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#flash: also if your panic buttons go to iron man WHY did you not hit them I M M E D I A T E L Y ???
idk-bruh-20 · 1 year
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Irondad fic ideas #102
When Flash first overhears Peter talking about the "Stark Internship," he rolls his eyes and thinks, "Of course he'd go with that excuse at Midtown School of Science and Technology."
Whatever. Flash knows the truth. He's seen the car that Parker gets picked up in, seen the body guard / chauffeur and the absolutely insane amount of discrete safety tech he always has on. Flash is convinced that the whole orphan thing is just a cover story and Peter secretly has parents at least as rich and influential as Flash's own.
Maybe they're politicians or the mob or something, and that's why all the secrecy. Honestly, Flash is doing him a favor by bullying him all the time for being an unimportant orphan. It's the perfect cover. Maybe he'll even drop the ridiculous Stark Industries lie and come up with a more believable backstory soon.
Then, one day Flash and Peter end up in a kidnapping situation.
The kidnappers take Flash's watch, but they leave some of Peter's tech since it's better hidden. As soon as they're alone, Flash expects Peter to hit that panic button and get them the hell out of there.
Only... he doesn't? Did Peter learn nothing from K&R training? Flash reaches over and hits the secret panic button 3 times immediately, no hesitation. Peter is shocked. Flash is like, "Oh come on, I obviously know your secret."
He's kind of curious and excited now to see who Peter's secret parents are, once the cops get them out of there.
He is not at all prepared when Iron Man bursts through the door.
He's even less prepared when Tony Stark steps out of the suit and totally freaks out at Peter, hugging him and checking for injuries.
... maybe he's finally met Peter's secret parent after all.
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polaroid15 · 3 years
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Febuwhump day 20 - Betrayal
Summary: “How bad?” Tony asks.
“Not bad.”
“Pete-”
“I’m serious! I’ve gotten ten times worse as Spider-Man.”
When Tony looks at him, it’s gentle, and it nearly brings him to tears. “But you weren’t Spider-Man, buddy.”
Or, Peter just wanted a coffee.
Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29138196/chapters/72739866
------
It’s not everyday that Peter is pistol whipped in the face by a Starbucks customer.
Today, however, is that day.
He’s at the front of the line, finally, and just as the cashier hands him his change a man wearing a crudely cut ski mask shoots two bullets into the ceiling. Everyone screams, ducks, and through the mass panic Peter hears his handful of change roll across the floor.
“Are you kidding me-”
“EVERYONE ON THE GROUND!”
Peter listens, trying his best to keep calm as he assesses his surroundings. The store has six customers and two employees. Another masked individual joins the first, also holding a gun.
That they’re not afraid to use, apparently.
Slowly and praying not to draw attention, Peter’s fingers close around the watch Tony had given him for his birthday and presses the side button three times. He’s only used the distress signal once before, and Tony had been at his side to help within a matter of minutes.
These idiots won’t even know what hit them.
The first man crosses behind the counter and shoves his gun into the barista’s face. “Open the register.”
For a minute, Peter thinks she’s going to refuse, her eyes set with anger and fear. As if getting the same sense, the man with the gun presses the barrel hard against her cheek and she whimpers. “Now,” he repeats, and she obeys with shaking hands.
Even though she complies, the man steps closer, his trigger finger tensing as the first inch of the barrel practically disappears into her face. Spidey sense screaming, Peter stands carefully, hands outstretched, “hey, hey. Come on man. Ease up. She’s doing what you asked-”
“On the ground,” the second criminal yells at him, spit flying from his mask. Peter freezes on the spot, eyes glued on the trembling barista. For one terrible moment, he’s brought back to a dark alley, his hands pressing down desperately on Ben’s chest.
“The register’s open,” Peter reasons, “let her go.”
“Looks like someone’s trying to play hero,” the first robber sneers. He pushes the barista aside and she falls onto the floor with a strangled yelp. “Grab him.”
Peter doesn’t flinch as the man’s accomplice obeys, digging strong fingers into his bicep and dragging him out of line. His back is brought against the man’s chest and the gun is pressed into his throat. He swallows at the pressure and keeps his eyes trained on the first man, who’s stuffing a duffel with cash.
Outside, there’s sirens.
“Damn it!”
The first man slams the empty drawer closed, throwing his gun out widely, “which one of you called the police?”
Peter almost laughs. Almost. “Are you kidding? You would’ve heard it if someone called. It’s a small room, buddy-”
A sharp pain in his face nearly sends him crashing to his knees. Blood pools onto his tongue but he keeps it there, not wanting to scare the other customers. Through the aching pulse in his head he hears a couple of them gasp.
“Not the time to be smart, kid.”
“Well you’re the ones who decided to rob a Starbucks of all places.”
Before Peter can even suck in a breath, he’s hit three more times, all where the first blow had landed. This time he does fall, and the man kicks him in the ribs for good measure when he’s down. The force of it has him gasping and somewhere in the distance Peter hears a kid crying.
Don’t think about Ben, don’t think about Ben.
“Police are here. Damn it. What do we do?”
Peter hears shuffling as he tries to reorient himself, his head spinning like a top. He only makes it to his elbows before his jacket is grabbed at its shoulder and he’s manhandled to his feet. He sways but stands his ground, wiping the blood off his chin with his sleeve.
“We take him with us.”
Peter doesn’t have the energy to argue as he’s dragged to the entrance by his neck. Through the glass and a rapidly swelling eye, Peter sees a semi circle of police, completely closing off an escape. He thinks he sees a flash of red and gold, too, but he can’t be sure.
“Walk, kid. No funny business.”
And he does, grateful, above everything else, that no one got hurt.
With a forceful shove, Peter is thrown out of the store, the grip on his neck still strong. He knows it’ll bruise in the shape of fingers, that he’ll stare at it in the mirror later and shudder at the memory of the touch.
“Drop your weapons!”
Peter yelps as the back of his knee is kicked in, forcing him to the ground. One of the men grabs his hair, forcing his head back, and sticks his gun underneath his chin. “Make another move and the kid gets it!”
It’s only now that Peter realizes his eyes hadn’t been playing tricks on him. Tony is here, standing on the sidelines of officers, his eyes blown wide with panic before his expression is cut off by his helmet.
He feels too dazed to be relieved.
“Let the kid go!” he hears one of the officers yell.
“Let us go!”
Peter chuckles again, and he’s not sure why. He feels warm blood dribble down his chin, and the grip tightens in his hair until he’s sure it’s going to be pulled right out of his scalp.
Whatever the men holding him had thought this was going to go, it must not be working, because one of the hisses a “get up” in his ear. Peter tries to listen, but he feels shaky and weak, and mostly just lets himself be dragged. He ends up back against the man’s chest, the gun pressed so forcefully into his temple that the opposite side of his head nearly touches his shoulder.
Only now does he let himself be afraid.
He could die.
Not as Spider-Man, not as a hero, but as himself. Right now. At Starbucks, of all places.
In front of Tony.
His mentor would never forgive himself.
“Walk,” the man hisses in his ear, and Peter stumbles obediently along with them as they step away from the door. The police follow them with their guns but otherwise don’t move.
“Where are you going to run?” Peter chokes. “It’s already too late.”
“Shut up.”
“There’s no way out of this.”
“I said shut up!”
Peter gasps when his head is hit again, his vision whitening at its edges. He must slump because the man struggles to keep him vertical. Somewhere in his fall Peter hears a familiar blast of repulsors and the hostile touch leaves him instantly. He falls to the cement, barely managing to catch himself on his elbows.
There’s a sudden rush of movement and Peter winces at the sheer loudness of it all. He hears muffled curses, boots hitting the pavement, the hostages inside the store cheering-
“Peter?”
And then there’s Iron Man, crouched down beside him and lifting up his chin gently with a metal-clad hand. Peter blinks away his double vision and musters a weak smile. “Hey man,” he wheezes, “coffee break?”
Tony doesn’t laugh like Peter hoped he would. Instead, he feels the armour shift under his arms and he’s lifted up, up and away. He jams his eyes closed at the sudden vertigo and lets out a tense breath when they land together on a nearby rooftop. In a second Tony is out of the suit and sitting beside Peter, his hands ghosting over the blood and bruises on his face.
“Concussion?”
“Look at my face. What do you think?”
“Cut that sass, kid. I have enough for the both of us. Anything else hurt?”
“Uh, my pride?”
“Ha. Funny. Now tell me the real answer.”
Peter sighs, and somewhere in the middle chokes on the blood in his throat. It makes his ribs flare and the wince he makes must be enough for Tony to piece two and two together.
“How bad?” he asks.
“Not bad.”
“Pete-”
“I’m serious! I’ve gotten ten times worse as Spider-Man.”
When Tony looks at him, it’s gentle, and it nearly brings him to tears. “But you weren’t Spider-Man, buddy.”
He sighs again and this time it’s easier. He lays down against the pavement in hopes it’ll stop the world from spinning while Tony hovers beside him like a worried mother hen. “Didn’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
“So let me guess,” Tony says, “you smart mouthed them.”
“Yep.”
“Course you did.”
Peter groans, poking gingerly at his swelling eye. He can barely see out of it anymore, which is highly unfortunate. “I lost my change. And I didn’t even get my drink.”
“Well, you’re alive, so that’s something.”
“Starbucks is expensive, Tony. I was treating myself.”
“I’ll buy you the whole damn Starbucks company if it’ll stop you from getting your face smashed in.”
Peter laughs at this. It makes his ribs burn. “Deal.”
Tony is quiet for a minute. “Feel up for a flight back home?”
Home.
He smiles.
“Only if we can pick up a coffee on the way.”
“Good God, kid. Look at these grey hairs. No seriously, I want you to look at them.”
Peter huffs out a laugh, head lolling slightly as Tony pulls him back up by his arms. Before they lift off, Peter is surprised when Tony wraps him in a hug. He blinks, then relaxes into it. It feels as if some of his pain is leaking into Tony.
He feels better.
“Thanks for coming,” he whispers.
Tony pulls away, ruffling his hair softly, his scalp still sore. “How couldn’t I? You were smart for once in your life and actually used the panic button I gave you-”
“Smart enough for a coffee?” Peter smirks, a cut on his lip stinging.
Tony looks at him solemnly and shakes his head.
“Grey hairs, Pete. Grey hairs.”
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lucisfavoritedemon · 3 years
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Almost There
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Pairing: Tony Stark x C.I.A platonic!reader (Gender neutral)
Request: The reader is a real life federal agent, and is task to go into the mcu to bring tech out. The reader is given a teleporter, fake ID, money, and a pistol. The plan is to steal a truck full of Stark tech and be transported back. When the reader enters the MCU they wake up in an abandoned warehouse. They spent several months gathering information, practicing and discovering what'sx different inside the MCU. One day they put the plan into action everything goes to plan until the transporter is broken at the rendezvous point. (From the real world point) The reader is then captured by stark and interrogated about them not existing. The reader in the end stays quiet but before they're arrested the battle of N.Y happens and they escape wondering what to do.
Warnings: some cursing, cocky reader, being rude to Tony Stark (sorry to Tony lovers)
Word Count: 1663
A/N: This was requested by @iawaythrown. Thank you so much for the request. I hope you like it. I also tried to keep this as gender neutral as possible. I’m sorry if I did not. This is not Beta read, so all mistakes are mine.
Enjoy!
I had a mission. It was all planned out, all I had to do was follow instructions. Of course things here never seem to pan out the way you want, and of course I was seemingly suspicious. No wonder he caught me. No wonder I’m now trapped here. 
Okay, I’m getting way ahead of myself. I’m not from this universe, reality, or whatever you want to call it. I’m from a world where this character was just that, a character! Now I’m here with no plan, no mission, no escape, and no Stark Tech.
Yes, you heard me right, I was after some Stark Tech, but here I am being interrogated by Tony Stark himself. Now, for how I got to this point, that’s easy. I’m a CIA Agent, and given the almost impossible task of gathering as much Stark Tech as I possibly could in a truck, and bringing it back to my world. Most likely to be used, or improved, to be given to the people in my time. You know, to speed up the process of technological advancement.
I never asked questions though, that wasn’t my place. All I know is that I had to come here with the transporter, gather as much Stark Tech, as discreetly as possible, and meet at the rendezvous point before anyone found out what I was doing.
Alright, enough of me summarizing what happened, and didn’t happen. Allow me to enlighten you a bit. I’ll spare you the details of the full mission brief, not very brief if you ask me, and get down to my adventures here in the MCU.
“You ready for this?” One of my coworkers asked, helping me prepare for my journey.
“I’m so excited. I have studied every single person I will be getting to know in this world. I spent hundreds of dollars, and did lots of bargaining to get every last copy of the comics for the 6 members of the Avengers. As well as all the Avengers comics.”
“You’ve worked hard for this mission. You seem more dedicated than usual.” They spoke, handing me my bag and wallet with fake ID and money.
We walked over to the transporter where everyone else was waiting. I was given one last bit of information on how to get out before I was told where to stand.
“Just a warning, you may feel a bit nauseous, or you might pass out on entry. Just find Stark and the others as soon as you can. We cannot waste any time.”
“Yes sir.” My commanding officer then starts up the transporter, and I’m sent away in a flash of white light.
When I awoke I was in a warehouse. I got up quickly, and walked outside. I had studied every map of New York City I could find. I knew how to get to Stark Tower from every possible place I could land. I started to make my way to the tower. 
My disguise was his new secretary, and I honestly thought that was a genius idea. When I got to Stark Tower, I was greeted by the doorman asking me for my identification. I gladly obliged and he allowed me inside, showing me to Tony Stark’s office.
“You are my new secretary?” He asked, laying eyes on me. He didn’t seem too impressed with me, but that didn’t matter.
“I am. If you have a problem with that, then I will see myself out. Just so you know though, you won’t find anyone better than me.”
“I see your people skills are lacking, but your persuasiveness is impressive.” He smirked, and showed me around.
I was in! This was my chance to get as close to him as possible without him realising why I was actually there. Tony started with his part of the tower. He said that it would be mostly off limits unless I truly needed him. 
The next part was my favorite. He was showing me where he came up with all his inventions, and that’s where I made my first grab. Of course he had to be something small that he would barely notice was gone, and a discarded prototype, which he showed me plenty.
This went on for about a month. I would always end up finding him in the lab, purposely of course. As he would leave, I would sneak a piece of tech. As time went on I gathered bigger and better tech and loaded them into a U-Haul truck that I rented to take back to my world. 
I only hoped that no one had caught on to what I was doing, but I didn’t think so. The day finally came, and I had to tell Tony I had to part ways with him. He seemed to really enjoy the work I was doing for him, but I guess I would just have to live with that I guess.
“Hey there is my favorite secretary.” He grinned, chuckling some
“I’m currently your only secretary.” I said, not very amused.
His grin faded, and he cleared his throat, “anyway, I want to show you something. My latest invention.”
My curiosity peaked, and I had almost forgotten what I came down to the lab for, “latest invention?”
“Yep, granted the project had been set back. For some reason I kept misplacing some of the tech needed to complete it.”
“You misplace things? That’s shocking to me.”
“I don’t usually, but for some reason more recently my mind has been clouded.”
“I wonder why?” I asked, being genuine. I may be stealing him, and making him think he’s losing it, but I’m not heartless.
Tony just chuckles, and brushes off the question. He always liked to share as long as there was a little pity to him, then he would move on. It annoyed me a little, but at the same time, I was used to it.
Tony led me to where his new invention was. He did warn it may not intrigue me, for it was more of an upgrade for his Iron Man suit. When he showed me, I was absolutely amazed. There would be no way that I could sneak this new piece of tech, but you bet I was going to try.
“Tony, I have something I have to tell you, and you probably won’t like it.”
“I knew it! All of my tech started disappearing after you showed up!” He jumped to conclusions.
“Uh, I was going to say I have to leave. My mother has fallen ill, and I am the last close family member to care for her. So, today will be my last day.” I spoke, looking confused at his accusation.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. What is she sick with, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“She is in severe kidney and liver failure due to her heavy alcoholism after my father left her.” I said too casually, but he did not question me.
“So, where ya headed?”
“Maine. Specifically Augusta, Maine.”
“I see. It will be hard to see you go, but I understand how important family is. Before you go, come up to the penthouse, so I can give you a proper goodbye.” With that, Tony walked upstairs leaving me alone.
I knew him leaving me in the lab alone was a test. He was obviously on to me, and as much as I wanted to steal that new piece of tech, I had to leave it be, but I now had a lot of the tech to recreate it myself.
I of course did not want to say goodbye to Tony properly. He was just a pawn in a bigger game. I knew that I wasn’t playing a better, or bigger role, but more important than him. I made my way outside, and back to the abandoned warehouse where I kept the U-Haul truck. 
I climbed in and headed to the rendezvous point. I was of course nervous about everything going wrong now that I was so close to getting back home. I made it to my point, and it was almost time to head back. Though, when it was time to head back, something went wrong. I couldn’t get the transporter to work.
That’s when I heard a car heading my way. I couldn’t help but begin to panic, and I kept hitting the transporter button. That’s when I heard the car stop a few feet behind me. The car door opened then closed, but I dare not turn around.
“This is the opposite direction of Maine, sweetheart.” Of course, this was just my luck.
“Yeah. I realise that.” I was extremely frustrated at this point.
“Open the truck.”
“Absolutely not! You do not have the authority to search my things.”
“I could get the proper authorities involved.”
I glare at him. I was not going to be threatened like this, but I could not use my authority here in this world. I technically didn’t exist. Not to mention I would blow my entire cover and mission.
“Or you could come with me, and explain what you’re doing with a truckload of my tech.”
I had no choice but to follow him. I had to remain as innocent as I could until he had enough evidence to prove I’m not.
Now you are all caught up to now. Nothing else has happened since then. Tony has since left me alone, and hasn’t returned. I think I hear something happening outside. This may be the only chance I would have to run. You bet I will be making a break for it. If I no longer update on my story, assume I made it back home, or I haven’t been captured by Stark and his posse of weirdos. 
That’s it for now. Thanks for listening to my weird story. Just make sure to burn this once you have finished. Unless you’re Tony Stark, then you can suck it. Y/n out.
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zenfulmockingbird · 3 years
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I do not own Pokemon or Nuzlocke or Wonderlocke. Pokemon belong to Nintendo and Gamefreak. Nuzlocke aka Pokemon Hard mode belong to Nuzlocke. Wonderlocke was created by a group. I only own the character and their personalities. Also, for Itzal outfit, the jacket and short of the cool trainer from gen 7 except a darker blue and has some red forming the Alpha symbol around the collar, and a pair of sunglasses. I might give him an outfit change later in the story. Itzal's PoV            A dream. That what I feared that day and this journey was all a dream, born from envious mind and that I was asleep in my bed. I even thought at that time that we did not move, and I was still in the Kalos. I am glad for that I got to battle that man, for what I felt that day will serve as proof that this is real.
Ep.3: Scleractinia Libretto
Location: Rustboro City Rustboro City. It was here that the city’s beating heart; Devon Corp began here as a small mining corp. Over time it evolved into a corporation that rivaled Silph Co and helped shaped the place into the metropolitan city it is today. It was also home to the Rustboro City gym.
    I felt my heart race as I stood in front of the building and I knew the reasons why. This would be my first gym battle. I burned midnight oil looking going over all gym leaders battle video she recorded.
The automatic door slides open and saw a I saw a girl in a schoolgirl outfit that remind me of nosepass. I knew who she was- This was the Roxanne, the Rustboro City gym leader. At young age, she showed promised as trainer by displaying her skill as a gym leader
“Excuse me,” She shifted her gaze toward me “Oh. Hello. Who are? Are you here to look at the fossil display here, to train under me, or are you here for a gym battle?”
“I'm Itzal from Littleroot Town. I’m here for a gym battle.” She nodded “Very well, follow me.” I followed her all the way back to a rocky battlefield and a display monitor carefully placed beside a stone wall carving the upper part of a skeleton of a Dragonite. There waiting for us was a referee. “Trainers,” He said sternly, “Take your places.” We both walked over to different places on the side of the arena. Roxxane pushed a hidden button and hidden compartment opened up revealing some hard cover books “Now before I begin, I must ask how many gym badges you have earned so far? “I don't have any. This is my first time on.” “Okay.”  She grabbed a green book “You will be facing two of my Pokemon. You can switch out during the battle or after KO one of mine.” She opened the book and grabbed, revealing two hallowed out indents; each with an indent in them. She grabbed one in the left and tossed a sent out a Geodude.
(“Okay. Rock types are weak against water type, so Manami should have the advantage, plus her ground typing she gained from her evolution gives her type resistance.”) I grabbed Manami’s Poke ball and tossed it on to the battlefield “Let’s go Manami.”
However, in my exciment, instead of Manami’s Poke Ball, I grabbed Jenna’s Poke ball. Something that I realized after she materialized.
Roxanne, and the Referee had a dumbfound look on their face while the Geodude had a looked terror plastered on their face.
The judge hesitated but gave the signal “...Begin.”
“...use Iron tail on Geodude.” I awkwardly ordered her. She swung her tail. But before it could connect, the Geodude rushed back into its Poke ball. (“This is not how I wanted start my first gym battle.”)
“Geodude forfeits...the win goes to Jenna.”
“I pulled out Jenna’s Poke ball and recalled her back. I grabbed my starters Poke ball and tossed it. I watched a newly evolved Marshstomp popped out the capsule.
“Manami, are you ready?” She confidently nod her head “Ready.”
Roxane grabbed her last Poke ball “Go, Nosepass.”
She opened it and out materialized a Nosepass. “Lets the second match,” The referee lowered both flags “BEGIN!” “Manami, use Water gun!” Manami fired a stream at Nosepass. It hit it mark, but based on their expression, it still has some steam to spar “Nosepass, use Rock Tomb!” “Manami, step away from that spot and use Water gun on Nosepass.” Manami got out to of the way of the rising rock pillars and began firing at the walking mo’ai. “Use Rock Tomb while she is attacking!” Nosepass withstood Manami's attack, created another rock tomb and trapped her before she could dodge. I am glad she chose to evolve before challenging the gym or that would have hurt.  I looked at the screen and saw that her Nosepass was almost out of energy. “Manami!” “Nosepass!” “Finish it with water gun!” “Block it with Rock Tomb!” Both of the combatants perform their attacks, Manami fired a jet stream of water and Nosepass jumped into the air, but before it could create another Rock Tomb, Manami's attack hits it mark and knocked it right out of the air. It tried to get back up using whatever energy it had left, but it gave into exhaustion.
“Nosepass is unable to battle,” The referee announced, “The victory goes to the challenger.”
Roxanne recalled Nosepass back into its Poke ball.
While Roxanne walked toward with Manami bursting out and following right behind her. “Congrats on your victory.” I felt a sense of pride swelling up inside “Thanks.” “As proof of your victory, take this Stone badge.” Roxanne handed me a gold badge. “With this badge, all Pokemon you have attack stats increase.” “Thank you,” I said, “Let’s go Manami.”
We left the gym and headed to the Poke Center
“We did well for our first time.”
I let out a sigh “Yeah, still wished the first battle went differently.”
She tilts her head “What happened in the first battle?”
“I accidentally sent Jenna out and her first Pokemon forfeited.” “I’m guessing your not a fan of those kind of wins.” “That and I did was up most of the night researching the gym leader, so for her Pokemon to give up like that is quite frustrating.”
“Well at least we got to battle her last Pokemon, plus it didn’t go down in one-shot.”
“...true. thank you for cheering me up.” “Thank you for doing research.”
I sat on the floor of the guest room. I pulled out my spell book from my bag and the Stone Badge from my pocket. I placed it on top of the dark blue orb and watched as badge sinks into it as my  consciousness begins to slips.
I dreamt I was lava. My body hardening from a cool embrace.
I dreamt I was a lump of coal, being pressed deep in the earth crust.
I dreamt rock, resting as nature eat away at me.
I dreamt I was all these and so much more.
At the end of my dream, I saw a stone version it raised arm toward me and three flashed in my mind [Lame Dee Obidienne]. A black arming sword with a familiar design appeared it hand.
Two more appeared in my mind [Aiguille d'ombre] and some dark needles formed fired toward me.
I woke up. I looked at the clock and saw it was it was 1:00pm. I decided to train for a bit.
Location: Route 116 Training well on the route and the results. I manage to recruit another Pokemon and Yoko became a Vivillon. That make two Pokemon that evolved on this route.
I was heading back to the Pokemon Center when suddenly we heard we saw a Team Aqua grunt holding a suitcase in his arm run by me.
(“What the?”)
“Itzal!”
I turned around and saw my dad, “Dad, what going on?”
“Some crook ran off with some parts from the company.”
“Don't worry we will get them back.”
I searched the route, looking for the thief.
“Where is that bastard?”
“If you’re talking about a weird look person in blue, I know where he went.”
An old man with concerned expression on his face walked up to us, “Which way did they go?”
He points toward the east “He went into Rusturf Tunnel. The scoundrel made off with me darling Peeko. Wrooooaaar! PEEKO!”
“Don’t worry, we’ll get them back.” Location: Rusturf Tunnel Rusturf Tunnel. The tunnel was excavated not just only as shortcut, but for a man to see his girlfriend on the other side. This was also where the Grunt was hiding. Not only had he taken the parts from the company my dad worked, but he also had kidnapped a wingull named Peeko.
Me and Manami went inside the cave to confront.
He shot us a cocky grin “What? Are you coming? Come and get some.” We took a step closer and the grunt moved back with Peeko in his arm. We got closer and closer. We pushed him all the way back into to rocks blocking the path.  “Grah, Keehaul it all! This hostage Pokemon turned out to be worthless!” I shook my head “No. It just because you're a Morceau de merde.” “What?” “Translation- A piece of shit.” “WHY YOU....I'LL MAKE YOU REGRET SAYING THOSE WORDS!” He quickly grabbed the Poke ball from his belt and sent out a Poochyena. “Manami use tackle.” Manami charged toward it. “Take the hit and then retaliate with bite!” As soon as Manami made contact, the hyena latched it fangs on to Manami's left arm...and I knew how felt it. The pain of that attack as it surges through both our arm and I knew why. Nilrem's curse did not transform the starter into another Pokemon, but he made so that all my father's ancestor blood would feel the pain of their starter Pokemon. I shook it off and focused on the battle “Manami, hit it with Mud Shot.” Manami fired sphere of mud at her target and knocked it off her arm and knocked unconcious.
The grunt recalled his Pokemon.  “I'm not giving this up.” The grunt tossed Peeko at Manami knocking her off balance and ran toward the exit with the parts.
“Oh no you don’t” I opened my book and read the words. “Aiguille D'ombre.”
A small needle of dark blue appeared from nowhere. I pointed at the grunt 's leg and watched as it zipped through the air and pierced him in the patella. The grunt fell and howled in pain. Peeko flew out of the cave in a panic, leaving me, Manami, and the grunt.
She looked at me with bewildered look, “What was that?”
I grin at her “A new spell. Aiguille D’ombre.”
“When did you learn that?”
“Well, you see, after I earned the badge. I explain later. Right now, lets return these parts to my dad.”
The nurse took my Poke ball “Well have your Pokemon healed up in no time.”
“Thanks.” I headed over to the table where my dad was waiting at, “Man this was an interesting day.”
“I’ll say. Never thought we would get robbed. Thanks again for getting the part back.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So, how your journey?”
“Good,” I pulled out spell book and hold it up to his face, “I manage to earn my first badge.”
He looked at sphere in the center of the book and saw Stone badge floating up to the top of it, “Excellent. Way to go,”
“Thanks.”
“Now” The tone of his voice shifted from joyous to serious, “Let us talk about the curse.”
I let out a sigh. I knew this was coming. I told mom about it the spell wearing off last night.
“So, why didn’t you tell them?”
“Dad. I do not want to be a burden. I do not want them to throw their lives away because of me. Also, I do not want to guilt Manami because me.
“Son.”
“Beside, the curse can only our bloodline can break the curse. It can not be broken if somebody else does it.”
To be continued Zigzagoon became Quacklin farfetch'd lv 10 and Aria taillow becameJessica bunalby on the north of route 104 Candeza whismur became Cleo Cofferigus and Zelda skitty became Aldemar vulpix (There was a dupe because the first chance was a Mudkip.) on route 116 and from the tunnel I got Melody whismur became kecleon.
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reddie-fangirl24 · 4 years
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Eddie, The Patient Chapter 5     (A Reddie Fanfiction)
NOTE: Here is the final chapter to Eddie, The Patient. I have enjoyed every moment of writing this story. Thank you so much for the kind feedback. I hope you all enjoyed this story. It is sad to end it, but I know there will be more stories in the future. I may write little in-between moments. If you have any suggestions, let me know. Enjoy the final chapter!
This was one of the worst nights Eddie, or even Richie could ever endure. It was after two in the morning when Eddie awoke, screaming from a nightmare followed by running into the bathroom, vomiting and painfully crying. Please, let this be the last time, Richie prayed to anyone who could hear him.
Practically carrying his husband back to bed, Richie wiped a cold washcloth over Eddie’s head. Eddie’s fever was climbing like an elevator. It was sad to see the normally energetic chatterbox be taken down by the flu. 
“You’re going to feel better in the morning, Eddie,” Richie whispered to him. The instant Richie pulled up the covers, Eddie’s eyes closed and he was sound asleep. It was much relief to Richie fearing that he was going to have to call an ambulance if Eddie didn’t stop throwing up. It was almost nonstop all day.
Richie sat in a chair close to the bed watching his husband sleep. He held his limp, damp hand, holding it gently so as not to wake him. So fragile. So pale. His patient.
His heart broke at the awful memory when Eddie’s symptoms came out from the other end earlier that day. That was when Eddie choked, unable to cough up what he needed to get out. Ashamed and embarrassed as Richie cleaned him up, Eddie cried thinking he had done something so awful. If Richie hadn’t been there, would Eddie have choked to death? 
As Richie watched Eddie sleep, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of courage fill his insides. Sure, he had taken care of Eddie plenty of times, but prior to having to go back to Derry, Richie never took care of anybody, except himself. And he accomplished just that. That made him feel... good.
And now, Richie never realized how torturing it was when a loved one was sick. About a year ago, Richie had a terrible cold that lasted a week. Eddie was still studying in school, but there were days when he’d take off to take care of Richie. And that wasn’t even when they were married yet. Given how much of an anxious germophobic worry-wort Eddie was, it pained him to see his husband sick.
“Guess this is what happens when you love someone so damn much, eh, Eds?” he whispered, his voice breaking.
Watching Eddie snooze a little longer, Richie crawled under the blankets, spooning Eddie close to him as he went to sleep.
--
The sun hit Eddie’s eyes. Eddie groaned. At least he had an easier time waking up than yesterday morning -- though his mouth was as dry as a desert and his body ached all over, especially his back. His eyes ventured the room spying the bright sun rays coming through the window. He felt warm, not hot or any of those annoying chills shivering up his spine. 
To Eddie’s side, on the nightstand, was a bowl of water, a damp rag, a cup of ginger ale, a bottle of Tylenol, and also a glass of water. The rag obscured half the clock. Something -25. 
Water. Eddie smacked his dry lips together. That fermenting taste was still present.
Pushing himself up was too much of an effort and he fell back into the pillows. His arm was still trying to reach for the glass like a little child trying to reach for the cookie jar on a kitchen counter. 
Just then, Richie walked into the room. Aside from the dark circles surrounding his eyes, Richie had this look of pure excitement overtake his whole face. “Well, there he is! Look who’s awake! I was beginning to think that you were going to sleep the whole day, sleeping beauty!”
“R-Richie...” Eddie’s voice croaked. His hand pointed towards the glass as he struggled to lift himself off his side. 
Helping him sit up, and putting an extra pillow behind his back, Richie handed him the glass of water, helping him hold it. “Small sips, now,” he instructed. 
Eddie more so guzzled down the needed liquid. The water was pure bliss against his haggard throat. It immediately made his insides feel cool. He also noticed how empty it was.
“What time is it?” Eddie asked, wiping the sleep from his eyes as he relaxed back into the pillows.
“Almost 11:30!” Richie answered going to grab the damp rag on the nightstand.
Immediate panic set into Eddie who leaped from the pillows. “11:30?! Fuck, I never sleep in that late! Did my boss call a substitute? I’m late for work! My students are probably acting like a pack of monkeys! I need to take a shower, brush my teeth, find my shoes-”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy there, Mr. Flash!” Richie placed a hand against Eddie’s racing heart and making him sit back into the pillows. For a moment they went through the calming process making Eddie calm down and breathe normally. Slowly, his heart rate went back to normal.
“Thank God you’re back to you!” Richie exclaimed with this gigantic smile, still pressing a hand against Eddie’s heart. Eddie knew that grin. It was the same overjoyed face Richie made when Eddie showed up at his stage door, announcing that he divorced Myra and wanted to be with him. “I already called your school to tell them you’re bedridden today!”
Eddie blinked, somewhat disappointed, but then more relieved feeling the aching pain in his lower back. “Thanks, Richie. That was nice of you.”
Richie washed Eddie’s body with a sponge. “You sweat like a dog yesterday. Your pits even smell like one!” he teased as he helped slide Eddie’s nightshirt over his head. For a moment, Richie frowned, staring at the scar. To relieve the tension, Eddie stuck his tongue out at Richie. It was just like when they were kids. Richie rubbed the soft sponge all around his stomach and chest, and even his armpits. Richie was right. He did smell like a dog! He put on a fresh shirt. 
“How does your stomach feel?” Richie asked, giving his stomach a light pat. 
“Fine. Much better. Just achy.” Wondering if he should have mentioned that last part, Eddie masked a smile. Remembering yesterday’s events at school only made him feel worse. Why couldn’t that have been a blur like most of everything else? 
Turning to Richie who was lounging by his side on the bed, scrolling through the channels, Eddie asked, “Did you have any scheduled rehearsals or shows today?” He still didn’t have the energy to speak.
“No. Well, I was supposed to record the rest of that interview but I told Steve to reschedule it.”
Eddie touched Richie’s hand, getting his attention. “No, Rich, I don’t want to hold you up. Go tape the rest of that interview. It’s-it’s okay.”
Richie scoffed and wrapped an arm around Eddie’s shoulder. “No way, man, you’re way more important! ‘Sides when’s the last time we spent some hubby time together?” He teased poking Eddie in the nose.
Eddie wanted to argue but felt too weak to do so. Richie made him some toast and they sat in bed watching TV, laughing at episodes and making jokes. When was the last time he and Richie spent time together? Leaning against his husband’s shoulder as he was finally able to smell scents without gagging, Eddie basked in Richie’s cologne. He loved that smell. It was his husband’s scent. His husband. His best friend who would do anything for him.
His eyes grew heavy and Eddie fell asleep again for a short time. 
The phone ringing woke him up.
“Hello?” Richie answered. “Oh, hi, Mrs. Alliston. Ruth, sure... yeah, I got the secretary when I called this morning, but I don’t think Eddie will be in until Monday, he is definitely sick as a dog! ... Talk with him? No, he’s pretty tired, like a hibernating bear...”
Oh no... oh no... he knew it, he was going to get fired! Eddie’s heart broke, feeling tears in his eyes. He didn’t want to get fired! This was the first job that he ever loved! Now, what was he going to do? Probably no other school would hire him all because he threw up in front of students. How would this look for Richie? He was going to be disappointed in him. As Eddie hugged his pillow, rolling to the opposite side of the bed so Richie wouldn’t see him, a quiet sob escaped Eddie’s throat.
Right when Richie was nearing the bedroom, his cell phone rang. Slightly groaning when he saw that it was Steve, Richie reluctantly pressed the ‘talk’ button. “Hey, Steve, what’s up?”
“Rich, I got your voicemail this morning. Is it that serious?” Steve asked him, sounding a little stressed. Richie couldn’t blame him after all. Scheduling not just him, but a couple of other clients was not easy. 
“Well, yeah, Eddie was throwing up for most of the day and night. And he had a terrible fever, chills, and he was in pain. Could have filled a bucket with everything that came out!” Richie tried to joke. Ironically, Steve wasn’t so easy to joke around with when it came to situations like this. 
“Just give it to me straight, Rich, will you be able to come in at this weekend?” Steve asked. From the sound of it, he was trying not to sound disappointed. 
Eddie heard Richie sigh. He could just feel the stress and weight on his shoulders. Was he being sick stressing Richie out this much? Oh, he didn’t want to do that. He already put enough over Richie’s shoulders. 
“Look, Steve, I need to take care of everything here. I haven’t been able to spend time with him and I need that. If we could postpone the rest of the taping for the interview next week that would be great. And that show we were thinking about doing on Saturday, that can be postponed, right?”
There was a long pause. Not a good sign. Richie was anxiously digging into his hair waiting for him to say something. Anything. “Yes, Rich, it can,” he finally said.
That was a relief. “Oh, thanks! Listen, I owe it to you, Steve!” Richie said thankfully.
“I know, Richie. But, I just want to bring this up again, I have said it a lot, but you have canceled a number of your own performances in the last five years. I don’t want people to think that you don’t care about your work and that you don’t do it for the fans.”
“What?” Richie exclaimed. “That is so fucking stupid, Steve!” Richie’s loud tone startled Eddie who was beside himself with guilt, burying his face into the pillows.
“You know I am just thinking about probabilities,” Steve said to him apologetically. 
“Well, here’s the truth, you need to consider me! Look, I am going to talk to you later. Just get all the re-scheduling shit together!” With that Richie hung up and slammed his phone on a nearby table, fuming to himself. 
Eddie let out a sob, clutching his pillow. Oh, this was awful! First, he went to school sick, he was getting fired, and now he was keeping Richie from doing any of his shows!
“Eddie?” Richie worriedly asked when he stepped into the room. Guilt swarmed his mind. He was so mad that he forgot about Eddie who was trying to sleep. 
Climbing into the bed, Richie pulled Eddie’s shaking back to his stomach, hugging him close, and kissing his neck. “Shh, it’s okay. I wasn’t yelling at you. None of this is your fault,” Richie soothed. 
“They’re going to fire me!” Eddie cried, clinging to Richie’s arms.
“Fire you? Who, your school?” Richie asked, nuzzling against Eddie.
“Oh, Rich, I did the worst thing yesterday!” Eddie hiccuped.
“What happened?” Richie asked, growing alarmed. 
“I fuckin’ threw up in front of my students! They were so disgusted! Teachers never get sick! They never come to school, that’s why? Now the students told their parents who want me gone! I feel so stupid! Now, Mrs. Alliston is going to fire me and what am I going to do now?”
Eddie sobbed into the pillow, his entire body shaking. Richie held him tightly, tearing up himself. 
“Your boss wasn’t calling to fire you,” Richie whispered into Eddie’s ear.
Relief ran through Eddie’s body. “What? S-She’s not firing me?”
“No, she was just calling to see how you were and wanted to tell you that your first-period class made you a get well card!” Richie explained to him.
Eddie turned around, finally facing Richie. “Really? She’s not firing me?” 
“No! You really think you could get fired for puking in class?” Richie asked not sure whether to laugh or be more concerned. 
“Well, I’m a first-year teacher and...”
Now Richie laughed. “What does that have to do with anything?” 
“I don’t know,” Eddie shook his head, downcast. He sat up on the bed, grimacing slightly. “It was so embarrassing, Richie. I-I don’t think I can ever show my face there again.”
Richie groaned rolling his eyes. “Don’t you think you’re being too dramatic on this, man? You’re not the only first-year teacher to get sick. It happens to everyone. Remember that one teacher who was out once every week because she hated her job? She was sick that one time. It’s normal. And look at me. I barfed in front of the class when I gave that report, remember?”
Eddie sighed, his emotions weighing him down. Richie did make a fair point. All teachers got sick. It was good that his class didn’t resent him for the scene that he caused. Still, that didn’t mean everyone would forget about it though.
Richie got his attention, putting his hand on his face and wiping away stray tears. “Still, you should have gotten my attention yesterday morning. I know I was busy, too, but you should have said something.”
Eddie nodded. “Yeah, I know.”
Richie looked into his eyes again. His love’s energetic enthusiasm still wasn’t there. Just a sad, forlorn expression. “Is there something else that’s bothering you?” Richie asked him. “How is your job going? Do you like it?”
And just like that, Eddie’s eyes beamed. “Oh, Rich, I love being a teacher! The kids, my boss, assignments, everything is great about it.”
Richie smiled. “That’s great. I’m happy.”
“I just wish you were here more so I could tell you,” Eddie told him, frowning.
His face falling, Richie touched Eddie’s hand. “I know. It’s tough trying to juggle our schedules together,” his lip quivered, but he held it together, holding everything inside. Richie was not one to show his emotions. That was tough for him. “I feel like a failed you yesterday.”
Eddie’s heart cracked, squeezing Richie’s hand tighter. “What? No way, Rich! You were busy! It’s my fault.”
“No, it’s mine!”
“I take more fault!”
“Yeah, well I take fault for not paying attention to you!” Richie yelled, his voice breaking. Eddie could just feel Richie shaking underneath his touch. It was heartbreaking to see him this way. “Eddie, you’re my husband. I-I’ve never been in an awesome position like that! I don’t want... to let you down.”
Fresh tears fell from Eddie’s eyes. “Oh Rich, I just don’t want to get in the way of everything.”
“Are you fuckin’ crazy? No way! Don’t you ever think that! You could never get in the way of anything!”
Cuddling together, the couple stayed in their warm embrace for the longest time, taking in one another’s scent. Eddie felt his nerves calm, all the aches and pains disappearing. This was the medicine that he needed. This. He never felt happier. A bliss. That overwhelming feeling he craved. 
Parting, Eddie noticed Richie staring at him. Not in his eyes. He was looking at the spot where he had been impaled. The scar. Doctors were surprised to see him wake up and recover. They were right in the prognosis that Eddie would be affected for the rest of his life. And for Richie, that didn’t make it easier for him.
“Rich, are you okay?” Eddie asked touching his love’s face.
In seconds, the tears and agony came spilling out. “You looked dead every time I looked at you! And-and when you were choking I thought I was going to lose you! I can’t get that fucking image of you bleeding out right in front of me out of my head! I-I thought...” Richie grasped Eddie’s hands, staring into his eyes. “I can’t lose you, Eddie! So many times I felt like I wasn’t doing anything to help you! I would never have let you go to school if I was paying attention. God, I’m sorry!”
Eddie gathered his husband in his arms, patting his withered hair. He let him cry. “Richie, s’okay, I’m right here. I’m getting better, all because of you.”
“I felt so scared,” Richie leaned into his shoulder.
Eddie smiled. “I felt safe when I was with you.”
Parting, they looked into one another’s eyes, touching their foreheads together. “I can’t lose you.”
“And I... can’t lose you,” Eddie admitted. “I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t get me out of that lair, right? Richie, I love you, man!”
A big smile appeared on Richie’s face as the tears fell. “I love you, Eddie,” he held him tightly. “Hey, you want to know something?”
“What?”
“July marks our one-year anniversary. Can you believe it?”
Eddie grunted, amused. “Feels like we’ve been married our whole lives. You annoy me!”
“Hey, don’t get personal or I won’t tell you the good news!” Richie giggled. 
“Okay, just tell me already!” 
“So, you’re finally out for the summer and you will be off for three months, right?” Richie giddily asked him.
“Yeah.”
“I have an offer to make you. I’m touring Nevada for a week at the end of June. And then, get this, I have two weeks off! Let’s go away for our anniversary. Hawaii, Ireland, or learn how to french kiss in Paris!”
“Oh, Richie!” And Eddie kissed Richie on the lips, a long, deep kiss. “That sounds great! Wait, how long have you been planning on this? You know we have to make bookings ahead of time, right? Because we can’t just go someplace without a reservation at a hotel. And we need to plan this together.”
Richie wrapped his arms around his love, smiling endearingly. “It’s great to have you back, Eds. Except you should really brush your teeth!” he grimaced but smiled.
Eddie slugged his husband in his arm. Staring into each other’s eyes, a magnetic force pulled them towards one another. That didn’t stop the couple from fervently kissing, holding one another, moaning as they kissed.
“Wait, Rich!” Eddie reluctantly stopped. “You’re going to get sick.”
“Don’t care, so worth it!” Richie covered Eddie’s chin with kisses. Oh, how they missed this. Eddie’s hands traveled down Richie’s chest until Richie could feel them at his stomach until prodding at his belt.
“Hey, hey!” Richie held Eddie’s hands in his, staring into the man’s wanting eyes. At least he recognized him. “When you’re better.”
Eddie pouted. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too, man, but hey, I got the entire weekend free.”
“I love you, trashmouth.”
“I love you, asshole.”
The couple cuddled together and sat back into the pillows feeling relief and absolute bliss.
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lachlann-macnab · 3 years
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Task #16 Jukebox Musical/TV or Movie Soundtrack: come up with a playlist of at least 10 songs, write a scene summary to go with each one. Disclaimer under the cut.
Disclaimer: I, once again, decided to abuse the system. Nowhere on the prompt does it say that the scenes have to be related to a character I have, that's why I present to you: "The prompt, but short stories done with characters Jean would love to write but doesn't have the time to actually have".
Also, weeb rights.
*King  (English cover) -Will Stetson John Kingsbury 
Watch your back no warning warning Taking all my stress there's only just one thing to do Brace yourself for all my love's attack now Left side right side Bear your fangs it's time to fight Pa - pa - pa parade in shame tonight Left side. Right side. Bear your fangs and come alive Pa- pa - pa, Hah! You are king!
Mother always did like Richard best. 
Screw that, everyone always did like Richard best, even John liked his brother more than he liked himself. Even so, when he had been declared MIA during a mission with The Order, John quickly became the first option (the only option) for everyone -he was on cloud nine.
His new comrades didn't quite like him, but John didn't quite mind since he'd make sure that by the end of that year they'd be kneeling to him. Just  like he'd make sure that Richard never, ever came back, even if that meant making allies with a certain policeman and some Magicks whose information he'd make sure to erase from The Order's databases.
Pa, pa- pa Hah! He was (finally) King!
*La mer - Julio Iglesias cover  Basil Rathbone 
Mrs. Judson would have never expected to hear Julio Iglesias, of all things, coming from the flat. It was a strangely cheerful song for someone like Basil to hear, being the snob (not only musical, but general snob) he'd always been.
She was unsure about whether she really wanted to open the door, suddenly afraid of what she might find on the other side. Sometimes Basil would be immersed reading files upon files upon files, sometimes he would be languishing on the sofa while staring blankly at the roof, sometimes he would be walking around while talking to himself in a very obvious bout of mania -he was a wild card, that Basil, and the fact that she simply couldn't guess what he'd do next always worried her.
Worried as she was, she opened the door.
She found Basil staring at the portrait that hung just above the chimney, just...watching it. 
"I have always quite admired Le Carré's works" Basil merely said, without even looking at Mrs. Judson and instead keeping his attention on his own personal Karla while the song went on and on, silently hurting in all of the right places.
*Everybody loves me - OneRepublic  Kuzco Apaza
Get down, Swaying to my own sound Flashes in my face now All I know is everybody loves me Everybody loves me
Kuzco was on a roll. 
He felt the stares as he made the street his personal catwalk and kept (very loudly) chatting with his lawyers on the other side of the phone. The sun was shining surprisingly strongly that day (surprisingly for that side of the world, that is), it's rays hit his jewelry and clothes and made him shine almost as strongly as the star itself.
There was no way anyone could ignore him. And he couldn't blame them -he was fabulous! A gift of the gods themselves, almost as brilliant as the sun and twice (no, thrice) as charming!
...and he was shouting his plans to build a waterpark on Atlantis Lake. And, sure, people didn't seem to love the idea quite yet, but...?
At least they were staring. And they'd eventually learn to love him.
*Dramaturgy (English cover) - Will Stetson Hans Westergård 
All alone now no one’s looking, act out in greed deceiving all their eyes But there’s no real me that You’ll find if you believe and I can’t find a single role that showed what’s really there to see
He caught the eyes of his reflection by accident.
Hans had tilted his head and his eyes had almost immediately found his own reflection against the showcases, making him forget about his date (what was her name again? He couldn't, for the life of him, remember that but he certainly did remember how much her net-worth was and which medicines she needed to take at what hours of the day, just like her previous beau had needed to do before the "accident" had happened) and focus instead on his own eyes.
The thing is...he couldn't find anything in there; The baby blue went on and on but there was nothing beyond- behind it-
-when he moved his gaze, however, he found that he was smiling even if he didn't felt like it. And that his carefully selected clothes looked as they had been designed just for him to wear (and they had), and that his globed hands were still holding his date's recent purchases inside the yellow bag even if he found every item utterly tacky and a ridiculous expense.
He was smiling and looking good and doing perfectly. So why did finding his own gaze him the same effect as placing a mirror in front of another, creating a ever going loop of emptiness?
Was he not playing his part correctly? What could possibly fill that void?
*My Neighbor Totoro/Azumi Inoue Music Box ver - R3 Music Box Totoro Seishin 
Totoro decided to take a nap under the sun while Chu and Chibi were busy playing with some squirrels. It was a sunny day and there was no place he'd rather be but outside, basking and feeling the grass under him.
At one point, however, he felt some extra weight on him. He didn't feel like moving or particularly offended by something deciding to lay on him, it was just amusing.
He couldn't be bothered to open both eyes, so he only opened one, finding a sleeping girl against his chest as if that was the most normal thing to do.
He smiled, closed his eye and decided that was quite fine by him.
*Delusion Girl - Oktavia Cover (TW Suicide and Mental Illness) Bernard Newhart
Every hero knows when they’re needed, so, that’s just what he’s born to be A man who manages throwing out his hand, Who doesn’t care if his own life is spared Such a feat like that, it’s a selfless act only completed in dreams And it stays like that for me With a crash I’m trapped back in reality
Bernard wanted to help, he really did. He just...didn't always know how. Nor did he know if it really matter.
His partner always seemed to be five steps ahead and the Australian she'd taken a fancy to was just like her, if not a couple of steps ahead of even her. And it made Bernard feel like a third wheel, to question if he was really doing something worthy, if he had done something, anything sufficiently good ever and-
-he caught the girl's cellphone before she ever noticed it had slid out of her hands. And soon enough he was getting hugged and receiving many 'thank you's and- and maybe that was enough?
*The Lost One's Weeping (English Cover) - Will Stetson (TW   Depression) Martin Ambrosius (Merlin)
And no matter how much time passes us by, We’re drunk on sweet and hypnotic lies. With all our sources of hardened pride We try to erase and hide now
Martin would always act indignant at the question, and would always reply with a 'I am under no obligation to use my magic to explain or prove anything to the likes of you'.
He was Merlin's blood, for fuck's sake! He didn't have anyone to prove anything to save for maybe the Once and Future King himself!
Oh how he hoped, deep, deep inside, that he would never wake, that he would never ask any questions, that he would never do anything but keep dreaming his mythical dream and let him live his unmagic life.
He was a showman, he loved smoke and light and mirrors, he could fool anyone, anytime -but he knew that wouldn't be enough if (when) the time came, that the Once and Future King would need an actual advisor, an actual wizard.
He prayed that day never came to pass.
*When you're evil - Aurelio Voltaire Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz
It gets so lonely being evil What I'd do to see a smile Even for a little while And no one loves you when you're evil I'm lying through my teeth! Your tears are all the company I need
"Ah, Perry the Platypus! Don't shake too much or you'll make the laser sharks angry and- no, hey! the insurance doesn't cover laser damage to the roo- yeah, that's better thank you. You might be wondering what this is all about- you see, noone has decided to play ME so far so- BEHOLD, THE HEINZ DOOFEN-INATOR! (patent pending) WITH THIS DEVICE I SHALL HIJACK ONE UNLUCKY ROLEPLAYER'S DRAFTS AND SLOWLY BUT SURELY CONSUME THE WHOLE THING THEN THE OTHER POSTS ON THE DASH, THEN THE WHOLE BEING DISNEY PAGE, THEN- HEY! HEY, DON'T DO THA- I'M NOT DONE WITH MY EVIL MONOLOGUE!"
*DEAD HAND - anakin ft. IA English (Ferry Cover)  (TW  Nuclear Warfare mention) Major Francis Monogram
Oh this is overwhelming, time for the iron curtain call The panic is seeping through the fractured border wall My livid heart powers this reactor core “Oh this is all wrong” but I don’t mind at all Turn up the volume, execute the protocol You know it’s M.A.D. and it’s all about to blow What an unfortunate way to end this show I shed a tear as you vanish in the snow
Francis had zero interest in dealing with anyone's shit (save for his own or his son's, that is) ever again; He'd done his time and the whole thing during the fucking Cold War had done a number on his nerves.
He still could remember how all seemed lost, an adequately mad situation (of Mutually Assured Destruction, that is) had come to pass and everyone in the HQ was losing his mind and running around like a bunch of headless chickens-
-until he very calmly pressed a couple of buttons and the thing was ok once more. Some people cried, some people laughed, some people shouted.
(Dramatic bitches, all of them. They didn't have to cause a scene just because of the fucking coffee machine)
That was one of many situations that made him love his retirement and not want to let go of it.
*Gasoline - Halsey (Captain) John Silver
You're part of a machine, you are not a human being With your face all made up, living on a screen Low on self esteem, so you run on gasoline
'Phantom limb pain' sounded way cooler than it actually was. Silver would rather call it 'a pain in the ass' any day, but that'd be a misnomer since what hurt was his stupid (lack of) arm and not his ass and he was not risking some smartass trying to make a joke about his butt, thank you very fucking much.
Like, fuck, 'phantom pain' could be a sick name for a metal (heh) band. And hiding things inside his prosthetic was one of the few perks the whole thing offered, just like the fact that he could smack people with the thing without having to bother about hurting himself or dealing with that pain.
However, during that cold night he couldn't think of any possitives about the damned thing and cursed his rotten luck, his (lack of) arm and the thoughts that came along with them.
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sciencelings-writes · 5 years
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Iron Man Bingo: Tony Stark & Harley Keener
this is part of my 5+1 series of Tony and his kids, this one has less Tony in it which was not what I was planning but I’m mostly trying to show how much he cares, even from afar. 
Every Christmas, Harley got a ridiculously expensive gift that he knew his mother couldn’t afford. It was always labeled that it was from ‘Santa’ but Harley was anything but stupid. There was a billionaire out there that still felt bad after several years of putting him in danger once. Okay, maybe twice but Harley honestly didn’t dwell on it. He actually liked helping Tony out when he was twelve, his life was boring anyway.
Usually, it was a custom kit to build something that gradually got more and more complicated. They would be robots and other machines that kept Harley busy for a few weeks before he ended up modifying it to his own design for the rest of the year.
It was a single armed robot with gold lettering on it that cheekily spelled out ‘ANTHON-E’ or ‘TON-E’ for short. Tony wasn’t discrete. And he had a strange sense of humor.
Okay, Harley thought it was funny and the golden stickers could’ve spelled out anything he wanted. Harley was the one that thought it was funny to call the bot TON-E. But Tony did send a note with ideas for names that were just as bad. Mostly puns that ended in ‘-E.’ Most of them were not FUN-E. In fact, they were borderline SHIT-E.
But one year, the year after the shitshow that was Ultron and the breakup of the Avengers, Harley got something a little different. There was a huge box of parts and Harley audibly gasped when he took a look at the blueprints. It wasn’t a little project or a robot, it was a full-on Iron Man suit. Tony had included several colors of paint and literally everything Harley could ever hope to need to make the suit perfect, although the weapons were understandably less powerful.
They weren’t like nerf guns instead of actual guns, but they weren’t going to destroy his whole block if he fucked something up.
The only thing fully put together in the kit was the arc reactor. Sure, Harley had seen it up close, hell, he had put it back in Tony's chest that one time but it had been a few years and now that he had a better idea of what it was, he was fascinated by it. There was a note on it from Tony, it gave a personal phone number and an invitation to ask for anything else that he would need and a suggestion for a free visit to New York.
Harley was a little bit excited. When he wasn’t being watched by his little sister and mother, he literally jumped up and down with a ridiculous grin pasted on his face. It took him a full month to stop smiling and he started working on the suit immediately. He also started regularly texting Tony after years of not talking him.
Their conversations ranged from dumb shit that Harley was not ashamed of talking about to deep shit like the effect of the loss of the Avengers. It took a few months and several reminders that Harley knew how to deal with the man's panic attacks that he opened up again.
Harley may not be a therapist or anything like that, but he was the type of person that could listen to people. He listened to his mom when she broke down when he suggested she try dating again, he listened to Tony during his panic attacks and the adults always felt bad for unloading their trauma onto him but he didn’t care. Sometimes people needed someone to listen and think for them when they couldn’t think straight and Harley honestly didn’t mind being that person. He seemed to stay calm when other people would freak out.
Right before spring break, Harley finished his suit. He had fully tested it and wanted to see how it would fare for long distances, so he decided to surprise Tony by visiting. He wasn’t an asshole though, he told his mom that he was going to go visit, he just didn’t tell her that Tony didn’t even know.
Honestly, Harley only knew that Tony was going to be in the country because his AI connected to FRIDAY and she had told him Tony’s schedule for the whole month. He specifically took a few weeks off to chill out and Harley was planning on ruining it. Eh, Tony would forgive him.
He was kind of surprised that his mom let him go at all, but it turned out that she had talked to Pepper Potts and she had promised that she would make sure that Harley would be taken care of as she was sure that Tony couldn’t even take care of himself. Okay, he could but a lot of the time he forgets that human bodies had needs that had to be met every day. Like sleeping and eating.
Anyway, Harley left as soon as he could. And now he could say, flying was pretty fucking awesome. He topped out at about one thousand miles per hour, faster than a normal plane, but it would still take a while to get to New York. So he enjoyed the ride. For one, the view was beautiful, by being so high up, everything just looked so small.
Harley didn’t even think before he flew in loops and just played around with the whole concept of flight. The ducks in the air could probably hear him whooping from outside of his metal mask.  But he didn’t think that they had the brain capacity to care.  
He was in the middle of a swan dive when his visor turned red and text flashed in front of his eyes. Thankfully, it wasn’t a problem with the suit or anything like that. It was an alert for something happening nearby.
By then he had been flying for a while and was already above West Virginia. The alert just said that the AI had sighted a mugging using a nearby security camera. The guy had a gun and his AI had deemed it safe enough to be his first act of heroism. He didn’t have much else to do and if he actually wanted to be some sort of superhero, he would have to actually do some hero-ing.
He continued his dive until he was about as high as the nearby building. He slowed his descent and heavily dropped on the ground. He almost lost his balance but he didn’t fall so it was fine.
“Iron Man?” The criminal guy froze in his tracks and dropped the old woman's purse.
“Not quite.” Harley shot a low powered repulser blast at the man and surprisingly hit him. His arm but he fell to the ground. “I’m more like petty-crime Iron Man.”
The criminal was passed out on the ground so Harley paid attention to the woman.
“Are you okay?” He asked.
“Thank you so much, young man, before you shoot off into the sky, would you mind taking a picture with me? My granddaughter loves Iron Man!” Well, she got over that quickly…
“I guess…” He helped her after she struggled to take a selfie with him and after a few minutes, the lady had a picture of the new black and gold Iron Man. She seemed pretty pleased with the picture. He told her to call the police to report what happened before he shot off into the sky to make his way to New York.
This wasn’t the only stop he ended up having, he ended up stopping a robbery in New Jersy and distracted a potential rapist so that a girl could get an uber home. He wasn’t aware of how many pictures were taken of him and by the time he got to new york, there were several news sites that wrote about him. Most had headlines like ‘Iron Boy?’ or ‘Is there a new Iron Man?’ and dumb shit like that but one had ‘Tony Stark has a child who fights crime?’ So it could’ve been worse.
He landed at the Avengers compound in the middle of the night. He was exhausted but excited at the same time. Conflicting emotions were annoying. He popped out of his iron suit and stretched a bit before strolling into the compound with slightly hunched shoulders. Pepper met him inside, apparently, she had stayed awake waiting for him.
“Tony is just in his workshop and he’s going to stay down there all night if you don’t get him out of there. I’m going to bed and if you just join him, I’m going to sic FRIDAY on you guys.” Pepper threatened with a yawn. Harley was physically exhausted enough not to even think about denying her.
Pepper showed him to the workshop and excused herself to go to bed. FRIDAY let him in and Tony didn’t even notice. Tony seemed to be intensely examining a glowing holographic screen in front of him. Harley sat by him for a full five minutes before Tony even realized that he was there.
“Kid?” Tony looked like he hadn’t slept in a week so Harley was surprised that the guy even recognized that he was a kid.
“Hello to you too, it’s been a while.”
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Chill out, it’s spring break, I just decided to stop by.” Harley smiled and stood up. “Come on, you look like shit. Your girlfriend wants you to get some sleep.”
“You know I haven’t had enough sleep when I consider that you’re a hallucination.”
“Why the fuck would you hallucinate me? Maybe in the morning, we can reunite properly but personally, I’m about to pass out so…”
“Yeah yeah, no need to make me feel guilty… goddammit, you have gotten better at that…” Tony stretched and stood up in a way that strangely reminded Harley of a cat. “I saw you didn’t waste too much time to go play vigilante.”
“The fly here was pretty boring.” Harley shrugged. “Hey FRIDAY, tell Pepper we’re on our way up.”
‘Of course.’ The AIs voice came from the hidden speakers. ‘Boss says that you haven’t gotten the high score for getting Tony out of the lab.’
‘What’s the high score?’
‘Fifiteen seconds due to an accidental alert from Spider-Man. He didn’t mean to press the panic button.’ FRIDAY replied and if she had a face, Harley was sure that she was smiling. Or rather, smirking.
“Well, I’m going to beat that record.”
“Good luck with that kid…” Tony groaned. “Please at least promise not to give me a heart attack.”
“You have a med bay here right?” Harley smirked.
“Jesus Christ…”
Pepper could hear the laughing all the way from the Iron Suite.
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A Shot In The Dark: Chapter 1: Every Hero Needs a Backstory-Part 2
You woke up in a hospital bed, you had abrasions on your face and arms, and two different IVs connected to you.
Your dad was sitting on the chair next to the bed. He saw you stir and quickly ran to yell for a doctor.
A doctor and a nurse walked in.  
"What happened?" you asked groggily
"There was an explosion in your lab. You're lucky to be alive, we had to operate on you, a large piece of shrapnel hit your abdomen, narrowly missing your vital organs. You have a scar there unfortunately."
"Where's Collin" you asked
"They found him shielding you, I'm sorry to tell you that he didn't make it" the Doctor responded.
You burst out into tears. Your father hugged you and comforted the best he could. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Julie came to see you later that day.
"Julie, I'm so sorry" you said, bursting in to tears.
Julie had light brown her, she has a soft demeanor, which makes her perfect for being a preschool teacher.
"They told me he died protecting you. That he's a hero." she cried.
"We will be having a service next Saturday" she said as she wiped a tear away and left without another word.
She had a hand on her belly the entire time, she was about 6 months pregnant. She couldn’t even look at you. You didn’t know why she invited you to Collin's funeral
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following morning, you received a visit from your graduate professor and a member of the student safety committee.
"Miss Vasquez, we're suspending your project until we've inspected it. Can you explain what happened?” the man asked.
"It was working fine. It was the power. If the power didn't go out, the faraday cage wouldn’t have failed. It probably all got ruined anyways, but ill send all my stuff, all my writings and research I’ve done so far” you told your professor. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You were discharged from the hospital the following morning. You went back home instead of your dorm. You kept asking yourself what you could have done or if the project was actually safe. You felt guilty. Guilty that you let your best friend die.
You spent about a week in bed. Your dad tried everything to get you up. He even called your children hood best friend to come over. Jess. You’ve known Jess since birth. Your fathers have been friends since childhood. The two of you got a little distant when you started doing Calculus in elementary school, but she was always there for you whenever you went home. She brought you chocolate ice cream and sci-fi movies, she hated them but knew they were your favorite. 
That same day you received a call from your professor, they did an extensive inspection and found no faults. He was actually impressed that it works and told you that you can return to continue your work when you are ready.
When you hung up, you felt slightly better. The least you can do is finish your project and put Collin's name on. You had to do more research though. Even though it was the power that failed last time, you weren't taking any chances. 
You sat up on your bed, grabbed your laptop and searched up Bruce Banner. The first couple of searches, came up with the basic papers you already read. The others just showed the Hulk. You came up across a forum, that discussed a secret government department that was in charge of handling things  like the Hulk and Iron Man.
S.H. I. E. L. D.
"Maybe, there was more information about Dr. Banner in their files." you thought. "How hard can it be?" 
You found a loophole around their firewall and gained access to their mainframe.
There wasn't anything useful for your research. Nothing about gamma radiation.
You did come across some interesting files.
Bruce Banner/ The Hulk
Tony Stark/ Ironman
Steve Rogers/ Captain America
Black Widow/ Natasha Romanoff
Hawkeye/ Clint Barton
Thor
Loki, Vision, Scarlett Witch, Quicksilver, Black Panther, Spider-man, Steven Strange, Carol Danvers ,Ant-Man, The Wasp, Falcon;
The list go on and on.
You gave up, closed your laptop and fell asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following morning, and for the first time in a week you showered and got dressed. After all, It was Collin's funeral later that day. Your wavy black hair was pushed it back with bobby pins. You put on a black dress that had buttons all way down on the front.
The funeral was grim as expected, there was dinner after the church service, but decided not to go, the guilt of seeing Collin's pregnant wife would eat you alive. 
When you got home, you were emotionally exhausted from the day and went straight to bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Here goes nothing" you said flipping a switch on your control panel.
" It's working!" you screamed.
You looked at Collin and him back onto your machine.
The power went out.
"No" you screamed as you tried flicking all the control panel.
There were electric sparks coming from the machine.
"Turn it off" Collin yelled.
"There's no power." you responded.
The emergency generator turned back on, the surge of power caused the cylinder containing the gas to break open. A flash of pink spewed onto you and Collin. The break caused the machinery to become unstable and caused the cage to fail. Collin realized this a flung forward to unplug the machine, but he was too late. You both realized it was going to blow. The last thing you remember is Collin standing over you protecting you from the blast.
~~~~
You woke up in a panic and sweating. It was dark, you stood up and headed to the bathroom and placed you hand on the sink and looked into the mirror in front of you. You eyes were glowing pink, you looked down at your hand and they were also emitting, a pink color.
"What in the hell" you said out loud.
You closed your eyes and made yourself calm down. When you opened your eyes again, everything was back to normal. Must have been dreaming. 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2 years later…………
You were sitting in your lab making the last edits to you thesis paper, when someone walked in.
"You can't be in here"  you yelled without looking up.
"I'm looking for Liz Vasquez" you heard a man say.
You looked up and saw none other than Tony Stark.
"You're Tony Stark" you said shocked. "What are you doing here"
"I've been hearing rumors of flying pink lady hanging around Los Angeles" He said.
You close your laptop.
"I've read your file, Stanford at 16, Cal-tech at 20. Masters in Quantum Physics and Biochemistry. Figure out where you're going after you graduate?"
"Here, for my PHD program" you stuttered
"At 22? Move to New York. Transfer and I'll fund your entire PHD project. And you can have your own lab at Stark Industries.
"WHAT? What's the catch" you asked suspiciously.
"I need your pink lady to help me out in a family dispute" he said
"Ampere, and just so you know, I don’t fly." you said.
"So what do you do?"
"I create plasma platforms. I can shoot plasma from my hands. I can create anything. Structures, weapons. I create what I want and manipulate them with electromagnetic energy.” 
You make your hands glow and create a small pink solid platform in front of you. And just as you conjured it, it disappeared.
"So are you in?" he asked.
"I'll need a suit. "
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Anon Requested: How Dare You? - Eobard Thawne
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A/n: Requested by an Anon, based off the Iron Fist Season 2 Scene. I hope you enjoy this, I don’t own this gif, it was sent to me by a brilliant human being.
She had been warned; Eobard had told her the second she felt threatened that she should tap the button on her phone, but she’d locked the device. It was difficult to meet with a Villain who wanted to meet her alone, whilst she kept her phone unlocked and finger poised to hit the panic button.
She rolled her eyes at the thought that the speedster would come running, of course he would. He’d only be a couple blocks away, plotting with Malcolm and Damien whilst also trying to avoid the monster that was chasing him. She inhaled, her mind casting to the little amount she knew about Adrian Chase.
It was strange to think Eobard had just plucked him from the timeline and left him in a warehouse to mull over the decision of joining the Legion. Thawne hadn’t even told her why he’d chosen Adrian. From what she did know he was an excellent killer, his crusade to rid Star City of the Green Arrow had been interesting to read about.
“You came” he sighed, his voice quiet. Every syllable chilled her to the bone as she rested herself against the metal railing. Her eyes fixed on the man. “And alone, I would have thought Mr Thawne would come himself and I’m slightly disappointed”
His words echoed around the building and she became increasingly aware of just how alone she was. How he could do anything, and no-body would be the wiser? In her thoughts she hadn’t noticed Adrian waltz towards her, a knife twirling in his hands. He placed the tip of the metal to her cheek, the cold making her jump causing a small cut to run along her cheek.
“Eo,- Eobard said you didn’t want to speak to him” She hesitated as he pulled the knife away, a knowing smirk running across the lower half of his face.
“I bet he also told you that I asked to speak to you” Adrian remarked; he frowned as he took in your appearance. “I know you, you were there when my father was killed. You just watched, in silence” he finished, the anger flashing in him. Eobard hadn’t lied, you knew him. His face hadn’t done his tells, his smirk hadn’t appeared the second he had received what he wanted.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about” She questioned. “I don’t know your father”
“I think you do, let me refresh your memory” Adrian chuckled, his hands resting on her shoulder as he proceeded to infiltrate her personal space. She had begun to realise the wrong move she had made at the start. She should never have had her back to a sheer drop. “Justin Claybourne” He smiled, the pressure on her shoulders took her from her feet.
She hadn’t noticed until she was plummeting towards the cement below that he had pushed her. There was no time for her to unlock her phone, it had become very real that she had no way out of this. She was heading for her death as the cement grew closer, her eyes latching onto Adrian as he smiled and watched her body hit the ground.
It shouldn’t have been possible as she crawled towards her phone, the device had been smashed in the impact. She could see the blood, through blurred vision, that had begun to pool beneath her body, the pain erupting through her causing her to scream out in agony. The echoed bounced off the walls.
“Help” she screamed, her voice dying in her throat as she spotted the boots making their way over to her. The feeling of her head being yanked up by her hair causing another muffled scream of pain.
“I’ll be sure to thank Mr Thawne for telling me about the spear as I kill him.” Adrian remarked, he dropped her to the ground, his fingers dipping into her blood as he covered his face with a thick line. “I need to make this believable. No hard feelings”
-
Eobard had waited long enough; he was growing impatient as he placed his head on the lamppost, Damien and Malcolm had left him in search of some food to sustain them as they waited. It was remarkable that in the few weeks they’d been around each other the speedster hadn’t seen either of them eat.
She was late, but he trusted her; he would give her five more minutes and then he’d go there. He rubbed his face with his gloved hand, his eyes stinging. He probably should have slept last night but he’d been so focused on getting the spear that he had neglected his own fatigue. His eyes shot up as he heard the pained grunting, in a pinpointed look of confusion and concern he waited for the owner to stumble around the corner. A bloody hand being the first thing he could see; the second was Adrian’s body. His other hand clutching his side and blood staining his face.
The blood in Eobard’s body froze, his confusion become terror as he raced over to the man. He should never have let her go alone nor should he have let both league members go together to get food. It hadn’t been until Malcolm appeared, his hand wrapped around Adrian as they pulled him to the side of the street.
“What happened? Where is she?” Eobard questioned, he wasn’t concerned as to what happened, not entirely. He just needed to know where she was.
“The Legends – they found us. They attacked, she didn’t make it” Adrian cried out. His face wincing as he clutched his side. Eobard stumbled backwards, his breath stopping in his lungs. All he could hear was the sound of his own heart beat and the muffled shouts of his team as he sped off. He needed to check. He needed to.
The warehouse remained silent as he practically threw the door open. The loud bang as it hit against the wall did little to calm him. He couldn’t lose her, not after she had lost him. He had made the deal, he swore he’d keep her safe in their crusade. He spotted the crimson on the floor, his ears almost fluttering over the breathy cries of pain.
She had pulled herself against a wall, her head falling against her chest as the blood covered her shirt – his shirt. The panic rose within him, her injures looked far from minor, her eyes couldn’t focus as they closed. He sprinted to her, his mouth pulling his glove from his hand; he placed two fingers to her neck checking her pulse. It was weak, incredibly weak. He froze. He didn’t know what to do.
“Eobard” she breathed, her limp hand lifting to touch his arm. His eyes widened, and the concern bubbled within him again. He had to think, his hands wrapping around her. He lifted her; she needed a hospital. She needed some help. He ran as she continued to try to speak to him. He almost tripped on his own feet the second they entered the emergency room.
“Someone help her” He yelled, “It’s ok, you’re going to be alright. I promise” He reassured her; he watched as the paramedics and the doctors lifted her onto the gurney, each working over as the nurse stopped him from running after them. Eobard had never been in this situation, he didn’t know what to do. So, he waited. He watched as patients entered and left; as the nurses switched out. He waited as the doctors informed loved ones of casualties, until he spotted the doctor who had gone in with her. A sympathetic smile on her face as she stepped closer to him.
“Your wife is fine” She announced, she was clearly tired. Eobard had never been married and the assumption almost made him laugh, until he remembered whose life had been hanging in the balance. “She kept saying Adrian Chase, I don’t know what she means but it followed with not trust. You’ll be able to see her soon.”
Adrian. Thawne’s jaw tightened as did his fists as he thought about the man. His mind putting the pieces together; he hadn’t seen an injury on Chase, nor had he seen any scorch marks from Dr Stein or damage that normally followed a Legends’ attack. He kicked himself, he should have seen it earlier, the lie was obvious enough.
Nothing could stop Thawne as he sprinted off, his anger a searing temperature as he let it radiate from him. He listened to the tightening of the leather covering his hands, his speed increasing when he finally reached his team. Malcolm and Damien watched with cautious and puzzled gazes as Eobard lifted Adrian by his neck.
“How dare you?” He yelled, “Need I remind you the task at hand. She was not the one we’re fighting against and neither is she yours to touch. You almost killed her” He continued, his hand tightening around the man’s throat. Eobard’s mind scolded him, a quick suffocation was not what Adrian deserved. His actions called for a slow and painful death.
Thawne released the man, he spluttered as he grabbed his own throat. Adrian growled, his hand pulling his own weapon from his belt.
“Oh, big mistake” Damien and Malcolm both commented from the side lines. “You can’t beat a speedster. Trust us”
Chase seemed less than willingly to listen to the words of wisdom the two assassins threw his way as he stood. He watched Eobard, who in turn watched him. One of them would blink and the other would use it against them. It was lucky for Adrian, that Eobard blinked. The younger man rushing forward, Eobard chuckled as he stepped to the side.
Eobard’s fist slammed into Adrian’s jaw, the bone dislocating as the man fell to the floor. He stood after a few seconds, his jaw hanging loosely and the pain evident on Adrian’s face. He lifted his knife again ready for another strike. Eobard shook his head.
“You don’t hurt the people I care about and get away with it Mr Morrison, it’s people like you that give me a bad reputation” Eobard laughed, his hand plummeting into Adrian’s chest, his hand clamping around the man’s beating heart. “It’s a shame, I could have used you. Now I guess, I’ll have to go with Snart” He added pulling the organ out with his hand. He watched in silence as the heart stilled. The blood covering his glove.
“I can’t say we didn’t warn him. Are they all like this in the future?” Damien remarked. “No wonder no-one wins”
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(we ain’t) got no time
chapter two: fuck bitches, get money link to chapter one
summary: He does jazz hands. Why did he just do jazz hands? Who is he, Howard Stark? Yikes, too soon. word count: 1,505 warnings: awkward kids a/n: this was me making the 5k requirement, so. thanks so much to my amazing artist @massivespacewren and my beta @capolleon <3 love you guys
art!
read on ao3
“You know you should tell him, right?”
Bucky groans, flopping over the back of the couch in dismay. “I know. Fuck me, I know.”
Steve shakes his head. Smirking like the asshole he knows he is, he says, “You’re an idiot sometimes -”
 ---
 “- you know that?”
“Yes, I’m well aware, thank you.” Tony rolls his eyes from his precarious position, and Rhodey sighs in response.
“Okay…” Rhodey trails off, voice scratching a little with the shitty quality of the video call. “So what are you -”
 ---
 “- going to do about it?”
Bucky sighs. “Fuck if I know. I don’t think I can afford to tell him, but -”
 ---
 “- I can’t go on much longer, to be honest.” Tony groans, almost reaching up to scrub a hand down his face before realizing that his position relies on his hands for balance.
“Well. I don’t really think there’s much -”
 ---
 “- I can do to help you here, buddy. You already know what I think,” Steve says, the smug smirk on his face betraying his innocent facade.
Bucky grumbles unintelligibly, and Steve lifts a hand to his ear in response.
“What was that? I didn’t -
 ---
 “- quite hear you.”
“Fuck you, Rhodey, you know what I said.”
“Yeah, well.” Rhodey lifts an eyebrow in response. Just one.
Asshole.
Tony sighs. “Blah blah blah, tell Winter you’re Tony Stark, blah blah blah, your relationship with him won’t -”
 ---
 “- last, blah blah blah, you can’t start a relationship with lies, blah blah blah…”
Steve’s smirk twists into something more sympathetic. “You know you have to tell him, right?”
Bucky swivels around, almost hitting Steve in the face with his right foot as he settles back into an upright position. He makes a weird sort of groaning noise - a hhhhhh sound.
 ---
 “Yeah, I know.”
 ---
 “Okay. Okay, I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna do it. Hoo boy. Gonna do it. Okay. Alright.” Bucky starts to pace around the room, almost tripping over Steve’s feet as he walks past him.
“Yep.”
“Okay. Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine. Okay. Yep, everything’s fine. Ohhhh yeah, okay, I’m gonna do it!”
“Yep.”
“Yeah. Okay!”
“Yep.”
“What should I wear? Maybe the red button-down with the checkered stripes?”
“Yep.”
“What about the blue jeans? Hmm… no, the black ones are better, right?”
“Yep.”
“Shoes?”
“Yep.”
“Well, obviously I’m going to wear shoes but which ones should I wear?”
“Yep.”
Bucky blinks rapidly.
“You’re not paying attention, are you.”
It’s a question, not a statement.
“Yep.”
He sighs and drags a hand down his face. “Mother of God…” Bucky turns around to face Steve, who’s sitting on the edge of his bed with his phone in his hand, probably playing some ridiculously addicting game.
“Steve. Steve. Steeeeeve. STEVE.”
He finally glances up. “Yeah?”
“I hate you.”
Steve smiles softly. “I know.”
“I’m leaving now.”
Steve’s face crinkles up suddenly. “With that shirt?”
Bucky glances down at himself, then looks back up at Steve with confusion. “What’s wrong with my shirt?”
 ---
  HHHHHHH.
“What do I do?”
A series of beeps.
“Well, yeah, I know I have to tell him. But when? What? Where? Why? Who?”
Another beep.
“Okay. Who: Him. What: Tony Stark - genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist - is Iron Man - superhero, badass extraordinaire, all-around awesome dude. When: Fuck if I know.”
Angry whirring.
“Listen, Dummy, I am procrastinating this announcement as long as humanly possible, okay?” Tony points a wiggling finger at the robot, who boops it with his arm.
“Anyway. Where: Here? Probably here. Probably. Yeah. Here. Okay. Hoo boy. Okay.”
DUM-E boops him softly on the nose, and Tony lets out a noisy sigh as his body deflates.
“Okay. Why: Oh lord, why -”
“The Winter Soldier is requesting entrance, Sir. Shall I allow him to enter?”
“Oh, motherfucker Jesus Christ son of a bitch.” Tony looks down at himself; greased - everything, really, bare feet, probably baggy eyes…
Ugh.
“Yeah, yeah, okay, fine, let him in.” He spins around in his wheely chair (whee! Ha, Tony is such a child) to face the doors in preparation.
The doors slide open and Winter enters, this time with Tony’s eyes following him. He doesn’t think he could handle it if this time Winter has another panic attack because Tony decided to be a dumbass and ignore him.
“Hey, Winter, what’s up?” he says, smiling widely. DUM-E leans out from behind him and beeps softly.
“Hey.” Winter steps into the room and the doors close behind him, leaving his back flush to what looks like solid glass (but, you know, solid). “I, uh. Wanted to talk to Iron Man about something?”
“Oh!” Of course he does, you dumbass, why would he be here to see you? “Yeah, I’ll go get him.”
Slip through the private entrance, slip the suit on, slip back out, and -
“Hey - Winter! Didn’t expect to see you here.” Iron Man’s voice is warm (and sappy! Stop with that!). “Tony said you had something you wanted to talk to me about?”
Winter’s cheeks lift from behind the domino mask, and his eyes flash a brilliant blue. “Yeah. Yeah, I, uhm - I had something I wanted to tell you.”
“Yeah… so did I, actually. Good timing?”
Fuck, Tony did not think this reveal was going to happen so soon.
Ugh.
“Haha, yeah.” Tony can’t help but notice that Winter’s laughter sounds like the singing of a thousand little fairies, even through the voice modulator.
Ew. That was a little too sappy, even for him.
“So, um. Mine has to do with my identity?”
Holy shit.
“Oh, wow,” Tony coughs out, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck (metal? Metal neck? Ugh.) in a nervous motion Pepper has told him multiple times he needs to get rid of, “me too! What a - ha, what a coincidence. Wow.”
Winter’s eyes widen. “Oh! Oh. Okay. Um. I guess I should go first, huh?”
Tony’s eyes dart nervously around the room despite knowing Winter can’t see him. “Um. Yeah? If you’re comfortable with that, obviously.”
Instead of responding verbally - which, yeah, Tony can understand that, he’s nervous as hell too - Winter just reaches up to the back of his mask and undoes the fingerprint-scan locks, one by one. He rips of the mask, and -
Holy shit. That’s James Barnes.
Barnes’ smile comes out more like a grimace. “Yeah. That’s me.”
“Did I just say that?”
Barnes - should Tony be calling him Bucky? - laughs again, this time a little less nervous. “Yeah. You have a habit of doing that. So does Tony, come to think of it.” He smiles fondly.
Why does Tony feel jealous? Bucky’s talking about him.
Still.
What the fuck?
That’s Bucky Barnes. James Barnes! James Buchanan Barnes! Fuck!
Tony’s been flirting (fuck, he’s been flirting) with Steve’s best friend!
Oh motherfucker.
Tony realizes suddenly that Bucky is waiting for him to say something, and in the next moment comes to understand that he’s just been provided with the perfect segue.
(Which, by the way (ha, another segue), why is segue pronounced like segway? The English language is a lie.)
“Ha! Speaking of Tony.” Tony blinks twice, then scrunches his face up for a long second, and the suit starts to unfold around him. “Tada!”
Bucky’s eyes widen. “No fucking way.”
Tony’s face twists into what is probably the most awkward expression ever. “Yep.”
He does jazz hands.
Why did he just do jazz hands? Who is he, Howard Stark?
Yikes, too soon.
“Wow.” Bucky scratches the skin above his eyebrow and blows out a massive breath. “Damn.”
“What, you disappointed?” Tony tries to play it off as a joke, but he thinks his voice ends up coming out just a little bit too sincere.
Bucky’s eyebrows crease. “What? No - no, no, no, how could I be disappointed? Tony, I’ve had a crush on you for ages now. I mean, come on. You haven’t noticed? It’s been getting kind of ridiculous, actually. Steve keeps riding my ass about it - guess he’ll be glad to find out I got it all worked out.”
Huh.
“But. What?” Tony’s face feels frozen in confusion. He glances around the room a few times, then looks down at himself and across to Bucky. “But. You only ever come in here for repairs or to see Iron Man - also me, I guess, but not really?”
“Okay, yeah, but - ohmygodthisissoembarrassing - half the time I come down here for repairs I did it to myself ‘cause I wanted to spend time with you. Have you not noticed that it’s always, y’know, a snipped wire? Or a loose gear, or whatever? Easy shit? Oh - plus, I usually spend a bunch of time with you before I ask about Iron Man - or you, whatever - because. I dunno. I like spending time with you?”
Huh.
Interesting.
“Can I kiss you?” The words come flying out of his mouth before he can even consider them. Tony cringes internally, waiting for the backlash, but luckily Bucky smiles widely before he can start apologizing wildly and fucking up his chances.
“Fuck yeah.”
And -
Fireworks.
Fuck yeah.
1 note · View note
xswestallen · 6 years
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Iris Remembers: chapter 9
Read the full story on Archive of Our Own
Chapter summary: After Hannibal Bates frames Eddie for shooting two police officers, Barry and Iris must clear his name by catching Bates.
A/N: Do you guys still like this story? I haven't seen any comment on the last few chapters. If you life it, please keep commenting. I love feedback!
Joe told Captain Sing he was going to Keystone for a few days. Caitlin told Dr. Wells that Cisco was helping his brother, Dante, for a few days. These lies helped them avoid suspicion as they left for Starling City. The first day they were gone, Iris didn't hear from her father and just hoped that no news was good news. Like Barry, Iris was afraid of what they might find about the car crash that killed Tess Morgan.
Even though the mystery of Harrison Wells and his intentions with Barry were at the forefront of everyone's minds, metahuman criminals in Central City didn't care. Iris interviewed a woman arrested for stealing from the bank she works at. The woman swears she didn't do it and she has no history of prior crimes. After looking through the crime archives, Iris noticed six people in the last 11 months with no priors who swore their innocence for crimes video evidence showed them committing. Some of them even had rock solid alibis.
Iris didn't think this was a coincidence. Even though surveillance video shows otherwise, Iris believed the woman. Iris worried that a meta might be responsible. The story could wait, a innocent woman was in danger of spending years locked in prison. Iris immediately called Barry, knowing that he would do all he could to investigate the possibility of a metahuman robber.
Barry's phone went to voicemail. Iris tried again. There was still no answer. Panic set in. Iris drove to S.T.A.R. Labs, fearing the worst. She rushed into the cortex, only to find Barry was not there. Caitlin and Dr. Wells were speaking to him over the phone.
"Hey, we located Bates. He was impersonating his grandma." Barry's voice said.
Iris breathed a sigh of relief. Barry was ok. Wells hadn't hurt him.
"Barry, do not let him touch you." Dr. Wells ordered.
"Or," Caitlin stood up. "Let him see you use your super speed." she hunched over the computer Dr. Wells was looking at.
"How am I supposed to catch him?" Barry asked.
"The old fashion way. Run like a normal person." Dr. Wells said.
"Alright." Barry said. He hung up the phone.
Caitlin turned and saw Iris standing in the entryway. "What are you doing here?" She looked nervous. She knew Barry wanted Iris to stay away from Dr. Wells.
Iris tried to collect her thoughts. She stuttered, trying to remember why she tried to call Barry in the first place. "Umm I-uh... I'm writing a piece about the bank robbery. It was committed by a woman with no priors who claims that she left work and spent the night at home with her husband. There is a video from the security camera of her stealing, but she maintains her innocence. I think maybe a metahuman could be mind controlling her or maybe even shape shifting into her."
"You're very clever Miss. West." Dr. Wells spun around in his wheelchair to greet Iris with a smile she found even creepier than his usual one. "The real culprit's name is Hannibal Bates. He has the ability to transform into any person he touches and this isn't the first time he's framed somebody. Barry already knows about Bates and went to interview him with Detective Thawne."
"Oh." Iris was surprised to hear that. Then she remembered what Wells and Caitlin were saying to Barry over the phone. "Why can't he use his speed?"
"If Bates touches Barry, he could acquire not only Barry's physical appearance, but his characteristics as well. The last thing we need is a shapeshifter with super speed." Dr. Wells explained.
"Ain't that the truth." Iris said in a voice too low for Wells to hear. He didn't know how right he was.
"Bates could also expose to the world that Barry Allen is The Flash! Putting Barry and everyone who knows him in danger." Caitlin said.
The phone rang. Dr. Wells pressed a button and asked, "Barry?"
"GUYS, TWO COPS WERE SHOT!" Barry yelled.
Iris clutched the side of the desk for support. She was shocked and afraid. Her mind was racing. Wells said that Eddie was with Barry. Did Eddie get shot? Is he still alive? Iris didn't get the chance to really say goodbye. She loved him.
"What?" Caitlin gasped.
"I called 911, there on the way. I lost Bates."
A lump grew in Iris's throat. She had to ask, but she was scared to know. "Was..." Iris swallowed, she tried to find her voice. "Was Eddie one of them?"
"Iris?" Somehow Barry sounded even more freaked out now.
"Was Eddie shot?" Iris repeated.
"No."
"He's ok?" Iris put a hand over her rapidly beating heart.
"I'm fine, Iris." Eddie's voice spoke.
"Eddie" was all Iris could say. The sting of their break up and lack of closure hurt like hell. She still felt guilty about what happened in the alternate timeline and how she'd been having feelings for Barry throughout their relationship.
"We gotta go." Barry said. "The ambulance is here."
Iris slept well that night knowing that Eddie was ok. Barry already knew about the metahuman who was framing people for crimes and would surely catch Bates soon. The Flash had never let Central City down before. All seemed to be well. So, the last thing Iris expected when she came into work the following morning was for Linda to approach her with a horrified look and headline that read: "CCPD Detective Shoots Two of Brothers in Blue!" With a picture of Eddie pointing a gun at two officers underneath.
Iris took the paper from Linda. "What is this?" At first, Iris thought it might be some kind of sick joke.
"You haven't heard?" Linda asked.
Iris shook her head.
Linda looked at her with pity. "Eddie Thawne shot two cops last night."
Iris laughed. This had to be a joke. "That's impossible." Iris knew what kind of man Eddie Thawne was. He would never hurt any innocent person, especially not a fellow officer.
Linda pointed to the TV. The news anchor was talking about the story before a dash cam video played. It showed two officers get out of the cop car as Eddie walked towards them.
"What do you want us to do Thawne?" One of the officers asked.
"Die." Eddie responded.
Eddie wiped out his gun and fired three shots. Both of the officers fell to the ground. Eddie walked away, unfazed.
Iris covered her mouth. She shook her head vigorously. "No. No, there must be some kind of mistake."
Linda put a hand on Iris's shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"I have to go." Iris abruptly turned to leave.
Iris called Eddie at least ten times as she drove to the precinct. He never answered.
"Barry!" Iris literally ran into him as she made her way to Eddie's desk. "What is going on? Everyone at CCPN is saying that Eddie shot two cops. How is that even possible?"
Barry took her hand lead her to the back of the room.
"You don't think he did this, do you?" Iris asked.
"No. Of course not."
"I need to see him!" Iris tried to leave but Barry put his hands on her shoulders.
"You can't see him, alright, they're not gonna let you."
Iris was hyperventilating. Every part of her body felt numb. The room was spinning and it was making Iris nauseous. Ever since she watched Eddie shoot those officers, she couldn't think rationally. Barry rubbed her shoulders soothingly. Iris tried to steady herself. She looked in Barry's eyes and he brought her back to reality. Then it hit her....
"BATES!" Iris shrieked.
A few people looked up from what they were doing.
"Shhhh!" Barry put a finger over her lips to stop her from yelling again.
"He did this!" Iris was outraged. "Bates should be in jail, not Eddie!"
"It was Bates. He touched Eddie and stole his appearance."
"You have to tell Captain Sing that Bates is a metahuman and he's the one responsible!"
"I don't think Sing will believe me." Barry sighed.
"You have to try!"
"I'm going to find Bates and bring him in. Then he'll see what Bates is capable of and how he framed Eddie and all those other people."
"BUT WHAT IF YOU CAN'T FIND HIM?" It came harsher than she intended it, but Iris was frustrated and scared. "He could be anyone. How will you find him if he always has the perfect disguise?"
Iris knew Barry wasn't naive. He knew how difficult finding Bates would be. But he looked at her with determination and said, "Look, I'm going to do everything I can to help him."
Iris's knees were buckling. She leaned in to hug Barry and he wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm so sorry." Barry whispered to her. "It's gonna be ok. I promise." He let go of Iris and walked away.
Despite having faith in Barry, Iris couldn't sit back and wait for him to clear Eddie's name. She was going to do whatever she could to prove his innocence. Iris sat down at her dad's empty desk and logged onto his CCPD account. She pulled out the dash cam footage of Eddie shooting the cops. It was painful to see. But Iris forced herself to watch it over and over again, until she found something that might help Eddie's case. Upon the 10th or 11th viewing (she'd lost count), Iris noticed that the video showed Eddie holding the gun with his left hand. Eddie is not left handed but Hannibal Bates must be!
Iris went up to Barry's crime lab to show him, but he wasn't there. She called him but he didn't pick up. Iris went to the house and there was no sign of him. She figured he must've gone to S.T.A.R. Labs to ask Caitlin and Wells for help. She hurried over there with the hope that this would be enough to get Eddie out of Iron Heights. Finally, Iris found Barry in the cortex with Caitlin.
"Hi, I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"Here I am." Barry said uncertainly.
He and Caitlin both looked uncomfortable, but Iris didn't have to time to care about that.
"I found proof that Eddie's innocent!"
"You did?" Barry's mouth hung open in shock.
Iris went to the computer to pull up the footage for Barry and Caitlin to watch. "I hacked into my dad's CCPD account and went through the footage of Eddie shooting those cops. Look!"
The video played.
Iris turned to see if Caitlin or Barry caught on. Barry was starring at the screen. He seemed uneasy. Caitlin was looking nervously at Barry.
"What's wrong with you?" Iris asked her.
Caitlin jumped. "Huh? Um, nothing." she said. "I didn't do anything."
"I don't know seems pretty... convincing to me." Barry said.
"Look again!" Iris said as she hit replay. She paused before Eddie pulled the trigger. "Eddie is not left handed! But maybe Bates is."
"Bates?" Barry seemed surprised at the mention of Bates' name.
"Yeah, Hannibal Bates." Iris was annoyed. How could he forget about Bates? She didn't have much time to be angry though, because a second later, Barry was convulsing from the electric shock of Dr. Wells' stun gun. Barry collapsed on the floor. Iris stood up and back away from Wells in fear. Iris met his eyes and decided that being afraid wasn't going to help her fight Wells if she needed to. "What did you do?" she demanded.
"You're observations about the shooter were spot on, Miss. West. I told you you're clever." Wells said, lowering the stun gun. "The shooter was indeed left handed. As is this man." Wells looked down at Barry's body. "Our Barry, is right handed."
Caitlin threw her head back and her arms up. "Oh I knew it!" She saw the look Dr. Wells gave her and quickly added, "Never mind."
"Then this is him!" Iris approached the body that looked like Barry Allen.
"It is indeed." Wells assured her.
"I need to take him in to the police. If they can see what he can do they'll have to let Eddie go."
"Iron Heights isn't equipped for dealing with metahuman prisoners." Wells said. "Perhaps, it would be best if simply take Mr. Bates to the pipeline."
"I don't care where you lock him up, but first everyone needs to see that this man can change himself to look like other people. They need to see that it wasn't really Eddie who shot those cops. Or any of the other people they saw commit crimes I'm taking him in."
"Of course." Wells conceded.
"I'll help." Caitlin offered.
They put Bates in the backseat of Iris's car and began driving to CCPD. Bates was still unconscious as they pulled up to a red light next to a construction site. All of a sudden, a young girl's screams were coming from the back seat. Bates transformed into a little girl. He (or she?) was banging on the window and screaming for the construction workers to let her out of the car. Iris and Caitlin tried to explain that they didn't kidnap the girl, but the workers let Bates out. He ran away and soon lost in the crowds of people walking the streets of Central City.
Iris was heartbroken. She thought she could help Eddie, maybe make up for some of the damage she'd done, but Bates got away. Now, she also had to deal with the fact that Barry was missing. Caitlin and Iris searched CCPD but had no luck. Iris suggested they search the house next. Eventually, Caitlin found Barry laying in his closet with his mouth, hands, and feet duct taped.
"Barry!" Both girls yelled.
They sat beside him on the ground. Iris pulled the tape off his mouth.
"He's not moving!" Iris said, terrified. Had Bates killed Barry?
Caitlin put her fingers on his choroid artery. "He's alive, just unconscious."
"How do we wake him up?" Iris asked.
Caitlin slapped Barry across the face. His eyes shot open and he groaned in pain.
"For real?" Barry asked. "Why did you slap me?"
"Because you were uncurious." Caitlin got defensive.
"Smelling salts work just as well."
"Sorry, ok?"
Caitlin and Iris pulled the rest of the duct tape off Barry.
"Bates, he was here!" Barry told them.
"Yes, we know." Caitlin said.
They helped Barry to his feet.
"I'll let Dr. Wells know you're ok." Caitlin pulled out her phone and left the room.
Iris held Barry's hand and walked with him to the bed. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, yeah." Barry waved off the question. "How did you know Bates was here?"
"He impersonated you."
Barry's eyes filled with fear. "Did he-"
"No." Iris cut him off before Barry's thoughts got to a scary place. "He didn't commit any crimes. He just went to S.T.A.R. Labs with Caitlin. I went there too because I found something that might clear Eddie's name."
"What is it?"
"In the video of the shooting, Eddie used his left hand. But, Eddie is right handed. Hannibal Bates is left handed."
"That's great!" Barry smiled. Then, he saw Iris's crestfallen face. "Why aren't you happy?"
"Bates got away." Iris almost cried. "We had him, right there. But he got away. I don't know if we'll ever catch him again."
Barry put his arm around Iris. She silently cried into his chest, trying to calm down by listening to the drumming of his heartbeat. "I loved Eddie." she sobbed.
"I know." Barry said. Iris felt him sigh.
"I wasn't aware of my feelings for you. I never meant to hurt Eddie. I'm embarrassed that I could cheat on him. I'm an idiot for not telling him right away. I've been a terrible person and I just wanted to do something good for Eddie. I thought for once I could actually help him instead of hurting him."
"Hey, hey. You're not terrible." Barry told her. He stroked her hair. "Iris, you're a kind, generous, good person. I'm so amazed by your heart."
Iris was even more embarrassed now. "I'm sorry I'm telling you all this, Barry. I know you don't want to hear about my feelings for Eddie and please don't feel guilty about that kiss, It's all my fault."
"It's ok. I'm you're best friend. You can talk to me about anything." Barry said.
Iris looked up at him. He was smiling down at her. For a brief moment, everything seemed like it was going to be ok.
"Eddie is good guy." Barry admitted. "I tried to hate him because I was so jealous. But, I couldn't. He's a good person. I used my powers to break him out, but he wanted me to take him back. I'm not a kid anymore, I'm The Flash. And I promise you, I'm not going to rest until I get Eddie out of Iron Heights."
Iris wiped her eyes. She and Barry stood up, Iris grabbed the duct tape Bates had used on Barry. When she did, she was instantly in the airport. Iris looked around.
"Oh no, not again." she told herself.
It was the airport, but it wasn't. Iris knew it wasn't real. It was another one of those bizarre memories from the previous timeline. Iris didn't see anyone she recognized. She couldn't think of a reason why she'd go to the airport on that day Barry time traveled. Then, she saw the flight directory. It had today's date. Why could that be? Iris saw people all around her, none of whom she recognized. Nothing happened, and then the experience was over.
Iris was back in Barry's room. He was holding her hands. "Are you ok?"
"It happened again." Iris told him.
Barry looked confused.
"I had one of those experiences! Like the memory of being at the waterfront or when I saw Wells kill Cisco. But, this time I was at the airport. And it couldn't have been the day you traveled through time because I saw the date. It was today." Iris spoke so fast she wasn't sure if Barry was keeping up with her.
"Wait, what? What happened at the airport? Are you sure it was today?"
"Nothing happened. I was just standing in a terminal at the airport." Iris shrugged. "I saw today's date on the flight directory."
Caitlin came back into the room. "Bates stole Barry's cell phone and wallet. Dr. Wells just told me we got a ping on the GPS on Barry's cellphone. Bates is at the airport."
Barry and Iris exchanged mystified looks.
"What?" Caitlin asked.
"No time to explain. I'll be at the airport." Barry said. A gust of wind blew and Barry was long gone.
The DA, Captain Sing, and Barry were in Captain Sing's office, watching security camera footage of The Flash's fight with Bates. Iris was waiting hopefully in at her dad's desk. The office door opened and Barry smiled at her. She beamed back at him, knowing Eddie had been cleared.
"Iris." Eddie's voice startled her. She turned and saw him walking towards her.
"You're free!" she said with a shy smile, hoping he would talk to her.
"All the charges have been dropped."
"I-I'm glad. I knew you were innocent."
"I heard you ran out of CCPN saying it was impossible for me to shoot those cops and then discovered that the shooter in the video was left handed instead of right handed."
"Yeah."
Eddie smiled. "Thanks for believing in me."
"There was never any doubt! I knew you would never hurt anyone. I had to do everything I could to help you." She looked him up and down, taking a deep breath. "You're a good person, Eddie. That's why I fell in love with you. I'm sorry again for-"
"Iris, you don't need to keep apologizing."
"I do!" Iris insisted. "I'm so sorry."
Eddie took her hands. "It's ok."
For the first time, Iris felt able to forgive herself. She nodded at Eddie who smiled in return.
"Thank you for all the good memories, Iris." Eddie said. A tear glistened in his eye. "I'll never forget you either and I don't regret the time we shared."
Iris choked up hearing Eddie talk about the note she left him in the apartment they used to share.
"You deserve somebody who makes you happy too." Eddie told her.
They both looked over to Sing's office, where Barry was standing in the doorway.
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duesnovel-blog · 4 years
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2. Good Gone Girl
Under stark sunlight, Astrid scowled at her handiwork and sniffed gracelessly at the smoke. Her brown hair was braided in two slipshod tails, tightly tied with red and yellow rubber bands, and stretched like loose horns that bobbed on the sides of her head; that the ends were freed like a cow’s switch and fluffed like pompoms made it appear as though she had an alien cheerleader strapped around her scalp. She tightened her backpack and her molotovs gave a slight clink. She had outfitted the bag with a conveyor system that responded to a sensor in one of her rings. A ragdoll hung on the zipper of her backpack’s outer pocket, by its neck, a big X crudely stitched across its featureless face.
    Astrid climbed down the outhouse, careful not to start a rock number on galvanized iron. She weighed like air but she learned the hard way how loud these things cracked under a misstep. There could be more of the undead nearby. In this new world, a stumble or a sudden loud noise invited death. She bit her lip as her feet hit gravel, grateful it wasn’t the strain she expected for her knees.
    The zombies on the ground had scorched like parched, brittle wood, two adults and a child, probably the residents of the small summer home. They swarmed her before she could raid their kitchen. Astrid gave chase, and baited them to gather around the outhouse after she had climbed to safety.
    She stopped herself from contemplating about their story, especially the child’s. Watching these things burn always served as her distraction. She distracted herself until their cluster was crisp and motionless.
    Astrid hated how they stank, but liked the music of the fire while they blazed. It was always like that. Once she saw flames, she forgot about the ocean. Fitful reds and oranges blurred placid greens and blues. Smoke was always headier than salt.
    She surveyed the small dock before reentering the main house.
    “Ay caramba,” she muttered after rummaging through a cupboard of supplies. She had found more canned food in the kitchen than she could carry, but this yielded a waterproof case of unused storm matches, the real prize, made niftier because she wasn’t looking for them. She’s never used one as a molotov wick.
    After packing, she discovered a swing in the back deck that faced the sea. Astrid grinned. She decided she had time to dally, sat there and enjoyed a can of tuna and a jar of preserved peaches, swaying her feet like the most carefree 16-year-old in the world.
    Despite the attack earlier, the afternoon had been quiet enough–still a splash of luck in her book. The day wasn’t over yet, of course. Survival needed to be qualified by the hour. Her fortune could easily tip in a blink.
    As much as she’d like to, Astrid didn’t want to spend the evening in this place. It was too large to fortify on her own. There were multiple entries and not enough time besides. Also, the roof wasn’t high or wide enough for her tent to escape notice. And very few, if anything, escaped the zombies’ notice, especially traces of survivors.
    A devious bunch, the whole lot of them. These dreadful things weren’t the brainless horde of common literature or film. For one, they fed off food and animals, not people. Astrid has seen it enough to draw the conclusion. She has also seen them abandon humans once they’ve infected their victims, more bent it seemed on making the living one of them than gorging on a feast.
    The zombies didn’t roam; they hunted.
    Like any normal fire bohème who wanted to know first-hand how humans burned without committing an actual crime, Astrid has imagined a zombie apocalypse a few times before it actually went down. She didn’t think the zombies would last this long. She thought the safest thing to do was to wait it out in a secure home with enough supplies, a few months at most, before all the infected starved to the bone. In that scenario, it would be a miracle if they could still walk at this point of the catastrophe. They’d be worming their days away, harmless at a distance, and a breeze to set on fire.
    What Astrid wanted most was her own corral, a kind of labyrinth that led to a punji pit, and an elevated platform where she could view her catch. Lure the zombies in, exit through a flap, wait for them to pile up aaaand flame-a-palooza. Her grin widened a little at the thought of it.
    After eating, she did another sweep, a quick one, and headed to where she parked the Honda Monkey. She never had a single driving lesson before this whole shit-storm, but she had to learn fast. Death had been a good motivator (whether to delay or hasten it depended on whoever was watching her drive).  Her first ride was a pitiful electric bike, unsweetened, that she found in her old neighborhood. The Monkey turned up a few days later, thank heavens, heavily equipped with kinks she was still trying to work out. Her favorites were the control panel, chockfull of flashing lights, buttons and a curious-looking knob, and the switch-controlled steam boiler attached to the rear fender that shot flames either at the front or the back of the motorcycle. Indeed a vehicle built for a fire girl who wouldn’t go near a car. She had the awkward driving stance down to a low at least, proud that she didn’t maneuver in zigzags anymore. Her face was still frozen in goggle-eyed panic everytime she was on it, but who’s to see?
    “…live broadcast… all survivors… established shelter at the northern… I repeat… Bungan Port…this is… a tactical team… emergency eva… if you hear this… your way to us… I repeat, this is a live…” 
    The radio was the only thing that’s shot about the Monkey, not that she needed it. It picked up the broadcast yesterday, and for a minute the message had seemed like a dream. But what strike of gargantuan luck would it take to find someone who knew how to navigate a boat? Much less someone who might agree to take her along. She wasn’t holding her breath to find out the odds. She turned off the radio.
    Astrid has made a nest for herself not an hour away, a deserted kamalig on the higher end of River Taloma. The stilt house she found had been almost obscured by an overrun patch of acacia and eucalyptus trees. She planned to milk that cow for as long as she could.
    Isolation remained her best bet as the number of undead dwindled in remote areas. She encountered other survivors along the way but they were flaky if they weren’t neurotic. She’s heard talk of rebuilt communities that took survivors in, but she hasn’t found one yet. It wouldn’t hurt to find a tribe, if only to complement her glaring limitations. She was mostly fine on her own. It’s the supply runs that left a hell smirk in her mouth. Scavenging was inevitable despite its infinite dangers.
    She took the shorter way back through Kanto Trenta, once a sprawling shopping district but now as ghostly and abandoned as the rest of them. She fancied scoring an outfit or two.
    Halfway back to her crib, a green Wrangler in the middle of the street made her halt. Broken down from the looks of it, with a man cowering behind, loading a gun. Astrid’s eyes widened when the other side of the street came to view. A group of undead lurched violently towards the car. A couple dozen of them, give or take two more. She’s never seen a pack this large or this enthused. Their hissing, growling noises suddenly became deafening.
    No one’s going to get out of that with a gun.
    Astrid’s fight instinct got the better of her. Instead of turning around and driving away she parked the Monkey and started to sprint towards the Jeep. Fire jarred zombies for a little while, she thought. A few molotovs could delay them. Best case scenario the man could drive the motorcycle with her on it. A head start and an elevated structure was all they needed. She had enough cocktails to torch a flock pinned against a barrier.
    In haste, she reached behind to activate her backpack’s belt mechanism. A molotov snapped into her hand in a second flat. “Quick! To the bike!” she heard herself scream at the man, snatching a butane lighter from a touch fastener on her belt.
    The man cursed when he realized what was going on, noting the motorcycle several feet away. “Why did you stop? Go back!”
    Before Astrid could reach him, the man muttered “Ah fuck it!” and stood between her and the swell of undead, facing the pack as though getting mauled first would spare her.
    Then she watched him cast his hand and witnessed bursting from it a flame more alive than anything she’s ever seen. Vibrant, thirsty and biddable fire. Astrid gasped. The molotov clenched in her hand remained unlit.
    The man glanced back at her with disbelief and a stupid halfway grin. “It works,” he said, more to himself. “It actually works.”
    Agape, Astrid stared as the zombies burned.
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