#and like. have yammered about this in a previous post but I think part of his nasty rant at Miles is abt offloading some of that suppressed | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tothemeadow · 3 years

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‘the doctor’ / Midoriya x Reader

Uwu, this is the first official post that hasn’t been imported from the other blog ( ´ ω ` ) Also, this has been sitting around on my computer for the past two months, so enjoy these crumbs while I strive to finish up the semester!

warnings: NSFW, doctor/patient relationship, grinding, heavy petting, fascination for hybrids?, y’all fuck but I didn’t write the whole thing

words: 3,752

(a/n): hehehehehe add this to the list of taboo relationship works I’ve done

“The doctor will see you now.”

The secretary sitting behind the desk flashes you a smile as you pass by her. The two of you are already on a first name basis, considering that you have biweekly checkups. With a quirk like yours, it can be detrimental to your health if it goes unchecked for too long. You have enough meds in your system to possibly knock out a small child, but you’ve long since grown used to it.

Still, as you pass from the waiting room and into the hall leading to numerous checkup rooms, your palms feel impossibly clammy. Your previous doctor recently retired after spending so many years in the field, and now you were supposed to meet your new doctor. Granted, your previous one told you many great things about this new kid, about how he’ll take great care of you. You’re not too confident in the sudden change, but it can’t be helped. Unless you wanted to suffer horribly, you had to seek some type of help.

Shuffling to room number six, you silently close the door behind you and take a deep breath. Your intestines feel unusually tight, ache with an indescribable force. Despite your quirk being a relatively simple one – doggification, which essentially means you have the characteristics and properties of a dog – your body could never get quite a grasp on it. Despite looking entirely like a human, your telltale features are the ears and tail protruding from your body. Even now, you can tell your ears are flat against your head and your tail is tucked between your legs.

Gently, you sit on the table, the parchment paper crinkling under your weight. Wringing your hands, you will your breathing to ease, your mind to relax. It’s only the doctor’s office, nothing more, nothing less. You’ve been here practically all your life, so what gives? Oh, that’s right – a new doctor who you’ve never met before.

A few minutes pass; nothing happens besides the tick tock tick tock of the lone clock hanging from the wall, the slight hum from the lightbulbs. Your nerves feel raw, your heart frantic, your breathing irregular. You constantly remind yourself that you’re fine, you’re just nervous. You’re here for a reason, after all. If you want to continue living healthily, you need this treatment. There’s no point in chickening out now.

Just then, the door swings open; you jump in your place as you snap back to reality. Pulse quickening, you’re left wide-eyed as the doctor comes in. He’s nothing like you were expecting – instead of some elderly gentleman like your previous doctor, this new guy is young. He’s ridiculously cute, a mess of green curls piled on his head and a burst of freckles adorning his skin. For a doctor, he surprisingly has an athletic build, so you’re left wondering if he exercises regularly or played a sport in school. But oh, the way his scrubs cling to his meaty arms, stretch over his thick thighs. It’s almost ridiculous how baby-faced he is, especially compared to his Adonis-like body.

Without you knowing, your ears and tail stand to attention, curious about this newcomer.

The doctor flashes you a pearly smile as he reaches a hand towards you. “(y/n)? I’m Doctor Midoriya. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Doctor Midoriya.

Yeah, you like the sound of that. And the way your name rolls off your tongue? Perfection.

Hesitantly, you reach out a hand and grasp onto his for a handshake. His hand is large, fingers long and spindly, and his grip is strong. They’re actually pretty, dotted with freckles and striped with scars. Interesting, you muse, wondering just exactly what he did to get scars like that.

“So,” Doctor Midoriya starts, pulling away and planting himself on the stool stationed by the counter, “doggification, huh? You have a typical hybrid quirk, so it seems.” Pausing for a moment, he glances at his notes attached to his clipboard. “But, since you’re part Doberman pinscher, you suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy. The breed usually has problems regarding that, right?”

You nod in confirmation. “Yeah. Apparently, many owners don’t know their dogs have it until they collapse on the ground. I uh, I’ve been dealing with this my whole life, so….”

You really, really like the gentle expression Doctor Midoriya gives you. His cheeks look squishy despite his sharp jawline, lips a delicate shade of dusty rose… Shit, he’s beautiful yet he chose to become a doctor.

“Doctor Torino left his previous files, and I’ve been studying them before he retired,” he explains, drawing himself to a stand. “He was great, wasn’t he? I’m sorry if I don’t own up to your expectations.” Crossing over to the table, he unloops the stethoscope from around his neck and sticks the buds in his ears. “I need you to breathe in and out for me, nice and slow,” he tells you, pressing the cool metal to your chest.

You go through the usual routines, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Doctor Midoriya hums in which you assume is a good way; you can feel your skin heating up whenever large green eyes flick to your face, digging in right to your soul.

“It’s okay to be nervous,” he says, voice low. The deep rumble sets your nerves alight, your insides pulsing. Dare you say it, but you’re disappointed when he pulls away, looping the stethoscope back around his neck. He scribbles something onto his clipboard, his lips pursed in thought. You take the opportunity to study his side profile, the dainty curve of his nose, the angle of his jaw. How big is this guy, anyway? He’s huge for a doctor.

“I’m six-three, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he chirps, tossing down his pencil. He laughs at the startled expression playing on your face. “Sorry, sorry… A uh, a lot of people ask me that, you know? And I typically get a good read on what people are thinking, so… Yeah! Some people used to call me tree in med school! You know, because of the green hair and all…” Clearing his throat awkwardly, he walks back over to where you sit. “How have you been feeling since your last visit?”

Subconsciously rubbing at your chest, you send him a mere shrug. “I’ve been better, I’ve been worse. I’m just bummed Doctor Torino left on such short notice.”

“That makes two of us,” Doctor Midoriya admits, rubbing the back of his neck with a hand. “He’s such a great mentor and all, don’t get me wrong, but it sucks that his time is up.”

Cocking your head, your ears twitch with interest. “Mentor?”

At that, Doctor Midoriya’s face lights up. “Oh! Yeah! I had my internship with Doctor Torino, and he taught me so much!”

“Internship…? Really? I don’t remember seeing you around whenever I had appointments with him.”

“Nah, I don’t think so. I would’ve remembered seeing someone like you!” He giggles – giggles – at his own words, but then it quickly dies down as realization crosses his features. “Wait, wait!” he says frantically, waving his hands before him. “I didn’t mean to sound creepy or anything like that! It’s just that you don’t see hybrids very often, and you’re a dog, and I happen to really like dogs, and I-“ His yammering turns into an incoherent mumble, then, as he awkwardly wrings his hands together.

Heh. He’s pretty cute.

“It’s okay to be nervous,” you say, shooting his own words back at him. “You’re a newbie, right? You’re awfully young for a doctor.”

To your pleasant surprise, Doctor Midoriya blushes. Instinctively, he claps a hand over his mouth and looks away. Again, he clears his throat. “I graduated last year, actually. So yeah, I’m still new to this whole thing, but I want to help as much as I can!” Turning back to you, his flustered expression melts into a determined one. “And since you’re my first serious patient, you can rely on me. I promise to take real good care of you, mark my words.”

You smile. “I look forward to it, Doctor. I expect you to keep that promise.”

Three months. Three solid months.

Hypothetically, you should be thrilled being in Doctor Midoriya’s presence so often. Realistically, it’s pure torture.

How this guy doesn’t realize he’s easily the hottest person in the room is beyond you, plus his personality is downright adorable. It’s funny, really, how you’re the one with the dog quirk yet he’s the one who acts more like one. He gets excited over the simplest of things, and you were quick to realize that he’s a giant nerd. It’s clear that he’s got a brain in that skull of his – and, if you’re being entirely honest, it makes Doctor Midoriya that much more attractive.

His constant murmuring and chippering never fail to put a smile on your face. With every appointment you have with him, you purposefully bring up a topic he’s bound to show some interest in just to hear him talk. So yeah, you might be infatuated with your insanely hot doctor, but who can blame you? He’s kindhearted, smart, good-looking, has a good job…. Okay, and maybe he’s packing down south. It’s not your fault that his scrubs clung to his body that one time. You just happened to notice it.

You doubt he’s doing these kind of things on accident. Hell, Doctor Midoriya blatantly flirts with you, for crying out loud. Well, it’s actually more subtle than that, but the point still stands.

“(y/n)?” Doctor Midoriya calls out as he enters the room, the door sliding shut behind him. Warmth floods your chest as your tail sets off in a slow wag. He laughs at your reaction, that toothy smile of his forming on his face. Just like every other time he shows it, you fall a little bit deeper for him.

“Doctor Midoriya,” you greet. Your fingers dig into the table as you bite down on your bottom lip. He looks good, dark blue scrubs shaping his figure nicely. You, on the other hand, stick to a simple pair of gym shorts and t-shirt. It’s a hot day outside, after all.

As Doctor Midoriya scribbles something down on his handy clipboard, you slowly spread your legs further apart. It’s a slight bit, nothing more, but the movement seems to catch his attention. Setting down his pencil, you notice how his eyes linger on your bared thighs for a moment longer than what’s considered appropriate. Slipping the stethoscope from around his neck, he gets up from his stool and crosses to wear you sit.

“Any problems lately?” he asks, voice as professional as always. Sneaky bastard, trying to pretend like he wasn’t just staring at your thighs.

“Besides the weather, not really. The heat makes things a bit easier, though,” you tell him.

Doctor Midoriya hums. Pressing the end of the stethoscope to your chest, he tells you to breathe in and out, nice and deep. “I’m not hearing any abnormalities in your breathing,” he says simply, switching to your back instead. “Besides the DCM, you’re in wonderful health.”

“That’s a relief,” you mutter.

He continues to go through the regular routine of your biweekly checkup. Soon enough, he’s looking through a scope at your dog ears, checking for any signs of an incoming infection. Try as you might, but you enjoy the way he caresses your ear, leaning into his touch as your tail takes off wagging. Doctor Midoriya chuckles, indulging in your wants and giving your ears a proper scratch.

“You really are like a dog,” he points out, his tone lighthearted. “A cute little puppy.” And there he goes, blessing your ears with his giggle. As you glance at him, you see the pretty blush adorning his cheeks, the gleam of mirth in his large eyes.

Puppy.

For some ungodly reason, you really like the way it sounds coming from his mouth.

“You shouldn’t be referring to your patients with a pet name, Doctor,” you drawl.

The blush on his face darkens. In true fashion, he hastily looks away and awkwardly coughs into his fist. “My apologies,” he murmurs. “If… If it’s any consolation, your ears are really soft…”

A small smile pulls at the corners of your lips. “I’m only teasing,” you reassure.

He flinches.

Teasing.

“Besides, you said you really like dogs, right? I think puppy is cute.”

Doctor Midoriya looks back to you. “…Really?”

You nod. “I do.”

For a moment, neither one of you say anything. The look in Doctor Midoriya’s eyes is unreadable; whether that’s a good thing or not, you’re not entirely too sure. He’s usually easy to get a read on, but like this… It’s nearly impossible.

“Do you mind if we check your flexibility? It’s just touching your toes, nothing more. If your back is out, I’ll recommend some chiropractors.”

Okay, strange. You figure he wants to change the subject – you know, and do his job – so you do as he says, hopping down from the table and stepping away. As you bend over, your fingertips skimming the toes of your sneakers, large hands splay out on your back. You jolt from the contact, your breath catching in your throat. Their movements are calculated, feeling along your spine for any sort of abnormality. You can practically feel Doctor Midoriya’s eyes boring into you; the hairs on your arms and the back of your neck come a stand as you wait for him to do something, anything.

“Your spine feels fine,” he tells you. “You feel a bit tense, though. Do you bend over a lot?”

Excuse me?

You scoff. “I’m bending over right now, aren’t I?”

Doctor Midoriya makes some weird choking sound. “No, no, that’s not what I meant! I meant when you sit or something like that…!”

“I’m teasing, Doctor. Relax.” You wiggle underneath his touch. “Am I allowed to stand straight now?”

You can practically feel the tension radiating off him. “I… Not yet. I need to check one last thing, okay?” Again, he uses that low, husky pitch, the one that reverberates deep in his chest. This is only the second time you’re hearing it, but fuck does it make your insides squeeze and your breath hitch.

Before your mind can completely register it, Doctor Midoriya’s large hands are on your ass, kneading the ample flesh through your shorts. A slight groan slips from your mouth at the unexpected contact. Shit, his hands are even larger than you originally thought, his grip rough and demanding.

“Does it hurt?” he continues, his voice staying as it is, making your brain turn delirious.

“N-no,” you stutter. You immediately cuss yourself out internally. A sharp gasp breaks from your throat as one of his hands grips the base of your tail and gives it a slight tug.

“How about now?”

You wince as he does it again. “Yes, okay?” you seethe through clenched teeth. “Just don’t… Don’t tug on my tail like that.”

“So, your ears and tail are sensitive,” Doctor Midoriya mumbles to himself. “Interesting.”

“Doctor, what are you even going on about-“

At that very moment, those strong hands of his yank you backwards, your ass colliding with his pelvis. Heart leaping to your throat, you’re left scrambling for a shred of reality. Doctor Midoriya leans over you, his muscular chest pressing into your back. He’s so warm, and he oddly smells like mint, but it’s not like you’re going to complain anytime soon.

“This is such a bad idea,” he confesses into your ear, “but you’re just so cute, puppy. You like it when I call you that, right?”

“Doctor-“

“Tell me to stop,” he continues, a frantic edge to his voice now, “tell me I’m a disgusting pervert. I shouldn’t be doing this, but shit… I’ve been fantasizing about holding you this close.” Subconsciously, he rocks his hips into you, his engorged cock grinding into your ass.

Shit, shit, is this really happening? Your doctor has just fessed up to fantasizing about you, and, to be quite frank, you’re a bit too happy to hear that. It’s not like he’s the only one feeling this way; you’ve had your fair share of dreams over the months, most of them with him in between your legs in some fashion.

Straightening up, you reach back and grab him by the back of the neck, balancing yourself in his grip. A breathless noise fills your ear as you grind back against him, your nails scratching into his nape.

“O-oh,” he says, the sound delightfully raspy as it fills your ear.

“You aren’t the only one who’s been thinking of things,” you confess, your voice sounding equally as strained. Again, some unholy noise slips from his dusty lips, the grip on your hips tightening ever so slightly.

“Puppy… Don’t say things like that.”

You bark out a laugh. “Don’t tell me you’re going soft, Doctor. Acting like you’re in charge one moment and then like a scared little bunny the next. A big boy like you should choose one and stick with it.”

Now you’ve done it. Like merely flicking a switch, Doctor Midoriya moans into your ear as he spins you around and stumbles backwards, ass landing on the examination table with you in tow. You squeak in surprise as he easily drags you into his lap, lifting you up as though you weighed next to nothing. The lustful haze in his eyes is evident, the blush adorning his face making his freckles pop.

“Shit,” you curse, eyelids fluttering as his cock rubs frantically against your ass. Again, another surprised noise escapes your mouth as he bounces you in his lap, his clothed erection grinding against your ass and sex. A sliver of tongue peeks from between his teeth, the gleam in his eyes nothing short of determination.

“This is so wrong,” Doctor Midoriya murmurs, his fingertips digging harshly into your ass. “But you like it, right? Right, puppy? You want me to fuck you, right? Right?”

Goddammit-

“Yes,” you grit, fingers clutching at his broad shoulders while your tail impatiently smacks against his thighs. “Come on, Doc, treat me like the good little puppy I am.”

You should’ve expected this, really. An almost animalistic whimper bursts from the back of his throat as he surges forward, shoving his tongue into your mouth. He tastes like cherry lip balm and the lingering sweetness of a cough drop – it’s an odd mixture, but not one that you dislike. Months of built-up tension are finally breaking free from the dam, desperate movements and slurred words quickly taking over your mind. Doctor Midoriya is somewhat sloppy with his kisses, but the way he sucks on your tongue and grinds his cock into you is heavenly.

Fingers skimming over the swell of his pecs and the rigid lines of his abs, Doctor Midoriya shudders at your fluttering touch. You swallow his moan as your hands drift under the shirt of his scrubs, heated skin and a fine trail of hair greeting your fingertips.

Pulling away, Doctor Midoriya pants heavily as you continue to pet his lower abdomen, his cock twitching beneath you. “Wait, wait,” he breathes, hands inching around towards your front, “can we – Can we touch each other?”

“As long as you keep quiet,” you murmur, tongue flicking across your lower lip. “Don’t want the others to know that Doctor Midoriya is a bad boy, hmm?” At that, a high-pitched groan emits from his chest as you shove your hand under the band of his underwear, hand circling around the base of his cock.

“Fuck, puppy, that feels good…”

Quickly following your lead, he slips a hand into your undies; his strong fingers immediately seek out the sensitive spot of your sex, causing your back to arch into his touch. A low, drawn out curse seeps from your mouth as you feel your arousal starting to coat his fingers.

“I guess being a doctor has its benefits, huh?” Doctor Midoriya mutters, tone dropping into that husky pitch once more. Even more of your arousal practically gushes over his fingers, your insides tightening around nothing. Two can play at this game, dammit.

Soon, the two of you are heavily petting each other, wrists flicking and fingers digging into sensitive flesh perfectly. Both your ears and tail lay flat as you pant into his neck, your thighs beginning to quiver with want. Doctor Midoriya isn’t fairing any better, his cock weeping precum as he mumbles incoherently. Maybe it’s the enticing little pants breaking through his puffy lips, or maybe it’s the sinful schlick schlick of your hand around his fat cock, but fuck do you want him inside of you, fucking you stupid.

“Doctor,” you purr, pushing yourself up onto your knees. “Have I been a good puppy? Will you fuck me with your cock and make me yours?” You nearly smile as he twitches in your hand at your filthy words.

Feebly nodding, Doctor Midoriya reluctantly pulls his hands away from you, opting to yank down his bottoms and underwear so they’re stretched around his meaty thighs instead. Your mouth practically waters at the sight of his cock – darker than the rest of his skin and veiny like his hands, he’s just as big as you expected, maybe even bigger. Still, you hastily yank down your own offensive clothing and slip back onto his lap, hovering over his twitching cock.

Doctor Midoriya thickly swallows. “I’m… I’m clean. You don’t have to worry- Fuck, oh my god!” Slapping a hand over his mouth, he groans deeply as you sheathe yourself on him, eyes nearly rolling towards the back of your head at the stretch. Yeah, he’s definitely huge.

For a moment, you allow yourself to grow used to the feeling of him inside. This is really happening; all caution is being thrown to the wind, repercussions be damned. He’s finally in your grasp, and you don’t plan on letting him go any time soon. “You said you wanted to fuck me, Doctor,” you mutter into his ear, your hips beginning to swivel. “Do it like you mean it.”

Again, that determined expression crosses his features. “With a challenge like that, who I am to decline?” Adjusting his grip on your ass, he easily lifts you up and drops you back on his cock, eliciting a breathy moan to fall from your swollen lips. “Don’t worry, puppy – as your doctor, I’m going to take real good care of you…"

#mha #bnha #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #mha x reader #bnha x reader #midoriya x reader #deku x reader #midoriya izuku x reader #izuku midoriya x reader #midoriya izuku #izuku midoriya #mha midoriya #bnha midoriya

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supraveng · 4 years

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Moving On (2/?)

part 1

Summary: you have to confront your past….what could go wrong

Characters: former Bucky Barnes x reader, Sam Winchester x reader, Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff, Steve Rogers, Thor Odinson

A/N: here is the angsty piece, it will have at least 2 more chapters; does not follow any MCU story line; attempting an MCU/SPN crossover; let me know if you want to be tagged in the next chapters

@iamwarrenspeace @mythandmagik @lieswithoutfairytales @bbmommy0902 @hailmary-yramliah @jessyballet

Returning back to the compound after the 3 day mission was bittersweet, you missed your daughter but not being able to get Roman locked up made you want to continue the task until it was truly completed. By the time you made it back, it was late and everyone was sleeping but you were far too wired to sleep any time soon so after checking on Joy and Kevin, you made your way to the common room for a night cap.

Everyone had their own post mission tradition, Sam and Steve hit the gym, Nat and Wanda headed to the movie room, but Bucky was in the kitchen making food. You walked in to get ice for your whiskey and froze in the doorway just watching him.

He addressed without turning around "hope you are hungry, I made a lot more food than I can eat'' “only if your cooking skills have improved, I don’t want food poisoning” you joked as you stepped closer and took a deep inhale of the food he was making.

Looking at him shocked, “you’re making curry chicken?” “Well, i know it’s your favorite and we haven’t had time to sit and talk, so consider this a peace offering” he shyly smiles at you while he hands you a full bowl and nods his head toward the table.

“Go sit, I’ll grab us a few beers and join you”, you smile and nod as you sit down at the table and slowly take your first bite. The food is amazing and you are completely shocked that Bucky threw this together, he was never one to do more than boil water or call for take out.

The two of you sat in a comfortable silence while you ate, it was nice being friends with Bucky again, but you knew you need to discuss what went wrong if you wanted to truly restore your friendship.

“Well Barnes, I am impressed, this is delicious” you told him with a smile. “I’m glad you like it, and if you are going to be here more often, I’ll learn to make some of your other favorites” he grinned at you.

“Bucky..” you sighed “I don’t think I’ll be back in NY much, I’m based in DC now and I have a great life there, I miss the team, but this isn’t my home any more” you tell him solemnly.

“I thought we were going to talk, so we could fix us, you aren’t even gonna give us a chance?” he was angry and you didn’t understand why. He was the one who decided he didn’t want to be with you any more. He made that choice and you were the one to figure out how to live with it.

“Bucky, I agreed to talk and get our friendship back, but there can’t be an us. I’m sorry, but It’s too late for us” you try to remain calm but you are shocked that he thought one dinner would fix everything.

“I still don’t know why you dumped me like you did, and that was hard for me to deal with, but then seeing you a week later with some up and coming model on your arm at Tony’s party, it made me understand that what I thought we had was never real. I had no choice but to move on, and right now, I’m not even sure there is a friendship to salvage” you stood and cleared your plate, rinsing it and placing it into the dishwasher before looking back at Bucky.

“I don’t know what else to do here, so I’m going to turn in before either of us say anything we are going to regret. Goodnight” and with that you headed towards your room. Immediately getting back into your room, you checked that Joy was still sound asleep, then headed to take a long shower.

The heat from the water washing away the stress from the failed mission and the tension in your muscles from the short conversation with Bucky. After drying off, you went to pull your pj’s from your clothes when something else caught your eye, an oversized plaid flannel shirt was tucked among the t-shirts you had packed. With a huge smile on your face you buttoned up the shirt and crawled into bed, falling asleep almost instantly with the added comfort surrounding you.

~~~~

Before you had fully woken up there was a knock at your door, you opened it to find Bucky with a sheepish grin. “I was hoping to talk to you before things got crazy, can I come in?” you nodded and stepped to the side. “I came to say that you are right. Steve helped me understand that it’s not fair after all this time to expect you to forgive me or take me back, and obviously you have a family now, but i wanted to apologize and explain what happened” he told you as you both sat on the couch.

“Thank you Bucky, and I accept your apology, but there’s no need to explain, we’ve both moved on and it's in the past. I know you are a good man, and whatever made you decide to end things was probably to spare me in some weird way. I’m ok, and I’m happy where I am now, and that wouldn’t have been possible if we hadn’t ended the way we did.” you smile at him, almost thanking him but you weren’t there yet.

“Yea, you’re right, let’s move on and be the friends we used to be, please?” “That works for me” you stood up and hugged Bucky, as mad as you once were, he was a good person and deserved forgiveness. Just as you were about to speak you both heard the soft murmuring from Joy in the next room.

“I need to get her, but can we join you for breakfast?” he nods as he heads back out to the hallway. By the time you were heading into the common room, most of the team was there in multiple varieties of awakeness.

When FRIDAY announced a visitor coming up in the elevator you gave a questioning look to Tony who just shrugged. You were too busy cutting up fruit and pancakes for Joy to notice that the elevator had dinged and footsteps were coming towards you, until they stopped behind you, Joy’s eyes lit up and she screamed “daddddyyy”.

Turning around you gasped when you saw your fiancé standing behind you with a big wonderful grin. Joy was crawling out of her chair as quickly as her little legs could carry her in order to reach her father as fast as she could. He immediately scooped her up and pulled you into a hug, his warmth and scent making you feel calm and relaxed, home, you thought.

When you finally broke apart and Joy started yammering on about all that had happened since you arrived you looked over at Tony, who was surprisingly quiet. You wanted to question him, but the only thing that came out was a huge thank you.

Once Joy settled you thought it best you introduced him to the team “So, everyone, this is Sam Winchester, honey, these are the Avengers” you gestured to the table of your longtime friends. “I can’t believe you are here, and so early” you joked.

“What can I say, I missed my girls so much I ditched my morning run and hoped on a flight” he shrugged before leaning in to kiss Joy on the forehead.

“Well, we were headed out for our run, we can wait for you to change if you want to join us?” Steve told him without really thinking about the whole situation.

“Heck yea, running with Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, I’m not passing up that opportunity” he almost yelled with excitement. You giggled at how star struck he seemed, remembering how he was very nonchalant the first time he met Tony, until you were back at your apartment and he could fangirl all over.

“Is that ok? I just got here, I don’t want to just bail on you, babe” he asked almost worried about your response. Shaking your head you waved him on “it’s fine, go and enjoy your run” he placed a kiss to your lips before heading off to change. “my daddy wun weally fas” Joy told the table and you just nodded as you laughed.

“Well, you guys have a good run, and hey, now Steve and Bucky each have their own Sam to lap” you and the others laughed as the four headed to the elevators.

“You don’t seem worried about Bucky and Sam spending time together” Nat mentioned as you started to clean up from breakfast. “I’m not, Bucky and I talked, he apologized, I forgive him and Sam already knows everything, there’s nothing to worry about” you told.

“Everything everything, or the cliff notes everything?” she asked. Always the interrogator you shook your head and smirked at her. “Everything, everything, this is the man I am spending the rest of my life with, he knows it all”

“Even the kinky shit?” Wanda whispered, hoping your daughter wasn’t hearing the conversation. You laughed harder and turned toward the two of them, wondering how much you should divulge.

“Let’s just say, Winchester kinky is on a whole different level than Barnes kinky…..and I am done discussing this topic with little ears close by” you left the two women gawking as you took your daughter to get cleaned up and dressed to spend the afternoon playing with Morgan.

Once you had gotten yourself ready for the day, you headed to the gym for a light workout with Nat and Wanda knowing the previous conversation would probably come up again. As you arrived in the gym you were surprised to see Thor, he had just arrived from Asgard and brought you into a bone crushing hug almost immediately.

“Lady Y/N, it has been too long, but you look as radiant as ever. I heard you have brought a suitor with you on this visit, I wish to meet him, find if he is truly worthy of you.” Blushing you smiled at Thor, he was always so respectful and made you feel far more honorable than you usually did. “Yes, he is currently on a run with the guys, there’s no telling how long they will be gone”

You were feeling a bit sore from the mission, so decided that some light weights and cardio would be enough for the day, considering it was technically your day off since there had been no new leads on Roman. Taking a water break you looked over to find the guys coming back from their run. They were all smelly and dripping in sweat but seemed to be getting along. Sam came rushing over to you, picking you up and swinging you around with a huge grin on his face.

“I take it you had a good run?” you smiled up at him once you got your feet back on the ground. “It was amazing, you never told me how incredible this complex was” he was panting but still seemed happy about the overexertion.

When you saw Thor approaching, you took a small step back from Sam and attempted to introduce the two. “Lady Y/N, I assumed your suitor was of Midgard, but he’s much larger than most, sir, are you Asgardian as well?” he asked as if that would be the only logical explanation.

You busted out laughing, but you calmed down as Sam explained he was born and raised in Kansas and not Asgardian. Before you could fully understand what was happening next, you see Thor and Sam stepping up to spar.

“Woah, Thor, he’s not Asgardian, I don’t think this is a good idea” you told them.

“Lady Y/N, I understand in your delicate condition you are concerned, but I assure you no harm will come to the father of your children” Thor announced as he got into his ready stance.

“My condition?....children?” you mumbled looking between Thor and Sam trying to figure out what he was talking to.

“I apologize if I overstepped, I was unaware you being with child was a secret” he told you earnestly, almost worried you would be upset.

“I what?” “You’re what?” you and Sam both responded, looking at each other and then back at Thor, dumbfounded.

“Were you two not aware?” he asked with a smirk, after you both shook your heads no in response he practically cheered “Surprise!”

Part 3

#Marvel AU #marvel fanfiction #spn fanfiction #supernatural fanfiction #spn au #Supernatural fanfic #bucky barnes angst #bucky barnes x reader #Steve Rogers #natasha romanoff #sam winchester x reader #Sam Winchester #wanda maximoff #tony stark #sam wilson #thor #thor odinson #avengers fanfiction

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vincent-g-writer · 4 years

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The Silver Screen Savant, pt 2- the Meh, the Bad and The yikes.

Hello Writers!

Last time here on Starry Starry Write, I talked a little about Autism in the media and my personal experiences therein. Today, I’d like to go a little broader, and tackle the topic from a macro perspective.

In recent times, you’ve probably heard “Representation Matters” oft repeated. Especially in prominent talking spaces like social media. But what does that mean, exactly?

Why “Representation Matters,” and how.

The short answer:

Diverse representation in media tells us that everyone has a place in the world. That everyone’s story matters.

The long answer:

It’s no secret that we begin engaging with media at a young age. When I was growing up in the 90’s and 00’s, TV and video games were often the babysitters of my peers. I was one of the few kids in my neighborhood whose parents weren’t divorced. The kids I knew? Not so much. Most of them were raised by single parents, grandparents and of course-the boob tube. I personally prefered books, when my mom wasn’t yelling “it’s too nice out to be holed up in that dark bedroom!”

Now, don’t mistake my preference for some kind of intellectual superiority. I watched plenty of TV too. Besides, books aren’t magically out of the equation. Printed material is our oldest form of media. And- often just as problematic. Though I will say- I saw a much broader range of people on covers adoring library shelves than I ever did titles on a TV roster. But, I digress. The point is: for many of us, consuming media begins at an early time of our life. And that’s where the problem starts. Even in my childhood, where The Magic School Bus, Hey Arnold, and Sesame Street showed people of all kinds, I can point to many that did not. Especially not people like me. Which did me a grave disservice. I didn’t know I was on the spectrum for a long time, and when I finally found out, I was horrified, thanks to what I had seen on TV.

Because media is not only a wonderful way to learn about people that don’t look, act or sound like us. It also informs our ideas of who we are, and what we can be. Whether we like it or not: it shapes how we understand the world. And it doesn’t stop with Childhood.

Time Changes Much, but not all.

Things are better now. Well, a little bit, anyway.

As an adult, I see more people like me on the screen nowadays. Which is nice.

Ish.

Why “ish?” Well…

Frequently, these “noticeably different” characters (read: Autistically coded) are branded “NOT AUTISTIC!” You heard it here first, folks! That one character (insert your favorite) is Totally Not Autistic. Despite being written in a way that gives every indication otherwise.

*Facepalm*

Now for some examples, which we’ll call the “Meh,” “The Bad” and the “Yikes.” For “fun,” we’ll also go into the off-air perceptions of the characters.

The “Meh.”

First on the list is Dr. Spencer Reid, from CBS’s “Criminal Minds.”

Dr. Reid is the youngest member of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, having joined at the age of 22. He holds three B.A degrees in Sociology, Psychology and Philosophy, as well as three Ph.D’s in Engineering, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

He also has the social skills of a limp dishrag. Wait, what’s that? High Intelligence + Low Social Awareness? Hmmm…Then there’s his restrictive behavioral patterns, obsessive interests, and general “quirkiness!” that we could talk about. But let’s hear a quote from the actor who plays him, Matthew Gray Gubler:

“..an eccentric genius, with hints of schizophrenia and minor autism, Asperger’s Syndrome. Reid is 24, 25 years old with three PH.D.s and one can’t usually achieve that without some form of autism.”

Hoooo-boy. I could go into all the things wrong with this, including why the term “Asperger’s” is both horrific (TW: Eugenics,Ableism, N*zis) and harmful. However, today we’ll simply leave it with the fact that this term is no longer applicable, having been reclassified in 2013 as part of Autism Spectrum disorder.

The “Bad.”

Next up, we have Will Graham, from NBC’s Hannibal.

Like our first example, Will works for the FBI. He’s a gifted criminal profiler with “special” abilities, namely hyper empathy, which allows him to reconstruct the actions and fantasies of the killers he hunts. He’s intellectually gifted, hates eye contact, socializing, and prefers to spend…most of his time…alone.

Oh dear. Haven’t we been here before? But, I mean, he doesn’t have Autism! The show runner says so!

For Will Graham, there’s a line in the pilot about him being on the spectrum of autism or Asperger’s, and he’s neither of those things. He actually has an empathy disorder where he feels way too much and that’s relatable in some way. There’s something about people who connect more to animals than they do to other people because it’s too intense for whatever reason.

You can’t see me right now, but I’m cringing. A lot. This is just…ugh. I mean, for starters, I know a handful of autistic people who struggle with hyper empathy, which can make social situations overwhelming and hard to navigate. In fact, I happen to be one of them. Plus, there’s a cool little thing about how, frequently, people on the spectrum more readily identify with animals. But, y’know. Who am I to say? I’m just someone, one of many, who’s dealt with this my whole life.

Now, onto the “Yikes.”

*sigh*

And finally, we have BBC’s Sherlock, a modern adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s renowned “consulting” detective, and probably the most famous fictional character of all time.

Now, I’ll start by saying that the BBC incarnation is not the first to be Spectrum labeled. In fact, Sherlock was my childhood hero, and the first “person” I saw referred to this way. My aunt, an avid reader herself, casually remarked to a friend “I’ve always wondered if Holmes is Autistic,” after I came yammering on about how fantastic the books were. Had I not been champing at the bit to get back to my reading, I might have asked her what that meant.

I also believe this fandom driven speculation is why many detective type characters (see above) are often coded as Autistic, intentionally or otherwise.

In this New York Times article, Lisa Sanders, M.D. describes Holmes traits:

He appears oblivious to the rhythms and courtesies of normal social intercourse — he doesn’t converse so much as lecture. His interests and knowledge are deep but narrow. He is strangely “coldblooded,” and perhaps as a consequence, he is also alone in the world.

Now, before we go any father, let me take a moment to defend his creator. During the time Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first created his most famous work, Autism was not known. That isn’t to say it didn’t exist. We’ve always existed. In fact, it’s now believed that the Changeling Myth, a common European folk story, was a way to explain Autism. In one telling (there are a few) children displaying “intelligence beyond their years” and “uncanny knowledge” were imposters, traded out by Fae creatures for offspring of their own. Children believed to be “Changlings,” regretfully, often came to a bad end. A chilling reminder that the stories we tell impact our real lives.

So while Autism was at least somewhat recognized, it did not become its own official diagnosis until 1943.

Meanwhile, Sherlock Holmes was first published in 1892. Now, as a writer who often draws from my personal reality, I imagine Doyle probably “wrote what he knew,” which is to say, acquainted with one or more Autistic people, he used them as inspiration.

On the other hand…

BBC’s Sherlock first aired in 2010. And while one might argue that the writers simply capitalized on the Autistic fan-theory, or took already available traits and exaggerated them for their version… they left a lot to be desired. Autism aside, this new Sherlock is…well…an asshole. Narcissistic, abusive and egocentric (to name a few) he sweeps his caustic behavior under the rug of “high functioning sociopath,” and blytly ignores the consequences.

Which is a major problem. Because while doing this, he’s still “obviously” (at least in the Hollywood sense) Autistic. In my previous post, where I said some characters are “too smart™, and logical© to ever have feelings, friends or empathy,” this is what I meant.

This is bad. We’re looping right back to Representation Matters. Bad representation, and the navigating of such, is just as important for writers to think about as good representation. Maybe even moreso. Because bad representation paints real people into cardboard, stereotyped people-shaped things. It otherizes. And it’s harmful. You would not believe the people I’ve met assume I’m not Autistic because I’m not an egotistical jerk. Why? Because they watched, you guessed it, BBC Sherlock.

Confession time:

Now here’s my little secret:

I love all of these characters. They are some of my favorite on tv. Why? Because for good or ill, I recognize myself in them. Finally, I can turn on the TV, and see myself. Or, somewhat, anyway.

My favorite character out of this list? Loath though I am to admit it… Is Sherlock. See, what those well meaning folks didn’t know (the ones who say I’m I’m “too nice,” to be Autistic) is… well, if we’re being honest, I wasn’t always nice. A few years ago, I was that guy. I was a jerk because I thought I was the smartest person in the room. Which is really not a good look. In fact, sitting down and watching the first season of sherlock, (around three or four years after it came out) made me realize how much of a jerk I actually was.

There are other things there too. Things that tie me to all these characters, that I didn’t list. But that’s for another today.

For now, I’d like to add a caveat or two:

1) I’ve watched all the shows listed above, and adore them. As I mentioned, Sherlock is my favorite. He’s also the one I’ve watched the most (Repeatedly, in fact. Whoops.) and I recognize it’s not all bad. In the end, he learned to treat people better (somewhat) and certainly became more human over time. And, there are other deeply problematic elements of the show I’d like to tackle, eventually.

*cough* Queerbating! *cough*

2) I’m well aware that the above cases are all thin, white, able bodied, “straight” males. But I chose these characters for a couple of reasons. One, they’re the most prominent type on TV. Again, we loop back around to representation, and why we need more positive, diverse examples of it.

And finally-

3) In my last post, I mentioned I’d give some “good” instances of Hollywood Autism trope. But I didn’t exactly do that. Partially, because half way through, I thought…perhaps…I’m not the best to judge what might be a good Autistic character. I mean, I’m sure someone will read this and think my current aforementioned characters are fine. Heck! They might even argue my perception here, and say the characters are just fine. I accept that. In my life, both on and off the page, I recognize that I cannot, should not (and don’t want to) speak for an entire community.

Because of this, I cannot tell you how to write a “good” Autistic character, or what media is “acceptable.” I can’t even really tell you what a bad character is. Sure, I have a lot of opinions about it. But- if you’re on the spectrum and like and identify with the above? That’s fine. I mean, even with all the problems I noted (and some I didn’t) I certainly do.

On the other hand, if you’re a writer, and you want to write a character from this (or any, for that matter) community you aren’t part of, I caution you.

Do your research. Preferably from multiple credible sources.

Talk to people on the spectrum about what it’s really like. (Though try to steer clear of asking for emotional labor.You could, say, hop on reddit and ask the community there, for instance, which is a no pressure way to obtain potentially decent info.)

Finally, whatever you do, remember this-

Autistic people can look like anyone. We can act, and think and be different, like anyone. We are real, living, breathing people. Not robots, not sob stories, not tropes. People. So if you write about us, write us like people. And your work will be all the better for it.

-Your Loving Vincent

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mysterylover123 · 5 years

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My Top 10 Todobakudeku Moments

mysterylover123

So a while back I did a post about the OT3 moments of Baku/Deku/Ocha, since i’d noticed a bunch of em. But since we’re in the Todobakudeku arc in the manga right now, I figured I’d do another one for the OT3, especially since I’ve made posts about Top 10 moments for each component (a whole whopping 40 in total for BKDK, since I had 2 lists of 20). These three are basically considered the three MCs of BNHA, and I may as well talk about the bits that throw ‘em all together.

BTW I’m pretty sure this current arc will add about ten more to the list so this is a preemptive strike for now.

#10. What about our extra lessons?

Episode 61 “Deku vs Kacchan Part 2″

What happens; After the big BKDK blowout, Todoroki takes the time to ask Bakugou if he’s still gonna have time for their extra lessons. Bakugo gets annoyed and yammers about how this has nothing to do with Shoto.

Why I Like It: Both Ochaco and Shoto throw their hats into the ring after the big blowout in terms of their role in the rivalry; on the one hand, this looks like Katsuki telling Shoto to butt out of their Rivalry bromance...but it still means we highlight Shoto’s place in this group, nonetheless.

#9. "Perceptive and Dense”

Chapter 217 “One for All and All for One”

What Happens: MANGA SPOILERS Shoto goes up to Deku to ask him about his new power and how he apparently lied to him about having multiple quirks. Deku comes up with a plausible lie, while Bakugo rolls his eyes at Shoto’s inability to get it.

Why I Like it: After a big BKDK chapter, where we see their new dynamic, Shoto again pops up to remind us that he has a stake in this part of the story: he has a connection to Midoriya, and now to Bakugo, that is important to his personal growth. Also it does, as fans pointed out, look like a shot out of TDBKDK doujin.

#8. Locker room Challenge & Obstacle Race

Episode 15-16 “Roaring Sports Festival”/”In their Own Quirky Ways”

What Happens: Shoto goes over to Deku and challenges him. Bakugou gets rather jealous of this and insists that Shoto “declared war on the wrong person”. Deku surpasses them both, coming in first place by jumping on their backs and riding the wave.

Why I like it: This is kind of the official ‘beginning’ of TDBKDK as a thing, since before this Todoroki just kinda exisited in tandem with the Wonder Duo instead of being a part of their rivalry thang. It’s not entirely clear how this triangle works - is Bakugou jealous because Deku picked another rival or because Todoroki isn’t interested in him? Is Deku more keen to surpass one or the other? Would Todoroki challenge Kacchan if Deku wasn’t connected with All Might? It’s not so simple.

#7. “How sad, Todoroki Shoto”

Episode 45 “What a Twist”

What Happens: Knowing that the LOV wants to kidnap Kacchan, Todoroki, Deku and some other people band together to save him. In the moment of his kidnapping, it’s both Deku and poor, frantic Shoto who fail to save him, highlighted by “how sad, Todoroki Shoto” and “Don’t come, Deku”.

Why I Like It: While everyone in Class A is protective of Bakugou in this arc, Todoroki and Deku go the few steps beyond into Shippy territory. Not only do we have Shoto take the time to express his concern for Deku in the ep before this, but we also have Todoroki’s uber-protective giant-ice-wall attack on Compress, Deku’s “Give him back”, and this final, devastating failure, to remind us of the reciprocal OT3-ness of them. Nicely played.

#6. Hideout Raid Arc

Episodes 46-50

What happens. Following the aforementioned failure, Deku and Shoto are among the most gung-ho of all Class A to go do the incredibly stupid and reckless thing and save him. When he is before them again, they both move in sync to save him, with Iida having to stop them both. Thanks to Deku’s planning, they succeed.

Why I Like It: Continued mostly from the appeal of the previous one, but this one has: Todobaku (Todoroki risking everything to save Kacchan), Tododeku (Todoroki and Midoriya moving in sync to save him) and of course BKDK all over the place (”I can’t help feeling I have to save him” “You’re the most concerned of all” “Don’t give up All Might”, etc.) It’s very nice and circular.

#5. Deku vs Todoroki

Episode 23 “Shoto Todoroki Origin”/chapters 38-40

What Happens: Midoriya gets furious at Shoto for holding back on him, because everyone else, including OP bosses like Kacchan, is using everything they’ve got to win. Channelling Baku, Deku refuses to lose, and eventually does the “Your power” thing, which makes Todoroki have his big epiphany moment and change forever. And throughout it all, we cut back to Bakugou, reminding us of his role in this whole thing.

Why I Like It: Well, obviously first and foremost because “DEKU VS TODOROKI OMG”. But for TDBKDK, this is another one that just keeps them all inside each other’s orbits in this pivotal moment. Bakugo is deeply interested and invested in Todoroki’s deal. BKDK show their mind-mates sync think when they talk together, like they just know everything. And of course it’s the #1 big TDDK moment. But significantly, the inspiration on Deku’s side is a very Kacchan-like moment of “take me seriously” from him.

#4. Bakugo vs Todoroki

Episode 25 “Todoroki vs Bakugou”/Chapters 43-45

What Happens: Where to start? Bakugou and Todoroki brooding over Deku in the prep room; Todo losing his spark post Deku-match and Baku being jealous, Baku yelling about how there’s no point in not doing better than Deku, Deku cheering Todoroki on to do his best and Baku appreciating it...it’s more like five moments but I’m counting it as one.

Why I like It: So much TDBKDK vibe in this one. Bakugo needs to do better than Deku and wants respect from Todoroki. Deku wants Bakugo to get his respect and Todoroki to take care of himself. Todoroki feels guilty for hurting Bakugo and comes alive at encouragement from Midoriya. They all kinda benefit from each other in ways that go in all 3 directions.

#3. Wanna come intern with me? (MANGA SPOILERS!!)

Chapter 242 “Merry Christmas”

What Happens: Todoroki notices how Midoriya and Bakugou both have nowhere to intern. He offers to let them come learn from the #1 with him.

Why I Like It: This one is pure, fanservice-y fun, though it did set the direction for this new arc. But while there isn’t too much BKDK in this one, outside of their posing, Todoroki noticing his two bfs issues and offering them a way out is just pure peak Shoto. He’s so nice, ya’ll, and he cares so much about both Deku AND Kacchan at this point. If you don’t believe me on that one...

2. Training with these Guys (MANGA SPOILERS)

Chapter 247 “Progress Check”

What Happens: Todoroki, relaying his backstory after Deku and Kacchan already gave theirs, explains how his entire perspective was changed “by fighting with these guys” - not just Midoriya, but both of them. He makes it very clear that they’ve changed his life.

Why I Like It: This chapter also has some bKDK-y goodness in it too, since Baku flashes back to his adorable childhood with Deku in his motivation monologue. But here, Todoroki firmly establishes how much both characters mean to him, how they’ve affected him. I love that little correction, too, as he reminds himself there’s other people he cares about too.

BONUS:

#1. Todoroki’s Backstory

Episode 19/Season 2 Episode 6 “The Boy born with Everything”/Chapter 31

What Happens: Todoroki tells Deku his backstory and Bakugo overhears.

Why I Like It: I’m a big sucker for “I know your secret” stuff. This one has Todoroki opening up to Deku about his tragic life, which Bakugou also over hears, making these two the only people who know what Todoroki’s real deal is and therefore able to help him through with it. Bakugo followed them there, either to follow Deku or Shoto or really both, and gets a wake-up call from hearing the extremes this can bring. Deku thinks of Kacchan when he thinks of “those who have helped me” and tells Todoroki the best version of his backstory he can. It’s just...such a reciprocal moment.

#todobakudeku #todobaku #bakudeku #katsudeku #tododeku #shoto todoroki #katsuki bakugou #midoriya izuku #todoroki x bakugou #todoroki x midoriya #midoriya x bakugou #top 10

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joiedecombat · 5 years

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Muse Meme

(Electric Boogaloo)

I was tagged by @greyias! ...also a while ago.

I will return to my regularly scheduled yammering about SWTOR characters very soon, but this time I’m going to mix things up a little with a character from one of my perpetually-simmering, never-cooked original WIPs.

This is partly an excuse to air this concept out, and partly because I looked at the questions and couldn’t think of any answers for Maia that I haven’t already talked about in previous meme posts. <_<

Your Muse’s Name: Alsandír. “San” for short, at least among a fairly select group of people.

One favorite picture/face claim of your muse:

(Édgar Ramírez in Bright, a direct inspiration.)

Two headcanons you have for your muse:

He’s the rebellious liberal kid of his family, not that anybody could tell it from casual observation. Most of his relatives hold the fairly common attitude that magic should be controlled by elves; meanwhile San, who has had firsthand experience of the kinds of Bad Things that can happen when magic goes wrong, is really not keen on seeing anyone use it and is not so much on the elven superiority train. (Comparatively. He’s still kind of an elitist snob, just not as much as you’d expect if you have much personal experience with elven culture.) He’s also a lot less ambitious than his family would prefer, since he prefers being out in the field where he can take direct action rather than being focused on climbing the ladder to a position of greater power. All his means his relationship with his family is kind of strained.

As a child he wanted a pet jackalope. They’d venture out into the lawn and garden of his family estate sometimes and he liked watching them.

Three things that your muse likes doing in their free time:

Logic puzzles, mostly sudoku and unnecessarily complicated variants on sudoku. It’s a way to occupy his mind whenever he has to sit around waiting for whatever, which is a frequent occupational hazard.

He’s an astonishingly good cook, which he claims is in self-defense because it’s impossible to find decent cochinita pibil anywhere on the east coast. (When you’re as long-lived and fixated on lineage as most elves, the family recipes - like pretty much anything else involving elven family lines - become Very Serious Business indeed.) Plus relying on someone else to prepare all his meals, whether it’s takeout or a personal chef, would ultimately be a security hazard. It’s more convenient for him to be able to feed himself, and if he’s going to do it, he’s damn well going to do it right.

Reading up on cold cases and supernatural history because he’s a workaholic nerd with a fairly barren personal life.

Seven People your muse loves/likes:

Here’s where I admit that the overall concept is not yet really developed enough for me to list many specific characters, but...

His family, despite the increasingly strained relationship mentioned above. Elves tend to be clannish, multiple generations sharing a household, so while he doesn’t have siblings he does have cousins (several branches removed in some cases) who are basically like siblings, an absolutely terrifying (great-)grandmother, etc etc. He doesn’t necessarily see them often (since most of them live on the opposite coast) and he mostly tries to avoid talking about his work or other sensitive subjects because he’s the rebellious liberal black sheep and that’s a great way to start an argument, but they’re important to him nonetheless and nobody else had better say a word against them.

His team in the Department of Magic Regulation*. Mostly humans, mostly subordinates rather than peers, but they’re pretty much all people he trusts and are honestly the closest thing he has to friends for the most part (that barren personal life I mentioned). One of them is very loosely based on Pete Wisdom because of reasons.

Co-protagonist Raine Mallory, who is in essentially the same line of work (magic regulation) but way on the other end of the spectrum (underpaid county employee vs elite federal agent) and ends up presenting him with all kinds of new perspectives on quite a lot of things. Because yes this is ultimately a romance, why do you ask?

*(Actual official name still to be determined.)

#tag meme #ask me about my ocs #southern gothic urban fantasy procedural romance #and a partridge in a pear tree #sorry it's not SWTOR #don't worry #I have plenty more jedi knight and disaster spy thoughts still to come

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dammitadolfnomorecake · 6 years

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🏰⚔️🐲 DMODT- 27 full

Flying with a pack saddle was a weird sensation, as Eren had never worn one before. He and Levi had been mid-fuck when Maria came for them. The dragon had been kind enough to let them finish, though Eren was kind of pissed Levi didn't knot him a third time, if Levi hadn't insisted on eating his arse out as he rode the alpha's face, maybe he would have gotten knotted again... stupid hindsight. The teen didn't know how their containment spell would work once they returned to Eldia, and waking to find his boyfriend himself, he couldn't help be greedy and want a moment for themselves, without thinking about everything that had happened the previous day. He'd pushed himself so hard he'd nearly broken, so waking in Levi's arms, all he wanted was for Levi to kiss away his pain from losing his ability to bear a clutch. He wanted to reconfirm that Levi had been scared, and that what they'd done had worked. The sex had been amazing, even with Levi's hands and ankles bound, it'd healed his body and removed his fatigue from the previous night, while healing his heart over what had happened the previous day. Levi did want him, the alpha was just struggling with his fear and the uncertainty of the future. He was at the centre of everything, but didn't understand. They'd need to talk, but first came reconnecting in the manner that worked best for them. He also may have told his lover a small lie, that he hadn't dreamt. He had. He'd dreamt of Rod Reiss not stopping, mixed with pain of having his scales torn from his skin. His dream had moved from Rod beating him, to Rod tearing the scales from his face as he was an "unworthy dragon"... All it took was Levi's warm hold to chase the fear away, and to anchor him to the moment. Supplying them both with fresh robes, Maria had forced him to eat as they walked, though Levi and the others would have to wait until they reached the castle before eating. Which Eren wasn't happy about. Sure, he might have had an insanely long day, but he wasn't hungry. All it took was thinking about the secret he was now hiding from Levi, and the uncomfortable twingings of the command in place over being honest about his health... he was stuck mentally justifying his actions in order to find relief from the command. The best argument he could come up with was that it was best Levi didn't know he might be pregnant, only for the pregnancy to slip and hurt the man even more. Reaching the clearing near where the field of cabins had been, Ymir and Historia were waiting with the rest of the Eldia party. Ymir pinching her nose as they approached. They could probably smell the sex that clung to their skins. Levi's already complained that he couldn't shower, while Eren relished smelling like his boyfriend. Reaching the group, Historia's voice was a whisper "I'm sorry you have to sneak off like this. It's hardly royal protocol" Eren didn't even think about protocol as he replied to his friend "It's ok. I'm just grateful I can thank you before we leave" "We need no thanks. Especially with all that happened" Giving him a quick hug, Ymir huffed in his direction as she released her nose. There was no real malice over Historia's hug, but she didn't look happy "I suppose I'm going to miss you" He knew he was going to miss her... He was going to miss all of them, except for Sina, and Rod. Privately, he'd hoped to see the lake again, but that was now impossible. He was going to miss watching the water dragons, and the sunsets across the water. Nope. He wasn't doing this. He had to hold his head up high and be normal "Nah. You've got Historia, and besides, you guys are always welcome" "That's a hell of a way to fly for a game of soccer" Eren shrugged, playing down the small glimmer of hope that he may see them both again some day "Then don't come. Make sure you take care of them" Even if he couldn't see Ymir rolling her eyes in the dim light of the lantern Maria held, he knew she was "Don't be like that. Eren, I know for a fact Ymir will miss you greatly. We packed everything carefully, and your trunk is labelled to help make sorting easier" Meaning that the sealed sword wouldn't be known by Erwin and Levi. They'd considered destroying it, but didn't know if that would cost Levi his life. Eren's plan was to stow is somewhere safe, where no human could ever find it "Thank you, Historia. I know... Things might be awkward with your father, but know, Eldia will continue to notify you each time a dragon passes on our soil. And we don't want war, so we'll respect your father's wishes. It's for the good of both out countries that we do" "Things won't always be this way" "And when they change, know Eldia will welcome you with open arms. Right, sir?" Levi cleared his throat, seemingly surprised he was being dragged into the conversation "Indeed. I feel as if there's other reasons to be indebted to you, but I want to thank you for looking after Eren. And I want to thank you for the hospitality you showed me before... Well, in any case. Thank you. Thank the three of you. Eren is indeed correct. You will always be friends of Eldia" "Ok. That's it for goodbyes. The others are waiting for Eren to shift so they can load the saddle up. Get out my country and stop looking at my Historia" Ymir's words caused the teen to laugh softly "Hurry up and marry her. You two are perfect together, and I can't wait to meet your children. I'm going to shift before Mikasa can start lecturing me, but once again, thank you" The sun was creeping above the horizon by the time Eren was loaded with both cargo and his passengers. By some miracle the crown and brooch he'd made Levi survived, while Armin had found and saved the one Levi had gifted him. His friend might not know how much it meant to him, but Eren was grateful. He was also sad to be returning home this way. He'd expected to be able to hold his head high, and not to be sneaking out in the cover of darkness. It made him feel like a petty criminal, while the cold air irritated his lungs. On his back, it felt weird to be carrying such a weight. The trunks were to the back of the saddle platform, placing pressure on his spine, and leaving in with the constant desire to "buck". He almost felt like a dog with a flea he needed to scratch off, and hoped to hell that this would never be necessary again. Maybe if he'd done this before, he wouldn't find it so annoying, but beggars couldn't be choosers and he wasn't risking another dragon's life over it all. Given his speed and wing span, the whole flight back to the castle was over in under half an hour. After so long, the castle seemed so foreign to him, or maybe it was the new prospective he was seeing it from. Landing in the training field, he walked his massive form over to the edge closest to the castle to make unloading easier. The soldiers that came to investigate, soon must have cursed their eagerness as they helped Erwin off his back, only for the man to vomit at their feet. He knew he shouldn't be laughing, but his tail thudded lightly against the grass while his body wiggled. The man would never make a dragon rider, even if he had two arms. Levi was fine, though it stung that he had to slip straight back into prince mode the moment his feet touched the ground. Mikasa and Armin naturally wouldn't leave him, Eren huffing in annoyance as they both leant on his face. For a mighty and ancient race, why had no one ever named the top part of the skull near his nostrils? Like, was it a "nose", or a "snout", or a "muzzle", or simply just "skull"? Whatever it was, he would have much preferred Levi's pats than being used as leaning post, especially when he had soldiers climbing up and down to unload the cargo on his back, all of which were clearly nervous, as their boots kept slipping on his scales. Hanji was the first "official" in the castle to appear, coming running right up to Levi and Erwin, before throwing her arms around them. Erwin was sent falling back onto his arse, his stump flailing as he tried to prevent the fall. Once again, Eren knew he shouldn't find it funny, but once they stepped foot back in the castle Erwin would go back to being an arse... and probably even more so without his arm. And plus, if he was laughing, he didn't have to concentrate on how shit he still felt over slicing Erwin's arm off. Less than 24 hours ago, he'd come out of a coma and straight into a shit storm. Abandoning Levi and Erwin, Hanji's eyes widened, her mouth widening into a maniacal grin that screamed she was already scheming experiments. This was home. This was his home, with all the idiots that made up the castle staff. Now he was home again, hopefully they could find some kind of normal. * There had been seem changes while Levi had been gone, and he wasn't loving them. Petra had moved her quarters closer to his, and had taken to undermining Hanji's authority by pulling the "I'll soon be the crown princess" card. She'd done a pretty terrible job, even demanding to be included in sorting the royal mail which was for Hanji's eyes only in their absence. Coming back find his personal desk in shambles, and Petra refusing to leave the sun room, as she fussed over Erwin's missing arm. He, Eren and Erwin needed to sit down and talk. Eren had obviously done something drastic. His lack of symptoms, or rather the sudden lack of symptoms, was Eren's fault. His boyfriend has said as much, but whatever Eren did, was it safe? The lack of not knowing, and the constant yammering of Petra had frayed his patience to the very end. Pinching the bridge of his nose, the woman was lucky he was above hitting women or willing to sacrifice a perfectly good tea cup by throwing it at her "For god's sake Petra. Enough. Will you please stop fussing over him, and go retrieve Eren" "My Prince?" That was another thing. Petra had started claiming him by that title... It only made him dislike his "bride-to-be" further. Pet names were only nice when they came from Eren... Which reminded him that Erwin was yet to release his commands on Eren "Petra, please go find Eren and bring him here. Make sure he understands that he's in no trouble, and if he's resting, let him. God knows we could all use the rest" "Then why are neither of you resting? Poor Levi has lost his arm. Surely that... surely the situation could have been resolved better than it was. I knew I should have come with you" That had never been on the cards to begin with. Once he'd received Eren's invitation, he'd notified everyone but Petra about his travel plans, then dropped it on her at the last moment so she wouldn't insist on coming "Look, Petra. No, you being there would have not changed a single thing. With what happened the loss of his arm was the best possible outcome in the situation. It was a tragic accident. Now, please stop this carrying on" "Well, what does Draecia say about this? Have they issued any form of compensation?" Erwin could have jumped in at any time to save him from this, but the man chose to quietly sip at his second cup of peppermint tea "Draecia is not to blame" "How can you not blame them!? Your bodyguard has lost an arm! He'll need replacing! Erwin may be skilled with a sword, but he is no longer fit to stand by your side" "Erwin will remain my bodyguard!" "I will not have the crown prince protected by anyone less than the best! Your refusal is completely unsatisfactory. I will take it upon myself to find a replacement. Perhaps even looking at a bodyguard for both of us. Especially with the wedding..." Pushing his chair back, Levi's voice dropped several degrees. The mess she'd made of his desk, and this fantasy she continued to entertain despite how many times he'd voiced his feelings on the matter... It pushed him right over the edge "Petra. You know this marriage is being forced upon both of us under the threat of war. I told you that you could stay here because our healers have been making headway with your father's condition, and you are a distinguished soldier. From the very start, I have told you I have no intention of marrying you. With recent events, the engagement will be dissolved. Now. You can leave. You've caused enough problems for both Levi and I, by undermining Hanji's decisions" "Prince Erwin?" He could hear the wobble in Petra's voice. No doubt, she'd expected some glorious reunion where he declared his love. Like that shit would happen. His affections started and stopped with Eren. That was it. And even that was up in the air... "I... I was trying to be of use to you. We are still to be wed. Prince Zeke has decreed it so, and... we've been engaged for over a year now. I thought..." He didn't care what she thought. Nor did he care for her hurt scent "No. I'm being serious here. There is a reason why Hanji is selected to act in our absence. She knows better than to rifle through documents that don't have anything to do with her. This is a reason why Levi is my right hand man, or left as it may be now. Draecia was not to blame for this incident. It was an accident caused by an Eldia on their soil... you will not pursue the matter and he will not be replaced. Now. I've had it with you. And I've had it with this mess. If you're not going to find Eren, I am. I need to talk with him about the incident that happened in Draecia. Erwin, take yourself down to see the healers. Flying doesn't agree with you, and you should have just stayed down there. Petra. Just... don't be here when I return" Gathering up his papers, he wasn't leaving them there for Petra to go through again. He knew he'd regret scrunching the paper once he got back to his quarters... but for everyone's sake, it was probably for the best that he didn't lose his temper further, less he black out again "Erwin?" "Let him go, Petra. Trust me on this" Oh, look. Erwin could fucking talk. Clenching her fists, Petra leapt to her feet, daring to glare at him "We aren't done talking. You were gone for twice as long as originally planned, and come back in a mood, and with Levi injured. Not only that. You failed to informed us that you would be bringing back... a magic user, as well as his two friends! Now. Tell me what is going on here! Do you not care about you kingdom?" "Of course I fucking do! Leading this kingdom is what is fucking up my life! I don't want to be married to someone I don't love! I would love to see this all resolved peacefully with Zeke, but Marley has made a clear move of aggression, and once things have been discussed, the engagement will be dissolved. Or at least it will be if Zeke does not wish to make his intentions public knowledge. As for Eren. Yes. I know you know his name. He and his friends have returned. Squad leader Mikasa will be returning to her previous role. Her squad will continue their protection of the port. As for you. Confer with Levi. Your father's quality of care will not be impacted" "Erwin?" This time it was Erwin calling "his" name. He didn't seem to be losing control of himself, yet he hadn't realised when he had last time... perhaps he had and missed it? "It's fine. Just take care of this" Stopping by his quarters to drop his papers off before seeking out Eren, he'd felt their bond growing stronger with proximity, yet wasn't expecting it to be because the teen was curled up in his bed snoring. Levi had thought Eren would be in his own quarters at the end of the hall. He'd kept the room empty in the hopes that Eren would return soon, and when they'd landed, he'd mentioned it to Eren before dragging Hanji away from the teen in his dragon form. The woman was already enough of a menace, and while Eren seemed to love his dragon form, it'd probably taken a lot out of him, especially given their earlier activities. Moving to place the pile of papers onto his dining table, Levi then walked to his bed, sinking down on the edge in order to untie his boots. If Eren was here, he didn't need to go searching for him... and he couldn't deny he wasn't exhausted from the last few days. One night of dreamless sleep, and morning of "recharging" sex, had been completely ruined by coming home. Shrugging his jacket off, Levi let out a soft sigh of relief. Since he'd come back in a robe, his image had taken a hit, and dressed in full garb after he'd showered, something he regretted on such a warm day, and even more so when the maid stoked the hearth in the sun room. Burning documents was the only way for them to remain truly secret, once the contents had been digested. He'd normally have opened a window, but Petra was busy fussing over Erwin's health, and he hadn't wished to cause a scene... Fat lot of good that had done. Climbing up his bed, Eren was sleeping so soundly that he didn't hear Levi shift the blankets aside, nor did he feel Levi rearranging the pair of them so that Eren's head rested in his lap as he stroked his hair. Part of him wanted to shake the omega awake and demand a thorough explanation of absolutely everything that had transpired since Eren had bolted, but another part was scared that if he did, he might not like the answer. He felt cowardly as he left Eren to sleep. The omega had bathed before climbing into his bed, and Levi was grateful for the consideration. Eren knew he tended to be a bit overly anal when it came how things had to be, yet he didn't laugh at him, nor did he hold it against him. If only he could marry him publicly. He was the kind of ruler that Eldia needed. The kind that put the people above lining their pockets. Not that Erwin was like that, but he also wasn't not like that. He refused to push higher taxes onto the society elite, out of fear of rebellion, even when that money could be used to better fund places such as orphanages. No. He let them keep their money, and he was rewarded with polite conversation to his face. As far as Levi was concerned, they were all fat pigs growing fatter... yet, he was no better than Erwin. He could force the tax issue, but if he did that and it turned to rebellion, it carried a risk of war and that was what he thought about. About all those people forced into the underground. The families torn apart. The smugness of Marley grinding Eldia to dust... He didn't know when his mind set began to change, only that it was now too late to change it. Not that he would allow himself to be walked over, like Eren would. The kid had... well, he didn't quite know. It sounded like Rod had struck him for disagreeing with him, but he distinctly remembered Eren being far too bloody for just a single hit, and the teen's magic would have healed him immediately. When Eren woke, he wasn't going to fall for the charms of his gloriously plump arse, nor for the charms of his thick thighs, and tight arse that was made for him. No. He was going to have that talk with Eren, and Eren wasn't worming his way out of it. Letting Eren sleep, Levi nodded off. The pair of them were woken by solid knocking on Levi's door. Whining softly, Eren nuzzled into Levi's stomach "I'm sorry, but I need to get up" "You're comfy" "I'm glad you think so" As the knocking continued, Levi growing annoyed. What was the point of having guards if they weren't going to stop people from annoying him "Who is it?!" "It's Petra. May we please speak? Please?" In his lap, Eren shot up "Shit" Levi couldn't help but smile at the teen's obvious panic "It's ok. I told her I didn't want to talk to her" "You can't avoid her" "I may have snapped at her earlier. Erwin was supposed to be talking to her about it" "Because Erwin is the most eloquent man in existence..." "Prince Erwin?!" "Not now, Petra!" Eren frowned at him "She's your fiancée" "I told her were legally finding a way to dissolve it. I mean. I'm cursed. The last thing I need is to lose my temper and kill her" "You won't kill her... wait... Did you tell her your infected? Are you feeling symptoms?" "Nope, and no" Levi blinked in confusion as Eren grabbed his shoulders, staring straight into his eyes "This is serious. Did you feel anything at all? Any anger? Any rage? Did you do anything?!" Levi shook his head, taking Eren's into his. Eren's concern scared him. It made him question if there had been other times he'd blacked out without knowing... "No. I mean. I was mad, but I don't think I blacked out. Petra no doubt would have said something, and if not her, Erwin" Eren slumped with relief "Ok. Ok. That's good. It means everything is working. But you need to tell me if you feel any symptoms at all. Headaches. Nightmares. Hallucinations. Even small things..." "Eren. You need to tell me what you did. You said you did something to ease this, but what? I don't understand how. I'm infected with Obsydin. That's it, isn't it? That's why I'm blacking out. Why I'm getting angry. Why our bond felt strange... I'm infected and you did something about it. Now, I need to know what" "It doesn't matter" "Eren!" Scrambling off Levi's bed, Eren threw his hands up "It doesn't matter! I did what needed to be done. I sealed the sword, ok. Historia and I sealed it so it would never be drawn again. But I don't know if what we did will hold, so I need to know. I need to know that it's still in place... that it wasn't all for nothing!" Climbing off his bed at a much slower pace, Levi kept his movements slow and deliberate, so as to not scare Eren "Please, Eren. Just tell me. I'm not going to force you, and you can choose not to, but I won't be mad" "I can't. Not this. Please let me keep this one to myself" Wrapping his arms around his stomach, Eren's scent was growing distressed as he hunched over "Hey... what's happening?" "C-command. I'm going against your command..." "No. No, you're not. I told you that you didn't have to tell. You can have this secret, for now. As long as your honest about why you appeared covered in blood. What happened?" "You mean I didn't have to tell?" Yes. Levi would love more than anything for Eren to tell... but if he got him talking, his omega might just let it slip "Not right now" Eren slipped back to the bed, just out of his hold. His body language yelling that he didn't want to be touched "It was Rod. When I yelled about the sword, he heard... you know, about how we dragons and riders have super senses. He sent Sina after me... He... uh. Lost his head about everything and took it out on me" "He hit you?" "He did a bit more than that" "I'm going to fucking kill him!" "Wait... We can't. We can't go to war over something so pathetic" "Pathetic? He hurt you. That's not ok. That's never ok" "He just lashed out. It healed, and besides, he's a small man scrambling to control a dying race. He was scared!" "He fucking hurt you! What did he do? Bash the fuck out of you!? Break a few bones?! Well that just magically makes it ok!" Eren flinched away, just as a loud crack came "Prince Erwin!" Kicking open his door, Petra had her sword raised as she looked from him to Eren. Her face filling with anger and disgust, probably over the fact Eren was seated on his bed, which had clearly been slept in. Well this was awkward. His lover, and his fiancée "Petra! What do you think you're doing? These are my private quarters" Sheathing her sword, she stood taller "I heard yelling" "As you can see, everything is just fine" "It is not fine. What is all of this? An infection? Eren using his magic? What is with his face? Are those scales? Is he sick? Is he infected? Did he cause the incident in Draecia? The loss of Levi's arm?" Levi loved the scales on Eren's face, the bright shimmering greens were beautiful. Growling, he moved to place himself between Eren and Petra "None of this is your business or concern" "I'm your fiancée!" "No. You're just..." Grabbing Levi's arm, Eren tugged him back "What Prince Erwin means to say it that the matter of infection has been handled. Levi lost his arm due to his own carelessness. He knows it, we know it, and Draecia knows it. However, over that incident, Prince Erwin was not given a full explanation, which is why I am here. As you have noticed, I do have scales on my face, but I am not contagious. I would not place the Eldia people in danger over such a thing as a contagious infection. Now. The prince is tired. Draecia is a joyous, and free country, which may be hard to handle if you are not used to heights and flying. The Prince will had time to talk to you about all of this, but not today or tonight. Surely you must understand, from your time with soldiers who experience traumatic events, the mind needs time to heal. For now, that is the best thing for them" "Then I expect you shall be leaving too?" "Indeed. As you mentioned, we were yelling, but for now things are sorted. The Prince has nothing to fear" The shit. He'd taken Petra's game and turned it back on her, and for that the woman looked livid. Not that Levi wasn't also mad. Eren had wriggled his way out of telling him everything again. Rising, Eren made towards the door, Levi grabbing him by the arm in a return of the gesture "Actually Eren, there are a couple more things I could use your help with, before you do leave. Just things to do with Draecia. Petra, please leave. As Eren said, I need to rest, so this will be short" Petra glared for several long moments, before huffing and rushing out, slamming the door behind her. Pulling Eren up against him, Levi shook his head "Don't let her walk over you" "We need to be more careful" "No..." "People can't know about us, and even if you and I had been together before I left, can you imagine the fallout? Petra knew we were sleeping together, and she's probably going to make sure the whole castle knows before long" "She wouldn't. Her pride would let her" "We can't leave it like this. I really should be going" Levi nuzzled into Eren's neck, he didn't want to be left alone, or Eren walking the castle alone. They'd never discussed the fact his marks would now be seen by the whole royal court. For two smart people, they'd acted like idiots. Levi had thought once Eren returned, things would just fall into place "You can't keep running away from me" "I'm not. It's just been a bit of a mess since I woke up" "Now? Or when you woke from falling asleep in my bed? I was surprised to find you here" Instead of nuzzling back, Eren just kept his face hidden against Levi's neck "My old quarters weren't ready, so I told the guards I had permission from you to wait here. I really needed a shower, and your bed was right there... are you mad?" "Not at all. You're welcome in this room at any time. I wish it was more permanently though" "Don't say that... I really should leave though, Petra is probably waiting outside to make sure I do" "Let her. I have honestly had enough of her shit. She talked and fussed over Erwin for two hours straight, and if that wasn't enough, she undermined all of Hanji's decisions while we were gone. The main reason I came down here was to escape her. I even brought my work here with me, though the papers may have ended up a little scrunched" Eren snorted against him, pressing a kiss to neck, before pulling away "Then you should get started. My room should be ready by now" "And if I asked you stay?" "Will you do all your work?" "Of course I will, brat. I'm not you" Eren gave him a warm smile, his eyes sparkling with more happiness than he could remember seeing since... if sex didn't count, then the last time would have been before the sword incident "Then I'll stay. But you have to do all of it" "I know. Seriously. Petra has no idea the amount of work she's made for me" "I think her intentions were in the right place" "I'd really rather they weren't. Are you hungry? I can send for food" "I could eat, but you're just trying to get out of work" "I am not. I'm simply worried for you" "You don't need to be, and please, don't worry about your own condition so much. I mean, I still need to know if symptoms present, but don't be afraid to be yourself" "If I was myself, I wouldn't be in this situation to begin with. But then again, it is because I am, that I met you. The centre of all my affections" Eren gave him quick kiss, before walking over to the bed and sprawling across it. His long legs slightly spread, but unfortunately covered by the pair of black pants he was wearing. Waving his hand towards the dining table, his voice took on a mocking "royal" tone "And you are mine, my good sir. Now, get to work" * Falling back to sleep in Levi's bed, his boyfriend woke him when he joined him for the night, insisting he strip out of his tight pants and tunic in order "to be more comfortable", while Eren was sure that it was because his boyfriend was a sexually insatiable. To Levi's credit, the man had poured over the paperwork, while Eren had offered suggestions and calmed him when his alpha grew annoyed or angered. Curling around him, Levi nuzzled at his neck, then promptly fell asleep. Eren would have laughed if it hadn't run the risk of waking his alpha. Sometimes Levi reminded him of a small child, especially with how peaceful he looked as he slept... but he couldn't help but wonder if they'd even be laying here like this, if Levi knew the truth of what he'd done. When the morning came, Eren slipped out from under Levi, in hopes of stealing the first shower given how much he'd slicked in his sleep. He'd barely stepped under the warm water when Levi was joining him. Biting his bottom lip lightly, Levi jerked his erection slowly as his eyes travelled down Eren's body "See something you like?" "Something like that" "Only something?" "I see a lot of what I like, and a sneaky little shit who crept out of bed" "I slicked in my sleep" "I know. The sheets are still wet with it" Leaning in, the teen stole a quick kiss "Are you going to punish me for it?" "I think I might..." "Then get on with it. I have a room to unpack and you have a kingdom to rule" Releasing his erection, Levi stepped under the running water, pulling Eren close by his hips, both moaning into the heated kiss as Levi's hands slipped to grope his arse. Feeling the gently prompting with his fingers tips, he let himself be lifted by his arse, legs wrapping around his alpha's waist "I'm going to fuck you so hard" "Good..." Pinned against the shower wall, Eren had come the moment Levi had pushed in, so aroused from whatever he'd been dreaming about. Laughing at him between kisses, Levi then took his time to thoroughly fuck him senseless, until he was literally boneless in his arms. The alpha had way too much stamina when it came to drawing out the pleasure, and turning him into a babbling mess. Coming a second time, didn't slow Levi at all. Over stimulated and feeling full, Levi finally picked his pace up, knotting him a long grunt. Letting his legs go limp, he was held in place by Levi's panting form "Eren?" "Mmm" "You ok?" "Mhmm" "Good" "You?" "Mhmm" "Good. Fuck... Would it be rude if I spent the whole day in bed?" Levi kissed his chest, before rubbing his cheek against the spot "Do I get to spend it with you?" "No. You've got to be princely" "Then yes. Incredibly rude. So rude I don't know what to say" "I'm not spending it in your bed..." "That's even worse. I wanted to finish our conversation yesterday, but paperwork happened" "What was left to talk about?" Couldn't they just bask in the pleasant afterglow? He liked the afterglow. He liked the way Levi's knot was caught him, and the way his alpha's penis swelled to stretch him wide open as the alpha's seed flooded into him. He liked the way their bond felt stronger and how his magic loved the alpha just as much as he did. He didn't want to keep using his words "About how certain you are over the sword being sealed? This relationship. What we're going to say about scales?" Ugh. Adult responsibilities. He was tired of them. Maybe he'd find somewhere else to take a nap... "I'm not ashamed of them, but I do know the danger. This relationship. I don't want to give it up. Or for anything to change. I'm a little bit dragon and you're a little bit cursed. If things change, I'll let you know. And if you change, we'll work it out. And the sword should be sealed for good. I've... placed it somewhere safe for now. To be honest, I think the magic should hold, but if anything were to go wrong, it would be during your rut, and I'm here with you. I'll do everything I can for you, so can you please just stop asking me questions while you're still coming in my arse and I'm too tired to human" "Ok... I shouldn't have pushed" "I love that you do. I just wish you'd trust that I care for you more than the rest of the world" Levi shook his head, hiding his face "I don't know how you can say such shit so easily" "Because it's true. Or at least, that is how I feel. Let me turn your word into a sword, and help you lead this kingdom. The people need their prince, and I want to be the one to support you" "What happens if you chose to leave one day?" "You foolish prince, I left you alone, you'd fall to pieces. No. No matter what, I will do my best for you and for Eldia. I love you. I can't even say your name to tell you, but I do" "Fucking commands" "It's ok... it was the right thing to do to protect the kingdom..." Eren regretted his wording. He needed to find a way to repair all of this between him, Levi and Erwin... Maybe he'd seek the man out later? If Erwin wasn't going to be the responsible one, he needed to step up. For the state of the kingdom, and for the sake of the one he loved. After eating breakfast together, Eren and Levi went their seperate ways. Eren to his room to unpack, while Levi had messages to send. Apparently there had been some kind of trouble at the docks again, and Levi had to deal with it immediately, lest Zeke get it in his head that he needed to visit again. Sitting in his small room, it felt tiny in comparison to the cabin he'd had in Draecia, and some how he'd accumulated enough junk to fill the space, or it would have if he had unpacked. While he liked his room being so close to Levi's, perhaps it was time to ask if he may use another room, or even build a small cabin for himself near where his herb garden used to be. There were so many spells and herbal remedies he wanted to try now that he was back on home soil. His nap was going to have to wait. He needed to seek Erwin out, to ask his permission, so they may as well talk while he was at it. He also needed to check in with Armin, and make sure he hadn't ended up spending every moment since his return with Hanji. The only problem the teen has was his scales. Levi had smelt concerned over it, and he wanted to respect that, yet he couldn't hide the fact he wasn't quite human. Petra had seemed disgusted by them, which he felt was incredibly narrow minded. She lived in a world filled with magic. Wherever he went, there were whispers. New soldiers had no idea who he was, while old soldiers rolled their eyes as he passed. By the time he reached the kitchens, he was longing for a familiar face, which he found in Nicollo. Sitting at the familiar table, Eren smiled at the sight of the kitchen staff bustling around. He'd never been able to sit in the kitchen of the manor like this... watching Nicollo, it was worth it. The man visibly jumped as he turned around and caught sight of him. There was a brief tug at the corners of the man's lips, before his facial features settled into a scowl "You're back" "I am" "What's with your face?" "I'm part dragon" Nicollo huffed, putting his hands on his hips "So that's why you destroyed my kitchen?" Nicollo just couldn't let it go, and instead of being annoyed, it just drove home the feeling of how right it was to be here "Yep. And I know the kitchens the real powerhouse of the castle..." "You're back five minutes and you're already making trouble" "I was just going to ask if you knew where Levi was" "I think he's with the soldiers out on the training field. You're not planning on causing any more trouble are you?" "Nope. I just need to talk to him, that's all" Turning back to the saucepan he'd been hovering over when Eren walked in, Nicollo stopped him from leaving by casually dropping "There's a rumour going 'round that there was some trouble in Draecia, and that you are the reason Levi lost his arm" Oh. So it wasn't the scales... Everyone thought he was to blame for what happened... He couldn't help but feel that this was Petra's revenge for the previous afternoon. Nope. He wasn't going to stoop to her Levi, but he might as well spread a rumour of his own, especially when he didn't want to be treated like a freak "No. Well, yes, but not like that. Levi messed around with something dangerous and it was either his arm or his life. It nearly cost both him, and Prince Erwin their lives" "Right. Off you go then" The walk down to the training field gave him plenty of time to deal with the fact that Nicollo didn't believe him. The fact he was dragging his feet only prolonged the inevitable, though it did give him plenty of time to enjoy the scents around the place, other than the stink of the stables. Draecia felt so very different from Eldia that it was hard to process they were once part of the same empire. The magic here wasn't the same, nor was the land healed the way Draecia was. Maybe he'd sprinkle a few scales when they fell? Something to booster the magic here, and something to heal the land? He loved Eldia... and what was the point of having power if he couldn't use it? His internal thoughts continued until he reached Mikasa, as well as Petra and the people he guessed were her squad. Chatting away with them, Erwin had a smile on his face, patting the stump like it was an old war wound "Eren!" Leaping up from where the group was sitting on the grass, Mikasa strode over to him "What are you doing here? Is it safe for you to be walking around?" "I'm fine, Mikasa. I see you're right back at work" "The stupid prince has decided that I'll be taking over my squad again, and we'll be moving to the port for the next few months. Levi came down with Petra to notify us. I don't see why she can't handle it, it was her post before she was engaged to the prince" Eren hid his annoyance over his adoptive sister taking her anger out on his boyfriend. The port needed someone they could trust down there, and he was kind of proud that Mikasa was selected for such a role "I heard there's been some trouble down there" "How do you know that?" "This castle is filled with rumours. Anyway, I actually came to talk to Levi" "Why? What business do you have with him? Is this something to do with your coma? Because you never gave me an explanation over that, and then all of a sudden we were leaving" "What happened was an accident, but I've been sworn to secrecy. Have you seen Armin?" "Armin was with Squad Leader Hanji last night. I haven't seen him since. Are you sure you're ok? You smell different" "I smell like Eldia soap, and I'm fine. I slept most of yesterday and last night. You worry too much" "How can I not? You know I care for you, Eren. I..." Nope... he wasn't going there today "I know, I care for you too. I'm sorry, I really need to talk to Levi" Eren raised his voice at "Levi" causing Erwin to pay attention. Helping him up, Petra remained by Erwin's side as the pair joined them "Eren" Forcing a smile at Petra, she looked as if she wanted to run him through with her sword "What are you doing wandering around the castle grounds?" "I needed to talk with Levi over something. I'm sorry for interrupting your... meeting" "Levi..." Erwin placed his good hand on Petra's shoulder "Sure, shall we take a walk?" "That'll be great. I'll see you later, Mikasa. Petra" Dismissing both female alphas, both looked annoyed. Probably because he was an omega, acting like an alpha. Walking away from the group, Eren found himself following Erwin towards the opposite end of the training field, the silence was weird, and there was only so much of it he could take "Look. I want to talk. I don't want to start a fight, but I felt we should talk about what happened in Draecia" Erwin nodded, though didn't offer any kind of verbal reply "Um... your arm. Does it hurt?" "No. I suppose I do need to thank you for acting so fast" "I wish it didn't turn out like this, you know. I never wanted to... hurt you" "I know. I've been waiting for you to tell me "I told you so"" "What good would that do now? The whole castle knows I'm to blame thanks to the latest round of rumours..." Eren cut his own sentence off with a shake of his head "No. This isn't what I want to say. I'm not happy about anything that happened between us in Draecia. I know you hate me, and I know you don't trust me, but I do want to help Eldia, and to do that, we need to get along. The prince has a hard enough job, without worrying about if we are fighting or not" "How unexpectedly mature of you" "See. That's what I mean. I know you don't like me being with him. I know. But... I love him, and I love Eldia" "He's engaged to be married to Petra" "I know he is. I also know he's scared. I'm sure you know that too. His blackouts are being caused by Obsydin, and he fears what he is capable of" "What is he capable of?" "Obsydin... He was a dragon of amazing power, but kind of taboo to talk about. From what Historia told me, he has the powers of making dreams a reality. His madness rears when the prince loses his temper, or he sleeps" Erwin sighed heavily, his steps coming to a stop "Then what are we supposed to do?" We? Since when were they a "we"? "You? Nothing. Nothing changes for now" Erwin growled as his scent filled with anger, Eren taking half a step back "You can't be serious! What if he infects the castle?!" Was that all Erwin cared about!? Not the man who's life he manipulated like he was a marionette "He won't! Because unlike you, I've been doing everything I can to make sure that wouldn't happen!" "What? What did you do? You ran away" "I ran away, and was picked up Rod's favourite dragon Sina. I told Rod about Zeke, and do you know what he did? He bashed the fuck out of me, broke my arm, and told me I'm banished from Draecia. He would have been happy for us to all die, but instead we put a plan into place and got out of there alive. I've met the Obsydin in his mind. Twice he used my magic to heal me. He's the reason I'm alive. He saved me from the magical contamination that occurred when you drew the sword, then after Rod broke my body" "So you've taken his side? Because he's a dragon, you don't care for him anymore" Was it rude to punch a one armed man? "Can you just drop the fucking act? It's gotten old. I know you're under pressure to rule the kingdom. I know you're scared and now you've lost your arm, you stupid bastard. No. I haven't taken Obsydin's side. I love him, and I nearly died to help with sealing what I could of Obsydin away. He doesn't know, but I used my scales and part of my soul to make sure he was no longer suffering. I... I gave up my dream, because he means that much to me. I don't care if you hate me. I don't care if you run around telling everyone I cut your arm off for now. I don't care because this isn't a popularity contest. Eldia needs the public prince, and I did what I could. Fuck. This wasn't what we were supposed to be taking about. Look. The engagement with Petra will have to wait. The real test of the magic Historia and I used will come when he enters his rut. Our bond is fully open then, and he's at one with his alpha and his desires. So, for the good of Eldia, can you please just back off" It would be so much easier if he could just say Levi's name. Standing there with fists clenched, he was completely prepared to punch Erwin if he didn't agree. Swallowing, Erwin pinched the bridge of his nose before taking a deep breath and releasing it "Look. I don't hate you. It's just... I've never seen him like this. Not unless it was Farlan or Isabel. He cares deeply for you, but he loses his composure when it comes to you" "I know he does... but Erwin, the last thing I want is for this kingdom to fall back into war. I know I can't be his lover publicly, and I'm ok with that. I'm ok with being whatever he wants me to be" "I don't think you understand" "No. It's you who doesn't. I've entertained Zeke for you. I've told our prince over, and over, he can't go to war, and I told him he shouldn't dissolve his engagement, because the country wouldn't survive another war. I studied everything I could while in Draecia and I want to use that to help the kingdom. I understand if you don't want a dragon in your castle, my magic was uncontrolled because it's more dragon than mage, but I've changed and I've grown. If you would like, I'll live out here, or in a room further away from his. Hell, I'll even leave the castle and go help wherever you need, but I'm serious about him" "What did you give up?" Eren raised an eyebrow "What?" "You said you gave up your dream. What was your dream?" "I..." His stupid omega flooded him with sadness "Tell me what you gave up" "Only if you don't tell him" "I won't make that promise" He couldn't get out of telling Erwin "A clutch. I gave up on having children of my own. If I'm pregnant, the eggs inside of me will pass just before my next heat, but if they do, it's pretty much a sure sign that I'll never have children" Setting his jaw, and grinding his teeth, the omega fought to keep his tears from forming "Why would you that?" "Because Eldia needs him... and he's the only one I could ever love. Besides. Obsydin makes dreams become reality. If he... if we... I could end up carrying his children, and I will not allow that to happen. Maybe someday we can find a way to defeat Obsydin completely, and maybe then I can undo the spell, but we don't know that, so this is what needed to happen" Eren flinched as Erwin placed his hand on his shoulder "You truly love him, don't you?" "I do" "I release you of the commands I put on you, and place a new command on you. You will refer to us by our names, only when no one else is around. If you yell or shout, you shall call him "Erwin", and me "Levi". In public, and in front of anyone but us, I am "Levi", and he is "Erwin". If someone else asks, you will not tell them the truth, even if they use a command on you. If he gives you a command, you will follow it, and if your spell doesn't hold, you will tell me immediately. Understood?" Eren nodded, Erwin's grip growing tighter until he figure out what the man wanted "Yes, sir" "Good. And yes. Your quarter's being so close to Levi's is causing an issue. We shall need to find new accomodation for you. It is not safe to let you stay outside the castle, but you and Levi are hardly quiet" It wasn't his fault that being thoroughly drilled by Levi felt fucking amazing... "I'm sorry" "I'll look into it, and arrange new quarters. For now, I need to think. You are dismissed" "Yes, sir. And... I really am sorry about your arm. When I saw what was happening, I lost my head. I didn't want Eldia to lose you, or to lose... well, you know" "I know. It's not easy keeping up this charade, and balancing the future of the kingdom" "I don't envy you. Never forget, you're not alone" When Erwin removed his hand, Eren started walking back towards the castle. He'd nearly said Levi's name, but he desperately wanted Levi to be the first one to hear him say it. He wasn't free from Erwin's commands, but it was a kinder command. With that thought in mind, Eren's pace hastened. He wanted to see Levi. He wanted to call him by his name, over and over. He wanted to make up for every time he'd moaned something other than Levi... The smile on his face was huge as he raced forward.

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choicesfanatic86 · 6 years

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TTS: Part 33 In Liam’s Eyes (1/2)

DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Pixelberry Studios, except characters unique to my story. Those belong to me. ;)

PAIRINGS: Riley (MC) x OC, Riley (MC) x Liam, Liam x Riley (MC) x OC, Olivia x Drake, Bertrand x Savannah, Maxwell x OC

SUMMARY: Liam learns of Riley’s accident, and is having a difficulty time coping.

If you are new to the series and would like to catch up by reading previous parts, please check out my master fan fiction listing. CATCH UP HERE

TAGS: @herladyshipxx @theroyalweisme @blackcatkita @devineinterventions2 @hopefulmoonobject @captainkingliam @pbchoicesobsessed @cocomaxley @queencatherynerhys @mfackenthal @boneandfur @spetstoof @bobasheebaby @grapefrults @pessimystic-fangirl @dralenamax @mspaigemoore @drakelover78 @kaitycole @jayjay879 @hhiggs @umccall71 @penguininapinktuxedo @topsyturvy-dream @decisso @pnhanga @ladynonsense @mrs-simmy @jamielea81 @alwaysthebestchoice @hamulau @mrsdrakewalkerblog @crookedslimecreatorpasta @liamxsworld @flowerpowell

5/20/18 - This had to be split into two parts. Please note that you will not need to read this part in order to figure out what happens in part 34. It would help though since this part (the part 2 of this part) gives you a little sneak peak at what’s to come. ;) Part 2 will be posted 7:00 pm HST. :)

As always thank you for the awesome feedback. SO blessed and lucky to have ya’ll reading my fics!

PART 33 - In Liam’s Eyes (Part 1)

Liam hadn’t been in the mood for a party, but Olivia was one of his dearest friends. She’d also been working extraordinarily hard on a new initiative that could bolster the small country’s tourism. So when she approached him about possibly providing the venue for her upcoming birthday celebration that Drake would be hosting, he didn’t have the heart to tell her no. She deserved this celebration, and he was happy enough to oblige, although he did find it curious why it was her asking him instead of Drake.

Even though he could think of a handful of ways he could better be spending his evening, he didn’t want to disappoint her, and it did provide a healthy diversion from the multitude of other thoughts on his mind. He’d spent most evenings lately locked in his study, sipping scotch and working on bills that needed his review and approval. He enjoyed keeping busy. Busy was good because busy meant less time to think. He wasn’t a big fan of thinking lately. It had gotten him into far too much trouble.

He watched from his balcony as handfuls of Cordonia’s most elite nobles wandered into the palace; Liam wondered if his presence would be greatly missed at the celebration. He considered doing a once around the room then sneaking back into his study so that at least Olivia couldn’t fault him for not showing up. But he thought better of it when he realized that regardless, these people were in his home, and it would be hard to explain away the fact that he wasn’t present at least for a majority of the night. He sighed, leaving his study to head toward the main ballroom.

As he walked leisurely around the room, greeting the various nobles, his eyes wandered to Maxwell who was escorting Lady Andy in from one of the side doors. They made their way toward the appetizer table, and appeared to make themselves quite comfortable. It was amazing that Maxwell had found himself a woman who could handle all of his antics, more so, that she enjoyed his little quirks more than anything. As he walked over, he heard Andy laugh sweetly, smiling brightly. So much of her personality reminded him of Riley. He wondered if I was a requirement to be funny in order to live in New York. Both girls had similar personalities and similar mannerisms, and it absolutely killed him when he was around her. She reminded him so much of Riley. He liked Andy, he truly did, but every time he saw her, his heart hurt just a bit more because it was a constant reminder that Riley was gone. For good. All because of him. Liam composed himself. He couldn’t think about this now. It was over and done with. He had made his decision, and he would stand by it. He was the country’s monarch. He couldn’t bother himself with such trivial concerns. He cleared his throat, making his presence known to the distracted couple.

“Lady Andy, Lord Maxwell,” he bowed his head in greeting. “How wonderful of both of you to join us this evening. Lady Olivia will be pleased to see you,” he grasped Maxwell’s hand firmly. “Lady Andy, you look quite lovely this evening.”

She blushed, mumbling a quiet thank you. She still didn’t seem to be very comfortable at court. She had a hard time blending in with the other nobles, and he wondered if that’s what Riley felt like at times, that he was too blind to see it.

“Where’s the guest of honor?” Andy asked, pulling a card out from her handbag. “We wanted to give this to her before it gets forgotten,” she smiled lightly.

“I’m fairly certain she’s in the kitchens yelling at the caterer,” Liam mused. “Nothing has been going quite right for her today, unfortunately.”

“The birthday girl is worrying about planning snafus at her party?” Maxwell raised his eyebrows. “I thought Drake was the one planning things.”

Liam stifled a quiet laugh. “Do you really think that Lady Olivia would entrust her birthday celebration to our dear friend, Drake? He barely tolerates the court events we host. Did you really think that he’d be amiable to planning an event . . . for the ever particular Lady Olivia?”

“Of course not,” Maxwell shrugged. “I figured he’d at least be helping today, though.”

Liam shook his head. Maxwell, ever the optimist; it’s why they were such good friends. He needed Maxwell’s positivity in his life. “I’m sure he’s with her in the kitchens. His hand likely glued to a bottle of whiskey,” Liam chuckled.

Andy snickered a little, as if there were some private joke he wasn’t included in. Her eyes lit up much like Riley’s did when she laughed. His lighthearted mood started to take a nosedive. “Well, I better be off. Olivia should be back soon to make the formal announcements of dinner. I’ll let her know to come and find you as soon I see her,” he waved goodbye, intending to grab a drink to numb his mind a bit, however, as soon as he left their presence, he had gotten caught up with discussion with an ambassador on the country’s new trade agreements.

That seemed to be the trend throughout the evening. Liam bounced from one person to another, and really had no opportunity to make a break for his study. He had found himself caught up with one of the local dukes on his new education initiative that he had hoped to implement by the following school term. The duke was making a passionate bid for some additional programs, and Liam was listening intently to his suggestions, until Olivia’s voice pierced through the room’s sound system.

“Is this thing on?” She said rather loudly, her voice bouncing off the ceiling. “Thank you everyone for deciding to spend your evening celebrating my birthday,” Olivia smiled brightly, holding a large champagne flute in her hand. “Dinner will be served promptly in around thirty minutes, and then we will be graced with the wonderful performance of . . . “

Liam’s attention waned in and out of Olivia’s speech. It was all the same. Every party, every ball. It followed the same structure, there was nothing really different or special about it. His attention shifted back to the duke, who continued to speak despite Olivia’s loud voice. He tried to pay attention, but found his gaze wandering to Andy and Maxwell in the corner of the ballroom. They were seated at a table with Savannah and Bertrand. Both couples were quite taken with one another. It was amazing how a few years could change so much. He remembered, before he became king, they had all been single and lived relatively carefree lifestyles. It was amazing to see everyone settling down, making lives for themselves. He was particularly surprised at how drastic Maxwell’s life had changed over the last couple of months. He had always known that Maxwell, with his effervescent charm, did well when it came to landing women, keeping them, on the other hand, was an entirely different matter. He’d had his fair share of fleeting romances, but they were always with women who could never seem to last beyond a few weeks. It usually ended in him getting bored and driving the poor girl insane with his antics. Andy was different. Andy was a keeper.

As happy as he was for his friends, he couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. He wanted what they had. He thought he had found it, but unfortunately, it seemed like once again, love just wasn’t a part of the hand that life had dealt him. Perhaps he was better off anyway. Love was always a distraction. He always found it difficult to balance what he knew he needed to do and what he wanted. He could never invest his time equally. That’s why he had lost Riley the first time. He was torn between what he knew should happen and what he wanted. So what if the monarchy died with him? Perhaps one of Leo’s children would fare better as the country’s monarch one day. That is if they even wanted it. He best knew the sacrifices he made for the monarchy, for his country, and for his people.

His thoughts were interrupted by a shrill cry. The duke was still yammering away, unfazed by the cry that just broke through the ballroom. He swallowed thickly, his eyes wandering across the room, hoping that nothing was gravely wrong. His eyes drifted to the corner, where Andy had been sobbing loudly.

His heart dropped to his stomach. Something was wrong. He could see it written on Andy’s face.

“If you’ll excuse me,” he cut the duke off, rushing to the corner table, not caring if he offended the man.

“Tiger Lilly? What is it?” Maxwell arose from his chair, grasping her shoulder tightly.

“It’s Riley! Something’s wrong,” she said frantically, fiddling with the buttons on her phone, trying to dial a number. “I can’t get through,” she sobbed.

At the mention of Riley’s name, Liam could have sworn that his heart had stopped for a moment. The ballroom started to get hazy, and the voices around him were echoing inside of his head. What happened to her? “What’s wrong?” he asked carefully. “Did she try calling you?”

She shook her head hysterically. “N-no,” she stammered. “It was just a voicemail. Alicia said they were at the hospital,” she said through her hyperventilation.

He licked his lips, trying to place the name she mentioned. He’d heard it before, but he couldn’t remember what the relationship was. But that didn’t matter right now. All that mattered is they figured out what was going on with Riley and go from there.

Bertrand walked over to a crying Andy, a displeased look on her face. “You’re making a scene, it might be prudent to continue this discussion outside,” he said sternly.

“B-but, it’s Riley.”

His face softened at the mention of Riley’s name. “Lady Riley? What’s wrong?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“Andy, just breathe for a moment,” Liam looked at her, grasping her hand. “Take a few deep breaths, and let’s start at the beginning. What did the voicemail say?”

“That there had been an accident,” she inhaled deeply, “and that she was at New York Presbyterian with Andy. She said she was unconscious.”

Liam took a sharp intake of breath. He tried not to let it show, but he was winded. The fact that she was involved in some sort of accident was worrisome enough, but to hear that she was unconscious, that was even worse.

“Unconscious?” Maxwell gasped. “As in . . . a coma?”

Liam’s heart crumbled. Of course Maxwell would jump to the most outrageous conclusion, but then again, what if he was right? What if she was in a coma? Oh Lord, he’d been so awful to her. He’d said such horrible things to her because he was hurt and jealous, and now he didn’t even know if she was alright.

“Call the hospital,” Bertrand ordered. “If you can’t get through to her dingbat friend, go to the source. Now, Andy.”

She nodded, taken aback by his gruff tone. Her hands trembled as she searched for the hospital’s number.

“Hello? Yes . . . yes I need to check on the status of a patient. Her name is Riley Lawson. I’m not sure what happened, I just got a voicemail saying she was at New York Presbyterian,” her eyes met Liam’s, as she tried to hold herself together. “No, no not from the hospital, from her assistant. I – uh – I’m assuming sometime today? I just got the message, and it doesn’t really give me too much information. I’d imagine she’d be in the emergency room?”

“What are they saying?” Bertrand demanded, his face grim.

Andy didn’t answer, she was too focused on the phone call. “We made each other our emergency contacts in case something happened. It might be on record? Oh, well I can’t really do that as I’m in Europe right now,” she mumbled. “There has to be something else I can do? I can do like a video chat. Oh, you don’t have that sort of capabilities. I – I don’t know anyone else who can go down . . . I guess I’ll just have to keep trying to her phone, maybe her assistant will answer,” she sighed, tears running down her cheeks. “Can you at least tell me if she’s there? You can’t?” She gasped, the sobs starting again. “No, I understand. I understand.”

Andy looked at the three men surrounding her, shaking her heads. “They couldn’t help me. Something about me having to show identification to prove who I am,” she sighed. “I shouldn’t have stayed. I should have been with her, then none of this would have happened.”

“Andy, don’t say that,” Maxwell hugged her tightly. “We don’t even know what happened yet,” he tried to reason with her.

“What do you mean they won’t release any information from you?” Bertrand fumed.

“That’s what the girl I spoke with said,” Andy shrugged.

“Did you ask to speak to a manager?” He asked in annoyance.

“Obviously, I didn’t Bertrand,” she sniffled.

“Unacceptable. Give me the number,” he had his hand out waiting for her phone.

“Bertrand, perhaps this isn’t the best course of action. Perhaps there’s another way. I’m sure I can make some calls to the American embassy, see if they are able to procure the information we are looking for,” Liam tried to rationalize things.

Bertrand held his finger up toward Liam, shaking his head. “Yes, my name is Bertrand Beaumont. An acquaintance of mine called earlier regarding a Riley Lawson. We wish to know her medical status. Yes well she is a member of my family. What’s it matter that we don’t have the same last name?” He narrowed his eyes at the phone. “She’s a sister,” he said firmly. “Well, I can’t come down to the facility because I’m currently in Europe,” he explained tersely.

“Her social security number? How in the bloody hell would I know that? No, this is unacceptable. I would like to speak to your superior officer. That will not do. Let me speak to an administrator then. No I don’t know what time it is there. As your thick head does not seem to be comprehending, let me speak clearly and slowly. I. Am. In. Europe. It is impossible for me to come down,” he yelled into the phone. “Hello? Hello?” He threw the phone back to Andy. “They hung up on me,” he said angrily.

“Guys, Olivia wants you to quiet down. You’re disrupting the cello performance. She’s kind of freaking out that there seems to be some sort of incident with ‘my people’, as she put it, so what’s going on?”

“It’s Riley,” Maxwell murmured. “She’s in a coma,” he said sadly.

“What? Lawson?” Drake exclaimed, his eyes scanning over everyone’s fear-stricken faces. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

“Maxwell,” Liam shook his head. “We don’t know anything yet,” he explained. Andy received a voicemail, but it didn’t reveal as much information as we would hope.”

“I need to go to New York,” Andy sniffled. “I need to get back there and find out how she is. I’m just wasting time being here. I need to know she’s okay,” she looked at Maxwell pleadingly.

Liam cleared his throat. “We’ll get you on the first flight to New York. Anything you need, it will be at your disposal. I assure you, we will make sure you’re on that flight within the hour,” he said firmly. “Maxwell, take her home, help her get packed. Then take her to the airport. The plane will be waiting when she gets there,” Liam said calmly.

Andy and Maxwell left the ballroom. Bertrand followed shortly after retrieving Savannah from their table. Liam excused himself to his study, his phone already pressed to his ear making the arrangements for Andy to utilize his private plane. For a moment, he wanted to go himself. He thought about packing a quick bag and heading to the airport and fly to New York with Andy by his side, but then he realized, she probably wouldn’t want him there. He’d said such horrible things to her. She probably didn’t want to ever look at him again. Drake was right. As soon as she left, he should have called her to apologize. He should have stopped her from leaving . . . but he was too embarrassed. To prideful. He didn’t want to admit that he was wrong. He knew deep down that she wouldn’t betray him, but with Paul being back, and learning about their shared kiss, he just couldn’t fathom losing her again. He wasn’t going to let her be the one to break him. He was going to break her first. He was going to make sure she didn’t have the chance to shatter his heart again. And look where it got him. Broken and alone anyway. As much as he wanted to make amends and pretend as if the outburst had happened, he just couldn’t. No, he lost the right to love her and care about her the moment he kicked her out of the palace. And for what? To lick the wounds of his injured ego? To ensure he kept his pride. It hardly seemed worth it now, considering she was in the hospital.

He poured himself a glass of scotch, filling it up much more than he typically did. He needed something extra strong to numb the pain tonight. He gazed out the window, much like he did the night he told her to leave, overcome with emotion, he allowed a single tear to fall down his cheek.

A knock at the door, startled him. He wiped the stray tear away, composing himself. He sniffled, as he said, “Come in.”

Drake marched in, looking distraught. A glass of whiskey in his hand.

“Seems like we had the same idea,” Liam said, raising his glass.

“You doing okay?” Drake asked him, rubbing his free hand behind his neck. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he murmured, sitting in the chair across from the window.

“Has Olivia calmed down?” Liam asked, not wanting to focus on the issue at hand.

“After I explained to her that something happened to Riley, she cooled it,” he sighed. “I knew this party was a bad idea,” he shrugged. “I got a text from Maxwell. Andy’s flight took off about ten minutes ago,” he said quietly.

“Good,” he whispered, taking a long sip from his scotch. He continued to gaze out the window, not able to meet Drake’s eyes.

“What are you thinking about?” Drake asked, watching him carefully.

“Her. Always her,” he said quietly.

“I’m sure she’s fine, Liam,” Drake leaned forward.

“And if she isn’t?” He said darkly, his mouth formed into a thin line.

Drake sat silent. “She has to be,” he shrugged. “Come on, Liam. She’s Lawson. She’s a bad ass. We won’t know anything until Andy gets back to New York. Quick thinking on the private plane, by the way. Getting through commercial would have taken three times as long,” Drake reasoned.

“Yes, well. It’s the least I can do considering . . .” he let the thought trail off, knowing Drake would know what he was referring to.

“Yeah, you uh . . . didn’t want to go with her?” Drake hummed out.

Liam shook his head slowly. “It wouldn’t have been right,” he said. “Considering what happened before she left,” he reasoned.

Drake watched him sadly. He could see the despair in Liam’s eyes. “So uh, I was supposed to give you something . . . I didn’t know when the right time would be,” he shrugged, reaching into the pocket of his jeans. “I’ve been hanging onto it for a while . . . sorry it got a bit messed up since I’ve had it so long . . . I was uh . . . waiting to see if you were ready to read it . . . It’s from Lawson,” he rambled.

Liam’s eyes turned away from the window, meeting Drake’s gaze. “What is it?”

“I’m not sure, exactly. She told me not to open it, and for fear of her wrath, I listened. Seemed pretty important though . . . she wanted me to give it to you when you were ready.”

He nodded, motioning to the desk. “Just leave it on my desk,” he said quietly.

“You’re not going to open it?” Drake asked.

“Later,” Liam murmured. “Go be with Olivia, Drake. Don’t take a single day for granted, otherwise, you’ll end up like this,” he raised his glass, his eyes red from a mixture of tiredness and heartache.

Drake shook his head, looking at the sadness in his eyes. “It’s never too late you know,” Drake murmured as he got up and started to walk towards the study’s door.

“I’m already late, Drake. She’s in the goddamn hospital,” he sighed raising his glass once more before downing the rest of the contents. He let the amber liquid burn his throat. When he heard the door click shut, he allowed himself to give into the overwhelming tears that threatened to fall since Andy got that damn voicemail.

#choices #choices: stories you play #playchoices #choices fandom #choices the royal romance #the royal romance #theroyalromance #the royal romance fan fic #trr fanfic #trr #choices trr #trr fic #liam x mc #liam x riley #king liam #liam rys

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kmp78 · 6 years

Text

I came, I saw, I (little bit) konquered 💪

First of all: apologies for this mega massive post! 😂

But I wanted to fit everything in one, so that´s the way it has to be!

Big thanks to lovely Stockholm for being a very gracious host and taking such good care of this world-weary traveler! Let´s start off with some general sights before getting down to the nasty business of Mars!

I have to say that seeing those posters for the 1st time in the flesh made me quite giddy indeed...

BUT NOW! On to the main event...

The M&G took place a few hours before the show, and arrangements were top grade, gotta give props when props are due!

These two ladies were really lovely and seemed like PROS at what they do and yet POLITE towards us even tho this was probably the 3000th M&G they were handling. I have no complaints!

We were escorted to a small meeting room type of area right next door to the stage area, and at first I figured I wasn´t even gonna bother fighting the hoards for the 1st row seats, but then I heard Reni saying there was one spot left - and I leaped into action.

At the M&G room Reni explained the rules and game plan for the evening. No personal/private questions, no simple yes/no questions, no groping during the pics, no running to the concert area (there were near-catastrophic incidents in Prague some days ago, some girls ran like cray and tripped and fell and created a domino effect and it was a mess...) and so on. 🙄

Reni asked us who has listened to the album (most raised their hands) and who has not listened to the album (me and few others raised ours... Hihi...), and what people´s fave songs were.

Then we got back to talking about the potential questions again, and she encouraged people to ask about the new album (*COUGH* REMEMBER THIS LATER AS YOU READ ON *COUGH*), or if you want advice etc.

Not that I cared much anyway, but seeing as she did not seem to touch upon “that topic” at all, I decided to try my luck and asked:

“What about the “elephant in the room”?” 🐘

The room fell silent and there were some dramatic “Oooooooh´s” coming from my fellow VIP peeps.

Reni´s face went serious and she quietly said “No”, as was fully expected.

I pressed on.

“How come?”

Reni: “Because we would rather... It´s a personal matter. Of the band.”

Me: “So we´re never gonna get any explanation?”

Reni: “It´s a personal matter... And until he doesn´t decide... It´s not in our...”

And that was it! That´s the explanation I managed to squeeze out! Sorry, guys! I tried, but... 😞

I´m totally not the only one who reads that to mean that IT WAS TOMO´S OWN DECISION TO WALK AND IT´LL BE HIS DECISION IF/WHEN HE COMES BACK, right?! And that the band has no say in it, and they have no clue if and when the situation gets resolved?! Right?!

UGH! 😠

Then Reni went on to explain that if someone was there specifically to meet TM, they could get a refund but they would have to leave immediately.

Total bs “offer” because there ain´t NO ONE coming to these things just to meet TM, but whatever... I did contemplate if I should ask for a partial refund because I only got partial Mars, but chose to let it slide. Not even worth it.

One guy in the audience commented “Good question”, so I guess I wasn´t alone with my queries! It may have been Gustavo, I dunno.

Before the band came in, people kept busy by asking the crew a few questions.

And at this point I would like to offer a MEA CULPA and sincere apologies to the person/persons who I battled with some weeks ago when Reni´s home land was a topic. See, as luck would have it, one of the VIPs asked the staff where they were from, and Reni said “I´M ORIGINALLY FROM MEXICO”, so yeah... Haha! I giggled quite a lot... Sorry, anon/anons! I was indeed wrong! Shayla said she´s from NYC, Inaki also from Mexico and Diana (I think that was her name...?) from Brazil.

Shayla mentioned that she is kinda jetlagged. Reni said she´s usually pretty good with it.

Then they plugged Camp Mars (a few people had no idea what Camp Mars even is...) and lured us to buy with big promises of hangings with the band during the most magical weekend of the year.

“The band is also there all day.”

Reni also inquired if people would be interested in attending Camp if they by some miracle happened to arrange it in Europe. Most people were eager, no surprises there.

Someone asked if Camp could be arranged earlier in the summer, and Reni said no because the Malibu Camp site is occupado until August.

Another one asked if Camp is getting bigger, to which Reni replied that “It´s getting better. I would not say it´s getting bigger because the number of people for the past 2 times has been exactly the same, which is 200.”

So there we have it. An official number.

Well, as official as these people are ever gonna admit, anyway... 🤷

Then we voted for our fave songs from the new album. “GWO” won.

(I voted Tabasco. 🤗)

Someone wanted to know if they were gonna play “GWO”, and Shayla said nope because they have not rehearsed it.

Of course not! 🤷

Then we swiftly moved on to the “Kumbaya” moment of the evening where Reni asked if someone knows how to sing, and some dude said yeah, so he came up front and started singing WoW.

Now this is just my opinion, but sitting there listening to an almost Sunday church-like hysterical pathos... Worshipers partying and yelling out the lyrics as if God himself was within hearing distance...

I did not know I needed that in my life. 😱

Then Reni we needed to “make some noise so they´ll come faster”.

Is... is that what VK does too? 🤔

I dunno, but we did.

It did not help. 😴

To kill even more time, we did the obligatory “Where is everyone from?” round. I stayed silent. Surprisingly it seemed like almost half of the peeps were non-Swedes! The woman next to me was also from Finland. Wooooop!

Someone asked if the band is gonna do festivals, and Reni listed some upcoming dates. I don´t know why people don´t GO ONLINE to find out this stuff, but... 🤷

The crew also mentioned they have days off on occasion, Helsinki was mentioned as one of their days off, which kinda maybe means that the band will be arriving tomorrow and hanging for a whole day before the gig on Wednesday... Uuuuuuh!

Then all of a sudden...

DOORS FLUNG OPEN AND ANGELS SANG PRAISES! 🎺

Well no, it was just echies screaming and clapping. 🙏

JL and SL sneaked in from the stage area and the masses of course went bananas.

I still sat in silence and watched. 👀

The bros had a table and chairs, but never sat down. Instead they stood and placed one foot ON THE CHAIR, as all civilized peeps do.

JL asked if anyone was at the previous gig, and mentioned that it has been a really small show, but this one would be the smallest (arena holds max 3500 people). Last night apparently was “INCREDIBLE”, one of the better shows on the tour.

For some reason (pffft...) he spotted some German chicks who I guess were twins or smthg, I wasn´t really paying attention. Anyway, he mentioned “We always need more twins in our lives”.

Echies naturally giggled because OMGGGGGGGG HILAAAARIOUS, and JL went on to explain that “Hey our grandfather had a twin”.

SL quipped that maybe he or JL will have twins, and JL mentioned that he and JR argued about the twin gene skipping a generation or smthg like that. 🙄🙄

Then he spotted some chick in the front row who had big muscles (no she did not btw) and asked her if she´s a trainer or smthg. JL mentioned that he just recently started working out again so he keeps looking at muscles.

Uh huh. 🙄🙄🙄

On/off SL gave looks around the room, and I got some too. He did not smile, not even a crack. Meh.

THEN IT WAS FINALLY Q AND A TIME!!! 🙏 😈

Some dude asked how hard it is to get a workout on the road.

SL said the recovery is the most challenging part. I guess he meant recovery from the shows.

JL says the 2 hours on stage are the hardest, and then the rest of the time should be spent by doing nothing.

That last part might be more familiar to some in the band than others... 🤔

Some woman from Ohio, USA was picked and I guess she yammered on about herself a bit too long because JL interrupted her speech with a very stern “QUESTION!” (we all know that tone... Hihi!), and she asked if there were any “Aha!” moments when making the album.

I suppose she did not mean “Aha! We totes should wrap this whole shit in Americana even tho it has fuck all to do with it!”...

SL said the 1st thing that comes to mind is “Rescue Me”. Apparently they´ve had that song for 10 years and have had people help them work on it (WHOOOO?!), and the last person they worked on it with caused them to have an “Aha!” moment when they realized they were actually going to finish it.

I´m sure we all share that amazement...

JL said he remembered sitting down during TIW in his home in Fredonia (his old home) with a synthesizer and the verse and the chorus are still the same. Lyrics have changed. The chorus used to just be “Rescue me, rescue me” without anything else, and 5 years later he was sitting on a plane and the current chorus started forming in his head. The song used to have a “pre-chorus” too. “He said” or “She said” (I could not make out which, or maybe both) before the main chorus.

He said the lesson in that is to never give up because you never know what can happen. Sometimes songs happen quickly, like “A Modern Myth” which he said he wrote in 5 minutes, and SL wrote “Remedy” fairly quickly. Finishing songs usually takes him longer than coming up with a song.

Next guy asked about creative differences between Album 1 and Album 5.

JL said you can still hear the same band on both albums.

(GIVE OR TAKE A FEW BAND MEMBERS, MAYBE... 🙄)

He listed all the elements the new album features. He said he thinks a song like “Echelon” could totally be on the new album.

Next up a woman who said she was studying to be in the music business asked what she could do to make sure no other artist has to deal with what Mars had to deal with (lawsuit etc.).

JL´s advise: Don´t sign a record deal unless you absolutely have to. Spread your music via social media and other platforms.

(I know he was talking about EMI specifically, but I could not help thinking there might have been some Interscope crumbs in there too...)

The woman clarified that she meant more from the music label/business side and not the artist side. Jl responded “Go work for Spotify”. He went on to say that record companies and people can be great too, but the deals are the problem. They should be transparent and available online. It´s the last kind of “gangsta business” where you can really take advantage of people.

Some dude mentioned that he saw Mars 11 years ago when they opened for Linkin Park in Europe. JL remembered that tour, SL did not.

I guess he asked what it feels like to go from there to here (I wasn´t really listening because meeeeeh), and SL tried to come up with smthg intellectual and deep but it just sounded so ridiculously pathetic it´s not even worth mentioning. Smthg about just living and maturing and evolving as human beings. 💤

He also said they are really fortunate to still be together as a band (*SNORT*) because lots of bands from back then don´t exist anymore.

JL said this feels like a new and fresh chapter. Like his inner child. Like a reboot. Like they just got a facelift (HOLD YOUR LAUGHS, PLEASE). The new songs live are apparently “pretty INCREDIBLE”.

“I know some people are like “Where´s the guitar?” and “Where the heavy music?” but I think it´s still pure 30 StM.”

He also called the new album very dark and “lyrically on point”.

His point might be somewhere waaaaaay off the playing field tho, but...

Some chick with pink hair was up next and JL said he was gonna dye his hair pink but now he can´t.

SL said dyeing wrecks your hair and JL said his hair can´t take another bleaching.

And yes, you guessed it, folks. Fangirl giggles and swoons galore!

Her actual question was about Mars music feeling ancient or smthg, again I was totally not even paying attention because I DON´T CAAAAARE. Sorry but these questions were fucking USELESS. 👎

Anyway, SL blabbered on about them being from an “old place”. JL said everyone has missed the point that they made the album by using modern American sounds like Hip Hop and Pop etc. and that WoW is a giant political FUCK YOU.

Except not too long ago he gave that interview to a Finnish journo and specifically banned political questions, but okay... 👌

He said it´s exciting to see people from different countries singing that song with so much passion that sometimes he almost feels like they need to escape through the back door (he was kidding).

Next that same guy who sang during the pre-M&G stood up and congratulated the band on the new album. JL in return congratulated the guy on his hair (= a poofed up semi-mullet kinda thing) and they chatted a bit about his hair. Soooo riveting... 😫

The dude said one of his fave songs is “Convergence” and he asked about spirituality or smthg. Again, not interested...

JL said the last album was only 7 songs and the rest were fillers (well he didn´t say fillers but I´m saying it), and this new one is 11 songs and only 1 filler.

While JL was still yammering on his response to the mullet dude, I made my move and raised my hand HIIIIIGH - and when he finally finished his looooong sermon JL turned my way and...

Oh uh! It's Go time! 😱

⚠️ Little background info first! ⚠️

I obviously had thought of a few questions before coming to the M&G, just to prepare for the off-chance an opportunity might present itself. My options ranged from "Why did you call us Screaming Fat Girls?" to "Why did I have to pay 400 for this when 20 yo models get it for free?" and beyond. Yes I even toyed with the idea of sneakily slipping VK into the mix... 🙃

But sitting there as the M&G went on and listening to the other questions and studying the room's vibe, I started feeling my questions were all... wrong. They started feeling like I would just be purposely asking for trouble and causing a stink and potentially ruining the event, which was not my intention at all.

I started feeling like I needed to ask smthg current, smthg that has relevance in this day and age, smthg that hopefully gave us some answers to the questions we have been pondering about on the blog, smthg that would make you peeps proud, smthg that would not be a waste of a question - and yes, smthg that maybe poked a little hole into his massive ego at the same time! 🤔

So with all that criteria in mind, I went into battle...

Me: "Hi, speaking of the album, have you read or heard the reviews? Because some of them were... not very kind...?

JL: "This newest album?"

(NO DUMMY I WANNA KNOW IF YOU READ THE REVIEWS FOR THE ALBUM YOU RELEASED IN 2002!!! 🙄🤦‍♀️)

Me: "Yeah."

JL, staring right at me, with the snarkiest and bitchiest voice and most passivest aggressivest demeanor:

"Well thanks for bringing that up."

😱😱😱

His reaction both in words and in vibe (and the reaction from the room aka loud gasps, few hisses and cheers after he "lashed out" at me) was worth all the money I paid for that M&G, I don't even mind telling you!

SL also chimed in with “Yeah, thanks for bringing that up” but at that moment I was so focused on JL´s face that I completely ignored SL´s whining and existence - not to mention that every single molecule inside me screamed “HALLELUJAAAAAAAAH!”

So yeah basically I just sat there going...

While he stared at me throughout that little exchange, he most def could sense the snark in my question, and I most def could sense the snark in his reply. Naaaw... Just a couple of petty snarks sharing a moment... 🤣🙊😍

#BucketList ✔

I guess that is what an orgasm of the mind feels like. ☺

And btw...

"Thanks for bringing that up"?

Honey, with the amount of shit we have on you, you should be very #Grateful I only brought THAT up! 🤨

Anyway, the room kinda “erupted” with little gasps and hollers and whatnot, and after that initial "explosion" SL took over and started "grilling me" about my choice of question.

"That's your question? You wanna know if we read and what´s our response to the bad reviews?"

I replied “Yeah, I wanna know”.

SL said he had not read any.

Okay, but... Why did you just jump on my throat about that topic then...?

He continued that everyone has opinions and tastes and attitudes and personalities and colors (???) and stuff... He said he can´t pay attention to it, he can only focus on what he did and the band did, and he feels great about it. He said he is secure in himself and his “bro”, as he called JL.

Then JL took over and in a very explanatory manner (calm voice this time) said that these days everyone is a critic. He said on social media any person´s opinion is as important as a reviewer´s. He also said he thinks a lot of the criticism revolves around the “Where is the rock?” argument, and that they are probably right.

“It´s not a rock album.”

Followed by a LOOOOONG silence.

A silence which was only interrupted by SL going “Well, there you go!” in a triumphant manner. Echies of course applauded, and then suddenly JL picked up again:

“Don´t be fooled, we knew EXACTLY what we were doing. But let me just tell you something: we have NEVER gotten good reviews. Even when we made rock albums. So... Nothing really changes...”

At this point it again felt like he was getting ready to move on, but NO! He still kept going!

“I have a feeling lot of it has to do with me...”

That Gustavo dude piped up with “Jealousy...”, but JL ignored that comment and continued:

“It just has to do with me being in the band... I don´t think people wanna let that slide...”

SL commented “Fucking weird...” and then after a short silence went “Great” in the most “NON GREAT” way imaginable. Kinda like when you spill juice all over yourself and go “Great”.

So with that “NON GREAT” “GREAT”, this topic was now finished and my time in the spotlight was over.

I will point out that while pretty much everyone who asked a question before me got a “Thanks for the question” comment, I did not...

😭😭😭

BEFORE WE MOVE ON - QUICK ANALYSIS ON MY Q AND HIS A:

I think what we learned here are 3 things:

1. Poor SL really thinks he contributed to this album and has reason to be proud. 🤷‍♀️

2. JL is indeed VERY aware of the bad reviews and backlash his latest offering brought him. 😭

3. JL is also aware of the "bad rep" he has. Not just for the "Oh he's an actor trying to be a singer" thing which he has battled since Day 1 (which I'm sure he was mostly alluding to), but also that currently (= after SS) he gets ridiculed and judged on a whole new level.

I mean, the way he almost dragged the topic on and felt like he had to add “just one more thing”... Kinda felt like he was trying to convince not just us but himself as well... 🤨

Anyway, feel free to send feedback and thoughts on this! Did I do good?! 😜

Okay back to the M&G!

The next person asked what would they say to their younger selves.

JL wouldn’t wanna say anything because “We’re in a pretty good place right now in life and career… I guess I’d say "Take a deep breath… It’s gonna be alright. Don’t pay attention to the reviews.”“

Ooooooh... Still feeling butt-hurt from the previous Q, are we… ? 😏🤭

The next Q was asked with such a heavy-accented English I had NO IDEA what he asked, but apparently JL did because he managed an answer. It was smthg about the Mars symbols (the triad). 🤷🏼‍♀️

The next chick started off my saying "I just wanna say I love you and adore you” and I almost yelped out “MR. KAUFMAN IS ALREADY TAKEN!” but managed to keep my emotions in check.

Her question was a pretty good one: “Why did you come up with the name "Monolith” for the tour", she said she (like all of us!) did not get it.

JL said the name comes from the giant screen on stage and the giant box thing as well, which of course for this tour they could not fit through the doors.

Next question was “Why did you call the album "America” when it talks about universal issues?“

JL: "I think the idea of America is universal (FUCK OFF ALREADY DICK IT SO IS NOT) and everyone has an opinion (WANNA KNOW MINE?) and the songs are universal. I think what’s going on in our country is probably going on in other countries. I don’t think we’re the only country thinking about things like immigration, the right and the left, what kind of a world we want to live in, what kind of a future we want. I just thought it was an interesting time and an interesting word. It really isn’t political title, it’s more of a concept (🙄🙄🙄), that’s why I liked all the lists that we came up with because they were so bizarre and funny and provocative. They do give you a sense of the time we’re living in.”

He went on to say that in 100 years people will be able to look at them and go “Oh, that was that crazy group if people that was alive between this time and that time and that fucking guy was president in America!”

Oh my! Look who’s getting all feisty again! Dare you to say that publicly tho!

During this question the noise from the soundcheck taking place in the next room went up a few notches and Stevie´s high-pitched screams almost overpowered the Letos... They made some jokes about SA´s screams. 😂

And of course he kept with the “The name “America” inspired the film that we made that´s coming out later this year, the trip across the country... Did anybody follow it on social media? (I MAY HAVE...) The Museum of America in LA and many other things that we´ve done. I dunno, I just thought it was an interesting container.”

In relation to the previous question, JL also mentioned that he had an alternative title for "America" which he admitted (?) he sometimes thinks he should have used:

“ERA”.

As in this era we are now living in.

YOU GOD DAMN DILL!!!!! THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN 40 GAZILLION TIMES BETTER THAN "AMERICA"!!!!!

🤬🤬🤬

I seriously almost screamed out loud when he said that... I can't even deal with him! 😠

He said that title would have been “a little more global but a little more boring”.

NO, DILL! YOU AND YOUR BEDWARMERS ARE GLOBAL AND BORING! THAT TITLE WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECT!

😠

The last question came from a woman next to me (fellow Finn btw! 😃🇫🇮) who told us that she's a teacher and she asked what inspires them etc.

JL said that “sometimes I´m not inspired” (REALLY? Never would have guessed...) and that “at that point you just have to rely on muscle memory and to just put one foot in front of the other and keep marching forward... Someone asks a question you don´t like (WHO?! WHO ASKED A QUESTION YOU DID NOT LIKE?! 🙊), you deal with it... You have to do some part of your job that´s tedious (like... the actual working part?), you push past it... I think a lot of times it´s just showing up... You can surprise yourself. You start a conversation, you start a concert, and before you know it you´re lost in the concert and you´re enjoying your time.”

SL said what helps is “getting rid of the fucking trash in the head. If I feel distracted or there´s a lot of stuff going on in my head that doesn´t have anything to do with what I wanna do, I have to get rid of it. Meditation helps, hanging out with cool people (LOOOOOOOOL), yoga, taking a walk...”

And that was it! Show over! JL thanked us for coming and then...

Picture time! 📷

We lined up in the hallway and practically RAN through the stage they had set up for the pic.

Seriously it was RIDICULOUS! Felt even faster and more North Korean than in Getafe! We all legit had no more than 2 seconds to pose and then we were pushed out! 😑

Total bs. No other way to put it. Treated like actual cattle. 🐄

Anyway, I had a plan ready again and as I stepped up to SL who kinda "yanked me" between him and JL (not in a bad way but just kinda like "let's just get this over with FAST"), I said to them:

"Okay guys, let's smile like I'm a model."

🤭🤭🤭

Now, I don't know if they heard me or bothered listening (or in "someone's" case even understood what I was hinting at), but it def made me feel giggly... 😜

Anyway, end result is this:

I think JL may have gotten what I was implying, or perhaps he was still salty about my earlier question, but he def pushed my back to get me to leave the area after the pic. 🤷🏼‍♀️👉🚪

Altho he probs does that to everyone, especially those who are not 20-smthg Russian models, but… Oh well. Kinda made me smirk even more! 🤣

Or perhaps it was my shirt which ruffled his feathers? 🤔

Wanna see a close-up?

BOOM.

Tell you this much: online T-shirt printing businesses and 20€ sure provide a lot of satisfaction. 😏👕💳

And even tho I once again got only 20 Secs (Jfc… 😂), I still managed to sneak TM into my pic, sooo… 😎💁🏼‍♀️

More closeups:

Thanks GOD he looks more than decent in mine!

And c´mon now, Jarry. I think we all know you can go bigger than that.

Jaw seems to work a-ok...

And yes, I watermarked them because that´s how I roll, homies!

After the pics we were given our VIP merch: black beanie (not bad! I might actually wear that…), plastic badge (who the fuck needs these?!), a canvas tote bag (meh ok) and a signed poster.

TRY TELLING ME BOTH THOSE SIGNATURES ARE NOT FROM THE SAME DAMN ALMOST-WORN-OUT PEN… 😂😒🖋

We were also allowed to stay in the M&G room and check out the official merch stand (pffffft! Did not buy a fucking thing as everything looked so uggo).

This tho...

After about an hour of waiting, we were finally led into the actual concert area. As some of you saw from my IG posts, this was not a regular MonolOth tour gig, but more a club gig. The set was completely different, no monolOth anywhere, and stage was not in the middle of the room.

I noticed there was a balcony area too and I marched up to a security guy to ask if it was ok to go up. He said yeah but only 100 people are allowed up so I needed a special ticket, which he then handed me and told me I needed to give it back if/when I came down again so someone else could use my place up there. Very smart security move!

Being as tiny as I am and as claustrophobic as I am, I knew standing in a sea of people and not even seeing a fucking thing was not a viable option, so I chose to wander up to the balcony - and oh man, that was the best decision I could have made! I scored a prime spot right up front and had full “skyview” of the whole room! Lucky move also because without the balcony spot, that IG Live would have been quite difficult to pull off…😏😄

JR’s DJ set was about as useful as sledgehammer when washing windows, so there’s no need to even discuss it. Literally maybe 7 people actually listened and cheered him. 😴

At around 8:40 pm the lights FINALLY dimmed and the show started.

Now, seeing as I did an IG Live for the whole show which means I did not take any pics or clips (I´ll try posting some of the clips I saved from the IG Live a little later on tho), I’m going to utilize a few fellow concert goers offerings here for vibe and atmosphere reasons! 😉

And of course we can NEVER forget the true star of the night...

A post shared by Jared Leto ∆ Echelon page (@dy.jovi) on Apr 24, 2018 at 1:18am PDT

A post shared by Jared Leto ∆ Echelon page (@dy.jovi) on Apr 22, 2018 at 1:11pm PDT

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES. OR SHIRTS. 🤣 🕺

As far as overall grade for the show goes…

Well, the people who came on my Live on/off and witnessed the gig with me can probably kinda agree that… eh… It wasn’t very awesomely great. 😣

The stage looked stupid with just SL’s drums, SA was once again shoved to the side where we could barely see him (but could hear him plenty!), the sound overall was kinda off (or maybe it was because of my location, but the drums sounded REALLY loud at times, almost drowned out rest of the instruments. Altho… what instruments? 🤔)…

But the biggest problem of all: Jared’s voice.

It’s fucking DESTROYED, guys. GONE.

Yes on some songs he sounded ok, even quite good on occasion. But overall, he cannot do a full show like a proper rock singer should.

And true to form, he skipped out on a lot of the lyrics (either he let SA sing, or the audience had to sing), and when he did sing (“sing”) he sounded BAD. Multiple times extremely off key and basically just shouted/screamed his way through the songs. There is no way on earth that anyone with ears could claim he sounded good!

Sheep would try no doubt, but lemme tell ya: Lies! Lies, lies, lies!

I think the only song which sounded at least half decent was “Stay”. It’s not a very challenging song anyway, so that one he still manages ok. Everything else… uh. 🙉

youtube

But it is what it is, I guess... Can´t turn back the clock and undo years of damage!

And that yelling is not helping what little he has left...

youtube

I did enjoy JL calling me and my fellow upstairs residents “BALCONY MONKEY MOTHERFUCKERS” tho. 🐒

Been called worse before! HA! 😂

Overall I would say that had I not had the IG Live peeps keeping me company throughout the show, I would have been majorly bored. There really was nothing even remotely interesting happening on stage (not counting Naked Dancing Dude!), and traveling across an actual ocean just for that show...

Not really worth it, gotta say.

If someone asks me if I would recommend buying a ticket, I would have to say no - based on the actual show, I mean. it just really does not offer any great “WOW” moments.

But on a personal level and by taking into account the WHOLE experience, counting the entire weekend etc., I will rank this as one of my better vacays for sure! And a big part of that is thanks to ALL YOU who joined and shared it with me, so THANK YOU! 💗

Report over and out!

#30 Seconds To Mars #sweden #yeehaw #jared leto #shannon leto #duo #i like bringing things up #you should know that by now

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mattgrif · 4 years

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Modern Collaboration with Microsoft OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams! Posted To Matt Blogs IT

New Post has been published on https://mattblogsit.com/microsoft/modern-collaboration-with-microsoft-onedrive-sharepoint-and-teams

Modern Collaboration with Microsoft OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams!

I’ve recently worked a lot with the Microsoft Cloud, specifically around productivity and Modern Collaboration. I decided to start a series of posts, and this is the second post in the series of at least four blog posts. If you haven’t read the first post in the series, I strongly encourage you to start with “What is Modern Collaboration, and how does it impact business?“

The Microsoft Cloud is exceptionally vast in the number of products available. We are going to focus on the Office 365 segment of the Microsoft Cloud. Now, you will see the branding Microsoft 365 occasionally also, Microsoft 365 is a product line that includes Office 365, along with Windows licensing, and other subscription products for security and managing computers and mobile devices. Recently, Microsoft started using the Microsoft 365 branding for some small business and consumer subscription services. This article will not cover any of the consumer subscriptions. However, it is still applicable to the small business plans.

When thinking about Office 365, you need to understand that it is similar to Microsoft Office. When you purchase Microsoft Office, you get multiple pieces of software that install together as a suite of products. Office 365 is very similar. You are buying a subscription, and you get more than one product with that subscription.

Most businesses that invested in Office 365 did so to get rid of their Exchange Servers and to use Exchange Online for email. I’ve worked with Office 365 for nearly a decade. During this time, when I was a consultant, companies were purchasing Office 365 exclusively for Exchange Online. They didn’t care about any of the other components, other than it having the installable version of Microsoft Office depending upon their plan.

In addition to Exchange Online, Office 365 includes Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Yammer, OneDrive for Business, Microsoft Delve, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Sway, Power Apps, Power Automate, Microsoft Forms, Microsoft Planner, and Microsoft To Do.

In this blog post, we will focus on OneDrive for Business, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in learning more about the other products that come with Office 365, feel free to browse my blog! I’ve written articles on Microsoft Forms, Microsoft Planner, Microsoft To Do, and Power Automate as of writing this post.

The first product in the Office 365 suite we will discuss is OneDrive for Business. OneDrive for Business is what is available to the Office 365 subscriptions. OneDrive for Business is a private storage per-employee. The private storage gives them space to store documents they are working on that are not ready to share with co-workers. Keep in mind the storage is in a business account, so if there is litigation or the business wants to access the files – they are private storage, not personal storage. The business still owns the data and can access it at any time. Even though OneDrive for Business is private storage, it is simple to share files with anyone you choose to share in just a few clicks.

OneDrive is web-based file storage. There is a OneDrive app built into Windows 10 that can sync the web files to your computer and save them locally. Syncing your files makes accessing them feel like they are all local and ease the transition to using web-based storage. There is also a OneDrive app for mobile devices that can access all of your files from anywhere. Ultimately OneDrive for Business makes your files accessible from anywhere, anytime on any device.

The second product in the Office 365 suite we will discuss is SharePoint Online. SharePoint Online as a product is massive. It is a web framework for building applications, storing files, creating lists, and creating internal websites. For this blog series, we will focus on Document Libraries for storing files and collaborating with team members on those files. If you have a business case for the other features in SharePoint Online, I strongly encourage you to test with it; it has tremendous power that would take an entire blog series to cover.

The final product in the Office 365 suite we will discuss is Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams is probably one of the newest products that are a part of the Office 365 suite. Initially launched in March of 2017, it was fundamentally a basic chat application with the capability to IM, Video chat, and integrate apps for other products in the Office 365 suite and some third-party apps.

Since it’s original launch, it has matured significantly in a short time. The best way to think about Microsoft Teams is a single pane of glass that helps bring together multiple applications and increase your productivity. It will give you the ability to switch between collaborating on different teams, projects, and initiatives rapidly.

I know this is a lot of information. We are just setting the foundation of knowledge before diving deep into these different products, to ultimately bring them together to help make you a more productive employee who can do their job anytime, anywhere. Keep an eye out for the next post in the series where we will dive-deep into OneDrive for Business. We will cover how to save files through different OneDrive apps, open those files, share them, recover accidentally deleted files and revert to previous versions that it tracks automatically.

#Microsoft 365 #Microsoft Teams #Modern Collaboration #Office 365 #OneDrive for Business #SharePoint #SharePoint Online

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uozlulu · 3 years

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Been talking to a good friend about my BnHA/MHA self insert underground-ish hero person thing and I decided to yammer about her since I want to write about something. If I organize my thoughts maybe I can like idek write a fic or something

I'll tag all these posts as #bnha self insert nonsense and #mha self insert nonsense

This is part 1: Introduction

Name: Cassie I never gave her a last name (gave her this name years ago as it's s reference to her quirk)

Hero Name: The Reliable Hammer: Soothsayer (a child gave her TRH moniker because she kept saving them and their family from collapsing tenant housing due to a corrupt landlord)

Age: 31 (in the present manga, which is April second year right now)

Zodiac: Capricorn

Quirk: Vibe Check (Everyone and everything (time, space, animals, etc...) in the universe vibrates at its own unique frequency. Her quirk allows her to interpret these vibrations. Very useful in finding people alive in dangerous situations. Also useful when it gives her peeks at the future. Perceives the vibes as dreams and daydreams. Some things are audio only, some are a mix, and some are visual only. Didn't realize she had a quirk until she was sixteen because everyone in the family has a bit of a strong intuition in addition to their quirks and she's got the strongest.

Job: Works for Thirteen's rescue/recovery agency since before Thirteen took it over from the previous hero who ran it. Has been doing rescue/recovery work since she was 16 as part of her internships and her career post-UA. Wanted to do rescue/recovery work since she was about six years old

Partner: Present Mic. They've known each other since they were sixteen, been roommates since they were twenty, and been dating since they were almost twenty-seven. The general population thinks they've been married since they were about eighteen or nineteen because in high school they nicknamed each other waiffuru (wife/waffle) and husbentou (husband/bentou) and accidentally called each other that on camera during an interview after taking care of a villain fresh out of passing their pro hero exam on route to a party with friends. They became friends because they're both weird and have similar taste in music.

Family: Middle child (older sister and little brother). All three of them were born in the US and moved to Japan when Cassie was six because their dad got a job. Sister returned to the US for university, Mom, Dad, and Brother returned to US after the Ten Neighborhood incident. Cassie chose to stay in Japan because in the US heroes are closely tied to the military and she enjoys not dealing with that by working in Japan. In some incarnations of the story, her whole family dies during the Ten Neighborhood Incident.

Body Type: Very pear shaped, kind of stocky/sturdy. Hardly any boobs, but hips for days. Very muscular. Long brown hair cut into layers with bangs and brownish-green eyes. Hero uniform is basically a white speed suit and special helmet whose visor helps filter out flashing light so Cassie won't have seizures. Most days when off duty she wears hooded sweatshirts and either jeans or pj pants. When she goes on dates, she likes to be cute so she'll do something like pair a sundress with a cardigan and put on a purse. If she has to be super fancy she will wear a pretty dress and do her hair up in a special way. Maybe even wear a little lipstick depending, but she usually wears no makeup. She's between Bakugou and Kirishima's heights (171 cm) but heavier than the average afab because of her muscular physique.

Personality: Cassie is very shy until she warms up and then she can be very talkative. She's definitely fight and not flight. She hates being the center of attention which is part of why she chooses not to be on the Billboard (she also doesn't want to waste time with things like makeup, trendy clothes, and endorsements). Definitely has a Big Sister Mode (tm) and will use it without prejudice. Knows it's her job to make people having a terrible day feel better while saving them so tries her best to do her job properly and efficiently. Would fight Endeavor behind a 7/11 at 3am. Has a soft spot for Bakugou, who she's known since he was a very small child, and who receives a good does of the Big Sister Mode when they run into each other. Also has a soft spot for all the Todoroki children since she's known them since she was sixteen and Shouto was a year old. She and Fuyumi still meet up to chat over lunch when they can get away from work. She totally knows the truth about Touya and chooses to keep it to herself because while she knows her quirk is 100% accurate, she likes to trust and verify before bringing something that earth-shattering to light in the off chance she's finally wrong for once.

Health: Cassie has had epilepsy since birth but due to technological advancement and her choice of becoming a rescue/recovery hero, she can use her helmet to mitigate potential triggers. Also because she's a recue/recovery hero, she has to abide by shift guidelines to ensure that any rescue team member working across Japan is capable of doing their job. These shifts have applied to rescue recovery workers since a major disaster fifty years ago that could have been prevented if the whole team wasn't running on no sleep in 3 days. Her typical shift is 8am - 4pm Then she's on call from 4pm - 8 am. If she works two shifts in a row then she won't be on call for the duration of the next eight hour shift. During major emergencies, rescue/recovery workers sleep on site during the eight hour rest period.

Home: Currently-ish Cassie lives in a one bedroom apartment that she's shared with Yamada for years. Now that UA is doing the dorm system, Cassie is pretty much living by herself but she texts Yamada and they try to video chat or talk on the phone whenever they can coordinate it. It's the longest they've gone without seeing each other face to face, but there are periods of time when her shifts and his shifts don't match up so they aren't complete strangers to having to live apart while living together. I'm still waffling on what exactly is going on with her in the current manga arc. In the versions of the story in which her family survives, they're concerned for her being in Japan and are trying to talk her into returning to the USA. Cassie, however, is committed to her job and to Yamada, so she's going to stay in Japan.

I'll yammer about more stuff in another post.

#bnha self insert nonsense #mha self insert nonsense #yammering

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hey-mando · 7 years

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Real Enough To Touch (Gaston x Reader)

Part 4 of “Another Look Around”

World Count: Freaking 3,240

Warnings: None

Tags: @timeskipeleven @with-a-hint-of-pesto-aioli @lovelylpevensie @mmegaston @lj-laufeypevensieweasley @juggernaut-jones (pretty sure I got everyone, but if I didn’t, just lemme know)

A/N: mkay so I wrote this at like 2:30 this morning, which is usually when I’m most awake, but for some reason I was hella tired, and I was just trying to write as much as I could before I fell asleep, then when I woke up this morning and read thru it, I didn’t even remember writing half of it so here we go

Day had expired long ago; the moon was once again shinning its brightest and your mother couldn’t keep her mouth shut about Gaston. After inviting him to stay for lunch, the two of them had exhausted every word in the English language, chatting about everything from weather, to Gaston’s time served as a military captain, to whether or not the hydrangeas in your mother’s flower beds would bloom late this year. You and Belle had sat together, looking on in awe as they talked away for two whole hours. At first you were nervous about how Belle might behave around him, but seeing how she never got a chance to say anything, it hadn’t been a problem. Every now and then, taking the opportunity presented while your mother was yammering on, Gaston had glanced at you, tossing you a smirk or winking, or both at the same time, to which you couldn’t help but grin and blush.

The conversation didn’t reduce when it came time to eat either. You and Belle finished in silence while Gaston and your mother were barely able to touch their plates at all. Afterwards Gaston offered to help with clearing, but your mother brushed him off, insisting that she was sure that he had much more important things to attend to. Then, while Belle subtly distracted her for a few seconds, you’d grabbed Gaston and pulled him outside before your mother could initiate another discussion about knitting patterns or ancient family soup recipes.

Finally alone, you’d taken the moment to arrange plans for your next outing, then Gaston had left you with a kiss on your hand and a promise of a great hunting adventure later in the week.

When your father returned later that night, he revealed that he had met Gaston on the way home and spent a good amount of time speaking with him. Apparently it was a stimulating conversation, because he had plenty to contribute to your mother’s praises.

Well, you thought to yourself as your mother went on about how pleasant and welcoming she’d found Gaston’s voice, at least there won’t be any trouble obtaining their approval of him.

You caught yourself with a start. Your parents’ voices faded as you realized that you were now actually considering courting Gaston. It was no longer like those times in the past when the thought made you giggle or roll your eyes. It was real this time. It was actual consideration. You went to bed early, then continued to think about the situation as you lay under the covers, gazing out your window at the dark rooftops of the neighboring houses. The concept of being with Gaston was gaining popularity in your head.

It was easy to imagine waking up to the thought of him, not being able to breathe until he was by your side. Being able to take his hand and brush your lips against it whenever you liked, being able to stand on your toes to kiss his cheek or his nose, running your fingers through his dark hair, and looking into his stunning eyes as he laughed and pulled you closer.

You could imagine the sensation of his lips on yours with such ease that for a few brief moments you questioned whether or not you were imagining, or remembering.

These were the thoughts and ideas that took your stomach made your heart stutter.

You rolled into your back and sighed in frustration, realizing that you had become a living, breathing cliché. You might as well put a stupid wig on your head and join up with the Bimbettes, following the captain around everywhere he went with hearts in your eyes. Just like nearly every woman in town, you had become fascinated with the tall, dark and handsome Gaston.

You didn’t want to admit it, but it’d happened so sudden and unexpectedly that you’d had no chance to stop it.

You groaned out loud and reached over to the other side of your bed, snatching up a pillow, stuffing it over your face and shutting your eyes.

“(Y/N)…for heaven’s sake, (Y/N), wake up.”

You cried out as someone smacked you on the leg with what felt like a book. Growling, you pried your eyes open and sat up abruptly.

Belle sat smiling on the edge of your bed, sure enough holding Romeo and Juliet in her hand.

“Unnecessary,” you grumbled, placing a pillow behind your back.

“Amusing,” Belle countered, scooting forward to place her knee on the bed. You narrowed your eyes and stuck your tongue out at her before nodding towards the copy on her lap. “You finished it?” you inquired, rubbing your hands across your tired face. Belle’s eyes filled with a fusion of joy and heartbreak. “Yes,” she drawled. You chuckled, your voice deep and heavy with sleep. “Bad ending?”

“Perfect ending! It’s so beautifully tragic -”

“Shhh!” you hushed quickly. “I might want to read it someday.”

Belle grinned and tucked the book closer to her side almost protectively. “You should. You’d like it.”

With a yawn you replied, “Pure romance. Not really my favorite genre.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Just wait till the day you fall deeply in love. You won’t be able to get enough of it.”

You stuffed a pillow in her face, causing her to shriek.

“Careful!” she exclaimed, shoving the pillow away before raising her other hand, revealing a bundle of gorgeous wildflowers in her grasp. Your eyes widened. Belle rolled hers.

“These,” she said, handing the blossoms to you. “were on your doorstep this morning. I can only imagine who they’re from.”

You ignored her, noticing the red silk ribbon tied around the stems. You fought off a smile as a warm feeling sprouted in your stomach.

“He’s certainly doesn’t have any shortage of romanticism in him,” Belle admitted, leaning back on one arm as you inhaled the fresh perfume of the bouquet. “No he doesn’t,” you murmured, secretly enjoying the simple gesture more than you should’ve. Suffice it to say that with Gaston you were never bored.

“Well,” you said, stretching. “I guess I should get these in some water. You off to Pere Robert’s?” Belle nodded, sliding off the bed so that you could get up. “I hope he has some new arrivals this week. His shipments usually come so slowly. I’ll have to hurry though, the clouds look like they’re about to burst.”

You glanced out the window at the stormy looking sky, feeling a prick of excitement. You and Belle walked down the stairs together, then she bid you goodbye while you searched for a vase in which to put Gaston’s flowers. After locating one and filling it with water, you placed the flowers inside, returned to your room and set the jar on your bedside table. The sweet aroma was already beginning to fill the area.

Half an hour later you were dressed, hair tidied, bed made and ready for breakfast. It only occurred to you on your second visit to the kitchen that neither your mother nor father were anywhere to be seen as they usually were. You grabbed an apple from a bowl on the table, then made your way to the common area, only to find it empty as well. With a frown, you decided to search in the back of the house. where you were finally successful.

Your mother stood on the doorstep, looking on proudly as your father and Maurice hurried to attach a glossy new black iron gate to a matching fence that encircled the entire rear flower and vegetable beds. The old rusted barrier was lying in a heap of pealing brown bars a few feet from the house, and you immediately remembered about your father and Belle’s going to see Monsieur Barthelemy about a new fence the previous morning.

You stepped towards your mother and grasped her arm disbelievingly. “Mama, when you said that Papa wanted to replace the fence, I thought he was talking about something cheap until we could get something better.”

“That was what he thought too!” your mother sang, patting your hand. A few peals of thunder rumbled through the clouds, and the air thickened with humidity.

“Then what on earth is that?” you exclaimed, gesturing towards the masterfully sculpted posts embellished with decorative fleur de lis and painted a flawless black. “Something like that does not come cheap, especially if it’s coming from Monsieur Barthelemy. Mama, we can’t afford -”

You were interrupted by your father striding towards you with a look the greatest delight imaginable on his features. “(Y/N), darling!” he said, waving a hand at the finished perimeter. “Isn’t it wonderful? Barthelemy and his apprentices were up all night constructing it.”

“Yes, Papa, it’s wonderful. That’s the problem. How exactly do you intend to pay for all this?”

“It’s already been payed for,” Maurice voiced as he rose from his knees, wiping his hands on a wet rag. You frowned. “What?”

The first few drops of rain had begun to splash at your feet and dribble on your hair, prompting your mother to hurry everyone inside.

“Yes, every single piece,” your father finished, gazing fondly at the fence through the open door. “When Maurice and I arrived at Barthelemy’s this morning to arrange an order, it was finished. He said that an anonymous client had placed the order for his finest work yesterday evening. Even paid him extra to have it done by today and to keep quiet about it.”

Your eyes were now wide as they gazed at your father. You were about to speak when he held up his hand. He was smiling satisfactorily.

“I told you last night that I ran into Monsieur Gaston on the way home. I told him where I’d been and my purpose for my trip. He was the only one other than our blacksmith and Maurice and I who knew anything about the matter.” He gave a short chuckle then added, “And besides, Barthelemy confirmed it himself. Keeping his mouth shut never was one of that man’s talents.”

Your heart did a sort of somersault. Outside, the rain had begun to beat down with a vengeance, the ground vibrating with occasional cracks of thunder. You couldn’t say a word. You couldn’t even think straight.

Your father laughed at your expression, placing his hands on your shoulders. “I told you he was a good fellow, that Gaston!” he said merrily over the sound of the rain. He kissed your forehead before shuffling his way past you into the kitchen where your mother and Maurice were already talking about the downpour.

You stood in place for several moments, turning over your father’s words in your head. A muggy breeze blew through the door, spraying your face with raindrops.

“Oh, goodness,” your mother called towards you. “(Y/N) please close that door before we have a floor on our hands.”

However instead of obeying, you did the last thing any of the adults expected you to do.

You stepped over the threshold and sprinted out into the garden.

You heard your mother’s startled yelp from inside, but ignored it as you splashed barefoot through the patches of flowers, mud seeping between your toes and spattering the the skirt of your pale green dress. You carefully swung yourself over the new fence, then ran along the side of the house until you came to the front, unhesitatingly dashing out into the practically deserted street beyond.

Most of the vendors had already folded up their shops, but the occasional few who were still scrambling to pack up their wares gave you odd glances as you ran by, already soaked to the bone and looking as if you were late for some extremely important engagement in the rain.

You scanned the town square hastily, disregarding the bustling villagers fleeing towards shelter, for none of them matched the description of the one person you wanted to find. You adjusted your position to stand in the exact middle of the square, holding your hair back from your face and squinting through the rain, turning in a slow circle to survey each inch of the visible landscape. And that was when you spotted him.

He stood a few feet from the tavern, trying quickly to untangle his horse from the post to which it was tied, and not succeeding. His tan coat wasn’t as easy to spot as his flamboyantly red one, but you recognized him regardless from the span of his broad shoulders and his dark, wet hair.

You walked to stand closer to him, then called over the deluge, “One time when I was little, I was playing outside of the blacksmith’s shop and I accidentally kicked a pebble that knocked over one of Miss Marita’s flowerpots.”

Gaston wheeled at the sound of your voice, his hands abandoning their work with his horse’s reins. You seemed to have a knack for catching him at moments when he didn’t expect it. His lips were parted as he frowned at you, clearly wondering why in the world you hadn’t chosen somewhere a little drier to confront him. Nevertheless, you went on, taking slow steps towards him with every sentence.

“I begged Monsieur Barthelemy not to tell that I was the one who broke it, but he did anyway, and to this day it’s still the reason Miss Marita charges me extra for eggs.” You smiled, now within feet of each other. “Barthelemy’s never been good at keeping secrets, Gaston. Not even ones he’s payed to keep.”

A look of realization dawned on his face, “Ah,” he said with a guilty laugh. “Well then, remind me never to do business with him again.” He brought one hand up to swipe through his hair, keeping the soaked strands off his forehead. You shook your head, still smiling disbelievingly.

“That metalwork on that fence would be considered a masterpiece even by a city blacksmith,” you continued, moving closer. “It wasn’t like simply buying a gift for an old friend.”

Gaston shifted his shoulders and responded, “Wasn’t it?”

You looked him squarely in the eyes. “Gaston, that order must’ve cost more than Barthelemy earns in a year, without the extra it took for him to keep his mouth not-so-shut.”

The former captain licked his lips as droplets of rain streamed down his tanned face. In close quarters, you had to look up quite a bit to maintain eye contact, but that didn’t mean that you didn’t notice - or appreciate - the way the rain had turned his white shirt partially see-through and caused it to cling to his chest, displaying every sculpted muscle in his midsection. His brown pants too were leaving nothing to the imagination. The way the rain slid slowly down his neck and turned his hair curly was enough to give you butterflies.

“Trust me, (Y/N),” he said eventually, no longer needing to keep his voice raised with you standing so close. “The cost was nothing compared to the joy it brought me to provide such a needed gift to your father.”

Your eyebrows shot up, and before you knew it you were laughing.

“Are you even real?” you asked incredulously, hardly able to believe the words coming from his mouth. Gaston smiled, causing those infamous creases to form around his mouth and at the corners of his eyes. You couldn’t help thinking that in all the time you’d known him, he’d never looked so breathtakingly beautiful as he did now, drenched from head to foot in the warm spring rain.

“Real enough to touch,” he said, his voice emanating softly from his chest as he brought his hand up and brushed your dripping hair off your shoulder, lingering his touch on the side of your neck.

Your breath hitched in your throat, and almost in slow motion, you felt your own hand rising to cover his. Gaston’s eyes flickered with something indistinguishable, and he instantly took the moment to swipe his thumb across your cheek, leaving tingles behind on your skin.

After a few seconds he shuffled his feet forward slightly, and you had to tilt your chin even higher to look into those dark, hazel eyes that could almost certainly see straight into your mind. His right hand soon mimicked the position of his left, his fingertips sliding ever so slightly into your hair. In a reflexive kind of way, you brought both of your hands to settle around his forearms, the soft, moist fabric of his jacket beneath your palms.

The rain continued to fall in sheets, and despite his previous efforts, several strands of Gaston’s hair came loose from their manicured style and fell across his forehead. As he leaned even nearer, his eyes fell to your lips, and in that instant, you swore that your heart stopped and stood still inside your chest. His actions were slow and gentle, something that you never would’ve guessed from him.

But none of that mattered. The world silently washed away like the heavy June shower as Gaston dipped his head, his eyes fluttering shut before he grazed his lips over yours, barely enough to feel more than a whisper of his touch.

You’d never felt your heart soar so high. There was a fiery sensation spreading through every inch of your being, causing you to feel weightless but still real. Invincible but still vulnerable. And there was only one word you could think of to describe the feeling.

Alive.

When Gaston pulled away, it was just for an instant, a mere few seconds to look at you and read your reaction. And in that precious moment he realized with a shock to his insides that he had never before in his life seen anything of such an otherworldly beauty then you standing there in front of him, eyes closed in pure bliss and water spilling down your cheeks.

Then his mouth was on yours again, but his time with more than just a simple touch. This time his lips moved against yours with an intensity fueled by pure passion. A passion which you readily returned.

You pushed yourself onto your toes, throwing your arms around his neck and pulling your body against his. Gaston kissed you even deeper, tilting his head to the side and grasping you by the waist, keeping your entire body as tightly against his as was possible. His actions were slow but electrifying.

He was savoring every instant, and so were you. It became clear that both of you had been waiting, even pining after this moment for far too long, even if one of you had been reluctant to admit it.

The taste of rain that mixed through the kiss, the feeling of his arms around you, desperate to keep you close, the obvious desire and love that coursed from your combined movements…

The sound of high-pitched wails echoing off the stone courtyard pulled you from ecstasy back into the world around you, and with difficulty you drew back from Gaston.

The three sisters, Claudette, Laurette and Paulette were standing under the awning of the cloth-merchant’s, huge crocodile tears pouring down their faces, cutting paths through the white powder on their faces and causing the black around their eyes to melt down onto their cheeks.

You bit your lip and leaned your head against Gaston’s shoulder with a quiet, “Oops…”

His laughter rumbled in his chest as he pressed a kiss to the top of your head.

#gaston #gaston imagine #gaston fanfic #batb #luke evans #disney #disney imagine #character x reader #reader insert #part four

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taki-flower · 8 years

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do you want to join a rebellion?

ao3 fanfiction

“You’re a piece of work, aren’t you, Captain Icicle?” a voice drawled lazily from the door. Steve looked up from where he was staring blankly on the wall, eyes landing on a man in his forties with flamboyant, gaudy clothes, eyes highlighted and lined in color, and a single, heavy looking gem dangling from his ear. There was less color in the rainbow (in the old world, back before he went under when everything was depressingly gray and white, and occasionally, morbidly, red) than on the clothes and accessory that he had seen these people wear for everyday life.

Steve almost wrinkled his nose in disgust at the sheer wastefulness of the outfit, but restrained himself. Seventy years had passed; the world was no longer in chaos, it was organized now, a utopia by every definition, President Thanos had reassured him. Just because he had just awaken from being frozen didn’t mean that he should insult the accepted fashion of the present day.

He should be glad, Steve thought to himself, because didn’t it mean that the world’s condition have improved to the point that it could afford to be wasteful? In fact, he should be embracing the fashion of today. How many people seventy years ago would give an arm to even be able to touch such fine materials, and Steve would have the opportunity to wear it like everyone else now.

Yet the thought of even having those ostentatious clothes or color touch his skin was enough to make him almost shudder. There was being able to afford to do something and then there was being wasteful and going over top, and most of what he had seen in the city (Welcome, Captain, President Thanos had said with a sincere smile that didn’t reach his eyes at all, to the Capitol ) belonged to the latter category. Maybe Steve could request some plain clothes and claim that he was still trying to adjust to the century, which was true. He didn’t know how long he could do that for, however, before absently wondering why he seemed to think he would need permission to make such an insignificant decision like choosing his own clothes.

(Cold eyes everywhere, like the gray and white of his old world, despite all the showy colors of the Capitol.)

Steve looked the other man in the eye, as he was taught back in the days when speaking to someone, and almost gasped at the warm amber he saw there. His mind flashed to all the other people he came across in the Capitol since he had wakened the past two days, and all he could recall was blank, blank, blank and blank. Everyone he had come across met his eyes, but they didn’t look beyond the surface (shallow, Steve thought, despite consciously trying very hard for the past two days to not think badly of the brand new world he had awaken to), they looked and didn’t see.

This man was the first to look straight at him instead of staring ahead with glazed eyes. Despite all that his outwear was shouting for attention (even Steve noticed that first before anything else, even though he should have known better), it was the man’s pair of amber eyes (alive) that ultimately captured his attention.

That, and whatever the man was intent on blabbering in his ears.

“I’m almost impressed with how you got people to fawn over you already , if you weren’t stealing everyone’s attention away from me. It’s been only two days, damn it. My handsome face is a regular in the Capitol’s newspaper, but it looks like they’re going to yammer on about you for maybe a whole week before they get tired of you. Tomorrow’s news cover is going to be of me though, ha, good thing I had a breakthrough with the new tech this morning.”

The other man looked at him like Steve should have something to say and suddenly, Steve didn’t know what he saw in the other’s eyes before. His words, somehow more narcissistic than all that he had heard during the past two days, had the same superficial quality as everyone else in the Capitol.

“Wow, don’t tell me I stunned the great Captain into silence,” the other man continued when Steve didn’t say anything.

At the other’s words, a flush crawled up Steve’s face. He was so in his thoughts that he didn’t realized he was quiet the entire time the flamboyant man was there. Steve covered his embarrassment by glaring at the other man, his annoyance not entirely faked. “Who are you? Are you even allowed to be here?”

Ever since Steve woke up, he had wanted to go outside the building and see the present world, but President Thanos had insisted that he stayed inside the room until he was cleared.

There’s some paperwork we have to sort out first, nothing major, President Thanos had assured him and Steve would have made a tentative, dry joke about how yeah, the paperwork for coming back from presumed dead after seventy years must be mammoth, if only President Thanos didn’t look as sincere as back when he welcomed Steve to the Capitol when he had just been unfrozen, which was to say not sincere at all.

Call it paranoid, but Steve didn’t like the vibe he sensed from President Thanos, especially when he had a feeling that he hadn’t met anyone or seen anything President Thanos hadn’t deliberately let him to see. It made Steve wonder what the President had to hide and what he didn’t want Steve to know about.

Some part of Steve wanted to dismiss his suspicion, because the world was great now, wasn’t it? It was a utopia, everyone was living fine (wastefully), and there was no reason for him to read too much into anything.

To occupy his time, Steve was given videos of the outside world (To accustom yourself, President Thanos said, so when the paperwork is done, you would know what to expect) and it was great, it was just like what the President said, hunger was completely eliminated from the world, there was no more suffering.

So why – ?

“I’m Tony fucking Stark, Playboy Extraordinary, the best engineer the world has to offer despite what stupid Hammer might claim, and a self-made billionaire,” the man – Stark – had introduced himself with a wide grin. His earring twinkled against the light for a moment. “Man, it’s been forever since I had to introduce myself. Way to make a guy nostalgic.” He didn’t wait for Steve to speak before continuing, “How’s life treating you? Going to be the Capitol’s lab dog? Woof woof.”

Steve startled, not from Stark’s words – although they were strange as well – as much as from the lack of something.

“That accent,” Steve gasped once he realized what was different. All the people he met from the Capitol had a strange accent. Their voices were high pitched and they had the tendency to hiss the letter ‘s.’ Stark had it before, so Steve assumed everyone spoke that way now, but by the second half of Stark’s speech, the accent abruptly dropped.

“Seriously?” Stark said, almost like a whine, and Steve wasn’t hallucinating, the accent was really gone. “I said so much amazing stuff and the accent was all you heard? Tell me you heard my name, at least. My ego can’t take this if you didn’t listen to my self-introduction.”

The rest of Stark’s words from before came back to him. “What do you mean become the Capitol’s lab dog, Stark?” he asked, a thread of anger making into his voice from the unflattering comparison Stark made. “Aren’t you one as well?” which was only a blind guess, but Steve was sure only people with high clearance could have come see him. He was almost certain that President Thanos, for whatever reason, didn’t want him out of his sight or have him in anyone who didn’t have permission’s sight.

The strangest thing happened after Steve’s words. Stark, who seemed larger than life ever since he had entered the room, seemed to have visibly deflated and the light in his amber eyes dimmed. A smile curled on his face, insincere in everything but the evident self-depreciation, and it was so at odds on his face that Steve almost wished Stark would be back to his annoying, narcissistic self from before. “Well, aren’t you a sharp one?” Stark said, his voice brittle and sharp, and Steve almost apologized for his words because he wasn’t a bully, he didn’t like purposely hurting others, when Stark added, “I guess this is what people call it takes one to one.”

Steve took back his previous intention of apologizing at once and let his voice freeze over, although he still tried hard to hold onto the threads of civility. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Stark,” Steve said, tone hard, “but I don’t appreciate being accused of something that I’m not, regardless of whatever reason you think you have. I’ve only been here for two days, surely I haven’t done something to offend you.”

“Your very existence offends me, Captain,” Stark said, his voice light but it packed the strongest punch. It was almost ridiculous, Stark was but a stranger, but it hurt to hear Stark disliked him, that his very existence offended him. As though Steve wasn’t feeling lonely and paranoid enough by making conspiracy theory where there wasn’t any, Stark had essentially dashed all his hopes of ever being able to integrate within the present-day society. Was Stark speaking for everyone? Did, for whatever reason, everyone in the Capitol dislike him? Was that why President Thanos didn’t let him out into the world yet?

“I grew up hearing stories about what a great hero you are, everyone did, about how you tried to help everyone in the post-apocalyptic world when the governments were all too busy trying to save their own asses. The only thing the Capitol and Panem ever had in common was probably the consensus that you had to be found after you went under.”

Warmth bloomed in Steve’s chest at those words despite not knowing what Panem was. They wanted to find him, Steve thought. Seventy years later today, he was remembered as a hero.

“Even I –“

Steve glanced over at Stark when he seemed to choke on his words, but he blanked his face before Steve could attempt to decipher the emotions on Stark’s face. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter anymore. What matters, Captain, is that we pegged you wrong. You aren’t a hero, because if you are, you would be out there fighting the moment you were unfrozen, the moment you heard of the situation, instead of sitting here like a fucking dog that preens under whoever that can afford to feed you.”

Stark took a deep breath and looked like he wanted to continue, whatever glamour he was wearing suddenly unable to make him sparkle and instead, made him look down-right tired and wretched. Steve ached to ask what was going on, why did Stark speak as though there were great injustice in this utopian world (except it wasn’t really a utopia, was it?), but he had to first understand the situation first.

So despite the fact that Steve really wanted to somehow comfort Stark, Steve interjected forcefully with ease he had learned in order to bring order in a post-apocalyptic world. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he started in his best Captain voice, expecting Stark to listen to him like all the others, except of course Stark was the exception.

Steve thought uncharitably that Stark must really enjoy hearing his own voice.

“Oh, so now you’re deaf. Talk about false advertisement, I want my money back. This is worse than finding out Santa Claus is not real,” Stark said, his tone frivolous and forced. Steve steeled himself to not step back at his words, so confused and befuddled by this change of event. Rarely had he gained control over a situation only to have the control snatch out of his hand a mere moment later. “Well, I hope you can see then. Your eyes better not be from the olden days too.”

Stark waved his hand and before Steve can even ask what did he mean or even take offense at his comment, a beam of light suddenly shot out from Stark’s earring, forming some kind of screen in front of Steve. Steve’s eyes widened, amazed at the reminder that this is the future, of course they have holographic technology. He was about to turn to Stark to ask something, but then the image of the blank blue screen changed, replaced by a video that made Steve completely forget about his wonder at the hologram and even Stark’s presence.

His first thought was that he was seeing a video during the post-apocalyptic period, when everything was dreary, gray and white. Although Steve was supposed to be humankind’s hope and desperately hoped that his initial impression that the video was of the post-apocalyptic world and not the present-day one was right, he somehow knew it in his guts that it wasn’t.

Impoverished, he thought as he watched a skinny young girl, barely fourteen, tried to lug a basket of heavy material, her thin arms straining and her gaunt face dripping with sweat.

Hunger was completely eliminated from the world, he recalled thinking. There was no more suffering.

Oppressed, he thought at the sight of the Peacekeepers holding guns marching in lines, not a citizen daring to be even close proximity with these so-called protectors. Distances away, the citizen harvesting the grains worked faster with barely concealed panic as the Peacekeepers head towards them.

They’re there to keep the people safe, President Thanos answered when Steve asked about the people armored in white.

Unsafe, he thought as an urban place stinking of industrial fumes with no greenery came into sight, with people scurrying into run-down tenements.

It was organized now, the people he had talked to in the Capitol assured him. A utopia by every definition.

Steve could barely breathe as he watched scenes of injustice flashed before his eyes, each not worse than the other but better, and that was somehow worse as he recalled the Capitol in all its ostentatious wastefulness. How could the world he wake to be so injustice, so unequal?

Steve forced his clenched fist to release and breathed heavily through his nose. “Was this what you meant by injustice, Stark?” Steve asked, his voice solemn as he looked at the other for an answer. Steve didn’t know what Stark’s purpose was, but if President Thanos was keeping all this from him, outright lying to him, while Stark showed him these images, then Steve could at least count on Stark to tell him the whole truth.

“Not at all, dear,” Stark said with levity, yet his eyes were dark, oh-so dark. “Those were but snippets. You want to see everything?” Stark looked at him, all attempt at humor draining from his face. “You won’t finish even if I give you those seventy years back, Cap. Capitol is many things, but playing nice is never one of them.”

Steve let out a long breath and tried to organize his thought. Vaguely, he was aware of the hologram disappearing and then Stark’s earring ceased to glow, reverting it back to ordinary looking. “What do you want from me? You must want something, or you wouldn’t have been showing this to me while President Thanos kept everything hidden.”

“Whoah, what I want?” Stark said, looking affronted and startled he dramatically brought both hands to his chest. “Since when do people ask what I want?” and while Stark continued to make everything sound like a joke, Steve couldn’t think that his words contained a grain of truth as well. Stark straightened out, and Steve thought he could hear something like static, before he looked straight into Steve’s eyes and said, “The real question is, what do you want? Do you want to help the Capitol?” Steve subconsciously wrinkled his nose in distaste at the mere thought and an amused half-smile flit across Stark’s face for a split-second before it disappeared.

“Or,” Stark paused dramatically and Steve couldn’t help but roll his eyes even as his insides churned uneasily. Or what, he almost wanted to ask, and that was exactly what Stark was going for as he suddenly leaned closer, eyes fixed on Steve’s the whole time until he abruptly veered off to press his lips to Steve’s ears. Steve did not jump, but it was a close thing; his heart, on the other hand, pounded.

“Do you want to join a rebellion?” Stark whispered harshly, his breath hot against Steve’s skin. “For the people, by the people, of the people, Cap.” Stark trailed his lips from Steve’s ears down to along his jaw and Steve wanted to push him away and demand what he was doing, as much as he wanted Stark to stay and finish what he started. “If the people need you, even if they were smashed down one time too many for them to dare to ask now, will you rise for them once more, Captain?”

“Yes,” Steve gasped even before Stark finished speaking. His hand shot out and caught Stark’s jaw gently, bringing them eye to eye. “If it’s to right the injustice I’ve seen in the video, then yes, I will fight. I’ll join your rebellion.”

Stark looked at Steve for a moment, before his mouth curled at last. “Spoken like a true man, Steve Rogers” and Steve jolted because it had been Captain this and Captain that since he had awoken. Who did call him by that name anymore and – And then Stark leaned forward, curled a hand at the back of Steve’s head and kissed him, languid and slow like a love confession, and pulled away before Steve could react.

Stark skipped back a few steps as though expecting Steve to punch him, his eyes lit with mischievous and lips curled up with delight. “Welcome to S.H.E.I.L.D., Captain Roger. I rarely apologize, but I’ll make an exception for you just this once.” Stark had the gall to wink at him, before some of his humor faded. “Sorry. I didn’t mean what I said before, with the lab dog, ‘your very existence offends me’ and whatnot. All a test. Might as well clear that up, or I’ll end up scaring you away before we even get started, and then Fury is going to be on my ass and never let me recruit anyone ever again, even though I was the one who convinced Bruce to join us. Honestly.”

“What?” Steve said, trying to wrap his head around everything that happened ever since he met Stark.

Stark smirked, looking annoyingly pleased with himself. “Speechless looks good on you, as well as well-kissed and rumpled, which might I add, I did a good job with, but there’s a time and place for these things.” Steve fought against the rising flush on his face as Stark continued as though he was not the one at fault for initiating everything. “Okay, you are to blame everything on me. Tell them that I seduced you if they asked, not the first time or the last.” He sounded wryly amused, but also resigned. “Obviously, don’t tell them about S.H.E.I.L.D. I can block cameras and bugs, well, Jarvis can” – Stark’s earring seemed to twinkle – “but I can’t block people’s memory just yet, so don’t let it slip.”

Steve’s eyes widened at the mention of cameras and bugs. He’d completely forgotten about them and judging by the pleased look on Stark’s face, he knew it too. “It’s okay. Like I said, took care of it. Jarvis hacked into their cameras and bugs, and replaced what really happened here with some random version of his making that’s going to tell a steamy tale about our blooming love.”

“How?” Steve blurted out when it looked like Stark wanted to move on to another topic, but Steve had to make sure. There was no point of joining a rebellion if they were going to be found out so soon. “And when did Jarvis start ‘hacking’ into their cameras?”

Stark sighed, as though annoyed that Steve doubted him. “The moment I introduced myself. ‘Tony fucking Stark’ was the signal for Jarvis to start hacking, which is to say he took clips of us and what we said, and rearranged it to tell another story other than us plotting a rebellion. Before you ask how he managed with the bugs, he has enough samples of my voice and could take enough samples of your voice from the Capitol’s database and make something up, and it’s not to say that all this interrogation isn’t pleasant, but as amazing Jarvis is, he really can’t keep hacking the footage for too long, or he’ll be found out. Capitol’s people are watching this live, you don’t want them to look too closely at us.”

“Okay, fine,” Steve said, slipping all the questions he was bursting to ask – like who is Jarvis, someone from SHIELD? – to the back of his mind. “What do we do now?”

“Now, because we are striving towards something foreign called Democracy here, we’ll give you a choice.” Stark looked at Steve seriously and said, “Think carefully. One, we all know from stories that you like fighting on the front line, busting enemy’s heads and all, so you have the choice to do that. If you choose that, we’ll bust you out of here. Risky, but doable.” For you, was left unspoken, because you’re Captain.

“Two, you can stay here with me and fight on the inside, but you’re fighting my way, so that means playing nice with Capitol to get their trust, making public appearances and everything.” Steve’s stomach roiled at the thought of that, and Stark’s lips quirked in humor at that. “It’s no front line, I know, but I’ll be honest right now, the front line is quiet for a while now. It’s all plotting and planning before we go with the whole overthrow, so…” So you’ll be more useful here.

“Sir, you have thirty second before the cameras and bugs catch you on real time,” a voice with a British accent said out of nowhere, making Steve jump. Stark outright laughed at Steve’s reaction, even as he pressed a hand to his earring and, looking at Steve, said, “Roger that.”

“So,” Stark prompted as the remnant of his laughter fade from his expression. “You heard Jarvis. Chop, chop. No time like the present. I’ll bring you out with me when I leave if you choose to stay, but if you want to go, I’ll have to tell S.H.I.E.L.D to bust your ass out like two days later so you can’t implicate me.”

“I’ll be more helpful if I stay?” Steve asked, even as inwardly he made up his mind. “And you’ll stay with me?” Stark, the only person he had ever talked to for any length of time, the one with bright amber eyes among all the grey.

“Yup,” Stark said, even as he moved closer like he somehow knew Steve’s answer already. “They’re used to me acting like a diva already, so as long as you request that I stay with you, we’re good.”

“Sir, fifteen seconds,” Jarvis warned and up close, Steve could tell the sound was really emanating from the earring. It was amazing how much technology had advanced in the time he was down.

“Alright, Stark,” Steve agreed and marveled at the tight feeling in his chest, the anticipation as Stark neared him, and wondered if this was the feeling of making a deal with an angel. Up close and with most of his questions out of his head, Tony Stark looked stunning in spite of all the unnecessary accessories he donned. “I’ll stay.”

“Then let’s give them a show, should we?” Stark said with the curl of his lips, his hand caressing Steve’s face. “And it’s Tony, Rogers. We’re madly in love, you can’t even stand a second away from me, remember?”

Steve brought a hand to S – Tony’s waist and hated how nothing seemed to ever unsettle him as he took it all to stride. “It’s Steve, Tony,” Steve rasped and enjoyed how Stark shivered ever slightly. He hesitated for a moment, before taking a leap. “And I thought you were madly in love with me?”

Tony laughed at Steve’s reply, and the nervous tension within his chest loosened even as another part tightened. Tony had a nice laugh. “We’ll get along just fine, Steve.”

“Sir, in three, two, one.”

“Well, let’s get this show started,” Tony murmured, before surging up to press his lips against Steve’s. This time, Steve kissed back.

#Stony #tony stark #steve rogers #AU #Hunger game #Capitol #captiol!Tony #avengers #fanfic #ao3 #do you want to join a rebellion?#my writing #mcu

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