#but i just replayed the mission today and its making me ill all over again. fuck you rockstar

[goldevolution]

if anyone would like to experience the burden of knowledge. after a fisher of men dutch is scripted to stand here at the edge of camp watching over the spot where arthur and jack were found by milton and ross and does not fucking move from there... he also gives upset responses the entire time 🫠

[tony-is-my-daddy]

When Peter tries to flirt

I tried writing something again. It sucks, just like everything else I create. Enjoy.

Make eye contact

They were working across from each other. Tony was making additions to his newest suit, as always. But Peter... Peter was definitely not doing what he should have been. He was basically staring a hole into the older man, not stopping even when Tony raised his eyes to look into Peter's. He couldn't read anything from the younger one's face no matter how hard he tried.

After a while, he decided to say something. He smiled and raised his eyebrows, "Not that I'm not enjoying the attention, Spiderling, but what are you doing?"

Peter's eyes widened, a blush spread over his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was quiet and stuttered so Tony can't understand anything.

Peter didn't look at Tony for the rest of the day.

Start talking, initiate a conversation

When Peter arrived to the workshop, Tony was already there and working on something. Peter took a deep breath and just went for it.

"Hi Mr. Stark," he greeted cheerfully.

"Hey Pete."

"How are you doing?"

Tony raised an eyebrow and looked at the boy. "I'm old, kid, how do you think I'm doing?"

"Um... I was just... uh how was your day?"

"So far so good. Pepper came in earlier to yell at me again but god forgive me, I wasn't listening."

Peter chuckled. "You fight a lot with Miss Potts?"

"Not that much, but she likes to call me out on my stupidity."

"Y-you're not stupid, Mr. Stark."

Tony smiled and turned back to what he was doing a minute ago. And there, the conversation lost its flow so Peter panicked. Quick, Parker, think about anything, just say something!

"Do you think aliens are real," he asked, making Tony laugh.

"Kid, I've fought against aliens with the God of thunder and a man from World War II on my side."

"Yeah, right, s-sorry."

When the conversation stopped again, Peter asked something even more dumb.

"Would you like to be buried or cremated when you die?"

Tony's eyes opened so wide and Peter was sure he went too far this time.

"Why? Do you think it's time for me to start thinking about this?"

"No," Peter shouted, almost falling out of his chair, "I'm not saying you're old or anything, I just asked something, sorry. You're in no way old, Mr. Stark, you're still a very attractive man. Not that you wouldn't be attractive even if you were older. BUT it's not like I think you're attractive or anything. I mean, you are, but I don't look at you like that... I mean I do look at you just... I-I'll go home."

The boy stood up, almost tripping over his own feet as he shrugged on his backpack and hurried out of the workshop.

"Wait, Peter," Tony called after him, but Peter didn't even listen.

Use body language

He tried his best to do what he read, turning his body towards Tony, not crossing his arms or anything. But it was hard to make it look like he intentionally turned his body towards the older man since they were yet again in front of each other. So he twisted and turned his body so it looked like he was facing another direction, but his torso was turned towards Tony. He placed his hands on the table to make sure Tony saw they were open.

When the man finally looked at him, Peter smiled and fluttered his eyelashes as flirtily as he could.

"What are you doing Pete? Are you alright?"

Peter looked over his body and saw how stupid he actually looked. He cleared his throat and straightened up, getting back into his normal position. He mumbled an apology and went back to work.

Break the touch barrier

This time, when Peter got to the workshop, he stood next to Tony on purpose. He didn't talk because after the last time he tried, he thought it would be a suicide mission.

Instead, they were just working next to each other quietly, Peter slowly inching closer to the older man and "accidentally" touching his hands when they reached for the same tools.

He ever-so-slightly moved closer and closer until their shoulders rubbed together. Tony turned his head to look at the shorter boy and Peter looked up at him as well. Their lips were so close to touching and Peter suddenly felt dizzy, just the closeness of Tony made the butterflies in his stomah rage.

"Pete, I'll need some space to work," Tony said lowly and stepped away from Peter.

He felt so embarassed again. He apologized and moved back to his place to let Tony work.

Compliment the other

When Peter arrived, Tony was trying out the new repulsor smiling widely when it succesfully worked. He looked at Peter like an excited child, "Did you see that," he asked.

"Yes, I saw it," Peter said with a grin, "You know, Mr. Stark you always amaze me with how smart you are."

"Ah, I'm flattered, kid," he joked.

"I'm serious, sir you're a genius."

Tony looked at him with slightly furrowed brows and a gentle smile on his face. "Thank you."

That's it, keep going Peter! "And you have a very nice smile too, you know."

"C'mon-"

"And your eyes are pretty as well. I- I really like your eyes. And have I told you that your hair looks amazing today? It usually looks good but today... it looks good as well."

"What's up with you?"

"Nothing, I just think I don't tell you enough how amazing you are, sir. But you are, you're truly just perfect, Mr. Stark."

Tony didn't say anything for a while and for a second, Peter thought he'd gone too far. He was about to stutter out an apology and ignore the older man like so many times before, but Tony spoke before him.

"You really think that, don't you?"

Peter looked at the man and nodded shyly. He did, of course he did. His hero, his favorite person, the love of his life was standing right there, in front of him, of course he thought Tony was perfect in every single way.

"Peter," Tony sighed, then trailed off and shook his head. "Nevermind. Let's get working, shall we?"

Later that night, when Tony was alone in his lab and sitting in a chair, he couldn't help but wonder what was Peter on about this past week. It didn't bother him until today because he just thought there was just being awkward as per usual. But he didn't usually compliment Tony, that's what caught his attention.

"FRIDAY?"

"Yes, boss?"

"You saw what Peter was doing in the past few days, right?"

"I record everything that happens in and/or around the tower, sir."

"And do you know why he was doing that?"

"Would you like me to analyze his actions and start a search?"

"Oh yeah, for sure. Thanks babygirl."

For a minute or two, there was silence in the room. Tony was still replaying the scenes in his head while he let the A.I. work. He was interrupted by FRIDAY's voice.

"I found something, boss."

"Shoot."

"I believe Peter was trying to flirt with you, sir."

Tony almost jumped out of his chair. Peter? Flirting? With him? But why, why, why would that happen? Peter was... a very attractive young man, he could've got anyone he wanted, why would he want Tony? He was an old man with so many problems and mental illnesses he could barely count them.

Tony watched as FRIDAY pulled up the link she found on the screen of his laptop that was in his lap. On the page, there were advices on how to flirt with others, most things he could recall Peter doing. Poorly, but at least he tried.

"Thanks FRIDAY," Tony sighed. God, how was he supposed to sleep now?!

Tony spent the weekend trying to digest that his mentee was indeed flirting with him, and figuring out what he should do the next time they would meet.

Which came on a Monday afternoon, when Peter came by, like on every weekday after school. This time, Peter wasn't acting weirdly like the week before. Maybe it was just for one week? Did he scare Peter away so quickly?

"Uh Pete, I think we should talk," Tony said as he wiped his oily hand on a dirty handkerchief. Peter looked up from his current project and his face immediately turned serious when he saw Tony's expression. "It's about last week." God, what was he even doing?

"Of course," Peter set down the tools in his hands.

"I know... I know you were flirting with me. Well I didn't until Friday night, but now I know and I-"

Tony was cut off by a frustrated groan. Peter buried his face in his hands, mumbling to himself to close out what Tony was saying. "Please don't be mad at me," he finally said audible for Tony as well.

"Mad? Kid, I was about to ask you out."

Peter snapped his head up, his big brown eyes sparkling like a puppy's. It was truly an adorable sight. "Are you serious?"

"I wouldn't joke about that, Peter. So what do you say, will you go on a date with me?"

"Hell yeah- I mean... yes, thank you sir."

"Save that for later, call me Tony, kid."

"Then please stop calling me kid, it really kills the mood."

Tony chuckled lowly, making the younger one smile as well. "Alright, Peter. Then it's a date."

[writers-block246]

Bucky Barnes x Reader Fanfiction - The Light Amidst My Darkness

Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5

Warning: Mentions of mental illness. I tried to present Bucky’s challenges as accurately as possible. However, if anyone has some suggestions as to better portray his illness and resulting therapy, please lmk! (I researched to depict his struggle with mental illness and the type of therapy he would recieve as accurately as I could). Curse words are also included.

Notes: Italics are thoughts and emphasis. Set before Infinity War and Endgame. Slow burn.

——————————————————————————

Chapter 1:

Your heels clicked on the cold marble tile as you strode towards your office. You unconsciously took a sharp turn down one of the compound’s hallways, caught up in your own little world. Thoughts swam in your head as you tried to make sense of the day’s tasks. I have a session with Wanda at 9:30, a meeting with my boss at 11, another session at 3. Did I mention lunch? What am I doing for that? A salad? A burge-

Your thoughts were interrupted by a cacophony of sounds floating down to you from the second floor’s overhang. Reflexively, your head shot up to determine the source of the ruckus. Almost immediately, your eyes met with cold icy blue ones. The Winter Soldier. Or the White Wolf, whatever they were calling him these days. Throughout the past few weeks, you had only come across the man (super soldier?) a few times. But now, in the middle of the hallway, his stare had stopped you right in your tracks. Suddenly, you recalled the details on his file. You had been given the information, which you had placed with the rest of the teams’s files, when he first officially joined the team and came to stay at the tower. Credited with over 100 assassinations of government officials, ranging across various countries. Charged with multiple war crimes. Cybernetic left arm. Enhanced abilities, including superhuman strength. Russian spy skilled in hand-to-hand combat and the use of many weapons. Simply put, the man was deadly. A shiver ran through you, images of the acts he had committed flitted through your mind. You couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation toward him. Enough in fact, to make you want to exit the area as quickly as possible.

You caught yourself. It wasn’t professional for you, a psychotherapist, to let emotions take over your rationale. Nor should you make judgments without having even truly met the man. Not to mention, Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, had defended James Barnes multiple times. And if there was anyone you trusted completely, it was the Captain. So, you would trust his judgement of character here. Steeling yourself under the assassin’s intense gaze, you nodded to him and continued on your way to your office.

As you walked along, you thought about all James Buchanan Barnes had went through. Flung from a train, captured by Hydra, and brainwashed to become the exact thing he had fought against. You wondered what it felt like to be at someone’s mercy with the mere utterance of a few words. Forced to commit deeds you never would on your own, awakening to the aftermath. Even worse, you thought, to be pitted against your closest friend, facing off from different parts of the battlefield. To be a twisted version of what made Captain America so great.

You decided to cut Mr. Barnes some slack. He had been through enough.

With that final thought, you stepped into your office.

Wanda Maximoff sat in her usual chair, patiently awaiting your arrival. Upon hearing you enter, she looked up from her phone and gave you a smile. “Heya, Doc.”

You couldn’t help but grin in response. “Hello, Wanda. How are you today?”

And with that, your first session of the day began. However, your mind kept wandering to those piercing blue eyes. You couldn’t deny that the soldier was handsome, incredibly so, actually. Tall, strongly built, and with those pretty blue eyes and dark hair. No matter how many times you tried to prevent your mind from replaying the scene in the hallway, you still found yourself getting distracted.

Wanda seemed to notice. “Are you okay Y/N? You seem a little off today?”

Shaking your head a little to relieve yourself of those distracting thoughts, you replied: “I’m fine, Wanda. I appreciate you asking, though.”

Its not like me to get distracted, especially during my job.

“Of course. We are friends, you know.”

You chuckled. “I know. But right now, I’m your therapist. So keep talking.”

“If I do, will you listen this time?” She said with a smirk.

You decided to ignore that comment. “So how would you describe your state of mind these past few days?”

Wanda gave a slight laugh, knowing what you were doing. However, she cut you a break and continued your conversation.

The minutes passed by with little to no thought of James Barnes, and soon, your therapy session had ended.

“Alright, that’s it. I’ll see you again at 3pm Thursday.”

She smiled. “Sounds good, Doc.”

You said your goodbyes as you walked her to the door of your office. Once she left, you sighed and sat down at your desk. You checked the clock: 10:42. You groaned. Eighteen minutes until your meeting. While contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of faking an illness (the flu? Chicken pox? The plague?), a notification popped up on your phone. Checking it, you realized it was an email from your boss:

Good Morning, Y/N!

I just wanted to let you know that our meeting has been cancelled. Director Fury said he needs to speak with you. 11 sharp.

Have a good day!

-Katherine Newman

Dread settled in the pit of your stomach. What could Fury want with me? You hardly ever spoke with the Director unless it had to do with one of your clients. Was this it? Am I getting fired? Is this because of me zoning out today? Did Wanda say something to him? No, no she would never sell me out like that.

You tried to calm your racing nerves. You were overreacting, you knew, but Fury had a way of intimidating people. Unclenching your fists, you swallowed and checked the clock once more: 10:45. 15 minutes. 15 minutes until you had to see Fury face to face.

15 minutes to make yourself presentable and cross the entire tower.

Shit!

Grabbing your things quickly, you made for the door. Heels clacking loudly against the floor, you began a fast pace toward Fury’s office. There was no way you could be late to a meeting with him of all people. The minutes it took to reach his workplace felt like hours due to your frantic worries. Finally, your eyes met with the name plaque on his door: Nick Fury.

Smoothing down your skirt, you took a deep breath and knocked. A muffled ‘enter’ was your response. Another deep breath and you were opening the door, only to be met with the same icy blue eyes from earlier.

There, sitting in front of Fury’s desk, was the object of your obsession for the past few hours: James Buchanan Barnes. The Winter Soldier.

Once more, you found yourself floored by the man’s intensity. This time, however, it was Fury’s voice that brought you back to the present.

“Have a seat, Miss Y/L/N.”

Only hesitating slightly, you closed the door behind you and headed to the seat next to Bucky. You made sure to not balk when taking the seat next to him, however, as you did not want him to think you feared him.

Once you were settled, Fury cleared his throat. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I had your meeting cancelled today.”

“Yes, sir,” you hesitantly replied.

“I’ve called you here to introduce you to your new patient.”

. . . new . . . patient?

Despite your confused appearance, Fury continued on. “He has to be cleared before he can go on any missions. Your sessions with Mr. Barnes will begin Friday.”

You felt James’s gaze on you. An unnamed feeling spread across your body.

He’s waiting for my reaction, you realized. He wants to see how I’ll respond to having to work with him.

Drawing strength from every professional fiber of your body, you prepared yourself and smiled. “Sounds good to me, Director Fury. Do you have a specific time in mind?”

His response was curt. “2:30pm.”

You smiled again, desperate to hide your nerves. “I’ll schedule it right away, sir.”

“Good.”

Ignoring Fury’s usual bluntness, you turned to James. “I look forward to working with you, Mr. Barnes.”

There was a hint of surprise in his expression, but he schooled himself quickly. Nodding, he turned back to Fury.

You didn’t take offense at his brusque nature. It was commonplace, you knew, for those that struggled with mental illness to behave in a blunt or off-kilter way. Instead, you made a mental note to express happiness at being around him. It would do him good for him to know people can be comfortable, and even look forward to, him being around.

(Even if I’m not totally comfortable).

Fury turned to look at James. “That’s all, Mr. Barnes. Remember your appointment, and I know you are aware of her office’s location.”

Was that . . . a . . . teasing tone of voice?

Even better, you could have sworn a light blush had settled on the soldier’s cheeks.

Nodding once more, James rose and strode out of the room.

Again, you were not put off by his behavior, as you had seen similar conduct from your other patients. Instead, you wondered about the odd exchange between Mr. Barnes and Fury. Am I missing something?

Your gaze settled back on Fury. “Was there a reason you had my meeting cancelled, Director Fury? Not to be disrespectful, but couldn’t you’ve just had me meet you later, sir?”

He chuckled. “Well sure, but that wouldn’t get you out of your meeting would it?”

You laughed, and felt the tension that you hadn’t even realized was still there release from your shoulders.

“It’s much appreciated, Director Fury.”

“No problem. And kid?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Get back to work.”

You scrambled for your things. “Yep, sure thing, sir.”

Headed toward the door, you gave one last look behind you. “Have a good day, sir.”

“Goodbye, kid.”

“Y-yep. Goodbye,” you stuttered.

You stepped out of his office and shut the door behind you. Breathing a sigh of relief, you made your way back to your office.

-Admin Cheyenne

More to come!!

[xiolaperry]

The Piano - Chapter 6

Summary: Belle French and her daughter arrive in New Zealand to an arranged marriage with Gaston LeGume.  Gaston shows little interest in her or her piano and books. However, Mr. Gold is fascinated…

Rating: E (for smut, dark subject matter and violence in future chapters)

Also available on AO3

---

That evening the skin of her calf tingled, remembering his touch. She tuned out Gaston's hunting story as she replayed the caress in her mind.

Her attention snapped back when she heard her name.

“Belle, how are the lessons going?”

She gave a cautious nod. This was new. Gaston never asked questions. At dinner, he always spoke about his accomplishments and abilities. In excruciating detail. He sometimes reminded her of an overgrown little boy trying to impress his friends. When he spoke of the Maori it took all her effort to not roll her eyes. “How do they even know the land belongs to them?” was a popular refrain. It was better, though, than the stories of fights and brawls that showcased his quick temper.

“So you're getting along all right? Gold can be downright unpleasant sometimes.”

Belle smiled this time and nodded again. Having a conversation instead of being just an audience for his stories was a welcome change. Although Mr. Gold had not been unpleasant. Far from it.

“Aunt Cora told me to tell you and Tilly about the mission Christmas play. They have one every year at the beginning of December.”

“A play?” Tilly's face lit up.

“Yes. Reverend Hopper and my Aunt are in charge of it. Would you like to be an angel?”

“I would! Mama, please, may I?”

Belle signaled her affirmation. It would be good for Tilly to become part of the community. She knew she needed to make more of an effort. Especially with Gaston. He worked hard, spending more time out of the house than in it. And he hadn't tried to pressure her into his bed. Some men would have.

“It's settled then. Take her to my aunt's house tomorrow afternoon. It's next to the mission, you can't miss it. She can meet the other children and be fitted for her costume while you're at Gold's for a lesson.”

After the dishes were washed, Tilly bounced up and down, refusing to go to sleep. The excitement of the play and the gift of the cat had her wide awake. Gaston had gone to bed, and she did not want to disturb him, so Belle suggested shadow puppets.

“I'll be quiet as a mouse for a shadow puppet story!”

Belle set up the oil lamp while Tilly climbed into bed. She continued the story she'd begun on Mr. Gold's porch.

Her nimble hands created characters on the opposite wall to illustrate her tale. The sorcerer, besides enchanting his castle to look like a cottage, would transform himself into a black cat. Everyone chased the cat away, saying it was bad luck, except for one little girl who made friends with the cat by being kind.

A soft snore interrupted her. She kissed Tilly and snuggled in beside her.

---

The next morning Tilly twirled and danced all the way to the village. Belle didn't know where she got her energy.

“Do you think they'll be other girls there? Do you think I'll get wings?”

“Yes, and maybe,” Belle responded.

Cora's home looked very European compared to its surroundings. Belle rapped on the heavy wooden door with an ornate brass handle. To her pleasant surprise, Reverend Hopper answered.

“Belle, Tilly! How nice to see you again! Come in and meet everyone.”

Women and several children filled the large parlor. The buzz of conversation stopped when they entered. Tilly's damp hand squeezed hers when all eyes turned to them.

“I'd like to introduce Mrs. Legume and her daughter Tilly.”

Belle gave a brief nod and signed to the group.

“Mama says, 'Pleased to meet you all' and that you should call her Belle.”

A few murmured hellos greeted them.

“What's your mother doing with her hands? Why doesn't she talk?” asked a little blond girl, her voice ringing loud across the hush of the room.

“Emma!” An attractive dark-haired woman ran over, flustered. “I'm so sorry.”

Belle smiled and patted the woman's arm. There was nothing to be embarrassed about. Children asked questions; it was natural.

“My Mama talks with her hands. And she says most people speak rubbish anyway, and it's not worth it to listen.”

The woman let out a surprised laugh. “I suppose you know all about outspoken little girls, Belle. My name is Mary Margaret Nolan, and this is my daughter Emma.”

The two children sized each other up. Satisfied with what they saw, they started chattering, well on their way to being friends. The activity in the room resumed.

“Come sit by me,” said Mary Margaret. “May I get you some tea?”

“She says, 'Yes,'” replied Tilly, her answer for her mother second nature.

Belle sat down in the chair. The floral cushions were trimmed with rich red brocade. The two girls plopped to the floor in front of her.

Mary Margaret returned with the tea in cups even more ostentatious than the ones she had at home. They had gold trim, elaborately swirled handles, and roses of every hue. She compared them to Mr. Gold's blue and white tea set, elegant in its simplicity.

“Reverend Hopper is going around giving the children their lines, and Regina is measuring the girls in the other room and letting them pick out fabric. She is such a talented seamstress.”

Tilly pulled the wooden cat from her pocket to show Emma. “Look what I have.”

“Can I see?” asked Emma.

Tilly handed it to her. “Mr. Gold made it for me. He has a cat, Ebony. He let me name her.” Pride at this honor was clear in her voice. “Choosing a name is a tremendous responsibility.”

Belle stifled a laugh at the serious tone Tilly used when she spoke. She sounded almost like Mr. Gold.

Mary Margaret heard the interchange between the girls. “May I see your cat, Tilly?”

She examined it. “This is lovely.” Belle had to agree. It was well formed, the little eyes and whiskers charming.

“I didn't know Mr. Gold could carve. He made this for Tilly?”

Belle nodded.

“Are you.... friends with him?”

Belle wasn't sure how to answer. Were they friends?

Tilly saved her from having to respond.

“Mama is teaching him to play the piano.”

Thunderstruck, Mary Margaret leaned toward her. “My husband, David, told me he heard Gaston say that Mr. Gold traded 50 acres for a piano, but I didn't believe it. Is it true?”

Belle opened the little notebook she kept on a chain. She wrote, “Yes, it's true. Gaston traded my books and piano for the land.” Her mouth thinned as she remembered the 'discussion' they'd had about it.

“That is completely out of character. I would have never thought Mr. Gold would be interested in music. Or books. It makes no sense.”

Cora entered the parlor. “Tilly, Belle? Regina is ready for you.”

Regina was fast with the tape measure. She whipped it around, taking measurements and writing them down on a piece of paper. Finished with her notations, she asked Tilly, “Would you like to pick a fabric?”

Tilly considered them, stroking each one and holding the swatches up to the light. Regina didn't rush her. “May I have the blue, please?”

“I think that would be appropriate for an angel. Excellent choice.” She turned to Belle. “We're bending wire forms to make wings. We'll cover the forms with fabric and you'll attach feathers from an old feather bed. I trust you will be capable of doing that.”

Belle gave a sign of assent.

“Mother, please send the next child in.”

Cora led them out. “You can leave now, don't let us keep you.”

How did this woman infuse so much disapproval into simple words? Belle told herself it wasn't her, she would have found anyone lacking when it came to her precious nephew.

She waved goodbye to Mary Margaret.

“Are you leaving so soon?”

“Mr. Gold is expecting us,” answered Tilly.

“If it's all right with you, Tilly could stay here with Emma and I. After everyone's been measured and gotten their lines, we're going to practice.”

“May I? Please, Mama?”

“It’d be no trouble, really.”

Belle told Tilly that it was fine, she would return after Mr. Gold's lesson, and to thank Mrs. Nolan.

“Thank you, Mrs. Nolan. Goodbye! Pet Ebony for me!”

Thus dismissed, she left, pleased Tilly had made a friend. And she might have made one as well.

---

Mr. Gold was waiting in the doorway when she arrived. “No Tilly today?” he asked.

She shook her head.

He did not make eye contact and appeared ill at ease. She felt powerful. Desired. She never had that effect on anyone before.

After she drank her tea, she played, finding her voice through her music.

“Please take the top part of your dress off.”

The abrupt request resulted in a jangled chord. She stopped but made no move to comply. Did she want to do this?

“I want to see if your arms are as beautiful as I've imagined.”

She blushed. He'd imagined her arms?

“It would be worth two keys. You could earn your piano back faster.”

There were two options. She could refuse, and their arrangement would proceed along the same path. Or she could accept, the piano returned to her in half the time. Yes, she would do it. For the piano. Not because she was curious to see if Mr. Gold would touch her bare skin, and if it would be as electrifying as a touch through a layer of stockings.

Belle unbuttoned the top of her dress. Underneath she wore a thin white bodice with short sleeves above her corset. She resumed her playing.

Gold circled the piano to look at her from every angle. The backs of her hands and neck were the only parts of her browned by the sun. The rest of her delicate skin was pale, like the finest porcelain. He could almost see her nipples through her bodice. His cock stirred and took notice.

He stopped his prowling directly behind her. He let his fingertips just skim over her shoulders and down her arms, tracing the same path over and over, appreciating the softness. His tanned hands contrasted against the whiteness of her skin. It was a privilege to glimpse such beauty, to be close to it. He must be careful to do no more than this, lest he frighten her away.

His gliding fingers sent sparks dancing across her. Heat blossomed, the trail of flames he kindled consumed her. She was unused to the strange, dizzying sensations that rose through her body.

She could not concentrate on the melody, and it became mechanical. The ache he was building was the focus of all her attention. Her nipples tightened, and she could not catch her breath.

Overwhelmed, her fingers stopped. The desire advancing through her was too much. Belle stood up, re-buttoning her dress. Mr. Gold said nothing, only handed her a book.

On her walk back to get Tilly, her thoughts whirled. He wanted her, it was obvious. He touched her in such a reverent manner, like she was precious, like he didn't deserve to. She supposed he didn't. He wasn't her husband, after all. Mr. Gold made her feel alive and important. Her reactions to him were disconcerting but intoxicating. Her confused emotions followed her to Cora’s door, and all the way home.

[qwertishy]

I hated you my whole life. You destroyed me, my childhood, my innocence. You betrayed your trust in me. I put you on a pedestal, said you could do no wrong.. as you wronged me in the quiet of the night when nobody was looking. Day after day, year after year, you made me question all the wrong things. I spent years of my life too scared to leave you, while the damage grew more and more with each and every day, each and every night. Every time i looked at you, or you me.. i could feel your eyes peering at me, and like prey, i feared for my life each and every time. Such a short tempered man, what if I don't do what he wants, what if I don't sound the way he wants? Will it be more than just a hard fuck, will he grab my throat and threaten to kill me, or just grab my throat as he comes?

I remember the first day you told me you were sick. I stood there, emotionless, staring right through you. I felt nothing, not joy nor grief. I stood there, stiff as a board, and felt nothing. You reached over for a hug, for comfort. My skin crawled, and suddenly I no longer belonged in it. Again.

I remember when you told me how hard it was, how bad you were suffering; all the pain you were in. You told me how helpless and scared you felt. How you feared for your life. "Good" I remember thinking. I became branded as the cold hearted daughter that such a valiant, gracious man did not deserve, especially in such times. "Whatever grudge you're holding, its not worth it" "he's sick" "he's dying". I stood there as you let people think you were a good man, a kind father. A facade I allowed you revel and parade in. Weaker times. I waited patiently for you to become this man they said you were. I watched you gleam as they condemned me, as they praised you. Praised your valor, your honor, your bravery. You are a small, weak, pitiful little man. You never spoke up. I spoke up for you. You couldn't even deny it. Couldn't even admit it. Your pathetic pride and privilege. Of course no one believed me. What was I to them? A rebellious whore. A scandalous child, spreading lies and blasphemy for the attention nobody was giving me. How dare I be so selfish. How could these allegations possibly be true? Who would quietly suffer for 18 years and never say a word? Why tell us now? Why not then? I didn't expect them to understand, but I also didn't expect this. Banishment from a community I had no interest in. Rejection from the comfort I so desperately ached for. Understanding.. understanding? I knew that was out of the question.. yet I yearned for it anyways. Every cold shoulder I was met with was another piece of my soul being silently chipped away.

I remember screaming and hollering and crying like I was begging for my life as you dragged me down the hall to your bedroom. Why did it never get better? Why was I always just as scared? Just as terrified.. i remember early February morning, calling my best friend to tell him this was it, to tell him it was the last straw. Barely dressed, walking down an icy road, desperate to get away. Sick to my stomach, vomiting on what little green there was. Headlights. I needed this to be over. I stepped into the road. The car slowed, then came to a stop. I watched in silence as the doors opened. I was ready to spill my heart out and tell someone, anyone, the truth. I needed help, I needed help. Its 3, maybe 4 o'clock in the morning and all i can see is the silhouette of a man walking towards me. My face is stained with tears, I don't know how long I've been outside, or how cold it was. Tank top and boxer shorts. "Help", my brain tells my mouth to say, help. I try to say words, I try to say anything. Silence. Not even a stutter. He steps out from the blinding of the lights and my eyes adjust to see who stands before me, and before I can even register what im seeing, I hear this tremendous sound come out from nowhere. This bellowing as if from some sort of wounded animal. "Where was this sound coming from?" I thought. Me. There, standing before me at the wee hours of an early February morning was him. When my brain caught up to my body's reaction, I heard myself scream "no" as I ran down the street. I no longer cared to ask for help. I had a mission. I ran towards a busy road. I could hear a vehicle flying through, if I timed myself just right, I could make it. I know it was selfish, but I was cornered, out of options, out of hope. My pain outweighed my empathy for others. My only hope was that God could tell them it was okay, that they did me a blessing. I was so close, "I'm coming home" a voice said in my head. The van swerved last minute, then continued on its way. "NO!" I screamed, I cried, i begged. "God, no, don't take this from me!" I sobbed until I became inaudible. Then I laid there in the middle of a busy road. Hugging my knees. Not feeling a thing. He picks me up and puts me in his car. Drives me back to his house. I can't tell if he was talking to me or not. Everything felt like under water. ... he carries me to my room, to my bed. Lays me down. Kisses me on the cheek. Rubs his hands on me. Turns out the light.

That was the last time i saw him. I was 18. I ran away the next day, and never went back.

I have a child, now. He is turning 6 next month, and I love him more than anything in the world. He is my everything. The love and compassion I hold for him tells me that miracles are real. That there can be a rainbow. That.. I don't know. I love him so much, it.. I.. there are no words.

I reached out to him a couple years ago.. I found out that he is still kicking around. Still sick. Still dying. Still the pathetic man he has always been. I went to see him. He has aged terribly. He is dying. I go long stretches of time without seeing or even communicating with him. I wished for terrible things to happen to him my whole life. I replay memories of the day he told me he was sick over and over in my head. I am no longer scared of him. I have made my peace with my past. I have forgiven him, or so I tell myself. But that much, I do believe, despite how hard it is to believe.. even for me.

Today he reached out to me. Told me his doctors have told him to stop taking his medication. They're not working and his illness has taken over too much of his body. This will be the end of him. He is dying. Soon, he will be gone.

Then, the unthinkable happened. I cried. I cried my fucking eyes out. Bawled and hurt. Ached and throbbed. I've hated you my whole life, you don't get to make me hate this too. This bittersweetness is too big a pill for me to take. I thought forgiving you was the key to happiness. How dare you take this away from me. I deserve to be happy.. so why aren't I?

[trickstarbrave]

today in reasons i feel shitty: my friend blew up on me on twitter bc i kept ASKING him if he wanted to play dnd with us bc hes a part of our group. i asked him if he could LAST WEDNESDAY and he has been giving me the run around since then. saying “i dont know yet” and “ill tell you when i do”. i tell him to let us know sunday at least, because the only days off he has are monday and tuesday. he says okay

sunday evening comes and he hasnt said shit so i ask him. hes drunk and i tell him we’ll talk tomorrow. monday i ask him if he can play tomorrow and he says hes “not sure and will need to ask if theyre playing mtg” so i say “okay”. he doesnt reply back all day. TODAY i ask him if he wants to play today or not and he says “i have to pick up a court summons” (not, “actually sorry i am playing mtg today”, not “i dont feel like playing, im sorry”). i sound suspicious but say “okay” and remind him we havent played in over a week AS IS. and he then GOES OFF ON ME for “guilt tripping him” and “making it an ~obligation~ he plays” and how i “stress him out by asking over and over again”. when i tell him he should have told me straight out he didnt want to play instead of just giving vague “maybe i dont know” answers he gets defensive even more and says “I DID” and when i say “no, you didnt, the only thing vaguely like that is you saying “im gonna be tired” on a question about your days off. thats not a yes or no answer and lots of us play while tired so why would i assume it was something else” 

“WELL ITS NOT MY FAULT YOURE A BUNCH OF SADISTS WHO HAD TO TURN A FUN CASUAL GAME INTO A OBLIGATION WHERE YOU ALL ARE FORCED TO PLAY SICK OR TIRED! i cant even SAY i dont want to play because you all guilt trip me and get mad when i do.” 

see, he doesnt say “sorry guys my next days off will be full and im not up to it.” and apologize for keeping us waiting or giving us the go ahead to play without him (WEVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE and PURPOSEFULLY made the game so if he doesnt want to play he can leave whenever so long as its not in the middle of a fucking mission. okay. its not like we just sit there doing nothing but complain if he cant play). he waits until the DAY OF OUR GAME to tell is he purposefully made plans on game night, no he cant change them, no he was absolutely always forced to do them right now during game time, and then get pissy when we all complain because we dont even have time to plan around him and have cleared out our evening for nothing and our time is wasted. 

he then keeps going on and on because apparently i was just supposed to know the words “im tired” and his vague answers like hes genuinely unsure about the state of tomorrow were him “actually” telling me he doesnt even want to play and i should have fucking caught on, he wanted to quit this game MONTHS ago. i was just supposed to know him being ‘busy’ was a ‘secret message’ that actually meant ‘just stop even asking me when i want to play a game and hang out with my friends! just stop inviting me in general! i dont like you or the game! its not fun and stresses me out and im LYING to you.” and we just all fucking ignore him and play without him and let him figure out we havent even been giving him the opportunity to join to play

which is so fucking. terrible. who would just assume “thats what you mean”???? like imagine if you WERENT doing this and actually were really busy and your friends just eventually stopped even inviting you to game night, only for you to check the group chat months later and find out they have been playing without you and having fun and didnt even bother inviting you to anything at all. you just find this out. and by the time you figure it out they might have done a lot stuff or played games YOU wanted to play and they arent going to go back and replay the stuff you missed bc they just assumed you were lying to their faces and it wouldnt matter anyways if you were there or not. how hurtful would that be? imagine if some of your friends did that to you, would you be HAPPY they did it??? 

keep in mind HE is the one who picked out the VERY NEXT MISSION WE”RE ABOUT TO DO so fucking sorry if we assumed “HEY HE PROBABLY WANTS TO PLAY IT. YKNOW THE MISSION HE FUCKING PICKED OUT. THE MISSION INVOLVING STUFF SPECIFICALLY FOR HIS CHARACTER” oh my fucking god. 

now i dont know the state of our group bc he yelled at me more and said he quit and deleted all his tweets and our dm is miserable and put the game on hiatus for 2 fucking weeks. i feel miserable too bc my friend has been lying to me and called me a guilt tripper and manipulative for reminding him hes stringing along 5 other people by not being fucking honest with us and said its OUR PROBLEM he cant be honest even though we structured the game so he can take MONTH long breaks if he needs to just give us the heads up. i told him he could quit once we got more than 3 players bc do you know how annoying it is to do a full campaign w only 2 characters playing???? bc one of the three dropped out??? i told him to just fucking play until then and he could quit for real and he went “but i DO wanna play : ( im just stressed!” 

well now ill just fucking believe every time he complains abt smth like “man i have to spend money on this thing” that means we’re just not hanging out like we planned. im not gonna ask him if hes actually going to the ren fest even tho the bed situation was taken care of bc i just assume now that he only brought up the bed to tell me hes not fucking going and to fuck off. im not making a costume for it either if my best friend doesnt go im just gonna stay home. 

i cant read the fucking air and he knows this. hes known me forever. he knows im ignorant and dont ‘get’ stuff like “if someone keeps canceling plans that means they want you to leave them the fuck alone and stop even inviting them or talking to them”. he knows im probably autistic and struggle with ‘unsaid” social cues like that and he just STILL does this and calls ME terrible for not ‘getting it’ and ‘forcing him’ to yell at me. im rtired.

[seagull-laugh]

The Sickly Duckling

The office was cold and quiet. Only the tapping of keys from the various computers could be heard throughout the various rooms and halls. Donald took up this job not even a week ago but he was already bored of it. As he sipped his now cold coffee he continued to read the writing displayed on his computer monitor, he analysed texts and cross referenced the data repetitively for hours until the silence was broke but the fain sound of his mobile ringing. Donald didn’t speak to his family anymore and hadn’t for five years, he had friends but he hadn’t seen or spoke to them much either, not since he adopted the boys, and they where currently in school, so he just ignored its tones and carried on until he suddenly remembered, He’s their emergency contact. Somethings must be up with the boys.

Donald quickly answered the phone and cleared his throat, people struggled to understand him on a day to day basis, having a dry throat wouldn’t help. “Hello, is this Mr.Duck?” “Yes, eh, speaking!” He tried to calm his voice “Is everything okay?” “One of your sons, Hubert, has thrown up in school, you will need to come and Collect Him” then with urgency “I’ll be there right away”, he stopped himself from hanging up the phone to bring it back to his cheek “thank you”. With that he quickly headed to his Boss’ office.

When Dewey was sick he liked to pretend he wasn’t, he was stubborn like that, and of course that made him a handful to look after. When Louie was sick he was a lot easier to look after, he was already the laziest out of the three of them and thou he enjoyed playing with his brothers he was also perfectly happy lounging around somewhere, thou when he was sick he tended to like physical contact, constantly leaning against or snuggled up to Donald while he slept, Even just holding his hand seemed to help the little boy relax. This of course was fine, if they where just in the House Boat, but otherwise was hard to manage. When Huey was sick he was more than happy to be left alone. He read something in his Junior Woodchuck Guidebook that said if you where sick it was best to drink water and get plenty of rest, it also said to have the woodchuck guide look you over (as they are trained in health and Safety) and do as they say as they will know the best course of action to take to ensure your health. Because Donald was his legal Guardian, the role of Senior Woodchuck of course went to him, this meant if Donald said it was best to sit on your own and sleep then Huey would do so. Of course Donald wouldn’t dream of leaving a sick duckling unattended BUT it meant that he could still do his work with Huey present in the Office, if his new Employer would allow it.

After a lot of pleading Donald’s boss agreed to let him collect Huey during his lunch break and bring him back to the office for the rest of his shift that day. He knew in his mind that this meant he won’t have time to eat today but his nephew was more important. He quickly got in his car to drive to the school. As he drove down the road he thought of all the events that had happened that morning to determine if he had missed any signs of an Illness. All three boys got up in the morning when Donald woke them, they then all got dressed, as usual Louie took longer while Huey and Dewey seemed to easily roll out of bed and get ready for the day. They all ate the breakfast Donald made them, all plates where empty. They then wen’t to the bathroom to brush their teeth and wash their faces. All as Normal. Afterwards Louie And Dewey started playing with their toys cars and Huey sat on the couch, it was his turn to do something for show and tell and he wanted to tell his class about the Junior Woodchucks. He only recently got into them but he was very interested in it and Donald remember thinking how cute it was. No signs of any of the boys being Ill or poorly this morning had occurred. He thought again to last night. They Boys did their homework, ate all their food, played their games as usual, had their Baths and went to bed. Again nothing unusual. Donald replayed all the events from when he picked them up from school yesterday to when he dropped them off this morning over and over again and he tried to find a sign that he had previously missed. Then the realisation hit him.

Huey liked to plan things out, every last detail, and when things don’t go to plan he starts to freak out. Dewey and Louie refer to it as ‘Huey is Broken’, because of how uncharacteristically he starts to behave. Donald figured that something must have gone wrong during ‘show and tell’ and during his little ‘break down’ he worked himself up to much and that caused him to be sick, that of course upsetting him more and making him feel worse.

When Donald arrived at the school he rushed to the main office, the Woman from the phone was the one to greet him and told him Huey Threw up during a talk in class, confirming Donalds Suspicions (he knew his boys). When she let him through to get Huey he saw the chick curled up on a chair with his knees to his chest, and tears welling in he eyes. He was also shaking quite a bit. On the Chair next to him was his School bag, his lunch still untouched inside, and his Woodchuck Junior Guidebook. Donald walked over, crouched down in-front of him and placed his hands on his shoulders “Hey Huey, You did your best today and that’s what counts” a single tear started to roll down his cheek while he nodded his head. Donald really wanted to reassure him that everything was okay and that it is okay that things don’t always work out how we want but he knew that wouldn’t help and that he didn’t have the time. “I have to get back to work. Will you come with me?” Huey’s big eyes looked into Don’s worn out ones for a few seconds until he spoke “Okay”, Donald then leaned forward and gave him a hug before picking him and his stuff up and thanking the Lady before heading back to the car. Donald set Huey up in the back seat, he took his Blazer off and placed it over the boy to form a blanket. While driving back Huey didn’t speak except once when he muttered an apology and Don had to reassure him he had nothing to apologise for. Once back in the office he pushed a second Chair to his desk and Huey sat on there, still using Dons jacket for warmth until he fell back asleep.

Working at the office was boring, time seemed to stop and Don could almost feel his braincells dying while he typed away at the computer, the rumbles of his stomach didn’t help either, but every time he glanced to his left he saw one of his dear boys wrapped up in his jacket and it made him smile. Being a single parent was incredibly hard and not anything like what Don wanted in his list of dreams and ambitions, but he truly loved them with all his heart and thou the ideal situation would be for Della to still be around, he was still more than happy to have them in his life. He Called the baby sitter at four O’Clock to check with the babysitter and make sure the other two boys where okay, he reassured her Huey was safe with him and that they would be home for Six. Once the Clock struck five donald quickly started to pack his stuff away and turn off his computer, once everything was set he put his blazer back on and put his car keys in his beak. Huey was only six but he still would take two arms to carry back to the car. Donald’s Notorious bad luck happened to strike him in the carpark when he went to take the keys out his mouth while still carrying Huey and they fell to the floor, jabbing his foot first. With a loud Quack and a hop Huey woke up and Donald fell to the floor, He landed on his back so Huey was okay but that didn’t make it any less painful. Huey stood up while Don grabbed the keys and opened the car door, this time he climbed into the front seat so he could sit next to his uncle.

The traffic this time of day was horrendous and doubled travel time, everyone on the road was on a mission to get as far away from work as they could and was in a terrible mood for being stuck in traffic. The muffled sounds of beeping horns and shouting could be heard from outside the vehicle making both males happy that The younger hadn’t tried to sleep on the way home. The car was otherwise in complete silence.

Donalds Parked the car and turned to Huey. “Listen. I know your talk about the Woodchucks didn’t go how you wanted. And I understand, when you work really hard on something its sad when it doesn’t go the way you want… but it’s okay and it just means next time you can try again” the little boy just nodded slowly and honestly didn’t look too convinced. “When we get home I want you to put you Pyjamas on and go have a nap in my bed okay?”. Another Slow unsure nod was given as response. That Night on the House Boat was pretty hard work, it’s hard to dote on a sick child a-swell as occupy and supervise two others single handedly while trying to keep them separated, but that was fine, He would do anything for these boys no matter how hard. Huey wasn’t really sick, after-all he threw up with nerves but Don didn’t want to risk the other two getting sick so he did his best looking after him. That night Don flopped into bed and let out a long and tired sigh, he was exhausted and life just wouldn’t give him a break, his body constantly felt heavy and this was one of the few times he’d let the exhaustion consume him. Negative thought about how he’s wasting his life kept pestering him and he hated it. He felt something push up against his side, he looked down and was Huey snuggling up to him. Being a Single parent was hard, finding a job was challenging, trying to support three unique individuals was draining and the ever growing stress-levels bringing him down was more then he could take, but seeing the boys smile. Knowing that all his hard work was paying off. Well. It was more than worth it.

[teslatricity]

Shallura 12, 17, or 20

things you said that I wish you hadn’t

Warning: some (vaguely worded, implied) sexual content at the end.  Under a cut it goes!

Note: also somewhat implied pre-Klance I guess??? they hold hands for longer than you’d expect in the situation.  I thought about angst but I’m in a good mood, so!

“Paladins,” Allurasaid over the comm, and instantly Lance’s ears perked up.  More than usual, anyway – Allura soundedannoyed, almost angry.  That couldn’t be good.  “Thecommand ship dead ahead is the one Prince Lotor is on with the druids.  If you can destroy it, you’ll cut off thehead of the Galra Empire.”

“Jeez, what’s with her?” he said, making sure this time thatthe channel was closed to the castle.  Hedid not want a repeat of what had happenedat that battle above Ultero.  “Did sheeat some bad food goo or something, because she really doesn’t have to—“

“Cut your chatter,Lance, and get in position.”  Shirowas snappy too.  Double not good.  “That ship is heavily guarded, we’re going inhot.”

“Okay, okay.  Headingto position.  What’s with you two?”

“Mind your ownquiznaking business, Lance!”

That wasn’t likeShiro.  Maybe it wasn’t the smartestthing to do, but Lance opened a private comm channel to Keith as they madetheir approach toward Lotor’s command ship. If anyone knew what was going on in their fearless leader’s mind, itwould be him, much as Lance hated notknowing the hot goss on his own.

“Keith, it’s Lance,” he said, throttling up.  Blue roared, though he could feel the threadof her amusement at his current preoccupation. “Do you know what’s eatingShiro?”

Keith sounded almost as annoyed, but he was fighting back asmirk as he responded to Lance’s comm.  “It’s not a what, you idiot.”

“Hey, look, just because I’m not his brother or whatever—“  Lancegrit his teeth, firing Blue’s laser as drone fighters attacked them, oh yeah, another flawless shot from LanceThe Man— “Doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to know.  If it’s not a what, then—“

Keith snickered, and Lance watched the Red lion perform aperfect loop around one of the pylons reaching out into space from Lotor’scommand ship, blasting its base.  Thepylon—holding several weapons emplacements—broke free and floated away in afiery blaze.  When he wasn’t beinginsufferable at Lance, Keith was apretty good pilot, he guessed.

“Shiro’s upset becauseof a who,” Keith said, and closedthe comm channel.

After that they had no time to talk; Lotor ended up gettingaway, but they had made a sizeable dent in his fleet and had done some seriousdamage to his flagship, and Lance figured the guy’d be licking his wounds for awhile.  All the time they needed to keepadding more allies to their ever-growing Voltron Alliance fleet.  Still, his thoughts turned back to how crankytheir leaders were, and who might bethe source of it.

The post-mission debrief was even more interesting.  UsuallyShiro and Allura stood side by side at the head of the table, going over whatthey’d done well and what could have been improved and strategy for the future,but today Shiro sat as far away from her as he could, arms crossed as he staredat the action replays that spun out above the table.  Coran would occasionally look between them,sigh, and roll his eyes, but he didn’t say anything, Shiro wasn’t talking, and every time Allura looked at Shiro sheseemed to get even more tense and angry.

When they finished, Allura put down her tablet and looked atthem.  Her brow creased more deeply whenher eyes fell on Shiro.

“I think that’s us finished,” she said.  “Unless someonehas something else they want to say?”

Lance could see Shiro’s hands clench, and sat forward, fullyintending to demand an explanation. Keith kicked him under the table, nudged his tablet with his hand.  He’d tapped out a message on the screen:  LEAVEIT ALONE LANCE

Lance made a face and tapped a message back:  U GONNAMAKE ME

IF I HAVE TO!

“Are you certain?”Allura was saying.  She wasn’t speakingto them anymore though, she was looking right at Shiro and her eyes werenarrowed.  “Are you absolutely certain there are no more ill-timed ideas you want to admit?”

“Allura,” Coran murmured warningly, but Lance knew thatlook, and knew Allura wouldn’t be swayed from whatever she was going to do.

Finally Shiro stirred. “I’ve said all I’m going to say, Princess.”

“Is that reallywhat you’re going to go with, Shiro, because you certainly couldn’t keep yourmouth shut this morning—“

“Okay!” Coranstood abruptly.  “Paladins!  Let’s go! I’m going to make lunch and Hunk will help and we are all going to walkaway from this table and—“

“I don’t think you wantto hear me say more.”

“I didn’t want to hear it in the first place, but no, youdidn’t want to listen, you said it anywayand now—“

“Now what,Allura?  You have to confront how youfeel?  Then I apologize for being honestwhen you can’t even admit it to yourself.”

Shiro was standing, a look on his face that Lance had neverseen before.  It was hurt, it was raw, itwas—

“Come on, Lance,”Keith muttered in his ear right before grabbing his elbow and hauling him outof the room along with the others.  Lancetwisted, looking back.  Shiro andAllura  were both red in the face,glaring at each other, the air crackling with tension as the door shut behindhim and Keith.  As soon as it did, hecould hear muffled shouting.  The wordsweren’t audible, but the tenor was.

“Okay,” he said, standing in a circle looking at everyonewith equally uncomfortable expressions on their faces.  “What.”

Keith looked at Coran. “Should we tell him?”

Coran made a motion back toward the door with his head.  Shouting was still coming from behindit.  “I think it’ll come out one way oranother, yes?  Might as well.”

“Shiro and Allura… well. He loves her.”

“He what.”

Lance had never really thought he had a chance with Allura,not really, but he’d also thoughtthat her relationship with Shiro was completely professional and princesslikeand not fraught with romantic tension as it apparently was.  Keith and Pidge were now both giving him the pitying look, so Lance turned to Hunk andspread his hands.  

“Did you knowabout this?”

Hunk made a face.  “Idid walk in on them standing reallyclose together once in the kitchen, but…”

“He’s got it bad,”Pidge said gleefully.  “She’s not much better.”

“And this morning he told her he loved her, because he wasn’tsure how the mission was going to go and ever since he’s gotten back from—you know,what happened to him after that fight with Zarkon—he’s… he didn’t want to missthe opportunity,” Keith finished.  “Butit backfired, because Allura—“

“She’s been afraid of losing him again,” Coran added.  “But she’s got a lot on her shoulders, and itwas bad timing, that’s all.”

“Really bad,”Keith agreed.  “So she yelled at himabout it.  He spent the morning beatingme up and down the training deck.”

“Were you letting him win, or—“

A crash sounded from inside the room, and they alljumped.  “They’re really fighting now, guys,” Hunk said.  “Should we—“

Lance realized he hadn’t heard raised voices for a while now,but luckily when Hunk went to put his hand on the door lock, Coran grabbed itwith a strangled noise.

“I don’t think they’re fighting anymore,” he said.  He sounded very stiff.  Lance caught his meaning (finally), and felthis face go red.

“I just remembered I wanted to kick Keith’s butt again attarget practice,” he said loudly, grabbing Keith’s hand and hauling him bodilydown the corridor.  Away from the door.  “I’mgoing to leave the area and never return to any seat in that room.”

“They’re probably not on the seats, moron,” Keith muttered as Lance dragged him away.  Behind them, they heard Coran make a faintnoise of distress and then Hunk and Pidge yelling as they were moved out of thearea too.  Keith seemed to remember,halfway to the training room, that they were holding hands.  He pulled his back.

“So you think you’re gonna beat me, huh?” Lance grinned.

“I know I will.  Whoever’s got the highest score when they’re done scoring wins?”

“You’re on.

[oceniram]

Goku & Bulma

                                                                            Disclaimer I don't own dbz z and gt. Three years have passed since Goku killed King Piccolo and his minions. During those years Goku got training from Kami, to prepare him for the final battle against King Piccolo's reincarnation.  The final battle will take place in a tournament held in Papaya island. The island was full with happy merchants, excited fighters, and onlookers. The monk staff  were calling all fighters  " All fighters who wish to enter  the tournament must register today," yelled a monk. The fighter rushed to the registration desk.

Bulma Roshi and Launch were waiting for their friends to return from their hard training. "Where are they?" Launch asked Bu 

A taxi stops in front of them  as soon as the door opens a flying cat and pig come out. Oolong  puar  master roshi called them as he raised his hand. Hey guys long time no see replied oolong . "Master roshi is good to see you " said puar. Roshi nodded . He started a conversation with oolong. You look well I think your ears have grown quite a bit. Actually I had them reduce. Said the blushing pig. Puar was laughing  at the embarrassed pig Don't worry  am sure the others would notice. Its not my ideal conversation replied oolong a little angry . As Bulma steps out of the  car she runs to launch and says its great to see you again . Bulma was the reply . "Have the others arrived yet?" asked Bulma No not yet . answered launch   Am at loss for words you've grown more feminine! Exclaimed roshi as he reached bulmas butt. Bulma elbowed him in the face. Keep your hands off my rear. I see your personality hasn't matured. Said roshi. Neither has yours bulma told  roshi. Catch it catch it. Cried a little girl sniff sniff the little girl was about to cry when bulma approaches her and tells her dot cry I'll get the balloon ok. as bulma turned to ask for help a man grabbed the balloon and says hi.do any of you know him? asked bulma no they replied in union here you go bulma! exclaimed the mystery man  how do you know my name? asked a confused bulma he ignored bulmas question and greeted the old man. you all look great where are krillin and the others asked the man it cant be... it cant be... g-goku.they said in union.  what's wrong isnt obvious? Good the rain is letting up. are you really goku? oolong asked what? you cant tell with this wrapped around my head? question goku as he took of the tur- ban  and he and bulma looked in to each others eyes they got lost and there the out side world didn't matter all sound went dead. wow shes gotten prettier thought goku bulma was thinking the he's gotten so handsome.master roshi decided to interrupt and told goku to sign up. Goku did as told. krillen and the others arrived at the last minute to register, then they went to the hotel that master roshi reserved for them. in goku and krillens room krillen i think theirs something wrong. goku stated whats wrong?asked krillen when am around bulma i feel funny. goku answered funny i don't fallow. to say that the monk was confused was understatement its like i have butterflies in my stomach goku told his long time friend oh... heh... you mean you like her. krillen stated of course  i like her shes my first friend. goku replied no what i mean is that you like her in a special way. krillen commented huh... i don't get it. goku said as he scratch the back of his head you know you want to do things to her. Said krillen with a smirk. i don't want to hurt her. goku answered his friend.

last time goku talked to krillen about loving bulma

bulmas room launch am in love with goku. bulma stated do you know or do you think your in love? asked launch. i defiantly know i mean his handsome,brave,handsome,strong,handsome,kind,oh and did i mention handsome. as bulma said this she had a dreamy look on her face. don't you think you should be telling him all this instead of me.launch told her friend yeah... but i don't think he knows what love is. bulma said with a dispointed look on her face. well if i were you id go and tell him. does that mean you told tien about you loving him? asked bulma with a smirk bulma didn't notice that she got looked out of her room by launch. she was going to the lobby when she spotted goku. what are you doing out here? bulma asked goku oh nothing i was just going to train. they stayed in silence.they got closer with every step. before they know it their faces was inches apart. bulma and goku kissed.neither broke the kiss until they needed air. wow that was amazing. oh am goku i got locked out do you mind if i spend the night with you? asked bulma. i kind forget my key. goku and bulma decided to let their roommates sleep. so bulma and goku went to sleep in one of bulma capusle house. the day of the tournament has arrived.many worriers are here to be the world strongest.however goku has another mission to accomplish.goku and his friends battle in the preliminary were they met new and old foes as well as pretty. goku and his friends minus chiautzu made it. The first match up former champion tien vs tao. let the fighting commence.as this was announced the crowd especially a crazy blue/blond went wild. the fighters had stay in the same stance for 10 minutes. remarkable tien has a perfect defense i cant find a weak spot anywhere.tien got out of his defense that's when tao made his attack however tien dogged it  and elbowed him in in the cheek. lucky shot said tao as he stood up. ha it looks like you got better i guess i don't have to hold back anymore. announced tao. tao runs jumps trows a kick only for tien to blocked with out trying.tao started his attack wait a minute there's something i need to say. tien said to his former master. its to late to beg for mercy weakling. ill forgive what you've done if you stop this madness.tien stated calmly. don't talk like your in control. replayed tao as he attacked tien moved and appeared behind  the cyborg.  don't sneak behind me you cowered tao said as he turn and took distance. tao got closer and trow as many punches and kicks only for tien to doge them all. the last punch that tao trow was got. i thank you and your brother for teaching me how to fight. what a surprise tien is escorting his opponent out of the ring.announced the announcer. as tien and tao got closer to the edge of the ring taos mechanical arm was taken off. tao jumped behind tien and his arm was replaced with a knife. the find cut tien chest. tao used a weapon their for his disqualified making tien the winner. the announcer with no name said. oh shut up i don't care about your match as long as i get my  revenge. tao said. as tao ran to stab tien with his blade tien caught and broke it. tao took his distance and used the supper dodaray. with a mighty yell tien took the ray down. he punched tao and knocked him out. tien has won the match he goes to the semifinals. in the audience master roshi was thinking on how tien has grown.he told himself that their was nothing left to tech tien. well its my turn now goku said  to himself as he did some stretches. if i was fighting her a be thrilled to. krillen commented. the 2nd match is about to begin we have goku who almost won the last time. and this lovely lady who proved that she could play with the boys. well be referring to her as annoyance . how could you?, as long as live i never forgive you for this.annoyance  announced. in anger. i dont understand we never even met before i think your mistaking me for somebody else.replayed goku don't be stupid you are goku aren't? you asked annoyance . its time you may begin as soon as that was said annoyance  ran to attack goku she punched and kick.goku just dodge and blocked. as goku dogged he asked have we ever met before? of course we met before.annoyance said as she ran to attack goku. in the audience who is she and how dare she treat my goku that way. this was bulma thought. GOKU TAKE HER DOWN! bulma screamed back to the fight are you that dense? did i mean that little to you? annoyance asked if you don't mind can you tell me what i forgot so that i can remember. all this was said as they attack each other did you forget the promise as well? annoyance asked. what did i promise you? fine ill tell you you promised to marry me. as bulma heard this she felt her heart ache saw her world crash down she felt that she was losing hope until she heard goku question. hey krillen what does marry mean? as goku asked this krillen annoyance  and yamcha fell anime style. a marry your life is... wait cut in bulma as she jumped the wall walked up to the ring. excus me miss this area is for fighters, and staff members only. the announcer told bulma.. bulma was escorted back to the audience. please resume the fight. who are you? asked goku fine il tell you only if you beat me. replied annoyance. in the audience to say bulma was pissed was under statement. goku come on i already know who she is. the pig told himself. however bulma heard him tell me who she is or ill start the piggy thing. okay okay. oolong signal bulma to come down. he whispered the name of annoyance which shock bulma. back at the fight. goku punched the wind and knock annoyance  out of the ring.bulma jumped over the wall ran to goku and kissed him in the lips as annoyance  wakes and sees this she and yamcha are shocked. once bulma lets go for air she tells goku that annoyance   is chichi. as he was going to explain chi chi was no where in sight. to be continuedlast time:tien fought and won his match. goku fought and won his match. bulma revealed her feelings for goku. as bulma and goku leave the ring they see yamacha approach them. listen yam... bulma begin but was cut by yamcha i wont lie am hurt but at the same time i could see that you two were meant to be. it was going to happen. thank you yamcha. bulma said and kissed him in the cheek. bulma went back to her place in the audience. goku and yamcha left the ring. OK that was surprising.said the announcer, next match is krillen vs majunior. krillen be careful hes not an average fighter.goku warned the monk how is he different besides the green skin asked krillen as he walked in the ring. in the audience he looks familiar this thought past by bulma and the other begin announced the announcer as this was announced the warriors took stand. krillen shifts to different stance. he attacks majunior with a double blast. majunior doges at least that what he thought.however the blast keepet following him he used laser eyes to destroy krillens attack. krillen then appeared behind majunior and punch him.and majunior was about to fall. incredible majunior recovered his composer in mid air. announced the announcer after an exciting Ariel assault both krillen and majunior have brought the battle to the ring the announcer announced. krillen runs to attack majunior doges the attack. krillen follows with a series of punches that majunior blocks. the take the battle to the air. as krillen was to throw his punch majunior kicked krillen. krillen was about to fall out of the ring when he reveled that he could hover back into the ring. i known that i can show you my real power. majounior exclaimed ha ha ha real power alright lets see it.krillen said confident as majunior powers up he extends his hand reaches for krillens leg squeezes uses some type of thunder punch trows him to the wall krillen recover rushes to attack. majunior kicks him in to the air follows. krillen then cups his arms and say kame ha me ha as piccolo comes next to him. it turn out to be an after image as the real majunior appears behind krillen and attacks him in the head causing krillen to fall krillen was getting back on his feet he stands down. causing majunior to win. as krillen heads back to the fighters area he hears a sobbing noise. he decided to check it out and finds none other then princesses chichi. are you okay? krillen asked. n- nooo sniff... t- the man... sniff... i love b- betrayed me. chi chi said this as she whipped tears off her face     chi chi think you were so obsessives with a promise that you didn't realize he had no idea of what he was saying. as krillen floated up so he could be on eye level. come on lets watch the tournament. krillen held his hand out and led her back to the warriors area. alright the fourth match we have experience warrior yamcha takes on shen. announced the announcer. the audience is going wild the warriors entered in the ring yamcha took his stance  shen started to move his hands up and down   why don't you attack first yamcha offered. okay thank you. shen said. hey goku what happen to your tail, and why so serious? asked krillen oh my tail is tugged inside my pants. and don't worry am fine goku told his long friend. shen ran to attack yamcha dodged shen trip kicking yamcha in the ribs. as yamcha recovered he went for kick but shen accidentally hit yamcha in the crotch as the fight went on yamcha got desperate and use his spiritball attack .it fell shen kicked yamcha out of the ring. the winner is shen. announced the announcer. the semifinals will begin in a few minutes the rematch between two stunning warriors tien vs goku. announced the announcer. as he said this the two warriors entered the ring; the warriors took there stance.as soon as the announcer says begin tien and goku rush to attack each other.both failed  the rush attack. tien then threw a series punches that goku dodged. they take the battle to the skies. as they fly  tien throws an energy blast that goku reflected goku and tien are trading punches in mid air. the warriors are moving so fast that the audience cant see them. the battle takes a pause. goku and tien continued their fight by tien giving goku a head bud goku hold tien in full lock. tien and goku kept struggling. tien and goku finished their struggle. well done your better then you were 3 years ago. tien said as he breathes heavily thanks but the praise should be for you. your powerful. goku commented feeling exciting. thank you but theirs a skill i master that you cant keep up and that the skill of SPEED. tien shouted the last part as he ran and jumped in the air goku followed. tien attacked goku from behind. tien chased him goku recovered and attacked tien. tien  dodged the attack. tien took the offense by kicking goku tien threw various punches and goku kept blocking them. goku decided to  take his under shirt boots and wrist bands off. tien multiplied himself the battle was intes but goku came out victorious.   last time yamcha confronted goku and bulma. krillen and chihi had a talk . krillen fought and lost his match .yamcha lost aswell tien and goku fought goku goes to the finals. majunior vs shen shen attacked majunior wit an energy wave that send him flying. shen fallowed majunior threw an energy blast that shen dodged by moving to the side. piccolo hits shen in the head shen goes down. he lands in the ring. piccolo attacks from behind but the shen that piccolo attac turned out to be an after image as shen kick piccolo. shen runs to attack majunior they trade punches and kicks it seems their evenly match as they re able to block and dodge each attack. shen goes for a kick piccolo blokes it and threw shen fallowed by an energy wave that shen  blocked. it looks as if the two fighters are conversing in a different language.the announcer announced. shen takes out  a bottle from his pocket  places it on the ground. shen takes his distance  get in to position and shouts evil containment wave. as the wave gets closer to piccolo, piccolo yells evil containment wave reverse as his hand turn some what yellow. the wave goes to shen. as shen was being sucked up  thge guardian  released the vessel he was using. the battle over majunior won and goes to the finals. as piccolo leaves the ring he stops in front of goku. give me the bottle demands goku. you mean this bottle ? piccoloasked as he threw it and ate it. piccolo taunts goku before he leaves during the intermission goku and his friends were talking about the image they saw. the person you saw being sucked up is the guardian. he and piccolo were born as one if one dies the other suffers the same fate. goku told his friends the final battle will begin goku vs msjunior   you should feel honored.said junior why is that goku asked a bit confused because am your executioner. answered junior as he removed his cape goku and junior began their match by trading punches the first to draw blood was junior