#but they actually sent a blank one! so i had to go to my gp to sign it in person!

[nasturtiumsforbreakfast]

spending this evening wondering about the changes once I'm on T, apparently - puzzling at how facial hair will grow in, mostly

[crippleprophet]

hiii!! i was wondering if u have any advice on getting taken seriously and getting care in an emergency department as a chronically ill/disabled person?

i've had progressive muscle weakness, fatigue, nerve issues, and pain for like five years that hasn't been properly diagnosed (been told it was fibro but. doesn't seem to fully fit that anymore. idk if anything will show up on tests but even if it doesn't i feel like the more correct diagnosis would be ME. my current gp thinks i have [seronegative] myasthenia gravis but gps can't order emgs so can't diagnose it), and recently have been having trouble breathing that seems like it's due to muscle weakness in my chest and follows the same patterns as my other muscle weakness.

my gp can't do anything to help (and referrals always get declined because the system is overwhelmed) and can only advise that i go to the hospital, been to one hospital who sent me home because my oxygen saturation was fine (even though from what i've read shortness of breath caused by muscle weakness doesn't show in oxygen saturation til it's Very Very bad, at the time i could only speak a couple syllables per breath and my peak flow was around half of what it usually is), i asked my gp what to do and he told me to try the further away hospital and explain that i haven't been able to get care at the closer one.

my mum is going to take me in a couple days (unless i really can't breath in the mean time obviously) and i'm nervous because i usually get dismissed, or they'll do a couple tests but not the ones that would actually show the conditions that i might actually have. i don't know how to advocate for myself without getting seen as overreacting, or get care for a chronic condition that has become urgent because usually if it's been happening for a while they'll say to just talk to ur gp but. my gp can't do anything.

(note: i know ur only supposed to go to the emergency room for things that are really urgent and the fact that i'm waiting a couple days might make it not urgent. my gp has said this is the best thing i can do though because there's literally no other avenue for me to get care and with my breathing the way it is i am even more restricted in what i can do than i have been before.)

oh god, i’m so sorry you’re in this position and am sending so much love to you. obligatory disclaimer that i’m not a medical professional, just Some Guy with a couple degrees, a girlfriend in medical school, and a whole lot of medical trauma.

that being said, my only advice is to lie. lie your ass off, lie like your life depends on it, most importantly lie in an informed fashion - which is easy in this case because you pretty much know what you have, you just need them to do the test you want. the doctor thinks they’re creating a clinical picture on a blank canvas and you need to give them a paint-by-numbers.

here are the factors i would consider and the narrative i would construct if i was in your position, but it’s your body, your experiences, and your care (or lack thereof), so all of this is just my opinion and your mileage absolutely may vary:

most importantly, make sure anyone with you in the ER is on the same page. a lot of doctors assume patients are lying by default because they suck, so if somebody contradicts you, you’re probably screwed. when my gf takes me to a doctor’s appointment, we have a “what are we lying to them about” meeting ahead of time. you know your mum best, so you probably know what approaches she would/wouldn’t be on board with, but i’d initiate that conversation like “i’m concerned this hospital might dismiss me like the other one did, so i’m planning to say XYZ to hopefully get them to take me more seriously” and not “Some Guy on tumblr told me to lie my ass off” lol

next, make your symptoms match the textbook. downside to this, i definitely recommend not bringing up ME/CFS because they can’t/won’t test for or treat it (i have a friend in the UK who almost certainly has ME/CFS and just got sent to even more physical therapy). here’s where it helps that your GP is pretty sure they know what you’ve got (whether you actually have that or not): research myasthenia gravis (i recommend continuing education sites geared towards clinicians), know what’s on that list, and (with some exceptions) say you have those symptoms. my personal strategy is three-tiered:

lies of creation: unless it’s something immediately life-threatening or something they can concretely disprove, say you have symptoms of your disease even if you don’t. ER doctors don’t give a shit if they can say you need to wait it out and go to a specialist, regardless of that being unrealistic and your symptoms being unlivable, so you need something urgent and serious. (my gf says “they might be worried if you’re having trouble swallowing. maybe.”) myasthenia gravis typically waxes and wanes, so even if you’re able to do something when they examine you, it would be totally realistic for you to not have been able to a couple of hours ago (eg, when you arrived to the ER). for example, i told the NHS i totally had a positive MRI in the US that i was having delays getting access to the records of, even though my MRI didn’t show a speck of inflammation, because at least that got me a couple months of flare medication while they confirmed and an NSAID when they decided i was in remission rather than literally nothing. obviously you can’t tell them you’re seropositive because they’ve unfortunately got that record, which means you’re already fighting an uphill battle, which leads to my favorite sub-category lie of creation: anything you’ve read or believe or know that works in your favor, your GP told you. memorize what percent of people with myasthenia gravis are seronegative - don’t lead with that, because doctors hate when people are educated about our conditions or know what’s wrong with us, but if they say “we won’t do an EMG because you can’t have myasthenia gravis because of your bloodwork,” then you can be like, “my GP said that’s pretty common, like, about X% of people don’t show up on the test, and they’re really convinced i have this.”

lies of exaggeration: increase frequency of symptoms, impact on your activities of daily living, rank on a scale. familiarize yourself with what the numbers on the pain scale generally mean in terms of ability, and elaborate - “my pain is at an 8, it’s really hard to XYZ.”

lies of omission: this ER doctor was an asshole and still would’ve fucked me over regardless, but the instant i said “yes” when he asked if i experienced acid reflux, he stopped listening to a single word i said. i was experiencing acid reflux, and i knew that symptom happened with IBD, celiac, and a host of other serious conditions, but he instantly decided that was all that was going on with me, tried to send me home with just an antacid during the worst pain of my life, and led to me experiencing malnutrition and all my hair falling out due to the severe delays in accessing care. my recommendation for “instant dismissal” (or worse, “instant institutionalization”) symptoms to omit are: acid reflux; menstrual cramps or really anything related to menstruation; anything they could dismiss as covid - if they try to dismiss your breathing issues as covid, say you’ve tested negative this week even if you haven’t had a test. if you’ve had covid and you’re certain it’s not in your chart (assume it’s in your chart if you’ve ever said it to a doctor), say you’ve never had covid. if they still try to say it’s covid, stress that this has been going on for years before covid; anything psychiatric.

so, what i would do:

“i have X, Y, and Z symptoms. my GP thinks i have myasthenia gravis and is working on referring me, and said to go to A&E if A, B, or C got worse. A, B, and C have [measurably gotten significantly worse since the last time you went to A&E] - i’m having trouble breathing, swallowing, and [other].” hope that they decide to do an EMG on their own.

if they try to send you home or try to do useless tests, say “my GP mentioned that i really need an EMG in order to get the treatment that would help me be able to breathe, swallow, [other]. will this test also do that?” (one of the instances where you strategically ‘play dumb’ because doctors hate when we know things)

if they still won’t do anything helpful, either you or your mum say: “i’ve/they’ve had these symptoms for five years and it’s never been remotely this bad. i/they seriously can’t breathe, swallow, [other] - how do we manage these symptoms before we can get to a specialist?” i’m white and, having been super professional/polite until then, this is the point where i start crying; you know your circumstances best and whether that will incur racism, etc, upon you from the medical system.

if they still want to send you home, i (again, being white) would at that point firmly request a second opinion. they still might send you home with nothing; i did all of this shit and received 50 pills of 50mg tramadol in addition to the antacid, and probably an angry note in my file, and not a millisecond of further testing.

i say this with love and from experience, in the interest of minimizing trauma and devastation: you need, to the best of your ability, to go to the emergency department with the expectation of receiving no care. i recommend a buddy, a reminder, and a reward: message a bitter crip or someone else who Gets It throughout the process and have support in place for if/when you get home with new medical neglect and trauma; remind yourself that your symptoms are real and serious and, in my gf’s words, “if your GP thinks you have myasthenia gravis, you almost definitely have something neuromuscular going on.” i like to make posters of my reminders (example here: link); do something that will make you feel better afterwards - my go-to is buying a new stuffed animal after experiencing medical trauma. i have a lot of them lol

for more advice on coping with medical neglect before and after appointments/visits, see my post here (link). if you don’t know anyone who’ll understand or be available and helpful to support you during your trip to A&E, feel free to dm me and i’d be happy to give you my WhatsApp. i wish you so much luck and you’ll be in my thoughts, i really hope it goes as well as possible - you deserve quality, compassionate, thorough care. if you’re comfortable with doing so and feeling up for it i’d really value an update afterwards 💓💓💓

[just-like-playing-tag]

A totally self indulgent compilation of my favorite works on this blog of the year June 13, 2020 - June 13, 2021

2019-2020

The following lists are all in chronological order according to the date each post was first published.

Top 10 panel edits:

#1: It's our first morning

Date: Aug 20th, 2020 Time: ~ 2:18 h I really like how this one turned out!!! The 2020 Emma b-day edit has a lot of major panel redraws, but this is probably my favorite. I I really enjoy how I made the shadows work!! And the ear banfage looks pretty neat. Nice!!! Immagine

#2: Norman birthday edit 2021

Date: Mar 20th, 2021 Time: ~ 2:21 h Awww, soft Norman :') There was a bit to redraw, but I think everything turned out pretty neat!!! I believe everything works out fine. Though looking back at it, the part of the ID I added is definitely top small :')

#3: Manga dub: Yuugo gets knocked out

Date: Mar 27th, 2021 Time: ~ 5:05 h Here start the Manga Dub redraws to which I gave my everything ahah. This one turned out nice! I think the shoes turned out particularly good eheh. I like how Yuugo's clothing lineart- for the texture, I wanted to go for something heterogeneous, but I'm not fully confident in the final result. Gilda looks very rushed but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

#4: Manga dub: Yuugo makes his dramatic entrance

Date: Apr 5th, 2021 Time: ~ 4:02 h This is pretty cool!!!! The coat took ages to redraw, but sis it turned out perfect!!! I'm very proud of this.

#5: Manga dub: RayGildEmma hug!!!

Date: Apr 9th, 2021 Time: ~ 1:31 h Awww, a beautiful panel I was really happy to have the chance to redraw. Taking into account what there was to redraw, I'm actually surprised with how little this took! Ray's backpack was a pain to make, but I think it turned out fine. I'm very happy with Emma and Ray's heads!!

#6: Manga dub: Formalities

Date: Apr 12th, 2021 Time: ~ 5:31 h It is not always easy to give sense to Demizu's perspective, but I do my best!!! In this I am *so* happy with how Don and Ray turned out, they look neat! The background on the other hand... It took hours to make ahah. I'm not fully confident in the perspective, but I'm happy with the details I've added- I really did my best to make it look like athe other manga panels and I think it paid off!!!

#7: Manga dub: We may be weaklings, but we're still alive

Date: Apr 30th, 2021 Time: ~ 1:37 h This little Emma is so cute!!!!!! I think the redraw turned out pretty perfect. I'm really satisfied with how this one turned out, and it's such a cute little Emma!!!! She's so brave and optimistic, I love her. It's a shame this panel didn't make it to the episode :')

#8: Manga dub: Goldy Pond Gang

Date: May 7th, 2021 Time: ~ 8:44 h lmao This is probably the panel redraw I'm the most proud of ever :') Just think everyone turned out very nice!! The ceiling is not exactly perfect, but it still works somehow. I'm very happy with how Gillian's back turned out!! I don't really like the fading effect on the right, but 8h in I got pretty tired of working on this ahah

#9: Manga dub: This is Goldy Pond

Date: May 21st, 2021 Time: ~ 1:29 h I'm very glad for how the Manga dub has been challenging me to learn to redraw backgrounds, something I had quite literally never tried before. It can be a little frustrating, but it's so satisfying to see the final cleaned piece!! With this panel, I also learnt to use copy and paste, which is something I had never done before beyond texture

#10: Manga dub: Good morning doctor

Date: May 21st, 2021 Time: ~ 3:42 h This is another background that turned out pretty good!! That one Norman is one I knew I would have had to fully redraw sooner or lager- the background was a bonus ahah. I'm very happy with the final result!!

Top 5 edits as whole:

#1: The Promised Neverland manga ending edit

Date: Jun 14th 2020 Time: ~ 12h 41min (5h 45min of cleaning panels in the edit + 5h 37min of cleaning panels that didn't make it to the edit + 1h 19min of resizing) + time spent cleaning panels I've deleted the file of so I can't see lmao This is overall very nice!!! The concept of an Emma evolution through her back is cool, and I think overall the edit turned out very aesthetically pleasing. The concept idea came to me while I was working on the 2019 Emma's birthday edit, a long time before the manga ending announcement- back then I wouldn't have imagined using it in occasion of the manga ending, but I think it ended up making a nice tribute. The colors add a nice touch, since so far my edits had always been black and white- it makes a sweet closure. To make that edit I selected 76 panels of Emma framed from her back; I plan to make other versions of that edit using the discarded panels eventually!

#2: Emma - Chapter 181: Beyond Destiny

Date: Jul 12th 2020 Time: 2h 57min My last edit for the manga 🥺🥺 I think this one is my very "manga ending edit" because to me it really signed the ending of weekly chapters and their weekly chapter edits. It makes me a little sad to look at it, but it's also, I don't know, kinda sweet to see how I grew both in my panel cleaning and as a person since I first started my blog. I'm glad I got into TPN!

#3: Emma birthday edit 2020

Date: Aug 22nd 2020 Time: 8h 54min This one turned out so well!!! Though I used the same concept for all the trio edits, I think this one is the best one. The two panels on the left / two panels on the right alternation combo never fails ahah. The colors are nice (shout-out to my sister for making me a palette), despite the fact that it was hard for the lighter ones to make them work with the images without having those disappear. I'm very satisfied with the panels I chose for this, I think they work really good together! Also, it got me very happy to read everyone's comments saying they liked the fading effect in the last panel :)

#4: Emma + Eyes Close Ups [1/?]

Date: Jan 24th 2021 Time: 5h 55min This one was really nice!! Another idea I got when working on the 2019 Emma birthday edit I was glad to finally execute. Started the edit in September, finished it in December. I'm overall very happy with how it turned out... I hope I will be able to make more in the future!

#5: The Promised Neverland Parallels → (9/?) » 114 // 122

Date: Feb 23th 2021 Time: 5h 7min (panel cleaning only) Aaaaahh I really like this one!!!! A parallel I love very much, and I'm really happy with how the edit turned out. All the hair redrawing looks neat!!!! The gif is maybe a little excessive, but I think overall it's a nice edit. I like it!!! Fun fact, I completed it on August 26th 2020, but I couldn't find the right moment to post it ahah.

Honorable mention: The Promised Neverland Parallels → (5/?) » 08 // 16

Date: Aug 30th 2020 Time: 2h 52min (Second picture cleaning only; I deleted the first picture art file so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) I don't have much to say about this one except!! It turned out very nice!!!!! Love the pen lmao.

Top 10 analysis:

Too many analysis,,

#1: Post chapter 181 Emma analysis

Date: Jul 9th 2020 Mmmh a nice analysis. I think it was important for me to put down in words what I think of Emma's characterization and the manga ending, so I'm happy I did it!

#2: A long Oliver analysis because I love him very much

Date: Dec 6th 2020 What can I say I just love Oliver tons 😔😔💕💕 This was very fun to make!!!

#3: TPN s2 previsions

Date: Jan 14th 2021 Really love the effort that went into this + me proving that 11 episodes GP could have possibly worked + it's just a lot of fun to read again after s2 ended pffft

#4: More s2 delusional previsions lmao

Date: Jan 27th 2021 I think the points and previsions I made where pretty neat!! In my defense, it was pretty impossible to predict the anime would have ended with this season. I always feel honoured when friends and Anon ask for my opinion, I'm like "you wanna know what I think? Wow. I'm flattered (◍•ᴗ•◍) " Thank you to anyone who ever sent me an ask!!

#5: Why Emma not wearing pants is 𝕨𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕘

Date: Jan 29th 2021 Really proud of this!!! Pants Emma is important!!!!!

#6: Post episode 5 manga Emma analysis

Date: Feb 4th 2021 A depressed analysis, but a necessary one 😔

#7: Norman analysis

Date: Feb 12th 2021 I love him!!!! And I'm happy I eventually got to put down in words what I love about his character. The day I posted this ww3.readneverland was in maintenance so I couldn't use the volume scans for it- the thought of that post having fan edited and fan translated scans still haunts me

#8: RayDon rambles

Date: May 12th 2021 I had a blast writing this and like. It's likely the post of mine I reread more often of them all. I love this ship tons!!!!! I'm satisfied with how I put down in words what I like about them. I LOVE THIS SHIP

#9: Chapter 58 analysis

Date: May 23th 2021 I've wanted to express this concept since like the first time reading the manga- I'm so happy I finally did!!!! This concept is one of my absolute favorite things about tpn- the feelings that people are good. The concept that kids who got to live in an healthy and supportive environment will always be inclined to kindness and altruism, because humans are just inherently good. From the Three Character Classic: “people at birth are inherently good”. I want to have faith and courage to hold on the goodness in myself, and to hold on the goodness in the world, no matter how difficult it to do that (Chloé Zhao).

#10: Norman and Lambda squad relationship analysis

Date: May 24th 2021 I think this was a pretty sharp analysis and I like what I did with it!!

Other stuff:

#1: Krone birthday edit

Date: Jul 15th 2020 This edit is so good ;; Like not perfect since it was my first attempt at coloring gifs but still I believe it turned out so good ;;;;;; The time and effort that went unto this is crazy, but... Maybe I'm happy to have dedicated time to something I like for a satisfying result.

#2: Get to know my ship- Wolfpack Trio

Date: Aug 24th 2020 Uuuh a good post. A good ship.

#3: Gilda + blank glasses

Date: Aug 27th 2020 This is such a cute nice compilation!!! I love looking at it. A few panels are missing but still :')

#4: Apollo Ray AU

Date: Sep 7th 2020 (Though it was written Sep 2nd 2019 lmao) I'm so happy I finally gathered the courage to post this 😭😭 I really enjoy what I did with this AU, so this one and its other installments are all posts I have a lot of fun rereading. More than everything, I was astounded and overjoyed by the positive response it got: that gave me tons of confidence to put my ideas out there, no matter how unique they sound!!! Here's to hoping I will be able to post my RayEmma Hadestown AU, by other big AU from late summer 2019 :')

#5: TPN timeline project

Date: Dec 2nd 2020 This is like. I don't know it's a lot ahah. Arguably the project I'm the most proud of ever making. I'm just so happy of all the months long hard work and of the final result!! The post didn't receive much response (though the ones I got were extremely kind and sweethearted so that totally makes up for it), but in the end I don't really mind? I'm just so proud I accomplished that idea :')

#6: TPN calendar

Date: Jan 4th 2021 A nice sum of the tpn timeline + everyone's birth dates!!! I really like how it turned out visually. It's a cute little tpn calendar!!!

#7: Ray smiles compilation

Date: Jan 17th 2021 Ray's smile. That's it that's the post :')

#8: Trans Oliver headcanons

Date: Jan 24th 2021 MMMH really like this headcanon I think about it a lot

#9: Thoma and Lani theory

Date: Jan 28th 2021 I really don't want to brag but this is the best joke I've ever made :')

#10: My TPN AUs

Date: May 10th 2021 Ok you gotta admit those are very good AUs, I'm glad to have made a list out of them!!!

#11: Ranking Emma promotional art outfits

Date: May 16th 2021 This is one people seem to have liked a lot which makes me happy ahah. I'm glad to know we can all agree Emma deserves more pants outfits!! Please stop it with the gendered clothing :') This is the post I want to be remembered for

#12: TPN musicals AU part 2

Date: May 20th 2021 A GREAT POST I can't stretch enough how happy I am with those character-song associations. I hope I have time to make a part 3 in the future!!

#13: TPN Drive folder

Date: May 30th 2021 This was born as a way for me to have all the tpn extra contents easily accessible, but I'm happy to have shared it with people- I hope it will turn out to be useful to others too!

#14: TPN s2 recolorings

Date: Jun 12th 2021 A more diverse children cast is good for the soul :')

That's it, this year was really fun!! Thank you to everyone who supported me through it, I can't express how grateful I am for all the kindness and validation I received. Here's to many more months in the fandom!!! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧

[juniaships]

Loonatics Reboot: Origins

The cousins of the world-famous Looney Tunes, the Loonatics are resident protectors of the progressive city-state, Acmetropolis. Currently there are seven members headed by their mysterious mentor, but for now let's dive in deeper into the origin story of the first six Loonatics. We'll get to number seven in the future! 💛💛💛

The story goes, the Loonatics came about by chance. You see, not too long ago six individuals volunteered for an experiment conducted by the city's namesake ACME (the business). As all of them needed the extra cash, they didn't mind being used as temporary guinea pigs if it meant having the funds to pursue their dreams or pay the rent.

Unfortunately the test did not produced the expected results and was marked off as a failure. While the group were paid they were disappointed & went back to their normal lives.

Until abnormalities started cropping up.

One volunteer, a college freshman named Lexi Bunny, began hearing things, increased migraines, and physically cringing at even moderately loud sounds. Such condition affected the way she moved and grooved to the beat (she was an avid dancer) and one day, she had passed out from the pressure and sent to the emergency room. While she recovered she began seeing everything in a pink haze. Lexi didn't know exactly caused her health emergency but she had a feeling that it had something to do with the experiment. But she kept quiet, she wasn't one to stand up for herself, remembering a horrid incident trying out for her school's cheer squad. She wondered what the other volunteers were feeling...

The second volunteer was an Acmewood stunt artist named Ace Bunny (yeah yeah he's related to Bugs now let him train in peace). Whenever Ace felt particularly confident, he saw his vision turn red...literally. His eyes burned no matter how much ice or eyedrops he used. During rehearsals he started to notice how every time someone went to strike him, he dodged them every. Single. Time. Many of the crew members lucky to see were impressed, shocked even (much to the displeasure of the lead actor) & leaving the Looney cousin embarrassed at the increased attention.

The fourth volunteer was a scientist named Tech E Coyote. Like Duck he also lost his job though unlike Duck he was on the receiving end of an angry coworker. The poor man was left to craft consolation contraptions in the solitude of his workshop. One night he noticed some pieces of metal clinging to his lab-coat. At first he brushed them off but they stuck to his hands. He made a note to himself to use anti-static softener; but after several wash days the problems persisted and very soon larger pieces of metal started clinging to his clothes, hands, all around his body - one incident he knocked himself out with a frying pan! He also took notes of lights flickering around him, computers and screens turning on and off whenever he walked near them.

The third volunteer was a young man barely out of his teen years simply known as Duck. Danger Duck. He worked as a pool boy ironically had a hot temper. To put it best he loathed his job, feeling not being taken seriously by the oh-so-macho lifeguards that picked on him constantly. One minute he was complaining about his job, and the next thing he knew, he was standing in the middle of a desert. Than back to the pool. Than an artic region! He also complained of tingling sensations in his fingers, as if he dumped his hands in a bowl of cut peppers. And after one particularly frustrating day, he got so made he raised his threw something at the lifeguard... something red-hot and round...which nearly costed the lifeguard his life yet ALSO caused Duck to lose his job.

Rev, a pizza delivery man with a sense of words and no sense of direction, was the onlt one whose problems weren't seen. Not at least externally. During his trips he was relieved to not miss addresses as much as he used to. Maybe a stroke of luck he guessed. But now it seems his brain was replaced by a GPS because days by he can verbally recite the location almost every place in Acmetropolis from the tallest skyscraper to the dingey of alleyways. Not even having to travel to these places.

As for Slam, his already phenomenal strength increased tenfold, and so did his speed. Such growth massively helped his wrestling career. Every time he spun however, he swore he felt and heard the crick-crackle-boom of lightning...which one day during a match he accidentally electrocuted his opponent, promptly suspended for the rest of the season. At least the guy was alive...a cooked steak but alive.

Eventually these side effects took their toll and the citizens finally had enough. Weeks after the test the group went back to Acme to report on what they were experiencing, hoping to get some compensation to pay off frequent trips to the hospital.

To their surprise ACME was pleased to hear the results of the experiment had been successful after all. The CEO, Otto Matthias, saw potential in the ragtag group of Tunes and offered them a deal: work for his company as sponsored superheroes. There was a mixed reaction: Tech was skeptical, as was Lexi and Slam. Ace didn't know what to think of the deal, he wanted to be recognized for his talents. Danger was the only one totally on board with the plan (no more finding lost trunks). Rev was also excited yet nervous at the prospect. Otto added that the offer came with free housing, access to any and all Acme products, and a lifetime supply of Scooby Snacks (much to Slam's fancy).

Duck didn't have to hear anymore before immediately agreeing to the deal. He did not want to go back to being a lowly pool boy or any other position to be laughed at and bullied, and saw the deal as a surefire way to success. The rest of the group & Scooby Snack Slam decided to wait a week before giving their answer. Acme signed Duck as Danger Duck, the Living Magma Extraordinaire! Cool name is it?

Throughout the week the remaining Tunes pondered long and hard about the company's offer. Would this deal really help them find meaning in their otherwise pitiful lives? Or was it all a glorified corporate tactic designed to keep them quiet? Danger Duck, Living Magma Extraordinaire seemed to be having a good time, so they might be missing out on a stable fulfilling lifestyle. Surely it wasn't an evil trick? Right? Right??

The answer to their dilemma showed uo at their door. Literally.

For five days, each person received a visit from a woman dressed in a simple lavender coat with the hood drawn up. From the shadows they could make out ruby-colored lips, yet her eyes seemed to lack irises as they were entirely blank-white.

This woman claimed that she was the creator of the drug and that is was not meant to be in mortal hands. She claimed that Acme stole her formula for personal gain, warning them the CEO was not who he seemed & that they shouldn't take his word. When the civilians asked about Danger Duck, the woman vowed she would do everything in her power to try to steer the young man from a terrible fate.

"How do you know I can trust you?" That was the sentiment shared by the five Tunes, in varying words.

The woman only smiled. "It's all up to you," she simply replied before handing out a shiny triangle with the familiar shield logo on it.

As each Tune took the metallic shape in their hands, they wondered how would this hunk ol metal help them decide their future? The lady's words echoed through their minds...maybe...the shield was a emblem of their roots. How did she know so much about them and so concerned about their lives?

By the morning of the last day, it was Ace who came to his decision first. "I'll believe you," he relented. "If only you'll tell me more about this drug you made."

The woman shook her head. "I'm afraid that'll have to come in a group meeting," she said a bit tersely. The truth is too much to bear on one man.

"Here." She scribbled a few words down on a piece of paper. "Meet me at this location later this afternoon. Don't bring anyone else."

"Okay," Ace said a bit skeptically. He was about to ask more but the lady quickly left with a hurried goodbye. Ace blinked his blue eyes before reading what she had wrote. "I hope this ain't gonna land me on a watchlist," he muttered before starting to prepare for his impromptu meeting. He prayed that he made the right choice.

I'm making this as I go along XD

My goal for this chapter and the next one is to give the team a better backstories and the why and HOW they got together. I know the show had an origin episode but it didn't show them their first mission or how they actually met, only how they got their powers. As this is a reboot there are a lot of changes so instead of being set in the future, it's set in modern era and they're cousins of the Looney Tunes. I'm also trying to give them motivations: Danger Duck seeking fame and fortune; Tech seeking recognition for his genius; Ace forging his own path out of his cousin's shadow. I haven't gotten to Slam & Lexi's motivations as much as that would be for when I get to writing Weathervane (who will be Lexi's foil) and Massive (Slam's foil). Rev's motivation will also be explored as him learning to be more independent away from his family's wealthy lifestyle. As for my OC Mikayla Jordan, she's going to appear in a future post pertaining to the Freleng Royal Family oop spoiled my own OC subplot XD

[chronicbatfictioner]

Exchanges and Compromises - Chapter 16

Just as Tim predicted, a week later, Bruce Wayne requested to meet him at work. While the request itself - sent through proper channels that is Tim's secretary - it specifically requested Tim by name. It had made a little stir with the other members of the company's Board of Directors, as they all thought that 'little Timmy' shouldn't be meeting the 'big and scary' Bruce Wayne by himself. "What if he manipulated Tim into a merger??" some had asked. It wasn't until Tim assured them that he would not make any corporate decisions without prior consulting - and stating that he 'doesn't like Bruce Wayne at all. He's a doof,' - that the rest of the BOD relented.

Bruce came in accompanied by Alfred Pennyworth, the family's butler. Bane, Tim knew, was accompanying Dr. Thomas and Mrs on a trip overseas. For some reason, the Waynes did not promptly send Bane away, even after he literally and physically got tossed out of the Wayne Manor's living room's bay windows - courtesy of Jason - when he tried to attack Damian.

"If this is a business meeting, Bruce, I would appreciate it if you wait for the rest of my BOD members to come up here," Tim hinted.

"No, no, no it's not..." Bruce seemed a little thinner than when Tim last saw him in person, a little disheveled and worse for wear, which would be odd given the fact that Alfred was right by his side. No self-respecting butler would have allowed their masters to leave the house looking like Bruce then - Tim knew, his dad had one since Tim was very young. Tim might not opt to keep the butler when his parents passed, but he knew the tenets fairly well.

Yet, Alfred just looked mildly disapproving but had walked into the office in the same eager speed as Bruce did.

Tim briefly wondered to whom Alfred's loyalty lies.

"I need... I need to know that there are no recording devices in here," Bruce stated.

Tim took a few blinks to choose an answer, "I'm not of the habit of having recording devices in my office. You, however, came with a tracking device," Tim pointed out.

"What?? I've left my cellphone in the car! Is it... can it listen? Record?" The shock on Bruce's face was more prevalent than when Damian came out of nowhere and called him 'father.'

Tim checked his monitoring system, courtesy of Harper Row, which can detect the type and model and broadcast type of any gadget and displayed it on Tim's cellphone. "No, it just tracks your location and is GPS-based. Why...?"

"Oh thank god..." Bruce slumped in his seat. "Alfred, can you make sure that no one would come here until I'm... until we're done?"

"Certainly, Master Bruce," Alfred bowed lightly and walked out the door.

"Wow, okay... whatever this is has got to be... better be important. I mean, you sent your butler out the door..." Tim commented.

"It is. It's about..." Bruce still hesitated. "Look, I don't usually do this. I don't know why. But you, your work-- your company and its line of business would make you-- would get you in touch with your end-clients, right? The common people who used social security benefits to get their meds, Doc Leslie Thompkins' patients and all that..."

He paused, so Tim shrugged. "I do try to personally meet my end-client to figure out what kind of medications they would need more; and Dr. Thompkins is one of my clients, too, whose assessment I can quite trust. You're not planning to get into the generic meds business also, are you?"

"No, no, no... This has nothing to do with WE. I mean... it should be, in the long run. But in the short run... Look, this would sound odd. But when you talk to your clients, have you ever hear of the Birds of Prey?" Bruce asked. Tim studied the man before him for a good long while. Before he could answer, Bruce continued, "my cousin Kate... she has just gotten kicked out of the military academy. She said she thought of donning a costume and joined the Birds of Prey to fight crime, so she could feel useful again, you know? I told her they're criminals, vigilantes. She said I should go down to meet the common people of Gotham and ask them what they think of the Birds of Prey. And then I thought of you."

"Yeeea... I'm not following..." Tim feigned - but only partially. He could already tell where the direction of Bruce's conversation was trying to take.

"Do you think they're criminals or heroes? I mean, does anybody ever mention them doing like, extortion, murder, stuff like that...?" Bruce insisted.

"Are you like, worried for your cousin Kate or... is there anything of significance that I should know about?" Tim finally decided to just bite the bullet and ask right out. There is no recording device in his office, all right. But his tiepin doubles as a camera that would send to Barbara as soon as Tim turned it on. And he had turned it on the instant Bruce walked in.

"As far as I've heard, the Birds of Prey -- ooh, I hate the pun, but it's right there-- preyed on criminals. Those who take advantage of the weak and all that jazz. I've experienced their... service if you will; when my delivery trucks were hijacked by some supposedly-metahuman group. They stopped the hijacking and arrested the group. They even found out that the group had an inside man right here." he elaborated.

The case was widely publicized, after all, when three trucks in succession that contained generic medications to be delivered to Gotham General and several free clinics were hijacked. The short version was the Birds of Prey stopped the hijacking as it was happening, then the glorious GCPD arrested those men, and they also discovered the inside man within Drake Industries - one of the Directors who had planned to jump ship while sinking DI along with it.

In reality, it had been Tim's work. The Birds - Dinah and Helena - helped with physically stopping the hijacking; while Tim dug out the paperwork and discovered the traitor. Barbara had then sent the evidence to the police, along with video footage of the man talking to a competitor of the company.

"Oh yeah, I've heard of the case. So you don't think they're bad people?"

Tim slow-shrug, just for the sake of dramatization. "I won't say they're totally good people - I mean, them hijackers looked like they've gone 12 rounds with Ted Grant the boxer. And they supposedly have like, superpowers or something. But I'm not gonna say they're bad people - they knew exactly where those shipments were going and who'd be using them, and they worked hard to stop the hijacking, you know. Financially speaking, DI might be able to weather like, a dozen hijacking. But for those people who needed the meds..." he let the sentence trailed for Bruce to fill in the blanks. He knew that the man has the same metaphorical bleeding heart as Martha Wayne, his mother.

"Okay..." Bruce actually looked a little more alive after the explanation. "Do you know how to contact them? I need to ask them for help."

"Oh, wow... Heh. It's not like I have them on my speed-dial... I think they maybe have an inside man in GCPD? They showed up right after I made the report of the third hijacking." Tim hedged, internally cursing himself for not finishing his project of the Birdcall app. The cellphone app would have made it easier for anyone to call the Birds or to alert the Birds of crimes. Alas, the whole issue with Jason and Damian's appearance has delayed its development. Tim made a mental note to assign Harper on it.

Bruce looked disappointed. "I see... then I will need you to relay this to the GCPD for me, Tim, can I trust you? I mean, it's... crucial," he said.

"What is this about, the kid and his guards?" Tim tested, just for kicks.

"Oh, no. The kid... Damian and his guards were actually a kind of reprieve in the household. They made sure that everything would be... proper and in order." Bruce smiled thinly. "It's about Bane. I have evidence that he has murdered a lot of people."

"Oh my," Tim gasped earnestly, really. Jason and Dick, and even Damian, have reported that aside from Bane's obvious animosity against them, he had tried nothing - yet. They were also the ones who told Tim that Bane has placed nanotech trackers on all three Waynes' clothing. Unfortunately, they were not able to actually snoop around - as there would always be one of the Waynes in the house.

Bruce handed him a small USB drive. "It's all here. Please, Tim. I mean, before this, I couldn't care less if that brute would leech all of the family's fortune. But now I have a son to think of... Talia might have made sure he's physically well-guarded. But Bane is a long-con kind of person and is really patient. He came to Gotham specifically for us after so many years. He..." he paused. "I believed my father when he told me that he had not betrayed my mother. But without a shred of physical evidence, there is nothing either of us can do. And how are you going to ask for a DNA sample from someone like Bane?"

"Spoon? Toothbrush? Hairbrush?"

"He's bald," Bruce replied dryly. "I'm not even sure he'd showered. Alfred said his bathroom has always remained tidy."

"Ew. No. Okay. Uh... I can't promise you that any bird would come your way, but I'll figure out a way to let this fall to the right hands, yeah?" Tim replied, putting the USB drive into his suit jacket - where Barbara could remotely access it through the circuitry in said pocket.

"Okay," Bruce looked relieved. "And now, since Bane is tracking me and I'm sure he knows what this building is, how about we come up with a stupid cover story?"

A proposal landed in Tim's sight just as Bruce finished talking. He grinned mischievously. "How about we collaborate to expand Leslie Thompkins' Free Clinic? Everybody's happy, and neither of us won't lose sleep over it."

"You'd have made a great corporate spy, do you know that?" Bruce grinned back, looking a thousand times happier than when he walked in.

"Oh yeah, but I already have my own ways to get secrets," Tim winked as he handed the proposal over. "Have a look at this, and let me know what you think. I think we can spend the discussion over lunch. Would Alfred mind if we ask him to acquire our lunches?"

"I'm sure he would be delighted if he hasn't already..." Bruce replied, getting up and opened the door. Alfred stood there with several paper bags in his hands. "He has already, it seemed," Bruce reported.

"Indeed, sirs. It is most rude to visit an associate without bringing anything. I daresay a quick lunch is sufficient for you, Master Timothy?" Alfred replied as he entered and set up the contents of the bags - several types of sandwiches and salad mixes.

"Oooh, more than sufficient, thank you, Alfred!"

"Not a problem, Sir. Please indulge, gentlemen." Alfred smiled. "Might I remind you, Master Bruce, that the Doctor and Mrs. Wayne shall return in two hours? It would be prudent to conclude your discussion by then." he hinted.

"Definitely, Alfred. We're just talking about what needs to be done to expand a hospital." Bruce grinned triumphantly at him, showing him the proposal. "Mother would be delighted at this."

[bamon4bamily]

TVD 9x18 - My Winter Song (part 1) Enjoy! =)

Cut to - Munich, Germany. Sage is at the University lab, late at night. She seems to be transferring information from one of the main computers into a USB device. From the look on her face, she’s probably not supposed to be doing that. 

A few minutes later, Pietro sneak vamps behind her and starts kissing her neck.

 PIETRO: (Peeking at the computer screen) What is my head of project doing here at this time of night, instead of in my bed?

SAGE: (Trying to hide her true intentions the best that she can) Sorry, I couldn’t sleep… I think we missed something when we did the isolation process…

PIETRO: And what would that be?

SAGE: Look at the DNA structure (points to an image on the screen)…

PIETRO: Darling, you forget I’m a businessman. I have no idea what I’m looking at...

SAGE: There are some structural changes; barely visible… but it seems there were errors in the genetic coding.

PIETRO: Still not understanding a word you are saying. What does that mean?

SAGE: It means it mutated…

PIETRO: (Gets a call, looks at his cellphone screen) I have to take this. I’ll be back in a moment (leaves the room to take the call).

SAGE: (As soon as he walks out the door, she checks to see how the download process is going) Come on, come on… (on another window, which looks to be some kind of GPS tracking map, she anxiously waits for a result… seconds later, she seems to have found what she had been looking for) Got you! (Looking at the result) What the hell is that place? Well, at least we know where it is now… pinpoint location, copy, paste… (she transfers the information into the drive and manages to take out the device just in time. She quickly puts it in one of her lab robe pockets. Just as she is about to text someone, Pietro vamps back, starts kissing her neck again).

PIETRO: (As he kisses her, he whispers) You know that saying, “It's lonely at the top”… ( Violently snaps her neck). It is…

Cut to – Damon, Stefan, Bonnie, and Caroline, having a drink in the living room.

DAMON: So, ladies, what is this about? You are freaking me out.

STEFAN: That makes two of us…

CAROLINE: Well, we thought it would be best if we told you together.

DAMON: Not helping, Barbie. What’s going on?

BONNIE: It’s about your family…

CAROLINE: You know how your dad had another kid…

STEFAN: Only good thing to come out of that, were Sarah and Uncle Zach. (Sarcastic) But then, of course, Damon had to kill them.

DAMON: Oh, come on, bro! I said I was sorry!

STEFAN: I know. Just saying, you were a dick.

BONNIE: Guys, you are going off topic; that’s not the point.

DAMON: (Smirks) Thank you, Bon!

CAROLINE: We wanted to ease you into this, but I’m just going to say it. Your half-brother’s name is Pietro Salvatore, and he is very much alive. Well, sort of…

DAMON: (He and Stefan crack-up) Good one, Goldilocks, but that’s impossible.

STEFAN: Is this some kind of retaliation for Vegas? Did someone snitch? I bet it was Kai! (Turns to Damon) I told you!

DAMON: That little…

BONNIE: Guys, we are serious. Turns out he is the head of Elena’s medical program in Munich. And, it is possible in the same way it’s possible for you to be more than 200 years old…

DAMON: Even from his grave Giuseppe still finds a way to mess with us…

STEFAN: I can’t believe this… How are we finding out about him now? He seems to have been around for a long time… you’d figure we would have found out about him over the years.

DAMON: Well, it’s not like there’s a vampire club.

BONNIE: You should probably also know that the “mystery woman”, was a Petrova.

DAMON: You have got to be kidding me! Have we secretly fallen into an episode of the Twilight Zone?!

CAROLINE: Also, from what Elena told us, he’s up to no good.

DAMON: Given the Salvatore track record, wouldn’t expect him to be “vampire of the year”.

STEFAN: I think I need some time to process this…

BONNIE: Elena gave us some research on his background (hands them a folder). She got it from one of her university friends who got close to him. None of us have seen it; figured you should be the ones to look at it first. We’ll give you guys some space… (she and Care leave).

Cut to - Munich, Germany. Elena, Sam, and Alex, in one of their Cadaveric Anatomy practices.

 ALEX: Where is Sage? She’s never late…

SAM: Didn’t she tell you? She went home for the holidays; sent me a text earlier. Spur of the moment type thing.

ALEX: That’s strange, she didn’t tell me anything… And, she hates her family. Why would she go see them?

SAM: I stopped trying to understand what goes through Sage’s head a long time ago.

ELENA: In her defense, no matter how crazy it may be, there is no place like home…

SAM: Feeling home sick?

ELENA: A little… (he kisses her). I know I was just there, but it’s always hard to spend the holidays away from home.

SAM: It sure is. Was the info Sage got on Pietro any useful to them?

ELENA: Not sure, I didn’t read it. Gave it to Bonnie and Caroline to do what they thought was best (someone walks in).

PROFESSOR: Students, may I have your attention. I have a couple of announcements. First, we have a new temporary program director, Mr. Salvatore had to go out of the country to attend other matters. Until further notice, Mr. Veritas Dracul will be taking his place. You will have a chance to meet him later on, once he is settled in. Second, and I ask you not to be alarmed, this is only a precaution. We have been informed that one of our main lab computers has been breached. Special Agents will be investigating, and they will need your full collaboration. Until they find everyone involved, the main lab will be inaccessible to students without Faculty supervision. Last, but not least, for all of those who will be staying here for the holidays, we have planned some wonderful festivities; we look forward to seeing you there! That’s all for now, have a productive day (walks out).

ELENA: It sounds serious… You don’t think Sage had anything to do with that, do you?

SAM: Not sure, but she probably knows more about it.

ALEX: And now I’m sure Sage didn’t just “go home for the holidays”. We need to find out what’s going on… (takes his phone out and calls Sage) Straight to voice mail…

SAM: Maybe we should check out her room, see if we find anything off.

ALEX: It feels all sorts of stalker wrong; but I agree.

ELENA: You guys really think she was the one that broke into the computer? The main computers are off limits to students. Even if she is on the inside, I highly doubt Pietro would give her access to classified information.

SAM: Ever heard of the term honey trap?

ALEX: I fucking hate that guy! And if he hurt Sage in any way, I’m going to kill him.

SAM: Let’s not jump to any conclusions. Sage is as tough as they come, if anyone knows how to defend themselves, it’s her. I’m sure she’s fine.

ALEX: Still, this is a vampire we are talking about, not your average Joe. If Sage got caught phishing around, I don’t think he would just let her off with a hand slap.

ELENA: I’ve seen the worst side of both his brothers; yet he scares me more than they ever did…

SAM: Okay, one step at a time. Alex, send her a text. Maybe she ran out of battery or she’s flying. If you don’t get a reply by the end of the day, we’ll check out her room and take it from there.

Cut to – Edward’s mansion. He’s sleeping in his room, wakes up suddenly, shaking and sweating. 

He gets out of bed, and makes his way to the study. Finds the Madame having a glass of wine.

 EDWARD: Figured you would still be here. Do you ever sleep?

THE MADAME: Do you?

EDWARD: I was, until another nightmare woke me up.

THE MADAME: How come you hadn’t told me you have been having nightmares?

EDWARD: I was hoping they would go away eventually, but they are not. I need your help.

THE MADAME: Of course, love, whatever you need.

EDWARD: I want you to read my mind.

THE MADAME: Edward… we agreed it was best I never do that.

EDWARD: I know. But these nightmares feel different. I really need to know what they are about.

THE MADAME: There are other ways to do that. We can find you one of those dream interpreters.

EDWARD: You know better than anyone those people are charlatans. This is the only way.

THE MADAME: A very dangerous one…

EDWARD: If it helps me get rid of the nightmares, I’m willing to take the risk.

THE MADAME: They are that bad?

EDWARD: They are.

THE MADAME: You know there are no guarantees.

EDWARD: Like I said, I’m willing to risk it.

THE MADAME: Are you positive, dear? Once it’s done, there is no going back…

EDWARD: I know…

THE MADAME: Fine… I will do it. But you must promise me you will not skip a single dose of your medication. Your mind is fragile, and this is not going to help with that.

EDWARD: I won’t. And my mind is not that fragile.

THE MADAME: You know what I am talking about. I’m only trying to protect you.

EDWARD: And I thank you. But I promise, I will be fine; I can handle it. Now, how does this work?

THE MADAME: I need you to sit down, relax, and close your eyes (he does). Now, take deep breaths, try to leave your mind at a blank. Just focus on your respiration… 

(She places her hands on his head, and closes her eyes…).

Cut to – The Lockwood mansion. Matt is in his bathroom, staring at the mirror. He looks frustrated and scared. Khuyana walks in.

 KHUYANA: Matt, what is going on? Are you okay?

MATT: I thought it would go away, but its been some time now, and still no change… I’m losing eyesight on my left eye. All I see are shadows and bright lights…

KHUYANA: What!? How come you didn’t tell me?! We need to have a Doctor check you out immediately.

MATT: They have… I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to get upset. When I was taken by those “sketchy” military guys, they messed me up so bad that I actually lost an eye. Sick bastards put this weird bionic eye in its place. I don’t remember anything, I found out when I went to get it checked. Sorry I didn’t tell you; I was scared and really hoping this thing would work. The Doctors told me that it is the highest tech they had ever seen, and that I could actually regain my full eyesight. But… I haven’t. There is no way I can remain a Sheriff like this…

KHUYANA: Oh my god, Matt… I…I… I don’t know what to say (hugs him)…

MATT: Guess I’ll have to find a job that doesn’t require 20/20 vision.

KHUYANA: But you love your job! I’m sure there is a way around this.

MATT: K, I shot Penny with perfect sight, imagine what I could do now… I can’t put anyone at risk.

KHUYANA: I’m going to stop you right there! You are the best Sheriff this town has ever had!

MATT: Second best…

KHUYANA: Regardless, you are not giving up your life’s dream because you feel you might not be fit for it! What happened to Penny was a tragedy, and it had nothing to do with your skills! I’ve seen you practice shooting blindfolded, so don’t you dare tell me you aren’t good for the job! Plus, have you ever heard of Daredevil? If he can, you sure as hell can!

MATT: (Smirks) I knew I should have told you before, you always find a way to make everything better.

KHUYANA: Yes, you should have told me! We are a team; we deal with things together (kisses him). Everything will be fine…

MATT: (Caresses her tummy) It sure will…

KHUYANA: I know you’ve been dying to tell your friends. Tell you what, we’ll do it after New Year’s.

MATT:  I love you, K…

KHUYANA: I love you, M… (they kiss).

TVD 9x18 (part 2) coming next! Hope you stop by, read, and enjoy! =)

[mackwritess]

Scarlet Cross

Summary: When Evan is chosen to take a job interviewing a member of a small town, he’s a little disappointed. But once the secret of the town is revealed, he and the rest of the world realize that something bigger... something evil... is at work here

Word count: 2k+

Evan doesn’t understand why he had to be the one to take this job.

Really, what’s so special about a little town no one’s heard of? His boss had told him that this town had history, that it could be a really interesting news story. Evan thinks it’s just been a slow news week, and the studio needed something to fill the gaps. He doesn’t complain much, though. Work is work, and he’s been struggling for it. He’s also thankful that he was allowed to bring his friend, Blair, who had been working with him since the beginning.

After following his GPS to their destination, Evan arrives, and he feels even the title of “town” is too big a word for this place. It feels more like a village. Driving along the main road, he takes in the little landmarks scattered about. A small bank sits at the intersection between the main road and another, noticeably smaller, street. Placed next to it is a general store, with no parking lot in sight. Evan assumes that most are out of town shopping, as there’s no possible way someone could get everything they need here.

He takes a turn down a small street, almost worried that his car won’t fit, and continues looking for the place he was supposed to be. It takes no time to get there, to the point where he almost misses it, and he turns into the small parking area.

“Scarlet Cross Church, huh? Weird name,” Blair says upon seeing the old sign next to the even older building.

“I hear people from out of town aren’t allowed in at all,” Evan says, helping Blair to get their filming equipment out of the vehicle.

“Wonder why they made an exception for us.”

“Tourism, probably. People love forbidden places. Intrigue or whatever.”

The two of them begin putting their camera together, and after finally finishing up, they make their way to the steps of the church and knock on the door.

They only have to wait a few seconds before the door opens slowly, revealing a short, elderly woman dressed in all white.

“Are you two here with the news station we spoke to?” She questions, eyeing the recording equipment they have.

“Yes ma’am!” Evan says, a little too enthusiastic all of a sudden. “Are we too early?”

“No, no. You’re right on time. Come right in.” She turns around and motions for the two of them to follow her in.

~

To say that the exterior of the church was misleading would be an understatement. Gorgeous columns were scattered around the building, further showing how long the building had been around. There were flowers growing in large pots along the walls, to add color to the blank slate that was the rest of the church. But these paled in comparison to the main attraction of the place.

An intricate mural made of stained glass was placed at the front of the church. In it, it depicted a great figure dressed in white, kicking another figure clad in red out of the clouds. It didn’t take an extremely religious person to figure out what was being shown.

“This place is beautiful,” Blair whispers, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of the place.

“No wonder they’re so careful about who they let in here,” Evan says. He’s still taking everything in when the woman calls for them up at the podium.

“I’d really like to be sure that our mural is captured on camera,” the woman explains. “It’s really the crown jewel of this place.”

Blair positions their camera, making sure both the mural and the woman are in frame.

“May I ask your name before we begin?” Evan asks, straightening his shirt.

“You can just refer to me as the head of the church, if that’s okay with you.”

“Whatever makes you feel more comfortable.” Evan turns to Blair, “Are we ready?” Blair nods.

~

“We’re coming to you live from the Scarlet Cross Church, a place that was closed off to out of town visitors until now! We’re here with the head of church. What made you decide to finally allow outside eyes in?” Evan is now much more cheery than he was upon arrival. Though he’s waiting for his career to finally take off, he still loves his job no matter how small.

“We as a community consider this church to be our pride and joy. And we decided that not only should we finally reveal it to the world, but also share the secret of this town.”

Evan and Blair give each other a quick glance because getting back to business.

“What secret might that be?”

“You see, while most people believe that some aspects of religion are untrue, or perhaps even religion as a whole, I am here to tell you all that it’s all real. For we ourselves are apart of that mythicism.”

Another glance is shared between the two of them. What had the studio gotten them into? Still, Evan plays along.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“This town, including myself, is home to a clan of fallen angels.”

“What-“

Before Evan can interrupt, the woman take a step back, and feathers begin sprouting from her back. At first, only a few, but suddenly a pair of wings sprout all at once from her. But these wings aren’t anything like the ones that have been described for centuries.

These wings are a deep red.

The two stans there, dumbfounded at what they’ve just witnessed.

“We would like to invite people from around the world to come and learn about us. We are real, and we would like to spread the word.”

~

It wasn’t long before the news segment went viral. Some called it a hoax, just some special effects the network was using to up their ratings. Others believed that this was the sign the world needed that there was indeed a creator out there. Regardless of explanation, one thing was certain.

People were going to flock to this town to see for themselves.

And flock they did. People from all walks of life, religions zealots, disillusioned atheists, and YouTube channels whose focus was on the supernatural, all gathered here to see what they could find.

The town was much different than when Evan had first arrived here just two weeks ago.

Civilians were now out of their homes, greeting tourists. It was easy to tell who was who, as natives of the town all sporting the burning red wings that everyone had only seen on tv. Children on both sides playing together, the native children flying around while the others shrieked with glee.

Morale was high today, because the head of the church announced they would be holding a special service in the church. The amazement of a church service being held by actual angels was surely one for the ages.

Naturally, the studio once again sent out the duo that had made the discovery to begin with. They were there to broadcast the festivities, and later, the service. They made their way around the town, taking in the sight of cheerful people of all ages. Eventually, they found themselves at the church once again, and decided to visit for a short while.

Stepping inside again, there was a different feel this time. It was now bustling with people, Evan assumed they were members of the clergy, getting ready for tonight’s event. At last, he found the head, and went to speak with her.

“I never thought I’d see this place so lively!” Evan says, grabbing the woman’s attention. She offers him a smile.

“It’s all thanks to you,” she says. “I’ve never in all my years seen our little town so happy.”

“I’m really glad to hear that,” he says, admiring the decor. There are candles lit all over the room, giving it an almost romantic feel. He turns back to meet her eyes, and noticing she looks a little sad. “Did I say something wrong?” She shakes her head.

“No, no. Don’t worry about me, everything is fine. You should go out and enjoy the festivities. The service will begin soon.” Evan nods and offers a wave goodbye before heading out to look for Blair.

One of the clergymen, having seen their interaction, walks up to her.

“You took pity on him, for just a moment.”

“I do wish I could have spared him. He seems like a sweet boy.” She thinks for a moment. “But this is what must be done. This has been too long in the making.”

“I imagine you’ve been waiting for this day more eagerly than any of us.” She nods.

“Soon. Soon I will be free.”

~

Slowly but surely, citizens and visitors alike began making their way to the church. Evan worried not everyone would be able to fit inside, but people were so desperate to be here that they even stood up in the empty space that was left.

Evan and Blair made sure to stay in the back. It was there that they would be able to capture the full picture.

“We come to life once again from inside the Scarlet Cross Church, where for the first time caught on camera, a service hosted by angels will take place. We have the exclusive on this history making occasion.” Evan steps out of the way, so that the whole scene would be visible to the public.

“Will everyone who is able please take a seat? The service will now begin.” The Church head says, effectively silencing everyone in attendance as they turn their attention to her. “We will open with a prayer in our native language.”

The head along with the clergy begin their prayer. In a language that is clearly ancient, they begin speaking in unison.

It doesn’t happen immediately, but the air begins to feel heavier as the chanting continues, becoming almost suffocating. Soon, the ground begins to shake. Subtly at first, but increasing to earthquake like trembling in a short amount of time. The people within the church struggle to remain upright, trying to hold on to whatever is nearby to remain steady.

And then, the shaking stops. The air becomes breathable again.

“It is done. None of you will be able to escape the town. You will remain here until the sacrifice begins.”

A wave of confusion and disbelief ripples through the crowd, some rushing out to see for themselves. The woman turns and looks directly into the camera.

“My name is Lilith. I was the first to be cast out of the kingdom of Heaven and to this land. Now, with your sacrifice, I will be set free.”

Panicked screams begin to bounce off the walls of the church. Everyone is in a rush to escape, still believing there’s a way to escape.

Evan is stood still. His mind begs for him to follow the crowd, to try to find a way out. But his body knows there is no use. Soon, the church is empty, sounds of chaos coming from outside.

The woman, who Evan now knows as Lilith, makes her way over to him.

“I’m sorry you had to get caught up in this. If there was a way for me to spare you, I would have done so. But I’ve been here for longer than even your ancestors. It’s time for me to leave.”

She walks past him without another word, and Evan’s legs give way under him, making him collapse to the ground.

~

On the outskirts of the town, she can hear cars crashing. People who still think they can get away, trying in vain to force their way through the barrier that had risen. She can only sigh. She doesn’t blame them for wanting to escape this place. It’s been her goal for a millennia.

She can feel the power slowly coursing through her body. It’s almost time now. Soon the life force of everyone will be drained, and everyone who has been cast here for their crimes would be able to go where they wish. As she makes her way through, people notice her.

Some cower in fear, hoping that she will spare them. Others try attacking her, only to be stopped by someone else of her species. She sees Blair, desperately searching for Evan, after realizing they had left him behind in the commotion.

She even sees a small group praying.

Before she can even think to say anything to them, she notices people around them beginning to drop, their bodies laying lifeless.

She’s so close.

The others begin dropping like dominos soon after, and after a few more final screams are heard, there’s silence.

“It won’t be long before he’s back.” She says to no one in particular.

She makes her way to the edge of the town. The place where she’s been held captive for as long as she can remember. She take the first step out, cautious, despite being a creature with unheard of powers. Then, another. Eventually she finds her self miles away from her prison. For the first time in a long time, she sees the outside.

For the first time in a long time, she’s free.

[punkscowardschampions]

Jac & Jesse

Jac: [Okay, so it's year 2, so she would be just 18 and Jesse would be just 17, it's their last year of school and exams are looming etc etc, all the behaviour has become business as usual so everyone would've just stopped freaking out as hard because you'd wear yourself out otherwise it isn't sustainable, I'm vibing that this is around Christmas time, just because I'm cruel and then we can use the worried Xmas picture LMAO] Jesse: [I like that because then it's not that far into school year 2 aka close to uni looming but it has been ages since her and Amelia started their whole fwb bs so a mood] Jac: [I think it makes sense because it's like, a year since everything started really so it's as raw in a weird way 'cos it's like a shit anniversary lol] Jesse: [agreed, soz boy that I haven't fleshed you out enough to know what's been going in your life for this year besides fame] Jac: [you can be vague, at least, because this convo will not be about you, fill in the blanks later, not all of us are wilding all the time] Jesse: [and not all of us are oversharers like Savannah lol he'd be keeping shit to himself even if it was all kicking off] Jac: [true tea, anyway, I will start this] Jac: Hey, where are you? Jesse: [somewhere he likes to go to write and generally have privacy] Jac: Oh, okay Jac: never mind, it's cool Jesse: ? Jac: I just was gonna ask Jac: well, I don't know what I was gonna ask actually so yeah, ignore this Jesse: What's wrong? Jac: I looked and I couldn't find it Jac: but it was kind of a hole so maybe I just missed it Jac: but I was sick loads and loads I had to get off the bus so I know that's gone Jesse: hang on, what? Jac: You know Jac: I'm not a total mess Jac: I always make sure, after Jac: even if I'm super gone, I've never forgot Jesse: alright Jesse: stop talking in riddles for a sec, I dunno what you're going on about Jac: I went to this party, a week ago Jac: no Jac: more like two, fuck, three? Jac: I don't know, but anyway Jac: I remember looking for a condom in the bin on the floor in the sheets whatever Jac: and I remember because I didn't find one so it got through the haze Jac: and then when I was coming home I was sick and I'd literally just dry-swallowed my pill 'cos I keep them in my bag or my bra or whatever I've got on me Jesse: Fuck Jesse: alright, we can sort this Jac: Where do I go? is it the GP or do I have to go to one of those clinics? Jesse: I'm having a look Jesse: where are you now? Jac: I don't want to go to the doctors Jac: can they tell mum and dad Jac: it's meant to be patient confidentiality but literally everyone found out when Millie H got crabs Jesse: you don't have to do nowt you don't want Jesse: I'll figure something out Jac: I don't have no one else to ask Jac: sorry Jesse: shut up Jesse: you don't need to ask anyone else, I'll sort it Jac: I don't know why I didn't get the morning after Jac: well I do but it's so fucking stupid to say it now Jesse: you never said where you were Jac: just got out of work Jesse: I'll be there as soon as Jesse: get a ☕ Jac: I feel like all of my insides are gonna come out Jac: this is bad Jac: what the fuck am I gonna do, Jess Jesse: don't start, you'll do your own head in before owt's even happened Jac: how the fuck does this even happen Jac: it's ridiculous Jesse: [sends her whatever he's been working on like distract yourself with telling me how crap this is etc] Jac: What are you doing Jesse: what kind of question is that? Jesse: just sent you it Jac: why Jac: I don't have the time or desire to listen to that right now Jesse: are you waiting for me or what? Jac: I don't know what I'm doing, I don't know if you got the general vibe of my messages Jesse: sit down for a bit Jac: fine Jesse: It'll be alright Jesse: I know where we're going Jac: that's the first step in this marathon shitshow, I suppose Jesse: 👍 Jac: your downplay isn't really helping, just so you know Jesse: we can't both lose it, dickhead Jac: if there's a time for it, it's now Jesse: might be in a bit, not now Jac: so you're waiting for your moment, okay Jesse: that alright with you? Jac: not really Jac: but whatever, it's the least of my problems now Jesse: you're 18, they can't say nowt to ma and da that's one less Jac: oh, true Jac: thank god I waited 'til after September to ruin my life then Jac: as long as the receptionists don't catch wind Jesse: they won't give it me, as a lad case I were forcing it down some lass's throat against her will Jac: what do you mean Jesse: if I could just leg it in there for you I would Jac: obviously you can't Jac: we don't know if it's even happened Jac: or what I'm gonna do if it has Jesse: yeah Jac: you're thinking of morning after Jac: but they don't give that to blokes now either Jesse: about as much I know about this, that Jac: have much experience then Jesse: not really Jac: you'd know if you had Jac: probably wait 'til you've earnt more money to rinse you of it Jesse: sounds about right Jac: not worth the negatives at this stage Jesse: tah Jac: not me doing you a favour by not getting pregnant Jesse: obviously Jac: 🙄 Jesse: 🙄 Jac: shut up Jac: you're so annoying Jesse: 🤐 Jac: ugh Jac: you say nothing yet you still say the wrong thing Jac: it'd be a skill if it wasn't clearly the opposite Jesse: what's the right thing? Jac: If I knew that there'd be no need for you or the conversation Jesse: come on Jac: what? Jesse: you reckon I'm getting it wrong, you must have some clue what ain't Jac: I don't Jac: you're just Jac: I don't know Jesse: say it Jesse: might make you feel less shit Jac: ha Jac: wouldn't that be nice Jac: miraculous, even Jesse: 🎄🎅 Jac: I wasn't looking to be the next Mary, tah Jesse: that were Jude's role in the nativity, not yours Jac: her years seriously lacking in talent Jesse: Dunno how top we can say ours is for having me stick a tea towel on my head Jac: it's not a musical Jac: the shit film was made Jesse: could've been if they'd let me have any lines instead of that 🐑 to chuck about Jac: as damning as this glimpse into your psyche is Jac: you really think you chatting about 4 year olds singing silent night is the thing I need right now Jesse: alright, kids ain't the ideal subject Jesse: I get it Jac: no shit Jac: you all do my head in with this shit Jac: honestly, peaking at vaguely racial costuming is the saddest thing I've ever heard Jac: and my life is currently in the toilet Jesse: piss off have I peaked at owt Jesse: ain't even properly packed for my gig yet, like Jac: it's you who's bitter at being snubbed for joseph Jac: no need to read between the lines, dickhead Jesse: never said that Jesse: he was well fit and had 🥇 line delivery Jac: don't be disgusting Jac: I don't know why you even remember these things, any of you Jesse: leave it out Jac: you Jesse: it's bollocks that you're saying you don't Jac: I don't Jac: and I don't care either Jac: and if I have to spend one more minute around you chuntering on about this shit that doesn't matter and never did Jac: I'm actually going to scream Jesse: go for it Jesse: I'm here now, you can properly aim it at me Jac: [just staring him down to make a point of looking at him like #unphased 'you got an appointment?'] Jesse: [we just nodding like yep let's go but not moving because we're rushing no bitch especially not for something like this] Jac: [obviously walking in whatever direction we need to] Jesse: [love a silence that should be awkward but is actually comfortable] Jac: [for you anyway but us losing our mind be happening regardless so yeah] Jesse: [we know he is too but shh because now is not the time for you to be scared sir] Jac: [get this appointment done so you can go away and think about what you're doing] Jesse: [hit her with the feelsy JJ lean while you're waiting so she knows you care though thank you] Jac: [just getting out of there like 'I wanna go to work but I've only just left and they're shut' no place to go casually] Jesse: [he should take her somewhere feelsy even if it is because it's not, if that makes sense, like for it's normality] Jesse: [I'd suggest his work but that's unlikely to be shut unless they had that appointment at a really weird hour lol] Jesse: [somewhere she'd actually appreciate being rn is the point anyway] Jac: [we'll just go anywhere rn 'cos truly nowhere else to go] Jesse: [even if he's just driving/walking you around aimlessly, we're giving you time to think gal] Jac: [we're just scrolling furiously through our phone right now to the socials/texts from said night] Jesse: [meanwhile he's ignoring his because we blatantly have shit that we're supposed to be doing that we're obviously not] Jac: [thrusting the phone in his face casually with a picture of this dude like it means anything 'do I call him now?'] Jesse: [a look like do you want to because we don't know this dude and even if we did it's up to her if she wants to have that convo with him or not] Jac: [when you do that pause like well, elaborate please] Jesse: ['it don't need to be now' cos it really doesn't like you literally just found out and are probably in shock] Jac: [nods like okay 'so what am I doing now?' we literally just wanna be told what to do] Jesse: [we're taking her to get sugary tea and some food even if she doesn't eat or drink it, leading her there like she is a bub] Jac: [probably automatically eating and drinking without complaint we are that out of it] Jesse: [it's okay he's got enough wits about him to go somewhere where they won't run into millions of people they know because not rn thank you] Jac: [just a ball of energy because we need to do something but what can you right now] Jesse: [such a bobbing lil leg under that table, both of y'all] Jac: ['this is not-' shakes head] Jesse: [just looking at her like what because not the time either to put words in her mouth] Jac: ['this was not in my plan'] Jesse: ['do you wanna stick to the one you had or have a different crack at it?'] Jac: ['if it were that easy-' face like it'd be done and we wouldn't be sat here] Jesse: [nods and drinks that tea] Jac: ['this changes it regardless' letting that sit there and sink in] Jesse: [let it hit him how big of a deal this actually is because up until now we haven't let ourselves think about it/have been focused on the minute by minute actions of all this] Jac: ['no matter what I do'] Jesse: ['I'll be about no matter what' like love you babe always gonna be here for you 'dead comforting that, yeah?'] Jac: [scoffs 'yeah, condemning everyone to the same life sentence of an unwanted child about or the gnawing guilt of murdering it is exactly what I wanted'] Jesse: ['murder's a bit strong'] Jac: [shrugs 'not really'] Jesse: [shrugs back like if that's what you reckon] Jac: ['I know what you reckon I should do, alright'] Jesse: [a look like yeah obviously because I think you should do what's right for you] Jac: ['well it isn't that fucking simple, Jesse, so just' the hand mime that's like closing your fingers like sh] Jesse: [mimes the 🤐] Jac: ['you might not say much but you're loud with it, I know you, remember'] Jesse: [a look back like and I know you too] Jac: ['he already has some'] Jesse: [😒 because how old is this man tbh and who is he we don't stan] Jac: ['not like I knew at the time, but I've checked him out since, obviously'] Jesse: [gestures like gimme your phone so I can look] Jac: [does, he can easily be in his 20s and my vibe is a kid when he was like 17/18 and then one a few years later] Jesse: [just stalking this dude and drinking our tea, looks fun and casual but isn't] Jac: ['he has a right to know, right?' like genuinely ?] Jesse: ['Probably, but I ain't gonna force you to tell him if you don't want to'] Jac: ['you aren't going to force me to do anything, or anyone else; but morally...' shrugs 'it'd be better not to know, in loads of ways'] Jesse: ['Did he say owt to you after?' because there is that condom uncertainty so like did he wanna follow up is our question or was he not bothered] Jac: ['no, I don't know him' like duh 'I had to ask Darla his name'] Jesse: [a look like there you go then, don't worry too much about him rn because clearly he ain't worried about if he got your pregnant or not] Jac: [🙄 'obviously it's not a concern until it happens, that's kind of the point'] Jesse: [🙄 back because it is a concern before it happens for loads of people but whatever] Jac: ['is this helpful? he didn't wear a condom, that doesn't mean he doesn't wanna be or deserve to be contacted, by that rhetoric the only people who would would be the ones you didn't need to'] Jesse: ['never said it did, and I never said don't bother contacting him'] Jac: ['just because you don't vocalize it, doesn't get you out of any responsibility for implying it with what you don't, for fuck's sake, when are you gonna grow a backbone?'] Jesse: 'what I vocalised were it don't have to happen right the fuck now and it don't, take a sec for fuck's sake'] Jac: ['no because we're on a fucking timeline here, we don't have a sec!' raising our voice assumedly higher than the hushed tones we've been keeping] Jesse: [putting a hand on her arm like calm down but not a patronising calm down just like the equivalent of the JJ soft hey but not in words] Jac: ['no' and pushing his hand away but in a more calm manner not aggressively so 'the longer you delay this the worse it gets, it has to be dealt with now'] Jesse: [eye contact because we will not be fobbed off hen 'I get that but you only found out about an hour ago, like'] Jac: ['I fail to see the point in meditating on it, like' looking back obvs 'and anyway, the fact remains I still DON'T know what I'm going to do so you've got what you want there anyway'] Jesse: [a look like don't be a dickhead 'you don't reckon you might be in a bit of shock or whatever, nah?' but it's not a question cos we know you are and then a look like you can piss right off if you think this is what I want] Jac: ['and what? if I sleep on it this will be any less of a life-changing, earth-shattering shock?' shakes head like don't be stupid] Jesse: [a sigh because we don't know what to do or what to say] Jac: ['it's very sweet of you to want to fix this-' our tone suggests we think otherwise lol '-but that ain't why I called you'] Jesse: [a look like yeah no shit because we know she didn't have anyone else to call] Jac: ['I literally just need you to help me make the decision and then be there, not make me fucking okay with it, that isn't what this is'] Jesse: ['alright' genuinely we do mean it] Jac: ['thank you' big sigh] Jesse: [getting more tea for you both, it won't fix it but it is our love language] Jac: [just be having a google about all the possible things you could ever need to know for every available option] Jesse: [you too boy while you're waiting for that tea because why not] Jac: [casually terrifying ourselves lol but necessary evil 'cos yeah, can't not do this shit 'I hope you feel fucking lucky not to have a uterus'] Jesse: [nodding because we do after all this googling if we didn't before] Jac: [ah the biological unfairness of being born a girl lol] Jesse: [I hate it and all I've had to deal with are periods so] Jac: [literally being a straight girl/girl who has sex with men is lowkey mental torture like constant worry and if it does happen any outcome is bad like] Jesse: [agreed and y'all are gonna have to go home eventually and that upsets me to think about] Jac: [let us say that's hit you rn bitch 'what are we gonna...am I gonna say? I don't-' we mean speak 'cos literally tis the season lol] Jesse: [when that hits you then because again there's no right answer to this 'if you owt to be said, I can'] Jesse: [*want] Jac: ['I don't want it but-' a massive pause whilst we try to get our voice back to how it usually sounds and not straining 'cos you're about to cry 'cos we don't want that, then when you speak again it's barely audible '- how many more secrets am I expected to carry'] Jesse: [scoots his chair as close to her as he physically can because it's time for another feelsy lean that means 1. I love you 2. you can tell me anything 3. most importantly you can tell this whole fam literally anything even Jude who is a lot] Jac: [shakes head like clearly not but we don't move away] Jesse: [letting this moment happen because it's been so long for you both] Jac: [literally a year in all the senses lol] Jesse: [soz that we've done this to you lads] Jac: ['I don't think I can do any of this'] Jesse: ['you ain't got a choice, not to sit back and do nowt, I mean'] Jac: ['I know'] Jesse: [pushes her tea towards her like drink up because again it's our love language and they can't stay forever] Jac: [at least there's an excuse to go to the bathroom and filmically have a moment] Jesse: [and at least when they get home she's in the basement so he can be doing music shit  lowkey all night without it being blatant that he's checking on her] Jac: [we can skipperoo to that] Jesse: [agreed] Jac: [say that she was out of work 5 ish, say that took an hour at the least two at the most, they get home 7 ish, this is like late/early AM] Jac: Are you awake? Jesse: 👍 Jesse: [strums a note on the guitar or presses one on the keyboard like hello] Jac: I thought you were meant to be talented Jesse: where'd you hear that? Jesse: sounds like a load of bollocks Jac: Probably Jac: isn't everything on the 'gram Jesse: ✔ Jac: you'll have to come with me Jesse: Alright Jac: I just need to decide how to do it Jac: obviously I can't have it Jesse: did you work out how many weeks ago it were? Jac: three Jesse: I can give 'em a ring in a few hours, see how long you'll have to wait to get an appointment Jac: it can be up to 2 weeks Jac: that's what it says Jesse: I'll take the first one they offer us Jac: maybe that's to get it done Jac: it's all confusing Jac: and you can get the pills online and they won't prosecute you now but I still don't know how safe or fast that'll be either Jesse: soon as I can speak to someone, I'll ask whatever we ain't worked out Jac: pills have to be faster, even if they have to order them in, that's only a day or two Jac: two weeks is too long Jac: but the operation might be less scary Jac: I don't know Jesse: [sends her whatever he can find about people's actual experiences even though it's probably terrifying because the only way to really decide] Jac: I don't want to do this Jesse: I know Jac: this is why everyone does it Jac: has the kids Jac: I can't do this Jesse: can you do that though? Jac: I can't do any of this Jesse: not to be a dickhead, but you have to Jac: I know that Jesse: [playing some kind of song from their childhood whether that's a JJ or grandma Ali mood like this will comfort us while we ponder] Jesse: I dunno about waiting times for it but if you want it over and done sooner, the operation takes less time Jesse: couple of hours and you'll be back home Jac: yeah Jac: the pills can take days Jac: and you have to make sure it all comes away what if it doesn't Jac: how would I know what's too much blood Jesse: you'd have to call 'em or I would Jac: I wish they'd knock you out for the operation Jac: that's all Jesse: yeah, I get that Jac: it's punishment anyway Jac: there's no lesser it's just picking one and sticking to it Jesse: are you gonna tell anyone else, other than me and him? Jac: I don't know Jac: there's no point, I guess Jesse: might be a bit of a headfuck doing the 2nd pill at home if ma and da don't know, all I were thinking Jesse: but we could go somewhere else Jac: I don't want them to know Jac: I wish I didn't know Jesse: Alright Jac: when it's over forget you ever did Jesse: come on Jac: keep it to yourself then Jac: I don't want to talk about it Jesse: you might and I'll be about if you do Jesse: don't mean I'll be shouting about it Jac: nah Jesse: up to you, that Jac: just leave it Jesse: I heard you Jesse: I'll leave it out Jac: Good Jesse: ☕? Jac: no thanks Jac: I don't need stained teeth as well as a ruined womb Jesse: I'll pick you up a whitening kit when I go work in a bit Jac: 🙄 Jac: can't really drink tea through a straw like you can your coffee Jesse: if you're willing to look like a twat you can do owt Jesse: nobody's about to 👀 any road Jesse: I've had customers cracking on with all sorts Jac: I'd sooner be found dead in a ditch than be one of your customers Jesse: charming Jac: like it weren't obvious Jesse: never said it weren't Jesse: still a bit rude Jac: what, that I'm not a pretentious hipster that likes to pretend shit music is amazing and everyone else is too stupid to get it Jesse: that you'd rather 💀 than have a ☕ off me Jac: I don't know why you'd expect different Jesse: I never said that either Jac: then why say anything at all Jesse: 🤐 Jac: about right Jesse: 🤏 Jac: what does that even mean Jesse: it'll do Jac: whatever Jac: not as if there's any choice in the matter Jesse: what does that mean? Jac: you're annoying and you've got nothing to say Jac: that's just how it is Jesse: alright then Jac: yeah, case in point Jesse: suits you often enough that it's the case Jac: yeah, love that I hate you all Jac: it's a right laugh Jesse: for us an' all Jac: as I said, no choice in the matter Jac: just get on with it Jesse: 👍 Jac: I'll do the pills Jesse: I'll be about Jac: whatever Jesse: you've gotta have somebody with you Jac: I'm sure plenty didn't and don't Jac: if it gets to much, call an ambulance Jesse: you heard, I'll be here Jac: and I said, whatever Jesse: let me know when then Jac: 👍 Jesse: 👌 Jac: no, it's not Jesse: no shit Jac: so quit with this shit and acting like it is Jesse: you Jac: I'm not Jac: I just wanna face my time and do it Jesse: I'm getting my head round it Jac: why? Jac: what's to get, it won't be here Jesse: that's to get if nowt else Jesse: you've gotta do this Jac: so, that has nothing to do with you Jac: it's my mistake my problem Jesse: all that shit I've read ain't just going in one 👂 and out the other Jesse: and it don't have to be my mistake or problem for me to be bothered Jac: then don't get someone pregnant Jac: really welcome for the cautionary tale Jesse: tah Jac: just go away and go to bed Jesse: I ain't finished, there'll be sod all point going to bed when I am Jac: great Jesse: I'll live Jac: I don't care about you Jac: I'm trying to sleep Jesse: crack on then Jesse: I won't stop you Jac: I can't sleep when you're down here Jesse: alright, I'll piss off Jac: thank you Jesse: night Jac: yep Jac: [the next day/day after potentially] Jac: I got the pills Jac: if you're still interested Jesse: they give you the 1st one at the clinic or what? Jesse: how I read it Jac: then you know Jac: I'm gonna fake an abortion for your attention? Jac: obviously not Jesse: piss off Jac: I'm not in the mood Jesse: I'd have gone with you Jac: no need Jesse: do you need picking up now? Jac: I had a cab Jac: they make sure you aren't gonna get off in a car and crash or whatever Jesse: you home? Jac: where else Jesse: is anyone else about or what? Jac: yeah, if you didn't want to do this Jac: you should've said from the start Jac: then I wouldn't have bothered with any of this Jesse: if you'd have said you were doing it I'd be there waiting for you Jac: forget it Jac: you're more of a hindrance than a help Jesse: for not being a 🧠📖 yeah alright Jac: no, for making this remotely about you Jac: and being such a fucking pushover Jac: sometimes, you don't take no for an answer Jac: I was fucking terrified last night and you just left Jac: so fuck you, I don't need you now Jesse: you told me to leave Jac: and? Jac: I can't do this right now, Jesse Jac: I'm literally fucking killing my baby as we speak and you still wanna say you were just doing what I said, anything for an easy life Jac: you're not my problem now, I shouldn't have picked you, simple as Jesse: well you fucking did pick me Jesse: and you know why Jesse: that's about you, not me Jac: because at one point you could be fucking relied upon Jac: my mistake you're actually useless now, well great, thank you SO much Jesse: I got it wrong Jesse: I'm sorry Jac: I needed you to break through Jac: at least try, my God Jesse: I thought you needed space Jesse: I don't know Jac: I don't have enough of that Jac: it's convenient for you to all leave me alone now Jac: you don't like me, whatever Jac: I just needed you to put that aside for this Jesse: piss off, I've fucking tried for a year Jesse: I don't know how to do this with you any more, I don't know you Jac: this isn't run of the mill Jac: it's pretty special circumstances Jac: it is to me Jesse: tah for that, I hadn't realised Jesse: fucking hell Jac: can you just stop Jesse: yeah Jac: Are you gonna come home or what? Jesse: I'm on my way Jac: okay Jesse: is anyone else there or what? Jac: I think Cammie and Jameson were but I just came straight down so they didn't try to talk to me Jac: they might've gone by now Jesse: I'll come in that way Jac: I wasn't just being a bitch, by the way Jac: I bled through the pad I put on Jesse: it don't matter if you were, they'll live Jesse: do you need me to get you anything? Jac: they're used to it too Jac: I've got the painkillers Jesse: I'll just hurry up then Jac: won't be going anywhere Jesse: [we're not saying anything because we're hurrying lol] Jac: [fairplay hen] Jesse: [is gonna bring her loads of things that she could possibly want though obvs to a laughable degree] Jac: [a hot water bottle is a good idea so say you thought of that lol] Jesse: [yeah, cue montage of him giving her a comical amount of things that she lowkey doesn't want or need but there will be some useful shit in there too] Jac: [okay so just watched a quick video, and the worst is infection, sepsis as very worst, it not all coming away, or the tablets not working and this is worked out by going through more than 2 pads an hour with blood, a bad smell down there, a really high fever and the pain not being helped like at all by pain relief methods; we'll let that not happen because it is enough lol, so the basics are severe pain, cramps and blood, nausea, vomiting, diarhea, being shivery hot, you pass tissue and clots and this is meant to take 1-2 days but can last TIL YOUR NEXT PERIOD, the cramps also last about TWO WEEKS, pregnancy symptoms should ease after a couple of days, like being sick, but you can still have tender breasts for several weeks, you can't take the test to confirm the pregnancy is terminated 'til THREE WEEKS later, because the hormones stay around, you aren't allowed sex for 2 weeks BUT IF YOU DO YOU CAN GET PREGNANT IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN ABORTION but like we won't be, you're also not allowed to bath for 2 days and if you have a shower you have to have someone there in case you faint] Jac: [thought we should have this v basic rundown] Jesse: [thank god he is there and not leaving her for a bloody second because I can't even] Jac: [this is what we say when nobody WANTS an abortion hun, this is brutal, we're so rude] Jesse: [worst christmas ever] Jac: [yeah this tops last year and yours before that Amelia, not that we having a competition but hey ho] Jesse: [also thank god that we said that birthday flower drama happened and they broke up so Amelia isn't there casually like oh hey] Jac: [I was thinking if we do want her to know/be real drama, she could try to hit her up, it is Christmas lol] Jesse: [yeah that's always an option because she'll never get you pregnant hun] Jac: [oops, I meant that the other way around, did not write that properly, like Amelia tryna be a bit casual like hey don't be mad it's Xmas and then Jac could flip and it'll obviously be more than the flowers] Jesse: [well that makes sense because it's Amelia she's probably bought her a christmas gift yet again lol] Jac: [that was my vibe lol, god knows how my boo will be feelsy/rude with that] Jesse: [I was thinking she should get her another gay book that relates to their life like she did last year but like folded up inside is a portrait cos she hasn't done one of her since that one when they were like tweens] Jac: [you can find a list I bet, at least you don't know about the gay baby there isn't, that would be too close to the nose] Jesse: [blatantly like a chanel lipstick because we got the lip balm a year before, a theme so yeah leave that for the bae like you did last year] Jac: [a vibey vibe tbh, soz you do not know what you're coming into] Jac: [but yes, this is gonna be a bonding moment for you two, because it'll stop being like let's talk about it and you'll just have to do it, at least 2 days of the worst, you'll have to distract and comfort anywhich ways you can think of, probably lots of old movies and eating comforting junk, I'm just deciding if we tell JJ ourself or make Jesse rn hmm] Jesse: [I love that for you two even though it has to be in such horrible circumstances, I think he should do it because they'll blatantly still speak to her but at least she won't have to start the convo herself] Jac: [yeah, that makes sense as a moment 'cos we aren't stupid and this is gonna be suspish to all of us but at least then we can keep the other kids mainly Jude from being like HEWWO] Jesse: [yeah because Jude is the last thing we need rn no offense hen but he's literally not leaving her and even he isn't the music bit THAT much plus we said he had a show that he's just skipping which Jude would probably know so she'd be like ??! if not] Jac: [like, I'm down for mentioning that is a thing or having her come into the inbox but we don't need it to get to deathcon 5 levels, like we don't have the energy so she'd just be ignored and I won't make you self-RP] Jesse: [we know it's a thing and we know the vibe] Jac: [mhmm, like at the minute we've probably simply forgotten but we will circle back 'round when we're not quite so in traumatic shock] Jesse: [poor Jude just like why is everyone ignoring me, god bless] Jac: [lmao GIMME THAT ATTENTION, truly JJ I dunno how you tell someone to stop without giving up the info but you've gotta somehow] Jesse: [distract her somehow lads, it's nearly christmas there is shit you can do] Jac: [just going on a suspish amount of Christmas activities haha i live] Jesse: [I feel bad for you hen but like all will become clear one day] Jac: [sadly how it's gonna be]

[hotforharrison]

Enraptured Writer ch 3

Chapter 2 <-- Masterlist --> Chapter 4

Pairing: Tom Holland/Reader

Summary: Writing fanfiction was your guilty pleasure, but it was definitely not meant to be shared with certain people -- specifically, people named Tom Holland.

Word Count: 1,044

Warnings: Language for this chapter.

A/N: You get more of this one first! No smut this chapter, but guess what’s coming next. (Could maybe, possibly be the reader.)

You ended up writing the rest of a chapter for one of your series, and after it got the stamp of approval from your best friend, you posted it. You’d work on the blurb or possible oneshot later. There was no rush.

The afternoon went by quickly and turned into early evening while you binged Netflix and hung out with your best friend. It was just a typical weekend. 

Your phone stayed by your side just in case, but Tom didn’t send you another text. You were pretty sure you’d scared him off. It made you a little sad, but you hadn’t expected anything to come of it anyway.

Not that you’d ever tell anyone, but you could say that Tom Holland read your fanfiction. Most writers couldn’t say that. Probably. The thought of him secretly scouring the internet for fanfiction about himself made you giggle to yourself.

You received an ask on Tumblr from the blank blog who liked literally every last one of your Tom Holland fanfiction posts over the course of the day. You opened it, expecting it to be the usual reader request, but it wasn’t.

2738 N Park Ave, 308. 7:30pm.

You checked the address on Google, and it was a hotel not terribly far from where you lived. Although you knew you’d casually mentioned the city you live in a few times on your blog in response to comments and asks, you hadn’t expected anyone to really notice or care, and especially not get a hotel room near you and tell you to go there. What the fuck.

You stared at it for a while, but didn’t reply.

Your best friend hadn’t left yet. You told her about what had just happened.

“Dude, that sounds like some straight up serial killer shit,” she commented.

“I know, but god, I’m kind of curious?” you admitted.

Her mouth dropped open. “You’re actually considering going?!?”

“Maybe? I really want to know who it is and why,” you told her. “I don’t handle mysteries well, and this is a huge fucking mystery.”

“Fine. You’ve supported me through a lot of bad decisions over the years. I’ll come up with you and make sure you aren’t going to get murdered by your obsessive fan. The things I do for you.” She was smiling as she rolled her eyes.

“Thank you,” you said. “I’ve got about an hour to get ready before we need to leave.”

“Make yourself look cute,” she suggested. “It could be a hot guy.”

“Probably not, but it wouldn’t hurt,” you said, laughing.

You wore one of your favorite dresses that you knew looked amazing on you and got ready as quickly as you could while still taking the time to shave, in case it was a hot guy and things headed in that direction. A girl could dream.

You grew increasingly nervous as the clock ticked toward 7:30. After you were as ready as you could get, you headed downstairs.

“You look great!” your best friend said as you walked into the room. “If it is a hot guy, he’ll be totally into you.”

“Thanks!” you said. “It’s a little early, but I want to go now. I really need to know! This is seriously driving me crazy.”

“I’ll drive,” she offered. “You’d probably get us pulled over for speeding.”

“Probably,” you agreed.

The GPS guided you to the hotel. It was a decent chain one, not fancy by any means, but it looked clean and well-maintained from the outside. It didn’t seem like the sleazy sort of place people who were up to no good would stay.

“It’s 7:13,” you said after your best friend parked near the entrance. “Should we wait or head up early?”

“It’s 15 minutes. Your mystery fan is probably already up there waiting for you.” She shrugged.

“Let’s go,” you decided.

You were jittery with nerves as you walked together through the lobby and got into the elevator to go up to the third floor. Room 308 was at the end of a long hall that felt even longer as you walked down it.

“God, I can’t believe I’m doing this. What the fuck is wrong with me?” you asked.

“I’m not even sure where to start with that,” she teased.

You lifted your hand to knock on the door.

“Wait a second!” a masculine voice called from within, muffled.

“Oooh, maybe it is a hot guy!” your best friend said.

The door opened several moments later to reveal Tom, most definitely a hot guy, but not at all who you expected.

The three of you stood there staring at each other in shocked silence.

“You didn’t come alone,” he commented eventually.

“You sent me a message on Tumblr after liking everything I wrote about you! I thought you might be an obsessive serial killer! Why didn’t you just text me like a normal human being?” you pointed out.

“Wait a second, you’ve been texting Tom Holland and didn’t fucking tell me?!?” your best friend exclaimed, eyes wide.

“You were the one who gave him my phone and let him read the fic I was writing while you were drunk last night!” you said.

“I did what?” she asked.

“My mate Harrison wants your number, by the way,” Tom said to your best friend.

“Oh! That was his name! The guy I made out with!” She was obviously very pleased.

“I’m so confused right now,” you said to no one in particular.

“Phone,” Tom said, reaching his hand out to your best friend.

You watched upside down as he entered a new contact on her phone.

“Go have fun with Haz,” he told her. “He doesn’t have any plans tonight and has been nattering on about you all fucking day. I promise I’m not a serial killer. I’ll take very good care of your friend after you leave.”

“I’m sure you will,” your best friend said suggestively.

“Oh my god,” you mumbled, blushing.

“Now, you,” Tom said as he gently grabbed your arm, “come inside.”

After he moved you into the room behind him, he told your best friend, “And you, go bother Harrison. I’ll make sure she gets home safe.”

Then, he closed the door and turned to you.

Tag list: @adayasgeorgia @moorehollandplz @thollandss @dasexydevitt13 @imagine-lovebug @relise-thefury

[spiderman-homecomeme]

Day One - Hidden Connections

AN: You guys!!! Spideychelle week is finally here!! Ahhhh I’m so excited to see what everyone else as written and to share my stuff! Here is my contribution to day one! It’s a little short and quick, and there’s a fair amount of non-romantic stuff in it, but I just thought this idea was really funny and had to write it down! A huge thank you to @spideychelleweek for putting this together! 

Prompt: Secret Relationship AU/College AU

Pls enjoy some 2.4k of humor, fluff, and a dash of angst.

.

.

“To whom it may concern,”

“Dear Sir or Madam,”

“Dear Mr. Bugle,”

“Hello,

I hope your day is going well.

My name is Peter Parker, and I happened to film the altercation between the criminal known as Rhino and the heroes Luke Cage and Spider-Man on the intersection of 42nd Street and 11th Avenue. I have some screencaps of it attached, if you are interested in the video for a blog post, let me know. I am willing to sell said footage for a discounted quick-sale price.

Sincerely,

Yours Truly,

Love,

Thanks,

Peter Parker

--

Releasing a puff of air through his lips, Peter hits send.

The clickable ad he’d seen while scrolling through Facebook said: SEND VIDEOS OF SPIDER-MAN. $1 PER SECOND*. It was only after he’d clicked did he notice the fine print: Spider-Man must be within the frame for the whole second, otherwise the dollar is void.

But that doesn’t matter. Peter has a full five minutes that Dronie had so graciously recorded for him of Luke Cage and him kicking Rhino’s ass.

And he really needs the money.

MJ’s birthday is four days away, a day which also coincides with his rent being due, so in other words: he’s essentially broke. While he does have money in his bank account, he only has enough for one of those things, not both, and he can’t really afford to be evicted at this point. He knows MJ won’t leave him if he doesn’t get her anything…

But she at least deserves something nice.

This video should net him roughly $300; he can take her out to a nice dinner, maybe buy her something actually decent for a change. Not another scarf.

And who knows? She might not even want to go out to a fancy restaurant, seeing as she’s turned down every offer he’s given to take her out in the six months they’ve been dating. Every date night, it’s either been take-out, a quick slice, or some kind of fast food. Not that he’s complaining about hanging out with his girlfriend; every minute spent with her was more than enough. And he’d be a liar if he said it wasn’t a little easier on the wallet.

But there was still that seed of doubt. Why did she never want to leave Queens? Why was it always such a rush to get back home? Why hadn’t she introduced him to her parents? The intrusive, relentless thought that her being embarrassed of him might have been a factor whispered darkly in the back of his mind. He knows he can be immature at times, both with his sense of humor and overall behavior, so, albeit shamefully, he could understand where she was coming from.

Maybe a nice present accompanied by a fancy dinner could help to prove that he can act like a grown-up.

Maybe.

--

The next morning, while happily munching on a bowl of Hulk O’s, he’s genuinely surprised to see a reply in his notification bar from none other than J. Jonah Jameson himself.

“I want to see that video. Will talk about your payment after I have it analyzed by my team.

Your appointment is today at 9am. Don't be late.

J.J. Jameson

Editor for the Daily Bugle Heralding Your Daily News │Tel [212] 555-7109│Fax [877] 555-0971

Sent from my iPhone.”

Peter only allows himself a moment to be put off by the the informality of Jameson’s response, brows crinkled as he turns to check the time.

8:30 AM.

He drops his spoon into the bowl, milk and soggy cereal splashing.

Well, shit.

He stuffs whatever clothes he can find into a backpack before roughly yanking his suit on; he flings himself out of his fifth story window, cereal bowl abandoned on the kitchen counter. Phone in hand, following along on Google Maps, he wonders how super heroes were able to find their way around big cities before GPS.

The next thirty minutes fly by in a blur, and Peter honestly doesn’t know how he’s able to put enough brain cells together to find a place to change into his civilian “interview” clothes. It’s a wonder he made it there in one piece.

The lobby doesn’t have any kind of directory, or any indication of where J. Jonah Jameson is supposed to be. In fact, Peter isn’t even sure where he’s supposed to meet the guy, unable to recall if there’d been anything like that in the email.

He gingerly approaches the front desk, ducking his head down slightly as he offers a smile to the receptionist. “Uhm, hello! I’m here to see Mr. Jameson?”

The woman gives him the the quick once over, visibly unimpressed. “You got a delivery, kid?”

“Uh, n-no.” Peter shifts awkwardly, smile fading. “He, uh, he sent me an email. To meet him at nine? Today? Right… Right now?”

“Hold on,” she says, her voice monotone, turning to the phone on the desk and dialing a four digit number with freshly manicured nails.

Peter starts to say, “Thanks,” but is cut off by the woman holding a finger up.

“Hey Ted, I’ve got a kid down here. Says he’s supposed to meet with Jameson. Do you know anything about it?”

She listens for a moment, nodding. “Okay, thanks.”

Click.

“Okay, kid, go over to that elevator. 17th floor. Someone will meet you.”

Peter smiles again, throwing a quick, but polite, “Thank you,” over his shoulder as he moves.

He’s met by who he assumes to be Ted, a slight middle-aged man with tired eyes. “Peter Parker?” He asks.

Peter nods.

“Alright, follow me.”

Peter isn’t taken directly to the office at first, only being seated in the waiting area just outside.

For thirty minutes.

9 AM, he said. Don’t be late, he said.

The door to the office is ajar, the sound of Jameson yelling at and berating some poor unfortunate soul over the phone almost as loud as the clacking of Ted’s typing on his keyboard.

“I don’t care what that weasel said, I want it done right this time! And if you had done what I’d told you to, we wouldn’t be having this conversation!” There’s a pause as Jameson presumably listens to the person on the other line begging for mercy. “Fine. Go with the lilac. It’ll clash with your comforter, you’ll see. Don’t come crying to me when you have to buy a whole new bed set.”

Another beat of just Ted’s typing passes.

“Okay. Love you, Mom. Buh-bye.” Jameson hangs up, before yelling out the door. “HOFFMAN!”

“Yes, sir?” Ted answers quickly.

“MY 9:00 IS LATE. IT’S 9:30!”

“No, sir, he’s here sir. He’s been here since 9.”

“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME? I COULD’VE HAVE ENDED THIS CONVERSATION SOONER. MAKE A NOTE OF THAT, HOFFMAN.”

“Yes, sir. Will do, sir.”

“NEXT TIME, INTERRUPT MY PHONE CALL. STICK YOUR HEAD IN HERE. GIVE ME A SIGNAL.” He sighs. “Okay. Send him in.”

Ted looks over. “You can go on in. Good luck.”

Peter falters for a moment, wondering if he’s really willing to go through with this.

No. He is. MJ was more than worth it.

He says a quick, “Thank you,” before walking in to the lion’s den.

Jameson sits at his desk, looking up briefly, chewing on an unlit cigar. “Well, quit your dawdling, get in here.”

Peter picks up the pace.

The man glares at him for an uncomfortable few moments, sizing him up, before extending his hand. “You got the video?” He asks, skipping introductions entirely.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah.” Peter swallows, handing him the drive.

Jameson hums. “I was expecting someone… More… professional.”

It’s then that Peter realizes he’d left his apartment without even combing his hair or brushing his teeth. He hadn’t even bothered put on deodorant or to change out of his The Mighty Thorgi t-shirt. He’s wearing a pair of the day before yesterday’s and yesterday’s jeans, and to make matters worse, he’s wearing two different shoes; one grey converse and one blue.

“You homeless or something? Because there’s a soup kitchen around here.” Jameson spends the next few moments trying to plug in the USB to his computer, flipping it over and over. “Damn thing. HOFFMAN!”

Ted practically sprints in. “Yes, sir?”

Peter tries to speak. “I can do it if you—”

“—Don’t patronize me, kid,” Jameson snaps. “Hoffman. Plug this in.”

Peter watches in silence as Jameson’s expression never changes as the video plays out on his computer. Peter knows what’s on the video, he knows it by heart, in fact. He fought in it. When the video ends, Jameson leans back, his blank expression now seems thoughtful.

“I’m gonna give it to you straight kid,” He says. “It’s a good video. Now I can send this down to my lab nerds. They can calculate the exact amount of time that Spider-Man’s in a full frame. I’m guessing it’s gonna be around $120 to $150. But, that’s if we give you credit, of course. If you wanna sign the rights of this video over to us, we’re looking at, say, $350 upfront. You won’t be credited, though.”

To Peter, that actually sounds pretty good; he gets a good amount of money, more than he thought, and his name won’t be tied to his alter-ego. It’s a win-win. “Oh, yeah! That sounds great!”

Jameson’s smile is shark-like. “Great. HOFFMAN! GET ME CONTRACT A27!”

“Do you mean A63, sir?” Ted asks from the door, contract already in hand, placing it on the desk.

“Yes, yes of course. A63.” Jameson shakes his head. “Can’t get decent help around here,” he mutters.

Peter signs where Ted indicates. Jameson signs the last page and hands back the contract.

“I’ll be back with your copy,” Hoffman says as he exits the room.

Jameson then opens his drawer, retrieving a thick check book and grabbing a pen. “Parker Peterson, right?”

“No, no. Just… Peter… Parker.”

As Jameson writes the check, Peter takes the time to take in the office around him, his eyes drawn immediately to the portrait on the desk. His stomach drops as he realizes who it is.

No doubt about it.

That’s a picture of his girlfriend.

Why is there a picture of MJ… on Jameson’s desk?

“Pretty, isn’t she?”

Jameson’s voice startles Peter, and he looks over, the older man glaring right into him. “Huh?” Peter asks.

“She’s pretty, right? It’s okay. You can say she’s pretty. Beautiful even.”

Peter nods, voice soft. “Yeah. Really beautiful.” And he means it, more than anything, nervous as he is; MJ is the most beautiful person he’s ever known.

With the flick of his wrist, Jameson deliberately flips the portrait away from Peter.

In the amount of time Peter’s been in the office, Jameson has had two volumes: Loud and VERY LOUD. There seems to be a third setting, however. In a hushed, threatening tone, Jameson seethes. “Listen here, kid. I don’t need no smelly, grubby, unemployed jackass drooling all over my daughter.”

Wait, what?!

Fuck.

“I don’t know what thoughts were going through your sick little mind, but that’s my little girl, and I will be damned if she fuels your pervy little spank bank! Do I make myself clear?”

Oh, if only he knew...

Even though Peter could easily take down the older man, he still finds himself shrinking back slightly.

He nods profusely. “Yes, sir, of course sir.”

“Good.” Jameson roughly shoves the check at Peter. “Now get the hell out of my office.”

Peter doesn’t need to be told twice as he dashes through the door, nearly running past Hoffman who expertly passes him the contract copy.

“Have a nice day!” Hoffman calls as Peter disappears down the hallway.

--

Omw, the text read from MJ.

Luckily, Peter had already planned for arrival; the apartment’s clean, the floors vacuumed, Febreez has been sprayed. Conditions were perfect. All he needed to do now was sit and wait, mindlessly tapping his fingers against his thigh, the events from earlier replaying in his head on some kind of torturous loop.

The sound of the key turning the lock fifteen minutes later had his pulse quickening. She was here. “I brought Chinese!” She called as she set the bags down on the dining room table.

Peter cuts right to the chase, barely lasting a second. “So. I met your dad today.”

MJ nearly drops the lo mein, her eyes blown wide. “Oh my God.”

Peter shrugs.

“I am so. So. Sorry.”

He tilts his head a fraction, brows wrinkling in confusion. “Why?”

“I don’t know how he find out,” She says, almost to herself. “I tried to keep this— us— hidden from him. He chases away any guy who comes close to me; friend, colleague… One time a teacher said I was a remarkable student and he— It doesn’t matter. I’ve tried explaining this hetero-normative, misogynistic bullshit to him, but it just goes right over his head. He’s always had this… toxic paternity complex. Like, I know that he loves me, I guess, but that’s no excuse.” She folds her arms across her chest, glancing away, her eyes welling in frustration. “And I just didn’t want him to scare you away.”

Peter puts his hands on her arms. “Woahwoahwoahwoah. Hey. It’s okay.” She looks up at him. “He doesn’t know about us. I just went to the Bugle today to sell a video of Spider-Man… and I saw your picture on his desk.”

Relief washes over her, and she puts a hand on her chest. “Oh, thank God.”

“Nothing to worry about.” Peter grins, before growing confused again, expression crinkling. “I thought your last name was Jones?”

“It is.”

“Then…?”

“So’s my Mom’s,” she elaborates. “They just never got married. Or stayed together, really.”

“Ah, gotcha,” Peter nods.

A comfortable silence fills the room, the food on the table surely getting colder by the minute. But MJ finds that her curiosity is growing too strong. She has to know.

“What did he say?”

Peter snorts, face scrunching as he scratches the back of his neck. “A lot. He totally freaked out when I said you were pretty.”

“He yelled at you for saying I was pretty?”

“Well… It wasn’t really yelling. Just angry whispering. And...” Peter turns bashful. “I said you were beautiful.”

A small smile cracks MJ’s expression, and she looks back down at their now intertwined hands. “Gross.”

“I know.” He cups her cheek, thumb caressing the soft skin there as he stares deeply into her eyes. He leans in, placing a loving, lingering kiss against her lips. As he pulls away, they both sigh. “Just so you know…” He starts, voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyes gaze adoringly into his; she’s not even trying to hide how mushy she feels at this moment.

“You’re always the star of my spank bank.”

“Wait, What?”

[parachutingkitten]

I’ve Never Done This Before: A Huebby Fic - Ch 2

WOW it’s been a while since I’ve updated this puppy. Serious writer’s block on this one, but here it is! An update to my Huebby fic! Man Huebby stans. We need... more of us. Content volume is seriously sad. Hopefully this helps. (And may I add, Huey season is coming, I’m SO hyped!)

Happy Reading!

“I think that’s everything” Huey dusted off his hands, looking at the back of the truck. 

“This is going to be fun!” Webby smiled at him. “I feel like I never spend enough time with you anymore.” She hit him playfully in the arm, and ran towards the front of the truck to get in. Huey rubbed his arm, still staring blankly ahead. 

“...Yeah.”

He took his place in the driver's seat and turned the keys.

“You sure Dewy won’t mind us using his truck.” Webby glanced back at the mansion.

“He never uses it anyway. He can’t complain.” Huey rolled his eyes, pulling out of the driveway, as a dinging sound began chiming repeatedly. Huey glanced over at Webby, seeing no sign of a seat belt.

“The car’s yelling at you, Webby,” 

“I know,” she groaned. “I’m pulling up the GPS give me a sec.”

“Safety first. I’m legally responsible for your seat belt situation.”

“What are you going to do? Stop the car?”

Huey hit the brakes, waiting to turn out of the neighborhood. He leaned on the steering wheel, looking over at Webby. 

She rolled her eyes, reaching for the seat belt. “Convenient timing,” She giggled.

“I know, so dramatic, right?” Huey smiled, pulling onto the road.

“GPS says 10 minutes.” Webby scrolled through the stats on her phone. “And it looks like the weather should be nice! Not even that much wind.”

“Canoeing on a windy day can be a disaster. Especially with inexperienced rowers. Not to say that I don’t believe in you! Just… It’ll be easier this way.”

“It’s okay! I get it. I don’t have much experience with boats of any kind to begin with. Or… most other normal recreational activities.” She chuckled halfheartedly, turning off her phone, and looking out the windshield as the car went quiet. This startled Huey a bit. Silence was filled with uncertainty. He didn’t like no knowing what was coming. It put him on edge. 

“So, what have you and Dewey been doing lately? I heard something about a Cereal quest?”

“Oh, yeah,” Webby chuckled. “It’s… kinda silly. But It’s fun! Anything with Dewey is always fun.”

“I’m not sure about that. Anything with Dewey is definitely… an adventure.”

“Stop it,” Webby sent him a stern look.”

“What?” Huey giggled.

“You’re too hard on your brothers, you know that?”

“Oh no, I’m being easy on them,” Huey grinned.

Their smiles faded as the silence returned. 

“But seriously, how are you guys?”

“We’re fine,” She shrugged. “I do feel like I’m getting a little more superficial with him though. Like… I can’t be as open with him anymore.”

“I thought you and Dewy shared like… everything.”

She thought for a moment. “Look, I love Dewey to death. He’s my best friend, has been for a million years. He’s great for telling little secrets, and fun stories, but he’s still just so…”

“Dense?”

“Immature. Like, I don’t feel like I can talk with him about what I’m really feeling. About my big questions. I don’t know if I told him that he would get it. Like really get it, you know?”

Huey sighed, knowing she was describing his brother to a tee. “Yeah.”

“I don’t know. I’ve been feeling pretty closed off recently in general. I guess I’ve just had some weird realizations in my life, and I just haven’t really had anyone to talk to for one reason or another…” Webby stopped, silent for a moment. “Could I ask you something kinda serious?”

“...Umm.” This concerned Huey more than the silence.

“I’m sorry. That’s a weird thing to ask-”

“No, it’s okay, you can ask me,” Huey stopped her. 

Webby sighed, her fingers picking at each other. “Do you think I… that I’m a good person?”

This caught Huey off guard. Webby was probably the nicest person he knew. And she certainly didn’t seem like the self-deprecating type. Where was this coming from?

“Why would you think-”

“It’s just… For as long as I can remember, I’ve been trained to be this hyper intense, self-defending, mini weapon. And I just… I was stuck in the mansion for so long, so the more I’ve gotten to interact with the real world, the more I’ve realized that the way I… think isn’t normal. Most people don’t scan a room for potential weapons the moment they walk in. Most people don’t determine the best way to incapacitate their friends. Most people don’t… work like me. And I didn’t really notice it at first, but it’s like this weight that sits at the back of my chest, and it never leaves. And… I feel bad about it. Like if people knew what was going on inside my head, they’d… be scared of me.”

Huey was silent, his mind blank and his head rushing as he listened. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and tell her how wrong she was. How everyone saw her as anything but the weapon she had described. How none of that should matter to anyone who really knew her, and how silly it was to even entertain the thought. But he was driving. 

So he didn’t.

“I’m sorry if it doesn’t make much sense-”

“I get it.” Huey cut her off. “It’s this world that sits inside your head that no one else knows about and yet consumes everything that you do. All the time. And no one can tell, but… it’s your whole life.”

“...Yeah.”

“You know, my mom left, and Donald was always working and… I had to grow up so fast. No one else was going to be there for my brothers, so I had to be their support. I always had to be the one to keep them safe, and watch their habits, and make a plan, and say no, and… It feels like you’re a machine sometimes. And it’s just… the way you’re wired. Forever. Whatever you do, you just can’t shake it.”

Huey turned off the road, and into the park parking lot, the truck jerking to a stop as they arrived.

“Huey, are-”

“I’m fine,” Huey brushed it off, turning to look at her. “But the point is, everyone has their filter for life. And yours might be a little more intense, but it’s not your fault for having it. And I know I can’t speak for anyone else, but I sure as hell don’t care if you have a designated method for knocking me out, because I know it comes from a good place. It’s actually kind of nice to have someone around who you know has a plan to protect you if things go wrong.” 

“Thanks.” Webby smiled, the car seeming just a little bit brighter, and the tension lifting just a little more.

“And of course, you’re a good person,” He added, pulling up the parking brake. “I’d do absolutely anything for you, because you’re-” Huey stopped short, realizing something. “Absolutely wonderful.”

Her smile grew as their eyes remained locked for a moment, Huey’s heart rate subtlety accelerating in his chest. 

“Why don’t we get unpacking, huh?” She popped the door open, hopping out.

Huey turned to look at his reflection in the windshield, slouching back in his seat, and digging his fingers into his hair.

“Holy. crap. I like Webby.”

[ladymercytaylor]

All In - Chapter 4 (Joe Mazzello x Reader)

A/N: HELLO! And we’re back again with part 4 of All In! Thank you so much for reading it and stay tuned for another chapter next week. Hope you like it! If you like it please reblog (it would make my little heart so happy <3) Looking for the last chapter? Find it HERE! Summary: You and Joe were in a blissful relationship for 4 years. It seemed as though everything was perfect. You’d moved in together and all of your friends were taking bets on when he’d finally put a ring on your finger. That is until it all fell apart. Now, 1 year on you’re thrown together at a mutual friend’s wedding and it changes everything between you. 

Chapter 4 – 9 weeks

Things got considerably easier after talking to Joe. Well, not the crippling morning sickness that had you essentially glued to the bathroom floor both morning and night. But just knowing that you didn’t have to panic about his reaction did wonders to calm your nerves. He’d been utterly fantastic actually. More than you’d ever imagined. He was so respectful of your boundaries, not wanting to make you uncomfortable in any way. He’d even asked if he could touch your belly when you’d started to show a few weeks ago. It wasn’t a big change really, but Joe had noticed the new swell of your stomach when the two of you were lying on your couch the second Wednesday after you’d told him. It Joe’s idea to have a standing ‘date’ night once a week. Naturally, in typical Joe fashion that ‘one night a week’ had quickly descended into every Wednesday and at least one day on the weekend. You weren’t thrilled initially, weary about letting Joe back into your life. Every time you let your guard down images of that night in the kitchen would come screaming back in the most vivid way leaving you angry and hurt all over again. But deep down you knew it was best for the baby – so you agreed. “Can – I mean – do you mind?” he stammered, his cheeks flushing red as he realised what he’d asked for. “Of course. Feel away” you offered, stretching your legs out into his lap so that your tummy was readily available. Joe’s fingers twitched nervously as he reached out, his fingertips just grazing the fabric of your t-shirt. Sighing gently you pressed his hand down, splaying his fingers across your abdomen. A small gasp caught in Joe’s throat as he felt the roundness hidden under your top. He thought it would be softer, those memories of lying his head on your stomach as the two of you lay in bed on his favourite Sunday mornings.  But the resistance under his palm had his heart fluttering in his chest for another reason. It was genuinely real to him now. Growing just a few inches from his skin was his baby – warm and safe with the love of his life. “How long until it’ll kick?” he whispered, not taking his eyes or hand off your abdomen. “Not for another 7 weeks at the earliest” Joe pouted momentarily, but it immediately softened into a warm smile. “That’s okay. I’m happy to wait” he looked up at you with such affection that your stomach clenched uncomfortably. The hand on your stomach was no longer comforting. Your skin burnt as if he’d placed a branding iron against it.   “I’ve gotta go to the bathroom” you blurted out, withdrawing your legs and pulling yourself away from his hand as fast as you could. You didn’t even hear Joe ask if you were alright, you were too focussed on getting to the hallway and out of his line of sight. Tears prickled behind your eyelids. Leaning back against the closed bathroom door you tried to steady your breath. Everything was so familiar it was overwhelming. That tenderness in his gorgeous eyes as he looked at you. The way his fingers gently caressed your abdomen. You were mad at yourself. A whole year of building up every defence possible against Joe and here he was, smashing through them as if they were wafer. But you refused to give in to your nostalgia. He was here for the baby. Nothing else.

Anxiety gripped your nerves as you paced slowly in front of your OBGYN’s office. Joe hadn’t sounded 100% confident on the directions you’d messaged him the previous night, so you’d agreed to wait out the front to guide him if necessary. Your assistance was rendered unneeded when you saw a very familiar mop of auburn hair bouncing your way in the crowd of New York pedestrians. “See?” you laughed mockingly, pulling away from the slightly awkward hug Joe had initiated. “Told you it wasn’t that hard to find” “Well, you know me. I get lost looking for the kitchen” he chuckled, running a hand over the back of his neck.  “Ready to go in?” you asked, nodding towards the white building. Joe sucked in a deep breath, his hands shaking slightly. For a moment you were worried he was going to back out and take off down the street. But the man in front of you steeled his nerves and stepped towards the large glass doors, grasping the bronze handle and opening it.  “After you, milady” he grinned before dipping into a low bow.  “Dork” you murmured, a soft smile on your lips as you walked passed him and into the sterile lobby.

“Miss L/N?” a nurse in purple scrubs called from the hallway and you felt your stomach clench uncomfortably. The acidic smell of antiseptic solution wasn’t helping one inch.  “You ready?” Joe asked softly, rubbing his hands nervously on his dark jeans.  “No” you admitted with a chuckle. Joe smiled encouragingly, offering you a hand. You gratefully took it, letting him lead you back into the practice.  “Dr Mannix is ready for you” the assistant smiled, stopping in front of a white door with a small silver plaque gleaming at you.  “Thank you” you smiled before stepping into the office. “Hi, Dr Mannix”  “Hello, Y/N!” your OBGYN beamed from over the top of her thick black glasses. “So nice to see you again. And this must be dad!” she beamed, her blue eyes flickering to Joe who waved slightly nervously as he sat down next to you.  “Joe. Nice to meet you” he murmured, knitting his fingers together in his lap. Dr Mannix’s face fell into a gentle smile.  “You don’t need to be nervous, Joe. Y/N’s already filled me in on the situation and trust me, this isn’t the strangest case I’ve had” she smiled and Joe’s shoulders relaxed noticeably.  “Are you sure?”  “Promise” she smiled, pulling a manila folder out of the filing cabinet next to her pristine white desk. “I think the best one was two sets of twins that were both cheating on their twin with the other one” she chuckled.  “No way” you murmured, jaw falling slack in shock while Joe stared at your doctor with wide eyes.  “Alright I made that up” Dr Mannix admitted with a laugh, flipping the cover of the file open. “But don’t stress. I’m not here to play therapist, I’m just here to look after you and your baby” “I guess we can work with that” Joe sighed mockingly and you couldn’t help but punch him lightly in the arm. The older woman chuckled quietly before peering at the paperwork in front of her.  “Okay, so your GP sent over all your initial test results so that’s perfect” she murmured more to herself as she read through the papers. “And from your info we know you’re about 9 weeks, so today we get to do your first ultrasound! Oh, that’s so exciting! And we’ll be able to give you your due date which is fun” she chirped. Your GP had told you that Dr Mannix was a very ‘friendly’ OBGYN but you didn’t imagine her to be quite so excited about your pregnancy. It was refreshing, given that the emotion this pregnancy had inspired most thus far was panic. “Before we get started with the scan, do either of you have any questions?” “I’ve already asked all my questions for now” you chuckled, turning to Joe. His eyes flickered between you and Dr Mannix with slightly wild fear.  “Not yet” he stammered, fidgeting in the plastic chair. “Still…processing” “That’s perfectly fine” your doctor beamed, standing up from behind her desk. “I’m sure you’ll have plenty by the next appointment. Now, let’s see your baby”

Your heart began to race as you situated yourself on the white examination table. Joe immediately fell into the plastic seat next to it. “You nervous?” you asked softly, noticing the restless way his leg was bouncing up and down. “Just a little” he whispered, a shy smile on his face. “Never been to one of these before” “Well I find it endlessly comforting that you haven’t made a habit of knocking up ex-girlfriends in the past” you teased, twiddling your thumbs as Dr Mannix assembled the equipment a few feet away. “Maybe I just never got so kindly invited to the scans. I could have a hundreds of kids out there I never told you about” he sniffed indignantly. You snorted a derisive laugh, shaking your head at him. “Hundreds. Really?” “That hurts, Y/N. That really hurts” he glared playfully, but you were glad to notice that his leg had stopped bouncing. “Alright, guys. Let’s see this baby” Dr Mannix grinned, holding up a white device that looked unnervingly like a barcode scanner. You rolled up your shirt at her instruction. Blue gel was squirted against your exposed skin before she pressed the wand to your belly. “Okay, just a smidge of manoeuvring here” the doctor murmured mostly to herself as she gently twisted the device in her hand. The screen next to you showed nothing but black and white static and Joe felt his hands begin to sweat again. He’d been eagerly awaiting this ever since the day you’d told him about the baby. It was all well and good to get updates from you and watch your stomach slowly grow, but what he really wanted was to see it. To know that his baby was safe and healthy. “There we are!” Dr Mannix announced triumphantly, holding the ultrasound wand perfectly still against your skin. Gasps escaped both yours’s and Joe’s mouth as the image on the screen changed. Instead of blank static, there was a defined black oval in the middle of the monitor – and nestled inside of that was a small grey blob. “That’s your baby” she grinned, the lines in the corners of her eyes deepening. “Holy shit” Joe murmured, leaning forward on his elbows, his eyes fixed on the image in front of him. “That’s amazing” you added, tears prickling behind your eyes, “but it looks like a chicken nugget! It’s so silly!” you sobbed, a few tears streaking down your cheeks. Joe’s loud laugh echoed in the tiny room but it quickly died when he noticed your distress. “Of course it looks silly, sweets, it’s only 9 weeks old” he murmured gently, reaching out to grasp your hand tightly. You flinched slightly at the contact, but much to his relief didn’t pull away. “And I think a chicken nugget is kinda cool” he whispered conspiratorially, rousing a small smile from you. Sniffling quietly you grasped his hand tighter. “Do you want to hear the little nugget’s heartbeat?” Dr Mannix asked gently. Dabbing at your eyes with your free hand you nodded, noticing Joe squeeze your hand supportively. She tapped a few keys on the computer before a strange sound echoed all throughout the small exam room. A thumping ‘woosh’ echoed through the speakers. Now it was Joe’s turn for tears. You saw them slip silently down his slightly ruddy cheeks and squeezed his hand gently. His hazel eyes flickered to you for a moment and you were relieved to find nothing but unadulterated joy sparkling in them.  “It’s a really cool chicken nugget” he whispered with a laugh and you grinned, tears still glittering in your own eyes.  Dr Mannix waved the two of you goodbye half an hour later with hardcopies of the ultrasound photos and even more fliers than after the first appointment.  “Do you have time for lunch?” Joe asked quickly, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Your mind drifted to the mountain of patient files on your desk back at the office and you knew taking a long break wasn’t in your best interest. But then you saw the hopefulness shimmering in Joe’s hazel eyes. “Yeah, come on. I know a place around the corner”

“When is it okay to start telling people?” Joe asked, not taking his eyes off his coffee as he stirred the foam aimlessly. “Most people usually wait until after the first trimester is over, but we’re nearly there. You want to tell your family?” “And the boys, if that’s okay. Ben’s become irritatingly suspicious” he sighed, scrunching up his napkin. “As long as they’re sworn to secrecy I don’t mind” you smiled, putting your knife and fork together and leaning back in your seat. “You sure?” he asked, his eyes glittering with excitement. “Of course, I love those boys” you smiled, memories of those 3 insane men flooding your mind. Oh how you’d missed them. Joe had been so worried about signing on for such a long project, terrified that he wouldn’t get along with them. But then he’d found out Rami was going to be playing Freddie and that had just been the beginning of a string of very good luck. Ben had quickly become his best friend and Gwil had immediately slotted in as the older brother he’d never had. Keeping the news to himself had been killing him, but he didn’t want to do anything without your approval. “It’s actually really good timing. They’ll all be in town this weekend. Ben’s got a couple of auditions lined up and Rami and Gwil thought it’d be a good opportunity to turn it into a reunion” “Oh that so exciting!” you grinned, your chest aching slightly with jealousy. You’d only seen Ben once after the breakup and that was pure co-incidence at the wedding. Technically they were Joe’s friends first and you knew their loyalty would lie with him so you’d stepped away from any real kind of contact. Commenting on someone’s Instagram really wasn’t the same. “Did you maybe want to come to dinner with us on Saturday?” Joe suggested, his palms suddenly feeling very clammy. “I know they’ve missed you and seeing as we’re….talking again” he felt so silly reducing your current situation to ‘talking again’ but he really couldn’t find the right words for what you were. Ex’s having a baby together just sounded even worse. “Would you be alright with that?” “I just invited you, didn’t I?” he teased, his hazel eyes sparkling playfully. You rolled your eyes as his cheek but excitement fluttered in your chest. You’d never met a group of boys quite like the BoRhap cast before and you’d been desperate to see them again.

“So, I have news” Joe started, setting his beer down on the black coffee table. “Did you get that movie you were telling us about, Tennessee Dreaming or something wasn’t it?” Gwil asked, taking a sip of his drink. “So keen to watch you in a rom com” Ben chuckled from his spot on the windowsill as he wafted his cigarette smoke out the open window. “Tightly wound city boy meets country girl, yeah? Oh, do you think you’re going to have to ride a horse?” “Shut up, Ben. The man clearly has something important to say” Rami interrupted, gesturing to his paler than usual friend. “Finish that up and then he can tell us” Ben rolled his eyes, taking one last drag of his cigarette before flicking the dead butt out the window. Joe’s hands grew even clammier as his friend shut the window with a soft click before plopping down on the navy couch next to Gwil. “Okay, lay it on us” he sighed, clapping his hands in anticipation.  Joe suddenly felt very nervous under 3 sets of watchful eyes. They’d all been around through the break up and loved you so much that trying to explain the situation was going to be an interesting ride to say the least. “Y/N’s pregnant” he murmured, his hazel eyes drifting to the carpet under his sneakers. “Holy shit” Gwil breathed out as Rami spat out the sip of beer he’d taken. Ben, however, stayed dangerously quiet. “I didn’t know she had a boyfriend” While Gwil was happy that you’d found someone, he couldn’t help but frown. He’d always hoped that you both find your way back to each other, but that didn’t seem to be the case. “She doesn’t” was Joe’s slightly choked response and Ben’s green eyes narrowed even further. “She told you about it? I didn’t know you were even talking” Rami murmured. That was when it clicked into place. “She told him because he’s the father” Ben interjected, folding his arms over his chest. “WHAT?!” “NO!” “Uh yeah” Joe sighed, rubbing his hands through his tousled hair. “When did that happen?” Rami asked, leaning forward in his armchair. “Sebastian Stan’s wedding” Ben interjected before Joe could even open his mouth. “I leave them alone for 5 minutes for a very cute bridesmaid and they have fucking one night stand” There was absolutely no hiding the anger in his voice. “Alright, alright. Calm down, mate” Gwil murmured gently in a vain attempt to placate his friend but it was no use. Joe prickled, his shoulders tensing dangerously. “What are you so fucking pissy about?” “Just the fact that you ripped that girl’s heart out a year ago and then go and be so fucking careless” he spat, cheeks reddening in anger. Rami swallowed nervously, his eyes flicking to Gwil who gave him a minute shrug. “We weren’t careless!” Joe shouted, a furious blush sweeping up his neck. “Defences…failed” he stammered awkwardly, his whole body feeling impossibly hot. “And what the fuck are you saying about ripping her heart out? I never told you what happened” “I called her cause I’m a good friend!” Ben shouted, the secret that he’d been holding onto for what felt like decades finally spilling from his lips. “And she told me everything, by the way. After the funeral, Joe? After the fucking funeral!?” “Alright, that’s enough!” Gwil shouted, his booming voice echoing around the living room. Both Joe and Ben shut their mouths, withdrawing into their seats in embarrassment. “Look, things have happened and this is where we’re at because of it” he murmured, his voice blessedly returning to its soft tone. “Yelling at each other isn’t going to change anything. And I’m sure Joe’s under enough pressure as it is” he added with a pointed glare at Ben who shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. A few moments passed where the only sounds that was heard was Joe and Ben’s laboured breaths. “Okay, is that settled then?” Gwil asked, his sapphire blue eyes darting between his two grumpy friends. Both boys nodded tensely, their gaze anywhere but each other. “Good. Now, what are you two going to do?” “We’re keeping it” Joe murmured. Despite the utter fury raging through his veins a small smile twisted his lip. He always smiled when he spoke of you. “Wow” Rami murmured, amazement clear on his face. “Joe Mazzello – father” “I am so glad you didn’t say daddy” Ben chuckled and Joe couldn’t help but grin. Gwil beamed as the tension dissolved from the group, taking a lazy swig of his drink again. “But you’re not getting back together” Rami asked and Joe shook his head, shoulders dropping slightly. “But you want to” “Of course I do. I wanted to before all this even happened” he sighed dejectedly, his face dropping into his hands. “I was going to ask her about it when he had coffee but she dropped that bomb on me instead. Funny enough I didn’t think the best thing to do was follow up ‘I’m pregnant’ with ‘Wanna go on a date?’” he muttered bitterly and Ben had to stifle a laugh behind his hand. “Well, all is not lost” Gwil stated brightly, setting down his empty bottle. “I’m sure you didn’t imagine being in this situation 3 months ago so who knows what might change” Joe tried not to roll his eyes. Gwil was only trying to help but sometimes his optimism was just ridiculous. “I’d love to believe you. But she’s still so upset with me. Won’t even let me try to apologise for – what was it – oh yeah, ripping her heart out” “Well don’t make a cock of yourself again and maybe it’ll be better this time” Ben muttered. Gwil braced himself for more yelling but the raised voices never came. “I won’t. I don’t have the luxury of that now. The baby’s more important than me fixing my mistakes” Joe murmured, dragging his hand down his face. “Wow, look at you all grown up” Gwil chuckled warmly. “Are we going to see her while we’re here?” Rami asked brightly, sitting up straighter in his seat. “She’s actually coming to dinner tomorrow night” Joe murmured and Rami grinned. “I wish Lucy could have come, but she’s in France at the moment” he started to ramble. Joe was more than grateful for the distraction, his eyes not leaving Rami as he gushed about his girlfriend’s latest project. And it was probably good that his attention was elsewhere as he missed a very concerned look shared between Gwil and Ben. TAGS! @sunflower-borhap-boys @blushingwueen @briarrose26 @mrsmazzello @escabell @yourealegendroger @sincereleygmg @zvzxs @dramatique-moi @borhapqueen92 @manuosorioh @deakyjohns

[mingethemerciless-blog]

The trials and tribulations of minge.

I’m a very scruffy person, when I was 13 I went through the usual teenage trial of having my teeth straightened, they had to take 4 molars out because they were pushing the others into such bizarre states of wonk that the orthodontist barely knew where to start.

I wore those badges of adolescent awkwardness for near enough two years. My friends all came out with american style smiles. Mine, although slightly straighter, remained resolutely, stereotypically british and scruffy.

Twenty years later I was walking at a smart pace down the track to the bus stop. I had washed and styled my hair, picked out an outfit which I hope said “responsible” and “in full control of her mental faculties” By necessity it included a slightly impractical maxi skirt, but I had learned over the years, that this was the best uniform for my current endeavour.

On the bus my reflection in the window told me that my luxuriant shiney bob had inexplicably flattened in places where I needed volume and frizzed up at the points where I had taken hours to smooth it out, the former gelam now looked distinctly greasy.

I fiddled nervously with my hair and the collar of my shirt until I arrived at the hospital.

This hospital is where I was born. Sitting at the top of a hill, it has one of the best views over the city that I have ever seen. I stared out of the window and almost calmed myself down, this might be the last chance I got to convince these people to help me...

My name was called, I shook the doctors hand.

“I hear you’ve been having some trouble with your periods” he understated.

Since the age of 23 I have been winning awards, if only in my own mind, for “worlds longest period” and “most blood lost without fatality.”

I launched into my unflinching and well practised description of the ping pong ball sized blood clots. The time one fell out of me in the shower and was so huge and heavy I was convinced I’d just given birth to an alien, I picked it up to check if it had a face, bits of it fell off and clogged the drain. I calmly recounted the years and years of seeping dread, the fact that I hadn’t gone swimming, worn white or finished a meal without a sickly slug of feroglobin in years.

I wasn’t scared any more, Cancer had suggested itself in my mind on and off for several years, but, as a nurse once blandly put it: “If it was cancer you’d be dead by now.”

My mind was throwing out tendrils of thought about my other dread. Pregnancy. When I was 18 I calmly accepted what I was told when I said I didn’t want children: 

“You’ll change your mind” they would say in a funny sing-song way.

 I’d probably want them when I was a proper adult, say, 25 years old.

25 came around, I was in no way a proper adult nor did I yet want children. No problem, there was plenty of time for me to want them, I’d just think about it a whole lot and then I’d want them.

30 came around, and I could no longer deny, the thought of pregnancy repulsed me. To be a host body to a parasitic bundle of flesh, to have my blood drawn away from me and into this other being. The idea of my cunt tearing open, a living thing coming out of me. A living thing with my weak jawline? With my scruffy hair? What if I didn’t love it? What if it turned out to be as intolerable a little shit as most of the children I’d ever met were? What if it grew up and went on being an intolerable little shit...come to think of it like most of the adults I’d ever met were?  What if, instead of doing something which changed the world for the better, it just became another consumer. Oh god what if it voted for Rees-Mogg? What if that apocalypse we’ve been promised actually happened and I had to raise an intolerable little shit in a cave whilst fighting off mutant tories and puerperal fever?

A more realistic and terrifying thought was never far from my conscious mind: What if I was raped? What if an abortion was too traumatic or, in the sadly likely event of an NHS sell off, too expensive? What if the current trends continue even further and an abortion was simply unavailable? Would I find someone clean and steady handed enough to do it on the kitchen table? Could I find the right hedgerow ingredients? Would I survive that?

“Do you want children?”

I was very glad that this came up.

“Definitely not, in fact I’d like to ask for a tubal ligation.”

“That won’t help with the bleeding”

“I know, it’s a separate issue, but I think it’s relevant…”

On the young man's face I saw faint hint of the bemused horror I’d seen on my GPs face when I had first asked, almost the beginning of a nervous laugh, although none had gone so far as to laugh at me yet…

My GP had looked at me the way teachers would look at me when I told them I’d lost my library card or forgotten my essay. Faux shock, the kindly-meant disappointment of a grandparent seeing you make a youthful blunder. His voice had come out with just the merest subtle hint of a condescending laugh in it when he told me he could refer me to a specialist but it was unlikely they’d give “someone like you” such a “drastic” operation.

Someone like me? Scruffy? Irresponsible? Disorganised? 

And how was maintaining my personal status quo drastic? Surely having to fire a fully dependant, sapient life out of my pelvis was far more drastic than just...carrying on as I was?

In any event, none of the appointments that GP had made had referenced my desire to get the snip, almost as if he didn’t even write it on the request he sent...

The current gynaecologist shook off the uncanny look he had given me for asking the forbidden question and asked if he could “scan me” Oh great, another date with the dildo-cam…

I’ve had this scan done so many times, my cervix is directly connected to the pain centers of the brain, one mere prod and all hell breaks loose in my nerves, it’s no good telling doctors this, they adhere rigidly to the “some women experience discomfort” school of thought.

The young nurse was wonderful, allowing me to squeeze her hand when the probe swept over my diva of a cervix and white stars of agony danced on the ceiling above me.

“You have a very large ectropion on your cervix, it’s probably causing a lot of the bleeding”

“Yes, I’ve been told that many times…”

“Hmm, we could get rid of this ectropion with silver nitrate, it might help stop the bleeding?”

Holy shit, you mean there was a way to get rid of that thing all along?!

I consented as calmly as I could.

The next thing I knew he was jabbing my insides with chemical soaked lollipop sticks, but I was more than willing for this to happen after 10 years of inaction and casual shrugs at my wayward cervix.

I was told to brace myself for “gritty discharge” as bits of burnt cervix dropped out of me along with all the other nonsense going on down there.

Later, pants back on, veins blossoming with green bruising from the “hormone level” blood tests, my innards were laid out in bland yet descriptive medical descriptions.

My womb had a “septum” which immediately made me think that it had a face, a scornful, angry face I would dearly love to punch for the years of ruined underwear, bedsheets and dates.

My right ovary was polycystic,

“This can lead to diabetes and heart disease later in life so you’ll have to be wary of gaining weight…”

My body type is made up of circles, I have rounded hips, boobs, thighs and face, when I was younger I worried briefly that I was chubby, but I was active and I ate well, I could still see my ribs and I could power walk up the hill to my house without so much as a sweat. I gave the doctor a blank look, he still hadn’t discussed my tubal options yet...

The doctor now took on a slightly lower, more cautious tone, evidently more scared of upsetting me with this next information than he had been by talking about my weight.

“You may find it slightly harder to get pregnant...but it’s by no means impossible”

I did a double take. 

“...That’s really not a problem for me...what with the tubal ligation request and all…” I hinted cheerfully.

He made a neutral sound and moved on with a list of my uterine shortcomings.

My left ovary was “very mobile” (my mind gave it a beard and a bindle stick) and showed some evidence of endometriosis.

“I’ve never had any symptoms of that…”

“Again this can lead to some minor complications in conception and pregnancy…”

Was I speaking klingon? Was I mispronouncing “tubal ligation”? Was IVF so much cheaper than the lady snip that they’d rather I reproduced despite my clear desire not to do so and regret an actual living human?

“You have some signs that there may be polyps in your uterus, that’s not harmful but they may be contributing to the bleeding, in which case, we can remove them.”

I was booked in for a hysteroscopy, which sounded painful in spite of the “some women experience discomfort” platitude, and a review in 3 months time.

“Do you have any questions?”

I took a deep breath, I knew this was a separate issue but I had to bring this up whenever I could because there was no obvious way to request it otherwise.

“How do I go about getting the tubal ligation?”

The look of horror came back, much stronger this time, the poor sod had run out of things to distract me with, his face turned to a look of utter defeat.

“I wouldn’t even consider doing that until you had exhausted all other contraceptive options and had fertility counselling, have you considered the mirena coil? It’s progesterone only and most women find it very good…”

My mind flashed back to the last “progesterone only” treatment I’d had: Migraines had hidden the worst of the symptoms for the best part of 6 months, by the time they were under control again the real problem became tragically apparent. My sex drive was so low that I could barely tolerate a hug, in desperation I had the little plastic rod dug out of my arm with a scalpel, but my libido never fully recovered, don’t try telling me the effects aren’t permanent…

A further flashback to the copper coil. The way it dug itself into the side of my womb, the way it hurt, exactly how much and how long it hurt for, How there had been no one in my local GP surgery willing to remove it for me (grab the string and pull, I refuse to believe that this requires a specialist qualification on top of medical training.) The serious thought I gave to yanking it out myself, only stopping when the prospect of a torn cervix put me off. 

A rich history of contraceptive pills danced through my brain, mood swings, swollen boobs and most memorably a migraine so bad that I called NHS Direct and was told to monitor myself for signs of a potentially fatal brain haemorrhage...

The time they’d tried to stop the bleeding with anti-inflammatories and discovered my allergy to this group of medications when I broke out in a measles style rash.

Those memories don’t blur with time, at least they haven’t yet.

“Statistics show that you would regret being sterilized, you don’t have a family”

For a brief second my imagination took me to an episode of The Twilight Zone. I don’t have a family? Shit! What happened to them? My siblings? My partner? My parents? My friends?

The anger when I realised what he really meant seeped through my mind like a blood clot through a pad.

“You don’t share DNA with anyone who came out of you therefore you have no family”

“You haven’t had to push your family with your pelvic floor therefore they don’t count”

“If you eventually decide to adopt that won’t count either”

“Everyone you currently live with, love and rely on will reject and abandon you because you didn’t give birth to them.”

Blood clots, along with anger of that magnitude tend to flood the sanitary pad or mind.

Luckily, I have had years of practise at crossing my legs and trying to discreetly aim my crotch at the driest part of the pad. This, in effect, was how I ordered my mind at that moment.

“Don’t yell at NHS people, they have enough problems. The poor man was just working off a script, of course they have to be careful, one litigious malcontent could set these heroes back years…”

I left, with no clearer an idea of how to get my tubes tied and no idea why this was the first time, cysts, polyps and septums had been discovered after so many tests over so many years.

Back home I attempted to find out how much private hospitals charged for tubal ligation. “Anywhere between $700 and $10,000 depending on your insurance provider”  ecosia informed me in very american and somewhat unhelpful terms.

An inquiry to Spire healthcare yielded an unapologetic result of £3000, that’s a lot of minimum wage hours and late rent payments, besides £200 of that was for a consultation in which they might refuse me anyway. 

I wondered if those places in Turkey where they do cheap facelifts might consider my case...Would having scalpels jabbed into me in a country where I couldn’t speak the language followed by a cramped and cheap flight be more or less unbearable than a kitchen table abortion? Either way the word “botched” was never far from my mind.

When the day came for my hysteroscopy I steeled myself for another try. The gynaecologist was a lovely, calm young woman with curly hair. She spent a long time reassuring me that I was in control and could stop the procedure at any time. She told me that she would take a biopsy from my womb lining in addition to shoving a camera up where no camera had gone before. She showed me the camera. I wish she hadn’t.

“See, it’s very small.”

It was slightly smaller than a pencil. Small compared to a baby maybe. But I knew exactly how big that thing was going to feel in my stupid nervy cervix. Turns out I was wrong.

It was far bigger and far sharper and far more white hot than I thought possible. 

The nurses squeezed my hand and told me it would be over soon.

I never stopped her, I wanted this done, I wanted to know what the hell was wrong with me. I wanted to show what a good patient I was, how in control of my mind and body I was, how I would take the responsibility of dealing with sterilization without regret...

I learned just how exponential pain can be.

When someone said “This will take another five seconds” I discovered how long five seconds can feel.

I found out, to my displeasure, that passing out does not necessarily stop you feeling pain, it simply stops you moving. I learned just how wonderful the overworked and underpaid folks of the NHS really are when they brought me water and later tea and let me sit in a comfy chair and shake without telling me that they needed me to get a grip and move on because they had a full waiting room…

The results were discussed with me. There were no polyps, there was no septum, what's more, my womb was perfectly shaped to receive a mirena coil…

Sterilization wouldn’t stop the bleeding, it was a separate issue. The mirena would stop the bleeding and stop any pregnancy. Sure I’d have to have it ripped out of the most sensitive, nerve rich part of me and then stuffed back in broadside first every three years, assuming I hadn’t emigrated and the NHS was still there that is. And the progesterone might...exacerbate certain things, but that would probably settle down...

 I sighed, drained my tea and smoothed down my faithful maxi skirt. 

Alright uterus, you don’t like me and I don’t like you, but it looks like we’re in this together. Here’s another burning hoop for us to jump through, lets give these folks the show they’ve been waiting for...

[evien-stark]

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 46

A few things were made clear to you by Fury before you left with Steve on a long drive to the Retreat. First and foremost it was that you were supposed to keep your identity as a SHIELD agent (even though you technically weren’t one) in the front of your mind. You were not to let any personal details out, for any reason. This didn’t sit right with you. It was almost entirely the opposite of how you’d started with Natasha, but it was still lying to the man regardless. And you didn’t like how that felt. You didn’t like where it had ended up.

It wasn’t necessary, too. And if you were supposed to eventually get on a team with Steve, lying to him right out of the gate seemed like the worst possible thing to do. In some moments you still felt slighted by Natasha, even though you’d convinced yourself she was only doing her job. Even though you liked her now and wanted to be friends with her (and were, as far as you considered it). You wanted to not get off on the wrong foot with Steve. It seemed like a bad idea. SHIELD was full of those.

The drive up to the house was awkward to say the least. You’d been given a nondescript black SUV with provisions in the trunk, and directions on their GPS were leading you the way there. Steve had just sat in the seat aside you watching the world outside the window turn from heavy city imagery that he had no attachment to, to the smaller quieter outskirts and then into full blown beautiful countryside. You didn’t travel out this way often yourself, and you probably wouldn’t again in the near future.

Steve had with him a small pack that SHIELD had provided, and a file sitting on his lap. You didn’t know what was in it, maybe none of your business. And unimportant, if Fury hadn’t briefed you on what they’d given him. Probably just his own history. The people that he’d known- where they were- if they were still alive.

One of such you had the urge to tell him about. But… that wasn’t smart right now.

You tried to break the silence by putting on the radio, but the pop that came on seemed to disturb him and he gave you quite the look. “...you mind if I turn that off?”

“No. Sorry. Go ahead.”

Leaving the two of you with silence again. At least until, “Am I making you uncomfortable?”

At this you couldn’t help the sad smile. “No. Well- no. Not you. It’s just … the situation.”

“Yeah.” Even though he seemed to genuinely agree, there was nothing to do about it. How to get around the whole issue of him being dead for years and alive again now? “Am I really supposed to call you Agent Lady?”

Unable to help yourself, a snorting laugh escaped you before you could stop it, and despite the fact that that was completely undignified, the ease it settled between the two of you, and the first smile you’d ever seen him wear, made it easy to live with. “No. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? I didn’t pick it.”

“It’s funny how they just stick you with names.” The so called Retreat came into view and you pulled up the short drive on the property, taking mental note of the security towers they were trying to hide. “But I was under the impression agents were like soldiers. Is that not your last name?”

Putting the car in park and unbuckling your seatbelt, you smiled at him again. “No, it isn’t. I don’t technically work for SHIELD in that capacity.” Instead, you offered your actual real name to Steve. It only seemed fair.

Blowing all the rules Fury had laid with you from moment one before you’d left. Just like that. Gone. Out the window. Done and no going back. No regrets about it, either.

He followed you out of the car and to the trunk, and you tried to be casual about handing him some of the bags of groceries, grateful he didn’t falter and just helped immediately. “Then in what capacity?”

After shutting the trunk, you led him to the front door, opening it with key in one hand and last bag of groceries propped on your hip. “I think I started as a consultant for them. I’m not really sure what this is. No offense.”

“None taken.” He stood entirely awkwardly, following you into the kitchen and then handed you the bags to put down. Once free, he crossed his arms, watching you as you started putting the groceries away. Light stuff. SHIELD had no idea how to shop, that much was clear. “Where’d they pick you up, then? If you don’t mind my asking.”

You didn’t, and you shouldn’t at that. Steve Rogers was very aware he was being babysat. He had been led to believe it was by a SHIELD agent, but now that agent was telling him she was not an agent. Then what was she? What a great question. But more importantly…

When you finished you turned around, offering him a light smile. This was no doubt going to be difficult. “I’m actually the CEO of Stark Industries.”

Watching him work through that information was interesting. Confusion first, then processing, then ah-hah. “Are you- you’re Howard’s kid?”

“No.” This shot out of you slightly, a little embarrassingly so. “God, no. That would be Tony- Anthony Stark. He and I sort of co-own Stark Industries.” And, when Steve made just a slightly unsure face, “We’re together.” His blank look made you all the more embarrassed that you were going to have to spell it out. “Dating.”

“Oh. Alright then.” Not sure what to say about that. You weren’t sure what should be said about it, either. “He must trust you, in that case.”

“I hope so.”

“Howard’s… not around anymore, I take it.”

“No. He died in 1991. Car accident. His wife Maria was in the car. She didn’t make it, either.”

“I’m very sorry.” Genuinely so, it seemed.

“As far as I understand it, he spoke very highly of you.” Although not something you yourself wanted to speak about, considering how Tony felt about that. You cleared your throat, feeling a little bit of that uncomfortable air settling. “You want some tea? I’m going to make some tea.”

“Uh- sure. That’s fine. Thank you.”

Using that as an excuse to turn around and start putting some water in an electric kettle on the counter. Very, very carefully you tried to send some easy and relaxed feelings into the air around you. “Were you close with Howard?”

“Not particularly. We only had a few conversations. He was a good man. A little too sure of himself. Liked to hear himself talk.”

At this you really couldn’t help the soft breathy laugh. “Apple doesn’t fall far.”

“Honestly surprised there is an apple.”

Holding your expression steady was too hard, and your smile grew all the more. At the quick whistle you turned the kettle off. “Just the one, as far as I know. Are you trying to tell me Howard was a lady’s man?”

Steve scoffed, but he was smiling, too. “Can’t recall a picture in the paper that didn’t have him and some woman on his arm.”

“Apple fell right underneath, then.” Grinning, feeling delighted when Steve relaxed all the more. “How do you take your tea?”

“Uh- however you’re having it. That’s fine.” He stepped closer towards the counter as you fixed some earl gray for the both of you (the only kind SHIELD had put in their grocery bags). “So you work for Stark-” At the quick dry look you shot his way immediately, he amended, “with Stark. And you work for SHIELD- but not really. That’s what you’re saying? So what are you doing here?”

A little sigh escaped you. “Not really is a good way of putting it. I’m not really the kind of woman that asks how high when someone tells me to jump.”

After stirring some sugar in his mug, you handed it to him and he accepted it with a small, “Thanks.” Not even waiting to take a sip of what had to be all too hot tea. But he seemed not to mind. “Then what kind of woman are you?”

“The kind that asks why when someone tries to tell me to jump.” The two of you, finally, shared a smile of mutual understanding. “And I’m here because SHIELD assigned me to you. But, more than that, I wanna help you.”

He didn’t waste time answering honestly. “I appreciate it.”

                                        -------------------------------------

It didn’t really take a lot to like Steve Rogers. He seemed like a good, honest man. It made sense, the more you dove into it, why he’d be picked for such a serious program- something you were now allowed to read up on, on a series of relevant files Fury had sent to you. He’d been built to be a hero, Serum or not, and that’s exactly what he’d become.

He was also genuinely impressive with how much he was taking in about this new time- all of its technology and what it could do. How it improved the lives of people around him. While Fury had kind of been wishy-washy on whether or not you should ban tech for the time being, you introduced him to the internet. And while he thought you were still asleep, he went and searched. For a lot.

And since he didn’t know about browser history…

You felt guilty taking a peek. But took a peek you did.

It was only slightly alarming that his first search was Steve Rogers. But you couldn’t hold it against him. Maybe he was just trying to see if he was still relevant. Or maybe he wanted to know how people told his story. You’d let it slide. Even after his second search was Captain America.

 But then you followed a trail.

Margaret Carter Peggy Carter SHIELD Bucky Barnes Lieutenant Barnes James Buchanan Barnes Howling Commandos

Howard Stark Stark Industries Anthony Stark Tony Stark Maria Stark SHIELD again.

 And your own name as his last search that night.

You weren’t sure it was your place to tell him Peggy was still alive. Or that you thought he should go visit her. With how many links he’d clicked trying to find information about what her life had become… it seemed like he was missing her. The rest of it you tried not to think about. Trying to give him the illusion of privacy he deserved. It wasn’t your business. So you let it go.

It was Thursday evening that things started getting a little cagey. He began to stress you out and churn out your anxiety as he paced back and forth from room to room. At first you thought he might be looking for something, but it became clear very soon through the small wisps of frustration leaking off him that he was just moving to move.

Your head had been down in an endless sea of emails. Before taking off for an unscheduled week, you’d let Pepper know she could redirect anything your way (and you were getting increasingly guilty over not being able to tell her why you went to the gym so often or disappeared for weeks on retreats). While it seemed like she’d tried not to bother you, it all came crashing down around the same time Steve couldn’t seem to keep to himself any longer.

“You know, there’s a small gym in the basement.” Offered after the seven thousandth time he’d crossed in front of your computer.

“There is?”

“Nothing fancy, but, if you need something to work off some steam, it might help.”

“That obvious, huh?”

You could only offer a small understanding smile. It wasn’t like you wanted him to feel bad but he wasn’t the only one stuck there just then. It was when he headed downstairs and begun very loudly punching the bag down there that you slipped on your headphones and tried to focus on your own work. But your thoughts drifted. Was this really helping Steve? Forcing him to be here? You hadn’t had enough time to ask Fury for all the details of why Steve was being almost quite literally forced into seclusion.

It seemed like he’d readjusted just fine. No abnormalities after unfreezing for such a long time. He wasn’t sick and his mind wasn’t dodgy. So why was it necessary to keep him locked up like this? A question that thrummed in the back of your mind as you set the forefront of your attention to spreadsheets and emails and other things easily worked through.

A couple of hours later, as you were nearing the end of your long stream of things to do (for now, there would always be more), the Bee Gees came on your radio and with a little bit of your own stress worked through, you mindlessly began humming to yourself. Just about the same time that you knew Steve was coming upstairs.

But life was worth living, and as music loudly poured out of your headphones, half slipped off one ear, you mumble sang along.

“Well I had to follow you… thought you did not want me to… that won’t stop my love for you… I can’t stay away… blaming it all...”

He rounded away from the kitchen, coming curiously closer with a glass of water in hand. Red-faced after a hard workout, you spied him standing a few feet away.

“Singing them love songs… singing them straight to the heart songs...” And, catching him, you smiled easily. “Wanna listen?”

“It’s an interesting song.” And one he’d definitely never before heard in his life. He’d been quick to shut off the top ten pop station the second you’d turned it on, but this?

“LUNA, can you restart the song and put my playlist on speaker?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Who’s LUNA?” Steve sat down in a chair across from the couch you were perched on.

Oh. Right. Hm. “LUNA is a program. Kind of like a personal assistant.” Nights on Broadway filtered in over your laptop speakers.

He seemed to lighten up as the tune started and you wondered briefly what Tony might think if he knew you were introducing Captain America to such dreck (only according to Tony, of course). “I think I understand. On the computer, right?”

“Yeah.” No need to really go into it further, that was basically the gist. As the chorus reignited you found yourself smiling at his thoughtful appearance, soaking in the music and lyrics. “You like this?”

“I haven’t heard anything like it before. Who’s the band?”

“They’re called the Bee Gees. I’ll make you a playlist. All the greats.” You’d tried to take it as slow as he’d wanted to go. There was no need to rush him into anything or force a bunch of here’s what happened while you were asleep knowledge on him. When he wanted to learn he would. And during sleepless nights he’d been doing some of that, researching on his own.

“I know I missed a lot.” He seemed solemn with this thought in mind, if only for a few fleeting moments. Determined, it seemed, to not let it show too much.

You offered yet another gentle smile. “We’ll catch you up. Honestly, it’s not a big deal to know everything. Most people don’t, anyway. Not even all the important things.”

His brows lifted and his grin went a touch lopsided. “I don’t know if I find that too comforting.”

“You’re in good company, then.” You let a small silence pass, the two of you enjoying the music. Then you decided to ask. “Did the workout help?”

He gave a small shrug. “A little. It’d help more if I knew what exactly I was supposed to be doing.”

“Relaxing, I think.” Decompressing might have been a better word, but it was basically the same idea.

Shaking his head, “I don’t know about that.”

You felt for him, really. Being cooped up here… It had been one of your express instructions to stay on the property until agents arrived to separate and send the two of you on your way. But… “Hey. What do you say to going to see a movie?”

“I thought we were supposed to stay?” Despite his seemingly soft objection, you sensed a small well of excitement here.

“One movie never hurt anyone. Besides. It’ll help you with your uh… readjustment knowledge.” It really wouldn’t. Nothing in theaters right then was bound to help him, but you were already locked into the idea of sneaking out. “And I’ll make sure we don’t get caught.”

“How’s that?”

“LUNA, pull up all the security schematics for the property, please. And let’s start pulling them apart.”

“Absolutely!” Even LUNA seemed excited.

Without the visor extended, she threw all the information onto your laptop screen and you tried to zero in on the important bits. Steve got up a little nervously, shuffling closer until he came to sit next to you. If only to see what you were up to. “So we’ve got the towers outside, we can just set those to a feedback loop thinking the perimeter is untouched… LUNA ditch the audio on the transmitters for the last two minutes and pipe in my music instead, and keyboard sounds- I think that’s enough for them. Am I missing anything?” You’d gotten lucky the place didn’t have actual cameras, but it wouldn’t have been too hard to set those to loop, either.

“There’s a gatelock outside. Two tries and then it autolocks and sends a message to headquarters.”

You couldn’t help the grumpy noise that escaped you. Breaking past codes wasn’t really your thing. And if LUNA was telling you about it, it’s because she required more assistance than just a point and click. There was one other person capable of such feats, though… bringing your phone up, you decided to give him a call.

It took one ring. “How’s it going babysitting the frozen fossil? Need to put it in the microwave yet?” Tony’s sardonic charm knew no bounds.

“Nice to talk to you, too. I’m sure you miss me.”

“Every day. Seriously. What’s up? I thought no calls in or out. Something happen?” His quick gear switch was endearing, as ever.

“I’m uh… I need your help.”

“Go on.”

“There’s a gate outside. I need you to break it for me. Please.” Asking nicely would only do so much. You already knew that if you asked Tony for help on anything he was likely to give it to you no matter what. One of the many reasons you treasured him so.

But it wouldn’t come without ribbing. “Someone being naughty? Sneaking out past curfew? What if papa Fury finds out?”

“Eugh. Please don’t.” His laughter at your reaction warmed you, even at your own expense. You really did miss him. “I’m getting cabin fever.”

“Literally, I’m sure. Well. Go ahead. Have a night out on me. You’re free.” Already. Like he’d snapped his fingers and it was done. You had to marvel at the amount of quick work. To locate you, find the security system you were talking about, get into it, break it, and reset it so it wouldn’t trigger any alarms about usage…

That was your Tony. “Thank you.” And, without hesitation or thought for the only other person in the room listening, “I love you.” It didn’t take much to see Steve pointedly looking away. Like he only just now realized he was listening in on a private conversation. You tried to ignore it.

“I love you, too. Come home soon.”

Soon was not soon enough.

                                         -------------------------------------

 The two of you had quickly gotten into the car after that, deciding that lingering around would only heighten the chances of getting into trouble- and also backing out. Which neither of you wanted, but both of you had a practical sense about you. If you thought about it for very much longer, you probably would have stayed home. It made it tough because while on the road you then had to look for nearby theaters-

And then weigh your movie-going options. Everything out right then was… bad. Atrociously bad. Not stuff you wanted to show to Steve. Not as his first introduction to the new world. Big hits like The Human Centipede 2 and The Thing. Stuff that would be sure to scare him off for decades to come.

It was just your luck that you found a two-dollar theater playing old movies nobody really wanted to go to anymore. Even better, since it’d be empty. You weren’t worried about the world seeing him. It would be a miracle if someone could put this amount of two-and-two together, given how nonsense it was. But you getting caught with a tall, muscley, blond haired blue eyed man that was definitely not Tony?

Yeah. You needed that headline like you needed a kick in the ass.

“Must be a good movie for two dollars.” You’d given Steve a giant bucket of what was probably stale popcorn to hold as the two of you went on your way in. He just seemed happy to be out.

“These are actually the ones no one wants to watch anymore. Movie tickets in the regular theaters are like fifteen dollars.”

“Fifteen?”

“For one ticket.”

“No kidding.”

“I don’t wanna tell you what I just paid for popcorn.”

The movie you’d ended up picking (choices limited so much that you really couldn’t take credit at this point) seemed gentle enough. One Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Certainly harmless. Didn’t say much about anything. Animal flick. Jim Carrey. What more could one person ask for?

While it wasn’t a riveting thrill-ride, Steve did find it in himself to laugh in appropriate spots, although a dialed back quiet and reserved sort. You weren’t sure if he was keeping it quiet for the completely empty theater, for you, or if that really was just how he was. It didn’t really matter. What mattered was that he was having a good time, and relaxing more than being holed up in that cabin had asked of him.

It was such a shame that it had to end. You almost thought of asking if he wanted to watch something else- Zookeeper and The Smurfs listed as the only other two flicks available (ones you’d suffer through if it made him happier), but outside the theater he aimed a dutifully sad smile your way. “Time to head back, I think. Before we get caught.”

“Yeah. You’re probably right.”

But it wasn’t Fury that caught you. Outside in the parking lot in the chilly air, Steve offered you his jacket. You thought to tell him it wasn’t necessary, you’d just turn on the heat in the car. But before you could do that, LUNA served some terrible news.

“Paparazzi thirty feet on your left. Blue Sedan. He’s taking your picture.”

“Shit.” The word hissed out of you without a second thought. Bad. This was bad. This was very, very fucking bad. You shrugged out of Steve’s jacket and shoved it into his hands. “Stay here. I have to deal with something.”

“What’s the matter?” He was on alert almost immediately. And not clued in to what was going on.

But you left him behind to go right up to that car, standing in front with a palm forward to keep the driver from turning the engine- it wouldn’t stop him, but he had to realize he couldn’t leave backed up against the light post like he was. So when the car door opened you stepped over to him. “Whatever you just took, delete it.” Not really giving him a choice in the matter.

“I’m just doing my job, you know? Don’t get pissy about it that you got caught.”

It was unlike you, too little too late you realized, bristling the way you were. “I didn’t get caught doing anything.” He opened his stupid fat mouth to speak to you again but you decided there was no time to listen to him insult you further. “Listen. I would feel very ashamed if I were you.” This did indeed stop him dead in his tracks. “Capitalizing off somebody else’s private life is reprehensible. And I think you should feel just awful.”

“I-… I’m sorry...” He didn’t sound anywhere close to the way he’d sounded moments ago. Head down. Eyes averted. Changed.

“You should delete those pictures, if you feel any guilt about your actions.”

“I will- I’m going to- right now-”

“Good. I’m glad you understand.” You stepped aside him to watch him wipe them. “You back anything up anywhere?”

“Not yet- you came over before I could. I’m sorry about this. Really. It’s just- when I knew it was you- I mean- I had to-”

There was no time for you to listen to his rambling. And you’d run out of patience before you’d even come over. “Just go. Now.”

“Yeah- I’m gonna go.” He climbed up into his car, turning it on about as fast as he could, screeching the tires on the pavement just to get out of there. To get away from you. He was drowning in mortification. Embarrassment. Guilt. Anguish.

It took you too long to realize Steve was standing there. And probably had been the whole time. He no longer looked jovial or relaxed. “You have uh… quite a way with words.” He wasn’t accusing you of anything. Not out loud, anyway.

Sighing, knowing this was exactly why keeping secrets was a bad idea, “Just say what you’re gonna say.”

He looked uneasy, crossing his arms. “We should get in the car. It’s cold out.” Gentleman to the end, it seemed. Even if he may have not trusted you anymore.

Crossing back over the parking lot side by side, you dumped it. “I did that, yes. It’s a hard thing to tell people about- that I can influence people’s emotions. But I guess if anyone understands things out of the ordinary it’s you.”

"Experiment? SHIELD?" You shook your head. "No. Just me." "For how long? Since you were a kid?" "No. Uh- young adult, I guess, is when it all started." You found you didn't mind his inquiries. Maybe it was helping to better settle him. And you were almost amazed at how well he was taking it-

At least until no further response came, and you feared you may have lost all his confidence completely. But when he was fully seated in the car aside you, he spoke again. “That why SHIELD asked you to watch me? To make me feel better?”

“No. To keep an eye on you and file a report at the end. I was never asked to make you feel one way or the other.” Truthful with this, at least.

Another silence sat between you. “How do I know you didn’t?”

Your hands clenched on the wheel, eyes closing. It had gotten so much easier to slip into that darkness now. Ever since the incident with Barton. When you’d gone too far. Deep inside that black water you saw Steve Rogers, at the center where you knew you could reach- but had no reason to. He was no threat. ...and you were nowhere near ready to try something like that again so soon. No idea what would happen.

But on the outskirts, the bare edge that brushed against you, you took hold of that lone ripple in that quiet pond. He was uneasy. On edge. Distrustful. Sinking your hands into the ring, you thought instead of a few moments back. When the two of you had been laughing in the movie theater. And it had been nice and peaceful and you’d simply been enjoying your time with him.

Ashy gray warbled briefly into a light yellow. And your eyes blinked open again, turning your head.

He was smiling- it lasted for one moment. Maybe two- and then realization dawned, and you backed out completely. And he was left with himself again. “Oh- I don’t-”

Picking your more drastic measures was completely unnecessary. But what better way to illustrate just why SHIELD was bent on using you for… who knew what. “It can be pleasant until it’s not. Or upsetting until it’s not.”

“So whatever you want.” He was defensive now and you really felt like you’d lost all progress.

Sticking the key into the ignition you started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. “Yeah. But when you know what it is, then you know what to look for. Did I do that to you before?”

He mulled this over. “I don’t think so. But how would I really know?”

“You wouldn’t, I guess. I’m asking you to trust me.”

The silence this time was much longer. Terribly longer. You had no right to ask this of him. With how he was feeling now, you doubted he would agree. You were practically back at the cabin when he found what he wanted to say. Or maybe he’d just been letting you stew. “I don’t think one mistake makes you. If this can even be called a mistake. It was more… omission.”

It was hard to know how to feel about what he was saying. “So do you think I’m lying? That I did that to you before? That that was what SHIELD asked me to do?”

“I don’t. On any account.” Trusting you- you had no idea why. But you were grateful all the same. “Let’s just keep it clean between us from now on, okay?”

Pulling into the parking spot in front of the house, you turned to give him a small smile of relief. “You got it. I promise.”

His hand reached out and you took it in a firm shake. “Deal.”

All things considered, the night hadn’t gone as terrible as it could have.

[fatandnerdy30]

The Itsy Bitsy Spider 18

I would like to thank @midas-or-khaos for your help with this, and for getting my plot bunnies out from under the couch when they weren’t behaving! This person is a very talented artist, so go check out their work!!

Now, on with chapter 18!!

As soon as she was cleared to leave the hospital, May got into her old ninety-four four door sedan and drove like a madwoman. She wasn't exactly clear on where this 'Compound' was, but she was determined to get there. Her nephew was now probably dead, and she wanted answers as to why that was! Tears tracked down the woman's face as she drove, listening to the GPS as it told her where to turn. She drove for what seemed like hours, no music, just the cheery woman telling her which street to take. For the past six months, she thought Peter had run away, living on the streets. She'd actually searched for him every day, looking down alley ways, calling different homeless shelters for months. She'd actually just spoken to an out of state one and was disappointed again. But when she saw that small boy sitting on the Hulk's shoulders, his hair was the same as Peter's....the cameraman had even gotten his tiny face into the screen and May felt her heart explode with happiness. But, all that disappeared when she saw the piece of asphalt land where he was laying. A sob ripped through her as the scene replayed over and over in her head as she drove. Suddenly she noticed the woman wasn't talking anymore and looked at her phone. The screen was blank with a message reading 'entering top secret area, no directions found.' "Great!" she screamed and sobbed again. Just then she passed a dirt road. May stopped the car and started driving down it. Hopefully someone lived along the road and maybe knew where the facility was. More thoughts then poured into the woman's head. How long had Peter been living there? Why hadn't he called her? Were the Avengers holding him prisoner? Did they even do that? Had he possibly gotten involved in something dangerous and his current body was the result? She didn't' know what to think, and tried not to let her mind wander, but it was too late. The only thing she knew was that she wanted her baby boy home with her today. Her tears were starting to dry when she was met with a large electronic gate with a huge white mansion looking building that the road led to. She took a deep breath and she felt a wave of relief as soon as she saw the large A on the building. Now that she had found it, how was she going to get in? Getting out of her car, she walked up to the gate and tried to peer inside when a man appeared in front of her, his round face angry. "You're on private property," he said with a growl. May saw red and put her hands on her hips. "Don't you think I know that!? I drove all night to get here and I demand to have some answers about my nephew!" Thinking about Peter suddenly started another wave of sobs. "I demand to see Tony Stark!" Her voice had risen to a shrill, explosive volume, her glasses askew on her face, hair wild from the wind. Happy gulped and contacted Friday to tell Tony. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What am I gonna do!?" Peter wailed from Tony's pocket, his fidgeting getting worse the closer and closer the group got to the common room. "Just calm down, Peter," the man said, taking a deep breath, feeling the boy rise and fall. "We're gonna talk to her, that's all. You know, offer her a place to stay if she wants to be near you. But there is no way she is going to be taking you out of this building." "But, Mr. Stark, she's my family! She's gonna want to take me home!" The man simply pushed the boy into his pocket and out of sight. "We'll take care of it, bud. Don't worry." He walked until he heard a scathing voice and stopped. "Mr Stark, I presume?" The woman who met them in the common room looked nothing like her picture. Her hair was wild, and her eyes were red and glassy behind her glasses, as if she'd been crying for hours. "That depends on who's asking," the billionaire said, and wished he hadn't. May's eyes flashed with fire the moment the group walked into the room. She wasn't even paying attention as they all stared at her. "I was told that Peter is top secret," May said in a dangerously low voice. "Peter was my nephew, my only living family, so I have more than a right to know what happened to him," she snapped. The boy huddled deeper in Tony's pocket the moment the woman spoke, and right now, he wanted to join him. "I apologize about that. Yes, my name is Tony Stark. Let me say first, you look so much better than your picture." He shot her a winning smile, but the woman didn't stop glaring. Well, there went that plan. "I want my nephew's body," she demanded shakily, her body trembling. Happy was in the corner, trying to hide the fact that he was listening and failing if his shocked face said anything. "If you don't hand it over, I will bring lawyers into this." "May, if I can call you that, this is a difficult situation to explain. But first, I will let you know, Peter is alive." The woman's shoulders sagged with relief and tears came to her already cried out eyes. "But, if Peter leaves this building with other than myself, or any of the Avengers, it will be dangerous for him. There's people who are working for Hydra that want to take him back to the scientists that did this to him." May scoffed. "Yeah right. You're probably trying to cover for yourself after something went wrong. How dare you try and keep Peter away from me after what I saw! What did you do with him!?" "He's telling the truth, May!" Peter's head popped up from Tony's pocket, his face a little red from the heat around him. "Him and the Avengers are the ones who saved me...I....I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry or think I was dead. The Hydra people, they took me while I was walking home from school. I couldn't fight them, there were too many, and I was so weak back then. I'm sorry." Tears started tracking down the boy's face as he spoke, staring at the ashen faced woman. In an instant, May had surged forward and taken Peter out of the more than shocked billionaire's pocket before Tony could stop her. Happy had moved in that moment as well, but when he saw the small boy, he simply stared, mouth open in shock. She held him in a curled hand, eyes wide as she looked at him. "Oh, Peter," she finally said, her voice raw as tears came to her eyes. "I was so worried about you....I thought you had run away, that I did something wrong to make you so angry that you would leave...The when I saw the news, you were there, and then that piece of rubble.." The boy's head was shaking like a bobble.  "Aunt May, you could never do anything to make me hate you. You're wonderful and I love you so much." He said as he held onto the woman's thumb. "And I'm so sorry you had to see that...It's just...I can't leave." Her eyes went wider, if that was possible. "What do you mean? Are they holding you prisoner?" She sent a glare to the group who had the right to look a little ashamed. "No, May....what Mr. Stark said was true. What you saw on the bridge, those guys that attacked us, they were after me. Hydra really does want me back." "Why?" "Because..." he looked down, drawing little circles on the woman's palm. "Because I was the only person who survived the procedure to turn me this way. All the rest of the people with me died....in horrible ways." He didn't want to go into detail. "But, then the Avengers came and took me out of where I was....they gave me freedom again, let me go outside. Not by myself, but at least I got to walk around by myself! And I've met so many amazing people, like Mr. Stark! He got Captain America to agree to help me even when I'm normal with the changes that happened. We were actually testing out my abilities before you came." May's brow was raised again. "Abilities?" "Ms. Parker," Bruce came forward with a smile. "Please allow me to explain, because Tony will just make it so confusing. You see, your nephew was given injections by Hydra, some of which were made by a Dr. Hank Pym, who also made Ant-Man." He paused and the woman nodded, seeming to understand. "So, Peter's body was compressed, but his mass was doubled. But, according to his size, he is the weight he should be, but due to his mass increasing, he's able to move things that are up to one thousand times his weight, and maybe more. It's really very interesting." When he finished, May had been following, but the man had lost her towards the end. "So...what does that mean?" "I'm like a super strong ant," Peter explained. "I was able to save Morgan, Mr. Stark's daughter. It took a lot, but I was able to lift her over the road." "Is that how you survived? These...abilities?" Peter nodded. "Well, I guess I have to thank them for that. It's a miracle that you're here at all...but what about when you get-get to normal?" "That's a bit harder to explain," Tony stepped forward, wanting to be close to Peter just in case he fell or the woman fainted. "You see, when Hydra gave him the shots, the DNA they injected him with pretty much changed his whole genetic makeup. He's still Peter, but now he's mixed with spider. We're not sure what kind of spider, though I'm convinced it was one hooked on something because he's too hyper." He reached out and with a finger, rustled the boy's hair. "How did you get blueberry in your hair?" May watched the interaction, fascinated about seeing the soft side of the money mogul. "So...does that mean...he'll be changed when he gets back to normal?" May was staring at Peter like he wasn't even her nephew anymore, and that hurt the boy the most. "Well, yes and no. When he can finally get him back to normal, which I'm guessing will be much taller than he is now, he'll probably be able to do everything he can do now. Some new abilities may begin to grow, or they may not. Time will only tell. But," Tony smiled, "my offer still stands for the others to train him. That will remain for as long as he needs or wants it." "R-really!?" Peter felt his heart swell at that news. He would still be able to come back when everything was back to normal? "I don't know," May said, dashing the boy's dreams. "I don't want Peter anywhere near where he can get hurt. He's a frail boy." Clint started laughing. "Really?" he managed to get out. "The kid who can lift seventy pounds the way he is, is frail? Yeah right, tell me another one." "May, I...I've changed. Because of Hydra, I'm not that frail boy you knew anymore. I'm much stronger, like I said. I can run faster, move things I was never able to before, and once I'm big again, I'm sure I'll be able to do all these things and more! Please, May...I've made a lot of friends here and I promise I'll be safe.Right Mr. Stark?" The man threw his hands up. "Yep, completely safe. We're basically just talking about training him to control his senses and strength." He wouldn't tell her about the suit he'd build for the kid, nor would he tell her if Peter decided to use it. That was Peter's job. May nodded. "Then I guess it's okay," she said a little unwillingly. She looked at Peter, still stunned at his size and the fact that he was still alive, and in her grip. With a watery smile, she brought him close to her chest and hugged him as best she could. "I missed you so much, Peter." Peter smiled as he was enveloped in May's scent and warmth, the things he was used to. "I missed you too," he said, not sure if the woman heard him, but at the moment he didn't care. Too soon he was pulled away and was presented with a pair of lips coming at him, and before he could scramble away, May was planting a soft kiss to his head, which enveloped half his face with it. "MAY!!" he yelled, embarrassed to be kissed in front of the entire Avengers team. He enjoyed it though, even though when she pulled away, his face was red. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ They were back in the training room, May hadn't given up her hold on Peter just yet, insisting on holding him in her palm the entire way, all while looking around. She was promised a tour by her nephew after the tests. Happy had appeared on the way down to the training room, smiling at May a little too much. "So," he started, clearing his throat. "How are you doing? You know, with all this?" The man had motioned towards Peter, who had ducked the incoming hand, sending a glare Happy's way. "Oh..I'm doing a little better than I was before. I mean, I'm coming to understand that he won't be like this for the rest of his life, so that's a good thing. The only thing I'm worried about are these tests they're doing." "I'll be fine, May," Peter said with a sure smile. Happy stared at the finger sized kid in the woman's hand. He sometimes wished his life was more....sane. "And here we are," Tony's voice broke through the tension and they stopped in front of the training room, which was soaked at the moment. "What happened?" Happy asked as he stepped in a puddle, making a face. "It's just a test for Peter," Steve said shrugging. "See if he can stick to wet surfaces." May put her hand up. "Wait, wait...stick to wet surfaces?" She stared at the boy who looked a little too innocent. ""May, can you put me down?" the boy asked. His aunt was hesitant, but agreed, lowering him to the floor, allowing him to crawl off her hand. "I'm gonna need to focus on this, but remember when we were talking about abilities? Well, sticking to things is one of those abilities. I don't know how it works, but it seems to work better when I can concentrate on what I'm sticking to." He shrugged at the crouched woman who stared at him. "Ready?" Doctor Banner asked, his eyes on the boy at their feet. Peter gave him a thumbs up and started running to the wet wall, avoiding the shin deep puddles and waited by the wall for the say. "Go whenever you want,"the doctor said. Peter nodded and put a hand and foot against the wall. The wet surface was a little tricky because of it's slippery nature, but he was sure he could do it. He focused intensely on the slippery wall until he felt his fingers stick, then the pads of his foot before allowing himself to begin to ascend. He waited until he felt his other limbs stick, making his climb faster. He only slipped twice, and that was when he looked back to see May staring at him with worried fascination, while Happy was checking out the woman's butt, and he lost concentration. Peter didn't go as high this time, because it was a lot harder to stick to a wet surface. "I'm coming down!" he yelled and tried to come down the way he had before, but that was a lot harder on a wet surface, and he caught Happy checking out his aunt's butt again and lost his concentration. With a shout, Peter felt his feet slip and he was free falling, tumbling through the air. He saw the ground rushing to meet him, and closed his eyes, expecting to hit the hard ground, but what he hit was something soft, yet firm enough to daze him from the contact. Slowly he opened his eyes and found himself looking up at Mr. Rogers' worried face as his hands cupped around him. "Are you alright?" the man asked, bringing Peter up to check him over. The boy nodded, wincing when that hurt his neck a little. "Y-yeah, I think so.." he stuttered. "Thank you." "You're welcome. That was pretty impressive to watch, by the way," the man smiled as Peter blushed. "Th-thanks..." He couldn't believe he had just gotten a compliment from Captain America! True he hadn't really fanned out about living with the Avengers, but he had never really had a chance to think about it, with his situation. But  it seemed to be setting now that he had his aunt in his life suddenly, bringing back a semblance of normalcy into his life. "That was very good, Peter," Doctor Banner said leaning over to look down at him. "Why don't you take a little break, be with your aunt while we set up the next test, okay?" Peter nodded and stood up, feeling his feet stick to the familiar texture of skin. Apparently he didn't need to focus on something if he'd already stuck to it. "Mr. Stark?" he called and the man turned. "Can I, umm....can I be on my own in here, on the floor I mean?" He stared at the man with big eyes and he sighed. "Those eyes are weapons," Mr. Stark said to his aunt, who smiled and agreed. "Just be careful, okay?" Peter smiled brightly and automatically started hopping in Mr. Rogers' hands, acting like he had to pee. "I guess you wanna be put down?" Rogers teased, laughing when the boy nodded so fast he thought his head would fly off. "Okay, I'll set you down, but stay close to you aunt, okay? May?" He looked to the woman, who seemed surprised that Captain America was talking to her and nodded. "I can watch him. I've been doing it for the past nine years," she said snappily. It was obvious Peter was very popular here and that was making May a little jealous. Peter ran to his aunt, who knelt to in order to not be towering over him, even then she knew she must look so big compared to his size now. "Why haven't you called me?" the woman asked, obvious hurt in her voice, her hand reaching out to Peter, her fingers stroking his back. The boy looked at her nervously. "Because...I didn't want you to see me like this. I was afraid if you did, the shock would give you a heart attack or something. So, we were gonna wait until I was back to normal, but we don't know when that will be. I'm sorry, May." May smiled and scooped the boy up, bringing him in for another hug, loving that her nephew was alive and safe. "I'm just glad that you're okay, honey, honestly. You don't have to worry about anything, okay. As long as you're safe and with me, I don't care what happens." She pulled him away and rubbed his head with her pinky, laughing at the aggravated sigh he gave at that. "About that," Tony chose that moment to cut in while Bruce and the capsicle analyzed everything for Peter's next test. "What we were talking about earlier, him staying here, that's a must unfortunately. So if you want to bring Peter home with you, we all have to go. And that means less time here to work on the cure, the more time Pete has to spend time as a Liliputian...do you get where I'm going with this?" May nodded, her face scrunched with anger. "You're saying you want to take my nephew away from me so you con continue to experiment on him." Tony shook his head, a shocked look on his face, that was covered in an instant with a not too strong glare. "No, we want him safe. We want him back to normal again, because between Clint and my daughter, we have enough children around here." "Hey!" the archer cried with a pout. Tony ignored him. "I want you to go home, knowing everything is all right and Peter is safe right where he is. This is the safest place for him to be right now. Plus, he loves it, right Mighty Mouse?" Peter laughed and nodded. "Yeah, May! Please...I don't want to put you in danger. If I go home with you, that means you'll have all the Avengers at the apartment, which will bring more trouble than it's worth. So please, let me stay here, where it's safe. I know you have to go to work, but Mr. Stark has offered a place to stay if you need or want it, okay? So I won't be completely off limits to you if you want to see me." "While that doesn't make me feel a little better," May said. She wanted her nephew by her side, with her where she knew he would be safe. But, this place, it was like a fortress, almost seemingly built for keeping people safe. She hoped that was the case in this moment. "All right," she agreed again with a shaky sigh. "I'll let you stay here on one condition. You call me, and once you're normal, I want to be the first person to know, do you hear me?" Peter nodded, his eyes wide and shining. He got to stay with the Avengers! "And, Ned has been asking about you. Would you like me to tell him where you are?" The boy thought about this, but shook his head. "No, because if we tell him he's gonna wanna come and see me and the compound....which I don't think it's a good idea to let a lot of people know where this place is located, you know? I hate to say it, but he's gonna have to keep thinking I'm missing, and you're gonna have to play along with it May. I'm sorry to have to do that to you." Tony then realized that Peter apologized to the people he loved or trusted way too much. And then it hit him. Peter apologized to him all the time. He got a warm feeling in his heart at that and hid his smile behind a cough. "We're all set up," Steve turned to May and Peter, smiling at the way the boy looked at the woman adoringly. "Okay George Shrinks, let's get this over with, I'm sure you're hungry after all this." Tony simply grabbed the boy around the middle. Peter was placed on the floor near what basically looked like flat surface. "Am I supposed to be impressed?" May asked with an eyebrow raised, letting them know if they hurt Peter, they would be answering to her. Doctor Banner was the one that answered. "You will be. This is a training simulation that was made for Scott, also known as Ant Man. He was supposed to come and stay with us full time, so this was made for his training. He decided to stay where he was with his family, so you can use it until you're fixed. It has a few tricks in it. They're not exactly made for your abilities, but this will test your ability to think on your feet." The man stepped towards Peter, casting his shadow over the minuscule boy. "Go whenever you're ready." He could feel every time one of the giants shifted, feel the rumbles and vibrations in the floor. He really hoped that didn't distract him. Peter nodded and took a step onto the blank looking floor, when suddenly walls that were his height popped up from beneath the tile. "Friday," Mr. Stark said from above him. "Lower the Piss-Ant training course slightly." Steve glared at him. "What? I thought Scott would be using it." Suddenly a shadow became larger and Peter felt the back of his neck tingle and turned to see the billionaire crouching down, his hands held out. "Thought you could use these, kid. And thank Friday for  the vials. She thought of them and cut them down to size." The boy took his web-shooters and the now full vials and smiled. "Thank you," he whispered, then turned up to the ceiling. "Thanks Friday!!" "You're welcome, Peter," the AI replied, happiness in her voice. "Try them on," the billionaire urged. Peter nodded and hurriedly attached the wrist bands. He would have never been able to make the vials that small. They had to be at least only a centimeter in one of other's eyes, but to Peter they were just right. He wondered what type vials Mr. Stark had. "What are those?" May asked, looking at Mr. Stark with worry in her eyes. "Just watch," the man replied. Holding out his hand, Peter aimed at the low wall, and pressed his middle and index finger to the applicator, using his strength to push it down. A  harsh click and a stream of web-like fluid came shooting out, but the thing that surprised the boy was the kickback that made him fall back. And he found the webs sticking to a familiar pair of jeans. Looking up he saw the stunned face of a certain billionaire staring at the webbing. "Mr-Mr. Stark! I'm sorry!" Peter began pulling at the string of web to no avail, not realizing how strongly they would stick to objects. "Okay, this is gross," the man griped, pulling at the white strands, making a face when they stuck to his skin. "Jeez, kid. Apparently they work. A little too well, I would say." Peter blushed as he stood. "Um...I don't know how long they'll stay...it shouldn't be long, I made sure the webs would be able to dissolve in the air. I hope I didn't ruin your pants." He shook his wrist, the strand falling from his shooter. "Just go do the course kid," Mr. Stark sighed and stood, the strand hanging from his shin. Peter felt bad about what had happened, but now he knew there was a definite kickback if he pressed the activator too hard. "I'm ready," he said lowly, and thankfully Friday heard him. The first obstacle was dodging the walls that were as tall as him, which moved. Peter thought that was really cool. Staring at the walls, he timed them and thought out the mathematical pattern for the four walls in seconds. Keeping that in mind, he jumped to the first wall, keeping his hands and feet as far away from himself as possible so he could be flush to the wall. It was hard to keep his grip, but he only had to hold it for a second until, and there it was! The second wall moved diagonally behind him, coming so close he thought it might hit him, but that was only his senses tricking him. With a grunt, the boy threw himself from the wall he was stuck to, flung himself around and gripped onto the passing wall in a perfect rendition of a dancer doing a pirouette. He silently thanked his aunt for those dancing lessons. Next was the wall that was the furthest from him, and possibly the most tricky to get to, since it moved up and down and side to side in a random sequence.It did go higher, then the others but left a substantial gap on the floor of the maze that was just big enough for him to get under, but it came down too quick to be safe. Besides, he'd figured out this equation on possibly stronger legs, and there was only one way to find out if it would work. Waiting for the wall he clung to to pass the first wall, he quickly let go with his hands and moved his feet so they were flat. He only had a few seconds to try this, so squatting down, the boy felt his muscles curl and he jumped! Apparently his legs had gotten a stronger than he thought, because he reached the tricky wall faster than he calculated, which earned him probably a nice big bruise on his right leg as the teen crashed into the wall with a loud 'thunk' upside down and turned outward as the wall was heading down. He had been planning on landing the right way, but thankfully he didn't go beneath the floor, crab walking up the wall. The fourth and final wall spun and moved at the same time, making it hard, but the pattern was predictable, as well as the timing. Pointing his hand out, Peter shot a web stream at the wall, feeling his body reel from the kickback, but he forced himself to keep the aim. When the wall stopped spinning was when Peter allowed himself a moment to cheer a moment before connecting the strand in his hand to the wall he was on, successfully stopping the other object's movements. Flipping himself up, the boy landed on the web, his balance wavering a bit as he felt his feet stick to the already sticky web. Soon Peter was doing a tightrope walk that would have made his gymnastics instructor weep. Now it was on to the pendulum looking objects flying through the air from the ceiling. Those would be a little tricky, but he was sure he could do it. Crouching down, he grabbed the web for balance, and pointing a hand out, he hit the activator and timed it just right so that the web stuck to the bottom of the first swinging piece. He propelled himself off the wall and time and time again, he gripped each one of the swinging objects, until he came to the last one. Aiming his web shooter, he clicked the activator as gently as he could and felt proud when a web shot and stuck to the top piece with little kickback, and swung himself toward it. The boy then climbed up the now swinging web and flipped up to land on the top of the giant hammer-like pendulum. He studied the area in front of him as he passed again and again, looking for the next test, but he couldn't see anything. Not until he climbed up a little and instantly his face went white. Mr. Barton came into view, his huge body waiting for him with an arrow ready. "Don't worry, kid, they're foam tipped," the archer said, noting the way the small teen froze, poking himself with the arrows. "They won't hurt you and I'll be gentle." Peter looked to Mr. Stark, who only nodded and smiled in encouragement. He gulped and turned back to Mr. Barton. "I-I'm ready," he stuttered. The archer nodded and notched the arrow. "It'll be fine, kid," he said with a gentle smile, and let it fly straight at Peter. The teen heard May gasp, which had him flying into action. The boy only had a second to dodge, his senses screaming at him. Peter jumped over the massive arrow, feeling it brush against his arm before he used a hand to flip and land on top of it, running along the half mile long stick as it sped toward the ground. Another arrow followed it, aimed a little higher and to the left of the boy. When it was close enough, he jumped to the side. He meant to land on top of the arrow, but at the last minute he felt his finger slip off the foam, and he hit the hard metal with a pained grunt, rolling along the rod with the velocity until it finally ran out and he fell from the arrow, flipping head over heel in mid-air. He heard May cry out. The ceiling and the floor became so disorienting that Peter didn't know which was was up. Suddenly a shadow fell over him and Peter let out a loud grunt as he shot a web towards what he hoped was the person's chest, his arm nearly coming out of the socket when he came to an abrupt stop, his centrifical force causing him to swing toward the body he'd attached to, and the speed he was going caused the boy to close his eyes before he hit, the force behind it enough to make him gasp. "Ouch..." he mumbled against the cloth, forcing his hands and feet to move to stick to the person he'd hit. "You okay, kid?" Mr. Barton's voice sounded too close, making Peter look up to see the man's body twisted to stare down at Peter, who looked to see he was hanging from the man's shoulder blade. "Oh my god!" he pulled himself away a little too quickly, because he had to grab the web that was still wrapped halfway around the man and wound up hanging from the string. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Barton!" The man just chuckled and grabbed Peter gently between his thumb and pointer finger, tugging him away from the webbing. "It's all good, pipsqueak. As long as you're okay. And what happened to Uncle Clint?" The boy smiled. "I forgot, Uncle Clint. Better?" The archer nodded with a smug look, but that disappeared when Peter looked down at the man's thumb. "That was so embarrassing, though..." After a moment, Clint laughed. "Kid, I don't know what you saw, but that was freaking great! I think Natasha and I have to watch our backs in this business. If Nick Fury ever finds out about you when you get back to normal, I have a feeling you'll receive a phone call real soon."

@sparrowrider @letsbeinspiredby @6inchicon @ixlovexirondad @carttorchdeatth @midas-or-khaos

[backtomyback]

Post 2: Misdiagnosis Adventures

Around the end of September my pain increased significantly. I hadn’t gone back to my GP because of his behavior at my last appointment (see Post 1) and the pain was starting to become debilitating. Unsure of what else to do, I went to the local urgent care. They took me rather quickly, gave me an x-ray, and said that I must have sciatica. In the end this was actually partially correct, but they diagnosed a symptom and not the cause so I’m counting it as a misdiagnosis. The Physician’s Assistant who saw me also made a few patronizing comments about how hard “being a real adult” was when I expressed concern over my impending loss of insurance and a desire to get a diagnosis quickly. This was due to me still being in school...I have so much to say about that, but I won’t.  I was told to sign up for physical therapy and was sent on my way again. 

A few weeks go by, and still no improvement. By this point, I am barely able to walk or sleep because of the pain I’m in. I call out of work and decide to take myself to the urgent care clinic at the local orthopedic hospital. They take me back and run some more x-rays, which come up blank. The physician’s assistant there determines that I must have a torn hamstring and sends me for a pelvic MRI. No rude or inappropriate behavior this time, so I am relieved. I go get the MRI done and then head to my chiropractor the next day. 

I had been regularly seeing a chiropractor for some unrelated issues, so when I tell him that I’m being treated for a torn hamstring and explain my symptoms he just stops and gives me a funny look. 

“Why are they treating you for a torn hamstring? That’s not what that sounds like at all.” 

“So what do you think it is?” At this point I am so over people telling me a different thing every time I go in somewhere. 

“I’m about 99 percent positive you have a herniated L4-L5. Here, watch.” He then proceeds to press on a part of my back and the pressure has me arching off the table because it hurts like hell. He stops immediately (thank goodness lol) and explains how that level of sensitivity tells him that I am most likely dealing with a disc herniation. Now, I know a lot of people think chiropractors are quacks but I think there’s something to be said for the fact that he was the first one to get it right. He also was able to check the pelvic MRI to see if he could see my lumbar, but wasn’t able to. 

The MRI results then come in at the orthopedic hospital I went to. Unsurprisingly, there’s no hamstring tear. I make an appointment to see their hip and leg specialist who examines me and very quickly determines that it’s nothing to do with my hips or leg. It’s then that I tell him what my chiropractor said, and he tells me that he’s inclined to agree. He sends me to their back specialist then, and that is when I finally, finally get a back MRI. A few days later I get a voicemail from the back specialist. 

“Hi, this is [doctor’s name] from [orthopedic hospital]. I got a look at your MRI and I just wanted to let you know that it does confirm what we talked about. You do have a...*deep inhale* (my warning sign haha) fairly large disc herniation at one level, your L4-L5. This is causing some pressure on the nerves and is definitely explaining your back pain...(insert some more medical talk here that’s not relevant) The picture is actually bad enough that we have had patients see a surgeon to have it fixed.” 

I should’ve known then, honestly, that surgery was going to be the final outcome of this whole catastrophe. But I was optimistic that a more conservative approach involving physical therapy (PT), cortisone injections, and anti-inflammatory medications would do the trick. 

This whole process, from my GP appointment to the final MRI, took about 3 months, 7 different appointments (not including the chiropractor) for assessments and imaging, and over $245 in copays and medications that didn’t do anything in the end.