands found their way to her waist and you held on for dear life. With a wobbly voice that was barely above a whisper, you gasped her name again, “Wanda…”

You felt the warm touch of her forehead pressing against yours, her nose ungracefully bumping against your cheek as she held you. “[Y/N]?”

Hearing your name on her tongue sent you into a fit of sobbing laughter, though you weren’t sure why. Goosebumps erupted across your skin and you felt the stuttering of a billion bird’s wings in your stomach, pounding against your ribcage. You had so many things you wanted to say and yet you could remember a single word, so you merely fell into a bumbling chant of “My Wanda, my Wanda, my Wanda, my Wanda…” Your eyes stayed squeezed shut for fear that if you opened them, she would no longer be there.

Wanda’s lips brushed against your eyelids and then your cheeks, not quite leaving kisses but a warm, tingly feeling nonetheless. A smile was there, you could feel the curve of it as her mouth traveled from your temple to your hairline, but it was one of the same sadness that you’d seen in her eyes. She mumbled against your scarred forehead, “Oh, [Y/N], what happened to you…?”

You finally opened your eyes—luckily, she didn’t vanish into thin air once you did—and finally met her gaze again. You moved your hands to cover hers that still held your face and pressed them harder against your cheeks, as if you could imprint her fingerprints into your skin.

After a moment of just silently basking in her presence, you sighed softly and replied, “I don’t know.”

Pain further etched itself into the lines of Wanda’s face; you quickly reached out to smooth them out with your fingertips.

“You don’t remember anything?”

“Not much,” you replied. Then you smiled. “I know you. All I know for sure is you.”

Wanda looked like she was on the verge of bursting into tears herself but she swallowed her sobs instead. She adjusted her position and sat back slightly, scrubbed her hands over her eyes and looked around at your surroundings. She glanced at the paper she’d once been holding but now sat in the grass next to her before her gaze settled back on you. Sadness shifted into determination as she took your face her hands once more.

“I’m going to get you out of here, [Y/N],” she said, “I promise I’m going to save you.”

You went to nod but the sound of something flying overhead caught your attention, then a flash of yellow light over Wanda’s shoulder.

A powerful jerk in your stomach seemed to control your entire body, forcing your head and body upward. Then you were standing on the sidewalk on the outskirts of a neighborhood with a maze of twisted houses and picket fences behind you. You were no longer trapped inside your own head, watching or reliving memories, but standing mid-step in the Westview that was bubbled by a Hex of modern Wanda’s own creation.

Vision was flying through the air nearby and approaching fast.

Your powers seemed to move one step ahead of your mind; before you finished the thought, one of the fun mirror houses was turned into a staircase that led to nowhere in the sky. As you turned and began racing up them, you waved your arms in Vision’s direction and hollered, “Hey! Toaster oven!”

Vision was clearly on a mission home but you managed to catch his attention before he flew too far past you. He rounded back around and met you at the top of your stairs. He quickly surveyed your immediate surroundings, taking in the bizarre scenery before casting a concerned look your way. “What in the world is going on here?”

“Uh, well,” you paused and took a glance around yourself, then rambled off, “I just spent a nondescript amount of time trapped in a mental live-action remake of my past and I’m pretty sure Agnes is not Agnes but some unpleasant, magic-y person who kidnapped our kids and now is trying to get�� something, I’m not sure what, from Wanda. Also, I think she might have a crush on me and I’m pretty sure she caused the carnival set-up next to us.”

Vision blinked. “Well, that’s… a lot.”

You hummed your agreement and nodded. Then you held out your arms to him. “Shall we?”

Vision eyed you from your place on a freshly mutated staircase then snorted softly as he gathered you into his arms, bridal style. “Surely there must be a way for you to travel with those powers of yours.”

“There is,” you affirmed, “but this is probably faster and I should probably keep my strength to save our kids and your wife. Oh, by the way.”

Vision gave you a questioning him as he prepared for flight. You wrapped your hands around his neck and brought your lips to his in an quick kiss. When you pulled away, you met his curious gaze and said, “I’m so happy to have met you.”

Vision’s expression grew warmer and returned your kiss with a softer one of his own. He briefly nuzzled his forehead against yours before pulling away.

“I’m glad to have met you too,” he said softly. Then he shifted his gaze to look past you, towards home, and he said, “Now, let’s go get our family.”

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darkdevasofdestruction · 5 years ago

Text

Take My Hand ~ Lucifer x Reader

For so many, even those who know him, Lucifer is an enigmatic riddle that will never be solved. A question with no answer. A blank, white puzzle. He keeps his stoic facade at all times, overworks himself on anything Diavolo gives him, and if he runs out of work, he finds more, from somewhere that nobody, even the young Prince, has no idea.

He’s always so strict and proper, dresses royal and there is seemingly no imperfection to him. Hell, even Asmo, the most narcissistic brother, is not-so-secretly jealous of his beauty and dominant and mysterious aura that engulfs him, that makes him even more enticing than one could think.

So what is the mysterious of this overly strict Fallen, the one that God loved the most, the one that led the Rebellion of the Celestial War aeons ago, actually hiding? What emotions is he so desperately trying to hide behind those sharp, ruby eyes of him that read into you like infrared?

What kind of fragility is trying to hide being that frozen block that became his heart that aches and burns harder than the Sun itself?

Perhaps that is something that only someone with a fresh perspective shall witness, someone who walks around like a ghost, unnoticeable, yet her eyes are wide and attentive, that can peer right into the depths of anyone’s soul.

They are complete opposites, and yet, they are more alike than anyone could even begin to realise - That is, if they are so adamant to be ignorant, as they’ve always been.

Apart from Solomon, not one, but two other humans were brought into Devildom, and that is because fate made it so that Lucifer chose a girl that had a sister.

A twin sister.

So of course, you cannot separate twins, so Diavolo was okay with bringing both of them, thinking it would be reminiscent of the 6th and 7th brothers, especially for their personalities are like light and day, like the Sun and the Moon, both of them beautiful, yet completely different.

And that was quickly made obvious once they arrived, for the brothers quickly swamped all over the younger sister, since she was a lovable, social butterfly, an extroverted free soul who loves to fool around and bend the rules to breaking point.

The older sister, however, was an introvert of few words, yet all of them were meaningful. She was incredibly diligent and hard-working, studying since the first day in RAD, she was much too busy to even bother going out of her way to break the rules, and had to do everything in her power to get her sister out of trouble, including doing her homework, to avoid detention.

The eldest brother, the most attentive, was quick to realise that all the brothers were attracted to the sunshine like moths to the fire that they didn’t even bother approaching the zircon wrapped in a velvet handkerchief.

He was, however, completely drawn to her...Or maybe it was the mystery surrounding her that he was interested in? He read once, in a human book, that the most intriguing is the journey, not the destination, yet he couldn’t help but wonder if it was similar to going to one’s soul.

Y/N’s soul was pure, it was bright, it was beautiful and tempting, which went in complete anti-thesis with the facade she pulled for everyone - And just like twins are, like Yin and Yang, she was truly the complete opposite of her bright sister that held a dark soul.

But days began to rapidly pass by, and with each day, countless of problematic events happened, that made Lucifer, and not only him, pissed off beyond belief, at the younger sister, and the older one was forced to bare the consequences and solve the problem..

These continuous occurrences started eroding her soul, bit by bit, darkening it, overshadowing her light, and it was beginning to concern the raven haired man, for, in the end, it was still his job to make sure the humans are okay and comfortable in Diavolo’s Kingdom.

Exams were coming along, and Lucifer could see Y/N was beginning to become much paler and less talkative. He didn’t see her as often outside of the classroom, and even to meals that they would always share together...And he began to worry.

He knows very well that humans are very frail, weak and sensitive creatures, that constantly needed to be taken care of, and he knew very well that she wouldn’t have much until she’d collapse.

“Does anyone have a pen, please? All of mine have been completely used up, and I need to urgently finish an assignment.”

Speak of the devil, Lucifer thought, as his D.D.D.’s notification sound popped on his study desk, where he, himself, was also working on his own assignments, and he chuckled at the coincidence, and pondered over if he should tease her a bit, to provoke her, or not.

Something that Lucifer always loved was to push someone’s boundaries...Not some pushover like Mammon, clearly, but strong, dominating people, much like Satan, much like himself. He wanted to see how far can he push someone until they get angry, until they lose their composure, until they show their true face, until their facade crumbles, and they are no longer the self they show to everyone.

It’s satisfying seeing others step on their pride...

Since he would never do that, clearly. He isn’t the Avatar of Pride for nothing.

Asmo: Nope! I only have my personalised, engraved pen, and I can’t give it to everyone! Beel: Sorry, I accidentally ate all my pens while trying to write my homework. Belphie is sleeping. Levi: I don’t have pens, I write everything on my laptop. Satan: I always misplace mine. I only have the one I keep in my notebook. Mammon: Lol, you’re doing homework? Hah, what a dork! Sorry, I ain’t using Goldie to buy pens! Why not ask your sister? Anyka: You bought 10 pens barely 2 weeks ago, how the hell did you even finish them? Y/N: I have a lot to do. Do you have any spare pens? Anyka: Lol nope x Ask Lucifer or idk Barbatos??

The opportunity is shining, so...Should he start provoking her? Or would that break her even more? This should certainly be interesting... And if anything happens, he always knows when to put a stop to this charade. “I have a spare fountain pen, if it would do.” he sent her a DM, waiting for an answer. “Perfect. Are you in your study, or your bedroom?” she sent an immediate answer, which made him smirk. “Study. If you beg me nicely, I can also give you the ink for it.” he was playing with fire, and damn, was it exhilarating. “You...Want me to...Beg? For a pen and ink? To do my assignments? I don’t think Diavolo would be pleased to hear that.” she typed after an obvious few moments of hesitation. “Sometimes compromises must be made in order to achieve your goal. You are aware, I am sure, that if you do not finish your homework for tomorrow, you will receive detention.” this was getting very interesting, and he couldn’t wait to see what her next step would be. “Fine. I will ask Barbatos then. Thanks for the offer. Have a pleasant night.” she cut him off with clear acid in her words, which made Lucifer chuckle in satisfaction.

She was though, and entertaining. What an adorable little lamb.

And it was true, she asked Barbatos, who told her that he couldn’t go over to the House of Lamentation, for he has to take care of Diavolo, and he refused to allow her to leave the dorms without someone by her side to make sure no stray demon attacks her.

That was a true bummer.

So...She had to step on her pride to get a stupid pen to finish her assignments. It wasn’t even homework, but she still had hours of work she had to do. It was barely midnight, she couldn’t even attempt to go sleep now.

Going to sleep means obvious overthinking, which means lack of sleep, so better be productive and work, then destroy yourself more than you already are, doing nothing, while staring and cursing the ceiling.

Y/N sighed, breaking the pen in two out of anger, and wobbly got out of her study chair, making a bee line to Lucifer’s study and knocking on the door, waiting to hear the approval word to enter the room. She barely opened the door, walking in front of the seated form of Lucifer, who held his spare fountain pen almost mockingly in front of her.

He was watching her like a hawk, every movement analysed as if under a microscope, almost as if he was carefully searching for any flaw or mistake she would make. However, he could see she wasn’t well. She was sleep deprived, her complexion was much paler than normal, she had dark bags under her eyes...And her posture was slouched, almost sloppy. Lucifer knew she has always been a diligent person, so the homework couldn’t possibly be long overdue. She would have done it in the day it was given. So...What was the urgency? Could it be that...She was...Just like him?

“I’m not sure how I’m supposed to beg for a pen, but, Lucifer, may I please borrow your pen? I promise to return it to you tomorrow, buy a new ink, to your preference, as soon as classes are over and I can go to proper shopping.” her voice was tired, just like her mind and body. She held no emotions in her words. It was almost as if she was intentionally damaging herself to make up for-

Oh.

Perhaps she wasn’t as different from him as he thought she was, and now, at least, he can better understand why she was deteriorating as fast as she was.

“You can keep it, I don’t mind. However, as the head of the student council, and the one who has to overlook this exchange program, I would have to advise you to take better care of yourself and rest, instead of overworking yourself.” Lucifer told her, with a less condescending voice, only to receive a sarcastic scoff, which confused him. “Tell me that when you’re going to follow your own advice.” and she left.

A chuckle escaped his mouth as soon as the door was closed, and for the first time in ages, he actually went to bed early...For his standards. He had to be very attentive of this one, however...She was much more interesting than he believed.

And the first thing he saw in the morning, as he stepped in the classroom, he saw Y/N handing a file to her sister - A file with all the homework for the whole week, that is - And now he could understand why she was overworked. She was going about life in all the wrong ways...Not that he should be one to talk. He knows his own faults, but admitting them to another is a complete different matter.

But things were going to take a horrid turn for the worst, beginning with Diavolo calling everyone for the Student Council meeting, only to announce that the exchange students were going to have a lowered pass/fail line anymore, but will have to work and achieve the demons’ standards and rise to the challenge given.

“If you’re going to control a demon’s powers, you need to have a proper understanding of them and how they should be used.” Diavolo said, which made him realise that the twins, somehow, managed to make pacts with all of the brothers...All of them, sans one. That one being himself, of course. “Hey, whoa, that’s a bit sudden, don’t you think? Exams are just around the corner!” Anyka protested, obviously shocked. “RAD exams are surprisingly tough.” Belphie nodded in agreement. “I’m sure both of you are going to do great, especially if you’ve studied a little bit throughout the semester.” Diavolo smiled, as usual, and the older twin mimicked no emotion on her face. “But...! But I haven’t! I had fun with the brothers all this time...What am I gonna do?! Y/N, say something!” the younger twin shook her sister, waking her up from her trance. “Hmm...? What should I say? He’s right.” she shrugged, not bothering to look at anyone. “I’ve already considered that, and I have a plan. Satan, you are going to be tutoring Y/N and Anyka up until the day of exams.” Lucifer dumped the responsibility on the blond brother, who was barely able to say anything from the shock of being put on the spot. “Oh, that’s perfect! Thank you soooo much, Satan! You’re the best!” Anyka jumped on the 4th born, who chuckled awkwardly. “Thanks, but I can do this by myself. If this was all, then I’m going to see you during the exams. Bye.” she gave a brief peace sign, before leaving to her room, no doubt continuing her studying.

Obviously, Lucifer knew she had it in the bag if she focused. She’s a smart girl, she won’t have any problem...If she stays healthy, that is. There was something about her that made him want to approach her, to hold her face, to look her in the eyes and tell her to stop doing this to herself. There was something about her innocence and heart that made him want to protect her at all cost, even if that meant protecting her from herself. He pondered offering to tutor her, but what could he even tutor her about, when she clearly knows everything there needs to be learnt about the exams?

He wanted to kiss her hands and reassure her that everything will be okay, and he wanted to hold her tight and help her fall asleep without having running thoughts through her head all the time.

But he can’t do that, can he? If he were to approach her, she’d run away, like a scared little baby fawn trying to find her mama, while being chased off by a hunter. He had to be gentle with her, delicate, to lure her into a sense of security and safety...A warm haven by his side...

But can he really manage to do that, when he’s supposed to be the Big Bad Scary Wolf who punishes everyone and doesn’t allow happiness in the dorms, as per so gracefully described by his lovely brothers?

The first day of the exams came much faster than Y/N realised - She had no idea how time flew by so fast, it felt like she just blinked and bam, exam days - So here she was, drinking her 3rd coffee for the morning while writing her answers for the exam.

Caladrius Blood was the third ingredient for that famous ancient elixir that required Powdered unicorn hood and bittergrass root, for the Magical Potions exam from that morning...

A forest, what covered the surface of Devildom shortly after it came into existence, the answer for the History exam from the afternoon...And a three-legged crow being the relief sculpture at the entrance to the Devildom royal tomb...

Yes, these were all incredibly easy questions, she had no problem, clearly. And that was the same for the 2nd day, with the hexes and curses... And then came the practical exam...Seductive Speechcraft test.

She looked around the classroom with a frown, knowing she had to pair up with someone, but all the brothers were crowding around her sister, and she could only sigh, looking down with her arms crossed, not knowing what to do.

“Would you like to pair up with me, Y/N?” Lucifer’s voice rang soothingly in her ear, making her turn around, her eyebrow raised in confusion. “You...Want to pair up...With me?” she asked in a slow, unsure voice, which made him smile and nod. “Yes, is something wrong with that?” he bent down slightly, getting closer to her face. “No, of course not. I was just...Surprised that anyone wanted to pair up with me. Anyway, we should get started.” she nodded, looking away from him and guiding him to a more secluded part of the classroom. “You have to be the one doing the seducing. I am really curious how you are going to proceed. Could you, perhaps, be...Scared?” with his infamous smirk, he looked smugly at how her otherwise unfaltering facade began to break slightly. “No...It’s just...If I knew I was going to be the one doing the seducing, I would have put on some make up this morning, so I wouldn’t look like I just woke up from death after being buried for 100 years...No, make that 1000 years.” she corrected herself after taking a quick look at her reflection on her D.D.D. “I can assure you, your appearance, for us, demons, won’t change a thing. It’s the words and gestures that matter.” he let out a soft chuckle, watching her nod in acknowledgement. “Okay, if you say so, then I will have to believe you. Can you promise me that you won’t attempt to kill me...Again...No matter what I say or do? Trust me, I want top grades, and I’m going to do anything in my power to snatch them.” her voice now was much firmer, and it sounded clearer, more confident. It was clear that her pride and ambition were on the line, and he wanted to see how she was going to seduce him. He could feel electricity running through his veins from the excitement. “Yes, of course. I won’t do anything to you. In fact, I will be the human, and you will be the demon. You have all the power now. Amaze me, Y/N.” he watched her turn to the side slightly, as if preparing her A-Game face - He was expecting her to try out an impersonation of a succubus, since they were plenty in Devildom, but what she did...Was beyond Lucifer’s power of comprehension.

Her eyes held a glimmer of innocence and pity, her soul somehow seemed to glow with purity and light, just like it was when she first arrived. Her demeanour wasn’t assertive, confident and mysterious, but held a tint of submissiveness and glowing affection, as if she wanted to touch him, but she was too afraid to approach a deity.

He thought that, as he gazed with interest at the girl in front of him, only to be shocked completely by how sweetly alluring her voice could sound, and he almost felt the need to have her cup his face so he could melt into her warm, soothing caress.

“Lucifer...Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Have you noticed how your health is starting to decline? I know you are a demon, and a few hours cut off your usual sleeping schedule won’t mean much for you, but you are exhausted, Lucifer. I hate seeing you like that...Overworking yourself...Finding more work to get piled under, even if you’ve already finished your assignments. I worry about you, and your health...But more...I worry about the reasons for your overworking. I know you’re trying so hard to keep away all the intrusive thoughts that keep plaguing your mind...You think that working to exhaustion is going to keep your mind busy, so you’ll sleep without having to overthink.” hearing those words, Lucifer truly wondered if she had veela or succubus genes in her family, or if her tongue was laced with the sweetest poison there is. She slowly approach him, gingerly holding both of his hands, looking down, imitating a timid kitten, and guiding him to the nearest chair behind him, so she could be at his height...Just a little above, creating the perfect angle to change from a submissive expression, to a more dominating, seductive gaze.

“You’re always so concerned about your brothers, wanting to make sure everything goes perfectly, to the plans that you create, because if things go out of control, you are afraid they will have to suffer...Just like it happened when you led the Rebellion. You still feel guilty for what happened. You are afraid that they regret following you...And so, you are purposely hurting yourself...And this self-inflicted pain became your own sense of comfort and defense. You are afraid that, if somehow, you indulge in your pleasure and the pain disappears, things are going to go out of control completely. You are afraid of the unknown and what it could bring...But trust me, Lucifer...I promise you...They love you. They love you, just as much as you love them. They don’t regret following you. You are a family, and they are happy and content staying together, all 7 of you, together. You deserve to be happy too, Lucifer. You deserve to allow yourself a day off from all this mess, and indulge in your pleasures.” she was so close to him, whispering in his ear, then crouching down, holding his hands, keeping them together and kissing them softly, sending shivers down his spine...But more, he froze completely on the spot. He was shocked...His mind was almost completely blank...Because...How could she possibly know all of this? How can she speak like that? She’s just a human...So...How...? Surely, his brothers had no idea, so how could she, a mere human who came by less than an year ago, understand and know him so well? His heart was beating fast, and it was in pain. It was expecting...It was conflicting everything he ever stood for. A day off? A day for himself? A day of self-care? A day...With her...?

“Won’t you allow me to take away the pain, just for the night? Allow yourself to feel something else other than pain and misery. Allow yourself to be happy. To feel emotional pleasure. Allow yourself to be yourself again, only for a night, because Lucifer, you are not a robot, or a machine, you are not programmed, wired, or running or petrol or gasoline. You have a beautiful heart that feels so much, but you are afraid of the myriad of unknown emotions that are desperately trying to burst out and scream at you to let loose...Because you can. You showed me that you are capable of letting loose, when we were stuck in Levi’s game. Do you remember, Lucifer? We were up on the roof, you had your hair in my lap, and I stroked it gently...You were smiling so beautifully...So carefree...Because you had no worries on your mind or heart. You were yourself. And you were happy.” she put her forehead to his, speaking softly, barely above a whisper, but despite her tone, her words spoke loudly, strongly, into his heart, making it pump faster and faster, energy shooting through his every nerve, vein, artery and capillary...His mind was completely captivated, and his heart was captured. Without even realising, his lips were parted and his eyes were wide from the shock, imagining himself in this utopic paradise that she created merely with her words.

“All you have to do is take my hand and follow me. It’s simple. You can do it, Lucifer. Let yourself feel. Let yourself be...What do you say?” she was perfect. She didn’t break her act for not even a split second. The sparkle in her eyes was there from the beginning to the end, and he could feel her fast-beating heart - It was regular for her, as she had the heart rate of a rabbit - It almost seemed natural for her to persuade and sweet-talk anyone like that. Without even realising it himself, he took her hand, looking at her eyes with an expression of wonder, awe and complete fascination...Until she gave him a devilish smirk, and her eyes started glinting with mischief, which made him frown slightly in confusion.

“I won.” was the last thing she said to him before pulling away from him completely, retorting to her bland and pained, exhausted demeanour. “If I made even Lucifer look at me with glazed eyes and made him take my hand, to take him to some dreamland oasis, then I’m sure I deserve the highest mark in the class.” she chuckled with a deadpan expression on her face, not looking at him. “How...Did you do that?” he asked in a low voice, almost not believing what just happend. “Oh, that was possibly the easiest thing I’ve ever done in a long while. You see...I hold great pride in being incredibly intuitive, perceptive, detail-oriented and being able to properly read people...And their hearts. If I had Asmo, I would have told him that he has an amazing personality, and he’s not just all-looks. If it was Mammon, I’d have showered him with praises. If it was Beel, I would have played the family, Lilith and guilt card...And the list goes on. If you, however, are asking how I managed to say all the right words to you...Well...It’s a bit different...And personal.” she spoke, looking at the teacher with a half-smirk as she was given the highest mark, and rightfully so. “What could be so personal that you managed to speak to me as if you are some ancient demon who has been luring people for aeons with her sweet words laced with acid?” he stood up, looking down at her with a stern expression, yet his mind and heart were fighting a war of conflict. “...I told you everything I would have liked someone to tell me all this time.” the raven haired man could see sadness clouding her face, before leaving to her room.

That was a true experience for Lucifer, he couldn’t deny that to himself, and more, for the whole day, no matter how much he tried to work - Her words kept haunting him, and as soon as he picked up the pen, he immediately thought back at the exam and threw it back on the desk.

He tried taking a hot bath, tried listening to that TSL soundtrack, but she was the one to give it to her, after she spent a fortune on Akuzon for his birthday present, but of course, he thought back at her, and he had to stop the music altogether.

Everything he did, he was reminded of those words that held the flavour of the Poison Apples he eats so often, and it was driving him insane. He could feel his brain overheating, and the pressure on his chest was so great that he wanted to dig his nails into his chest and rip apart the flesh, take out the heart and stomp on his heart, because he couldn’t take it anymore. He was a demon, and he was a heavy sinner - He NEEDED to grab her hand and escape the horror of reality. He needed to feel that he wasn’t bound by space, nor time, a body or a brain - He needed to be just one soul, bound to another, to feel no more pain, no more reality - Only euphoria, content, happiness, pleasure.

He couldn’t believe he was so willing to give in to his desires, and it was only because of her. It was HER fault. And yet, her last words before her departure from the classroom kept echoing constantly -

“I told you everything I would have liked someone to tell me all this time.”

He was right all along.

She truly was like him. She was the only one who could properly understand him, and likewise, he was the only one who could take her pain away. Maybe it was his guardian-complex, having to constantly look after someone, needing to be useful to someone... He needed her, as much as she needed him... Because, unlike him, she could easily waste away, as she is nothing more than a human resembling the first Snowdrop in Spring. He could resist until the end of this world, just as he has done until now, but she couldn’t.

The endless train of thoughts was interrupted by yet another knock on his door, that proved to be the same person that plagued his mind - The little lamb walked into the wolf’s den, almost as if summoned, out of her own accord.

To bring him back his fountain pen, along with the promised high-quality ink...It made him chuckle at how adorable and thoughtful she was being, without realising.

“...You are troubled by something. Do you...Want to talk about it...Or should I leave you alone? I did say some pretty heavy words today, I understand if you wouldn’t want to stay in the same room as me for a while.” she gingerly put the items on his study, not looking up at him. “How come you never looked me in the eyes until then?” he asked, looking at her from the office chair. “I...Was never able to look anyone in the eyes, in my life. Now even my sister or my mother. It makes me start panicking...I get intimidated and scared...So I look away. I forced myself to behave the way I was supposed to, but it was the last thing from comfortable. Don’t take it personal.” she chuckled awkwardly, stepping back. “I was surprised that your words had such an impact that I was ready to follow you...But would you follow me? Would you be able to do the very thing that you told me just today? Would you be willing to strip away that facade of yours, take care of yourself, and allow your heart to feel again?” he asked, stepping slowly in front of her, almost resembling a predator prowling to its prey. “...I don’t want to break down and cry, because if I do...Things will only go downhill, very fast and very hard. I’m...Usually on a downward spiral, but when the wave hits...It takes a long time to swim back to the surface...And I’m sure for how many more times will I have the strength to move and breathe.” she muttered, shuffling on her feet, and Lucifer could understand very well. He could see how frail she has become, and it was all because her brain was working against her so heavily, for whatever reason that was eroding her so badly. “If you promise to stay by my side, I will be here to hold your hand and pull you out of the stormy tides. I will walk next to you for your whole journey, until you get tired of me. You just have to take my hand and let yourself be...Let yourself feel. Let out all the pent up emotions, then smile at me, because you have a beautiful smile, and I haven’t seen it in ages. I know you are afraid...It is frightening walking alone, in the dark, with so many monsters around you, ready to gnaw and maul at you...By I will be there, waiting for you, guiding you with a flashlight, ready to hold and protect you...So...What will you do, Y/N? Do you seek salvation and happiness, or are you ready to give up on yourself and want to succumb to the bottomless pit of the abyssal ocean you were thrown into.” he mimicked the way she talked, the way she moved, the way she articulated her words, as he took his gloves off, touching her face and softly caressing it, bending slightly to peer into her eyes.

He could see that she was afraid - She was beginning to tremble, her eyes were glossy, brimming with tears, her bottom lip was quivering and the conflict of good and evil was obvious inside of her - Her hands were in the air, ready, but not entirely, to grab his hands...

“All you have to do is take my hand and follow me. It’s simple. You can do it, Y/N. Let yourself feel. Let yourself be...What do you say?” he mimicked her own words, wanting to see if it would be enough of a push for her

Choosing was truly a mortifying experience, but she was strong, he knew that - And that was made obvious when her shoulders finally started shaking, her breath becoming ragged....

And she threw her arms around his torso, letting rivers and rivers of tears fall down her already exhausted face. Her body was so small compared to his, so small...And so cold, in his warm arms...He couldn’t help but hold her tighter, stroking her hair soothingly, putting a kiss on the top of her head.

“Please take care of me, I don’t know how much longer I can do this. I-I don’t want to leech off of you...I’ve always been everyone’s therapist...And I know how much it sucks...B-But you’re the only one who ever bothered to show me any kindness and understanding. Please, Lucifer, don’t let me drown...I’m so tired of swimming...I can’t go on.” her sobs were so pitiful and broken that it shattered his heart and resolve, and all he could do was guide her to the bed, knowing she was too weak to sit up for too long, and started rocking her gently, as he would do with his brothers long ago, in the Celestial Realm, whenever they were upset or had a nightmare.

“Don’t worry, Y/N, I’m here, and I’m not going away until you tell me to. You won’t drown...You grabbed the lifeline the second you took my hand, and I’m going to make sure you keep floating above the sheen of the water and have no problem breathing.” he reassured her, knowing very well how hopeless it feels being in that situation...But now they could at least cling onto each other for help, support, love brightness.

“How...? How did you know everything...?” she asked, clutching on his shirt, almost as if the harder she pulled, the better the chances of survival. “Because the very words you told me are what you needed to hear the most.”

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gingerbreadart1 · 4 years ago

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Really loving the latest artwork and lore! You are so creative! Can't wait to see what's next! No rush though, I know the good stuff takes time.

Oh my gosh thank you!!!!! I'm having a bit of a writer's block when it comes to the actual story, so I've been kinda messing around and doing research about different things. Idk if it's obvious yet, but I'm a huge nerd. I especially love science and sci-fi(duh) as well as biology! I actually wanted to be a doctor with some kind of focus on congenital disorders when I was a kid. Weird kid, I know. Anyway, I love thinking about lore and nerdy shit, so I'm gonna take this opportunity to do just that! Beware under the cut is a very long essay about space, civilizations, rambles, and math. Lots of math.

So, I have no idea where I want to start, but I know what I want to talk about so I'm gonna pick something and roll with it. First thing's first, the Kardashev scale.

Because this isn't an English class and I don't have to re-word shit, I'm gonna copy and paste from wikipedia for this one: "The Kardashev scale is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy it is able to use. The measure was proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964." Cool? Cool.

So yeah, basically it's an easy way to say how advanced a civilization is, and it's broken up into three types.

A Type I civilization, also called a planetary civilization—can use and store all of the energy available on its planet.

A Type II civilization, also called a stellar civilization—can use and control energy at the scale of its planetary system.

A Type III civilization, also called a galactic civilization—can control energy at the scale of its entire host galaxy.

Just to give you a grasp of what that means relative to us, humans are estimated to be a type 0.73 civilization. We're expected to get to type 1 in a few hundred years or so. Here's where math comes in. Note: I hate, and am not good at math. So, take all of this with a grain of salt.

So, a Type 1 civ. is usually defined as one that can harness all the energy that falls on a planet from its parent star (for Earth–Sun system, this value is close to 1.74×10^17 watts), which is about four orders of magnitude higher than the amount presently attained on Earth, with energy consumption at ≈2×10^13 watts.

Before I go any further, I want to ramble a bit about their star

For my own personal headcanon that the Irken planet is slightly dimmer than earth, I'm gonna make the Irken star a K0 type star. For reference, the sun is a G2V star, meaning it's a yellow dwarf. A K0 star is kind of inbetween red dwarfs and yellow dwarfs. Quick explanation on the letter-number thing, (as best as I understand it, disclaimer I am not an expert) The letter is the classification of a star based on heat and luminosity, going O, B, A, F, G, K, M, L. O being the brightest and hottest (and largest typically) and L being the opposite. The number is size. A higer positive number means a smaller star. A G2 yellow dwarf is smaller than a G-3 yellow dwarf.

Make sense? God I hope so. Anyway, I picked a K0 star for a couple reasons.

They live longer. Our sun has a lifespan of about 10 billion years, but a K type star has a lifespan of 18-34 billion years. Because of this some scientists think they're a prime place to look for life because of their long stability.

They emit less ultraviolet radiation, which can damage DNA, making the developement of life less likely to be hindered by this star

They're 3-4 times more common that G type stars, so it's literally more likely that the irken sun is a K type anyway

They're dimmer and cooler (but not by much) than G type, which fits into my own personal HC about a dimmer sun.

ANYWAY now to get back into the first topic, the Kardashev scale. The irken sun has a temperature of 5,240° Kelvin (8,900° F/4970° C), a radius of .85 (367,445 m/591,345km), a mass of .78 (3.42^30lbs/1.551^30kg), and a luminosity of .40 or 1.531^26 watts.

Compare all this to our sun (Temp of 5,780°K, radius 1, mass 1, and luminosity of 1, being 3.827^26 watts), basically the Irken sun is smaller and less powerful.

Back to the Kardashev scale. Modern day earth is .73, right? I imagine that Irkens are somewhere in the high 1's, like 1.7. The reason I'm not placing them in two is because I don't headcanon that they've built a dyson sphere or a matrioshka brain.

For those who don't know, a Dyson sphere is a hypothetical megastructure that completely encompasses a star and captures a large percentage of its power output. These bad boys are imagined to look kindof like this

Cool as hell right? Also not something I think Irkens would be focused on. they're more about outward and conquering expansion rather than efficiant energy consumption and useage.

With that in mind, I'm going to say on the civilization range Kardashev scale Irkens are 2.000279. The reason for that tiny decimal amount is because a level 2 civ is one that has full control over their solar system, and a level 3 is one that has full control over their galaxy.

Galaxies are huge. Really huge. The Milky Way galaxy (In W&C Irkens are in the Milky Way as well) is on the smaller side, but it still has 100 billion stars, and 100-400 billion planets. Of those planets, an estimated 300 million to 50 billion may contain life, but most people stick it down at the low end of 300 million. So I'm going to use that number as well.

To figure out where they are on the scale, I have to figure out how large the Irken Empire actually is, so I looked at some other fictional empires.

In Star Wars, there are 1.5 million planets under the galactic empire, and an additional 60 million colonies (which can be as small as a space station or something idk)

But in Star Trek, there are only 150 planets in the federation.

In Dune, it's the whole Universe.

So there's a lot of variation here. Personally, I think under a thousand planets is a good number for a rapidly growing Empire that has unrealistic visions of grandeur, so I placed the amount of planets under their control to be 837 and called it a day.

Thus, 2.000279 on the scale.

Now with that number I'm gonna assign Irk a year. Physicist Michio Kaku suggested that it will take a few thousand years for humans to reach type two status, so I'm going to use that as a starting point to work on.

One might tack on a few thousand years to 2021 and call it a day, but I can't do that because the Gregorian calendar is religion based, and irkens probably don't have Jesus so it would be weird to base make a year for them based off of the Gregorian calendar. So instead I'm going to use the Holocene calendar. If you haven't heard of it, you're missing out! It's a very cool calendar that respresents and encompasses all of human history, and it's a very simple change: It adds 10,000 years to the current calendar, so for example, it is the year 12,021 on the holocene calendar. Cool right? The reason for this 10,000 year addition is 12,000 years ago is right around the time humans actually started settiling and building structures and beginning to farm. Thus, the birth of human civilization.

So I'm gonna be unrealistic and apply that 12,000 year first farm -> cell phone period to Irkens, and then tack on... idk let's say 2700 years. Cool beans, now we have a 15,700 year old Irken calendar. Except, 15,700 human years isn't equal to 15,700 Irken years. They're different planets, with different rotations, so they have different years. I have a previous post where I mention some basic statistics about the planet, go check it out! But for here, know that an irken year is 1.3 times longer than an earth year, so their calendar is actually going to be in the year 20,410 in the same amount of time. Let's say it's 20,417 just for funsies.

Hip hip hooray, Irk has a calendar! A year! Woohoo!

And with that, this post is long enough so I'm gonna end it here, but I plan on making a subsequent post that deals with evolution, speciation, and whatnot so stay tuned!

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writingmyheartsout · 5 years ago

Text

I’ll be good..(..for all of the times that I never could)

Another fluff December story...this one is sweet and a bit sad...and long (for my own standards). Although the length, it’s an easy read like the rest of the series...i just get wordy sometimes..

An au where Dogma doesn’t get to prison and gets reassigned to the Coruscant Guards.

There may be errors but @plexflexico said it was good so i trust her <3

warnings: sadness, light mention of war, tears

pairing: Dogma x reader

words: almost 2k (so the full story is under the cut)

prompt: standing/sitting quietly together

so anyway, Dogma never had a tag number canonically, so for the sake of the story i made it up.

Flashbacks in italic

As soon as the news was made public, the first thing Dogma thought was to see you, to hold you, to be soothed just like you were able to do... so, as soon as it was possible, he left his station, in spite of orders, and ran, ran through the narrow streets of Coruscant, past all the different levels of the city until he found himself in front of your door, but he didn't have time to even knock that you opened the door.

There were no words, you just stared at each other for a moment and the second after he hugged you there on the doorstep, holding you against him as if he was afraid you might disappear at any minute, burying his face in the crook of your neck and finally breaking into tears. He felt overwhelmed, by everyone and everything, and being in your arms right now was the only happy place he could think of wanting to be. Celebrations would surely follow but none of those mattered to him now, he just craved silence and warmth after all the chaos he had suffered.

When you two first met it was purely by accident, he was on his way to his reassignment to the Coruscant Guards after the whole mess that was Umbara and you were there to make a complaint. In fact, right after the last sweep on the lower levels, your diner had suffered some serious property damage and you were looking for a solution, even if it meant going up to the ground level and pestering some troopers.

Both of you were in the lounge area, you had just done yelling at some young boy whose armor wasn't quite red enough yet, who assured you that one of the Commanders would come down to talk to you and that he was sorry for the whole thing, he was just waiting to be received by Commander Fox himself, with his new armor as pristine and white as the first time he was off Kamino.

"What did you do?" you asked as soon as you entered the room, bored and tired of wasting any more time.

"Excuse me?" he answered in confusion, barely turning his head to look at you and trying to figure out if he had seen you somewhere before.

"I mean, did you break any laws or ... code that all you guys have?" you repeated, not entirely interested in what he might have to say, you were just looking for something to help pass the time.

"They're called regulations" he pointed out in annoyance..." and I don't think it's any of your business why I'm here" he added then, with a visible frown on his face.

"Alright...okay" you gave up, raising your hands in mock surrender "...it was just a question".

He didn't answer you further, due to the fact that another soldier showed up right after, his armor red from head to toe, who called him into his office.

"CT-5390, Dogma..come with me, I already have your new assignment," he instructed authoritatively, he had his helmet tucked under his arm but he still instilled fear.

Then he turned to you briefly, looking you dead in the eyes.

"I heard about your complaint, I'll let you know that Commander Stone will be here in a minute" and with that, he turned around and left.

Dogma, in response, quickly stood up and followed him but not before looking briefly in your direction and politely saying...

"good day, ma'am" followed by a slight nod of his head.

"Are you okay?" you asked him moments later.

He was still in your arms, hugging you as much as he could, refusing to let go of you and he didn't care how tired he might feel, he needed to feel whole again.

"No..." he cried, another sob slipping from him.

"What else can I do to make you feel better?" you pressed again.

" Just hold me... I don't need anything else right now..." he answered quietly, his words slightly muffled by your shirt.

"Okay... but you might catch a cold out here..." you stated.... " get inside, come sit on the couch at least."

"Okay..." he replied, pulling slightly away from you.

He was tired, you could see it on his face, but there was also some kind of relief underneath, a renewed hope that hopefully would turn into a new beginning with him.

Once he was settled on your couch, you remained up in front of him, arms around his neck, watching him softly.

"So tell me, what exactly happened?"

The second time you saw him, he was out patrolling your level with a new squad of troopers, nothing much just overall security, considering that all the main battalions had been sent off to war and two of the Commanders were unavailable, there wasn't much else to do.

You were late for your shift, the second time this week, by this point you already knew that your friend and business partner was going to be very pissed.

It was just a week since you had reopened and things still weren't going so well.

As you tried to send a message while picking up your pace, you didn't notice what was in front of you and soon ran into a hard surface that turned out to be a trooper's armor

"oof...sorry" you quickly apologized..." I didn't see where I was going...I was in a rush"

"Don't worry, ma'am...are you okay?" the trooper in front of you promptly said, taking off his helmet quickly.

"Yeah...I guess," you started to say...but once you got a better look at him, you realized...

"Dogma?..." it slipped out of your mouth even before you could stop yourself, however when you saw his confused expression you added...." I... sorry, I'm good at memorizing names, I remember them very quickly and you probably don't remember me either...".

For the first time in your life, under his curious gaze, you were feeling slightly self-conscious.

"I... I have to say I feel like I know you..." he stuttered out at first, only to regain his composure shortly after"... I'm sorry, I'm still on duty, ma'am... we have to finish our shift for today..." he then said putting his helmet back on.

"Well, yeah sure... I have to get going too anyway, but if you... or the others are tired later, come by my diner, you can't miss it, it's the only one with the bright green sign with a snake on it..." you offered, addressing them all but with your attention still on Dogma, only to run off afterward.

After that he stood there for several seconds more, watching you leave, still baffled that anyone could even remember his name...

That very same night, after they finished their shift, the entire squad came over to your diner and although Dogma was still a little hesitant to let himself go, you still were able to get him to relax a bit.

He heartily smiled at your question...

So much had happened since you'd last seen each other, he'd been gone for weeks and everything had changed in a matter of seconds.

"Where do I start?..." he said.

"Wherever you want... anything you want to tell me," you just told him ... "I'm here to listen, Dogma...like I always do."

Oh, how he had missed you, your patience, the way you talked to him, the way you actually listened no matter what he had to said and the love you had for him that he felt like he didn't always deserve.

"The war is over... but you already know that," he stated.... "it seems like it's always been an inside job," eventually adding more, trying to better explain.

You just nodded to his words, giving him the time to process all the things he had been through.

" Alright, are you okay? And how is everyone else?..." you tried for more, without overstressing him.

"I...I'm fine, I guess," he admitted, wrapping his arms around you again and placing his head on your stomach..." as for the others... I actually don't know, I just...I just heard that all battalions had been ordered to return."

"...and that's good...now, what do you need?" you again asked .... "what can I do for you?"

"I just want to sleep...and keep hugging you, please" he mumbled, eventually calming down.

His pure confession made you chuckle at how honest and lovely it was but watching him relax in your arms made your heart a little tighter.

After that, you met again, rather by chance.

It was at the Guard's general offices, the time he was stationed there handling paperwork and you were there with yet another complaint. What had happened was pretty simple, one of your suppliers was blocked just off the planet and had been denied landing, making your job a lot slower and almost impossible. So the best solution you could think of was going straight to the source and asking what was going on.

When you arrived, there was no one around and the offices were mostly empty except for one, so you tried your luck and went to see if anyone could help you out and fix this mess...

"Hi, is there someone I can ask about a complaint?..." you inquired, peeking into the room.

"Nature of the problem? ..." the trooper replied, visibly annoyed...

"Security...I think..." you began to explain and as you quickly stepped inside... "one of my suppliers has been denied access to the planet, I would like to know why" you continued, asking the man in front of you, although his attention was still on the report in front of him.

"Suspected smuggling most likely...but it could be worse" he vaguely stated.... " freighter model and cargo description?" he then added further still without ever looking up.

"A VCX-100, an old model actually, and it was just my monthly supply of Meiloorun juice and Corellian beer" you pointed out...". Roj is not a smuggler, I've known him since he was a little boy" you replied a little more vehemently, putting both hands on the desk and getting closer to the trooper.

"Now, take a good look at me, and help me sort out this little problem... partly because I don't want any more hassle with you."

"Listen, ma'am..." he began, lifting his head and finally looking at you.... going speechless for a brief moment.

It was you once again, and even though he was dead tired... he felt strangely happy to see you.

"Oh..." you yelped, taken aback to see that it was Dogma "...sorry...".

"No, please...I'm...I was just really tired..." he quickly apologized.... "please, take a seat and tell me again about what happened."

Despite the initial rough start, your problem was quickly solved and on that same day, you also learned how, the trooper called Dogma, was indeed nice and quite talkative, despite an initial wariness. You left the office a few hours later with a smile on your face, but not before leaving him your personal contact…

Days passed after that night, many others after the day that changed all, things around you were now beginning to shift and improve for the better.

When others only saw a traitor once, someone who wasn’t worthy enough love and attention, you saw a man who loved too much and ended up broken, a man who needed directions and assurance, not just orders and rules, a man who now was free from everything that used to hold him back and ready to live once again.

For this personal fluff December i wanted to do more, but time and real life is not by my side...so that means that there will be just another one (i have to choose who..) Unfortunately i don’t cope very well with stress so i usually write small...

Anyway, hope you like it :)

reblogs, comments or just generals interactions are welcome :)

#star wars the clone wars #star wars #current fandom: star wars the clone wars #dogma x reader #dogma needs more love #dogma is underrated #i love him very much your honor #clone wars fanfics #star wars fanfiction #star wars writing #writemyheartsout's writing

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sleepybutwriting · 5 years ago

Text

I’ll Take Care Of You | Dabi x Reader

_____

Pairing: Dabi x Reader

Summary: Yandere Dabi saves you

Request: “ ahh i love your Troublesome ♡♡! Thank you for continuing it!! i'd love to see Dabi more yandere ♡ - Anonymous”

Note: I hope this is okay! I was stuck on a little bit of a writer's block, and I wasn’t sure if you wanted soft yandere Dabi or not, but I figured if you liked troublesome, then soft was the way to go, so I just went with it. I hope you like it, and I’m sorry it’s short.

_____

Deku was stressing out. Poor broccoli boy was in a panic because he had gotten assigned the night shift on Friday, the same night he had scheduled a date. “This will be the third time I’ve canceled. They’ll think I’m avoiding them.” He groaned while facepalming his head into his hands.

“Why don’t you switch with me? I have the morning shift that day, so you could finish up by the evening, and make it home in time to get ready for your date.” You offered.

“I can’t do that to you Y/N. It’s Friday night.” Deku was always way too considerate. Even when you guys were in high school he didn’t hesitate to put his own well being on the line if it meant helping someone, and even now, that didn’t change. You knew he needed a break, and as much as he wanted to downplay it, you also knew that this date was important to him. So you really didn’t mind.

“Trust me. You’re not keeping me from anyone.” You laughed, hoping it would convince him.

“I thought you were talking to that guy for a bit.” He questioned, “You seemed really into him.”

“Yeah, I was.” You sighed, “But he just kind of disappeared. Out of the blue, he just stopped returning all of my texts and calls, so I got the hint.”

“Oh...I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s this job. Being a pro hero doesn’t really allow for a social life. Which is all the more reason for you to go on this date. Who knows when you’ll get another chance.”

He looked over at you, realizing the truth in your statement. You were right. If he didn’t go on this date now, who knows when he’d make the time for another one. “You sure you don’t mind?” He questioned, one last time.

“Of course not.” You agreed, without a second thought, but now looking back on it you really wished you had never offered in the first place. Maybe that would have saved you all the trouble that was to follow.

Villan activity always spiked at night. This was nothing new. But tonight it was even busier than usual. You and your partner for the night, some newbie, had to split up because they let one of the villains you were after escape.

You knew you should’ve stayed together, but they had run off before you could argue with them. Leaving you to look on your own.

You asked around, and a few pedestrians pointed out the general area he was headed, and it only took the process of elimination to figure out where he was hiding. You found him in some abandoned building, and surprise surprise, he wasn’t alone. He had at least ten other people with him.

‘This was exactly why I didn’t want to split up,’ you thought to yourself.

You tried to fight them one on one, but they charged you all at once, quickly knocking you to the ground, and then continuously kicking you as you tried to ball yourself up to minimize damage to your head and stomach.

You were starting to lose consciousness when a large blue flame erupted from behind you, quickly and effectively eliminating everyone in the room other than you.

“I was going to slip myself into your life naturally, but it looks like I’ll have to speed things up. Since you can’t seem to keep yourself out of trouble… but don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” He whispered as you fell unconscious.

You groaned in pain as you used every ounce of your strength to open your eyes. But even with your eyes open, you could still barely see anything in the dim room. You tried to get up but every bone in your body ached for you to remain laying down. Still, you fought against the pain and forced yourself to get up with a loud groan.

“I wouldn't do that. You need to rest,” a deep voice echoed through the room. It was rough, yet somehow familiar. You couldn't tell where it was coming from. Until an arm reached out, gently forcing you back onto the bed. Letting you know whoever this was, was laying right beside you.

“Where am I?” you managed to croak out, as your eyes grew heavier.

“Somewhere safe,” he mumbled pulling you closer, but careful as not to hurt you.

“Who are you?” You tried to question, but he only shushed you in response.

“Sleep, its too soon for you to be up.”

Despite all the questions racing in your mind. You found yourself slowly drifting off to sleep eventually allowing yourself to be completely submerged by it.

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oddcoupler222 · 5 years ago

Note

Do you have any book recs like yours and w. epic love scenes like yours?

I appreciate anything I’ve written being called epic in any way :)

I don’t really know if I could accurately compare any books I’ve read to my own but I do have some book recs that I adore! I’ll give you my top ten lesfics for some variety

- Behind the Green Curtain by Riley LaShea (my ultimate fave romance)

When Caton’s sleazy boss offers her a position as his wife’s personal assistant, she accepts the job with reservations, certain Jack Halston has ulterior motives. After meeting Jack’s wife Amelia, though, it’s Caton’s motivations that begin to unravel. As vicious as she is beautiful, Amelia threatens Caton’s position and her sense of decorum. As the attraction between the two women spirals into a torrid affair, Caton is drawn deeper into Jack and Amelia’s world of privilege and prestige, where everything is at stake and nothing is what it seems.

- All That Matters by Susan X Meagher

Life is going damned well for Blair Spencer. She's a very successful real estate agent, happily married to a man who encourages her to live the independent life she loves; and they're actively working to have a baby. The wrench in the works is that Blair favors adoption, while her husband David desperately wants to have a biological child. The fates are against them, and they finally seek the help of a group of reproductive specialists. One of the doctors, a surgeon named Kylie Mackenzie, eventually becomes a good friend to Blair. And she needs all of the friends she can get when things start to go horribly wrong at home. As her marriage teeters on the brink of collapse, she relies more and more on Kylie's friendship. Kylie's happily gay; Blair's happily straight. But the way they structure their relationship leads friends and family to privately question whether the pair is setting themselves up for heartache. They eventually come to a crossroads, which could either destroy their friendship or turn it into what each of them has been seeking. The question is whether each woman can change her view of herself and her needs. The answer is all that matters.

- Alone by EJ Noyes

Half a million dollars will be Celeste Thorne’s reward for spending four years of her life in total isolation. No faces. No voices. No way to leave.

Since Celeste has never really worried about being alone, the generous paycheck she’ll receive for her participation in the solitary psychological experiment seems like easy money.

When she finds an injured hiker in the woods bordering her living compound, her strictly governed world is thrown into disarray. But even as she struggles with the morality of breaking the rules of the experiment, Celeste can’t deny her growing attraction to the kind and enigmatic Olivia Soldano. Still, how much can you really trust a stranger? And how much can you trust yourself when you know all the faces you’ve seen and voices you’ve heard for the past three years have only been your imagination?

But what’s real? Celeste’s reality may lie somewhere between the absolute truth and a carefully constructed deception. (the concept of this is just INcredible. and the execution as well - perfect)

- The Goodmans by Clare Ashton

The lovely doctor Abby Hart lives in her dream cottage in the quintessential English border town of Ludbury, home to the Goodmans. Maggie Goodman, all fire and passion, is like another mother to her, amiable Richard a rock and 60s-child Celia is the grandmother she never had. But Abby has a secret. Best friend Jude Goodman is the love of her life, and very, very straight. Even if Jude had ever given a woman a second glance, there’d also be the small problem of Maggie – she would definitely not approve. But secrets have a habit of sneaking out, and Abby’s not the only one with something to hide. Life is just about to get very interesting for the Goodmans. Things are not what they used to be, but could they be even better? (there are not one but TWO perfectly written romances intertwined in this *chef kiss*)

- Pretending in Paradise by M Ullrich

When travelwisdom.com assigns PR specialist Caroline Beckett and travel blogger Emma Morgan to cover a hot new couples retreat, they're forced to fake a relationship to secure a reservation. Ten days in paradise would be a dream assignment, if only they'd stop arguing long enough to enjoy it. Reputations are Caroline's business. Too bad she was forced out of her previous job when an ex smeared hers all over the office grapevine. She's never getting involved with a coworker again, especially not one as careless and unprofessional as Emma. Emma knows that life is too short to play by the rules. But when she goes too far and a defamation lawsuit puts her job in jeopardy, she has to make nice with Caroline, the image police, and deliver the best story of her career.

Only pretending to be in love sure feels a whole lot like falling in love. When their story goes public, ambition and privacy collide, and their chance at making a fake relationship real might just be collateral damage. (there’s just SOMETHING about this that is super freaking cute)

- The Brutal Truth by Lee Winter

Australian crime reporter Maddie Grey is out of her depth in New York, miserable, and secretly drawn to her powerful, twice-married, media mogul boss, Elena Bartell, who eats failing newspapers for breakfast. As work takes them to Australia, Maddie is goaded into a brief, seemingly harmless bet with her enigmatic boss—where they have to tell the complete truth to each other. It backfires catastrophically.

A lesbian romance about the lies we tell ourselves.

- The Red Files by Lee Winter (kudos to her for being the only author that makes it to this list with two separate books)

Ambitious Daily Sentinel journalist Lauren King is chafing on LA’s vapid social circuit, reporting on glamorous A-list parties while sparring with her rival—the formidable, icy Catherine Ayers. Ayers is an ex-Washington political correspondent who suffered a humiliating fall from grace, and her acerbic, vicious tongue keeps everyone at bay. Everyone, that is, except knockabout Iowa girl King, who is undaunted, unimpressed and gives as good as she gets. One night a curious story unfolds before their eyes: One business launch, 34 prostitutes and a pallet of missing pink champagne. Can the warring pair work together to unravel an incredible story? This is a lesbian fiction with more than a few mysterious twists. (as someone who is usually pretty bored by any plot other than the romance, I actually enjoyed this mystery)

- Tricky Wisdom/Tricky Chances by Camryn Eyde

(for tricky wisdom) Darcy Wright is a closeted lesbian who has been infatuated with her best friend, Taylor, since junior high. Leaving her small northeast Minnesota town for Harvard in a quest to become a doctor, she moves in with med-student Olivia Boyd, a neurotic, anal, gigantic pain in the backside. The first year of juggling medical school is grueling, but it’s nothing compared to living with Olivia.

Coming out to her friends and family with an anti-climactic flop, Darcy uses her newly publicized sexuality to try and win Taylor’s affections through an ill-hatched scheme that crosses uncomfortable lines. The result is as unexpected to Darcy as Darcy’s affinity for medicine is to Olivia.

The first year of medical school is a nerve-wracking encounter in medicine, learning lessons the hard way, and finding what her heart desires.

Tricky Chances is the sequel to Wisdom, but it’s the only lesfic sequel that i truly felt added to the first one and was just as gripping! Plus, the first book is only 48k words so the followup is perfect to come right after

- Who’d Have Thought by G Benson

Top neurosurgeon Samantha Thomson needs to get married fast and is tightlipped as to why. And with over $200,000 on offer to tie the knot, no questions asked, cash-strapped ER nurse Hayden Pérez isn’t about to demand answers.

The deal is only for a year of marriage, but Hayden’s going into it knowing it will be a nightmare. Sam is complicated, rude, kind of cold, and someone Hayden barely tolerates at work, let alone wants to marry. The hardest part is that Hayden has to convince everyone around them that they’re madly in love and that racing down the aisle together is all they’ve ever wanted. What could possibly go wrong? (this book comes in 9th because i don’t love it QUITE as much as i do all the others, but it was the one that got me into lesfic so! it’s good stuff)

And in a guest pick from the only other voracious lesfic reader i know, @debbie-eagan -

Beautiful Dreamer by Melissa Brayden -

Philadelphia real estate broker Devyn Winters is at the peak of her career, closing multimillion-dollar deals and relishing it. She’s pretty much blocked out her formative years in Dreamer’s Bay, where the most exciting thing to happen was the twice a year bake sale. Unfortunately, a distress call hauls her back home and away from the life she’s constructed. Now the question is just how long until she can leave again? And when did boring Elizabeth Draper get so beautiful?

Elizabeth Draper loves people, free time, and a good cup of coffee in the warm sunlight. In the quaint town of Dreamer’s Bay, she’s the only employee of On the Spot, an odd jobs company. She remembers Devyn Winters as shallow in high school, but now everything about Devyn makes her lose focus. Though her brain knows Devyn is only home temporarily, her heart didn’t seem to get the memo (I’m personally not a huge Brayden fan but a lot of other lesfic readers are so I reached out for a second opinion on this matter)

I hope you enjoy!

#lesfic #book recs

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afictionaladventure16 · 6 years ago

Text

Remember Me (Bucky Barnes x Natasha Romanoff x Daughter!Reader)

Chapter 9

Remember Me Masterlist

Previously on Remember Me...

Warnings: mentions of abuse.

Word Count: 1,759

Walking into your small room in the apartment you shared with Roger, you sat down on the soft bed. Wincing at the softness, it was not something you were used to, you had begun to grow accustomed to it before you were sent back to base. Now it just feels as if you were starting all over again. Having to learn how to love a soft bed, a warm meal, and a routine that didn’t include torture.

You looked at your hands, you allowed the light blue glow to form from your hands, it made your hands feel warm. The power you were forced to learn how to control within the span of two weeks. Electrokinesis. You feared what your powers were capable of, you still didn’t know the full potential of their abilities. Every time you went into training back in the Hydra base you were surprised with a new ability your powers had. One of them being, the ability to have electrical sparks form from your hands. But all that mattered to Zemo was that you could control it, so he could get you back out here to continue on with his plan.

“Knock knock.” You looked over at your door to see Roger giving you a concerned expression before clearing his throat. “You ready for practice?”

You glanced back over to your hands, the glow was no longer there, it happened whenever you had gotten spooked. “I don’t think I should go,” you softly said, your eyes still focused on your hands, where the light blue glow was coming from.

“You kind of have to, hon.” You gave Roger a glance for the term of endearment he had just given you, unsure if he was just playing a role or if he actually meant it. “We’re already behind, you can’t miss another session.” Roger let out a soft sigh. “Plus, I already informed your instructor that you would be attending today.”

“You did?” You asked.

Roger gave you a small nod. “Be ready in ten minutes?”

You let out a sigh, knowing now that you had no choice. You never have had a choice. “Yeah.” Roger smiled at you before leaving you to your privacy.

You did not want to go to your training, mostly because you were afraid that you would forget to control your powers and hurt Bucky. Bucky. You still could not figure out why he seemed so familiar to you. Natasha as well. There is something about them that you just can’t put your finger on it.

You knew them from somewhere.

“Hey, kid!” Bucky exclaimed as he saw you walk into the building. “Is it safe?” You gave him a confused expression as he slowly walked closer to you. Your heart quickened, your mind raced around your thoughts. Did he figure you out? “Is it safe to be around you or are you still contagious with that bug?” You quickly understood what he was talking about, you burst in a fit of laughter.

“I’m not contagious, I can assure you that.”

Bucky smiled, playfully scruffing up your hair. “I know, plus, I’m a super soldier, remember? I can’t get sick.” You rolled your eyes at Bucky as you followed him to the training room. “Sure did miss you while you were gone though.”

“Wow, we’ve only been training for what? A month? And you already miss me when I’m gone for two weeks?” You teased.

Bucky chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, let’s get on with our training shall we?” You chuckled as he tried to play it off. “Let’s start with some stretches as always.”

“Alright, stretches!” You cleared your throat before looking over at Bucky, “How do you do those again?”

Bucky laughed but it soon disappeared when he saw you standing there with a serious look, “You can’t be serious.”

You chuckled. “I’m just messing with you!” Bucky let out a relieved sigh as he led you both into some stretches to begin your training for the day.

Bucky was examining your stance, he gently fixed your fists and adjusted the way your feet were facing. “I’m starting to think that you did forget what I taught you,” he said softly.

You rolled your eyes. “Just a little rusty ‘s all.” Bucky turned around, his back facing you. You glanced at your fists, worried that the glow will start. Letting out a deep breath, you shook the thoughts away. “Control,” you whispered to yourself.

“Hm?” Bucky hummed as he turned back around to face you.

“N-nothing,” you gave him a small smile.

Bucky raised his eyebrows at you before standing in front of you, he lifted his palms. “Let’s test those punches shall we?”

You smirked. “You sure about this, Barnes?”

The sound of your voice, the tone, the texture of your talk, it was all Natasha. That’s what Bucky thought. You sounded and acted just like Natasha and it reminded him of what could’ve been. “Maybe you should use a glove?” Your voice brought him back to reality.

Bucky cleared his throat, shaking the thought out of his head before letting out a small chuckle. “I’m sure, J.J.”

“You asked for it,” you whispered before throwing a couple of good punches to Bucky palms. Bucky eyes widen at your sudden burst of energy, quickly defending himself.

“Alright!” Bucky exclaimed as he placed his palms down, shaking them out. “You sure you need classes for self-defense?”

“I told you to use a glove,” you said. Bucky grumbled to himself as he walked over to his water bottle that was placed at the edge of the mat, taking a small swig before setting it back down.

“You remind me of someone,” he said softly. He walked back over to you. “We’re going to try the heel palm strike,” he stated as he began to fix your stance. “This move is typically used to damage the nose and throat and in order to do so you’re going to need to get in front of your attacker, in this case, me, as much as possible.” Bucky cleared his throat, “alright, I want you to flex your wrist with your dominant hand.” he began to demonstrate.

“Who do I remind you of?” You asked as you did what Bucky asked you to do.

“Now I want you to aim for my nose,” Bucky said as gestured for you to move your hand forward. You moved your hand forward, barely touching Bucky’s nose before recoiling it back quickly. “Perfect recoil!” Bucky exclaimed. He let out a sigh, “you remind me of Nat.” He looked over to the door where he could see Natasha teaching her some students.

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No, not at all… if anything you remind me more of our daughter,” Bucky whispered.

“D-daughter?” You were surprised by this, of course, you have asked him if they had children but you just assumed they didn’t. Bucky gave you a small nod. You could tell by the vibe within the house that you shouldn’t ask any more questions. You let out a soft sigh, glancing towards the other room. You took notice of one of the older students, the way his stance was perfect. You could immediately tell he was holding back on his punches in order not to hurt the other students he was training with. “Do you think you could teach me some of those elbows strikes Nat is teaching those kids out there?” Bucky perked up at your request. “They seem pretty cool.”

Bucky chuckled. “Sure, kiddo.”

“Z is on the phone,” Roger said as soon as you walked into the apartment.

“Well, hello to you too.” You placed your keys on the counter.

“He doesn’t sound too happy.”

“Neither do you,” You walked over to the burner phone that Roger had placed on the coffee table. You turned off the mute button and placed the phone to your ear. “Zemo.”

“I hope your class session was a success today.”

“It was.” You glanced over at Roger, his eyes diverted to the windows that outlooked the city. “Is that why you’re calling?”

“No, I’m calling because I’m hoping you could give me a name.”

“A name?” Your heart began to race, how could he be asking for a name so soon? You hadn’t even met any of the other students? You were still trying to catch up, especially with the setback.

“Of a student from the class,” Zemo finished.

You gulped. “I don’t know any names, just faces. It’s my first day back-”

“No need to worry, I have a list of photos of the students, I’ll be sending it over to Roger and you just pick the photo and send it to me.”

“Y-yes, sir.” Zemo didn’t say anything else. You closed the phone and handed it to Roger. Roger stayed quiet as he walked over to the kitchen counter with the burner phone in hand. He grabbed the hammer that was in a drawer and used it to smash the phone. “I need to see your laptop.”

“Of course you do,” Roger mumbled.

“Something wrong?” You asked. You watched as Roger discarded the remains of the phone, he remained quiet as he placed his palms on the kitchen counter and took a deep breath. The thoughts that roamed Rogers's mind were killing him. He couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t risk telling you the information he had, he still didn’t trust you enough. He cares for you, that is obvious, but your mind is still so fragile. Roger was unsure of your position, unsure if you would believe him.

What would he do if he were to tell you? Runaway? No. Roger knew that was even riskier. Zemo was smarter than he was before.

“Is it the mission?” You quietly asked.

Roger sighed. “I’m just…” He looked over at you, your piercing blue eyes that looked so much like your fathers. It pained him to think about the parents that were only blocks away, missing their daughter, while she stood in front of him. Without a clue as to who her parents were.

“Just?” You repeat, tilting your head slightly to the side.

He let out a deep breath before giving you a small smile. “Just stressed about my next mission that Zemo just assigned to me.”

You gave him a small nod. “Zemo sure is eager to move onto the next mission.”

Roger nodded. “He sure is,” Roger cleared his throat. “Let me go get you that laptop,” he said. Roger then left the room, ache in his heart, you believed every word that came out of his mouth. That’s how much damage you’ve endured.

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currentfandomkick · 5 years ago

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Miraculous Team and the Batboys- Bustier is now on Damian’s Shitlist

So, here’s the lastest in this. i’d feel bad, but Marinette’s response happened and she needs to respond how she’s gonna.

SOME progress on daminette on Damian’s end (like miniscule) while Marinette is... you’ll see

Marinette… was on edge. It was all clear the last two days, which meant either Hawkmoth was really busy as a civilian, for focusing a lot on the next akuma. Adrien was still upset that she contacted Felix to ensure he got away from Gabriel, despite the fact that Felix was more or less for it once she framed it as a revenge scheme.

Tikki was a bit worried about that, mumbling something about needing to get Marinette retested with the miraculous once Hawkmoth was defeated. Something about potential and compatibility? She was doing physics homework and that took a while.

Damian was being… nice? Not that he isn’t nice per say, just, he seems like the closed off type, and he was focusing on Marinette a lot today and asking her questions about what kinds of things she likes to do with design (personal is her preference, but she knows she can’t go full-on personal stylist for anyone. She needs to mix it up more than that). But also things like which clubs she was in—he did seem more interested in the art club when he found out she’d be there. Maybe he just didn’t like trying new things alone, and just, decided Marinette was a good choice as a temporary safety blanket, or something. (No going down the other options. Not after Adrien became the Just a Friend meme).

Somehow, don’t ask her how, Miss Bustier decided that since Damian was ‘opening up’ to Marinette the most, that she just had to skip her advanced acrobatics lessons for the week—even cancelled without consulting Marinette!

Damian was definitely picking up on her bad mood, and for some reason—she thinks he’s trying to help? Maybe?

“My friend said that pictures like this are amusing.” Became his side comment in every lesson, with some quick sketch of Lila digging a deeper hole each time with a few of her more infamous lies of the day—including one that just said “name drop. Oops!”

If she almost died during Literature on that one, Miss Bustier pretended not to notice.

Adiren and Nino were definitely shooting her looks, and she could feel the girls in class waiting fro a chance to grill her on what was going on.

Then PE came around, and Marinette made her way with the rest of the class.

“So…” Alix began. “I see the new kid can be funny.”

Marinette nodded absently at that. “Well, yeah, I guess.” He was mostly serious, it was hard to tell if this was opening up or him trying to calm her down. Maybe both?

“And he was definitely showing you things all class,” Alya added with a grin.

“Just a few sketches, his to share before any of you get any ideas.” Marinette knew with this group she had to put up rules and reminders pre-emptively. She hadn’t forgotten the traffic laws they broke in operation rose garden…

“No, none at all,” Alya was definitely hiding something.

“Just,” Rose was bouncing at her side. “Are you sure he doesn’t like you!”

Marinette paused, blinked slowly, then shook her head. “I doubt it. I’m just the person he has the most contact with in class, that’s all.”

“Oh…” Rose deflated.

Juleka patted Rose’s back while giving Marinette a Juleka classic of ‘I feel like you’re missing the obvious answer’ and Marinette was definitely not going to go down that road. (Not even think about it until that was an option he explicitly states he wants to pursue. Especially since he’ll only be here for a semester, and it took months to get over her crush on Adrien last year.)

“Its just…” Mylene spoke with her hands, moving one out, then the other before moving them closer together. "Maybe?"

Marinette felt ice in veins. “I, ha, good one girls, well, time for class bye!” Marinette sprinted out of there to see D’Argencourt talking to Damian and looking over the boys. Only Ivan and Nino took self-defense still on the boy’s end—Kim was exempt due to his various sports, Max was allowed out of it do to potential damage to his hands as a programmer, robotics engineer, and gamer. He and Nathaniel trained with Kim and some of their track team instead for PE. Adrien was in fencing so he took an online class practicing his business skills instead.

Ivan was slow to act but his hits met their mark and it took a lot for him to take damage. Nino was quicker and more defensive, so they were paired together to force Ivan to move faster and Nino to attack more.

That meant Damian, was the odd one out until D’Argencourt could figure out his style and level... unless—

“Miss Dupain-Cheng, good to see the Chardins have returned you at last.”

“Only for the week M. D’Argencourt,” Marinette reminded him. She knew he still wanted her to test out fencing but she also knew she was much better a yo-yo and hand-to-hand. And she had Maman and Papa to train her in a few forms of that if she ever wanted.

“Yes, yes. Now, I would like you to do a practice spar with M. Greyson, am I understood?”

“Yes D’Argencourt.”

“And if he can keep up, feel free to escalate. You are quite good at keeping your partners on their toes, it would be a disservice if you don’t now.”

Marinette took a deep breath and counted until she lost some of the tension in her shoulders. Once she was done stretching, she checked on Damian. He was almost done.

“Ready when you are Damian.”

Damian paused at his desk mate being his opponent. He may not know her history with this, but he knew he’d have to hold back substantially more than he did with Greyson or Drake. She didn’t even know how to block lethal moves, let alone how to read them.

Then they began.

He let her get the first shot, but she was slow. It was a very easy block. He made sure to keep his strikes light.

Then she a bit…quicker. A bit more force, and she was dodging in a way he thought only Greyson did? Apparently ducking forward and shifting into a kick position was more common than he thought.

He was still holding back—he wouldn’t cause serious damage over a simple spar. Especially to a civilian. But she was definitely well trained.

He might admit it was fun trying to guess where she’d strike, how she’s dodge, trying to figure out what was going on in her mind. Her patterns were a little like Drake’s—always short with force, but she gave herself plenty of room to move away and escape.

Her style was clearly to disorient, unlike his family.

It was all going well and good until something interrupted.

“Where is that slacker Marinette!”

Damian grabbed her hand while the thing—akuma—looked around. He managed to get her adecent way away before she shoved him in a closet. Him!

“Stay here, if I’m the target I can get him somewhere there are less people.”

“That’s dangerous!” Wreck less, she’d get herself killed. Even if one of the heroes reversed the damage, there was no way that reviving her wouldn’t come at some cost.

“Sorry Damian, but you’re staying here.Chat Noir and Ladybug will know what to do!” She threw the door closed and locked it.

“Ah, there’s my purrincess, causing trouble again I see?” Damian ground his teeth. The incompetent cat was here.

“Do you ever take a day off from causing toruble?” Queen Bee asked.

“Chat, Queen Bee—I can explain.”

“Later.” The cat’s voice didn’t sound right. “For now, we’ll just need to get you somewhere safe while we wait for Ladybug’s plan.”

Damian wanted to scream at that. Were they incapable of planning without their leader—risking citizens’ safety to wait for one hero!

He messaged this to his brothers while Marinette was taken away. This—this wasn’t how heroes are supposed to act.

Marinette decided she hated Bustier’s brand of ‘fix-it’ once more. The past three years it meant let Lila do whatever she wants, and before it was Chloe in her brat phase.

Marinette made sure to transform once Chat was gone and knew he’d be visiting her that night. Which meant tabling her end-Gabriel plot for now… unless she went to the group review. Adrien wouldn’t confront her over it in front of others, and she’d catch up on her assignments. And bonus Alix for design ideas and history tutor in one!

Marinette made her way back to the school, using a different route to make sure Adrien didn’t put it together quite yet. Soon—once he connected with kwami besides the ones he transformed with—then she could tell him. Guardian apprentices were expected to know identities, wielders were not.

Once she made it to the school, she noted that the akuma just made you do complex acrobatic and gymnastic routines… similar to the ones she was given.

“Now, once I find that slacker Marinette, my show will be complete!”

She… she didn’t even know at this point. But she did know she was far from a slacker, and that once Chat put together her identity… there would be mother henning then on both sides of the mask from him… and possibly Chloe. She does follow his lead as a civilian, and she would trust his judgment of her health better than her own.

Marinette was ready to dive in—noting that Chat was keeping the man on his toes like they’d practiced—when her yo-yo went off.

It was Red Robin

“Not the time.”

“Does your team know how to plan without you?”

Marinette was thrown by that as… “Without the Lucky Charm, they don’t like going in unless we have more backup.”

Red Robin nodded at that, analyzing until…

“Would you mind if we helped them learn to strategize without your Lucky Charm as the crux? You’ve done so before but I don’t see a record of them doing so without you.”

Marinette didn’t know how to respond to that. It was always her job to do the thinking.

“Talk another time, I have to figure out this one’s attack patterns.”

“There is a live feed, he seems to have forty-second interval before he can send off a blast.”

Marinette glanced back at him for a moment.

“Thanks?”

“Where are you slacker Marinette!”

“I gotta go.” Marinette ended the call, watching him blast a chair. Which now balanced on two legs… What was Hawkmoth thinking with these akuma lately?

Marinette landed on the roof in sight of Chat. A quick gesture and he knew what she meant. Bee was quick to follow, falling back and luring the akuma away from the school into one of the now vacant streets.

Once the pair had the akuma out of the school, Marinette cast her Lucky Charm.

“A twirling ribbon?”

She looked around, noting that the akuma’s breast pocked was off. target: the item in his pocket.

Marinette could feel Tikki trying to tell her something as her Lucky Vision bled red on her target, herself the ribbon and her partners—oh. Oh.

She wanted a medal for managing to get Chloe and Adrien—Queen Bee and Chat Noir or not—to pretend they were hit. AND for passing off the ribbon to Chloe during the blast without being noticed in bright red spots in broad daylight.

Chat was a very, very useful akuma distraction.

Queen Bee managed to tie up the akuma with the ribbon while Chat Cataclysmed the jacket and tore what was in it—a picture of some old circus with a man and woman on trapeze with a boy flipping in the air between them.

Marinette managed to cast the cure and got Chat and Queen Bee to talk to the victim this time—she was too drained to hear about her failures as a civilian.

“Monsieur, are you alright?”

While Chardin recounted his tale, Marinette left before her transformation ended, giving Tikki a cookie and making it look like she was wandering back from where Chat dropped her off before.

“M. Chardin?”

The man huffed at her when she approached, the heroes long gone and her classmates peeking out.

“Mademoiselle Marinette, I see you are unharmed.” She could feel his judgement and wanted the world to swallow her up.

“I, yes. Sorry about the lesson change…” She wasn’t allowed to contradict Miss Bustier out in the open. Her akumatazation was one of the worst to fight. (Always alone on those.)

“I see.”

“Marinette!” She flinched at that, seeing Bustier head over.

Chardin apparently caught her movement. His was looking between them quickly.

“I told you to inform your instructor that you would not be attending for the rest of the week.”

Marinette tried to keep it together here. Remembering to ground herself like Master Fu and M. Chardin taught her the last two years.

“You only told me just before classes began.” She didn’t point out the lack of consultation. Or the whole, assume she’d be okay with it.

“Marinette.” There was that tone. The one that still made her want to sink into the floor. “We’ve been over this…”

Chardin moved in front of her. “Madame, my students know they have to give a three day notice, something you clearly did not give her.”

Marinette stayed where she was, trying to breathe right. (Count in hamsters to slow it down and relax your muscles.)

“Marinette knows she has to set a good example for the class as a leader, and she already stepped down from doing her role proper.”

Marinette did flinch at that. (She’s not doing things wrong, she’s doing what she can. Boundaries, Master Fu told her over and over again. She needed boundaries and to enforce them.)

She didn’t know when her classmates appeared, but Alya was in her face, telling her mirror her breathing. Shit. She was spiraling again.

Lila was saying something off to the side—probably insulting her or putting her down again.

Someone else was there, but she didn’t know who. Something about moving her somewhere safe?

She was in the bakery next, customers downstairs. Something about knowing how to pick locks from the not-Alya beside them.

“I don’t want to know, just get her in there.”

The second she was behind the counter things stopped moving as fast. The drink station was… grounding. Lavender, Chamomile, Lemon balm and green. She let the steep while working on Alya’s usual—mocha with extra foam and whip cream, sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

Alya took the drink without question, nodding as Marinette continued to move about, checking on her own drink (three more to steep before being drinkable) and looking over at the other person.

Somehow it was Damian. She wasn’t even going to question it. Turkish coffee.

“How much sugar?”

“Half a tea spoon.”

Marinette nodded, adding that and a bit of cardamom into the cezve and stirring it on heat for a minute. She let it brew while pouring her tea. She glanced over at the pastries before giving Damian a savory cheese croissant and Alya a piece of calfoutis. She took a small peach flaugnarde for herself. Once the Turkish coffee had sat long enough, Marinette gave it to him and joined them.

A few of her classmates had come in by then, while her parents and the customers shot them quick looks only to be waved off by Alya or scared off by Damian… who was glaring for her now? She didn’t notice she took Zombie’s (now expected) seat until the man walked in and saw the trio there, and moved to another spot. She had a feeling he was listening in….

Alya was the one to break the silence while they ate. “Talk now or train-ride deal?”

Marinette bit her lip. “Train ride on Friday, I have plans for the weekend that I don’t want to change.”

“Okay, sure we can’t go sooner?”

Marinette did the calculations in her head. The session with Fu can be moved back until after she unloads, and dealing with Felix after that… she was hoping Sabrina or Chole would step up for her there. Maybe Nino—no wait. He probably was going to hear about her attack and convince the other two to handle it until Tuesday.

“Yeah, just, today is catchup on classwork.”

“No deadlines with your current commissions coming up?” Damian was the one to ask that.

Marinette shook her head. She cleared that for the next four weeks already.

“I’m good until next month.”

Alya nodded. “Good.”

Marinette fidgeted then.

“Say, Damian,” Alya turned to the boy. “Think you’ll make the study session tonight?”

He looked over at Marinette for a second. “I can check, one moment.”

Damian opened his phone only to see that drake sent him two texts: ‘How do you know Coffee Angel?’ and ‘Never mind, I heard something about studying. You’re going.’

Damian almost scowled. Almost. He had a feeling it wouldn’t help the biggest potential akuma threat… and he didn’t like the thought upsetting her witnessing the display a moment ago.

Little regard for her safety. Some kind of anxiety disorder and likely low self-image or esteem. Extremely observant, not bad in a fight, highly competent, organized and somewhat attrac—

He flushed a bit.

“I will be there. If you wouldn’t mind, would you show me the way Miss Dupain Cheng?”

The girl nodded, still a bit fidgety.

He kept an eye on her during their classes, and scowled Bustier anytime she moved to corner Marinette in class or between. If a simple, “I believe she’s showing me to our next class.” was all it took to get the woman to back off, he’d say it.

Preventing a potential akuma was more important…

And if it meant her shoulders dropped and there was a small smile aimed at him well… he is not above caring for those in various types of situations that are not the best for their well-being.

And if that meant dealing with the blond raising an eyebrow at him constantly, so be it.

I will get to more Batbros and Marinette in the next chapter. Here, we have Damian refusing to acknowledge somethings while trying to protect.

Some comment idea were used, but not how i was expecting as hands did a thing, and Marinette responded to things and yeah.

Next time we'll get bonding moments, probably. Do we want to see the class study section in the next chapter at all, or focus on the batboys' take on all this?

@worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @littleredrobinhoodlum @northernbluetongue @kceedraws @pirats-pizzacanninibles @theatreandcomicfreak @daminett4life @catthhay @weird-pale-blonde-person @amayakans @chocolatecatstheron @tired-butterfly @multplelifes @yin-390 @area51qt @toodaloo-kangaroo @bzz75 @ilovefluffbutsmutisalsogreat @freshbark @soup-served-chilling @daminett4life

#maribat #daminette idea au #my writing #team miraculous and batboys

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closer-stars · 5 years ago

Text

Precious - Seonghwa (2)

Member: Seonghwa Genre: Drama and Horror for the most part Word Count: 7.3k Requested: Yes Content: Seonghwa finds out what the fuck goes on. Slightly inspired by the fact they went to Spain. A lot of weird things happen. Mentions of body horror, food (it’s not a Stars work if there’s no food involved). Religious references. San is Protective of Seonghwa. Eden knows something that we don’t. Note: Okay so Part 2 of Precious is here. I had to read about various Biblical references from academic papers, YA books I’ve grown up reading and some classic literature books I’ve had to read at one point. Some architecture readings, some history readings because I have a short attention span that wants to know everything. Things might not be accurate, history/biblical mythology wise but an Attempt was made.

Part 1

The plans of going abroad to record their next album was a surprise for them, even more that this time it’s not going to be in the US. For the majority of the boys, this plan was met with excitement and curiosity. New places, new experiences and most importantly new food. Only Seonghwa met this idea with hesitance. Something about it didn’t sit right with him but did he really have a say in this? San noted his uneasiness at the news. “Hyung, is everything okay?” He asked in the midst of excited murmuring around them. The older’s eyes gaze over the other members and he found it better to keep his peace so he nods.

“Yeah, I’m alright. Once we get back to our dorm we need to start packing.” He returned. “Also, don’t get lazy packing this time please? The last time you did, you forgot your toothbrush and toothpaste at home and we were already in America.” This was met with a small whine from the younger.

“Okay okay! I’ll get started on it tonight.” San doesn’t press on his hyung’s discomfort. One way or another he does come clean about it. It was better to wait, he supposed.

-------

Fast forward to a week later. They’re now in Spain. They’ve been assigned into their rooms. Instead of having Hongjoong or Yeosang as his roommate this time, it was San. Not that he didn’t mind it but it was a nice change, even if the younger teases him to no end. Since it’s their first day and everyone’s still clearly jet-lagged, their staff let the boys free for the first two days to get used to the change.

The first day was quiet, as quiet as it can be with eight boys in a new city. Most of the time was spent getting their body clocks to fall in sync with the city’s life. Some of them went out on their own with some of their staff, exploring the shops. Others went and explored the restaurants, wondering where to eat for their next meal. Seonghwa opted to go and quiet down in a coffee shop, the spacious and antique interiors are complete opposite to the ones he knows back home. It’s a rare occurrence too to have San accompany him into a coffee shop, knowing him he usually opted to go around and buy clothes or trinkets to remember the trip.

“Coffee? I thought you didn’t like coffee.”

“I don’t like Americanos, San. My coffee’s just the usual mocha.” The older reasons with a pout. The younger giggling softly at the sight.

“Alright, alright. I’ll just get the Americano and we can just split the strawberry cake you’ve been eyeing since we arrived.”

The rest of their stay in the shop goes by smoothly, his mind distracted by the food in front of him and San excitedly gushing over the planning of their next album. “I wonder what Eden-hyung and Hongjoong-hyung have. I mean we know what this next one’s supposed to mean but song wise and choreo wise? Ugh, Hyung, I want to get back on stage soon.” San confesses and it makes Seonghwa wonder if his energy was from his itch to perform or from the coffee. Instead of saying anything, Seonghwa nods in empathy. He misses the stage too and he hopes that they’d be able to get back on it soon.

It’s when the others found a quaint restaurant a few blocks away from their hotel that they realize that dinner was rolling in soon for them. San notices the message and the time. “Should we get going?” He asks, as he finishes the last of his coffee. Their cake long gone.

The older male nods his head as he takes a few sips of his water. “Let’s go. We don’t know how long it would take the others to get back and knowing Wooyoung and Yeosang, those two get distracted along the way easily.”

------

Seonghwa’s sleep for the night wasn’t terrifying but it wasn’t peaceful either. Every few hours he’d wake up disoriented, the images in his dreams nonsensical but at least he didn’t have any bout of sleep paralysis. It only takes a few minutes for him to get back to sleep but every time he does, he sees weird things.

Colorful flames dance in front of his eyes, feathers of various birds falling into the flame, some unharmed, some turning into a crisp. It’s the first time he’s seen a flame so intensely blue that leaves some of the feathers safe from the damaging heat. He swears he could hear someone call his name somewhere, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the damaged feathers, too entranced by how it burns red, ashes of what was falling from the body until all that was left was a charred crisp of ashes. His name continues to be called, it’s when he feels a jolt that he’s pulled back into the waking world.

“Seonghwa-hyung!”

His eyes shoot open, immediately shutting them again from the glare of the morning sun.

“Hyung, it’s 8AM. The breakfast is open for two more hours only.” San says as he fixes himself infront of the mirror.

His hand roams across the expanse of his bed until he finds his phone. 7:45 AM. “Dammit, San. It’s only fifteen minutes before eight... “ He lies back in bed, rubbing his eyes as he tries to remember what he had just seen minutes before. “Wait, you’re awake before I am.”

San looks back at his hyung, hand on his hip. Mingi’s been rubbing off on him. “Glad you noticed! Mingi kept calling my phone to wake me up. We’re going around the city today while Hongjoong-hyung, Jongho and Eden-hyung finalize the guides.”

A whine nearly slips from his lips, wanting to rather sleep in and do nothing all day. Another side of him reminds him that it was rare to get such an opportunity to just live and so he thinks. When he reaches for the phone, San asks what he’s doing.

“Room service. By the time I finish showering, the food’s going to be here.”

San stares at him for a few moments before groaning and throwing himself on the bed.

“Why didn’t I think of that… I could’ve gotten a few more minutes of sleep…”

-----

It was Yunho’s suggestion that they look around the city, see the history and the like. Considering that their leader, their maknae and Eden were in the studio, not too far from the hotel, it results in Seonghwa and Yunho being the heads of the group along with one manager as the rest of them sightsee.

“There’s this really cool park we saw yesterday but we didn’t get to go inside. There’s so many pretty stuff in there too!” Yunho explains, already looking at their map and leading the rest of the group.

------

They arrive just outside the park. One that seems to be well known for having locals and tourists flock to for the history and scenery. Some of the boys try to read the name of where they were but San was the closest to the actual pronunciation. A quick translation: The Park of Pleasant Retreat. Seonghwa could see why from where they stood. People lounged around the greenery, taking in the warmth of the sun as they mingled with their loved ones. If Seonghwa squints a bit, he could even see a few people playing music under the shaded refuge of the trees. There even seems to be a body of water where people rowed small boats around, some lingering by the steps aged by natural forces and people who have come before them.

The boys have already learned that if they act like they should be hidden, they’ll be noticed by the public. It’s because of Wooyoung that they decide to go and explore through this path. A part of him thinks back to Jongho who would’ve loved to see this place and take photos. Even if Seonghwa didn’t know the history that this park holds down to the details, he knew that it seems to hold a large piece of the country’s history judging by the architecture. Grandiose pillars, crowned at the top with designs that curled inwards, though the temple-like pathway looks pristine, it has definitely been colored and worn through time. His eyes take in the scenery, occasionally stopping to take a few photos. It was a good change of scenery he thought, away from the chaos of his daily life, everything felt serene and calming. He could see why people flock to this park. He notices that his members had slowed to a stop and their manager was about to get in between them and the stranger that has made their presence known to them.

She looks like a local judging by her clothes and how she just seemed in her element. Seonghwa’s eyes study her features from where he stands: high cheekbones, pink lips that were adorned by a dainty cupid’s bow. Her almond shaped eyes were revealed after she rests her shades atop her head. Her skin, unblemished and unmarked, tanned by constant hours under the sun. She carries herself with so much poise, the male would’ve thought she was some sort of local celebrity. It was when she started to speak in Korean that they somewhat relaxed. “Hey, I’m just a local, I promise. My name’s Kayla. You guys just seemed like you would prefer getting the rundown of what this place is.” She explains as she brings out an ID to show to their manager and to the rest of them. “Also, I work as a local tour guide in my free time so…” She trails off with a shrug. The boys look to each other and under their breath they ask.

“Should we?” Yunho mumbles as he eyes everyone.

“I mean we only have this day…” Yeosang points out, brushing through his hair that's starting to become a nuisance to his eyes.

“If she’s shady, we can just make an excuse and go.” Wooyoung adds.

“So yes?”

They looked at each other one more time and figured: nothing to lose. They turn to their manager who has told them of their rules since Day 1: Don’t do anything stupid. To everyone, it wasn’t. To San and Seonghwa, it was bordering on stupid.

So the rest of the boys agree, the minority: San and Seonghwa just letting them be and trailing behind the group.

“Hyung, are you okay?”

Seonghwa doesn’t register the younger’s question. Since the group was so busy discussing the opportunity, the male had been stuck in his thoughts. Those features were familiar but he couldn’t put a finger on it. Did he see her online somewhere? Hell, who was she even? It was impossible for him to have seen her in his dreams, he barely remembers what he dreams about nowadays. He should’ve taken a peek at the ID when he had the chance earlier.

“Hyung.” San calls out again, bumping his elbow to the older and this brings him out of his reverie.

“Huh? Yeah, sorry what? I was spacing out again, I think.”

This time San lets out an exasperated sigh, much similar to the ones Seonghwa lets out when they act up. “I’m worried. You’ve been on edge since you heard we were going to come here for work.” He was right. The days leading up to this trip, he hasn’t been calm. His nights consisted of tossing and turning as he tries to get some peace. If none of those movements bring him that rest, he ends up doing the same home workout routines he sees San do until he feels exhaustion and considering that he’s an idol, it takes a long while until his body gives in to the comfort of his bed. So the older one lets out a soft groan, making sure no one hears it.

“I don’t know. Something just doesn’t feel right.” He mumbles, opting to use dialect just to make sure she didn’t understand. How sure was he even that she wouldn’t understand him? “I had a nightmare… a few weeks or months prior to this and it’s just really weird.” He continues as the walk through the wide paths. For a moment, everyone gets distracted by a couple walking dogs they’ve never seen before. While he smiles at the sight of his members finding glee in the furry companions, he catches sight of the couple’s eyes and his blood runs cold: icy blue. It’s not like the eyes he had seen in his nightmare but these two carry a weight that made him think: it was better to stay in his side. He looks away immediately and opts to fix his attention to what the woman explains.

“This park’s been known for their architecture. This park was commissioned roughly in the 1630s, constantly being expanded and improved upon by the Spanish monarchy. It was open to the public by the second half of 1800s and what you see people doing today, it was the same back then. I guess you can say not much has changed since then. Countless monuments and buildings have been made here over the centuries which you can see by the change in architectural and artistic design.” She explains. She gestures to a glass structure some meters ahead of them. “That over there was used as a winter garden for flowers that weren’t usually found in Spain, nowadays it’s for exhibitions and the like. Insanely pretty isn’t it?” She muses as some of the boys take a few shots as they get closer. A few moments of silence pass over them until she speaks up again. “Actually, there’s this monument I’d like you boys to see. No other place in the world has something like this. By any chance, is any of you easily scared?”

That prompts the boys to gesture at Mingi, which he accepts with grace. “I’m not good with scary.” He explains with a bashful grin. He takes this cue to hold onto their manager, thus earning him a soft chuckle from the woman. As she sweeps her gaze across all of them, lingering for a moment or two at one particular man, she smiles. “I assure you that this isn’t too scary but it might be a little unnerving.” With a turn of heel, she leads them through another path, slowing down as they are greeted by a tall monument.

At the foot of the monument are eight faces of beings no one can quite tell spouting out water from its respective orifices. The beings, so ambiguous, so odd it’s hard to look away from were unnerving upon a closer look. Seonghwa looked up at the top of the monument and he immediately knew: they needed to leave. At the top of the monument rests a statue, twisted in turmoil as he falls backwards. The fall clearly did not look like something the subject wished. The wings of the statue are somehow still outstretched, in a feeble attempt to protect the owner from further pain. While he couldn’t see the statue’s details closely, he could note that there were things that wrapped around its wrist and ankle. He could only guess that those were snakes or reptiles that looked just like the ones at the foot of the monument.

“Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce to you the Fountain of the Fallen Angel.” She starts as she gestures to the anguished being on top. “It’s rather an oddly proud moment for us to be the only ones with a public monument dedicated to the Fallen Angel-- as far as I know that is. To start, this was inspired by John Milton’s book Paradise Lost. Nothing has been definite as to whether or not this fallen angel is Lucifer the Morningstar himself, falling from grace or just any other angel that has fallen but some do like to believe it is the Lucifer being depicted up there.”

At the mention of the word star, Wooyoung teases Seonghwa. “Heh, don’t you call yourself a star too?”

Yeosang raises his hand, just like an obedient boy in class. “Wait, why did he fall?”

Before she could answer, San beats her to it. “Because of his pride isn’t it? That guy up there wanted to be as great as God and tried to make other angels rebel with him.”

This pleases her. The way her lips curve into one of pride has Seonghwa’s skin crawl with discomfort. “That’s correct. Did you also know that this statue stands 666 feet above sea level?” She asks, only to further explain the math of where they stand, how tall the pillar this monument stands on, and how tall the statue is. It was a reasonable guess and considering what the statue was, the connection just seemed right.

“On our eye level,” she continues. “We see eight different types of demons and other symbolisms related to the Bible.” she gestures to the eight different phases at the bottom. “This statue has seen a lot of things throughout history that if you have perfect eyesight, you can actually see some bullet holes on the body and wings. Those being remnants of the wars this land has experienced.”

Everything about the statue made Seonghwa want to run, run far away from this place and head back home. The adrenaline starts to make his head pound, that he holds onto San’s forearm.

“Hyung, are you-”

“I’m fine. I just got lightheaded.” He mutters as he breathes in through his nose and out his mouth. The air didn’t seem as cooling as it did earlier anymore. No one takes pictures of this monument, the history surrounding it and the context behind the figure makes it too unsettling for any of them to hold a little piece of memory.

As they walk away from that work of art, Wooyoung asks her. “Miss, are you religious? I hope I don’t come off as rude..” he mumbles a little embarrassed.

“Dear, what makes you think of such?”

“You just seemed like you knew a lot about that statue and its context…”

So she hums in thoughts. “Your friend earlier, the one that answered your friend’s question. Is he also religious?”

“He used to be.”

“A wise decision.” She nods. “To answer your question, is being knowledgeable in one belief equivalent to being religious?”

Seonghwa wishes he didn’t hear that.

Wooyoung purses his lips, “I suppose not.. To be honest, you sounded like you believed in the stories.”

Oh how Seonghwa wishes he could tell Yunho to make Wooyoung shut up.

“Now tell me dear, Why should I believe in beings I have not seen in their flesh? The farthest we have seen of these beings are through art and the stories passed onto us.”

It unnerves San how she talks in such riddles all of a sudden.

Seonghwa’s phone rings all of a sudden and he has never felt more relief when he finds out it was Hongjoong. Everyone’s phones seem to ring at the same time. A group chat message.

Yunho’s the first to read the message and his face falls for a moment only for an apologetic smile to quickly replace his pout. He turns to the lady, as he keeps his phone. “We’re really sorry but we have to go. Work’s calling for us.” He explains simply.

“Oh? You guys are already working? But you look so young..” She notes, her eyes studying each of their features closely.

“It’s okay we like what we’re doing anyways.” San says in return, his arm around Seonghwa was the only thing keeping the male steady as he tries his best to appear nonchalant.

The lady’s bottom lip juts out at the abrupt ending to the tour. “Mhm, I suppose that’s more important isn’t it? Happiness.” No one knows if she’s talking to them or to herself so they take the cue to bid her goodbye. “Very well! I hope to see you boys soon, good luck with your work.” She gestures at the direction they came from just so they don’t get lost along the way.

It’s only when they arrive at the same place where they started earlier that Seonghwa speaks up. “Let’s just make our way to the hotel then head to Hongjoong.”

The guides were finished and all that was left was for them to record the songs.

-------

For the next few days of their stay, all they’ve done is practice and record the songs until Hongjoong and Eden were satisfied with the quality. Even with the troubles of the new equipment that came along the way, it was a relief to everyone to have finally finished the songs. All that was left was to decide on when the shooting and promotions will be. Seonghwa pats their leader’s back lightly. “You did well, Hongjoong.” He mumbles, throat a little worn from having pushed himself to reach a few notes that weren’t in his usual range. Hongjoong on the other hand hums in response. There was only so much he could do with what they have but if time allows, he would definitely ask for them to re-do some of their lines, maybe not here but back home.

Eden tells everyone to call it a night after such a tiring and intense week, even forcing Hongjoong to not touch his music software for the night. Even with those words, they know better: Hongjoong would stop when he’s done solidifying all the ideas in his head.

------

The entire week of recording and practicing had made Seonghwa forget about their tour guide and his sleep problems. The past few nights just being pure dreamless sleep, that or he forgets what his dreams were within the first few seconds of waking consciousness. Now that the week is over, he still hopes he could get the same dreamless sleep that wasn’t plagued by the stress of his work.

His eyes were closed by the time he throws his body onto his bed.

He doesn’t feel the heavy weight on his chest this time, but he still can’t get his body to move. He hoped it wasn’t the same being that visits him now, he wasn’t sure if he should hope for a different being either. While on his side, he looks around, San’s sleeping body just a few feet away from him. It’s only when he looks by the door that he notices the being. Human looking just like the first one but with an air that carries pain masked by regality.

“How has your stay been in our humble abode, Sir?” He asks, tone gravelly, as if his throat has been abused by cigars, alcohol and more. Seonghwa could barely make out the rest of his features from where he lays. He wants to answer but he doubts his own throat could do the same effort as the being that leans against the wall. “Oh don’t worry, you can speak around me. I suppose my sister had been rough on you the first few visits?” The stranger adds. He steps further into their room. Though spotless, the bottles of soda and packs of instant noodles are enough to tell him that these boys were not too far into their adulthood.

At his words, Seonghwa opens his mouth. “How did you get into our room?” He mumbles, there’s still a restriction in his throat but better than the first time. Did all of whatever they are have the same sort of power?

“Oh please, the sleep paralysis thing we do isn’t everyone’s. Just my family’s.” The unnamed male returns, reading Seonghwa’s mind. “Call me El, I’m sure you’ve met my sister, Kea. My bloodline is besides the point, I’ve come to visit to see how my people have treated you and your hm, group?”

People? Seonghwa looks at the man once more, unsure of what he means, and fears if he were to explain any further.

“What the fuck?”

Seonghwa’s eyes dart to his roommate, already sitting up on his bed. At his words, El looks at him and with a shit eating grin, he manages to stride across their room and out the window. A grandeur exit. While Seonghwa wasn’t able to see the male unfurl his wings, if he was indeed telling the truth, he wouldn’t be surprised if his wings looked anything like his aforementioned sister.

He regains the feeling and control in his body and sits up from his bed, San already contacting someone about what had happened. “So you saw what I saw?” Seonghwa asks, as San tries to contact someone in his phone.

San uncharacteristically shushes the older once the recipient of the call picks up. “They’re here. One of them visited our room and talked to Seonghwa.” A few more minutes pass and San hangs up. “Hyung, I’ll explain later but we need to get everyone to wake up and head to the studio. Go get ready, I’ll wake up the others.” It’s rare to see San so steely and dark. Besides him, San was the next scariest person when angry so he does as he’s told. He kicks off the sheets and gets his clothes ready for what could be a long day.

---------

“We need to go back.” Eden says, as he finally saves all their work into the hard drive.

This shocks everyone, at least those who haven’t known what happened. Those being anyone that wasn’t Seonghwa and San.

“We just got here, what’s wrong?” Yunho asks, sitting up from his spot on the couch. Hongjoong already had an idea of what was going on thanks to Eden, if his dark look is anything to go by. No other words were shared by the rest of the boys, but upon seeing Seonghwa, San and Hongjoong pack up their things from the studio without a word, they figured something was up. Hongjoong shoots them a look that tells them to start moving, any explanations will be done when they’re on the way back.

They move back into the van, and even then nothing has been said. The air is stiff with tension, worry and confusion. Seonghwa’s face was unmoving but the lines of fear appear on his features. He looks out of the window, watching aged buildings blur past them. He wonders if any of these buildings house these odd beings as well. They might have, just not in the buildings he supposes. Wooyoung’s persistent nature of wanting to know what’s happening nearly has Hongjoong snap at the younger. It’s not until San places his hand on the leader’s shoulder that tells him to cut them slack. They don’t know, not yet at least. Seonghwa glances at the two share a conversation with loaded gazes. “Quit it, all of you. Once everything quiets down, I’ll explain.” he mumbles as he rubs his forehead, a weak attempt to smoothen out the stress that hasn’t left him since they’ve stepped foot into this country.

It’s rare to have Seonghwa speak up like that. It’s all it takes for everyone to behave.

They arrive in their hotel and immediately make their way to their respective rooms. San and Seonghwa speed to their room, packing everything they’ve brought out from their luggages and back inside. It only takes three hours, considering that they haven’t stayed too long in the country yet, to get everything back in.

The older male is too busy in his head, making sure he hasn’t forgotten anything: passport, charger, wallet, among other valuables. It’s when San calls his name and tosses him his hat that he remembers that he’s going to need to keep his sight limited to what’s directly in front of him to keep him from losing his sanity. “We’ll get back safely.” San promises him. His luggage was already strapped and ready, much like his. It’s only then that he releases the breath he’s been holding since they were in the studio.

“I hope so. I don’t think I can bear to see any of you in danger just because of me.” He says under his breath. They take one final look around their room and seeing that everything’s clean, they make their way out. The pair’s greeted by the other members already making their way towards the elevator. While the others only have hats or sunglasses covering their features, Seonghwa had to take both for safety.

Eden was already at the reception, waiting for everyone. He looks at his phone, counting the hours from where they are to the airport, alone with their flight back. He needs to explain to Seonghwa especially what’s been happening to him. But to that, he wants to make sure there are no ears on the walls. The producer’s greeted by everyone and he already nods towards the doors. “Our rides are already waiting for us outside.”

“Rides?” Seonghwa repeats, the idea of splitting up didn’t feel right but at this point he wasn’t sure if these feelings are of paranoia or gut.

Eden glances over at the covered boy and a bit of his heart twists, he could only imagine the stress this boy was going through and being separated from the rest of his members probably was making it worse for him. “We’re too many plus our luggage but I made sure we’re with people we can trust so let’s go.” He doesn’t expound anymore as he strides out.

The ride to the airport is quiet, and it’s the one of the rare times Seonghwa’s sleep was peaceful. His body slouched over, leaning against the younger. Throughout the entire stay in Spain, San hasn’t left the eldest’s side and it’s from there that the others figured that San knew something they didn’t know.

Hongjoong’s the first one to speak up. “San-ah. What’s been happening?” His voice quiet to make sure he doesn’t disrupt his sleep. He should’ve noticed the bags under his eyes since they arrived. The younger looks over at the exhausted member and tries to find the right words at least for this moment.

“There’s been something that’s been bothering him. It only got worse when we came here. We’ll explain when we’re back in Korea.” Who knew being knowledgeable in all those religious stories would be useful to him?

The rest of the ride is quiet but no one else falls asleep. San gently rouses him awake. “Wake up, we’re here.” The older one groans at how his peace has slipped away and he’s greeted by the sight of his members jumping out of the car, to be greeted by their managers and staff who also had their luggages. San couldn’t help but chuckle softly as the other curses in discomfort as he stumbles out, rubbing the sleep off his eyes.

It doesn’t take long until everyone’s by the boarding gate. Everything feels like a blur to Seonghwa. The nap in the car made him realize just how his body ached for some peace. As they fall into lines to get into the airplane, Seonghwa leans against the back of his manager, resting his forehead against his back. He craves for sleep, for an escape from all of this and to be frank, he doubted he’d be able to escape this hell he’s in.

By the time he’s in his designated seat in the aircraft, he’s knocked out once more. He only manages to wake up when the stewardesses serve their meals. He doesn’t even bother with the fact all of them are in business class. He’s sandwiched by San and their manager and while he can probably talk about what’s been bothering him, he doesn’t trust anyone else. While his thoughts run amok, his eyelids feel heavy. His physical body needed rest but his mind wouldn’t let up, with a disgruntled huff he puts in one earphone, letting music be a distraction from his paranoia. It’s clockwork for the entire flight, sleep, eat, worry, sleep, repeat, until they land back in their motherland.

It was a miracle nothing had happened during the flight. Seonghwa doubts he’d be able to forgive himself if anyone became a victim to his misery. The ride back home was quiet as well, no one expected their sudden return after the chaotic entrance into the airport a few days back.

By the time they arrive at their agency, it was mid-day. Everyone feels the exhaustion slowly steep into their bodies but their need to understand what’s going on somehow keeps them awake.

The eight boys file into the conference room, Eden following them into the room shortly after. “I’ll make this quick and bearable since you boys need to catch up on rest for the time being.” He starts. The producer’s eyes studies each boy, and can’t find it in himself to put them through another hectic meeting, not now at least. “Seonghwa’s been considered a hot topic among the fallen angels which I assume is what has been disturbing his sleep for who knows how long.” All eyes were on him now as he sighs.

“San explained bits and pieces to me before I told all of you to pack up.” He doesn’t go into detail unless someone asks, out of pity over their exhausted conditions. “Simply put, someone, i’m presuming one of the fallen in Spain ended up finding out we were there too.” Eight pairs of eyes gaze at him, most of which were heavy in need of rest, one had fear and confusion mixed in their gaze, but everyone carried the question of ‘Why?’. So he sighs, “I wish I knew why but for now, I need all of you to be careful and keep an eye on each other.” He hands Seonghwa a gold necklace with a pendant that seemed to depict a holy figure, judging by the round band over their head. “You guys need to get rest first. Seonghwa, while I’m not sure of what we’re dealing with exactly, just wear that first for protection.”

“Since when were you religious?” Seonghwa asks, as he studies the pendants. As far as he remembers, the producer was far from a man of faith.

“I’m not but because we’re dealing with fallen angels, we might as well make sure we’re on equal ground.” The adult reasons with a shake of his head.

This cues him to look at the male, keeping the necklace in his pocket. “You know they exist but you don’t believe in them?”

“Seonghwa, I know there’s a more powerful being above all of us. Even them, but I don’t know if they are really the God that they talk about.”

There’s too many questions but Seonghwa shakes his head free of them. “We’ll get going, get some rest too, Hyung.” He reminds as he opens the door, letting everyone out first before him.

-------

The feeling of being home doesn’t bring him as much comfort as it should and he’s not sure of how to process that. He didn’t want to sleep yet, even if he’s exhausted from the trip and stress, so he lets the other members wash up first before he does. As he waits, his fingers fiddle with the golden chain of his new necklace. He’s back trapped in his own thoughts with no answers to his questions. When he feels like he’s got some sort of direction, it splits into several directions trapping him in a web of ideas that make no sense.

Mingi’s voice breaks him out of his thoughts, telling him that everyone else was finished.

The hot water manages to calm him down even for a bit. The water beating against his back and shoulders softening all the knots that have formed over the past few months. Once he’s finished cleaning himself up, he finds himself able to breathe a little better with the loose clothing of his sleepwear.

When he feels his body land against the worn comforter, he blacks out. The necklace laid underneath his pillow just for safekeeping. It’s worth a shot even if he doesn’t believe.

When he opens his eyes, he feels the same weight again on his body. He’s gone past the point of scared, he’s tired. He just wants sleep, peace, a clear head to juggle his work and his personal life. He knows what’s next. Another of those fallen angels is somewhere in his room. His eyes dart from various points of the room, looking for the presence.

There she is.

The same being from the first time. The same lady, only she looks like she finally knows what she was looking for.

Once Seonghwa gets a better look, he realizes it’s the same lady when they were in Spain. Even in his inability to move, he wants to lunge and fight her. While he isn’t one to raise his hand on anyone, he was willing to throw that rule of his to the wind just to deal with her. Alas, he’s constricted to the bed.

“How was your stay in Spain, dear Seonghwa?” she muses, knowing full well that he won’t be able to answer. “I see that you have people around you that know of what’s been happening.” she continues as she saunters to the unmoving male.

He despises how his body feels so numb.

“Who knew that what we would be looking for wasn’t an object?” Seonghwa stares at her, anger burning in his orbs. Not like he knew what she was on about, he didn’t even know how they existed or how they live. He feels her pointed nail drag across his skin, just below his neck. “You’d be useful to us, sweetheart.” Her voice felt like it was laced with honey, tempting him to submit to her. “Do you want fame, my star?” The endearment makes his skin crawl. “You’re a well known artist aren’t you? Wouldn’t you want the immortality of your name? I can guarantee that as well.” her nails dig into his skin as she speaks. “Or would you rather build an immense following? That’s something we can do for you too.”

We?

She stands up, smiling upon him. “Oh of course, you can’t speak.” She grabs his face, handling him roughly as she makes him look at him. “Dear, I know you’re powerless under my presence so I’ll offer you this until we meet again. Everything you want is yours, just as long as you submit to us.” Her nails dig into his skin once more and this time it’s starting to hurt. Her free hand trails down his back. “You won’t need the wings you’ve seen, you’ll have the throne right next to our leader.” With others, she leaves her mark, to prove that her visitation was no mere dream but a reality. That her words and promises were true to their ears, and that they’ve sworn an oath. As she was about to leave three parallel lines down his back, she feels her back burn.

The same burn that she felt when she fell.

So she lets out a pained shriek, letting go of the unmoving male and he lands back on his comforter like a discarded toy. He stares at her, questioning what had just happened.

He sees what causes her pain.

The feathers on her wings are singed. The feathers were slowly burning to a crisp until it reached the main body of her wings. The part of her wings that are closest to her skin are raw. As if someone had decided to peel off the top layer of skin in a swift manner. Her skin looked terrible, none of the horror films his members watch prepared him for such a scene. He doubted any film maker could come up with something so graphic and merciless. This is something beyond human comprehension.

The painful screams are so raw, so real, it sends chills down his bones. While he’s aware of how capable the throat is in creating sounds that thrust the listener into the deepest emotions, the screams carried years, if not centuries, of pain and anger.

Of all things that made him believe that there was something stronger out there, it was a fallen writhing in indescribable pain in front of his numb body. He didn’t know how she’s able to still stand, how she’s still conscious but all those are discarded when he meets her eyes.

It’s how she shoots icy daggers at him that makes him feel some sort of fear.

Primal fear.

“Just as powerful as the first bearer’s.” she hisses through pained sobs. That’s when he realizes she was indeed crying. Instead of transparent water that humans produce, her tears looked thicker, darker.

It looked like blood.

The two of them hear someone banging on his door, trying to budge it open. The lady-- the fallen takes her cue to escape.

“Mark my words, Star. We will find a way, know that your peace is temporary.” With that, she slips through the same window.

Somehow, Seonghwa believes those words. He worries how short lived his peace will be.

As she leaves, he regains control of his body. San and Hongjoong manage to barge into the room, greeted by the sight of a pale Seonghwa.

“What happened? We heard loud noises.” Hongjoong asks, then he spots the open window. “San, tell Eden we need to get this place reinforced.” The leader orders, as he shuts the window and locks it.

The eldest sits up from his bed and for the first time in the months of disturbed sleep, paranoia and confusion, he weeps. He weeps the pressure and pain he’s kept to himself over the past few months. The two couldn’t do anything, too surprised to see him break down all of a sudden. The anger has ebbed away and given away for him to feel the other emotions that he has suppressed.

No one knows how long it takes until Seonghwa manages to speak up. The other boys have woken up by the time he regains a bit of his composure. “The tour guide we had back in Spain, she’s one of them. The one who made me go for nights without sleep and anxiety.” He mumbles. He then recounts the first meeting, Hongjoong who was there but unaware wonders how they’re able to keep themselves from the eyes of others. The same question that Seonghwa poses for all of them. The way she manages to appear wherever she pleases, how he goes through sleep paralysis when she’s in the room as he sleeps. He tells them of her attempt to mark him, maybe as a warning to those who were in close proximity of him but just as he was about to feel the pain, she backs away, body twisting in pain.

It’s San’s turn to pale at his recounting. “I’m going to ask if my dad’s free. I’m not letting him drive here but a call with Eden-hyung would do soon.” He brings out his phone again, already typing up a message for his father.

“What for?” As far as everyone knew, his dad was just a pastor.

“Besides Eden-hyung, he knows what we’re dealing with. I think he might know what got her acting like that too.” San explains, waiting for the small number 1 to disappear from his message.

“Do you know?” Seonghwa stares at San. Following that logic, he does know his fair share of religious practices and the like.

“I think you got a mark. The name slips from my mind but it’s a strong mark and if I remember anything else, these fallen have a plan that they’ve been dealing with since their fall..” San trails off, keeping his phone for now, keeping his eyes trained on him.

“What does that even have to do with me?” He knows he’s got some sort of connection but the details are nonexistent in his mind.

“Hyung, I’m starting to think you’re going to be a vital piece to the safety of this world.”

#my writings #seonghwa scenarios #ateez scenarios #this is not an ateez x reader fic #also if you can catch some symbolisms then hehe #im not sure if i'll make this into a series as a i have other reqs to deal with #but if you want to talk about this fic then hmu #ateez fanfiction #slightly proof read #will proof read tomorrow

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tomeandflickcorner · 4 years ago

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Episode Review- The Real Ghostbusters: Masquerade

Okay, whenever I see the title of this episode, I immediately think of that one scene in Phantom of the Opera. But of course, this episode has nothing to do with the Phantom. Although, if you liked They Call Me MISTER Slimer, you’ll probably enjoy this one, too.

The episode opens at with a bunch of kids playing around in a park somewhere. The focus quickly shifts to a select group of kids gathered by a park bench. I’ll give the animation team credit here because while most of these kids aren’t actually given names in the episode, they are a bit diverse in terms of character design. But there are two in particular that stand out the most. The first is the one who is named Willie Bradford. He’s a rather heavyset kid, and the obvious leader of the group of kids. The other is simply called Cindy, and she’s one of the only two girls in the group. (The other girl is nameless, though I think she could be the twin sister of one of the other kids there, as they do resemble each other a bit.) I have something to say about these kids, but I’ll get to that in a bit.

Willie announces that they should think of something to do since school was out for the weekend, and he suggests things like a trip to the beach or having a baseball game. But that’s when Cindy points out another kid is heading towards them. This new kid is named Kenny Fenderman. And we immediately see that Kenny is a Ghostbusters fanboy. He’s even dressed in a homemade Ghostbusters jumpsuit, complete with a Proton Pack replica. Right away, Willie and the other kids begin teasing Kenny about this. And this teasing gets worse when Kenny insists that he’s not wearing a costume and is in fact a full-fledged Ghostbuster. The only one who isn’t joining in with the other kids in mocking and laughing at Kenny is Cindy.

Okay, this is where I want to talk about these kids. While I did mention earlier about how these kids all have diverse character designs, you can still tell just by looking at them which character trope they fall under. Willie is clearly meant to be seen as a swollen bully and Cindy is the Nice Girl™ and potential love interest of the Nerd Kid™ (which Kenny is clearly meant to be.) I’m seriously wondering what it says about our collective psyche that we can tell just by looking at a character design what character trope that character is meant to represent.

Anyway, Kenny gets really upset over how the other kids are laughing at him for insisting that that he’s a full-fledged Ghostbuster, so he turns and heads off, announcing that he’ll prove it to them. It then cuts over to the Firehouse, where Egon is hard at work in his lab, with Ray watching him work. It’s quickly established that Egon had called for a staff meeting, but Peter is late showing up for it. (Don’t ask me why Winston seemed to be excluded from this meeting. Was it just because he doesn’t have a Ph.D. like the others, or did the animators just forget to include him in the scene?) The meeting was supposed to discuss a prototype for a new invention of Egon’s. This invention is called the Ecto-Aroma Eliminator, and it was designed to help eliminate the foul odors that are left behind from entities that were Class 3 or higher. Because it seems that those particular groups of ghosts emit a distinct smell. Of course, Egon makes it clear that this is still just a prototype, so the device is still experimental and therefore highly dangerous.

At that moment, Peter finally showed up to attend the meeting. But before Egon could get down to filling Peter in on what he’d missed, Janine calls Peter down to the lobby, announcing he has a visitor. The visitor turns out to be Kenny, who announces that he’s there to apply for a job with them. (And we see Winston is there with Janine. Again, why wasn’t he included in the staff meeting?) Peter brings Kenny into his office, where Kenny tells Peter that he’d already told the other kids he was an official Ghostbuster, but they all made fun of him. And he proceeds to beg Peter to give him an assignment. Peter, it seems, takes pity on Kenny and decides to humor him by reaching into a drawer and pulling out an old pin from the 1964 World’s Fair. He gives it to Kenny, announcing that the pin makes him an official member of the Ghostbusters Auxiliary. (Interestingly, this might be an Easter Egg. In one of the deleted scenes for the original movie, Janine gave Egon a coin from the 1964 World’s Fair as a good luck charm before they head out to battle Gozer.) Peter then announces, as a part of the Ghostbusters Auxiliary, Kenny should get a special guided tour of the Firehouse. This tour ends up including a trip into Egon’s lab. While in Egon’s lab, Kenny asks if he could have a piece of official Ghostbusters tech. After all, if he is an official Ghostbuster now, he should be able to have some official Ghostbusters tech. Peter, rather foolishly, shrugs and decides there’s no harm in this. And he hands Kenny the prototype Ecto-Aroma Eliminator. Because he missed the staff meeting where Egon made it clear this device was not perfected yet.

Kenny’s tour of the Firehouse is cut short when an official Ghostbusters call comes in. Although, Peter decides to invite Kenny to tag along with them. Ray, upon seeing Kenny sitting next to Peter in the Ecto-1, questions the advisability of this, but Peter insists it’s fine. Of course, to Peter’s credit, when they actually arrive at the sight of the paranormal disturbance (which turns out to be a ghost causing mayhem at a museum gallery of imported crystal glass items), he instructs Kenny to wait by the Ecto-1. So at least Peter isn’t being completely reckless in terms of Kenny’s safety.

Inside the gallery, the Ghostbusters get to work in dealing with the ghosts causing mischief. While trying their best to avoid damaging the crystal ornaments. Because the owner of the establishment stated that anything broken would be deducted from their payment. They have an easy enough time catching three of the ghosts, but there’s still one more ghost that manages to elude them. Just when they’re about to corner the last remaining ghost, however, Kenny decides to come bursting in to help. This naturally backfires, and Peter has to shove Winston aside to make sure Kenny doesn’t get hit by an Ion Stream by mistake. Still, despite the mishap, which also results in a few vases getting destroyed, they are successful in capturing the final ghost.

A short time later, Egon, Ray and Winston are loading up the filled Ghost Traps in the back of the Ecto-1. Ray states that, while Kenny is a nice enough kid, Peter never should have let him tag along. While Winston and Egon don’t disagree with him, they do point out that it was nice to see how Kenny seemed to bring out a different side of Peter. Which is a really good point. It was quite surprising to see Peter being so supportive of Kenny’s desire to be a Ghostbuster. It makes one wonder if Peter was picked on when he was a kid, too. Did Peter see a bit of his childhood self in Kenny? If so, the episode never confirms it.

Meanwhile, Peter is scolding Kenny for not waiting by the Ecto-1 like he was supposed to. Kenny is clearly apologetic, stating that he just got excited and didn’t mean to do anything wrong. In response, Peter harshly tells him that sorry isn’t good enough, stating that Kenny should just go home. Without another word, Peter gets into the Ecto-1. Winston and Ray tell him that he might have been too hard on the kid, but Peter doesn’t really respond to this. And so, they drive off, leaving Kenny standing there, visibly miserable.

Sometime later, Kenny is shuffling along, still clearly upset over what happened. He winds up at the park, where he runs into Willie, Cindy and the other kids again. Willie doesn’t hesitate to start making fun of Kenny again, and even shoves him to the ground. Kenny, trying to save face, once again insists that he really is a Ghostbuster, showing them the badge he got from Peter as proof. Of course, Willie quickly notices that it’s really just a pin from the 1964 World’s Fair, and the teasing continues. So Kenny shows them the Ecto-Aroma Eliminator, which he still has with him. This does stop the other kids from laughing, and Cindy asks Kenny what it does. Kenny, of course, doesn’t know. So he simply responds that it’s top secret, but that it puts away ghosts. Willie, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be happy about this and ends up daring Kenny to prove he’s a Ghostbuster- by spending the night in the old Halliwell Mansion, a building in the park that is reportedly haunted by the ghost of Old General Halliwell. Kenny, despite clearly feeling reservations about this, decides to accept the dare, and he enters the Halliwell Mansion.

Back at the Firehouse, Egon has noticed the Ecto-Aroma Eliminator is missing. When he confronts Peter about the matter, Peter admits he’d given it to Kenny, thinking that there wouldn’t be any harm in it. After all, it was rather small. Egon informs him that Kenny is in serious danger, and that if the boy pushed the wrong button, it could destroy an entire city block due to the isotopes inside the Ecto-Aroma Eliminator being unstable. Therefore, it’s imperative they find Kenny ASAP. Their only chance of doing so would be to track down the Ecto-Aroma Eliminator with a Geiger Counter. Although, Egon points out that their chances of locating Kenny in time inside a city as large as New York are still rather slim. Still, they have to try, so off they go.

Elsewhere, Kenny is wandering around the Halliwell Mansion. He ends up turning on the Ecto-Aroma Eliminator and begins fiddling with it in an effort to figure out how it works. When he thinks he’s got it figured out, he makes his way upstairs. There, he comes face-to-face with a glowing red door. This is apparently the ghost of Old General Halliway, and Kenny tries to confront the ghost. But he only gets blown backward against a railing. Out of nowhere, three other ghosts appear and begin making their way towards Kenny menacingly. Just as they are about to reach them, Kenny half-falls over the edge of the railing, just managing to grab onto a conveniently placed chandelier, preventing him from falling.

At that moment, the Ghostbusters appear on the scene. It seems that when Kenny switched the Ecto-Aroma Eliminator on, it helped Egon get a lock on his current location. Peter, spotting Kenny hanging up on the chandelier, tells him to sit tight and be their lookout while they deal with things. The Ghostbusters proceed to go after the ghost minions inside the mansion, but the ghost minions seem to outwit them without much effort. So Egon consults his copy of Tobin’s Spirit Guide. In doing so, he determines that all the spiritual activity in the mansion is being directed by a single intelligence. But this presents an issue because if this singular intelligence has this much psychokinetic energy at its command, it could even be strong enough to blow up the Containment Unit from within. However, Egon theorizes that if an equally powerful kinetic force could blow it up upon being trapped, the conditions inside the Containment Unit would prevent the entity from reforming. Winston asks how powerful this kinetic force should be for it to work, and Ray states it would have to be at a near-atomic level. This gives Peter an idea. And, as he and the other Ghostbusters fire their Proton Packs at Old General Halliway’s ghost, Peter instructs Kenny to throw the Ecto-Aroma Eliminator at the entity. Kenny does so, and this results in the successful capture of the ghostly general.

After getting Kenny down from the chandelier, the Ghostbusters escort him outside where Willie and the other kids are waiting. (Were these kids sitting outside the mansion all night? Because based on the lighting in this scene, it’s early morning now. Where are their parents?) Willie and the other kids are all flabbergasted to see the Ghostbusters with Kenny, especially when they thank him for his help. And, when the Ghostbusters head off to return to the Firehouse, Willie sheepishly asks Kenny if he could introduce him to the Ghostbusters sometime. Kenny responds with a noncommittal answer and waves goodbye to the Ghostbusters as they drive off.

Overall, a rather cute episode. And I was particularly impressed with the animation during the climactic scene towards the end. I wouldn’t be surprised if they put a bit more money into the animation budget for that particular moment. That being said, I was wondering something in regards to Kenny throughout the episode. I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, particularly since there doesn’t seem to be any comments on the matter on the Ghostbusters wiki. But something about him made me think that he might have been on the autism spectrum. After all, he clearly had the obsessive interest down. Of course, I might be making something out of nothing.

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#the real ghostbusters #rgb episode review #ghostbusters franchise

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