#and telling her everything and doing whatever she wants

[pretty-little-mind33]

James Potter x Slytherin!fem!reader

Summary: Being friends with benefits with James Potter isn't all you want, it just takes you a while to come to terms with that reality.

Genre: a mix of everything

Warnings: reader and James are 18, suggestive, sex, friends with benefits, misunderstanding trope, reader and James are both delusional lol, reader is stubborn and headstrong, James x Lily, hint of enemies to lovers

ask: [...] like give me the angst of wanting to be detached but feeling insecure when you see him with someone else (or vice versa) or the hurt comfort where you both start to fall for each other but don’t know how to deal with it!

~ thank you for requesting my dear 🫀anon. Sorry this took forever ~

JAMES POTTER MASTERLIST

When the four infamous Gryffindors saunter into the Common Room to attend one of the Slytherin parties, no one is surprised, at least not since Sirius and Regulus Black reconciled their differences.

Tonight is Regulus's 17th birthday, which meant Sirius had made James promise he would be on his best behavior. 

However, the latter doesn't seem to be doing a good job as his eyes are trained on Severus Snape and Lily Evans, who are standing much too close for his liking. James downs his fourth fire-whiskey and turns to Remus, shaking his head drunkenly.

"What a pompous prick," he slurs, his cheeks turning pinker. The collar of his chemise is overturned and Remus sighs, fixes it for his best friend.

"He isn't hurting anyone," Remus mutters.

James rolls his sharp hazel eyes, glaring at the couple in the corner. He hates how Lily laughs at whatever stupid joke he's telling her. He hates how happy she looks with someone who isn't him. Ever since their break up a few months ago, James's patience with Severus has been almost non-existent.

He walks forward, his shoulders squared, and walks right into you. 

His drink spills all over your blouse, causing you to gasp. 

"Sorry," James grumbles but he doesn't even glance your way as his gaze remains fixated on Lily.

You snap your head up, glaring at him. You feel embarrassed as James's drink is sticky. He doesn't seem to care as struts over, successfully breaking up Lily and Severus' conversation, and leaving you alone. Your gaze narrows.

"You good?" Daniel, the guy you've liked for a while, asks, coming up behind you as he returns from the loo. You don't answer him, simply watching as James embarrasses himself and shoves Severus away. "He's a twat, even outside the pitch," Daniel grunts, crossing his arms and sending James a dark look.

You knew of his rivalry with James Potter but honestly, you couldn't care less at that moment. All that matters is that Daniel's attention is on you as he inspects your blouse. You shrug. "He's a dick. C'mon,"

You lead Daniel up the stairs, to a secluded corner near the dormitories. Daniel leans against the wall, frowning a little as he senses your hand slide up his chest and your lips hover close to his neck. He catches your wrist and laughs, his gaze sharp on yours. 

"You're joking, right? 'M not gonna sleep with you, Y/l/n. You're not that kind of girl." 

You snatch your hand away from him, an expression of hurt spreading across your features. "I'm not what kind of girl?" you ask, narrowing your gaze at him. Daniel's eyes watery from his laughter and you feel even more stupid. 

"The kind you sleep with," Daniel shrugs, "It's not a bad thing, let's go back to the party,"

"Do you not think I'm pretty?" you interrupt, the drinks you'd had rushing to your head as your eyes narrow. When David looks like he could burst into laughter again, you don't give him much time to explain himself as you run up the stairs to your dorm.

You've never felt as stupid as you do now. You slam your door shut, collapsing onto your bed as you hug your pillow. Tears threaten to spill but you don't let them. Daniel McLaggen can fuck himself.

You're the kind of girl someone fucks.

You are. 

Wiping your tears, you stand and rush down to the Common Room again. This time, you simply walk by Daniel and you don't even bother turning to see his expression when you brush him off as you make a beeline towards someone who you wouldn't have even considered otherwise.

You only think of him because of Daniel's previous words.

James Potter stands to the side now, having been pulled away by Remus, still fuming. Without thinking you walk up to him. He turns his gaze, his eyebrows creasing. 

"Can I help–"

"Can I kiss you?" you blurt out, cheeks burning. You needed to ask. You couldn't just ambush him without consent. Still, James looks just as shocked as he would have if you'd simply kissed him. His jaw falls open and he clears his throat. 

"Is this some kind of joke?" he asks, uncharacteristically nervous. 

You shake your head, resisting the urge to make sure Daniel is watching. You keep your eyes on James. "It might make Lily Evans jealous," you try and convince him, although you aren't even sure if she'd care. 

James thinks abut it for a moment.

"Oh, well, okay, sure," James says with a small nod and you move closer, wrapping your hand around his tie. Without wasting time, you pull him into you and crash your lips onto his. He tastes like fire-whiskey and raspberry pastries but you don't care. You move your hand to his hair, tighten your fingers in his curls, lips moving in sync with his. Once James kisses you back, his hands find your hips and he holds you steady. 

He's a pretty damn good kisser. 

Soon, one thing leads to another and you wake up in his dorm room. Your clothes are scattered around the floor. Thank Merlin he's Head Boy or you'd have his roommates to worry about. James is still sleeping, his arm tucked under his pillow as he snores lightly.

Sitting up, you hold the sheets over your naked body as the events of last night play in your mind. You look at James, biting the inside of your cheek. You shouldn't have taken things this far. All to prove yourself to some arsehole? No, this shouldn't have happened. 

Your gaze softens. James looks so peaceful in his lip. You resist the urge to touch his hair.

Cursing, you promise yourself it will never happen again as you sneak out of his room.

And still, week after week you find yourself twisted in his sheets again and again. 

Turns out, fucking around with James Potter is addictive.

* * * Four Months Later * * *

"Hiya, love," James announces happily, plopping himself onto the chair in front of yours in the library. He's loud so you shush him, your finger pressed to his lips as he leans forward over the small desk. You don't look up from your book. You need to pass Potions and you don't have time for distractions. 

James smirks against your finger. "Whatcha workin' on?"

"An essay, now be quiet, you're annoying me."

James laughs and lays his head on his arm, his dark curls falling over his features as he draws small little hearts near your hand as you write. He's teasing you on purpose. Looking up, you narrow your gaze. "What's your problem, James?"

"Are you coming over tonight?"

The question causes you to flush and you look away, focusing on your essay again. You think for a moment, letting his words wash over you. It is Thursday, meaning you usually meet him in his dorm. Your cheeks burn. 

"Hmm," you nod and then push his hand away, "now bugger off, you're being such a knob." You keep your voice calm and steady, knowing James has too much power over you.

In all honesty, you're still not used to this; being friends with benefits with James Fucking Potter. You're barely friends, it's mostly all benefits, or at least that is what you like to think. It makes the situation so much easier when you're riding him in his room and he's muttering praises in your ear.

It helps keep the lines clear. 

Lines that James loves to blur.

That evening as he snaps your bra open and presses kisses on your chest and stomach, he makes conversation; "Will you come to my game tomorrow?" he asks hopefully, still kissing you. 

You gasp, arching and running your hand in his hair as you lean into his mouth. "U-um, yeah–sure."

He pulls away and sends you an adorably stern look. "I'm being serious. Please come. I want you there."

Your chest rises and falls as you gently rock your hips against him. "I said I would," you whisper, annoyance lacing your tone. James senses your frustration and smirks. He leans forward and wraps his strong arms around your back, attaching his lips to your nipples. 

"Good," he says with a devilish smirk. 

You moan in response.

You didn't think you would actually go. Going to support James, the Captain of the Gryffindor team as a Slytherin, was too close to girlfriend activities for your liking. Plus, you'd stopped trying to make Daniel jealous months ago so there was no reason to be there.

Only, James asked you and in the moment, that seems reason enough. 

The game is loud and you feel a little awkward sitting in the Gryffindor section instead of the Slytherin one. James's friends are rambunctious and one practically bumps into you as he cheers loudly. You move closer to the balcony edge, leaning against it as you focus on the game.

Your eyes drift to a familiar figure in the distance. He's holding the quaffle under his arm, his dark hair is even messier than it usually is and he's clearly an experienced flyer. He throws the quaffle into the hoop and scores. Cheers erupt around you and you straighten up, a small smile forming on your lip. James does some, obnoxious, victory flips and your smile can't help but grow. 

Instantly, you feel embarrassed and you control your smile. You shouldn't be smiling so hard at James Potter. Your heart is pounding and unwanted thoughts swirl into your mind. You spend the rest of the game pretending you're not looking at James. 

Once the game ends, you wander around the Gryffindor Common Room at the after party. You'd promised yourself you would congratulate James and then leave immediately. Only you've been in aimlessly wandering around for thirty minutes and you still haven't found him. You're beginning to become annoyed.

Where the fuck is he? 

Finally, you turn a corner and see him. Well, you see his back, but that's unmistakably his jersey. You open your mouth to call his name as you walk forward but your voice dies in your throat. Someone's hands are in his hair. Your heart sinks and you suddenly feel like throwing up. 

James twists his body as the girl comes into view. Your nose scrunches in disgust. Lily Evans? Why is Lily Evans kissing your James? Just as the thought pops into your mind, another wave of nausea washes over you. James isn't yours. If anything, he'd only been passing time with you when he wanted Lily back all along. 

Your breathing is labored as you watch Lily kiss him.

No. This is so wrong. You shouldn't be crying over him.

You back up, turn around and rush out the door before James or Lily could see you. You wipe at your tears, focusing on anger instead of sadness. 

Fuck this. 

* * *

James hasn't seen you in three days and he's becoming worried. You haven't answered any of his Owls, you crumple up any note he writes to you in class, and you avoid him outside of classes.

He doesn't understand what he did wrong. 

He'd waited up for you after his game. He'd had this entire speech planned, some stupid, love-sick confession of his feelings, and yet, you never even showed up. He wants to be angry with you but he can't bring himself to be. He can never stay angry with you even when he tries. 

However, it seems like you're angry with him because when he coincidentally sees you on your way to Honeydukes and he calls your name, you spin around and glare at him. "Leave me alone, Potter," you spit and that wild look he usually loves so much, now scares him a little. Still, he runs up and his hand brushes your arm. 

You turn around again and shove him. With a thud, James falls to the ground. He hadn't expected you to push him and he lost his balance on the mud from the morning rain. "Oi, bloody hell, woman! What is your problem?" 

You're standing over him now and you look furious. 

"You're my problem!"

"Me?" James scrambles up, dusting the dirt from his jeans. He looks at his Converse and they're covered in mud. Great. He looks back up, an expression of hurt obvious on his face. He doesn't have time to worry about his shoes when you're this upset. "I don't understand! What did I do?"

You're breathing heavily, your gaze locked onto his. The truth is too hard to admit. 

"Just, leave me alone," you snarl again, turning back around. James catches your wrist and turns you towards him once more. You're a little surprised but you don't push him or pull away. Instead, the air around you both feels thicker.

"I like you," James blurts out.

Your chest tightens so much it hurts.

"Don't lie to me," you say, your voice hoarse. 

James looks flabbergasted and he moves forward, taking your other hand in his. "What? I'm not lying. I wanted to tell you after my game but you never came—"

"I did come, you tosser!" you snap and James's brown eyes widen. You've never looked more beautiful, even if you do look like you want to kill him. You push your index into his chest. "I came to the game and I saw you play and I even stayed afterward like an idiot because I wanted to see you. And you know what I saw?"

James shakes his head. He's a little petrified.   

"I saw you kissing Lily Evans. Lily Evans of all people! And what's worse is that I shouldn't have been surprised because it was always her. I should have known—"

James blinks and out of all the things he could have said, the only thing that slips from his mouth is, "Y/n. Did you listen to anything I just said?"

That only angers you more because you look like a vein on your forehead could pop at any moment. "What?! James, did you just listen to what I just said?!"

"I never kissed Lily. She kissed me," James says matter-of-factly and then leans in so his face is close to yours. "Now what did I say?"

"That isn't how that works! You both kissed!"

"Nope. I did not. Now, what did I say?!"

"Don't patronize me," you hiss.

"Y/n."

"You said you like me but—"

James places his index on your lips, cracking a small smile. "Exactly. I like you, not Lily. I told her as much after she kissed me. She means nothing to me anymore. My heart belongs to you and only you."

Your lips part under James's finger, your eyes still wide and a little glossy. His words swirl in your chest, warm and so so dangerous. "You're such an idiot," you whisper against him, his confession finally sinking in. You push him away. "I don't believe you. Why should I believe you!?"

"Because it's the truth. You drive me crazy." James moves his hand and cups your cheek. He's staring at you now like you're the only person in the world who matters. You feel like he's stared at you like this before, you just never knew what it meant.  

James moves a little closer, his large hands framing your face. "I have felt like this for months. Months. And I've been meaning to tell you. I like you. I want you. Not just in my bed as a passing fancy, not to make anyone jealous, but just because I want you."

Your heart catches in your throat, and you know you should say something—anything—but instead, all your defenses come crumbling down as you crash your lips into his and kiss him. 

James responds instantly, hands curling around your waist as he lifts you slightly off the ground and hugs you, his lips still on yours.

Once you finally break apart, his forehead finds yours, and he mutters, "So, does this mean we can finally be done pretending we're just casual now?"

You scoff. "Is that what we were doing?"

James smiles, his dimples appearing as he nuzzles his nose into yours. "Mm, it was," he whispers.

You smile gently. "It suppose was, wasn't it?"

He leans in and kisses you again, smiling against your mouth. "I'm yours. If you'll have me. I am completely and wholeheartedly yours."

"Does that mean you promise to stop being such a knob sometimes," you say and shoot him a pretend annoyed look, keeping him close.

James grins. He raises an eyebrow and wiggles it playfully. "No promises," he teases but he leans in and kisses you again, a silent promise. A promise that he loves you, he loves you more than anything.

[izzih22]

Can you do one where Azzi sees the pressure on Paige building because she hears how people are talking, and then she snaps on everyone, coaches and players alike, after she hears them talking about what they expect from Paige after she has a bad practice and she leaves the locker room without waiting for Azzi because she’s so overwhelmed. Telling them that they may be under pressure too but that it’s nowhere near what Paige is under and if they cared about her they would understand and try to help carry it instead of add on to it like they have been

Probably could take place sometime over the summer after the 2024 March madness when Paige said she hated the idea of losing so much that she forgot how to win if you wanted a specific timeframe

Everything You Don’t Say

Note: ig I’m kinda back… also this is not a depiction of any of the girls it’s just for the story.

It starts with a missed layup.

Not just a bad one. Not the kind where Paige shrugs and taps her chest like, my bad, I’ll get the next one. This one clangs off the backboard like a cry for help, like she’s forgotten where the rim even is. She doesn’t react. No grimace. No head shake. Just keeps moving through the drill like her body’s on autopilot.

Azzi notices. Of course she does.

Paige always plays with her whole chest every step fierce, every shot deliberate. Even when she’s quiet, there’s heat. But today?

There’s nothing.

No talk. No fire. Just exhaustion so visible it wraps around her shoulders like a wet towel.

“Y’all seeing this?” someone whispers behind Azzi on the sideline.

“She’s been… off.”

“I mean, she’s seems tired. What’s her deal?”

“She better figure it out before preseason...”

The words prickle against Azzi’s skin. She turns her head slightly, not enough to confront anyone… not yet atleast, but enough to clock who said what.

KK, Jana, Ice. Not mean. Just frustrated.

But Azzi doesn’t care. They don’t get it. They don’t know what Paige has been going through.

Coach calls for transition drills, and the pace picks up. Paige turns on the jets, trying to outrun whatever’s haunting her, and for a minute, Azzi sees it the fight, the defiance. But it only lasts so long. Then she’s gasping for breath, bent at the waist, eyes fixed on the hardwood like she’s lost in it.

Coach blows the whistle.

“Bueckers, this is the third practice in a row,” he says, not yelling, but loud enough that the whole gym hears. “You’re the example. Your standard has to be higher than this.”

Azzi winces.

She’s sitting cross-legged on the sideline, resting a sore ankle, towel draped over her shoulders. She knows what those words will do to Paige. Knows that example is code for carry everyone. That standard means don’t mess up, ever.

Paige doesn’t say anything. She just nods once, jaw tight, and finishes the drill.

Azzi watches her the whole time. Watches her force her body through another ten minutes of drills, watches her bite her lip so hard it goes white, watches her finish a play and then bolt straight out of the gym without waiting for anyone… without waiting for her.

Azzi’s heart sinks.

Because Paige always waits.

Even when they’re not riding home together. Even when they’re barely speaking after a fight. Paige waits. She leans against the locker room door with her headphones half on, hoodie sleeves pushed up, and waits for Azzi like it’s instinct.

Today, she’s gone.

And the second the whistle blows and Coach dismisses everyone, the team starts talking.

Not even quiet.

“I don’t know what’s going on with her.”

“She’s being so dramatic.”

“I swear if she tanks this season—”

That’s when Azzi stands.

And snaps.

She doesn’t yell.

She doesn’t have to.

The sound of her voice tight, controlled, and angry in a way none of them have ever heard is louder than anything.

“You done?”

Everyone freezes.

Azzi’s standing in the middle of the gym, arms folded, one socked foot tapping softly against the court. Her eyes are sharp. Her mouth is a flat, trembling line. She doesn’t look like herself. Or at least, not the self they know.

KK opens her mouth, confused. “Az, we weren’t—”

“Yes, you were,” Azzi says, calm and cutting. “You were talking about her like she’s not the reason half of you even came here.”

Ice blinks. “We’re just saying it’s—”

“What? Hard? Yeah. It is. But you don’t get to dump everything on her because you’re tired.”

There’s a silence that stretches too long.

Azzi’s voice cracks a little when she speaks again. “She’s been holding this team on her back for four years. She’s been your go-to, your example, your headline, your shield from every hard moment. And you all forget that she’s human.”

Jana shifts her weight. “She’s not the only one under pressure.”

“No,” Azzi agrees, softer now. “But none of you know what it’s like to be her. To walk into every gym with people expecting you to save the season. To come back from injury after injury and still be perfect. To be told you’re the face of women’s basketball and not break down under the weight of that.”

Her chest rises and falls fast. Her voice dips again.

“She’s exhausted. Not because she doesn’t care. But because she does more than any of you will ever understand.”

Coach steps forward like he wants to calm her, but Azzi turns her eyes on him, too.

“And you. You think you’re helping when you say that crap about standards and examples? You’re just adding more weight. You see one off day and forget what she’s carried for years.”

Coach says her name gently. “Azzi—”

“No,” she cuts him off, and now her voice is trembling. “She’s the most selfless person I’ve ever known. And every time she slips…every time… you all act like she’s failing you.”

No one speaks.

Not because they don’t have thoughts.

But because this is Azzi. Sweet Azzi. Quiet Azzi. The one who always stays neutral, who softens tension, who floats more than she stomps.

And right now she’s shaking with anger. With love.

Azzi swipes at a tear and turns before anyone can say anything.

She’s gone before they can apologize.

—

She finds Paige outside, behind the gym.

Slouched on the concrete steps. Knees pulled up. Eyes red.

Azzi sits down beside her without a word and waits.

Paige speaks first, voice hoarse. “They’re right, aren’t they?”

“No,” Azzi says instantly.

“I missed a layup.”

“You’re tired.”

Paige snorts bitterly. “I’m always tired.”

Azzi doesn’t argue. She just reaches for Paige’s hand.

“You didn’t wait for me,” she says softly.

Paige closes her eyes. “Didn’t want you to see me like this.”

“I’ve seen you worse,” Azzi says gently, bumping their shoulders. “Remember that USA camp where you missed ten free throws in a row and cried in the storage closet?”

“You promised you’d never bring that up.”

Azzi smiles, and Paige finally lets out a half-laugh.

“I hate this,” Paige whispers after a minute. “I hate feeling like I’m not enough.”

“You don’t have to feel enough,” Azzi says. “You are.”

“I don’t know how to not carry everything.”

Azzi squeezes her hand. “Then let me carry you.”

Paige finally looks at her.

And there it is all the pain, all the guilt, all the pressure. All the weight that comes from being the name everyone knows, the story everyone wants, the win everyone expects.

“I don’t know how to fall apart,” Paige says.

“Yes, you do,” Azzi whispers. “You do it with me. You always have.”

That breaks something.

Paige leans into her then no more pretense. She curls into Azzi’s shoulder like a wave pulling back into the sea, like a girl who’s finally stopped pretending she’s invincible.

And Azzi just holds her.

Not tightly.

Just fully.

Like this is a thing they’ve done a thousand times and it is. Because they’ve been doing this since they were teenagers. Since Paige was the golden girl and Azzi was the quiet storm who saw through the shine. Since they traded jerseys after games and whispered on FaceTime until one of them fell asleep.

Since before any of this was real.

Since before it mattered.

“I yelled at everyone,” Azzi murmurs into her hair.

Paige pulls back, eyes wide. “You?”

“Yup.”

“Like… loud?”

“No. Worse.” Azzi smiles faintly. “I was calm.”

Paige groans and buries her face in Azzi’s hoodie. “I’m so in love with you.”

“I know.”

“You’re not supposed to say it like that.”

Azzi chuckles, brushing Paige’s hair back from her forehead. “I’ve been in love with you since we were sixteen, Bueckers. I’m allowed to say it however I want.”

They sit in silence for a while, Paige’s head tucked under Azzi’s chin, the sky slowly turning pink overhead.

“I don’t want to break,” Paige says finally.

“You won’t.”

“But if I do?”

“I’ll be there.”

“And if I get worse?”

“You won’t. But I’ll still be there.”

Paige exhales. “Why do you love me like this?”

“Because you let me.”

That gets her.

She lifts her head and looks at Azzi like she’s trying to memorize her.

And maybe she is.

“Let’s go home,” Azzi says softly.

“I’m gross.”

“You’re mine.”

Paige blushes. “You’re such a sap when I’m sad.”

“You like it.”

“I love it.”

They stand, and Paige doesn’t let go of her hand the whole walk back.

—

Later that night, after showers and silence and shared takeout eaten from one container, they’re curled up in Azzi’s bed. Paige has her head on Azzi’s chest, one hand tucked under her shirt like it belongs there, which it does.

“I’m sorry I walked out,” she mumbles.

“I’m sorry I didn’t scream at them sooner,” Azzi replies.

Paige smiles, small and real. “I think you might’ve scared KK.”

“She’ll live.”

A pause.

“I think I might finally sleep tonight.”

Azzi kisses her forehead. “Then sleep. I’ll be here.”

Always.

Because loving Paige has never been about the stats. Never been about the hype. It’s been about the girl behind the glare the one who breaks down in locker rooms, who holds too much too tightly, who forgets she’s allowed to be soft.

And Azzi?

She’ll always remind her.

Even when no one else sees it.

Especially then.

[jinjoohaa]

Jealousy looks good on you, baby

nanami hugs a girl infront of you (Roommate! AU)

CW: NSFW, explicit sexual content, nipple play, possessiveness, breeding talk, jealousy, age gap, light humiliation, dirty talk. 18+ only.

The warm Friday night air clings softly to your skin, the scent of waffle cones and melted sugar floating around you as you stand before a glowing ice cream stall. The board above you lists too many flavors, all chalked up in messy cursive— caramel, cotton candy, triple chocolate fudge, blueberry cheesecake…

You chew your bottom lip, hands folded nervously in front of you as you scan the options.

“I—can’t decide…” you mumble.

“Buy all of ‘em,” Gojo says immediately, bouncing on the balls of his feet like a kid on a sugar high, sunglasses pushed up into his white hair. “I’ll pay. Just blink twice if you want me to fund your sweet-tooth era.”

Nanami sighs beside you. “You’re not paying.”

“Says who?” Gojo smirks. “You took her out but I’m the one who makes her smile.”

“Whatever makes you sleep at night,” Nanami mutters.

You glance up at them both, cheeks already warm. Gojo’s grin is wide and chaotic. Nanami’s stoic, hands in his pockets.

You shift on your feet, heart fluttering. Honestly, you’re still recovering from yesterday—bruises high on your thighs hidden under your skirt, soreness that hasn’t left. Nanami had held your trembling body all night, apologizing under his breath, lips pressed to your temple, promising—

“I’ll make it up to you. This weekend. Ice cream. Just us.”

Except Gojo overheard.

And now here he was, ruining the peace.

“Oh, oh—try that mango one. Mango makes everything better,” Gojo says, tugging lightly at your sleeve. “Like, imagine it melting on your tongue while someone’s fingering you. Messy. Hot.”

You suck in a breath, eyes going wide. “G-Gojo!”

He just chuckles, shameless and unbothered, then leans down to whisper near your ear, “Or do you prefer chocolate? Because, baby, chocolate and moaning sounds like a combo I’d pay to hear.”

You try not to combust on the spot.

Nanami exhales deeply. “Stop talking.”

Just then, a voice calls out from across the street—smooth and playful.

> “Kento~!”

Nanami turns, brows furrowed. Gojo does too.

And then her voice registers. You look just in time to see her: tall, elegant, maybe in her early thirties, blonde waves swept back in a high twist, a sharp black blazer hugging her curves. Red lipstick. Confident heels. A smile that could kill.

Gojo whistles low. “Damn. Older women are always a blessing for my pretty eyes…”

You go quiet. Nanami's expression softens the second recognition hits. He smiles back—smiles—and lifts a hand in greeting.

> “Baby,” he says gently to you, touching your shoulder. “Pick something you like, hmm? I’ll be back in a minute.”

Your lips part to reply, but he's already walking across the street.

Your heart sinks a little. Just a little.

Gojo keeps talking, mostly to himself. “You think she spanks men for fun? She gives off that boss lady dominatrix vibe. Shit, I’d let her tell me to sit, and I’d bark. Proudly.”

You blink at him, mouth twitching, but your eyes keep slipping across the road. Nanami’s posture is relaxed—he’s not usually like that. The two of them talk, and she laughs, her hand brushing his forearm.

“Maybe I should get the vanilla,” you murmur, too soft.

"Mhmm you sure you're a vanilla girl?" Gojo smirks.

He picks up a sample spoon, dips it into the pistachio, licks it once, then makes a face. “Nah. That’s a bad head flavor. You want something creamy. Like hazelnut. Or caramel. Something that melts easy. So when it drips on cunt, I can just lick…”

He mimics licking it off his wrist.

You squeak, tugging at your skirt. “G-Gojo… there are kids here…”

“There’s life lessons here,” he retorts with a wink.

Your attention drifts back across the road. Nanami’s laughing now—laughing. You pout slightly, eyes burning even though you tell yourself it’s nothing. Just an old friend. An ex, maybe. He’d never said. He wasn’t the type to hide things, but still…

When they hug, something inside you twists.

And then he’s coming back, straightening his sleeves, walking towards you.

“Have you picked?” he asks, voice smooth, eyes on you.

You nod, pointing weakly to the blueberry cheesecake.

Gojo hums something under his breath. You catch the words “lick” and “cream” but don’t want to ask.

Nanami pays. You’re too quiet now, licking the corner of your spoon as you three begin walking home. Gojo talks enough for all three of you, arm slung lazily around your shoulders like a cat in heat.

You keep sneaking glances at Nanami, trying not to think of her laugh. Her lipstick. The way he smiled at her like—

And beside you, Gojo’s fingers tap-tap along your shoulder, his voice low and smug.

The walk back home is filled with low chatter—Gojo is talking a mile a minute about some anime theory that somehow ties back to boobs and ice cream—but you don’t catch most of it.

You’re quiet.

Too quiet.

Your fingers curl tighter around the paper cup in your hands, the ice cream inside mostly melted now. It tastes sweet on your tongue, but your expression doesn't match. You’re trying not to pout. Really, you are. But every time the image of that woman hugging Nanami flashes behind your eyes, something in your chest just drops.

Gojo glances down at you as you trail beside him, head a little low.

“Hey, bunny,” he nudges you gently with his elbow. “You okay?”

You nod quickly.

“…You didn’t like the ice cream, huh?”

You blink up at him. “No—it’s not that. I—”

“You’re pouting,” he says in your ear.

“I’m not,” you whisper back, even though you definitely are.

Nanami slows his steps until he’s walking on your other side, eyes narrowing as he watches you. You don't meet his gaze.

“You cold?” he asks, already unzipping his coat.

You shake your head, but your voice betrays you. “I’m fine.”

He doesn’t listen.

Nanami wraps his coat over your shoulders anyway, hands lingering on your arms for a second longer than needed. The warmth makes you sink into the fabric without thinking.

“Thank you…” you murmur.

“You're quiet,” he says under his breath, like he’s filing that thought away.

When you reach the apartment, the door creaks open to the familiar scent of home. The living room is dim. Toji’s passed out on the couch, one arm draped over his face, mouth open slightly. Geto’s door is shut, faint music playing behind it.

You toe off your shoes quietly, still wrapped in Nanami’s coat.

Gojo—of course—doesn’t know how to be quiet.

The moment you try to step into your room, he squeezes in right behind you.

“Hey, hey—don’t shut me out. I missed you.”

“I...I was with you just this morning,” you whisper, glancing at Nanami over your shoulder.

Gojo grins. “Yeah, when you were bouncing on my cock and making the prettiest little sobs I’ve ever heard. Doesn’t count as ‘quality time’.”

Your face turns crimson. “G-Gojo!”

He steps closer, arms ready to wrap around you—when Nanami grabs the back of his collar and yanks him out of your doorway like a misbehaving mutt.

Gojo stumbles back into the hallway. “HEY! Rude.”

Nanami slips inside your room and closes the door behind him—firmly.

Gojo starts a full-blown tantrum outside. “You two are selfish! I offer free love and look what I get! Used and thrown away like a fuckin' tissue—”

“Gojo, bed,” Nanami snaps.

Gojo groans. “Ughhhh. Fiiine. Just so you know, this is why I’m emotionally distant with men.”

You hear him muttering something about being “underappreciated” as he stomps off to his room.

The door clicks softly behind him.

Now it’s quiet.

Nanami exhales, hands loosening as he approaches you. His eyes are softer now, searching your face. “Did you enjoy the ice cream?”

You hesitate, then nod.

He steps closer. “You sure you’re alright… from yesterday?”

You glance down at your legs, where his grip had bloomed purple over your skin just last night. You’d clung to the sheets, sobbing, overwhelmed and wrecked, but never once saying no. He had taken you apart, lost in you, rough and gasping.

You nod again, more shyly this time.

“I’m okay,” you whisper.

He cups your face gently and kisses you—deep, warm, lips pressing slow like he means it. You lean into him without thinking, letting his hand slide to the small of your back.

When he pulls away, his voice is low. “Alright, sweetheart. Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He starts toward the door.

Your heart panics.

You speak before you think—your voice trembling.

“Uhmm… Nanami?”

He pauses, hand on the knob. Looks over his shoulder. “Yeah, baby?”

You shuffle in place, wringing your fingers. “I… uhh… can… can we… I-I wanna…”

His brows lift slightly. He turns to face you fully. “Hmm?”

Your throat goes dry.

“I wanna… do it.”

His expression shifts—amusement curving his lips, but his voice stays warm.

“Oh?” he hums, stepping toward you again. “Are you saying you want me to fuck you, baby?”

You nod once, face burning.

He tilts your chin up with two fingers. “Who am I to say no to that?”

He kisses you again, deeper, his tongue slow and thorough like he’s savoring the shape of your mouth. Then, he lifts you gently and lays you across your bed. His hands unbutton your top carefully—like he’s unwrapping something rare.

“Such a shy little thing…” he murmurs, dragging his fingers down your chest. “But look at you asking for my cock. You must’ve missed it, hmm?”

You whimper softly. “… Yeah.”

He smiles. “Then I’ll give it to you. Nice and slow.”

The room fills with soft gasps and the shuffle of fabric. Nanami’s mouth maps every inch of your skin—tongue warm, lips dragging over your neck, collarbone, breasts, thighs.

He kisses every bruise he left before.

“Sorry,” he whispers each time. “You were too good… couldn’t help myself.”

He doesn’t fuck you. Not yet.

First, he worships.

Hands firm on your thighs, spreading you, he licks your cunt like a man starved—slow, precise, tongue swirling around your clit, letting your moans get louder and messier until you’re writhing and clinging to the sheets.

Only then does he finally slide into you—inch by slow inch—watching your face the whole time.

“You always take me so well,” he breathes, groaning against your neck. “So tight—like your pussy doesn’t wanna let me go.”

You’re gasping, arms around his shoulders, every stroke making your mind blur. His hips move slow and deep, kissing the ache in your belly. His hand sneaks between your legs to rub you just right.

You cry out.

“Shh, shh… I got you,” he whispers. “You’re doing so good, baby.”

By the end, your skin is slick with sweat, your thighs trembling, every nerve burning in the best way. He stays buried inside you as you both pant for air, foreheads pressed together.

Then, he pulls out and gathers you close, arms snug around your waist. You’re tucked in his chest, your leg thrown over his, fingers tracing small circles on his ribs.

The room is quiet.

You swallow hard.

Your voice is soft.

“…Nanamin, can I… can I ask you something?”

His voice was still thick with post-orgasm warmth, low and soft against your temple.

"Oh? What is it, baby? Need something? Water?"

You shook your head slowly, your cheek still pressed to his chest where you could hear the steady beat of his heart.

"Uhmm... do you like my hair?"

He blinked, pulling back slightly to look down at you, brows slightly furrowed.

"Huh? Yeah, baby—of course I do. Your hair's just as pretty as you. Why ask me that all of a sudden?"

You avoided his eyes, fiddling with a strand of your hair nervously.

"Nothing, just..." you mumbled, "I was wondering if I should colour it."

Nanami hummed and brought a hand to your head, threading his fingers through your hair and tugging you closer until your chest brushed against his.

"Hmm? Why, baby? I mean, if you want to, of course. What colour do you have in mind, hmm?" he asked, voice turning warm again as he tilted his head and nuzzled into your chest. He licked over your nipple suddenly, making you jerk slightly.

"Ah! Ngh... uhm... do you think I’d look prettier in blonde?"

He paused to press a kiss against your tit, then glanced up.

"Blonde? Hmm. Well, I think black suits your eyes more—makes you look soft and sweet."

Another slow lick over your nipple.

"But yeah, you’d still be pretty in blonde. You’d look pretty with anything."

You blinked down at him.

"Ohh... hmmm..."

He raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly.

"Why baby? Did Gojo ask you to colour your hair?"

You quickly shook your head, lips pressing together.

Nanami smirked and leaned up to kiss your lips, a slow, lingering kiss that soothed your nerves.

You gently pulled away, slipping from the bed, naked still, as your eyes caught sight of his coat on the table. You padded over, slipped it over your shoulders, and hugged the fabric close.

Nanami sat up on the bed, admiring the view with a soft groan.

"Nanamin… do I look good in this?"

His eyes dragged over you like hot honey, and he huffed a little laugh.

"In a blazer? Fuck, yeah. You look like a corporate baddie who’s about to ruin a man’s life."

You blushed a little, biting your lip.

"S-So… does this style suit me more?"

He narrowed his eyes, sensing the undertone in your voice.

"You look good in everything, baby. No matter what you wear."

You hesitated, then mumbled,

"But... d-do you like this type of dress more than… my usual?"

Nanami stood, walking over to you completely naked, still semi-hard and completely unbothered by it. He wrapped an arm around your waist and pulled you in.

"I didn’t say that." He kissed your forehead.

"I said you always look pretty. Whatever you wear."

You stared up at him with wide eyes before slowly sitting on his lap, facing him—skin to skin now, his cock twitching against your thigh. You curled your arms around his neck.

"Can I ask you something again?" you asked quietly.

He smirked, brushing his thumb along your jaw.

"Oh? You sure have a lot of questions tonight. Come on, ask me."

You bit your lip.

"Who… who was that woman?"

You tried to sound casual, keeping your tone soft, neutral. But he picked up on it right away.

Nanami blinked, then gave a small exhale.

"An ex-colleague. We worked together for about five years."

"Were you close with her?"

"Not really. Just professional stuff. I saw her today after more than a year."

Your fingers fidgeted with the lapel of his coat.

"Are… are you going to see her again?"

Nanami tilted his head slightly.

"She mentioned grabbing a coffee sometime, just to catch up. Why, baby?"

You looked away.

"No… nothing..."

He went quiet for a moment. The silence hung in the air before you whispered again.

"Uhm... Nanamin?"

"Yeah?"

You took a shaky breath.

"D-Do you like... women your age more?"

He blinked, brows furrowing, before his face broke into an incredulous little chuckle.

"Ohh... so this is what it’s about, huh?"

"Wh-What—" you quickly shook your head, eyes wide, cheeks burning.

"Jealous, baby?"

"I’m not—jealous! Why would I be—"

"Mmhm." He leaned in, kissing your pout. "My pretty little girl’s all possessive for me, huh?"

You looked away again. He cradled your face with one hand and murmured,

"She’s just an old friend, baby. Married. Has kids. Even if she wasn’t—it wouldn’t matter."

He pulled your face back to his.

"I have you. Yeah?"

You looked into his eyes, soft and hopeful.

"Promise?"

He smiled—and then bit down on your nipple without warning.

"Ah! Nanamin!"

"Promise." He grinned, lips tugging at your sensitive flesh before letting go with a wet pop.

"Jealousy looks real good on you, baby..."

He moved to your other nipple and sucked hard, swirling his tongue.

"...but you’d look even better bouncing on my cock again, wouldn’t you?"

You slapped a hand over his mouth, your cheeks flushed.

"Don’t say that!"

He laughed against your skin, licking your palm teasingly before pulling your hand down and murmuring,

"C’mon... just one more round, yeah? Wanna see you fall apart on my cock again. Wanna fill you up, make sure you know who you belong to."

His hands slid down to your ass, squeezing tight.

"You’re not leaving this bed till I’ve fucked that jealousy right out of you, baby."

Your breath caught in your throat as he lifted you effortlessly, lining you up on his cock again—

and then he paused, smirking,

"Still wanna ask more questions, sweetheart? Or are you ready to get fucked dumb again?"

Got another ask where the reader gets jealous over nanami, So i had to 💅

Comment down to get tagged for any JJK content. Also I started a backup account in case something happens to my current one - just to be safe lol, So if y'all are interested, @jinjoohaa-blog do follow !

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[erule]

Teenage dream | b.r.

Pairing: Bob Reynolds x reader 

Summary: you’re in love with Bob, but he doesn’t know that and this is tearing you apart. Until one day, he tells you to ask him what you’ve been eager to know.

Warnings: angst, fluff, friends to lovers trope, making out (reader and Bob are both 18+ here), Thunderbolts* spoilers ahead

Word count: 1.7K+

A/N: hi guys! I’m back with a ff with Bob Reynolds, because I just loved his so much in the movie (and Lewis too ofc!!). Feedback is always appreciated by a writer! I hope you enjoy it 🌙

Main Masterlist

MCU Masterlist

Somehow, you’ve always known that. Since the first time he entered in the room, you’ve felt something, a sort of an energy or a vibe. Yelena looked at you, because she got it even before you could even comprehend what was happening inside of you. It was like a teenage dream that would come to reality. Bob said hello to everybody and your eyes lingered on his face more than you would do with a stranger. You knew what he did, but you didn’t really care about it. You weren’t scared. After years of working with the Avengers, you knew the risks. 

It was even funnier, when Bucky asked you, door closed behind you, if you were sneaking out with him. You gulped, embarrassed, but also giggled at the thought. You wished you would, but no, that wasn’t you. He was having some kind of affair with somebody else. You shrugged, then you went away in order to go back to your room, but you found Yelena next to your door. 

“He did it, didn’t he?” She asked and you nodded. Yelena sighed, tired. “I’m so sorry, Y/N. I told him you weren’t doing anything with Bob, but he wanted to know it directly from you. Did it hurt you?”

“Not quite as when I saw Bob kissing Sarah,” you answered. Sarah was the classic girl next door: simple, cute and nice. You had nothing against her, really, but you weren’t glad to see her with your beloved Bob. Oh, you sounded so riddiculous!

You sighed, while preparing yourself to get into the shower. Yelena gave you a T-shirt for later. 

“I can only imagine,” Yelena said, while sitting on your bed. “If I could do something about it, like smashing his face into the wall or…”

“Unfortunately, you can’t,” you replied with a smile. “Still, I love you for that”.

“No, I don’t like all of these emotions. I’m gonna get out from here. See you at dinner, babe,” she said and you waved at her.

Sometimes, you thought that she was your only friend beside of Bob. How do you really talk to your friend about you being in love with them? You got into the shower in order to go to dinner very fast. You changed your clothes, then you did your hair. You were wearing your shoes, when somebody knocked at the door. 

“Hey,” a sweet voice said and you recognized it immediately.

“Hi,” you replied and your heart began to race.

“I… uhm… know, from Walker, that Bucky wanted to talk to you about something urgent today. Is everything alright?” He asked and you didn’t really know how to answer. You remained silent for a couple of seconds, so he shaked his head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to intrude. I was just worried about you. Bucky can be very unpleasant, sometimes”.

“Sometimes?” You joked and he smiled.

“Multiple times”.

“Anyway, thank you for your concern, but it was nothing serious”.

Then, he gulped, nodding, his shoulder on the door jamb and his fingers intertwined. You looked at him, your lips parted as if you were about to ask him a question, but you didn’t. He seemed to as well, though.

“I’ve missed this,” he said. 

“What?”

“This,” he repeated, pointing at him and you with a finger. “Us. Being friends, making jokes. Whatever we were before”.

“Before what?”

“Before I got with Sarah,” he said and you gulped, trying to hide your sense of guilt. Your feelings.

“We’re still friends,” you stated and it was true.

“I know,” he replied, then he walked towards you and you started to feel uncomfortable. 

“Please, don’t,” you said. You couldn’t handle it anymore. 

He stopped.

“I know that there’s something off here, Y/N. Just tell me,” he said and you felt terrible. He was really trying to have his friend back, but you couldn’t even admit that you were in love with him with yourself, let alone with him! You bit your bottom lip. Who knows what Void would have seen, if only he could. Maybe your secret dreams about him or the lowest point of your life, when you followed him to see why he would always go to the cafè in front of the compound. You were ashamed of yourself. He couldn’t touch you, otherwise he would have found out everything.

“I can’t. I’m sorry,” you found the courage to say, but he sighed.

“Y/N, if I did anything to offend you, I’m sorry,” he said. “You know that I wouldn’t hurt a fly, come on”.

You tried to hold back the tears.

“People can’t know anything”.

“True,” he said, while getting slowly closer to you. Your skin began to get hotter very fast, as if his only presence could make you feel warmer. “But they’re not my friends”.

“I don’t want to know your personal life’s secrets”.

“Something’s telling me you do,” he said with the ghost of a smirk on his pale face. You tilted your head. “You could live with the doubt forever or… you could just ask”. You gulped. “Ask me”.

You released the breath you were apparently holding. When you were just a teenager, you used to fantasize about a lot of fictional and real guys as if it was some kind of game, but now, all of this didn’t seem like a game to you anymore. He was real, in front of you, asking you to make him a question. So you did. 

“Why not me?”

You knew why he chose her, it wasn’t a stupid challenge between two people being in love with the same guy. It was about you and him, this time. It was about being the second chance again.

His eyes flickered. For a moment, he wasn’t Bob anymore. He was Void and Void knew how to break into your heart like nobody else. You wondered if you made the right call.

“Because it was easier,” he answered. You were confused. Easier to be with somebody less demanding than you? Easier than breaking a friendship? “Easier to fake that I didn’t care about you as much as I do,” he said, as if he could read your mind. “Everytime I look at you during a mission, I hope that our enemies don’t get how much I love you. Everytime I see you walking into the compound, I ask myself if Bucky or Yelena or anybody else knows that I’m wrapped around your finger. And every damn time that something bad happens, I fear that it happened to you and that I wasn’t there to protect you”.

The tears were rolling on your cheeks at that point.

“It’s unfair”.

“What? That you didn’t tell me that you were in love with me?” He asked.

“That you’d rather sneak around with anybody but me”.

“You’re being mean,” he said, clenching his jaw.

“And you’re breaking my heart”.

He looked at you as if you just broke the ice into his eyes and now he was bleeding on the outside. His eyes were glossy and circled in red.

“Well, then it’s a good thing that you did the same with mine, I guess”.

That was the moment in which your heart shattered into pieces.

***

Yelena was very focused while listening to your argument with Bob, but once you were finished, she rolled on the bed, exhausted. A corner of your lips turned up in half a smile. 

“You’re unbelievable!” You exclaimed, but she threw a pillow at you.

“Am I? You’re the one who fought with the love of her life over a stupid thing!”

The skin of your face started to burn.

“He’s not… He’s not the love of my life”.

“Babe, come on, he is. And he has been for as long as I can remember. Probably, you were dreaming about him when you were still a teenager”.

You sighed. It was like she could read you. That was probably why you felt something already when he just entered into the room and he light it up like it was the easiest thing to do on the planet. At that point, you couldn’t even lie anymore: you were desperately in love with him.

“You think that he was right all along?”

Yelena got up from the bed and shaked your hand.

“Y/N, have you met us? We’re the new Avengers: we go on missions, we try to save the world while we also make stupid jokes about dying in a cool way. Yeah, he’s pretty much right”.

You sat down on the bed.

“I ruined everything, didn’t I?” You asked her, while your hands are on your face.

“Maybe not,” she said and you could feel that she was smiling. 

You get up immediately from the bed, as if you could feel his presence. It’s like a dream coming true. He’s standing again with an arm on the door jamb, hands in the pockets and a curl of his hair on his forehead. He had never looked more beautiful, if that was possible.

Yelena left the room with a smile on her face.

“Hi,” you said, incredibly guilty.

“Hi”, he replied. Even his voice was like drinking cold water during a hot Summer day. It was refreshing for your ears. His face, on the other hand, was a breath of fresh air. He really was the man you’ve been looking for you whole life. You even dreamt about him when he was still a character in your head. “What you said the other day… it really hurt me”.

“Bob, I’m so…”

“No,” he interrupted you. “Let me finish. Honestly, I could have handled it in a better way. I also wasn’t fair to Sarah, you were right, so I broke up with her immediately after our argument”.

You were at a loss for words. 

He walked closer to you. His fingertips caressed your cheek and he was looking at you as if you were the sun and he was desperate to warm up. You felt electricity running through your veins, some tiny shots that were jumping from your back to your neck. He used his thumb to part your lips gently. Your eyes were burning because of the tears behind them. Please, let this moment never come to an end, you thought. Then, he placed his lips on yours and you lost every control over your nerves. Your hands felt the urge to tighten around his hair and your lips became hot and swollen after a short time of kissing. It was like the whole world has disappeared into his embrace. Every fantasy you had when you were little had now become a reality. You couldn’t even believe it. Every dream of yours was now there, in front of you. And they were all worth the wait.  

[mapiforpresident]

could i please request: leah williamson x single mom reader ( to like a 1 year old) maybe they meet at a cafe and r and leah go on some dates and on one date r is in the middle of telling leah about her daughter “ i have something really important to tell you, i understand if you want to end whatever we have right now when you find out” when she gets a call from the babysitter that her daughter won’t stop crying and she has to go home, so she panics and says she needs to go home so leah offers to drive her and when they get there r just hops out of the car and runs inside leaving the door open so leah slowly walks in behind her and sees her and her daughter

btw i love your writing!

what we don’t say

leah x reader

warnings: daughter

~~~

You didn’t expect much from the coffee shop that day. Just caffeine. A little quiet. Maybe five whole minutes without someone wiping their nose on your shirt or throwing puffs across the floor like confetti.

You loved her. God, you loved her more than anything. But being a single mum to a one-year-old? Exhausting didn’t even begin to cover it.

So yeah, coffee. That’s all you came for.

And then Leah Williamson held the door open for you.

You barely looked up, too busy juggling your bag, your keys, and a sippy cup that somehow always leaked. But she smiled. One of those soft, knowing ones. The kind that didn’t feel performative, just kind.

You smiled back because, well. Have you seen her?

She held the door. Let you go ahead. And then, somehow, ended up behind you in line. And then beside you while you waited. And then leaning in with a little laugh to say, “Don’t worry, I always panic at the till too.”

And maybe you laughed a little too loudly. Or maybe she just liked your laugh. Either way, she asked if she could sit with you. And you said yes before your brain caught up with your mouth.

You didn’t tell her anything real that day. Not your last name. Not what your life looked like. Just that you were tired and the coffee helped and the weather had been a bit shit lately.

She didn’t ask much.

She just made you laugh. And you let yourself feel normal for twenty whole minutes.

That should’ve been it. A one-off thing. A cute story you never told anyone.

But then she showed up again.

And again.

And again.

And suddenly you were texting. Grinning like a fool when her name popped up. Going on walks that turned into lunch. Lunches that turned into “You’re actually really easy to talk to.”

You never meant to let it get this far. You never meant to feel this much.

But she made it so easy.

By the time your third official date rolled around, you knew you had to say something.

You’d been putting it off. Convincing yourself it wasn’t the right time. That it was too soon. That she’d run. That she’d hear the word daughter and suddenly remember she left the oven on.

But she was sitting across from you in that quiet little pub, her eyes soft, her fingers brushing yours over the table like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like there was nowhere else she’d rather be.

And you knew you had to say it.

“I have something I need to tell you,” you said, voice a little too stiff.

Her brows furrowed just slightly, but she didn’t let go of your hand.

“I don’t want to scare you off,” you added quickly. “But I also can’t keep this from you. And I get it if you want to end this once you know. I really do.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but then—

Your phone buzzed.

Loud against the wood of the table.

You glanced down. One look at the name and your stomach dropped.

It was your sitter.

You picked up immediately. “Hey, everything okay?”

The answer was no.

“She won’t stop crying,” your sitter said. “I’ve tried milk, I’ve changed her, I rocked her, everything. I don’t know what’s wrong.”

Your heart was already pounding. “I’m on my way.”

You hung up without explaining. Stood up too fast. Grabbed your coat and your phone and—

“I’m sorry. I have to go.”

Leah stood too, her hand on your arm. “Is everything alright?”

You hesitated. “My daughter, my babysitter called, she’s inconsolable and I just, I have to go.”

You didn’t mean to say daughter like that. Like you were dropping a bomb. Like you were bracing for impact.

But you were. Because now she knew.

You didn’t even give her time to respond before you were turning to leave.

“I’ll drive you,” Leah said quickly.

You froze.

“What?”

“Let me drive you. You’re shaking. You’re not going to focus if you’re behind the wheel.”

You looked at her, really looked at her, and her face wasn’t full of judgment. Or panic. Or that polite smile people use when they’re already thinking of their exit.

She just looked worried.

She just looked like she wanted to help.

You barely spoke in the car.

Leah didn’t push. Just kept her hand steady on the wheel, glancing over every now and then to make sure you were okay. She didn’t ask about your daughter. Didn’t ask why you’d never mentioned her. Just drove, quiet and steady.

When she pulled up to your place, you barely managed to say thank you before you were already out the door.

You didn’t even shut it behind you.

Leah got out slowly, unsure if she should follow. The door was still open, and the panic in your eyes was still fresh in her mind.

So she stepped inside.

And there you were.

In the middle of your small living room, down on your knees, holding a wailing little girl to your chest. Rocking back and forth with your eyes squeezed shut and your voice whispering “shh, shh, mummy’s here, it’s okay now.”

Leah froze in the doorway.

You didn’t notice her at first. Too focused. Too overwhelmed. Too caught in that instinct that only comes when someone’s whole world is crying in your arms.

But when your daughter’s cries started to soften, when her fingers clutched the fabric of your shirt and her head tucked into your neck, you finally looked up.

And Leah was still there.

Quiet. Hesitant. But still there.

“I didn’t mean for you to find out like this,” you said softly.

Leah stepped forward, just a bit. Her eyes locked on the little girl now hiccuping against your chest. “She’s beautiful.”

You blinked. “You’re not… freaked out?”

She smiled, small and genuine. “A little surprised. Not freaked out.”

You shifted, one arm still cradling your daughter. “I was going to tell you tonight. Before the call. I just… didn’t want to scare you off.”

Leah took another step. “She’s your daughter. That’s not scary. That’s honestly kind of amazing.”

You blinked again. “Really?”

“Yeah,” she said, then crouched a little so she wasn’t towering over you both. “And now I get why you always smell like baby wipes.”

You laughed, soft and surprised, and your daughter stirred a little, her sleepy eyes cracking open to look at the new person in the room.

Leah smiled at her. “Hey, sweetheart.”

And your daughter… smiled back.

Small. Wobbly. But real.

And you felt something shift in your chest.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Leah said quietly, eyes still on your daughter. “If you’ll let me stay.”

You swallowed hard.

And nodded.

“Yeah,” you whispered. “I think I’d like that.”

And maybe it wasn’t how you planned it.

But maybe, just maybe, it was exactly how it was meant to happen.

[batsandbirdbrains]

Okay but I want a post-Spyral fic like

The one where Nightwing flinches whenever Batman raises a hand

Dick is just always convinced that Bruce is going to hit him. That if Dick does something he doesn’t agree with, he’ll hit him to get him back in line. He gets nervous when Bruce raises his voice, in and out of costume. He rarely visits the manor, because his brothers are all mad at him anyway and think that Dick willingly faked death. They don’t even know that he actually died. They don’t understand why Dick can hardly eat solid food and why he can’t swallow pills at all anymore without having a panic attack.

The only one who wants to be around him anymore is Damian. Damian is the only one who doesn’t call him a liar, who isn’t mad at him. Damian misses him, visits him in Blüdhaven all the time, tells the others off whenever they start complaining or saying mean things about Dick.

And Dick takes Damian out for ice cream mostly when he visits, because he can let the ice cream melt on his tongue, he doesn’t have to swallow it while it’s still hard. Dick practically lives off of soup and smoothies and cereal that’s soaked in milk so long it becomes a soggy slop. Whenever he attends dinner at the manor (and it rarely happens these days, only when Damian really begs), he picks at his food and pushes it around his plate. Damian is the only one who realizes he’s not actually eating. And Alfred, of course, but Alfred knows the truth, and he just doesn’t know how to help, but he doesn’t want to draw attention to it if it will make Dick upset.

Dick relies heavily on the OG Titans, who all rally around him, because they’re the only ones Dick tells the whole story too. And none of them ever really liked Bruce all that much, they all saw the bruises Dick used to show up to the tower with after spending time with the Bat.

When Jason asks in a snarky voice why Roy is still hanging around with Dick after everything he did, Roy shuts it down quick.

“He’s my friend,” Roy says defensively. “And I know how shitty of a dad Bruce is, so I won’t buy into whatever story he told the rest of you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jason demands.

“Why don’t you ask Dick yourself?”

Jason forgot that Roy was Dick’s friend first, that they have a whole history Jason will never know the entirety of. But calling Bruce a shitty dad? He knew the OG Titans didn’t like Batman, but he never knew the full reason why. He’d never really asked. Maybe it was time to.

And maybe he and Tim show up to Dick’s apartment unannounced one day, but Dick is having a bad day. He’s been having a few bad days, and Donna has been staying with him because the others are all worried about him. And they find their brother practically catatonic on the floor of his apartment living room being held tightly by Donna, who’s rocking him and whispering stories in his ear from when they were young and reckless and ridiculous. Garth is in the kitchen making soup, because they all know Dick won’t eat anything else right now, if he’ll be able to keep anything down at all. Roy and Wally aren’t there, the boys all take turns staying with Donna in shifts. They try to get Donna in on the rotation, but she refuses to leave Dick’s side until he’s better.

“Get out,” she hisses at them quietly, glaring at them as they stand in the doorway. “He’s in no mood to see you right now.”

“What right do you have-”

“We’re the Wonder Twins, remember?” she asks, her voice full of snark. “I have every right.”

Garth turns the stove down and covers the pot, then goes to escort them out of the building.

“He’s having an episode,” he tells them gently. “He wouldn’t want you to see him like that.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Tim asks.

“That’s for him to decide if he wants to tell you, not me. Just go home. Please.” But before they leave, Garth gives them a hard look. “But you’ve given him nothing but grief since he came back. Don’t expect him to open up right away.”

“He lied to us!”

“Did he?” Garth asks them, and it makes them both falter. “Or did someone else lie about him to you?”

The two look at each other before turning back to Garth, who rolls his eyes.

“There’s a reason the original Titans could never stand Batman,” Garth tells them, letting out a huff of a laugh. “Maybe start there.”

What happens after that? No idea! I just like the angst of it all.

[tiredandsapphic]

꩜ HER NERVOUS WRECK

pairing ꩜ lottie matthews x shy!femreader

summary ꩜ adult lottie matthews with a more than likely younger gf whose so so shy and so easily flustered

an ꩜ fluff… but also warning nsfw :p

lottie matthews with a shy gf? yes. you’re not even sure how the two of you got together in the first place. lottie knows though. cuz the way you got so quiet and awkward around her at a local artisan market? she was hooked. sure it gave her a bit of a power trip—the way you’d stammer, fidget with your jewelry and look everywhere but at her, but she was easy on you. she learnt that you’re more comfortable not being stared at too intensely, but that didn’t stop her from subtly touching you and letting eye contact happen on its own time.

in public? she wears the pants in the relationship, duh. it’s giving “sir she asked for no pickles.” she never pushes for any public displays of affection but she likes to have herself near you—and most times you do lean into it, on your own accord. but one thing is not negotiable, she will have her hand on the small of your back at any given time, especially in crowded areas!!

compliments from her are constant—half cuz she means it, other half cuz she loves your reactions! shes so addicted to whispering compliments in your ear out in public, adoring the way you heat up and stammer…

youre just standing by her side as you’re in a group of her followers, and she’ll tug you lightly near her, leaning down. her breath will hit your neck as she whispers, “god, you look so gorgeous right now,” and you have to pretend you’re not choking on air.

thinking about jealous lottie with shy you… most of the time you don’t even catch on when someone is flirting with you. oh but lottie definitely notices. she’ll just get a little more handsy—shes not aggressive about it. shes possessive in a gentle way, hand on waist, brushing your hair back, answering things while you stammer… someone once asked if you were single and you laughed nervously instead of answering, to which lottie answered for you while squeezing your side, “no, shes with me.”

ughhh her favourite thing is making you a mess, peppering you with kisses, whispering soft praises and compliments. she adores when you get all flustered and hide your face in her neck, all warm and giggly.

you don’t love making appointments, answering random phone calls—or even just making decisions but thats okay because lottie 100% will handle it. she makes all the reservations. she’ll order your drink because she knows what you want better than you do… and if you’re at some sort of event with her and you’re clearly overwhelmed? she’ll lean over and whisper “need an out?” and then handles it. shes so good at making up an excuse and whisking you away just like that, wrapping her coat around your shoulders, never making you feel bad.

lottie never makes you feel like you have to ask (she knows how much you dread it). you’re just too shy for that, and she knows. she learns your body language—your signs, your silences—and just starts doing whatever you need.

looking so good with you wrapped around her arm, walking around the commune or some event. “just tell me if it gets too much, yeah?” she’ll whisper just for you.

lottie in bed with a shy gf? oh my god… the first time things got heated you were sooo overwhelmed, in the best way, lottie was just so pretty half undressed as she undressed you. she was quick to notice how your hands trembled, she immediately slowed everything down, whispering, “we don’t have to do anything, im in no rush with you.” in the softest tone.

and when you responded with a firm head shake and “no—i want you, i do, im just nervous.” she melted on the spot!! and you were the kind of shy where you’d cover your face with your hands. she will gently remove your hands from your face and assure you, “don’t hide from me, i want to see you.”

when you got more comfortable with her she makes you talk in bed—begging more exactly. she lives to make you vocal or beg. the way you squirm beneath her, clutching the sheets, too embarrassed to beg. “use your words, i know you can.” and you have no other options other than to beg.

lottie who says the most filthiest things in bed;

“you get so nervous every time i touch you huh? you poor thing. youre so easy.”

“you can barely speak in public but you can take my fingers this deep?”

“you cant tell me how much you want me but you’re making a mess of my sheets, hm.”

“look at my poor girl, all fucked out and fuzzy. I love you like this.”

lottie definitely loves to overstimulate you. ugh, youll be a mess, shaking, soaked, and shes still between your thighs, talking you through your next orgasm, “i know baby i know, it’s too much isnt it? poor thing… just hold on a little longer, i’ve got you.” and she ain’t stopping till you’re limp!

along with over stimulating you—she will make you cry. dacryphilia lottie? yeah. you don’t cry from pain, it’s because shes just so good and everything is just so much. lottie will kiss your tears away like they are sacred (you are to her.) and the worst best part is, you’re crying snd she’ll keep going. “oh my sweet girl, you’re crying and you still want more? such a good girl.” and of course she never pushes anything, if you ask for slower, she’ll give you slower, if you ask for a minute, she’ll give you a minute. you’re precious to her.

ahem… lottie with a god complex. the way you rely on her and react to her, the way you need her, yeah she knows you were made for her. you don’t necessarily have to worship her, but when youre crying and shaking in her arms, thats devotion to her. knowing that no one else can treat you like she does. her control in absolute, leaving you wrecked in her arms, but so so loved.

[luvismenu]

> motive — pt.19 (2/2) ,, jjk . index !

. . brother's bestfriend!jungkook au . .

note: ok. so. rushed chapter, messy writing,,, i was fully SICk when i wrote it and only edited it like, a few minutes ago — still kinda sick tbh (excuse me.. 😿) i just really want motive to end at this point pls im tired of all the sadness 💔 I AM SORRY i know i like drama but errrr hahaha. time to say your goodbyes bbgs — one more part left 😛

taehyung freezes at the door. bags in hand. mouth slightly parted. and then his eyes land on jungkook; his face buried in his hands, your hand on his shoulder like you’re holding him together.

then he sees jimin, head down, yumi’s hand over his. like he’s just said something that shattered the room.

taehyung doesn’t move. not a step forward, not a step back.

then he looks at you fully. and you give him a small, almost imperceptible nod.

taehyung’s expression shifts. because he knows.

he knows exactly what this is about.

he sets the bags down slowly. like rushing might make things worse.

jungkook finally looks up. jaw clenched. and when his eyes meet taehyung’s, something in him crumbles.

“when were you going to tell me?” jungkook asks.

his voice isn’t loud. it’s quiet. too quiet. but it cuts through the room like glass.

“i…” taehyung starts. his throat tightens.

“i couldn’t.”

everyone stands slowly. like something heavy just dropped and they all felt it. even jimin rises, sluggish, quiet, but on his feet.

taehyung steps forward.

just once.

“don’t,” jungkook says immediately. “don’t come closer.”

taehyung stops in place. his hands curl into fists by his sides.

“i never meant for it to happen like that,” he says. “i never wanted to hurt you.”

jungkook lets out a hollow laugh. “you didn’t want to hurt me, but you let me hate you.”

jungkook's voice isn’t raised. it’s too calm. like he’s past the point of yelling.

“you...” jungkook sighs, “you let it happen.”

taehyung swallows, eyes glassy. “i thought—” he stops, voice breaking. “i thought if you had her, you’d be happy.”

jungkook finally looks at taehyung.

“you gave up everything,” he says, and there’s something bitter in his tone. “you let me have her? are you serious? you let me have her like she was something to give?”

taehyung flinches.

“and ever since then..” jungkook shakes his head. “i thought you betrayed me. i thought you didn’t care. and you just... you didn't tell me.”

taehyung’s voice is quiet. “i was trying to protect you.”

“you didn’t protect me,” jungkook says, jaw tight. “that— whatever happened between us; destroyed us.”

and then, softer.

“you let it happen.”

jungkook turns to look at jimin, who’s startled; just a flicker of it in his eyes— like he didn’t expect to be pulled back into this.

“you let it happen too,” jungkook says. his voice isn’t loud, but it hits hard.

jimin doesn't speak. he just stands there, frozen, eyes meeting jungkook’s. and for a moment, he looks younger. like the scared kid who didn’t know what to do back then.

“you knew everything,” jungkook continues. “and you said nothing. not to me, not to anyone.”

jimin opens his mouth, but no words come out.

“i blamed him,” jungkook nods toward taehyung. “i blamed him for years. and you just watched.”

“i was trying to protect you,” jimin finally says, quietly.

jungkook snaps. “stop fucking saying that.”

jimin turns to taehyung then. the shift in the room is fast.

“you broke your promise,” he says. voice low but firm. “you said you’d stay away. you said you’d choose jungkook.”

taehyung swallows. eyes down. “i did.”

“you didn’t,” jimin snaps, raising his voice, stepping closer. “jungkook was—”

“for god's sake.” jungkook cuts in, eyes flashing. “don’t speak for me.”

the room gets heavier. taehyung lifts his gaze now, finally meeting jungkook’s eyes.

“i’m not a fucking child,” jungkook says, stepping back like the air is too thick. “you should’ve told me. both of you. you acted like you knew what was best for me. but all you did was leave me confused and angry for years.”

jimin and taehyung both go quiet.

then yumi speaks.

“enough.”

everyone looks at her.

“you’re all fighting,” she gives the boys a sharp look. “again.”

you step in too.

“you all keep talking over each other. yelling. blaming. that’s why it never got fixed in the first place. so please..” you exhale softly. “talk it out properly.” you’re shaking a little. but you mean every word.

silence stretches again.

but this time, something’s different.

because now they’re looking at each other.

and not with anger.

but with something closer to regret.

after some silence, taehyung exhales shakily. but he doesn’t look up right away.

“i’m sorry,” he says.

his voice is soft, like he’s scared to use it. like speaking too loud might break whatever fragile thread that's still holding the three of them together right now.

“i really thought i was doing the right thing,” he goes on. “back then, i thought… if you hated me, that would be better than being hurt by her. i didn’t expect everything to fall apart like this. i didn’t think—” he pauses, jaw tight, eyes flickering to jungkook, “....i didn’t think.”

he looks down. like he’s ashamed. like he knows it’s too late to fix anything, but he’s still hoping.

jimin shifts, then steps forward a little.

“no,” he says. “i’m sorry.”

taehyung looks at him, surprised.

“i should’ve said something. a long time ago. to both of you.” his throat bobs. “i thought i was protecting everyone by keeping quiet. i didn’t want to see you break, kook. i didn’t want tae to carry the blame. but i was just a fucking coward.”

kook.

tae.

his voice tightens. “and you’ve been carrying all this shit alone for years. blaming yourself, and i let it happen.”

your brother's finally speaking up. after years of keeping it buried. it shows on his face, the relief and the guilt all tangled together. like every word is lifting something off his chest and replacing it with something heavier.

jungkook doesn’t speak right away. his eyes flicker between them. and slowly, something in his expression begins to shift.

he swallows hard. his voice comes low, rough. “i’m sorry too.”

his eyes don’t lift. “for not seeing it. for believing in something that was never real.”

he means yeonha. and they all know it.

you glance at yumi. she looks at you, a little surprised. like she hadn’t expected any of them to actually say it. to actually get here.

but they did.

finally.

a/n: no i didn't forget abt oc and jks relationship .

💌 permanent taglist: @annyeongbitch7 @internetrando64 @jkvias @lovieku @deluluisdasolulu @ddanasjk @onlyforyoukook @diamondjeon @nnybtitts08 @lil0u0 @butnotmontana @fr0ggieth1nk @minimoninini @whoa-jo @lola75111 @jaytheatiny @iswearimover5feetall @kooverses @134340-kr @mar-lo-pap @fluttershypoo @kyuupii @https-mei @elinaki92 @jungkookmyoneandonlybaby @hoseokteardrop @winterbeartaehyungbestboy @jaykay-world @jmscaffeine @libra04 @beigerin @nikidream24 @svnbangtansworld @mimi1097 @kookoo-kachoo @junecat18 @dollyunjinz @rrosiitas @jjeonjjk7 @remgeolli @ty-moy-ya-tvoy @rpwprpwprpwprw @jimineepaboya

[motthe]

there's no death here | robert "bob" reynolds [part 4]

masterlist | ao3

warnings: anxiety attack, depressive episode and working through really low days, self-loathing/feelings of uselessness

With the Void incident having occurred Saturday, you had one day to settle back into a normal routine before returning to the tower Monday afternoon.

The thing was, Yelena knew when to expect Bob’s low periods, and this resulted in her taking you aside as soon as you arrived.

“It’s better when he doesn't know,” she admitted somewhat guilty as the both of you talked on the ground floor of the Watchtower. You hadn't expected to be ambushed on your way in, the two cups of steaming tea now settling into room temperature. “Things come back to him sometimes, but it's usually only with bigger accidents. When they do, he spirals.”

She toyed with her gloves, steel knuckles glinting in the little sunlight seeping through the windows behind you. You weren't sure if it was some unspoken rule with Nat and her sister, but they were all about bodysuits and hard edges. And they always managed to look effortlessly beautiful.

You glanced down at your high waisted jeans and knitted jumper before her sigh brought you back to the moment at hand.

“Most of the time he’s oblivious. It's easier.”

You don't particularly enjoy the way her eyes flit up to yours. It's a look of asking, of settling.

“I promised I would tell him,” you said. “I won't break that promise.”

“I don't know what you saw in there. I don't know you.” She drew her shoulders back, power in her stance. “I know Bob. He will blame himself for whatever you went through and it will throw him into his bad days much quicker because he likes you.”

The way she narrowed her eyes had your heart twisting. Nat did the same thing when she was trying to talk you out of something.

“He's done a great job so far.” You tell her this not to cushion your reasoning but because it's true. “He's been very open about his past with all of you. Less with his childhood, but I expected that.”

You glanced down at your hands, frowning as the lack of heat passed through the cups’ sleeves. While your favorite shop brewed the best, their to-go cups didn't hold up well. The time on your watch showed you were about to be late to your meeting with Bob.

“I don't want to trigger a low period,” you continued, “but I have to understand him for me to figure out how to help him with Void. Me understanding him comes with building trust.”

“Don't let him see it.” Yelena wasn't asking as she remained between you and the elevator. “If you want to be honest with him, fine, but don't let him relive it. Keep those memories to yourself.”

The words stung. You’d been taught by the strongest to hold your ground, but against the storm of Yelena’s stare you felt small.

What if Bucky was wrong? What if I’m not helping?

You wanted to be nothing but open to Bob, but that didn't mean you'd let him see things that were going to hurt him all over again. That's why you muted the shame rooms, why you assessed what memory of yours he was about to see and made sure you both warned earth other about anything that might've slipped your mind. Things that neither of you wanted to see let alone be seen.

The first time, you couldn't very well list everything you'd been through. Now you knew better

“Was never planning on it,” you murmured, raising your chin as Yelena looked you up and down. She didn't move from where you needed to go. “It's okay not to trust me, Yelena. It's not okay to make me late. Can I go, please?”

She blew out a short stream of air, her lips barely parting as she stepped aside, arm waving towards the elevator as she looked the other way.

“Thank you. Good luck on the mission.”

As the elevator doors closed, your throat felt tight.

You sipped your lukewarm tea.

Stepping off on Bob’s floor, you found him with his back against the living room windows, head turned to stare down at the streets below. He seemed lost in thought, not noticing your presence as you went to the kitchen to reheat your teas in the microwave.

You let your mind skirt his. It was a deadly quiet thing, tucked into itself. While not unusual, it was a sign he was falling a bit too deep into the wrong train of thoughts. He'd been like this the few times you'd visited only to have Bucky shake his head at you, murmuring some excuse.

You knew about his bad days, you just hadn't been around them. The relationship was still new then and besides checking in mind-wise there wasn’t much you could do.

After Void’s attack, you knew things would change, but you wouldn’t let anything change at the expense of Bob’s comfort. Whatever was happening inside of him, you hadn't missed how easily you'd been swept into his mindscape unlike the others.

Void had wanted you there and he'd gotten you. What that meant, you hadn't figured out yet.

Opening the microwave caught Bob’ attention. You couldn't help but smile as his psyche unfurled into the space, leaving you to draw back into your own little corner.

“Hey.” It was a soft word, barely making it across the room into the kitchen. “I didn't hear you come in.”

Bob's hair was getting close to reaching his shoulders. He’d mentioned how Yelena trimmed it from time to time, sometimes Ava if she wasn't around and he desperately needed it done. If how he kept fiddling with it was any indication, you would bet he was getting to that point.

“You okay?”

You’re not sure why it surprised you that he noticed. Maybe the mask you’d practised all these years was wearing down.

“I thought you hated heights,” you said instead of answering, nodding to the windows.

“I'm getting better with them, living up here. Facing my fears.” He tried to lift his voice up on the last sentence, but he sounded like he was making fun of himself more than anything.

You took his steaming cup out to cool. “You should be proud of yourself.”

He was tired. You could tell by his smile as he got to his feet and shuffled over. He was barefoot today, dressed in some corduroy pants and the first sweater you'd ever seen on him. As he grew closer, you noticed the bags under his eyes.

“Sorry, I let our tea get cold.” It was warm and inviting in its cup again as you held it out for him, popping the lid back on. Yours was half full and barely needed ten seconds to be drinkable again. “Bad dreams?” you asked as the numbers ticked down.

He sipped his drink, chocolate strands sweeping across his cheeks with the movement. “I couldn't sleep. I was trying to remember what happened.”

“I promised I'd tell you today.”

“I know, I just…” His hand went to rub his eye, but you grabbed it, carefully bringing it back down. You held his gaze as the microwave beeped.

“You rub it when you're anxious,” you told him, turning to pop the door open and set your drink aside with your free hand. “Skin turned pink last time.”

He doesn't pull away but he doesn't try to hold your hand back. You swallow and let go.

“Couch?” you asked.

“Sure,” he mumbled, following a beat behind you.

There was a throw pillow between you. Bob took to messing with the edges of it as you crossed your legs underneath each other, finishing off your drink with slow sips.

“I know it was bad,” he began, voice wobbling in a way that made your heart clench, “I just can't remember what I did.”

“I'm going to tell you. Look at me first, though,” you asked him. He did, head tilted down and everything weighed with guilt, even those long, dark eyelashes. “I'm not upset with you. I don't hold you accountable for anything that happened the other day, okay?”

He nodded, jaw moving in a way that let you know he was chewing the inside of his cheek.

“I'm telling you because I promised,” you continued. “And because I didn't mention something that I should've warned you about when it came to my past.”

Telling him about your interaction with the Void and the shame room that had surfaced from it had been the hardest thing yet. But you did it. You sat there and laid the trauma out in the open, hands clasped in the space between your legs.

“I knew we'd run into it, but I should've told you. Seeing that would… It'd make anyone feel like shit. I should've been more open about it.”

“Please, please don't apologize for that,” Bob whispered, rubbing his face harsh enough to worry you. His fingers shook as he pulled away. “I forced you to relive that and you're apologizing to me. That's not how this should be—you should be—”

You watched his chest shudder and uncrossed your legs, leaning into the cushion between you.

“Bob,” you called softly, “I’m alright.”

“This is fucked up. You should be angry at me,” he kept on, hands going for his hair. “I make everything so much worse and you don't—you're not—fuck!”

The curse was a vehement whisper. You could feel his psyche closing in on itself, wrinkling with pressure like a vacuum sealed bag.

For all of a second, you could see those piercing eyes in your mind and a shadow hand around your throat.

“Bob, listen to me.” You were on your knees on the couch now. They brushed his thigh as you grabbed his wrists, squeezing and guiding them from his hair. “Breathe. Take some deep breaths.”

He took a long, shaky inhale as you kept a solid pressure on his hands. With his eyes screwed shut, his chest shuddered.

“I-I can’t,” he wheezed.

“You can.”

It took some time before he found the air he needed. His tea was long since forgotten on the table nearby, but you watched him focus on it, following the outline with his eyes.

When the tension eased from his shoulders, you felt confident enough to speak up again.

“If there was ever a reason for me to be angry at you, trust me, you would know. I can't hide things from you, remember?”

He slowly nodded, zeroing in on your joined hands as he blinked.

“Everything we're doing together is to keep incidents like that from happening again. We're working to a point where you feel in control and until then, I'm here to help.” You nudged his chin up with the curve of your finger, aching at how watery they'd become. “None of this is your fault.”

Something softened the distance between you and Bob at that moment. There was this raw look—one of pure, shaking relief.

You'd gone through that dark tunnel in him and come out with your arms opened wide, no different from his team. That changed things for him, you understood that much.

The rest of the day, you resumed your latest lesson, keeping things easy and allowing him some space to think.

Inspired by his love of the library, you had explained a very important part of your mental fortitude when it came to meditation. You were well aware the concept wasn't new to him—having heard about the quietest place in his maze of shame rooms. This one would be better.

You helped guide him through his happier memories like the one with the library, crushed by how few there were before meeting the New Avengers.

“What's yours like?” he asked as you watched another bookshelf pop out of existence. You were beginning to learn how particular he was when it came to them.

The room’s outline was still hazy, but it was smaller than you would've expected. The entire team would barely fit and Bob was trying to find the right amount of shelves and books to fill it before even imagining wallpaper or flooring.

I modeled it after my first apartment. It was twice the size and filled with things you'd only dreamed of buying at the time but never did out of fear of up and running again. The windows were the best thing about that place. One had a place to sit and just stare out at the city. I was able to keep one measly mint plant alive.

There was plenty more in your safe space, ones that didn't make sense being in a hanging pot. You even had a childhood stray cat wandering around the place from time to time. The real Whisk had long since passed and would never be caught dead inside. You'd tempted her with snacks forever and had never gotten her further than your porch.

“Can I see it?”

Both of you felt the hesitation bubble up. For the first time since you'd introduced yourself to Bob, you felt shy and clumsy in the connection between your mind and his.

Sorry, you hurried to say.

“No, I'm sorry!”

It's not that I don't want to show you it's just…private. And it was in the deepest part of your subconscious where nothing was filtered or neat or made for prying eyes. Which yours should be too. This is just practice. The real one you'll need to meditate on your own time. Put it somewhere deeper. You waved a hand at the murkiness surrounding you both in the small room. That's why this is tricky and not really wanting to stay put. We're not that far in.

“No, I think that's just me.” The trembling smile in his thoughts was infectious. “My imagination is lacking.”

Says the bookworm. You're shocked at the nudge he gives you and laugh into his head. How did you get good at this so fast?

“What do you mean?”

You already can mimic body movement here and pinpoint me enough to touch me. Wanda had teased you constantly for how slow you were when it came to physically finding yourself within your own mind. You're more aware. I’m jealous.

“You make it easy to follow. I feel everything you do so I just mirror it—”

Both of you jolted back into your bodies as a snap reverberated. You watched Yelena step back, clearly shocked by how strongly you reacted to the sound as Bob grabbed the back of the couch, his eyes practically rolling around his head

“Bob? You good?” she asked, her hand landing on his shoulder.

He nodded, eyes shut as he gripped the couch cushion. “Dizzy,” he mumbled.

“Maybe we were in a little too deep,” you chucked, standing to grab him some water.

“I called your names like three times,” Yelena huffed, apologetic. “We're going out to dinner.”

“How’d the mission go?” he asked, thanking you as you held out a cold bottle fresh from the fridge.

“Great. That's why we're eating out,” she chuckled, glancing up at you as you grabbed your jacket off the couch to slip on. “You're invited too.”

“No, it's okay.” You struggled to get the sleeves from being inside out. “I don't wanna intrude on team bonding time.”

“No, come,” she insisted and you froze, eyes widening as she stepped towards you. “I was being a bitch earlier. Let me buy you dinner with Valentine's money.”

“What?” Bob murmured, looking between you both.

“You were not,” you breathed. “You're just cautious—it’s fine. I'd be the same way.”

“No, I totally was and you've been helping a bunch and I don't want you to think I don't trust you because I do.” This was quite possibly the most open you had seen her since officially meeting her over a month ago. “Like, I know how cool you are. Nat talked about you and I've made no effort to get to know you.”

“I mean, I haven't really either and she did the exact same,” you assured her.

“She talked about me?” she mumbled, eyes round.

“Is this a good time for me to change?”

Both of you looked down at Bob who was trapped on the couch with either of you standing over him.

“Yes! Go change. Wear some of your new clothes we got, it's cold out tonight.”

“Okay, mom,” he teased with a wisp of a smile, scooching off the couch as you backed up to give him room. You brushed his elbow with your hand as he stood.

“You really are learning fast,” you told him and he ducked his head, coughing out a quick thanks before shuffling off. You watched him go, eyes drawn to the length of his back as his hand went up to run through his hair.

“Did everything go okay?”

You blinked, looking back at Yelena and nodding. “I think so. I'm trying to show him how to meditate in his own safe space when he's feeling overwhelmed.”

“And Void?” she questioned, whispering.

You crossed your arms loosely, glancing towards the hall.

He has super hearing, you told her. She jerked her head back at your voice in her head. Sorry. I just know he has super hearing with the thoughts that pass through his head. I don't want to worry him.

“It's getting better. I help keep him at bay when he gets too loud,” you explained, but your eyes told the rest of the story.

She nodded. “Did anything else happen with Void?”

No, but I can tell Bob’s retreating into himself a lot more. You thought it might be a sign of those bad days coming around the corner. Can you tell me more about how he is during his depressive episodes?

“He wants to stay in bed. Barely eats. We try to keep him in the main room so he isn't as shut off from everything since we all pass through there for stuff, but sometimes leaving him be and checking in around the clock is the only thing we can do.” You sensed how hopeless she felt as she explained. “He doesn't want to be treated like a child, so we try to give him his space.”

You're doing the best you can. Hopefully, Dr. Arlington will be able to help him with it. Once he knew how to spot these low periods coming, he'd be one step ahead.

“He has been a little better,” Yelena offered, picking up your to-go cups to throw away. You thanked her. “The first month, the episodes were worse than they are now.”

You've given him a home. There's lots of stress being on the streets. It made everything worse.

She nodded, turning and pursing her lips into a smile as Bob appeared from his room. You bit your lip as he fumbled with a beanie, his overcoat a nice mellow brown like his pants.

“You coming?” he asked, sunken eyes a bit lighter as they landed on you.

“Yes,” answered Yelena before you had the chance, “she is.”

It was a cold night as you all piled into a limo, Alexei begging someone to drink with him as Ava swiped through the menu of the restaurant on her phone.

“So you just live with us now, or…?”

You quirked a smile at Walker, shrugging. “Everyday but the weekends.”

“You were here Sunday.”

Bob sank lower in his seat next to you, now aware of everything that had gone down early that morning. You brushed your leg against his.

“Would've been a boring weekend if I hadn't been,” you said, holding Walker’s eye.

“What exactly is your deal though?” His hands opened where they were resting on either of his thighs, gesturing. “Just petty little mind tricks? What color am I thinking of?”

“Cool it, Walker,” Bucky warned from the head seat, eyes slim and unshaking.

You smiled as you looked down at Walker's arm, watching his smug face follow your gaze. He made a choked grunt as he swatted at his sleeve and you scoffed, letting the illusion of the spider vanish from his mind’s eye.

The car pulled to a stop outside the restaurant as he scowled at you.

“It was blue,” you said, leaning over to open the door.

Bob was smiling into his shoulder as he stepped out behind you.

You knew how quickly a depressive episode could hit, but you were still blindsided when Bob refused to see you the following day.

Yelena didn't bother with an “I told you so.” She did drag you along to the newly finished gym floor, wanting to see what you remembered from your training. This was her way of wanting to spend time with you and to really get to know you and you couldn't have been more ecstatic.

Since you stayed around the tower, you made a point to make your presence known to Bob’s mind before being thrown into the ring with the infamous assassin. He didn't say anything as you brushed by him, but it wasn't long before you were dodging fists and getting your ass handed to you on the mat.

It took a few rounds for you to get back into the swing of things. Yelena fought with a familiar style, heavier with her kicks and more likely to block than dodge. The best you got was swiping her feet out from beneath her. Everything else ended in a new bruise.

By late afternoon, you had taken to reading a book on the top floor in Bob’s alcove. Bucky and Ava were there doing research on some rising crime ring, but you weren't in the mood to stick your nose in that mess.

A text from Yelena revealed she'd gotten Bob to eat something and that he was doing better with Cucumber to keep him company.

Confused, you typed out the question before you felt Bob wavering near your psyche. You reached out to ask him instead.

Who’s Cucumber? He didn't say anything, but you got a quick flash of an orange and white guinea pig scuttling over a comforter. He seemed amused by your jealousy before you returned to your book, allowing him to trickle into your thoughts and listen as you read.

You left the tower a while after without a single word from him.

The next day, his bedroom door was open. Everyone was out and he was still in bed when you arrived, hair tangled and eyes distant.

He started to apologize when he noticed you. Shaking your head to silence him, you sat on the floor next to his bed, setting the tea you'd brought on the bedside table.

“He's so loud today,” he mumbled, old tear streaks drying in the corners of his eyes.

“Want some help?”

He sniffed and nodded minutely.

You kept your guard up when you found the writhing dark mass in his head, sweeping it up into a ball and sectioning it off for a while. The weight wasn't easy but seeing the relief on Bob’s face as you took hold of it was enough for you to bury the discomfort.

You could carry it for an hour or two. For him.

“What keeps you going?” he'd asked Wednesday. He had gotten as far as the couch, munching on a piece of toast but not really eating it. You'd brought some of your favorite broth from a place nearby in hopes he might try some. If not, more for you.

“I want to make old friends proud.” You flipped through some files from your other job, refreshing yourself on your next ‘client’ coming up. You had already made sure to leave out anything that might trigger wandering eyes. “Use what skills I have to help people.”

“Why do you care?”

It was an empty question, but you answered.

“I was in a bad spot for a long time. There wasn't room for me to stop and think about what I wanted to do.” You turned to smile at him, happy to find his head resting against a cushion and those eyes blinking at you. “I'm better now and I like helping people however I can.”

“Don't you get tired of it?” he sighed. You couldn't see auras but he felt overwhelmingly blue today—the hue that you saw when a sun glinted off a glacier. “Your job is the same thing, over and over.”

“It was,” you agreed, flipping to another page, “then I got to meet you. You're much more fun to hang around.”

“Even like this?”

You reached out to him in his head, making sure he felt your words as well as heard them. “Even like this,” you promised.

It was the first smile you'd gotten out of him in days.

Thursday had its challenges. Yelena had to drag Bob to get ready for therapy and into your car, a firm hand where you couldn't be.

At the office, you were on the other side of the wall when you felt Void flare up. Dr. Arlington has touched something sore in Bob, enough for that darkness to writhe.

By the time the session was finished, you were sweating under your clothes with a headache getting worse by the minute. Holding Void back wasn't usually so physically draining, but you'd been having an off week.

“This is pointless.”

“No, it's not,” you murmured, parking the car. You had just gotten back to the Watchtower and Bob was brooding.

“I haven't made any progress against Void. He keeps—” his hands were tense as he held them in front of him, gripping at something you couldn't see. “He's everywhere.”

“You've kept it under control.”

“Because of you!” His voice rose, leaving you to wince from the pounding in your head. “Its not me. I can't do anything against him.”

“You're the one holding him back constantly.” You kept your tone neutral as you opened the car door and walked around to get his. He scowled up at you. “If you weren't doing anything, all of New York would be caught in shame rooms. Now come on, I need some aspirin.”

As you gulped water in the kitchen, Bob paced by the window. He muttered to himself, psyche twinging and growing more and more compact. He was tugging at his hair again.

Leaning back against the sink, you eased your mind against his. He paused his muttering to glance at you but continued his back and forth. At least he had energy today.

“Wanna talk about it?”

He shook his head, pushing out a heavy breath as his hair went in his eyes.

“Your hair’s gotten long,” you said.

“I'm tired of washing it.”

“Want me to cut it?” You felt him rippling, holding too much in. “It's okay, Bob.”

“Nothing feels okay,” he admitted. “I'm tired but I don't want to lay down. I'm angry but I don't know what I'm angry at.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

You gasped as his mind expanded, nuzzling into yours like a cat into your palm. An onslaught of thoughts and emotions blindsided you.

Hold me. Help me. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be asking her for help. She's done too much already. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of me. Nothing matters. She matters. I don't want to be here but I don't want her to leave.

The first thing you thought to do was envelope his psyche with your own, holding him in a different sense, something you weren't used to. His feet finally slowed to a stop, muscles unclenching.

You let him get used to your presence around him before you slowly stepped towards him and offered your hand. When he took it, his grip shook with an intensity you'd never felt but he refused to put any pressure against your skin.

It's okay, you told him, I'm here.

He nodded, sniffing but there were no tears. He refused to let himself cry. He felt less for it and it felt like a knife to your gut.

“Do you know how to?” You hummed, squeezing his hand for an explanation. “Cut hair?”

Yeah. Well, men's hair. You tugged him towards the hall. I wouldn't trust myself with anything fancy, but I can trim it.

You had him wait in the bathroom as you grabbed a chair from the dining room and a pillow from the couch. You ran a brush through greasy tangles and wrapped a towel around his shoulders, getting him as comfortable as possible before leaning him back into the sink to wash his hair.

His eyes followed your face with every action. You pretended it didn't send your heart somewhere high in your throat as a soft playlist echoed from your phone.

You were able to breathe when he closed them, relaxing into the sensation of your fingers against his scalp. Somewhere between the suds and the rinsing, his hand found your leg and stayed there, anchoring himself.

You should move it. There should be a line there, but you knew through the connection that there hadn't been any forethought to it. He had done it unintentionally.

And a small part of you didn't want him to move his hand.

What am I doing?

It was hard. Hard because you knew what you came here to do and you were doing it—you were helping him and training him just as you said you would. You had become a pillar you'd sought to be.

Bob knew he could trust you and despite the chaos pooling under his skin, you trusted him. You couldn't find any part of you that was afraid even in the passing nightmares of Void wanting nothing more than your pain. You'd felt everything for a blink of an eye when your psyche had sunk into him.

You understood why Bob could never find the right words to describe Void. It wasn't this separate thing and it wasn't him, except somehow at the cure of everything Void was Bob.

This entire time with Bob during the week all you've felt were reflections of Void when all you sensed was the sweet man fighting, but that darkness was still in a corner. Still on that horizon, watching and waiting.

And it was desperate. It clawed at your barrier, searched for way in at every chance when you were forced to take over and hold it for Bob’s sake.

But now Void whispered. He knocked. There was a game afoot and whatever he was—a piece of Bob or not—he was patient.

You knew it was only a matter of time before you had to face him again.

“Did it feel like this?”

You blinked, pausing your snipping to glance up at the mirror and meet Bob's rounded gaze. There was light in them again and you're not sure what changed or when.

“You said you were close with Yelena’s sister and Wanda because you were in their heads a lot,” he explained. “Did it feel like this?”

“Like what?” you murmured, swiping some fallen hair off his neck and feeling a shudder work up his spine.

“Like you can only breathe when they're in the room.”

You tried to swallow but there was something stuck in your throat. You focused on the scissors, on evening out the hairs around his ears and your eyes watered because he had curly hair and you were only able to notice it now with all that weight gone.

You found your strength as you finished combing the strands into place and shook the towel around his shoulders clean of debris.

“The way we dive into each other’s subconscious,” you began carefully, “it can be overwhelming.”

He nodded, staring down at his hands as he picked around his nails. “Yeah, I-I've talked to Dr. Arlington about it a bit.”

“That's good. I'm glad you're able to be open with her.” You threw the towel into a fancy hamper nearby, almost sure of the fact it had not been Bob’s choice to have it included in the bathroom. Then again, most of it was undecorated unlike his bedroom. “That's another reason why I wanted you to see her. I want to be able to help you, but I don't want you to believe I'm the only thing that can help. Does that make sense?”

He hummed, nodding. “Sorry. It was a weird question to ask—”

“None of this normal,” you chuckled dryly. “I think a few weird questions are warranted. And you and I have to have our boundaries, especially in our heads.”

“Right.” He blew out a breath and raised his gaze to meet yours in the mirror once more. “I don't want to make you feel like you have to take care of me, you know?”

“I know.” You wrinkled your nose. “You did need a haircut, though. It was getting rough.”

The laugh that escaped him sounded like it took him by surprise. It was only then he paid mind to your handy work, tilting his head every which way to check the length.

“This is really good,” he said and you shrugged, amazed by your average skillset as well but too shy to admit it.

“You have curly hair,” you told him instead.

“It's a lot healthier now,” he explained, running a hand through the tufts. “Maybe my super powers healed my hair genetics or something.”

You snorted at that. “Okay, sure. Where's a broom?”

Bob turned in the chair, a flat look on his face. “They don't have one.”

“What?”

“Alexei made Val buy a Roomba for every floor,” he sighed.

“What?” you laughed.

By the end of the week, Bob was back in a middle ground state. He'd been working on his meditating, building that safe room of his brick by brick. You refused to see it when he offered, wanting him to have that space all to himself just as you had yours.

He'd already allowed you into his bedroom and that had felt a bit too intimate when you stopped and thought about it. But the need for comfort in Bob was high, and his room reflected that in the sweetest ways. He was doing everything he could to fill his designated space slowly but surely, large bookshelves against one wall that were in desperate need of more novels, a fluffy rug beneath a king-sized bed, and a couple of movie posters surrounding a corner dedicated to watching TV on a cozy looking couch that Tony would have burned for even being brought through the door.

Now after another week of easing back into training, you spent your time together by poking and prodding him. Bob wasn’t thrilled, but he wasn't going to question your methods. The point was to defend himself.

Now it was time for you to pull out all the stops.

“We'll make a competition out of it,” you said, sitting cross-legged ahead of him on the floor, “it'll make things interesting.”

“Is having a mind battle not interesting enough?” he mumbled, only a bit amused while picking at the rug beneath you both. It was almost the same shade of brown as his button up. “You’re gonna beat me.”

“We've practiced all week and you've been able to block me out in our lessons.” Those blue eyes shied away at the slightest hint of praise, but unfortunately for him you were full of it. “You're a fast learner, years ahead of me, okay?”

He chewed at the inside of his cheek, hiding a smile as he used his shoulder to scratch an itch on his nose. “I'm not very competitive.”

“Or you don't have the right incentives.” You leaned back onto your hands, pondering. “What's something you want more than anything else?”

He shrugged, the corner of his mouth wobbling as you glared.

“There has to be something,” you pushed, squinting atthe man as if ideas would pop up over his face.

“I have a roof over my head,” he said, tone more than grateful. “Friends, food, books—I have everything I could ever want. Minus complete control over my powers.”

“Okay, pivot.” Your hands came together, fingers fanned out as you motioned to him. “We make each other do something we don't want to do but, like, stupid fun.”

He blinked owlishly at you. “Uh, can I have an example?”

“Like if I won, I could dare you to prank Walker.”

A bubble of laughter broke from his throat. “What?!”

“First thing to come to mind.”

“I wouldn't be able to come up with a good prank.” He shook his head. “And I'm a terrible actor. He'd know something was up.”

“It was an example,” you reminded him.

“What's the last thing you would wanna do?”

You sighed, searching for something that would get both of you out of your comfort zones. There was plenty you weren't willing to do, but you had to work with Bob. Something challenging, something that wouldn't be that bad in retrospect but a bit embarrassing. He needed to expand out.

And one thing about the two of you—you hated to be perceived by a group.

“I've got it,” you said in triumph.

Bob's eyes trailed away from the window to meet yours. The smirk you sent him had him swallowing. “Okay, you've got me nervous now.”

“Loser has to sing karaoke in front of the entire team.” Bob's jaw fully dropped. You purred out, an evil mastermind in the making, “And the winner gets to choose the song.”

“Wait, can you sing?” He narrowed his eyes, suspicious. “That wouldn't be fair.”

“Oh, God no. I can't hold a note to save my life,” you swore. “Can you?”

“My voice breaks when I yell.”

“Perfect.”

“Wait, no, you've had way more experience with this. You're totally gonna win!” he argued through a smile.

“You don't even know that— Okay, fine. How long do you think you can hold out against me?”

He pursed his lips, forehead wrinkling. “Is two seconds to low?” he whispered.

“You are severely doubting your capabilities, Bob.”

“Okay,” he nodded attempting a serious look, “Five seconds.”

You swallowed your laugh and rolled your eyes. “Fine. If I can needle my way past your defenses in less than five seconds, I win.” You pulled out your phone, pulling up the stopwatch. “Close your eyes.”

He did, eyelids drooping shut as he took a breath.

“Throw up your defenses,” you told him. “There are no entrances, no exits. Your mind is only as powerful as you make it.”

“When do I know you're gonna hit me?”

“You won't get warnings in real life,” you murmured.

He nodded, a sharp breath escaping his nose as he rolled his neck and focused in. You watched the skin around his eyes crease, his fingers dig into the fibers of his pants.

Stretching your mind, you hovered ahead of him, just on the outskirts. A shark circling. You attempted a push on one side, felt his attention move. There was only a crumb of regret as you started the clock and rammed into his shield somewhere else entirely.

“Whoa! Shit!”

You drilled, energy sharpening to splinter into the barrier he'd built. Bob grunted, holding his ground well as you pooled all your strength and drove inward.

Stone. Brick. Cement. Your last push had glass shattering as you tore into his mind, hit with his shock as you tapped your phone screen.

Bob was panting as you opened your eyes to check the time.

“That was dirty,” he huffed, raising a hand and circling his head. “I didn't think there was a way for you to get behind me? What was that?”

“Its called strategy,” you grumbled, sliding your phone across the rug for him, “and I told you you were underestimating yourself.”

The timer read 15 seconds.

“Keep it PG 13,” you said, standing and stretching. His gaze followed you up.

“You don't have to—”

“Bob,” you sighed, playfully scowling down at him, “its harmless fun. Walker won't let me live it down, but it's harmless fun.”

“We need a karaoke machine.”

You hummed, shrugging. “I've already got that covered.”

He squinted, shaking his head and breathing out a simple, “Why?”

“You get lonely as a CSI agent so you pick up unusual hobbies or get drunk and make questionable orders. Next question.”

“What's up with the boxes? You movin’ in finally?”

Walker was questioning you as soon as you stepped off the elevator that night with Bucky in tow with an even bigger box. The ex-Captain America was settled into the couch, arms crossed as the TV played on in the background.

In the shared kitchen of the floor, Yelena was helping Bob with the food for the night. They both looked over at your entrance.

“Its the entertainment for the night.” You smiled as you spotted your target refilling her glass of wine. “Ava you're techy, help me.”

“I'm techy,” replied Walker.

“No, you're not,” Yelena called as she opened the fridge.

“And she didn't ask you,” Ava scoffed, pushing off the counter to meet you by the large television on the wall. You waited until Bucky had dropped off the second half before shooing him away to open the goods. “What am I looking at?” You gestured her to squat down to whisper the answer in her ear. “Oh my God.”

“Secrets don't make teams!”

“Not on your team,” you replied to Walker, passing the bundle of wires to Ava and keeping the microphones inside the box and out of sight.

The elevator opened to Alexei. His loud greeting took the team's attention off you and Ava as she fiddled with plugs and you got to work setting up the mini TV screen.

Over in the kitchen, Bob glanced up from lowering the heat of the stove eye as Yelena poked his shoulder and gestured to the women in the living room.

“You know what that's about?”

He shrugged, smiling mischievously as he strained the pasta into the sink. “Can you check on the garlic bread?”

Yelena eyed him as she shoved a heat mitt on and yanked the oven door open.

“Where's the remote?” you asked Walker this as he was sitting next to the empty table.

He gave you a pointed stare before shrugging both arms spread along the back of the couch.

“Make yourself useful,” Ava ordered.

“Tell me what it is.”

“You'll find out in like two minutes!”

A whistle from the kitchen had everyone turning to Bucky who waved the remote in his vibranium hand. You caught it as it flew across the length of the room.

“Thank you,” you chirped, changing the source and smiling as the background of the program lit up the screen.

“Oh, no,” said Walker, shaking his head and wagging a finger as he leaned forward onto his knees. “No, absolutely not.”

“YES!” Alexei shouted, holding his hands up as his laughter filled the room. “American karaoke!”

“It was actually invented in Japan,” you corrected him, fighting not to shrink as all eyes roved to you. “Trivia questions. They can come in handy.”

“I am not singing,” Walker stated.

You shrugged. “Okay.”

“What's the occasion?” Bucky asked, sipping on a bottle of beer as he walked up. You waved him over to show him the mini screen and how it hooked up to your computer.

“I lost a bet,” you answered, chuckling as Ava hummed into a mic, checking the speakers. She gave you a wink and a thumbs up.

“I'm so into this,” she announced to the room. “You better have Rhianna.”

Alexei snapped as he waved an arm at you from the dinner table. “I want to sing the, eh, the Sabrina song!”

“What?!” You shouted it through a laugh. “Sabrina Carpenter? Which one?”

“Oh, God,” groaned Walker, his head in his hands.

Dinner was delicious. Yelena really enjoyed the wine you brought, which was apparently a very rare thing as she hated wine. Ava was all over it. You managed to get Bucky to sip it before he wrinkled his nose and turned away.

Alexei was already half drunk as he told stories over the food. Walker looked like he was nursing a headache as he finished his salad last.

Bob was quiet, sticking to water and listening as he sat a few chairs over from you between Yelena and Alexei. You imagined anyone stuck next to the Red Guardian wouldn't get a word in conversation wise.

As Bucky and Walker handled the dishes, you tugged Bob over to your computer to begin the queue. Ava had texted you her songs as well as Alexei and Yelena had one but she wanted to go last. You were still trying to get Bucky to join. There was already one sitting out and you needed to see the Winter Soldier sing before you died. It felt like a bucket list achievement, at least.

“What have you chosen, my liege? Pop? Rock? Dare I say disco?”

Bob eyed you. A close-lipped smile making his cheeks puffy and adorable. “How many glasses of wine did you drink?”

“Like one and a half. Ava stole the bottle,” you chuckled. “Trust me, I'm much better with some liquid courage in me.”

“I don't doubt that,” he muttered, lithe fingers tapping away at the keyboard. You were stuck somewhere between the way his hands moved and one of those sweet curls framed his forehead before you noticed the song he had queued up.

“Bob,” you muttered.

“What?” he whispered, boyish as he avoided your eyes, smiling at the damn screen.

“Bob, that's a duet,” you hissed, jabbing your finger into his arm. “I said no pity!”

“It's not pity if I'm joining you,” he laughed, pointing towards the wireless mics in the case. “We’ll both be horrible together.”

“But you won.”

“Harmless fun,” he quoted as you passed him a microphone begrudgingly. “Also I would not be able to sing otherwise. It's better with someone there.”

Your heart was dripping down your ribcage at this point, too buzzed and warmed by wine and slate blue eyes. You needed to get a grip.

The second microphone was cold in your hands as you switched it on and double checked Bob’s.

“Are you guys going first?” Yelena was grinning ear to ear. “A duet?”

“It wasn't supposed to be. He won't let me be a loser,” you complained.

“Wait, what was the bet?” Walker scoffed, getting comfy on the couch again as Bucky started the dishwasher in the back.

“Training practice.”

“And he won?”

“Says the guy with a taco as a shield,” Bob called out.

“Which you still haven't fixed.”

“Ugh, start singing already! I hear enough of this everyday,” Ava slurred.

You brought your lips to the microphone. “You're gonna wish I’d never started singing.”

“You won't be worse than Alexei,” Yelena huffed.

As the music started every single face in the room lit up in amusement. Alexei was yelling with his fist in the air and you were this close to jumping out a window.

“Okay, I'm blue and your pink,” Bob noted, voice shaky.

“How original,” you snorted as the eight bar opening crescendoed.

“Ugh, this is gonna be embarrassing,” he breathed. Yelena cheered and Ava looked like that one meme of Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby.

Lookin' in your eyes, I see a paradise

This world that I found is too good to be true.

Oh, fuck him, he wasn't even that bad. Maybe a little unstable on some notes but nothing like the pitchy chaos that was about to come out of you.

Shaking out your arms, you committed to the bit and let the wine do the singing.

“Let 'em say we're crazy, I don't care 'bout that!” you belted. “Put your hand in my hand, baby, don't ever look back!”

Alexei was having the time of his life. Walker had a finger to one ear, eyes squinting with the same look of pain as Bucky. Yelena was dancing and pointing and singing along and Ava was busting a lung from laughing so hard.

All of a sudden, over a badly sung song of all things, it felt like a home again in the tower.

And we can build this dream together

Standing strong forever

Nothing's gonna stop us now.

Your voices did not pair well, but Bob was smiling and stumbling through his lyrics trying not to laugh and you were cursing when your voice broke on a high note.

It was horrible and it was everything.

By the end, Bob's face was red and his eyes wet from curling in on himself laughing. You went silent for a good part of the song because Alexei was up dancing and screaming over the both of you. Bucky, the fucker, was recording everything. Screw whoever taught him how to use a phone.

“Delete that!” you shouted as the music faded out. “Live in the moment, Buchanan!”

“I'm in the moment,” he chuckled. “You're awful.”

“Fuck you, I tried to warn you all!”

“You did fantastic! Don't listen to him,” boomed Alexei, clapping you on the back. “So much raw passion. Who's next?”

Ava raised her hand, finishing off her glass of your wine. The empty bottle sat on the table next to her. “Me!”

“You've got to sing guys, come on. This is team bonding time,” Yelena said to Walker, batting a hand towards Bucky behind the couch.

“No,” Walker ground out.

“Want some whiskey?” asked Bucky.

“God, after that? Yes.”

You turned to Bob who was putting his microphone back in the case. “You weren't even that bad.”

“No, I think you were just louder.” He smiled at your scowl before shuffling towards the couch as Ava bounced up, drunk and carefree.

Hey, you called after him, waiting until his eyes met yours. Thanks. It was fun.

He nodded, swallowing and laughing as Yelena clapped at his return, pulling him down next to her and praising him.

“Which Rhianna song do you want?” you asked Ava.

“Umbrella, obviously.”

“Obviously,” you agreed, scrolling the options. “You singing the rap part, too?”

She blinked. “I'd rather not.”

“Come on, Walker. One song!” Alexei crowed.

“I said no!”

Three turns later you're all clapping as Walker puts his entire heart into Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.”

Bonus (courtesy of @berryberryrad ):

[yukioos]

helloo i hope you’re having a blessed day, afternoon, or evening (:

can i request an angst fic where the reader is from class 1 a & is trying not to breakdown after a very tough day at UA but couldn’t stop tears from falling down and tries to hide to hide it?

hopefully a pre-relationship situation with monoma, shoto, katsuki, and shinso but platonically with ochaco?

i was also wondering if you were okay with accepting reqs with other characters, thank you so much ❣️

trying not to break down in front of them after a bad day

featuring ochaco (platonic), katsuki, shoto, hitoshi, neito (pre-relationship)

ochaco uraraka

sweat drips from your forehead as you scatter toward the bathroom, locking yourself in a stall and whimpering as you try to stifle your cries. your parents were near a villain attack, bakugo ridiculed you in front of everyone when you lost in a fight, and you failed another test after thinking you aced it. everything is going wrong, and you don’t know how to fix it.

but you hear someone walking into the bathroom, so you cover your mouth, trying to silence your breathing. the feet stop moving near the entrance of your stall.

fuck, those are ochaco’s shoes.

“y/n? are you okay?”

you hesitate. she’ll know you’re crying if she hears the smallest slip-up in your voice.

you sniffle, “yeah.”

“are you crying? you can tell me what’s happening, i’ll try and help! how about you come out of the stall and we can talk about whatever’s bothering you?” there’s a sense of urgency in her voice, one she shares and uses for many people.

hesitantly, you open the door and meep your backpack on your shoulders, continuing to wipe tears from falling down your cheeks. ochaco looks at you with sad eyes and sits you down on one of the benches, keeping your backpack on her lap.

only after you’re done ranting about your day, with her little comments and pieces of advice, does she suggest with a grin, “how about we take a trip to the bakery nearby? maybe that’ll take your mind off of everything!”

nodding is the least you can do, so you do just that, and the rest of your day is filled with laughter and joy with ochaco.

katsuki bakugo

for the whole day, you’ve been acting weird. not talking as much, avoiding people, and hardly even eating. it’s been too much for katsuki, and he’s fed up with it. in the middle of lunch, he comes up to your table and sits next to you on the spotless table.

as soon as he sets foot near you, you avert your gaze, embarrassed. he asks, “the hell is the matter with you? you’ve been acting weird all day.” when you don’t respond, he grumbles, “your problem won’t be solved if you don’t let people help you.”

the genuine advice makes your lips tremble, although you know it was common sense. katsuki shows he cares when he wants to.

you whimper, “do you think i’m weak?”

katsuki laughs, “do you think i’d be friends with someone weak?” you looked up at him with teary eyes, and his face softened, “the answer’s no. what in the world makes you think you’re weak?”

“i don’t know, i was just thinking… what if i can’t save someone when i need to? i almost fucked up during the internship the other day.”

a sigh comes from his mouth, “when the real thing happens, you’ll know exactly what to do. don’t doubt yourself with your skills and the quirk you have.”

you hum and nod, smiling once he slides his lunch tray to you. he mumbles, “eat, i know you haven’t all day.”

shoto todoroki

you walk back to your dorm, defeated and trying not to let tears fall down your cheeks after what just happened. it may not have seemed like a big deal to others, but you studied hard for a test, and just hardly passed. hours spent dedicated to studying all went to waste, and the worst thing is, you were confident you’d get a high score.

but it’s the last class of the day, so you're a bit pleased you can sulk about it in the comfort of your room. though, you hear a soft and calm voice behind you.

“y/n?” shoto asks, but you continue to walk to the dorms, slowing down your walking so shoto can catch up to you.

you softly mumble, “yeah?” and avert your gaze to the ground when his shoes are in your eyesight and are synchronized with your walking pattern.

“i saw you looked upset when you received your test from the teacher,” he pauses, “were you not pleased with your score?”

you feel your heart sink, as you aren’t too fond of people knowing about your mistakes. shoto’s trustworthy, however. he won’t ridicule you for slip-ups.

“um— i just,” a tear finally slips down your cheeks after, and you’re quick to wipe it away as your voice cracks, “kinda studied for a while and did shitty on the test.” you try to laugh it off, not wanting to appear overreacting.

shoto was quick to respond, “would you like to study together so maybe you can retake the test? i bet ectoplasm would let you.”

you nodded, “sure, i’d like that.” then paused for a few minutes, “thank you, sho.”

the two of you gazed into each other's eyes, and he gave you a rare smile, “anytime.”

hitoshi shinso

you speed walk to your dorm, soft pants and whimpers coming from your mouth as you hear footsteps behind you. you clutch onto your backpack before clumsily opening the door and throwing yourself in the room, locking the door behind you. slowly sitting on your bed, you cover your mouth and try to muffle your cries.

but a fist knocks on the door, and a familiar voice, hitoshi’s, concerningly asks, “y/n, is everything okay?”

you shudder and pull your hand away from your mouth, keeping your elbows on your knees, “yeah.”

“for some reason, i don’t believe you, and you looked like you were crying. can i come in and maybe we can talk about whatever’s bothering you?”

you hesitate, it would be so embarrassing for him to see you like this.

but you begrudgingly stand up and open the door, eyes falling on hitoshi’s worried and sad ones. he reaches a hand out to you and rubs your scalp with a warm hand before leading you both back to your bed.

when the two of you lay down side by side, he asks, “would you prefer to talk about it now or later?” he wasn’t letting you out of this one.

so you mumbled, “later,” and curled up into him, letting out a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

you quickly fell asleep in your best friend’s arms.

neito monoma

today was horrible.

you had an internship at an agency and were called to a mission with real villains. you couldn’t even stop them on your own, and you unfortunately froze up in fear. after, you were scolded for your actions and sent back to UA.

so you walk back to the dorm rooms, still with your costume on and tears forming in your eyes. everything turns into blobs of color, and your lips tremble in embarrassment when you hear footsteps behind you.

“y/n?” neito’s voice calls out to you, and you hear the steps scattering up to you. once he stands next to you and sees your face, he asks, “uh oh, did something go wrong?”

you sniffle and wipe your tears, “i— i don’t wanna talk about it.” your voice cracks in the middle.

he pauses, his voice softening as he looks into your puffy eyes, “are you just saying that or do you mean it?”

you hesitate, mumbling, “i don’t know, ‘m sorry.”

neito shakes his head and places his hand on your head, softly ruffling your hair. he suggests, “how about we train for a bit to get your mind off it? you can go as hard as you’d like.” he teases you near the end.

a soft chuckle escapes your mouth, and he grins at your smile and the creasing near your eyes. you roll your eyes, “shut up!”

[pars-ley]

A new BTS Collab event hosted by myself and @anyamaris

Proof. The up and coming hot new music company born from the dreams of seven friends: the wealthy Kim Brothers- Seokjin, Namjoon and Taehyung along with their half-brother Jungkook, their cousin Jimin and two friends from school, Yoongi and Hoseok.

Each of them are very dedicated to their careers, and yet, there is something lacking in all of their personal lives. While they created something together as a team, every one of them will have to face their own trials when it comes to matters of the heart.

*Links will be added as they're posted. Individual posting dates TBD

Title: Loosen up

Author: @colormepurplex2

Pairing: CEO!Namjoon x Personal Assistant!Reader

Genre(s): CEO AU; boss/assistant; Angst; fluff; Smut

WC: TBD

Summary: Namjoon is uptight, strait-laced, and far too serious. He knows it, his business partners and family know it, and, as his personal assistant, you know it better than any of them. So, what do you do when he asks—no, *begs*—for you to help him loosen up a little?

Title: A pinch of pixie dust

Author: @remedyx

Pairing: CEO!Seokjin x Barista!Reader

Genre(s): Grumpy/Sunshine; Fluff; Comedy; Smut; Comfort

WC: TBD

Summary: Jin's life was structured around routine. He preferred it that way. A rigid businessman in public and private meets his match in a vivacious barista employed at the coffee shop he stops in at every morning. She flips his world on its axis and forces him to question everything he thought he wanted. But will he let her melt the ice around his heart and can love brew where it's least expected?

Title: Looking in

Author: @anyamaris

Pairing: CEO!Taehyung x Childhood Friend!Reader

Genre(s): Unrequited love; angst; smut

WC: TBD

Summary: Returning home after years at University, you’re eager to establish your own business and reconnect with your long time friends. Surprisingly, your childhood crush has developed into something more mature, but there’s just one catch. He’s in an arranged marriage with your best friend.

Title: Beautiful Mistakes

Author: @lo1k-diamonds

Pairing: Producer!Yoongi x Songwriter!Reader

Genre(s): Co-workers to lovers; Angst; Smut

WC: TBD

Summary: Yoongi wouldn't be caught dead meddling in people's lives, but once he sees you on that screen, he has to help you somehow. It's an impulse, a mistake. The kind that ruins everything for you. He can't undo it, but he can help you turn your life around, even if he can't tell you why.

Title: Rhythm reborn

Author: @moonleeai

Pairing: Lead Choreographer!Hoseok x Ex-girlfriend!Reader

Genre(s): Second chance AU; angst, smut, fluff

WC: TBD

Summary: You took a chance on love, but Hoseok’s relentless pursuit of success pulls you apart, leaving both of you tangled in loneliness. Yet, beneath the weight of pain and silence, a fragile hope flickers—a chance to rediscover the rhythm that connects the heart, offering a second chance at love.

Title: Promise

Author: @pars-ley

Pairing: Lead Lyricist!Jimin x Family Friend!Reader

Genre(s): Arranged marriage AU; love triangle; mutual pining; angst; fluff; smut

WC: TBD

Summary: Jimin has been a constant in your life ever since you can remember. He's the person you go to in times of need, the one you trust more than anyone and the one you fantasise about spending your life with. If you gave him the chance you know he'd jump at a life with you too. Sounds perfect, right? Just one problem…you're betrothed to his cousin.

Title: Who...

Author: @mrsparkjimin18

Pairing: Idol!Jungkook x Older!Reader

Genre(s): Forbidden love/taboo; age gap reader; Smut; Angst

WC: TBD

Summary: You never expected to see him again – not like this. No longer a little boy, but a man. And not just any man…the one you can’t seem to ignore. There’s a line between your fates. Drawn by time, by age, by everything you’re supposed to be. But this – whatever this is – feels like the kind of choice that changes everything. If you take one step closer, there may be no turning back…

[linxnnalyn]

Eternal Sugar Cookie Dating HCs

࣪𖤐.ᐟ note -> SHE’S SO MAJESTIC OMG HIHIHIHIHIHI!! THIS WAS WRITTEN BEFORE EP 10!!!

࣪𖤐.ᐟ warnings -> none.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ content includes -> fluff, manipulation, toxic relationship ig, reader is a normal cookie, kinda yandere-ish, wings <333, cuddling, kisses.

۫ ꣑ৎ You were just a normal, plain cookie. And yet you somehow managed to catch Eternal Sugar Cookies' eye. You aren’t sure what she sees in you, but you feel immense pride that you were able to catch the heart of the Sugar of Happiness and make her happy! And you two could spend an eternity together in her paradise.

۫ ꣑ৎ She would be quite manipulative—at least if you ever were to want to leave her paradise. Why would you want to leave the paradise filled with happiness? Why would you want to leave her? Don’t you know you’re breaking her heart? But don’t worry, Eternal Sugar Cookie will make sure you come back to her no matter what.

۫ ꣑ৎ Eternal Sugar Cookie doesn’t want to see you hurt, but she has to “bless” you before you leave so you would realize how wrong you were for leaving her paradise. The moment you come back, hurt and crying, telling her how wrong you were, Eternal Sugar Cookie immediately takes care of you. It hurts her to see you hurt but she had to do it.

۫ ꣑ৎ She would rarely ever leave your side. You are Eternal Sugar Cookies (only) happiness, and she prefers being around her happiness all the time! She would only ever leave you alone when she has to attend to something else but she makes sure to cover you in her scent just because :3

۫ ꣑ৎ Eternal Sugar Cookie isn’t afraid to punish you when needed. Eternal Sugar Cookie can’t have you leaving her paradise and leaving her side, she just can’t let go of her happiness, and your happiness relies here with her. Eternal Sugar Cookie would lock you up in her jewelry box, apologizing but telling you that it is necessary before closing it.

۫ ꣑ৎ She loves cuddling with you! She loves wrapping her wings around you as she holds you close, finding comfort in your warmth. Eternal Sugar Cookie also loves kissing you, covering your face in kisses. Eternal Sugar Cookie finds it super cute whenever you get flustered.

۫ ꣑ৎ Eternal Sugar Cookie loves lazing around with you all day every day. She will NOT let you go when you two are cuddling while laying one the soft clouds, and you can’t exactly escape her grasp because she is much stronger than you. She finds it cute when you try to sneak away to do whatever you want to do thinking she is asleep.

۫ ꣑ৎ She loves singing you to sleep. The moment Eternal Sugar Cookie sees you’re even a bit tired she will drag you somewhere private, letting you lay in her lap as she plays a lovely tune on her lyre, her voice soft and like a lullaby. You immediately fall asleep, and Eternal Sugar Cookie watches you for a long time, finding happiness in your peaceful expression.

۫ ꣑ৎ Eternal Sugar Cookie absolutely spoils you rotten. In her garden, you're given every luxury you could ever want from your loving lover. And the Sugar Angels know to attend to every one of your needs, knowing that punishment for not attending to your needs and keeping you happy will be severe.

۫ ꣑ৎ She would do anything and everything to make sure to protect your happiness, even if it means she has to redirect you a bit. Eternal Sugar Cookie makes sure that you don’t realize the truth behind her eternal paradise, that you don’t learn why the monsters attacked you even after she “blessed” you.

[sergeantbarnessdoll]

Hiii! This idea have been on my mind a lot x)

so, boyfriend!avenger!bucky barnes x girlffiend!avenger!fem!reader(wohooo)

basically- reader is just a high ranked Widow from Red Room, same as Natasha and Yelena. She and Bucky are in a relationship since Bucky came from Wakanda. They are going on missions together. Unfortunately, reader gets kidnapped on mission. She gets missing for nearly half a year, and everybody suspect she’s dead, but Bucky knows his girl better.

Hydra keeps experimenting on her, changing her DNA, making her able transfrom to animals(mainly black tigress and big black wolf). She doesnt has her mind wiped, she remembers everything. They put a collar on her, which everytime electrocute her, when she doesn’t listen. Her eyes, from bright blue, changes to deep, dark, blood red.

One night when team is sent to Hydra Base, they get attacked by a tiger. They see the hesitation in animal eyes and movements and quiet whimpers. The first person who knows its Y/N is Steve(cause Bucky is too drained and depressed to take part in missions). They rescue Y/N and take her in Avengers Compound to Bucky and tell him all about it. When Bucky comes to see her, she’s too afraid that he wont love her anymore, so she tries to hide anywhere. Bucky reassures her all about, and all the Avengers with help of Shuri tries to change Y/N to her human form. Its succesful and now she can shapeshift to tiger and wolf. She keeps wandering around compound in her tiger form, scarring all new recruits and of course Sam! Happy and with a lot of angst and fluff xoxo

hope you understand everything, thank you ❤️❤️❤️

Love You The Same » Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier

Pairings: Boyfriend/Avenger!Bucky Barnes x Girlfriend/Avenger!Reader with Steve Rogers and the Avengers

Summary: HYDRA somehow gets their hands on you while you’re on a mission and they experiment on you and changing your DNA to make you transform into a black tigress and a black wolf.

Warnings: Fluff, Angst (not you and Bucky), language, Black Widow!reader, shapeshifter!reader, HYDRA, kidnapping, crying, kissing, pet names

A/N: Thank you for the lovely request @ordelixx 🩵

Written on my phone. My apologies for any mistakes.

Header made by @buckyys-babydoll / divider made by me

GIF IS NOT MINE! Gif credit goes to the creator.

“Let me know if you need backup, doll.” Bucky says.

“I will. The same goes for you, baby.” You say with a smile.

Like every mission, you and Bucky give each other a good luck kiss before the start of the mission. This mission, you and Bucky are with the rest of the Avengers at a HYDRA base to get information. Everything was going great until someone grabbed you from behind. The person covered your mouth with a cloth and took your ear piece and crushed it in pieces. You passed out by inhaling whatever chemical was on the cloth.

“Doll, I found what we needed.” Bucky informs you.

Bucky frowns, expecting you to respond back. Usually you respond to him within a few seconds, but you didn’t.

“Doll, you there?” He asks.

Bucky waited a few seconds, but you still didn’t respond. He assumed the battery on your ear piece went out so he looked all over the base for you, but he couldn’t find you. Then he thought you already got back on the quinjet so he went that way. You weren’t on the quinjet when he got on it.

“Have you guys seen Y/N?” Bucky asks the Avengers.

“I thought she was with you.” Steve says.

“She was, but now I can’t find her. I looked everywhere.” Bucky says.

The Avengers knew what that meant, but they didn’t want to upset Bucky.

“What do you guys know that I don’t know?” Bucky asks.

“Buck…” Steve begins softly.

“No.” Bucky shook his head. “Y/N knows how to fight. She would’ve gotten away easily.” He says.

“Y/N is an incredible fighter, but maybe not in this case.” Steve says.

Bucky knew what Steve meant. He just didn’t want to believe it.

6 MONTHS LATER…

6 months go by and there’s still no sign of you since that day. Bucky, Steve, and the Avengers looked everywhere for you, but they couldn’t find you. As much as they hate to even think about it, but they assumed that you’re dead, except Bucky. He refuses to come to terms with you being dead. He knows you’re alive and still out there somewhere.

Bucky hasn’t gone on a single mission since that day. He hasn’t gone to meetings for upcoming missions either. Sometimes, he goes to the gym to punch the punching bag till it rips and sand is leaking out of it. Mostly, he stays in yours and his shared bedroom. He’s also been drinking a lot, but it’s not doing him any good since he can’t get drunk due to the Super Soldier serum. Steve and the Avengers are always checking on him and try to get him to leave the bedroom, but he doesn’t budge.

“Buck, you need to get some fresh air.” Steve says softly.

“I’m fine right here.” Bucky says.

“Y/N wouldn’t want you to do this to yourself.” Wanda says.

“What am I doing to myself?” Bucky asks.

“Not taking care of yourself.” Steve says.

“I’m trying, ok?” Bucky said. “I’m too drained and tired to do anything besides sit here.” He says.

Steve and Wanda could hear the tiredness in his voice, along with sadness. They didn’t want to keep pestering him about getting out of bed so they just left him alone.

Later that week, the Avengers, minus Bucky, went on a mission to a HYDRA base. The same base where you were kidnapped during the last mission Bucky went on. Getting inside of the base and roaming the halls was the easy part. Steve and Natasha could sense that something was off. They just couldn’t figure out what it is. Then they froze when they heard a low growl followed by a whimper.

“Did you hear that?” Steve asks Natasha.

“Yes. Is it a dog or something?” Natasha says.

“It’s not a dog.” Steve says.

Steve and Natasha stared at the tiger walking towards them. There was blood on the tiger’s mouth and paws. They didn’t move a muscle. The tiger stopped just a few feet away from them.

“Why isn’t it trying to kill us or eat us alive?” Natasha whispers.

“I don’t know.” Steve whispers.

Steve and Natasha froze even more if it’s even possible when the tiger walked closer to them. Steve noticed a collar around the tiger’s neck. He furrows his eyebrows as he stared at the collar. There’s a name on the tag of the collar that says “Y/N”. That’s when Steve figured it out. You’re the tiger.

“It’s Y/N.” Steve says.

“How?” Natasha asks.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” He says.

The tiger sat down and stared at Steve and Natasha as if they were about to give it a treat.

“Y/N?” Steve says softly and cautiously.

You tilted your head when you heard your name.

“It’s Steve.” He begins. “You don’t need to be scared.” He says.

You kept staring at him as he continued to talk to you.

“Do you remember Bucky? Your boyfriend?” He says. “He misses you. He’s not doing well.” He says.

You tilted your head like you understand everything he’s saying. You continued to stare at Steve as he slowly and cautiously approached you. Usually, someone approaching you sets you off, but you sensed that Steve is a trusting person. You head butted his hand, making you smile. You let out a small whimper like you’re trying to communicate with him.

“I’ll take you home to Bucky.” Steve says softly.

You head butted his hand once more before standing up and walking beside Steve and Natasha to the quinjet. The rest of the Avengers were already on the quinjet.

“Where the hell did you guys find a tiger?” Tony asks as Steve and Natasha got on the quinjet with you.

“It’s Y/N.” Steve says.

“How is that Y/N?” Sam asks.

“Her name is on the collar and she knows who I am.” Steve says.

The Avengers didn’t ask any more questions. Steve’s only priority right now is to get you home to Bucky. To the Avengers surprise, you’re very obedient as a tiger. They weren’t scared of you at all. Steve got you set up in a room before going to get Bucky.

“Bucky, I have amazing news for you.” Steve says as he walks in yours and Bucky’s bedroom.

“If it’s not about Y/N, I’m not interested.” Bucky says.

“Y/N is here.” Steve says.

“That’s not funny, Steve.” Bucky says.

“I’m being serious.” Steve says.

Bucky sat upright and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Y/N is here?” Bucky asks, making sure he heard him right.

“Yes, but I should prepare you.” Steve begins. “She’s not her normal self.” He says.

“No one is their normal self after being tortured by HYDRA.” Bucky says.

“There’s that, but that’s not what I’m talking about?” Steve says.

“Then what do I need to be prepared for?” Bucky asks.

“It seems that HYDRA somehow gave Y/N powers to make her turn into a tiger.” Steve says.

Bucky’s jaw clenched at the thought of HYDRA experimenting on you.

“Where is she?” Bucky asks.

“Downstairs in the lab.” Steve says.

“Please tell me you guys didn’t chain her up.” Bucky says.

“We would never do that to her.” Steve says.

Bucky took a deep breath, preparing himself. He stood up from the bed and went downstairs to the lab. He stopped in the doorway of the lab, his breath hitching when he saw you in tiger form.

“Doll?” Bucky says softly.

Even as a tiger, you recognized your boyfriend’s voice and the nickname he always calls you. You turned your full attention to him. Bucky walked towards you and held his right hand out to you. You backed away until you walked backwards into the wall, thinking that Bucky wouldn’t love you the same way as he did before.

“Doll, you can trust me. You know I love you.” He says softly.

You stared at him for a moment before slowly approaching him. You head butted his hand, making him smile. Bucky crouched down to your level so he could hug you. You immediately melted into his touch and started purring.

“I’m so sorry, doll. I should’ve looked harder for you.” Bucky says softly, his voice cracking.

You could sense that he’s upset. You rested your chin on his hand and started purring like you’re trying to tell him that you forgive him.

“We’ll get this figured out and get you back to your human form, babydoll.” He says.

You gave him a kiss on his cheek in response, making him smile.

Bucky called Shuri and told her what happened to you and got her to the Avengers compound to help you get turned back to your human form. The Avengers are helping too. Bucky stayed by your side. He made himself comfortable on the floor in the lab by you. Your head was resting on his lap.

“You know, you’re cute as a tiger, doll.” Bucky compliments softly as he gently rubs his hand against your back, making you purr.

Shuri and the Avengers worked together to figure out something that’ll turn you back to your human form.

“This should work.” Shuri says, walking over to where you and Bucky are on the floor.

“What is it?” Bucky asks, staring at the syringe.

“It’s a medicine concoction that’ll turn her back to her human form. It’ll turn her back to her human form after I inject her with it.” She says.

“Do it.” He says.

Bucky made sure to keep you calm as Shuri injected you with the medicine concoction she made. You made a small whimpering noise when the needle pricked your skin under your fur.

“You’re ok, doll.” Bucky whispers.

It took a few seconds for you turn back into your human form. Bucky smiles, happy that it worked on the first try. He found a blanket and wrapped it around you.

“Bucky?” You asked softly.

“It’s me, doll.” Bucky almost whispers.

“I missed you.” You say, tearing up.

“I missed you too.” He says.

Bucky took you to yours and his bedroom to get cleaned up. You relaxed in the bathtub while Bucky cleaned you up. He saw marks on your arms from the time HYDRA experimented on you and red marks on your neck from the shock collar HYDRA put on you when you weren’t listening.

“I remember everything HYDRA did to me. They didn’t wipe my memory. All the needles and experiments hurt. They put some kind of shock collar around my neck and electrocuted me when I wouldn’t listen. I hated everything they did to me, Bucky.” You spoke softly, your eyes tearing up.

Bucky’s heart broke for you as he listened to every word you said. He wants nothing more than to kill every single HYDRA agent who experimented on you and hurt you. That’s the furthest thing on his mind. His main priorities are to protect and take care of you.

“You’re safe now, babydoll. They won’t hurt you anymore.” Bucky almost whispers.

Bucky helped you out of the bathtub and helped you dry off. You put on clean clothes and laid down on the bed. It feels good to be laying in a bed instead of a hard concrete floor for the first time in months. Bucky laid down behind you and protectively wrapped his arms around you, holding you close to him.

“The reason why I backed away from you earlier is because I thought you didn’t love me anymore.” You say.

“Why would you think that, doll?” Bucky asks.

“I’m a freak now.” You say.

“Never say that about yourself again. I love you no matter what, babydoll. You’re still the same woman I fell in love with when I came back from Wakanda.” He says.

“You don’t mean that.” You say, your voice cracking.

“I do mean it.” Bucky almost whispers.

You turned your head to look at your boyfriend. Bucky leans in and kisses you softly and passionately.

“I love you so much, doll.” He whispers.

“I love you too, Bucky Bear.” You whispered back.

———

Now that you know how to shapeshift in a controlled way without being harmed or experimented on, you sometimes walk around the compound in tiger form. You mainly do it to protect Bucky and the Avengers.

Bucky lets the Avengers know ahead of time that you’re going to shapeshift into your tiger form so they don’t get startled. He doesn’t tell Sam just to mess with him. Right now, Sam enters the lounge room and gets startled by you in your tiger form on the couch.

“God damn it! I told you not to scare me like that!” Sam says, putting his hand on his chest where his heart is.

Bucky was laughing his ass off. Sam narrowed his eyes at him.

“I hate you sometimes.” Sam says to Bucky.

“Sorry not sorry.” Bucky says, still laughing.

Bucky stopped laughing after a few seconds and took another few seconds to catch his breath from laughing.

“Come on, doll. Let’s go train the recruits.” Bucky says.

You jumped down from the couch and walked alongside Bucky to go train the new recruits. The recruits didn’t really seem scared of you. They were pointing at you and gossiping about you.

“Is there a reason why you guys aren’t training?” Bucky asks in his Sergeant voice.

“We were wondering why you brought your pet to work with you today.” One of the recruits said, making everyone laugh.

“First of all, never call my girlfriend a pet. Secondly, you guys are going to wish that you didn’t say that.” He says.

“Why?” The recruit asks.

“Doll.” He says, looking down at you.

You walked closer to the recruits like you were hunting prey and growled in a scary way at them. The recruits eyes went wide and they didn’t dare to move a muscle. You stopped scaring them after a few seconds and walked back over to Bucky and sat down on the floor next to him.

“That’s my girl.” Bucky smiles down at you, rubbing his hand against your head, making you purr.

-Bucky’s Doll

[dreamweave01]

I need Raph being insecure about his Krang half and doubting Kendra’s love for him because of it. (”how could she love a monster like me? I dont deserve her…”)

I need Raph accidentally harming Kendra when he has a panic attack or something.

I need Raph being afraid and certain that Kendra os gonna be scared of him because of it; hate him, be mad at him, cut ties with him. (Donnie is ready to attack Kendra if she breaks Raph’s heart.)

But Kendra isn't mad. She's only worried (and a bit shaken).

Im a sucker for angst 😭

(no pressure, Do whatever you want; this is your au and I have no say in it)

- Paranormal Anon

.

.

And this is why the turtles have to be careful what they watch for movie night. Dang those triggers.

I'm completely unashamed to admit that I just spent several hours working on this instead of working on anything else I was supposed to. Who woulda thought Kendrael angst would hold me in a death-grip?

I think timeline-wise this would happen some time after the next arc. I like how I tell myself I'll stop jumping ahead of where I'm at in the story, and then ideas like this get thrown at me from out of the blue and suddenly I'm incapable of thinking about anything else /pos

Aaand now it's time for rambles ->

What I really liked about this thought was that it allows me to show a side of Raph that he absolutely hates about himself.

Everyone has this side to them that they bury deep inside, never to see the light of day, and for big Red over here, it's his natural tendency to lean towards 'fight' in a fight-or-flight response.

Really, it has nothing to do with the Kraang and everything to do with the ninja training as a kid. He and his brothers were born with the intent to be soldiers, and while yes, Splinter did everything in his power to give them a wonderful childhood - and did a darn good job too might I add - learning how to defend yourself led the turtles to trust their abilities to fight.

Now you could say, "But DW, what about in the movie when Raph told them to retreat blah blah blah-" That was a specific situation that called for specific actions. If there had been any chance they could've won that fight and if Splinter hadn't been injured, I'm willing to bet Raphael wouldn't have called for a retreat.

My point is, these boys are fighters. They take on a problem head-on, and unfortunately, that natural tendency is center stage of Raph's trauma.

The Kraang turned him into a soldier, their personal pet that didn't hesitate to follow orders.

None of it was Raph's doing, none of it was even close to being his fault, but the thing that terrifies him the most is that he'll lose control and hurt the people he loves. Again.

That 'again' makes it even worse, because he knows he's capable of it. He knows he could kill them because he has before, there's no doubt about it in his mind. Yes, he's the sweetest most gentlest giant in the world, but that doesn't take away the fact that he's a mountain of battle-trained muscle and has the power of a freight train, if not more. So he does everything he can to keep that fighter inside of him under wraps at all times, refuses to even risk letting that side of him see a glimmer of the light of day.

But he's not perfect, and there are moments like the one above where he's so heavily triggered into that fight-or-flight response, he goes into a tunnel-vision and doesn't even realize what he's doing because at this point, it's instinctual for him to defend himself. It always has been.

And when he snaps out of it, that's when the fear takes him, that overwhelming guilt that feels like it'll swallow him up whole.

And poor Kendra! She knows that Raph and his brothers have been through a lot - Mikey's mentioned things here and there to the rest of the friend group - but seeing in person just how hard it was? Exactly what Raph's experiences have done to him?

It's really hard to see someone you love and care so deeply about going through something so unbelievably horrible.

But she knows a thing or two about guilt, the fear of hurting people again, and you better believe she's going to do everything in her power to show Raph that nothing, and I mean NOTHING, could ever push her away from him.

She will always love him, no matter what he looks like, what he's been through, what he does.

Guys, this is why I love them, agh, they're so precious-

[samanthacastano02]

He Calls you Clingy - Han Jisung

Han Jisung x FemReader

Word Count: 5.4k

Trigger warnings: angst, depression, thoughts of suicide, thoughts of the members being better off without her, poorly written. (I'm not a fan of how this turned out, I had started this when I was fighting with a friend and when the fight ended I lost my inspiration for the story. I might try and rewrite it at a later date or post an alternate version)

Summary: You had been best friends with Han since before his debut, you had always had feelings for him but kept them hidden. When you over hear him call you clingy, your relationship with him becomes strained. You aren't sure if there is a way to come back from what he said and made you feel. But if there is a chance, you are willing to try, for the sake of keeping him in your life but will that be enough for you anymore?

Photo's not mine, credit goes to photographers

Bang Chan | Lee Know | Seo Changbin | Hwang Hyunjin | Lee Felix | Kim Seungmin | Yang Jeongin

I had known Han since before he debuted, standing by his side through everything. I was by his side during the survival show, the late nights at the studio when he struggled with lyrics, the early mornings when he didn’t want to wake up, and I was there for him when his anxiety had gotten really bad. I had always thought that he would always be by my side, I mean after all that’s what he had promised when he went into the trainee program, he had promised that he would always be by my side and wouldn’t let anything come between us, no matter what. But there was one thing that I could never tell him, I was madly in love with him but I knew that he would never feel that way about me because all he ever saw me as was his best friend and at the end of the day that is all he would ever see me as.

Present:

Han had asked me if I wanted to spend the day with him at the studio while he worked on lyrics. I had the day off so I figured that there wouldn’t be any harm in spending the day with him. It wasn’t very often anymore that I got to spend the day with him anymore due to my job. I know that if I had told Han about how stressful my job was he would tell me to quit and that he would take care of me, but I can’t ask that of him. I know that he and I have been best friends for years now but I don’t want him to start thinking that I am friends with him because he has money. 

Even though he and I were hanging out, we weren’t talking but that’s usually how our hang out sessions usually went. Each of us doing our own thing but enjoying being in each other's company. That was one thing about Han and I, we didn’t have to constantly talk or do things to enjoy each other's company. 

“Hannie, I’m hungry and it’s about lunch time. Do you want anything yet?”

“Hmm? What?” “I was just asking if you wanted lunch yet, I’m starting to get hungry.”

“I’m almost done with these lyrics, why don’t you take my card and run and grab us something, bring it back here?” “Sure, I can do that. Anything in particular that you’d like?” “No, just get whatever you think looks good. You know that I’ll eat just about anything.”

“Alright, I’ll be back soon.”

With his card in hand, I make a quick trip to the restaurant down the street that both he and I like. I tried to balance the food and drinks while making my way back to the building, thankfully the front ladies knew me and were quick to rush and help me when they noticed that I was struggling with carrying everything and opening the doors. Once I got up to the floor that Han was on, I was quick to make my way to their studio. When I got to the studio I had noticed that the door had been left ajar and there were multiple voices inside. I could tell that it was Innie, Changbin, Felix and Seungmin talking and hanging out with Han, I was about to push open the door when I heard something that made my heart drop. 

“Hey Hyung, where is y/nnie?” Innie asks, noticing that my stuff is there but I’m not.

“She went to get us food, she’ll probably be back soon.” Han responded. 

“Why don’t you sound too excited about that?” Felix asked.

“I don’t know, it just feels like I am constantly seeing her.”

“Don’t you normally go with her when she goes to get you guys food?” Seungmin asks.

“I do, but she didn’t ask this time and I just needed a break.” “A break?” Changbin asks, sounding both confused and worried.

“Yea, she is so damn clingy all the time, she is constantly wanting to hang out and is constantly at the studio. When all I want is to just have the day to myself, she’s there asking if I want to hang out and if I tell her no she’ll throw a fit and that’ll just cause me more issues. Sometimes I really regret becoming her friend, if I had known that she would be this fucking clingy I wouldn’t have gotten as close to her.”

“That’s harsh Han, even for you. She’s your best friend, you know that she just wants to spend time with you because she doesn’t get to see you as often as we do.” Innie tries to defend me.

“Yeah but asking to hang out as often as she does. It gets so annoying and I just need a break, because I know that if I tell her no, she will throw a fit.”

“Han, that’s a little harsh. You know that she wants to spend time with you because she cares about you” Changbin tries to get Han to realize that he’s being harsher than he needs to be. But when he looks up, he sees me standing outside the door and he knows that I’ve just heard everything.

I take that opportunity to push open the door and enter the room, the rest of the boys smile and greet me but when I look at Han I can now see that he is doing his best to hide his annoyance with me. The boys try their best to involve me in their conversations but with what I had just overheard, it’s hard to interact and pretend that I’m ok. How can I pretend that I’m ok when I just found out that my best friend thinks that I’m clingy and that it gets annoying. After a while of just watching the boys interact with each other and trying to pretend that I’m ok, I do my best to come up with a believable excuse so that I can go home and actually let out all the emotions that I’ve felt in the last two hours. 

“Hey boys, I need to head out. I’ve got some prepping that I need to do for work tomorrow.” “Are you sure you gotta head out so soon? We haven’t seen you in forever, Noona.” Innie tries to convince me to stay  longer.

“I’m sorry Innie, but I really need to head home and get ready for work tomorrow. I’ll try to stop by when I have more time.”

“Do you want me to walk you down?” Han asks, I can see that he’s trying to not seem overly annoyed.

“No, no that's ok. I know that you are busy. I’ll see you later.” “Alright, as long as you are sure.” Han responds.

“I’m sure, it’s not dark out or anything. I’ll be ok, plus my apartment isn’t far from here, so it’ll be a nice walk.”

“Wait, you’re walking home? Why not have one of our drivers take you home?” Changbin asks, obviously concerned for my safety. 

“It’s ok, really.”

Before any of the boys can argue or try to convince me to take one of the company cars home, I grab my stuff and stand to leave. Han barely looks at me but the rest of the boys wave goodbye, to my surprise Changbin gets up and follows me out of the room. I know that he’s going to ask if I’m ok and honestly I don’t know if I’m ready for him to ask me that because the moment that he does, I know that I won’t be able to hold in the tears. 

“Y/n, hold on. Are you ok? I know you heard what Han said.” Changbin asked.

“I honestly don’t know Binnie.” 

“It’s ok if you aren’t. What he said was super harsh, and he definitely shouldn’t have said that about you.”

“I mean, maybe he has a point.”

“What are you talking about? What point does he have?” Changbin looks appalled by the fact that I agree with Han. 

“I can be clingy and I know that it can get annoying, so maybe what I need to do is back off and give him space. I know that’s what he wants but feels he can’t tell me.”

“Y/n, don’t do this. You know that this is going to end up hurting you. I know that Han can be a dumbass but you need to tell him that you heard him and that what he said hurt.” “I can’t Binnie, I really can’t. I can’t do that to him, I can’t make him feel guilty for how he is feeling. I do appreciate the fact that you are trying to protect my feelings but I got this handled.” “Alright, but if you need anything then please let me know. You know that all of us are here for you if you need anything.” “I know Binnie, and I am extremely thankful for that.” “If you won’t take a company care, then please at least let me walk you home. I don’t have anything for the next hour and a half.” “Binnie, it’s ok. I’ll be fine.”

Binnie realized that trying to convince me would be hopeless and that he wouldn’t win this argument with me. So at the doors of the company, he just asked that I let him know when I get home and to keep him updated on how my work assignment is going. 

“Binnie, there was no work assignment. I just needed an excuse to leave.” “Oh y/nnie.” The look of sadness on his face broke the dam that I had been trying to keep.

“I need to leave Binnie, before he sees and it makes things worse.” “Alright, just let me know when you get home, ok?” “I will, please try not to be too upset with Han. He can’t help the way that he feels.” “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.”

Four Weeks Later:

I didn’t mean too but over the next few weeks I continued to pull away from the group. I didn’t want to be too clingy with Han, I knew that the guys would miss me but they were his friends before they were mine. I didn’t need to give him another reason to be upset with me. It terrifies me to be alone, with the boys being my only friends but maybe it’s for the best that I distance myself, maybe I rely on Han and them too much. 

As the days go on, it’s hard to not feel lonely and miss spending time with the boys but I can’t give Han another reason to be upset, I already can’t handle the fact that he thinks I’m clingy. I love him and he finds me clingy, the one person I love more than anything and he wants nothing to do with me anymore. 

Han’s POV:

At first I didn’t even realize that y/n had been spending less time around me and the guys, at first it was a nice break from her but as time went on I began to realize just how much I missed having her around. I could tell that the boys weren’t happy with me, but I didn’t know why she had stopped hanging around us. It’s obvious that the boys know but they weren’t going to tell me, if I wanted answers I was going to have to ask her myself. Out of all the boys she was closest to Changbin, I knew that he would know where she was. 

“Changbin-Hyung, can I talk to you?” I pull him aside after dance practice. 

“What can I do for you Han?”

“Why has y/n not been around as much?” “She’s just been busy.”

“For two weeks?”

“Han, why do you all of a sudden care? Two weeks ago you were saying that she was too clingy.”

“I was wrong. I was stressed, tracks weren’t going well, Channie-Hyung was on my tail on getting lyrics to him and I said the wrong thing. But she doesn’t know that I said anything, does she?” “God, if she knows that I told you this she’d kill me. She overheard you Han, she heard what you said, that’s why she left that day. She didn’t have an assignment that she needed to work on, she used it as an excuse to leave because she was barely holding it together.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” “Fuck is right Han, she has stood by your side since before our debut and has been nothing but supportive and this is how you repay her? And you claim to be in love with her?” “Fuck Hyung, you’ve gotta help me. Please, help me fix this with her. I do love her, I put my anger in the wrong place and it hurt her.”

“Because I want her to be happy and I want you to be happy, I’ll help you. But only if she tells me that she is ready to even possibly consider forgiving you.” “God I can’t believe I fucked up.”

Your POV:

It had been harder than I thought it would be to cut myself from the group, the depression was getting harder to deal with but it was my problem to handle not the boys, they already had enough to deal with. Some days it felt like my body was made of stone and all I could do was lay in bed and cry, some days I had the energy to get up and function. But more often than not, I was barely functioning, living off of power drinks and water. I functioned enough that I could complete my work but that was about it, there wasn’t much else that I could force myself to do. Han had been my support and when he called me clingy, that support fell out from under me. And the worst part is that no matter what, a part of me will always love him, even when I know that I shouldn’t. 

The past two weeks had been exceptionally bad, I could barely function, I had called out of work and I could barely get myself to shower. I wanted my Han back but he was better off without me, and maybe the boys were better off without me, maybe everyone would be better off without me. I was spiraling and felt like I was drowning, I felt like there was no point in staying, in living any longer. I was so in my head that I hadn’t heard my phone ringing, hadn’t heard Changbin trying to get ahold of me. I knew that had I looked I would see the panicked texts and calls from him, it wasn’t until I heard him rushing into my apartment that I somewhat came out of my funk. 

Changbin’s POV:

When I walked into y/n’s apartment, it looked like she had barely been living. The blinds were drawn, barely letting any light in, there were no dishes in the sink, just empty protein drinks and water bottles. She had been drinking enough to stay alive but other than that, she wasn’t living, she was slowly letting herself die. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to fix this, the only person that would be able to fix this is Han. I quickly called him, needing him to get here as quickly as possible. While I call him, I pull y/n into me, holding her close to me, feeling protective of her.

“Han, I need you to get to y/n’s apartment as quickly as possible.” 

“Is everything ok? Is she ok?”

“No, she’s not ok and right now the only person that can fix it is you.” “Fuck, ok. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“I don’t care if you have to hitchhike, get your ass over here now.” “Shit, ok.”

Twenty minutes later I hear frantic knocking on y/n’s door, I know that it’s Han. Y/n has a death grip on me and I am unable to pry her off of me to let him in, I know that he still has her key. With one hand I send him a text to just come in, when he finally gets his head on straight enough to open the door, he sees what condition she is in. 

“What happened?” “She cut herself off from the only support system that she had.”

“Fuck.” “You need to fix this Han, I am not about to lose her due to your stupidity.”

I manage to loosen her hold on me long enough that Han is able to slip in and take my spot, I know that they will figure it out and that I won’t have to help. Han gives me a nod, letting me know that he has it under control now and that he will let me know if he needs help. With a heavy sigh I leave her apartment, praying that things will be resolved. 

Your POV:

I don’t know what time I had fallen asleep, but when I woke up my head wasn’t resting on my pillows, instead it was resting on someone's hard chest. I was so out of it still that I hadn’t figured out who was holding me and why they were holding me. When I finally came too enough, I realized that it wasn’t Changbin that I was laying on, it was Han. I didn’t know why or how he was here but the selfish part of me wanted to bask in his warmth before he withdrew the warmth. 

I didn’t know why he was here but I was enjoying the comfort that he was bringing too much to bring myself to move out of his arms. I knew that once he woke up, whatever conversation that we ended up having would be difficult and I’d have to be alone again. I allowed myself to fall asleep again, allowed myself to take in the rare moment of comfort. 

The Next Morning:

For the first time in months, I slept for more than three hours. I knew that it was because of Han, and I also knew that the moment he left my sleep schedule would go back to being shit. I will have to talk to my doctor about getting on a sleep med after all of this is done. I could feel Han moving under me, so I knew that he was awake, and I knew that I could no longer put off the inevitable. 

“Han, why are you here?” “Changbin called me in a panic last night, told me that you weren’t answering him and then when he got here you were out cold, wouldn’t even wake up to painful stimulation.” “I’m fine. You don’t need to be here. Go home.” “You aren’t, and you haven’t been for a while.” “Why are you here? You haven’t cared for months, so why do you care now?”

“I have cared, but I thought that you wanted space, so I gave you the space even though I don’t know what happened. I don’t know why you disappeared from our lives.”

“I overheard you, I overheard what you said.” “What do you mean?” “I overheard you the night you called me clingy, so I gave you what you wanted Han. I gave you space.”

“God, I don’t even remember why I said that. But that doesn’t matter y/n, I was way wrong, I don’t want space from you.”

“You can’t just change your mind Han, you can’t just want me around when it’s convenient for you.” “I want you around all the time, it felt wrong when you weren’t around. Not only did I miss you but so did the guys, I’m pretty sure Changbin was about ready to smack some sense into me if I didn’t come when he called me.”

“What do you want from me Han, you call me clingy, I give you space but then you decide that you don’t want space anymore. You are very confusing and I really really don’t know what to think.” “I want you to cling to me y/n, I want you to show up to the studio randomly, no matter the time of day or night. I want you to spend time with the guys again, I know they miss you. I want you to bug me about going out to restaurants, I want you to just bug me.”

“Han, how do I know that the moment I start doing those things again, you won’t flip on me again and change your mind?” “These last few months without you have felt like torture because I didn’t know what went wrong and why you weren’t coming around. I never want to feel this way again, I don’t want to feel the fear again that I felt when Changbin called and said that you weren’t responding.”

“I don’t know what to do or say Han, how can I trust that this won’t happen again?”

“Give me a chance to prove to you that this won’t happen again.”

“Han, I can’t handle this again.”

“I promise you, that I won’t do this to you ever again.” “One chance Han, one chance.” “That’s all that I ask.”

Two Months Later:

For the last two months, things have slowly been going back to normal between me and the rest of the boys. The relationship between Han and I is still strained, I don’t want to get close to him just to have him rip my heart out again. I don’t think that I could handle it again, I barely could handle it this time and that was without me telling him how I felt. I don’t think that I can ever give him the power over me to wreck me the way he already has. 

Changbin knows about how I felt regarding Han, but he also knew that I would haunt his dreams if he ever dared to tell him. I didn’t hang around Han as much as I used to, afraid that if I did he would think I was clingy again. But the rest of the guys were happy to see me and I was happy to see them, I had missed them and they had missed me. It was Minho’s turn tonight to host movie night, which meant that against my better judgment I would be seeing Han for an extended period of time. It was getting harder and harder to hide how I felt for him, especially now with how he had been acting, trying to make it up to me for being an idiot. Minho could tell that I was struggling with being so close to Han, and that I was close to panicking. I needed space, using the excuse of needing a drink of water I went to the kitchen, running into Minho. 

“If you need space but don’t want to leave, you can sneak away into my room. Soonie, Doongie, and Dori are hiding in there.” Minho said quietly, trying not to scare me. 

“Why are they in your room? Aren’t they usually out and about?” “With how many people were going to be here tonight, I didn’t want them to get too stressed out.”

“That makes sense, but I think that I’m going to take you up on that offer because it’s becoming too much but I don’t want to leave yet.” “Feel free to hang out there for as long as you need. I’m sure they won’t mind the company.” with that he walked back into the living room while I looked towards his bedroom. 

With a deep breath I walked towards his room, knowing that if I went back to the living room I would end up having a panic attack. When I entered Minho’s room, I saw that Soonie and Dori were hanging out on his bed while Doongie was hanging out on his nightstand looking out the window. I knew that I couldn’t force them to cuddle but maybe if I layed down they would lay with me, so I laid on his bed trying to not disturb the two who were already lounging. At some point I must have fallen asleep because I woke to the sound of his door opening. I thought that it might have been Minho coming to check in but to my surprise it was Han. 

“I was wondering where you’d gone. Of course you chose the company of these three menaces over us.” he joked lightly.

“I just needed a break and was apparently tired.” “Are you ok?”

“I’m ok. Just needed to be alone for a little while.” “I’m sorry, again.”

“I forgive you Han, it’ll just take time to get back to how we used to be.”

“What if I don’t want to go back to how we used to be?” he asks hesitantly.

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t keep pretending anymore.” “Pretending about what? Han, you're scaring me.” “I’ve been in love with you for years. I thought that I would be ok with just being friends, but I’m not, not anymore.” “Why did you never say anything before?”

“I didn’t want to ruin what we had.” “Han, I’ve been in love with you for years. I thought that I had made it so obvious.” “Apparently not, but I guess that is why I’m part of paboracha.” “What does this mean for us now?”

“Hopefully, you’ll let me take you on a date and eventually call you my girlfriend?” “I’d really like that.” “Do you think you are up to joining the group for the rest of the movie night or do you want to maybe go lay down in my room and cuddle and talk?”

“Cuddling and talking sounds really nice right now. I’ve really missed my best friend.”

“I’ve missed you too.” He steps up to me, pulling me into him, kissing my forehead.

He gently took my hand, pulling me out of Minho’s room and into his own room. We laid down together but didn’t talk much, just enjoying each other's company. It felt nice to finally be held by him. I had dreamed of being held by him like this for years and truthfully never thought that it would happen. 

“Y/nnie, I want to take you on a date.”

“I’d really like that.” “I want to take you out tomorrow night.”

“Ok.” I say sleepily.

“Dress fancy but not too fancy.”

With that we both fell into silence, it was uncomfortable. It wasn’t long until I was falling asleep, the warmth of Han’s hold on me and the comfort of being in his arms finally as something more than just his best friend. 

The Next Night:

I was filled with nervous energy, not because I thought that the date would go wrong but because I was finally going on a date with the man that I had been in love with for years. I knew that I had no reason to be nervous, but I couldn’t help it. It wouldn’t be long until he got there and I felt nowhere near ready enough for this, and he would be here in ten minutes. 

When Han finally got here, I was excited yet nervous for the date to start. When I opened the door to let Han in, he surprised me by having my favorite flowers. I think I had told him once in passing about what my favorite flowers were, so to have him remember meant a lot to me. Once the flowers were in a vase and I was ready to go, we headed out to dinner. 

After Dinner:

Dinner had gone so smooth that we hadn’t realized how late it had gotten. It was only when I let out a big yawn that I realized just how late it was. Han had decided that he didn’t want to take me somewhere super fancy, rather to a cute diner that he and Minho had come across. As Han walked me up to my door, I could tell that neither of us wanted the date to be over. 

“I had a really good time tonight Hannie.” “I’m really glad, I was nervous about messing up tonight.” “I’m sad that it’s over.” “I don’t either, I miss having my best friend with me. And now I’m gonna miss you even more, knowing that you feel the same.” “Hannie, would you maybe want to come inside? I-I don’t feel like being alone tonight.” “Y-you want me to spend the night? Are you sure?” “I am, but only if you are comfortable with it.” “Yes, yes. Let me shut the car off and then I’ll come in. Go get your pajamas on, I’ll lock up when I come in.” “Ok, Hannie.” I say quietly, kissing his cheek.

I was pulling on my t-shirt when Han knocked on my bedroom door, not wanting to invade my privacy. He was being shy and sweet and it made my heart swell with love for him. 

“Hannie, you can come in. I have some of your clothes in a drawer from before.” “Perfect, I’m gonna change in the bathroom and then I’ll be out.” “Don’t take too long, I want cuddles.” “Of course Jagi, can’t deprive my girl of her cuddles.” “Oh, I’m your girl now?”

“Aren’t you?” “I don’t know, I know we’ve both admitted our feelings but other than that we haven’t really talked about where to go.” “Let me change and then we can talk.” He quickly ran into the bathroom, trying to change quickly. In his rush he must have missed the leg hole of his pants or something because not long after he disappeared I heard a loud crash coming from the bathroom followed by an embarrassed I’m ok.

“Hannie, did you just fall over?” “Noooo.” 

“Ok, dork.”

He shyly exited the bathroom, holding the t-shirt I had given him. I had seen his tattoos before but it still caught me off guard every time I saw them. I was slightly confused as to why he didn’t have a shirt on, he usually was pretty good about wearing a shirt unless he was really warm.

“Han, not that I mind but why aren’t you wearing a shirt?” “Umm, it doesn’t fit anymore. The seams damn near ripped when I tried to put it on.” “Oh. Um, that’s the biggest shirt of yours that I have.” “Is it going to make you uncomfortable if I don’t wear a shirt?” He asks as he sits on the edge of the bed.

“Not at all, you know that I like skin to skin contact. It’s calming and relaxing to me.” “Then let’s lay down.” he crawls into bed.

As he lays down I thought that maybe we would continue to talk but rather we just enjoyed each other’s company. As soon as he laid down he pulled me into him, holding me close to him like he was afraid that I would disappear if he let go. When I looked up at him, his eyes kept flickering between my eyes and my lips. 

“Hannie, can I try something?” “Sure.”

“Can you close your eyes?”

When he closed his eyes, I slowly leaned into him, I could feel his breath hitch. I didn’t let that sike me out from what I wanted to do, before I could second guess myself I gently pressed my lips to his. It took him longer than I thought for him to respond, I thought that he might be rejecting the kiss but right as I was about to pull away he wrapped his arms tighter around me and deepend the kiss. Kissing him felt like having a breath of fresh air for the first time in years. 

“I’m never letting you go now Jagi, you’re mine until you stop wanting me.” He said quietly.

“Then I guess I’ll be yours forever. I love you Hannie.”

“I love you too y/n, and I’m so sorry it took me almost losing you for me to get my head out of my ass and actually come clean.”

“It’s in the past, let's focus on our future.”

“That sounds perfect.”

Listening to his breathing as he slowly falls asleep, I know that everything is how it should be and that life will continue to get better as long as I have him by my side. I curl into him more, finding comfort in his presence next to me, knowing that all is how it should be and will continue to get better.

Bang Chan | Lee Know | Seo Changbin | Hwang Hyunjin | Lee Felix | Kim Seungmin | Yang Jeongin

@vietjeb , @riri53, @expired-vibes

[magicalqueennightmare]

Echo-Part 5

John Walker x Reader (nicknamed Echo)

Now that you know he's innocent can you forgive John for the past and can the two of you find a future?

Warnings: Mention of blood, drinking, harrassment, idiots pining

“John, it’s fine” you urged him because he’d followed you off the jet and when Yelena had offered to take you to medical he’d fallen in step with the two of you. “Are you sure?” his eyes kept fluttering between your hand and the spot where the bullet had grazed you “I’ve had a lot worse Walker” you reminded him and he nodded numbly “Ok, if you need anything..” you cut him off by pointing to Yelena “I’ll ask her”

He nodded, eyes dropping. A tiny part of you registered that this was John, your John but that tiny part was quickly extinguished by remembering everything you’d gone through. Knowing now that he didn’t betray you…. He didn’t owe you anything but in the same breath you didn’t owe him anything either. You weren’t anything to each other anymore. Just two people that at one time meant a lot to each other and were now nothing better than strangers.

Yelena cleared her throat “You need to go meet with Barnes and Wilson anyways Walker” he finally tore his eyes from you. “Yeah, ok” you watched him walk off and turned back to Yelena “I don’t know if I want to stay here” she raised an eyebrow “Because of Walker?” you nodded “I don’t know if I can face him daily” 

She shrugged “We’ll deal with that later but for now, you’re bleeding all over the floor” you laughed when you realized she was right. You had moved your arm around enough to break the clot that had formed and a fresh gush of blood was dripping down your fingertips “Shit, yeah better to get that taken care of”

“I’ll make sure it hits the right hands” Sam promised and John held his eyes “Are you sure this is going to actually take the people responsible down?” Sam nodded “I’ll make sure of it. They’re letting men and women get tortured and killed to personally line their pockets? I’m not turning a blind eye to that” 

“How’s Echo?” Bucky asked and John shrugged “Ask Belova. She’ll barely speak to me” “She needs time. She went straight from the hospitals to being discharged to tracking you. She hasn’t had much of a break to actually let everything settle into her mind. Hell she may very well end up needing you when it does hit her Walker” Sam reminded him and he nodded “Whatever she needs from me, she’ll get”

He meant that with every fiber of his being. You were one person he refused to fail again. No matter what it took. He was not failing you again. “Just go get cleaned up. Everyone can settle in” Bucky told him so he nodded and walked out to head to his floor. At least you were staying in the tower. You were close. That was something.

“You know when he took the mantle I teased him by asking him if he assumed I was going to squeeze my ass into Natasha’s suit?” you laughed lightly, looking over at Yelena as she handed you a water. She tilted her head, looking at your ass “I’m sorry but that would not have fit” 

You busted out laughing “That’s what I told him!” she grinned “So, you were a fan of my sisters?” you shrugged “Fan sounds like I was collecting posters or something? I admired her. A woman on a team like the Avengers? It was something special. Hell I was lucky, I didn’t lose any time during the blip and I had no family left but I lost soldiers that came back. They were stunned, shocked then to find out that the one woman on the team made the biggest sacrifice to save them? Whether she knows it or not she earned women a lot more respect in the armed forces by just being who she was”

Yelena got a soft smile “I’m glad to know that” you nodded “I’m sorry by the way, for your loss. I don’t know if anyone has thought to tell you that” she nodded “Only a couple people but thank you either way”

A silence fell between the two of you then she smirked “Do you care for John?” your eyes widened “Christ Belova, offer me alcohol if we’re getting into subjects that damn heavy how about it?” she started laughing “I think I have some beer” you shook your head “Oh sweetheart, I was a soldier most of my adult life. I need something with a higher content. Can we leave the tower?”

She raised an eyebrow “No, we’re prisoners. Only Alexei and Bob can leave. Yes Echo we can leave the damned tower” you laughed and tapped the table “Let’s go get a drink..I had a couple hundred in my stuff. Where’s my smaller duffle?” her eyes widened as you headed to your room and you looked back at her “What’s wrong?” “Nothing”

You walked into the bedroom Yelena had given you and found your smaller bag, digging into the side pocket. You pulled out the photo.. Wait, photo? You dumped everything in your hand. The dog tags were there, the photo of John and his son but the one of you, him and Lemar was missing. You pocketed your money then grabbed your jacket and spun on your heel to leave the room.

“Belova!” she turned with the fakest smile known to mankind. “Yes?” “Did he go in my fucking duffle?” she shrugged “We were looking for why you thought he’d leaked the intel” you nodded “Well the asshole kept something so now I am gonna kill him” and headed for the elevator, despite her trying to call you back.

_______________________

When the intercom system buzzed John walked over to hit it “What?” Yelena’s voice rang through “Lock the elevator where it can’t get to your floor” “Why?” he questioned, too tired mentally and physically to play whatever games Yelena was playing. “Because Echo realized her photo was missing dipshit and now she’s pissed”

Fuck, he’d meant to put it back before you realized. Before he could move to lock the elevator however it dinged “Gotta go Belova. She’s here” he told her and heard her cursing. 

The moment the elevator opened you stepped off and threw a knife in John’s direction. He sidestepped and grabbed the hilt of it “REALLY? Again with the knives Echo?” you shrugged “Gotta admire that one of us stays consistent” he shook his head even as you crossed the room. You shoved him, even knowing it would have no effect with the serum now coursing through his veins. “Give me my fucking picture asshole”

You hated that you had to crane your neck to look up at him. You hated that the long sleeve shirt he wore stretched tight over his biceps and the shade of blue made his eyes seem brighter. You hated that you noticed that. You hated that his beard suited him and you hated that his hair being shaggier, blonde locks falling freely reminded you of that first tour you served at each other’s sides. 

“Tell me why you had it” he baited and it took everything in your power to not punch him. The only reason you’d drawn blood before without hurting yourself was because he’d put himself in a vulnerable position. This time he was remaining squarely in front of you. He crossed his arms, the action making his biceps strain against the material of the shirt even further “Fuck get a bigger shirt” you blurted out and a ghost of a smirk slipped onto his face “What?”

You waved a hand “It’s fucking struggling dude” and he started laughing which pissed you off worse. You swung and connected solidly with his jaw. He barely flinched but pain shot up your arm. You shook your hand out “Fuckin super soldiers man” 

He shrugged “You knew what you were doing before you ever swung. Now answer me. Why if you hate my fucking guts so damn bad do you have photos of me? You still carry the dog tags? You kept the one of me and my son?” you were shaking you were so pissed off as you stared him down “Because you were one of the most important people in my life. I needed something to hold onto, that is all I have left of my past. The only proof I have lived before this moment. My brother is gone, every photo of him is gone. Lemar is gone. I need something to hold onto. Please give me my damn picture back John”

He walked over to the table next to his couch and pulled the drawer open. He picked up the picture then walked back over and held it out “Your brother may be gone, Lemar may be gone but I’m here. I’m proof you’ve lived before this moment” you snatched the photo “Cross any lines again and I’ll leave the tower, homeless and jobless or not. I will figure it out” 

About that time the elevator opened again, Yelena and Bucky came off as Ava phashed through the wall. ��So, not killing him?” Yelena asked as you stared John down “Understood?” he nodded “Understood but I’m not turning my back on you either. No matter the amount of knives I get thrown at me by your feral little ass” he held the knife out hilt first. You took it and slipped it into the place on your belt.

You spun on your heel and nodded at Yelena “Let’s go” the two of you stepped on the elevator and Bucky asked “Where are you going?” “To drink” you replied and Ava grinned “Wait up!” and ran onto the elevator right before it closed.

“So, you met him on your first tour?” Yelena asked and you nodded, swirling the bourbon in your glass around. “I was the only woman in our unit. I was catching a pretty hard time because of it, When the six foot two Georgia boy stepped up and threw his hat in the ring to fight at my side if any one had issue with me? That pushed a lot of that down” 

“What happened?” Ava asked and you shrugged, downing the brown liquid. “People change. We got older, the longer we were in, the more it changed us. We were on our second tour when I got called into the Chaplain’s office. My brother had gotten killed in a hit and run by a drunk driver. The only family I had left. I pushed him and Lemar both away after that. We all came home, John finally got married to Olivia, I did some things I’d rather not repeat and Lemar was the amazing man he was making sure we both managed to stay in contact and stay with our heads above water”

“I didn’t realize you had known him that long” Yelena admitted and you nodded “When he got chosen for the mantle, we were in Chile, prepping ops. Our entire unit got an early discharge just so they could get John. Him and Lemar went to go to be heroes. I immediately signed to redeploy because I had no one”

“That was when your unit was hit?” Ava asked and you half smiled “That was when my unit was hit” “Damn, here’s to our horrible lives” Yelena toasted, you and Ava both laughed, holding your glasses up “Here’s to that”

You were in the shared kitchen of the tower, trying to find food. Yelena had some on her level but you weren’t feeling what she had. You opened the fridge and peeked in, eyeing the contents. “There’s bagels in the cabinet, blueberry ones” a voice behind you said and you spun to see John leaning against the doorframe. 

“And if I don’t still eat blueberry bagels?” you asked and he raised an eyebrow “You don’t?” you rolled your eyes “Fine, which cabinet?” he pointed so you nodded “Thanks” and walked over to pull them out. You could feel his eyes on you, even as you slid the bagels into the toaster and went in search of the cream cheese. “Can you stop staring at me please?” you asked, looking over your shoulder at him.

He nodded slowly “I’m sorry Echo, it’s just… it’s like seeing a ghost darlin” you felt your face warm when his accent bled through. It was always worse early in the morning or when he got upset. You and Lemar used to tease him he sounded straight out of Gone with the Wind when he got pissed. “I’m sorry you were lied to John but a part of me is now kind of glad they lied to you”

“Why?” you could tell the question threw him off. You had thought about it long and hard, maybe the liquor had cleared your mind a little more than you thought. You pulled your bagels out and turned your back to him as you spread the cream cheese on them “Because nothing would have stopped you” you spoke low and felt him move across the room towards you, despite the fact that he made no sound.

When you turned to put the cream cheese away you nearly ran into his chest he was so close “Hell no nothing would have stopped me. I would have come for you” his eyes bore into you, the shade of blue they normally were had darkened to a stormy sky. “And if cards hadn’t fallen the way they had? You would’ve been stripped of everything for coming after me. I’m not worth the trouble John. I wouldn’t have been able to face myself and know I caused you that much struggle. Lemar’s death, avenging that, was worth it. My unit’s death was worth my own in my eyes was why it was worth it to take on your team if need be for retribution”

“That would have been my decision to make. I promised you a long time ago you never had to face a fight on your own and yet I left you to it” you dropped your eyes to the paper towel you’d placed the bagels on “I’m officially relieving you of that promise. I know now you didn’t betray me. We set things right for my team. I know you didn’t purposely drag Lemar into his death. I don’t downright forgive you, I don’t think we could ever be what we were to each other but I can give you that. You no longer owe me that promise. I proved I can fight on my own. I may not be a super soldier but the scars prove I can survive a hell of a lot”

“So what now? You’ll live here, be a part of the team but I’m supposed to act like I don’t know you as well as I do?” he asked. You slowly raised your eyes to his, a hint of a smile playing at your lips “Forget how well you know my feral little ass and I promise to stop throwing knives at you” “If that’s the trade I’ll give you every damn knife I own to throw at me sweetheart” he offered and you sighed “That’s the only offer I have John” then pushed past him to walk out of the kitchen. 

_____________________

John stood rooted to the spot after you walked out. The only way for you to stay was to act like he didn’t know you as well as he did, to act like he hadn’t spent years at your side. He knew you, probably better than anyone on the face of the earth considering Lemar and your brother were gone. 

He kept thinking, if only he would have known. He could have gotten you out sooner. Maybe then you wouldn’t feel this way towards him now. He didn’t want to forget the years he’d spent with you. The day he’d met you, you were getting harassed. There you were standing toe to toe with men taller and bigger than you and not blinking an eye at their harassment. He wasn’t standing by and letting you fight alone. He stepped up next to you, “Just so you assholes know, go at her, you go at me”

He had loved Olivia, fuck he did but you? You were his other half in so damn ways. When he’d lost you? It felt like his chest had gotten cracked open. Now you were at arm’s reach and he had to pretend he didn’t know you to keep you close. “Fuck” he slammed his hand down on the counter and a dent appeared under his palm, a product of his enhanced strength. Valentina’s own fault for forgetting she was sticking three super soldiers in this place.

He needed to hit the gym, find a mission, something to work off the excess energy. He was pissed off but at who? Himself? The damn government in general? The fucking world? He had no clue.

After you ate, you decided you needed to sweat off the liquor. Plus beyond the one outing to take down Davidson you hadn’t done a whole lot since Bucky, Yelena and John had found you and brought you in.

There was a gym somewhere in this place. You got dressed in the gym clothes that had found their way to Yelena’s quarters. Something about that Valentina chick. You didn’t care. They fit comfortably enough and she’d even got sneakers. 

You passed Bob and asked him if he knew what level the gym was on and he told you. You continued on. When you got to the gym however you found that you weren’t the only one with the idea. Turns out even after all this time you and John still had a habit of thinking on the same wavelength.

You stood outside the door, watching as he worked over the heavy bag. He’d stripped his shirt off, taut muscles working as he moved. You’d always admired the way his body worked. Seeing him fight? It was a thing of beauty. You really shouldn't be that impressed considering your training was very similar to his but maybe it was just how big of a man he was being that limber and agile that got to you?

You shook yourself free of your thoughts and walked into the gym. He looked up at your entrance and caught the bag with one hand. You smirked “You enjoy showing that strength off don’t ya?” he shrugged “Why not?”

You shook your head “Which bags are reinforced for you serum havers and which are for us mere mortals?” a shadow of a grin teased at his face “Red chains are reinforced. Black aren’t” you nodded “Thanks” and started to wrap your hands.

______________________

John turned back to the bag in front of him. He desperately didn’t want to break whatever had fallen over the two of you. You were willingly being in the same room as him. He could hear the first couple heavy hits from you land on your own bag so he started back working on his own. The two of you fell into a rhythm, blows landing in tandem.

He wasn’t sure how long the two of you were at it for. He knew he worked up a good sweat so your muscles had to be screaming at you. He looked over and saw you catch your bag so he did the same. You started to rip the wraps off your hands, chest heaving with your breaths. He tried not to watch your chest rising and falling. He’d never thought about you like that but the sweat gleaming along the curve of your collarbone, the scars that peeked out shining… he wanted to feel them under his fingertips. 

He couldn’t think about you like that. He shook his head, one hand swiping his hair back from his forehead as you took a deep breath and walked out of the gym without another word. He wasn’t sure what the hell was going on between the two of you or what was going to change now, he just knew there was no way he could act as if he didn’t care about you as much as he did. No matter if it meant you throwing knives at him or not. He didn’t give a damn. 

Part 6

@desimarie12

@linkpk88