#all climb on and go flying down the ramps

[gayfortheplot]

The League show up at a convenience store at 3am, buy a couple liters of Coke and a few packs of Mentos, go out into the parking lot and set them off like bombs, cheering and laughing maniacally as the store employees look on in horror, powerless to stop them.

[pucksandpower]

I just read No Nut November (absolutely fantastic btw I loved it) and I was so ready during the seduction moment for y/n to use Lando to get off and then deny him anything further "because you don't want to lose your bet" 😂😂

I love you so much for sharing this amazing idea with me (and I couldn’t resist writing an alternate version of that scene based on it)

Original fic: No Nut November

warning: 18+ content

Lando kicks the bedroom door shut behind you as his lips meet yours again hungrily. All thoughts of No Nut November are clearly out the window now.

Your hands fumble urgently with the hem of his shirt, breaking the kiss just long enough to tug it over his head. He returns the favor, peeling off your top and bra in one smooth motion.

Skin pressing against skin, you both groan at the contact you’ve been craving. Lando’s hands grip your hips, steering you toward the bed until the back of your legs hit the mattress. You let yourself fall backward, pulling him down on top of you.

Your lips find each other again as your hands explore eagerly. Lando kisses down your jaw to your neck, nipping and sucking in a way that makes you squirm against him.

“God I’ve missed this,” you breathe out as his fingers trail over your breast.

He hums in agreement, his touch lighting sparks across your skin. Your back arches off the bed as his mouth closes over your nipple.

Tangling your hands in his hair, you guide him lower, gasping when his lips reach the waistband of your leggings. He looks up at you questioningly and you nod eagerly.

In one smooth motion he tugs them off, followed swiftly by your underwear. You’re completely bare before him now and trembling in anticipation.

Lando’s eyes drink you in hungrily. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful,” he growls before diving in.

You cry out as his tongue finds your clit, gripping the sheets tightly. He works you expertly, ramping up the pressure until you are writhing and moaning. Your orgasm builds fast and hard, his name tumbling from your lips.

“Yes, yes Lando! Don’t stop!” You pant out. Your climax crashes over you powerfully, stars bursting behind your eyelids.

Lando works you through it gently before moving back up to kiss you deeply. You can taste yourself on his lips and it makes you impossibly more turned on.

As you come down from your high, you move back down his body with a wicked gleam in your eye. His briefs are obscenely tented now and you stroke him firmly over the cotton, making him groan loudly.

Breaking the kiss, you flip him onto his back. “Your turn now,” you purr, kissing a trail down his chest.

Lando groans, tangling a hand in your hair. “God yes, please ...” He’s rock hard and straining against the fabric keeping him restricted.

Hooking your fingers in his waistband, you free his erection, licking your lips at the sight. “Mmm, look at you all ready for me,” you hum approvingly.

You swirl your tongue around his tip as Lando gasps and clenches the sheets. Taking him into your mouth, you set a fast pace, sucking hard.

“Fuck, baby, just like that,” Lando chokes out, completely unravelling under your ministrations. You feel a surge of power knowing you have him right where you want him.

Hollowing your cheeks, you drive him right to the edge, his thighs trembling. Then suddenly you release him with a pop and move away.

Lando’s eyes fly open. “W-what ... why are you stopping?” He protests breathlessly.

You give him an innocent look. “Oh, did you want to come, darling?” You ask sweetly.

He gapes at you. “You little minx, you know I was so close!”

You grin slyly. “Guess you’ll just have to wait until next month then.” You move back up to kiss him deeply, rocking your core torturously against his painfully hard length.

Lando groans into your mouth, his hands clutching at you desperately. When you break away, he looks utterly wrecked.

“Now go take a cold shower before you lose your little bet,” you pat his chest mockingly and climb off the bed, sashaying your hips on the way out.

You hear Lando let out a string of curses as you leave him high and dry. Chuckling to yourself, you know he’ll be begging you for release again soon enough. But for today, his torment is payback for this silly No Nut November nonsense.

Later when Lando emerges from the shower, you greet him sweetly. “Feeling better, babe?”

He narrows his eyes but can’t keep a resigned smile off his face. “You’re evil, do you know that? Two can play this game though.”

You just laugh and kiss his cheek. “Maybe so. But I do love watching you squirm.” You sneak down a teasing hand to squeeze his ass as you pass by.

Lando catches your wrist, pulling you against him. “Just you wait until December,” he growls into your ear, making you shiver.

As frustrating as this month will be, you can’t deny riling Lando up is fun. Bring on the teasing — you’re quite happy to make him suffer if it means mind-blowing victory sex down the road.

[vodika-vibes]

It's Not That Complicated

Summary: You have a complicated relationship with Crosshair. More than friends but less than a couple. Friends with benefits might be the closest descriptor, but even that doesn’t feel right. When a mission goes wrong, Crosshair takes the chance to clear the air.

Pairing: Rebel! Crosshair x F!Reader

Word Count: 2636

Warnings: None

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni @imabeautifulbutterfly

A/N: This is based in the same setting as my Imperial!Tech fic. Because it's a fun setting and I kind of love it.

“No need to panic,” You call over your shoulder as your hands fly across the console of your ship, doing everything in your power to keep the ship level. “Everything is fine.”

“Really?” Crosshair asks as he glances out the window, “Because I think that was an engine.”

“Well, we only need one.” You say cheerfully, just as another explosion rocks your ship.

“...that was the second engine.” Crosshair offers mildly, as if commenting on the weather.

“Still no need to panic. We’re fine.”

Your hands fly even faster across the console, as you manage to keep the ship level. You pause for a moment to fasten your harness, and then you go back to work.

There’s a ripping noise, and your fingers pause, while Crosshair glances out the other window, “Ah.”

“What?”

“We just lost a wing.”

You’re silent for a moment, “It’s fine. Not a problem.”

“At what point does this become a problem?” Crosshair asks as he also fastens his harness.

“Oh…in about 10 minutes when we want to land.”

His sharp eyes snap to the back of your head, “Please tell me you're joking.”

“Yes, of course.” You flash a small, cocky grin in his direction, “I am the best, after all.”

“If you were actually as good as you think you are, we wouldn’t be in this situation.” Crosshair points out.

“Stow it.” You snip, “And brace for impact, we’re going to land hard.”

“Of course we are.” Still Crosshair does as you ask, at least, you assume that he does, you’re a bit distracted with making sure you both survive this.

You slow the ship and drop the landing gear, and carefully, very carefully, bring the ship down. It’s harder, with only one wing, but you manage it.

The ship lands hard, hard enough that it rattles your teeth in your head, and you can hear the landing gear snap as the ship slides on the ice. And then, it comes to a stop and topples to the side, leaning against the singular remaining wing.

“...well. Any landing you can walk away from, right?”

Crosshair shoots you a look, “You have got to be kidding me.”

“Nope.” You unfasten your harness and get to your feet. Bruised and battered, but still alive. “You alright?”

“I think my teeth rattled out of my head.” Crosshair bitches as he unfastens his harness and makes his way to the door. He has to pry it open, and he kicks the emergency slide down.

“Good thing we have excellent health and dental.” You chirp as you pull on winter weather gear and grab your kit.

Crosshair rolls his eyes, “Come on, kitten. Off the ship.”

“Yeah, yeah.” You scramble over to him and, with his help, you slide down the emergency ramp and land in a pile of snow. “Cross! This planet sucks!” You call up to the ship.

“Deal with it!” He calls back, “I’m sending the pack down to you.” He sets a large pack on the ramp and slides it down to you, before he slides down himself. 

You watch him get to his feet, before you hand the massive pack to him, and then you cast your gaze over your ship, “I’m going to give her a once over. I might be able to fix her.”

Crosshair’s face isn’t noticeable, due to his helmet, but he tilts his head in a way that you are very familiar with. “Go ahead. But we can’t stay long.”

“Yay! Thanks Cross.” You grab your kit and hurry over to the ship, effortlessly scrambling back up the ramp and climbing up onto the roof to take a look at the damage. 

You’ve been a pilot for the Rebellion since the fall of the Republic, and, before that, you were a pilot for the GAR. Of course, the GAR didn’t need any natborn pilots, because of all of the clone pilots, so you had often been confined to the hangar and playing maintenance. 

With the rise of the Empire, you lost your job completely. Your supervisor had been very apologetic when he canceled your contract, claiming that the Imperial Army couldn’t afford mechanics of your caliber. And then, privately, he told you that the new policies barred women from being pilots. 

At the time, you had been incensed. 

Even with the nice payout you got for them breaking your contract.

It was a stroke of good fortune that you were snatched up by the Alderaanian Military as soon as the contract was canceled. And, as it happens, the Alderaanian Military to Rebel Alliance pipeline is very real.

That is how you met Crosshair, and his kid sister, Omega.

As you understand it, Crosshair’s chip never activated when the Purge began (and wasn’t that a trip and a half to learn, that all of the clones had control chips in their brains that would overwrite their freewill), but all of his brothers did, and Crosshair had been forced to run with Omega when his older brother tried to kill them.

He doesn’t like talking about it. But Omega can be bribed with the right candy or food, and she’s happy to talk about how she came to be a part of the Rebellion.

From the start, you and Crosshair were often paired up. The best pilot in the Rebellion partnered up with the best Sniper in the Rebellion. Your job is to get him in and out of hard to reach places, and his job is to keep you safe.

It’s really no surprise that you got close. 

Long nights, alone, with nothing to do but get to know each other. Long conversations about anything and everything. 

You’re not surprised that you fell into bed with him. It was inevitable, really.

You are surprised you developed feelings for him.

And, if you’re a little disappointed that he seems happy with the friends with benefits situationship and doesn’t want more…well, that’s okay too. Your feelings are valid, so long as you don’t make them his problem.

But, all of this is a problem for later. 

Now, you need to try and figure out how to make your ship space faring with no engines and only one wing.

Easy.

Crosshair leans back on the rock he’s sitting on, his gaze locked on his Kitten as she scurries from one side of the ship to the other. Odds are, the ship is a total loss. But it’s better to let her come to that decision.

There’s the sound of a speeder approaching from behind, and Crosshair turns as an Imperial Speeder comes to a stop several yards away. “Kriff.” He stands and turns as three men climb out of the speeder.

“Everything alright here?”

Crosshair folds his arm over his chest as he realizes that these men are vod’e, “We had something of an incident.” He replies as he gestures to the ship.

“So I see.” The man pulls off his helmet. He’s older, clearly, with a full beard. He looks exhausted, and injured. “Names Mayday,” He casts his gaze to the ship, “That your pilot?”

“Yup.” Crosshair winces when he hears a yelp.

“I’m okay!” She calls from the top of the ship, “Just an ice patch.”

“Enough!” Crosshair turns to the ship, “Enough, Kitten. You’re not going to be able to repair the ship. Get down before you kill yourself.” 

She stands on the ledge of the ship, her hands on her hips, “How dare you! I am the mistress of the land, sea, sky, and space! I will make my baby space worthy again!”

“Yeah? Where are you going to pull another wing from? Your ass?”

She scowls at him, “I…am working on it.”

“Spunky.” Mayday murmurs, “Miss,” He calls up, “The temperature is about to drop. We can’t let you stay out here overnight.”

“It’s fine! I can stay on the ship.” She calls.

“Son of a kriffing-” Crosshair steps closer to the ship, “If I have to come up there after you, I will throw you off the ship.”

She pauses, as if considering her options for a moment, and then her shoulders slump, “Fine.” Carefully she climbs down, and hops on the emergency ramp, allowing herself to slide down to the ground. “But, I want you to know that I’m agreeing under protest.”

“Noted.” Crosshair offers her his hands and she takes them, allowing him to hoist her to her feet.

“Pilots are the same all over,” Mayday notes with an amused smile, “Hop in the back. We’ll go back to our base.”

“Come on, Kitten, in you get.”

“But, my tools.”

“I promise that no one here is going to steal your tools.” Crosshair says with a roll of his eyes, “I don’t think there’s anyone to steal your tools.” He ushers her to the speeder and helps her climb into the back. 

“Yeah, but you don’t know that! They were a gift from Queen Organa-!”

“If someone steals them, I will personally replace them. Sit down!”

She huffs and drops into a seat, her arms folded, and Crosshair folds himself next to her. Finally pulling his helmet off and dropping it onto her lap. “Hold this.”

She wraps her arms around his helmet, “Your hair is all messed up. I told you the tail was a bad idea. You should have gone with a knot.”

“Yeah, well, when it grows out enough I will.” Crosshair leans back slightly.

Mayday climbs in the back of the speeder, his gaze locked on Crosshair, “I should have pegged you for a vod.” He notes, “I thought the voice was familiar.” He glances at her, and Crosshair shifts, using his body to shield her a little bit, “You stationed on Alderaan?”

She leans forward, “Senator Organa requested several clones to come to Alderaan,” She says brightly, “Cross, here, often gets stuck on bodyguard duty.”

“Yeah, because the last time you tried to use a blaster you nearly shot your foot off.”

“I don’t recall that.” She sniffs, “Anyway, I often get tasked with transporting medicine to different planets, anti-venoms and the like, so I get my own personal bodyguard.”

Mayday looks concerned, “Do you have anything like that on you right now?”

“Nope. We were on our way back after a delivery.” She smiles at him brightly. 

“Well that’s something.” The speeder starts, and Crosshair nudges her back, “We don’t have a lot of space, so the pair of you are going to have to share.”

“That’s fine. It’s my preference, honestly.” Crosshair says with a shrug, “Not that I don’t trust you, but-”

“But you don’t trust us.” Mayday says with a nod, “I understand.”

The speeder falls silent, and Crosshair’s gaze flickers to the side when his Kitten leans her head against his shoulder, her gaze distant as she trails her fingers over the paint on his helmet. If he has to guess, she’s thinking of what she needs to repair her ship.

He nudges her gently, and her gaze flickers up to his face, and she flashes a small smile before she bumps him back. “I’m okay.”

“Never had any doubt otherwise.” Crosshair replies.

“It won’t be long until we’re back at base,” Mayday says, “You can just relax.”

And true to his word, the Speeder pulls up to the base less than fifteen minutes later.

Mayday leads them to a small room, “Sorry. There’s only one bed, but there’s a cot in the closet.” He says as he opens the door, “If you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask. We don’t have much, but what we do have, it’s yours to share.”

Crosshair frowns, and he glances at his Kitten, judging by the frown on her face, she sees the same thing as him. “Commander,” She says, “I can’t help but notice that there aren’t many people here.” It’s a question disguised as a comment.

“Well, the Empire hasn’t been sending us supplies, and…” Mayday pauses, and laughs bitterly, “We’re the only ones left.”

“I’m sorry.” She says softly.

“Don’t be.” Mayday replies, “It’s hardly your fault.” He glances between the pair, and then turns, “Have a good night.”

And then they’re alone, and Crosshair turns to his kitten, “Shirt off, Kitten. I need to check your injuries.” He says as he pulls his armor off and sets it next to the door.

She frowns at him, but crosses the room to the bed, and pulls her winter gear off, and then she pulls her shirt off. Crosshair hisses when he sees the dark angry bruises crisscrossing her body. 

He walks over to her, and lightly trails a finger down a bruise, “Looks painful.”

“Better bruises than a concussion.” She replies lightly, a small smile on her lips. “Are you okay?”

“Better bruises than a concussion,” Crosshair mimics, a smile crossing his face as well. His hand comes up to cup her cheek, “We’ll be okay. I’m sure we can borrow a ship.”

She frowns, “I’m worried, Cross. The men here will die if we don’t do anything. And Commander Mayday’s injuries-”

“We’ll handle it.” He interrupts as he presses his thumb against her lips, “We always do.”

She presses a light kiss to his thumb and, for a moment, Crosshair melts.

“I was thinking,” He murmurs, “That this might be a good time to talk. We’ve been…avoiding it.”

“I’m listening.”

“About us. About our relationship.”

She tilts her head, “You mean our complicated situationship?” She teases, using the words that other members of the Rebellion use to describe the pair of you.

Crosshair leans in and bumps his forehead against hers, “It’s not that complicated.”

“They disagree.”

Crosshair rolls his eyes, “Of course they do.” He pauses, “And it occurs to me that, maybe, you might be on the same page as them.”

She frowns, “I’m content with how we are, Cross.”

He scans her face, “I don’t doubt it. But you’re not happy with it either.” Tellingly, her gaze flickers to the side. She’s always been shit at lying to him. “You want more.”

“I’ll take whatever you can give me.” She corrects.

“Oh, kitten,” He sighs softly, and traces her lower lip with his thumb, “I…care about you. A lot.”

“I know.”

“You don’t.” She blinks at him, surprised. “I’m used to people not wanting me, be it the Regs…or my own brothers.” There’s something bitter in his voice and she reaches up to stroke his cheek.

“It’s not their fault, Cross. The chips-”

“Hunter swears that their chips were removed.” Crosshair says quietly, “And they still tried to kill me.”

“I…they were lying. Probably. Maybe.”

Crosshair smiles at her, “You’ve always wanted me around. Have I ever told you how much I appreciate it?”

“Well, not in so many words.” She replies, “But I know. You tell me in all of the ways you make sure that I’m safe.”

“I should do better.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“You deserve better.” Crosshair corrects himself, and she doesn’t answer him for a moment, something thoughtful on her face.

“Crosshair, where is this going?” She finally asks.

“I want you to be mine. And I want to be yours.” Crosshair says, “No more flirting with other people. No more dates with other men. Just you and me.”

She exhales slowly, “...yeah?”

“Yeah.”

A bright smile crosses her face, “I want that too.”

With that, Crosshair crashes his lips against hers. Sure, they’re still trapped here, for now, but he can’t bring himself to care about that when he finally has her. Really and truly has her, in the way that he’s wanted for months now.

He has faith that she’ll come up with a way to get them off this planet and back to the Rebellion. But, until she does, he’ll just have to entertain himself with her.

[sydsaint]

Can you surprise up with a fic of any wrestler you choose with any injury prompt you pick?

Take some Nick content!!!

prompts taken from @promptsbytaurie 's injury prompt list!! Prompts used: 31. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." And 22. "Shit, that's blood. That's a lot of blood."

Summary: The reader continues to aid Adam Copeland in his quest to ruin Christian's title run, working on her own agenda of saving Nick from Cage. While out with Adam during one of his matches, reader suffers an injury causing Nick to drop his unapologetic and uncaring act.

"I appreciate you sticking around to help me out, kid." Adam puts a caring hand on your shoulder, offering you a friendly and grateful smile.

"Of course, Adam." You nod. "I'm happy to help with anything that makes Christian Cage's life miserable." You joke with a small laugh.

Adam laughs with you and the two of you head to the locker room door. Adam has a match against Killswitch, Christian's resident monster on a leash. You and Copeland head out to the ring and you take up a spot in his corner.

"Alright, I'll handle the monster." Adam looks down at you from inside the ring. "You stick down here and keep an eye on Cage and Nick." He adds.

"Got it." You nod.

Christian's music hits and he struts down to the ring with Nick and Killswitch at his side. You make a couple of glances at Nick, your heart hurting a little bit. Christian and his group reach the ring and Killswitch climbs up onto the apron. Christian and Nick remain on the floor in their corner and whisper to one another.

The bell rings and you watch Nick start to move away from his corner. You watch him slowly make his way around the ring and over to Adam's corner where you're standing.

"Go back to your corner, Nick." You turn toward him with a scowl.

"I just want to talk." Nick replies in a calm and seemingly sincere tone.

You scoff and cross your arms at your former best friend. "Well I don't." You sneer at him.

"Come on, Y/N. Please?" Nick flashes those soft brown eyes at you.

Nick's chummy look makes your heart ache. He used to flash you those eyes all the time back when you were still friends to get his way. And you'd fall for it every damn time. But not now. Not this time.

"I told you to get lost." You scowl at him. "You had your chance, Nicholas." You remind him. "So don't come over here and pretend like you care."

Nick's expression remains solemn as he stares at you with those puppy dog eyes. But you don't budge. You remain stoic, arms crossed across your chest.

You and Nick stare at each other for a moment, and you fail to notice the action spilling out from inside the ring. Killswitch moves to hit Copeland with a nasty spear out of the ring, but Adam manages to dodge it. Killswitch sails through the ropes and hits you hard instead.

"YN! Look out!" Nick sees Killswitch flying toward you but can't close the distance to get to you in time.

Killswitch hits you hard with his spear and your body flies back violently. You crash into the commentary table, head bouncing off of the edge of it. Your vision goes black for a moment, but you can hear Nick yelling for you as well as the bell ringing.

"YN! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Nick flies toward you as you slump onto the floor in front of the commentary table. "Shit, that's blood. That's a lot of blood." He gets to your side and spots the blood stain on the front of the commentary table.

Adam climbs down from the ring and hurries over to check on you. But you are already in Nick's arms by the time he gets over to the table.

Your vision clears up and you become acutely aware that you're being carried up the ramp by someone. "Adam?" You make assumptions about whose come to your rescue.

"It's me, YN. It's Nick." Nick corrects you in a worried tone. "I'm so fucking sorry. You're hurt and bleeding and it's all my fault." You hear him sniffle.

You turn your head to the side and find Nick teary-eyed and doing his absolute best to get you back to the trainers room as fast as he can. "Nick?" You furrow your brows at him, head pounding in pain.

You reach up and touch the back of your head, causing pain to shoot through it. When you pull your hand back it's smeared with blood. "Oh shit." Your eyes widen at the sight of blood.

"Just hold on, YN, we're almost there." Nick assures you.

Nick gets you to the trainers room and you are ushered off to be helped. The trainers keep Nick in the hallway and shut the door behind him loudly.

Freaking out and regretting every decision he's ever made Nick leans against the wall and slowly slides down it to the floor. "Shit shit shit shit. What did I do? What did I do?" He puts his head in his hands and takes a few deep breaths. "Please be okay, YN. Please be okay."

Adam comes down the hall a few seconds later and the trainers let him in the room since he's your tag partner. He glances at Nick as he passes, noticing how upset Nick looks.

Christian comes looking for Nick about 20 minutes later when he doesn't come back to the locker room.

"Nick! What are you doing out here?" Christian stomps down the hall toward Nick. "Are you crying?" He scoffs when Nick looks up from having his head in his hands.

"Leave me alone, Christian." Nick sniffles.

Christian scoffs and looms in front of Nick. "Come on, Nick. That's enough. Get ahold of yourself." He insists.

"Fuck you!" Nick springs up from the floor red in the face. "YN could be seriously hurt! And it's all my fault!"

"Nick." Christian goes to make a reply but Nick cuts him off.

Nick jabs a hand at Christian's chest and begins shouting. "Don't! Just fucking Don't, okay? God, what the fuck am I doing?" He runs a hand through his hair. "YN's my best friend! I love her! And I-I-God, I've been treating her like shit! Because of you!"

"Nick..." Christian attempts to speak again, but Nick doesn't allow it.

"Just get out of here Christian!" Nick shouts furiously.

Christian is taken aback by Nick's outburst and steps back. He gives Nick one last disappointed glance before he turns and walks off.

A few seconds later Adam steps out into the hall. He looks at Nick for a moment before beckoning him over to the door with his hand. "Come over here kid. YN wants so see you." Adam informs Nick.

Nick nods and hurries over to the door. Adam lets him inside the trainers room and points over to the corner of the room where you're upright and chatting with one of the trainers.

"YN!" Nick takes off across the room without hesitation.

"Nick!" You turn away from the trainer as Nick darts across the room.

Nick flies across the room and engulfs you in a hug as soon as he's at your side. "You're okay! Oh thank god that you're alright!" Nick loses it. "YN, I am so sorry. I'm so sorry for everything. I'm such a fucking idiot. I don't deserve you."

You wrap your arms around Nick and glance at Adam over his shoulder. Minutes ago Adam explained to you what he heard Nick yelling at Christian out in the hallway.

"Nick, it's alright." You push him off you gently. "Adam heard you out in the hall and told me what you said." You explain.

"He did?" Nick replies, glancing at Adam.

You nod and grab Nick's hand from his side. "Tell me that you're done with Christian." You ask him. "Please. Just promise me that you're done."

"I'm done with him." Nick promises you with a nod. He laces his fingers in your hands and sets it on his chest. "I'm never leaving your side again, I swear." He adds.

"Good." You crack a small smile. "You're a huge fucking idiot Nicholas Wayne. But I love you regardless." You run a hand through his soft hair before pulling him in by the back of the neck for a kiss.

[ametrinearrows]

Celebration

The crowd roared with excitement as YN YLN stepped into the ring, ready to defend her title against Mickey James. The tension in the arena was palpable, and the energy was infectious. Among the sea of cheering fans, Jeff Hardy stood by the entrance ramp, his heart pounding with a mix of nerves and anticipation.

As the match unfolded, YN showcased her incredible athleticism and determination, going toe-to-toe with Mickey James in an intense battle for the women’s championship. The audience watched in awe as YN executed high-flying maneuvers and strategic holds, determined to prove herself as a worthy champion.

In the front row, Lita and Matt Hardy sat side by side, their eyes glued to the action in the ring. Lita, a trailblazing WWE legend herself, couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride for YN’s accomplishments. She glanced over at Matt, who nodded in agreement, sharing the sentiment.

Backstage, Jeff paced nervously, his thoughts consumed by YN’s match. He knew the sacrifices and dedication she had poured into her wrestling career. She had trained relentlessly, overcome setbacks, and proven herself time and again. He believed in her, and he wanted nothing more than to see her succeed.

Finally, the moment arrived. YN executed a breathtaking finishing move that left Mickey James sprawled on the mat. The referee’s hand hit the mat three times, signaling the end of the match. The arena erupted in cheers as YN was declared the victor and the new women’s champion.

With adrenaline still coursing through her veins, YN’s eyes locked onto Jeff’s figure at the entrance ramp. As she climbed out of the ring, the crowd’s cheers served as a symphony of celebration. She reached Jeff, and their eyes met in a mixture of pride, relief, and affection.

“You did it,” Jeff said, his voice a mix of awe and happiness. “You look happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

YN’s smile was radiant as she embraced him. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she replied, her voice filled with gratitude. “Your support means everything to me.”

Lita and Matt joined them, sharing in the joyous moment. The four of them stood together, a united front of friends and loved ones, celebrating YN’s hard-fought victory. The journey had been marked by challenges, but the triumph was all the sweeter because of it.

As the confetti rained down in celebration and the crowd’s cheers continued to echo, YN knew that this was a milestone in her career she would cherish forever. And in Jeff’s embrace, she found a sense of fulfillment and happiness that words couldn’t adequately express.

After the exhilarating victory and the roar of the crowd had subsided, YN, Jeff, Lita, and Matt headed backstage, their spirits high and the excitement still palpable. They found themselves in a private area, away from the bustling chaos of the event. YN’s championship belt was slung over her shoulder, a constant reminder of her hard-earned triumph.

“Tonight calls for a celebration!” Lita exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “How about we find a great place to go out and have some fun?”

YN’s grin widened, and she looked at Jeff, feeling his hand gently squeeze hers. “Sounds like a plan to me,” she said, her voice filled with excitement.

Matt chimed in, his characteristic grin present. “I know a fantastic spot nearby with good food and an awesome atmosphere. What do you think?”

As they made their way to the restaurant, the group laughed and reminisced about the journey that had led them to this moment. Jeff and Matt shared stories of their wrestling adventures, while Lita recounted some of her own experiences in the ring. YN listened with rapt attention, feeling grateful to be surrounded by friends who understood the unique challenges and triumphs of the wrestling world.

At the restaurant, they were greeted warmly by the staff and shown to a reserved table. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, and the group settled in, ready to enjoy a well-deserved meal.

As they savored their food and shared more stories, Jeff leaned in close to YN, his eyes reflecting his admiration. “You were incredible out there,” he whispered. “Seeing you in that ring, giving it your all, it made me so proud.”

YN blushed, her heart skipping a beat. “Thank you, Jeff. Your support means everything to me. I couldn’t have done it without you by my side.”

Their eyes locked, and in that moment, the noise of the restaurant seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their own world of connection and shared dreams.

Lita, always the perceptive one, nudged Matt with a knowing smile. “Looks like we’re in the presence of a power couple,” she whispered, earning a chuckle from Matt.

After their meal, they headed back to their hotel, the night still young and full of possibilities. Back in their room, YN and Jeff shared a quiet moment on the balcony, gazing out at the city lights.

“You know,” Jeff began, his voice soft, “when I first saw you in the ring, there was something different about you. Your determination, your spirit—it’s infectious.”

YN leaned against the railing, her heart swelling with emotion. “And you, Jeff, you’re my rock. Your unwavering belief in me gives me the strength to keep pushing forward.”

As they stood side by side, the cityscape before them seemed to shimmer with the promise of new beginnings. The night was a testament to their shared journey, the challenges they’d overcome, and the happiness they’d found in each other’s company. 

As Jeff and YN returned to their hotel room, a lingering sense of excitement and closeness enveloped them. The air seemed charged with a newfound energy, a blend of their shared accomplishments and the electrifying atmosphere of the evening. YN’s heart raced as Jeff closed the door behind them, his eyes locked onto hers.

Jeff took a step closer, his fingers gently tracing the curve of YN’s jawline. “You looked so breathtaking out there,” he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

YN’s breath hitched, her eyes never leaving his. “You’re the reason I had the strength to give it my all,” she replied, her voice barely more than a whisper.

In that moment, any remaining distance between them evaporated, and their lips met in a passionate kiss. The taste of victory and desire mingled as their kiss deepened, a testament to their shared passion and connection.

As their lips parted, Jeff’s gaze burned with intensity, his fingers deftly undoing the straps of YN’s championship belt. The belt fell to the floor with a soft thud, a symbolic shedding of the weight she had carried throughout the match.

YN’s fingers moved to the buttons of Jeff’s shirt, her movements eager yet deliberate. With each button that came undone, their desire intensified, a flame that had been ignited by the adrenaline of the evening’s events.

Their clothes fell away one by one, each piece an offering of vulnerability and trust. Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them a reflection of their unspoken desires. The room was filled with the sound of their whispers, their breaths coming in sync as they explored each other with a newfound urgency.

Amidst the intensity, there were moments of tenderness—soft touches, lingering kisses, and whispered words of affirmation. The culmination of their journey, both individually and as a couple, had led them to this moment of raw connection.

As the night unfolded, their bodies danced in a rhythm only they could understand. Time seemed to blur, and their shared pleasure became a symphony of sighs and gasps, a testament to their intimacy and the bond they had cultivated.

In the aftermath, as they lay entwined, their breathing gradually slowed, and a sense of contentment settled over them. Jeff’s fingers traced patterns along YN’s skin, and she nestled her head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“You know,” Jeff whispered, his voice a gentle murmur, “tonight wasn’t just about the match. It was about us—our journey together.”

YN looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection. “You’re right. Every moment, every challenge, has led us here.”

As they drifted into sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms, the room was filled with a sense of completion. Their love, their shared victories, and their unbreakable bond had brought them to this place of intimacy and connection. And as they rested, they knew that the journey was far from over, but they were ready to face whatever came their way, united in their love and the strength they found in each other.

[djarinsphere]

hi there! would love a short fic about jedi!reader introducing Din to long-time friends Han and Leia, which eventually leads to a very intense game of sabacc between Din and Han. thank u <3~

A game of sabacc

Din Djarin x female!Jedi!reader

Words: 1.9k Warnings: mentions of alcohol

For weeks, you had been trying to get Din to head to Coruscant with you. Whenever you brought it up again, he let out an annoyed sigh, talking about how he had so much to do when it came to bounties, payments and travel. 

You respected that of course. Being in a relationship with Din for a while had taught you that the man had his own way to travel, to live and to handle things. Going back to Coruscant to meet with some old friends of yours just wasn’t high on his list of priorities right now. 

But this list had to change at some point. As he slowly started working through the long list of available bounties, he gained more free time. Din would have preferred to spend it with you on a remote planet, just the two of you basking in your love for each other, but if visiting Coruscant was going to make you happy, then he would use his free time for that. Anything to see a smile on your face. 

Besides, you had talked a lot about Han Solo and Leia Organa. Your eyes were sparkling every time you told him a story about your two friends or just referred to a funny situation you had been in with Leia.

While you had been exploring your connection to the Force, mostly with Luke, you did have a lot of intimate talks with Leia as well. It brought you closer together, making you good, intimate friends. Din deserved to know that part of you.

You had been together for quite a while, a year or more, but he had never met any close friends of yours. Acquaintances maybe. People that had helped you out on your travels every once in a while. But after all this time together, sharing intimate moments together, opening up more and more, you felt like Din needed to meet your long-time friends eventually. 

It was a sunny day when you finally arrived in Coruscant, landing with the Razor Crest. “Oh, there she is!” You exclaimed excitedly when you spotted Leia outside. The woman was carrying a smile on her lips as she watched the engines of the Razor Crest turn off one by one. “I’ve seen her before. In the holo news,” Din mumbled, fixing the position of his helmet a bit. He didn’t wear it around you that often anymore, but as soon as you entered the atmosphere of a new planet, where scans of the ship could be made, he was hiding his face again. You respected this tradition. His armour was a part of him, as was the Mandalorian way of life. 

“Of course you’ve seen her before. She’s a war hero and part of the New Republic.” A chuckle left your lips as you shouldered your bag and then climbed down the ladder from the cockpit. Grogu was already in his little floating crib, a satisfied expression on his face. You had given him some sweets earlier. “Excited to meet some friends?” You asked him with a smile and the small child angled his head slightly, a curious expression filling his gaze. 

As soon as the ramp had opened, Leia was coming towards you, her arms flying around your neck to pull you into a tight hug. “Oh, how I have missed you,” she smiled, the excitement also filling her voice. You felt at home, welcomed back into the arms of your friend. 

You didn’t hesitate to hug her back, happiness spreading into every bone of your body. As soon as you left the hug though, you reached back to grab Din’s arm gently. The cool metal of his armour felt familiar under your fingertips. 

“Leia, this is Din Djarin. A bounty hunter I’ve been travelling with and well…” You didn’t need to say more. Leia understood that Din was not only “someone” you travelled with. At least not anymore. 

You could feel Din’s nervousness through the Force. He could hide it well behind his mask and his armour sometimes, but he couldn’t betray the Force. He couldn’t trick your feelings, the connection between you two. 

“Welcome to Coruscant, Din. My husband and I are excited to finally meet you,” the Princess smiled, as welcoming as always. Leia had a presence you had never seen before with anyone else. She was friendly, encouraging and a great leader at the same time. Without her, you doubted that the Rebellion would have been able to defeat the Empire. Without her, the war might still be going at this very moment. 

“Oh, I’m glad Han is here. Haven’t seen him in a while either,” you chuckled, remembering the last times you had visited Leia. Han just wasn’t one to settle down for a long time. He needed adventure, the dangers of the galaxy, in his every day life. 

“Yeah, he’s been preparing some drinks for us all. Follow me.” Leia gestured for you and Din to follow her to their apartment. 

Din couldn’t deny that he had never been in a place as fancy as this one. Technologies he had never even heard about ran this place. The apartment was huge, the windows big enough to capture the gigantic Coruscant skyline. “You also used to live in a place like this, cyar’ika?” He whispered, bending down a bit to make sure no one else heard. “No, but I’ve spent some time here. With the princess,” you explained, a chuckle leaving your lips again. You had never experienced the luxury of really living in a place like this, but your friends had often enough let you get a glimpse of it. 

Han Solo, the infamous pilot and smuggler, greeted you in the living room area. It was spacious, with a long couch and drinks ready on the glass table. You greeted him with a hug as well, feeling his hands rub your back in a brotherly gesture. “Been a while,” the pilot grinned and then took a step back to look at you. “No major injuries. Everything’s going well, then? And who is this guest of yours?” He asked, not hiding his curiosity. Not that he had ever been able to hide it. 

“That’s my partner. Din Djarin,” you replied. A smile spread over your lips. He was your partner. Hopefully for more years to come. 

“You look like you could play an entertaining game of sabacc, my friend,” Han grinned, offering Din his hand. 

The Mandalorian tensed up a bit, before he eventually shook Han’s hand. “You could say that.” You had seen Din play sabacc a handful of times. He was good at it. Especially since no one was able to read his expressions usually. You had only played against him once, but had failed miserably.

“Then let’s go.” Han had a wide grin in his face as he lead Din over to the kitchen table. The pilot grabbed a deck of sabacc cards from a cupboard in the kitchen, eventually laying down the cards. You positioned yourself behind Din, putting your hands on his shoulders. “Good luck,” you whispered, fingers brushing over the scarf around his neck. You wished you could give him a kiss as a good luck charm. But maybe he could have one as a reward later. 

The game eventually started. Han’s expression immediately changed. The grin was gone, instead he was furrowing his eyebrows as he concentrated fully on the cards in front of him. Din’s shoulders tensed up under your grip as he studied his own cards. You could feel the tension between he two players growing continuously. 

Glances were exchanged, in hopes of trying to read the other’s mind. Could they maybe have better cards? “I know I’ve won,” Han said, confidently. It was probably a part of his strategy, trying to make Din slip up and maybe draw more cards that could possibly be a disadvantage. 

“Do you?” Din asked in return, leaning forward a bit. “I think you’re trying to fool me, smuggler.” The tension was rising between them, your hands getting a tighter grip on your partner’s shoulders. 

Leia was already making a step forward to maybe interfere with this game before it could get out of hand. But Han motioned for her to stand back, for now.

“And I think you’re trying to look tough with those cards on your hands.” Han’s mouth formed into yet another grin as he leaned forward as well. Din’s heartbeat rose, a sign of his growing ambition to win this game. Had it been a good idea to let these two play a card game together?

“Just like you’re trying to look tough by switching up your cards with the ones in your sleeve.” 

You raised your eyebrows at the pilot in the seat across from you. Han’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red. “You-” he started, but an angry stare from his fiancé was enough. 

“How?” 

It was all Han asked after that. He wasn’t embarrassed about his attempt at cheating, they didn’t actually play for money, but his ego was still a bit hurt. The Mandalorian was the first person to look past his tricks.

“Let’s just say I’ve got an eye for that,” Din shrugged confidently, slowly getting up again. “Maybe you should try to act less confident next time. It’s kind of like carrying a sign that says ‘I cheat’ around everywhere you go.”

Han let out another chuckle, clearly amused but also impressed by how well Din had been able to identify his tricks. 

“Well done. A drink?” Han suggested, handing out the drinks he had already made earlier. Din wasn’t able to drink it now of course, but he would gladly do it when they were in their own room – the guest room. 

Din was slowly removing his armour, eventually placing his helmet down on the windowsill in your room. He let a hand run through his messy curls before facing you with a smile. “I was surprised your friend took that loss so well,” he chuckled, sitting down on the edge of the bed. 

“Me too. He’s usually quite bad at that. But… how did you know he was cheating?” You had been watching Han closely as well, but you had no idea what he had done with the cards. 

You walked over to the Mandalorian as he parted his legs for you to stand between them. His hands found your hips, giving them a small squeeze before he tilted his head further up, his brown eyes searching for yours. “I didn’t. I just figured he would. Seemed to confident,” he explained and an amused smile appeared on his face.

Din knew people like Han too well not to notice something might be wrong. Even if there was no real evidence at first.

You were impressed, truly. But you still had a question left. “How did you know about the sleeve then?”

“Common smuggler trick. I can show it to you if you want,” he shrugged, placing a soft kiss on your chin. “Even though I doubt I can pull it off. I’m not a smuggler after all.”

“No, you definitely aren’t,” you chuckled, hands finding their way into his curls. “You’re something a lot better. You’re mine.”

Then you kissed the Mandalorian, passionetely.

Maybe also as a reward for his sabacc win.

[mostlikelythedevil]

Haunted. | [Chapter Five]

Pairing(s): Kevin Owens x Fem!Zayn!Reader, Solo Sikoa x Fem!Zayn!Reader

Warning(s): Explicit Language, Angst, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood

Word Count: 3,824

Chapter Summary: Emotions run rampant during the main event of Smackdown: Solo Sikoa vs. Kevin Owens with The Usos and Sami Zayn ringside.

Link(s): AO3, Masterlist

Note(s): When I tell you I have such long-term plans for this series, know that I mean it! This chapter finally concludes one episode of Smackdown! As always, please give feedback, and feel free to offer any ideas you might have. I hope y’all enjoy.

Tag(s): @crowleysqueenofhell @raeluvshammett

The commanding beat of Solo Sikoa’s theme song blares through the arena hosting Smackdown, throwing the crowd into a fit of sound — a beautiful chorus of love and hate. He emerges from the curtains, pausing only to take in the ring; behind him, after he begins his way down the ramp, his brothers follow him alongside Sami Zayn.

 A camera focuses in on the enthusiastic dance that Sami performs as someone on commentary mentions the situation with his sister. He does not seem to acknowledge the comment, choosing instead to holler words of encouragement to Solo; the smile on his lips is almost contagious, drawing in the fans near the ramp. People, despite the dangerous energy about Solo and his brothers, cheer as they pass.

 Solo approaches the steel steps at ringside, ripping the towel from his head. His brothers clink the Undisputed Tag-Team Championships, yelling out some kind of non-sense about being family to the members of the crowd; they vanish to ringside as Solo climbs into the ring, throwing his arms out with a war cry of sorts. Sami, still dancing along to the beat of the music, goes to the open area opposite of the Usos.

 The music cuts.

 In the middle of the ring, Solo stares at the ramp with evil intent. His body is as still as a statue, though the look in his eye screams wild fury; it’s no wonder that Roman chose such an intimidating family member as the Enforcer of The Bloodline —stepping up to Solo would be stepping up to a beating.

 For the second time tonight, guitars and drums echo through the arena. Cheers erupt from most of the crowd, though there is a bit more distaste than usual — likely due to the shenanigans earlier in the night. The cheering only grows louder, though, as Kevin Owens appears at the top of the ramp. He has rage in his puffy, red eyes. It’s been a long night for him, so this would serve as his therapy.

 Kevin makes his way down to the ring, not allowing his eyes to stray from Solo Sikoa.

 “Make him pay, Solo!” Sami Zayn beats on the outermost part of the ring as soon as Kevin enters the ring. His eyes do not leave his former friend — and, for the first time, Kevin breaks eye contact with Solo to stare down Sami.

 The bell rings — and Solo charges at Kevin, hoping to catch him off-guard with his attention on Sami. It doesn’t work, though, as Kevin side-steps and allows Solo to go flying into the corner turnbuckle; his head bounces off of the covered steel with a sickening sound.

 Head in his hands, Solo stumbles back into Kevin. Kevin delivers an aggressive punch, and another, and another, before dropping Solo to the mat with a devastating kick to the chest. On the outside of the ring, the twins watch on in aggravated silence, eyes boring holes into Kevin; Sami, however, is beating on the mat with all of his might. Someone has to deliver justice for his sister.

 As the match continues, both men trade blows — and it becomes somewhat of an equal match-up due to their similar builds. Solo throws a devastating headbutt at Kevin’s head; Kevin fires back with a forearm; Solo headbutts Kevin; Kevin forearms Solo; it’s a slug-fest in the middle of the ring. Neither man can seem to quite gain the upper hand.

 That’s when the music begins.

 The two men in the ring stop trading blows, throwing themselves away from one another in order to safely look to the ramp. Solo slinks to the back of the ring, eyes glancing between the entrance and Kevin as if this is some kind of trick; Kevin, on the other hand, stands against the ring ropes to the side, with Solo in his full view along with the entrance.

 Sami moves from the back of ringside with The Usos to the end of the ramp, his eyes trained anxiously on the area just in-front of the curtain to backstage. Moments pass like hours. Nothing happens. His wide, anxious eyes fall to the ground in defeat, and he turns back to return to The Usos.

 Kevin and Solo turn to one another, circling the ring. They lunge for one another, locking up in the center of the ring; it takes a moment, but Solo eventually gains the upper hand on Kevin and sends him sprawling to the mat with a brutal headbutt. He continues his assault, kicking at Kevin’s downed body as hard as he can.

 With blood staining from your nose down to your chin, with make-up in ruins on your cheeks, with a nasty yellow bruise growing around the base of your nose, you emerge from the backstage area. Fiery hair frames your face wildly, unkempt from your match earlier in the night; in truth, you look more like Sami now than you ever have before.

 It takes a moment of you standing there, watching the ring with a blank expression, before anyone seems to notice you. A fan points, starts screaming, and the others join in; soon the arena is filled with the noise of the crowd once more. Kevin and Solo ignorantly ignore it, likely believing the noise to be for them — they’re the ones in the ring, after all.

 “My God! Is that— is that Sami’s sister?!” Michael Cole sounds almost in disbelief at the sight of you. The comment, though, throws all attention outside of the ring to you; a spotlight finds you at the top of the ramp, revealing more of your disheveled appearance. “Is that a sledgehammer?!”

 The jaw of your brother drops at the sight of you; you have never looked more broken, and yet, you are the most beautiful you have ever been. You look like yourself — and you haven’t looked like yourself since before Kevin. Still, though, seeing you covered in your own blood, with what could only be a broken nose, it almost makes his throat tighten.

 “This— this is revenge, Michael. But on who?” Barrett replies, equally disturbed.

 You do not look at your brother; no, you are focused only on the ring. Neither man knows that you are watching them, stalking them, waiting for the right moment to strike; it sends a shiver of excitement up your spine. With that, you begin slowly making your way down the ramp, dragging the sledgehammer in your hand behind you. It scrapes against the metal of the ramp.

 Jimmy reaches through the ropes, tugging at Solo’s ankle with urgency. Having the upper hand, Solo almost shrugs his older brother off of him, only paying attention after glancing down and seeing the wide-eyed panic on his face. Jimmy silently points to the ramp. Finally, Solo looks over to the ramp, and his own eyes go a bit wide. His chest heaves as he looks at you; he’s not concerned, but he certainly is interested.

 Kevin, who lie on the mat, looks up to see Solo looking down at the ramp. He slides away from his opponent to the opposite corner, closer to where Sami stands, and pulls himself into a standing position with the assistance of the ropes. A bruise is starting to form around his right eye from Solo’s aggression, but it does not stop him from looking over to see your approach. His jaw drops at the sight of you, and his brows furrow. You’ve never looked so unhinged.

 A stained smile plays at your lips, even in all of the immense physical and emotional pain wracking your body with every step. You stop at the end of the ramp, eyeing the two men in the ring — and you make your way to the steel steps leading inside. The sledgehammer drags against the steel as you make your way into the ring, beating down on every step with the warning of your intentions.

 Both men step out of their corners, still away from one another, watching your movements. Kevin has transitioned from genuine concern for your well-being to absolute annoyance at your intrusion; Solo, as is his custom, remains stoic. You enter the ring, coming to a stop firmly between the two men.

 Your eyes come to rest on Kevin first, taking in the sight of his bruised eye at the hands of Solo. There was a time when you would have reached out to him; you would have told him to let you help him, that everyone needs help sometimes — but that time is gone, now. Seeing the yellow circling his eye, it almost makes pride swell in you.

 You turn to Solo, regarding him with less scrutiny. His face is red — either with exhaustion or anger, and several small cuts line his arms. It’s nothing that will be noticeable by morning, not on a figure as big as Solo. Hell, the cuts are so tiny they might not even be there in the morning anyways.

 “This is nothing personal, big guy. Keep your undefeated streak,” as the words leave your mouth, one of your palms finds the side of Solo’s face. His head snaps to the side as the sting settles in your hand.

 The bell rings, “and your winner, via disqualification, Solo Sikoa!”

 Not allowing Solo to show his anger, you turn back to Kevin and jam the sledgehammer towards his stomach. He catches the weapon before it can make contact with him, and his eyes land on yours in shock. You waste no time in dropping the sledgehammer, pulling your foot to meet Kevin’s chin in a brutal kick. He stumbles for a moment, genuinely stunned and likely a bit confused, before hitting the mat with a thud.

 Chest heaving, you laugh — a brief, short outburst that’s almost nothing but air. Tears fill your vision as you pick up the sledgehammer from the mat, making sure to cover the end of it with your palm as to not get fined or worse. You look down at Kevin, and he looks groggily up at you. His eyes scream at you, begging you to stop, begging you not to do this to him like your brother did — but he did this to himself, just like he did with your brother.

 You bring the sledgehammer down on Kevin’s body, eliciting a howl of pain from him. He wriggles around, trying to lessen the pain, desperately clutching his abdomen. A surge of heat dances through you, and you bring down the sledgehammer on Kevin’s poorly covered abdomen twice more. Tears flow freely from your eyes, wetting the crusted blood and clumped make-up on your cheeks.

 “How could you do this to me,” you cry, throwing the sledgehammer to the side. Kevin writhes under you, crunched up in pain. “I would have done anything for you. I chose— you.”

 Blood and tears and make-up smear onto your arm as you wipe your face, dropping yourself down onto Kevin’s abdomen. You’re straddling him, glaring down at his broken expression. A fist comes down onto his face, and another, and another, and another. Blood begins to trickle from his nose. You begin to sob as you come down with another fist.

 “You are nothing— a coward,” you stand from Kevin, snatching the sledgehammer off of the mat again. The noise of the crowd is unheard to your ears; the eyes of your brother, of The Bloodline, cannot be felt. It is only you and Kevin here. “A coward. I loved you. You want to throw me away?”

 The sledgehammer comes down again on Kevin, and again, and again, and again, aiming for nothing other than hitting him. You’re too gone to really take aim at anything specific; you’re too gone to realize the damage caused. He needs to pay for dropping you as if you were nothing. He needs to pay for everything he has done to your brother — to your relationship with your brother. He needs to pay for your missed championship match.

 As you come back for another blow to Kevin’s broken body, the sledgehammer is pulled from your hands. The throbbing of your heart enters your head as you flip around, a scowl on your lips. On the other side of the ring, Solo Sikoa drops your sledgehammer to the floor outside; his eyes stay on yours the whole time, showing no indication of intimidation.

 Mind somewhere else, you storm over to Solo, so close that the two of you are nearly touching. You can feel the heat radiating off of his body — and you’re not sure if it’s his or your own, nor do you care at the moment. Heaving is your chest as you glare up at him, silently challenging him; his demeanor is practically begging you to even attempt to move against him.

 “He had enough,” Solo states sternly, not backing down from your rage.

 You press your chest against Solo, pushing up against him to continue challenging his patience. “I decide when he’s fucking had enough,” you growl in return.

 “You pushin’ your luck with me tonight, Zayn.”

 “Is that right? Why don’t you do something about it then, big boy?”

 The ring shakes with the weight of the twins sliding in, standing behind Solo as to show you that you are far outnumbered. It doesn’t matter. You don’t back away. In fact, you don’t even acknowledge the twins; your eyes do not leave Solo. That is, until a hand finds your shoulder. You whip around, ready to strike down whoever dared to touch you — and your face softens when you see your brother.

 Sami’s lips are turned down into a frown, and his eyes hold nothing but concern in them. Something about the way that he holds himself, about the way that you can see his care for you in his eyes alone, causes a fresh round of tears to pour from your eyes. You collapse against your brother, wrapping your arms around him as if he is the last thing that you will ever hold.

 “Sami, I— what happened? What’s wrong with me?” You fall to your knees, and Sami comes with you. He doesn’t let you go. He knows that you need him, even with all of the accusations you threw at him; he has always been your rock, and he’s not going to take that away from you.

 A gentle hand pets your hair. “Nothing’s wrong with you — nothing at all, okay? It’s okay.”

 Hidden behind you, the twins share a look of concern with your brother; Sami shakes his head gently at them, a small smile on his lips. You could come around to them — you would, after all of that.

 “We gotta go, Uce,” Jey mutters, looking around at the increasingly irritable crowd.

 Sami nods. “Jey’s right. We need to get that nose checked.”

 Gingerly, you pull yourself from Sami’s embrace. He takes the opportunity to stand, extending his hand to you — and you know this has more than one meaning. You glance over at Kevin’s body, back to your brother, and then to the rest of The Bloodline.

 The truth of the situation is that Roman Reigns caused the entire mess — even if he happened to aid you in showing you Kevin’s true intentions, even if he happened to be right about everything. It could have all been avoided if Roman kept his nose where it belonged, and you could have lived happily in ignorance for the rest of your life. You could have won the contendership match. Things could still be normal. But would ignorance would have been worth looking like a fool?

 “I need time— to think,” the words fall from your lips as you roll out of the ring, not bothering to look back at your brother.

 As you make your way backstage, the only thing you can hear in the sea of disapproval is your brother calling out your name from the ring. He needs more than what you’ve given him, but there would be no more explanation or conversation — not tonight, probably not for awhile. Giving him your pain, letting him see you for how you really felt, was already far too much.

 Members of the backstage crew avoid you as if you are the plague walking among them, horrified by your sudden aggression; fellow wrestlers stare at you with varying emotions, though the better half of them appear shocked. Normally, you would find yourself caught up in all of the opinions, but right now you just want to have your nose looked at; it’s late, and you’d like to find yourself a nice, dark hotel room.

 Only one of the three doctors on-hand is available by the time that you make it down to the medical room — the other two have been sent out to check on Kevin. The doctor present, though not allowed to comment on ring politics, does seem to be a bit jumpy with you; she almost seems nervous that you might lash out if given the wrong news. It’s baffling that no-one understands that you’re not an aggressive person, especially given your history of being too nice to your opponents. Kevin just kept pushing and pushing and pushing — all in one night. It was bound to happen.

 “Your nose—  it’s a minor injury. All I can really do is offer to pack it, and if you choose to wrestle, you’ll need to wear protection,” the doctor, Haley, tells you with a shaking voice. You consider trying to calm her nerves with some conversation, but you cannot bring yourself to care enough to cause anymore discomfort to yourself tonight.

 You look at Haley, gently touching the area around your nose; it’s extremely tender, and the last thing that you want is to be in anymore pain — and with her shaking hands, you’re sure that her trying to pack your nose is only going to hurt. “Can I just have some gauze?”

 Haley nods, turning to find the extra gauze. It takes her a moment, signifying to you that she is new to her job, but she eventually finds and gives you a roll of gauze to pack your nose with. “I can find some protection for you, too, if you want?” She offers, watching with doe-eyes as you cross the room to the sink and mirror in the corner.

 “I’ll come Monday if I need it.” The response comes through gritted teeth as you work the dried blood from under your nose with handfuls of water. As the blood clears, you can see a minor tear on the inside of your septum — and that helps explain the amount of blood for such a minor break. It also appears that you have a small horizontal cut on the bridge of your nose.

 With the water and mirror available, you take the opportunity to clear the clumps of make-up from your ruined, swollen face. It takes more effort than you expect, and you accidentally brush against your broken nose more than once. Underneath all of the debris, you look like you feel — utter garbage. The area around your nose is swollen with yellow-purple hues, extending all the way to your puffy, red eyes; it wouldn’t surprise you if the bruising extended past your eyes over the weekend.

 Packing gauze into your nose is less painful than you expect, but it does still send some stinging up to your eyes; tears slide down your cheeks, almost painful in themselves with your eyes feeling raw from all of the crying earlier in the night. You’re sure to place a decent-sized bandage over the cut on your nose bridge as well.

 “Appreciate it, doc,” you say as you make your way to the door.  “Mind if I offer you some friendly advice?”

 Haley, taken aback, nods. “S—Sure.”

 “What I did tonight— that was nothing. If that bothered you, you’re better off finding a different job,” the tone of your voice is almost nice, “because there are people here a lot worse than me.”

 You leave the medical room before Haley can respond, walking to your locker room to collect your luggage. The only positive thing to come out of tonight’s drama is that you didn’t have time to really plunder through your things, which would make leaving much faster — and the faster that you can leave, the less likely it is for you to run into Kevin or Sami or The Bloodline.

 The only things that you really have to collect are bits of your make-up kit and the clothes that you wore to the arena. Normally, you would at least take the time to change before leaving, but staying here for any longer than you need is asking for more trouble that you simply do not have the mental capacity to handle.

 As you gather up your clothes, you can hear The Bloodline making their way to their locker room down the corridor. The conversation comes to a halt as they come upon your locker room, likely noticing the open door; it wouldn’t be so far-fetched to assume that they were talking about you, after all. Even with a solid, simple explanation, though, you still turn to eye the door.

 Jimmy and Jey pass by the door, merely glancing in; neither of them hold your steely gaze. Sami almost stops when he sees you staring out, double-taking, but he ultimately continues on after seeing the absolute anger in your eyes. Finally, there is Solo. He is much more challenging in his movements, even stopping to stare you down for a moment before continuing, clearly not over the little stare-down in the ring — or maybe he’s sore about the slap, even though you were saving him the embarrassment of losing via disqualification.

 You finish packing the last of your items and head for the door, poking your head out to make sure that no-one undesirable is around. After confirming that you are relatively safe, you make the long walk toward the fenced-in parking lot.

 In the parking lot, you catch a glimpse of The Bloodline awaiting their company-assigned limo. None of them seem to notice you as you walk to the other side of the parking lot, entering your rental car as quickly as you can; the last thing you want to do is be forced into a conversation, and you’re certain that Sami would do as much if he spotted you. A very small part of you almost yearns for the inside of the limo — you know it must be comfortable after such a long night.

 You pull out of the parking lot, finding yourself regretting booking a hotel room with the hotel that most of your peers would be sleeping at as well. It would probably be an agonizing weekend.

[clone-anon]

Hello clone-anon. I have a request. I'm a wheelchair user and only use my wheelchair some of the time. Other times I rely on a cane. I love the idea of living on the Marauder like I see in so many stories, but I rarely walk and have a terrible time with stairs. In the sw universe I think I would have a hover chair. Tech is my favorite. I'm in love with him. Do you think there's a way for me to go on adventures too?

Of course there's a way for you to go on adventures! Tech has never come across a problem he couldn't solve, especially with the help of his team.

Whenever you watched the Marauder fly away, your heart sank a little. Not just because your boyfriend was leaving, but because you knew how he loved to fly and you had a hard time joining him. The first time Tech invited you onto the ship, your hover chair tried climbing the stairs. It was always a bit jarring with the up and across motion as it tried to keep an equal space between moving forward on a step and up to the next one. He didn't say anything at the time, but Tech was determined to make the experience more welcoming. While he and his siblings were leaving for a mission, he didn't bother to share that on the way home, they were stopping for some particular supplies.

The mission didn't take long and you were happy for his return. He gave you a kiss and grinned at you. His smile was familiar, but there was a look in his eyes that was almost mischievous.

"Care to tell me what this look is about," you asked him with an inquisitive grin.

"No."

You were even more intrigued now as you searched his warm eyes. Tech with a one-word answer. That had never happened before. He left a kiss on your forehead and added, "I promise it will be worth the wait."

For the next few days he was hard at work inside the ship. You tried to visit him, but Wrecker showed up to distract you, taking you swimming along with Omega and Hunter. You enjoyed your time on the beach, but kept wondering what Tech was up to.

Finally, Tech came to pick you up one morning, offering you a flower, and walking you to the ship.

"Now, as you know my darling, I have been hard at work and I promise it is for your benefit." He smiled at you as he pushed a button for the Marauder to open. The stairs then shifted to make a ramp and Tech encouraged you to come on board. Your chair smoothly hovered up the ramp and on to the ship. There was a clear spot where you could park and stabilize your chair for the jump to hyperspace. Tech had pulled out the entire sink in the refresher and replaced it with one that wouldn't bump your knees when you used it. You could hover right up to it and easily turn on the water. There were handle bars in useful locations and he showed you a cubby perfectly at your level for storing your things.

"There is one more thing I want to show you," he said with a hand on your shoulder. He then took you to the bunks. There was a separate space cleared out for your chair next to a lower bunk.

"Is this space all mine," you asked.

Tech pushed his goggles up. "If you want it," he said nervously. "Or perhaps a shared space for the two of us. There is not much room on board and-" he stopped as you took his hand and kissed his knuckle. He leaned down to give you a warm kiss.

"Wherever we go," he said, "I want you with me and I want you safe. Whatever you need, I can always make further modifications."

"Thank you, Tech."

You decided that while you didn't have to go anywhere right now, you might as well test the bunk and get a few cuddles in.

[theangstyboiblog]

The Spy and Her Hunter | Pt. 3

Description: After six months apart from a certain bad batcher, he comes to your rescue when your mission to steal data from the Empire goes wrong. Unfortunately, you’re not exactly happy to see each other.

Warnings: 18+, Future smut, Language, Angst!

Table of Contents: Part One, Part two

Hunter POV

The rooftop is a scene of blaster fire and smoke. He’s crouched behind an air vent, ducking out to let off a shot here and there before a series of red blaster fire zeroes in on his position. Sparks fly as a bolt strikes the metal wall right in front of his visor and he pulls back with a gasp. He looks over his shoulder.

You’re still not moving. Eyes closed, dead to the world. His mouth is dry as he reaches up and taps his comm.

“Tech, where are you?”

He tries his hardest to not sound panicked. He’s not panicking. But it would help if you would wake up – if Tech would hurry up.

“Coming up on your position – now,” Tech says after a pause and his voice is replaced with the sound of a ship’s engines as the Marauder rises up over the building. The ramp door extends and Wrecker jogs down the stairs, letting off several rounds of cover fire.

“Let’s go, Hunter!” his brother roars and it sends him scurrying over to you, holstering his blaster. Pulling your body up and over his shoulder, he takes a deep breath before hoisting upward, knees bent as he tries to carry you but also stay behind sufficient cover. A thud echoes as Wrecker lands on the roof, getting behind him, providing cover. A quick glance up the steps and he sees Echo at that door, taking aim before firing a quick set of rounds.

Hunter grits his teeth and starts the climb, fingers digging into the flesh of your wrist and thigh. He counts each step.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8… 9.

He makes it and almost stops to take a breath. But Echo is waving him out of the doorway, and he can hear Wrecker bounding up the steps behind him. “Go, go, go!”

Turning to the bunks, Hunter releases his hold on your arm and all but drops you as he pants, trying to catch his breath. He stares down at you through his visor. Your hair is in your face but you’re still knocked out. If a firefight couldn’t wake you, he’s not sure what will.

He’s just about to move back when his hand brushes something hard in your jacket pocket. He looks down, hand searching before he has time to think it through. A grey data disc comes into view as he pulls it from your pocket.

“What happened to her?” a voice asks.

Hunter straightens up, nearly hitting his helmet on the bunk above before turning around. Wrecker’s leaned against the computer console watching him. Swallowing, Hunter turns and slips the disc into his hip satchel.

“We were being chased and she went around a blind corner,” he says finally, pulling off his helmet and wiping his brow. The sweat wets his skin and he shakes his head. “She got stunned. She’ll be fine,” he says, glancing at you before letting out an… well, it’s an annoyed sigh if he would be honest with himself.

You knew better. He knew that you knew better. And every second that he thought about it, the anger in his gut seemed grow even hotter. You should have checked your corners, but it was like you were running from more than just the troopers who had been chasing you. At the time, he almost wondered if you were trying to outrun him.

“So, she’s back then?” Omega’s voice asks next to him and he tears his gaze away from you to look down at her. There’s a bitter edge to his words. He frowns as he sees his own hardliner stare mirrored on her face. Kid’s got a right to be angry, he thinks. Raising an eyebrow, she looks up at him when he doesn’t answer straight away. He shakes his head.

“She won’t stay,” he says.

Omega nods, lowering her gaze. Without another word she leaves him behind and heads for the cockpit. He watches her go and for the first time in a long time, notes just how quiet the ship is. Even Wrecker is sitting quietly in his flight chair as Tech and Echo sit at the ships controls. He turns back to the bunks, setting his helmet on the top one. He braces his arms against the metal frame before peering down at you. He doesn’t really realize how long he stands there. Then, he pushes himself back and steps away hand falling naturally to his hip.

He stops. He looks down. He reaches down to the little storage bag tied to his belt. A second of rummaging and his fingers take hold of the slender plastene data chip. Taking it out, he gives it a moment of study, turning it over in his hands. It looks innocent enough.

He glances at you, then back at the disc. He looks over at the computer. Clicking his tongue, Hunter steps across the narrow space and slides into the chair, swiftly inserting the data disc. The screen hums as the computer starts to read it.

He knows it’s going to piss you off. But if he’s being honest… he doesn’t care.   

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

There’s a pressure inside your head, like someone is hammering along the fault lines of your skull, looking for just the right spot to break free. Opening your eyes, the light doesn’t help your situation. You wince and suck in a breath, immediately squeezing your eyes shut in an attempt to stop the pain.

Releasing a groan, you roll onto your side and start to sit up. A rough excuse for a blanket meets your hands and the back of your head hits metal with a thunk.

“Fucking hell,” you groan, reaching up to clutch at what you imagine is a gaping wound along your skull. It’s a bump. Opening your eyes again, you look around as you climb out of the bunk.

The Marauder. Great.

It’s a tad neater than the last time you’d been aboard. Not that that was saying much. You glance down the corridor through the door. You can see several figures sitting up front. Tech, Echo… Your eyes settle on a head of blonde hair. You stand still. No one seems to notice you’re awake and you try to ignore the wave of sadness that washes over you. You want to walk in like you used to. You want them to look at you. You want to explain to all of them, but most of all her.

Reaching down, you slip a hand inside your pocket protectively. It takes two seconds for you to realize: your pocket it empty. Your stomach drops. You look down, panicked, hands patting both sides of your jacket, your pants. You turn around like a mad woman and all but dive back into the bunk, digging and searching.

It’s gone.

“Shit, shit, shit—”

“You can stop tearing my bunk apart,” a deep voice says behind you.

You freeze, before jerking up, nearly hitting your head again. But you duck out of the way just in time, before whirling around to find him standing between you and cockpit.

“Hunter, where the fuck is the disc,” you all but hiss at him as he reaches up and taps the door control. The door to the front of the ship slides closed and he steps over to the computer console, ignoring your glare.

He scrolls through the controls before hitting the eject button. Like a hawkrat poking its head up out of its den, the disc pops out of the card reader. With deft fingers, Hunter picks it up, turns to you and holds it out. You grab it like a starving lunatic, secreting it away into your coat pocket.

Hunter shakes his head. “You’re welcome,” he says dryly.

You let out a scoff. “What do you want, Hunter? A kiss for old times’ sake?”

“I want my wife to talk to me, but I guess I was expecting too much,” he shoots back, and that one sentence seems to suck up all the oxygen in the room. You have no words to fling in his face.

Looking down at the toes of your boots you take a breath. It would be so easy to… get into it. To fight. To break. But that damn disc seems to burn through your pocket. It’s incessant.

“I need to get to Yavin’s 4th moon,” you say as you raise your head. Hunter stares at you. Then he huffs out a soft laugh of disbelief and sits down, shaking his head.

“We’re going to Ord Mantell. You can find transport there.”

You bite the inside of your cheek, as he turns his back to you and scans the screens in front of him. Silently, you step across the walkway and stand next to him. Your eyes scan his profile, the slope of his nose, the way his hair has grown past his shoulders. You take in the new colors on his armor, the replaced patches here and there. You want to set a hand on his shoulder. You almost do. It’s there, the urge to reach out. But instead, your hand winds up into a fist at your side. The next time you speak, it's a soft murmur.

“Hunter, I can’t wait on some civilian freighter line to make a two-week milk run out to the rim. This is important.”

He stands up, the chair rolling out behind him as he turns to you. And he’s so close. You hold your breath as he looks at you, stares you in the eyes. It’s like your mind is spread bare, like he can read every part of you.

And then he turns away. There’s so much in that movement. It’s gut-wrenching. Reminiscent of your own choices not all that long ago.

You turned your back once. Now he can do the same.

Stepping over to the bunk side of the ship he grabs his helmet, then makes his way towards the cockpit door. You tilt your head, teeth biting into the flesh of your cheek. You’re as close to begging as you can be, when he reaches up to tap the door control. His fingers extend. Then they stop.

Hunter twists around, though his gaze never really leaves the floor. He doesn’t look at you. “We have to resupply. We’re going to Ord Mantell,” he says firmly and you start to step forward, lips parting to argue. “We’ll…” he starts to add and you freeze. Finally, those brown eyes look at you again. He thinks for a moment. Shakes his head. Then frowns. “We’ll figure something out,” he says finally.

You breathe out. “Thank you.”

“Don’t.” he says, punching the door control. It slides open and he turns away once again. He crosses the threshold leaving you behind. Your arms cross over your stomach as you click your tongue and take hold of the computer chair, pulling it back to its normal position.

You could follow him. But you don’t. Instead, you take your seat and stare at the ground. Every now and then you glance at the door. Even though it is open, it’s like a barrier. There’s an invisible wall keeping you out. Because this isn’t a meeting of friends and family and you know that if you had to ask any of the people onboard, they’d all tell you the same thing.

Your presence is unwanted. You’re not welcome here.

And it’s all your fault.

READ PART 4 HERE

A/N:

Waits for people to lose their minds. In 3, 2, 1....

The Hunter/YN relationship just got a whole lot more complicated. Moody teenager Omega, dealing with abandonment issues is inbound also. ;P &lt;3

Thoughts?

[mrs-johansson]

Chapter 5: Avengers: Age of Ultron - Two Ghosts

Katarina’s sign language will be bold.

Part 2:

Flying around the snowy forest was something else. HYDRA agents came from left and right, as we tried to get inside the base. “Shit!” Heard Dad’s voice, over comms. “Language,” Steve stepped in. He said what? “Oh wow, he is old,” I murmured before blasting the three guards in front of me and then landing on the ground. “JARVIS, what's the view from upstairs?” Cap continued. “The central building is protected by some kind of energy shield. Strucker's technology is well beyond any other HYDRA base we've taken,” said the AI. “I’m gonna get inside too, I’d like a talk with Strucker,” I flew back up and made my way toward the huge building. “You’re needed in the forest, Y/n you’re staying down here,” Steve instructed and I looked towards the base. “If anyone kills him before me, I’m gonna be really mad,” I sighed and flew back to the forest, landing on a tall stand. Grabbing a gun from one of the guards I quickly shot all of them and then with one move I burned down the stand. “See, you’re more useful here.”

“Loki's scepter must be here. Strucker couldn't mount this defense without it. At long last.” Thor spoke. “At long last” is lasting a little long, guys,” Natasha said as she came into my view also. “Yeah. I think we lost the element of surprise,” I just like Clint’s sarcastic comms responses. “You think?”

“Wait a second. No one else is going to deal with the fact that Cap just said "language?" Dad’s voice Rand in my ears and honestly I’m surprised nobody else mentioned it. “I know…” Steve said before a big crash. “It just slipped out,” he finished.

After getting through the HYDRA guards, Dad and Steve successfully entered the base. “We're locked down out here,” I said as the last soldier surrendered too. “Then get to Banner, time for a lullaby,” oh how much I hate to watch that. “I’m gonna go check on Clint,” with that, I walked off.

As the Quinjet door opened, I could hear the Hulk’s grumbles. Every time I know that Natasha helps him turn back, the blood stops flowing in my body. All I could see was when she was running away from him because he couldn’t control himself.

“Why are you just standing there?” Clint’s voice made me realize that the Quinjet had opened. “Just thinking,” I walked up the ramp, sitting by his side after grabbing a medical kit. “Tough fight?” He asked. “For you maybe,” I smirked down at him and he just scoffed. “Did something happen out there?” He asked on a more serious note. And I just kept patching his wound up. “Y/n?” “I just don’t trust him around her, okay? She is very much human and who knows when the green giant will tear her apart. It’s very dangerous and she doesn’t even consider the possibilities,” I said lowly and he didn’t say a word because everybody walked up to the Quinjet. “How’s it going?” Natasha walked up to us and after a shared look between Clint and I, I walked away.

After a little while, everyone was calmly talking and relaxing after the mission. Suddenly, Natasha stood up from her place and after a quick check on Clint, she sat down next to Banner.

“You’re so jealous,” Clint murmured and I hit his shoulder. “I bet she didn’t tell you about how she screamed at me because she found out that I was sleeping with someone. That is also jealousy,” I admitted but also gave him something to talk to her about. “With who?” He asked curiously. “None of your business. But this… that’s disgusting. Tell me she and I weren’t this cringe from the outside,” I looked at the man laying on the bed. “Nope, this is really bad.”

“Thor, report on the Hulk?” Natasha’s voice made us all look their way. “The gates of Hell are filled with the screams of his victims,” Romanoff glared at my brother. I chuckled as subtly as I could but of course, everyone noticed. But he tried to climb out of the hole he created. “Y/n liked what I said…” Thor murmured. “Because she’s an ass,” Natasha’s reply was something we all took as a shock, especially me. I mean yeah, we had arguments the past couple of days but not in front of everyone.

***

“Don’t get any new scars without me, Barton,” I spoke after him as they rolled his bed away. He put the middle finger up in the air and I just shook my head.

“What’s the word on Strucker?” I turned to Maria. “NATO’s got him.” “The two enhanced?” Steve stepped in. “Wanda and Pietro Maximoff. Twins. Orphaned at ten when a shell collapsed their apartment building. Sokovia's had a rough history. It's nowhere special but it's on the way to everywhere special,” Maria explained as we made our way inside. “Their abilities?” I questioned. “He's got increased metabolism and improved thermal homeostasis. Her thing is neural electric interfacing, telekinesis, mental manipulation,” Hill presented the scientific way. Steve’s face was just funny to look at, at that moment. “He's fast and she's weird,” I shortened for him. “You’re weird,” Maria said and I shrugged. “Yeah, I am.”

***

“There's no possibility of deterioration. The nano-molecular functionality is instantaneous. His cells don't know they're bonding with simulacrum,” I caught Dr. Cho’s explanation. “Dr. Cho they should shower you with awards…” I looked at Clint’s wound which was already getting better. “Creating tissue from nothing… Incredible.” “How long have you been interested in medical research?” Banner’s question made me look up. Is he serious? I glanced at Natasha and she glared at me like she already saw what I was gonna do. “Since I’ve been talking, that’s about the exact time, isn’t it Dad?” I turned towards him and he just spread his arms. “What can I say? Geniuses make geniuses.”

***

It was a rare Sunday when I was alone at home with Katarina, so I made sure to cherish the moment. I’ve been wanting to try her hearing aid but I was scared to see the device fail. But here we are, on the couch in the living room, with a box between the two of us.

“Okay, I’m gonna put this on you and if you hear anything, you tell me okay?” I signed to her and she nodded. With one big breath, I opened the box and gently placed the device in her ears, and pressed the button.

Quickly looked at her face and not gonna lie I was scared to speak. “Say something,” she signed and I blinked a couple of times and cleared my throat but when I opened my mouth to say something, Katarina jumped up on the couch. Her eyes were wide open and I could see her eyes tearing up. “It works? You can actually hear me?” I stumbled over my words, hands shaking and my eyes welled up as well. She nodded and jumped into my arms, her tears wetting my shirt. “I love you, malysh.”

***

“Are you coming to the party?” Asked Steve as we were going to the gym. “Yeah, Katarina will sleep at one of her friend’s house, so I’ll be good.” “I’m so excited to meet her by the way. I heard the hearing aid worked,” the big smile on his face was so rare these days. “Yeah, it did. She’s excited to meet all of you guys. I’ve been telling her about all of you.” “Really? What’s she like?” He asked as we entered the gym area, which was empty at the time. Not many people work out at 5 am.

“She’s a lot like me to be honest. She is very mischievous though, I think Clint taught her all that.” And James but he just can’t know that. “But she’s just full of love and affection. She likes to cuddle which I adore so much. The only thing I’m worried about is that she’s definitely going to follow in my footsteps, like workwise. In the beginning, she always asked Clint and Natasha too about their missions. She is so interested in all this already. Clint of course makes it all look fun and stuff, but you know… it’s scary.” “Does she get along with Romanoff? She doesn’t seem like a kid's person,” he cracked a smile as he lifted off a kettlebell from the floor. “Ugh they love each other, probably the most difficult part in all this breakup thing,” I sighed while getting on the bicycle. “Ever since we started having these arguments and tense moments, she obviously doesn’t visit much. And I only feel sad for Rina, because they always have so much fun together.” “Have you talked to her about it?” Asked Steve. “Nat? No. We’ve been caught up with being jealous of who the other person sleeps with so… I really just want to get over it. I just hope that when Katarina meets you guys she will forget her a little.”

***

The day has come. The team comes over to meet Katarina for the first time. She was so excited all day yesterday, telling me about how she can’t wait to meet Mama’s friends.

As the doorbell rang, she ran to the front door and did her best to reach the handle but she couldn’t. I picked her up and opened the door where our guests stood. Dad was obviously up front with bags in his hands and Pepper was next to him, also packed with bags. Steve and Thor were behind them, smiling like they were being awarded. I could see Clint and Bruce standing behind Steve, but Natasha was nowhere to be found. “Come on in,” I stepped aside and waited for everyone to flow into the flat.

Katarina was looking at all of them with wide eyes and her mouth was slightly open too. Once Clint closed the door behind them, I looked through all of them. “So… You want to introduce yourself?” I looked down at Rina and she nodded slowly.

“Hi. My name is Katarina Stark and I’m 3 but not really,” she signed and Clint translated for most of them. “She looks like me. She has the Stark charm, doesn’t she?” Dad smiled like an idiot and I just had to chuckle. “That funny-looking guy is your grandpa and the nice lady next to him is your grandma,” I pointed at Pepper and her face was everything. The pure smile and warmth this woman radiated were everything I wished for in a mom. “Am I?” She asked softly and I smiled. “If you’d like to be,” I said and she came over to hug me and Dad was quick to scoop Katarina out of my arms.

“You don’t know how much this means to me,” Pepper said and I hugged her close. “Thank you for always being there for me. And Dad too. We’re lucky to have you.” A single tear slid down my cheek. “I’m gonna call you mom,” I let go of her and she chuckled. “Whatever happens with you two, and I hope nothing bad, you’ll always be an important part of my life. And now Katarina’s too.” “Oh god, I love you, honey,” she brought me back into a hug. “I love you too.”

“This is Uncle Thor, Mama’s brother,” I pointed at the tall man and he was quick to sit on the floor, opening his big arms. “Come here, little infant. I hope you know, you have mighty blood in your veins,” he said and Rina chuckled while climbing into his arms, giving Thor a big hug.

After she had met with everyone properly, I started making lunch while they were hanging out in the living room. “She looks a lot like him,” heard Steve say as he entered the kitchen. I glanced at him and he had a sad smile on his face. “It’s scary how much they look alike. Every time I look at her, his face flashes in my mind,” I looked back at the cutting board.

“Have you talked?” He asked on a serious note. I stopped cutting and placed down the knife and turned to him.

“He came to me. Not long after the whole SHIELD thing. To my office, which was very surprising. We talked, and he specifically told me not to say anything… to anyone. He helped me find Katarina and he wanted to leave. Alone.” He listened very carefully. “I offered him that I will hide him. I lived far enough from everyone to have him here, so I didn’t see why not. He lived here up until last week. He left a note saying he won’t contact me. He just wants a picture of his daughter every month. He was miserable here. Couldn’t leave the house, couldn’t have human interaction other than me and Rina. He was scared to meet you, you know… He told me how much he was scared to look at you and see what he has become.” I explained and he looked down, shoulders dropping. “You could’ve told me not to look for him at least?” He said with a small smile. “You wouldn’t have stopped,” I shook my head with a knowing look. “No, I wouldn’t.”

[rainydaydream-gal18]

(The Bad Batch) Crosshair x Reader: Hold

Author's Note: I figured I'd combine these! I hope that's alright and this was what you're looking for! Thank you for the requests!!!

I present to you what should have happened.  JK I'm enjoying the show (even though I do hope Crosshair comes back!!) and totally excited for Season 2.  This is just one of many alternate scenarios, as is commonly written in the Star Wars fandom.

Word Count: 1,169

Warnings: A touch of angst.

You watched the quiet exchange with hands clasped together and teeth biting your lips, waiting, hoping…

Dawn had risen over the ocean planet, the pale light washing the sky in pastels.  You should feel nothing but relief after the squad returned safely to the ship.

The squad escaped Kamino.  Everyone was safe.  You only caught a glimpse of him through the viewport and nearly tripped over your feet racing off the Marauder.  With you being a jedi on the run, Echo had thought it best that you remain on the ship while he led the others to rescue Hunter.  You had watched in horror from the platform as laser blasts streaked through the dark, stormy night and impacted the structures of Tipoca city, setting them ablaze, while your squad was still in there.  There was no way of knowing whether they found Hunter or if any of them made it.

The decision to go after them was easy enough, but by the time you geared up and stepped out into the deluge, the tube that ran underwater to Nala Se’s laboratory was destroyed.  Debris littered the sea around you and sank into the murky depths.  It was too dangerous to fly the ship over because the Empire might have detected you on their scanners.  You could only wait.  Wait and wonder if Tech, Hunter, Wrecker, Echo, and Omega were okay.  Wonder if Crosshair was alright after all.

What was most important was that everyone was okay.  You nearly burst into tears when they climbed up onto the platform at the first light.  They were fine.  They were shaken up from the ordeal, sad that the closest thing they had to a home was obliterated, disappointed that Crosshair was still refusing to come along, but fine.

Even so, you couldn’t help but hope.

With eyes locked on Crosshair’s lean form, you hoped.

Omega returned to the group, shaking her head.  Your heart dropped.

Why was he doing this?  Something wasn’t right…  It had to be that chip.  Had to be.  Hunter had quietly told you what Crosshair said, that his chip was removed a long time ago.  Had it really?  Then why did he clasp a hand over the side of his head before?  When you first saw him?

You watched in disbelief as the squad started up the ramp into the Marauder.

“No…We can’t just leave him.”

“There’s not much more we can do,” Hunter murmured, resting a hand on your shoulder as he passed.  He looked over his shoulder at the sniper before his eyes flickered back to you.  A worn sigh emerged from his lips before he nodded, silently granting you a little extra time.

You nodded in return, determined.

Five minutes.  No more.

So you jogged over to where Crosshair stood on the platform with his back facing the squad.  He gazed out at the colorful sky with features screwed tight in pained skepticism.  His hand twitched, as if he was resisting the urge to touch the wound on his head again.

“Cross?” you said.

He stole a glance in your direction, but didn’t budge.

“I know that you’ve been through a lot.  Believe me, we have too.  But our best bet is to stay together.  We all need each other now more than ever.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” he replied, teeth clenched.

“No, it isn’t.”  You reached for his hand, gently wrapping your fingers around it and pulling it to your chest.  “Please, Crosshair.”  Your voice lowered to a longing whisper.  “I’ve missed you so much.”

When he didn’t reply, you released him entirely.  Bitter tears spilled down your cheeks as you looked over at Hunter, who stood with arms crossed.  

Three minutes left.

Perhaps it’s in vain. 

The pain of that thought pierced through your heart like a viroblade, stinging your veins.  Shoulders slumping, you met Hunter’s eyes in defeat.  His expression softened at your visible hurt, and he waited for you to join him up on the ramp.  He knew better than anyone what this meant to you- what Crosshair’s absence had put you through.

Each painstaking step took you farther from Crosshair, and it was as if your feet were made of durasteel.

Suddenly, you couldn’t go any farther.  You halted mid-step.  Another teardrop plummeted from your face , mingling with the rainwater on the platform at your feet.

You turned back around, ignoring Hunter’s quizzical expression, and marched right back until you were standing in front of your sniper.  He gazed down at you, frowning in his usual serious way, though he didn’t quite reign in the surprise in his eyes at your reappearance.

Without so much as a word, you threw your arms around him.

His muscles bunched and tensed at the contact.  It was apparent even beneath his armor.

As if you had landed a blow.

You only held onto him tighter, burying your face in his shoulder.  For several seconds you remained like that, clinging to the man you loved.  Searching.  Grasping for that part of him that you missed so terribly.  Although, it was starting to feel like a shout into the void. Except it wasn’t.

To your surprise and relief, you felt pressure on your form as he wound his arms around you and squeezed back.  He was returning the embrace tenfold, making you feel as though you might melt into putty if it weren’t for his arms holding you so securely.  A whimper of relief choked out from your lungs.  The tears kept falling for an entirely different reason.

His head rested on top of yours, earnestly seeking more of your touch.

Another cry escaped your lips.  Crosshair shifted to hold you even tighter.

“I’ve missed you, darling mine,” he told you.  His admission sent a quake through your bones.  He was starting to sound like his old self again.  You felt one of his hands leave your back to clasp over the side of his head again as he winced.

Feeling compassion for his pain, you pulled away to observe his expression.  “Let’s get out of here.”

He blinked his eyes open, still clutching his head, and nodded.

With your hand still grasping his, you led him toward the ship.  Hunter gave you a look of approval despite the part of him that was cautious.  He stepped aside so that you could bring Crosshair aboard.

Inside, Tech had a datapad out in front of him while he checked over the Marauder’s controls to ensure everything was fully functional.  He caught sight of the two of you, and his eyes widened in contained surprise.

“Oh.  You’re coming with us after all.”

He sounded pleased, which was what you’d hoped.

“Crosshair?” Wrecker exclaimed.  You heard his heavy footsteps as he stomped his way up to see for himself.

“Well, this is unexpected,” Echo commented.

Omega was grinning ear-to-ear.  “It’s great!  Welcome aboard!”

“First thing’s first,” Tech stated.  He adjusted his goggles as he eyed the wounded area of his brother’s head.  “Let’s get that chip removed.”

[killjoygod]

drastic measures | yan!rottmnt!raph

here’s a yan!rise!raph oneshot requested on wattpad! enjoy!

♡ ♡ ♡

Snow painted fluttering kisses to everything in its reach, neon lights here and there illuminating the scene with a red, pink, and blue hue. It wasn’t pouring, but it was enough that two girls had their hoods pulled up and scarves ready for equipping at any moment.

“April, are you sure about this?” [name] shifted in her position, looking around the alleyway uncertainly. “This seems a bit…I don’t know- Sketchy?”

The girl in question let out an exaggerated gasp, clutching her hand to her chest. “I’m offended [name]! You don’t trust your best friend?” April faked a pout, though it dissipated into soft giggles in which [name] couldn’t help but join. The two girls continued their way through the alleys, eventually coming to a manhole. Oddly enough, the snow had calmed, settling into a light shower now.

Despite the cold temperature, [name] and April shed their jackets before lifting the manhole cover. The ravenette woman gave [name] a reassuring smile before sliding down the hole. The remaining girl looked unsure, eyeing the dark hole before inevitably letting her fears fly and jumping as well.

She landed on a surprisingly soft surface - A landing pad.

“You good?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Right, April did mention that one of her friends set that up so no one got hurt. [name] stood up and brushed herself off before continuing to follow April through the sewers.

It was damp and a bit humid under the city, a vast contrast to the cold atmosphere above. The walls of the sewers had graffiti all over them, most made [name] question who might’ve done it. To be fair- Who even takes the time to do it underground? She’s seen enough at train stations and in alleys to be used to it, but still - People climb into the sewers to do this? Well- Actually, it would make sense if it was the people April was showing her to right now.

They were seriously talented. Bright colors, amazing graphics and even meanings! It was astounding, [name] doing a full 360 to get a good view of the stunning images. She wished her phone wasn’t dead so she could take a picture though, it was just beautiful! No matter though, because April suddenly mentioned that they were almost there, which took any other worries off of [name]’s mind and replaced them with new ones.

Would April’s friends even like her?

She could be awkward sometimes, what if they couldn’t find anything in common? What if April likes them better? What if…What if they hate her?

It was nerve-wracking, truly. Things suddenly felt a lot more bleak and awfully familiar. April was [name]’s only friend, if she left…Alright, not the time! They were almost there, no going back now.

The whole idea of this meet-up felt so vapid. What would it do? Sure, it might not do any harm, but what good could it do either? There you go again [name], you’re almost there!

“Alright, we’re here!” April offered a fleeting gesture of comfort before ducking under an entrance of sorts, [name] following soon after. Here we go.

“Guys! I think April’s here!” A raspy, slightly high-pitched voice rang out in the rather big…house? Well, it’s the sewers- A huge skate ramp was what greeted the pair first, until four shadows caught [name]’s peripheral vision. They disappeared, then reappeared, getting closer and closer each time. She’d never admit it, but holy shit was that terrifying.

In little to no time at all, the four figures had closed in on both of them. Then, the lights flickered on, and the fear settled into confusion.

April’s friends were…cosplayers? Cool, she supposed, but why’d they get dressed up to meet her?

The four figures looked to be a mix of turtle and human, and holy hell, all four of them were built. Like- The tallest one looked like he could snap her like a- Wait why was he staring-?

“...Are you guys cosplayers?”

Silence followed, and then a sudden bark of laughter from everyone but [name]. She nervously joined in, unsure of what was so funny about the question. It felt like a taunt, like there was something they knew that [name] didn’t.

“Cosplayers? That’s a new one.” The one adorning a blue bandana wiped a tear from his eye as he spoke, light chuckles still escaping him. [name] felt heat rise to her face out of embarrassment. What was going on-? She was being genuine-

“Come on ‘Nardo, she’s obviously not seen a mutant before-” The purple one spoke up next, voice monotone though wavered with chuckles as he lightly smacked ‘Nardo’s back.

“Mutant? What’s that?” [name] spoke up quietly, now more embarrassed than anything. One of the four certainly got a kick out of the fluster on her face, but they didn’t utter a word.

“Long story short; We’re mutations. Human-turtle, the whole shebang.” Purple spoke again, a lazy grin resting on his face. [name] froze in place. Not with disgust, nor with fear. She was just so confused. How’d April meet them? How’d they get mutated? Did they always have to hide, is that why she’s never heard of something like that happening before?

“...Okay then..Uh- Good to- Pleasure to- Pleasure to make your acquaintances…?” The girl averted her gaze, internally screaming at how much she stammered with such a simple sentence. April giggled, patting her head reassuringly.

The turtles could only smile softly, noticing [name]’s nerves, so they would take the first step.

“The name’s Leo, but call me anything ya want love~!” A cold glare was shot in his direction, a chill sent down Leo’s spine immediately, but he shook it off as nothing. Probably just the wind or something.

“Just call me Donnie, or anything you see fit.” The purple one smiled gently, already fond of the rather quiet [name].

“And I’m Mikey! I don’t care what ya call me either to be honest-” The orange turtle grinned brightly, light just radiating off of him like he was the sun above.

“My name’s Hamato! Wait no- U-Uh- Raphael- C-Call me Raph-” The tallest one, adorning a red bandana, looked just as nervous as [name], and it was probably the light but it almost looked like his cheeks were flushed as well…No, probably just the light.

[name]’s nose was a rosy pink from the cold and it twitched out of habit. Aw, she was like a little rabbit! Absolutely adorable. She looked at the four turtles and smiled gently. It was a genuine one that made the red turtle swoon internally. He felt his heart pound even more just under your gaze…Why did you make him so nervous?

“It’s nice to meet you all! April talks about you guys a lot, so it’s an honor to finally see you guys in person.” She chuckled, looking at the other lady before back to the turtles. “I’m [name].”

The girl’s smile grew just a bit more, feeling her prior nerves get lifted more and more. The brothers sensed it as well, happy that she was comfortable now. ‘New friend acquired’ and all that jazz. Well- Except for one of them.

Raph wanted more.

Her every little move made him want her even more. She was pulchritudinous, ethereal. She was something he had never seen before, something he never knew he needed. She wasn’t loud, she wasn’t immature, she wasn’t like other people he’d met.

She was amazing.

She was his.

The rest of the night went by unfortunately fast. [name] and the turtles + April settled on playing video games and watching movies for most of the night. Raph couldn’t stop looking at [name], memorizing all your mannerisms and ‘tells’, while also dealing with any of his brothers [mainly Leo] that were getting a little too close to her.

Halfway through the hangout, Raph and Donnie had left for a bit to talk or something along those lines. The red turtle had come back after around 10 minutes, purple one taking longer, but for some reason…Donnie’s behaviour had changed. He seemed more on edge and an odd guilty look kept crossing his face whenever he met eyes with [name]. His hand also seemed to be resting in his lavender hoodie’s pocket a lot more.

Throughout the night, everyone had taken a few breaks for snacks and pizza dinner, but overall it was just a very fun and chill time. Donnie had heaters planted all over the base so the cold outside wouldn’t affect them much.

[name] got along with the brothers really well, even their dad Splinter. Everything was going great, but time, like all things, went by too fast.

It was getting late. Way past midnight, probably, but the only clock may or may not have been missing because a certain someone removed it while no one was looking. Things were calming down and mostly everyone was tired. [name] didn’t really want to leave, but she did have her part-time job the next day. Morning shifts sucked, but she didn’t have a choice.

She was going to say her goodbyes and leave with April until Donnie asked to speak with her in private. Raph sent a small grin and cold gaze that seemed like a threat over in the purple turtle’s direction, eliciting another guilty look from him.

Donnie pulled [name] over to the kitchen, hands behind his back now. She looked up at him with confusion, tilting her head. “Did you need something Donnie?”

He only looked more guilty, eyes brimming with the emotion to the point it was about to pour out. It was concerning the girl.

“[name]...I’m so sorry…” He was about to take his arm out from behind him, but at the last second, he couldn’t do it. “I can’t do this. Listen, you need to get out of here as fast as you can- Raph…He’s not going to let you go. I don’t know what happened, but he’s not acting right. You’re in danger, [name].”

She didn’t even have time to process his words before what happened next. Donnie didn’t either. A large shadow cast on the room, before suddenly, Donnie was yanked away and shoved to the other side of the room. Though, the thing he had been holding back from [name] was now in the new arrival’s hands. She felt her hands begin to shake at just the sight, eyes widening.

Raph.

The red turtle glared at Donnie with a hatred that should never be put upon on a brother, yet here it was. Donnie was holding his bruised softshell, though what was most concerning was his tight hold on his throat. The edge of the kitchen table had damaged his vocal cords, and he couldn’t yell for his brothers to help them. Then, like a flick of a switch, his eyes were softer once met with [name]’s. Not another second wasted, the item was revealed to be…a syringe of some kind?

Oh hell no. Raph inched closer and closer, eyes radiating a sick kind of lovesickness that stirred an uncomfortable feeling in her gut. She backed away from him step by step, until her back inevitably hit a wall. His hand pinned her there effortlessly, and her yell of help was cut off when the syringe was plunged into the side of her neck.

He watched with curiosity and satisfaction as [name] almost instantly crumbled to the floor, holding her face in her hands, feeling her body shift and change around the bones. A scream of pain left her lips, which felt like catharsis when put up against how quiet and soft she had been this visit. It was rewarding for him, in a sick, sadistic way.

A sick realization racked through Donnie’s body. Regardless of the scream, no one would hear them. He had sound proofed the whole hideout. He was their inevitable downfall.

[name]’s screaming only died down after the rearranging of her innards and external appearance was done. Raph stared down at her with the utmost adoration, and when she finally looked up at him, regardless of the strong glare, he melted.

She was beautiful.

She was his.

Her new form as a mutant was just as stunning as the human form, if not more. Raph was head over heels. How could someone be so…lovely?

[name] was horrified at her new appearance. She didn’t feel right in her own body, I mean, was this even her own body anymore? She felt tears escape her tight grasp on emotions, resulting in her figure shaking even more.

Short gasps escaped her lips as Raph picked her up easily, caressing her hair. She wanted to cry, scream, fight, kick, whatever it took to get his hands off of her. But he didn’t relent, only giving Donnie the silent command of staying fucking quiet.

He carried [name] to his room, laying her on the bed. “Now we’ll be together, forever.” He chuckled softly, moving a piece of her hair to the side. “I mean, who else is gonna love you now?” A smug grin was what he gave before heading back down and explaining to everyone that she wanted to stay the night.

He also explained that Donnie had a really sore throat and wouldn’t be able to talk for…a while :) The two remaining brothers only shrugged it off as him coming down with a cold. It wouldn’t be too shocking, considering how low the temperatures in the lab sometimes got.

April was suspicious, but not for long.

Who couldn’t trust the kind, loving Raph after all?

[kirk-says-wah]

hihi!! do you think you could do a james/jason pairing with the plot being something like hurt/comfort type thing?? thank youuu🩷🤞🏼

Thank you for the request! ❤️

You can also read it here

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

This is definitely not a good idea, Jason knows this, but fuck if James will listen.

James had managed to persuade him down to the skate park before rehearsal, which wasn’t an easy feat considering what happened the last time James went skate boarding. But Jason cracked eventually, he can only take so much of James’s whining, and had followed with his own skateboard in tow, if only to get James to just shut up.

They’ve been skating a while now, mostly on the smaller ramp, and nothing drastic has happened apart from scraping a few knees.

Which is how they’ve ended up here, at the top of the tallest ramp, James itching to go down it, and Jason knows this isn’t a good idea.

Skating over the smaller ramp is one thing, but taking on one twice the size when they’re in the middle of a tour just isn’t practical.

James sighs, all dramatic, rolling his eyes.

“It’s fine. I’ll be fine. It’s not even that high.”

Which is a total lie because it is, in fact, very high. Jason just bites his lip, eyes darting between James and the bottom of the ramp.

“Promise me you’re not gonna break something this time.”

James laughs, flashes a cheesy grin as he mounts the board.

“No promises.”

And then he’s off, flying down the ramp at high speed, and Jason has to watch through his fingers as James skates across the ramp. He manages it down in one piece though and Jason can feel all the weight lift from his shoulders. God, he hopes James doesn’t ask to do that again. Jason doesn’t think his heart can handle it.

But of course, James does, climbing back up the steps to meet him at the top again, a hand sliding around Jason’s waist.

“See? It wasn’t even that bad.”

“That’s because you didn’t have to watch,” Jason grumbles, though James just laughs, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Anyway, it’s your turn,” James says, squeezing his hip, and Jason’s head whips around comically fast.

“What?! I don’t fucking think so.”

“Oh, go on,” James pleads, ducking to rest his chin on Jason’s shoulder. “I promise once you get going it’s fine.”

Jason really doesn’t like the sound of it, and looking back down at the ramp makes him queasy and lightheaded.

“I really don’t think it’s a good idea,” he tries, but James just shakes his head, urging him closer to the edge.

“Go on. I’ll wait for you at the bottom.”

And with that, James goes back down again, looking effortless as he skates to the bottom of the ramp before getting off. He stands at the side, holding up a thumbs up, and Jason lets out a shaky breath.

He can do this. He can fucking do this.

He mounts the edge of the ramp, steadying himself with both feet before he tilts forwards and bends his knees.

He glides down smoothly, the wind making his hair push out behind him as he skates down the ramp, and just when he reaches the bottom, he loses his balance.

The board continues on its path and Jason falls back, landing heavily on his left arm with a sickening crack and he cries out, falling on his ass as the skateboard flies from under him.

For a moment, his vision is black, but then James is in his view, trying to hold him up. Jason whimpers as pain snakes through his arm, feeling like lightning bolts every time the wind brushes it.

James is murmuring softly, cradling his bad arm in his hands.

“Shit, Jase,” James mumbles, sitting behind Jason to keep him sitting up, his strong chest planted firmly against his back.

Jason can feel tears run down his cheeks, and he sobs, the pain too much, twisting to hide his face in James’s chest.

James just shushes him, smooths a hand over his hair.

“Hey, it’s gonna be okay,” James says softly, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

He waits for Jason to calm down and get his bearings before finally standing up. He helps Jason stand up, an arm around his waist as Jason keeps his bad arm tucked against his own chest, trying to not to cry out as the sudden change has his arm protesting.

James brings him in closer, cradling Jason by the back of his neck as Jason sniffs, his arm now all swollen and throbbing.

“I knew this wasn’t a good idea,” Jason says, all choked up, and James can’t help but wince.

“Cmon, I’ll get you to the hospital. Hopefully it won’t be that bad.”

Jason just nods, and James offers a small smile, giving him a soft kiss to try and wipe the frown from his face.

[itsdappleagain]

CS WEEKLY #2 BABY! Oh yeah two part opener. Also ummmm its still Saturday right?? Haha...I'm late.

ANYWAY HERE WE GOOOO

How. did they not hear her in there lmaooo

If Player was tracking her altitude as well can you imagine what he thought when she suddenly plummeted from a plane wheeze

I love the "I don't have a parachute" line 1/ its so black sheep. its so cute 2. YOU DIDN'T??? THINK OF THAT??

gay people. also glad el topo got over his fear of heights with his bf around

tigress meowing and flailing around whe gray kicks her out of the helicopter is the funniest fucking thing also can helicopters even get to heights that you can parachute from? I guess so

black sheep is so lucky cracker was the last one to jump can you imagine she just grabs tigress by the shoulders or something

POV you have a parachute

I LOVE THE HANDHELDISH CAMERA AS THEY DROP OUT OF SCREEN AND THEN IT FOLLOWS THEM DOWN AS THEY SPIRAL AND ZOOMS THATS MY FAVORITE ANIMATION STYLE EVER

here starts my gripe (well publicly) with gina rodriguez for being a mediocre voice actor imo. like black sheep, plummeting at maximum velocity and only clinging on my her fingertips to safety: um don't let go :/

gray sounds like such an older brother wheeze WHAT'LL MOM AND DAD DO WHEN THEY FOUND OUT U SNUCK OUT WITH ME

also black sheep is so funny. who cares >:) I'll be long gone WHERE. WHERE ARE YOU GOING. also, at this point she isn't trying to defect. what is she going to do? steal something? that seems like a good way to get forever grounded, stealing something random without authority

the little "uhg" scoff black sheep does. she's such a teenager

what is emitting THAT MUCH LIGHT FROM THAT ARCHWAY

chickens do fly, cleo, chickens do fly

mime bomb is so funny its such a shame they couldnt have him in season 2 because they couldn't get his voice actor back

ohhh i forgot they did the title card after the ominous cleaners thing i love that so much

CASABLANCA!!!! SHE IS IN MOROCCOOOO also my headcanon is that casablanca was the first movie carmen ever saw when she escaped vile. I HAVE PROOF TOO she references the movie in TSONTS so hah.

i hope she still has that picture she took

all these doorways are blindingly lighted

ALL OF BLACK SHEEP'S BRAINCELLS RUBBING TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH A REASON SHE'S AT THIS RANDOM ASS DIGSITE

carmen was a dinosaur kid confirmed

i LOVE how she jumps down the ramp its so. shes such a kid

i like how black sheep is characterized- doesn't care about stealing, finds it like a game, interested in reward and loves the risk. i just...find it hard to believe that one guy changed her mind completely from 15 years or whatever of conditioning from VILE. idk. i guess i understand how seeing some guy almost die at the hands of your brother figure would shake you up but carmen puts her WHOLE pussy into taking down VILE after that one five minute conversation

THERE'S NO EXPRESSION ON HER FACE AS THE DIGSITE GUY TALKS TO HER AT ALLL ITS SO FUCKING FUNNYY shes just like brrrrrrrr ohg i have morals now...

i love the order of black sheep going "gray must have cut the power" then thinking about it and being like hmmm and THEN realizing that it must be the caper

i love the way le chevre runs up that wall

IM DYING

why did le chevre??? climb up that wall and then....use the rope...to jump down again.... i mean i know it was for the dramatic split kick to knock out the guards but STILL

the blown kiss ahag

OKAY ANYONE ELSE SUPER CONFUSED BY WHERE EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING OKAY WAIT

it shows us super up close le chevre and tigress taking out guards and workers but then??

WAY UP THERE??

why are they so far away??? the eye of vishnu is right next to black sheep?? or wat no it was far away but then el topo stole it and tunneled...further away? but closer to BS?? why did he do that and not just go offsite to get away? im so confused

also i love that digsite guy sees black sheep confronting the thief and goes wow she must be working with them not that he was wrong but

very strange that graham is sort of...the muscle? like he turns out the lights but this time he's also sort of a bodyguard for the gem

as much as I complained about it earlier the moment of realization for black sheep hits so hard

also what was tigress doing up there. did she kill all those people or what because if they left no witnesses did they just. leave a whole digsite full of people dead. like they totally killed Digsite Guy after Black Sheep got chloroform'd right

why did they need to many people for this job wheeze what was le chevre doing there either...its. idk

also she did NOT protect the face HAH

"gray" *smacks him with the stick*

they should have let carmen attempt to hit people violently with a stick more often because she failed so bad it was hilarious

the chloroforming is such a cool thing the cleaners do. like. i know its cliche but the fight way later on in season 4 is so much scarier because carmen is so weakened. i'll get to the parallels of that scene with this one way down the line in s4 tho

the added animation of carmen and gray gently rocking as the train stops/starts is my FAVORITE DETAIL EVER

oh fuck i forgot they do let carmen hit gray violently with a stick later on in the ep nevermind

OKAY HEY JACKIE AND I FOUND OUT (via CS Dream's big analysis video) THAT THEY CHANGED GRAY'S EXPRESSION POST-RELEASE IN THE GRADUATION SCENE? SO HERE'S THAT HE USED TO BE SMILING

The absolute delicious irony of Shadow-san being the one to say "No one or thing must stand int he way of achieving our goals" when HE brought Carmen back OH MY GODD

"you've earned your place at our elite table" all of season two's VILE arc entirely disproves that

evil evil evil evil evil evil evil ev

that sneer carmen let's lose when she repeats "evil" is so fucking good they almost never let her be that expressive or disdainful again

also the lean forwards as she says her entire upbringing was a lie is so. idk. almost intimate? she doesn't say it nonchalantly, sitting back and sneering. she leans forward. its important to her.

"steal lives" could be the worst decision the show had to make due to the young rating. but also consider: its funny carmen is going on about how her life was a lie and how crime causes irreparable harm and then she goes STEALING LIVES

anyone else forget chase exists every time they watch this episode. ALSO HEY. SHOUT OUT TO MOTIFS BECAUSE CARMEN'S THEME AND CHASE'S THEME ARE SO DISTINCT AND ARGEHGGSHDSHGRHGWH BARK THEY'RE SO GOOD THEY REPETITIVE HEAVY BRASS OF CHASE'S THEME BRAZENLY ANNOUNCING HIM IS SUCH A GOOD DECISION

the hood flying off of the car i mentioned it in my last cs weekly post but. its so funny

they get to that point so fast the steals from other thieves thing. i dream to see a mystery unveiling of that but only in my fanfic dreams

did he ever hang up on her or did she just hear him kick the door and then distantly commandeer a plane

he's so sinister about "your name" like why was that so menacing girl

carmen putting on that confident mask after crackle crackles on the crackle rod

someone's already mentioned brunt's bone-crushing hug foreshadowing and just. ough.

when black sheep comes back to the island and coach hugs her there are to uniformed students in the back...i wonder if thats the new class or if they're leftover from last year? because black sheep says she's all alone

girl it wasn't an escape attempt you didn't want to defect from VILE the first time

i love the raindrop running down her face like a tear when she decides to leave the dolls

ITS BEEN LIKE A YEAR WHY ARE THEY STILL TALKING ABOUT BLACK SHEEP'S PHONE

i like the detail of black sheep looking up before its revealed that she hid in the ceiling

strudelhaus of dusseldorf

"strange people have been answering your phone" i wonder if player ever talked with the faculty jshagjhfad

player's like OH YEAH YOURE A CRIMINAL and then shes like yeah but not like that and hes just like oh ok sure. cool

RITAAAA

i love the precursor to the comm earrings

maelstrom and booker give ex energy

the type of physical comedy they use with carmen saying that she has to be undetected and then showing mime bomb watch her say it is so fucking funny and so fucking underutilized

ALSO WITH CARMEN SAYING SHHH QUIET TO A MIME

i also like the detail of mb throwing the flower away

that animation of bs's hair as she whips around at mb is so cool

also the gag of mb running in place he's so funny

OKAY hi i'm obsessive but the details of both here and in the boston episode (carmen's first caper) bs/carmen is OUT OF BREATH when she's running but she isn't in later episodes WE CAN SEE HER GET IN SHAPE AS SHE DOES CAPERS isnt that cool???

the music picking up as black sheep races towards the elevator!!

HI OLD WITWICS THEME MUSIC IN THE ELEVATOR <3333

this is an underrated scene i think. of course later there's the physical "passing on of the hat" from rita to gina but this conversation is kind of...that. the old from the new. idk its really cool :)

"my you've grown" you saw her last year and she looked exactly the same

i like to think that black sheep realized she was being a dick to cookie booker after the eye of vishnu heist because idk. you know what its a cool little development moment

she looks so happy about the apology being accepted its so sweet <3 i mean. she does steal from her seconds after but

does she switch the hard drive as cookie exits or when they shake?? has to be when she exits but how the hell did she do that

RED LIGHTING!!!! we gotta know carmen's gonna come out on top now <33 ALSO the coat!!! the coatttttt

i adore how black sheep slumps down in the muck defeated and screaming no she's so dramatic about it

its like she dies

THE RED LIGHT ON THE SWORD GGRR R RBARK BRBWERB BARK CS COLOR THEORY HE'S ACTUALLY HELPING HER THE WHOLE TIME

THE SKID AS BS BACKPEDALS WHEN SHE SEES BOOKER IS SO COMEDICALLY PERFECT

CARMEN'S THEME GOING OFF FOR THE FIRST TIME (WHILE WE SEE HER AS BLACK SHEEP) WHEN SHE SEES RITA'S OG COAT AND HAT IS MY FAVORITE ITS SO GOOD AGHHH

how those stilts are staying in the shoes i will never know

also we never see those stilts again, kinda sad :( woulda been cool to have an operative who used em

the arrivederci imitation was SO BALLSY

cookie after the kid she made up with and gave life advice ties her up and shoves her in a closet five minutes later:

i love the shot of carmen running down the beach towards the boat in the coat from far away

realizing that shadow-san came directly from cutting the heli wires when he told the cleaners to prep air support...

captain was super ready to straight up shoot bs with a spear gun

THAT RUN AND JUMP WITH THE STILTS AND HEELS? I DONT THINK SO

also the look of regret when she knocks out the captain like maybe she wishes she could apologize to him too..

i like that boris seems to have a bit of a soft spot for black sheep- both of them, actually

OH MY GOD THE WIRES BEING RED TOO this sounds like "WHAT COLOR IS THE DOOR AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN" but i swear to god its intentional its theory its

shadowsan, barreling at the boat with a sword out: this surely looks friendly and approachable, and i should keep the sword up though i am much too far away from anyone who could stop me

do you think they have a driving class on vile island but bs was too young to take it or

anime protag?

again. the score is so good RELEASE AN OST RELEASE IT

black sheep. he cant hear you

THE VICTORIOUS USE OF HER THEME AS SHE DRIVES AWAY IT KILLS MEEE

carmen presses the arrow key to call player

the tenderness and relief in her voice as she tells him she made it out absolutely kills me every time. also player being comparatively nonchalant when he answers because he doesnt know how dangerous vile really is yet..

player u already triangulated her position like 8 months ago when she got off the first time but ok

also shocked carmen didnt figure that out herself after they landed in MOROCCO? CASABLANCA, MOROCCO BY HELICOPTER?? what other islands were there????

anyway

pulled her name from a hat

also. her theme again. yes i will keep pointing out themes and motifs

the only thing about the cs artstyle is...those 3/4 profiles. yikes.

chase looks great 👍 also where the hell did he land that thing

i find gray's orders to kill carmen if she didn't come home surprising, seeing as for the rest of the damn series they try to just capture her

carmen took all that time to say her name HE LITERALLY COULD HAVE JUST KILLED YOU your last words could have been "i told you i go b"

this fight is actually really fun. the arcs of electricity as gray smashes down on where her head was three seconds earlier, their physical strength grappling to keep the other away as carmen figure out how to disarm him

god the setup for the finale with this fight right at the very start. i KNOW it wasnt supposed to be setup but it is now

oh wait she doesnt hit him with a stick she kicks him. shit. nevermind. still a cool ass kick tho

they don't ever protect the face. PAPER STAR DOES THOUGH ACTUALLY she's cool

that must have hurt her knee so bad snapping the crackle rod. the metal crackle rod

SEE HERE NOW PLAYER BEING CONCERNED OVER HER DISAPPEARANCE

THE WAY SHE LOOKS BACK AND DISAPPEARS BEHIND THE POLE MWAHG CHEFS KISS

also chase is so funny too

julia's still so polite to him </3 u dont have to be girl

ive never noticed players little pat of the hard drive when he talks about the entries that was cute

cs does a pretty good job of transition sentences between episodes. this one mentions indonesia, indonesia mentions ecuador, ecuador mentions the vermeers, so on and so forth

its almost like...you'll always have paris...right? riiight

they literally only use "red-eye" because it has red in it i love it <3

and we've set up acme!!! ahhh this is good

AND THE CUT TO BLACK WITH THE MUSIC MMM

okay. solid episode <333333 sorry it was so late. BYE NOW!

p.s. ah yes, vile "never leave a witness" and also "hide in plain sight" crime organization...makes sense

[taxi-cab-to-slowtown]

I'm the Mole

Chapter 30: Swan's Playtoy

For Taxi's 366 Day 60: "flub"

Ships: Dick Grayson/Wally West, Barry Allen/Hal Jordan/Iris West Rating: Mature Fandom: DC Comics Warning: Implied rape/non-con Link to I'm the Mole on Ao3 Why am I doing this?

fic update below cut

Bart stopped next to them. “You alright?” 

Hal was laughing into a scowling Barry’s shoulder. “I thought you were dying,” Barry cried. Hal continued to laugh. Bart watched the two of them in confusion. 

“I don’t know what’s so funny?” Bart screwed his eyes together. 

“Neither do I,” the voice came through a familiar vocoder, made to sound like it was vibrating, Bart had heard that voice before. He turned around slowly as the two Justice Leaguers climbed to their feet. Standing in front of them, bo-staff in hand, feathered cloak fluttering behind him, was Black Swan. 

Bart had never seen his mom back in the days when he had two different IDs, he’d only ever seen the Black Swan costume where it was placed in the glass case in their house. Bart never really thought about just how terrifying his mother would have looked in it. Sure, Deathwing was intimidating, but there was something in the added mystery of the almost full-face mask as opposed to the painted-on blood mask he wore in the future. 

“Black Swan,” Barry growled, stepping in front of Bart. “What are you going here?” 

“Neutron was supposed to kill you,” Black Swan admitted, stepping forward more, spinning the bo-staff with ease in one hand. “But he flubbed that, so I’ve come to finish the job instead.” 

Hal stepped up next to Barry, the ring powering up around him, making a blockade between Barry and Black Swan. Dick braced himself and swung his bo around, dropping into a ready crouch. 

“Look, kid, we don’t want to hurt you,” Hal said. “You might have been able to fight the Team, but Flash and I… you don’t want to mess with us. We’re founders. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and are good at it.” 

“Oh really?” has asked, raising an eyebrow, lips tipping up to a cheeky grin. “Are you really, Harold Jordan?’ 

Bart could watch the moment when Hal’s heart stuttered in his chest. He definitely wasn’t expecting that. Bart wasn’t either. Why would his mom reveal his hand like that? 

While they were all dealing with the shock, he struck. 

Dick twisted, flying through the air and over Hal’s shield, landing on the other side. Barry lunged toward him, and he swung out with his staff, blocking both his blows, and the construct hand that Hal sent down toward them. He twisted and turned, springing up and down and back, and somehow landing a perfect blow on Hal’s chest while also executing a backflip and landing a bit away from them. 

Hal gripped it chest. 

“Why don’t you run on home?” Dick asked, looking Bart right in the eyes. “I’m sure your mother would like to see you.” 

He was sneering, and it took Bart a second to realise that was an act. Dick was playing the jilted lover, angry that Killer Flash had made a baby with Nightwing and not him. Bart wondered if Dick was openly his dad’s husband as Black Swan. He knew that Killer Flash’s infatuation with Nightwing had been ramped up to the point that the two of them had faked Dick’s rape in order to cover up their marriage. 

Bart didn’t know what to do. 

A sharp blade slid out of the bo-staff in Dick’s hands and he lunged toward Barry. Bart made his decision. He lunged forward, grabbing the hero and pulling him, running at his top speed back toward the Allen house. He’d have to trust that Hal would be able to handle himself for a minute or so. 

“What are you doing?” Barry asked him as Bart pulled him into the house, closing the door behind him. 

“Saving your life.” 

***

Dick scowled at where his son had just disappeared with his target in tow. Bart was going to get a talking to when he got home. He didn’t get between Dick and his targets. All that was left now was Hal, holding his ring up toward Dick, surrounded by a faintly glowing green forcefield. Dick stalked toward him. 

“No one ever told me Flash was a scaredy cat,” Dick taunted, stepping toward him. “Barry doesn’t even care enough to take you along with him.” 

He watched Hal Adam’s apple bob, he could sense the fear in him. It made Dick’s confidence rise. It really interested him how words he could speak as Nightwing and boost confidence and morale, he could say as Black SWan and inspire fear. 

“What do you want?” 

“Your little loverboy dead,” Dick answered, kicking at his construct. It didn’t budge. “Hmmmm, that’s not going to work.” 

He pulled something out of his belt and lunged forward, stabbing it into the construct’s centre. It shattered like stain glass. Hal stared at the thing in Black Swan’s hand, it was a small yellow lightning bolt, like the symbol Barry wore on his chest. 

“Oh, this?” he grinned. “A friend of mine gave it to me.” 

He slammed his knee into Hal’s stomach and sent him back onto the ground. He climbed onto his chest, re-pocketing the lightning bolt and then grabbing his hand and pulling the ring off his finger. He tossed it aside, and Hal watched as it skipped over the asphalt away from him. 

The bo-staff came down, a sharp point sliding out of the end of it. Hal tried to move away, but it impaled him in the shoulder. Black Swan pulled it back out, grinning like a maniac. 

“By the way, my friend wanted me to give you a message, one to send to Flash,” He stood up, pacing away as Hal gripped at his bleeding shoulder, fighting back the reflex tears in his eyes and shuffling backwards on his butt as he struggled to stand back up. 

“Alright, what was the fucking message?” Hal grit out, pulling himself to his feet and fighting through the pain of the injury. “What did your friend tell you?” 

Black Swan laughed. “Well, it’s for Barry, but I guess you can pass it on to him.” 

He stepped forward and Hal tensed, but he leaned in up against his ear and murmured. “He said you’re right, Killer Flash did kill his parents, but he’s still alive. He told me to tell you ‘I never gave up hope on you, uncle Barry, I never doubted you would save me.’” 

All the colour left Hal’s face. It was a tossup if it was from shock or from the stab-wound in his shoulder. 

“No, Wally’s dead… he died, ye–” 

Black swan plunged his spear into his side. Hal gasped, groaning as the spear slid out of his side and he gasped, falling to his knees. Dick leaned down. 

“Some days I think he thinks it would be better if he were dead. The screams… well, I can make Wally make whatever sounds I want. My husband and I have a deal, you see. He gets his fuck toy, and I get mine.” 

Hal was staring at him, his blood rolling down his side. Dick grinned, it was feral, and dark. He wanted his claim to be clear, he wanted Hal to know exactly what he was saying. 

“I’ll be back to kill Flash later.” 

And, like the bat he was, he was gone. 

***

Barry carried Hal back to the house bleeding out. He laid him on the kitchen table. Bart watched as Jay, Joan, Iris, and Barry bustled around him, trying to stitch him up. Bart sat on the stairs, face in his hands, tugging at his tufts of hair. He’d messed up. He’d managed to save Barry, but now Hal was laying on the table, pale-faced and dying as they hurried to try to fix him. He was going to die, and it might all be Bart’s fault. 

He stood up, walking up the stairs and into the bathroom, closing the door and sitting down against the wall. He’d wanted to fix things. He could have done better though. If he’d just told Barry that Dick was Black Swan and Killer Flash was Wally West, it would have fixed things, but Bart didn’t want to do that. 

Bart loved his parents. Which might seem like something a villain kid shouldn’t say, especially a villain kid going back in time to change what their parents did, but that didn’t change the fact that it was true. Bart loved them. Bart’s mom was good to him, gentle, sweet. Bart’s dad was all smiles, and love. They never talked about work at the dinner table, and all blood had to be washed off before they sat down to eat, and Dick always asked Bart about his day, and Wally ruffled his hair and smiled at him and said he made them proud. 

Bart loved his parents. 

Bart didn’t want to see the Justice League lock them up and throw away the key. He wanted his mom and dad to come back to the light, and he didn’t mean the Light. His mom used to run with Batman. His mom inspired a whole new generation of heroes. He just wanted Dick to go back to what he once was, and he wanted his dad to realise that Luthor and all of them were wrong, that they lied to him, that Barry couldn’t have done anything because he didn’t know. 

Barry wasn’t at fault for the things that had happened to him. Barry wasn’t at fault for Rudy’s abuse and Wally not getting out. Wally was obsessed with the Flash, obsessed with the idea that the Flash could save him, just because he was hurting. He needed that hope, to get through each day, but that hope turned around and made him believe in something that didn’t exist. 

Flash wasn’t infallible. Flash wasn’t some magic tooth fairy that could come and save him whenever he wanted him to. Flash was a man, just like Wally. A man who could run faster than anyone else, but still a man. He worked a nine to five, came home to his wife and boyfriend, put on a red suit, and ran around saving people. He was a good man, a hero, but still a man. 

Wally had let the dreams of a boy, crushed by reality, blind him to the truth of the world, and it had driven him to evil. It had driven him to team up with a bunch of Eugenicists who wanted a “pure” society, because he’d let those dreams be what guided him. 

If only Bart could make Wally and Dick see where they’d gone wrong, then everything could be fixed. If only he could lead them back to what they were supposed to be. They could defeat the light and bring the world into a better future. That’s what they needed. It would be better for everyone. 

Bart couldn’t tell. He couldn’t let his parents get locked up. All that would do was solidify their hatred of the heroes, he needed them to change sides, to return to the good, who they were meant to be. 

Bart stood up, leaning on the sink. 

But was his desire to see his parents happy more important than Hal Jordan’s life? All his parents would face was prison, but his mom might have killed Hal. 

“Bart?” Iris voice called from down the hall, he tensed. 

“Please don’t let Hal be dead,” he begged quietly, before walking over toward the door and opening it for his great-aunt. “Yes?” 

“He’s going to be okay,” she told him gently. 

Bart lunged forward and fell into her arms, letting out tears of relief. He was going to be okay. He still had a chance. Neutron had been neutralised, and Hal and Barry were still alive. They might be able to win this. 

He could do this, everything could turn out alright. 

***

Dick run across the beam and jumped into the air, flipping and grabbing onto the bar above him, before spinning around with his hands as the fulcrum and launching off. He landed in a hand-stand and then flipped up to his feet, heaving out breaths, hands on his knees. He moved to move to a new exercise, but a hand shot out a grabbed his wrist. 

“Babe, what happened?” Wally asked, worried, looking around at the mess Dick had made of the gym. “You’ve been in here for three hours already.” 

“Wally, let go,” Dick growled. 

Wally stepped toward him, nose-to-nose. “Oh, babe, you can’t scare me away with the hot boy act, that just makes me horny.” He leaned into him, sliding a hand around his waist and pressing kisses up his throat. Dick tilted his head back, eyes fluttering half-closed. “What happened?” he whispered in his ear, kissing behind it and making Dick shiver. 

“Failed mission,” he answered, biting his lip to keep from whimpering. “And our kid from the future showed up in the mountain and he’s the reason my mission failed.” 

Wally froze. He pulled back, eyes wide. “What?” he asked, “our kid… our kid from the future?” 

Dick nodded. “His name is Bart. He’s coming to live with us tomorrow, so I can try to get to the bottom of what he thinks he’s doing.” 

“Oh, fuck.” 

“Walls,” Dick cupped his hands around Wally’s face. “I’m just stressed about the failed assassination, but we’ll figure it out, you and I.” He leaned forward, brushing their lips together. “After all, we always do.” 

[10blue10]

Awkward Questions

(Toothcup week - Dragon Hybrid AU) 

There was a house on the edge of the cove. It was a big house. There was a miniature forge on the side, powered by the stream running past the house, and a climbing frame behind it, with bars to hang from and ropes to swing on. There was a series of ramps leading down from the house into the cove.

Inside the main bedroom of the house, Toothless and Hiccup were asleep one morning. Toothless’ head was tucked under Hiccup’s arm, and Hiccup was on his back snoring softly. All was peaceful and content, and then… “Mummy.”

Their youngest child, already three years old, was awake. “Mummy. Mummy!”

Hiccup groaned and rolled over. “Yes sweetheart?” he mumbled.

“Wanna get up! Mummy!”

Toothless yawned hugely. *Our daughter’s awake*, he observed.

“S’ too early. Right now she’s your daughter,” Hiccup muttered, eyes closed.

He got a slobbery lick on the cheek, before Toothless stretched and padded over to the cot. Elska beamed up at him. “Daddy!” she giggled, her wings fluttering. Toothless nuzzled her, and when she grabbed onto his head, he carefully lifted her out of the cot and deposited her onto their nest of furs.

Hiccup sat up in bed, yawning, and smiled at her. “Good morning, little lady.”

Elska threw herself at him in a full body pounce, and of course her knee landed right in his groin. “OH!… Kay! That hurt. You gotta be careful, darling. I don’t know what you’re laughing at,” he glared at Toothless, who was chuckling.

The little girl draped over his chest giggled, and his heart melted. “Love you!”

“Aww. I love you too.” She beamed at him and patted his chest.

“Mummy?”

“Yeah?”

“How come…” Elska paused. “How come you don’t have boobies?”

Hiccup stared at her. “Where did you hear a word like that?”

She fidgeted. “From… from ‘Vera.”

“And why was Overra talking about… boobies?”

“Cos she said mummies have boobies.”

“Okay…”

“An’ your my mummy.”

“Yeah.”

“So where’s your boobies?” she demanded, pouting at him.

Hiccup looked at Toothless, who unhelpfully replied *good question, sweetie.*

“Aha… yeah. Um, you see, women have uh… boobies. Not men. Like me.”

Elska looked confused. “What’s… women?”

“They’re girls that are all grown up. And men are boys that are all grown up.”

His daughter considered this. “‘Vera’s a girl,” she observed.

“She is. Just like you.”

“Is she gonna get boobies?”

The conversation was taking a turn Hiccup really didn’t want to go down with a toddler. “Uh… Speaking of Overra, why don’t you go help daddy wake up her and Skelse?” he suggested. Elska gleefully scrambled onto Toothless’ shoulders, more than eager to go and disturb her older sister and brother.

Toothless trotted off with their youngest daughter in tow, and Hiccup retrieved his peg leg before dragging himself out of bed. He went to the kitchen and began frying some eggs and sausages for breakfast. Shouts came from up in the loft; then the door opened and Overra leapt out, landing in a crouch on the kitchen floor. “Morning, mum. Elska bit my ear,” she complained, rubbing it.

He checked it and said “I think you’ll be fine. Your sister just gets overexcited.”

Skelse was next to emerge, though he came down the ramp instead. “You have wings, dummy” said Overra. “You don’t have to walk, you can just fly.”

“What’s the point? It’s only a few feet,” he retorted.

“That’s enough you two,” warned Hiccup. Toothless came down the ramp, carrying Elska. “Sweetie, you shouldn’t bite your sister on the ear. Say sorry.”

Elska pouted stubbornly. Toothless looked apologetic. *I thought she was just going to lick Overra’s ear, not bite it,* he explained. *Elska, say sorry to Overra.*

“… Sorry, ‘Vera.”

“It’s okay,” Overra replied magnanimously. Hiccup plated up breakfast for all of them, buttered himself some bread, and gave Toothless a couple of extra sausages. Toothless still mostly ate raw fish, but he’d gotten into the habit of eating cooked food every now and again. Only if it was juicy meat, of course.

Whilst she was picking at her cut up sausages and fried egg, Elska looked up at Overra. “‘Vera? Are you gonna get boobies?” she asked innocently.

Hiccup nearly choked. Skelse burst out laughing. Overra shrugged. “Yeah, one day. Cos I’m a girl. You’re gonna get them too, you know,” she told Elska.

“No.”

“Yeah.”

Elska scowled. “I don’t want boobies!”

“Don’t shout, please,” Hiccup insisted. She pouted even more.

“You have to have boobies,” said Overra, “cos you’re a girl. All girls get boobies when they grow up, that’s the rules.”

“I don’t wanna be a girl!”

“You are a girl! Mummy says so.”

“No!” Elska was on the verge of tears. Toothless leaned over and nuzzled her.

Skelse managed to stop giggling long enough to say “you can be a boy, El.”

“No. I don’t wanna be a boy!”

“You gotta pick one,” declared Overra.  

“I don’t wanna!”

Toothless growled, just loud enough to startle them all into silence. Then he

nuzzled Elska again. *Don’t worry, sweetheart. You don’t have to be a girl or a boy if you don’t want to. You can be whatever you like,* he reassured her. Elska just stared at him blankly, then giggled when he scrunched his nose up for her.

Overra frowned. “How come she gets to not be a girl and I don’t?”

*You don’t have to be a girl either. Think about it. If you three can be half human and half dragon, and Hiccup can be your mummy even though he’s a man with no boobies* - this set them off giggling again - *then why do you have to be just a girl or just a boy? You should be whatever you want to be.*

Hiccup smiled at the inspiring words. “That’s really sweet, love. Now since we’re on the topic… Overra, why on Midgard did you tell Elska about boobies?”

“I didn’t!”

“She said you told her only mummies have them.”

“No, Scrufflout said that, and I said no, cos you don’t have ‘em, and he’s dumb. I wasn’t even talking to Elska, she’s just making stuff up,” Overra insisted.

“Now, don’t be mean. She probably just got mixed up; she is only three.”

“I’m a big girl!” Elska protested. “Mummy, I want more sausage.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What’s the magic word?”

“….Please.”

Overra asked “can I have more sausages too, please, mummy?”

Skelse eagerly added “me too, please!”

*Can I have another one please?* Toothless asked hopefully. They all put on their puppy-dog eyes, and Hiccup sighed, getting up to fry more sausages.

After a few moments of pop and sizzle, Elska wondered “mummy?”

“Yes, darling?”

“…. What is a boobies?”