#doesn’t mean he’s not listening and saving it to memory for later

[codenamesazanka]

extremely questionable methodology but i compiled all the dialogue spoken between Shigaraki and Deku starting from when Shigaraki breaks out of AFO’s control in Chapter 379 up to Chapter 412.

(There are chapters where they appear but do not speak. Those are the chapter numbers.)

The takeaway is that Shigaraki is extremely chatty! A lot of it is taunts, but Shigaraki’s also revealing a lot of stuff about his plans and his opinions.

Deku does not seem as interested in returning the conversation, however. Whenever he does speak, it’s less in response to any of the content of Shigaraki’s chatter, and more heroic statements of intent. (The ‘you’re still human’ is the only direct refutation, I think.)

To be fair, his focus is all on surviving Shigaraki’s attacks. Nearly all his internal thoughts are strategy - combining a quirk with this quirk, how exactly he can physically stop Shigaraki. Additionally, before Chapter 410, he was probably too worried about All Might; while for most of Chapter 412, he was asphyxiating. Hard to chat when so much shit is happening.

And you can argue Shigaraki is just Villain monologuing. Deku doesn’t have to pay attention to anything he says - a lot which are, after all, taunts - he doesn’t have to engage with Shigaraki’s dumb rants.

His goal is to save Shigaraki/The Crying Child, and only that - not like talking or asking questions about anything or responding is required for that.

[scarlethexelove]

I Did

Pairing: WandaNat x Reader

Word Count: 2261

Warnings: Mentions of torture, scars, mean tony. Nothing much else.

A/n: I want to give credit to Dolls.mcu.editz on tiktok where I saw the edit that gave me this idea. So after asking for a poll of who this should be with I made this. Starts a bit angsty but it is super fluffy at the end. Soft Natasha and Wanda 🥰 Hope you all enjoy.

NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO STEAL, COPY, OR REBLOG MY WORK AS THEIR OWN

You sit in the meeting room surrounded by all of the Avengers. On either side of you are Natasha and Wanda, your girlfriends. The conversation that is happening is making you uncomfortable to say the least. They are all talking about what is to be done if one of you is captured and possibly tortured by hydra or another entity. What would be protocols and procedures that need to be followed during and after the event. You’re quiet throughout and don’t add anything. Tony notices this and doesn’t appreciate that you are not contributing to the conversation. 

“Y/n do you have anything to add?” Tony questions a bit of malice in his words. “I would rather not.” You reply, sinking more into your seat. Wanda placing a hand on your thigh in comfort. “You always have something to add so why don’t you actually contribute to the discussion.” He pushes. You scoff and look him dead in the eye. “You would not hold up well under torture.” You calmly spoke back to him. “Oh and you would?” He raises his voice. “I did!” You just about yell back to him. 

Tony pauses a moment. Tears shine in your eyes as memories flash in your mind reminding you how you even got here. You don’t notice the sad looks around you from your fellow avengers. “Y/n I didn’t mean-” Tony is cut off by you. “Save it.” You mumble as you push your seat back and quickly make your way out of the room. Your ears ringing with the memories of your life before. You can’t even hear that people are calling after you. 

Tears start to stream down your face as you quickly keep walking. You feel a burning sensation in your skin as you become overwhelmed. The scars that scatter your body make it feel as if they are open wounds again. The pain and memories still flood in as your body moves on autopilot back to your room. 

Natasha and Wanda quickly rise and try to start following you. “Where do you think you are going? We aren’t done with setting these protocols.” Tony quickly jumps back in as your girlfriends try to go after you. Both of them turn around specks of red swirling in Wanda’s eyes as Natasha clenches her fist. “We are going to see if our girlfriend is ok. I don’t really care what you have to say right now.” Natasha spits back her anger with the man clear to everyone in the room. 

“You can check on her later. We need to get these set.” Tony still protests. Natasha slams her hands on the table, a small crack forming where her hands hit the glass table. “Listen here tin man you insulted our girlfriend. I don’t care what you decide, we are going to comfort her.” The room is tense as there is a staring contest between the two. “Well she started it.” He comes back still trying to defend himself when everyone in the room believes him to be in the wrong. 

Wanda tilts her head and red swirls in her hand. “Tony, you have no clue what she has been through. You may have been captured and held but you were never tortured. Natasha was raised and trained as an assassin against her will. Bucky was taken and experimented on as they constantly brainwashed him. I was experimented on and locked in a cell.” Wanda seethes, pointing towards the living quarters. “But she was experimented on, locked in rooms, tortured for days on end. Cut up just for fun, you have no fucking clue. So if you will excuse me we are leaving and you can fuck off.” Wanda grabs Natasha’s hand and they walk out of the room. Everyone in the room is left in show of the revelation. The only other person who is not shocked is Bucky, your best friend.

The two hear arguing ensue as they walk away towards your shared bedroom. They lightly knock on the door to not scare you but they hear no movement so they slowly open the door. They slowly enter the room but don’t see you but they see the bathroom door open. Light shines out and the sound of water pelting the tile floor is heard. “Detka.” Wanda calls out for you as they make their way into the bathroom but hear no response. 

Wanda and Natasha enter the bathroom, their eyes landing on your form sitting in the shower, your knees pulled tightly to your chest. You're still in your clothes and shoes as the water beats down on you. Natasha quickly moves to you going around you to your right side crocheting down as the water hits her. Wanda moving to your left side. They give each other a look and look back to you. You’re staring off into space, your body slightly rocking. Both women know that sometimes in stressful times your mind plays back what happened to you. Not just your mind but your body has a physical reaction. 

“Detka can I touch you?” Natasha asks. You don’t respond. She slowly reaches out for you and gently touches your arm. You jump lightly to the contact and she pulls back, but then you give a small nod for her to continue. She reaches out again and places her hand on your back gently rubbing comforting circles. “Detka may I?” Wanda asks and you also give her a nod. She smiles and follows Natasha’s lead. 

“What can we do to help sweetheart?” Wanda asks you. You finally look over to her and she can see past the water that trails down your face that you are crying, your eyes red and puffy. You open your mouth trying to speak but nothing comes out. Your eyes telling Wanda what you want her to do. “Are you sure detka?” She questions before proceeding. You lightly nod at her. She smiles. “Okay.”

Her hand goes to your head as red fills her eyes and red whisps come from her fingers. She lets what words you can’t say fill her mind before pulling her hand back, her eyes turning back to their beautiful shade of green. She gives you a soft smile and small nod. She then looks up to Natasha who is watching the interaction. 

“Her scars are burning and her clothes are overwhelming.” Natasha nods at Wanda’s words. They both work together taking off your shirt as you raise your arms. Natasha then moves in front of you. She takes off your shoes and socks, tossing them into the bathroom to deal with later. Wanda has removed your undershirt and bra tossing it with the rest. Working together again they work to remove your pants and underwear. You lift your hips to make it slightly easier on them. 

Wanda gently runs her hand down your arm. “Do you want me to try and help?” She gently asks you. “Please.” You mumble lightly. She kisses your head. “Of course. Which ones hurt?” She asks you. “Big ones.” You tell her. She knows which ones you mean. Her hand going to your left side the scar runs from just under your breast down to your mid thigh. Red comes from her fingers as it seeps down into the scar. The burn slowly fades as you feel her magic calming the nerves. Her hand moves to your right shoulder covered in a large burn scar repeating her action. She then moves to your left thigh a large circular scar doing as she has done with the other two. Your nerves calming as the burning and pain disappear. “Better?” She asks you.

You give her a nod. “Thank you.” You tell her finally, letting your body relax as you lean into Natasha. Her arms wrap around you. “No need to thank me detka.” Wanda leans in kissing your forehead. 

“Do you want to get cleaned up in the shower and get in bed?” Natasha asks you. “Mhmm.” Your reply comes in a hum. So that is what you all do. They help you up before they take off their clothes. Throwing them into the pile already on the floor. Gently washing your body and hair. 

You love the close moments with your girlfriends. Nothing sexual about it, it is just full of love and caring as they take care of you. They quickly clean themselves before helping you out of the shower. Since you have already been sensitive and overwhelmed Wanda uses her magic to dry you three off. The feeling of her warm magic eloping you and calming your nerves even more. 

Natasha picks you up. Your legs wrap around her waist and you bury your head in her neck as she carries you to bed. “My strong and tough super soldier.” Natasha chuckles as you whine into her neck. Which just causes her to chuckle more and you to poke at her side. “Heyyy.” She says. Wanda giggling at your two antics. 

 Wanda walks around to the other side getting into the bed. She moves the covers and opens her arms as Natasha places you into Wanda’s open arms. You instantly wrap around her and lay your head on your chest. Natasha crawls into the bed behind you wrapping her arms around your waist and cuddling into your back. She places small light kisses on your shoulder causing you to smile. Wanda then peppering your face with kisses which then causes you to giggle. 

“There is my sweet girl.” Wanda smiles down at you as you nuzzle into her chest. The room becomes silent as you relax into your girlfriends. The skin to skin contact is doing wonders for you. Letting you feel a closeness that you wouldn’t get with clothes on. 

Natasha kisses your shoulder again. “Marry me?” Natasha breaks the silence in the room. You look up to Wanda before turning to look at Natasha. Not sure if this is just in the heat of the moment or a true proposal. Natasha smiles before letting go of your turn and reaching into the drawer of her bedside table. She pulls out two small velvet boxes. “Wanda Maximoff and Y/n Y/l/n will you two do me the honor of becoming my wifes?” Natasha asks opening the boxes to show off two gorgeous rings. Each of them is set in silver with a beautiful garnet as the center stone and surrounded by smaller black diamonds. You can’t help but cry in happiness as you and Wanda answer in unison. “Yes!”

The three of you are now crying, happy to be taking a step forward in your relationship. “I was planning to do some crazy romantic gesture for you two but this moment just seemed too perfect to pass. I wanted you two to know how much I love you and that I would fight to the ends of the earth to keep you safe.” Natasha says through happy tears as you and Wanda cry harder. She places the rings on your fingers. 

You kiss Natasha hard and filled with love before pulling back and kissing Wanda. Wanda then leans over you and gives Natasha a kiss. Wanda then chuckles and shakes her head a bit. “What?” Natasha asks. Wanda says nothing as she gets up and walks towards the dresser and opens her sock drawer. You whine when her body heat leaves you. “I’ll be right back detka.” Wanda chuckles. 

You can’t see what she grabs as she turns and hides what she has behind her back. She walks back to the bed and climbs back in next to you. “Great minds think alike I guess.” Wanda says, pulling two more velvet boxes from behind her back. She opens them revealing similar rings that have a ruby at its center and diamonds surrounding it.  

Natasha behind you chuckles. “I guess so.” She says. “So Natasha Romanoff and Y/n Y/l/n will you marry me?” Wanda asks. You and Natasha laugh before saying yes to her. Wanda places one ring on Natasha’s finger the other she holds out for you not exactly knowing what to do with it since you have one on already. “I can wear both.” You proudly say before putting it above the other one. “Y/n/n that isn’t going to work.” Natasha laughs at your antics. 

“Wait, I have an idea.” Wanda gets back up and goes over to her jewelry box. You hear her digging through before pulling something out. She walks back to you and holds out her hand. You place the ring in her hand. She then reveals a necklace. She puts the ring on the necklace before motioning for you to turn. You turn around and Wanda secures the chain holding the ring around your neck. You smiled, placing your hand on the ring before turning back and kissing her again. 

As the excitement wears down a bit you three settle back into the bed relaxing. “I love you both so much and can’t wait to be your wife and for you two to be mine.” You say snuggled between the woman. “We love you too.” Both women say at the same time and kiss each of your cheeks. 

This day turned from a horrible day of overwhelming panic and pain into one of the best days of your life and you couldn’t be more happy than to be alive in this moment. Holding onto the loving memory forever and excited for what your future will hold.

[strawberrynightmare]

Mikey, Nahoya, Senju & Hanma on a school trip

Mikey

~Only came because you came.

~Probably overslept and the whole bus had to wait for him because he was either late or almost late, it depends on how angry you sound through your text. 

~He’s not a loud companion, since he’ll be asleep like 70% of the time, the rest would be eating and chatting with you. So it’s not bad unless you were counting on talking with him more or you don’t like him resting his head on your shoulder.

~Sits in the middle of the bus, but closer to the back where his buddies are. Still, a bit further so that the noise they make is not right behind you. If the teacher doesn’t allow eating inside, he’s the first to ignore them. Not that anyone listens, but before your poor teacher can even finish the sentence, they get interrupted with the noise of him opening a bag of crisps. As they repeat themselves, he looks them dead in the eye and eats it. 

~Doesn’t cause as much trouble as one would think. When he's bored, he might tend to doze off and the group might accidentally lose him, so if you decide to take his hand in yours as a preventative measure, he’ll suddenly get into a wonderful mood.

~During free time, he lets you drag him around as you wish, hell, he’ll follow you around whether you suggest it or not. But he’ll demand that you visit a cafe/vending machine/restaurant every hour or less. If you don’t want to go and suggest that you just split, he’d be so offended. Like how dare you-

~Will literally pull out the offended gumball

~But aside from that, he doesn’t have any special wishes so it’s up to you where you go. 

~If you’re going into the mountains for a part of the trip, he’ll be extremely dissatisfied, but at the same time, he’d be having no difficulties. If you end up having them, he’d laugh at you for a minute, but he’ll effortlessly help you in any trouble. God forbid someone else mocks you though, because he’d be ready to push them down the slope. 

~Does not listen to the tour guide to save his life. The moment they start speaking, he turns his face to you or any of his friends and starts talking, completely deaf to the teacher’s reminders. 

~If you have a different gender than him, then you won’t be able to sleep in the same room in the hotel. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be spending time together, because he’d absolutely drag you to his or invite himself into yours until he gets kicked out by the teachers. 

~He would 100% be the type to get up at 2am with the sole purpose of making himself some jelly and accidentally wake up his roommates.  

~But at the same time, he’d probably only pack the basics of the basics like a shirt and pants, toothbrush and shampoo. The rest of his suitcase would be filled with food. So he may or may not end up wearing some shirt or hoodie of yours if it happens to be big enough. 

~Only takes photos if there’s something really worth keeping in his memory forever, like the view from a high mountain you just climbed, a beautiful aquarium with stingrays and sharks, y/n’s sleeping face, mysterious dungeon of mediaeval ruins, y/n’s amazed face-

~Not very enthusiastic about going souvenir shopping, but the moment you enter the shop, he’s in five places at once, pointing at everything that catches his eye and buys at least a half of it. 

~But then ends up attached to this stuff and only gives it to his friends and family two months later after he got bored with it. -.-

Nahoya

~You might run into him and his brother while they shop for stuff for the trip and then you’ll get dragged to accompany them, which is nice because you’ll be able to get your own shopping done while being able to get opinions from someone else.

~He doesn’t have much issue with packing and arriving on time. He’ll be there maybe a few minutes before the departure. But he’s 100% one of the menaces in the back and aims to get the seats in the back so that you and his brother can sit together. He’s willing to beat up someone if there’s a need. 

~He’s not particularly loud if the situation doesn’t call for it. He’ll especially tone down if either you or Souya are asleep.

~You’re eating a full course meal over there, cause even if there aren’t small tables attached to the seat, there’s more space than if there were only the two of you, which gives you the opportunity to trade food even better.

~Most of the time passes by telling each other stories from your life, chatting, chilling, bickering or just doing your own thing. His grin is even bigger because he secretly likes how close you are but I dunno if you would cause his hair would probably tickle you a bit

~Kinda like Mikey, he barely acknowledges the presence of teachers and just does his own thing. Maybe if the tour guide manages to catch his interest? I imagine he’d perk up at a mention of some dark local legends or a famous battle happening nearby and the guide would glance at this grinning guy when he explained more gruesome details and visibly sweat

The guide: 👀

 Nahoya: 😁

~When it comes to free time, along with his brother he’d want to try a local ramen shop. Aside from that, everything is up to you. Even if you passed the shop that caught your eye like an hour ago. Doesn’t matter. Better than standing there doing nothing. 

~So you set out for an adventure and it all went well until you encountered some delinquents who seemed to have beef with your boyfriend. They were shouting something about him beating them up in the 2nd grade and then he beat them up again. 

~And you managed to find the adorable souvenir shop you were looking for! Great! Now find the way back to the meeting spot.

~When it comes to more physical activities, everyone will think that Nahoya is having a blast on the mountain trail, considering his wide smile. But only you and his brother will be close enough to hear the constant bouquets of curses coming like sparks from between his clenched teeth.

~In the hotel… It’s not much different from others. It’s either you or them who absolutely forget about having their own room if you have opposite genders. Nahoya will shamelessly get his suitcase into your room and make himself comfortable there, going as far as putting his clothes into the wardrobe and his toothbrush on the sink (gets kicked out either by your roommates or by the teachers)

~Would probably hold you from behind with his head on your shoulder while you mind your own business if he’s quite tired, if not, you can always play games and chat or a legendary pillow fight might occur. You never know. 

~As for zoo time, I feel like he’d spent a lot of time with the monkeys ‘cause he liked how fun they were. But then you probably dragged him to the flamingo exhibit to compare the colours and make fun of him like “look, I finally see where you got your inspiration for hair colour from” and then you had to make a run for it. 

~Loses his shit in the butterfly house over butterflies constantly landing on his hair. There were so many of them thinking that his afro was some kinda flower, at some point, he just gave up. And you got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to take a photo like this, it probably ended up as your wallpaper. 

~You spend the ride back reviewing the photos you took, comparing the souvenirs and rating the best and worst moments. 

~I am defending with my life that they are probably some of the funniest people to be around.

Senju

~She’s the kind of a person who’s so excited she’s already packed two weeks prior and takes you shopping for food, mosquito repellent, wet tissues and other things that might come in handy. Although she’ll also try to buy all kinds of unnecessary stuff so it’s up to you to stop her. Or not, but then she’ll need not a single suitcase, but at least two. 

~One of the earliest to arrive because she just couldn’t contain herself. Gets on the bus and saves a seat for you. Also sits near the back, but doesn’t mind sitting closer to the front if you want to. Or, if her dear brothers slow things down, she might be a bit late and very dissatisfied about it. 

~You spend the ride mostly chatting or playing some travel games with her. On the stops, she drags you to explore the gas station and the area nearby, even though there’s rarely anything to see.  During these few hours of the ride, you have plenty of time to catch up on everything you might have forgotten to say or even watch a movie/serial together. And you’d do that cute couple thing with sharing the earphones <3

~Basically jumps out of the bus the moment you’re at the destination. Although she barely listens to the guide, she has literal stars in her eyes when looking around the unknown city and constantly asks the adults about when the free time will be. 

~And when it comes, she’ll go with you wherever you want first and then, you guessed it! She’ll drag you around the whole place but somehow won’t get lost. Idk how. And when it’s time to go back, your friends will be like, “We went to a cafe and then bought some souvenirs” and then you’d be like “We went shopping, found an amusement park, went on a rollercoaster ride, ate cotton candy,  then went on a cruise where we befriended a guy who had his birthday today so we gave him some of our souvenirs and he invited us to his birthday party so we went there, ate some cake and met senju’s brother’s friend’s cousin who offered us a ride back here. So here we are”

~And she didn’t even get tired after all of that. The stamina.

~If you get to share a room, prepare for everything, cause you won’t be getting any sleep at all. Face masks! Movies! Games! Gossip! Snacking! Cuddles! There’ll be a little bit of everything so you sure as hell won’t be bored even for a minute. 

~Refuses to acknowledge the fact that she has her own bed. When the teachers come to see if everyone’s in their beds, she’ll lay in hers, but 0,0001sec after they’re gone, she’s climbing into yours and clinging to you. 50/50 chances that you might fall from the bed in the middle of the night. 

~In the zoo, it’s similar to the city, she’s running everywhere. And when I say running, I mean RUNNING. Because the place is big, and there’s not enough time to see everything, so she figured out that the faster you move, the more you see. 

~Photo booth! She’s dragging you to the first one she sees but cannot choose the background she wants so she ends up going for several and they all have her making stupid faces. 

~And yes, she’s buying LOTS of souvenirs. Honestly, it’s so hard not to get infected with her enthusiasm at some point. Until the exhaustion hits, that is.

~She’s a bit calmer in places such as museums or galleries. It’s kinda cute to watch her stare at a modern painting, trying to make sense of it. She’s absolutely touching everything, though. Even if it’s not allowed, she’ll find a way to touch it so that no one sees. And if it’s some kind of “touch everything” exhibit? You’re sure as heck she IS going to touch every. single. thing. 

~Too tired to be sad it’s over. Asleep for most of the ride back.

Hanma

~Like Mikey, only going because you’re going. Can come off unprepared at first glance, but it’s not like he needs “all of this mess” in the first place as he put it. He didn’t take any coat, cuz he rarely gets cold. Didn’t take mosquito repellent because they barely bother him. Didn’t take sun cream cause he rarely gets burnt etc etc. He probably “accidentally” didn’t take his hair brush either, cuz he remembered that one time you said he looked hot with messy hair. 

~Shows up JUST IN TIME. Like, you’re standing there, worrying that he’s almost late and he suddenly appears behind you, putting his hands on your eyes with a “guess who~ ❤️”.  Doesn’t like sitting near the window for some reason and insists that you take it. Biggest menace in the back, probably does the thing where he puts down his back seat annoying the hell outta the person behind him. 

~Mostly passes the ride by annoying others, singing/blasting most random songs, chatting, eating and grinning smugly when you fall asleep on his shoulder. 

~The moment he gets off the bus, you know that nothing good’s gonna happen from the way he stretches, looks around and grins at you. During the city tour, he’s mostly on his phone and only ever speaks to annoy the adults. They probably made him walk in front right next to them because they were so fed up with him after he went to buy a funny hat while no one was looking. You were actually standing in place because the guide was talking about something + the pace was rather slow, so he would most likely get away with it, had the teachers not decided to count the students at that exact time. You tried texting him, but it was too late.”

~In the end, he managed to free himself saying that you’ll keep an eye on him and they bought it since they were absolutely fed up with Hanma’s babbling after an hour or so. 

~Bro is LONG so physical activities are no biggie for him. He likes a challenge and if you have a problem, he’ll make fun of you (he’s literally ready to carry you on his back if there’s a need) until it comes to squeezing in between the rocks. Suddenly, he’s not so amused anymore while having to constantly duck, squeeze his shoulders and crawl. 

~Is dead set on ruining every photo you take. You never see it coming either. You want him to take a photo of you with a beautiful panoramic view behind you? Sure! He’ll even instruct you to move a bit and then right before taking a photo, he’ll tell you a hilarious joke or a funny situation from his life and then takes the ugliest shot of your face you have ever seen and refuses to delete it then as you get back he has it printed, framed and hung in his room (you throw it away the moment you come over and see it) or when you just want to take a selfie and he appears from nowhere in dumb sunglasses and even dumber smile the very moment you take it. 

~You’d think he’d be more enthusiastic during free time, but he doesn’t really have anywhere he wants to go and just follows you around. Ah yeah, you forgot that all of the time is free time for him. That being said, he’s chill most of the time, maybe suggests a bar if it looks cool enough. He’d pull you into a side alley for an intense make out session for shits and giggles.

~Another one to camp in your hotel room. Or even better, he’ll drag you to his own entirely so that he can go shower saying that he’ll be back in a second only to come out with wet hair and only a towel around his waist to see your reaction.

~You’d probably play some fun games together or watch something while commenting on it and cuddling. And no, he does not care about his disgusted roommates. He is going to latch himself onto you no matter the position you sit/lay in. 

~Probably tried to sneak into your room after bed hours. Like, legit opened the window in his (if we’re talking about ground level rooms) after the teachers checked everything and got his roommates to cover for him and say that he’s in the bathroom while he texted you to open yours and sneaked in to sleep with you. He probably got away with it as well. 

~He’d absolutely want to feed the piranhas in the zoo. Like, he’d watch the worker with shiny eyes and torment them until they let him even if it’s not exactly allowed. Same goes for feeding the goats and petting the horses. He’d be jumping over fences and running from security but he’s absolutely petting everything that’s pettable. 

~Starts screaming when he reads on a terrarium label about a “mountain chicken” and there’s a frog inside. Goes as far as to bother random strangers and ask them whether they see a chicken or a frog. 

~Probably got bitten by a llama.

[maxinemaxmayfield]

DOUBLE DRABBLE DAY!? For the @strangerthingswritersguild daily drabble prompts (plural!): chill / give in 700 words, teen & up (pre-relationship steddie, post-s4, recreational drug use)

CHILL

Neither of them likes being alone; Steve’s house is too empty, too big, too cold. Every corner is filled with nothing but the reminder that no one cares enough to be there for him, not even his own parents.

Eddie’s trailer, on the other hand, is too full. Ghosts haunt every corner, reminders of the people he couldn’t save, the ones he almost lost, and the hellmouth to another dimension that cracked through his fucking ceiling and changed his life. Sometimes it feels so crowded he can’t breathe. 

So they drive. They never know where they’ll end up. Sometimes it’s the movies, or the diner, or the quarry. Tonight, the weather’s mild and dry, sky clear enough to see all the stars, and Steve swings into a cornfield. 

Eddie tosses him a look.

“What?” Steve asks, driving far enough that they can’t see the road they left behind them. “I don’t wanna be around people.”

“I’m people,” Eddie points out, cocking an eyebrow.

Steve snorts. “You don’t count.” 

“Maimed!” Eddie crows, grabbing one of Steve’s hands from the wheel and dragging it to his chest, like he’s plunging a knife into Eddie’s very heart. The car swerves. “Wounded! Aggrieved!” 

“You know what I mean,” Steve says, pulling his arm from Eddie’s grasp to plant it back on the steering wheel. “I don’t have to think around you. I can just… chill.” 

Steve eases onto the brake to bring them to a stop, nothing but corn as far as the eye can see. He leaves the radio on, playing some shit he doesn’t actually care enough to listen to, and gets out to lean on the hood. It’s still warm. 

Eddie joins him a moment later, already pulling a joint from his pocket. He pats down his jacket, looking for a lighter. He’s always losing them.

Steve has one out and ready in second, used to it at this point. He extends the flame towards Eddie.

Easy. Routine. Muscle memory. 

GIVE IN

Eddie doesn’t waste any time draping himself across the hood of Steve’s car, hair spreading out like a halo. Stars reflect in his wide eyes as he stares at the sky like he wants to memorize it. 

“Ever wonder if there’s life out there?” Eddie asks around an exhale of smoke. 

“There’s enough weird alien shit here in Hawkins, dude. I don’t need to think about the whole universe.”

“Fair.”

It’s quiet for a while, just the faint sound of wind jostling the stalks around them as they pass the joint back and forth.

At some point, they slide down, sitting on the hard ground with their backs against the front of the Beemer. At some point, Steve realizes that he isn’t watching the night sky anymore. He’s watching Eddie’s tongue poke out from his lips, always moving even when he isn’t talking, like he’s having a silent conversation with himself. 

“Willpower,” Steve says aloud. Eddie turns.

“Huh?”

“Like, as a concept. Do you think people shouldn’t always do what they want cause it might be kinda bad for them?” 

Eddie laughs, a deep sound that quickly gets lost in the miles of corn around them. “You’re asking the town drug dealer if he thinks people shouldn’t partake in things that might be bad?”

“Okay, but what about… other stuff?” 

“Man, life’s too short. We’re goddamn walking evidence of that. If you really want something, crave something, fuck it. Give in.” 

So Steve does. He gives in. He closes the space between him and Eddie, reaches out to cradle his palm against Eddie’s cheek, draws him even closer and kisses him. 

It’s short, just the press of lips together, smokey and dry and chaste. When Steve pulls back, Eddie doesn’t move, eyes wide and jaw slack. 

Steve thinks he might have made a mistake. “You, uh… still stand by that advice?” 

“Advice?” Eddie asks, dumbfounded. 

“To give in…”

Something clicks into place behind Eddie’s shocked eyes. “Oh, shit, that’s what you were talking about?” 

Steve nods; can’t help but feel amused. 

“I’m really fucking glad I didn’t tell you to resist, then,” Eddie says, and captures Steve’s lips once more, with such enthusiasm that they both end up in the dirt.

[tibbythetiger]

Hello friendsssss! We have an official tag on AO3, we’ve all grown so much in just a few days. Amazing work all around! 

I’m just dishing out some general HCs today! Hopefully, I can actually get the time to turn my main DreamTheory meeting as coworkers at Sparky’s into a real fic soon! 

Both of them enjoy their height difference greatly. Mike usually hates feeling smaller or shorter than people, but he’s never met someone as genuine and nice as Ness so it doesn’t bother him, and makes him feel kinda safe. Ness just loves his pocket-sized boyfriend. 

I know someone else has already said this, but Ness with freckles!!!! Ness with freckles is so very important to me. I think they’re super light during most of the winter, but once it gets warmer and the sun comes out they’re fairly noticeable. Mike likes to kiss each one he can find, it always makes Ness laugh. 

I know we all agree that Ness is Conspiracy Boyfriend, and I agree! I think he particularly loves those paranormal ghost-hunting shows that were super popular back in 00’s, and he’s a HUGE Unsolved Mysteries fan. When he’s looking to get the same thrill but looking for more fictional media, he loves the Twilight Zone. 

Mike makes a mean grilled cheese and tomato soup, this is in part because it’s Abby’s favorite food and he decided if he had to make anything really well it would be this. Ness actually doesn’t like grilled cheese, but Abby talked it up so much he gave it a try and he ended up really liking it. It is one of Mike’s proudest moments. 

I think Ness is really good with kids, he seems to me the type that was the oldest cousin at parties. (This is just projection), so he’s used to having younger kids following him around and having to keep them entertained. While he’s used to it, he’s really genuine and loves doing it. He’s always overjoyed to hang out with Abby, and she adores him because of it. 

Ness and Mike cannot draw to save their lives! They are horrible at it, Abby likes to hold “drawing classes” where she tries to show them how she makes her masterpieces. Ness always tries hard, but it’s just not his strong suit. 

They are the couple that slow dances in the kitchen or living room. Mike is always reluctant about it, he’s fairly paranoid at romantic gestures, and he’s always scared someone will see them, but he always enjoys it when Ness convinces him it’s okay. Abby thinks it’s the most magical thing, so she draws the two of them as princes when they dance during a Disney movie night.  

Ness absolutely tells Mike and Abby stories to help them sleep. They both think he has the most soothing voice, Ness just loves being able to help them, sometimes he’ll even sing to them, but he’s still really shy about it. 

I think Ness really loves listening to musical soundtracks, but he’s also a pop girly through and through, like, he loves Kelly Clarkson, Paris Hilton, and Brittany Spears. Meanwhile, Mike doesn’t listen to music super often, he usually lets Abby or Ness pick. Otherwise, I feel like he’s really into grunge or early rock. He listens to Nirvana sure, but also Radio Head. (I also think he’s a very big Weezer fan) 

I think Mike is a big writer, he started journaling to help him take note of his dreams/memories of Garrett, then really leaned into it once his parents were out of the picture since he didn’t really have anyone else to turn to to vent. Sometimes he can be a little poetic, and he’ll write lil notes to Ness and leave them in his apron or pockets for him to find later. 

Ness thinks this is simply the cutest thing he’s ever seen actually, and attempts to do the same thing. He’s a little cheesier, and are usually filled with lil hearts and things doodled around them, but he sticks them on the mirror or on Mike’s alarm clock. Mike saves everyone he finds and slowly they start to cover the walls in his bedroom. 

The three of them cannot have board game nights. They are all waaaay too competitive, and the last time they played Uno and Ness won, Mike pouted so much and Abby locked herself in her room. They settle for movie nights or puzzles when they’re doing things the three of them. 

When Abby first starts dabbling in painting her nails, she practices on Ness and Mike. Eventually Ness and Abby usually just have matching nails, Ness doesn’t let the looks he gets bother him any. 

Abby absolutely knows they’re dating, Mike tries not to keep secrets from her, especially after the debacle of Freddy’s, and what happened with the Aunt. She’s too young, so she doesn’t get why people are weird about it, but she understands enough that she can’t tell anyone that Mike and Ness are dating. When she does talk about them, most people assume Ness is a girl, just because of his name. Abby just stops correcting people, the only person outside of them who knows is Abby’s therapist(?), but she supports Mike so it’s not really an issue. 

Ness loves stealing Mike’s sweaters and coats, they’re so much bulkier than the ones that Ness buys himself, so they’re so comfortable. In the winter, he’ll steal them and wear them to work or around the house. Mike grumbles and pretends he cares, but he thinks Ness looks cute in them. 

Ness has the worst road rage, Mike is both horribly amused and terrified of this when it occurs. Ness always apologizes afterward usually followed up by an “If people could just learn how to drive, I swear to GOD”  

Mike and Abby will go into Sparky’s when Ness is working just to get desert and to see him. Most of the employees at Sparky’s know there’s something going on between Ness and Mike, but they all let it remain unspoken. It seems like everyone is taking good care of each other, so no one decides to interfere.  

Well, that’s all I have for now! I’m really loving seeing everything everyone is putting out, and getting to read everyone’s work and see their art is amazing!

[houseofevanbuckley]

hc that Buck will keep Tommy company while he works on his machinery and Tommy watches documentaries with Buck 💕

Buck visiting Tommy and complaining about his car making a weird noise and having to bring it to the mechanic for the 3rd time in as many months.

His jeep is getting a bit old now but it’s filled with memories and he refuses to change it.

Tommy who go trained on various vehicles throughout his life. A neighbor teaching him when he was a teenager. Training at the army. Training at the fire academy and then flying academy.

He’s been tinkering in various machineries for years and he’s not going to let a simple jeep best him. Buck is happy to let Tommy look at it, it will save him some money he could use otherwise. Like for a date maybe.

The issue tho? It’s that Tommy has working clothes, and by working clothes I mean an old pair of jeans, covered in old oil stains, a white tank top which is clean but has old stains that dried, but still quite white, and some heavy boots in case something fall on his feet. It happened before and Tommy learned from it.

Buck never thought jeans would drive him insane, but the way it curves around Tommy’s thighs? The way a black stains is just under his left cheek like he rubbed himself there to clean his hand, actually Buck can even divine the form of fingers on that stains and it’s calling to him.

To forget about the heat pooling inside him he gets close to the car and Tommy who just opened it and moving things around and just watch, until he says “you know, my dad never taught me anything about cars. Is it weird?”

And Tommy just goes “you wanna learn?” With a soft smile, just offering, no judgement whatever Buck decides

And so Tommy work and talk during the whole process, he knows Buck loves knowledge, trivia, information and Tommy is more than happy to info dump his boyfriend for once.

Once Tommy fix what the issue was, it was just regular stuff but a mechanic would have either ignore it so Buck would come back and spend more or spend only like 30 minutes on it to fix it since it was quite simple.

They get clean together, Tommy getting his regulars clothes back on him while Buck has to change bc he got some stains on him even just while looking but it doesn’t care about it. The price was more than worth paying.

And then they go on Tommy’s couch, Buck still doesn’t have one but he doesn’t need one anymore, not when Tommy’s so comfy. Tommy who pick up the remote while Buck get some snack ready for them and he goes through the channels until he reaches National Geographic and it’s the opening for a new documentary about volcanoes and he gets distracted from the tv when Buck comes back with their drink so he doesn’t change the channel and then see how Buck is already entranced by it even 3 minutes after the opening, and he’s gonna ask if Buck want to watch it when Buck goes “did you know that the biggest volcano in on mars?”

And Tommy knows he doesn’t have to ask anymore, he just hums while picking some food off the coffee table and listen to every facts from Buck and watches him get so animated as they watch it

Buck even going against what the narrator is saying and being right about it when the narrator a few minutes later elaborate more which goes toward what Buck was saying and Tommy is just so smitten by his clever boy. Kissing him on his temple and pulling him against his side while Buck keep randomly shoutings facts and going on his phone to assess the veracity of what the narrator is talking about.

They spend their evening like that, documentaries replacing one an other, Buck leaning against him and talking freely for hours, showing Tommy how interesting the world can be.

[carefulfears]

let's chat about mulder and names <3 (and bear with me because i'm not feeling great today)

"who'd you tick off to get stuck with this detail, scully?"

following only "no one down here but the FBI's most unwanted," and "isn't it nice to suddenly be so highly regarded," his third wise-crack is the first to address his new partner by name; effectively endowing dana with new identity as soon as she crosses the basement office threshold.

one of the few things that i get a kick out of in season nine, is how everyone has a first name again, after mulder leaves.

characters that we have known for years as "scully," "skinner," "doggett," and "reyes" become "dana," "walter," "john," and "monica."

it means something else, in this particular group, in this particular absence.

when scully's father passes away, mulder addresses her by name for the first time (visibly throwing her off as she clocks the difference, chuckling and repeating it back) to check on her personally, before suggesting that she take some time away from work.

and this continues to be the line drawn throughout season one, a way that he signals a personal connection apart from the professional; notably here in lazarus, when concerned for her safety ("this one is important to me")

carrying over to his next partner, he also utilizes this timing to establish connection with krycek, when they were working together.

(i believe that krycek is the only character other than scully that we hear mulder call their first name? do with that what you will!)

and seven years later, to reference and recall that connection, in the end.

after nearly a year together, always the learner, scully attempts to reciprocate this method; addressing him by his own first name, when she has something personal that she wants to communicate.

when she's cut off, and he interrupts with a laugh and shake of his head.

he tells her, "i even made my parents call me mulder," which is not true- but as discussed here- isn't a ploy for distance either. rather, it's more to say, "this is what i prefer from those close to me."

his parents, diana, senator matheson, CSM at times, all call him "fox." everyone in his personal life (aside from TLG) calls him "fox," regardless of if he's asked them not to in the past.

for some, it's a power play. for others, an insult. some just don't care.

my favorite thing about this scene in tooms with scully, is that she doesn't pause. she doesn't reconsider, or redirect. she doesn’t address it. she doesn't look away. she attempted to establish intimacy in one way, and was communicated with, and she takes it in strides.

it's barely a breath before she says exactly what she had planned on saying, adjusted only slightly to accommodate: "mulder, i wouldn't put myself on the line for anybody but you."

our first introduction to another scully girl, a comatose dana tells her sister through astral planes to say "mulder."

i love this about missy, that she holds crystals over her sister's body and listens. she instantly corrects herself the next time she sees mulder, offering that respect her sister had demanded.

and the first time we hear scully speak after her abduction is to correct her mother, before even opening her eyes.

this is part of their secret language, these identities that they have. the name that he gave her, and the one that she never questions. she takes him exactly as he offers.

diana says "fox" like she has something to prove, scully says "mulder" like it's an endearment. her secret treasure that only she understands.

after all, scully has heard this story: the only thing that stays the same each time mulder recalls samantha's abduction, is his memory of her screaming for him.

"fox" is the last thing that he ever heard his sister say, and it remains hers only. the only exception being the lost children that he tries to save, for her, whom he always introduces himself to by first name.

after a while, that intimacy trick from the beginning becomes moot, as the professional becomes the personal. the work becomes life, and dana becomes scully.

she might be “dana” to everyone outside of that office, but does it compare?

and he only employs it one more time between season 1 and season 9, in the field where i died, an episode all about connection and interpersonal fate.

a whisper, a question: dana, if we had known each other always, in every life, would it have changed things?

she gives him his answer: no. she wouldn’t change a day. and she remains “scully.”

(look at my baby daddy dawg i'm going on the run from the law)

until season 9 brings change, and they are so removed from that office that it would be unrecognizable.

and she’s “dana” over and over. she’s “dearest dana.” she’s his “son’s mother.”

and 25 years after that car outside tooms' house, we hear scully use his first name for the second time. barely above a whisper, it's a personal confession; he's her secret-keeper, he's her accomplice, (he's her son's father).

[insomniumstella]

something in the orange

bucky x witch!reader 

summary: the pretty witch James met in Bucharest holds his heart. she’s been there ever since he regained his freedom, mending the soldier’s broken soul through tender loving, but if the aching suspicions deep in his bones are correct, she’ll soon become nothing more than a bittersweet memory. 

warnings: angst-ish fluff, memories of trauma, a lil’ sprinkle of nsfw — implied smut

word count: 1,615

author’s note: words we never said ☾ if you enjoy listening to music while reading, please play the song je te laisserai des mots. it captures the emotion behind this perfectly:( this is a link to a post about Bucky’s Bucharest apartment, which i used for both inspiration and visualization, and absolutely recommend reading

The little apartment is enveloped in the smell of chicken noodle soup when James steps through the door, dropping a bag of plums on the sofa. Though every window is blocked out with newspapers, the dying sun manages to flicker through the pages, casting an orange glow on the single room.

On her — the girl who inadvertently saved him.

She stands by the stove in nothing but his woolen sweater. It reaches her knees, and she pushes the sleeves up to her elbows at times to prevent the edges from broth stains. The otherwise silent atmosphere is saturated in delicate sounds of piano creeping out of her broken laptop, and as the soldier continues to observe her, a bittersweet wave of emotions drowns him. Brooklyn is no longer his home, she is.

“Hi.” James chuckles softly at the sight before him.

Ancient spells books and corked glass containers clutter the counter. Bundles of herbs, dried and fresh alike, float around her as she studies the open grimoire, waving her fingers in a circular motion to stir dinner.

“Hi, bun.” She mutters without paying him a glance, hastily reading the last bit of instructions for a healing potion. “Are you feeling better?”

The witch buries her nose in the crinkled pages often. The words that lay upon the paper are peculiar to James. Dragon’s blood, wormwood, lapis lazuli are several terms he stopped seeking to understand, focusing to unravel the boundaries of the relationship between them instead. Friends was the only label ever spoken, and yet somewhere along the way of the pair’s whirlwind journey, the edges of their connection became stained.

Almost a year ago, when James stumbled into a hidden coffee shop by accident, or fate, it was unmistakable she was merely a stranger, but then she shared her cinnamon bun because he only had enough money for a cup of tea, and their destinies blurred together. She shared again and again until it was two strange months later that she announced, “we’re friends, bun,” after James questioned the reason she’d always split the pastry. Suddenly, the days were brighter, and the nights not as lonely. The shoebox of an apartment turned warm. She spent many hours exploring the world, but James would find caramel bars on his refrigerator and fresh flowers on the counter, he’d light the candles she’d accidentally leave or read the loose pages that slipped out of her journals. If his kitchen was empty of food, she’d arrive at his place with a tote of ingredients to prepare a homemade meal. James never witnessed where she sleeps most nights, except she goes thrifting a bit too much and rarely pays for bus tickets, sneaking in when the conductor isn’t looking. She has very little of her own, and she chooses to care for him in every way she’s able.

He doesn’t deserve it, he often thinks. Solitude was written in his future as a punishment for the crimes he committed. James earned to suffer in the constant chaos of his rotten mind, and he shouldn’t come home to a friend, whose cooking chicken noodle soup because the harsh Bucharest weather provoked a simple cold.

Friend. Trust was a word forgotten in his vocabulary, and she returned the meaning, melding the broken pieces of James Buchanan Barnes through tender love. Before the soldier could truly grasp the imprint she’d forever leave on his soul, he was subconsciously searching for her in the sunsets or the olden books in the city’s library, catching her in the morning’s dew or the bright stars. The diary, which stored his memories, adopted stories of her, and the single cup of coffee doubled. Gentle smiles painted over his usual frowns, and the metal arm abruptly became capable of affectionate touches.

She is not a friend, for the words he’s scared to say are I love you.

“As a matter of fact,” the soldier wraps his arms around her waist from behind before placing a tender kiss on her cheek, “yes.”

The girl melts into his embrace. While she’s a resident of the world, escaping to faraway locations when the circumstances twist sour, Bucky’s embrace is the only place in which she could ever sincerely find safety.

“Good,” she grins, turning around to capture his lips. The kiss is brief, and before James could steal another, she’s clutching a glass vial to push it into his hands. “The potion has cinnamon and ginger to relieve the cold and is infused with moonstone to banish anxiety.”

The weight of her statement rests in his stare, “anxiety?”

Caressing Bucky’s biceps through his red henley, she grimaces at the tinges of betrayal in his tone. “I promised to stay out of your head,” she begins, tracing his rigid chest muscles, “and a promise is sacred,” especially the kind a witch would grant to a former assassin, “but I can sense the anguish that plagues you without hearing, or seeing it, in the first place.”

“Oh,” James sighs, and the rest of the sentence seems to die on his tongue.

It was a foolish mistake to imagine the girl could possibly miss the wrenching concern at the pit of his stomach. James attempted to bury it, but for the last three weeks, the sorrow was evidently carved in his stiff expressions and nervous glances. She continued to revel in the pleasure of his touch, but it no longer resembled peace, tarnished with an unspoken goodbye.

And perhaps, it is. Suspicions of The Winter Soldier’s potential attacks flicker in the air as a harsh reminder — he’s a complex affair in her heart solely because the perception of James as a mindless killer remains unchanged in the eyes of others. Someone seeks to find him, whether it be the government or Steve.

“Sit,” she urges, maneuvering to locate a set of ceramic bowls.

The table bears a cheap bottle of red and two clashing glasses she thrifted. A Nokia lies atop a pack of cigarettes, and James hastily shoves it into the pocket of his jeans. It’s not the scent of tobacco on her clothing that drives him insane, but rather the scent of cinnamon underneath it, which he cannot entirely reach. She sprinkles cinnamon on coffees or oatmeal, and into the bread she makes once every blue moon. Cinnamon envelopes James in a warm hug every time the soldier smells it, and it’s frustrating how easily tobacco seems to overpower the spice.

“Did I leave the door unlocked again?” Bucky questions, messing with the wax on an empty wine bottle before he decides to ignite the candle, situated inside, using y/n’s pink lighter.

A moment of stillness settles upon the couple, and when she speaks, her voice is a lot more gentle. “On the contrary, I used alohomora,” she bites the inside of her cheek, unsure if she should say the words swirling around in her mind, “you’re healing, Buck. Sometimes the pain may distract us from miscellaneous tasks.”

Pain is the single steady matter in his prolonged lifetime. It left a gaping hole in his heart and a rooted crack in his soul without remedies to cure it. At least she silences the constant buzzing in his ears the gruesome memories bring forward and patches up the endlessly crimson wounds. Some days, James is barely a man, and yet his rain never smothers the fire within her.

“Alohomora?”

“Mmmh,” she hums, mouth entirely full of soup. It’s when she swallows does y/n genuinely answers, “alohomora is a spell in Harry Potter to pick locks.”

“Does it work in our reality?” James asks, bringing a spoonful of steaming broth to his lips. The taste is nostalgic and comforting, and it makes him briefly reminisce of every time his mom or sister would cook a chicken noodle dinner from a can.

“No,” she shakes her head and reaches for the bottle to graze his glass, “but a bobby pin does.”

“Thank you,” James chuckles as his eyes soften, “for the soup, and the potion, and—“

“Stop,” she settles on his lap, the bowl of food forgotten. “I nurture you not out of pity but rather because in you, I see myself.” A corner of her mouth quirks up into a meager smile, one James seems powerless to understand. “I was eighteen, alone, and purple with bruises the human eye cannot see.” The witch’s tone is sprightly, but the tremble in her voice unveils the bitterness of the memory. “All I craved was for someone to offer me a touch of kindness, and just maybe, a hand to hold. People help the people,” she remarks, stroking a faded scar above his eyebrow, “you shall not express gratitude for such simple actions.”

Traitor. The gravity of the word claws at his bones. James needs to speak of the burdens and of the fears tormenting his head. She would always be a temporary destination in his peculiar journey. It was etched into the stars above. The universe bestowed an angel upon evil, proposing a restrained offer set to soon expire.

James Barnes is a coward, he decides, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss instead of confessing. Clutching her hips, the soldier brings the woman closer, tracing the curves of her body to store it deep within his consciousness. She straddles him, tangling her elegant fingers in his chestnut hair.

“I like to express my gratitude,” James whispers into the crook of her neck before kissing the delicate skin, “you’re too good to me, plum.”

And when she grinds on The Winter Soldier’s hardened length, savoring the roughness of his denim jeans against her thinly covered cunt and bare thighs, she doesn’t particularly care enough to argue.

[lilithlinen]

A Dance With Destiny - John Wick x You

Summary: In the heart of the city, amidst the rhythmic pulse of life, two worlds collide. You, and your husband attend a masquerade ball, where you unexpectedly reunite with your past lover, John Wick, a deadly and legendary assassin. As you share a dance and reconnect, your passion reignite, unbeknownst to your husband.

Sitting at the bar on the upper levels of the Continental Hotel, the music is loud, & the bass is amped enough to be felt through the floor, neon lights flashing. You're just about to take another sip of your drink, when you notice a man among the crowd, sporting a sharp-looking suit, could it be him? you ignore the thought, thinking that it's impossible. You continue sipping on your drink and fix the strap of your dress. The man stares for a few moments more, sizing you up, and then moves on, seemingly paying you no mind. Moments later, you feel a tap on your shoulder.

You turn around slowly and look up at the man standing, your heart nearly skips a beat, you gulp and put your drink down. "John?"

A faint smile crosses his face as he nods. "Yeah… That’s me."

You let out a shaky breath and wrap your arms around him, you have known each other for years and it's been 10 years since the last time you saw him. "Oh my goodness...it's really you.."

"It's been a while, I guess…" As you release him from the hug, he notices your wedding ring. "I assume you got married…"

You move your hand away as he notices your wedding ring, touching the necklace you're wearing with your name engraved on it, feeling uncomfortable "...Yeah, I did. And..." You sigh softly, "I'm sorry about your wife."

"Helen meant the world to me. Just how you mean the world to someone else now." A shadow crosses his features, before being quickly replaced by his calm facade. "So…" He motions to the crowd, gesturing to all the people around them. "What are you doing here, exactly?"

You sigh softly looking at him, feeling a bit nostalgic. You take a sip of your drink before answering him. "Well, my husband is handling some business here with Winston, what about you? Are you working again?"

He nods. "Not by choice, mind you. I’m Excommunicado. Have been for the past year."

You furrow your brows and look at him with concern. "I have heard. They must be looking for you.."

"Trust me, they have been looking for months by now. I came here for a drink, and to see an old friend. Seems I got two things off my list." He smiles softly.

You touch his arm warmly and smile softly, "You can't imagine how happy I am to finally see you after all those years...10 years, John."

"It seems like yesterday. You still wearing that necklace?" He looks at you, eyes softening slightly.

You touches the necklace you're wearing with the engraving of your name, smiling softly. "Yeah, the one you gifted me...never took it off since then."

His voice is gruff. He gazes into your eyes. "Remember what you told me back in El Sauzal? About love being worth fighting for? It rings truer than ever now. I couldn't save mine, but you found yours." He gives your hand a squeeze. He sighs at the memories of the time spent together, a bittersweet smile on his face. "You didn’t take it off, even through your wedding?" He looks at you, curiously.

You nod slowly sipping your drink, then you put the glass down and look at him. "Yeah, even through my wedding. It never leaves me."

His eyes look like they're staring into your soul, filled with that same faint smile, still questioning. "So, you never forgot about me either, huh?" He takes a sip of his drink.

You look at him sadly. "How could I-....How could I, John? We almost spent a life time together."

Silence falls between the two of you, though it doesn’t feel awkward at all. The music is still booming, people still dancing, though you can't help but feel like John is staring into your soul. Suddenly, he pulls you closer, bringing you into a firm embrace. "Y/N, listen to me…" You gaze at him as he brings you into a firm embrace.

He doesn't kiss you, despite feeling the urges. Instead, he leans down and whispers in your ear. "Don't…ever let anyone know I'm here." He pulls back, the weight of the burden that's hanging over his shoulders apparent on his face. "They're looking for me, and I'm running out of time and places to hide. For your own safety, Y/N, please don't tell anyone. Especially your husband. And if you ever need help don't hesitate to contact Winston, he owns me a favor."

Your gaze slowly moves from his lips to his eyes and nod your head. "I won't, John.." You gather yourself and look at him. "I wouldn't do that to you. I want you safe...that's all that matters to me."

He sighs, then looks straight into your eyes, his voice low yet urgent. "I should leave soon, Y/N. Before it's too late. But I'm not leaving without one last dance…"

You look at him sadly because he is leaving again and only god knows if you will ever see him again. "I would love that, John."

He holds out his hand for you to take, and as your hand gently touches his, a spark of electricity ignites within him. Just like old times. He smiles, and leads you to a small, relatively secluded corner for a quick dance. Slowly, with the music booming with the beat, he holds you in a slow embrace, the feeling of your soft and inviting presence almost making him forget the danger he is in — if only for tonight.

You dance slowly to the music and you're holding onto him just like the old days, forgetting about everything and your husband, just enjoying his presence before he leaves.

His expression is soft, lost in the moment with you, remembering all the good times and bad, and just how much he's missed you. He takes you in a gentle embrace, and twirls you. Despite it being a slow dance, there's a spark that fills the air between the two of you, and you can't help but notice the way he looks at you, with affection and yearning. He twirls you once more, and your face is just a few inches from his. You gaze into his eyes savoring each moment.

He doesn't say anything, instead reaching out, caressing your cheeks, looking into your eyes, and then softly pressing his lips to yours in a long and passionate kiss — your first kiss after so many years of waiting.

Without hesitation you close your eyes and kiss him back passionately, wrapping your arms around him in a loving embrace.

Your bodies move almost as one, your lips intertwined in a rhythmical, sensuous dance. You both kiss for a good minute, before he finally pulls back, breathing heavily and staring at you, longing, wanting you, and yet knowing that this is your last kiss for who knows how long. "Y/N, please forgive me for doing this to you…" He whispers, your eyes still locked, his hand now moving down to your waistline.

You gaze into his eyes and cut him off by kissing him passionately again, and just for this moment, you forget about everything — the people dancing, the loud music, your husband — it's just you and him. It's as if you hadn't been separated for 10 years. Your tongue meets his, giving in to your deep, long-suppressed yearning for each other.

Your warm, velvety lips envelope his once more, as your bodies melt together in another fit of passion. Your tongues twist and entwine, your faces just an inch apart, and your hands roaming freely across your bodies. One hand of his grabs your neck, gently guiding your head, as the other finds its way under your dress, moving the fabric out of the way to expose your smooth legs and touch your bare thighs. His lips leave yours for a moment, to move down to your neck…

Your bodies pressed so close together that every inch of your skin is felt on his. You're his, and he is yours, though you can’t admit it. You run your fingers through his hair, holding him in your embrace, kissing him passionately — like it's the last day on Earth.

Your body pressed against his is the most intoxicating feeling he ever felt in a long, long time, your movements in sync as if this is all meant to be. His lips leave your neck, and he gazes at you, smiling, yet in your shared moment of passion, there is a hint of melancholy — the fear that this might be your last dance for a long time, or perhaps the last dance ever. "Y/N, you have to believe me, when I tell you — that you have always meant the world to me…"

You look into his eyes sadly as you stroke his face tenderly and lovingly, gazing into his eyes "I've always loved you, John.. And I'll always love you." Sighing at the feeling of melancholy. "Will I ever see you again?"

Your touch on his cheek soothes him, yet he grimace, realizing that he can't guarantee anything, yet he can't leave you thinking he wouldn't want to see you again. His eyes glance at your face, and then at his watch, knowing it's high time for him to leave. He sighs, and whisper softly. "Yes, I promise. One day, I will be with you once more. But tonight, I must go." Again with the melancholy...

You know that it might be the last time you ever see him, you nod slowly and hold his hand tightly while gazing into his eyes. "I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

He smiles. Your words are something he cannot describe, and yet they pierce his heart all the same. For a long moment, he stays still, not saying anything. He and you both know that this night might be the last of its kind. However, the promise you made is all he needs to hear to make this as bearable as possible. He gives you a final, long kiss and whisper. "Goodbye, Y/N. Until we meet again." Before you can respond, he leaves, disappearing into the dancing crowd, heading for an exit.

After he leaves, you sit back at the table, as the melancholy fills you again and everything around you. You look down at your wedding ring and let out a heavy sigh. "Fuck it."

As you sit there gazing at your wedding ring, a hand slowly moves in on your shoulder, and a voice whispers. "Y/N." You look up, to see your husband standing there, with a look of surprise on his face. He eyes your necklace, the one John gifted you years ago. His gaze is locked in with your own, before his eyes widen in both recognition and horror. He opens his mouth to say something, only to have no words come out. The shock is all his face.

You look at your husband and frown a bit. "Hey, what's going on?"

His grip tightens on your hand, and he stammers, trying to find the right words. The revelation is clear on his face — that something happened with you and John, and he can't handle this truth. His eyes darting between your face and the dance floor where John disappeared. Trying to maintain composure, he says. "Did... did you and John....? This isn't the first time you met him here, was it? Tell me everything. Now!" His voice quivers, and his questioning eyes speak volumes about his anger and betrayal.

You swallow hard, your heart racing. His question confirms what he already suspects. You remember the promises you made John, the connection between you two — something deeper than friendship — and now you have to decide whether to lie or tell the truth. With a heavy heart and clammy palms, you look away from him for a moment, trying to gather your thoughts. "It's complicated, Leo. I can't explain right now. We were just old acquaintances. Please, let's talk later."

Leo's eyes narrow, his jaw clenching as if he wants to argue further. But eventually, with a heavy breath, he decides to give you some space. He nods once, his face filled with hurt and betrayal. He reaches over and cradles your face in his hands, his eyes never leaving yours. As if to remind himself of the true depth of your relationship, he leans in and plants a lingering, passionate kiss on your lips, before pulling away. "Alright, fine. But this ends tonight. I need answers." And with those words, he turns and storms out of the club, leaving you alone, amidst the laughter and music. You remain seated, feeling a mix of fear, guilt, and a tinge of sadness. The night had turned out to be far different than what you expected. How will you resolve this mess?

[imagine--if]

(A/N: I don't know why I didn't do this sooner because I love this boy so much and he made season 3 🥺️) also this is pretty long, like 2.1k words long, so enjoy 😁)

｡ₓ ू ₒ ु Jason Todd Dating Hcs ू ₒ ु ₓ｡

♡ₓ This is gonna be a long one 😂 Jason may seem like a cocky, playful kickass teenager, but inside, he’s a little broken up and just needs a hug 🥺

♡ₓ You either met him as a new Titan, picked out and taken back to the tower with Dick, or someone that Jason saved as Robin. He won’t tell you yet, but you are honestly the most beautiful person he’s ever seen… and stumbles over his words when you’re introduced.

♡ₓ You become really great friends - or so you think, not quite noticing the lingering looks and smiles he gives you like the rest of the Titans do. Jason’s pretty protective and defensive of his friends, and seeing as the rest of the Titans aren’t super friendly with him, he doesn’t make as much of an effort with them as he does with you.

♡ₓ Which leads to him getting annoyed when they try to befriend you too and take you away from conversations you were having with him. If you’re a Titan and there’s a dangerous mission Dick wants you to go out on, Jason won’t let you leave unless he can come to. He knows full well you can defend yourself, but he doesn’t want to lose you like he’s lost others in the past.

♡ₓ When Robin fell from that rooftop, somehow you managed to catch Superboy’s attention and make sure he didn’t die. Jason could only watch, still stunned by the fall and now by you, as you check he’s not hurt and ask if he’s okay. He’s not used to anyone caring that much, and so he can only nod and hug you as a response. It’s all he needs to know for sure that he’s absolutely in love.

♡ₓ After that, the PTSD and bad thoughts really started getting to him, and you were the only one who could pick up on that and try to help. I mean, you've seen the series, the rest of the Titans are either pretty oblivious or don't deal with it well at all *cough*dick*cough*

♡ₓ So quiet times, just sitting and listening to music, or working out in the training room - where he took every opportunity to show off and try to catch your attention - helped him drown out the poison, as he calls it. Jason tries to be and is a lot more open when it's just you and him than the others, and immediately gets defensive when Dick attempts to ask if he's okay.

♡ₓ When he was getting singled out and blamed for the crosses on Rachel’s mirror and the rest of the chaos in the tower, you were the only one to try to stand up for him and pointed out to Dick that he’d run off. It meant so much to him, seeing you carefully make your way to the edge of the roof and look up at him with pleading eyes. Jason has never felt that wanted before, which is the main reason he got down, and held back choking sobs when you gave him the tightest hug ever. ‘He’d keep trying, for you,’ that’s what he’d told himself.

♡ₓ One of the best memories you had of him before you managed to get separated was when Jason showed how much he trusted you by taking you to the high school where he watched the play they did and admitted his love for theatre. You didn't tease or mock him at all, which was a huge relief but expected from you anyway, and right then and there, he wanted to tell you everything. About how you're a thought that makes him want to keep going every day and how he wishes he could hug you a little longer than your friendly ones. But Jason can't make the words come out of his mouth then but can pretend as much as he wants as you walk back with his arm around your shoulder, you not knowing any better.

♡ₓ I'd like to stress that he hasn't said all of this yet, because he won't stop later on, I promise 🥰️

♡ₓ But near the time of Donna's funeral and Rachel leaving the city, you somehow get split up because of carrying on Titan work with Nightwing while Jason needs to talk to Bruce and do some stuff back in Gotham. Even so, you still receive plenty of texts from him, checking up on you while you aren't near each other, wanting to hear your voice again and see that heartstopping smile of yours through FaceTime.

♡ₓ Then Robin really comes to an end, because Jason Todd apparently dies at the hands of the Joker. His friend Molly tells you (which leads to you becoming great friends if you weren't already), and you're devastated. It slowly but surely starts to click into place for you. Those longing looks from him back at Titans Tower, the way he quickly got protective whenever there was the slightest threat you felt uncomfortable with, warm hugs he'd only give you, shoving off Gar with a questioning look when he jokingly tried to get in with you once. Jason had always been a great, understanding friend, but the thought of you possibly having the opportunity to be something more and missing out on it makes you cry 😢

♡ₓ So when you get a call from Dick telling you about the new Red Hood threat, and how he thinks Jason might still be alive and affiliated with the Scarecrow?? You're terrified for him hanging around with such a dark and dangerous person, but you know in your heart that Jason can't have changed so much, reborn or not, from how you knew him before. Dick isn't convinced, especially after Hank's death, and even though you're just as upset as the rest of the team are at the loss, you feel like Jason must be under some kind of influence, and he'd never do anything like that alone.

♡ₓ When you come with Dick to confront him, Red Hood has everyone in Gotham convinced that he's some sort of hero. When Nightwing has him on the floor with a gun pointed, you run over and pull it out of his hands. The shocked, emotion-flooded expression on Jason's face makes you forget everything for the moment as you go in and give him the tightest hug ever, while Dick tries calming down the crowd around you all. Jason slowly, shakily returns it, a million doubting thoughts rushing through his head. Don't you know what he's done? Can you forgive him that easily? You deserve so much more...

♡ₓ Dick gets shot though, and the situation escalates rapidly. You notice Jason hesitantly retreating into the crowd, not wanting the Scarecrow to get to you, his only weakness. But you manage to grab his arm and give him the same pleading eyes as the ones from the balcony he stood at the edge of all those months ago. You ask him to come back home, to stay with you, that you miss him. At the moment, it's difficult, since Crane hasn't been dealt with yet, but Jason promises that he'll see you again soon before he has to run for it, and you tend to Dick.

♡ₓ When you convince Dick to let Jason help the Titans defeat Scarecrow and make sense of the drugs and being brought back to life, Jason doesn't want to let you out of his sight again. He was terrified that he'd never see you again, that you'd hate him because of all that's happened. He's in mild disbelief as you rest against him in the car while Dick runs you over the plans, but Jason isn't afraid to show he cares in front of people (I'll get to PDA more later 😉) and he delicately runs his gloved fingers through your hair and against your cheek, grounding yourself and him at the same time.

♡ₓ Needless to say, Scarecrow gets his ass rightly kicked, and Bruce comes back with his house wrecked and the city recovering from the attack. When he asks Jason which life is next after he turns down living in Wayne Manor again, he looks over his shoulder at you, with a soft smirk that makes warmth spread throughout your body as he simply says, "one with them."

♡ₓ He's not kidding in the slightest either, because now you're reunited, Jason is pretty clingy and in need of a bit of reassurance from you, but is the best boyfriend ever. Everything he struggled with saying before comes out in a mess when you have your first kiss after leaving the Manor and Dick goes with Rachel to visit Crane in prison. This boy's a complete whipped simp, I do not exaggerate.

♡ₓ Like, if it was the middle of the night and you wanted some random drink or fancied going out to get food or ride his motorbike, sure, he's up, where to? Sleep can wait 😊

♡ₓ With PDA, Jason Todd is not shy, and in public, he's just as loving as he is in private. He has no fears of confrontation too, so god forbid anyone that tries to make a move on you or makes you feel bad. He does get jealous sometimes, but more in the insecure way, not at all in the way of not trusting you. You waste no time in telling him that he's the only boy you want in your life and give him a bear hug, and he'll get over it just like that.

♡ₓ On the subject of cuddling, he can't get enough of it. Whether it's lounging around at home or in bed, Jason will draw them out. Vulnerably if it's just after a nightmare, when you wrap your arms around him sleepily and he cradles you to him protectively. Playfully if it's getting late in the morning and he's not ready to get up yet. Sometimes it's just really randomly when you're doing your own thing, he just sweeps you up off your feet and doesn't put you down until you're laughing ridiculously hard and kicking around helplessly.

♡ₓ I can imagine him being all silly and saying that he "won't let you go, angel, till you tell me you love me more than anything else in this world," and then gets all wide-eyed and soft when you actually say it so earnestly. Jason also loves it when you play with his dark curls, he'll happily rest his head on your chest, playing around with your hands and kissing your fingers absentmindedly as your own fiddle with his locks.

♡ₓ You're the only person that can truly calm him down when he's annoyed with someone that's trying to get to him, or on one of his bad days. If you insist on staying at home with him to watch movies and eat junk and cuddle in bed, just to make him feel better, he will literally cry and mumble endearments into your shoulder. Don't for a second doubt that he won't do the same for you, because it will literally break his heart if he sees you upset. If its a person, Jason will gladly deal with them, but if it's just life, he'll hold you tightly, pressing gentle kisses on your forehead and reminding you that he'll always be there for you 🥲

♡ₓ He's honestly a bit possessive - not in a toxic way though - so seeing you in his hoodies or t-shirts makes him all proud and bashful. Jason compliments you for every little thing, or stares in adoring wonder, maybe if you're just doing a hobby or nothing in particular. Or maybe you're his partner and anti-hero like him, or still a Titan, able to defend yourself and save others so effortlessly.

♡ₓ He also trusts you with his life. If you didn't give him any explanation to do something crazy, Jason would assume it's important and you'll explain when you can, taking your word for anything.

♡ₓ Jason will do anything to make you happy and keep that smile on your face. You've been through so much together, and he doesn't care what he goes through now, as long as you're in on it together.

♡ₓ "You're my whole world, princess. I love you so much..."

[davyjonesblogger]

Comforting you

Pairing: Davy Jones x reader

Warning: None

Requested: No

Note: Happy Thanksgiving!!! 🍁🍂

***

• If there’s something wrong you’re trying to hide from him, he’ll know right away and he isn’t afraid to confront you about it

• At first, he’ll think it’s because of something he’s done and you’re trying to lie for him

• Davy is never the reason you’re upset, but you know he must be told, reminded so the he is reassured and doesn’t have to worry about that possibility

• Though Davy is no good in providing comfort for you, he wants to try and does it anyway because you’re the only one he truly cares for and though he’s not good at the first attempt, you still really appreciate his effort

• Comfort means that you get to see a side of Davy Jones that no one else gets to see and that’s really because he has a soft sports for you, which grows each moment spent with you

• After admitting that there is something wrong, you try to avoid any more details but Davy doesn’t let it go until you tell him fully at least what’s going on

• In the beginning, all he feels he can really do is listen intently but sincerely. If you do want to talk more about it later on, he’s still there to listen

• For later comfort, he will hold you as you tell him and he will gently hush you if he hears your voice begin to crack, remind you to take a break and save your breath

• Sometimes when you can’t seem to recover after holding your breath for a minute or two, he would suggest that you get some rest

• When you refuse to, you become quiet and hold onto him even tighter, but not too much in fear of hurting him, which is the last thing you wanted to happen

• Davy understands, but when you refused to, that’s when he has to pull you away and turn the suggestion into an order, promising he would still be there when you wake up

• You give in eventually, allowing yourself to drift off to sleep in his embrace

• As you doze, you hear a set of footsteps down the hall from where the captain’s cabin was located, a crew mate who’s fairly new onboard the Dutchman that got lost along the way to his own cabin

• You figured Davy grew uncomfortable upon realizing that the door was still open and the fact that anyone could walk in any second

• It was a terrifying thought for him, as you feel Davy shift uncomfortably before speaking to the new lad, snapping at him to get back to work unless he wants to meet a horrible fate with the kraken

• “If you know what’s best for you, it would be in your best interest to not stare at yer captain’ and go back ta work!”

• Even though you felt bad for the now petrified crew mate, you couldn’t help but laugh a little at the event that had just taken place

• If you can’t fall asleep, Davy will you stories of his past. But he never shares the memories that are the most painful before his days in the Dutchman

• By far, you are the only one who he has been this much open to

• You both shared one major thing in common, and that was you both have trust issues due to some betrayal in the past, yet, you trust each other enough to tell each other almost anything

• Despite having each other’s trust, you still have your limits

• “I hear you have trust issues?” Davy once asked, but with extreme caution

• “You would to if the person you once loved more than anything betrayed you.”

• Which was a bold move for you to make such a statement, however, he doesn’t get angry at all and instead, fully understands how you must be feeling

• That was just enough done to have Davy trust you a little more to share bits and pieces of his dark past with you and in return, you share some of your own

• With the two of you together, it is now possible to step ahead and move forward as you leave the past behind you for good

• In the hardest times, Davy would always remind you that he was there for you in a way he didn’t have to put it into words

• A simple side embrace or soft brush of your shoulder up against his while walking by was just enough to remind you

• As time goes on, Davy gets better at providing the right kind of comfort you need

• You appreciate Davy’s effort nonetheless

• When it comes to comforting you, from now on, Davy feels overprotective of you. Especially in the most critical moments

• That just means when he unleashes his cruelty onto others who are innocent and don’t deserve such treatment, he sends you away so you would have to witness a brutal act. Even though you had mistakenly seen it occur once during your time there

• He almost lost you for it and therefore, he wants to prevent that from ever happening again

• Part of the little trust you had in him withered away after witnessing the first lashing

• Although this creates a rough patch in your relationship, you somehow work together to put the past behind you, over your shoulder as if it never happened

***

@davyjonesblogger @kyuoki

[wannaeatramyeon]

Word quantity: high. Word quality: low. You have been warned.

Goo Kim x Reader: School Days with Princess & the Delinquent

Chapter 9 - Please read chapter 1 first!

Index: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Epilogue

Shin Saimdang is apparently a notable historical figure for something or another. 

Fact of the matter is, Goo doesn’t care. He couldn’t give a shit about her achievements and who she is. But he just wants to keep seeing her face all day, every day. The more of her the better.

Goo holds the 50,000 won note up to the sunlight, admiring the way it halos this Saimdang woman. Bringing it up to his lips, he presses a loud smooch to the 50,000 unmissable in the bottom left corner and then to her face printed in all its black and white glory. 

Maybe he’ll do the same to the wad of bills sitting in his pocket later.

“This could be you and I’d still kiss it,” Goo grins, wiggling his eyebrows and nudging Gun Park with his elbow.

“Shut up.” 

.

.

It is oft repeated for good reason, but here it comes again: Goo Kim fucking loves money.

Lives and breathes it. There’s very little he would not do to get his grubby little mitts on some.

That’s not to say Goo is not loyal. Of course he is, his loyalty just goes to the highest bidder.

And boy has Charles Choi gone all in with Goo, almost guaranteeing him a lifetime of luxuries and finer things in exchange for him getting some blood on his hands. That's fine with Goo, he is absolutely rolling in it with the Four Crews and his position in HNH.

Even having a partner like Gun Park is worth it for the bed of cash he sleeps on, his penthouse he lives in.

What can he say, he’s not a complicated guy. All his dreams have come true.  So what if he needs to sacrifice his morals and ethics?

How does he sleep at night? On a handmade imported mattress and 2000 thread count sheets, thanks for asking.

He can picture his younger self, a little Goo Kim with his head full of natural black hair overgrown and ungroomed, wearing threadbare brandless scraps. Squinting and clumsily bumping in life until he saved and scraped enough for his first pair of glasses.

Goo wishes he could give this version of him a little assuring pat on the head to say there’s a lot of good things to come. And then probably kick his ass for getting dirt on his designer suit.

Later that evening, when Goo sinks into the obscenely oversized bathtub of the presidential suite, listening to Gun Park mutter to himself as he recounts the bags of cash, he thinks:

‘This is it. This is everything I need.’

.

.

But every now and then, a memory, clear as day, causes him to stop in his tracks.

Someone’s hair, who is just the right tone, catches his eyes.

A laugh, that is almost but not quite, turns his head.

Goo is still as two faced as ever. Happy to utter flatteries to someone’s face then stab them in the back.

Sweetheart, cupcake, handsome, beautiful, cutie flows from his lips like it’s nothing. Because it means nothing.

Yet he can’t bring himself to call anyone else Princess.

.

.

“What’s wrong with you?” Gun’s voice cuts through the blonde’s pensiveness.

Playing the role of bodyguards and with a little time to kill as they wait for Crystal (which in all honesty is a waste of Goo’s amazing talents but he doesn’t mind, he gets paid all the same), they both sit outside a cafe. Gun, occupied with his phone and Goo, occupied with his thoughts.

Goo snaps his mask back on, pasting on a smile that is pulled too wide, “Wouldn’t you like to find out?”

“If it’s about that girl,” Gun returns his attention to his screen, “Get over it.”

The directness of Gun’s words catch him off guard. It cuts him straight to the core. Has he been that obvious? 

Goo swallows down any misgivings, instead stretching his grin impossibly wider and looking unhinged. A clear warning sign as any. “There’s no girl.”

Gun peers over to his partner, arching a single eyebrow and not saying anything more.

.

.

Another day, another dollar. Or another boring-ass corporate event.

Charles seems to be having the time of his life, mingling and schmoozing with some old corporate fuddy-duddies.

Goo thought it was surprising getting the CEO of HNH to some shitty little ribbon-cutting ceremony at a shopping mall, but apparently it’s something of a big deal; celebrating a new store opening of a very prestigious partner of HNH.

(Gun was sorely tempted to beat this fact into his thick skull. Clearly the four other times he had explained this to the blonde didn’t sink in.)

Alas, they are finally here. And it’s every bit as boring as Goo had thought it would be. He lets out a yawn, not bothering to cover his gaping mouth, which earns a glare from Gun and Crystal.

Goo nods his head towards the bathroom, signalling to his partner that he’s off for a comfort break.

Gun frowns, as if to say 'Don’t you dare leave. We’re on duty.'

Goo volleys with a smirk that communicates his response loud and clear. 'What? So you want me to piss all over the floor?'

Gun grunts in displeasure, giving a little shake off his head. 'Go. You’ve won this one.'

.

.

At the disappearance of Goo, your other friends start to reappear. 

Really, you couldn’t blame them for holding you at arm’s length. You probably would have done the same looking in from the outside, if they had chosen to spend all their time with a delinquent too.

And they really have been sweet since they’ve been back, noticing your heartache and the constant cloud hanging over your head.

In an attempt to get you out of your funk, they’ve dragged you, kicking and screaming, on a day out. It should cheer you up as you wander store to store, hearing their laughter and banter again, offering to buy you little gifts as a pick-me-up.

It doesn’t work.

It actually does the opposite as you start to shrink in on yourself, guilty that you’re ruining what should be a very pleasant trip.

“What’s going on there?” One of your friends point out, and you don’t have the energy to care.

“That’s the big boss of HNH!” Another one chimes in, and they ooh and aah wondering if they should approach and ask for an internship.

You continue wandering on, leaving your friend group to debate the merits of that approach. Whether they’ll get tackled by security or lauded for their initiative.

As you move further and further away, you can’t help but feel eyes burning into the back of your head. 

.

.

Gun watches you leave. He stays quiet when Goo returns.

.

.

In time, you begin to feel more like yourself.

The worry turns to anger and finally fizzles out to acceptance.

You try to move on but don’t forget Goo Kim. How can anyone truly forget Goo Kim, that whirlwind of a human being?

He entered your life, left behind a shine, and now has disappeared as mysteriously as he appeared.

You miss him in ways you didn’t know possible.

He haunts your days and nights. 

You dream of bleached hair, sharp eyes behind glasses, and a sardonic smile.

.

.

You’re back at the top of the class again with your grades, though inside you miss being second best.

Exams come and go. 

You do well.

With your results, your first choice university accepts you with a full scholarship.

You look forward to the future yet everything feels hollow without that presence in your life.

It pains you to even say his name.

[onceuponastory]

give me thunder, give me lightning - the winter soldier x reader

Part Five of my Ghost Story AU - Find the series masterlist here

Plot: In the aftermath of HYDRA's return, things are rebuilt and redefined. Pairing: The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader Warnings: Mentions of death/murder, violence, injuries/bruises (not too graphic though), weapons, nightmares, trauma, anxiety and angst. Once again, everything Bucky did as TWS and had done to him by HYDRA is a trigger. As always, if I miss any triggers, please let me know. Notes: We made it to part five! Technically the final chapter? As always, thank you for enjoying this story so much. Here's a link to the song this chapter is named after, Take Me Dancing by The Maine. You'll need it for later ;)

Not beta’d, so any mistakes are my own.

“W-What did you just say?” Y/N asks. She hopes this is just a mistake, something she misheard. Even the possibility of Bucky playing some cruel practical joke on her crosses her mind.

For a moment, she wonders if she was the one who got shoved backwards, who slammed her head against a table and is now lying against a cold, hard floor. If this is merely a dream, or a hallucination in a damaged mind.

Because Bucky, protective, loving Bucky, who looked at her like she hung the moon and stars in the sky, who listened to every single one of her stories about growing up and her family, even the boring ones, hanging onto every word, who at least said something when she spoke to him… now stares back at her like he doesn’t even know her. 

Even death would be better than this.

As Bucky begins to walk towards them, she registers Steve saying: “Y/N. You should go. Let us handle this.” but she ignores his words.

“Bucky?” Silence. All Y/N can hear is the pounding of her heart. No recognition comes from him, and he continues to move forward, keeping his stare fixed on the trio. He’s like a completely different person, a shell of his former self. HYDRA must’ve wiped his memory again, or activated his trigger words again.

And that thought scares her to death. Not because of what Bucky could do to them, but what it means to him. Even as he bears down on them, all she can think about is how much this has messed up his healing, and how they could ever possibly fix this.

Steve and Sam try to fend him off, to break through his programming once more. And they put up a good fight, but Bucky’s moves are fluid and rapid, too calculated for them both. Whilst they’re cautious about harming him, he's not. He blocks every one of their attacks with ease and quickly deals out ones of his own. He shows them no mercy, dealing out punch after punch. Finally, Y/N sees the full extent of what Bucky’s capable of, the soldier HYDRA trained him to be. 

And although she knows (or at least hopes) that Bucky wouldn’t hurt her, seeing him like this terrifies her.

“Y/N. Get out of here. Run.” Steve repeats, but she has no time to respond before Bucky throws him down.

And then, there’s nothing to protect her, nothing separating them both. Bucky stops in front of her, panting. The same pair of silvery blue eyes, now empty and cold, stare back at her. Immediately, she’s back in her grandma’s house again, facing Bucky for the first time. And now, she must fight for her survival again. But this time, it hurts even more. This time, there’s so much more at stake. For all the times she used to worry about Bucky trying to hurt her, she never actually imagined it would happen, or thought about what she would do if it ever did.

So now, she has no idea what to do, or how to save herself. 

“Bucky, please.” The words leave her mouth as a strained gasp. As if her words could undo the decades of torture and suffering HYDRA put him through. But that's all she can do. It’s all she has. Steve and Sam, they’re superheroes, with weapons and other resources at their disposal, and that didn’t even work. All she has is her love for Bucky, and her want to bring him back.  

And this time, she’s not sure it’s going to be enough. 

But she has to try. She’s the only hope they have right now.

“Bucky. I-It’s me, remember? Y/N?” She’s aware of her voice cracking, a sign of the fear and pain of the last god knows how many hours finally taking their toll on her. And she hates it. She wishes she could be strong. Show Bucky that she’s not afraid, and that they’ll get through this together. But she can’t. “You met me at my grandma’s house, remember? It was a lot like this, actually.”

He’s silent. All he does is stare at her, calculating his next move. HYDRA told him to eliminate all their enemies here. He’s already fended off two of them with ease, and now it’s her turn.

So why hasn’t he done it yet?

“Everything’s different now, though.” She chuckles awkwardly. “But I know you’re still in there, Bucky, and I’ll bring you back, no matter what I do.”

Why won’t she stop calling me Bucky? He thinks. Why is she staring at me like that?

Yet, just as soon as his programming kicks in once more, and he readies his arm to eliminate this threat, another voice sounds, breaking through HYDRA’s orders. Fight it. Fight back. She’s right. Trust her. And he feels compelled to listen to it.

“Your name is James Buchanan Barnes. We all call you Bucky. You used to love it when I’d play my grandma’s records for you. You loved The Rolling Stones, but I think Ella Fitzgerald was your favourite.” His broken brain tries to put the pieces together, tries to find the song she means… but all that comes through is a garbled mess. The clearest part, though, is HYDRA’s programming. Fight it. The voice says again. Don’t let them destroy you again. But their programming is just too strong.

“Stop it.” He hisses. “Shut up.” She’d be lying if she said his coldness and cruelty don’t hurt, and she has to remind herself that it’s not actually him saying those words. She just has to persist. She has to bring him back.

“Remember the night I fell asleep, and you covered me with the blanket?” There’s a tingle up his human arm then, a feeling of soft cotton tucked around a sleeping form. Of the golden rays of the sunrise flooding into the room, warming his body. His heart starts beating faster. She looked so beautiful then… so radiant. “I was so afraid of you. I thought you were dangerous, and that you’d kill me right there and then. I must admit, a part of me thinks that, even now. But I know you won’t. I know it’s not you, Bucky. You’re not a monster. You never were.”

He registers shouting in his ear, furious voices ordering him to go out and kill everyone who stood in their way. Despite being reactivated by HYDRA again, he knew something was wrong, that some part of him didn’t want to do this. Suddenly, the mask shifts, and Bucky Barnes starts to break through. “Y-Y/N?”

Unfortunately, almost as soon as it shifts, HYDRA’s programming kicks in again, and he’s back to the soldier he once was. “Stop it.” He hisses.

“Never.”

“Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to save me?” He demands. Yet, his face shows no anger. It's more sadness than anything. As if he remembers just how brutal his life is, and that he’s already accepted he’s not worthy of love.

“Because I love you.” She wants to say, wants to shout it from the rooftops. It’s what she almost says, but the words get stuck in her throat. “Because I know it’s not you. It never was. You don’t want to do this, I know it. Please, Bucky.” She steps forward, closer to him, into the line of fire.

“Stay back.” He orders, pointing his gun, but she doesn’t stop. 

“Bucky, this isn’t you.” She repeats. “Come back to me.” She’s crying now, hot tears streaming down her cheeks. Her tears register something in his mind. This isn’t the first time he’s seen her crying, or pointed his gun at her. 

How does he know her? 

Why does he know her?

“Say it’s only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea.” She sings, her voice soft and quiet at first. For a moment, she notices something in Bucky’s expression. It’s as if his programming slips again, and he hears her words. And they mean something to him. It’s almost as if the real Bucky comes through once more.

He’s sitting in a house, laughing and singing along. A happy warmth fills his blood. That was a wonderful memory. He felt… safe. He felt loved. Finally, he sees the girl he was with again. And she’s standing right in front of him.

His blue eyes look over her again. Like he’s discovering her for the first time again. “Y/N?” He whimpers. He seems shocked and confused, as if his true identity, his humanity, coming back was merely a switch being flicked. She smiles, a huge, wide smile as bright as the sun. And this time, Bucky recognises it.

“Hey Bucky.” He glances down at his hands, dropping his weapon to the floor immediately. 

“W-What happened? Why am I holding a gun? D-Did I hurt you?” He panics, looking around wildly for any injuries.

“No, it’s okay. Shh. I’m here.” She soothes, clasping his hands tightly in the hopes they stop shaking. “And I’m okay.” Bucky breathes a sigh of relief. Then he smiles, chuckling softly.

“Y/N… It’s so good to see-” But suddenly, he groans softly, his eyelids fluttering shut. 

“Bucky?” she gasps, trying to hold on to the super soldier’s body as he begins to slump forward. The weight of his body almost knocks her over, but she keeps a grasp on him as tightly as she can. “What’s going on? Talk to me.” And once more, he’s silent. “Bucky!”

Sometime later, Bucky awakens, wincing at the bright light suddenly flooding the room. He groans, and his head pounds. 

“He’s waking up.” Immediately, he’s on edge, expecting to see another HYDRA agent in front of him. Yet, thankfully, he recognises the voice. It’s Sam. Although, despite that, Bucky knows he can’t be too careful. This could be a trap to lure him into a false sense of security. It’s only when Steve and Sam step in front of him that Bucky slowly starts to relax. He tries to get up, but realises that something is pinning his metal arm down, preventing him from using it. 

“Sorry. We had to be sure you were fully immobile.” Steve informs him. With a sigh, Bucky nods. They’re right, it is the best thing to do, especially when he’s still so unpredictable. But he’d be lying if he didn’t say that the fact that even his closest friends don’t feel safe around him didn’t hurt him deeply.

“W-What happened?” He frowns. He tries to find the memory, but like most of his memories, there’s just an empty space. 

“We were hoping you could tell us that.” Bucky wracks his brain, looking for something, anything, to help.

“All I remember is we were trying to escape, but I got separated. I tried to get back to Y/N, but I got lost. And then, out of nowhere, these agents surrounded me.” The insignia on their uniforms jumps out at him, as clear as day. A final, sick reminder. “It was HYDRA.” 

Suddenly, memories come flooding back. Not of HYDRA, though, or of Steve and Sam. Of Y/N. And he realises that she’s nowhere to be seen. His stomach drops, and he begins to panic once more. “Y/N! Where is she? Is she okay? Oh god, don’t tell me I’ve… please don’t tell me she's ....”

“Y/N’s fine.” Steve reassures him. “She’s resting.” And Bucky breathes the heaviest sigh of relief he swears he ever has before.

“Resting? From what? What happened?” Steve and Sam look between each other, and Bucky raises a brow. The longer they go without saying anything, the more worried he feels.

“You’re right. It was HYDRA who found you. We’re not entirely sure what happened, but they must have reactivated you and sent you out to stop us while they escaped.”

“Oh god.” He sighs, burying his face in his one free hand. “How bad was it?”

“Well, you definitely tried to stop us.” Sam begins, and from his tone, Bucky senses he shouldn’t press him on that any further. Guilt floods through him, and he groans. 

“I’m sorry, I-”

“It’s okay Buck.”

“No, it’s not. You two don’t have any idea what it’s like to be responsible for so much pain and carnage, but not even be aware of it. To have to question yourself every time you wake up, wondering what you did in the night. If you really were sleeping, or if you were out there, killing innocent people. You’ve never stared at yourself in the mirror and wondered about the true scale of what you’ve done, and how you can ever repent for it. And you haven’t had to worry about the people who did this to you finding you and doing it all over again, like today.” He snaps. When he sees their shocked faces staring back at him, he sighs. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“It’s okay Buck. All things considered, it wasn’t too bad, actually. Surface wounds at most.” Steve replies. Another small sigh of relief sounds from Bucky. That’s good. Not great, but good. They can work with this. Hopefully.

“Thank god. And thank you for bringing me back.” He sighs.

“Oh, that wasn’t us.” Sam informs him. The pair step aside, and Y/N steps forward.

“Bucky!” She smiles, immediately rushing over to him..

“Y/N. I’m so sorry.” He gasps, his voice full of sorrow. Will she ever be able to look at him again? Or will she always see him trying to kill them? He tried so hard to show her he’s not a monster, and this has just undone everything. Y/N kneels down in front of him until she’s eye level with him. Her eyes are so beautiful. How did he never notice that before? His only choice is to hope and pray that she’ll forgive him, and that she’ll ever be able to trust him again. A strand of Bucky’s hair falls down into his face, and Y/N reaches out and tucks it behind his ear. 

“What are you saying sorry for?” She whispers. Bucky scoffs, shaking his head. There’s no way she can be this kind and forgiving. Especially after that.

“I tried to kill you.” She shakes her head. 

“But you didn’t, remember? Just like before, you stopped yourself, and you came back.”

“Because of you. You’re amazing, Y/N. I don’t deserve you. I deserve to be alone. It’s not safe to be with me.” She cups his cheek, gazing into his eyes. And Bucky feels a warmth growing in his stomach once more. 

“Well, that’s tough, because I’m not going anywhere.” She insists. “I know it wasn’t your choice, Bucky. It was HYDRA’s.”

“And what if they come back? They’re still out there, and the last thing I want is to-”

“Then we’ll be ready for them.” She finds his hand, squeezing it tightly. He feels so comforted by her grasp, so safe. He stares back at her, his heart pounding. No matter how hard he tries to convince her to leave, he knows she’s not going to listen. She’s stubborn as all hell, and she definitely isn’t going to give up anytime soon. But it’s so wonderful to have someone care about you so much that when they stare into the depths of hell with you, instead of running, they refuse to leave your side.

“You’re incredible.” He gasps, not even thinking. A light pink dusts his cheeks, and Y/N smiles, giggling a little.

“Besides,” She continues. “You promised me we’d be back in my grandma’s house, remember?” That feels so long ago, an entire lifetime ago. Bucky doesn’t even know if he’ll make it to tomorrow, let alone till then. But as he watches Y/N beaming over at him, and realises just how much he loves her, he knows he has to keep his promise to her. And he'll do his best to make it happen, no matter how long it takes.

In the aftermath of the attack, Y/N and Bucky are soon called into multiple meetings to find out how this could’ve happened, why it happened, and how to stop it from ever happening again. And Y/N hates every minute of them, especially how she has to see Bucky’s face as he has to relive his trauma over and over with every question they ask him, and how they keep prodding him for answers he clearly cannot remember enough to give. When they ask him if he had any knowledge of what HYDRA was planning, or if he had helped them do it, Y/N swears she could’ve thrown the table across the room in anger. Thankfully, they both have Steve and Sam in their corner defending them, and Fury and Maria help in their own… ‘special’ way. 

When it is all finally over, the small matter of where Bucky should stay comes into question. Although the HQ looked alright from the outside, the attack raised so many questions on allegiances and safety that Bucky can no longer stay there. Neither Y/N nor Bucky wanted to ask if it was because they still thought he was responsible.

Thankfully, everyone in charge somehow seems to agree that the best place for Bucky wasn’t in a cell in Avengers HQ, but with Y/N in her safe apartment. Of course, Y/N is more happy to have him stay with her, but she’s confused why she was chosen first. Maybe they noticed the way she looks at him, and how hopelessly in love with him she is. But in all honesty, she doesn’t care about their reasoning. She’s just so thrilled to have Bucky back that she’s going to take every chance she can to be close to him after he’s been locked away for so long. 

And the idea of living together with Bucky again is great. They're used to being together, just the two of them, and immediately felt happy to be going back to it. However, that happiness is very quickly shattered when the pair realise that SHIELD and the Avengers don’t exactly pride their safe houses on comfort or size. Or on having more than one occupant. And that means there’s only one available bed for them. Immediately, Bucky offers to take the couch. Both to be a gentleman, and because deep down, he’s still terrified that he’d scared her away from him for good.

“Bucky, I’m not letting you sleep on the couch. Especially not after all this.” Y/N insists, ignoring his attempts to argue that he was fine, and that he’s used to this sort of thing. In return, her insistence that she would sleep on the couch caused just as many protests from him. After some deliberation, the pair eventually decide their only choice is to share the bed.

“I’ll um. I’ll just stay over here, okay? I just want you to be comfortable.” Bucky murmurs, scooting as far as he can to the edge of the bed without the risk of falling out. He sees a flash of disappointment across her face as she sees him trying to get as far away from her as possible, and his stomach twists with guilt. He hates being so far from her, but he still can’t trust himself around her yet, and this is the best way to ensure her safety.

When he wakes up in the middle of the night with another nightmare, screaming and thrashing to thwart the HYDRA agents he’s sure are coming for them both, Y/N is right by his side, wrapping her arms around his crying, shaking frame. Just like before, she stays by his side, whispering reassuring words into his ear and staying awake with him until he calms down enough to try to get some sleep. “Thank you.” He whispers into the darkness.

“Of course.” Her voice replies. 

The next morning, she wakes up in his arms. And for the first time in a long time, Y/N finally feels safe. In his sleep, Bucky reflexively tightens his grasp on her, pulling her closer. Whether for her safety or his own comfort, she doesn’t know. But she loves it all the same. Being here, in Bucky’s arms, just the two of them, is perfect. Everything finally feels right. She looks up at him, his lips parted slightly as he softly snores. He looks so at peace, finally free after god knows how long. His hair falls in his face again, and it takes everything in her to not reach up and tuck it behind his ear once more. Despite how much she wants to be closer to him now, Bucky deserves this rest, and she won’t ruin it for him. 

And besides, looking isn’t so bad, right?

As they’re both under strict orders to stay where they are until the investigation is over, Y/N and Bucky have plenty of free time to do whatever they want. And Y/N takes it as her opportunity to show Bucky some more of the things he’s missed over the years, like her favourite movies and books. She also makes sure to give Bucky the care he deserves. One night, when he feels comfortable enough, she runs him a bath and washes his hair for him, gently massaging the shampoo and conditioner into his scalp. Although Bucky flinches at her touch a few times, he soon feels safe and comfortable enough to relax. And besides, he knows Y/N could never hurt him. Even after everything he’s done, she’s stayed by his side and fought for him when it seemed like nobody else would. 

Honestly, Bucky thinks he could thank her every minute of every day for the rest of her life, and it still wouldn’t be enough appreciation. As she gently rinses his hair, he glances over at her. And the familiar feeling of butterflies in his stomach starts all over again. She’s so beautiful. So caring. Even if he never tells her how he feels, that whenever she laughs, his heart grows three sizes bigger, and that he thinks she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, even when she thinks she looks like a mess after waking up… he’s so grateful that he got to know her, and be cared for by her. 

“That’s you all done, Bucky.” Y/N smiles. “Do you need anything else?” Bucky almost laughs at that. Because what else could she do for him? She’s done so much already. Too much, some would argue. 

“No, thanks.” He smiles back, just as bright as Y/N’s. He wonders if she ever notices how he only seems to smile around her… or at least, even more than he does when he’s with Steve and Sam. Little does Bucky know, however, that Y/N has noticed. And every time she remembers it, it sends her heart into a spiral all over again.

“Okay. I’ll leave you in peace then.” As she gets up to leave, Bucky almost stops her, not ready to stop this moment just yet. But then he remembers where they are. How the hell is he going to explain why he wants her to stay to watch him getting out of a bathtub? Even though she’s just washed his hair for him, she’s never seen him like this before. So… undressed. It feels too intimate, too different for them both.

So he lets her go. As the door clicks shut behind her, Bucky sighs, leaning his head against the cool tiles. He can’t keep going on like this, of having his chest tighten every time he sees her, or have his heart beat faster and faster whenever she smiles. He has to tell her. He’s just too damn terrified.

Later that night, Y/N and Bucky sit together listening to music, like they do most nights. Somehow, though, tonight is different. There’s a different atmosphere in the air surrounding them, one neither is willing to mention. Because once that’s broken, and their feelings are out in the open… It changes everything. And despite the hell they’ve both been through, somehow admitting their feelings for each other is the scariest thing either of them could imagine. There are no take backs, no do overs. Once it’s done, that’s it.

“How’s your neck, by the way?” Bucky asks, gesturing to the bandage on it. A cruel reminder of the last few days.

“It’s, um, good.” She nods. “They said it won’t scar or anything, thank god.”

“That’s great then.” Y/N nods again, curtly. She’s never felt so strange around Bucky, even when they first met. Say something. Anything. 

“Do you wanna dance with me?” She asks, her voice coming out so quickly that Bucky has to ask her to repeat herself. God, this is torture. Thankfully though, Bucky says yes, and pulls her up. Y/N presses shuffle on her phone, and soon the all too familiar guitar intro to Take Me Dancing by The Maine begins to play. Immediately, Y/N’s cheeks burn. “Oh god, I’m sorry, this is a slow song. I-I can change it.” She stammers, hating herself for being so obviously flustered.

“No, please don’t.” Bucky chuckles. “It’s been a while, but I was a pretty keen dancer back in the 40s. I could use a refresher.” He holds out his hand, scarred and bruised. “May I?” Y/N slips her hand into his, interlinking her fingers with his and gently running hers along his bruises. But he can see no judgement or fear in her gaze. She looks at him with the same comfort as she always has. Y/N moves his hand to her waist and takes her other hand in his.

The apartment wasn’t exactly made for slow dancing, but honestly, Y/N doesn’t care where they are. Because wherever she and Bucky are… that’s home. Bucky twirls her under his arm, holding her close as he sways her to the music. He really is a wonderful dancer. He definitely kept his skills from the 40s. She used to wonder what it’d have been like to know him then, and how different it would have been from their life now. Obviously, there’d be a lot less fear and violence, but honestly, she doesn’t care about that anymore. She’s so in love with Bucky that she’ll always take him as he is. 

“Give me thunder, give me lightning, And I will give you every part of me.”

As John O’Callaghan’s voice fills the room, Y/N almost finds herself laughing at the lyrics. In a way, it’s a perfect representation of her life with Bucky. He was the storm that blew into her life, destroying everything she once knew. And for a moment, she was terrified he’d destroy her too. But now, they’re slow dancing together, finally safe. And she’s head over heels in love with him. Bucky steps closer to her without even thinking, pulling her even closer to his chest as his grasp tightens on her. 

Even as the music fades out, Bucky keeps a hold on her, gently swaying her to their own rhythm. The warmth radiating from his body envelops them both, and she can hear his heartbeat through his chest.

“You know.” He murmurs, his stubble lightly grazing her cheek. “I don’t think I ever properly thanked you for what you did for me. What you continue to do for me.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Buck. You never did.” 

“I do.” He disagrees. “I really do. You saved me, showed me what more there is to life. You may have given me my old life back, but you’ve given me something wonderful and new, too. Hope.” He looks at her properly now, light blue eyes staring into her soul. “And I can’t thank you enough for it. You’re a real angel, you know that?” She can see tears building in his eyes, and no doubt she’s close to tears, too. Her heart swells, and she smiles.

“You’re welcome, Bucky. But I wouldn’t say I’m an angel. I just saw you needed help, and I gave you it. Anyone else would.” Bucky blinks in surprise, unable to believe how this wonderful, beautiful person is undermining herself so much, especially when he owes his life to her. But he’ll tell her how special she is for the rest of his life.

“'Anyone else', is not you, Y/N.” He whispers, his breath hot against her cheek and sending a shiver down her spine. “And you are an angel to me.” Sniffling, Y/N nods.

“Thank you Bucky. I wish it could be like this all the time, just me and you, together.” She sighs.

“Me too.” Her eyes flicker to his lips. So pink. So soft. Have they always been so pink? God, it’s like I’m noticing him for the first time all over again.

“Y/N?”

“Mhm?”

“I have something I need to tell you.” Bucky takes a deep breath. “I’m in love with you.” Despite how often her heart beat increases around Bucky, in that moment Y/N swears she feels it stop. For a moment she thinks she misheard him, but when he continues, saying: “I don’t know when, o-or how it happened. But god, Y/N, I’m tired of pretending. I love you so much. And I want you to know it.” She’s too stunned to reply, and Bucky’s heart sinks, thinking she doesn't feel the same. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that, I-”

But a comforting hand on his forearm stops him. One he knows all too well. “Bucky.” Y/N smiles softly, tears already running down her cheeks. “I love you too.”

“You do?” He gasps. Gingerly, he raises his metal hand, wordlessly asking her if it’s okay to continue, and Y/N nods. Bucky cups her cheek with his metal hand, cool against her skin. He never thought something responsible for so much death and pain could hold something so beautiful. “Can I kiss you?” When she nods again, Bucky gently leans in close, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss is firm, yet soft. It’s nothing like Y/N has ever experienced before. She pulls him closer, deepening the kiss. When they pull apart, Bucky’s cheeks are a soft pink, and he chuckles, no doubt trying to maintain his cool facade from the 40s, but completely failing. He gazes back at her, unable to stop smiling. “That was… perfect.” Y/N leans in, pecking his cheek.

“You’re perfect.” She whispers.

“Are you trying to get me to kiss you again?” He raises a brow, yet still can’t keep the grin off of his face. “Because it’s working.” And then he pulls her close once more.

“It’s not going to be for too long…. I hope.” Bucky reassures Y/N, squeezing her hand. Yet, as she glances over at him, she can tell he’s trying to put on a brave face himself. A few weeks after she and Bucky admitted their love for one another, King T’Challa, The King of Wakanda, and an ally of Steve and Sam’s, heard of Bucky’s plight and offered to take him in and use their technology to help him break free from HYDRA’s programming. Obviously, they both jumped at the chance. And now, the day that Bucky’s going to leave has finally come. 

Y/N knows this is the best place for Bucky to be, and she’s incredibly glad that he finally gets the chance to heal, and grateful to T’Challa for giving him this chance. But the fact that Bucky’s leaving her is tearing her up inside. Thankfully, T’Challa was incredibly kind and understanding, telling her she can visit him whenever she wants, and that she can even stay there with him for a while if she wanted to.

And whilst she wants that more than anything, Y/N said no. At least, for the first little while. She loves Bucky more than anything in the world, and because of that, she wants to give him the best chance to heal. And to her, that means stepping back and letting him take as long as he needs to process this on his own. That doesn’t mean she’s going to completely stop talking to him, though. She’s going back to her grandma’s house for a week or two to assess the damage and deal with things there, and then she, Steve and Sam are going to Wakanda to visit him. She sighs, looking at Bucky. 

Yet it still feels like she’s never going to see him again. Bucky pulls her into a hug, as if he senses her nerves. “I’ll see you soon, alright? And like T’Challa said, I’m sure we’ll be able to keep in contact somehow.”

“I know.” She manages a smile. “Just don’t forget about me, alright?” Bucky chuckles, giving her a quick, yet passionate kiss.

“Like I ever could.” They stay like that, in each other’s arms for a while, until T’Challa approaches them both.

“It’s time.” He smiles. 

“Well, this is it.” Bucky chuckles, but she can see the tears shimmering in his eyes. Y/N surges forward, grabbing him and squeezing tightly. 

“I love you.” She whimpers, and Bucky sniffles.

“I love you too.” 

And with one last kiss, he’s gone.

Y/N makes the trip back to her grandma’s house in silence. Steve and Sam offered to go with her in case any rogue HYDRA agents were there, but she declined, still too emotional from saying goodbye to Bucky to even think about saying goodbye to them, even if it is just for a few weeks. The time she spent with them was so fast-paced and frightening, and it’s hard to believe it’s over, and how things are changing between them all. 

The house still looks just as imposing as it did before, and the front steps still creak as she goes up them, advancing towards the front door. Her hands brush against the doorknob, and she braces herself for what she’s about to find. The memory of the last time she was here enters her mind once more, and Y/N sighs. If only she knew what awaited her the last time she opened that front door, maybe she wouldn’t have opened it. But deep down, she knows that if Bucky would’ve been there on the other side, she’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

Strangely, the house seems more or less the same since they left, only a few things out of place here and there, presumably caused by the wind blowing through the window Bucky broke. It’s like nobody has been there at all. Despite her footsteps around the house, it’s eerily quiet. Last time, she sensed Bucky’s presence, and knew she wasn’t alone. Now though, she can't feel a thing. Not even a ghost.

Every time she enters a room, a part of her expects to see Bucky sitting there, waiting for her. Like he was the last time she came here. And every time she realises he’s not there, it breaks her heart all over again. Finally, after she’s checked every room, the reality that everyone is really gone hits her, and she breaks down in tears.

She’s never felt so alone.

This is NOT the end of this story! There's still going to be an epilogue (that may turn into a final chapter depending on how long it is). They will get their happy ending, I promise!

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[yoo-jeongneon]

of record players and things we said after midnight | k.hj, p.sh

× minors/ageless/empty blogs dni. you will be blocked. ×

× main masterlist ×

pairing: kim hongjoong x park seonghwa x gn!reader

genre: slice of life, romance

warnings: established poly relationship, fluff, allusions to sex, alcohol/food/eating, references to rough work schedules and strict sleeping routines, stargazing

word count: 1.1k

a/n: for the wonderful sky, aka @pocketjoong. i really hope you enjoy this short sweet one-shot (and perhaps it is an extremely belated birthday present!) p.s: i don't know if you've seen that poll going round - "is the person you reblogged this from sun/moon etc. coded" - but while of course you are sky coded, you are very star coded to me: much like a star, whenever you pop up, a smile comes on my face 🫶🫶

00:03. Hongjoong has a plethora of records.

You and Seonghwa know he’d been steadily growing his collection for the last three years. A well-paying job and months of saving paid for his hobby.

Of course, the most expensive thing he needed to buy was a record player to play said discs. Hongjoong had said for the longest time that the vinyls were just aesthetic, and yet he never took his eyes off them when trawling websites into the early hours of the morning.

You and Seonghwa had pulled together enough resources to gift him one for his birthday last year, and it’s sat proudly on his desk in his studio ever since. He’ll never admit to the tears he shed and the two of you will never bring up the fact that you noticed him tucking them under his sleeve.

You both care too much to embarrass him.

-×-

00:27. Seonghwa can’t remember the last time he stayed up so late.

He thanks - or blames - his sleeping schedule for sending him to bed before the clock strikes twelve. It’s a price to pay when the workload is so rough it calls for a routine so strict.

He told himself he could let go this weekend. He’d had too many stresses and with a vacation week right around the corner, he knows he can let it go for a few days.

You let him rest his head on your lap even still, the fatigue catching up when he remembers how many hours he’s spent staring at screens. When you thread your fingers through his hair, it’s a lot softer than you ever remember it being.

A smile lands on your face. “You used the hair mask I bought you.”

Seonghwa’s eyes are closed and his breathing is so calm and even. The faint click-clack of Hongjoong messing around on his computer is briefly interrupted.

Seonghwa grins. “I hadn’t pampered myself in some time.”

Hongjoong’s heart swells, as does your own. It’s the kind of care you’re both happy Seonghwa gave himself.

-x-

00:54. You always meld into that one spot on the leather sofa.

Its wrinkles and creases understand your presence. It’s your home away from home, your favourite sweater; anytime Hongjoong finds you sitting there he becomes so overwhelmed, but hides it behind a mere dimpled grin. “That’s become your favourite spot,” he once remarked.

The acknowledgment made you shy. “It’s really nice to sit here.”

Hongjoong would later tell you exactly how that made him feel. He would show you too, breathing fanning on your neck, Seonghwa’s lips on your shoulder.

Seonghwa provides a demo over the track Hongjoong is playing around with; there’s no mic, it’s not being recorded anywhere, but you listen to his quiet humming regardless.

It ticks something in your brain and you throw in some light harmonies. Hongjoong wishes he could capture it but doesn’t move.

That’s a memory he can save for later.

-×-

01:13. The three of you don’t know when it clicked.

There were days you would stroll through the local grocery store as a trio, little fingers hooked together and it didn’t mean a thing. Still, it meant everything.

The simplicity of knowing, the beauty of feeling, it’s never needed any words to make sense of it.

The sense was in the making already.

Ice-cream aisles and mulling over which flavour to get knowing you all have different tastes. Reaching in your pockets and buying for each other because that’s what made you so connected.

It’s only a two-course meal tonight and Seonghwa’s cooking. Hongjoong stirs the pot and you dice the vegetables. Very few words are spoken but that’s how you know your dynamic is to die for.

You press a kiss on both of their cheeks. The three of you don’t know when it clicked.

Perhaps there was nothing to click. The foundation was there already. Their cheeks are warm. You love them.

-×-

01:28. Schedules never allowed for late night delivery.

You’re sitting in different places. No longer on the sofa, no longer resting on the lap, no longer glued to the mouse and keyboard.

But it’s a familiarity even still - you’re in a circle on the floor and Hongjoong is dishing out the meals. Seonghwa offers you some of his food, and you make sure Hongjoong has enough for himself, and Hongjoong fills Seonghwa’s water up so he stays hydrated.

“I should put a record on,” says Hongjoong.

Seonghwa smiles. “Play our favourite.”

-×-

01:42. It’s at times like these you remember why you love each other.

Hongjoong has been told twice to keep his voice down and you’re laughing your head off at a joke Seonghwa told. There’s a mess you have to clean but that can wait a little while.

Hongjoong takes your hand and pulls you close to him. You share a kiss as the low hum of a 70s record plays in the background. Seonghwa soon follows and he’s twirling Hongjoong around in an effort to get him to dance.

Grabbing the camera off the desk, you take so many pictures of this moment.

“What a miracle: Hongjoong’s dancing and Seonghwa isn’t it bed yet!” you chuckle.

They love you so much.

-×-

02:00. There’s a perfect spot outside the studio to look at the stars.

It dawns on all of you that it’s something you’ve never done before. Seonghwa is upset at this fact, and takes this as an opportunity to gather some blankets together and put them down on a grass verge.

When you step outside, it’s incredibly brisk, but one look up and you notice it’s a completely clear night.

As though the clouds knew you had a prior engagement with the stars.

Seonghwa takes a seat in the middle, and taps the two spaces either side of him excitedly.

Hongjoong left the door open slightly, and one of the records was still playing.

You had brought the three beer bottles that you’d ordered with your delivery, but hadn’t opened yet.

As though it was tradition, you open each other’s bottles and clink the necks together to make the most satisfying sound.

With a single sip, Hongjoong exhales. “I hope we can do this more often.”

Seonghwa’s eye catches Orion’s belt. “If it’s clear, perhaps we could do this every night next week.”

You rest your head on Seonghwa’s shoulder, and your hand reaches round to clasp fingers with Hongjoong.

“Let’s toast to a week of clear skies. Maybe the universe will listen.”

You make a toast, and the soft crackles of the record indicate the song is nearing its close.

Against the silence of night, you gaze up at the stars.

-×-

02:20.

Whenever it clicked, you’re glad it did.

× yoo-jeongneon ×

[sisterspooky1013]

Gaslight, Chapter 29/48

Rated X | Read it here on AO3

Scully taps her foot nervously against the steel floor of the van, her twisted up hands fidgeting in her lap. While knowing that she’s about to get the answers she’s sought for months is exciting, the awareness that some of the information may be upsetting weighs heavy on her mind. 

She glances over at Mulder, who has been stoic since they got the call from Langly. He’s unreadable, staring vacantly out the window with his hands folded loosely in his lap. She’s almost more excited for him to learn the truth than she is for herself—once he knows without a doubt that Diana is not the person he believes her to be, maybe his heart will open back up to her. 

When they pull into the garage at the Gunmen’s, Scully immediately flings the door of the van open and heads inside. Mulder trails leisurely behind her, taking a seat in the armchair and crossing his ankle over his knee while she practically charges Byers, who is seated at one of the many computers in the room.

“What do you know?” she asks as her eyes land on stacks and stacks of paper arranged neatly on the surface of a folding table. 

“It’s a lot of information, Agent Scully,” Byers says calmly as he moves to stand between her and the table. “I’m afraid it may be a bit overwhelming for you to absorb all at once.”

“Please, John,” she says severely, meeting his serene blue eyes. “I can’t take not knowing any longer.”

“Why don’t you have a seat,” he suggests, gesturing towards the couch. “I’ll give you a synopsis of sorts before you get into the details. Would that be all right?”

Scully nods and sits on the end of the couch nearest Mulder. He’s chewing on his thumbnail and watching it all unfold, though he hasn’t spoken a word. Byers sits down near her, giving Frohike and Langly a significant look as the two men pull up dining room chairs on the other side of the coffee table. 

“The database we were able to access contains thousands of files. The bulk of the information stored referenced the two of you,” he says with a nod to Mulder, “but there were also files for each of your family members and friends, including the three of us.”

“What kind of information?” Scully asks. She glances at Mulder, but his thousand yard stare gives the impression that he isn’t even listening. 

“It’s extremely thorough,” Byers says carefully. “There’s an accounting of every major event in your lives up until about 1994, at which point the level of detail increases substantially.” He pauses and looks at Frohike.

“What?” Scully asks urgently, her eyes flitting between the two men. 

“You were abducted in fall of ‘94,” Frohike says with a pained expression. “You were missing for weeks. It’s pretty clear that you were closely monitored after you were returned. Both of you.”

Again she looks at Mulder, but he keeps his eyes on the coffee table. 

“Abducted?” she asks, looking back to Frohike. “By whom? And what do you mean by ‘returned’?”

“We never really knew for sure,” Langly pipes in. “You just showed up at the hospital one day. Nobody saw you being dropped off.”

Scully takes a moment to absorb this. The information doesn’t jog any memories for her, which she finds unsettling. It’s one thing to be told, but it’s quite another to remember. 

“What else?” she asks, looking at Byers. 

“Shortly after your return, you found a small metal chip in your neck. An implant,” he says, and she reflexively touches the back of her neck. 

“I knew it was there?” she asks absently. 

“You removed it,” he clarifies. “But when you were later diagnosed with a difficult to treat form of cancer, it was re-implanted in an attempt to save your life. A successful attempt, I should add.”

It takes a few seconds for the information to sink in. When it does, she looks up at Byers with wide, fear-stricken eyes. 

“Am I going to get cancer again?” she asks. 

“I’m not sure,” he admits. 

She has the thought that if she had the implant with her, she could potentially put it back. But just as soon as the thought enters her mind, she dismisses it. She’ll never be free as long as one of those things is in her neck. They’d always be able to find her. 

“I want to see it,” she says abruptly. “The file, I want to read it. All of it.”

“Of course,” Byers says as he stands. “Take as much time as you need to look it over. Mulder, would you like to see yours as well?”

They all turn to Mulder, who has slowly slumped down in his chair to the point that he now looks like a petulant teenager. 

“Mulder?” she says, and his eyes slowly lift until he’s looking at her face. “Would you like to read your file?”

He sits up a little and clears his throat. 

“You go ahead. I’ll look at mine later,” he says casually, and she narrows her eyes at him. 

“You don’t want to know?” she asks, incredulous. “How could you not?”

Again, he clears his throat and shifts in his seat. 

“It’s a little overwhelming, to be perfectly honest,” he tells her in a soft voice that is clearly meant only for her ears, though the Gunmen can undoubtedly hear him. “I think I’d just like to know what yours says first, if that’s okay.”

He suddenly looks so vulnerable, and it catches her off guard. Maybe before they stole her memory from her, she’d have recognized it sooner. He’s afraid. 

“Yeah, that’s okay,” she says, managing a placating smile. “There’s probably some overlap anyway.”

He nods, and she sees gratitude in his eyes. 

“Everything on this table is yours,” Langly tells her, gesturing to a table large enough to comfortably seat six people. “I’d start from the left and work your way right.”

“Okay,” she says, then swallows. 

She picks up the first stack on the left and turns it over. Her stomach immediately clenches and her mouth goes dry, but she carries it over to the couch and lays it out in front of her on the coffee table. She looks at Mulder, and he holds her eye and nods in encouragement. Fortified, she turns to the first page. 

Continue Reading on AO3

Tagging @today-in-fic

[mahoushojo-chan]

Astarion x Reader/Tav || nightmares and wet dreams

when i'm too far gone (can you show me love?)

warnings: 18+, mdni, sexual content, PTSD

synopsis: “Star? Are you okay?” Her voice comes second. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” She tells him, knowingly. She doesn’t need to ask him for his stories and she doesn’t need to seek out reasons or excuses. With his word, she would be gone, and he would no longer be in her embrace. He doesn’t want that.

an excerpt of "'cause my love (is mine, all mine)"

word count: 1318

pairing: astarion/reader!tav

other tags: bard!tav, sexual content, smut, erotic dreams, poetic sex cause it's dream, nightmares, f!reader, friends to lovers, oblivious pining, mutual pining, song inspo: gimme love by joji

ao3: here

concept: wet dreams

Every night, when Astarion is alone, it is the same dream:

It’s Cazador.

(It’s always Cazador.

Always,

always,

always—).

And he is not free from him. Cazador is omnipresent in his dreams, a shadow of his worst nightmare. But then again, Astarion’s worst memory is nothing at all. It’s darkness and hunger and only his thoughts keeping him company. It’s the sound of silence, and he cannot even listen to his own heartbeat (the sound of defeat from a single voice, exhausted and hoarse from screaming). It’s red nails and fingers that do not matter (broken and bleeding from its attempts to pry the damn thing open, but he does not feel the pain anymore). It’s the smell of his own rotting corpse, taunting him.

(He never should have escaped Astarion Ancunin’s coffin. Cazador had been waiting for him to ‘save him’ from the hell he had orchestrated for Astarion. His hand was extended towards him to help him up.)

The coffin is hollow once Astarion has left it. What comes out of it is a hollower man. The light inside him was swallowed by that void, and he remembers that the starlight that people see are often from stars that no longer exist. He is empty, and months later, he is still empty. He doesn’t remember how to use his legs at first, and he falls. There is still no light once he steps out, and he loses his footing, prepared to fall into another abyss.

He sees the world in monochrome, dimly able to make out his Master’s pale skin against the darkness. He is draped in black sheets to preserve his modesty. He is still capable of such a thing—Astarion is laid bare below him.

He never should have escaped Astarion Ancunin’s coffin. Cazador had been waiting for him to ‘save him’ from the hell he had orchestrated for Astarion. His hand is extended towards him to help him up.

Astarion is ready to take it, because at the very least, it is something. He wasn’t ready before. Before, he would have pulled as far away as possible until the master forced his hand. He would have retched at the thought of contact. (That was the problem, wasn’t it? That was the punishment. His unwillingness to please his Master). Now, the Master’s cold hand could be a refreshing embrace.

It means nothing. Cazador would only grant him pain.

Astarion looks at his bloodied fingers. He wants to feel again. He wants to taste something. He wants to devour himself whole. If he is good (not good—obedient), if he debases himself onto the shadows that prostrate themselves at his Master’s feet, then perhaps the Master would grant him that.

He is prepared for Cazador to lay hands on him. Instead, he feels a warmth lay hands on his fingertips.

They are gentle, as though scared to provoke him to run away, but most of all, they are warm. Each time feels like the first touch he has ever felt. He opens his eyes to see stars reflected in hers. She is bathed in moonlight, the same as the first time he had held her, and it brushes her cheeks and the light linen across her body with a cold blue hue. Her nails match his, dyed in a deep red paint. The room is awash in colour and light.

“Star? Are you okay?” Her voice comes second. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” She tells him, knowingly. She doesn’t need to ask him for his stories and she doesn’t need to seek out reasons or excuses. With his word, she would be gone, and he would no longer be in her embrace. He doesn’t want that.

He presses his lips against her sun-kissed skin in an act of self-immolation. The heat from her body threatens to burn him alive, but he wants more.

He opens her up the way he knows how. He showers kisses on the nape of her neck and waits for her to whisper his name while canting her hips. His actions begin to fall into habit, to practice. He cannot help himself. What Astarion’s body knows best is how to please his master—the parts that the coffin gave him left him with little else.

She arches her back to meet him, but then she holds his face in her hands and says absolutely nothing. He pulls away from her and looks at her. If he looks at her eyes closely enough, he can nearly make out his own reflection.

You can be so much more, he reminds himself. He can become so much more, by choice. He chooses to make peace with his broken-down heart and forget about everything else. He chooses his own desire.

There cannot exist a void in him that he cannot fix himself. He chooses to try again.

He traces a hand over her neck and it is not entirely smooth. It has the uneven texture of dry skin from travelling in the sunlight for so long. There’s a bob of her throat as she anticipates his touch. She is a little ticklish around her throat, and she gives a breathy laugh and breath full of laughter and he wants that—he wants it more than he has wanted anything, so he tries to capture the laugh with a kiss. When he leans in, he’s rewarded with a ricochet of light across the silver bedpost.

“Do you love me?” She asks when he finally parts, and it is the only selfish request she has ever made of him.

He knows the script well enough. Here, he is supposed to say ‘of course’, and dip below her waist to help her forget the lie. That is how he was taught to exist, to serve, to deceive beautifully. That is what he would say when he wanted to inflict himself upon others.

He does not know if he ever learned the answer to the question she asks. There is nothing he can give her that he has not given someone else. His skin is pale enough to reflect the rays that try to heal it. The only unique thing he can give her is truth, so he tells her, “Forever.”

But then she whispers, “You are mine,” in her belladonna tune—a melody that he recognizes differently from long ago. For this moment, he promised himself not to be trapped by his Master’s words.

She says it in the same way that the stars belong to her, the same way they belong to everyone else. The same way they belong to Astarion. The same way she belongs to him, and he makes his claim against her neck when he bites at the same time his hips press into her. He wants to make her fall apart. She is light and heat and the only sun he needs to care about.

He has to lace his red-painted fingers in hers to keep properly hear her pleasure. Out of all the lovers he has taken, this is what he wants. It wasn’t as if Astarion hadn’t had countless nights sweating, shouting, wishing for it all to stop. It wasn't as if he spent a lifetime searching for something to fill the hunger in him, to fill the parts he was lacking, searching for her hair spilled like ink against the sheets, a flushed face and breath coming in starts and an imperfect snort of joy coming with his grin.

As she opens her mouth, the sounds pour into his ears, flow into his bloodstream, and wheel him into a sensory euphoria. This is his love, only this, all of this.

He will not let her choose freedom of him. If he can choose his curse, he chooses her. He will leave his past to disappear. He follows her into oblivion, her name a mantra in his mind.

Tav, Tav, Tav—

Astarion wakes up drenched in sweat, blood at his lips, the front of his pants ruined.

He lies on the bed and he can still smell Tav’s scent, lingering on his mind. He isn't sure if it's actually there or just the vividness of the dream as it replays in his mind, the addicting distraction of the vulnerability of her expression, the feel of her tightening around him, her voice crying his name again and again in his own personal symphony.

For a moment, he can ignore all insecurity and doubt, and revel in the fantasy that he had been granted.

Then reality hits him, and he curses.