#dum dum!! silly!!! ridiculous child!!!

[keeps-ache]

too many thoughts i forgot all of them :[

[nad-zeta]

I'm a dum dum , didn't even realize your requests are open 😂. Ok~ I hope I'm following your rules– cuz I couldn't find any :")) but would you mind doing a hc for Ikesen characters(you can choose the characters! I don't really mind) reacting to a teenager MC(from ages 14-17)? I've seen lots of child MCs but not a teenager one.

Headcanon: Teenage MC feat: Nobunaga, Kenshin, Ieyasu, Hideyoshi and Masamune

Hehehe that's cause I'm a lazy potato so, for now, there are no rules lol 😂 😂 😂 ! Lol so for this I made it more fun and less romantic cause like don't want my sweet bios to look like pedos u know lol 🥀 ! Thanx for the request dear I hope you like it! And I hope you have the best day!  (✿◠‿◠)

Nobunaga

The first time he sees you he is super intrigued

Like how did someone so young and smol manage to pull him out of a freaken burning building

He went into full BIG BRO MODE

The two of you would get up to all sorts of mischief together

Stealing candy together is a given 

You would harry potter style hide under a not so invisible cloak, running to the kitchen together like hunched old ladies

The second you enter the kitchen the hunt for the candy begins

You find the jar in 0.2 seconds “Trust me this ain’t my first rodeo.”

“Aaaah so my fireball sister is an experienced thief then.”

The two of you happily munch on the candy in the kitchen when all of a sudden the two of you heard someone at the door

The two of you turned in sync to see Mother Dearest Amber eyes shining with anger in the dark

“How many times have I told you stealing is bad, and that candy before bed is extremely unhealthy.”

He turned to look at Nobunaga, who looked like a guilty schoolboy “My lord, you are supposed to set the example, how do you expect to be a good big brother if you are influencing her to steal and eat candy before bed.”

Everything was going perfectly according to plan- while Hideyoshi was distracted you snuck a few handfuls of candy in the hidden pockets of you kimono

Once you were done with your mission you chimed in “Yeah big bro how do u expect me to be a good girl when you always dragging me along to steal the candy.”

“Oooooh don’t think I forgot about you, young lady.”

He lectured the two of you for three hours

Hideyoshi sent both of you back to your rooms. 

Luckily Nobunaga’s’sNobunaga’s’s room was right on top of yours and you were experienced in the art of sneaking out to meet up with friends

So you easily climbed up onto his balcony and snuck into his room

The two of you snicked and laughed while munching on candy together

Hideyoshi

“Have you eaten yet today, brushed your teeth, done all your chores.”

Catches you stealing candy at night with Nobunaga again

“How many times have I told you not to eat candy before bed young lady.”

Hideyoshi has full-blown turned into your castle mom

You had been secretly dating some random boy, you met in the market

You twisted your ankle sneaking out your room to go and see him, luckily Mamayoshi was doing his final rounds of the castle and found you hissing on the ground.

He picked you up and patched you up real good

Cue lecture about sneaking out in the middle of the night

The next day the boy broke up with you- cause he a piece o shit

You spent the whole day crying in your room

Cue Mamayoshi barging into your room, cause the maids had informed him that you skipped breakfast!

(ಥ﹏ಥ)

“Who dare break my favourite sister’s heart” (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

“Just show me who he is and I’ll teach that freaken punk a lesson he will never forget” (╬ ಠ益ಠ)

You spent hours crying on his shoulder, Hideyoshi made you some tea and took you to the market to do some retail therapy

You would go to Mamayoshi for advice all the freaken time, you really did see him as a mom

Have boy trouble Hideyoshi is there helping ya out and giving you advice, struggling to do the homework Mitsuhide gave you, Mama will sit for hours helping you, someone Is bullying you? Hideyoshi will mom style cut them

Will take you out to tea all the time, and the two of you will low key spill the tea on all the latest gossip

Kenshin

Treats you like a fragile princess

Will be an extremely doting brother

Will 100% teach you how to defend yourself

Feeling sad, Kenshin will legit find the source of your sadness and freaken kill them

Feeling anxious or insecure, Kenshin will be there wrapping you in a big bear hug while drawing soothing circles on your back. He will soothingly comfort you as your cry on his shoulder

Will summon his army of fluff balls to cuddle with you until that smile is back on your face

You like a boy in the market… forget about it. Kenshin is there glaring at the boy… “He is not good enough for my dearest sister.”

You give Kenshin puppy dog eyes “No way bunny, you are still a baby, definitely not old enough to date. Come on, let go get some tea and pickled plumbs to cheer you up.”

You cant say no to Kenshin especially when he gives you his puppy dog eyes in return 

Will always insist on holing your hand when walking in the market together

Will legit kill anyone or anything that threatens you

Will give you platonic forehead and cheek kisses

Loves it when you sass and roll your eyes at Shingen trying to pick up all the woman at banquets 

Will let you sneak a few sips of his sake, and you are the only one he will share his pickled plumbs with

Will send you off to bed when it gets too late, the bunnies have taken quite a liking to you so they will accompany you back to your room and cuddle with you

Masamune

“come on lass lets’s go on an adventure.”

“No way the last time we went on an adventure I was almost killed and both of us got an hour-long lecture about the dangers of waterfalls.”

“Where is your sense of adventure kitten.”

“The same place your sense of safety is, non-existent.’

Drags you with him to go hiking, when you were on the top of the mountain you slipped on some loose gravel. Masamune caught you, and both of you went tumbling into a lake

You couldn’t help but laugh

The two of you splashed around in the water until late into the afternoon

“Quick lass let’s sneak in before mother dearest scolds us for.”

Too late he was already waiting for the two of you

Masa will cook you anything and everything your heart desires, when you tell him you’re on a diet cause some boy called you fat Masamune’s eyes widens.

He will bring your favourite dish an place it just under your nose, you can’t help but crumble damn that smell too good to waste, “Fine but my diet starts tomorrow”, (っ˘ڡ˘ς) you say with a mouth full of food

Lol tomorrow never came and that asshole of a boy was never seen again

Sometimes it was hard to tell who the teenager was you or Masamune, the two of you would always joke around pulling pranks on all the castle residents

You were actually pretty thankful Masamune didn’t drink, cause it made you feel like you weren’t missing out on anything during banquets

At the end of the banquets it would always be you, Masa and Mitsuhide left awake and playing card games till dawn

Will leave Shogetsu with you during times of war. The big cat literally destroys everything

“No way masa, ask Mitsunari to watch him, last time when I woke up he shredded everything in my room”, he just grinned at you “That’s what adds to his cuteness”. (=^・^=)

You narrowed your eyes at him “What’s in it for me”. (¬_¬)

“I’ll bring you back a months supply worth of candy and I Masamune Date will owe you a favour”.

You beamed up at him, that would definitely come in handy one day “Fine I’ll do it”. (｡◕‿◕｡)

“Thanks, kitten that’s why you’re my favourite sister”,

You rolled your eyes “I’m your only sister”.

He pats you on the head while chuckling “Exactly” (＾ｕ＾)

Ieyasu

Would have witty battles with the resident porcupine all of the time

Masamune would literally, howl in laughter when the two of you are at it.

You would juts roll your eyes “Not my fault Ieyasu is always so salty.”

The amount of time the two of you have had an eye-rolling contest is ridiculous

Even though the two of you fight like cats and dog you still enjoy Ieyasu’s’sIeyasu’s’s company

Ieyasu actually shows you his soft side

One day a boy broke your heart

You walked into Ieyasu’s room and looked at him ༼ つ ಥ_ಥ ༽つ

Ieyasu rushed to you and wrapped you up in his arms and let you cry it out

“You know what will be fun” Ieyasu asked with a hint of mischief in this emerald eyes

“What” (“･ω･`) you asked sniffing and wiping the last of your tears away

“If we make that punk regret ever breaking your heart.”

You couldn’t help but give him the biggest brightest smile, the two of you snuck out that night and egged his house

You are the only person privileged enough to know Ieyasu’s soft side

The two of you will have a chilli eating contest

Basically ends with you drinking a gallon of milk and losing all sense of taste “Silly girl this isn’t even the hottest peppers yet.”

You will play matchmaker to get Ieyasu a date/lover

He will legit just roll his eyes at the suggestion, he is way too busy with work

“I found the perfect person for you Yasu, they are sweet, kind you know basically an angel and don’t worry they definitely won’t get put off by your contrary personality.”

Yasu raises a brow “Who” (ーー;)

You snicker a little and burst out laughing “MITSUNAR, he is perfect for you.”

Yasu legit spits out the tea he was sipping on, he was turning as red as a tomato

Yasu.exe has stopped working

“I freaken knew it, I’m gonna go tell him right now” (°o°)

“Don’t you dare” (ー_ー)!!

(✿◠‿◠)

(((( ；ﾟДﾟ))) Yasu legit leaps over his desk and tackles you to the ground tickling you until you surrender

“Fine but if the two of you ever get married, I better be your maid of honour.”

Yasu legit just ruffled your hair and rolled his eyes “Yeah yeah whatever just don’t tell him.”

 Hope you liked it, dear! <3

[yoshimickster]

RWBY Vol. 6 “Stealing from the Elderly” Micksterecap: Anyone else feel like watching season 4 of Legend of Korra?

HEY NOW-wasn’t today’s episode so cool and crazy and shipworthy? Well if you wanna talk about it-HERE’S THE WRONG PLACE-its about LAST week’s episode-MICKSTERECAP STARTS NOW!

OUR EP STARTS OFF-

-with an UTTERLY pristine naval base that I’m SURE is gonna stay that way!

Here we see everyone’s favorite lady to hate Caroline Cordovin guiding Weiss and her giant suitcase that’s TOTALLY not smuggling a bionic old woman, while Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum goosestep behind them, which considering how racist Cordelia is REALLY says something abou the Atlas military!

Caroline: I’m sending two of my BEST guards to escort you.

Weiss: Oh that’s nice of you, what are their names?

Nubuck1: WE-don’t have names!

Nubuck2: We can’t afford them in this economy!

Weiss: That’s fine, just LET GO OF MY BAG!

Nubuck1: NEVER-it was all I was PROGRAMMED TO DO!

BUT-Cordelia starts to catch on-

Weiss: I can take care of it by myself.

Caroline:(A rich person...NOT wanting help from...the HELP?! NONSENSE!)

BUT LUCKILY FOR TEAM RWBYJNRQOM-they had the ultimate disrupting agent of ALL time with them!

3:03

A CRYING INFANT-using its distraction powers for GOOD instead of EVIL like interupting the sound at a movie theater, and then you just gotta SIT there because you know there’s no polite way you can ask the mother to take the baby outside, because DAMMIT-they just want to watch a movie but still have a child to take care of!

EITHER WAY-greatest baby actor of all time Adrien Terra-Cotta’s ruse works Prompting the Nubucks-

-TO STRIKE POSES-before attempting to console him! I’ma just ask, do Nubuck guards go through Ginyu pose training before serving? Because it LOOKS like they do. ALSO-what the fuck’s a Nubuck?

Weiss and obviously Maria in a bag sneak theyselves on board, all while Ruby gives the troops the lowdown-WHILE QROW-

-stands against a tree like a goth teen trying to look cool, because he’s SAD old man.

Terra also gives Yang and Blake the lowdown on how to mess with the radio for their plan, because she is HELPFUL!

Blake: Man, for someone whose job is repairing a radio tower, you’re SURE happy to help us mess with it.

Terra: After being constantly being blamed for it breaking despite NOT being my fault, I want to give that leather bitch Cordovin some REAL grief!

Yang and Blake then split up in the CUTEST way possible-

Blake:[To Yang]-besides, stealth isn’t exactly your um-

Pouty Yang is pouty.

Blake: I mean...your great, and I’ll hurry back!

Yang:(She’s god damned lucky she’s cute, I can be a stealth...apparatus at times).

Sure ya can Yang.

Blake than runs to the radio tower, everything seems to be going to plan-

4:38 But that STILL does not impress anime legs uncle, the curmudgeon he is.

A THEN CUT TO-

-WEISS’S PHONE-where its revealed that either A.)Weiss hasn’t changed her friend’s pictures since Volume 1 or B.)They didn’t change their pictures and it just looks like that when they call her. EITHER WAY-mix it up whoever, nothin’ wrong with a little change!

But I know what you’re all thinking-WHAT ABOUT THE NUBULUCKS ON THE PLANE?!

Weiss: OFF the plane you go!

Nubuck1: DAMMIT-knocked out by a teenager.

Nubuck2: We are PROFESSIONAL soldiers, how could the both of us not take her?

Weiss: BECAUSE I’M SNOW WEISS BITCHES-enjoy the parachute!

Nubucks: THANK YOU WE WILL!

Love it.

Maria after apparently unzipping herself from the bag off panel-JACKS INTO THE PLANE-

Weiss:...wait, wasn’t there all ready a dongle on your eyes? Where did it g-

Maria: SILENCE FOR I AM THE GRIMM REAPER!

Usually not one to point out continuity errors but THERE ya go! ALSO-a few continuity errors doesn’t mean the show is bad, SUCK A DICK RWDE TAG-you Cinemasins copycats.

After Weiss reminds Maria that her eyes are broke as shit to which Maria rebuffs with a silly finger wagging, EVERYTHING is fine-

Ruby: Blake your up...Blake...

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE?!

-and by fine I mean fine for their standards, which is utterly chaotic and full of terror.

Ruby: YANG YO GIRL AIN’T PICKING UP THE PHONE!

Yang: Did you try texting her instead?

Ruby: OF COURSE I DIDN’T WE’RE BASICALLY ON WALKY TALKIES RIGHT NOW!

Yang: I KNOW I JUST USE HUMOR TO SHIELD MYSELF!

ALSO-

YUP-everyone’s kept their same phone pic since season 1, bunch of LAZY huntspeople they is.

A CUT TO-

6:27 Every command room in every science fiction thing-EVER-because television!

Obviously they figure out the plane is flying back into their own airspace, forcing Maria to use the old HUNTRESS CHARM-

Nubuck: What's going on up there? Come in!

Maria: Uh, everything is under control. Situation normal.

Nubuck: What happened?

Maria: Uh, had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh, everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?

Caroline: YOU BITCH-that’s from Star Wars!

Maria: Shit, I figured you’d be too dumb to remember.

Caroline: YOU TURN AROUND THIS MINUT...what’s that sound?

Maria: Oh that sound? That’s the sound of-

Maria: DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE NUTS!

Weiss: WHY IS EVERY OLD PERSON I KNOW INSANE?!

So quick recap...in a recap, Cordo is onto them, Blake is STILL not responding...and that’s it. What, you expect a joke about some sort of dance being the day after today? NO LONGER!

Either way, Yang and Bumblebee are in FULL chase!

Yang: I’M COMING ALMOST GIRLFRIEND-whom I’m not sure if we’re official or not-BUT THE SUB-TEXT IS EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVERYWHERE!

In times like this, its ALWAYS good to gain advice from our elders-

8:15

Qrow: Everything’s fucked, its all my fault, we’re all gonna die.

...okay maybe not AAAAAAAAAAAAALWAYS good.

Ruby then tells Qrow to shut the fuck up in the politest way she can, even saying she still wants him on their side (lord knows I’d bench Mr.Sadpants here) and that everyone there is there by choice and will do everything in their power to help out.

Qrow: Hmph...how did you grow up so fast?

Ruby: *Cute Pause* I had good rolemodels.

Qrow:...okay that’s Tai and...uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh...Summer?

Ruby: Yes but also you, I obviously also meant you.

Jaune: We’re willing to accept this has just been a bad season for you given how cool you looked in the last three seasons.

Qrow: *SNIFF* Youse is some good kids.

Its at this point that Caroline Cordovine being the responsible specialist she is, would send in fighters to take down Weiss and Maria’s plane-

Caroline: PREPARE TO FACE MY LOVE, MY PAIN, AND ALL OF MY ANGER!

Maria: Oh yeah because G Gundam quotes are JUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUST as timely! 

Caroline: FUCK YOU I HAVE A LASER GUN!

*MEANWHILE IN ATLAS HQ*

Winter: Um...General Ironwood sir...I have news from Argus-

James: Please tell me that crazy lady we stuck there didn’t activate the doom mech to take out ONE small plane.

Winter:...well...I won’t tell you then.

James: DAMMIT-that thing costs MONEY!

At this point the PLAN has changed, Ruby’s gonna need Weiss on the ground to take down this boss-mech from Starfox 64. And WHERE is Blake you might ask?

STEPPING ON HER SCROLL LIKE A CLUTS-although I AM amazed after being bent like that, it only has a small crack and a RIDICULOUSLY intact picture....I want a scroll. EITHER WAY-I hope Blake has an excuse for being so carele-

SHIT-its crazy pants, keep running Blake, stomp on SIX scrolls if you have to!

11:45

Adam: THIS IS MY REVENGE FOR DUMPING ME AT PROM!

Blake: A.) It wasn’t prom, it was a terrorist attack, B.) Your nuts, and C.) WE WERE NEVER OFFICIAL!

And then CLING-CLANG-CLUNG-swordfight between our beloved Faunus princess, and one CREEPY ass bull man-CLOSING IT OUT-

-with one HELL of a stand off!

DAMN good episode, outside of that continuity ep I pointed out, an utterly great mix of action and humor. With that, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK-on Micksterecap! And if you liked what you read, message me if you wanna donate to my paypal or Kofi!

[swanqueeneverafter]

After The Sunset, Pt.10

Wonderland. The Red Queen's Palace. Past. (The people of Wonderland argue among themselves as the Queen reclines disinterestedly on her throne.) Tweedle Dee: "One at a time." Tweedle Dum: "Her Majesty demands order." Old Woman: "The water supply's running out." Old Man: "My crops are dying! Please, help us!" Red Queen: "Darlings, can I be honest with you? Your problems bore me." (Murmurs of outrage break out among the gathered citizens before they are suddenly frozen in place.) Cora: (Entering the room:) "I don't know how you can stand to listen to them, day in, day out." Red Queen: "I'm the Queen. It's my job." Cora: "It's your flaw. You were trying to earn their respect. All you have to do is take it." Red Queen: "I took this throne. I took Wonderland." Cora: "And yet, still it's not enough, is it?” Red Queen: “I think if either of us were satisfied with what we already had, we wouldn't be the women we are now.” Cora: “How very true. So why don't you stop wasting time with these peasants and focus on gaining more power?” Red Queen: “Whether you like it or not, Your Majesty, I am the Queen and I have responsibilities.” (Cora turns and raises her hand before clenching her fist and turning the townspeople to dust.) Cora: “There. I've cleared your day. Now you can focus your mind on more important things. (Looks around the room at the piles of ash:) Have your tweedles sweep this up, won’t you?” (With that, Cora exits the room, leaving the Red Queen to stand horror-struck amongst what used to be her subjects.)

Storybrooke. Present. David's Farm. (Kristoff stands watch over David's flock as the former sheriff returns from his search.) Kristoff: “You couldn't find the lost lamb, I see.” David: “Oh, Wilby found it, but it was too late. The night was just too cold.” Kristoff: “Well you can't build up the flock this way. The winters are too long and the flock is too small.” David: “You’d certainly know about cold winters. The weather, it will turn. And Wilby's the best tracking dog I've ever known. We'll be fine.” Kristoff: “David, I know what the farm means to you. But the way things are going, it's... (Sighs:) Don’t you think it's time to admit defeat and sell the farm?” David: (Laughs:) “Nonsense, it’s far too early to think like that. Back in the Enchanted Forest, my mother and I endured harsher winters than this. Besides, with things being so peaceful nowadays, it hardly made sense for Storybrooke to still have two sheriffs.” Kristoff: "Yeah, but things were more exciting when you were chasing bad guys, right? Face it, David, a shepherd's life is dull." David: "Says the man who used to sell ice for a living." Kristoff: "I'll have you know that the life of an ice harvester was hard and dangerous." David: "And redundant. If people want ice they'll go to their freezers. Let it go, Kristoff, let it go." Kristoff: (Sulkily:) "Well I still think that shirt looks ridiculous." David: "Hey, my wife made me this shirt. It's just like the one my mother made for me way back when. What is your problem anyway? You've been skulking around here a lot lately." Kristoff: (Defensively:) "Can't a guy visit his friend without an ulterior motive? (At David's look:) All right look, it's Anna. She's obsessed with this big secret Elsa's keeping from her and it's driving me nuts. If you ask me, those two are way too close. I mean are sisters usually that way?" David: "I couldn't say. I only had a brother and he tried to kill me. Snow's an only child so I don't have the sister-in-law issue." Kristoff: "Yeah well be grateful for that. (Sighs:) I take that back, Elsa is great, it's just... Anna shouldn't have to know every little thing about her sister's life, should she?" David: (Shrugs:) "Maybe they're making up for lost time? They were separated for 30 years." Kristoff: "We all were. Elsa may have been inside that urn but Anna and I, along with the entire population of Arendelle, were frozen. I was separated from Sven too, but you don't see me acting nuts." David: "Other than talking to him, you mean." Kristoff: "Hey, Sven understands more than you think." David: (Chuckles:) "All right, well I've gotta pick Neal up from daycare. Do you want a ride back to Arendelle?" Kristoff: (Sighs:) "Yeah, I guess I'd better." David: "Okay then, I'm gonna go wash up. Take those bales of hay back inside for me and I'll meet you out front." Kristoff: "You got it." (As David and Wilby the sheepdog head towards the house, Kristoff takes the hay bales back to the barn.) The Barn. (The large door swings open and Kristoff enters. The sounds of scurrying can be heard briefly above him from the hayloft.) Kristoff: (To himself:) "Great. They've got rats. Well, no way I'm climbing all the way up there. (He leans back and, with an almighty swing of both arms, he manages to clear the hayloft, returning the hay bales roughly to where they belong. Brushing his hands, Kristoff turns and heads for the door. Stopping in his tracks, Kristoff listens for any further sounds of scurrying:) Hm. Must've got 'em." (Kristoff walks through the barn door then closes it behind him.) Hayloft. (Letting out a breath she didn't realise she was holding, Emma sighs in relief once the barn door closes.) Emma: "Now that was a close one. (Looking up from her crouched position towards her wife, Emma sees Regina still hugging the wall of the barn, trying to make herself as still as possible. Smiling:) 'Gina, it's alright, the coast is clear." Regina: (Shaking her head:) "It's not that. There's a rat, r-right by your head." Emma: (Springing to her feet:) "What?!" (The sudden movement causes half a dozen rats to flee the cosy covering of hay and the ladder to fall with a loud clatter to the floor.) Regina: "Great. Now what?" Emma: (Reaching over and plucking a straw of hay from Regina's hair:) "Well, how about a roll in the hay?" Regina: (Looks to her for a moment, then smirks:) "I thought you'd never ask." (Emma barely has time to react and catch the older woman as Regina jumps into her arms. Caught off balance, Emma stumbles backwards into the pile of loose hay and both women disappear inside it. The sound of laughter fills the barn while the displaced hay falls to the floor below.)

Wonderland. Past. (The Red Queen sits reclined on a chaise long as the Tweedles give her a manicure and pedicure simultaneously.) Red Queen: "Harder. (Raises her voice:) Harder. (Shouts:) Harder! (She notices the White Rabbit enter:) Bunny! (She waves the Tweedles away and they leave:) How are you, darling?" White Rabbit: "Um, quite well, Your Majesty, y-yourself?" Red Queen: (Once the doors to her chamber close:) "Please, call me Anastasia. Oh, it's just awful. I think I've made a terrible mistake. I trusted the Queen of Hearts and now I'm trapped." White Rabbit: "How can I be of service, my Queen?" Red Queen: "You were once caught in her clutches but with some help you escaped. Now I need you to bring me the man who freed you. (Stands:) White Rabbit, bring me Will Scarlett." Wonderland. Dr. Facilier's Lair. (Tiana returns to find Dr. Facilier making a voodoo doll out of straw.) Dr. Facilier: (Smiling:) "Had a feeling I'd see you again.” Tiana: (Places her father’s medal on the table:) “I know you want it, so take it. Get whatever pathetic amount of gold you can.” Dr. Facilier: “And in exchange, you want me to...?” Tiana: “Hand over the woman you kidnapped.” Dr. Facilier: “Ah. (Chuckles:) You mean her? (Indicates a frog in a cage and laughs:) That's quite a sacrifice for a lowly frog.” Tiana: “Do we have a deal or not?” Dr. Facilier: (Taps the medal before picking it up:) “Such a powerful little thing, isn't it? First, it transformed your father from a cook into a prince. And now you, a sheltered princess into someone who would sacrifice for a man you don't even know. Quite the transformation.” Tiana: “Nothing's transformed me. That's who I always was. I just didn't realize it. There's no magic in there.” Dr. Facilier: (Laughing:) “Oh, but there is. You see, I've been in a kind of prison, trapped with one foot in this world and one in a less pleasant place. And this ruby is going to set me free. (The ruby shines in his hand as he stands:) So I'm going to keep this ruby and my little frog. (Laughs, picking up the cage:) I've grown quite fond of her sad, little cries. But as a gift for your part in my liberation I'll let you go, just this once.” Tiana: (Draws her sword and holds it on him:) “I'm not leaving without her.” Dr. Facilier: (Returning to his seat:) “I'm glad to hear it.”

(Suddenly, Facilier stabs the doll, causing a shooting pain to flare in Tiana’s leg. Tipping over the table, Tiana dives for the frog while Facilier searches for the ruby.) Dr. Facilier: (Stands to see Tiana once again pointing her sword at him:) "I've already got the best of this bargain. See you soon, Princess.” (Facilier closes his hand over the ruby and disappears in a cloud of black smoke. Smiling down at the frog in the cage, Tiana quickly turns and leaves the cave.) Red Queen's Palace. (Her spirits raised considerably, Anastasia takes time to stop and smell the flowers while awaiting the return of the White Rabbit. Turning, she walks right into the Queen of Hearts.) Cora: "You silly girl." Red Queen: "Dispensing of pleasantries so early on in our relationship? How tragic.” (Anastasia moves to walk past her.) Cora: (Freezing her in place with magic:) “Don’t you walk away from me. I know what you’ve done. Do you think the Knave of Hearts can actually save you? You have no idea what you need, but happily I’m here to tell you. What you need, dear girl, is to be quiet. What you need is to be still. Silent. Follow orders. Most of all, be grateful for the air I'm allowing you to breathe. We're not partners. I don't owe you anything. I have given you everything you need to be the greatest ruler Wonderland has ever known and yet you betray me. Oh well, if you refuse to see things my way willingly, then I have no choice. What comes next is your fault, Anastasia, remember that.” Wonderland. Beside The River. (Prince Marias sits waiting when Tiana approaches.) Tiana: “Prince Marias. (He stands, backing away:) Wait. It's just me.” Prince Marias: “Have you come to arrest me?” Tiana: “No. (Revealing the cage hidden beneath her cloak:) I have this.” Prince Marias: (Frog croaking:) “You got her!” Tiana: (Handing over the cage:) “I'm sorry about before. I finally figured out I don't need a hero if I can be a hero.” Prince Marias: “You sound like your father.” Tiana: “Well, then it sounds like I'm on the right path. I guess all that remains now is for you to deliver true love's kiss to your ladylove.”

Prince Marias: “Um, about my ladylove, I kind of misled you before.” Tiana: “About what?” (Prince Marias opens the cage and places the frog carefully in Tiana’s hands. Putting down the cage, Marias begins to lean towards the frog.) Prince Marias: “Oh, and thank you. We'll never forget you.” (The Prince kisses the frog and, once true love’s kiss works its magic, is transformed back into a frog himself. Surprised by this, Tiana gently lowers Marias’ love to the ground. Reunited, the pair of them look up at her and croak their thanks.) Tiana: “Huh. You're welcome.” (With that, the frogs hop into the lake and swim to safety as Tiana smiles after them.) Storybrooke. Present. Storybrooke Elementary School. (It is late evening and everyone has already gone home for the day. The lights in every classroom are turned off, all save one. Sitting behind the desk of Snow White’s classroom, is Regina. How they ended up here she's not quite sure. First her father's hayloft and now her mother's classroom, if she didn't know better, Regina would think her wife had some unresolved issues with her parents. Issues she herself had caused when she had threatened the Charmings during darker times, Regina mused. Back during her quest for vengeance, Regina had quite literally torn Emma's family apart. Had she known the true price of her Dark Curse, Regina might just have done things differently. Then again, given how things have turned out for her personally, now that she is the happiest she has ever been in her life, Regina is sure she would make the same choice. Although, while her words in Neverland about not feeling guilty for her actions were true, since deepening her relationship with Emma, there had been some sleepless nights. Back when she had first moved into the Mayor's mansion, Emma had spent many times after their lovemaking kissing away Regina's tears and murmuring words of reassurance to the older woman. Of course, the love and tenderness shown by the blonde had usually prompted fresh tears to fall. Eventually, Regina would open up to Emma and tell her how guilty she felt for her part in Emma's painful upbringing. Tossed from one foster home to another, Emma would never find her place in the world until stumbling into the very town she, Regina, had created. It was in those moments late at night or early morning that they would talk about such things. Each sharing stories about their childhoods, both the good and the bad. About their lingering resentments towards their parents and how, despite everything, each woman truly loved their families. More recently however, their nights had been spent talking about much happier and naughtier things. And so it was that Regina found herself sat smiling behind her wife's mother's desk, waiting for their next naughty tryst to take place.) Emma: (Standing with her hands on her hips, facing away from her:) "Okay, you ready?" Regina: (More than ready:) "Mmhmm." Emma: "Then let's begin." (Turning to face the seated woman, Emma finally reveals her full ensemble. Wearing a sheer white blouse borrowed from Regina, a short tartan skirt and long white stockings, Emma has managed to capture the essence of the fantasy catholic schoolgirl. The bows in her hair serving as the final, delicious touch.) Regina: "Oh, Emma, you look-" Emma: "Does Headmistress approve?" Regina: (Nods:) "I do. Very much." Emma: "Is it better than before?" (Regina frowns slightly, trying to think of what Emma means by this when she realises it's all part of the game.) Regina: "Yes, Emma. Your uniform is much more appropriate now. However, that does not excuse your transgressions from earlier. Do you understand why you are here?" Emma: (Almost shyly:) "Yes, Headmistress." Regina: "Very well. (Stands:) Please approach the desk and place your hands palms down upon it." (Wordlessly, Emma does as she's told, practically skipping towards the desk before placing herself in position.) Regina: (Removing her jacket and adopting a displeased tone:) "I had hoped last time would've dealt with your behaviour." Emma: (Smiling as she feels her skirt being flipped up over her back:) "Yes, Headmistress." Regina: "Perhaps a more thorough spanking this time should do the trick. (Emma nods, biting her lip while her underwear is tugged downwards to rest at her knees. With a tremor of arousal in her voice:) Now, arch your back and don't forget to count along, is that clear?" Emma: (Practically clawing at the desk:) "Yes, Headmistress." (Emma smiles when she can hear the raggedness in Regina's breathing even before they begin. Lowering her head, Emma closes her eyes in anticipation as Regina raises her hand before bringing it down in one swift motion.)

Wonderland. Past. Red Queen's Palace. (Having been retrieved from the Enchanted Forest by the White Rabbit, Will Scarlett scales the balcony in an attempt to enter the palace undetected.) Cora: (As Will vaults over the balcony:) "Hello, Knave." Will: "Back off, witch. I've come for Anastasia. (Walking past her and calling out:) Anastasia!" Cora: "What makes you think the Queen wants anything to do with a commoner such as yourself?" Will: "Because she sent for me, but then you already knew that." Cora: "Hm, true. You shouldn't have returned to Wonderland." Will: "Yeah, well believe me I already know that. But the thing is, Ana and I are mates. Mates who save each others lives." Cora: "I assure you that won't be necessary. She has a new life now, one that's hard enough without old boyfriends distracting her with flights of fancy." Will: "No, you see that's where you're wrong. When I saved Ana's life, she was fleeing from you. When she saved my life, she freed me from your clutches. Well now it's my turn to save her from you again. (Calling out:) Anastasia!" Cora: "She can't hear you from where she is." Will: "Oh I see. Dungeons then is it? You forget that I remember how you bent the Red King to your will. So come on then, take me to see her." Cora: (Considers him a moment, then smiles:) "Why not." (With a wave of her hand, Cora transports herself and Will into the dungeons.) Castle Dungeons. (They reappear outside Anastasia's cell who quickly rushes the bars.) Anastasia: "Will! You came back for me." Will: "Well, I never did learn how to stay out of trouble, did I?" Cora: "I'll give you two a moment alone, while I find the Knave his very own cell." (Cora leaves in a puff of smoke.) Will: "Quickly, Ana, we don't have much time." Anastasia: "It's no use, Will. The queen has enchanted the lock, there's no way out unless she frees me." Will: (Pulling out his tools and getting to work:) "Well there's no harm in trying is there?" Anastasia: (Watches him in wonder:) "Even without your heart, you chose to help me and not yourself. You're no Knave, you're a good man Will Scarlett.” Will: "No, I'm a selfish man. It's my fault you're in here, that any of this happened to you." Anastasia: "What are you talking about?" Will: "If I hadn't asked the Queen to take my heart, I wouldn't have been there at the ball the night we first met. I wouldn't have become a pawn in the Queen's pursuit of power." Anastasia: "No, if it wasn't for you, the Queen's men would have hunted me down and killed me for certain. (Will shakes his head continuing to work on the lock:) You chose to be heartless? I never knew that." Will: "After what happened with Alice, I couldn't feel like that for the rest of my life. I just wanted the pain to end." Anastasia: "If anyone's to blame for all this it's me. I let my fear of letting everyone down cloud my judgement. I let the Queen manipulate me into adopting her own view of the world. It wasn't until I saw with my own eyes what kind of monster she was that I realised the truth. And by then it was too late. Getting involved with magic - that was the start of all our trouble." Will: (Nods:) "You can say that again, Your Majesty.” (Giving Will a weak smile, Anastasia reaches through the bars to place a comforting hand on his forearm.) Storybrooke. Present. Storybrooke Elementary School. (The sound of someone fumbling with their keys is the first indication Emma and Regina have that they're no longer alone in the school. Before either of them can do anything to extricate themselves from their current position on top of the desk, a loud gasp is heard from the doorway. Instinctively rising to her knees and looking back over her shoulder, Emma is able to confirm that the worst has indeed happened.) Emma: "H-hi Mom." (After staring with her mouth agape for what feels like an eternity, Snow White finally covers her eyes and immediately slips into denial mode.) Snow White: "I didn't see anything. I didn't see anything, I didn't-" (Looking down at her wife to see that Regina is just as mortified as her mother, Emma does the only thing she can think of and magics them both from the room, leaving Snow to her hysterical chants long after they've gone.)

Wonderland. Past. Palace Dungeons. (Cora returns to the cells as Will steps away from the door.) Cora: "Time's up I'm afraid. I've alerted the guards of your presence so even if you were planning on 'escaping my clutches' once again, you'll have them to deal with." Will: "That might've been a problem, if I'd come alone. You know, I am a little disappointed. Both of you know my reasons for coming to Wonderland and yet despite everything, neither of you realise what I know to be true." Cora: (Moving closer:) "And what is that?" Will: (Leaning down:) "That there's nothing more important than family. Ana, get down!" (Will jumps out of the way as a blast of magic hits the cell door, causing it to spring open.) Anastasia: (Turning in shock towards the source of the blast:) "Mother!" Rapunzel: (Stepping out of the shadows to face the Queen of Hearts:) "There'll be time enough for apologies later. Now follow the Knave and get out of here while I deal with this witch." (Cora smiles and conjures a fireball in her hand.) Anastasia: "No, Mother, she's too powerful." Rapunzel: (Looking to Will:) "Get her out of here." Anastasia: (As Will begins dragging her away:) "No, Will, please. She'll kill her." Will: "Your mother's right, Ana. We have to go." Cora: "You can't really hope to defeat me with that stolen wand." Rapunzel: (They begin circling each other:) "There's is nothing more powerful in this world than a mother protecting her child." Cora: "Love is weakness, it makes you vulnerable." Rapunzel: "Oh, I won't be using love to defeat you, Cora." Cora: "I see. Well then, you may just have a chance. Use your aggressive feelings, Let the hate flow through you." Anastasia: (Standing her ground:) "No, I can't let her kill, Will. I can't let my mother darken her heart for me." Will: (As she wrenches herself from his grasp:) "Ana, wait!" Cora: "Strike me down with all of your hatred and your journey into the darkness will be complete!" Rapunzel: "My heart is already darkened, dear. How do you think I got this wand? What's one more kill? It'll be a small price to pay to be rid of you!" (Rapunzel raises her wand in anger and sends sparks towards Cora.) Anastasia: (Running in:) "Mother, no!" (Cora raises her hands defensively, deflecting the blow, causing it to rebound and strike Anastasia squarely in the chest. The girl stands motionless for a moment, Rapunzel dropping her wand in horror at what she's done.) Will: (Running in to catch her as she falls:) "Anastasia!" (Collapsing into Will's arms, Anastasia stares blankly up at her mother, the light draining from her eyes before they close. Cora takes in the scene as Rapunzel sinks to her knees, emitting a cry of despair that rings throughout the palace.)

[edgy-fluffball]

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I really wanted to post a birthday fic and now it’s almost midnight over here. Better late than never, I guess. The whole ordeal can be found on ao3, as well.

If you work with stubborn people long enough, they are bound to rub off on you. The same applies to people you went through hardships with. Therefore, it was only reasonable that the three men who met up at one particular Central Park bench, spent hours bickering and playfully insulting each other. Passers-by threw them scandalised looks every time they roared out in laughter after having been told a saucy joke. They were landmarks of some sort – High Schoolers greeted them on their way home, some stopped to talk to them for a while; the men were happy to share their stories of days long gone. Mothers who pushed their kids around in prams were allowed to vent to them and at least once a day one of the men ended up calming down a crying child by pulling faces and rocking them. Busy business people almost jogging past them in their hurry to get from one place to another were ridiculed with the most spiteful imitations and comments imaginable, at least as long as they seemed to take themselves too seriously to share a brief smile with them.

Once in a while, someone comes along who recognises them.

They are mostly vets, people like them, albeit a little younger, it seems. The exhibition in D.C. put them back into the spotlight for a few moments. They got to leave their homes and families for the grand opening, the remaining few, praised by those who will never know what they gained, lost and gained again. Their pictures had been on the news, first their enlistment pics, then the new footage of three ninety year olds cutting a red ribbon, one of them leaning on the others, his eyes wet.

After that, there are questions from the school kids passing their bench on sunny days. Most questions are about the war, the Captain and his heroic deeds, the kids still idolise him. Too much, they’d say if asked.

Man, do they enjoy ruining the Captain’s perfect image in their eyes.

No embarrassing story is left untouched, no silly comment, no mishap remains untold. They tell the High Schoolers about how he blushed whenever one of the French waitresses flirted with him, that he never knew how to respond. They tell the Middle Schoolers that Captain America has a mouth not to be reckoned with, a potty mouth worthy of every soap ration they got. They recall all the times the Sarge threatened to wash the curse words off his tongue and their eyes glint. They boast in front of kindergarten and elementary school kids about how Cap needed them as much as his shield. Some of the parents ask questions as well: has Captain Rogers contacted them after he woke up? They get quiet after that question because no, he hasn’t.

‘How should he, he must’ve thought everybody gone,’ Monty says, ‘They are, to be fair. We’re the ones to stubborn to die.’

‘You’ve seen him on the news, straight back into the whole fighting business,’ Dum Dum adds, ‘He’s got worlds to save and other people to impress.’

He goes by Mr Dugan now, most of the time. His moustache is grey and his hands shake, but his voice is still deep and booming. He sings, sometimes, songs of longing and absence, and a few people stop at their bench. They listen to him whenever he does sing. It makes Morita emotional, his eyes well up as he joins in, voice husky with age, his eyes still twinkling long after finishing the song. And then there’s Monty who’s gone blind after his seventieth year. The tactician has Dugan and Morita pick him up from his care home and his smile is still brilliant and beaming when he hears them come in.

Sometimes, Morita’s youngest takes them to the park instead of them having to take the subway. He works in Queens as a High School principal, but he doesn’t leave out any opportunity to witness his father getting roasted by his oldest friends. And they never allow a chance elapse.

Their time in the park makes them happy. Dum Dum and Morita describe people to Monty, pointing out whatever seems important to them. Not everybody takes kindly to being called out by an old man exclaiming they walk with a stick up their backside.

Except, Dum Dum doesn’t say backside.

But then again, they are ninety and Monty’s not just blind, but hard of hearing, too. Should’ve been Dernier, they joke, but they buried their Demolitions Specialist in the Nineties. Sometimes, all protecting them from angry pedestrians and joggers is the fact that they are ninety, and you don’t attack ninety year olds. Then again, Dum Dum may be ninety and walking with a cane, but he still works out every day.

‘Who knows when it might come in handy,’ he says.

When it would come in handy, he is in hospital. He tells Monty and Morita that he got mugged when they first visit, too embarrassed to confess that he slipped in the bathroom. He watches the news on the TV in his hospital room though, he sees the helicarriers over D.C. He hears that Hydra had been there, through all those years. The nurses have to calm him down because he has seen the Captain fall, and he is crying hot, angry tears when Monty and Morita arrive. He keeps repeating that their Steve fell like his Bucky did and he wasn’t there to help, again. He struggles to breathe, lungs filled with hasty gasps that leave him feeling like he’s drowning. Again, he says, like Steve.

The last Howling Commandos sit together and talk, Morita gets his son to show them the news report again and again on YouTube. They watch Steve fall and swear to visit him, to tell him they are alive.

They never do because it is too hard, the news segment tricks them into remembering things that never happened as it is. They set aside the computer and switch off the TV when Morita has to blink away tears because he thinks he sees the Sarge looking down on Steve falling into the Potomac. No, they don’t turn up at Avengers Tower or the Compound Howard’s son installs somewhere else in the country.

Instead, they visit their girl. Peggy doesn’t remember them most of the time and cries, if she does. But Dum Dum sings to her and Monty makes her a cup of tea, exactly how she likes it. Afterwards, they walk back to Central Park and sit on their bench in silence. No one can capture how to deal with Peggy Carter crying because she can’t remember.

The questions start again, after the Triscelion is shut down completely and pronounced in danger of collapsing. Did you ever work for or with Secret Services? Have you seen the footage of Cap falling from that helicarrier-thing? Do you know if the Avengers are okay? And then, as everything seemingly reverts back to normal, they mourn their girl, kids ask about the war again, take photos of the three men on their bench or ask them to pass back a stray ball. At some point, Dum Dum starts narrating joggers again, making up stories to each person passing them to entertain Monty who starts asking stupid questions otherwise.

‘There’s a boy running around here…he’s passed us for the fifth time, he’ll just drop dead at some point. He’s got stamina, I’ll give him that. Wearing an army sweater.’

‘Leave him alone then, Dum Dum,’ Morita kicks him, ‘he looks decent. A nice boy. He’s probably just avoiding the masses in the streets or the pilgrimages towards the best firework-watching spots.’

The young man passes them for the sixth time, slower now. He is walking more than running, drenched in sweat because it’s warm enough to boil an egg on a car. Morita applauds him as he approaches.

‘Well done, son,’ his eager eyes follow the athlete as he goes to pick up his water bottle which he had left in the sparse shadow of a nearby tree, ‘Do you want to rest for a moment?’

‘Thank you, sir.’

As he comes closer, Dum Dum deciphers the badge on his shirt, ‘Pararescue, huh?’

‘Yessir,’ the man smiles and salutes lazily, ‘Been out a few years now, though.’

‘Us, too,’ Monty jokes and moves to make some space for the newcomer.

‘Please don’t, I’m good.’

‘Son, you just went for a run in this heat – you sit.’

The young man laughs and Dum Dum likes him even more for that. He obviously has a sense of humour, not unlike their own. It’s easy to laugh, now that they have survived so much, they laugh about small details in a bigger picture more than about satires, wise jokes or clever high society humour that Peggy would have enjoyed. It’s the old man insisting on a place to sit for the younger, fuck politeness and conventions, that cracks them up. You learn to enjoy everything, once you have fought for as little as the will to stay alive. Someone, probably Gabe or Dernier, had said they all were simply too stubborn to die. They were proven wrong, of course, when Barnes dies, and then Rogers went down after them. Their Captain, however, proved them right again, because by God, no man is as stubborn as Steven Rogers. Of course he had to survive. They see it as their duty to live, now that no one but them is left.

Dum Dum sighs, deep enough to make Monty turn. He is glad the Brit can’t see him, sometimes. He knows he’s tearing up again. Thank God for Morita who distracts their young companion, discussing something off the news with him. Dum Dum wipes his eyes. He feels Monty’s hand on his arm, squeezing, reassuring him. When he has composed himself again, he can listen to Morita speaking of Europe. The war. Of course, they don’t have many other topics to talk to strangers about.

‘May I take a photo of you?’ The young man has his phone at the ready, ‘I’m sorry, this must be weird. I can explain-‘

‘Happens more often than you’d think,’ Monty grins, ‘People think we are something we having been in a long time.’

‘That’s not – I really…It’s just…I have this competition with a pal of mine. My codename in the force was somewhat bird-related. He sends me pics of pigeons all the time, asking if they are related to me. Which led to me responding with pics of…seniors. He’s a bit older than me, it’d silly. But then again, nothing can top three World War Two vets, right?’

This has Dum Dum belting out a laugh. He remembers Barnes’ pointing at any random red squirrel they came across, asking if he had no shame to ignore his grandmother like this or whether he’d like a moment with his sister. Dum Dum had taken him into a headlock every time until Barnes called for the Captain to come rescue him. He smiles, the memory feeling just out of reach for him to hold onto. It happens more and more often with every day.

‘Man, he’s going to freak out. He’ll kill me, and his boyfriend will assist him,’ the young man seems to catch himself a moment later, eying them warily.

Monty laughs, ‘Is he contemplating whether we are homophobic assholes?’

‘Definitely,’ Morita pats the young man on the shoulder, ‘Don’t worry, son. We’re as liberal as can be. Hell, our own commanding officer was gay…’

Dum Dum rolls his eyes, he has to finish off the implication before Morita can spill the beans, ‘They thought they were sneaky…we knew after a week. Us, we were privates, a brigadier, a corporal – but the Captain and the Sarge thought they were being secretive. They snuck off into the woods whenever we weren’t looking. We told them, eventually. Never saw ears turn as pink…’

Monty elbows him, they keep it tame these days.

‘Your commander and his right-hand man?’ The young man sounds baffled.

Before they can reply anything, the phone in his hand goes off. The ringtone is somewhat familiar to them, it’s the song of the ice queen-movie Dum Dum’s great-granddaughter likes so much. Everything is Frozen now, it used to be something bad, Dum Dum thinks, remembering dark nights without a fire somewhere in Europe.

The young man answers the phone with a grin, but he doesn’t get a single word in. There is shouting from the other end, one or two voices, Dum Dum’s hearing-aids don’t pick up too much. Then, the call is ended abruptly.

Their new friend hasn’t said anything and seems confused, ‘He told me to stay put. Right here. And to not let you leave. Said something about him and his boyfriend coming here.’

Morita huffs out a laugh. They know what happens now. Someone has been more attentive than him in their history lessons, recognised them in the picture and is on their way to get another photo or an autograph.

‘I’m sorry for anything he might say. He doesn’t really have a brain-to-mouth-filter,’ the young man says, ‘he’s probably going to kill me right here, in front of you.’

‘Having friends with no filter is fun,’ Monty laughs, ‘it’s amusing.’

He eyes Dum Dum but again, Dum Dum’s mind drifts off. It does that, sometimes, transports him back in time, shows him painful, happy memories. He remembers Barnes, once the relationship was out in the open. They have heard enough to make them blush, Dernier pretended not to understand English for a week, maybe even more, after Barnes began to talk about Rogers in detail. Luckily for him, Barnes believed him because of a defusing mishap that had happened earlier. Everybody else had gotten first-hand reports about Stevie in the sack.

‘It’s fun until he overshares,’ the young man sighs, ‘Anyway, since we are seemingly waiting for two crazy persons…well, they may be faster than you’d think.’

His eyes focussed on something located behind the bench, ‘Well, here we go.’

There is a whirl, something silvery-metallic rushes past them and launches itself at the young man who has stopped smiling. It takes Dum Dum a moment to process what is happening, he exchanges a look with Morita. Their eyes and minds aren’t as quick as they used to be but it’s enough to notice the newcomer’s metal arm.

‘Holy shit,’ Morita breathes out, his eyes wide, ‘Monty, I’m going to say something you won’t believe – and you are not allowed to hit me for it, okay?’

He clears his throat. For a moment, Dum Dum thinks he’s choked up.

‘Monty – Barnes is alive and seemingly well. He’s currently choking our young jogger with his metal arm.’

Of course Monty hits him, Dum Dum wants to share the sentiment, but something keeps him from it. Instead, he focuses on the two men wrestling a few steps from them.

‘I draw a fucking line at snapping fucking pictures of people looking remotely like the Howlies, Sam Wilson! What the fuck would you do that for? We were about to cut the cake and Steve had to turn away! You made him fucking cry.’

Dum Dum’s head is spinning. He is over ninety years old and he sees things, memories and reality overlap in front of his eyes, leading him to believe in ghosts. Sarge, Bucky Barnes, looking little older than the day he fell from the train trying to catch the monster that had experimented on him, stands right in front of him. His hair is longer, down to his shoulders, his jaw is sharper and he actually has a metal arm.

‘You see him too, Morita?’ he rasps out, clutching Monty’s hand, ‘I’ll be damned, but I think he’s real!’

Monty sucks in a breath, ‘You’re telling me that I’m not hearing voices? I mean, nothing sounds as sweet as the Sarge shellac somebody but it’s too good to be true.’

‘Only one way to find out,’ Dum Dum says and reaches for his cane, ‘Oi, Sarge! Leave the man alone!’

He tries to stand up but his knees don’t want to hold his weight up. Within seconds, the man who looks like Barnes is there and helps him up, fingers closed around his arm. Dum Dum doesn’t waste time once he sees his face clearly. It is him, no doubt. He pulls him into his arms, noticing that he’s shorter than him now, stooping and age-worn by the time he has spent without them. He feels the sob in his throat, leans into Barnes and claws at his shirt, feeling the proof of his existence under his shaking fingers.

‘You asshole are alive? How?’ Morita is there, leading Monty’s hands to feel Barnes’ face.

Barnes looks up in surprise as careful fingers explore his features, takes in the Brit’s unseeing eyes and leans into the touch in response. It is the imprint of a gesture they first experienced during the war, Dum Dum remembers how they huddled together around a camp fire, somewhere in France. Bucky had suffered from nightmares after Zola’s lab and all of them had assured him of their presence and company.

It had been a lot of touching and grounding each other.

‘It’s you,’ Monty whispers, voice breaking, ‘Sarge-‘

‘Bucky,’ his voice is softer than it has ever been, ‘I get to be just Bucky now.’

‘Well, Bucky,’ Dum Dum says, ‘you’re certainly as ugly as ever.’

‘There’s only so much seventy years on ice can improve. It’s not plastic surgery, Dugan,’ another voice intercepts their happy reunion, ‘at least that’s what I’ve been told.’

For a moment, Dum Dum believes he’s died and gone to heaven. Bucky smiles at him with a trace of sadness in his eyes, sadness because they have missed out on so much, but then he retreats a few steps and is welcomed back in a tight embrace. It is more intimate than any hug the old men could caress with. No one can hug the Sarge like this – Dum Dum is determined to call him by his title and rank in his head – because there he stands, brightly shining in the midday sun, as tall and broad as he ever was.

Captain Steve Rogers, too, hasn’t changed, Dum Dum thinks and wipes his eyes. There they both are, standing in front of the three old soldiers, their old pals, bathed in sunlight. Monty and Morita hug him, too, they start asking questions because they need to know everything. It seems too much, the circumstances of Bucky’s survival, the how and why needs to be thoroughly discussed and they act like they are running out of time. Dum Dum sees the jogger stand close by, showing a pleased smile.

‘So, which one are you?’ he asks, nodding in the vague direction of the horrible monument Howard’s son built for his team. Like father, like son.

‘The Falcon, sir,’ he answers, ‘I should have recognised you, the moustache really does give it away, in hind-sight. Thank you, by the way. Indirectly, you are the reason for a breakthrough development. Barnes hasn’t left the Tower ever since he came back to Steve. The picture I took and sent to him got him out of a lethargic condition, Steve was the only one who could get through to him.’

Dum Dum looks over to where Bucky seems to curl into Steve. A man of his size looking almost frail in the arms of the man he loved – Dum Dum frowns.

‘What happened to him must’ve been horrible,’ Morita says quietly, ’I’m just glad he’s found the Captain again. They really are inseparable.’

Which is when Dum Dum remembers something Barnes had yelled earlier, something that comes back to him so prominently that he needs to thrust past his old pals. Because they had agreed to leave the park soon, to get back to Morita’s in time for dinner. Because the city is hell, more than usually on this day. Fireworks, picnics and parades, Dum Dum remembers.

‘It’s your birthday,’ he blurts out and examined the Captain’s face.

The blush gave him away. So Barnes had been right, they really had been celebrating back in the tower when the Falcon had interrupted them. It explains Barnes’ reaction. Morita and Monty realise it, too. Their 4th July park time has been interrupted by the man whose birthday had made them laugh when they first heard about it.

The Captain nods, still silent. He tries to shrink next to Barnes but he doesn’t succeed. Dum Dum remembers it all, it is as if the floodgates have been opened. He remembers singing in French bistros, dark pubs in England and Peggy’s lipstick staining Steve’s skin. A day earlier he would have said she kissed him to congratulate him, now he knows that Barnes nicked her lipstick for a play the Howlies put on for their Captain. He remembers Barnes and Dernier in stockings and ill-fitting skirts and the laugh bubbles up inside his throat. He wheezes, tries to calm his friends who seem to worry about him. The only way to let them know is to point at Barnes, and at his lips, mimicking the motion of putting on red pigment.

Steve is the first one to grasp it and his laughter is forceful enough to bend him in half. He clasps Dum Dum’s shoulder and they sink back onto the bench, crying for joy, howling and pointing at Barnes who seems too baffled to realise what is happening.

It takes them a few moments to calm down. Once they can breathe again they sit with their arms around each other’s shoulders. The Captain grins up at Barnes who still can’t follow but seems relieved to see his boyfriend back to almost normal.

‘Thank you,’ Steve turns to the Falcon, ‘honestly, Sam. That must have been the best birthday present possible. You found mine and Bucky’s oldest friends. This is…just amazing.’

They end up in the Stark monstrosity by the time the fireworks explode across the sky, standing in front of a window front with any Avenger in the country that night. Howard’s son seems starstruck for about a fracture of a second when he actually gets to meet the men who fought with Steve during the war and who helped his godmother and father afterwards, and asks them all enough questions to fill a whole day. Dum Dum and Monty promise to answer them all. Morita is too busy trying to call his son to let him know just where he is spending his evening.

An hour later, the three old men have sat down on one of the comfy couches. Neither of them will be able to get up out of them without help but they accept the risk willingly. Across from them, curled into each other, are the Captain and his Bucky. They whisper into each other’s ears, fingers comb through hair and there is a smile, hiding in the corner of the Sarge’s mouth.

It is a beginning, they all tell each other, now they will see each other regularly. They will talk, savour every minute they still have. Although, Monty informs them, he intends to live to onehundredandfifty.

‘Too stubborn to die,’ Bucky mumbles and cuddles into Steve’s side, he is being fed with birthday cake and he seems content. He has even apologized to Sam, the Falcon, for attacking him over what turned out to be a picture of the real Howling Commandoes.

So much has happened, so much they have to talk about. In fact, so much has happened that no one speaks about it, really. They simply don’t know where to start.

They will have enough time to figure out how to start, Dum Dum thinks as he takes the first step into a future where the remaining Howling Commandos are reunited with their leaders and New York City celebrates. Bucky still clings to Steve, they are holding hands, fingers weaving into each other – and yet, he offers his other arm, the metal one, to Monty who leans onto it readily when they eventually end up on one couch, sharing birthday memories from over seventy years ago. Dum Dum smiles. The Avengers listen to stories of stolen alcohol – ‘Borrowed,’ Monty insists – of self-made gifts and vouchers over an extra blanket during long winter nights.

They make new memories that night, with proper cake, gifts and Steve and Bucky not having to hide. Dum Dum has to wipe his eyes again.

Somehow, it all works out perfectly.