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footballfanfictions · 4 years

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Think that I like her - Christian Pulisic - Phase One

‘It’a been two weeks since I first saw her, and you still haven’t introduced us’ he sighed, running a hand through his hair. It had grown too long for his liking and he was debating getting a buzz cut. When his hair grew out it became curly and he hated trying to tame that every day.

Mason sat staring at the TV, play station controller in his hand, rapidly pressing buttons and seemingly ignoring Christian.

‘Hello… earth to Mason’ Christian swiped his hand in front of Mason’s face, breaking him out of the trance-like state he was in.

‘Sorry mate, Fik is kicking my ass here. What did you say?’ he asked.

‘Never mind. It was never going to change anything any way. Pretty sure a girl like that already has a boyfriend’ Christian sighed. He wasn’t an unconfident guy in normal situations, but when it came to girls he didn’t count himself as experienced, and this wasn’t a girl from back home. This was a British girl with British girl banter that he just didn’t get.

‘Wait are you talking about Kara?’ Mason sat up, suddenly interested in what Christian had to say, and put the controller down at the end of his game. ‘As in my best friend?’

‘Is that weird?’ Christian asked, rubbing the back of his neck, an awkward habit he had.

‘Err… no not exactly…’

‘You promise me you don’t have some sort of lifelong crush on her or anything. I would never get in the way of something like that..’ Christian shook his head as he spoke. ‘I don’t think I have a chance any way.’

‘Funny you should mention lifelong crushes like that. It’s er, actually our other best friend that I’m interested in. You met Molly right? She’s Kara’s flat mate. They live in Putney.” Mason was the one looking nervous now. ‘Kara doesn’t have a boyfriend, but Molly does. A great big muscled semi-pro boxer boyfriend.’

‘That sounds complicated’ Christian took a sip of his bottle of water and crunched the plastic between his hands. ‘I feel like my stomach does this every time I see her’ he said, demonstrating the crunching with the bottle.

‘Yeah that’s exactly how I feel about Molly, until I see her with Mike and then I think about this..’ Mason swiped the bottle out of Christian’s hands and crushed it completely. ‘This will be my head if Mike eve finds out that I want to make a move on his girl’.

‘So how do we go about this then? I like Kara and you like her..what was the word?’

‘Flat mate’ Mason interjected.

‘Right right, that’s where they live together, in a flat…’ Christian laughed, turning a very slight shade of pink just on the top of his ears like he did every time he felt foolish ‘ Where’s Putney?’

Mason:

Hey K, I really need your help with something. Can you meet me at Frankie’s?

Mason had brought Christian into London, to Stamford Bridge to be precise, to carry out the first step in his 100 step plan to get Molly to fall in love with him. He knew that Kara was such a good friend to him that she would drop anything to come to his aid, which would be the perfect opportunity for him to get information about Molly and Mike whilst introducing Christian in a way that was less intimidating than them being alone together. He happened to think that stage one was faultless and that he would have his girl by the end of the season. he thought that maybe he could count on Kara and Christian to do some serious wing-manning for him.

Kara:

What’s up Mase? You ok? I can be there in 10 depending how busy Fulham Broadway is. I’m just third wheeling M&M anyway.

Mason felt a lump in his throat as he read her message. Molly and Mike were together at the flat, making permanently single Kara uncomfortable enough that she wanted to leave and spend time with him, which was something that her job had made her too busy to do recently.

‘So what’s going on?’ Christian asked, giving Mason a smile. ‘Are the wings any good here?’

Mason rolled his eyes. ‘I swear all you think about is food.’

‘Are they coming?’ Christian looked hopeful as he asked the second question.

‘I er, didn’t ask both but Kara is coming. I said that I needed her help with something. Which to be fair isn’t a complete lie. I’m going to ask her to help me with the Molly situation. I mean, who better to talk to her about it than the person she lives with…’ he trailed off, remembering the part of Kara’s message that had hurt.

‘Is there something else?’

‘Yeah she said she was third-wheeling Molly and Mike tonight so she would be right over’ Mason sighed, tucking his phone back into the pocket of his jeans.

‘I’m sorry mate, you don’t have to get her over here just for me. If you needed to just have a night out without thinking about, or talking about girls. We could have done that’ Christian smiled, patting Mason on the back. He took a long sip of his diet pepsi which he nearly spat across the room when Kara walked into the bar.

Christian felt like, and knew that he looked like an idiot. He had practically choked on a mouthful of Pepsi when she walked in but he just couldn’t help having that reaction. She just looked so damn good. She wasn’t even dressed up, but she didn’t need to be. Just the way that she carried herself, with such confidence that it didn’t matter what she was wearing. It did however help that she was wearing a cropped white sweater with a pair of high-waisted jeans that accentuated her hour glass figure. Her ash blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail and she was wearing just the smallest hint of make up. She was effortlessly hot and it made Christian more nervous than he was the first time he played for the national team. He could feel his mouth going dry and felt that need to fidget in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

‘Hey Mase, I got your SOS. What’s up?’ Kara was at their table now. Christian had missed her walking over and sitting down because he had been so busy replaying the first second he caught a look at her walking in over and over in his head, and it was a damn shame that he didn’t get to check out her butt as she went around the table to sit beside Mason. She put her arm around his shoulder and gave him a quick sideways squeeze.

Mason looked up at Christian and Christian felt his stomach do a jealous backflip. Damn it, why do I have to like her so much?

‘You know I trust you with my life, right?’ Mason asked Kara, his gaze flitting between his friend and the floor beneath the table.

‘Yes.” Kara nodded, concern crossing her face.

Christian had only met her a handful of times but he could tell that Kara was a very empathetic person. He wanted as she reacted to Mason pouring his heart out to her, telling her how much he loved Molly. He fell for her when they were just teenagers, they all attended their prom together and he had been too shy to ask her out but had instead slipped his jacket around her shoulders, hoping that small gesture might get Molly thinking that he was relationship material.

Kara nodded, ooh’ed and aah’ed in all the right places and then sat upright in her seat.

‘Right Mason Mount, we are getting you that girl.’ She declared, a big grin spreading across her face. Christian thought she looked really cute when she smiled and then she spoke to him, and he felt him stomach drop to his feet. ‘I’m really sorry that I breezed in here and didn’t even speak to you Christian. I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Kara, Mason’s best friend.’

‘Well I might have to fight you for that title because we have grown pretty close’ Christian retorted, trying to sound funny and playful. It sounded that way in his head but he wasn’t sure if that was how she would take it until she grinned mischievously and said ‘You’re on’.

‘Do you want a drink Kara? You’ve been here like 20 minutes and neither of us have offered to buy you one.’

Christian hoped that, just like teenage Mason had hoped offering a jacket would, buying her a drink would help secure him the girl.

‘Yes please. I’m taking the tube so I can probably be naughty and have one drink. Only one though, I have work tomorrow. Could I have an Archers and Lemonade please.’ She started to reach into her bag for her purse but Christian was on her side of the table by then and put his hand on hers to stop her pulling the purse out.

‘Don’t you dare, I offered.’

Once Christian was over by the bar, Kara felt that he was a comfortable enough distance away that she would speak to Mason about him without him overhearing.

‘He is really hot’ she blurted.

Mason nearly did a spit take and grinned mischievously, ‘Oh really?’

‘I uh- I didn’t mean… Oh don’t look at me like that! I’ve been single for years, I was just…looking.’

‘If you are interested in him I think you should say something’ Mason said.

‘Oh really, says you who has sat on the secret of liking someone for the last 6 years!’ She laughed, playfully smacking him on the arm. ‘You are quite possibly the last person i should be taking dating tips from. Your last ex was a psycho. She still messages me on Insta from time to time, just to make sure we’re not fucking.’

Mason spat his drink for real that time.

‘Who’s fucking?’ Christian asked, laughing at Mason and handing him a paper napkin so that he could wipe his drink off his face.

‘We were just talking about Mason’s crazy ex girlfriend checking that he isn’t seeing anyone else.’ Kara felt the need to explain herself, hoping that Christian hadn’t got the wrong idea from whatever he had heard. She hadn’t noticed him come back to the table so she wasn’t sure how much had been overheard.

‘Ah, not one of those.’

‘You know the type?’ She asked curiously, a tiny pang of jealousy prickling in her stomach. She didn’t want to think about this hot American boy being with another girl.

‘There was this one girl I was seeing in Germany, nothing serious… well she used to turn up to the training ground and to the stadium and just hang around after I broke up with her.’

‘And you were so scared that you fled to England? Good plan.’ Kara nudged Christian’s arm playfully, and just that slight touch felt like there was maybe a spark between them. Kara couldn’t really tell whether he was flirting or not because she thought the difference between American and British humour could be misinterpreted and he was a playful kind of guy in general.

Kara sipped her drink and tried to relax back into her seat now that Christian had moved back to his, but she felt on edge, like every move she made mattered. She twirled a small amount of her hair around her finger nervously as the boys chatted casually across her about their team mates and the games they had coming up, getting lost in their own little world.

Kara hadn’t felt this nervous around a guy since her ex. He was a musician in an up and coming London indie band and had made her feel like some kind of fan girl rather than a girlfriend, and he didn’t even have any real fangirls. To any outside observer, she knew that she came across as confident, but she definitely didn’t feel it now.

She looked across the table and caught Christian’s eye.

Those eyes, so brown…like a Hershey bar.

She had googled him after the second time that they met, wanting to get to know more about him but not wanting to ask for herself. What was the internet invented for if not for looking up where people come from?

Neither one of them broke their gaze for a second before Kara looked away first, looking down at her drink and taking her straw between her lips so that she could take a sip. She then realised how suggestive that might look after their semi-flirtatious look at each other and cringed internally.

This is why I am single. So smooth.

She got to the bottom of her drink and yawned involuntarily.

‘I think it’s someone’s bedtime.’ Mason laughed. ‘Are we boring you with all this football talk?’

‘Sorry, no not at all. I just had a long day and I have court first thing in the morning.’ She picked her bag up from the floor and slung it over her shoulder.

‘Are you in trouble?’ Christian asked.

I could be, if you like a bad girl. She thought. CRINGE CRINGE

‘Oh no it’s for my job. I’m a Social Worker and I have to see a judge tomorrow about taking a child into foster care.’ she spoke softly, almost embarrassed about her profession. It wasn’t glamorous and neither was getting ‘child snatcher’ shouted at you from across the street, but she did love what she did, protecting kids and advocating for their rights, knowing that she was making a difference in someone else’s life got her through the hard parts.

‘Wow that’s amazing, well good luck. Maybe we can hang out again soon?’ Christian asked, looking hopeful.

‘Kara nodded. ‘I’d like that’.

‘Well I think that went well’ Mason laughed, relaxing back into his seat once he had seen his best friend retreat out of the bar.

‘You think?’ asked a now very hopeful Christian.

‘Mate, I definitely see a spark there… now we move on to Phase 2’.

#christian pulisic #mason mount #christian pulisic fanfiction #christian pulisic fanfic #football fanfiction #football fanfic #think that I like her

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groovycatcollector · 4 years

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The Wonderfully Right, And The Horribly Wrong (Daryl Dixon Love story)

Summery: After losing her brother and his wife, one young woman is left on her own, caring for a new born and trying to survive. After being taken in to a community after years of mistrust, how will she adapt, and what effect will a certain archer have on her. Starts the last episode of season 5

Warnings: slow-burn, angst, eventual fluff, violence, strong language. ptsd, age gape

Pairings: Daryl Dixon x OFC

AU:I am so sorry this is so long I’ve been in quarantine for seven weeks

Chapter 10

My ass was damp agent the wet garden chair while I brought the beer bottle back up to my lips, must have been an odd site, me sitting in a satin blue bridesmaid dress with a cheap bottle in my hand. The wedding was still merry and loud long after night fell. It was a lovely wedding, and now three of the seven Price children were gone and married. I gulped down the bitter drink (given to me by the eldest Mae, who now can’t drink thanks to getting knocked up) hearing Baba walking stick before I heard her call my name

“Natasha” only she called me that “you hardly tired now solnyshkuh” She sat next to me on the damp bench, ruining her purple dress.

She reached a hand out for me to hold once she was settled and I held it “No Baba, just taking a break” She hummed, shaking my hand affectionately. “Sonya found a boy” She remarked, her accent still thick, she only moved to America in her twenties. She didn’t sound pleased about the prospects of Sonya finding a dance partner “He’s too ugly for her”

He wasn’t ugly in truth, even I was a bit weak at the knees for him. He was Sherry’s mysterious cousin from upstate. He was tall with high cheekbones, and short black hair. He was partnered to lead Sonya down the aisle and took great joy in seeing identical twins. We chatting for a while before dinner all three of us, but I quickly excused myself to after Sonya gave me a side-glance meaning: “Please fuck off I want to sit on his face”. So I excused myself to go play with Florence’s new-born Daisy.

I chuckled and handed her the bottle, offering her a sip. I was closest to her, she choice mine and Sonya’s name, which of course it had to be from a Russian old book. Irena Katina Nikolaevna Lebedev was probably the proudest person I know, even prouder to still to be Russian. But Irena Katina Nikolaevna Lebedev didn’t like pretty boys, she didn’t trust them, and my twin had just found one to dance with at our brothers wedding.

“You” She took a swig, still holding my hand. “You find a strong man, with nice arms” I looked at her, her head covered in her shawl, and underneath I knew was a jungle of curls that travelled through the family. “No soft’s like Ray, a good man, perhaps rich man would be nice” Thin lips that often spat out scaving remarks curled into a smile. “Now come” Baba bent forward and allowed her walking stick to prop her up.

Despite the hair, the name and the honesty I have inherited from her, it was the eyes that I and Sonya got. Big dark eyes, but hers like looked at the world like she knew its secrets “I get you real drink, we are Russian, no Americans” I laughed before linking arms with her and proceeded to get hammered.

Last time I was in a church I was in blue satin, now I stood in a white shirt, holding a small child in an onesie. Maggie, Glenn and Father Gabriel stood around to the holy water. I felt kind of awkward being back in a church for some reason, well more than awkward, I was kinda panicking if I’m being honest. I had barley decided on a name, why the fuck did I always zone out when they got mushy.

“What do you think?” Beau asked, leaning agents the fireplace looking fondly at his girlfriend chatting to our Grandpa. My curly head barley reached the mantel only being thirteen. “She’s real pretty” I said, and he, still not taking his eyes off of her, smiled. My no nonsense older brother finally got bit with the love bug. Florence and Mary-Grace already knew Noelle from school, but it was her first time meeting the rest of us; Dwight, the parents, grandparents and the kid sisters (that’s were me and Sonya came in)

Her dark hair stood out in the room like a sore thumb in a family of blondes and redheads. Mary-Grace and her bright flames of hair took Mae’s place next to Baba by the fire now she had moved out and gotten married. Beau, being the third oldest in the house at nineteen, stood a good foot and a half taller than me, with curls brighter than mine and Sonya’s, and blue eyes like my daddy.

Our house was really only one room that wasn’t used for sleeping, were we all were now. It acted as kitchen, sitting room and dining room all on top of each other since Baba and grandpa had to move in.

“How in the name of Moses did you get a girl like that Beau?” Sonya came sneaking up behind us “Seriously man she’s a ten and you are an ugly motherfucker” My image remarked crossing her arms over her chest. Beau simply rolled his eyes “language” he muttered before pushing her in the shoulder.

Everything was all a blur as Gabriel was mumbling Latin from a book, which in fairness is pretty hard to read considering it’s a dead language. “Name of guardian?” He asked finally looking up at me after taking the boy from my hands. None of this felt real for some reason, I felt like I was in a dream. I shuffled my feet and licked my lips, my body getting nervous, deep breath Nina.

Pulling my shoulders back I announced myself “Natasha Ilyinichna Irena Lebedev Price” I heard a faint “Oh yeah I forgot she was Russian” from Maggie, forcing myself to smile at her.

Still not looking at my nephew or the priest. I focused on the cross behind his head, I was anxious to get this done with, to make sure he had sort of protection. My eyes darted around the room as Maggie and Glenn were called to pour the holy water over the baby’s head, both giving me an odd look and asking if I was alright.

“What do you think of it all?” Sonya whispered in a hush as we lay in the dark, both of us trying to ignore the sound of our parents shouting. Parents shouting at the decision Sonya had made. “Think of what?” I asked, tucking the bedsheet up to my chin. She sat up in the double bed we shared. “Don’t fucking play me Nina” Her voice was harsh and bolder then usual, for a girl so reserved and gentile, she was pissed.

She sat up and turned the lamp on, making Mary-Grace groan and tousle from the other side of the room. She sat up and crossed her arms, her mouth twitching “Well?”

Groaning I sat up too, not wanting to have this conversation. “What do you want me to say?” She was looking for a fight and I knew it. Her sporadic hand gestures gave her away “What you think? What do you think I should do?” Sonya’s eyes welled up with tears. I sighed “I don’t know Sonya, it’s a big decision”

She wanted to move to New York and live with Florence, who had a townhouse with her husband and two kids. Sonya had won a scholarship in the last pageant, and wanted to be an architect… and leave. New York sounded good, fun. Just far away. “Why do you even want to leave?” I asked with a sight, not understanding her longing to leave the safety of trees that surrounded the town.

“What do you mean why do I want to leave?” She looked at me dumbfounded, and a heavy air set between us. “If you were given the opportunity to get out you would too, I don’t want to be sewn to your hip for the rest of my life”. I raised my eyebrow at that, “You’re stuck to my hip?” I scoffed “Fuck off Sonya don’t be such a cunt” My arms got a chill looking at her face contort trying to control her rage.

“I think you’re jealous” She scaved, leaning forward into my face “I think you’re freaking out that you just realized you don’t know what the fuck you’re doing with your life” I leaned over her, not breaking eye contact, and turned off the lamp. My heart racing at her words, wanting to shout and kick and bite for what she said. But I didn’t. “I think you’re freaking out because you don’t know you who are without me” I whispered.

She stared dumbfounded, knowing I was right. Neither of us really knew who we were without the other. Didn’t matter if he had different interests, who liked pageants or cross country. Who was closer to Baba or Grandpa. We didn’t know who we were without each other.

I turned away from her pulling the bedsheet around me “Night Sonya”

“I aint going with you guys tomorrow, I don’t want to listen to you all the way to Roanoke”

“Do you have a name ?” Maggie asked, just as they were about to pour the water on his head. Snapping back into reality, looking at the kid for the first time since we got into the church. “Uhh” oh shit yeah a name “Cain” I said, suddenly remembering “Cain Lyova Price” I forced a smile, not really listening.

Feeling a pang of grief for my brother that I hadn’t allowed myself to feel. I watched them together drunk his head into the water, whispering prayers of protection. And finally he would be protected, not in this world but in death. I closed my eyes feeling a shudder down my spine, God don’t let him die.

My brothers child, that stupid bastard should be here not me. He could have given him a good name. I mean Cain? What kind of stupid name was that?

I felt all the anger and grief bubble up, making my chest break into silent sobs. No. Not now. I can’t feel it now. I smiled, whipping the tear that had risen in my eye, trying to pass it off as tears of joy before hugging the tree.

I take the kid- Cain, back into my arms, before smiling and saying quickly a thanks and how I had to get to the infirmary.

The infirmary was as it usually was, quiet. Today we had the riveting excitement of Eugene asking if a mole was cancerous, which it wasn’t as he’d had it for a few years and had not grown, moved or changed colour or shape.

“You okay?” Denise asked me just as our ‘patient’ left. I smiled picking up the bab-Cain and shaking a bottle of formula. “Yeah fine” I lied with a smile, not wanting to acknowledge the tightness I felt in my throat for my brother. The doctor narrowed her eyes, before sitting down in front of her cheat sheet. She was just about to open her mouth to argue when I interrupted “Yah know what I haven’t had in a while?” She knew she didn’t have to answer, my nerves giving me the gift of small talk.

“A good piss up” I stated, nudging the bottle into Cain’s mouth. I laughed to myself while Denise just looked at me confused. “Remember the boxes of moonshine we found? Do you think they’d miss just one?” My colleague stood frowning “Nine we can’t steal, we need them to disinfect wounds” Her scolding me, though not sounding entirely too agents the idea. I rolled my eyes as she came closer, putting a hand on the baby’s foot.

“So what did you name him?” She changed the subject, looking up at me and pushing her glasses back up her nose. “Cain” I whispered looking down at him. “Or Lyova, havn’t decided wich one I want to call him” Denise hummed looking back at him, whos hands were grasped to the bottle, gulping like it was his last ever feed.

“Lyova, havn’t heard that one before” She looked up at me “Russian, for Lion” I explained. She nodded before moving back to study her cheat sheet. “Makes sense if he has hair like yours”. I faked laughed, looking back down, his daddy had lighter hair, more white then mine.

A few hours passed, the normal routine had taken over when Carol walked in with her usual chirpy smile. “Hey girls” she sang, placing a basket on the operating table. I still didn’t trust her, felt like she wasn’t being honest for some reason, no one survives out there and still comes there smiling and cheerful. I figured she was a bit like me in that way, full of shit.

Carol turned to look at me, one hand on her hip “So, what did you call him?” jeeze everyone wants to know this kids name. “Cain Lyova” I smiled back, a smile equally full of shit of the one I was reciprocating. “Oh Lyova, that’s beautiful” She cooed, leaning down to look at him sitting on the floor shaking a toy. “It was my great-uncles” I noted, not too keen on mention that he was fighting for the soviets in Word War II.

I smiled at her, the colour on her neat jumper suited her, a pale blue. “I was thinking” She straightened up and faced me “Why don’t we celebrate?” She gave a little hmmp after indicating it was more of a request then a question. I raised an eyebrow, maybe she was listening in before smiling. “It’s not every day we’ve something to celebrate, could invite one or two people over and have a drink tonight” shaking my head I let out a sigh. Well I can’t believe it my dreams just came true. “Ma’am I think you read my mind”

I woke up to the sound of the creaks of heavy footsteps followed by the door squeaking open. It was cold, and Sonya was snuggled up agents by back protecting herself agents the snow that fell softly on the window. My first speculation was that it was some sick murderer dressed up as Santa to kill us, it being Christmas Eve but soon decided that it was just Daddy going for a cigarette.

Just wanting to calm my nerves I pulled myself free of my sister, and immediately regretting leaving the warmth of the bed once the sting of the December air. Pulling my shoulders up close to my neck to try keep the warmth from leaving my body, I opened the door of our bedroom into the sitting room to see the front door wide open letting the snow in. Rushing to see what is was I ran to the door and peeped out, scared shitless and freezing my tits off.

What I saw gave me an icy shock of what I would never get out of my head. Baba stood, bare foot in her white nightgown in the snow. Her curly hair down, reaching past her waist as she fell to her knees and let out a shriek. I turned and grabbed a blanket from the couch and ran out to get her.

“Baba” I called stepping down from the porch “Come back inside its freezing”. She didn’t turn to look at me. Just sat in the snow looking up at the pine trees.

“Baba” I called again, a little softer, I was only a few feet away from her now. Baba sat motionless, her knees now either side of her. I could hear her muttering in Russian, something about a sister

She was rocking back and forth, not breaking her eyes from the trees“Net net ne ona, ne snova ne moya sestra, pozhaluysta, ne moya sestra”. I placed a hand on her shoulder, making her stop rocking.

I cupped my hand under her armpits pulling her up before wrapping the blanket around her shoulders “C’mon Baba, let’s get you inside”.

Oh yeah I was drunk. Glenn, Daryl, Aaron, Spencer and I may have ended up playing a drinking game. Turns out I’ve done a lot of things and slept with a lot of people because I lost pretty hard. Also turns out, I speak a bit of Russian when I’m drunk, didn’t even know I knew Russian that well, the more you know I suppose.

One or two people according to Carol turned out to be most of Alexandria, not that I minded, it gave me a break from the baby because so many people wanted to hold him. I liked Carol, even if she was full of shit, I liked her, and I respect people who do what they can to survive. Though, seeing her be all flirty with Tobin was a bit gross. Then all of a sudden I looked around the room and everyone was flirting with everyone.

Anyways, now someone has Cain or Lyova or whatever to fuck I named him, and I was lying on the grass, pretty shitfaced. I liked looking at the stars, one good thing about this godforsaken shithole with dead sons’o’bitches walking around is that we have more stars.

I liked stars. I put my palms down flat to the ground to try steady myself from feeling so dizzy. The other hand rested carefully on my bottle, quiet comfortable on my own. Not wanting to be in a room with so many people. Last time I was in a room celebrating something was with my family, and now they’re all dead.

I heard a whistle behind me and I craned my head back to see, still not knowing who it was I raised a hand waving hi. “Hey kid” ahh the familiar grumblings of Mr. Dixon. “Mr. Dixon how nice of you to join me” I said politely as he stood above my head, he looked confused, but his cheeks were pink.

“Whacha doin’ out here?” Jeeze straight to the point. He was standing pretty close, his feet barley a centimetre from my head. I thought for a moment before answer “I went for a stroll, thought it could sober me up a bit” I was being honest. “Didn’t think I’d screwed so many people” I laughed to myself, sitting up a bit to bring the bottle to my lips.

Daryl sat down with a sigh “I think you’d had enough” he went to take the bottle out of my hand but I pulled it away, cradling it like a baby “Heyyyyyy hold on a minute Mr. Dixon” He rolled his eyes, before looking away and looking back again. I liked his eyes, even if he acted like he was all tough his eyes were soft, and sweet.

“So, why Cain?” He lay next to me, our shoulders barley brushing and my stomach suddenly did a summer sault “Well I thought I was being kinda clever” I slurred, my mouth not willing to articulate. “You know the story of Cain and Able?” One hand was rested on the bottle that hung loosely by my side, while the other was thrown up in the air, flopping like crazy.

“Nah, I don’t believe in that bible stuff” He said, moving his hands to rest on his abdomen, I glanced over at him “So who was Cain and Able” He inquired looking at me. I smiled to myself, feeling a sudden purpose in the years my Mama spent telling us the stories.

“They were brothers” I said simply “But when Cain killed Able God cursed him with immortality, no one could hurt him; he would forever be in divine protection” I trailed off, my arm still upright stilled.

“And I was hoping, with me killing my brother God would grant my Cain protection in this fuckin’ curse of the world” I sighed, feeling the guilt and remorse I had been keeping busy to ignore swung up. I dropped my hand.

“’m sorry” He said and I turned to meet his face. “I had to kill my brother too” I’m not sure if it was the liquor or the grief, but I swear I could feel the ground pulsing beneath me. I looked at the archers’ face, all the lines and scares that told his story presented so plainly but all upstaged by the soul in his eyes. I suddenly felt like I knew him, or wanted to know him at.

For as much as we talked about our home lives it was only pre-apocalypse, never after. “I went out looking for him and found him as a walker, it really fucked with me for a while” he explained “He cut his own hand off right at the start, so he had this” it was his turn to lift his forearm “Badass knife put on in it’s place” He smiled, I like his smile, it made me smile too.

Daryl dropped his arm, and his smile. He turned his head back up to the sky but I didn’t look away, not yet. I decided to share my tale “I was on a run when he was born, and something must have gone wrong” Now I turned my face away, feeling my throat welling up, I barley thought about what happened, let alone talked about it.

“He-Cain must have then been quiet, because when I came in Beau was cradling Noel” I took a deep breath “Who was covered in her own blood, and I had just opened the door when he’d slit his own throat” My voice broke, and the corner of my eyes were stinging with tears. “But the fool didn’t go deep enough so he was just sitting there bleeding out with his wife” I let the bottle drop, not caring anymore.

I felt Daryl grab my hand, and I squeezed it tight. I let out a laugh, trying to brush off the sudden outburst of realizing that was the first time I’ve said his name in six months “Sorry, guess I’m just a sap” Jesus this is embarrassing, at least I didn’t vomit on his, yet.

I felt him squeeze my hand and I looked at him “You ain’t a sap, he was your brother” I smiled at him, grateful. I turned my head back up to look at the glimmers of the night sky. Feeling my throat well up again, I coughed, trying to keep it down.

I listened to the crickets, and the songbirds, and the thumping of my chest before remembering I was still holding Daryl’s hand.

“Yah know” I said, looking at him again “This is real romantic” My chest, previously stifling sobs was now bursting with laugher. “You and me” He said, smiling “Looking at the stars, holding hands, swappin’ stories about how we killed our brothers”

The stupidity and seriousness of the situation spurred my laughter on more

For the first time in nearly four years it was completely safe, I didn’t feel like I had to be ready to attack, or run or suddenly become a mom of a kid I didn’t make.

It was just him and me, lying in the dry grass, looking at the starry sky.

Tags:https://tmblr.co/mJ8tAevvokZdRi9HxEHeCrw

Part one Part two Part three Part four Part five Part six Part seven

Part eight Part nine Part eleven

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she-is-tim · 5 years

Text

Will you catch me if I fall for you?

Elu Marvel AU

mostly written for @anxetyt1me and everyone else that are going to enjoy this

Summary:

Eliott is an ambitious archer boy who decides to join the Avengers when an opportunity crosses his way. Little does he know that his heart is going to be captured by one of the twins HYDRA experimented on. Lucas and his twin sister Manon just survived the attack of Ultron in Sokovia, but they are already training to become Avengers. The boy is a cheeky bastard who likes playing games. This time his target is Eliott and he can always get what he wants.

Enjoy *finger guns*

Eliott knew the compound will be huge, he saw it on tv, but he was still in shock as he got out of his taxi. He paid for the ride, it wasn’t cheap, but he was willing to sacrifice all he had just to get here. He grabbed the strap of the quiver attached to his torso, feeling the weight of the steel arrows and his bow pulling him down. It felt like his legs were turned into concrete, heavy and immovable. Every step was like an eternity, his palms started sweating as he made his way inside the gigantic front yard towards the Avengers building. There was a chopper on his right, just waiting on the parking spot, ready to fly away at anytime. He knew the people who lived inside wouldn’t use it, they had flying supersuits, special wings, superpowers and quinjets. They liked to make a fancy entrance, especially Tony Stark. Not like any of this mattered in this exact moment.

He swallowed the lump in his throat, continuing his road towards the front of the building. Feet still heavy, heart thumping, threatening to burst out of his chest. Now that would be a good introduction.

As he got closer, he had to squint his eyes, protecting it from the piercing sunlight that was reflecting from the gigantic windows. The weather was nice, not too hot, soft clouds swimming through the endless, blue pool above. He stopped, looking at his outfit. Black leather, tight and well fitting, belts snaking around his waist, his thighs, keeping his throwing knives - silver ones with handles carved out of bones - safe. Boots perfectly melted on his feet, thick sole, strengthened with steel. Hands covered in leather gloves that let his fingers free, except the index and middle finger on his right one. Designed especially for professional archers like him.

He got kicked out of his thoughts rather literally when a blue flash appeared out of nowhere. During his years of hard practice and training, it was clear that his senses were extraordinary, just like his reflexes, but he still had problems focusing his attention. That’s what made this situation possible where he was laying on the ground, the handle of his bow hardly pressed to his back as a feet on his chest placed pressure on him. Gasping for air he tried to open his eyes, which wasn’t so easy considering the sun was shining right at his face, but then a shadowy silhouette leaned over him. His eyelids fluttered open, trying to take in his surroundings and for a second Eliott was sure it would be less blinding to stare at the sun.

The boy was gorgeous. Fluffy brown hair surrounding a beautiful, smooth face with perfectly curved nose, pink lips and those damn blue eyes. Eliott wasn’t a poetic boy, but he could write long essays about the beauty of just those irises alone. He knew he was staring, mouth agape, not able to form the words, but it seemed like the boy had a clue who he was. With a slight movement he tilted his head to the side, cocking an eyebrow. The smirk that appeared on his face was probably the most beautiful thing Eliott had ever seen, hands down.

“You are the boy Clint is waiting for?” He spoke up and fuck, his voice was soft and smooth like warm honey, having a slight french accent, which just made him 1000 times more attractive. His foot was still pressing the archer boy down, not like he had any problems with it. He could put a leash around his neck, there wouldn’t be a complaint coming from his side.

After long minutes of just staring into each other’s eyes, Eliott realized that there was a question he needed to answer. The boy above him didn’t seemed to be annoyed, on the contrary there was a playful spark in those ocean blue eyes. Trying to take a deep breath wasn’t a good idea considering he was pinned to the ground, but he did anyways, just to help himself find some confidence to speak with this angel.

“Yes…” he muttered, voice sounding rather raspy. “My name is Eliott.” He managed to say it, but he kept finding himself at a loss of words under the gaze of the person above him.

“Welcome to the Avengers compound, pretty boy.” He said, leaning down even more and with that placing more pressure on Eliott’s already hurting chest. “You are going to have fun.” He added with a cheeky smile on his pretty face. Eliott knew he would already do anything for this boy without a single question just to see him smile again. He was pretty much fucked.

“Lucas, what are you doing?” The high pitched voice came from where the entrance of the gigantic building was. Eliott could see the outlines of a girl, slim body, wearing black skirt, a grey shirt with a scarlet red jacket. Her curly hair was like a brown waterfall, surrounding a pretty face. Eliott could notice the similarities between her and the boy, Lucas’ features, not mentioning the soft French accent of both.

“Nothing.” He replied and within a blink of an eye the pressure was gone from Eliott’s chest.

He could only see the blue flash as the angelic boy returned to his sister. Now he knew who they were, the Lallemant Twins, Lucas and Manon. Orphans that were used by the psychopath HYDRA scientists, experimenting and torturing them, making them have special powers to then use them as weapons against their enemies. But they got out, sided with the Avengers and helped them defeat the army of Ultron, the crazy robot that tried to drop the city of Sokovia on the Earth to destroy humanity with it. Of course Eliott didn’t know the details, but he had seen a lot of videos, read articles and interviews with people who were there during the battle. Lots of the citizens died or got hurt, it was a hard price to pay for saving everyone else. That’s what it means being an Avenger, Eliott knew it.

He slowly got up from the ground, being sure that his back has a bow handle shaped hole now. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t take his eyes off the boy, who was now having a quiet conversation with his twin sister. He just realized what Lucas was wearing and he just didn’t know how to process that sight. The pants were fine, loose ones, black colored with two white stripes on the sides of his thighs, but the top… He was wearing a well fitting, long sleeved shirt, a combination of dark blue and grey mixing on it with lighting bolt shaped white stripes just on the place where his stomach area started. And it was tight, like really tight.

Without realizing that he started walking forward, he suddenly found himself being close enough to catch some of their talk. It turned out to be difficult to focus on the actual words being said while seeing and hearing Lucas speak. The boy was just so soft and beautiful, Eliott couldn’t believe he actually fought with an army of lethal robots alongside big names like Clint Barton, Thor or Captain America. It just seemed impossible for this soft looking boy to hurt even a fly.

“-cking care what he said, I’m going to handle this one.” Lucas sounded just a little bit frustrated as he was talking to his sister. Manon looked at Eliott over her brother’s shoulder and then let out a frustrated sigh.

“Fine, but I am not going to save your ass from Clint again.” She said and with a smooth movement she spun around on her heels, disappearing behind the glass door.

Eliott just stood there dumbfounded, as the other turned to him, wide smirk plastered to his face. Realization hit like a truck, only noticing now how small the boy in front of him actually was. He could hug him from behind, resting his chin on the top of his head easily. And damn if that didn’t make him want this brunette even more.

“So, why are you here actually?” Lucas asked, trying to sound nonchalant with little success. He opened the door for the tall one who nodded as thanks, walking inside.

~°~

Eliott was glad when they arrived to the training room where Clint Barton waited for them. Their walk was really awkward, at least to him, Lucas seemed to enjoy circling around him, asking the most random things. ‘How old are you?’ ‘Where are you from?’ ‘Are those knives on you thighs?’ ‘Wanna try throwing one at me?’ ‘Is this your natural hair color?’ ‘Can I touch your hair?’ ‘You wanna touch my hair?’ Of course he could barely stutter out a few words, completely embarrassing himself. This was the first time he felt so nervous around someone that he lost his voice and wasn’t able to speak. Usually he had too much confidence, being aware of his looks and skills, but this very short and also very fast boy seemed to make him turn into a shy, stuttering mess.

As he stepped into the huge, empty room made out of steel and concrete. Half of the floor was covered in what looked like auburn linoleum, while the other half had epdm rubber flooring. In the middle stood the guy himself. The person Eliott looked up for ever since he heard the rumors about him. Clint Barton aka Hawkeye, the best archer in the whole world. Hair perfectly styled, oil green shirt loosely hanging on his well trained body, tight jeans wrapped around his legs, tucked into black boots. Suddenly his nervousness got doubled, hands getting sweaty. Lucas stepped forward, putting his hands on his waist. The man squinted his eyes at him before his face broke into a wide smile.

“There you are, you little bastard. I was looking for you.” Cint said, walking to the boy and patting him on the shoulder. “I see you found my visitor.” his eyes wandered towards the tall boy, who had to swallow, wiping off the sweat from his palms.

“Yeah, he’s fun, but very quiet.” Lucas responded, now turning around, another pair of eyes landing gazes on Eliott.

“I… My name is Eliott.” he managed to force out the words. This would be much more easier, if that angelic brunette wouldn’t be there with them in the room.

“Yeah, I know.” Clint said, looking at the boy next to him now. “Leave us alone, Lucas. I think you have training with Nat and Manon today.” he said cocking an eyebrow, sounding like a father who’s talking to his rather stubborn son. It was endearing to see this kind of relationship that Eliott could never had in his life.

His father left him and his mother when he was just a baby, not even bothering to pay child support or visiting his son. He grew up in bad circumstances, struggling with money, which lead his mother to borrow cash from the most shady people. That’s why she ended up with a bullet in her head, that’s why Eliott got captured when he was 12, being tortured and trained to be their deadly assassin. To their bad luck, they couldn’t erase all the memories he shared with the mother they killed, so he waited. When the perfect opportunity came, he killed them all and escaped. Since then he was roaming the countries, leaving Paris and all its filth behind. Until he found out that the Avengers are looking for rookies, training them to become fighters. So he called the number, talked to a few people and now he was here. After long years of suffering, loneliness and fear, he found the place where he can get a reason to live.

He got dragged out of his spiraling thoughts when a blue flash, probably Lucas passed by him, leaving with the feeling of soft fingers brushing through his hair. It was so sudden and unexpected that he almost lost his balance, barely saving himself of landing on his back yet again. That boy really liked to play with him, using his speed to get maximum advantage.

“I’m sorry about the kid.” Spoke Clint now, walking closer to Eliott, who quickly shook his head as weak try to get rid of the clinging feeling of the brunette’s touch. “I guess he’s excited. He is not allowed to leave the compound, so he doesn’t really have the chance to meet new people.” He explained with a soft smile on his face.

“How old is he?” Eliott decided to ask, because he was genuinely curious about the boy. It felt like something inside him was pulling him towards Lucas, like they were connected.

“He’s 17, too young if you ask me.”

“Life doesn’t care how old you are, it just throws shit at your face and expects you to handle it.” Eliott replied, looking at his personal hero, who seemed to be impressed by his words.

“I can’t wait for you to meet Nat, I think she would like you.” He said smirking.

~°~

A whole week passed, filled with long hours of training with either Clint or Natasha. They were really good, like real professionals, which made Eliott realize that his skills weren’t much above average compared to them. But this just kept fueling his determination to become stronger, faster, never missing a shot.

Sometimes as he met Lucas on the hallways or in the kitchen, but they didn’t have much time to talk both of them occupied with their own training. It still couldn’t make the archer boy forget about that soft touch or ignore the way sometimes the other was looking at him. Those ocean blue eyes haunted his dreams, chasing away the usual nightmares he had ever since he slaughtered his torturers. He knew they were bad people, that they deserved to die, if not for their other crimes, then just for killing his innocent mother. And still flashes of spilling blood, echoes of death screams and the sight of lifeless bodies were the only thing he could hear and see once he closed his eyes. Up until he met this gorgeous boy.

It was Tuesday, his usual training were canceled due to a mission both Natasha and Clint had to participate in. Something happened that involved a guy named Brock Rumlow, so Captain Rogers decided to follow the leads. Eliott only had the chance to see the actual big names from afar considering both Tony Stark and Captain America were busy people. He once had a chance to chat with Sam Wilson, he’s a sympathetic dude with great humor, Eliott liked him a lot. Then there was Manon, the quiet one out of the twins. She’s spending most of her time with either Vision, the android with crazy powers or Natasha, trying to learn how to use her abilities in battle.

Since there wasn’t much thing for him to do without training, he decided to spend his time outside by the river. He sat on the side of the wooden platform, back resting to one of the pillars that held the roof above his head. He looked at the sketchbook placed on his lap, opened on two blank pages, pen laying on his right ear. It was a long time ago since he had time to actually draw something, but he knew exactly what - or more like who - he wanted to draw. The person that got stuck in his mind ever since they met on the driveway of the compound. Someone with eyes so blue that the sky feels jealous, the ocean wants to hide by the sight of them.

He let out a deep sigh, dragging his eyes away from the sketchbook to the calm water, trying to enjoy the quiet. There wasn’t any noise coming from inside the building like always, no one was arguing with F.R.I.D.A.Y. or training with explosives. There wasn’t a thing that could ruin this perfect moment. At least he thought so, until a certain fast boy appeared out of nowhere, creating a wind that almost flew Eliott’s sketchbook out of his lap into the river. Thankfully he had enough consciousness to catch it in time, saving it from getting soaked. He shot an angry look at the short boy, who was standing in front of him now, innocent smile plastered to his face. He was wearing sports grey sweatpants and a white shirt with the word ‘Désir’ written on it. Eliott hated the fact how he looked fucking gorgeous in those clothes too.

“How’s it going?” he asked, running his fingers through the already disheveled hair. Eliott rolled his eyes, clutching his sketchbook to his chest to protect it from the chaos that this brunette was.

“I was doing fine just a second ago.” Eliott replied. Just because he had a crush on this demonic angel, it didn’t mean he can’t be annoyed with his behavior. During the time he had spent here, it became crystal clear that Lucas lived on annoying the hell out of everyone. Which wasn’t that hard considering his abilities.

“Wow, someone’s grumpy.” he smirked and crouched down just so their eyes could be on the same level. “I didn’t know you are drawing.” he said, nodding his head towards the sketchbook.

“Only when I have time.” He said, his sudden anger starting to fade away, giving more space to the fucking nervousness again. This boy was affecting him in ways no one ever did before, which was a tad bit scary. Like the way he smiled made his heart beat crazy fast. “What do you want anyways?” he managed to ask.

“Well, since we both have some free time, I thought we could hang out.” he shrugged and sat down now too, pulling up his knees to his chest, resting his arms on it. Eliott tried not to focus on the veins that were clearly visible on his hands and forearms like this.

“I would prefer to be alone.” He mumbled and that was the biggest lie in the history, because he wanted Lucas to stay, even if they don’t talk.

“Yeah, I don’t care. I am going to stay.” He said with a wide smirk, resting his chin on his arms now, long eyelashes fluttering at him. Eliott was afraid that his heart is going to burst out of his chest. “So… you are an archer boy and an artist? What other talents you have?” He asked curiously, wiggling his perfectly curving eyebrows. The tall one sighed and dragged his eyes away from the boy, just to make talking easier.

“That’s all basically. I am good at shooting and throwing stuff. I rarely miss my target.” His eyes followed a piece of grass floating down the river. This place was so calming and peaceful. It was a long time ago since he got a chance to appreciate nature and its beauty in any kind of way. He forgot how nice the summer breeze can feel on a heated day. How beautiful water looks when it’s mirroring the cloudless, bright blue sky. Everything in this world seemed to be so nice, innocent and sweet in this very moment, almost letting him forget about all the horrors he had seen in his life. All the things he had done. People he killed, tortured and hurt. These just faded away in the bright sunlight, the soft wind taking them far away, leaving nothing but serenity behind.

“What about the drawing?” Lucas voice dragged him out of his thoughts so suddenly he got startled, letting his sketchbook go that was falling towards the water. Everything happened so fast, but within a blink of an eye, his sketchbook as home from his sight. He turned his head towards the boy in front of him, the black notebook in his hands. “That was close.”

“Can you give me back?” He blurted out instead of saying thank you, which was not very polite, but he couldn’t care less. That sketchbook was too important for him.

“What will I get if I give you back?” Lucas asked, playful smile appearing on his face as he got up and took a few steps back, keeping the notebook behind himself. Eliott squinted his eyes at the boy.

“Nothing, that’s mine!”

“But I saved it for you, therefore I deserve a reward, right?” He kept grinning as the archer boy got up, trying to get his sketchbook back, but he started just swaying around quickly and flawlessly.

“No, it’s not how it works. Give it back, Lucas!”

“Come and get it, Robin Hood!” He smirked, sticking out his tongue, slowly backing towards the building. Eliott walked forward with a determined look on his face, but deep inside he kinda enjoyed this little play. Lucas was adorable as he used his speed to get an advantage over him every time he tried to get back the little book.

“You are so annoying! Give it back!”

“I want a reward!”

“What reward?” Eliott sighed, stopping now, placing his hands on his waist. The other one also staying put, looking at him mischievously.

“Stay there and close your eyes.” he replied, bouncing on his feet excitedly. It was just so fucking adorable that Eliott couldn’t resist him, so he just let out a defeated sigh, closing his eyes slowly. He could feel the wind brushing through his hair, his nose filling with a scent he couldn’t recognize at first. It was like the smell of air right after the storm. Then before he could react, soft lips touched his own ever so slightly and carefully like being afraid of rejection. He opened his eyes just a little, taking in the sight of Lucas being so damn close, his features seemed even more beautiful, eyelashes casting long shadows on his pink cheeks. Hair falling to his face, making him look like the young, innocent boy he actually was. And fuck if Eliott didn’t fell for him in that exact moment.

His hands moved on their own, grabbing the brunette’s waist, pulling him so close their bodies were almost pressed at each other and he captured those cherry lips with his own. He could feel the boy gasping into the kiss, the notebook falling out of his hands, landing on the wooden floor with a soft thump. Soft hands were snaking their way up on Eliott’s back, grasping into the black shirt he was wearing. Their kiss started off slow, searching, trying to see how far they can go with the other. In the next moment Eliott found himself pressed to a wooden pillar, the rough material digging into his skin, while a soft body was grinding on his front side. That was probably the best thing he had ever felt. With one hand he kept holding the boy’s waist, while the other was sliding down to grab his thigh, pulling him even closer.

After long minutes of kissing and trying to eat up the other’s face, Eliott pulled back, examining the boy, his flushed cheeks, swollen lips and his ocean eyes that were filled with desire. At least his shirt was accurate, which made the older one smirk. Lucas smirked back at him, fingers gripping into Eliott’s messy locks, pulling him down for an open mouthed kiss this time. Tongues swirling around each other. Not even the soft summer breeze could cool down their bodies now that they were burning in passion.

Their heated up making out session was disturbed by the sound of the Avengers quinjet landing not too far from them. The boys broke apart, looking into each other’s eyes, smiling like idiots. Before Eliott could say a word, Lucas grabbed his hand, squeezing it slightly and started to walk towards the building with him.

“Let’s go and welcome the others.” he said on a cheerful tone, trying to fix his mess of a hair with his free hand. Eliott let out a heartfelt laugh and placed a soft kiss on the top of his head.

“Sure thing, Sonic.” he muttered into his hair to which he got a disapproving look from the boy.

“Fuck off.”

“Nah, you convinced me to stay. Now you gotta deal with my shit.” his smile didn’t seem to disappear anytime soon and damn if that wasn’t feeling good. Lucas gasped, placing his hand over his heart, faked shock plastered to his face.

“Oh, mon dieu! What have I done to myself?” voice dripping from sarcasm, while he was still holding Eliott’s hand. The tall boy laughed, pulling him closer and disentangling their fingers just so he could throw his arm around Lucas’ shoulder, realizing how well he fits there.

“Just shut up.”

“Make me!” Lucas retorted, stopping in their tracks, turning his head to the side. That expectant look on his face was so alluring and sweet, Eliott couldn’t resist. Why would he resist? Therefore he closed the short distance between them, locking their lips together in a soft, slow kiss.

When the weight disappeared from under him alongside with the soft mouth that was pressed to his just a second ago, he almost lost his balance, landing on the floor. He heard laughing from afar, turning his head towards the sound. Lucas was standing in the doorway, leaning to the frame, swinging Eliott’s sketchbook in his hands victoriously.

“Come on, Robin Hood! We have to go.” he said with his cheeky smile that made the tall boy’s heart beating faster. He shook his head with a soft laugh, jogging towards the building where the other was waiting for him.

Now in this very moment Eliott felt like his life had a reason, that all those things happened to him in the past weren’t just to fuck him over, but to lead him towards this moment. He was meant to be here, meeting Lucas, falling for him. It sounded cheesy, so he would probably never admit it out loud, but in this playful boy he found his reason to keep going. And so he will, because he is not gonna let anyone take this away from him. Not this time.

~°~

Make sure to leave a comment or your opinion on this ficlet! I am super nervous, cause I can’t decide if this is a good one or not, but I really wanted to publish it already.

Bious

#Skam France #Elu #An AU no one asked for #Elu MARVEL AU #Eliott Demaury #Lucas Lallemant #Elu fic #Elu fanfic #LEAVE COMMENTS #Lucas and Manon are twins yes #Eliott is a stuttering mess #but he's coming thru #they kiss #ony Clint Barton is presented #because reasons

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nightsinneverland · 5 years

Text

Aura, the Shield and the Sword

Although Aura Storms hasn’t been around that long, she was given certain skills, gifts and wisdom that could fit into several centuries of living. Along with a sword engraved with Nordic and African runes and a dog that holds more to the visible eye, can Aura take any more challenges? Maybe say a soulmate who she thought was dead? Or maybe an entourage of heroes that are constantly in her way?

Chapter Three.

4:32 am. My watch reads. Today it matches the blue polka-dotted collar that adorns Brooklyn’s neck. Eternal fireflies in various jars littered all over my apartment, keep my companion and me out of the immense dark as it is still early.

That, and I forgot to pay the electric bill this time around.

I heave out a sigh, knowing that the peace that has caressed my household ever since we had that little spider invader will be interrupted soon enough. New wards put into place after realizing the simple rune I made was only limited to two years and has been occupied by myself and Brooklyn for five.

Looking over the medium-sized pot that I’m stirring, throwing in an herb every so often, I think of how much time the little widow has left.

I wonder how much her body has deteriorated.

After the fifth or so stir from the wooden spoon engraved with small runes passed down from my mother, I look to Brooklyn, knowing he has the final ingredient of the potion.

“Alright, do your thing,” I tell Brooklyn stepping away from the stove, putting the wooden spoon in the sink for later cleansing. “Not too much though. We don’t want her paralyzed. At least not yet”.

Brooklyn snorts and levels me with a look, before he turns to the pot, easily reaching it given his immense size. He is at least two times bigger than the average Great Dane.

I lean against the counter, rubbing the random sprigs of lavender from my fingers as I watch the thick drool mixed with venom drip from his mouth like honey into the pot.

Brooklyn insisted on an antidote for the pest. I scoff.

Her death is a just punishment for breaking and entering and snooping where she doesn’t belong.

Knowing my thoughts based on the look on my face, I receive a sharp bark along with a disapproving stare. I roll my eyes, watching him grab a tincture bottle from one of the open cabinets, walking over to me and shoving it into my hand.

“Alright alright. Fucking pushy ass demon”, I grumble, bottling up the mixture from the pot. Wiping off the excess that dripped down the sides, I set it aside to get dressed and ready for an encounter with a group of annoying ass “heroes”.

6:00 am. My black leather watch reads at me. Zipping up by shiny black leather boots, giving me an extra couple inches from my 5’7 frame, I march into the kitchen, downing a shot of vodka for courage and call Brooklyn over.

“Let’s get this shit over with.”

Pocketing the antidote and seeing Brooklyn patter over to my side, I transport us straight into the common room of Tony Stark’s building.

We make it to a solid fifteen seconds before the alarms start sounding and I’m being told by a machine to address myself and why I’m here.

“Security breach. Unauthorized personnel”. A woman’s voice echos through the common room. I smirk and saunter over to the windows, taking in the great view. The sunrise looking pretty damn beautiful from here. I admire the landscape for at least five minutes while feeling the movement through the air.

Still taking in the impressive view, I hear the sound of whirring and I know it’s from one of the Ironman robots pointing a shooter at me a couple of feet away, Tony Stark’s voice coming through the machine.

“The homeless shelter is on 3rd Ave Miss,” the shooter moving over to Brooklyn, my companion baring his teeth in his own warning. “Although I don’t think they allow dogs this size.”

I turn around, giving him a short laugh, making my way over to my big puppy who is still baring his teeth, waiting for the green light to tear the tin can to shreds.

“Oh silly me! And to think I wanted to give one of ya’ll a present.” I pretend to pout.

More noises come from the machine, the shooter being pointed at us glowing brighter, the heat reaching me. I grow annoyed and irritated.

“Why are you here?”, Tony finally asks me. The tone of his voice hardened, knowing our little talking game is over with.

I level him with a blank stare, my fingers slowly curling and air casting spells, noticing the Ironman suit slowly powering off and breaking apart to reveal Stark’s face, his eyes widening in shock and slight fear as I start stepping towards him still air casting, his suit revealing more of his body, essentially kicking him out of the suit.

Stopping in front of him and invading his space, I trail my small fingers across his face making him see the runes engraved into my skin. Feeling his uncomfortableness emitting from his pores, it makes me smile.

Keeping eye contact with the Stark, I take a small step back and open my other hand in front of him, revealing the small black gadget that was left in my home.

“I’ve come to return something of your teammates. Why don’t you be a doll and fetch her for me? I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to see me as I have a present for her as well.” I tell the man in front of me, recognition showing in his eyes of who I’m talking about as he takes in the item in my hand.

I watch the rich man gulp and open his mouth, “F.R.I.D.A.Y, wake up everyone. Urgent team meeting. Common room.” I give him a fake smile in response and turn away from him, returning back to the window seeing the sun rising up in the sky.

Brooklyn still has his teeth still bared, eyes intently tracking the stranger in front of him. Ears standing straight up.

7:32 am. Not needing a clock already knowing what time it is. I look around the common room, eyes locking with the woman who had enough balls to break into my apartment.

Her red hair looked lackluster, skin sallow and lips cracked. I smile, knowing the toxins from Brooklyn’s teeth were slowly eating away at her.

Serves her right.

Walking right up to her, not even acknowledging the rest of the “team”, I ask her in a firm voice, “What were you doing in my home?”

The neutral facial expression on her face impressed me, but also made me more irritated. Silence emitted from her. I turn around, stepping into the center of the room, standing in front of a white leather couch.

“You see, I know how you’re feeling right now. And I’m going to tell you that you will die unless you have the antidote,” Seeing a tiny telltale flash of fear through her eyes let me know I had her right where I wanted her.

“Now if you want to keep up with this act which is just gonna piss me off more, go right ahead. I’m sure your buddies here will miss the pussy you throw around am I right?” Her eyes narrowed in response.

“Who even are you?” A voice from my left asked. I side-eye him, taking in his person. Short brown hair, button nose, big biceps, knowing eyes. Must be the archer. I step to him, almost reaching his chin in height.

“Why don’t you ask the little spider?” I challenge him. Not engaging any further, I make my way to the bar, picking up a bottle of very expensive whiskey and call Brooklyn over.

“This is going nowhere and this pissing match is tiring,” Looking over everyone and landing on the redhead. “I don’t lose anything if you die. But they do.” And with that, I transported my dog and me back into my apartment.

I give Brooklyn a scratch behind the ear in thanks and make my way into the kitchen to taste my new handle of whiskey. The antidote chilling in my back pocket under my protection in case we get another visitor.

“Why didn’t you just tell her Nat? Do you really want to die!?” Clint asks, his voice almost hysterical. His concern going unnoticed by the rumbling of a quinjet returning.

He looks to Tony, who is sulking over the loss of his premium alcohol.

“Who is this chick?” He asks himself, walking over to his friend, wanting to help her back to her room. Her feet shuffle tiredly. Trying not to start crying, he focuses on getting Natasha back to bed without any issues.

Last time she fainted from the fatigue and was out for two whole days.

I’ll get you that antidote Nat, I promise.

Bringing in the last box of files and pictures, Sam wipes his dusty hands on his dark denim jeans, looking around the not so empty apartment he’s helping a friend move into. As he finishes wiping his hands, he slowly looks at his left still feeling the tingle flowing throughout.

It started after he shook hands with the cute curly-headed girl with the huge dog at the park a few weeks ago and it hasn’t stopped. If he looked close and hard enough he could swear he saw colors flowing through his hand as well.

He brought his hand up to his face to inspect it more closely and wondered if he was going crazy and seeing things that weren’t really there.

A huge hand placed on his shoulder brought him out of his inspecting of his hand. He looked over his shoulder into cerulean eyes and gave them a smile.

Sam turned towards his friend, accepting and returning the hug that was offered.

“Thank you for helping me, pal. I didn’t know who else to ask.” The deep voice filled with gratitude, made Sam feel wanted and appreciated.

“Not a problem Steve. You can pay me back by getting the food bill. I ordered us some Thai” He responded. Taking in the laugh his new friend gave him.

“Sure pal”.

#aura the shield and the sword #steve rogers x reader #sam wilson x reader #avengers #mcu #marvel #au #captain america #nastasha romanoff #clint barton #tony stark

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eternallyyoungjustice · 5 years

Text

Wherever the Winds Take You: Chapter 3

Author’s note:

Did I say two weeks? Whoops. Here’s the third chapter almost a week earlier. I just finished editing chapter 4 so I figured it was safe to upload this now.

So here we start, actually starting on the actual original series!

I’m going to put the translations to the French phrases at the bottom, in case you really want to know them. I’m not actually in any way fluent in Parisian French, but I’ve tried my best with my knowledge on Canadian French, and research. But if there’s any glaring mistakes language-wise at any point here on out, please let a girl know.

Love you all, hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC. Young Justice and it’s locations, stories, and characters belong to DC comics and the brilliant minds who created them.

Hall of Justice, Washington D.C.

July 4

14:00 EDT

It really couldn’t have been a more beautiful day outside. Warm, summer weather, not a cloud in the sky, the sun’s golden rays warming the Earth with a small, cool breeze to cool down its inhabitants. Perfect Washington summer weather.

Or at least, that’s what Lina thought as she hovered in the sky, basking in the sun’s rays.

The heat of the star seeped through the sturdy but comfortable fabric of the girl’s white and gold suit, spreading over her skin and melting into her like a warm hug from the universe. The winds that blew around Zephyr weren’t too strong, just enough to carry the girl and cause the tendrils of curly brown hair, that were usually tucked into her hood, sway in their dance.

“So warm today…” One of the small voices whispered into Zephyr’s ears, and the girl smiled in agreement. She certainly didn’t get this kind of sunny heat in Paris, and she had no intention of letting it go to waste.

“Those people sure do seem excited about something.” Another voice whispered, catching Lina’s attention.

“I wonder what they’re all waiting for.” Added another.

Opening her eyes and looking down, Lina was reminded of the crowds of excited people on the land below. She couldn’t make out a lot of them from her altitude, but she could just see the small flashes of cameras and the colourful specs of merchandise. Lina wasn’t that surprised to see that there appeared to be quite a few more people in the crowds than when she had first flown up to her current height.

“I suppose sunbathing time is over.” Lina murmured to herself, before waving her hand and signalling the winds around her to begin their descent. Being mindful of how fast she was being taken down, Lina tilted herself so she fell at an angle, allowing for more drag and more control over speed. As she got closer to the ground, she felt the air around her thicken and she let go of a few of the Winds, and pushed forward as to fly towards the tall, red, robotic man that stood on a short cliff overlooking the crowds of tourists in front of the white and gold arched building. Far away enough for the crowds not to identify them, but close enough for the robot to keep an eye on the visitors.

Once Zephyr had reached the cliff, the robot man turned to face her. Grinning, Zephyr pushed the Winds to spin her into a flip before she dismounted; landing perfectly on both feet with her hands raised above her head.

“Ta-da!” The young girl exclaimed, a large grin painted on her face. For a moment, the robot was silent but then he turned away from her, once again facing the crowds of people.

“You should bend your knees slightly more once you hit the ground, and raise your arms more once you steady yourself.” The man of red metal explained. “It both provides more balance, and adds more effect.”

The girl giggled slightly, floating over to beside her mentor. “The robot giving the circus-girl landing tips? Not something you see everyday, no offence Red.”

Red Tornado didn’t reply, as per usual. Zephyr had gotten used to the strong-and-silent type about him in the two years she’d been training under him. She actually prefered it, as it meant she had to pay attention to less. It was known that if he was saying something, it was important and shouldn’t be brushed off as simple small-talk. And although it made it harder for her to read him at first, she eventually got a grasp on it.

“I got up pretty high just then, did you see? Probably about 4,000 feet I think?” Zephyr noted as she began to tuck her hair into a clump and don her hood. “Oxygen was a little thinner, but not by much. It’s interesting, how the Winds don’t really get quieter the less there are of them.”

Once again, no reply. But Zephyr knew he had heard and listened to her.

Zephyr looked around, just realizing that they were the only two on the cliff. She had been up in the sky for probably 15 minutes, and even though she knew that their companions would be late; she thought they would have arrived by then. She voiced these thoughts to her mentor.

“It would appear that they’re more caught up in their battles than initially thought.” Red Tornado said nonchalantly. Zephyr hummed for a moment, fiddling with a stand of hair that fell out from her hood.

“It’s strange, yes? Four ice villains attacking different Justice League members and their proteges, in differing states, at the same time? And on today for that matter?” Zephyr asked, looking up towards her mentor and then back out towards the sea of people. “I mean, today is the day.”

“It is an odd coincidence, yes.”

“A coincidence?” Zephyr asked. “Êtes-vous certain?”

“You think there’s something bigger at play?” The somewhat high-pitched voice came from right behind the air-manipulating duo, and Zephyr whipped around to see two familiar figures. A tall man shrouded in a dark cloak with built-in point-shaped ears, and a small boy in a red and black costume wearing a domino mask.

Robin, to Zephyr, didn't look much different from any other 14 year old boy she had met. Tallish for his age, skinny limbs, tousled hair and a mischievous smile. He carried himself with a sort of sly confidence, shoulders back and head up.

“Robin!” Zephyr exclaimed as she stepped forward to greet the young boy. Pulling the young boy into a quick hug, Zephyr wasn’t surprised to find that he had grown a couple inches since they had last seen each other. “About time you got here! I haven’t seen you in so long, the Riddler’s tornado-machine-thing incident last spring, non?”

“Sounds about right, good times.” Robin cracked an uneven smile as Zephyr stepped back. “But seriously Zeph’, do you think it was something else? Because I have a couple theories going and-””Why don’t we focus on one thing at a time.” Zephyr interrupted, knowing she could never keep up whenever the Boy Wonder rambled on about his ‘theories’. “Did you get Mr. Freeze squared away?”

“In holding, the Gotham Police and Arkham are just starting on the paperwork.” Batman explained, more to Red Tornado than Zephyr. Upon hearing the infamous Dark Knight, Zephyr tensed up and avoided eye contact with him, not that he would spare her a passing glance.

“Oh, that’s good then.” Zephyr said, more of a mutter than anything.

Thankfully, the slight tension was cut off by another duo dropping onto the cliff.

“Hey, sorry we’re late.” Green Arrow greeted, holstering his bow. “Junior put up a little bit of a fight while the cops took him away.”

“Roy!” Zephyr exclaimed, rushing over to the red-clad boy to hug him as well. The redhead smiled and returned the hug for a moment before she pulled away. “Oh, sorry, I mean...Speedy! You’re here!”

“Hello to you too Kiddo.” The boy said, the smile still on his lips as he delivered a small, friendly punch to Zephyr’s forearm. “I swear, if my secret identity ever gets leaked it’s going to be because of you.”

“I said sorry!” Zephyr smirked, placing her hands on her hips.

Speedy was tall, at least compared to Zephyr who was a whole head and a half shorter than him. Dark red hair peeked out under his Robin Hood-esk hat, which his red and yellow uniform matched with. Chiseled features and a face that made you think he was angry 24/7 (especially with his mask on), he had a general “stay away” vibe to him, despite the colourful costume.

“I’m glad he’s being nice to you at least, Kid.” Green Arrow cut in, a small smile on his face as he stepped over to stand with his adult colleague. Unlike his protege, Green Arrow's disposition was much sunnier, welcoming, and kind. Almost like that fun Uncle everyone likes at family gatherings. This, paired with his golden hair and green uniform made him a full contrast to his ward.

“The whole fight with Junior and the way here he wouldn’t stop complaining about the fight ‘interfering’ and us being late for ‘the day’.”

Speedy gave his mentor a quick glare, and Zephyr couldn't help but let out a small giggle. The two of them always acted like this, their whole goofy-father-rebellious-son shtick. But those who knew the Star City duo knew that Speedy cared more for his mentor than he made it look.

“Hey, all of us are late. No big.” Robin said, stepping towards Speedy and Zephyr. He motioned to the crowds of people, “They don't seem to mind.”

“Fair enough, Boy Wonder.” Speedy smirked down at the boy. “How you doing Rob´?”

The raven-haired boy shrugged, but returned the slight smile. “You know, same old. Kicking ass and taking names, the usual.”

“That's what I like to hear.” Speedy said, and the two boys fist-bumped.

“Dinah sends her love, as usual.” Green Arrow explained to Zephyr. “She wishes she could be here.”

Zephyr shrugged, but smiled at the blonde archer nonetheless. “C’est la vie, GA. Can’t have the public wondering why she’s here when she doesn’t have her own protege, Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard.”

Green Arrow continued to smile, but looked mildly confused. “I’m...just going to pretend I know what that last part means.”

“Is there any news from anyone else?” Speedy asked the adults.

“Knowing Flash and Kid, they're going to be the last ones here.” Robin laughed. “You know how that superspeed affects punctuality.”

“Last we heard, Aquaman and Aqualad were still fighting Killer Frost in Pearl Harbor.” Green Arrow explained.

“Keyword being 'were’.” The gruff voice of Aquaman was heard and everyone turned to see him and his protege, Aqualad, walking over to the cliff's edge. Aquaman carried himself with a strong dignity, which made sense since he was the literal King of Atlantis. Golden blonde hair and beard, a kind but strong aura, and the traditional orange and green uniform from his country that shined in the summer sun. His protege moved as confidently as his King, but with much more of a smile as he approached his comrades. Aqualad's dark skin and even darker uniform contrasted with his light blonde hair, but in a way that somehow managed to bring out his strong and sharp features.

“About time you got here.” Speedy smirked as Aqualad joined the gathering of teenagers. The two clasped each other's hands in a pseudo-handshake.

“Apologies.” The young Atlantean replied, nodding his head to the others. “We would have made it here sooner but the nearest Zeta-Tube was a ways away.”

“It's seriously fine. Red Tornado and I were the only ones that were here on time, and we're still waiting for the Flashes.” Zephyr explained. As Aqualad turning to look at her, the two of them made eye-contact and the Atlantean knowingly smiled and opened one of his arms. Smiling, Zephyr floated over and happily took the brief hug.

“Oh I see how it is.” Speedy said, causing is two friends to look over at him, slightly pulling apart to do so. “You have no problem yelling out my secret ID for the world to hear, but with Kaldur, nada! Fine, I see where the loyalties lie.”

“Oh calme-toi, Speedy!” Zephyr stuck out her tongue, fully pulling away from Aqualad to face her archer friend. Robin and Aqualad just chuckled, amused by the two’s teasing.

“Did Killer Frost give you any trouble?” Robin asked, changing the subject.

“Not at all. Although I am a little concerned over her...motivations.” Aqualad admitted. “It was said that four ice-powered villains made an attack today?”

Before any of the teens could respond, Batman cut in.

“Today’s attacks are a League priority.” The Gotham Knight growled.

“Don't worry about them, especially not now.” Green Arrow added, becoming the proteges over. As directed, the young heroes stepped forward and took their places by their respective mentors, looking out to the giant hall in front of them.

“Today is the day.” Batman said, in a tone that almost sounded nostalgic.

“Welcome to the Hall of Justice.” Green Arrow grinned.

“Headquarters of the Justice League.” Aquaman added.

“And where the future of your career awaits.” Red Tornado finished.

“I wonder if they rehearsed that…” A small voice whispered in Zephyr’s ear, causing her to hold back a small giggle.

“Aw man!” The voice of a speedster everyone knew suddenly exclaimed from behind the group, and the heroes turned to see a tall man in a red suit, and a much younger teen boy in a contrasting yellow suit screeching to a sliding halt as the encountered the group. “I knew we’d be the last one’s here!”

“Does super-tardiness just come with being a speedster? Cause I’m starting to think it’s a serious side-effect that should be looked into.” Robin smirked at the boy in yellow, causing the latter to glare at his domino-masked friend.

“You can blame Flash, he decided to take his time chatting with Cold.” The young speedster explained. The boy’s hair was in its usual wind-swept manner, a product of his super-speed, and his bright green eyes that could almost be seen from a mile away were full of annoyance and, as the other teens could easily read, a sense of embarrassment. “Even though I warned him…”

“Nearly all of us were late, Kid Flash.” Aqualad assured, offering a small smile in greeting.

“Yes, c’est la vie.” Zephyr added.

“Well, I guess that’s not as bad then.” The red-haired speedster sighed in relief before giving his fellow teens an uneven smile.

“It’s the ones that can disrupt us with just their bodies.” A stern voice muttered, catching Zephyr’s attention. “So impatient, the younger one lacks appreciation for his gifts.”

Rolling her eyes, Zephyr waved her hand to blow the Wind away.

“So...now that we’re all here..?” Speedy said, eyes darting to the building like a child on Christmas morning.

“We should get going.” Batman agreed, and without another word; he started making his way down the side of the cliff towards the sea of people.

Robin quickly turned to face his comrades, a huge toothy grin stretching his face, before running forward to join his mentor. The rest of the duos were quick to follow suit, making their way to the crowds of people waiting for a peek of the famous heroes.

This enthusiasm only seemed to grow to a roaring storm as the ten individuals walked into the reserved path marked by railing barricards. Flashes from cameras and loud, overwhelming levels of cheering encased the heroes like a tunnel of attention and Zephyr found herself tensing her muscles, despite forcing a smile on her face. Fortunately, the feeling of a familiar metal hand touching her shoulder divided her attention and the girl looked up at her robotic mentor.

“Remain calm Zephyr.” The monotone voice spoke quietly as to not be heard by anyone else. “You have earned this praise and attention, ease your breathing and embrace it for the short while.”

Her muscles relaxing, Zephyr’s smile became much more genuine as she nodded. Looking back out to the fans, she waved her hand in greeting, scanning over the excited faces within the frenzy.

“Is that Batman?” A voice spoke over the excitement.

“I see Flash and Flash Jr!” Another spoke. Looking over to their ginger friend, the other teens were slightly amused to see Kid Flash looking mildly put out.

“His name’s Speedy, duh!” Another tourist corrected.

“No, Speedy’s Green Arrow’s sidekick.” Yet another shouted.

“Well that makes no sense.” The initial voice exclaimed.

Robin let out a somewhat loud snort in laughter, only to be elbowed by the speedster in yellow.

“Bite me, Boy Blunder.” Kid Flash hissed.

As Zephyr's eyes scanned the crowd, she quickly became aware of a recurring theme: the Justice League member paraphernalia. T-shirts with the logos of certain members, a few people with brightly coloured posters, children wearing small versions of heroes costumes. There was so much that Zephyr began to wonder where such things were made and sold.

However, one in particular caught her eye and she was quick to reach over and tap Aqualad's shoulder, nodding her head in the direction of a small toddler in their parents’ arms. The small boy was wearing a familiar-looking red shirt, black pants, a silver alpha-symbol-esk A belt, and dark details to complete the look of Atlantean armour. Just like Aqualad's uniform.

“You've got a fan.” Zephyr muttered, and Aqualad responded by grinning and waving to the boy. The parents smiled and gently waved the toddler's hand back.

Not a moment later, Aqualad made eye-contact with Zephyr and nodded in the opposite direction, whispering “Looks like I’m not the only one”.

Right near the front, a young girl-maybe 4 or 5-was standing, waving at Zephyr. What made Zephyr’s heart melt a little, however, was the fact that around her neck hung a gold chair with a encircled ‘Z’ as a charm. The same gold, encircled ‘Z’ that was attached to the left side of Zephyr’s short, hooded-caped, fleece. Upon seeing that Zephyr was looking at her, the young girl grinned and grabbed the necklace to show the young hero. Smiling with a warm heart, Zephyr blew a kiss to the young girl who proceeded to grin up at her mother beside her, the girl’s face so happy that it made Zephyr want to run up and hug the small child.

“Ready to see the inner sanctum?” Green Arrow asked, leaning over to speak to his protege.

“Born that way.” The younger archer replied, a small grin pulling at his lips.

“I am glad we’re all here.” Aqualad remarked, grabbing everyone’s attention away from the crowds.

“Have all five sidekicks ever been in the same place at the same time?” Kid Flash asked excitedly.

“Don’t call us sidekicks, not after today.”

Speedy’s angry interjection caught everyone in the small group by surprise, causing both the adults and the teens to look at him in a mix of concern and curiosity.

“Sorry,” Kid Flash replied after a quick moment, suddenly much more sheepish, “first time at the Hall, I’m a little overwhelmed.”

“You’re overwhelmed, Freeze was underwhelmed. Why isn’t anybody just whelmed?” Robin exclaimed as the group finally crossed the threshold of the white and gold building.

The arches reached high above them as they entered into a large, grand open lobby that felt like, to the teens, they had just stepped into a new, gigantic world. The room had a blue tint to it that made it seem like it was entirely made of metal and plain marble. The only pieces of decor or furnishing in the room visible from the front entrance were seven, enormous, bronze statues of the founding members; Aquaman, Flash, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter. The statues had to have stood at three stories tall at least, and the teenagers suddenly felt much smaller than before.

“Oh.” Robin said, almost under his breath as he stared, wide-eyed at the statues. “Maybe that’s why…”

The proteges’ gaping was cut short as double doors under the statues opened up to reveal a tall figure walking out from them. The individual’s green skin set him apart from the other present Justice League members, making it clear from the start that he wasn’t of this word. His chiseled features and serious looking appearance had a way of commanding respect, even if his black, blue, and red uniform wasn’t exactly the most intimidating.

“Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Zephyr, Kid Flash: welcome.” Martian Manhunter greeted in his deep-sounding voice.

“This is it,” Zephyr thought to herself as the butterflies started flapping in her stomach, “this is the big, crowning moment.”

As Martian Manhunter turned to head back through the doors he just entered from, everyone promptly followed behind. Robin and Kid Flash bumped fists before rushing on ahead, the older teens following on their ankles.

“You now have unlimited access to our gym, fully-stocked gallery, and of course…” As the group stepped into the next room, they found themselves in a large, carpeted area lined with bookshelves. There was a seating area on one side, and a handful of wooden tables with computers, work supplies, and the like on the other. On the opposite end of the room was a giant computer that looked down at the people below. There was also a heavy metal door beside it which stood out against the casual decor. “...our library.”

“Make yourselves at home.” Flash explained as the older heroes made their way over to the far side of the room, by the large computer and the metal doors. Kid Flash and Robin wasted no time running over to claim some of the leather chairs for themselves, and Aqualad and Zephyr quickly followed suit. As there was only one seat left, the Atlantean turned to offer it to Zephyr, but she quickly declined in order to sit on the arm of the seat, letting him take the seat itself.

“Is this okay?” Zephyr asked, offering a small smile as she pulled her hood off. Aqualad smiled back, chuckling softly as he took the now-shared seat.

“Of course.”

Zephyr looked over to Speedy, who was left standing. But he didn’t seem interested in his lack of seating areas, as he simply glared at the Justice League members with tense shoulders and a slight frown.

“Roy?” Zephyr muttered, reaching out to touch his arm and get his attention. But before she could, the sound of Batman’s voice sounded through the room.

“Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of four ice villains attacking on the same day.” The man in black explained. “We shouldn’t be long.”

As a computerized voice began to read off the Leaguer’s names and designations, Zephyr couldn’t help but let a thought cloud her mind.

So Batman doesn’t think it was a coincidence either?

“That’s it?”

Speedy’s angry voice rung through the library, once again catching everybody off-guard. As everyone whirled around to look at the angry red-head, they could see that his tense and stern body language was even more pronounced, more so than nearly anyone present in the room had ever seen from him.

“You promised us a real look inside, not a glorified backstage pass!” Speedy continued.

“It’s a first step.” Aquaman explained calmly. “You’ve been granted access few others get.”

“Oh really?” The archer seemed to only be spurred on by the Atlantean king’s calm as he gestured up to a large window the other teens hadn’t noticed when they came in. More members of the public were watching from behind the clear glass, like the heroes were animals at a zoo. “Who cares what side of the glass we’re on?”

“Roy, you just need to be patient.” Green Arrow tried to calm his protege, but it was obvious to everyone that Speedy’s anger was making him nervous.

“What I ‘need’ is respect!” Speedy said, taking a couple strides towards the adults before waiting a beat and whipping around to address the teens. At the angry gaze suddenly being turned onto them, the four younger youths tensed up, all mentally preparing to be faced with the fury that was Roy Harper.

“They’re treating us like kids! Worse; like sidekicks.” Speedy growled like an angry cat, spitting out the last word like it was sour. “We deserve better than this.”

Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, and Zephyr all glanced at each other, non-verbally confirming that they had no personal qualms with the way today had played out leading up to this point. They looked back at their comrade, all with a certain feeling of anxiety and confusion in their gaze.

“You’re kidding, right?” Speedy asked in a monotone voice, dumbfounded at his peers lack of infuriation. “You’re playing their game? Why? Today was supposed to be the day. Step one to becoming full-fledged members of the League!”

“Well, sure.” Kid Flash said hesitantly. “But I thought step one was a tour of the HQ.”

“Except the Hall isn’t the League’s real HQ!”

The room went still as every Justice League members’ expressions turned to one of panic and shock. The four seated adolescents all straightened up, brows furrowed as their eyes now became fixated on their rebelling friend. Kid Flash’s jaw even dropped, eyes widened in pure and unfiltered surprise.

“I bet they never even told you. It’s just a false front for tourists, and a pit-stop for catching Zeta beam tubes to the real thing; an orbiting satellite called the Watchtower.”

Batman’s icy cold glare could be felt throughout the library, contrasted only by the burning gazes of the confused teenagers. Green Arrow turned around to look back at the cloaked leader of the Justice League, a sheepish smile on his lips.

“I know, I know. But I thought maybe we could make an exception?” As the white slits of Batman’s eyes narrowed, the archer received his silent answer. “Or not…”

Meanwhile, Aquaman decided to step in as the only adult willing to try and tame in the hot-headed redhead, stepping towards Speedy with a slight frown between his brows. “You are not helping your case here son. Stand down or-””Or what? You’ll send me to my room?”

Speedy’s voice was growing more and more venomous as the discussion unfolded, and Zephyr stored away some of her confusion just long enough to move and try calming down her friend, but she was stopped by a webbed hand grasping her arm gently, but firmly. Looking down at Aqualad, he shook his head slightly at Zephyr who understood, and promptly sat back down.

“And I’m not your son, I’m not even his!” Speedy continued, practically spitting at his mentor who he now glared at. “I thought I was his partner…”

“Oh no…”

“But not anymore.”

As if in slow motion, the yellow Robin Hood hat was ripped off it’s perch by its owner and thrown onto the ground at the adult’s feet. Without even waiting a moment to stop and bask in his actions, Speedy turned on his heel and began walking away, straight through the seating area where his colleagues now stood at attention, towards the door the group had entered through.

“Guess they’re right about you four.” Speedy hissed at the shocked teenagers. “You’re not ready.”

As the doors closed behind him, the room was plunged into a thick and heavy silence. Not a single person spoke, both due to the fact that there simply wasn’t anything anyone could say after a bombshell like that, and because nobody wanted to even try. The mentors, save for Green Arrow who stared at the door his ward had just walked out of, were silently watching the other proteges, alert as if preparing for any one of them to throw in their chips with the sudden revolution. The teenagers however, did no such thing as they stayed perfectly still. Aqualad and Zephyr joining Green Arrow by staring at the door, as if waiting for their friend to walk back in; Kid Flash staring down at his feet in thought, his mind racing at a speed so fast his feet would be envious; and Robin, staring right back at his mentor with an expression that couldn’t be read through his mask.

Thankfully for everyone, the silence was broken after a couple moments by the giant monitor beside them coming to life. The initial beeping sound from the machine caught everyone's attention, only to be followed by the image of Superman coming up on the screen. The hero in blue could only be seen from the chest-up but he looked the same as any of the young heroes had always seen him: strong, cheery features, and not a hair out of place.

“Superman to Justice League. There’s been a small explosion at Project Cadmus, it’s on fire.” America’s favorite ‘Blue Boy Scout’ explained.

“The famous and all-powerful Justice League being called in for a mere fire?” A voice whispered into Zephyr’s ear. “Please, we could take care of something like that ourselves. Fire is a weak element, so temperamental and childlike.”

Zephyr rolled her eyes at the voice, but didn’t bother waving it away.

“I’ve had my suspicions about Cadmus.” Batman spoke, turning to speak to the other leaguers. “This could present the perfect opportunity to-””Zatara to Justice League.”

Batman was cut off by another man’s image coming up onto the screen, the aged and mustached face of Zatara the master magician: top hat and all. He looked slightly unnerved, his voice giving an air of panic as his image grew to take over the screen, sliding Superman to the bottom corner.

“The sorcerer Wotan is using the Amulet if Atan to blot out the sun. Requesting full League response.” The magician explained.

“Superman?” Batman asked, looking to his co-leader for confirmation.

“It’s a small fire; local authorities have it under control.”

“See what I mean? Fire is so weak, even a group of weak humans can control it! Pathetic, truely. Why even bother such noble heroes with such a simple task?” The same voice whispered, and although she was amused by the judgement of elements, Zephyr waved the Wind away to focus on the matter at hand.

“Then Cadmus can wait. All Leaguers rendezvous at Zatara’s coordinates. Batman out.” Batman clicked the screen off as the young heroes stepped forward, ready for action

“Stay put.” The cloaked man said quickly before any of the teenagers could say or do anything.

“What? Why?” Robin exclaimed as he and his comrades grew a look of annoyance and betrayal.

“This is a League mission.” Aquaman explained sternly. After the sudden outburst, none of the adults were going to risk anything with leaving room for debate.

“You’re not trained.” Flash added.

“Since when?” The speedster protege barked back.

“I meant you’re not trained to work as a part of this team.” Flash expanded, gesturing to Batman, Aquaman, and himself.

Zephyr turned her gaze to look at her mentor, only to see him entering the zeta-tube; not even looking back at his supposed partner.

“Je n’y crois pas.” The girl muttered under her breath, tearing her angry gaze back to the three men in front of her.

“There will be other missions, when you’re ready.” Aquaman explained.

Each of the teens frowned at this, reminded of Speedy’s final message.

“Guess they’re right about you four. You’re not ready.”

“But for now, stay put.” Batman narrowed his eyes at the teenagers, casting an extra look to his own protege.

And with that, they were gone. Leaving through the zeta-beam tubes and leaving their young counterparts alone in the library.

It only took a moment for one of them to crack.

“When we're ready? How are we ever going to be ready when they treat us like…like…like sidekicks!” Kid Flash faltered, anger building in his muscles as he began to whip around aimlessly.

Aqualad looked down at the ground below him, eyebrows furrowed and a stern look across his features. “My mentor, my King...I thought he trusted me.” Zephyr, who still stood next to him, placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Trust?” Kid Flash spat. “They don't even trust us with the basics! They've got a secret HQ! In space!”

“It makes one wonder…” Zephyr hummed, frowned slightly and dropping her hand as her thoughts unfolded, “if there's more they are not telling us.”

“I've got a better question.” Robin interjected, rolling his shoulders as he looked up. “Why didn't we leave with Speedy?”

A heavy silence fell over the group and each of the young heroes felt their bodies close into themselves as thoughts and tension ran rampant within all of them.

The weight connected to the back of Zephyr’s suit, formed perfectly to her body as to make the hidden compartment nearly invisible, suddenly felt much heavier as she was reminded of the steel blade that lay within it. The silver blade that Roy had specifically made for her after they befriended each other, made up of old refurbished arrowheads.

And what of Red Tornado’s apparent lies? Sure, having a robot for a mentor meant that certain things were lost in translation and communication, it was something Zephyr and he both had to deal with in their own ways. But this was different, he deliberately hid something from her. Not only that, but he lead her to believe that this, today, was special when there was much bigger things at play. He didn’t just leave something out that he believed not to be important, he lied. Plain and simple. And what about Dinah? She was just as guilty here, and she wasn’t even present to see the byproduct.

It was Aqualad who finally broke the silence, his melancholy twisting into curiosity. “What is...Project Cadmus?”

“Don’t know,” Robin muttered, the same curiosity filling him, “but I can find out.”

The Boy Wonder sauntered over to the huge computer and his comrades could only watch as his fingers began to move over the keys.

“Access denied.” The computer spoke.

“Wanna bet?” Robin laughed, embracing the challenge as he began to pick up his pace. His gloved fingers began dancing on the keyboard at what only appeared as inhuman speed, strings of code and other things most of the other teenagers couldn’t understand or decipher popped up and danced along the screen.

“Woah.” Zephyr muttered in awe.

“Woah’s right.” Kid Flash gawked, stepping closer to his best friend. “How are you doing that?”

“Same system as the Batcave.” Robin explained slyly, as if that explained everything.

“Access granted.”

“Alright, Project Cadmus…” Robin began as he scanned through the newly available computer files. “A genetics lab here in D.C., that’s all there is. But if Batman’s suspicious….” his face contorted into one of pure mischief “maybe we should investigate.”

“Oh, I see where this is going…” Zephyr thought.

“Solve their case before they do.” Aqualad smiled, mulling the thought over and over in his head. “It would be poetic justice.”

“Hey,” Robin chuckled, “they’re all about justice.”

“Finally, a mission without that...unfeeling, unnatural thing holding us back!” One voice said, slimy-sounding in nature.

“But is it safe?” Another asked.

“Why should we even go, or even consider going?” Added one more.

“Who’s making me go on a Zephyr mission if not my mentor? What is my motivation here?” Zephyr mentally added for herself. “And would we even be able to do the mission successfully on our own? Would we just end up making things worse?”

Aqualad sighed, his smile faltering. “But they said stay put.”

“For the blotting out the sun mission, not this.” Robin rebutted.

Kid Flash snapped to attention, gazing excitedly at Robin. “Wait, are you going? Cause if you’re going, I’m going.”

The two younger boys turned, grinning up at Zephyr and Aqualad as if they were children begging their parents to buy them a treat. Aqualad and Zephyr looked over at each other, meeting eyes. In that moment, both of them wished they could read each other’s mind and discuss the turn of events privately and calmly. After a moment however, Zephyr sighed in self-defeat and pulled her hood back on.

“Oh putain.”

“I agree if you do Kal.”

And with that, the initial look of piqued interest and excitement filled the Atlantean’s grey-green eyes. Although sparks of uncertainty still pooled in the same depths.

“So just like that? We’re a team on a mission?” The Atlantean asked.

“We didn’t come for a play-date.” Robin smirked.

That was all the convincing he needed.

Translations:

Êtes-vous certain: Are you sure?

C’est la vie: Such is life

Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard: Direct: It doesn’t break three legs to a duck. Meaning: It’s nothing special

(I know, that one’s a little weird, but such is the way of idioms)

Calme-toi: Calm down

Je n’y crois pas: I can’t believe this

Putain: kind of the equivalent of an f-bomb, in this case intended to mean ‘fuck it’

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goforwardgreenwriter-blog · 6 years

Text

The Worm Reads: The Assassin’s Blade, Ch 19-20

SJM either cuts one measly scene into three chapters or crams 100+ long scenes into on chapter so this one is gonna be super fucking long

Celaena dressed in the nicest tunic she’d brought—which wasn’t really anything to admire, but the midnight blue and gold did bring out the turquoise hues in her eyes.

SJM gotta stop bringing attention to Celery’s Mary Sue eyes because I laugh every time I think about them.

Ansel takes Celery to dinner.

Staying alert as they entered the hall was an effort of will. Yet even with her exhaustion, she instinctively scanned the room. There were three exits—the giant doors through which they entered, and two servants’ doors on either end. The hall was packed wall-to-wall with long wooden tables and benches full of people. At least seventy of them in total. None of them looked at Celaena as Ansel ambled toward a table near the front of the room. If they knew who she was, they certainly didn’t care. She tried not to scowl.

This paragraph right here. This sums up everything wrong with this book.

At first while I was reading this, I was like “Yes finally!! Celery is acting like an assassin! It took us two short stories to get here, but we finally did!” And then SJM immediately ruins it by having Celery cry and wail about nobody giving her special attention.

Boo fucking hoo! You’re an assassin, you’re not supposed to stand out, you fucking spoiled asshole!! This character is utter garbage and I hate her so much, this is actually making me enjoy the ending of E0S where she gets the shit kicked out of her and shoved into an iron coffin. Fuck her. Fuck this book.

Ansel mentions some Lord Berick guy, who Celery has never heard of before.

“He’s the villain,” said a curly-haired, dark-eyed man across from Ansel. He was handsome in a way, but had a smile far too much like Captain Rolfe’s for Celaena’s liking. He couldn’t have been older than twenty-five.

Nuance who?

Ansel blathers on about Lord Berick and how he’s the most Evil Guy Ever who wants this part of the desert or some shit. No doubt Celery will beat him in one paragraph if they meet, so who really cares.

Outside of the markets in Rifthold (...) she’d never seen such a mix of different kingdoms and continents. And though most of the people here were trained killers, there was an air of peace and contentment—of joy, even.

This place is way tf better than Arobynn’s shitty assassin joint. Please let us stay here?

Vows of silence, Ansel had explained earlier, were taken for as long as each person saw fit. Some spent weeks in silence; others, years. Ansel claimed she’d once sworn to be silent for a month, and had only lasted two days before she gave up. She liked talking too much. Celaena didn’t have any trouble believing that.

That is quite fucking rich coming from you, Celery.

Celaena felt someone’s attention on her, and tried not to blink when she noticed a dark-haired, handsome young man watching her from a few seats down. Stealing glances at her was more like it, since his sea-green eyes kept darting to her face, then back to his companions.

oh no

Their eyes met, and his tan face spread into a smile, revealing dazzlingly white teeth. Well, he was certainly desirable—as desirable as Sam, maybe.

oh god no why this

SJM has basically skipped out on love triangles (Dorito never had a chance in T0G and Tamlin never had a chance in AC0TAR, and you all know it) but nope, she just had to hit all of the shitty YA tropes. Fucking great. Poor Ilias is probably gonna be put down so Celery can realize Sammy is her one true love.

“I’m surprised you caught Ilias’s eye,” Ansel teased, keeping her voice low enough for only Celaena and Mikhail to hear. “He’s usually too focused on his training and meditating to notice anyone—even pretty girls.” (...) “I’ve known him for years, and he’s never been anything but aloof with me,” Ansel continued. “But maybe he has a thing for blondes.” Mikhail snorted.

Holy shit, is this... self awareness? I mean, both the protagonists of SJM’s big ticket series are skinny blonde white girls who have men drooling left and right for them. I bet that new Creamcheese City novel will also feature a blonde “””strong female character””” as the lead.

Celaena pushed around the food on her plate. It wasn’t that she wasn’t romantic. She’d been infatuated with a few men before—from Archer, the young male courtesan who’d trained with them for a few months when she was thirteen, to Ben, Arobynn’s now-deceased Second, back when she was too young to really understand the impossibility of such a thing.

Dude he’s like a fucking adult and she’s barely 16. Get this nasty shit outta my face. So Celery rescued Ben’s body not because he was a good guy, but because she used to have the hots for him?? This is actually gross.

Mikhail asks why Celery’s master beat the shit out of her, and she kisses her own ass for a moment or two while telling the story of freeing the slaves.

“But if the two hundred slaves that I freed are telling the story, then no, I suppose I didn’t deserve it.” None of them were smiling anymore. “Holy gods,” Ansel whispered. True silence fell over their table for a few heartbeats.

HFAKHDKAHDKAHDS I AM GOING TO LOSE MY SHIT

STOP!! MAKING!! EVERYONE!! SPLOOGE!! OVER!! CELERY!! IM SICK OF READING IT GET IT OUT OF MY FACE

The next day (I think?), Ansel takes Celery out to do some running and Celery is pissy that she isn’t immediately getting special attention from the Mute Master. Good to see Celery will never change in her selfish, whiny ways.

Celery fucking sucks at the run to the oasis and everyone continues to lap her.

A small oasis, mostly a ring of trees and a giant pool fed by a shimmering stream, was barely an eighth of a mile away. She was Adarlan’s Assassin—at least she’d made it here.

Stop reminding me she’s Adaran’s Assassin, I fucking know. Remember how I said at the beginning that Celery doesn’t splooge over herself as much as Alien does? Yeah I take it back, Celery is even more obnoxious.

Later on Ansel tries to stroke Celery’s fragile precious little ego by saying she did worse on her first run.

“My first run, I collapsed. Mile two. Completely unconscious. Ilias found me on his way back and carried me here. In his arms and everything.” Ilias’s eyes met with Celaena’s, and he smiled at her. “If I hadn’t been about to die, I would have been swooning,”

No Ilias/Ansel/Celery love triangle, please.

Celaena blushed, suddenly too aware of Ilias’s attention, and took a sip from her cup of lemon water. As the meal wore on, her blush remained as Ilias continued flicking his eyes toward her. She tried not to preen too much. But then she remembered how miserably she’d performed today— how she hadn’t even gotten a chance to train—and the swagger died a bit.

Celaena made her best attempt to look casual as she, too, stood and bid everyone good night. As she turned away, she noticed that Mikhail took Ansel’s hand and held it in the shadows beneath the table.

Apparently Ansel and Mikhail are a thing? I literally don’t care. Mikhail has said like what, five words this entire story? They’re literally just together because SJM can’t stand the idea of having any single characters (unless they’re evil).

Celery chases down The Master to demand her special snowflake treatment.

The Master paused, his white clothes rustling around him. He offered her a little smile. Up close, she could certainly see his resemblance to his son. There was a pale line around one of his fingers— perhaps where a wedding ring had once been. Who was Ilias’s mother? Of course, it wasn’t at all the time for questions like that.

Yeah, no shit Celery. Why are you such an idiot?

The Mute Master is like “wait your turn” and leaves. Ilias shows up for shipping fuel I guess?

“I have no plans to hurt him,” she said softly. But Ilias gave her a half smile, his brows rising as if to ask if she could blame him for being protective of his father.

Maybe I’m a softie, but this endeared me to him somewhat. He seems like a nice guy, which is more than what you get with 95% if SJM’s male characters. How come all of Celery’s love interests Rowboat who are waaay better characters than her?

His eyes were vivid in the torchlight, his hand firm and warm around hers. She let go of his fingers. The son of the Mute Master and the protégée of the King of the Assassins. If there was anyone here who was at all similar to her, she realized, it was Ilias. Rifthold might be her realm, but this was his.

Human brain: don’t get attached, Celery is an asshole

Monkey brain: hhhhhh parallels between partners in a ship...love....

Not that Ilias and Celery are/will be a thing, but you know. I’m a sucker for shit like this.

Ilias suddenly began making a series of motions with his long, tan fingers, but Celaena laughed softly. “I have no idea what you’re trying to say.” Ilias looked skyward and sighed through his nose. Throwing his hands in the air in mock defeat, he merely patted her on the shoulder before passing by

Ilias is a good, pure boy. I’d read a story where Sammy goes to the desert instead of Celery and him and Ilias fall in love and hold hands under the shade of the desert night. Hngh, I really wish I could be reading that fanfic instead of this novel.

As she walked back to her room, Celaena had a horrible feeling that here, being Adarlan’s Assassin might not count for much.

Celery says this like we’re supposed to feel sorry for her, but back in Arobynn;s Assassin joint she flaunts her title around and rubs it in everyone’s face so yeah, you don’t get sympathy from me.

“How long have you been seeing him?” Ansel was silent for a long moment before answering. “Since I was fifteen.” Fifteen! Mikhail was in his midtwenties, so even if this had started almost three years ago, he still would have been far older than Ansel. It made her a little queasy.

Oh. My. God.

See, I personally don’t like huge age gapes in ships (that’s just my personal preference, don’t fucking @ me) but Celery you literally said earlier you were in love with Ben, a fucking grown man, when you were a young teenager you fucking hypocrite!!!!!!!! God I fucking hate Celery!!!!!!!

With nothing else to distract her, Celaena eventually returned to thinking about Sam. Even weeks later, she had no idea how she’d somehow gotten attached to him, what he’d been shouting when Arobynn beat her, and why Arobynn had thought he’d need three seasoned assassins to restrain him that day.

Pretty simple answers. You got attached to Sammy because a) SJM wanted you to so she forced you to start thirsting for him, and b) you realized “oh hey Sammy is a good guy maybe I shouldn’t imagine myself slitting his throat”. What Sammy was shouting will be revealed later to my knowledge, and as for the 3 assassins thing... idk, tbh. I mean, Sammy is just a teenager boy, one big buff assassin should be enough to restrain him.

This chapter finally ends thank fucking god. We still have one more to go for today.

[Celaena] did run farther the next day. And the day after that, and the one following that. But it still took her so long to get back that she didn’t have time to seek out the Master. Not that she could. He’d send for her. Like a lackey.

Stop trying to make me feel bad for Celery being ignored if she’s just gonna splooge about how ~special and uhmayzing~ she is.

Like the assassins in Adarlan, the Silent Assassins weren’t known for any skill in particular—save the uncannily quiet way they moved.

That seems kinda odd. Assassins should be talented at many ways of disposing of people yeah, but wouldn’t it make more sense for some of them to have a knack for a certain type of killing, such as using poisons?

Still, even as [the assassins] corrected her posture and showed her new ways to control her breathing, she tried her best not to snarl at them. She knew plenty—she wasn’t Adarlan’s Assassin for nothing.

If I have to read that fucking sentence one more time I am ripping this book in half. No joke, I am a hair’s length away from not finishing this fucking book. Even E0S never got me to want to throw the towel in completely and quit like this.

Perhaps if she demonstrated that she was skilled enough in these practices, the Master might take notice of her. She’d get that letter. Even if she had to hold a dagger to his throat while he wrote it.

Wow, asshole! You have to put in the tiniest amount of effort to learn and talk to people and you’re already resorting to violence??? You really are a weak and stupid protagonist and I hate you with every fiber of my being.

The attack by Lord Berick happened on her fifth night.

This made me sit up in my seat, to be honest. We finally get.... plot? Promises of action? Assassins versus assassins? Holy shit, I’m hype!

Apparently the attack happens oh so conveniently when the Mute Master and a bunch of assassins are away on a mission. Celery acknowledges this as extremely convenient, which leads me to believe there may be a rat in the assassin fortress. If not, then this is laughably stupid and convenient.

“We’re not going to kill [the soldiers]?” Celaena whispered back. (...) Ansel shook her head, watching Ilias down the line. “No, though I wish we could.” Celaena didn’t particularly care for the casual way she said it

Why would that fucking bother you?? Don’t act all high and mighty asshole, you’re an assassin the same as her. You both kill people for a living. Jesus fucking christ.

They all fire some burning arrows at an oil ridge in the sand or something which scares off Lord Berick’s goons. The scene ends.

I’m not even joking, this entire scene takes up a page and a tiny paragraph of another. I... I’m fucking speechless. You promise us an action scene and you give us this shitty, glossed over pile of garbage that serves no point? No named characters were even injured!!!!!! Holy fucking shit, SJM, you are a terrible terrible terrible writer! Please fucking stop, I can’t handle any more of these dumpster fires of novels.

The next day Mikail tells Ansel she has orders to go to Xandria, and she invites Celery to go along with, I assume Xandria is a place.....? This chapter ends. I am going to drown myself in chocolate chip cookies to heal.

#the worm talks #the worm reads: tab #anti sjm #anti tab #anti tog #holy fucking shit........

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