#clap on the back? yes. arm slung over Cas’s shoulder? give that to me yes. shoulder/arm squeeze of reassurance? i melt for that shit.

[dwc-jamc-spn]

um. do *ahem* ✨certain✨ ✨people✨ not understand that destiel isn’t about sex?

when we say we ship destiel or we want destiel to be canon, that does not mean we want to see Dean and Castiel having sex on screen. it just doesn’t.

i mean sure. some destiel shippers definitely want to see it, but the majority of us literally just want hunter husband content. we want the bickering, the exasperation that comes from loving a special kind of dumbass, the petty little pranks they’d pull on each other—all of that kind of stuff. no sex. we just want Dean and Castiel going on hunts and calling each other babe. that’s. it. we want representation.

it’s problematic that *ahem* ✨certain✨ ✨people✨ equate destiel and destiel shippers with sex. it radiates a certain kind of hate that has no place in this fandom.

[laketaj24]

Firsts IV: Oh We Got Beef?

Author’s Note: Megan the Stallion is the shit. Her nasty self has me motivated. Sooo uhhh here’s some smut! It’s a continuation of this series tagged below. Taglist Open! Requests open but no lie I’m slow.

Warnings: Argument, Daddy Kink

Pairings: College!Erik X WOC!Reader,

Requested by Anon: Erik establishing he's daddy in subtle and not so subtle ways until he finally has a convo and claims me in that dom voice is A FANTASY/DREAM KINK

Firsts Masterlist

Erik has a tendency to take over the stereo every time he got in the car. It was cute at first, but this morning all you wanted was to not hear rap music while pushing off a migraine. “Can we not?” You felt the side eye. But he didn’t stop strolling through the music. “What’s up with you this morning?” “Tired of hearing woke music when all I want is a biscuit and some coffee.” You change the song. The soothing beat of Cyanide by Daniel Caesar floods the car and you lean back against the plush leather seats. “So you wanna listen to this sleep ass nigga?” “Don’t.” You try to stop the argument. “Can we just be friends this morning?” “Nah.” He hits the switch on the stereo adjusting in his seat to look at you. “Let’s just talk.” Shit. Here he go. He’d talk and when you voiced your opinion it was a damn problem. “So you like this dude who ain’t shit, smooth as voice stands for anything. But I can’t listen to Chance.” “I could have went to get food myself.” “Not an answer to my question.” “Not everything is about being woke. I like Daniel because he can freaking sing. Case closed.” You roll the window down. “Do you want this damn biscuit or not?” He scoffs, dropped mouth and his eyes narrow at you. “I’m good.” “Cool.” You start the order totally unfazed that he was staring you down. “Can I get one large Caramel Ice coffee and a large hash brown.” “Sure thing, is that all?” The woman was chipper. “Yes maam.” You smirk at Erik who is now in his phone mumbling incoherently at you. The line was long, the awkward time in the car passed by with you tapping your fingers on the steering wheel and singing along merrily. “So you mad?” Erik said placing his phone down. “I am happy as hell.” “Yeah, sure you thing you are.”

Petty fights had started once you two were comfortable. Every now and then you would ignore them but Erik never ignored the pettiness. He dwelled in it. The ride home was filled with Daniel and then 6Lack. So you called it a success walking to your apartment with him in tow. You eat, all while he is engrossed in this damn game system. “You’re not gonna talk?” You sink into the couch next to him, pecking his arms with your lips and then leaning into him. “Nah.” “Why? Mad over a nigga that ain’t did nothing to you.” “I ain’t mad at you. I’m cool. You the one getting loud.” Erik never stopped playing the game. His hands went one hundred miles per hour clicking the keys pissing you off with each damn click. “I’m Gucci.” “Nah.” You mock him. “You so damn ugh,” Your fingers push the top of his head. “You can play yah damn game at home. Bye.” “So you kicking me out?” “You playing the game?” You stand in front of the TV with your arms planted firmly on your hips. The game stops and he looks amused. “You think you run this shit huh?” “This my house. You can go. And you know what, since we being petty take all you shit too! I can watch the damn screen by myself.” Erik laughed. “What the fuck is funny?” Perhaps it was instincts but your eyes blinked at him and you sucked your teeth and before you could think he was up from the couch crowding you. “What!” Usually you backed down from him. His muscled body intimidated you sometimes, but not this time. You didn’t give a damn. Fuck him. “I ain’t scared of you.” “Nah, don’t look like it huh? But I got something for that ass.” “What?” “Say what again.” “Wh-,” his full lips were on yours right as your back was pushed against the wall and his hands were wrapped in your hair. You push back on him and your hand connects with a sting on his cheek. He bites his lip and the look is carnal, you’d gone from girlfriend to prey in five seconds. You raise your hand again and he grips it pulling the other one with it over your head. “You done fucked up now.” “What you gone do!” “Oh, so we got beef?” There were no words as he slung your body over his shoulder as if you were a damn rag doll. Your fists hit his back over and over until you hit the bed. “You talk to yo daddy like that?” “I’ll say whatever the fu-.” His hands crash down on your thighs sending a warm sting down your legs and to your pussy. “Yeah that’s what I thought, shut that shit up. You don’t run this.” He sunk to his knees pulling your thighs to the edge of the bed. It takes all of two seconds to slide the shorts from your body.  “No panties, you knew what was up.” His soft lips pepper the kisses up your leg and you push him away. Serves no purpose as he makes his way up to your pussy. His soft lips suck on your clit and the fight is damn near out the window. Your fingers invade his hair, the small dreads intertwined in your fingers as your thighs lock around his head. If this was punishment you needed to hit his ass more often. His tongue delved inside of you and your teeth sink into your lip. He flicked and swirled causing small moans to pulse through you. The sounds alone were enough to nearly get you there. He was eating like you were his last meal. “Fuck Daddy.” His fingers push into your thighs as he pushes your legs back on the bed and you can’t help but roll your hips on his face. He groans, his deep voice rumbling in your inner thigh. he slurped your juices taking anything that was left as he came up for air only to start again. “You like this shit don’t you, you wanna nut?” He whispered, kissing your thighs again before taking another flick at your clit. “Huh?” “Yes.” He lifts up and his three fingers slap down on your clit and the pleasures fades into a deep hum of pain. “Nah, fuck that. Only good girls cum, stand up and bend over?” Your eyes buck as he lifts the shirt over his head and throws it to the ground and then he slides the gym shorts next. Erik was rigid in front of you, his dick throbbed as he started to stroke from hilt to tip. The adrenaline flooded your body, partially arousal but mainly fucking fear. “What you look scared for? Bend that ass over.” “I ain’t scared of you.” “I don’t want you scared. I want an apology.” His hand cups your thighs and then he flips you over. He slaps down on both cheeks and you feel your ass jiggle right before his warm dick slides down the line of your ass to your pussy. There was no denying you were wet for him. “You wanna apologize.” The hilt of him slaps up on your pussy and instinctively you throw yourself back on him coating him with you arousal. “Nah.” You say once agin mocking him from earlier. His head pushes into you and then he steps back falling out of you. “You right, you don’t want this shit.” But you did, you clenched aching for him. You arch your back and he does nothing. “Why you got me in here if you ain’t gone do nothing Erik.” “What’s my name again?’ “You heard me.” “I heard wrong.” Erik’s voice is playful but the way his fingers plunged into you wasn’t so playful. He pushes you face down into the covers and plunges his fingers back into you three more times and then he’s gone and you can hear the foiled paper rattling behind you. “That mouth so reckless here lately.” He spread your lips tapping his cock on your clit a few times and then he pushed into you, flesh to flesh. He was so deep your gasp couldn’t even escape as you headed into the plush pillows. The clapping between the both of you is all you can concentrate on as his hips slam onto yours. “Fuck!” You moaned. Each time he pushed into you, the strangest ping with through your body, as if you were about to explode and he just started. His hands push at the nape of your back and you arch for him. He’s deeper. Pounding against your ass and you feel yourself meeting him with each stroke. “You like this dick don’t you.” Fuck an answer. You thrust on him, longing to keep him deep inside of you. This might have been what you needed anyway, a good fuck. Both his hands grip your ass and he guides you onto his dick. He eager watches himself slide into you deep and then back out like it’s his favorite movie. He’s faster pushing you further up the bed. He falls with you, only his hand is around your neck, gripping you as if you were his anchor. Your moans were muffled but you were still loud enough. Your body grew closer. Your legs shook and eyes rolled as he continued to fuck you. “Every time you talk back this the shit I wanna do to you.” His hand tightened and the air left the room but your body tensed and then exploded. Your vision speckled with spots and your back fell limp, as did your legs. Pleasure waved through you. Erik pushed through your orgasm. His teeth sink into your shoulder and tense again. In one motion he flips you to your side pulling your leg up to go deeper and he’s drilling. Your tits bounce with each pump while your hands grip the sheets trying to find some sanity in the madness of his fucking. It feels as if he fucks you forever as he chases in his own nut. Your body misted in sweat, the sheets drenched with the both of you as he does finish, pulling out of you spilling into the condom. Fights worked in your favor sometimes because he could say whatever he wanted that wasn’t a punishment. You two lay in each other’s arms staring at the white ceiling with heavy breathing. Erik slides from the bed putting on his clothes. “Where are you going?” You smiled. “Home.” He smirked. “Why?” “Oh shit, forgot to tell you. I don’t sleep with people I have beef with, I fuck with you… but not sleep. I’m still not over that nasty ass attitude. I’ll let you think on that shit.” “You can’t leave.” “Take yo game and all yo other shit.” He said mocking you. “I’ll holla.” He turned swinging his shirt over his shoulder. “Call me when you get some act right.”

Black Panther Taglist:   @wakanda-inspired | @misspooh @valynsia @whoramilaje @harleycativy @virgosapphire79 @sparklemichele @theunsweetenedtruth @marvelpotterlove  @ahhhhkeya  @iamrheaspeaks @thiccdaddy-mbaku @muse-of-mbaku @myboyfriendgiriboy@someareblindtoitsbeauty @brittyevans @almostpurelysmut@readsalot73 @ivarsshieldmadien@slimmiyagi @cinnabearice@royallyprincesslilly@hutchj @im5ftbutmythroat66 @igetcarriedawaywithyou@madamslayyy @bartierbakarimobisson @killmongersaidheyauntie @babygurlniah43 @thehomierobbstark

[godlyborn]

let’s get drank. | morph kids.

characters: caspar finch, chase peterson, elliot winters, jesse teague, koda paledekis, & patrick sumpter

summary: fun family night, sort of.

Chase scooped up a cat in his arms and pulled a box of sangria out of the refrigerator. He put the box down on the counter as he slung the cat over his shoulder and moved to a cupboard. "Four glasses? Everyone drinkin' tonight?"

Caspar sat with his legs pulled up on the couch. He finished writing down something in the notebook in his lap when he heard Chase. "Yes, please." He called back. "If it's wine, that is." 

"I'm down," Ellie replied. "What are we doing tonight anyway? Just getting drunk?"

Jesse headed over to help Chase pour the drinks. "It's sangria," he called back to Casper, starting to fill the cups up and line them up along the counter. "And I think so. Is Ko coming?" he asked Chase. "I can pull another glass out."

"Uh, we don't have to just drink, and yeah, duh Ko's coming. I was thinking that we could play some sort of game." Chase grinned and put Killer down on the counter next to the box of sangria. "Uh, oh yeah, pull two out."

Jesse brightened up more and pulled two glasses out. "Renee's coming?"

Chase picked up the cat again so that he could focus on it instead of Jesse. "Ah, no. Patrick is."

"Patrick?" Ellie questioned.

Caspar shut his notebook and sighed when he heard who was coming. He uncurled his legs and stood up. Walking into the kitchen, he stood in wait for the sangria. "You invited him?" He asked Chase.

Jesse closed his eyes and sighed. "Great."

Chase looked up from Killer and pressed his lips together. "Yeah?" he said to Caspar, then raised an eyebrow in Ellie's direction. "Uh, remember the brother of ours I said was back not too long ago, well I invited him over."

"Oh, cool?" Ellie replied and then looked around at everyone else. "Oh, bad?"

“Yeah, bad.” Jesse handed a glass to Casper and then headed over to give one to Ellie.

Caspar took the glass when Jesse handed his over. He let his eyes drift over to Ellie and widened his eyes before taking a big drink. 

Chase sighed and shook his head. "No, not bad." He put the cat down and picked up a glass so that he could pour himself a drink. He downed half of it and left the kitchen to take a seat next to Ellie.

Jesse picked up the Killer that Chase put down and walked back into the kitchen to lean against the counter by Casper. He took his own glass and shrugged at Cas like, too late to do anything now.

Ellie was taken aback for a moment that even Jesse said, 'Yeah, bad'. "Ooh," she just said before drinking about half her glass right off the bat, knowing she'll probably need it.

"You should be fine," Caspar finally said to Ellie but drank more of his wine as well. "I don't think he should have any reason to be rude to you." 

Koda pushed the door of the townhouse open, knowing her siblings well enough to have guessed that it would be unlocked. "Helloooooo!" She called, slipping off her shoes and bending down to pet a Killer, before making her way into the living room and waving excitedly. "Hi hi hi!" She excitedly brandished the large bottle of lemon vodka she had brought over. "I come bearing gifts from Renny! She- her words -regrets that she cannot attend and loves you all!" She beamed brightly at her siblings, before plopping down onto the couch and squeezing her way between them. She deposited the bottle in Chase's lap. "How are you guys!" 

Ellie instantly wrapped her arms around Koda. "Finally, you're here!" she said. "You need to save me from this weird and awkward talk about Patrick."

"Tell her I love her too!" Chase said, happy to be on a different subject. He picked up the bottle of lemon vodka and cradled it in his arms. "Way better now that you're here with a ton of liquor."

Jesse hung back in the kitchen but smiled at Koda, his shoulders relaxing. He leaned on the counter that separated the kitchen and living room. “Hey!”

Caspar had lightened up when Koda made her entrance. "Hey," He offered her a wave and a small smile but couldn't totally forget that Pat was to appear soon as well. He remained standing next to Jesse and the counter.

"I'm here! Almost a full house!" Koda returned Ellie's squeeze enthusiastically. "Jess! Cas!" She waved at her younger brothers in the kitchen before tapping Chase. "No more weird awkwardness, not allowed! Now, it's time to do shoooots!" She sang, jumping back to her feet, despite having just sat down. She grabbed Ellie's hand, smiling at her sister. "C'mon!" She glanced around at her brothers. "I know it's early and y'all don't have to but....I think it would be so fun! Or I can mix us drinks if you don't want to drink box wine." At her last comment, Koda turned and stuck her tongue out at Chase. 

"I'm down for shots," Ellie replied. "I think I might need it."

Jesse rubbed the back of his neck and took a sip of his sangria, shrugging at the mention of shots.

Chase laughed. "Weird awkwardness?" He stood and followed his sisters into the kitchen, carrying the vodka with him. "Mixing boxed sangria with hard liquor is my specialty. Let's get drank." He drained the second half of his glass and put the bottle down on the counter. "So, shots. What do we want? Jesse, get out some glasses."

Jesse pulled five different shot glasses down. "What're you having?"

"We should do those lemon drop shots," Ellie suggested. "Since we have the lemon vodka. I think I have some lemons in the fridge."

"Drank," Koda snorted, then clapped her hands, thrilled with Ellie's suggestion. "Yes! Please! Those sound a-ma-zing!" She clapped on each syllable for emphasis, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“What are they?” Jesse asked, still smiling as he watched Koda. “I’m down.”

Caspar rejoined his family in the living room and sat down. "Lemon shots? Sounds ace." He shrugged.

Chase reached around Jesse to open the cupboard and laid out a sixth shot glass. "Should we wait until Trick gets here, or are we just gonna shoot it and have him catch up?" 

Ellie got out the lemons and started to cut them, putting one in front of each glass, sprinkling them with sugar. She downed the rest of her wine in her glass. “He can catch up,” she responded.

"Ugh, Jess, they're only the best tart-sweet shots!" Koda shook her head at Chase, "I'm happy to take a shot with Pat so he doesn't feel alone. I'm happy to take lots of shots in general!"

Chase reached over to ruffle Koda's hair. "Did someone give you sugar today?"

Jesse just smiled and nodded along to Koda, watching Ellie set up the lemons. “Or are you already drunk?” he asked after Chase.

“I wish I was at Koda’s level right now,” Ellie said.

Koda made a face at Chase, but it was quickly replaced with another smile. "Yes, mayyybe, and-" She watched her sister prep the shots. "We can definitely make that happen El!!" 

"I wonder who is gonna have the worst face in reaction to the sour." Caspar managed to smile a bit even though Trick's arrival was still on his mind.

“Probably me,” Jesse laughed, taking his wine glass to go sit on the floor beside the couch.

“Okay, are we ready to test that theory?” Ellie asked, handing out the lemons as she waited for Koda to finish pouring the shots.

Koda did her best to pour the vodka without spilling too much on the counter. She didn't want the Killers to get drunk tonight too. The thought made her giggle as she capped the bottle and accepted a lemon from Ellie. "Okay, everybody take one! What should we cheers to?" She asked their little group, holding her shot in the air already, pinkie out.

Chase grinned at Koda and took his glass. "Cheers to family? To getting trashed? To getting trashed with family?" He took one of the glasses and a lemon slice from Ellie.

Jesse had taken a seat only a couple seconds before but he got back up to take one of the shot glasses. “To getting trashed with family,” he agreed. And Patrick apparently, his mind filled in.

Caspar soon found himself holding a lemon slice and a shot glass, ready for the toast. "Yeah, I'm ready to get completely smashed." 

“Fuck me up,” Ellie said holding the shot glass up.

"Completely smashed, yes!" Koda agreed with Cas, "Cheers!" She quickly downed her shot, then bit her lemon wedge, nose wrinkling at the sour taste.

Jesse took his shot and made a face as well, both at the vodka and the lemon. “Not terrible.” He grinned.

Chase tapped his glass against the others' and then tapped the bottom of his glass against the table before he took the shot and bit the lemon wedge, not pulling a face as he did. "It's really good."

Ellie followed Chase and took the shot, not wincing at the vodka, but her nose crinkled at the lemon after the sugar was sucked clean. “One of my favorite shots, definitely.”

Caspar did his shot next and made a twisted face but only really at the lemon as well. "It's not too bad. It's... creative." He commented. 

Patrick double checked the address Chase texted him with the number on the front door before he walked up the steps. He reached for the doorknob— his brother said it would be unlocked for him— and stepped inside. The entire group was downing shots. "Yo," he said. Patrick closed the door behind him before moving fully into the living room. Only once he was closer did he notice the girl who slapped him on his first day back. He frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Chase grinned and waved at Patrick once he was inside, and scooped up the cat that went hurtling toward the open door. "Hey! This is Ellie, new sib. Or, I guess, just for you."

Ellie looked at Patrick, her jaw practically dropping, and then to Chase and Jesse. "This is Pat?" she then looked back at him. "Oh, bad."

Jesse pressed his lips together to keep from laughing at Ellie’s response and just nodded once, taking a sip of his sangria as he made his way back to sit on the floor by the couch again.

Koda waved at her brother, eyebrow raised at his question. Oh, bad? She mouthed at Chase, confused.

Ellie looked at her brother's again. "This is the dude I smacked," Ellie said. She started walking toward their washer. "Okay, I'm going to go shove myself in the washer, anyone mind pressing start for me?"

Patrick was caught between being pissed and finding this hilarious. In the end her settled on laughing. "Holy shit, of all people. Fuck."

Chase blinked and cradled the cat in his arms like a baby. "Y'all what? Why'd you smack him?" He wasn't sure if he'd rather not know, but the question was already asked.

Koda reached over to pet the Killer Chase was holding. She watched her siblings, waiting to see how it played out. 

"Because I said she had a stick up her ass," Patrick said blandly. "Are we taking shots?"

“Because she’s a good sister,” Jesse mumbled to Caspar.

Koda blinked, recovering quickly, already uncapping the vodka to pour another round. "Shots! Yes! Yes."

"After he flirted with me, and told him I would never do anything with someone who has as big of an ego as him," Ellie said, at the way into the hallway. "And you're my brother. Of fucking course." Ellie walked back into the kitchen and poured herself a big glass of sangria. She then wandered over and sat down next to Jesse.

Jesse smiled at Ellie and put a hand on her shoulder briefly. “That’s kind of funny.”

"And disgusting," Ellie muttered to Jesse, taking a big drink from her glass.

Chase grimaced and put the Killer down so that he could move to take another shot. "Uh, we're doing some lemon somethings."

Patrick snorted. "Please, if that's what you call flirting you need to get out more." He looked to Chase. "Where are the glasses?"

Ellie stuck her middle finger up at Pat.

"Lemon drop shots!" Koda stood on her tip toes, trying to reach for another shot glass to set next to hers. "Little help?" She looked at Chase. 

Jesse almost choked on his sangria when Ellie flipped Patrick off and coughed a couple times.

Chase grimaced again. "Alright y'all, new foot to start off on, alright?" He poked Koda's armpit while she reached for the glasses and placed a glass on the counter in front of Patrick.

"I'll agree, if he agrees to stop being an asshole," Ellie mumbled.

Jesse drained the rest of the glass of sangria and avoided looking at Chase.

Koda recoiled from his poke, squeaking out a "Chase!" as she laughed. "You two play nice," She gestured between Pat and Ellie with the bottle. "If you guys want another shot, gimme your glasses, I'll make 'em!"

Patrick frowned at Ellie, then looked back at Chase. "Sounds good to me," he said.

Chase ran a hand down his face. "Yeah, I'll take a shot," he said to Koda. He chewed on the inside of his cheek. "If I grab a joint would anyone want any?"

Jesse stood back up when Koda spoke. “El, you want one?”

Ellie drank some more sangria when Koda told her to play nice. She looked over at Jesse when he asked her if she wanted another one. "Yeah, sure."

Caspar frowned while listening to his siblings talk but, when Koda offered another shot, he held out his glass. "Sounds like a good idea." He commented, mostly to Chase.

"No joint for me, only shots tonight!" Koda lined up the glasses and quickly filled them, then prepped the lemon wedges for everyone. She waved to get her siblings' attention. "You guys ready?" She passed Patrick his glass with a bright smile before picking up her own.

Jesse picked up two of the glasses and wedges and passed one over to Ellie, taking a seat beside her again. "Yeah."

"I'll smoke," Patrick said with a shrug. He took the glass from Koda and waited for everyone else, looking off to the side than at any of his siblings.

Ellie didn’t say anything about smoking, knowing most of them knew she didn’t smoke. She took the shot from Jesse. “Are we toasting to something again?”

Chase nodded in acknowledgement and held up his glass and a slice of lemon. "Yeah, yeah. Toast to the same thing? Getting wasted with the fam?"

Jesse scratched the top of one of the Killer's heads as they strolled past. "Sure."

"Schwasty!" Koda laughed, already chewing on her lemon wedge like a little heathen. "I like that toast."

"Sounds great," Patrick said, lifting his glass and giving everyone a wry smile.

Ellie lifted her glass without a word and took the shot.

"To us," Caspar shrugged and took the shot and did a little involuntary shudder afterwards.

Koda downed her shot, then popped her lemon wedge back in her mouth. She smiled over at Patrick, surprised he'd joined them but excited nonetheless. The lemon peel covered her teeth, turning her grin yellow.

Patrick tipped the shot back easily and placed the shot glass down with a small suck on his teeth. “So what are we doing, don’t tell me it’s just drinking and wishing I wasn’t here.”

Chase took his shot and shook his head. "I was thinking we could play some games! We can do charades, or, uh... y'all think of something while I go get the joint!" He turned and ran up the stairs to his room.

Koda took the lemon peel out of her mouth, flapping her hand in Chase's direction. "Charades! I call Chase!"

“Can we not do Charades?” Ellie asked. “Last time we played, I accidentally hit Caspar in the face.”

Jesse laughed and put his empty shot glass down. "Oh yeah. Uh, I'm down to play games," he agreed, contributing nothing.

"Poor Cas, oh no!" Koda tapped her chin, a gleam in her eye, "How do you guys feel about....truth or drink?"

Caspar cracked a small smile at the memory Ellie brought up. "That was the last time I played actually," He pointed out and the suggested. "We could just do something they always play at camp wide get-togethers?"

“Truth or drink sounds cool,” Ellie replied.

"Sure," Caspar responded and then looked at Patrick. "Are you down for that?" He questioned.

Patrick raised a brow at Caspar and shrugged. “Works for me. Do we have anything else to drink?”

"There's box sangria and the lemon vodka and-" Koda produced a rainbow flask from the pocket of her overalls and waved it at Patrick. "This too."

Jesse got up to get another glass of sangria. "Works for me," he answered belatedly about the game when he realized he was the only one who hadn't responded.

Chase returned from his room and almost fell down the stairs. "Hey! So charades? I call Koda."

“Nah, we’re playing truth or drink,” Ellie broke the news to Chase.

"Omg, I called you too!" Koda laughed. "They vetoed charades because they know we're too powerful to be on the same team."

Patrick took the flask but didn't drink. "What is it?" he asked Koda.

Koda hummed, "Rum! I'm ninety-nine percent sure. I filled it when I was sober so...probably almost definitely rum!"

Ellie raised her eyebrows at Koda. “You don’t remember what you put in your flask?”

Jesse laughed and put a hand on Koda’s back as he passed her to get the sangria. “You guys mind if I just bring the box into the living room?”

"I'm just kidding," she smiled at Ellie. "It's rum!"

Her offering was enough for him to unscrew the cap of the flask. Patrick tilted it back while she spoke and then smirked at her. "How fucked up are you?"

"Scale of what to what?" Koda's violet hair subtly shifted a few shades closer to blue as she returned her brother's smirk.

Patrick didn't acknowledge Jesse but just moved with Koda into the living room. "How bout... how much of this should I drink for your sake?"

Jesse shrugged and picked up the box when no one replied.

"Bring the box, I'll bring the bottle!" Koda's reply was delayed, as Jesse scooped up the box anyway. She tucked the vodka under her arm and walked with Patrick. "Hm....two?" She squinted, pausing. Her hair shifted a tinge lighter; she patted the front pocket of her overalls. "Two-thirds? I have another one in one of these pockets, I came prepped to share!"

"Always more prepared than I ever will be," Caspar chirped up when Koda came back into the living room. He was amused by how prepped she was, and was smiling more now. He remembered that he also had a glass of sangria and began drinking that as well.

Chase laughed at Koda totally on time and clapped a hand against her back. He picked up his cup and dug between the couch cushions to try to find a lighter. "Okay, who's starting? I can. Ko, who's your least favourite roommate?"

Jesse sat by Ellie again and put the box of sangria down in front of them. "If you want any more," he said to her and nodded his head towards it, then focused on Koda and Chase.

Koda poured some sangria for herself and was about to take a sip when Chase voice his question. She laughed and shook her head. "You were too ready to ask that. And it's easy. My least favorite roommate? This dude with magic marker hair that just, like, ends up on my couch all the time. Comes over uninvited. He's about Jesse's height but uh, gods wow I never noticed, he looks kinda like you!" She pointed at Chase with her cup, laughing a bit before she drank.

Chase reached over to pour himself sangria once he found a lighter and cackled as he took a seat on the floor. "That's fuckin' wild, eh?" He shifted his face to take on more of Koda's features. "I didn't know you lived with anyone like that."

Patrick ended up between Chase and Koda, and glanced back and forth as they talked. He still had Koda's flask in hand and took another gulp of rum. Across from him was Ellie, who he made brief eye contact with before looking away again, leaning back on his hand.

“Wow, I thought we lived with someone like that,” Ellie joked.

Koda accidentally bumped Pat's arm, mumbling an apology as she made herself comfortable on the floor. "Wild! Yeah, worst roommate but I love him." Her face lit up in a smile as freckles that mirrored her own appeared on Chase's face. She squinted, trying to match his forest green hair and laughed at Ellie's joke. "Oh! Is it my turn?" Koda glanced around the circle of her siblings. "Jesse! Would you rather be shrunk down to the size of the Killers for a week? Or have the Killers turn human-sized for a week?"

Jesse's brow furrowed and he rested his chin on his hand as he considered the question. "I think... I'd want them to be human sized. They'd be like, uh, friendly tigers." He nodded as he made up his mind and took another sip of sangria. "Yeah. And it'd make doing things way harder if I was the size of them. Meanwhile, they could sleep on us like weighted blankets."

Chase grinned at Ellie and winked. He put the joint in his mouth and lit it, drew in a breath, and then held it out to Caspar. "I dunno why I was thinking human-shaped Killers." He laughed. "I wouldn't be able to carry them around anymore."

“I mean, we already had a human sized Killer,” Ellie muttered, taking a drink.

Pat thought that was a stupid question and an even stupider answer, but he just rolled his eyes and took another drink.

Caspar enjoyed Jesse's answer and nodded at the mental image of large-sized Killers laying around. He took the joint from Chase when offered and put it to his lips to take a hit. He then processed what Chase said and shook his head and coughed a little on the exhale. "That's frightening. I'm pretending you didn't just say that," He joked and held the joint out to Trick.

Koda blanched at Ellie's joke, quickly picking up her cup and taking a long sip. She took a moment before answering Jesse, a smile already back on her face. "Friendly tigers! Oh my gods, and Soup would be small for once!" She let out a laugh and took another long sip of sangria.

Jesse made a face at the image Chase brought up and shook his head. "Oh god, no. That's horrifying." He laughed. "Um, Ellie. What other cabin would you want to be in, if you could pick?"

Ellie shrugged, “I don’t know, maybe Aphrodite? They’re all pretty cool and I think Mal would be a great sister. I mean, definitely not like Koda, but you know what I mean.”

Chase sipped his drink and watched the joint get passed in front of him. "You'd get a dick brother though."

Jesse smiled at Ellie. "Yeah. I mean, I can't agree with that, but I know what you mean." He shrugged at Chase. "Parker's not that bad."

“Why do you assume it’s Parker? Doesn’t Mal have like 3 brothers?” Ellie laughed.

Patrick took the joint, thought about making a comment about them already having a dick brother, but he held his tongue and just took the hit.(edited)

Jesse shrugged again. "Just figured, since he's the one I had a problem with."

"Good choice, I love Mal! I'm definitely cooler though,” Koda said.

Chase shook his head. "Nah, I was talking about Parker."

“Anyway,” Ellie then looked at Patrick, ready to ask why he was such an asshole as her question, but turned to Caspar instead. “Cas, if you could date anyone at camp, who would it be?”

Patrick exhaled to the ceiling and then handed the joint over to Chase. "What'd Parker do?" he asked just him, quietly.

Chase took the joint and shrugged. "Eh, he was weird with Jesse a few years back, because they were both into the same girl, and then was weird because Jesse was dating his sister. And I've heard he's just kinda... a douche in general? But." He shrugged again as he took a hit of the joint. "I guess he's aight now. Not for me."

Caspar heard the question he was asked and, while looking at Ellie, went to go take a drink but paused before taking a drink so he could say something. "There's too many people at the moment." He smiled and took a drink and then looked at Patrick. "If you were forced to time travel, would you go into the past or the future? And why?" He asked.

Chase coughed as he exhaled and grinned at Caspar. "Damn, dude. Get it."

Caspar laughed and shook his head. "No, no, I just have a lot of crushes." He clarified.

“And to think I told you about Alec, once upon a time,” Ellie feigned offense to Caspar, before taking a drink of her own.

Koda listened to her siblings, quietly drinking her sangria. She chuckled when she heard Cas' answer.

"That's nice?" Jesse said to Caspar, his words coming out more as a question. He laughed at Ellie. "I forgot about that."

“That was so long ago, shit,” Ellie replied. “That crush came and gone though.”

Chase patted Caspar's knee before he held the joint out to him. "That's great. I hope you know we're gonna pester you about it now that you've admitted that." He laughed and shook his head at Ellie. "Gods, you and Alec was eons ago."

"You had a crush on my housemate?" Koda raised an eyebrow at her sister. She shot Chase a sideways glance, grinning.(edited)

“Yeah, when I first got here, and then and Malia basically interrogated me to get more info,” Ellie replied. “At this point, I think Alec also knows I had a crush on them, but we’re just friends, no more crush.”(edited)

Chase made sure to not look at Koda and snapped and pointed at Ellie. "They probably knew just because of the way we all very pointedly tried to make the two of you interact. And by we all, I mean me."

He nodded along to Chase's explanation but didn't make any other comment. Patrick was about to take another drink from the flask before Caspar asked him the question, so he lowered his arm to consider it. People seemed wrapped up in a conversation he only knew a little bit about, though, so he held off. "Who's Alec?"

Chase turned to look at Patrick. "Oh, shit.They're the best. Uh, I'm sure you've met them by now. They work at the cafe with me? They're the one that took your order the other day. Bubbly, bouncy, real cute?"

“Talks like fifteen sentences before taking a breath,” Ellie added.

"Ah." He nodded. "Yeah I remember, them. They talked to me for like half a minute before they took my order."

"They have good opinions on what tastes good coffee drink wise," He commented after Trick.

"They're also my housemate!" Koda added, forgetting she'd already mentioned that. She nudged Patrick's shoulder with her own. "If you ever come by, you can meet them properly! I love Alec so much, they're the most wonderful, sweetest human!"

Jesse finished his next glass of sangria since he had nothing to say about Alec.

Chase bobbed his head at Caspar. "They do!" He smiled at Koda and sipped his sangria, head finally swimming.

Caspar went back to drinking his sangria and then realized something and looked at Pat. "Did you answer?" He asked.

“Sounds like Chase has a crush,” Ellie teased slightly, finishing her glass of sangria

Patrick raised his eyebrows. "Okay, got it, Alec is the best." He made a weird face at Ellie's comment, even though it wasn't directed at him. "And uh," he looked back over to Caspar, "I'd go to the future."

"Why?" Jesse asked when Patrick didn't elaborate, focusing on filling up his glass again so he didn't have to look at him.

"I don't think it's your turn, Jesse?" Patrick asked, smiling as he did so he wouldn't appear as aggressive. "I don't know, I'd rather see what's coming than revisit shit." He shrugged. "You want to go? What's your biggest fear?"

Jesse frowned at him and took a long sip of his sangria instead of answering.

Koda tilted her head, still observing her siblings as she continued to drink her sangria. Her hair was still oscillating through the rainbow as she drank. She made a face at Pat's question to Jesse.

Chase didn't know what to do to alleviate the tension so he gargled his sangria loudly before he swallowed it.

Patrick snorted at Chase's gargling and looked over to Cas. "Pass it?" he asked, gesturing to the joint.

"Chase!" Koda laughed, coughing as she almost choked on her sangria. "You're such a weirdo."

Jesse smiled at Chase's attempt to break the tension, appreciating it. "Uh, Chase. How many crushes do you have right now?"

Chase smiled when his attempt worked, then snorted at the question. "Uh, I dunno, probably like, two? I dunno what counts."

Caspar didn't realize he was hogging the joint and quickly moved to pass it over to Patrick. "Sorry."

Patrick didn't say anything to Cas as he took the joint and put it to his lips. He raised a brow at Chase while he inhaled. "I would think it's pretty straightforward."

“I mean, a crush is a crush, you don’t have to be like in love with them or anything,” Ellie replied.

Jesse shrugged. “He still answered the question.”

Chase shook his head. “I just mean, like, are we talking about people we wanna like, bone? Or someone...” He shook his head. “Actually, I think I got it.” He shrugged and pointed at Ellie. “What’s your biggest pet peeve?”

Ellie shrugged. “Probably when people think that I’m something I’m not,” she replied.

Jesse swished the sangria around in his glass, amused by how it moved. He looked up when he realized he had been staring at it for too long. “Makes sense,” he replied, at a lack for anything else to say.

Ellie then looked at Pat, taking a drink from her glass. “Pat, why did you decide to wait until now to come back?” she asked.

Chase held his hand out for the joint.

Koda poured herself more sangria.

Caspar waited patiently and then took the bottle from Koda after she was done so he could pour himself more sangria as well.

Patrick squinted at Ellie. He held his hand out so Chase could take the joint, then sat back, leaning on his hand again. "Because I thought all the people who left weren't allowed back. Figured everyone hated us."

Chase took the joint and inhaled, then nodded. “They did,” he said as he exhaled.

“They did,” Jesse said at the same time as Chase, then blinked and took a sip of his sangria.

Patrick looked over to Chase and smirked. “And you stuck around anyway? Fucking gutsy.”

Chase took another drag instead of responding and shrugged one shoulder before he held the joint out for Caspar.

“It was wild,” Ellie replied, remembering back to her first camp party.

“Yeah?” Pat asked. For some reason the subject was making him mad, but he wanted to know more all the same. “Koda, how’d your feel when you’re favorite brother dipped?”

It took Koda a second to realize she’d been addressed; she was petting a cat that had wandered over to her lap. “I don’t have a favorite brother!” She took a drink and shrugged. “Well...I left before he did but...I was definitely, um, worried.”

Chase drank more of his sangria and pulled out his phone so that he wouldn’t have to engage.

Caspar took the joint totally on time.(edited)

Jesse frowned at Patrick but just took another sip.

Caspar took a hit and coughed and then held what remained back out to Pat but didnt really make eye contact with him.

Patrick considered this. “Hm. Yeah.” His voice was casual but his eyes were burning. “I told those two they shouldn’t have come when I saw them there. I was only leaving to get back to Cali but they were weird about letting us out of their sight. Did you know we were all supposed to come back to camp together?”

Ellie started to drink more of her glass even though she was definitely already feeling it.

Jesse pressed his lips together and looked away from Patrick.

Koda tilted her head, noting Patrick’s expression and everyone else’s silence. “You...wait, wait, what?” She turned to look at Jesse and Chase, brow furrowed.

Chase finished his drink and looked up from his phone. "Yeah." He put his phone in his pocket again. "What was your question, Ko?"

“Yep,” Patrick said, popping the P slightly. He took another swing of the flask. “I was like, five minutes late. Guess they were in a rush. But yeah, it’s your turn.”

Ellie finished her glass, biting back words, as Pat started to annoy her with his comments.

Koda opened her mouth and closed it a few times, looking like a fish. She stared at her brothers in surprise. “Uh...I? Hang on.” She chugged the rest of her mostly full cup, deciding not to pursue the topic right now. “Cas!” She hiccuped and pointed at him, putting on the most cheerful smile she could and ramping up her own enthusiasm to divert from Pat’s downer of a question. “If you could have any powers at all, what would they be! And why!”

Cas rubbed his arm and flinched a bit when his name was called. He forced a smile as well for Koda. "Um, I guess I would choose to be able to know anything about something from just touching it..." He shrugged. "Like it's past and stuff. I think it'd be helpful and really neat to get to learn stuff that way... I wish I could remember what the power's called, but yeah. That one." Cas explained.

Jesse relaxed slightly as the topic changed. “Psychometry, I think,” he said to Caspar, smiling a bit. “That’s cool.”

"Yeah, that's it," He commented back, with a little point at his brother. "Were you the one who told me about it?" Caspar quirked his head in question to Jesse and then doubled back. "That was not my question, by the way."

Jesse laughed and rubbed the side of his neck. “Uh, I think so. Maybe? I remember we were talking about superpowers a while ago, so it’d make sense.”

Chase laughed quietly. "Cheating, Cas." He smirked and reached over to pour himself another drink. "Fuckin... that's a cool power though."

“Psychometry is sooo cool! I love that!” She smiled at Caspar then started patting the pockets of her overalls to find her other flask.

Pat didn’t say anything but held his hand out for the joint.

"That sounds so cool," Ellie said.

Caspar handed the joint over and mentally scolded himself for hogging it again. "Um," He looked at Chase next. "My actual question is for you. Where is a place you feel drawn to, like a country, city, or, um, whatever? And want to visit if you could?" He asked. "Bonus points if it's somewhere you've never been before, and even more bonus points if it's a fictional place." He added.

Chase touched his lower lip in thought. “I actually had it where a place I would dream of ended up being a real place. Kind of. And that was really cool.” He tried to force his eyes to focus and dropped his hand as he smiled. “Okay, but I really need those extra bonus points so uh... Have y’ever played Bioshock? I love the way shit like that looks. Like, I wouldn’t want to be in the whole post-apocalyptic robot sort of jam, but if we’re going purely off looks, I want to be in a floating city.”

Jesse finished his next glass but put it down on the ground instead of pouring more to take a moment. “A floating city... that’s so cool.”

“Like Laputa! Oh my gods, have y’all see that movie?” Koda squinted, remembering the name. “Castle in the sky!”

Cas shook his head after listening to Chase's answer. "I've seen you and other people play it though. I like the idea, wasn't it... Sunk eventually, though? Or am I just thinking of Atlantis?"

"I think you're thinking of Atlantis," Ellie replied.

Patrick took a hit and passed the joint to Chase. “Definitely Atlantis.”

“Oh my gods, I want to go to Atlantis!” Koda chimed in, her hair shifting to white as she thought of heroine of the movie.

Jesse couldn’t think of a worse place to be than an underwater city so he just nodded along silently, smiling.

Caspar smiled despite being wrong and shrugged. "So many floating cities, only so much time."

"The thought of being in Atlantis is horrifying," Ellie replied.

“How!” Koda laughed. “An underwater paradise!!”

"It is horrifying," Jesse sighed, though he was still smiling.

"Water is horrifying," Ellie replied.

Jesse nodded along.

“As a beach baby, I am personally offended. Water is amazing!” Koda stuck her tongue out at her siblings.

"I like to personally disagree," Ellie replied, sticking her tongue back.

Jesse laughed and looked between the two of them, head swimming. "It has its moments. I like sailing," he commented, half to himself.

Chase laughed. “Yeah, I’m more about the floating cities than the sinking ones.” He took the joint and motioned in the air as he looked around the room. “Jess. What d’y’think everyone’s worst habit is?”

"I think... I'm going to be very drunk by the end of this." Jesse filled up his glass again and took a sip.

“Yay! Join me!” Koda raised her cup at Jesse.

Patrick snorted. “You can skip me, Jess,” he said. “If that makes it easier.”

Chase took a hit from the joint, sipped his drink, and then exhaled. “Nah, we’re just getting Jesse trashed tonight.”

“I love this plan!” Koda said.

"Makes it harder." Jesse focused on Koda. "Okay, uh. What's the best thing about not living with us anymore?"

Patrick laughed. “Fuck you.” He took another drink from the flask. “Someone give me sangria so I don’t drink all of Ko’s rum.”

Chase held his cup out to Patrick and held the joint out to Caspar.

“Oh my gods, the best thing is not being woken up by the sound of you and Chase snoring.” Koda giggled. “But I really miss living with all of you!”

Jesse laughed and ducked his head. “At least we’re close now.”

Patrick took Chase’s cup and downed it, his head starting to buzz.

"I mean, technically you've never lived with me," Ellie replied.

Caspar took the joint. "Koda's great to live with." He told Ellie.

“Fair but I still wish I did! I even-“ Koda hiccuped then laughed, answering Ellie. “I even miss being head counselor. I’m so happy I can walk to visit you now!” She smiled at her brother’s comment. “Aw Cas!”(edited)

Chase scoffed. “I don’t snore!” He exhaled a laugh. “I think my favorite thing was never being head counselor, didn’t have to go to any of those meetings.”

“You do too!” Koda jutted her finger at Chase. “Very loudly!” She laughed and shook her head. “Those meetings weren’t all bad. I mostly made faces at Hazel while Chiron lectured us on our responsibilities. I turned his tail blue one time too.” She raised a finger and clarified, “Accidentally.”

Jesse smiled. “I only went to two meetings and both were... eventful.”

"I mean, granted they were after pretty eventful times," Ellie pointed out to Jesse.

Koda took a sip of sangria. “I went to a few crazy ones too but...I definitely also slept through few. We used to have them constantly. Being head counselor at age nine was weeeird.”

Chase shook his head and made a face at Koda, then flopped over a bit so that he could rest his head on Caspar’s knee. “Once me and Koda turned Chiron into a zebra and got stable duties for a week.”

"Damn, I wish I had a picture of that,” Ellie replied.

Koda snorted, smiling over at Chase. “Oh my gods! He was so mad. It took a while to wear off too, it was great.”

Patrick laughed at that. “Damn,” he said at the same time as Ellie.

“Oh! It’s my turn!” Koda’s hair turned bright yellow. She turned to face Patrick, her head buzzing. “Okay, okay! Trick! What is something you missed about camp when you were away? Or something you’re looking forward to, now that you’re back!”

Caspar let Chase rest against him and he looked down, not too intrigued with hearing Pat's answer. "Can you temporarily change my hair to zebra print while we're all together?" Caspar questioned with a smile.

"Oh my gods, absolutely," Chase said as he tilted his head to look up at Caspar. "Right now? I bet it'd look sick."

“Uh,” Patrick started blandly as he swallowed the rest of the sangria. “I don’t fucking know. Free housing? Even though I had no fucking privacy. And I’m paying rent now so I don’t even get that anymore. I guess it’s nice not worrying about a monster trying to jump me anymore.”

Koda pressed her lips together and squinted at Jesse. Her hair had shifted again, thus time to a fiery orange. She skated right past the mention of rent. “Not worrying about monster attacks is a huge relief! Did you encounter a lot while you were away?”

At the mention of monster attacks, Ellie filled her glass with sangria more.

"Yeah, right now," Caspar responded. "It'll be a reminder of that time and also I just want to look like a zebra." He shrugged, realizing he was feeling the alcohol by now.

Jesse blinked at Koda, unsure why she was looking at him like that, and took another sip of his drink.

Chase laughed, only half-listening to Patrick's answer, and changed Caspar's hair. "I've done polka dots before. I like the stripey look more though, I think. It works for you, since you already have the white."

Patrick didn’t look at Koda while he answered. “One question at a time.”

In an attempt to change subjects. “I think it’s your turn to ask,” she said looking at Pat.

Koda rolled her eyes but she was still smiling. “Fine, fine. Next time!” She sang, then pulled her other flask out of her pocket and took a sip. “Your hair looks great Cas!”

Caspar smiled more as he figured his hair had been changed. "That's what I was thinking," He replied and then looked over at Koda. "Hey, thanks, Ko'," He looked back at Chase. "And thanks to you too." He then messed with his hair to make sure not a bunch of it was sticking up as to not ruin the illusion.

Rolling his eyes, Pat switched back to Koda’s flask, but he didn’t drink. “Caspar, “ he said. “I feel like all I saw you do back in the day was like, cry and watch clouds and cuddle with your weird friend, what do you like to do for fun?”

Ellie drank some more sangria when Pat spoke, trying to keep from saying anything.

Jesse frowned again and mumbled something into his drink.

Koda raised an eyebrow. Her hair turned red, then pink, then red again.

Chase gave Caspar two thumbs up and lifted his head. He looked around for the joint or his drink and then just swayed from side to side a bit as he waited for Caspar to answer.

Caspar realized he was out of sangria but didn't really feel to need to evade this question. "Uh, I go to university in the city now. Not all the assignments are fun, but it's art and I like the campus," He responded. "Um, write poetry, astrology stuff, spend time at the beach?" He shrugged. "I still cuddle and watch clouds and hang out with Abel at times too," He added and then glanced around. "Is there any wine left?" He asked to anyone.(edited)

Jesse picked up the box (now far lighter than before) and held it out to Caspar. "Here." He smiled at him. "And that all sounds cool."

Pat nodded along to Caspar's answer, looking halfway interested. "Cool," he all he said, and held his hand out yet again for the joint.

“Cas is a really talented artist!” Koda waved her flask excitedly, addressing no one in particular. She blinked at Abel’s name, turning to Pat. “Abel’s one of my other housemates! I love them!”

“Ohh.” Jesse nodded as he understood belatedly. “I thought he was talking about Tai.”

“There’s no need to talk about me like I’m not in the room, Jesse,” Patrick said without looking at him.

Jesse shrugged. “I was talking to Koda.”

"I love Tai too!" She smiled at Jesse, then glanced at Pat, taking another swig from her flask. "Yeah, it's okay, he was talking to me!" Koda was quiet for a moment, then her eyes widened and her hair turned pink again. "Does anyone want to do another shot with me!"

Caspar gave the joint to Pat before moving to take the box. He filled his glass and then put the sangria down somewhere nearby so others could get at what was left as well. He felt relieved by how short Pat's reply was and offered a thankful smile over at Koda, only to snicker at her offer. "I'll do another," He agreed and shifted his eyes over to Ellie. "It'll give Ellie some time to answer my question for her," He said to get his sister's attention. "If you were stranded on a island with only three other people, who would you pick to be stuck there with you if you could choose? They can't be in the room, though." Caspar clarified.

Ellie scrunched her face up slightly in thought. “Uh, Rory, Tai, and uh,” Ellie tried to think of another person. At first she thought about Ben, or maybe Ariana, but instead she took a drink. “That’s it.” She shrugged. "Oh, maybe Zoe," Ellie added. "But it would be less fun, because knowing Zoe, she'd figure out how to get home with her hydrokinesis.

Beaming at Cas' response, Koda jumped up from the floor and dashed into the kitchen. She quickly prepped two more lemon drops, listening to her siblings continue to play their game in the other room. "Zoe would!" She laughed at Ellie's answer. "Oh my gods, I'd bring Tai with me too. We could workout together and get really extra buff while we're stranded." She snorted, heading back into the living room. She passed Cas the shot she'd made for him, lemon wedge balancing on top of the glass to make transporting it easier.

Patrick was still pissed from the I was talking to Koda comment but just took an extra long hit to make himself cool off. Even so, he was steaming a bit and silent while people gushed about campers he didn't know well or didn't like. He passed the joint to Chase.

By now, Ellie was pretty drunk, and the presence of Pat and his passive aggressive comments made her annoyed and she finally stopped holding back as it was her turn. "Patrick, why did you even come if you were only going to be an asshole?"

Chase snapped out of his momentary stupor and took the joint. He took a long hit, coughed, and shook his head at Ellie.

"Ellie!" Koda was glad she hadn't taken her shot yet, positive it would've come out her nose at her sister's remark. She looked between Pat and Ellie, eyes wide.

"What?" Ellie asked when Chase shook his head. "Want me to play nice while these two," she pointed in between Pat and Jesse. "Are making cheep blows at each other?  And he's playing victim while he goes for low blows at you, and Jesse, and Cas."

Chase ran a hand through his hair and frowned. “Y’all are acting like children.”

He wasn't expecting to be asked a question, and definitely wasn't expecting that. His nostrils flared in anger. "I walked through the door and you said 'oh, bad," he snapped, mimicking Ellie's voice when he quoted her. "Look, we had a misunderstanding, I'm willing to move past it, but you made up your mind about me as soon as I got here. You need me to be the asshole, so here I am."

Jesse chewed the inside of his cheek and put his glass down, looking in between Patrick and Ellie.

"Probably because I believe someone shouldn't treat another that way, or probably because you've been an asshole all night to my brothers," Ellie replied. "Oh sorry, didn't know I was the only one in the wrong here."

Chase frowned more. “Both of you are being assholes. And Ellie, that’s another one of your brothers, aight?” He shook his head. “Are y’all making snide comments at each other?” He looked at Jesse and Patrick.

Caspar frowned deeply at Ellie and Patrick. "Pat isn't even being bad tonight." He said, but regretted speaking up.

"Oh my god, Chase, don't try to—" Patrick ran a hand down his face when Caspar spoke up. He laughed darkly. "Wow, thanks Cas, that means a lot."

"Guys!" Koda held up her hand to back her sibling up. She frowned, brows drawn together. "Chase is right. We're all family. Sure," she gestured between Pat and Ellie, "You two had a rough first start, but start over. Y'all don't need to get along perfectly but, cut it out." She glanced over at Jesse, then back to Pat as he spoke.

Jesse pressed two fingers to his temple. "Sure," he said without knowing who he was agreeing with.

"One of my brothers? He has been nothing but an ass all night, and apparently this isn't bad. Family doesn't act like that to family," Ellie said. While she was at it, she couldn't stop. "Hell, you don't act like that to anyone, and sorry but I'm not just going to ignore it. I don't do passive aggressive, sly comments, it just makes you look like a bad person, and honestly, a little cowardly."

Chase took another hit and then put the joint out, laughing quietly as he exhaled, leaning his head back fully. “Oh my fucking gods.”

Koda sucked in a breath, staring at her sister. "Oh my gods, " she groaned at the same time Chase spoke.

Patrick snorted and looked to Chase. "I'm not the only one anymore, then, huh?"

Jesse frowned and put a hand on Ellie’s back.

Chase opened an eye to look at Patrick. “Only one?”

Koda drank, then fixed her attention on Pat, not understanding his question. The color was leeching out of her hair, turning it black subconciously.

"What does that mean?" Caspar questioned Patrick and Chase with cheeks flushed pink and stitched together brows.

Ellie was tense up until Jesse put a hand on her back, she calmed slightly, suddenly feeling bad as she looked around at the rest of her siblings. "What the fuck does that mean?"

Patrick shrugged, a smirk growing over his face. He stared up at the ceiling as he started to explain. "I used to be the only one saying that we weren't automatically family just because we shared a godly parent. Kind of a big reason why everyone started to hate me." He brought his gaze back to Ellie. "Fair enough, though, no matter what the rest of them think of you for it."

Ellie groaned, but she was calmer than before. "Please, newsflash Patrick, it was probably because you were an ass. And everyone doesn't hate you. Get off your high horse. I've heard a lot of good things about you, not everyone hates you."

Koda sighed, illusion of a fun family game night effectively shattered. "Ellie, you're not helping. At all. You're both capable of being assholes." She took a swig from her flask, her shot glass forgotten on the floor beside her. She turned her attention from her sister to Patrick. "We don't all hate Pat, that's true. And we don't all have to get along just because we're related. It would be nice, but-" she shrugged, looking to Chase for backup

Jesse lifted one hand. “I kinda do.”

Koda just stared at her younger brother, her mouth open, though no words came out. She looked at Chase again, more pointedly this time. Her eyes said would you help me out here?

Chase laughed again and kicked the table as he stood up. “Y’all know what? I’m really fuckin’ sorry that I organized this. Truly.” He shook his head and walked around his circle of siblings so that he could get to the stairs. “Just, fuckin’ duke it out here or whatever.”

"Patrick hasn't always been the nicest, but I don't expect to see it from you Ellie," Cas commented, frowning and then shook his head at Chase. "What? No, stop, don't joke like that."

Patrick watched Chase walk away, then looked back at Jesse with a wry smile. "Nice job, Jess."

Ellie put her hands over her face when Chase spoke, and let out a soft groan when Caspar made his comment. "Fuck," she said. Every part of her told her to keep everything else in. So she bottled everything up again. "Sorry, I ruined everything. I was an asshole, that I know." She knew she took it too far. "I'll agree to play nice, if Patrick does too." Ellie looked to Patrick, swallowing her own pride. "Are we good?"

Jesse ran a hand through his hair, unsure why he said that. He pushed himself up to his feet to go after Chase, ignoring Patrick. “Hey, wait.”

Koda stood, moving to follow Chase. Her head whipped around so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash at Patrick's jibe. "You-" She jutted a finger in his direction. "Stop instigating! All y'all, just stop. Ellie, you didn't ruin everything, please." She shook her head, turning back to Jesse as he joined her next to Chase. "Jess, that was shitty. Chase, hey."

As the circle went from six to three, Patrick leaned over to grab the box of sangria and refill his cup. "I don't know, Ellie, are we?"

Jesse rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry,” he said to both of them, shaking his head. “I’m not gonna do that again. Just- Chase, come back. We can be civil.”

Ellie let out a breath through her nose. She had to for Koda and Chase. "Yes," she said.

Cas looked from Ellie to Pat and then sighed. He took a big gulp of wine.

Koda leaned her head against Jesse's arm, still looking at Chase. "It's okay, everyone gets upset sometimes. Sorry I didn't have your back. I was going more for...crowd control." She glanced over her shoulder, hoping that Pat and Ellie were making up and not tormenting Cas. "Chay, you tried to do a good thing, having us all together." As she looked up at Chase, her hair shifted from black to match his. She reached out to squeeze his arm. "C'mon, come back."

Chase rubbed his forehead and shook his head. “I don’t...” He pulled away from Koda’s grasp. “Honestly, y’all can keep going. I’m tired anyway.” He ran a hand through his hair and glanced back at Caspar before looking at the whole room. “Obviously the duke it out thing was a joke.”

Patrick studied Ellie for a long moment before he nodded. "Yeah, we're good. Wanna take a shot or is the party over?" He glanced back at Chase and grinned at him. "Come on, dude, don't ditch us."

Jesse watched Chase’s expression as he spoke to try and judge how he was feeling, then sighed and nodded.

“Chase, we’re good, please don’t leave. Let’s all take a shot. Please,” Ellie said, her voice basically begging.

Koda dropped her hand, pressing her lips together. She looked up at Chase, but didn’t push him. “Pat, you can take my shot that’s next to you, I’ll make another,” she said without looking back at him, still focused on Jesse and Chase.

Chase ran a hand through his hair again and gave a tight smile. His eyes felt like they were rolling around in his head as he leaned against the banister, but he nodded at Ellie and stepped away from the stairs. “Nah, let’s take shots,” he mumbled, smiling a bit more as he walked into the kitchen. “We’re still goin’ with lemon?” He leaned on the counter and spoke slowly so he’d slur less.

Patrick did as Koda said, taking the shot as he walked back to the counter, wanting some space. Chase joined him a moment later, though, and he mustered up a mostly-bitter smile.

“I’ll cut some more lemons,” Ellie said, she was still angry but since Chase made a comment, she felt bad and was trying her best to now behave.

Koda hung back for a second as Chase walked to the kitchen, waiting with Jesse. She looked up at her brother, giving him a half-smile. "You in for another?"

Jesse ran a hand through his hair and put an arm around Koda's shoulders. "I'm gonna take it easy for now."

"Not a bad idea." She leaned into his side, wrapping her arm around him as well. "I, however, need another shot!" Koda laughed and steered Jesse into the kitchen with her.

Ellie, who probably had a little too much that night, was trying to cut the lemon with the blunt side of the knife. “Why isn’t this cutting?” she complained.

Jesse laughed as he watched Ellie try and cut the lemon. "Try the sharp side?" he suggested.

Ellie looked down at the knife and laughed. “Oh, maybe someone else should cut the lemons,” she replied as she realized.

Jesse let go of Koda and held a hand out. "I can."

Ellie handed the knife to Jesse. “I’ll get the sugar.”

Chase leaned against the counter and crossed his arms.

Caspar watched as Pat took Koda's shot and thought about taking his own but instead just closed his eyes. He immediately felt dizzy so, instead, took another sip and set it down so he could stand. He then quietly left to go to his room. He began to roll up some from his own stash of weed.

Pat studied Chase's face instead of watching the others set up more shots. "You mad?"

Koda joined Chase over at the counter, watching Jesse cup up the lemons. She glanced at Pat as he spoke to Chase.

Ellie set the lemons down near Jesse as he cut them. She watched as Caspar left to his room. She followed him. “Hey, are you okay?” She looked to him rolling the joint, “or are you just rolling another joint?”

Chase shrugged. "I'm drunk."

Caspar looked up from rolling when he heard Ellie. "Just rolling another one for us. I'm okay, though..." He answered. "Are you, uh, good?" Cas asked.

“I just lost it didn’t I, huh?” Ellie replied, she shrugged slightly. “I’ll be fine. Are you mad?”

Pat thought about reminding Chase that could be both mad and drunk— like he often was— but he just nodded once, deciding not to bother right now. "Cool."

Caspar licked and finished closing the joint and sighed. "You didn't lose it, if I was you I would have done the same thing, but I'm not you so I'm sorry if I made you feel shamed for speaking out. It's just..." He sighed. "Pat is so difficult and the way Chase was so ready to bail after setting this all up after it being sort of a surprise. I'm not mad, though. I don't know." He shook his head and stood up.

Koda tipped her head back, staring at the ceiling as her hair oscillated through the rainbow, unable to settle on a color.

Chase half-shut his eyes. "Mhm."

“No you didn’t, I just felt a little bad that I kind of upset everyone, especially Koda and Chase who are really trying to have us all get along,” Ellie replied with a shrug. “I’m worried about Chase, but that’s another conversation for another day. We should probably get back?” she suggested. “Are you taking a shot?”

Jesse stared at the lemons now that they were sliced and wondered what he was supposed to do with them.

Caspar listened to Ellie and then walked over to her with a nod. "Yeah, let's get back," He agreed. "We'll talk together more about it later, if you want," He said and let Ellie lead them back to the living room.

Ellie nodded at Caspar and followed him back out. She looked to Jesse staring at the lemons. “The sugar goes on the lemons bro,” Ellie said, walking over to sprinkle the sugar for Jesse.

Jesse zoned back in after Ellie addressed him. "Hm?"

“For the shots,” Ellie said, the sugar goes on the lemons.

Caspar went and sat back down in the living room. He poured more sangria and realized there was really only a cup left so he looked around, only to pour it in what he thought was Chase or Jesse's nearby cup, figuring they weren't done drinking either.

For once he was uncomfortable with how uncomfortable everyone else was, presumably because of him. Probably because he hadn't intended it. Patrick looked over Chase and moved so he was next to Koda instead, handing her the flask. "I think I drank more than two-thirds," he said.

Chase rubbed one eye. "Who's turn is it? For the game."

"Patrick's." Koda answered, still staring at the ceiling. Realizing Pat had addressed her, she looked over, her eyes two different colors, her hair still shifting." She waved the flask away. "No, no. I don't think I need more. You can finish it if you-" she hiccupped. "If you want."

“Ah.” Jesse nodded as Ellie explained and smiled at her. “Are you good?”

Patrick shrugged. "Let's do shots first," he muttered.

"Shots, yes I can do a shot!" Koda hiccupped again and her eyes changed to the same color. With another hiccup, she had one blue and one gold eye. "Are we all doing one?"

“I’m fine,” Ellie said to Jesse. “I just lost it, I’m cool.” Ellie grabbed some lemons that were finished and started handing them out.

"Cool," Jesse agreed, turning back to sprinkling sugar on the remaining lemons.

Patrick lifted his shot glass to Koda, indicating he was drinking and ready.

Caspar stood up and looked over the counter and into the kitchen at the rest of his siblings. "Hey, I rolled another for us." He said loud enough for them to hear as he moved to get closer as well, joint still in hand (but unlit).

Chase turned when Caspar spoke and smiled at him slowly. "I might stick to that. If I take a shot right now I might end up projectile voming everywhere."

Koda nodded at Pat and accepted a lemon from Ellie. She almost popped it in her mouth to eat but remembered that it was for another shot and giggled to herself.

Caspar gave Chase a nod, then leaned on the counter. He realized everyone had their shots almost ready. "Oh, are we doing the shots in here? Let me go grab mine, it's out here still." He pointed out and spun around to fetch it.

Jesse took a shot as well after a period of deliberation. "This is my last one."

“So, uh, anyone want to toast, or are we just taking this one?”

"Let's just take it," Patrick said, trying to sound as neutral as possible in case anyone decided he was trying to be mean about it.

Caspar came back to the counter again but with his shot this time. "Okay, I'm set."

Ellie held her shot up when Patrick said to just take it. Hit it gently on the counter, and then took it, before sucking on the sugar covered lemon.

Chase hopped up onto the counter and almost fell off, but recovered. He pulled out a lighter to spin in his hands and dropped it. "Hm." He looked down at the ground and then to his siblings, a small, unfocused smile on his face.

Caspar took note from Ellie and proceeded to down his shot. He did an involuntary shiver and frowned with a point. "Someone pass me a lemon."

When Ellie tilted the glass backward, so did Patrick, once again unmoved by the sourness. He didn't bother with his lemon and passed it to Caspar when he asked.

Koda mirrored Ellie's action, knocking back her shot. She sucked on the lemon and smiled at Patrick, swaying on her feet a little. She was feeling all the shots she'd done.

Caspar took the lemon and sucked on it a bit, leaning against the counter again as he was feeling not the most balanced. When he was done with the lemon, he looked at and spoke to Pat. "Do you have a lighter?"

Chase pointed to where his lighter remained on the floor. "There's one there."

Wordlessly, Koda produced another lighter from the pocket of her overalls and held it out to Cas, grinning.

"Nah," Pat said to Cas. While Koda handed her lighter over, he crouched down to retrieve the one that Chase dropped and returned it to his brother. "My turn, right? Ellie," he looked over to her, a small smirk coming to his face. "Don't look so worried. What do you like to do for fun around here?"

Caspar took the lighter from Koda and offered her a smile in return. He put the joint in his mouth and lit it up. He took another hit and held it out for Chase to take.

Ellie looked at Pat, trying to keep calm still. "I'm not worried," she replied. "I don't know, hang around with these weirdos," she pointed to the others. "Have brunch with Tai and Rory. Take runs? Like normal things I guess."

Koda smiled back at Cas as he lit the joint. "Brunch!" She exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "I love brunch."

Chase took the joint and bobbed his head. He took a long hit and then held out the joint to Patrick.

Patrick made a small, imperceptible face at the mention of Tai, but he nodded and turned his focus to the outstretched joint before it was too obvious. "Cool," he said before he took a hit.

Jesse laughed at Koda's excitement and leaned against her after taking his shot. "Are there people out there who don't?" he asked her.

Ellie looked to Jesse. "Jess," she started. "Would you trade your sibling or best friend for $10 million?"

"No," Jesse answered without needing to think about it. He watched the smoke from the joint rise towards the ceiling. "I don't know what I'd do with ten million dollars."

"People that don't like brunch are crazy." Koda laughed at Ellie's question. "Chase is worth more than ten million anyway."

Patrick thought he could do a lot with ten million dollars, but again didn't want to be taken as saying something pointed in some way, so he held his tongue. He snorted at Koda's comment and handed the joint over to Cas.

"I don't know, I might trade someone for $10 million and they could trade me, and we would both be traded and each have $10 million," Ellie replied.

Caspar took the joint. "$20 million dollars," He pointed out. "I can't even imagine how much money that really is." He commented.

Chase did the shaka hand motion at Koda. "I'm priceless, like... a lollipop stuck to the side of a rat."

Koda snorted at Chase. "What kind of lollipop?"

Chase nodded confidently. "A blue one. The kinda flat ones you get from the doctor's office."

Ellie scrunched her nose. "That's disgusting."

Koda nodded as if Chase's answer made perfect sense. She tapped a finger to her temple and gestured to his. "Yes! That's so you."

Caspar took his hit and held the joint out to Chase again. "Those kinda flat ones always have the weirdest sticks to hold onto," He commented.

Chase bobbed his head and took the joint but didn't take a hit. "Right? I feel like most of them are hollow. The bank has some, but they're green." He held out the joint to Patrick.

Patrick looked amused as he took the joint back. "What's wrong with green?"

Chase shrugged. "Don't taste the same as blue. And doesn't turn your mouth green." He leaned back a bit and rubbed his eye. "Green's aight though."

Koda’s hair turned the brightest blue she could think of. “The blue ones are better,” she grinned at Patrick, nodding sagely.

Ellie shrugged in response to everyone.

Jesse ran a hand through his hair. “Patrick. What’s the drunkest you’ve ever been?”

Patrick raised an eyebrow when Jesse asked him a question, but he figured he was playing nice for Chase. He took a long hit before he answered, letting the high melt over him and keep him civil. "Two years ago," he said, "I dropped out of school and my friends saw me off. Don't remember a thing past eleven pm." He passed the joint to Cas.

Chase laughed and rocked back and forth slightly, his hair changing from green to a dark blue. "Been there."

"I’m there right now," Koda giggled, leaning further against the fridge to steady herself before sliding down to sit on the floor and look up at her siblings. She beamed at Chase's hair color.

Jesse nodded. "Huh," was all he said in response, nothing else to say to Patrick that would still keep it civil.

Chase flashed a smile at Koda and then tilted his head at Patrick. "What were you going to school for?"

"I want to be there right now," Ellie muttered not too loud to hear except for Jesse next to her.

Jesse pressed his lips together and held back a laugh, giving Ellie an amused look.

Caspar took the joint and watched his siblings.

Patrick gave a long sigh, like he was unwilling to talk about it. "Drawing and painting," he said, crossing his arms over his chest and angling his head up a bit.

“Art buddy,” Koda mused quietly from her spot on the floor, then giggled.

He scoffed at Koda, but a small smirk was on his face. "Chase, what's the most high you've ever been?"

Caspar stayed silent, listening, and after he took a hit, he held what was left of the joint to Chase.

Chase nodded at Patrick and took the joint from Caspar. "I feel like half the cabin really caught the whole art bug." He took a small hit from the joint and then held it out to Patrick, speaking as he exhaled. "Uh, from weed?"

Patrick chuckled. “Whatever you want.”

Koda simply smiled at Pat's scoff. She waved at Jesse, as if she'd forgotten he was there, before looking up at Chase. "What did you dooo?"

Jesse waved back at Koda, smiling fully now.

Chase shrugged. "It depends on what you mean by most high, since highs are different, but..." He blinked and furrowed his brow as he tried to think. "Uh, well I've been meth bombed once, so that was fuckin' hell, but I'd say one of the most high I ever was was when I took shrooms once and..." He laughed as he began telling the story and shook his head, looking to Jesse. "I messaged Jess to come find me because I was out in the woods and didn't know where the fuck I was. And then, when he finally found me a fuckin' hour and a half later I was like 'oh fuck, I remember where I am, don't worry man.'" He shook his head again. "I'm sorry, man."

"Meth!" Koda's hair flashed yellow in surprise before shifting back to blue. She saw Jesse wave at her and, forgetting she had waved in the first place, waved again with even more enthusiasm. "I wanna try shrooms! Chay, shrooms!"

Jesse laughed and shook his head as soon as he realized which story this was. "It's okay, it was funny once I wasn't freaking out over you falling in a river or something."

Caspar wondered what being 'meth bombed' was, but figured he'd put it together with context clues. He shook his head and laughed at the actual story. "I hate the taste of shrooms, or I'd do them more often."

"Meth?" Ellie said, mostly mouthing the word and tilting her head slightly at Chase. Sometimes she wondered how she got along with Chase so well when she rarely did any drugs.

Chase smirked at Jesse and nodded and then held up a hand and shook his head at Ellie and Koda. "Okay, yeah, but not on purpose. Shitty dealer for M, part of why I have a drug testing kit now." He hummed and snapped and pointed as he looked at Patrick now. "By the way, I have one of those. If y'ever need it."

Koda nodded her head vigorously. "Testing kit. 'S very smart."

Patrick paused, then nodded. "Good to know," he said.

"Okay." Chase clapped his hands and then rubbed them together. "Who wants a question? Who haven't I asked?"

"Me!" Koda sang, despite having been asked a question by Chase to start the game.

Caspar raised his hand too, but didn't say anything because he was now drinking some sangria again.

Chase pointed at Koda. "You've already had your turn." He turned to Caspar. "Prince Caspian, when's the last time you kissed someone?"

"Boo," Koda pouted, sticking her tongue out at Chase. She perked up, hearing his question and turned her attention to Cas.

Pat kept his head against the wall as it started to feel heavy, but he rolled his gaze over to Cas to hear his answer.

Caspar couldn't help but smile at Chase's question, brought the sangria down from his lips, and shook his head before speaking. "It was last night." He answered with an embarrassed chuckle.

"Last night?" Ellie asked, surprised. "And you didn't tell me?" she feigned a gasp.

Chase laughed and raised his eyebrows. "Shit, yeah?"

Jesse smiled peacefully. "That's nice."

"Yes Cas!" Koda giggled from her spot on the floor. "Get it!"

He shrugged after hearing everyone's reaction. "I don't tell you everything about that kind of stuff." Caspar replied to mostly Ellie, but was still smiling.

Patrick's eyebrows rose at Cas's answer and the rest of his sibling's reactions.

Caspar took a sip of sangria again and then put a hand to his cheek. "I can't tell if I'm hot because I'm drunk or because I just answered that," He commented. "But, um," He glanced around and settled his eyes on Koda. "Uh, ignore science for this question but if you could smash two animals together to make a whole new animal, what two would you choose?" Cas questioned. "And what would you call it?" He quickly added.

"A mouse and a cat," Jesse mumbled to himself thoughtfully then paused. "No, bad idea."

Chase snorted at 'ignore the science for this question'. "How they gonna fuck?" he whispered, mostly to himself.

Koda blinked a few times, needing a moment to comprehend Caspar's question through her drunken haze. She squished her cheeks with her hands, making a funny face as she pondered an answer. "I would pick.....a flamingo and a llama!" She exclaimed, her hair turning a shocking pink. "Llamma body, but pink with flamingo wings. But...I only picked them so I could name it a fllamango." Koda barely got the words out before she burst out in a fit of laughter.

"It's like catdog, but with a flamingo and llama," Ellie said.

Patrick slid down the wall so he was closer to Koda, looking amused at her laugher. "Ko, what the fuck is going on in your head?"

Chase grinned at Koda and laughed at 'fllamango', then laughed harder at Ellie's comment. He pressed a hand to his stomach and leaned back, snorting as he laughed, hair slowly shifting into a more muted version of Koda's.

Caspar laughed too, fully amused by her answer. "The killers better watch out or else we'll have a new mascot."

Koda beamed at Patrick and tilted her head towards him, still laughing. In between giggles, she managed to explain, "Too many vodkas! And pregamed first." Her nose crinkled at she smiled, spotting Chase's hair change. She turned back to Patrick. "I want a fllamango," she loudly whispered.

"Dream one up," Patrick said with a shrug. "Ask Dad."

Her mouth rounded into a very surprised o as she considered this. Koda wondered if she could use the Mist to make a dream creature appear in their kitchen. Or turn something into the creature in her head. She focused on one of the kitchen chairs, thinking of a flamingo-llama hybrid as hard as she could. All that happened was a shift in hue; her siblings now had one incredibly pink chair. Koda quickly looked away, trying to look as unassuming as possible. "Oops," she whispered.

Ellie burst out laughing at the pink chair. "I like it better that way"

Jesse laughed at it too. "I agree. It's an improvement."

Patrick laughed. "Gods." He nudged Koda with his foot. "Make the rest colorful, too."

Chase looked at Koda and grinned widely, wiggling his fingers in her direction. "Y'want some help, Ko?" He changed one of the other chairs to near the same colour, then shifted it slightly to make it a more similar shade.

Koda squinted at one of the other chairs, trying to match what she'd already done. "Yes please!" She smiled at Chase then frowned at the chair as it turned a perfect lemon yellow.  She nudge Pat's shoulder, pointing to one of the uncolored chairs. "What color?"

Pat glanced around at the others in the room, then looked at the chair. "Purple."

"Done!" The chair in question turned the most vibrant shade of violet Koda could think of. So did her hair....and Patrick's. Koda hummed, shifting Pat's hair to a much darker shade of purple. "Suits you better."

Jesse looked away from the chairs to look at Patrick. "It's a nice colour on you," he told him, tone entirely mild.

Ellie hid a small laugh behind her glass of sangria.

He noticed the much brighter color on his head for just a split second before Koda toned it down. He almost couldn't tell that it was still purple. Patrick's instinct was to get annoyed, but Jesse's even tone inspired him to one-up him. "Every color is a nice color on me."

Chase bobbed his head, happy that his brothers were getting along.

Jesse couldn't think of anything to say to that that wouldn't come out either rude or ridiculous, so he conceded and just picked up his old glass of sangria without responding.

Patrick looked back at Koda. "This will fade later, right?" he asked.

"Maybe," she teased. Seeing Patrick's face, Koda quickly amended. "Yeah, it only works if you're in a certain radius of us. Probs when you leave the house."

"Fine," Pat said, shaking his head as he pressed it back against the wall. "I'll allow it."

[foolhardy-obsessive-and-annoyed]

Dean Winchester, do you believe in soulmates?

“Cas. Cas.”  Dean says, trying to get Cas’s attention.  “Dude we’re trying to come up with a plan here and you’re zoning out on us.” Cas’s eyes focus on Dean’s. His blue gaze was heavy. Dean raised his brows, expecting a response.  “Did you hear anything anyone just said?” Dean gestured to Sam and Sheriff Jodi Mills, who had come to the bunker for a case.  Cas stayed silent, returning instead to studying the wall. Dean sighed as if he were annoyed, but everyone knew the angel always got a pass.

Sam had disappeared into the Men of Letters library to research something or other, and Jodi had gone out on a food run.  Dean was heading to the fridge for a beer when he caught Cas standing in the kitchen. The same troubled air about him, gazing into oblivion.

“Cas, buddy, you alright man?” Dean leaned against the counter facing Cas, crossing his arms. Cas’s furrowed brow cast a shadow over his face.

“Do you think I’ll be alone forever?”  His gravelly voice was quiet. He finally turned to face Dean.  Dean’s mind reeled with what Cas was asking.

“What do mean? You aren’t alone? You have me. And you have Sam and the bunker.”

“That’s not what I mean, Dean.”  Cas said.  Dean was quiet, watching Cas as he tried to explain.

“Both you and Sam have known what it is to love someone. And I know you say that this life is too dangerous but…I just can’t help but wonder if I’m going to die without ever knowing what it’s like.”  Castiel studied the tile floor for a moment before returning his eyes to Dean’s. To his surprise Dean didn’t have anything to say, he wasn’t even looking at Cas. Usually he would’ve given him a solid clap on the shoulder and an optimistic one liner but Dean was silent.

“Have I made you uncomfortable? I’m still learning what is acceptable to ask.  You humans have so many rules on how you comport yourselves.”

“No. No,” Dean said quickly waving his hands in dismissal.  “It’s just, you’ve never loved someone? Ever? Even in heaven?”  Cas shook his head.

“No. Angels were not built to love each other anymore than you would a sister or brother.”  A quick smile broke out across Dean’s lips as he considered cracking a joke, but he quickly weighed the conversation and decided against it.

“I don’t know what to tell you man, I’m sure there’s someone out there-” Dean started in on that optimistic one liner.

“You don’t understand.  I don’t want just anyone. It’s all so....complicated.”  Cas seemed even more aggravated than before.

“Okay, I’m really not following.” Dean uncrossed his arms, gripping the edge of the counter.

“Dean Winchester, do you believe in soulmates?” Dean narrowed his eyes.

“I thought that was a heaven thing.” He said suspiciously. Cas shook his head.

“There were some matches made in heaven, yes.  But that’s not what I’m referring to.”

“So what exactly are you referring to.” Dean’s eyes were still narrowed. Cas sighed. He glanced up at the ceiling, trying to find a way to phrase his thoughts.

“Outside of heaven, or fate or any higher power.  Just, two souls that belong together.”  Cas watched Dean consider this. Dean’s green eyes flickered.

“I don’t know.”  He answered finally with a small shrug.  “I mean probably not. It’s a nice concept, but you know I’m not one for fate or destiny or any of that crap.”  Cas was silent. 

“Why?” Dean asked.  “Do you?”

“I don’t know.  I didn’t when I was in heaven, but being human...it has changed my perspective on many things.”  They we’re both quiet for a moment

“Dean, is it nice? To love someone?” Cas watched Dean’s face carefully. Dean looked taken aback for a moment.

“I mean, yeah. Yeah it’s really nice. It makes you selfless,” he said. Cas’s eyes got distant.

“Can you describe it to me?”

“Uh..”  Dean furrowed his brow, leaning backwards as though he were about to refuse, dropping a line about chick flick moments. But then he glanced at Cas, and his face got serious.  “It’s like every feeling you’ve ever felt all at once, and it’s all so intense and you just want to be near them all the time. You’d give anything for them.” Dean watched Castiel ponder this.

“Who was the last person you felt that way about?”  Cas tilted his head as he watched Dean.

“Uh, Lisa, actually.  Yeah,” Dean rubbed the back of his neck, trying to push away the deep sting he still feels after leaving them.  “But it was never right.  I never should have tried to have that life.  But she, and Ben, they’ll always be with me.  In a way I guess.”

“Do you still love her?”

“I don’t know.  Maybe.  I think in the same way Sam will always love Jessica.  But it’s in the past, and we can’t go back.”  Dean’s eyes were glazed over as memories he hadn’t seen in a long time began to play again.  Cas rolled everything Dean had said over in his mind.  The room grew thick with silence but it was a comfortable quiet they had grown to appreciate.

“Dean,” Cas’s voice broke the silence.  “Do you think we could be soulmates?” Dean looked at him in surprise, his green eyes wide.  He laughed nervously.

“What?”  He crossed his arms.

“It makes sense.”  Cas said, ignoring Dean’s fidgeting.  “I was the one who was sent to raise you from hell, I mean I-I gave up everything for you.”

“Look, and you know I’d do the same,” Dean started.  “But I just don’t know if that’s how it...works.”

“How what works, Dean?”  Cas watched Dean start to turn bright red.

“I dunno Cas!  How any of it works!  Would ya just drop it!”  Dean threw his hands in the air.  Cas wasn't fazed.

“It’d just mean we wouldn’t be alone,” Cas said.  This seemed to sober Dean.  He got quiet, remembering how desperately Cas was afraid of being alone.  Maybe even how afraid he was too.  He considered the angel for a moment.  Cas always resented it when they breached the subject of whether or not he would still be considered an angel.  To him, without his grace or his wings, he wasn’t anything.  But he’d always be an angel to Dean.

“You know what Cas, I think I’d like that.”  Dean swung an arm around his angel, clapping him on the shoulder and grinning.  Cas smiled back.

“So what now?  Do we toast?  Sacrifice a virgin?  Dance naked around a fire?”  Cas squinted, unsure if Dean was joking.

“Uh.  I’m not sure.  I don’t think so.”  He answered.  Dean laughed.  A real laugh.  The one where he throws his back.

“I’ll get us some beers,” Dean said cheerily, clapping Cas again.  He slid one across the counter, Cas caught it.  The drink hissed as Dean cracked his open.  He felt the happiest he had in a long time.  Light, even.

“Oh and Cas?”  Dean paused, waiting for Castiel to look up.  “Don’t you dare ever mention this to anybody.”  Dean took another swig from the glass bottle.  “Especially Sam.”

“Okay, Dean.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Rock music played in the background of the bunker.  The hunt had gone smoothly and Dean insisted they go hit a bar.  Sam protested, so Dean settled for two bottles of whiskey from a gas station and a night in at the bunker.  He even convinced Jodi to stay for a few rounds.

It wasn’t long before Dean was about 4 or 5 shots ahead of everybody else.  Sam and Jodi had gone back to beers, and Cas had taken one swig of whiskey before promptly decided that he did not like it.  Dean was slouched back in his chair, singing along to every song that came on.  Jodi and Sam were talking quietly over the table.  Sam hadn’t seen Dean this relaxed in years.  He couldn’t help but think it was odd, but he didn’t want to ruin it by asking either.  Sam got up to get another beer when he nearly knocked into Castiel who was emerging from the kitchen.

“Hey!”  Barked Dean from his chair, his word’s slurred a little.  “That’s my soulmate you almost flattened there!”

“You’re what?”  Sam asked, trying to hold back a laugh.  Even Jodi’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

“My soulmate Sammy.  Jeez.”  Dean took another shot of whiskey.  Sam looked to Cas with his brows raised.

“I don’t-I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Cas said.  Sam laughed, shaking his head.

“We sacrificed a virgin and everything.”  Dean chimed in again.

“Wow he really is drunk, isn’t he.”  Sam said, brushing past Castiel into the kitchen.

“Well boys, I hate to cut the party short but I’d best get going,” Jodi stood up, throwing on her jacket.  Sam popped out of the kitchen, bending down to give her a hug.  Dean stumbled out of his chair, and almost flat onto the floor.  Cas was the only thing keeping him upright.  Cas looked like an annoyed animal handler as he slung Dean’s arm around his shoulders.

“Good luck with him,” Jodi said to Cas, nodding to Dean’s slumping form.

“Hey!”  Dean protested.

“By Jodi,” Sam called as she trotted up the stairs.  Cas basically dragged Dean to the side of the room, dumping him on the small green couch Dean had gotten.  He had even set up a little TV in front of it.  Something about this place made Dean want to make it home.  Cas turned on the TV.  He always liked watching nature documentaries, but Dean would tell him to turn it off.  Something about how Attenborough’s voice makes him want to shoot something.

After Jodi left, Sam was cleaning up.  He was doing the final sweep through the bunker when he noticed the TV was on.  The screen flashed majestic shots of mountain ranges and cresting ocean waves.  Castiel was sitting on the couch, watching.  He started to walk over when he noticed Dean was passed out, slumped over on Cas’s shoulder.  Sam watched them for a moment before slipping down the hall.  He was happy for Dean.  He didn’t fully understand Dean’s relationship with Castiel but it didn’t matter.  It made him happy to see his brother so light and carefree after so long.

Dean stirred slightly, too drunk still to move his head from Cas’s shoulder.

“Hey, Cas?”  His green eyes fluttered open.

“Yes Dean.”

“I’m glad I’m not alone.”  Dean mumbled into Castiel’s shirt.  Cas watched him with his gentle blue gaze.

“Me too, Dean.”

[buckyscrystalqueen]

Other World Love: Part 1

Pairings: Bucky x Reader (SPN Crossover)

Warnings: Swearing I think

Word Count: 6,169

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You crept through the front door first as quietly as you could looking for the witch. You held your gun out in front of you with your right hand and balanced it on the wrist of your left. You gripped an angel blade tightly in your left fist. As he walked in the door after you, you glanced over at your twin, Sam and the pair of you paused for a moment to wait for Dean.

"(Y/N), take left; Sam, head right and I'll go up." Dean said quietly as he headed for the staircase in front of you. With one more silent exchange with your brother, you both nodded and headed off in separate directions in the dusty, sun lit house. The witch you were currently trying to hunt had been a royal pain for weeks. She had been granting ‘wishes’ to unsuspecting people but with massive loopholes involved. People who wanted millions of bucks found themselves surrounded by herds of deer; one man wanted fancy cars and was gifted an entire house full of expensive model toys. It hadn't gotten to the point where anything severe had happened yet but you and your brothers didn't want to let it get to that point.

As you whipped through the living room and headed toward the next room at the back of the house, a flash of bleach blonde caught your eye headed toward what looked like a kitchen. Your feet moved quickly as you darted around sheet covered furniture after the witch. As you hit a doorway that lead to a short hall, you saw a bright white light surrounding a door in front of you under the stairs.

"Sam!" You called out as you headed for the door and you heard a sickening female laugh come from behind it as you approached. You knew you had the witch and you were not letting her get away.

"True love awaits you." The woman said as you hauled back and kicked the door in.

"Guys here!" You shouted as you were blinded by the light. Without warning, you felt a strong pull behind your navel and the world around you shifted. You felt yourself tumble through the air and your whole body tensed. You knew instantly that you had made a grave mistake and with a part of your soul, felt your twin panic with you. You closed your eyes for only a moment before you slammed onto the ground.

Instincts took over instantly. You rolled to a crouch on your feet and squinted against the suddenly blinding florescent glow of halogen lightbulbs. Your heart was pounding as you scanned your new surroundings and you forced yourself to stay calm like Dean and your dad had always taught you. There were two men and a woman in front of you and all three of them looked stunned to see you suddenly appear in the middle of their pristine living room.

"Christo." You mumbled as you gripped your angel blade tighter in your hand. None of the three moved at the Latin word but you could see their look of unease at your gun dancing between the three of them. You could still feel Sam's fear and panic as you stood slowly and backed yourself against the wall. "Where am I?" You demanded as you fought to keep your emotions in check. "Where are my brothers?" The three people looked at each other, utterly confused.

When they didn't respond fast enough for your liking, you quickly eyed the door way and took off. You made it a few feet around the corner before a very tall purple man appeared in front of you seemingly out of nowhere and blocked your path. Without thinking, you raised your gun and fired a witch killing bullet toward him; hoping that it would kill or at least injure the thing in front of you. You watched in complete horror as the man's body disappeared slightly and your bullet sailed right through him and imbedded itself into the wall behind his heart. You paused for only a half of a second but before you could move again, a pair of extremely strong arms wrapped around your upper body.

"Sam!" You screamed in fright as your weapons were yanked from your hands and you began to kick and scratch at the man holding you. You grit your teeth as tears began to sting the back of your eyes and you could feel your brother's worry turn to sheer terror. "Dean! Let me go! Cas, Crowley; someone help!" You screamed as you were man-handled down a hallway.

"Wait!" The woman shouted as she ran toward you and the man that was holding you stopped moving. "Who did you just call for?" You stopped thrashing to look at her and tears began to slowly fall down your cheeks. You looked at the red head before you; you couldn't help but feel as if you had seen her before.

"My brothers." You said and she shook her head.

"You called for Castiel and Crowley for help. What's your name?" She asked as she stood in front of you with her eyebrows raised. Your brow furrowed slightly. You never called Cas by his full name- no one but other angels did. You suddenly wished you had your angel blade in your hand.

"Are you an angel?" You demanded and a slow smile spread across the woman's face as she shook her head.

"There is no freaking way... Cap, put her down." The man hesitated for a moment, not believing the woman's instructions before he sighed and put you down. You were slightly too stunned to move as the woman took a half step toward you. "You're (Y/N) Winchester- older brother, Dean, twin brother, Sam from Lawrence Kansas, right?" She asked. Your tears stopped as you studied the woman.

"How do you know that?" You asked and the woman's smile got even bigger.

"Oh, (Y/N)... I hate to break it to ya but here, you are a book character." You felt the world around you spin and your eyes went wide as you shook your head.

"What... that's not... I'm..." You stammered. You felt your knees give out as you realized that if you were only a book character in the place you were in, there was no way you would be able to get home. You were never going to see your brothers again.

"Catch her!" the woman shouted; the sound far off and choked as your world went black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A faint tugging on your soul pulled you back to consciousness. You were grateful that you could still feel Sam and you could almost hear him crying out for you. You took a deep breath and mentally reached toward the feeling inside of you; reaching for your brother. 'I'm safe, Sam' you thought repeatedly as you assessed your surroundings blindly. You didn't want to open your eyes; didn't want to face the reality of the situation you found yourself in but someone clearing their throat next to you forced you to face it.

"So how did you get here? And I have been brought up to speed on the books so I'd like the truth." A man asked casually. You rolled your head toward his voice and forced your eyes open. You looked around the bedroom you were in for only a second before you found an older gentleman with dark brown hair leaning against the wall. With a small sigh you sat up and slung your legs over the side of the bed. You brushed your hair out of your face as you leaned forward and rested your elbows on your knees.

"My brothers and I were trying to kill a witch that had a knack for loopholes in her spell deals. Three of us split up in the house, I caught up to her before the boys and I guess she didn't like it. I have no idea what she was trying to accomplish here but..." You said as you clapped your hands together once. You looked up at the man and moved your hands to the side with a slightly defeated smile. "... here I am." The man nodded as he appraised you.

"My name is Tony Stark. You have managed to find......"

"Wait... Tony Stark as in Iron Man?" You interrupted as you sat up straight. A cocky smile spread across the billionaires face and he pushed himself off the wall.

"Oh, so you've heard of me?" Tony asked and it was your turn to smirk at him.

"Yea, I've heard of you. You're a comic book character." His smile fell for only a moment before he shrugged.

"It could always be worse." You felt a hard pull in your soul and your brow furrowed as the need to get to Kansas was suddenly overwhelming.


"I need to go." You said as you got up off the bed. You quickly dipped past the man you only knew thanks to half payed attention to Saturday morning cartoons as a kid. You walked with purpose through the halls looking for an exit. As you rounded a corner, you heard Tony call out your name and you walked a little faster. You didn't know if he was planning on trying to keep you there but you weren't about to stop and find out. 

You picked up your pace as Tony's voice got closer but as you rounded a corner, you ran straight into a strong, muscular body with such force, it knocked you to the ground. With a startled gasp, you looked up into piercing blue eyes. Time and space around you ceased to exist as you gazed into the man’s eyes and you felt as though a part of you that you hadn’t realized you had been missing was found. You watched the hardness his eyes usually held dissipate instantly as he looked at you. It was as if he was looking into the eyes of someone he had been searching for his entire life.

“Please… help me get to Kansas.” You asked softly as he bent down to help you up. The man glanced at something behind you for a second as he pulled you to your feet. He brushed his long brown hair out of his face quickly and subtly nodded his head.

“Tonight” he whispered as he looked down into your (Y/E/C) eyes once more. “We’ll leave tonight.” Without another word, he stepped around you and continued in the direction he was heading as Tony caught up to you and placed his hand on your shoulder.

“Look, I can’t let you just run off on your own in a strange world at dusk, (Y/N)” he said as he spun you around to face him. “For now, how about you stay here so we can look into figuring out how to get you back to your home.” You watched the man you had run into pause in a doorway to glance at you over Tony’s shoulder and the two of you nodded at the same time.

“Yes sir.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So you’re Captain America…” you said as you pointed at the very muscular blonde who had picked you up before and he nodded.

“Steve, works just as well ma’am” he corrected and you nodded as your finger moved to the woman.

“And you’re the Black Widow, a.k.a. Natasha” she nodded and smiled at you as you moved on to the tall, purple man. “And you… I actually don’t remember you” you said as you tried to place the Avenger. He bowed his head slightly.

“You may know me as JARVIS; however, I am now known as Vision.” You smiled and nodded at him.

“Yes. JARVIS I know. Sam… my twin brother, used to talk about how when he got older he was going to create a JARVIS of his own.”

“Was he successful?” Tony called out from where he was mixing himself a drink and you shook your head and laughed.

“We are hunters, Mr. Stark. We spent the better part of our lives on the road living in motels and such. Sam was the only one of the three of us kids that went to college and by that point I think he wanted a career that was exactly the opposite of the kind of life we were raised in.”

“He was studying law at Stanford.” Natasha blurted out and you both blushed as you bobbed your head in conformation.

“Jesus, that’s kinda awkward.” You joked as you rubbed the back of your head and she apologized as you looked around the room with a furrowed brow. 

“Wait, isn’t there another one of you?” You asked when you noticed the man who agreed to help you wasn’t in the room. Steve nodded slightly dismissively.

“That would be Bucky. He’s… well…”

“We just got him back. He was in World War II with Cap and a pro-Nazi group called HYDRA brainwashed him, turned him into a super soldier assassin called the Winter Soldier and used him as a weapon. He’s just getting his real, pre-war memories back so he has been kind of sticking to himself.” Natasha said and Tony snorted.

“Yea… for good reason.” He mumbled and Steve and Natasha both groaned.

“Come on, Tony. It wasn’t him!” Steve said and Tony shook his head.

“Don’t care. That was my mother.”

“Guys, can we not do this right now?” Natasha asked as she stood between Tony and Steve who began bickering back and forth. You leaned on the counter toward Vision with your eyebrows raised.

“Care to fill me in?” You asked softly and the man turned to you.

“Mr. Barnes… Bucky, killed Mr. Stark’s parents under HYDRA’s mind control and Tony has only recently found out about it.” Vision told you softly and you nodded and sat back up in your chair.

“I’m done talking about it!” Tony called as he threw down the top of the silver tumbler and headed out the door. “He’s here isn’t he? Best you’re gunna get from me for now. Good night.” You cringed slightly as a door slammed behind you and you thought about the fights Sam and your dad used to have when you were growing up. You sighed, as your brothers’ faces popped into your mind and you stood up from the barstool you had been sitting on.

“I am really sorry I caused that.” You said awkwardly and Natasha and Steve shook their heads at you.

“Tony is just going through it right now.” Natasha placed your weapons on the bar and slid them over to you. “We would prefer if you didn’t carry them around with you but I understand if it is a habit to break.” You nodded and picked them up off the counter. You motioned with your thumb over your shoulder and gave a weak smile.

“I’m going to call it a night; long day and all.” You claimed. You waited for only a moment for the three remaining Avengers to say good night before turning around and leaving the kitchen with a small smile on your face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You were lying in your newly assigned bedroom, waiting for Bucky, trying to think of a way to get home, when the knock you had been waiting for filled the small space of the room. You jumped off the bed, grabbed your gun and your angel blade and dashed toward the door. A smile spread across your face as you looked at the mischievous twinkle in the former assassin’s eyes.

“You ready to break a whole bunch of rules at once, doll?” He asked. You couldn’t help but giggle.

“Darlin’ I’m a Winchester. Rule breaking is in my DNA.” He smiled at you and gestured with his head for you to follow him. You shoved your hand gun into the back of your jeans and zipped your jacket up as the two of you headed toward a door at the end of the hallway. As you crossed the threshold into a stairwell, a disembodied female voice called out in the tiny space and caused you to jump slightly.

“Mr. Barnes, Mr. Stark as requested that you and Ms. Winchester remain indoors for the evening.” Your escape partner shrugged and headed down the stairs with you on his heels as he responded.

“We are just going to go grab a bite to eat, FRIDAY.” You noticed that Bucky seemed to be going faster down the stairs and you realized that he was going to be breaking you out.

“Go” you whispered. He began to sprint down the stairs as the woman responded once more.

“Please Mr. Barnes. I don’t think…” her sentence was cut off as Bucky flew through a door into a garage. He grabbed a set of keys off a hook by the door and you shook your head.

“Just get me out side. We’ll never make it in one of these cars.” With a nod, the two of you sprinted through the garage as FRIDAY called after you. Just as you hit the main garage door, an alarm began to sound. You were just about to panic about being trapped when the Winter Soldier bent down and forced the garage door open. His display of strength sent an unexpected wave of heat to your core and you bit your lip as you scrambled out into the freezing night air. You paused for only a moment to wait for your partner in crime.

“Steve is going to kill me.” Bucky groaned as the two off you ran away from the building along the busy streets of New York City. You laughed as your eyes frantically searched for an older car to steal.

“Yea, well if we get busted at least we had some fun.” You said as you stopped in front of an old, rusted Honda. You flipped the angel blade around in your hand and slammed it through the driver side window. “How long do you think we got?” You asked as you ripped the wires down from under the steering column.

“Don’t know… what are you…?” He asked; his words lost in a metal squeal once the old car started. You smiled up at him and gestured to the passenger side.

“I told you… rule breaking is in my DNA.” He laughed and ran around the car.

“You have to teach me how to do that.” He said as he jumped in the car at the same time you heard your name being shouted behind you. You whipped away from the curb and into traffic. A flashing traffic camera caught your eye and you swallowed hard. You looked around and saw a sign for water taxis and with a quick glance over your shoulder, you zipped across traffic and came up with a plan.

“Thanks for helping me out of there. You can go back if you…” You started but he laughed as you weaved dangerously around cars.

“Ha! No dice, baby-doll. I’m not about to pass on kicks with a cookie like you.” You couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped your lips as you glanced over at your passenger.

“Did you just call me a cookie? I have never heard someone call a woman a cookie except for classic movies.” You asked as you whipped into the outskirts of the parking lot of the water taxi company and he shrugged.

“I’m still a man of my generation.” You smile and nodded to him before leaning forward to look for cameras.

“If only there was a way to teach my older brother that classic respect. Come on, let’s go.” You grabbed a beanie you found lying in the back seat, shoved it on and tucked all of your (Y/H/C) hair under it. You were able to find $40 in the glove compartment as well. You left the very recognizable Winter Soldier outside and out of the camera’s line of sight as you darted into the building to get tickets. It only took a few minutes for the taxi to arrive and with ducked heads, you and your partner in crime slipped onto the boat.

“So what is in Kansas?” Bucky asked quietly as the two of you hunched together; using your bodies to block each other from view and keep warm in the frigid January air.

“Hopefully, my home. In my world there is a Men of Letters bunker where Sam, Dean and I live when we aren’t on the road. I’m hoping that since your world and my world are so similar that it will cross over. If that’s the case then I will have access to hopefully all the information I need to create a portal to get back.” You felt Bucky nod against your shoulder.

“Sam and Dean are your brothers?”

“Yep, Dean is the oldest and Sam and I are twins.” He hummed in response as the announcement was made that the water taxi was arriving to New Jersey. The two of you got up and headed to the front of the boat.

“Has something like this ever happened to you before?” He asked and you shook your head.

“Not like this. We have been through some heavy shit and all three of us have died more times than I care to even count but we have never been in different worlds before.” As the two of you debarked, you skirted the waterline and looked for a new car and Bucky looked at you, stunned.

“You’ve died before, too?” He asked incredulously. “How are you alive then?” You giggled as you came across a car that had the keys still in it.

“Yea, I personally have died twice. I was shot once by a demon and I was killed by hell hounds when I tried to stop them from taking Dean. The boys have died a lot more than that.” You glanced over at Bucky’s stunned face as the two of you got into the car and you laughed. “Yea, where I come from, having the Winchester name is like a curse. But something keeps bringing us back.”

“Why would you want to go back there?” he asked as you pulled away from the curb. You could see a white streak of light zipping through the sky over the city showing you exactly where Tony Stark was and you shrugged and headed away from the city.

“That’s my life. The boys and I hunt supernatural things and make my world a safer place the same way you and the Avengers fight your evils here. If it wasn’t for us; our worlds would be screwed. Does it suck to die and be brought back from the dead? Yeah. Do I hate having to watch my brothers die and have to wonder if this time is the real thing? Hell yes! Would I prefer to have a normal life? Absolutely, but I don’t have that luxury right now. What I have is a minor witch problem, an archangel with a bad case of the ‘poor me’s’, a King of Hell that is dead set on making my life as annoying as possible, an angel that is sometimes too innocent for his own good and that is on top of the other demons, werewolves, and other supernatural beings in the world.” He laughed and shook his head slowly as you found a back road headed southwest away from the city.

“I don’t know how you do it.” You shrugged and looked over at him as you finally let yourself relax a bit.

“Same way you do. You just do what needs to be done.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You drove straight through the night and into the next day to get away from the city, stopping a couple time for gas thanks to the woman who not only left her keys in her car but her wallet full of cash in her purse as well. The whole drive, you and Bucky swapped stories. You told him countless hunting stories and of pranks you and Sam liked to play on Dean and he told you the stories he could remember from before the war and before he became brainwashed. You noticed every once and a while he would zone off mid-sentence. His face would harden as if he was almost in pain, his jaw snapping together like a trap and his eyes would become glazed. You knew that look well; Sam would do the same thing when a distant memory of the cage would surface. You always knew that it was about hell, too; you could feel it.

“That will stop in time.” You said softly after a particularly long zone out. Bucky looked over at you slightly confused and you gave him a weak smile.

“6 or 7 years ago, Dean and Sam were supposed to be vessels for Lucifer and the archangel Michael. They were going to use my brothers to start the apocalypse but the boys originally said no. After some time, we realized that we weren’t going to have the option to say no for much longer so Sam came up with a plan. He said ‘yes’ to Lucifer and before Dean could say yes to Michael the angels went to a half-brother we didn’t know we had and used him as a vessel instead.” You glanced over to Bucky to make sure he was following and he gave you a small nod to keep going. With a sigh you shifted in your seat a little and continued.

“When Sam said yes, I could feel it. We have that weird twin thing so when he feels extreme emotions, I feel it as well and vice versa. It’s the same with pain. When I got shot, he knew before Dean could even call and tell him. So while Sam was Lucifer’s vessel, I felt the same hate, anger, and fear. Then when Sam jumped into the cage I felt nothing. It was like a huge chuck of me was suddenly gone; I lost my twin. For an entire year I didn’t know what to do but then we got Sam back. I knew there was something wrong though, because I still felt lost. The reason I felt lost was because Sam’s soul was still in the cage with Lucifer. It took a while for us to figure out a way to get his soul back but when we did it was absolute agony for him. Dean and I had a hell of a time to get our Sammy back but we did.

Even still, all this time later, he still gets flashbacks every once and a while kinda like the one you just had. He’ll be talking and half way through a sentence he will just stop and get a blank, pained look on his face. He tries to hide it even though he knows he can’t keep it from me. But it is a lot less frequent than it used to be. So if they are bothering you a lot, just keep in mind that it will go away someday.”

“I just keep seeing bits and pieces of the last 70 years. I’ve had my memory wiped a few times in my life and yet it still comes back after a while so the memories aren’t fun ones.” You nodded, remembering the Winter Soldier character from the TV show as the Lebanon city limit sign finally came into view.

“Well it wasn’t your fault. Just like the things Lucifer made Sam do, you had absolutely no control. From what I know of you now in the 20 something hours we have been on this road trip, you are a real sweetheart. The things that the Winter Soldier did weren’t things that James Barnes wanted to do. You gotta remember that. I was possessed by a demon… well actually that happened twice before I got the tattoo… but my body did somethings then that I would never do because of a demon and it wasn’t my fault.” You headed toward the diner that you and the boys ate at all the time and parked the car a little ways down the road from it.

“How are you so cool about it?” He asked as the two of you got out of the car. You shrugged and gestured in the direction of the bunker and started walking toward it.

“Years of practice with two self-depreciating brothers. I have been the voice of reason in my family since I was a kid.”

“What about your parents?” He asked as you began to absentmindedly spin the angel blade in your palm.

“Mom was killed by a demon when Sam and I were 6 months old. Long story there but it had something to do with Sam being Lucifer’s vessel. Dad did his best to raise us on the road while he hunted the demon down but in the end, he traded his life to that demon to save Dean when I was like 22. When you are the only girl around three macho men, they tend to stop and listen to what you have to say when you either get all squeaky or when you fake cry. I learned that young.” You joked and the two of you laughed. As you hit the road that the bunker was on, you let out a huge sigh of relief when you saw the power plant standing and still abandoned. “Looks like it carried over.”

You only walked a few feet before the excitement got the better of you and you took off running down the road. You silently prayed to every angel and demon you could think of that the bunker was exactly the same so you could get back to your brothers. When you finally got to the front door, you grabbed the key from your inside jacket pocket and praised yourself for being the Winchester responsible for it. With baited breath, you let your fingers dance across the Men of Letters Aquarian star on the door for a second before finding the keyhole.

“Please let this work.” You breathed as you twisted the key in the lock. You squeezed your eyes closed waited for only a couple seconds before you began to hear the locks turning behind the door the same way they did the very first time you arrived at the bunker.

“It worked?” Bucky asked as a huge smile spread across your face and you nodded as the door popped open.

“Oh yea, it worked.” You stored the back in your pocket and heaved the heavy metal door open. After letting your new friend inside, you pulled the door closed completely behind you before heading toward the second door. “Well Bucky… welcome to the Men of Letters bunker.” With a dramatic shove, you threw open the door to the staircase landing in the War Room. It looked like the exact same bunker from your world, however there was no evidence that anyone had ever lived there. You headed down the stairs and flipped on the lights.

“This place is incredible!” Bucky exclaimed as you headed toward the library. 

“You live here?”

“Yep, this would be my home.” You stepped into the library and reached toward the lamp in the middle of the first table and froze as the feeling that someone was in the bunker with you flooded your system. You quickly grabbed your gun as your eyes darted around the room.

“What?” Bucky asked softly and movement out of the corner of your eye caught your attention. Your head whipped to the side and you held your hand up. You watched as two books magically appeared next to each other on a book shelf before another one disappeared. A smile spread across your face and you prayed that the theory your mind had come up with the right one as you dropped your gun on the table and reacted.

“Help me. I need every book taken off this book shelf.” You requested as you dashed over and began ripping books off the shelf and stacking them on the table. Despite being confused, Bucky ran over and helped until every book was off the shelf as well. You grabbed a knife from your jacket and quickly scratched your brother’s name into the back of the book shelf, hoping that somehow the bunker was synced between the two worlds.

“What are you waiting for?” Bucky asked as the two of you stood and stared at the book shelf.

“If my theory is correct I am waiting for Sam to get his nose out of his book and look up.” As if he had heard your statement, a few moments later your name began to appear on the book shelf. You let out a sob of relief and ran your fingers over the letters for a moment before a new idea came to you. “Write ‘hold on’ on that shelf. I gotta fine a pen and some paper.” You handed Bucky the knife and took off toward the kitchen filled with a new hope. You found a pen and paper in the same drawer you kept them in in your version of the bunker and ran back to the library, flipping on lights as you went.

“How is this even possible?” Bucky asked as he watched Sam’s responding ‘OK’ appear as you came back to the library. You shrugged as you wrote a fast note to your brothers telling them where you were, who you were with and that you were OK.

“No idea but right now, I’m not questioning it.” You put your pen down and grabbed a book from the stack on the table. You folded the note in half and slid it into the cover of the book so that the paper was sticking out of the top. With a small sigh and a silent prayer, you put the book back on the shelf, stepped back and waited. It only took a few seconds before the book disappeared. “My brothers are here.” You said with a smile as you looked over at Bucky. You could feel the tears of joy welling up in your eyes as your entire being flooded with relief.

“So now you just have to find a way to get to them.” He gestured to the books on the table. “Those will give you the answer?” He asked and you nodded as the book reappeared on the shelf. You grabbed it and ripped out the note.

“I hope so.” You smiled as you looked at Sam’s half way decent penmanship and Dean’s slight chicken scratch.

Thank God you are alright! We killed the witch BEFORE we realized you were gone so we need a portal to go between worlds? Cas says he can feel you and both he and Crowley can HEAR you but they can’t seem to find you.

You are in the Marvel world?! & you’re with the Winter Soldier?! No freaking way! Is he like crazy assassin right now? Did you meet Iron Man?

Are you staying at the bunker now? Are you safe?

You heard Bucky chuckle softly as he read over your shoulder and you glanced up at him with a shrug.

“I told you you were a big deal in my world.” You said as you reached over and grabbed your pen. He pointed toward the paper.

“Your one brother is concerned with your well-being while the other is star struck.” You laughed and laid the paper down flat on the table.

“Twin.” You said pointing to the first and the last group of writing. “Not my twin.” You said as you pointed to the middle block with a giggle. “Let me get these two nimrods settled in then we can put the books back on the shelves so you and I can get some sleep.” Bucky nodded as you responded to your brothers.

As he began to casually stroll around the library, you gave Sam and Dean as much detail of what happened to you and what they should look for from there. You also promised that you would be staying in the bunker and that Bucky would most likely be staying there as well. After telling them you had been driving all night, you sent your love and told them you would be laying down for a while and to use this book as the official message book. With a single tear, you sent your love and put your message back in the book on the shelf. It was only there for a second before the book once again disappeared. Just before you moved to put the books back on the shelfs, you were wrapped in a pair of arms.

“You’ll get home, (Y/N)” Bucky said softly as he pulled you into his chest. “We will figure out a way to get you home.”

Part 2

[plaidstiel-wormstache]

Imagine Nini, and the love of his life, Castiel...

Just a bit of fluff and smut for you, my darling @thegreatficmaster Side note - this is unbeta’d and I changed it from a MishaxFemR, so if there’s any female anatomical mention (i’m super sure they’re gone) then I apologise.

“Baby, I love you, but if you don't get off me, I’ll be showing that love at your funeral.” I murmured into the pillow as Castiel slung his arm and leg over my body. “Come on, please?” He begged, trying to roll me over towards him. I shrugged him off and turned my head into my pillow, squinting one eye open to look at him. He was wide awake and pouting, rubbing circles into my back. “How long have you been up for?” I groaned, grinding the heel of my palm into my eye. “Two hours.” He chimed, ducking under my hand to press his lips to the corner of my mouth. I cleared my throat and sighed, opening my eyes again. “What's the time?” I asked, staring into his brilliant blue eyes as he stared back, tilting his head. “Nine-thirty.” He smiled, I moaned, lifting the pillow over my head and burying underneath. “No, nuh-uh.” I murmured from underneath the bedding. Castiel pulled the fabric of my pajama top off my shoulder and pressed his lips to it, the warmth that radiated from his touch seeped into my body, making me moan. Castiel returned the shoulder of my top, his fingers tracing down my spine, pulling the hem of my shirt up, shimmying it to my shoulders till it stayed. “What are you doing?” I yawned, enjoying the small touches. Castiel stayed quiet as he lifted himself off the bed and straddled my thighs, resting just below my bottom. I could feel his half hard erection against my butt cheek. “Cas.” I warned, but the threatening tone was definitely lacking. “Just a massage.” He promised, tracing his fingers up my sides and pressing against the knots in my shoulders, he began kneading at the tight muscles, digging his thumbs under my shoulder blades. “Relax,” he breathed, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to the middle of my spine. I pushed the pillow off to the side, reaching back and pulling my pajama top over my head. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, relaxing under Castiel’s splayed hands. He continued digging his fingers in wherever he found knots, relaxing me further, working out all my stresses until I was jelly underneath him. “Feel better?” He whispered, lying across my back, resting his chin in the dip of my shoulder. I hummed happily, clapping his thigh before turning over underneath him. He lifted up then rested back down against my chest, resting his lips against my neck. I ran my hands up and down his back, as we lay motionless and silent. I smiled to myself as a thought occurred, wiggling my hips under his as my hands cupped his ass, resting comfortably. “I thought I was just giving a massage.” He chuckled, lifting himself to his elbows to stare into my eyes. “What else can you give me?” I whispered back, the smile never faltering. “I have a few ideas.” He murmured against my lips before planting an easy and practiced kiss to them. The kiss turned passionate, as it usually did, his tongue coaxing mine into a sensual dance, our breath mixing each time we pulled apart, groins grinding to find that fantastic friction. I looped my thumbs into his boxers and tugged at them, begging to shed the offending material between us. He chuckled into my mouth at my eagerness. “Not so tired now?” He muttered. I growled at his teasing tone and pulled my own boxers off as Castiel collapsed to the side and kicked them off and into the air. I held him down by the shoulders as I climbed on top of him, rubbing myself over him. “YNN,” he choked out, running his hands over my hips, squeezing them before reaching for my pulsing cock. “Cas, gah-” I gasped, the sudden and intense sensation against my throbbing length, catching me off guard. I raised up to my knees, Castiel aligning himself, as he pushed the tip in making us both sigh. “I’ll never tire of this.” He breathed as I sank down oh so slowly, spreading and moulding myself around his hard length. “Give me more.” I begged, reaching for the back of his neck and bringing him up to sitting. We repositioned, trying our hardest not to give in to the pleasure that was demanding to course through us. Castiel and I began to move in time, a rhythm and pace set between us, our shared love evident with each kiss and moan, each thrust and grind bringing us closer to the peak of pleasure. “I’m…” Castiel panted, the sweat beading on both of us glued us together. My chest stuck to his as our stomachs slid over each other's, his hands cupped my ass, helping guide my movements, my hands splayed over his shoulder blades as my fingernails dug into his back. “Give, baby,” I encouraged, his grunts against my ear telling me he was holding back, waiting for me to join him. As the words left my mouth, Castiel’s hips stuttered, his head fell back and his eyes slid shut, thick ropes of cum spurting from his pulsating member. Ever the gentleman, Castiel reached between us and grasped me, his grip perfect as he squeezed gently, bringing his fist to the base, smearing precum with his thumb before twisting and stroking back down. He watched my face for what would give me my own climax, swallowing hard, my mouth drying as I approached that sweet release. Castiel latched his lips onto my neck, licking and biting, sucking and nipping as he moved down my body, finding my nipple and rolling it between his teeth, he knew just how to manipulate my body and just like that, my jaw fell slack, my mouth opened into an O, my breath hitching as my body tensed in his arms. My legs quivered around his waist, my walls fluttered around his almost flaccid cock as I came, cum dribbling down our stomachs from my release. “Sweet Lord.” I breathed out when I finally came down from my high. “That was beautiful.” He said, kissing my collarbone, “You’re beautiful.” He smiled, resting his lips against mine. “And all yours.” I answered, pecking him. Castiel turned and laid me back against the bed, pulling out of me, juices following his exit, running over my thigh to the sheets. Castiel grabbed his boxers and wiped me clean as best he could, cleaning himself as well. “Breakfast?” He asked, standing up off the bed and pulling on his robe. I stared at him and smiled as his cock began to harden slightly. He glanced down and wrapped his robe further around his body. “Mm, yes, and coffee?” I added, rolling onto my stomach and tucking my arm under my head, closing my eyes. “Are you going to be asleep when I get back?” He asked laughing as he watched me curl up on his side of the bed. “Mhmm.” Castiel came back over to the bed and planted a kiss in my messy hair, stroking his fingers down my back, sitting back down on the bed as I purred under his touch.

There it is... first real attempt at male on male, hope it was good. I’m not counting the paragraphs I used to torture Nini with, in our shared smut war! P.S Don’t know who to tag in this, so I’m gonna leave that to my hoe!

[oneshot-twoshot-redshot-blueshot]

Ice Cream and Wizards

From this request: A one-shot with dean where you're sammy's daughter (aged 11 or so?) and he's on a hunt and asked dean to take care of u?

______________________________________________________________

Ever since you’d come into Sam’s life, things around the bunker changed. It was child-proofed, the living room was cluttered with an array of toys, the cupboards were filled with baby and toddler-friendly snacks (which Sam often found Dean munching on). Sam and Dean loved you with all their hearts and would stop at nothing to keep you safe. For a while, that meant that Sam abstained from all hunts, period. Then, with news that things were getting worse out there, he would occasionally leave you at home with Cas or, in very rare cases, Chuck.

But as you grew older, Sam knew that typical babysitters wouldn’t do it. Yes, Cas was surprisingly good with you and you loved him; yes, Chuck was God and could easily care for you. But they weren’t the same as flesh and blood relatives. Family was incredibly important in these years; Sam feared that if he didn’t give you a solid family now, you would head down a dangerous path in the future.

He carefully approached the subject with Dean, who agreed that he shared some of Sam’s worry.

“So, what do you propose we do?” he asked. “You going to give up hunting forever?”

“No. You know that we can’t do that.”

“Give up hunting until she’s old enough to join us?”

“I don’t want her hunting.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.”

Sam sighed. “Listen… I know she’s my responsibility and I appreciate everything you’ve done for her. But do you think we could possibly… set up a schedule where we… I don’t know, alternate hunts? Go out with Cas or Crowley, leaving the other one here to take care of Y/N? That way one of us is always around for her?”

The stare Dean was pegging Sam with made him feel that the offer (and Sam and you and all your belongings) was going to be thrown in the trash. “Y’know, for someone who went to college, you sure can be a dumbass sometimes.”

“I… what?”

“She’s not just your responsibility, Sam. She’s ours. That’s what family means. Everyone chips in to take care of their own.”

“So… you’re saying… what are you saying?”

“I’d be happy to watch the little monster while you go fight the big ones.”

Sam felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. He stood and wrapped Dean in a giant hug, nearly crushing his brother.

At that moment, the brothers heard you snuffling over the baby monitor, signaling that you were waking up from your nap.

“You’re up, Uncle De,” Sam said, clapping his hand on Dean’s shoulder.

______________________________________________________________

The arrangement actually worked really well. Cas was willing to go along on the hunts, helping whichever Winchester was out that day. Of course, there were still a few hunts that needed both brothers, but the number was less than before.

Years passed and you continued to grow, happy and healthy with your family. Sam did his best to explain things to you, making sure not to scare you. You understood that Daddy and Uncle De went out to ‘save the world’ and while you still had fits of sadness, you would try to put on a happy face and wave goodbye as one of the Winchesters left.

You were sitting on your father’s bed, watching him pack his bag. “Are you gonna go kill some bad guys?”

Sam smiled. “Yes, sweetheart.”

You nodded. “One day, I’m gonna join you. I want to help save the world.”

This gave Sam pause; he always said he didn’t want you to get into hunting. But he supposed there was nothing he could do to stop you… and if he could help you prepare…

He zipped up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “That day is a long way away, sweetie.” He held his hand out to you and led you out the hall.

Dean was sitting in the living room, watching football. “You all packed?”

“Yeah. I’m going to get going.” Sam crouched down in front of you, smoothing his hand through your hair. “All right, sugar bug. Daddy has to leave. You going to be a good girl for Uncle De?”

You nodded before flinging yourself into Sam’s shoulder, wrapping your arms around his neck. “Be safe, Daddy.”

“I will. And Uncle Cas will be there, too. Everything’s going to be fine.” Sam pulled out of the hug, pressing a kiss to your forehead, before walking off to the garage.

You stood and watched, listened, as he disappeared. Once the door shut behind him, you crawled up onto the couch next to Dean. He turned his attention from the tv to you; your teeth were worrying your bottom lip. Dean couldn’t help but laugh at the strong, self-assured way you tried to carry yourself, even at your young age.

“You want some ice cream, Y/N?”

You turned, your expression conveying your surprise. Daddy never let you have ice cream in the middle of the afternoon; that was an evening treat on rare occasions.

Dean stood and headed to the kitchen, soon hearing you pattering behind him. He felt your eyes on him as he pulled the ice cream from the freezer, the toppings from the cabinet, the dishes from the cupboard.

Your eyes grew as large as the sundae he sat before you. “Thank you, Uncle De,” you said in awe.

“You’re welcome, Monster. Now, you know what would make this ice cream even better?”

You shook your head.

“A movie. I’m thinking… The Little Mermaid?”

“Yay!”

______________________________________________________________

Later that night, as Dean was tucking you into bed, he saw that sadness returning. Sam had called a few hours ago, saying that he’d made it safely. You’d been excited when he’d called but Dean could see that you were wishing he was back.

Thankfully, Sam had left something behind for this.

Dean opened your bedside table and pulled out a package wrapped in shiny paper. “Y/N, your daddy left this for you.” He watched as you opened it, finding a large, leather-bound book inside. “You know what that says?”

“The W…Won…Wonderful W… Wee…”

“Wizard.”

“Wizard,” you repeated. “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

“You want me to read it to you?”

You nodded, holding the book out to Dean. He took it and situated himself next to you, immediately feeling you lean against him. He opened the book, finding the map of Oz. He couldn’t help but remember the day Charlie had gone off with Dorothy, much to the surprise of him and Sam. Dean was glad that Sam was instilling in you the same love of knowledge that Sam had, and Dean knew that it had been a very deliberate choice to leave this book behind.

Dean cracked open the book, flipping to the first page. “Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer’s wife.”

[matcha-chocolate]

just a sip

@unclesteeb​ Drink me- Steve and Sam Send me prompts!   It was a damn good party, considering it had been thrown together last-minute. Loud music, elegant champagne glasses (courtesy of Stark) that disappeared for red solo cups (courtesy of Sam), witty and fast-paced conversations that swiftly devolved into “Ya mama” jokes and flip cup (Clint Barton was expressly for-fucking-bidden to play that one). It was fun. Really damn fun. So when talk turned to the wildly successful mission that had led to the party in the first place, Sam didn’t mind. Hell, he kind of welcomed it.

It had been his first time leading the new Avengers team as Captain America, and everything had gone smoothly (by their standards, anyway). It was a pretty complicated set of parameters, but both Nick Fury and Tony Stark had agreed that Sam was ready to take charge (the mere fact that those two agreed on that was enough to convince the rest of the team.) It had been a long, painful road from the very first time Sam had thrown the shield, only to have it brutally shatter his wrist. He’d learned to tame the iconic vibranium disc, and it was a grateful instrument if he kept his practice up.

The mission sounded like something straight out of those damned comic books that Sam definitely didn’t have (he most definitely didn’t have a mint copy of Sam Wilson: Captain America #1, so you can get that idea out of your head right the fuck now). The son of a foreign diplomat had been kidnapped and held by a splinter group of Inhumans who had no qualms about offing the child if their demands weren’t met. Breaking from the tradition of dealing with their own, Queen Medusa had reached out to the Avengers, citing Sam specifically as a reason. He was… something of a mystery. Whether his ability to communicate with all bird species and their relatives was useful was moot; what baffled people was what he was. Human? Mutant? Inhuman? Sam’s answer was always a shrug and “My mama’s son.” So. Get in, talk some sense into the Inhumans as one human-mutant-Inhuman to another, get the kid out safe. And it had worked. It had fucking worked. No one did a soothing speech like Sam Wilson. And yes, maybe he had several huge and deadly hawks nearby as backup. Whatever. The point was: the boy was safe, the Inhumans owed them a debt, and he really felt like he’d earned the title “Cap.” “I can’t believe you missed your landing so bad,” Natasha laughed, a shotglass of something clear and undoubtedly deadly held elegantly between thumb and forefinger. She knocked back the shot, sputtered (Clint lost his mind laughing at that) and continued, “I thought the mission was over before it started.” Sam laughed, trailing off into a groan. He’d maybe been a little too eager to get started, leaping out of the jet from too high and nearly landing on a surprised doorman. “God, you’re never gonna let me live that down, huh?” “Nah, man. Did you see your fuckin’ face?” Clint piped up. He was nursing a bottle of what he claimed was whiskey., although Tony strongly suspected it was low-grade diesel fuel. “You were like--” Clint pulled a terrified face, flapping his arms. Sam sighed, looking playfully put-upon. “I get no respect from my team.” “Nahhh, we made fun of Ca-- of Steve, too.” Clint continued talking, but Sam had noticed the slip-up. ‘Cap’ was so closely tied with Steve Rogers that Sam knew deep down that some people would take a long time to really think of him as Captain America. He chanced a glance at Steve, who wasn’t bothering to pretend to drink. It didn’t do anything, anyway. Steve looked away from a murmured conversation with Bruce, as though he’d felt Sam’s gaze. “Rogers.” “Wilson. Cap.” Steve smiled, leaning toward Sam and nodding. “You’ve been pretty quiet about the mission. Not like you to be quiet. About anything. Ever.” “Ouch.” “So…?” “So?” “How d’you think the mission went?” Sam asked carefully. It wasn’t like he needed Steve’s approval, but the man had been Captain America for a long damn time, so his opinion wasn’t totally worthless. Steve pursed his lips thoughtfully, and Sam worked overtime not to let his eyes travel to the other man’s mouth. Nope no not doing that nyet cease and desist. “You’re a natural leader, Sam. You did good-- made sure everyone played to their strengths, minimal damage to the opponents, in and out clean. Better than good. Amazing.” Sam took a big swig of his drink -- a gin & tonic -- and tried to hide the flush of pleasure he felt. “Yeah? I did good, eh? Says Cap, even. Shit, I must be--” “You’re Captain America, Sam. Don’t let anyone tell you different.” Steve’s eyes were intense, trained on Sam’s face. In the dim party lighting, his irises looked unusually dark, and if it had been anyone else, Sam would’ve called the look on Steve’s face… No. Nah. Couldn’t be. “You didn’t feel weird taking orders from someone else?” Sam asked, desperate to cut the sudden crackling tension between them. Steve did that thing that made Sam’s insides feel funny, that odd little eyebrow raise coupled with the smirk. You know the one. “I don’t mind taking orders from you.” And jesus fuck, his voice was just a little bit rough, and slightly deeper than usual, and the rest of the party might as well have disappeared in a puff of smoke for all the rapt attention he was giving Sam. “Yeah?” Sam asked, and shit, that was his flirty voice, and he better stop drinking because there was no way that Steve was doing what Sam hoped thought he was doing. “Yeah.” Steve’s fingers twitched a little and then he was reaching for Sam’s glass, taking it gently from his unresistant fingers. “Can I…?” Sam hoped he didn’t look at dumbstruck as he felt. “I mean… it doesn’t do anything to you, but uh. Go ahead.” And Steve “Extra” Rogers quickly ran his tongue up the side of the glass to catch a rolling bead of condensation, and okay, yeah, this was flirting. Sam slowly raised an eyebrow as Steve took a small, yet agonizingly slow sip of Sam’s drink, quickly licking his lips after and making a low sound of satisfaction. “Jesus,” Sam breathed before he could stop himself. “You did good with the shield, too,” Steve continued as though the conversation from before had been uninterrupted. There was a small pause and Sam watched Steve swirling the ice in the glass, fidgety as always. When Steve looked up, his expression was tinged for the first time with uncertainty. “You looked good in the suit, Sam,” he murmured, watching for Sam’s reaction. Sam didn’t bother to school his features, letting his slow smile do the talking for him. “You like the suit, Rogers?” he said in a low voice, and damn but the look Steve gave him was just short of predatory. “I really like the suit, Wilson.” Steve leaned even closer now, the cold glass resting against the side of Sam’s thigh. Not quite touching him, but tell Sam’s racing heart that. “Think I’d like taking it off you more.” Shit. Sam nearly stood up and yelled for everyone else to get the fuck out, but he controlled himself. “Sam. Sam. Saaaaam!” Steve leaned back in his seat smoothly, taking another casual sip of Sam’s drink. Sam whipped his head around irritably, seeking out the source of the interruption-- Clint and Natasha were pulling on their coats, and Tony was standing nearby with his arm slung over Bruce’s shoulders. Bruce was trying hard to pretend he hadn’t overheard Sam and Steve’s conversation. Tony was doing no such thing, although he blessedly let his leer say everything that his mouth wasn’t. “What, Barton?” Sam asked, trying not to be so aware of Steve’s body heat almost right up against his side. “Takin’ the party to a bar. Let’s go.”

Natasha’s eyes flitted between Sam and Steve for just a second before she leaned in and muttered something into Clint’s good ear. Clint did a double-take, making Nat snort with repressed laughter, and Bruce was going pink about the ears. “I think Steve’s gonna hang out and give the new Cap some pointers,” Tony said, clapping Bruce jovially on the shoulder. He paused, looking thoughtful. “Or maybe Wilson will give him some pointers? I dunno how that kind of thing works. I mean, you two have very different… fighting styles.” “Y’all are fucking dismissed, get the hell out,” Sam said, crossing his arms. He added a grin to soften his words, watching his friends and team mates troop out of his apartment with various knowing smirks and winks. He barely had time to turn back to look at Steve before ice-cold lips were pressing against his, making him take a sharp breath in. Steve’s mouth carried the sharp taste of gin, but that had nothing to do with the shiver that went through Sam. He moved his hands, sliding one hand up to drag his fingers through the short hair at the base of Steve’s head. Someone groaned, long and low, and Sam couldn’t tell if it was him or Steve. He didn’t really care. Steve pulled back just far enough to murmur against Sam’s lips. “What’s the plan, Cap?” He pressed his hips against Sam, his desire obvious. Sam pretended to think about it. “Got a few strategies in mind, Rogers.” Twenty minutes later, Clint popped his head into the apartment, having forgotten his whiskey. After he glanced into the living room, he decided that no whiskey was worth having to see that. Steve’s o-face would haunt his dreams, and Sam’s filthy groan as he gripped Steve’s hips--

Well. Well. Maybe he’d file that noise away for later.