#[when i said right there oh yeah whatevers fin e

[jxckspxcer]

i logged in just to log off so i can fix up my personal blog but i guess i can do that in an incognito and give jack some tlc,,,, sure sure sure,,,, 

[coollemonsaresour]

Promising Hands

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Child reader x Romanrogers  

Warnings: blood, Injured child, violence, angst, but fluff. THIS SUCKS, it was a rush job, and is not edited 

Summary: One Red-head Russian, One Cool Ranch Dorito, and a mission that can change their lives forever.

Word count :1458

A/N:  Spare me I have not written in awhile.  this has been in my drafts i have just be to S H Y to post them. oh, and request are open.

Request?: NAH!!!!!!!!!!! DIS WAS ALLLLLL MEH .  Spare me i have not written in  awhile. 

“Steve this floor is clear, I'm moving to  Sub-level one.” The Russian spy said, pressing and releasing the button on her earpiece. “Okay, be careful.” She then rolled her eyes with a scoffed and pressed her earpiece. “When am I not?” She said, continuing down the flight of stairs. “I can think of a couple of times,” he said in a seductive voice. “You know what Rogers, I have work to do, you should do the same. “Whatever you say” she then turned “Mmhmm'' she said with her guns raised starting down a hallway. She then came in contact with two hydra agents but shot them down effortlessly, each three times. Head. Chest.Stomach. She then saw a light flicker in a room down the hallway with its’ door cracked open.

 She walked down the hallway and pushed the door open with her gun ready for any danger. The room looked like a messy lab, things were everywhere, the computers were destroyed, chemicals and serums spilled on the table as if they were in a rush. 

 An agent then came behind her and wrapped his arms around her neck, making her drop her gun. Nat countered by elbowing him in his face and then kicking him in his chest through a glass table, then grabbed her gun. When he attempted to get up she shot him twice in the stomach. 

She then heard a gasp and snapped her attention toward the sound raising her gun once more. She then slowly proceeds toward the table. She leaned over the table and looked under it to see a little girl about 3 or 4 with her knees curled up to her chest and her head buried in her crossed arms. 

 “Hello,” Natasha said in a calm and friendly tone, which is very unlikely for this assassin. The child then looked up and flinched trying to scoot back farther. When she backed against the wall, she snapped her focus back at the women. 

 Her e/c eyes were met with fiery red hair and emerald green eyes, which were comforting. She gasped when she saw Nat’s gun. “H-hey, it’s’ okay, I won’t hurt you,” Nat said, putting her gun into the holster.  “What is your name?” She asked the girl “Y/n” the child responded barely above a whisper.”That is a beautiful name, I’m Natasha, now let's get you somewhere safe.” 

 “N-no more b-bad people?” The little girl asked, voice is full of insecurity. “No more bad people,” Nat said reassuringly. “You promise?” “I promise” “How can I trust you?” “We promise to protect you from bad men always, and if you give me your hand I promise to never let it go, Okay?” “Okay,”  

At the moment, Nat knew that she was immediately attached to the wounded girl. What wounded girl!?! Nat was too distracted by the girl to realize the blood-soaked shirt and the growing crimson pool around the girl. Without hesitation, Nat grabbed the little girl and rushed out of the room.  “ Hey Steve I found Hydra’s project and she needs medical help.” “She?... It’s a person?” “Yes and she needs medical evac, keep up Steve.”  

The little girl wrapped her arms around Nat’s neck and her legs and her waist. When they got outside the little girl buried her face in Nat’s neck to avoid the blinding light in the sky that was unknown to her, Nat could help but think of how cute the sight was.  

Nat felt the body go limp and started to run faster. When she reached the quinjet, Nat carefully laid the unconscious girl on the floor and then examined the little body. The little girls were very pale, hardly breathing, and had lost a lot of blood, multiple cut wounds, a very big and deep stab wound. It looked like someone tried to kill her, in the mist of their base being invaded.

 Nat found a cloth and started applying pressure while Steve flew the jet as fast as he could. With one hand Nat tried to stop the bleeding, and in the other she held the child’s hand, keeping her promise.  

 When they arrived, Nat ran with the little girl straight to med bey, there she found Bruce, who was talking to Dr.Cho. “Hey Na- who is that?” he asked immediately getting a gurney. “Hydra’s project, and she needs help,” Nat stated, placing the girl on the bed, still holding her hand. “Bruce, help her please, she stopped breathing like a couple of seconds ago.” she said still holding the girl’s hand, following the gurney down the hall toward the O.R. when they reached the doors of the room nat was stopped by a nurse, the sudden action causing her to let go of the girl's hand.    

“ No I have to stay with her.” she said, trying to push past the doctor.“ Ma’am you should let the doctors do their work.” the nurse said, trying to block the doorway. Nat was getting angry, and trust me you do not want to make Natasha Romanoff, aka the Black Widow angry. “ No she needs me. I have-,” “Ma’am, please, listen to me-” “ NO! You listen to m-” “ Sorry nurse, I’ll take it from here” Steve said, cutting off Natasha and pushing her away from the door  to a wall in the hallway.   

“Steve, babe, no, I-i h-have to be in there, I-i need, i need to hold her hand,” Steve looked at her with a sad expression “She was scared, and I know what it is like at that age, when your in a situation you don’t want to,  a-and have horrible people do bad things to you and make you do bad, bad things.” she stated with worry.  

Steve gave her a small smile and then pulled her into a hug. He knew that she was referencing the red room, and how she hated what they did to kids at such a young age and how it was scarring. “Nat, everything will be fine,” he said, stroking her hair, all she did in response was give a nod. “Why don’t you go take a shower and get something to eat and come back down, and I will be here when they finish with her in the recovery room.” he said pulling away from the hug, she just nodded again and walked down the hall.   

When Nat came back down to MedBay, (y/n) was out of o.r., and in recovery. She walked into the room to see the girl connect to all different monitors, an IV, and a breathing tube in her nose. Steve was asleep on the armchair next to the bed with one of his hands resting on top of one of the girl’s. That made Nat smile softly. 

 She was walking around the room reading Bruce's analysis, and that's when Steve woke up. “You look refreshed” he said stretching, his voice still groggy.  “Yeah after showers, eating, and debrief, I was really tired, and took a cat nap,” she said, kissing his forehead. “How’s she doing?” Nat said, holding the girl's other hand. “M’kay, but my tummy hurts.” the girl said with a small smile, Nat and Steven happily returning  it.  

That a was 4 and half months ago 

 Y/n woke up in a cold sweat, breathing heavy, and tears streaming down you  face. A bad dream. The small girl got out of bed and walked down the hall.  Three doors down, make a left, first door on the right.   

Being the trained ex-assassin/spy she is, as soon at the door opens she lifted her head to see who it was. “Y/n, hun, why are you up?” she said concern taking over her face.  “I had a bad dream” she whispered.  “M’sorry babes, do you want to sleep with me and daddy,” she asked giving the little girl grabby hands. The girl gave a small smile, and nodded her head, walked over to Nat’s side of the bed and climbed in. the girl got under the blankets and and cuddle closer to Nat and she held you tight, and buried your face in her chest.   

“я люблю тебя, детка” she planting a kiss to the girls forehead. “I love you too mama” the girl replied with a small yawn. Steve then rolled over, moving closer to the pair, wrapping a protective arm around Natasha and y/n.“ I love you y/n/n” he said. “I love you too daddy.” “My two favorite girls,” “Good night babe” he said to the redhead, giving her a kiss. “Good night baby.” she said, returning the kiss. “Good night y/n” they said at the same time, kissing your head. “Good night”. 

я люблю тебя, детка~ I love you Baby

FIN                                                

[norcumii]

...oh thanks, Tumblr, it wasn’t like I was trying to answer that ask or anything. -_-

OHKAY. Take two! For this trope mashup meme, @dogmatix asked:

Rex/Obi or pairing/characters of choice - Apocalyse AU / Mermaid/Siren AU / Aroused by their voice

This modern!AU got a liiiiiittle bit more absurdist than planned, but NO REGRETS. Assistance was provided by @dharmaavocado and @deadcatwithaflamethrower -- THANK YOU BOTH!

*****

There was a lovely breeze coming in across the ocean, the sky had just enough puffy white clouds to keep things interesting, and Rex was taking a maintenance day. The last family group of tourists to charter a day trip had included several children that were at least two parts sticky and three parts grime. His poor Vigilance needed a serious scrub down, and Rex was not looking forward to restocking. Small Grubby Fiend 1 had stumbled – supposedly due to a sudden swell, but more likely because Small Grubby Fiends 2 and 3 hadn’t stopped ‘not kicking’ each other for way too long. Not being an entire idiot, Rex has gone right for the band-aids with cartoon characters, but since it wasn’t a cartoon Small Grubby Fiend 1 liked, that meant another – until all three Small Grubby Fiends had been plastered with far more of his first aid kit than was good for anyone.

It had been a long day.

So there he was, untangling life-vests that hadn’t even been used, while singing along with whatever music was playing from the boat’s speakers. Rex wasn’t sure if the music was pop, rock, or some other unholy category he’d never heard of, but thankfully it didn’t matter. He liked it, and could figure out which of Tup’s mix tapes it was on, which was the important thing.

Tup always made hilarious offended noises when Rex called them mix tapes, which was a significant reason why he did so. They were music folders, sensibly labeled by mood, because his little brother had realized at some point that was the only way to keep Rex up to date on anything past the 90’s grunge music.

Tup’s accusation, not his. Rex damn well knew how to use a radio – several kinds of radio, thank you very much.

He was several songs into mind-numbing chores when he spotted a flash of red streaking under the dock, and Rex ducked his head to hide a grin. He’d started spotting movement like that a couple of weeks ago, around the time the neighbors descended on their beach house. There were several ginger teenagers, so he figured one of them was a hell of a water rat who had damn odd taste in music.

To be fair, so did he.

It’d been weird at first, realizing he had an audience that disappeared the moment he acknowledged their existence. But the most he heard or saw out of them beyond the momentary glimpse was a bit of percussion, someone drumming in time against the water – and once, the dock itself – so Rex had shrugged and accepted their presence. It was kinda nice, actually, just to have someone around. He lived a ways off the end of a long, sparsely populated road, and while he didn’t mind the solitude, sometimes you just wanted another–

Rex’s train of thought went off the rails with a loud yelp as he discovered something slimy stuck to the back of a life-vest. It might have been edible once – it was a shade of radioactive green he didn’t associate with anything other than candy or video games, at least, so that was his best guess. Much as he wanted to blame the Small Grubby Fiends, he hadn’t done more than a spot check of these vests for awhile – could’ve been anyone.

Ugh. At least unlike some clients he could name, Rex’s eavesdropper wasn’t vandalizing anything. Wasn’t about to begrudge that.

Rex had managed to get most of the neon green grossness cleared when the rumble of an approaching car caught his attention. He wasn’t expecting visitors, not that that had ever stopped any of his brothers. Lost delivery drivers usually turned around before hitting up the driveway, which was long enough and had enough private property signs to keep out idiots looking for easy water access.

“Who the hell is this?” he muttered, setting the vest aside. He didn’t recognize the little black car, or the burly guy stepping out of the passenger’s side, but the guy waved and casually started towards Rex as if he knew who the hell he was.

Not reassuring, especially since the stranger rapped the car’s roof, and it headed back up the driveway.

“You seem lost,” Rex said, standing up and trying to look just the right level of intimidating.

“Nope,” the guy said back, still heading towards him. “Need your boat.”

“That’s work related – you need to wait till I’m back at the marina tomorrow. I’m at home, it’s my day off.”

Burly guy finally stopped, planting his hands on his hips – a move which just happened to part the jacket of his cheap suit enough that Rex could see the gun he carried. “I don’t think you understand, Mr. Fett. I don't want any trouble – I just want you to head inside, and take that day off while I borrow your boat.”

Oh, FUCK. Nobody really talked about how the mob owned most of the marinas in Tatooine Bay, but you didn’t need to declare water was wet to get drenched in the rain. It just wasn’t something that ever happened to someone you knew, just friends of friends or something.

“And if I don’t agree?” he couldn’t keep from asking.

Burly Guy had a surprisingly expressive shrug. “Most people don’t enjoy pushing their luck that far.”

To his credit, it was a remarkably polite threat. “I’m surprised anyone ever does.”

“Eh, every now and then there’s some freaky masochist looking for cheap thrills, but it ain’t my kink. Don’t think it’s yours, either, so if you’d just head inside, that’d be appreciated.”

The smart move was probably to comply. Rex wasn’t inclined to cooperate anyways. He was saved from making either bad decision by...sound.

It didn’t register as singing – there was something too off about it, a combination that wasn’t quite autotune, or that polyphonic singing Echo had gotten into when Fives got obsessed with the guitar. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t right in a way that was madly distracting.

The...singing? – pulled both Rex and the goon around towards the end of the dock, and if Rex hadn’t been so muzzy-headed from that sound he would have been gaping much more blatantly.

There was someone slipping out from under the dock, and it was most definitely not one of the neighbors.

It was a trim, shirtless figure in the water – ginger indeed, short red hair just dry enough to be messy spikes. Pale skin was freckled in scales of shimmering reds, protective lines over what would be vulnerable areas on a human. It swam close enough to the surface that Rex could see the sleek fins and tail, and part of his brain kept screaming ‘mermaid!’ while the rest took in the long, sharp claws on webbed hands and whispered ‘predator.’ Its singing showed sharply pointed teeth, and it should not have been nearly that gorgeous.

The mermaid glanced over at him, eyes a deep blue-on-blue that could never masquerade as human, flicking a look up and down him that could have been flattering or terrifying – it all depended on if that was measuring him for a meal euphemistically or not.

The singing changed as the creature turned its attention back to the goon, and the magnetic pull on Rex lessened. He staggered back a step, not too surprised to find he was halfway down the dock without noticing. The hazy feeling in his brain stopped, or at least dropped down to levels that were close enough to normal, so he got a clear view as the goon started walking into the water, oblivious to everything except the mer-siren-thing he was shambling towards.

The siren moved when the goon was almost waist deep in the water, flowing forward to delicately place a hand at the goon’s throat. The singing continued, but now there was a new undertone, soft and somehow questioning. Rex couldn’t tell if there were words to it or not – maybe a whole other language for all he knew – but the goon responded, voice soft enough that he couldn’t make out what was said.

Whatever he said, it didn’t please the siren. It kept singing, but it snarled, showing more of those pointed teeth, then it twisted and dove, hauling the unresisting goon under the water.

A terrifying few moments more, and the last hums of the song seemed to stop vibrating through the water.

“What the absolute fuck?” Rex said numbly. Thank everything, no one answered.

A smart man would’ve hidden inside, or driven off to a movie theater or something – inland and away. Rex wasn’t sure why he stayed: curiosity – morbid or otherwise – shock, or a healthy disbelief in the whole debacle. He was maybe a bit too numb to not have some kind of shock, but –

He felt like he maybe deserved it. “Yeah, I can have a bit of shock,” Rex muttered to himself. “As a treat.”

Okay, he might have more than a bit. But by the time the siren poked his head out of the water again – politely out of arms’ reach – Rex had calmed down a decent degree. They just looked at each other for a bit, then the siren gave him a polite nod.

“Hello there,” he said in a pleasant, deep voice with a hell of an accent.

Rex held up a hand, needing a moment. Of fucking course the British even colonized under the goddamned sea. “Hi. You speak English.” It wasn’t quite the most inane thing he could’ve said, but his brain hadn’t managed to catch up yet.

He was talking to a goddamned mermaid who had just kidnapped and possibly eaten some mob thug who’d been trying to take Rex’s boat. It had been a day.

“You’re not the first land-dweller I’ve made the acquaintance of.”

Rex absolutely refused to make any kind of a crack about being charmed. There was too much hysteria lurking in there. “Speaking of acquaintances, you didn’t, ah, kill that guy, did you?”

The siren’s lips pulled back from his teeth a little. “I still haven’t decided what to do with him, so right now he’s out of the way.” He must’ve seen something impressive in Rex’s expression, because the angry disdain smoothed over to something more neutral. “He’s stashed in a cave I know. Enough air to breathe, but the only entrance is underwater and too far for most humans to swim without assistance.”

That was...a lot. “Thanks for the help.”

The siren smiled, an oddly sweet, bashful expression. “I’d be a very poor guest if I didn’t assist.” He cleared his throat, his expression going awkward. “Though I...suppose ‘guest’ is a bit presumptive.”

Rex grinned. “No, I spotted you a couple weeks ago – ah, I mean, sort of.” Before he could make more a hash of that, he cleared his throat. “The name’s Rex.”

The siren folded his hands together and did a little bow thing. “Obi-Wan. Pleasure to meet you.”

He wasn’t blushing. He absolutely was not blushing. “So...you in town for long?” Ok, now he was blushing, that was worst subject change ever meeting worst fishing attempt – meeting worst and wildly inappropriate pun.

Obi-Wan’s expression fell, sorrow way too visible in those non-human eyes. “I suppose you could say that. I...no longer have a home to return to.”

Definitely not a topic to change to. Right. Rex cleared his throat and shifted. “Well. You’re welcome anytime, for what that’s worth.”

The slow-growing smile didn’t remove that sorrow, but it did kindle something warm inside. This was at least three different kinds of trouble, but Rex didn’t think he’d regret any of it.

~end

[showrunnerihardlyknowher]

today i astral project giant, curious merboy w/ frightened researcher into your mind. tomorrow? who knows

Tomorrow is when you get your request filled you babey boi

--

“E-easy now, l-let’s ju-woah! Hey!”

It was too late for Stella’s squirming to do her any good as long, clammy fingers tightened themselves around her already battered body to lift her much higher than she would have appreciated. She couldn’t help a small wince when she felt her arms be uncomfortably squeezed against her ribs, the left side of which was undoubtably bruised from her topple earlier. The grip only pressed more at her pathetic struggles, forcing out her exhale much rougher than intended.

“Pl-lease,” she gasped, practically immobile in the creature’s hold which seemed to be the desired affect, “y-you’re hur-hurting me...!”

And just like that, the pressure that had once been constricting her disappeared. Even more wonderfully, solid ground seemed to return under her shaky legs which she was grateful to collapse. Or so she thought. A couple inhales sucked in to clear the splotches that pulsed in the corner of her vision revealed she had merely been traded from one hand to the other, trapped high above in an open palm as opposed to a clenched fist. Best not to look a gift horse in the mouth, she supposed.

Or fish, she supposed again.

With a shaky sigh, Stella forced her eyes up (and up and up) until they met with  wide ones, blinking down at its tiny capture. She couldn’t keep up the staring contest very long, however, not with how unnerving those black scleras were. Instead, she found her gaze shifting towards its mouth that could certainly fit her inside in one bite, perhaps even a rowboat if it tried. At that moment, it chirped at her, something loud and grating and immediately making her cover her ears for protection, but not without getting a glimpse of those jagged fangs.

From a scientific standpoint, this was one of the most stunning discoveries in her career, hell, in anyone’s career in the history of marine biology. A genuine mermaid...er, man, if she were to assume based purely on physical observation. A dozen questions ran through her mind focused on understand how on earth each component of his body functioned. Respiratory, circulatory, vision, hearing, homeostasis, smell, bone structure and density, muscle to fat ratio, everything and more!

Unfortunately, she doubted those inquiries would be answered anytime soon, if ever. 

The monster chittered again much more quietly, practically a rumble in his throat as his other hand hovered closer. Try as she might to flinch away, there was really no where else to go besides down into the icy waters below. She watched the thick claws adorning each finger inch closer, bracing for the sensation of being flayed like some sort of sick vengeance for all his seafood brethren she had ever eaten. Actually, given his size and muscular build alone, there was no way this thing was a vegetarian, so there better not be any judgement on that front!

Surprisingly enough, the claws just missed nicking any part of her skin in favor for the pad of his finger to rub against the top of her head, slowly, hesitantly even. Stella grimaced at the action but let it be, holding still as best her trembling form was able to while his petting built up more confidence, now sliding from her crown to where the coils ended at her shoulders. She let out a yip when he yanked her hair in an attempt to rub the foreign texture between his thumb and forefinger, immediately releasing the frizzy locks at the sound of her distress. 

His curiosity didn’t stop there, however. She was well aware of the irony of the situation--the researcher being studied by the subject and all that (at least, she hoped that’s what he was doing rather than sizing her up for a meal). Considering this was her first time ever encountering a merperson during one of her weekend escapades along the coastline, it wouldn’t be too hard to imagine this was his first time meeting a strangely sized hybrid species as well. Maybe those local legends about sea monsters and sirens held a little bit of truth after all, he was certainly as destructive as the stories foretold of these deadly creatures.

And, the scientist side of her couldn’t help but reason with the merman. She was, after all, encroaching on his natural territory in a foreign vessel, was it truly so unexpected for it to attack? ‘Attack’ was perhaps too strong of a word. Investigate was more like it, the way it grabbed and shook her tiny boat in an effort to see what was inside this weird, floating habitat until she came tumbling out on deck. On the bright side, at least Lorelei coming down with strep the night before saved her research partner from meeting the same fate as her right now. On the downside, she was going to meet said fate alone, her true ending forever a mystery outside of these waters.

The question was: what the hell was her fate meant to be? The way his fingers and touches roamed her body continued to reassure her that she probably wasn’t going to be a menu speciality for another few moments, but beyond eating her, what other uses could he have for her? He pinched her legs and arms to bend at the joints, especially fascinated at how articulate her lower half was in comparison to his own. It was almost like he was looking for a tail where one should obviously be, trying to piece together how these two split fins could work together as one. His fingers brushed against her waist and trailing up to her neck. Gill placement, maybe? From just how close his nails were coming to her jugular, Stella feared she might just get a few extra breathing slits if she so much as hiccuped.

It was all well and good until the fingers glided back down over her chest, pushing past the soaked lapels of her coat to the swell of her cleavage, his claw eagerly slipping under the buttons of her blouse to pop a few off. Stella turned bright red, her body heating up so much that she was sure he could feel it against the cool flesh of his palm where she sat. With an indignant shriek, she slapped the digit away from her body, quickly covering herself with her lab coat as best she could.

“No, thank you!” She scolded, leveling a glare with the creature. “Don’t do that!”

She didn’t even have time to register what consequences might befall her actions of threat displaying a massive sea predator, not with how his ear fins flattened against his head and he jerked his hand away as if she had burned him with her touch. In his defense, he did look rather guilty, rumbling again in his throat like he was offering an apology. He tilted his head at her, repeating the noise and it was then she realized he probably didn’t actually know what was wrong, rather he was asking why it was wrong. Oh, yeah. Different species, different cultures, different takes on reproductive accessories.

“You just, y-you don’t touch people like that, okay?” He grumbled something at her and though she didn’t understand it, she knew that tone well enough to roll her eyes. “Because I said so. Why d-”

Stella froze. The monster was still pouting at her reply, but her lengthy pause paired with her suddenly shocked expression made him chirp again in question. She searched his eyes, now well aware of the deep blue iris hidden within the inky abyss around it. 

“You...c-can you understand me...?”

He furrowed his eyebrows before giving a single nod. Uh, yeah, duh? I’ve been responding to you this entire time, haven’t I? is what the expression conveyed.

“Holy shit...” she whispered. A smile was quick to tug at her cheeks, looking back at him with twinkling brown eyes. “Holy shit! You can understand me! Y-you’re...you’re intelligent!”

The creature narrowed his gaze and she quickly held up her hands in a placating motion. “I-I mean, obviously, you were always intelligent, just i-in terms of, like...you know, whatever, let’s just start over, um...” She ran a hand through her newly tangled mess of curls, shaking her head in disbelief. “Oh my god, I don’t even know where to begin!”

A quick look down at her capsized boat had her reconsider. Stella wondered how much of her research and equipment inside was totally trashed as a result of being broken or waterlogged. Oh well. Literally none of that mattered right now, not when filters could be replaced and notes reprinted and one of the greatest specimens of her lifetime was three inches in front of her.

Biting her lip, she glanced between the boat and the merman. “Actually, do you, um, think m-maybe you could fix...that? And maybe put m-me down while you’re at it...?”

For a moment, he only blinked at her, silently debating her request. It was long enough to make her start to shift nervously, wondering if she had managed to misread the entire situation and was foolish to make such demands when she was still considered a food source. Thankfully, he complied and righted her boat with ease, gently depositing her on the slick deck. The rocking of the sea still caused her to slip and fall ass first on the ground, though it mattered little to her with the way her legs still felt like jelly.

A shadow engulfed her, trilling ringing in her ears from above which made her groan. “I’m fine, just...give me a minute here.” Slowly, Stella sat back up and pulled her legs towards herself until she could sit criss-cross, digging her (thankfully) waterproof handheld from her pocket to pop out the stylus, tapping and scribbling on the screen. The creature lowered himself deeper into the water until only his shoulders and above were visible, swimming around to the edge of the boat to try and see what she was doing on the tiny device. He braced his hands on the side of the hull, nearly capsizing it again, which was probably what he did the first time when she had been down in the cabin, and only letting go when Stella cried out at being toppled for the umpteenth time.

When the boat ceased most of its swaying, she fixed another sharp glare at the creature who hunched a little further into the salty waters. “Okay, rule number one, no more touching this boat. Got it?” She was half tempted to add or me in there, but...well, they could cross that bridge if something came up about that later. Regardless, he nodded at her and she sighed, repositioning herself to lean against the cabin door for a little extra stability.

“So, ever play twenty questions?”

[qilwashere]

Hinata Shoyo

Hinata is your neighbor, and you've known each other for the past few years.

You met him near the bathrooms by the water fountains at one of his games, ironically, right after he had gone into the men's room to empty his stomach, since he used to get nervous all the time before a match. Since then he's gotten better, but you still worry for him sometimes.

You always help each other with homework or volleyball, although it's kind of one-sided, since you're super smart and he's very dedicated to being a middle blocker.

You always thought of him as a best friend, nothing more, although over the past few weeks, you'd been questioning yourself about that. He's been hanging out with you less, but youre pretty sure it's just because he's been busier lately. Sometimes your anxiety gets the best of you and you wonder if you did something to provoke him to not want to be around you. Every time this thought pops up in your head you have to take a deep breath to rid your brain of it.

At school his grades have gradually getting worse so you proposed a study date. As soon as you asked him you went red, hoping he didn't take it the wrong way. "I-I didn't mean a real date, it's not like--" you stumbled over your words, but he interrupted you with a laugh and said "Sure, that'd be nice. Whatever day you're free," he smiled at you. You nodded quickly and agreed on a Wednesday. You both parted ways until the set date.

At around 5:40 that Wednesday, you pace around your bedroom waiting for that familiar chime coming from your front door, letting you know that Hinata was there. It never arrives, and your worries that he's trying to keep out of contact with you come flooding your mind once again. You hope that at least he'll text you that he couldn't make it, but no chimes come from your phone either.

The next day, Thursday, at school, you don't see him in any of your usual classes together, which concerns you because he almost never misses a day. Is he sick? you wonder to yourself, and can't get him off your mind until your friend Yachi invites you to her table at lunch to discuss the new club openings that they could join together.

You start to ask her if she's seen Hinata but stop yourself mid-phrase and continue eating.

The days drag along. You haven't heard a thing from Shoyo all week.

You make a last attempt to contact him by texting, "Hey, we missed our study session :p wanna try again tomorrow?" It was a Sunday, so you felt like the next day would be a good time. It surprises you when he responds almost immediately after with "Sure :D See you at school :)". Your heart leaps but you remember that this could all be a set up.

Nah, you reassure yourself, Shoyo's way too nice for that.

For the rest of the day you surprise yourself when your feet guide you to the school gymnasium. You walk in hesitantly towards the door and remember that--

Of course. Why did you think the gym would just be open to anyone? On a Sunday, at that? You bury your face in your hand and turn back when someone comes up behind you-- Yachi.

"Hi Y/N! What are you doing here? I came because I was forgot my bag in here on Friday and never got a chance to get it back. I figured I'd stop by and pick it up before school tomorrow," she says casually. You stare at her wide-eyed. "...Is something wrong?" She asks you. You shake you head no but reply, "I was.. uh, well I was hoping to practice volleyball drills for a bit." Your response surprises you, since you'd been happy to talk with people about it but never really played the sport, or seemed interested in doing so.

"We can't get in without the key, though, so--" you start, but Yachi cuts you off: "Oh, that's no problem, I'm the manager of the volleyball club! I thought I told you... Anyways, let me just make sure I have it on me--" she pauses and pats herself down until she finds a keychain in her pocket, "--we're good!" She says cheerfully.

Your bubbly friend unlocks the key to the Karasuno gym and pulls the basket of volleyballs out of the corner. You grab a ball and toss it up, lace your hands together and face your forearms towards the ceiling, and bend your knees to receive.

The toss was off so you have to shift to the left a little to receive it right, but the feeling of it bouncing off of your arms is so... exciting. You shuffle your feet quickly forward to get directly under the ball again and - POOMF - you hit it up perfectly again. The ball comes down once more and this time when you receive it, you decide to send it over and aim for the left corner of the court. You brace your arms, wait for the point of contact, shrug your shoulders and send the ball flying up... Over... And right inside the left lines on the other side of the net.

You pat yourself on the back for a second and continue doing some volleyball practice. You practice aiming your tosses and have Yachi (attempt to) give you some good sets for spikes. After about an hour and a half, the sun starts to disappear behind the hills. You pick up the balls with the new club manager and say your goodbyes before heading home.

Once you get to your room, you notice that your laptop is open so you decide to check your socials. You try to deny it but you know you're secretly hoping for a DM from Shoyo. As you scroll through your messages you start seeing chats that you hadn't opened in a good while. They don't interest you, though, because you just want to hear from that energetic tangerine-haired boy.

You slump onto your bouncy mattress and it seems to groan in agony as you get comfortable. Eventually your eyelids grow heavy and you decide to rest.

That next day, Hinata comes over to your house,  and you're just hopping into your neatest skirt when you open the door. You're ready for your study date, but before you can stay anything, he grabs your hand and almost drags you down the block to a wide field. As you're jogging beside him on that cloudy day, struggling to keep up, you sneak a glance at him and notice that he's looking happier than you'd ever seen him. You smile to yourself, look down, up again, and run faster to challenge his speed.

"No fair, you got a head start!" He pants, and you laugh.

Eventually you get to a large field with tall grass and a few dandelions.

"I... Need a break," you can barely get out as you bend over and breathe hard. Hinata does the same thing, and after a moment he says, "Hey, (Y/N), see that really tall blade of grass over there?" He says to you. "You mean the one that's taller than you?" You joke, and he scowls. "....Yeah, that one. I'll race you to it!" He taunts, and you gladly accept the challenge. Forgetting about school for a while, you sprint towards the grass towering over all the rest. He beats you, as always, but you don't care because even if you lost, you had more time to spend with him and that's all you needed.

By the time you reach the grass, you're both too weak to stand up, so you lay in the field, next to each other, hands just barely touching, and look at the clouds in the sky. You breathe hard and think about your best friend beside you, and feel yourself blush as you smile to yourself again.

It's quiet so as you push yourself up on your elbows, you try think of a way to start a conversation. "I, uh... I practiced some volleyball yesterday." You stumble over your words, but he perks right up at this, wide-eyed since you're not exactly the athletic type.

"Really?! How was it? Did you hit a spike? Did you practice your tosses? How were your receives? When the ball hit your arm did it go 'poomf?'" He bombards you with questions, doing the same movements he usually would on the court, since this is his area of expertise.

You try to answer him the best you can, "Well, actually, I did try to hit the ball over - Yachi, the new manager, tossed some balls to me - but they always hit the net... My sets were pretty good, and, I could control my receives!" You got excited near the end, almost bouncing, because the few times you practiced with Hinata, strangely, you struggled the most with your receives.

Hinata seems to remember that, because when you mention your improvement, he almost yells, "That's great Y/N! We should practice one day!" You agree with a giggle.

After a few minutes, the world seems to calm down, and so do you. Taking in loads of air at a time, you stare at the sky and try to trace shapes in the clouds.

"I miss you," Hinata says suddenly, almost under his breath. It surprises you and you go silent for a while. "I..I missed you too. A lot," you add, unsure of how to really respond.

He sits up and says, "I'm sorry we haven't talked, it was an accident. I got caught up in volleyball and my failing grades but-- but the few days I haven't seen you made me realize that I want you... More than you, or I, even know..." He trails off, playing with his fingers, and your heart skips a beat.

"I need you, (Y/N)." Hinata mumbles, staring at your bright (E/C) eyes. You nod, not knowing what to say. "Can I.. can I have you?" He asks, embarrassed. You nod again, harder, and grin at him. "Yeah," you just barely whisper, gazing at him as if he were the only thing in the world, and for that minute, he was.

He returns the smile, and it seems like, for that second that he does, the clouds go away, almost like they're making room for the ball of sunshine sitting next to you.

In that moment, with the (real) sun setting, and the dandelions swaying in the slight breeze, you realize that you do love this boy, and that you'd do anything for him. You move your hand slightly to the right so that your pinkie is resting on top of his. You sneak glances at him, and wonder if something's gonna happen.

Shoyo is quiet for the  rest of the time, and you don't kiss, but that's okay because...

Because he's yours. And you're his. And that's a better feeling than any kiss could've granted you.

|~Fin~|

AHHH I know there wasnt much action lol I just had to do this lol. As always thanks for reading <3

[the-coolest-mallard]

Like a Kickass Guy | ASC

Louie gets high at Mei’s party and texts Nemo and Tae.

@justkeepdancing-nemo​ @moon-yeongtae​

Louie: holy shit u guyyyyyy Louie: shit has been going dowwwwwwwwn. Or upside down? down and up really lol Louie: i may not have muscles n shit but guess WHAT I DID Tae: hulked out and killed someone? Louie: woah man no! Duuuuuude have u seen me? impossible Louie: i'm too cute to go to jail yet Louie: i mean EVER Louie: im too cute to go to jail EVER Louie: did a keg stand lol. sorta Tae: whoa nice Tae: how you feelin? Louie: a m a z i n g Louie: you won't BELIEVE how good i am Louie: i felt like IRON - no. i felt like CAPTAIN AMERICA. LIKE A KICK ASS Louie: GUY Tae: nice dude i'm glad ur having fun Tae: is mark there Louie: he was here somewhere. he asked me to come Louie: dunno where he went. maybe he's with johnny idk Louie: but who cares lol Louie: i'm great Louie: no more sads Tae: wow you're really drunk huh? Louie: nooooooooooooo Louie: haha I was gonna drink Louie: but then this weird girl showed up Louie: and now i'm super

Tae: but you said you did a keg stand Tae: that's like drinking isnt it? Louie: is it? i thought it was just a hand stand on a keg lol Louie: who knows? not me Tae: i mean i guess Tae: what weird girl Louie: idk blond. weird. she wanted me to CHEAT ON MARK WTF Louie: i mean she seriously helped me out but also Louie: wtf Louie: weird. so weird. but we went to the bathroom and she Louie: gave me t his stuff n i'm like Louie: wow i mean i can't stop talking Louie: i think I've said some seriously stupid shit Tae: wait Tae: what? Louie: what? i didn't tell you anything stupid did I? Louie: i don't think i did. thank god. imaigngi f i told u that Louie: lololol i'd die forever Tae: louie what are you taking about what stuff Louie: stuff? which stuff Louie: im not tellig Tae: what did she give you Louie: ohhhhhhhhhhh Louie: oh i can tell u that haha Louie: she called it all kinds of weird stuff like snow white or whatever which is bizarre af but whatever Louie: i like sniffed it and it felt super whack Tae: LOUIE WHAT THE FUCK Louie: and then it was like Louie: wow Louie: idk man i wanted to not feel sad and i feel good now Tae: holy shit what the fuck i cannot believe Tae: louie that was so dumb Louie: you're so dumb! Louie: no that's not true Louie: you're my faovriedgof person ever Tae: where the fuck is nemo why isn't he here to tell you how stupid that was where are you Tae: you're at mei's right Louie: yeh i crashed lol Louie: well no mark and johnny wanted to crash Louie: and since mark's been cool and let me stay at his place i was like Louie: well i should probs go Tae: yeah well THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD'VE FUCKING DONE COKE OR WHATEVER YOU DID jesus fuck Nemo: wait wtf did i just read Tae: yeah Tae: i have to go fucking get him Louie: why are you maddddd? im not bugging anyone! i'm having fun! Nemo: wait whats going on! Nemo: louie are you okay? Louie: i'm FINE Louie: i'm super Nemo: he did cocaine? Louie: super human Tae: he's at mei's party and he fucking YES Louie: you could say Louie: ughhh stop making this so big Tae: do you know how many kids my brother had to see in the hospital bc of drugs louie? Nemo: yeah that stuffs really bad Nemo: its human chemicals Nemo: do you feel okay? are you dizzy? Louie: do you know what else is bad? life. being sad. freddie mercury leaving too soon. presidents. earthquakes Nemo: louie D: Louie: tthe hunger games Tae: hey louie seriously how are you feeling like Tae: in your body Louie: that's a weird thing 2 akks dud Louie: im fine! Tae: okay but like Tae: if u close ur eyes and like idk try to feel what's happening like is your heart beating really fast? do you feel like puking? do you feel like you're moving? Louie: oh i mean yeah lol Louie: my heart is skipping faster n when i Louie: wait i gotta shut up shut up Nemo: tae yah is that bad? Nemo: would jun hyung know? Tae: i'm asking him right nwo Louie: so fussy you guys are fussy im gooood Nemo: louie just keep texting u ok Louie: look how good i am Louie: 

Nemo: very pretty Tae: yeah gorgeous how's your breathing Louie: wouldnt u like 2 kno Louie: how's your butt Louie: bet its still kicckable Tae: you have literally never kicked my ass at anything Tae: nemo does your appa know about this stuff? you probably shouldn't ask him huh? Louie: DON'T AOISFJPDOGN Nemo: its human drugs Nemo: so not really Louie: 4 THE LOV OF GOD Louie: that guy lredy probs haaaaaates me Nemo: his magic wouldnt work either i dont think Louie: im a toxin to freidn parnets Nemo: yeah if he ever finds out we woudl be banned from being in the same school i think he'd transfer me to that catholic place and appa hates catholicism Nemo: this is why you shouldnt do drugs louie :heart: dont yu wanna keep being my friend Louie: :cry: :cry: :cry: Louie: you're my best mate wgodidpsdggdfh Louie: you too tae Tae: wow rude Tae: oh okay Louie: wow Louie: dont be such a bitch tae Tae: well you started it when you did cocaine Louie: i used to think u were the coolest but maybe  im demoting u n promoing Louie: nemo Louie: nemo ur the new hottie Tae: the what Louie: what? Tae: louie i'm coming to get you Louie: whyyyyy the partys still partying Louie: ppl be FITIN Louie: man ud fit right in with your muscle bod Louie: well cept one fitghts girls Tae: where are you in the house Louie: idk the dance place. the life space Louie: where everyone is? Nemo: is jun going too? Nemo: aghaldkfjaskldfj Tae: yeah Louie: wait wait wait wait wait Nemo: ugh im sorry i cant be there Louie: where u going Nemo: louie im so sorry just keep texting us Louie: no Louie: i should dkslefadkad Tae: hey louie what's your favorite queen song Louie: skedlolde Louie: what? ohhhhh wow tough choice man i mean Louie: there are soooo many good SONGS Louie: lately i've been listening 2 somebody to love a lot cause i been dfpsogdpsjsd Louie: buuuuuut Tae: i like don't stop me now Louie: that's my OTHER FAVORITE Louie: man u vibe so well with me i hate it Louie: ha ha ha Louie: j k this is why we're bffs Nemo: hey queen was on the CD you gave me Nemo: ive been listening to it! Louie: reallyyyyy? did you like it? Louie: hey hey tae tae. taeeeeeeee. tae you should send a slefdie Louie: slefit Louie: sel fie Nemo: course! i love it Nemo: maybe i'll pick a song and choreo a dance for it Tae: you want a selfie? Louie: oooooo yes please nemo Louie: and def yes pls tae Louie: do smehthing cute Nemo [deleted]: ugh louiealkf Nemo: where's mark again? Nemo: im gonna text mark Louie: idkkkkkkk Tae: 

Louie: he went to do some stuff with johnny Louie: woahhhhhhhhh Louie: waogdisjdpsgjosg Louie: shit Tae: that's me coming to get ur dumb ass Louie: wait ur coming to get me? Louie: shit shit shit wait i gotta skedoled Louie: skedadled Tae: what? Louie: well much as i think ur great im ok Louie: also i thinkk hoooo shit Louie: gotta ifnd a window lol Tae: louie if you don't stay there i will fucking murder you Tae: i'm serious Louie: deth by tae or tdeth by uncle d when he fins out Louie: shit mn if i stay its a double featur Nemo: :/ Nemo: please louie, we're worried about you Nemo: we love you! we just want to make sure you're okay Tae: yeah Tae: you're gonna stay the night with me okay Louie: oh god Tae: it'll be great Louie: hahaahahahahahaha Louie: N E M O Louie: tell him why i suddenly Louie: sgosigdsgsdg Nemo: louie  i think you should Nemo: um drink water Louie: im good ill just find Louie: makr Louie: mark Nemo: that's also good please find mark Louie: n go to his place? Tae: what did i say Nemo: nothing he's on drugs Tae: i said stay put Louie: im really good thouuuugh Louie: n mark will look out for me Louie: marks nce Tae: well mark left u alone and you did cocaine so i mean not that that's his fault i'm just saying Nemo: ugh what if mark did cocaine Nemo: u dont think mark did cocaine did he Louie: dont blae me him 4 ME BEING ME Tae: DID MARK DO COCAINE Louie: honestly i dont dieossgodkh Louie: NO Tae: fuck Nemo: he might not have! we dont know Louie: i dont deesrve mrk naywayl ol Tae: nemo never do cocaine please Nemo: i cant see mark lee doing cocaine unless someone told him it was fun dip Louie: he n johnny were just doing fun stuff 2gether Tae: lmfao Nemo: id probably DIE if i did cocaine so dont worry ahha Nemo: big no no for fairies Louie: speaking of immenditd death Louie: we sure windows r no go Nemo: which is why u shouldnt do it solidarity c'mon louie Tae: if you aren't there when i get there i will be very upset Nemo: he will be Nemo: wont u louie Louie: im scared i dont want the lady 2 yell at me Louie: pls i wanna leave Tae: I'm almost there Louie: DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD= Louie: what if i hid in the bathroom Nemo: its gonna be okay louie :heart: Nemo: just um, sing a little queen Louie: no its not ill be ded 4ever n dragged home n stuck with my asshole fam n never escape n ded Nemo: you won't be dead you'll be safe Louie: shit someone said its the COPS Louie: im double triple dead Louie: n thats bullshit Louie: my fam isnt safe they suuuuuuuck Tae: WHERE ARE YOU Tae: fuck there are so many people Louie: trapped in the prison of xistance Louie: a house of horrs Louie: horors Tae: i'm serious louie i can't find you Louie: just make urself taller Louie: ill see you Tae: i'm gonna yell for you Louie: ok ok ok Nemo: ugh fksjf

[lovemesomerafael]

EL AMOR TODO LO PUEDE Chapter 25:  You’ve Got A Friend

Source:  @turnswithus

Chapters 1-20  Chapter 21  Chapter 22  Chapter 23  Chapter 24

The morning was clear and beautiful, which meant it was likely to be another steamy New York summer day.  Laura sat in a deep reading chair, legs pulled up to her chest, wearing a white terry-cloth robe.  Her bed hair gave evidence that she hadn’t been up for long.  She stared out the window, absently holding a cup of coffee, lost in thought.  Peter came out from the bedroom, shirtless and wearing track pants, his hair sticking out in several directions.  He poured himself a cup of coffee.  From behind the kitchen counter, he looked at Laura for a long moment.  

“Let me guess.  You’re enjoying a nice, steaming cup of self-reproach this morning.”  He came over to slouch down on the chair facing hers by the window.

Her mouth twisted and she gave a short, silent chuckle in acknowledgment, but kept looking out the window.

“You’re telling yourself what a terrible person you are, taking advantage of poor, innocent me.”

She looked into her cup and gave a short sigh.  “Something like that.”

He took a drink of coffee and smiled.  “You didn’t use to be such a sucker.”  

For the first time, she looked directly at him over her coffee cup, cocking an eyebrow.

“You might be surprised to learn that I have a will of my own.”  A devilish look came into his eyes.  “You don’t really think you seduced me, do you?”

She blinked.  “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying you have nothing to feel guilty about, Sunshine.  It’s not going to work for us long-term, I get that.  But you know how I feel about you.  I love you.  So when you said you were upset, I invited you over hoping things would turn out just the way they did.  I knew exactly what I was doing.”

She sat studying him, her coffee cup halfway to her mouth, forgotten.  She had not considered that, and was unsure how to take it.  But she also felt a sense of dawning relief. “Huh.”

He put down his cup and slid from his chair to kneel in front of her.  She was spellbound by the slow, seductive way he moved, especially when he took her cup from her hands and set it down on a table, looking into her eyes the whole time.  He took her into his arms, pulling her to him.  He tilted his head and leaned toward her.  Just as their lips were about to make contact, he growled, “I’m no angel.”

As he kissed her, he pulled her from the chair she sat on, laying her on the floor in the block of sunshine streaming in from the window and gently slipped the robe from her shoulders.

 ********

 The day had turned out to be so quiet that the squad had the opportunity to catch up on the paperwork that never seemed to end.  It was late summer, so everyone but Laura and Fin had left for the day, taking advantage of a rare opportunity to spend the lovely evening enjoying the weather.  Noting that the pile of reports she had completed was approaching the size of the pile she still had left, Laura stretched her arms over her head, rotating her neck.  She noticed movement near the door to the squad room.  A tall, lovely, dark-haired woman in a bright red blouse and black slacks stood looking around anxiously.

Laura stood and went to her.  “Hello, I’m Detective Laura Parker.  How can I help you?”

“Oh,” the woman exclaimed.  “You’re actually the one I came to see.”

“Oh?  What can I do for you?”  She wondered which of her cases this woman was connected to, or whether she was there to make a report of some kind.  

“Is there somewhere we can speak privately?”  

“Of course.  Please,” Laura said, leading the way to an interview room.  She politely showed the woman to a seat and offered her a drink, which she declined.  Laura sat across the table from her, letting the woman speak first.

“My name is Lucia Barba.  I’m Rafael Barba’s mother.”

Laura gaped.  “Oh!  It’s a pleasure to meet you, Señora.”  This was definitely strange.  Why in the world would Barba’s mother be here at the station, and what could she want with Laura in particular?

“Please, call me Lucia.”

“And I’m Laura.”

“Laura.  I… well, I know this is going to sound strange and hard to believe, but I’m here because I think Rafael needs help.”

“What kind of help?”

“I think someone’s threatening him.  He won’t talk about it and he tries to hide it from me, but I know my son.  Something is wrong.”

“May I ask, what made you ask for me?”

“Well, that’s a little hard to explain, too.  A feeling, more than anything.  The thing is, I know he’d kill me if I told Olivia Benson about this – you know, he’s… proud, and I think he’d feel like she would see him as weak if he asked her for help.  I can’t really explain it, but I know he wouldn’t forgive me for that, even if he really is in trouble.  But he mentions you.  He likes you. He said that you live in his building, and something about you being hopeless at building furniture, and it… sounded to me like you might be someone he wouldn’t mind confiding in about this.”

Oh, Señora, you couldn’t be more wrong.  

“Señora – “

“Lucia.”

“Lucia, I think you should know that I barely know your son.  He and I do live in the same building, but I’ve only been here at SVU for a few months. I’m sure he’d confide in Lieutenant Benson before he’d confide in me.”

“No, he wouldn’t.”  She patted Laura’s hand.  What is this, some sort of Mom juju?  You say it and it becomes true?  Oh, this is awkward.  “Rafael – if he was on fire, he’d make a joke about how warm it was, but he’d never ask anyone for help.  Especially someone like Olivia.  But someone like you…  I don’t think he’d mind so much.”

I know for a fact I don’t want to know what ‘someone like me’ means.    

“Lucia, I am definitely willing to help your son.  If you’d like to tell me what’s going on, I will talk to him and offer whatever help I can.  But I want to be clear.  We barely know eachother, and…  He’s pretty likely to refuse.”

“He’ll complain, but he won’t refuse.  You’ll see.”

“Then please, tell me what’s going on.”

“As I said, I think he’s being threatened.”

“What makes you say that?”

“When he comes to see me, he gets calls, and when he sees who it is, he goes in another room.  I hear him having angry conversations, yelling and swearing.”

“Opposing lawyer, maybe?”  

“No, he takes those calls at the dinner table. And they don’t swear.”

“All right.  Did you hear any words during these calls?”

“A lot of legal words.  I know I heard ‘unethical’, ‘disbarred’, and ‘witness tampering’. There was also something about threats and murder.”

“Hmmm.  What is it that makes you say that it’s Rafael who’s being threatened?”

“He’s afraid.  These calls, they really shake him, and it’s fear.  Anger, too, but mostly fear.  He tries to hide it from me, but he’s scared.”

“Is there anything else that makes you concerned?”

“He’s not himself, Laura.  He’s stressed, he’s angry all the time, he’s distracted.”

For over half an hour, Laura asked questions and developed more and more of a picture of what Lucia Barba was seeing.  Laura didn’t have much experience of Rafael to compare to what his mother was describing, but it definitely sounded like something was wrong.  And now that she thought about it, he had been particularly stiff and irritable lately. Even for him.

“Anything else out of the ordinary?”

“Well, there was this one strange thing.  He got a call recently, and at first it was just a conversation with a judge.”

“How do you know it was a judge?”

“He called the person ���judge’, and he was using his ‘judge’ voice – I can always tell when it’s a judge, most other people he’s more mouthy with.”

Laura grinned.  

“But then, the conversation got tense.  And pretty soon he left the room, and I heard the same kind of conversation – the swearing and arguing.”  

Now Laura was troubled.  “Swearing and arguing with a judge?”

“Yes.  I’m sure of it.”

“Lucia, If you’re right about a judge being involved, that would be a very big deal.  I think we should call in Lieutenant Benson.”

“No!  He’d never speak to me again.  That’s why I came to you.  If I’m wrong, or…  Just… talk to him.  Ask him. He won’t talk to me about it.”

Laura was concerned, and not sure what to do.  She and Barba really didn’t know eachother.  He was the A.D.A. assigned to SVU while she was no one - the newest detective on the squad.  Besides the fact that, despite Lucia Barba’s impression to the contrary, he didn’t like Laura.  He made that plain on a daily basis with his standoffishness.

This was really something Liv should handle.  But Señora Barba was very persuasive, and Laura liked her.  She could also tell Rafael’s mother was a professional woman with her own life who didn’t make a habit of worrying over her son.  And she was sure Señora Barba was right about Rafael not wanting Liv or the whole squad to know if he had a problem.  Laura felt trapped.  She found herself saying, “Ok.  I’ll talk to him.  I don’t know if he’ll talk to me, but I’ll try.”

******

“Mr. Barba?  Detective Parker is here.”  Carmen stood in the doorway to Rafael’s office.  

Rafael looked up suddenly, his brow furrowed. “Send her in.”

Laura walked in and stood uncomfortably.  

“What can I do for you, Detective?”  He waved a hand at the chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”

Laura perched on the edge of one of the chairs before Barba’s desk.  She didn’t speak for a few seconds.  

“Yeah, this is awkward,” she began, laughing nervously. Barba just looked at her, waiting for her to speak.

“So, you and me, we’ve known eachother for about five minutes.  And you’re… you, and I’m the FNG on the squad.  But here we are.”

“Detective, if you have a problem, I need to remind you that I’m not your lawyer.  I can’t represent you.”

“This isn’t about me, Mr. Barba.  It’s about you.”

“OK…” he replied, looking confused.  

“Look, I’ve been thinking about how to do this, and I think it’s best if you just listen to me for two minutes, and don’t say anything. Then I walk out of here and you decide where to take it from there.  Can you agree to that?”

Rafael looked intensely at Laura for a moment. She felt like she was getting an X-ray. She decided she never wanted to be cross-examined by him.  He shrugged agreement and sat back in his chair.

“Your mother came to the station to see me.  She’s very concerned about you.”  Laura told him what Señora Barba had told her.  His initial reaction was fairly acute irritation that his mother had spoken to her about him.  Soon, however, he began to really listen, not concealing his concern as well as he hoped he was.  Laura saw what Barba’s mother had been talking about.  She was right.  He was in some kind of trouble.

“So.  Here’s what I came to say.  If you have a problem, I will help you if I can.  I’m new here, and I’m new to you, but I know what I’m doing.  I have your back, if you want me to.”

Laura got up and walked to the door.   “I won’t bring this up again.  To anyone.  Next move’s yours.”

Barba didn’t say anything as she left.

*****

Three days later, Sonny Carisi stood in the middle of the squad room, a huge red and yellow super soaker water gun in his arms. His eyes crinkled with glee as he threatened Laura, Fin, and Amanda Rollins with it.  

“Carisi, put the gun down,” Laura said, standing about ten feet in front of him while Fin and Amanda sat at their desks.  They were all smiling.

“Oh, that’s not gonna happen.  The only question is, who gets it?”  

“Carisi, you’re a child,” Amanda said, dropping her head into her hands.  “This is the person who’s supposed to save my ass in a crunch,” she moaned.

Laura stepped closer to Carisi.  

“You want some of this?”  He asked, menacing her with the squirt gun.

“You squirt me with that, my revenge will be swift and severe..”

“Yeah, yeah…  Big talk from someone about to get drenched!”  He took a step toward her, waving the water gun around.

Fin sat at his desk, a huge smile on his face, but pretended to be annoyed.  “You people got nothing better to do than play with fake weapons when we got humps with real ones to catch?”

Carisi looked over at fin, laughing.  Suddenly, without warning, Laura closed the distance between herself and Carisi and, moving too fast for Fin’s or Amanda’s eyes to follow, grabbed the barrel of the water gun and twisted it out of Carisi’s hands.  When she stopped moving, Laura was the one holding the gun, aimed directly at Carisi. His stunned, confused look was priceless.  

“You want some of this?”  She mocked.

“What… how’d you do that?”  

“Hey, can you teach me to do that?”  Fin asked.

“No,” Laura laughed, “But I know someone who can.”  

“How long you been practicin’ that?”  

“A while.  I just learned it ‘cuz it’s cool.  Now that I have my blue belt, I can start to learn it for real, but it’s more for show than anything.  Not really practical in the real world.”  

At that moment, Barba walked into the squad room, having watched them playing with the water gun from the safety of the doorway. The detectives muttered greetings as Laura handed Carisi the water gun and they both returned to their desks. Barba strode to the door of Olivia’s office and looked in, knocking quietly on the doorframe.  She waved him in.

The detectives returned to the work they’d been doing before Carisi came in with the water gun.

Fifteen minutes or so later, Benson’s and Barba’s voices caused them all to look up briefly as she walked him out of her office.

“Hey, guys, why don’t you knock off for tonight,” she called to the group, turning to go back to her desk.

With a dark look, Barba stepped over to Laura and muttered, “I’m heading home if you want a ride.”

She tried to hide her surprise, pretending not to see Fin’s raised eyebrows as she quietly agreed.  “Sure.  Thanks.”

As they rode the elevator to the underground parking below the station, and for much of the drive, conversation was sparse and superficial. For the most part, Laura made a few remarks about nothing and Barba grunted or responded in monosyllables. She knew she was waiting him out; everything about him told her he hadn’t just stopped by the station to chat briefly with Olivia, and hadn’t just casually offered her a ride.  So she wasn’t surprised when he drove past the cross street for their building.  She looked over at him, but neither said anything until he turned into a city-owned complex of baseball fields used for Little League and amateur softball leagues. He found a parking spot and turned off the car.

“Let’s walk,” was all he said.  

She got out and walked with him toward a brightly-lit field where overweight and out of shape office workers were having a great time playing a feeble game of softball.  The nurse in Laura noted that Barba’s gait was off.  He leaned noticeably to one side and seemed to be favoring one leg.

“I think my car might be bugged.  I know my office is,” he began.  She didn’t respond.  

“There’s a very ugly case involving some very nasty people.  And those very nasty people don’t want a trial.  The witnesses are under lock and key, and these people want me to tell them where they are.  They’re not looking to send flowers.”

Barba led Parker to a set of bleachers and they sat together watching the game, too far from the other spectators to be overheard.  The spectators were enjoying themselves and their beer too much to pay any attention, anyway.  As they sat watching the softball game, Barba explained in detail the unbearable pressure he was under to provide the witness’ locations and derail the prosecution.  The pressure was made worse by the fact that it was coming from a judge whom he had previously respected and liked.  He was appalled to learn that the guy was merrily raking in huge amounts of money to throw cases brought against a particular criminal enterprise.  Worse, he was genuinely afraid that the group would carry out the hideous physical threats the judge had passed on to him.

They had already begun.  He had been attacked in the parking garage near the courthouse the night before, when two massive goons had used their bare fists to rain punches on his torso and limbs, where the bruises would be covered by his suit.  He couldn’t go to the police, because they had told him there were several cops on their payroll.  Barba believed them.

Rafael was cornered.  After the beating, his options had narrowed considerably.  He could give in to the judge’s demands, thereby assuring the deaths of three witnesses and the dismissal of a host of righteous charges against a group of thugs.  He could throw the case and be responsible for whatever the group would do next, not to mention the possibility of disbarment or even prison.  He could be gruesomely killed himself.  Or he could take the whisper-thin thread of hope Parker had offered him.  He didn’t think she could do anything for him.  But he had decided that, at the very least, it would be good to just talk to someone about what he was enduring.  He could lessen the burden at least that much.  

Laura was intently watching the players on the field. Barba could almost hear the machinery of her mind clinking as she processed what he had told her.  Three batters struck out in the time she sat silently.  She finally turned to him as the teams switched sides.  

“How long do you have?”

Barba closed his eyes and huffed.  “They’re already getting physical.  I figure maybe one more ass-kicking and then they’ll just kill me. I cannot believe I actually just uttered that sentence in complete sincerity.”  

“Then we need to buy some time.  This information they want, is it in your office?”

“No.”

“Good.  Here’s what we’re gonna do.”  For the moment, her only thought was to keep him safe until they could come up with a plan to get him out of the situation alive and employed.  

Rafael dropped his car off at the station house and Laura signed out an unmarked car.  If they were tracking his car, the trail would end there.  They went to Barba’s apartment, where he packed a few days’ worth of clothes and things.  It seemed likely that he would get another visit from the goons tonight.  Hopefully they’d think he was at the station, but even if they were waiting for him at the apartment building, Laura doubted they would attack him with her there.  Wherever the goons were, neither Rafael nor Laura saw them, and they didn’t risk trying to get to him.  When he had what he needed, they drove to a huge, high-rise hotel – the better to blend in with the crowd - and Laura made sure he got safely to his room.

Barba’s mood ricocheted between fear, anger, and shame. He was beginning to think he might see a faint glint of hope somewhere in the distance, just because Parker seemed so confident they would figure out how to untangle him from this situation. But even that sat bitterly with him – how pathetic was he that he had no choice but to beg this rookie detective he had just met to get his ass out of a sling?  He was a bit relieved when she left to go back home.  

They didn’t end up needing the time they’d bought stashing Barba at the hotel.  Late the following morning, his stomach lurched when he saw Parker’s name come up on his cell.   “Mr. Barba, I want you to get the stuff together.  The names, pictures, addresses, everything they want.”

“You’re not suggesting I give it to them.  They’ll kill these people.”

“Not gonna happen.  You need to trust me now.  Just lay low until I get there.  Did Carmen cancel your court appearances?”

“I only had one, and someone took it for me.  I haven’t left this room all day.”

“Don’t.  I’ll be there sometime later.  I don’t know when.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“Better than that.  Trust me.  Can you do that?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Sure.  Several of them.  But the others suck.”  

Barba sighed a string of Spanish expletives.  

“Wow.  That was impressive.  Will you teach me that?”  There was actually a smile in Parker’s voice.  

“No.”

She actually chuckled as she hung up.  Either she was a sadistic witch enjoying his torment, or she really did have a plan she expected to work.  

 At seven that evening, Laura knocked softly on the door of Barba’s hotel room.  He let her in, looking haggard and wired on caffeine.

“I need you to make a phone call,” she told him.

“Who am I calling?  What’s this plan of yours?”  

“Mr. Barba, you’re gonna hate me for this, but I can’t tell you.  I just need you to do what I ask.”

He frowned and made a disgusted noise.  “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Please.  You need to trust me.  I’ll explain everything, but for now, just do it.”

He spewed a couple more Spanish vulgarities. “Fine.  Who am I calling?”

“Judge Renseau.  He tried to set up a meeting before.  Tell him you’ll meet him at the same place tomorrow at eleven a.m. to deliver what he wants.”

“And I’ve had this miraculous conversion why?”

“Because you’ve decided to go to the Dark Side. You’ll give him what he wants for $50,000.”

“What?  Are you insane?  I’ll lose my license!  I’ll go to prison!  What the hell kind of ridiculous –“

“Barba.”  Her voice was loud and authoritative.  He stopped speaking almost against his will.

“Make the call.  I got you.  Just do it.”

He did.  

 The following day was filled with gorgeous summer sunshine with a light breeze.  Rafael found himself walking on wobbly legs through the open garage door into a small mechanic’s shop.  There was no car in the bay, but three men – one of them Judge Renseau – stood waiting for him near the back wall.  All wore suits, but the two apparent bodyguards flanking the judge wore theirs so badly the suits looked like they’d been purposely made with the wrong proportions.

“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses, Counselor.” The judge had a smooth, oily voice and seemed quite amused at the situation.  “And I’m actually pleased you’re getting something out of this.  I think you’ll see working with us is far more lucrative, and less painful, than working against us.”

“Whatever,” Rafael sneered.  “Let’s do this.  You have the cash?”

One of the bodyguards opened a manila envelope he held and showed Rafael a stack of bills.  “Hand over the stuff,” he grunted, his pronunciation pure Jersey shore.

Rafael lifted the envelope he was carrying toward the judge, who moved to take it.  However, at the same time, the other bodyguard reached into his jacket.

“Don’t!”  Came a loud female voice from behind Rafael.  All eyes turned to see Laura aiming her Glock at the bodyguard.

“Who the hell are you?”  The judge’s tone was suddenly as Jersey as his friend’s.  

Laura didn’t answer, but remained still.  

“She’s with me,” Rafael answered, just a hint of his usual snark coloring his voice.  In a corner of her mind, Laura was impressed that he could be so cool given the situation, and that he hadn’t known she was there.

“I’m sure there’s no need for a weapon,” the judge began, trying to recover his sophisticated veneer.

“So am I,” Laura said.  “So get that hand back out of your jacket, Sparky.”

The bodyguard who had reached into his jacket pulled his hand out and held it up.  

“Now,” Laura continued.  “Mr. Barba has something you want, you have something he wants.  Just do what you came for.  No need for things to get sporty.”

With a venomous look at Laura, the judge took the envelope from his bodyguard and handed it to Rafael, taking his envelope at the same time.  

Without taking her eyes off the judge and his friends, Laura murmured, “Señor Barba, pase por aquí.”[1]

Rafael did as she asked, mostly because he was glad someone other than him was making decisions.  

“Detrás de mí,”[2] she ordered softly, taking her left hand from under her gun hand and guiding him behind her.  She then lifted the hand to her mouth.  

“Go, Go, Go,” she announced calmly into her sleeve.

Armed, vested cops poured into the little garage from behind Rafael and Laura, from a door behind the judge and his bodyguards, and from a side door Rafael hadn’t even noticed.  Laura pulled her gun up so that it aimed at the ceiling as she was backing Rafael away from the action, keeping between him and danger.  In moments, they had disarmed and cuffed the judge and his cronies.  

Laura holstered her weapon and turned to Rafael.  “You OK?”  She put a hand on his arm.

“I…  Yeah.” He stared at the scene, bewildered. “I thought you weren’t going to tell anyone about this.”  

Laura smiled brightly.  “I didn’t.  They called me.  These guys are from the gang unit and that – “ she pointed behind and to the side of Rafael. “Is their newest confidential informant.”  

Rafael’s mother stood smiling at two beefy officers with tatoo sleeves and serious weapons.  Her expression was as if she had just conducted the entire operation herself.  

“No.  No, that’s… No – “

Laura put a hand on his chest to stop him from storming over to his mother.  “Relax. She’s fine.  They’re crazy about her.  Apparently, you have a cousin in this unit?”

“Holy shit.  Ramón.  I didn’t even think of him.”  

“You were a little preoccupied.  Anyway, he called me yesterday.  Your Mami leaves nothing to chance.  She tracked him down and told him what she told me.  Turns out your friend the judge is well known to the Organized Crime Unit.  They were about ready to roll up the whole enterprise, so they jumped at the chance for a sting.  They’re arresting guys all over town right now.  Ramón talked them into letting Gangs make this bust, invited me to tag along, and here we are.”  

“You could have told me,” Rafael groaned, beginning to accept that this was all really happening.

“I’m sorry.  We needed you scared.  We couldn’t take the chance Renseau would catch on and set a trap for you.”  She really did sound apologetic and put a hand on his arm again.  “I know it’s been rough.  It’s over now.”  

A wiry Hispanic man about Rafael’s age stepped over to where they were standing.  “Rafael,” he said, smiling.  

The two men embraced.  

“What the hell did you get yourself into, tonto?”[3]  His tone was teasing, as though Barba’s situation had been a game or an inconvenience.

Rafael didn’t respond other than to swear under his breath.  

“OK, OK, socio,[4] let’s get your statement and you can go back to your nice, clean world aboveground.”  He turned to Laura.  “You’ll fill out a report, ¿no?”

She grimaced.  “Can’t.  My Lieutenant would see it.  I need to be just a witness on this one.   I’ll give you a statement…”

“You pulled your weapon.”

“Look, I know, but I’m sort of freelancing on this.” She inclined her head to indicate Barba. “We’d both like to keep this from getting back to our unit.  Can you cut me some slack here?”

“All right, I think I can get my Sergeant to look the other way if you’ll give us a witness statement.  And if you’ll have a drink with me.”  

“Done.”

Rafael blinked in consternation as his cousin hit on Detective Parker, apparently successfully.   It seemed disquieting, although he told himself it was no more bizarre than anything else that had happened to him in the last couple of days.    

*****

Laura opened her apartment door to find Rafael standing in her hallway, hands in pockets, shuffling from foot to foot.  There was something in his face she’d never seen before.

“Mr. Barba,” she said, eyebrows raised.

“I need to thank you,” he said quietly, looking into her eyes. “You saved my life, and my career, and my reputation, and my ass... I owe you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied.

“Thanks for that, too.  Everybody’s talking about the busts, but ass far as I can tell, nobody at SVU knows we had anything to do with any of it.”

Laura stood with one hand on the doorjamb and the other on the knob, waiting for him to say the rest of what he’d come to say.  

“Why’d you help me?  You hardly know me.”

“We built Ikea furniture together.  There’s a bond.”

The look on his face told her he wasn’t in a joking mood.

She shrugged, but her tone was serious. “You’re SVU.  Someone messes with you, they mess with me.”

For a moment, he stood looking at the floor, brow furrowed, struggling with something.  “You made me stand behind you.  If he shot at me…” he finally said.

“I had a vest on.  You didn’t.  That’s how it works.”

He looked up at her with troubled eyes.  “I don’t think I feel very good about you getting between me and a bullet.”

“That’s how it works,” she repeated.  

He thought about that for a moment, then turned to go, muttering, “Thanks again.”

“There is something you could do for me, if you’re feeling grateful.”

He turned back around.

“I’m getting a little tired of ‘Detective’.  My name is Laura.  Do you think you could call me that, at least around here?”  

His lips twisted slightly.  “If you call me Rafael.”

“Deal.”

“Goodnight, Laura.”

“Goodnight, Rafael.”

[1] Mr. Barba, step over here.

[2] Behind me.

[3] stupid fool

[4] partner, associate, sidekick

[supercilium-sulcos]

Fictober 2019: Day 5

Prompt number: 5 - “I might just kiss you.” Original fiction: Decadence Rating: G Warnings/Tags: alcohol, implied polyamory (not really a warning but? w/e)

Even if the party had ended, their night was far from finished. Elegant soirees in the Crest were for intrigue and guile. They weren't for entertainment, they were tests of his mettle. Central, on the other hand -- Central folks knew how to party.

He'd come to the capital to do something worthwhile, but the strain of his non-stop performance weighed on him. And, he was sure, it had begun wearing away at Arael and Samira as well. They deserved a break, if only for a night.

The streets were deserted. They must have woken every resident from the lifts to the palace with their laughter. Cassian carried them both -- Arael on his back and Samira in his arms. He was the only sober one of their trio, though he didn't mind. He couldn't recall ever seeing Samira so giggly. It was refreshing. She reached out to open the door for him when they were in range.

Cassian headed for the living room where he let them down. Rather than split up, they all fell against the couch in a cozy heap. Arael sprawled across his lap with his legs stretching over Samira's. Cassian kept an arm around Sam's shoulders to pull her in close. So much of their affection was simply for show to play the part of husband and wife. In private, they rarely cuddled. She nestled comfortably into the crook of his arm and laced one hand with Arael's.

"Hey love," Arael grinned, nuzzling against him. "We should play a game."

"I don't think you're coherent enough for  games," Cassian reminded him. He ran his fingers through Arael's loose hair.

"Not your weird games." His beloved poked him hard in the chest. "Let's play truth or dare. C'mon. You start."

Chuckling, Cassian said, "All right. Truth or dare?"

"Dare," Arael declared with a dramatic waggle of his eyebrows.

"I dare you to show Samira your tattoo."

Samira perked up. Her rosy cheeked grin was lovely to behold. "You have a tattoo?"

Arael groaned. "I know, I know! I made a really stupid bet with my brother once. Long story short, I didn't know turtles laid eggs until I was seventeen and I thought our parrot was the devil--"

"Stalling won't save you," Cassian reminded him. "Show her."

Grumbling all the while, Arael hooked his thumb into the side of his pants and tugged them down a few inches. He angled himself up so Samira could see the design inked into his hip.

"Oooh, is that a fish?"

Arael explained, "Yeah. A fighting fish."

"It's really beautiful," she sighed. "You shouldn't be embarrassed. I think it's elegant."

"I like it too," Cassian smiled, scratching lightly under Arael's chin. "The way the fins twirl remind me of your hair when you dance."

Arael pushed against them both with hands and knees. "All right, that's enough. You're both being so gross," he groaned. "And it's my turn. Sam, truth or dare?"

"Hmm... Truth," she said.

"What's the tackiest part of Cassian's house?"

"Honestly all of it is a bit tacky for my taste," she said, "but I think the whole city is like that." After pausing for a moment to suck on her cheek, Samira's eyes lit up. "Oh! The gold busts of those old men down the hall. Those are hideous."

"Agreed," Cassian had to admit. "I think my grandfather commissioned those, and I don't have the heart to throw them out."

Arael patted his chest for his attention. "Cass. Truth or dare?"

"It's Samira's turn."

"No, you go," she said.

Cassian rolled his eyes. "All right. Truth."

Something wicked lurked in  Arael's smirk. "What's the most you've ever done with a woman?"

"You already know the answer." But the way Arael looked at him so expectantly, Cassian knew that wouldn't be enough. He sighed, looking away. "Nothing."

"Have you ever been attracted to a woman?"

"Ari."

"It's just a question!"

"And you've already asked one. You don't get two per round."

Arael reached up to stroke his cheek. The movements were still a little sloppy, eyes a little glassy. But his beloved's smile still brought him comfort. "I'm not going to be jealous."

Hesitating, Cassian murmured, "Yes."

He didn't think the answer would be satisfactory, but Arael pressed him no further. Instead, he moved on to Samira.

"Truth or dare?"

Perhaps she'd learned her lesson from Cassian. "Dare," she said.

"I dare you to try one of my dances."

"Oh Creators," she sighed.

But she didn't shy away from it. She untangled herself from Cassian's arm and Arael's thighs, standing before them with her hands clasped behind her back. Rolling up to the tips of her toes, she asked hesitantly, "So which dance, exactly?"

"Any of them," Arael said.

"I... Well. I don't know," she admitted with a soft  giggle. "Sometimes I get so distracted by your water magic that I don't really, um... pay close attention to the dance moves."

Normally Arael, as Cassian knew him, would have jumped at the chance to be appalled at the notion. Too distracted to pay attention to me? I am SCANDALIZED, Samira. SCANDALIZED! Cassian could hear it already. But instead, he'd say that Arael looked almost... pleased? His husband slipped off of his lap and circled around Samira until he stood right behind her. "How about I give you a little lesson?"

Surely it wasn't meant to be this way. Arael hadn't meant to wink at him. Samira hadn't intended to flush and grin when she agreed. His mouth watered. Stomach somersaulted. If he wanted this to stop, he could make it stop. He knew Arael wasn't so far gone that he would test this boundary without Cassian's consent. Their eyes met. Cassian gave him the slightest nod and perched his chin on his palm. Pleased, Arael put his hands on Samira's hips.

"This is where you've got to build that rhythm. Like a heartbeat," he said. And began rocking her hips left... right... left. His own swaying in unison. "There you go. You're way better at this than Cass."

Samira said, "I've danced before, you know. Just not like you."

"Sweetheart, no one dances like me."

When he guided her to dip, to bend and twirl like a willow, she moved. Gods, she moved.

"So why did you dare me to try?" she asked.

Arael flashed another mischievous grin over her shoulder... directed at Cassian. "Oh, I don't know. Just for fun."

He pulled her in close, leaving no room between their bodies. Flush against her back, he wrapped his arms around her while Samira lead their dance.

"Did you know Cassian fell in love with me the first time he saw me perform?" Arael said.

A breathless giggle parted her lips. "I'm not surprised. You're the most incredible dancer ever."

It was Arael's turn to laugh. Dipping close to her ear, he slid his hands up her waist. Samira leaned into his touch. "Glad you noticed." A tiny sigh fluttered past her lips. Delicate fingertips traced Arael's hands. Cassian wasn't sure what he was meant to feel in that moment. All he knew was the intense satisfaction of seeing the two of them -- together, blissful.

"You really do move like... like water," Samira murmured. "Like a river. Never losing your flow."

"Careful with all the compliments. I might just kiss you."

One plump lip disappeared between her teeth. "What are you waiting for?"

A primal, fierce sense of hunger stirred in the depths of his gut. He watched as if transfixed. Arael peered up with half-lidded eyes, mouth hidden against Samira's shoulder. "Seeing if Cass wants to do it first."

He didn't know how they'd gotten to this point. Realistically, he should have seen this coming. How long could two people pretend to be a loving couple before it was no longer pretend? Cassian thought his feelings were something different: friendship, companionship. Attraction was normal... right? Samira was a beautiful woman. He certainly thought so, and so did Arael. He remembered many occasions when Arael admitted to his attraction. But the pieces didn't come together until Samira looked him in the eyes in their living room, tipsy and barefoot and messy-haired.

Cassian dry-swallowed. Well. Now we've really stepped in it, haven't we.

He extended his hand towards her from his seat on the couch. Tentative, she approached and settled her hand in his. He had not forgotten how much she'd had to drink. He pulled her knuckles to his lips, held her gaze while he planted a gentle kiss against them.

"Perhaps it would be best to continue in the morning when we have clearer heads."

Samira gave his hand a faint squeeze. "Always the gentleman."

And from behind them came a very soft "oof." Cassian peered around Samira where his husband swayed. Not in the motions of his dance routine, but as if woozy. "Ah... yep. Yep, that's the vomit. Be right back--"

His husband barely made it out of the room before finding some receptacle to ruin. Cassian could not help but to roll his eyes. Whatever it was, hopefully it wasn't another expensive vase. The kitchen must have still had mint and ginger. Though it would have been far more satisfying to let Arael take care of himself -- and learn his lesson about over-indulging -- Cassian would not risk their good bed sheets. He touched Samira's back just enough to get her attention. "I'll get to him in a moment. Can I help you to your room?"

"I'm fine, I... oh." Springing to move so quickly left her stumbling, and Cassian steadied her. "Maybe. Please."

She walked on her own, but her wobbling would have led her stumbling into any of the hall's many hazards. From statues to tapestries to paintings, there was no end to the dangerous furnishings between the couch and her bedroom.

"Sorry for troubling you," she murmured. That meekness had faded so much during their time living together. It was the first time Cassian had seen it creep back in a long while.

"I enjoy a bit of trouble on occasion."

"To be with Arael for so long, I suppose that must be true," she chuckled.

He stopped at her door. "Do you need anything?"

With a little shake of her head, Samira let herself in. One foot crossed the threshold. She looked back up at him. "Cassian?"

"Yes, dear?"

She said nothing. Maybe she was waiting for him, like Arael. Maybe she worried that he would prey upon her like a beast. Whatever happened behind that furrowed brow was a mystery. Samira did nothing to enlighten him with her soft chirp of, "Goodnight."

Arael was a lost cause if the sound of his puking was anything to go by, but Cassian hoped that Samira might get a better night's rest than him.

[girlbookwrm]

BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH MIGHTY ENDGAME REWATCH MEMECEPTION 2: MEMIER AND CEPTIONIER

yes i HAVE been keeping up with the rewatch but i HAVEN’T been keeping up with typing up my notes from the rewatch but BOY HOWDY I AM RUNNING OUT OF TIME AREN’T I.

Ok so here we go with Guardians 2 --

today we mourn the passing of an icon. farewell old marvel logo. ye shall be missed.

MISSOURI. EARTH. 1980.

so whose music taste does starlord actually have? his own? his mom’s? 

My Boss’s, in fact????

be it known that i work retail and the station we listen to is basically the guardians soundtrack which might sound neat but basically all these songs are dead to me now.

digitally enyouthened kurt russell must be mentally re en agened so i don't go mad like some sorry sucker faced with a lovecraftian horror tbh

34 YEARS LATER

which means 2014 confirmed which means we're actually watching this out of in-universe chronological order

our bad

this is the REAL opening. slipping back into their flashback ways i see.

Is groot dancing or fighting? both?

i love that all the action is out of focus, what we really want is Cute Groot Content and they know that.

“IT’S THE SAME THICKNESS FROM THE INSIDE AS FROM THE OUTSIDE” they said

in deliberate defiance of anthony tedward ‘you know the story of jonah and the whale?’ stark

none of this info is important or relevant

good hermit look nebula. solid hermit attire.

how does no one figure out the obvious battery thing faster? they’re not even out of the hall when he tips his hand

awwwwhwhwhh groot

~this one’s for the ladies~

i honestly can’t remember the context for that note i’m gonna assume that peter took his shirt off

it’s worth noting that drax is actually sneaky

“i will kill you”

all the ppl with siblings: *nod sagely* solid sibling interaction there.

i do love that it’s like an arcade

Just In Case You Were Wondering, The Guardians Have Not Grown Up At Alllllllllll.

sooooooooo drax going out the back -- that was the plan?

And drax is dead now, right?

and gamora?

and nebula?

and.... everyone?

BERHART

Gamora: LOOK AT THIS!!!!!!!!!

all of us: mood.

nebula is also very bad at lying. 

Kurt Russell is here

“yeah my name is very on the nose. That’s comics for ya!”

CONTRAXA

The Roommate: There’s something extra unsettling about robot prostitutes not sure what...

prostitute: *turns herself off*

The Roommate: Yep. it’s that. 

that’s extremely rude of you rocky

honestly how dare this movie make me feel feelings about yondu

The Roommate: oh hey it’s laserface

me: it’s taserface actually

The Roommate: ........ that’s so much worse?

this carpet gag deserves more appreciation

Star-Lord’s “IT’S HAPPENING” face is just

Yup, that’s ur dad

Query: is Mantis one of Ego’s kids?

“what if this man is your hasselhoff?”

git ur daddy issues

git ur daddy issues here

hang on why was gamora so pissed if they can just grow new ship parts no problem???

Mantis is so cute but more importantly

HER EYE MAKEUP GAME IS ON! POINT!

i love rocket, always, but especially here with all the singing

but not that

nope

don’t like that

Just gonna kevin mccalister this whole forest huh

these guys are also dead, yeah?

yeah.

EGO’S PLANET

good job drax excellent grasp on humility

he’s built a museum to himself here

“yes, i have a penis.”

Gamora’s FACE here omg

what did Ego look like? pre Kurt Russell? did he go around seducing alien ladies with tentacle faces all the while looking like Kurt Russell? seems unlikely, since he can make himself look like Whatever. more likely he’s just pasted the Kurt Russell face over everything now because he’s got his Kurt Russell kid here, right?

A Very Smart Question We Never Get A Real Answer To. 

literally the most unrealistic thing in this movie: how could anyone be mean to baby groot?

can we take a moment to acknowledge that this is all like hella hella dark?

y i k e s

Ok but if Nebula doesn’t kill thanos then What Is The Point.

The Roommate: Peter and his dad play catch is so predictable i’d have felt robbed if they didn’t tbh. it HAD to be in slow mo.

me: ....

me: i just thought they were throwing it real slow

we still don’t have an answer here incidentally

Mantis is at least an adopted sibling then, right?

“No Gef. It’s Too Adorable To Kill.”

them all chanting mascot is terribly on the nose

this sequence made the full funny loop. went from funny to not funny and then pushed on through back to hilarious

They knew about the fin? and just?? Left it???

EXCELLENT use of slo mo

Yondu: Too Powerful to Live

Kraglin: Keepin it tight in those leather pants

TBF i don’t even know how she WALKS in those shoes much less dances in them

The Roommate: This scene makes me sad now... given...

Me: AH GEEZE

“you like when i’m the weak one.”

me and The Roommate: *exchange looks* 

Me and The Roommate: *sweating*

Me and The Roommate: she’s one of us.

Gamora: *my sister senses are tingling*

all the ppl with siblings: *nod sagely* Solid Sibling Interaction There.

stop giving me feelings about these characters That Is Rude

Nebula and Bucky would get along i feel

“I’M GONNA MAKE SOME WEIRD SHIT” - fandom

I love this very Non Romantic Relationship

PETER are you even LISTENING to what he’s SAYING???

aw man eyes Doing That is never a good sign

y i i i i i k e s 

oh hey it’s pooter

groot even pukes adorably wtf

this film gets real fast real fast actually

ego

ego that’s gross

that’s gross ego

Gamora: NO ONE MAKES ME FEEL MY OWN FEELINGS HOW DARE U

“we’re family”

i’m sobbing

Peter goes from zero to FUCK YOU in .00002 seconds i love that sm

we love this even more

for reasons.

“That was Bein Funny.”

nOT to ME

really? all this for like? three batteries?

batteries are actually a real #theme throughout this piece aren’t they.

i LOVE THIS SONG

superhero landing

“i don’t fly the arrow with my head, boy”

“yeah. i murder from the heart.”

You know, tbh yondu and gamora had to die for p much the same reason

too powerful

aaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Y I K E S

 ugh it’s like he’s being de-Raider-ized

i just don’t like it okay

i would like to thank whoever was responsible for cutting that line off mid-schmaltz

again, a+ music cue

AND IF YOU DON’T LOVE ME NOW!!

damn. iconic.

tho how dare this movie  tbh

this is somehow a hard turn

NOPE DON’T CARE FOR THAT NO THANK YOU

listen this is a very sweet scene completely ruined because

DADDY

yondu’s accent? not a good enough reason to say daddy in this context

gosh i came out here to have a good time and i’m honestly feeling so attacked right now.

AND THEN THIS SHIT HOW DARE???????

[awkward sibling hug]

all the ppl with siblings: *nod sagely* SOLID SIBLING INTERACTION THERE.

this song is.

very rude.

Can we talk about how drax is the team dad? like. Drax is everyone’s actual literal dad -- SLEEPY BABY GROOT

single rocket tear is too much

i say to this entire end sequence:

R U D E

these end credits are unfuckingbeatable tho

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #211

"i was told when i get older all my fears would shrink, but now i'm insecure and i care what people think."

What is your favorite time of day? Morning. What is your third favorite color? Ummm maybe peach. Do you care what others think of you? In most contexts, very much so. How would you dress, if you were the opposite sex? Same style I do now, really. Though not tank tops and dance pants; I'm sure I'd mostly wear loose band or graphic tees and sweatpants. Can you remember your first phone? If so, what kind was it? I think I might? I believe it was a blue one where the keyboard slides out from the bottom. Small and square-ish. What do you do to maintain your eyebrows? Nothing. What was the naughtiest thing you did when you were a child? I bit my sister's back so hard that I made her bleed, lmao. Sorry Ash. What, in your opinion, is the most thirst-quenching drink? COLD WATER. Who is your favorite character from Alice in Wonderland? Cheshire cat. Name the closest body of water to where you live: Atlantic Ocean. What do you like to put on toast? Light layer of butter and then cinnamon and sugar. The true cinnamon toast. Do you like art? Of course. How about theater? I don't have too much of an opinion... other than it has potential to be incredibly cheesy. Have you ever made breakfast for someone? Yes. Do you talk to your crush? If you have one. She's way more than that, and we talk every day. If yes, what do you usually talk about? Loads of stuff. What was the last thing you bought? With my own money, I don't have a clue. Have you ever been considered popular? No. Your signature perfume? I don't have one. Favorite undersea creature? Sea turtles, seahorses, jellyfish... Describe your room with just 5 words. Small, crowded, zoo, artsy, and... idk. Favorite type of chocolate? Milk. What types of things would you plant in a garden? If I actually wanted one, lots of flowers. Maybe tomatoes because fresh tomatoes + bacon and mayonnaise sandwiches are fucking incredible. Favorite attraction at a carnival? Ferris wheel. What toys did you play with as a child? Plastic animals, Pokemon figures, and stuffed animals were common. Oh yeah, I loved Lincoln Logs too. What types of music do you listen to? Various kinds of metal and rock as well as indie. What, without fail, makes you cry? Mufasa dying lmao. What makes a movie really enjoyable for you? A cool plot. Usually fantasy elements. Favorite way to decorate a cake? *shrugs* What gift(s) did you get for your birthday last year? I don't remember. What do you daydream about the most? My future. Name a game you are really good at. Shadow of the Colossus probably, but considering how infrequently I play games now, I'm sure I'm nowhere near as good as I used to be. Whenever I get a PS4 and the remake tho, I'm getting that goddamn white Agro. I never did the timed challenges before, but I think I could do it. What kinds of snacks do you munch on? I don't really have snacks anymore; I try to keep them out of the house so I'm not tempted. If anything though, it'll probably be some kind of chip. What emotionally exhausts you? Socializing. What accessories would come with a doll version of you? A laptop, iPod, and medication lmao. Favorite thing to do when it’s night time? Sleep? I've sure grown into a fun person. How do you like to bathe/shower? With hot-ish water. The most childish part of your personality? I absolutely hate chores. Favorite type of fantasy creature? Dragons. Do your arms move when you walk? I... actually don't know and can't even visualize how I walk right now. Favorite photo search engine? Google. Are there such things as stupid questions? Depends on your age and some other factors, I guess. Do you celebrate April Fools Day? No. I hate it, honestly. Do you doggie paddle or actually swim in a pool? Both. How do you cure boredom? I'd love to fucking know. I'm always bored. Ankle socks or knee-highs? Ankle socks. Do you know how military time works? Yes, but I can't comprehend the time immediately if it's passed 12. What’s your daily routine? Wake up, check the time, use the bathroom, have breakfast, feed my cat, sit on the laptop doing nothing, maybe or maybe not have a nap at some point, shower if I need to whatever time I feel like, also brush my teeth at some random point during the day (unless I have to go somewhere; then I'll do it before I leave), eat dinner, feed the other pets, and go to bed. Did you get in trouble for cussing on accident when you were a kid? I literally yelled "HOLY SHIT, I THINK I SEE A SHARK!" when we were all in the car driving over a bridge and I swear I saw a fin in the water, lmao. Mom was. Not happy. Ever made a snow angel? Yes. Are you short or tall for your age? I'm average. At what age did you learn the Pledge of Allegiance? Idk, early elementary school. What’s the longest you’ve gone without food? When my appetite was like non-existent and I lost a shitload of weight, I think I almost went a full 24 hours. What do you think about most? What's stressing me out. Are you honestly a good person? I don't think I'm a bad one. Where would you like to be buried? I'd rather be cremated. Do you use Bing or Google? Google. Last song you listened to? "Damage" by Fit For Rivals. Last movie you watched ALL the way through? The Shining. Howwww had I not seen it sooner. Last thing you wrote down? The time I was meeting with my job coach on the calendar. What was the last movie you saw in theaters? Detective Pikachu. What is ONE thing your fridge or pantry ALWAYS needs? My day will feel so off if I don't have one Mtn. Dew Voltage. Do you believe more in luck or hard work? That's a good question. Sometimes you can work your ass off and yet reap inadequate - or any - rewards, while some people pick up a lottery ticket once in their life and are suddenly a millionaire. Life's not fair, kids. But I like to think hard work usually prevails. Do you have any metal on or in your body right now? Piercings. What is your favorite thing to eat with dip? Plain chips with sour cream dip... yum. Do you consider yourself a heartbreaker? Nope. Who was the last person to tag a picture of you? Who even knows. I don't get tagged in pictures because I'm never with people to take and tag me in any lmao. Have you ever liked someone much older than you? No. Is there someone you always, secretly hope will talk to you? It's not a secret that I want to talk to Jason ONE last time to apologize on MY end. What was your first favorite band? Backstreet Boys. Are you friends with any bands? A local band, yeah; their guitarist is an old friend. Do you stay up ridiculously late for no reason? Very very rarely now. What’s your life motto? Idk, I've never really thought about it. Last year for school, we had an assignment where we had to choose a popular song to write a story based on. What song would you’ve picked? A popular song? Oh boy, idk. I don't really know what's popular that I like... Well, guess I'll think of old songs I know were. Um... Oh well I love writing sad shit, so maybe "Runaway Love" by Ludacris ft. Mary J. Blige. I already had an RP plot that was kinda inspired by it lmao. Do you like 3OH!3? If I said I wouldn't belt "'CUZ I'M A VEGETARIAN AND I AIN'T FUCKIN' SCARED'A HIM" at a club at 2 in the morning I'd be lying. Did the vacuum scare you as a child? No. Do you have a long driveway? No. Anyone’s grave you visit, regularly? No. Who was your first kiss? First person who kissed me was Juan, first mutual kiss (which I consider my "real" first) was with Jason. What was it like? Were you disappointed? Juan's kiss I didn't want, and it made me confused at the time. I had no clue how I felt about him back then. With Jason, it was incredibly sweet. I was lucky to get like a fairy tale one and not a horribly awkward memory lmao. Do you have an older brother? If so, what’s he like? Yeah. He's super super intelligent and a deep thinker. Very mature and has a great sense of humor. Are you confident? hunty- Have you ever begged someone to stay with you? Yes. Who do you want around you when you’re afraid? More than anyone, Mom. Had separation anxiety as a kid, obviously grew out of it, but if I'm seriously scared, I want my mom's presence. Like if I'm sick (I'm petrified of vomiting alskdfjaowie) or we're having risky weather, stuff like that, I want her with me. Have you ever mistaken something’s shadow for something else? Probably at some point. Indie, rock, electronic, techno, dubstep, or ‘crunk’? The hell is "crunk" music. Rock. Do you know how to read a map? I have no clue 'cuz I've never actually used a real one. Have a friend that looks JUST like a celeb? Not off the top of my head. Are you good at basketball? I used to be, but I haven't played in forever. It was probably my favorite sport that I ever played. Or softball. Are you friends with anyone missing one of their five senses? Not that I know of. How many times have you moved in your lifetime? Three. Are you good at Pac-Man? I was never exceptional. I haven't played it in yeeeaaars. Have you ever been called 'jail bate’? No. Have you ever been seriously addicted to anything? Technology oops like I barely know how to function without it, sadly. Ever lied to get out of going somewhere with someone? Yes. Where did you meet your current or last significant other? YouTube. Do you like to eat pasta? Yes. Do you enjoy wine? Most bitter shit in the world. Noooooooot a fan. How long have you been driving? I've had my permit since senior year of high school (I think senior???), but I still don't have my license. What’s your lawyer’s name? N/A What’s the last thing you watched on Netflix? Good question. Do you play any video games? The only one I play regularly is World of Warcraft; it's the only "ongoing" game I play. Why were you last in the hospital? My sister got into a wreck. Would you ever get a face tattoo? Possibly something small and subtle, but I doubt it. Have you ever gambled? No. What has been your most epic cooking failure? I split a hot dog entirely in half in the microwave because I thought it'd take much longer to warm up than it actually did. Do you read other people’s survey answers on here? Sometimes. Do you agree with the saying ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder?’ With my experience with Sara, yes. Do you know any transgender people? I knew someone who like... swapped back and forth five thousand times. Then one of my friends had a transgender "phase," if it's appropriate to call it that. Have you ever had a parrot sit on your shoulder? Don't think so. In the morning, do you eat breakfast first or brush your teeth first? Eat. Why would you eat RIGHT AFTER brushing your teeth. What sort of window coverings do you have in your living room? Blinds. Has anyone in your life ever treated you abusively? No. How long has it been since your last breakup? A year and a half. What’s the name of the amusement park closest to your house? Uhhh I think Busch Gardens in Virginia? Do you like The Rolling Stones? Yeah. What was the last single item you spent over $100 on? A plane ticket. Can you read tarot cards? No. What is the last non-fiction book that you read? I have zero clue. Do you prefer lemons or limes? Lemons. Do you prefer peppermint or spearmint? I don't think I even taste the difference. Have you ever written a special note in a book? Yeah, I did in a book Jason lent me. Turns out it's a bad idea to write in pen a lil love letter on the back of the front cover to a book that was also for collection purposes lmao, but he wasn't mad. Would you rather have a house exterior made from wood, brick, or stucco? I like wood aesthetically, but I think eliminating wood housing would be a good idea, so brick. Brick also makes me feel safer. What is your favorite candy bar? Those big rectangle Reese's ones with individual blocks. I fucking love them. Have you ever thrown up in public? I know at least one occasion in I believe kindergarten where I did on the classroom floor, oof. Pepsi or Sprite? I hate Pepsi and I'm not a Sprite fan either, but if I had to, I'd drink the latter. How many video games do you own? We have an old CD case just about full of them. Have you ever stripped? No. Even if you are not Christian or never celebrated Christmas, do you think you will raise your (possible future) children to believe in Santa Clause? Why or why not? I don't want kids, but if I did, I probably would. It's just a magical, fun thing as a kid. Who has the most interesting phone cover you know or what was the most interesting one you have come across (in store or online)? Sara has a really cute chameleon one. Would you rather play a game such as World of Warcraft, League of Legends, or an app/Facebook game (Candy Crush, Bejeweled)? Y'all know. What’s the most amount of messages you either woke up to on a social media site or your phone? Idk, not a lot. When you have nightmares, do they normally have the same theme (ex. always being killed) or do they just relate to something going on in your life at the moment/random? They're very commonly either with me dying or about to be raped. Some surveys ask if you ever stepped in dog poop. However, have you ever stepped in animal pee? Yup. When’s the last time you or someone else has overstayed their visit? Whenever Girt last came over forever ago. He always does lmao. Have you ever consumed a full bottle of liquid medicine in one shot? Is there ANY medication you can actually do that with and not die???? Have you ever had a hamster? Yes. If you had a choice, would you rather eat chicken or beef? Chicken. What was your favorite birthday cake like? I don't remember any specifically. Would you prefer bacon or sausage? Tough call, but probably bacon. How many books have you read in the past YEAR? Zero. Do you type with all of your fingers, like you are taught in school? Yes. Have you ever put gum on the bottom of your desk/chair? No, grosses me the hell out. At what age were you the most physically attractive? The least? During high school; 2016. If you intend to get married, what are you looking forward to/dreading about wedding planning? I think planning the vows will be fun (I don't want references to God, fuck saying my dad has to "give me away," etc.) as well as the theme, and then I don't think I'm dreading anything about planning. Who are you most nervous about introducing potential significant others to? Mom. What is the craziest thing you have done to lose weight? I haven't done anything "crazy." Which parent do you most resemble? Idk. What is the best job you’ve ever had? Never had one I liked. How do you feel about monogamy as a whole? It's definitely what I find to be the better option. You're minimizing the risk of spreading STDs, and plus I personally see love as a one-on-one thing, not open to multiple. What is the most exciting thing about your life right now? LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL What was the most important non-academic thing you learned in high school? Probably some life lessons from my favorite teacher. Have you ever lived alone? Do you prefer living by yourself or with someone else? No. I never want to live alone. Do you and your friends ever talk about your sex lives? I don't have a friend to discuss that with, but I also don't have a sex life. Has anyone ever criticized your appearance? What did they say and how did you take it? Yeah. It was typically about my piercings or how I dressed (particularly ripped skinny jeans), and neither of those ever got to me. I love my piercings and style. How common is it for you to get jealous in romantic or platonic relationships? It's rare. When someone asks you about your number of sexual partners, do you include oral sex partners? I probably would if there was anyone who fit that criteria but I wasn't "fully" sexual with. It's still sexual. Have you ever had a job that deeply affected your personal life? How so and do you still work there? No. What is the most serious injury you’ve ever sustained? When I passed out onto my chin and ended up with a really deep cut, broke multiple teeth, and got a concussion. What were the best and worst interviews you’ve ever had? What made them so good/bad? None stand out for either end of the spectrum. List three people you’ve had crushes on. Just to make it interesting, I'll name people I had crushes on but never dated. Sebastian, Kyle, and Mini. How old were you when you were first head over heels in love? 16. Has loving someone ever made you miserable? Boy, have you heard about my Historical Breakup? How bad are your worst cramps on a scale of 1-10? They used to be easy 10s, but now that BC helps me, I'd say the worst are like... rarely 7-8s. Have you ever thrown up from cramps? No. What is the most physically painful thing you’ve ever experienced? I 110% should've been under anesthesia when I got an infected cyst drained. I wanted to fucking die to get it over with. Do you have an embarrassing period story? If so, what is it? No. Did your school allow you to have pain medicine on you? I think so? I do know you couldn't share it, though. Do you ever comfort eat? I get the urge to when I'm depressed, but I stopped doing it. If applicable, what form of birth control do you use? Pills and not being with a man. What is your sexual orientation? Bisexual. Have you ever questioned your sexuality? Yes. What gender do you identify as? Female. What gender were you born as? Female. Have you ever gotten high off a prescription medication? No. Can you still wear clothes from the children’s section? Pf, hell no. Are you lonely? Very. Do you have allergies? Yes. How old were you when your parents talked to you about puberty? However old I was in 5th grade when we had family life class. Do you take vitamins? Only one I'm prescribed for for vitamin D. Do you like fantasy better than reality? Yep. Have you ever contemplated suicide? Yeah. Have you ever self-harmed? Yes. How many people have you known who were suicidal? Multiple, sadly. What’s your favorite pain reliever? Advil. Who has the cutest baby/babies you know? My acquaintance has an absolutely beautiful daughter. What’s the most expensive thing your car needed to get done? N/A If you had a thousand dollars to spend on a pricey brand you like but can’t really afford (until now of course), which ONE brand would you chose? I have no clue. I don't really know pricey brands that don't have the ugliest shit. How many pairs of flip flops do you own? One. Do you still talk to any of your old teachers? One, yes. She's a family friend now. What color was the dress you wore to your senior prom? Black. Ever go to another school’s prom? No. Ever take Melatonin supplements to help you go to sleep? When I used to have AWFUL insomnia, it was the only way I could sleep. Do you like burning candles or incense? Incense especially. Ever throw a pair of your shoes in the washing machine? How did they come out? Not that I remember. Do you ever venture into the woods? What do you normally do in there? No. Do you like to wear shorts or capris in the summer? No. I hate my legs, nor do I regularly shave. Does your phone have a keyboard, touch screen, or neither? Touch screen. How did you dress your freshman year of high school? Emo. Were you obsessed with the Spice Girls back in the day? Obsessed, no, but I liked them. Have you ever had an encounter with the paranormal? Yes. Would you do your own surgery so keep yourself alive? (ex. stitches) I mean yeah, if I had no choice. Would you rather read poetry or write poetry? Write. Have you ever had any really infected injuries? An ear piercing got an infection once. Is there any band out there that you like every song by them? No. Would you ever work for Google? I mean, I don't see why not? Do people that are ungrateful for everything bother you? Immensely. Are you popular on any websites? No, not really. If you ruled the world, what is the first law that you would make? Probablyyyy the banning of at least single-use plastics, but hopefully plastics as a whole if doable. When was the last time you played jump rope? Not since being a kid, probably. Do you hate it when people look over your shoulder? I can't do ANYTHING if someone is. Do you know anyone who has had a heart attack under 30 years of age? No. If you were starving would you eat food out of a garbage can? If I found something that didn't look dangerous, yeah, in order to survive. When is the last time you had your vision checked? Like two months ago. When is the last time you had your hearing checked? Some time last year when I had that whole ordeal with my ears. Do you know your blood type? It's A-. Do you donate blood/platelets/plasma/etc.? No, I don't drink enough water. Ever been in the emergency room? Way more times than I like. Have you ever been robbed? No, thankfully. Ever kiss someone on the first date? No. Do you own any Burt’s Bees products? No. Dr. Pepper or Root Beer? Dr. Pepper. What’s your favorite picture of your mom? Dad? I have one of Mom I took for a photography course of her laughing, and I fucking love it. She rarely laughs. Dad, I'm not sure. Are you subscribed to anything (Magazines, monthly boxes, streaming sites, etc.)? No. Favorite flavor of cream cheese? ... It has flavors? Do you have any board games? If so, where do you keep them? Yeah; they're at the top of a cabinet in the living room. Is there an ice cream flavor you don’t like? Of ones I've tried (I'm not very adventurous with food), I loathe strawberry. What’s the raunchiest thing you’ve ever stumbled upon? I don't know, don't wanna know. I steer clear of that side of the Internet. Hm, it was probably something on dA that had a mature content filter that I looked at anyway because it had an intriguing name. That site can have some wild-ass shit. How rude is it to snap your fingers at a waiter or waitress? Have you done it before? That is incredibly rude. They're not dogs. I've never done that. Best way for someone to bond with you? Let's talk about deep shit and philosophy. Discuss interesting, unorthodox topics. Show me you have an open mind. What is the first meme you remember seeing? BOY, I don't know. Maybe Overly-Attached Girlfriend? Suitcase, duffel bag, or backpack? Duffel bag. Sci-fi, fantasy, or superheroes? Fantasy. Favorite font? Out of the default options, Garamond. Favorite fairy tale? Fucking FIGHT ME if you say Shrek isn't one. Forget the memes and such, I genuinely love the movies. Favorite tradition? By this point in my life, we don't really follow any traditions... but I do know as a kid I would NEVER let Mom forget we had to make "reindeer food." When a Christmas light show was still here, we would also go there and grab hot chocolate and chocolate-covered peanuts. I miss that. Talent you’re proud of having? I think I'm an above-average writer. Favorite website from your childhood? Webkinz. :') Any good luck charms? Nope. Least favorite flavor of food or drink? Cranberry. Least favorite pattern? Uhhh... I'm not big on animal print. Favorite potato food? Fries my man. Do you call them fireflies or lightning bugs? Fireflies. Lamps, overhead lights, fairy lights, or sunlight? FAIRY LIGHTS. How many phone numbers do you have memorized? Two lmao. Favorite historical era? The Renaissance. What are some must-have Google Chrome extensions? If you don’t use Chrome, how about on other internet browsers? AdBlock. What piece of stand up comedy (10 minutes or less) has successfully made you cry with laughter? Oh boy, a lot. I love stand-up. What little “Easter Eggs” on websites do you love? If you don’t have one on a website, how about in a game, TV show, or movie? Boy, got plenty in games. The secret Silent Hill 4 replica room in Silent Hill: Downpour I especially love; I had no idea it was in the game 'til I played it and found it myself. Then the butterfly barrel in the PS4 remake of Shadow of the Colossus in reference to The Last Guardian is awesome. World of Warcraft's Robin Williams genie tribute is lovely as well. Besides pornography, what is a website you frequent and don’t want anyone to know? Nothing. What GIF reduces you to hysterical laughter every time? Don't know about every time. What things that are legal do you think shouldn’t be? Smoking, but I understand why we can't do that now. What is the closest you have ever been to a major historical event? Idk. What is a skill someone can learn in 6 months that will impress employers on a resume? Microsoft Office programs. What are some meals that are simple to make, but easy to impress people with? Idk. I know nothing of cooking. What bizarre celebrity encounters have you had? None. What is your favorite picture on the whole internet? Oh don't make me go through my Pinterest of Mark pictures. What is a “dirty little (or big) secret” about an industry that you have worked in, that people outside the industry really should know? N/A What is the most outlandish (hilarious, surprising) thing you have ever seen go down in public? OKAY SO one day otw home from my psychiatrist appointment, there was a man dressed in horrid drag walking on the side of the highway in the middle of winter. It was. An experience. If you met someone who has never heard music before (born deaf or what have you), what music would you introduce to them first? Gentle, soothing instrumental things. Like let's listen to the soft SotC pieces, please. What’s a little-known site you think everyone should know about? I don't really know of any. What is a MUST SEE movie that is highly overlooked and is on Netflix? If you don’t have a Netflix, just say in general. Johnny Got His Gun. What quote gives you chills every time you hear or read it? From Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs: "I have stood knee-deep in mud and bone and filled my lungs with mustard gas. I have seen two brothers fall. I have lain with holy wars and copulated with the autumnal fallout. I have dug trenches for the refugees; I have murdered dissidents where the ground never thaws and starved the masses into faith. A child's shadow burnt into the brickwork. A house of skulls in the jungle. The innocent, the innocent, Mandus, trod and bled and gassed and starved and beaten and murdered and enslaved. This is your coming century! They will eat them, Mandus, they will make pigs of you all and they will bury their snouts into your ribs and they will eat your hearts!" Not even mildly exaggerating, I get coooovered in goosebumps every time I come to that point in the game. I just read it twice lmao. When was the last time you bitched someone out? A while back I lost it on Mom about Dad and his wife. Have you ever given a lap dance? No. Are you afraid of plane rides? No, not really. Do you like unique or common names? Unique. Have you ever made a turkey dinner all by yourself? As if. Do you prefer running or yoga? Yoga. What continent would you most like to visit? Africa. Who do you wish you were dating? I'm happy with who I'm dating. What did you always want to do as a kid but were never allowed to do? Hm. I'm sure there's something... What is your favorite ice cream topping? Hot fudge. Is your Bible falling apart? I don't have one. Would you rather have a tail, fin, or wings? Wings. If you live in an apartment, is your landlord mean? N/A What products do you sell, if applicable? None. Is abuse in your past? No. Is there trauma in your past? Yes. Do you know anyone who’s been raped? I don't believe so, thankfully. Of the many different American accents, which one is your favorite? New Yorker. What was the last thing you watched on Youtube? Watched and not just listened to, it was an 8-BitRyan gaming vid. Do you know anyone who had a kid before they were financially stable? Probably half the people I know or more. But I think that goes for everyone. What’s your phone’s wallpaper picture? Darkiplier rip. Have you read any of Shakespeare’s works other than Romeo and Juliet? Yeah - Beowulf and Macbeth. Maybe Hamlet? Is there anything hanging from the doorknob in your room? My purse. Why did you move to where you’re living now? We got evicted and had to find something cheaper. What’s your opinion on wearing pajamas in public? Do you yourself do that? I sincerely don't care, especially if there is damage on the person's state. Like if you're suicidally depressed or very sick in another way and have to go out, don't be a fucking ass and force them to do something that can legitimately be hard for people just to appease the standards society set. A basic rule to me is never make assumptions or ask why they're in their pj's. I do it a lot, depending on where I'm going. Like you have clothes on at least, why the hell does it matter. What’s something you’re really bad at compared to others? Math. Knowing the names of cars. Giving directions and knowing where I even am in comparison to everything else. Do you know anyone who treats retail/restaurant employees poorly? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA BOY DO I but she's been removed from my life. When was the last time someone betrayed your trust? What happened? Idk. But I can say with near certainty aforementioned friend posted our entire last convo on Facebook as she'd done previously, so there's that. Do you usually fill up at the same gas station? Mom usually does. What are some odd habits you have relating to food/eating? I hate eating biscuits in front of new people because I dissect mine to parts, lol. Like I open it and eat what's in it individually, the bread being the last. Do you like Oregon Trail? I love that shit. As an adult, do you want to live in an apartment or a house? A house. Do you like the stem or leafy part of the broccoli? Stem. Do you believe in the “innocent until proven guilty” idea? Depends. Not always. Do bats frighten you? No, I love bats!!! What’s a song that reminds you of your special someone? THERE'S SO MANY!!!! Does Paris appeal to you? Yeah. Are you a KPOP fan? No. Do you believe in the phrase “if it’s meant to be, it’ll be”? Nope, bullshit. First time you kissed the last person you kissed? June 2018. Do you have to really know someone to kiss them? Absolutely. I have to actually be romantically interested in you. Well, to kiss you on the lips. Kissing family on the cheek and such is different. Were you anyone’s first kiss? No. Will you keep your last name when you get married? No, please take that shit away. Where was the last place you held hands at? I'm not sure. If you could live in any home on television what would it be? BITCH take me to the Addams' Family home. Do you think morals are universal or relative to the beliefs, traditions, or practices of individuals or groups? Mostly universal. Like just to give an example, some Christian religions forbid eating shellfish, so while avoiding shellfish is moral to you, is it really immoral to eat it? Is torture ever a good option? If no, why not? If yes, when? No. It's just... so inhuman. Regardless of what one has done, never lose your grip on being one. Be a moral human being. Don't succumb to that evil. What do you think is one one of the most undervalued professions right now? Teaching. Have you ever seen anyone have a heart attack? No, thank Christ. Have you personalized your answering machine/voicemail? No. What’s your favorite horror movie? I really love both The Blair Witch Project films, The Shining definitely joined the top tier when I watched it recently, and The Crazies is great, too. Would you say you have a high sex drive or not so much? I'd say it's normal. What was the worst thing a friend has either done or said to you? Oh boy, who knows. One of the billion things Colleen said and did. Something you feared as a kid but don’t fear anymore? Taking the last answer because it's like the #1 thing: death. It's inevitable, and immortality seems horrible. I just hope I go with the least pain possible. What is your opinion on girls who become obsessed with their boyfriends? lmaooooo been there sweetie, don't do it. Are you biracial? No. What’s the most unique pet you’ve owned? My champagne ball python. Do you have a fence? On either side and at the back of the house. How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust? Just my psychiatrist. I feel bad for not including Dad, but nightmares fucked me up hard. Does your family use coasters? Is anyone in your family excessively tidy? No. Do you still have your tonsils? Yep. Do you think making out is slutty? ... No...? Well, at least if you're in a relationship and love the person. Just casually doing it, quite honestly yes, I think it's slutty.

[jfastereft]

"SAFE - - - !" a poem, a.k.a.: "How Safe Can IT BE If Even THE WORD Gets Blocked By The Major Social Medias!?"   07/27/2019  (Saturday)

 Safe - - - !   (pause)  It's done - with THIS AMAZING LOOKING THING;

Sort of like: cellophane wrap - with    a p - - - - ring!

It's-called: "SAFE- ---," 'cause it keeps the skin,

From making contact! So, NO-GERMS' L L- BE-GETTING-IN!

And: IT keeps the fluids - from spilling over,

So there are no little babies - and no - mommy's-romping-in-The-Clover!

It's called: "SAFE- ---," for each and every reason,

BUT-I-THINK - THE SAFEST - - - -  - is more about      pleasin" !

More-about pleasin'-your-partner    in E-VER-Y way,

With skin-to-skin contact! and   -   "trading-D. N. A.!"

 The "safest?" IS MAYBE -    when-you WANT to-share,

EVERYTHING! and-you're-ready-to-die-right-there,

For -                 YOU WANT                every dis-ease,

That-your-partner-has!            You-know, you-just-wanna-please,

His-or-Her-every-whim!        Isn't that kind-of-a   "safe" thing to do?

IF YOUR LOVE,           If:    your-love    is-really-true!?

So, THE SAFEST (the-safest) - - -    you can really ever enjoy,

Is: When-you-feel-safe, committing-to-a-particular-girl-or-boy!

 fin  ♥     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGJliLJTMcI

Postscript:  Anyway, this Post came out - AND EVERYONE THREW AWAY,

Their condoms-&-creams-&-salves TODAY,

And - IT-WAS               A BLOODY             FREE-FOR-Aa-a-a-aLL!

EVERYONE DIED!  from V. D.!     - and/or         "The Creeping Crawl!"

So-there-we-all-are - sitting-in-Heaven-or-He -- - or Pur gatory,

Basking!  in (for lack of a better term, I guess)   "The Twilight Glory,"

And The Lord approached, with a package of "rubbers,"

"We practice safe - - - here, you Bloody Land Lubbers!"

And we all replied: "We're allergic to THOSE;

We-like A[h]U Naturel!"    So, The-Lord-said: "Well! OK!  Then-I-suppose,

We should just use these as whether(sp) balloons?!

Or we could INFLATE THEM REAL BIG - and float to distant MOONS!!!"

"Yeah, whatever, LORD," we said with glee,

As we mangled - in a sensual, luscious OH!  Oh!-o-r   GEE!*

&-The-Lord said: "Hey, this's-fun-I-forgot-that-'non-rubber'- s - x -'s-a-pretty-good-deal;

It's REALLY HEAVENLY, isn't-it?  when you can stroke-a-lot - AND FEEL!"

* - Obviously!! We here at The Mystic Poet lean in the direction of monogamous relationships, so you should know that we really WERE NOT engaging in (technically) a "real" orgy!   It was more like a "Stick To Your Safe Partner, Georgie-Porgy-Orgy!"  You know - like they have in China!   or   ah   Wherever!    :) - I wanna go to WHEREVER!

[xaz-fr]

The Story So Far

@deadpool-scar-bro @hikayelastoria @cornsnoot-fr @redlion-fr @mushroomdraggo @murdoch-fr @tales-around-sornieth @frxemriss @rainhearts-hatchery @rexcaliburr-fr @starry-ampelope @plainstriderbard @reanimatedfr @voltaic-ambassador @sirensage-fr @journey-taken-fr @ally-fr @golden-lionsnake​ @rookfern-fr @fr-dew​ (let me know if you’d like to be added to the lore pinglisn't)

Ty and Heliconia are in dragon form, Nads is humanoid for this one

Been waiting to move on with my lore (fucking Astra) before I gened Tyberion here and now I finally did! Fully gened except for his WC scroll which woin'thappen until later in his and Nadalin's lore.

Fresh Coat

Heliconia didn't like what he was doing. Why he was doing it. He looked at his hide in the reflection of a too small mirror. It looked different now. He looked different. He wasn't sure how much he liked it now that it was like this. It was a big change but he'd worked for it. He'd spent a lot of time away from Nadalin to look this way, for her. He swallowed.

“How do I look?” he asked his mother who was laying on a sack chair casually, looking at him preen. He tried to smile but felt too nervous to do so.

“Like you value form over substance,” she said, face disapproving.

“That sounds like something father would say,” he said. It made hi, feel bad. His mother didn't deserve that. But he knew now that she was as manipulated by his father as he had been. 

“No, your father would say that you are a disgrace to survival,” Heliconia said. “And that if you cannot get by with yourself and just change everything about yourself to survive than you aren't worthy of surviving.”

“Well thank the Eleven he isn't here then,” Tyberion said.

“Your Charge doesn't care what you look like, son. Neither should you,” Heliconia said.

Tyberion’s head fins closed in annoyance. “I think I look nice,” he said. He had had several of the others help him decide what scrolls he would take the time to gather. Aten had been a great help. Him and Astra actually. It was striking how quickly Aten’s mood had changed once his sister started living with him in that house to the South. If Tyberion didn't know any better he'd say the miserable lout was happy. 

And he knew his Charge didn't care what he looked like. But he cared if Nadalin thought he looked good, handsome. The plates along his chest itched thinking about it, right over his second heart. Oh Gods he was going to go see Nadalin soon. That was terrifying. “Does looking this way please you, son? Did you not like the way you were born?” Heliconia asked him.

“Mama,” he said, looking at her, “I was born in a decaying bay full of disease and rot to an insane sire and… you,” he tempered his words. He knew that Heliconia’s words were just bred from fear that he would abandon her. She had her own Charge but Tetra just saw her as a friend, a slightly annoying one at that. “My looks weren't exactly either of your primary concern. And you look lovely,” he added, “but I'm not there anymore. I need to look like I belong in this place. I can't when I literally look like I crawled out of a plague infested not.” His friends would never say it but Aten’s lovely niblings asked why his displayed genes were ugly. Aten had, of course, instantly hushed them and told them that was rude but Tyberion had felt that deeply.

“I suppose,” Heliconia allowed but still sounded unhappy. “And you aren't doing this to get back at me?”

“Mama, no,” he huffed. “Now we should leave. You need to go help Tetra, it's getting rather late in the day.” He went over to his mother and pushed her to his feet. As he did he realized how much bigger he was than her. He hadn't even noticed when he's grown larger than her. It happened while in the Hall.

Heliconia clambered to her feet. “Yes, I suppose so,” she sighed. She rubbed her head against his affectionately. “Don’t come home too late now.”

“I won't,” he promised and then before Heliconia could say anything else he practically bounded out of their shed of a house. Not that it mattered. All they did was sleep in it. It was a warm, dry, place to sleep and little else was needed. It was practical, serviceable, fit Heliconia’s sensibilities.

Once outside Tyberion lept into the air and flew out over the mangroves to where the wind stirred. He landed amid the bamboo stand and made sure he still looked okay. He was very nervous about Nadalin seeing him like this for the first time. He'd been away for a bit getting all his new look applied and now… and now he was showing his Charge that he'd changed. It shouldn't matter of course. She was his Charge. She shouldn't care he looked different. But he hoped she did. Because he had… other feelings for her and oh wasn't that something he could never tell his mother without her getting cross with him. A Guardin and Charge was a sacred bond between two things. She claimed that you couldn't and shouldn't be romantic with your Charge. Of course she did have the bad history of his father pretending she was his Charge  warping her perception on what was and wasn't a valid thing you do with ones Charge. At least that was what he told himself so he didn't feel guilty about his feelings.

After making sure he looked alright he stepped out of the bamboo and down the path to where Nadalin's little hut was. She was, as always, at her work table. But at this time of day she was freshly out of bed and drinking a cup of morning tea from Shai’s fields. She was idly making notes of some sort in a notebook and didn't notice him until his shadow fell across her. She looked up and for a moment she looked confused. “Tyberion?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he nodded.

“By the Wimdsinger!” she got to her feet and came around her table, looking up at him. “I didn't even recognize you! But look at you, you're all scrolled. Where did you get so many scrolls?” Her Wimd eyes were bright and curious and not at all as judgemental as his mother’s or as disapproving as he had feared.

“I was saving,” Tyberion said. “It was a busy time for use you know, with the Night of the Nocturne.” He'd never worked so hard I'm his life. “What do you think?” he asked, still nervous.

“Bring your head down here, let me see you,” she said and he obediently lowered his head down to her level. He supposed he should have realized he was hard to see while she was in her dragonoid form.

She took his entire head in her hands and his facial fine snapped open. She had a kind smile spread across her face as she looked him over. “Yes yes, very handsome indeed,” she said with teasing approval. Tyberion’s eyes widened at that. She thought he was handsome!? He tried not to think too much about it. Aten also called him handsome and Aten wasn't interested in him like that. No use getting excited.

“You think so?” he asked her.

“Why not?” she beamed at him. Then she frowned, “Your mother said otherwise didn't she?”

“… Maybe,” he allowed.

“Uhg, you need to stop listening to her, Tyberion. You're much better than she acts like you must be.”

“Yes,” he just agreed. It did upset him that the two most important women in his life, his mother and his Charge, did not get along at all. He found that just agreeing with them about whatever they said about the other without offering any counters or judgement was the best way to go about it. “But you think my new display looks nice?” he said to distract her from her opinions on Heliconia. 

“Yes,” she said nicely. “Your future mate is going to be very lucky to have such a well general mate,” she patted his snout. No that was not the reaction he wanted. “You going to help me with so,e work today or does someone else need your services?”

“I am at your disposal, as always,” Tyberion said. Fjord liked to drag Tyberion into helping him and Aten around the Hall because he was still in dragon form and between him and Aten (who was smaller at the shoulder but longer than him) they could bully any piece of lumber or masonry into submission. Johanna also said there would be no working for a while. She was quite exhausted from the Night and needed a respite.

“Great. I need some help cutting down some of the bamboo. It's getting a bit out of hand.”

“Of course. I was rather hungry today, I think I can handle some bamboo.”

“No you silly,” she cried even as she laughed. He gave her a dragon’s smile. 

[multi-fandom-imagines8]

The New Recruit

Part 3

You can read part one and two here

Summary: You find out Tony got you the  job and want to leave the city but he convinces you to stay. And you go on your first official mission.

Word Count: 2255

“Shit, shit, shit” you hit the stirring “It's my second day and I'm gonna be late. Unbelievable. I should've known he was gonna bring me bad luck. I won't even be able to buy my morning coffee ugh” you complained to yourself. The traffic jam was really unbelievable, but that's New York, what did you expect.

You quickly ran to the building after parking. “I'm so sorry sir. It's just there was traffic jam, I know it's not an excuse, but I promise you it won't happen again” you tried to explain to your boss.

“Y/n, Is it okay if I called you that?” he asked.

“Yes, of course” you answered.

“It's alright, this is New York, sometimes even if you're trying to come 2 hours earlier, you'll end up coming 10 minutes too late” he reassured you.

“Does that mean I'm not fired?” you asked.

“Of course not. Hey y/n? Was it just traffic jam?” he asked.

“Well yeah, but I ran into my neighbor who is very annoying and ruined my day” you told him.

Six hours later, you were very exhausted and wanted to speak to the boss “Yeah, yeah everything is fin. Nothing suspicious. I don't think she noticed that the job was arranged... Yes sir... She only said that she ran into some annoying neighbor, should I investigate it sir?” you heard your  boss talking to someone on the phone and realized he was talking about you. You knocked at the door. “She's hear, I'll call you if anything changes” he whispered at the phone and let you in.

“Y/n is there anything I can do for you?” he asked.

“I wanted to ask for your permission to take a break” you told him.

“sure. Are you going anywhere?” he asked.

“No, just getting a coffee sir” you left the room.

“Who could that person be?” you kept thinking about who would want to know everything about you, but then it hit you. “Stark. It has to be”. There's no one else you know in the city, other than the avengers and he's the one with money and wide circles of acquaintances.

After you finished working you decided to confront him.

“Hey miss, you can't just go in there. Do you have an appointment?” the girl at the front desk asked.

“No, but Stark will be glad to see me or probably not. Just tell him y/n is here” you informed her and she informed him on the phone.

“He says you can come in miss, just head that way” she told you.

“Stark”

“Y/n. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Just wanted to come and check on you. You know the usual” you said.

“That doesn't sound like you” he told you.

“Because you know me so well. Right?” you asked.

“Not necessarily, but from our last encounter I figured” he explained.

“Aah, riiight. So Stark? You didn't tell me how you convinced your teammates to let me go”.

“Is that what you came here for? To know how I convinced them?”

“Yeah”.

“Well... I'm very good at convincing people. I told them it's not right to keep you here against your will and it'd be considered a crime and they agreed” he explained.

“So it wasn't because you were monitoring me 24/7, making spies follow me and making my boss inform you of every move I make?” it was a rhetorical question but he answered it anyways.

“No, I'd never do that” he denied.

“You know invading people's privacy is also considered a crime right?” and you handed him the piece on your bag.

“When did you figure it out?” he asked.

“This?” you pointed at the piece “The minute I got into my car after I left the tower. The spies, when I was getting something to eat and by the way they're amateurs. They couldn't keep up. As for my boss, he was weird from the beginning, he was too nice to be true and today I overheard him talk to you” you explained.

“You don't cease to amaze me miss y/l/n” is all he could say.

“I can't take the job Stark” you added.

“what's going on here” Steve came in.

“I'm leaving the city. You can celebrate now, you won't be seeing me anymore” as you walked passed him barging your shoulder into his.

“Y/n wait. I didn't do it completely to spy on you. And I'm sorry about that by the way. I owe you a debt and I

always try to pay it. So consider the job as a payment” he said.

“Listen you don't owe me a debt, I was doing my job. I can't this. I love to earn things and work hard for them” you rejected.

“If you don't accept it, then I'll still owe you a debt. Besides, you earned it. Please! I'll stop spying on you” he added.

“Fine, but only because I don't want you to be in debt to me” you said. “Goodbye Stark.... and You Rogers”.

“Wait. What if we need you. I won't be able to contact you” he told you.

“You know where to find me” you looked at Steve before you walked out.

“So does that mean you're gonna help us?” Stark shouted from the room and you smiled.

- - -

“Hey there, neighbor” Steve greeted.

“Ugh, it's you again. You are not gonna make my night worse, are you?” you asked as you opened your apartment door.

“I'm not planning to” he said as he opened his, which happened to be right next door.

“Seriously? That's your apartment? The chances were one in a million and  I get the one. I'm gonna be miserable. Aren't I?” you questioned.

“I'm not that bad. And hey, if it makes it any better, I'll try to go out when you're not here so  you won't see me” he tried to reassure you.

“That'll make my day” you entered the apartment and were ready to close the door.

“I'm so annoying, huh? He asked.

“Where did you hear that?” you asked.

“Stark told me about you encountering an “annoying” neighbor this morning and you only saw me” he explained.

“Well it's true, now if you'll excuse me I need to get some rest”.

“Good night”.

- - -

You woke up two hours earlier than you were supposed to. You were not gonna be lat e again. You promised. You showered, watched TV, made coffee and mediated. You were hoping the day'll be good.

You walked to the elevator, not watching your steps, for you where on your phone.

“Miss y/l/ln?” the man asked in surprise “ Good morning” he greeted.

“Captain? I woke up two hours earlier, thinking that I'll avoid you today, but clearly you're making a habit out of it” you told him.

“I wasn't planning on seeing you today. I went out earlier so you wouldn't see me and have this conversation... Did you say you woke up earlier to avoid me?” he asked.

“No, I promised my boss I won't be late and I was hoping I wouldn't see you. But fate doesn't seem to like that” you said. Steve started to relax whenever he saw you and you made him smile. The doubt of you being dangerous started to fade away.

- - -

It was Friday and you just got back from work. You showered, ordered pizza and were ready to relax and watch a movie before you heard a knock on the door. “Come on! Can't I have one minute to myself” you complained before opening the door.

“Oh, it's you again. I was glad I haven't seen you all week. What do you want, Rogers? You asked.

“Suit up, the team needs you” he demanded.

“Hold on a minute. Suit up? First of all I don't have a suit. Second of all, I don't remember signing up for this. Third of all, I have plans” you said.

He looked inside you apartment “Do these plans include you eating pizza and watching a movie alone and probably cry afterwards?” he asked.

“Uuh. Noo. I'm not the kind of girl that watches Rom-com and cries. Besides, it's non of your business what I do in my spare time” you added.

“Stark made it my business, so unless you want him to come here, I suggest you cooperate” “ I don't like that as much as you”.

“Fine. Just let me grab a slice”.

- - -

“Aah, you're here. Good. Did Cap explain the mission to you?” Tony asked.

“You called, I came. He didn't mention anything about a mission. All he said was something about team needs me and suit up and if I don't, you'd come” you answered.

“Just to clear things up, we don't need your help, but we'd appreciate it. So why aren't you suited up?” he asked.

“I don't keep a suit in my closet, why would I? I didn't think I'll be going on missions or whatever you want me to do” you explained.

“We need to make you a suit. And by we I mean I” Tony added.

“Oh no no. I'm doing it just this time” you rejected.

“like hell you are”.

“I'm serious. I'm a busy person. I have to work more than 12 hours a day at the hospital, which can be very exhausting sometimes and I have plans on weekends” you added.

“Yeah, she has very serious and important plans, Stark. Like eating Pizza and watching TV alone” Steve joked.

“Shut up, Rogers” you told him.

“Really? I didn't think you'd  be that kind of girl. I thought you'd go to the disco, party and have fun” Tony said.

“Watching movies alone and having some me time without anyone annoying me is fun, thank you very much”.

“Okay, so putting fun aside. We need to go over the plan” Tony told you.

Tony explained the plan “Plain and simple. Does anyone have any questions?” before anyone could answer “No, good. Get going” He demanded.

“Wait. I have a question. Two actually” you said.

“Okay, shoot, we don't have the time” Tony said.

“Where do I come in? And why are you giving orders, isn't he supposed to be the captain?” you pointed at Steve.

“He is, I just do that from time to time, besides, what does it matter? Don't answer that. Yeah about your part in this. We're gonna need you to use your powers” he explained.

“What? You know I can't use them. It's not that simple. Last time, I literally had to jump off a building to activate them. And I'm not planning on getting shot or injured like last time. It still hurts thank you for asking” you complained.

“You also said that when you get really angry they work. Can't you think of something...... Wait, I have an idea. You hate Rogers why don't you think about him making you do things you despise and you not being able to do anything against it” Tony suggested. You opened your mouth to say no but were interrupted “What? No, that's a bad idea” Steve said in an uncomfortable tone.

“Actually, this could work” you said smiling at Steve.

“Don't tell me you're scared she might hurt you Rogers” Tony asked him.

“No, but I still don't know what she can do. And I don't wanna worry about what might happen to us or her if her powers aren't activated” he explained

“Aww, so now you're worried about me, sweet” you sarcastically said.

Nat handed you one of her old suits “Hey, you can wear this, until Tony creates one for you”.

“Thanks, but I'm not gonna-” she interrupted you “If Tony says he's gonna do something, then he's gonna do it, there's no stopping him now. He loves creating things” she explained.

- - -

“Okay y/n, NOW!” Tony demanded. You tried of what he told you but it didn't work.

“Cap, a little help here. Encourage her” Tony said.

“What should I say?” he asked.

“I don't know. Anything that might make her mad” Tony said.

“Y/n come on just do it. The sooner we're done, the sooner you can get back to watching your Rom-com movie and cry. I'll even bring you tissues” he teased.

“Shut up, you're not helping and I told you I don't watch these kind of movies” you were getting angry. And suddenly you felt power moving through you veins. You did what you came here to do.

- - -

“How do you feel? Succeeded on your first official mission, congratulations!” Tony praised you.

“I'm still angry, just not so much” you told him.

“So Rom-com huh?” Clint joked.

“Don't let me go there arrow guy” you threatened.

@markusstraya @hshdhhshehhdh @dark-night-sky-99 @fangirlofmidgard

[losers-party-imagines]

bill x female reader who also stutters? i dunno i feel like it would be cute to have them meet after bill gets beat up by bowers and she goes to help him, revealing that she stutters too? i dunno you can do whatever you want sorry!!!

Richie was you your cousin, you lived far away but both of you sent letters to each other. One summer day, your Mom decided to move back to Derry. It took time to fix up and unpack but Richie helped you during that time. Which got the losers attention when he had to “help out” at home.

Sadly that was also the day the Bowers gang decided to beat up on Bill for failing and stuttering, causing bruises on the young boy. After the rough he went to Richie’s house to lay low from the Bowers and patch up.

He rang the door bell and was greeted by Richie’s mom

“dear god Bill, what happened?” she inquired

after explaining that he was playing rough and fell down, Ms. Tozier noded to his story, feeling like the boy was just saying it to not cause worry. 

“w-whe-re’s Ri-ichie M-Ms To-ozi-er?” Bill asked

“oh he’s in the next door house, his cousin on my side finally moved in and he’s been helping them with the house keeping; if you see him tell them to come home for dinner”

after giving his good bye to Richie’s mother, he went to the next door house. Knocking slowly but loudly.

“Mom did you forget something?’ a young girl’s voice spoke as she open the door only to see Bill rather confused an a little embarrassed. “Hey, may I help you?” a small smile adorned to her face

“H-hi......” a long pause, he hoped the girl didn’t laugh at his stuttering “i-is Ric-chie-e?”

Y/N opened the door an invited him. “I’ll go fin him, and bring some first aid items. You seem to need a patch up” Y/N left Bill on the living room sofa.

In a short time footsteps began to get close to him. Only to be slam further into the sofa by someone’s body. Bill gave out a loud whine, he was still feeling the bruises left by Bowers and his gang

“What the fuck is up Bill? Y/N said you were looking for me” he got off Bill only to see how badly wounded his friend was “Shit, fuck sorry” 

“I found the kit!” Y/N said with a small happy dance “hold still please” she began to clean the wounds and do her work

“Bill this is Y/N, my cousin! Y/N, this is Bill, my best friend” Richie introduced both of them

“he seems too nice to be your friend Richie, did you bully him?” a smug look came from the girl

“fuck no, we’re just losers. Right Bill?”  he nudged Bill carefully

“R-righ-t” he responded rather shyly

“so I guess you guys get bullied a lot huh?” she placed a bandage near his cheek “there all done”

“S-some t-times” Bill says

“yeah, for different reasons though, like for fucks sake why would you bully people” Richie lays down on the sofa looking up as if the ceiling had the answers

“dunno, like I know these girls who bullied me for stuttering back in my old school” Y/N shrugged

“y-you a-also st-stu-ter?” Bill inquired, looking a bit shocked, you seem to not have that problem at all.

“I still do, but finding treatment and support helped a lot” she smiled a patted his shoulder

“yeah, hey Bill why don’t you tell Y/N to help you out?” Richie looked at his cousin with hope in his eyes “whadya say?”

“sure I don’t mind!” she clapped her hands together in glee. “let’s start tomorrow. I still have things to unpack” 

“su-ure” Bill said with confidence. Maybe Y/N can help him out, plus she also has the same condition. The e/c (eye colour) girl is so kind, he found his hear beat race a bit with her radiant smile. Tomorrow would be something to look towards in Bill’s mind, a new friend, and a new crush.

[setepenre-set]

Safe If We Stand Close Together: Safety Instructions Not Included (chapter 3)

The Roxanne and Megamind are friends as children AU.

K+ rating

AO3 | FFN | chapter 1 | chapter 2

(Follows Safe If We Stand Close Together and Happy Returns.)

There aren’t any guidelines for being best friends with an alien, no map key, no index, no safety instructions.

Roxanne tries, so very hard, to get it right in spite of this.

“Okay,” Roxanne says, trying to sound as confident as possible. “So—if we’re going to come up with a plan, I need to understand some things.”

“What things?” Syx asks.

“Well—I mean, I know that Minion isn’t anything like your pet, and I know he isn’t a servant, but—Minion, you always call Syx ‘sir’, and I don’t completely understand what you guys are to each other.”

“Oh!” Syx says, “it’s—”

He frowns and looks over at Minion, who is also frowning.

“—I’m not sure how to describe it,” Syx finishes slowly.

“Family?” Roxanne says.

“Family, definitely,” Syx says.

“Brothers? Cousins?” Roxanne asks.

“Something like that, but not exactly,” Minion says. “I—help Sir. I look after him.”

“…like—a babysitter?” Roxanne asks hesitantly, sure that can’t be right, but still not understanding.

“Oh, no!” Minion says. “It’s a lifelong thing. Sir and I are bonded.”

“Bonded?”

“Yes, it’s a kind of—pheromonal, emotional—link between a M’ega and a Mnyn,” Syx says.

“A Mnyn,” Roxanne repeats the word. “That’s what Minion is? Why—” she cuts herself off, shaking her head.

“What?” Syx asks.

“I—” Roxanne hesitates, “—well, I mean—why is his name Minion, then? That would be like—naming me ‘Human’ or Syx ‘Mega’.”

Their reaction isn’t as negative as she feared, though; Syx laughs and Minion makes a scoffing sound.

“Bipeds,” Minion says, rolling his eyes. “You and your—morbid insistence on names!”

“Morbid?” Roxanne says, “Wait—the—Mnyn—don’t have names?”

“We have use-names!” Minion says, “Nicknames. Given to us by people we spend time with! But we don’t have fixed names until after we die and we’re added to the History Song.”

“That’s what I meant,” Syx says, “about written language being completely foreign to Minion’s physical, social, and intellectual structure. They didn’t even use writing; their history was oral and gestural.”

“Names,” Minion mutters, giving a shudder, “so creepy! I don’t know which is worse, getting a fixed name assigned to you as an infant, the way that humans do it, or making people choose their own, the way the M’ega did it.”

“You chose your own name, Syx?” Roxanne asks.

“Not yet,” Syx says, shaking his head. “I’ll do that when I hit adol-e—adolescence.”

“So…‘Syx' isn’t—your real name?”

“It’s what my parents called me,” he says. “It means—‘my love’ or ‘my dear’.

“—that’s why you call him ‘Sir’!” Roxanne says, understanding striking. “And that’s why you call me ‘Miss Roxanne’! Because you think using our real names would be morbid!”

Minion makes a face.

“Talking about you like you’ve already died,” he says.

“So you don’t ever use people’s names?” Roxanne asks.

“Well—you can,” Minion says, waving a fin. “But it would be—almost like profanity.”

“That,” Roxanne says, “is so interesting! Do you think it’s weird that humans get names when they’re born, Syx?”

“I—honestly, yes,” Syx says. “Like—telling someone what their favorite color has to be! It doesn’t seem fair.”

“…huh,” Roxanne says, “yeah. I never thought of it like that. It is kind of unfair. But—” she shakes her head and waves a hand, “—the bond thing. That’s—what the Mnyn and the M’ega do? When you’re born, you get assigned to someone? That seems even more unfair than choosing someone’s name for them.”

“No, no!” Syx says, gesturing, “No, it’s—the bond doesn’t work unless the Mnyn and the M’ega both want it to. You couldn’t ever force a bond.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” Roxanne says. “But what if—what if you never find the right person to bond with? Would you guys be stuck wandering around alone forever, unbonded?”

Syx frowns.

“Well, I mean—most people were unbonded.”

Roxanne tips her head curiously.

“Only some Mnyn want to bond with a M’ega,” Minion says. “It’s a calling. Others do other things.”

“And only some M’ega are bonded?”

“Yes,” Minion says, “the ones who are—”

“—different,” Syx says, just as Minion says, “—special.”

“Different how?”

“Exceptional intelligence,” Minion says.

“Difficulty caring for themselves,” Syx says, voice quiet. “In—one way or another.”

“You’re smart even for your species,” Roxanne says, eyes going wide. “Wow.”

Syx gives her a look that’s half embarrassment and half shy pleasure.

“Yes, he is,” Minion says proudly.

“…yes,” Syx says, “but—it wasn’t just—I mean, I was very small when my parents sent me in the escape pod; they knew I’d need a caretaker then, but also—oh, you know!”

He makes a distressed face and gestures, both hands fluttering agitatedly before falling into his lap.

The fact that she doesn’t actually know what it is he thinks she knows must show in Roxanne’s expression because he winces, looking off towards the bookshelves.

“I don’t exactly—function at maximum efficiency,” he says. “People—social things—emotional—you know. That’s not—that’s not because of me being M’ega. It’s because I’m—me.”

“And Minion helps you with that,” Roxanne says.

“Yes.”

Roxanne bites her lip, frowning at the bookshelf in front of her without really seeing it. For a long moment the three of them are silent.

“—have you thought of a plan?” Syx asks.

She blinks and turns back to him and to Minion.

They’re both watching her; even Minion looks a little hopeful, now.

Her stomach turns over with sudden nerves at the realization that they’re both counting on her to come up with something.

“Maybe,” she says, “I’m—I’ve got a couple ideas—I don’t know if they’ll work, though; I don’t want to get your hopes up if—I need to think some more.”

“Okay,” Syx says. “Do you want to—”

Minion clears his throat.

“I think,” he says, “that the planning can be postponed slightly. You and Miss Roxanne both need to eat.”

“Oh,” Roxanne blinks, realizing, for the first time, that she’s hungry. “I mean—we could still—”

“—we could skip—” Syx begins.

“It’s time for lunch now,” Minion says firmly. “Planning can wait until after school.”

Syx and Roxanne exchange a look of frustration.

“After shool, then,” Syx says begrudgingly.

“Yes,” Roxanne says, almost as begrudgingly as Syx, “yes, after school.”

Technically speaking, Roxanne is actually supposed to go to home after school. Her mother isn’t home from work yet, but Roxanne has a house key. She’s supposed to get off the bus, let herself in, and start working on her homework.

But she needs to be with Syx and Minion so they can talk this over, and the Warden is waiting at the prison for the two of them to come home; he’ll notice if they don’t.

So Roxanne stays on the bus when her stop comes up, and waits to get off with Syx and Minion.

Hopefully she’ll be able to get a ride home from the Warden or Dr. Kelley and she won’t have to tell her mother about this—but even if she does end up getting in trouble—this is necessary.

Syx and Minion’s room is an actual prison cell, which is…well, neither of them have ever said anything about it bothering them, but it’s always struck Roxanne as—wrong.

Unfair.

It’s definitely inconvenient; there isn’t any real privacy. Syx turns on some music, though, something without any lyrics but with lots of everything else, especially electric guitar. He doesn’t turn it up really loud, but it’s loud enough to cover the sounds of their voices.

And the three of them make a quick blanket fort—they take the mattress off of the cot and prop it up on its side, one end resting against the wall, the other end leaning against the cot, so that they’re enclosed in a three-sided space. Then they drape the blanket over the top and prop the pillow up under the cot, blocking the last opening.

They sit in a rough circle; Minion’s ball in front of the mattress; Syx sitting crosslegged next to the edge of the cot and the pillow, and Roxanne’s back to the cold concrete wall.

It’s dim under the blanket; Syx takes the power source binky out from the dehydration gun he made last week and puts it in the middle of the circle.

“All right,” Roxanne says in a low voice, under cover of the music, and in the safety of the blanket fort. “I’ve got a couple of ideas.”

Syx and Minion nod, their gazes focused on her face.

“I thought of the first idea,” Roxanne says, “after you said that Minion—that part of what he does, part of what he’s meant to do for you, Syx, is help you with—social things and emotional things. And that you’re—” she swallows, “—that most people of your species wouldn’t need that. So—”

She looks between the two of them, wondering which of them is most likely to be hurt by the suggestion she has to make.

“So I know Minion isn’t anything like a pet,” she says, “and he’s a person, he’s not an animal. And Syx, you’re—but—but what if we explained it like Minion was something like—not like a seeing-eye dog, but one of those—dogs that people get to help them—remember medication and things like that, and stay calm while they’re panicking? That way Minion could still be there at school, even if he couldn’t be a student.”

“That…doesn’t sound so bad,” Minion says.

Syx nods slowly.

“I’d need a doctor’s note,” he says. “And a—a diagnosis. I don’t know—I don’t know what they would call—whatever it is that’s wrong with me, but—”

Roxanne’s breath hisses though her teeth. Whatever it is that’s wrong with him. This is exactly what she was afraid of, making this suggestion!

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” she says forcefully.

Syx blinks, then frowns.

“—but there is,” he says, “I told you. I’m weird even for my—”

“—Sir—”

“Different,” Roxanne says. “You’re different, but different isn’t bad, Syx—”

Syx makes a dismissive noise, waves a hand.

“Anyway,” he says. “we could get that from Dr. Kelley. This is absolutely a workable plan! Why didn’t you think this plan would work?”

“I do think it would work,” Roxanne says. “It’s just—I’ve got another plan that I think would be better. But I don’t—I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

“I’m not going to like it?” Syx asks, “Or Minion isn’t going to like it?”

“—I don’t think either of you are going to like it,” Roxanne says. “But I—I really, really think it’s a better plan.”

She looks uncertainly at them both.

“You can tell us, Miss Roxanne,” Minion says, voice soothing.

“I just—” she hesitates, “I don’t want you to feel like I’m being—like I’m acting like it wasn’t a big deal for you, because I know it was, Syx,” she says in a rush, “but I think we should have the Warden and Dr. Kelley turn in the paperwork for Minion, to get him declared sentient. And I think we should try to get the school to enroll him as a student.”

Syx jerks back as if she’s shoved him.

“Wh—but I told you how dangerous that would be!” he says, voice rising in agitation. “We told you! If Minion starts talking to people, if people start noticing Minion, he’s going to be in danger! He’s going to be in danger of them taking him away like they tried to do to me—”

“I know,” Roxanne says, “but, Syx—he already is in danger.”

She gestures, quick and sharp and distressed.

“If he’s not legally sentient, if he’s not legally a person—then they could come and try to take him away at any time. And if you keep things that way, if you never file the paperwork, never make people see him as a person—then he’s always going to be in danger of that. Always, forever, for—for the rest of our lives. He’s never going to be safe.”

Syx looks at her with wide, stricken eyes, his breathing shallow. Minion rolls his ball closer to Syx; Roxanne can’t tell if he’s trying to give comfort, or needing it himself.

“Later,” Syx whispers. “We can—we can do it later—when it’s safer—”

“Syx,” Roxanne says, fingers twisting together in her lap, “it’s never going to be safer if we don’t do something about this. And—I’m sorry. But I think we are going to have to do it sooner or later. And doing it now—getting them to admit he’s a person now, at the school at least, even if the paperwork hasn’t gone through, even if he hasn’t—been officially declared sentient—getting the school to recognize him as sentient will—set a precedent.”

She moves her hands, remembering the way her father explained the concept to her.

“It—when something happens once,” she says, “it makes it easier for it to happen again. If we let the school treat Minion like an animal, it makes it easier for other people to treat him like an animal. If we make the school treat him like a person, the next time we make people to treat him like a person, it’ll be easier. If—if he has to have a hearing, him being in school is going to help make people see people that he’s sentient.”

There are tears in Syx’s eyes, but he gulps and doesn’t actually cry.

“A precedent,” he repeats. “You—you really think so?”

“Yes,” Roxanne says, “yes, I do, and—and I actually think—that maybe your sentience hearing set a precedent, too, Syx. Even—even if you don’t get the same judge. It’s still on record. It’s still a precedent. There’s a precedent for aliens being ruled sentient.”

Syx bites his lip hard; Roxanne swallows. Her fingers twitch in her lap—she wants to reach for him, wants to reach for Minion, but doesn’t know if she should.

She sees Syx’s fingers twitch, too, and she takes a sharp breath, reaching for his hand. He lets her take it, laces his fingers tightly with hers. Syx touches the top of Minion’s orb with the fingertips of his other hand.

Roxanne reaches out for Minion, too, but doesn’t quite touch the ball, not sure if Minion will want her to.

Minion rolls the ball just slightly, so that her fingertips rest on it as well.

She takes a steadying breath.

“So,” she says, “what—what do you guys think?”

“Sir?”

Minion looks up at Syx, who swallows and shakes his head.

“I—I can’t make this choice for you, Minion,” he says. “It—you have—you have the right to decide for yourself.”

Roxanne squeezes his hand.

Minion flutters his fins in an agitated way and rolls his ball from beneath their hands—rolls it back and forth, back and forth, as if he’s pacing.

He’s silent for several minutes; they all are. Then he stops rolling, looks at both of them.

“I still can’t really read,” he says.

Roxanne’s heart gives a hard thud against the inside of her ribcage.

“We’ll work with you,” she says.

She glances over at Syx, whose face is pale.

“Yes,” he says, “and—I’ll—build you another body, too. Something our size—if you look more like the humans, they’ll—be more likely to accept you as a person.”

Minion nods, his sharp-toothed mouth set and determined.

“—are we doing this, then?” Roxanne asks.

“Yes,” Minion says. “Let’s do this.”

Syx lets out a shuddery breath.

“We—we should go talk to Dr. Kelley and the Warden about the paperwork, then,” he says.

...to be continued.

This is day five of my Nine Days of Megamind; I hope you are enjoying the them!

And I very much hope you all like the update to this story.

[deimoslunaa]

barisi prompt #1

31. “I can’t keep kissing strangers and pretending that they’re you.” (requested by anon and @me-ladie)

set post season 18.

“We broke up. It was for the best.”

That’s what Rafael said, when Liv first gave him a shocked look after Carisi yelled at him and stormed out of her office, stopping short of slamming her door out of pure respect.

“What happened?” Liv asked later, sipping on her glass of cabernet. She was using that voice. The one she used when talking to victim’s who didn’t wanna open up yet. Victim’s that she knew were going to put up a fight. Rafael didn’t point that out. He shrugged his shoulders and hoped he could pass as anything than how he was feeling. This was fucking him up inside.

“Nothing happened. We just weren’t right for each other. We’re okay.” he lied. Liv knew him enough to drop it, so she did.  

-

They weren’t okay.

Carisi wasn’t okay.

To the untrained eye, he looked like he was doing fine. Carisi’s attitude was lukewarm on his good days. He still joked with Fin and seemed to spend almost all of his downtime with Amanda. Rafael had seen them leave the station together more times than he could care to count. Not that he was counting.

It was when they’re forced to share a room together, that Carisi’s true emotions would show. He was always shit at hiding how he felt.

His whole demeanor would sour in an instant when Rafael walked into the room. His patience would cease to exist, like it was never there in the first place. It would be impressive, if it didn’t hurt so bad. If it didn’t make Rafael want to break something every time he witnessed it, knowing it was because of him.  

Carisi always chose to stand a good few feet away from him. His whole stance defensive; arms crossed over his chest, chin turned up in defiance, ready for a fight. Like he was trying to protect himself from him. Like Rafael wanted to hurt him.

And when they did have to speak, Carisi made sure to give minimal eye contact. His words curt, professional and impassive.

Rafael clocked the distance between them outside of the court house, “keeping Jesus between us?” He wanted it to come out as a joke, he even gave a smile to help but Carisi’s eyes narrowed. Viciously.

He scoffed and looked away, his lips pursed. “Everything’s still a joke to you isn’t it?”

It wasn’t a real question. When Rafael didn’t answer – couldn’t – Carisi slid his gaze back at him, a triumphant look in his eyes. “I thought so,” he said and brushed past him down the steps.

-

Something did happen.

They were right for each other.

-

They shouldn’t have been able to be right for each other. Rafael was high-maintenance, grumpy, rude to a fault, constantly stressed and pressured by his career and had the patience equivalent of a teaspoon.

Carisi – Sonny, was the complete opposite of that. He was earnest, polite, funny and so incredibly genuine and selfless it was hard to swallow. Hard to believe he was a real, breathing and functioning human being.  

But it didn’t matter. Because Sonny brought out the tenderness in Rafael; made him realize it was okay to work with his heart on his sleeve. That it wasn’t a weakness to care. And Rafael found that Sonny was a real asshole at times and that just because he preferred to look at the bright side, didn’t mean he was naïve of the darkness in the world. Far from it.

“I never thought I’d have this,” Sonny had said one night in bed. He loved being the little spoon. Rafael gripped his arms around his thin waist tight. He knew what he meant.

“Who would have thought,” Rafael mumbled, half asleep. “Two Catholic men living in sin.”

Sonny kicked him and laughed richly into his pillow. “Yeah, whatever. Cheapen the moment.”

I love you, Rafael had wanted to say. But he couldn’t.

And he couldn’t say it later, when it mattered the most. And it cost him everything.

-

“He’s dating you know,” Rollins says now.

Rafael stops writing and controls his face. His chest hurts. His heart’s stuck in his throat, strangling him. He drops his pen and looks at her. She doesn’t look very happy.

“As is his right,” Rafael says.

“You know, I really liked you.”

“Rollins, with all due respect – “

“Save it. Do you think I don’t know what this was all about? You really fucked him up Barba,” Rollins cuts in, walking closer to his desk.

“I’m not discussing this with you.”

“Oh, like you discuss it with him?”

“He doesn’t talk to me,” Rafael says, sounding petty to his own ears. “He doesn’t want – “ Me. Rafael takes a breath. She needs to leave. “He’s happier without me. Trust me. Now if that’s all –”

“Wow,” Amanda says, eyes wide with a cruel smirk on her face. “Wow. You don’t even believe the words coming out of your own mouth.”

-

Rafael’s on his fourth glass of scotch when there’s a knock on his door. He frowns from his place at the couch. He checks the screen of his phone. It’s 11:54 PM. And there are four unread texts from Sonny.  

He doesn’t read them. He scrambles to the door and throws it open.

Sonny stands – slouches – on the other side. He looks exhausted. His hair is floppy and in his eyes. He’s dressed in the same suit he was wearing earlier at work with his tie loosened. There’s a hickey on the side of his neck. He looks ravaged. Rafael feels his stomach sink at the sight of it.  Someone had their hands on him. Sonny let them.

But Sonny’s here. Sonny left them and his eyes are wide and so blue. He looks relieved, looking down at Rafael. “Raf,” he breathes. Rafael didn’t realize how badly he missed hearing that; his name coming out of Sonny’s mouth.

Rafael’s already letting him in before he knows what’s going on. Sonny’s running a hand through his hair, pacing a little.

“Sonny, what’re you doing here?” He thinks he knows the answer and he’s terrified. It’s taking a lot of inner strength to not reach out for him and calm him down. Quiet the war going on in his head.  

Sonny stops and turns around. He’s looking at him again and this time, he’s not shutting him out or pushing him away. He’s really looking at him.

“I’m fucking up here Raf. I can’t,” he stops and gives a helpless, hopeless smile. Like he’s ready to impale himself on his own sword, just to get the words out. “I can’t keep kissing strangers and pretending that they’re you.” He shrugs his shoulders, offering himself up.

“I’m sick of feeling sorry over that. I still want you Rafael. I want to make us work. Maybe that makes me pathetic, I don’t know –”

“Shut up,” Rafael blurts out. Sonny’s eyebrows furrow at the interruption but he breathes out a sigh of relief when Rafael walks up to him and cups the side of his face and kisses him. “I was wrong. I’m an idiot.”

Sonny smirks and god, Rafael missed it. He kisses him again, just because he can. “Yeah, you are.”

“I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean a word of it.”

Sonny’s face softens and he wraps his arms around Rafael’s waist. “I know you didn’t. That wasn’t the point, you know that.” Sonny whispers.

He does. “I love you. I love you.” He doesn’t want him to forget. He’s going to say it until Sonny gets sick of it. Once the words come out, they all do. All the things he’s wanted to say but kept close to his chest. It’s like a flood. “I want a future with you. I want everything with you.” We can do anything together.

Sonny beams, a look of awe in his eyes. The words enriching him, bringing him back to life. Sonny traces his bottom lip with his thumb. “Take me to bed. I’ve missed you.”