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aloneinthehellfire · 2 years ago

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Chapter Twelve: Down The Rabbit Hole

Gates Of Hell Masterlist

Word Count: 11k (the struggle was real)

Warnings: swearing, mentions of death, horror, gore

[A/N: immensely shocked at myself for finishing this chapter but ultimately that means there are some reallyyyy good bits and some that… I hate the ending but I wrote it five different ways and this is just word vomit now. We will be back with more GOH after the new year but until then, I hope everyone has a good festive period <;3]

Down The Rabbit Hole

White walls. Red blood. Green Eyes.

The same nightmare crept up on you again, raising your heart rate and jolting you awake. This time hadn’t been any clearer than the last, no matter how hard you tried to look for more clues, to escape. But it ended the same it always did; with those glowing green eyes.

You blink against the darkness, hearing soft snores and breathing in the space around you. Everyone else was sleeping, only Joyce and Hopper not to be seen. They must be on patrol.

When you look to your right, you notice a familiar head of hair in the cot beside you, facing the wall with steady breaths. Part of you wanted to wake him then, pull him into all of your spiraling thoughts. But that was selfish.

Holding your breath, you make as little sound as possible as you slip out of the bed, containing a wince when a pain shoots up your ankle. An unfriendly reminder of your fate. You hadn’t bothered taking your sneakers off when you slept, part of you worrying that something would have you rushing out of bed at a moment’s notice.

Thankfully, the door was quiet as you closed it behind you, taking a deep breath in an empty room. New maps were sprawled across the table now, different markings. Places Hopper was going to search in a dangerous setting all because you had a theory.

It was all too much to be thinking about now. Rather than stay, you head up a few measly steps and exit the ‘bunker’, finding yourself back in what you assumed to be a control room. The room was cast in a red light, the source held behind a long panel of glass.

The gate, while terrifying, was also strangely beautiful. It looked alive, if anything, thrumming in calm bursts of crimson lights, a few white particles scattering the air in front of it. You thought it almost looked peaceful as you leaned with your arms against a metal railing, noting the door that would lead you to the gate on a lower level.

What would be the last thing you saw? It was useless pretending like the virus wasn’t constantly in your mind. If you were to turn, where would it be? Would it hurt? Would you hurt someone? How would you avoid that?

You remembered how Holloway was barely human. You also recalled his momentary lapse of weakness, a glimmer of the man you once called a teacher. Did that mean he was still in there, in no control of his own body? And, if that were to happen to you, could you really live with yourself if you killed the ones you loved?

A heavy thought for an April morning.

The creak of the door caught your attention. You glance over to see the boy you survived four days with closing the door behind him, running a hand through his hair. Even with a bed-head, he might be the most godly guy you’ve seen.

“Sorry. Was I loud?” You wince but he’s quick to dismiss it.

“No, no. I… I tried falling asleep but, uh, haven’t managed to do that in a while, you know?”

You merely nod, returning your attention back to the gate as he joins you, mirroring your own stance.

Steve takes a long look at the gate in front of him. This was the very thing that started all his problems, ruined his life. Although, he supposed he was already doing that himself before he could redeem that part he had kept hidden away. And that wasn’t until the gate had spewed out a grey faceless monster. Funny, how he could be grateful for an alternate dimension when it was the birth of an apocalypse on the town he called home.

His eyes eventually shift to yours, his gaze softening. You looked tired, worn from everything you’ve been through over the past four days. He can tell you didn’t sleep much either. He could also tell you were overthinking something in the way your tongue was pressed against your bottom lip.

“Are you okay?”

You meet his stare and he almost feels himself melting. He had followed you out here for a reason, and now he was paying the price of nerves attacking him. He really hoped you couldn’t notice the red he felt creeping up his neck against the already rouge light.

“I wish someone would have dragged me into this sooner.” You sigh and he looks surprised. “I get my dad was just trying to protect me but… I can’t help thinking how different everything would be if someone just told me. Maybe… maybe I wouldn’t have been in detention in the first place.”

“Maybe.” He agrees quietly, fidgeting with his hands, “I’m glad you were, though.”

Your eyes flash towards his with a confused scrunch of your brows. “Why?”

“I don’t know what I would have done if I had to go through this alone.” He admits, avoiding your eyes by turning back to face the window. “It was nice, having someone there. Even if we, uh, hate eachother.”

You let out a small laugh, shaking your head slightly. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m kinda glad you were there, too. Even, yeah, even if we are sworn enemies.”

“Y/n.”

He finally looks at you and you patiently wait for whatever he has to say. The longer it takes, the stranger you feel, like a growing pit of anticipation, both good and bad. You watch as he struggles with the words, like he couldn’t choose or he genuinely didn’t know what to say, his lips forming them in small twitches but never speaking.

“I don’t hate you.”

You didn’t realise how close you were until you felt his shoulder brush against yours as he shifted to lean on one arm, looking at you, expecting a response.

“I…” You try, searching his eyes for some kind of hint that this was all a joke. But it was genuine. So genuine, you found yourself lost in his gaze, fighting the idea that you never wanted to leave it. “You don’t?”

“I thought I did.” He says, his voice merely a whisper. “But I meant what I said. I’m glad you were there at the beginning of all this. And… and I’m glad it was you.”

The sudden flutter in your chest was crumpled by the hand of anxiety, pulling you back down to earth, burning the incriminating evidence on your ankle as to why that hope you felt would never be. Timing was a cruel mistress.

“Steve…” You start, but he is already closer now, close enough to make you look at him.

“I don’t want us to hate eachother.” He says, and he meant it with every heartbeat in his chest, “I don’t… I don’t even know why it’s like this. The last four days just proved that I don’t have a single reason to hate you, Y/n. And… and I don’t want to pretend anymore.”

“I…” You hoped if you started talking, the words would just follow. But instead, they stay stuck in your throat in the same way your eyes never wavered from his brown ones. Those little gold flecks shone bright at you. You couldn’t do this to him.

“Do you hate me?” He asks, rearing himself closer. You catch his eyes dart to your lips and you hold your breath, your fingers unintentionally moving to his hand.

That delicious tingle of contact brushed against him, racing his heart across his body until he felt like it was over the moon, that painfully sweet anticipation of your lips against his…

But you pull your head away from his, your eyes squeezed shut.

“We can’t.” You whisper out, so quiet he thought he misheard you. He hoped he had, but he was so focused on your lips he knew each word as they left your mouth.

“Why?” Steve frowns softly, reaching out to take your hand in his, and you don’t snatch it away.

“Y/n… we don’t have to keep playing that stupid game high school made up for us. Okay? High school practically doesn’t even exist anymore-”

“There’s too many complications.” Your voice is strained, like you didn’t want to say it.

“Like what?” He looks at you for an answer, but you can’t meet his eyes. “Give me one good reason why, and I’ll go. Just don’t lie to me.”

“We haven’t spoken in years, Steve.” You finally look up at him and he can see the tears already pooling. “Not as friends, at least. I’m glad I got to see the real Steve Harrington, even if it was just a few days, but… but that’s not enough time to really know eachother. You don’t know me.”

“It doesn’t change how I feel.” He says and you so badly wanted to grab him and kiss him until all the pain went away, all your issues and burdens, the entire world if nothing at all. But you can’t. What if you committed to this and it all blew up in your face? What if it ended quicker than it began?

“I’m sorry.” You finally say, stepping back and wiping a tear. He doesn’t let you go. “Steve-”

“You claim I don’t know you. That I haven’t had enough time to.” He starts, concern marking his eyes. “But right now, I know you’re hiding something from me.”

Steve can’t believe that his past self was so adamant on hating you, returning your unkind favours with his own, battling out who could make the other’s life a living hell. It took an actual living hell to realise he was wrong. Without the distraction of high school, he was forced to admit his feelings. To himself. To you. The whole world was burning, but his biggest fear was that you wouldn’t like him the same way he has liked you all this time.

“Just tell me.” He pleads. “Y/n-”

“One of those things got me.” You finally blurt and he blinks, shaking his head.

“I don’t-”

“The demodog. At school.” You begin, gulping back the fear. It was time you admitted it to yourself. “When it was dragging me away… I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

“What are you trying to say?” He asks, but he already knows the answer. He wants you to prove him wrong, tell a different fate.

“It bit me.” The words were heavy as they tumbled from your lips, hitting the air with a cold smack. “And I’m pretty sure I’m gonna turn into one of those things out there.”

Steve doesn’t speak, doesn’t move- breathe. It would have been funny to see Steve buffering if you hadn’t just admitted your death sentence.

“No.” He says plainly and you shut your eyes. “No, that’s not- no.”

Rather than speak, you slowly reach down and pull up the leg of your jeans, revealing the damned mark to him once and for all. His skin was getting paler as he followed the black veins snaking along your skin, like growing vines.

“No, that’s not poss-” He stops himself with a deep breath, stepping back and resting his hands on his head. “If it was- you would have turned by now if it was true. The others didn’t take that long, right? It’s not…”

“I don’t know how it works. I thought… maybe, it wasn’t affecting me. But the veins… look just like the ones they have. I… I don’t know how long I have left.”

“We’ll find something.” He suddenly says with a hardened face and posture. “A cure. There’s gotta be a way out of it.”

“I don’t think there is one.” You say, cutting him off when he tries to speak. “We don’t even know how long this virus takes, or if it affects people differently- we don’t have the time.”

“Maybe El knows something.” He suggests, but even he knew it was a long shot. He just couldn’t believe he had been laying in that bed figuring out how to tell you his feelings, thinking the worst you could say was that you didn’t feel the same way.

“You can’t tell anyone.” You’re quiet, shifting on your leg with your head low. Steve can’t believe what he’s hearing.

“What- you… you expect me to just pretend like everything’s fine?” He exasperates, scrunching his face when you don’t respond. “No, Y/n, don’t- don’t just spring that on me and expect me not to help you.”

“They’re leaving today.” You finally speak, looking up at him with sad eyes. “They’ll head out to the school, go through a gate and try to survive while finding unknown evidence of my theory. If I’m wrong, then it was all for nothing. They could get hurt, or- or worse. And if I’m right… then what? How do we know they’ll be able to fight it? All of this while the kids are going to be listening in on every breath and every step, Joyce is gonna be wondering what to do if Hop never comes back, Jonathan- Mike is going to be scared for his life knowing his sister is down there. And then El… everyone already has so much weighing them down, so many things to be afraid of. I don’t even know if this bite is gonna do anything but I want them going in with clear heads, not constantly worrying about me.”

“Not even Robin?” He challenges, coming closer again. “Your dad?”

“Robin will be fine.” You say, convincing yourself. “And Hop… I can’t think about that right now.”

“Y/n-”

“No.” You snap, taking a deep breath when you realise how loud the word had slipped from your mouth. “Sorry. I just… even if I did tell him… what is he gonna do? What the hell are any of us gonna do? There isn’t a cure, or- or a way out. Either it’s fine and it doesn’t happen, or I’m gonna become one of those things. And… and I can’t become one of them. I can’t let my dad, you, anyone, watch me become one of those things.”

When you blink, a single tear catches and trails down your face. Steve places his hand on your cheek, gently wiping it away with his hand and you’re surprised by the contact, but you don’t pull away. He brings his other hand up until he’s cupping your face, a pained expression painting his own.

“I’m not letting that happen to you.” He whispers and you instinctively hold on to his arms.

Before you could utter another word, the startling creak of the lab door on the other side of the room catches your attention just as it’s thrown open, revealing wide eyes of the adults catching you in a moment.

Steve practically jumps away from you, assuming what he hoped was a casual pose and you tighten your lips.

Joyce is suppressing a smile, clocking Hopper’s hardened stare as his eyes flicker between you both.

“Hi, kids.” She smiles.

“Hey.” You respond, ignoring Steve’s flushed look. “How was the patrol?”

“I’m moving your beds.” Hopper states and Joyce rolls her eyes.

“He’s kidding.” She says as she steers him away from you both and towards the bunker door.

“He’s not.” Hopper grumbles but eventually gives in with a sigh. “We’re about to get everyone up and ready, we’ll need you both for this meeting.”

“We’ll be there.” You nod and he lets out another sigh.

“Come on.” Joyce teases, opening the door and stepping through.

Before Hopper followed, he paused with one hand holding the metal door open. “Oh, and Steve?”

“Yes, sir?” Steve suddenly straightens and your eyes widen in amusement.

“Three feet away from my daughter.”

“Yes, sir.” He takes a big step back away from you and Hopper hums in approval, finally shutting the door behind him.

Despite the tension still lingering in the air, almost-kisses and heartbreaking-declarations, you started to laugh.

“What?” Steve frowns, the tips of his ears bright red.

“Nothing.” You giggle still, shaking your head in disbelief. “Never thought my dad would ever be worried about me and Steve Harrington. It’s… god, it’s funny.”

“He’s scary when he’s like that.” Steve mutters and you have to walk away before you laugh any harder. “Where are you going?”

“To this meeting before Hop comes back and asks for your head on a stick.”

With that, his eyes widen and he clears his throat, nodding viciously.

“Yep, yep, one hundred percent with you there.” And he steps forward before pausing.

“What is it?” You raise your eyebrow and he scans the floor between you, making you groan. “Are you seriously staying three feet away from me right now?”

“He could be watching.” He whispers and you roll your eyes.

“God, you’re such a coward.”

“Better a coward than thrown in jail for the rest of my life.”

“He can’t do that- oh for god’s sake.” You move quicker than he can react and place your hand on his shoulders. He tenses and you smile. “See? No one’s coming to arrest you.”

He lets out a chuckle, looking down at you like you were water in the Sahara, before his face drops to a serious tone.

“You have to tell him, Y/n.”

You let your hands fall back by your side and bite your bottom lip. “I know. But I can’t. Not yet.”

“What on god’s horribly disfigured earth were you doing this morning with Harrington?” Robin persists with a low voice and you shoot her a warning look.

You and Steve had returned to the sleepy gazes of your friends, some still trailing in while rubbing their eyes, others didn’t even look like they had woken up yet. Regardless, Hopper’s voice was demanding, and you had shuffled your way over to Robin so you could focus. If you were standing beside Steve, the apocalypse wouldn’t be the first thing on your mind.

“Can we not talk about it here?” You hiss, aware of the ears around you that could pick up on the conversation.

“Fine.” Robin widens her eyes mockingly. “You wanna keep it on the down low, got it. Tell your boyfriend that first.”

She nods her head in Steve’s direction and when you look over, a blush creeps across his cheeks and he’s averting his eyes, making your heart flutter.

“Not my boyfriend.” You almost forget to correct, folding your arms and redirecting your gaze back to Joyce.

“El will be by the gate, ready to connect with Hopper and try to find whatever is causing these gates to open.” Joyce smiles at the young girl beside her. “As for everyone else, we’ll need people on radios at all times. Patrol will be done periodically as usual.”

“I got the radios sorted.” Dustin smiles, motioning to the pile on the table.

Steve takes a glance down before his stomach twists. How many times had he tried contacting Dustin before his heart couldn’t take it anymore? Too many.

“The plan is for us to be down there an hour at most. It will let us cover the area surrounding the school and if we don’t find anything when our time is up, we’re getting out and we’re coming back here for a new course of action.” Hopper states and Nancy nods beside him, mentally capturing the map in her mind with the intention of scripting their movements in the limited time period.

“And if you do find something?” Mike asks and Hopper furrows his brows.

“We’re not planning on getting close enough to say hello.” He replies lowly, “But I know El will have eyes on us the whole time.”

The girl in question is nodding her head, face stoic and ready for her duties.

“We’ll head off in two hours. Until then, let’s make sure we have everything we need and take some time to prepare.”

And by that, he meant to prepare mentally. Nancy looked ready but her eyes kept darting to where Jonathan sat, already staring back at her. You supposed there must have been some friction when she decided to follow Hopper into the Upside Down. And in a mere two hours, a lovers quarrel would be the last thing to worry about.

“Y/n.” Hopper calls and you snap out of your thoughts, looking up. “You okay to do the patrol shift?”

“Yeah.” You nod, turning to Robin.

She was already walking away, her hands held up in silent protest and you understood her decision.

You absent-mindedly start looking to where Steve was standing, his arms crossed, back against a wall as Dustin chatted his ear off. The idea of being alone with him before all of this was excruciating, a thought that would never have crossed your mind. Now you were willing, and very happily so, to be spending time with him. He’s changed a lot from the King Steve you’ve grown to hate. He’s much more like that boy you met in middle school.

Hopper clears his throat and you realise you’ve been staring too long, returning your attention back to your father.

“I could-” You start but he’s already got other plans.

“Billy.” He calls over, summoning the boy by his side. “I need you and Y/n to patrol. Nothing long, just a quick check around the lab to make sure nothing has gotten in before we head out.”

“Sounds like fun.” Billy shrugs, throwing a smirk your way and you almost roll your eyes.

Content with his decision, Hopper gave a smile that said ‘that should keep you occupied’ and headed back to Joyce, probably to boast about how well he handled the Steve situation.

“Shall we?” Billy gestures to the weapons and you let out a sigh.

“Why not.” You say, throwing a look over your shoulder to where Robin was stifling a laugh. You pull a face at her before reaching the table, grabbing a knife.

“Last I remember, you were a pretty great shot.” Billy suggested, eyeing the shotgun. You knew he was genuine in his suggestion, but the thought of holding one again sent a chill down your spine. The shotgun didn’t save you last time.

“Like Hopper said, it’s just a quick tour of the lab.” You dismiss, smiling. “We better get it over with so you can prepare.”

“Right.” He chuckles, slinging the shotgun strap onto his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Steve watches in disdain as you leave with Billy, falling into easy conversation like the guy wasn’t a horrible human being. Part of him wanted to walk over and smack that smug look off his face but he was also fully aware of Hopper’s stare on him.

With a sigh, he re-immerses himself back into Dustin’s explanation on the notebooks he discovered in the control room upstairs.

“Most of it was pretty unintelligible. People need to learn how to write, or what’s the point?” He rambles, waving the book in the air. “I mean, the only words I could figure out were ‘green’ and numbers attached to experiments. Will’s much better at reading cursive than I am, so he’s getting information whenever he has time. Do you think they were doing other experiments here?”

“Are your radios gonna work?” Steve questions and Dustin looks in exasperation.

“You’re not even gonna attempt to be interested?” He complains and Steve pinches the bridge of his nose.

“We need to be focusing on this mission, not what some whack-job scientist scribbled in his diary.” He sighs. “So, radios. Are we sure they’ll even reach them?”

“Uh… duh. Or we wouldn’t be doing it.”

Steve resists the groan bubbling in his throat. “Well, it hasn’t been very useful so far.”

“What do you mean?” He looks up at him inquisitively, clutching his radio in his right hand.

Shifting uncomfortably, Steve lowers his head and purses his lips.

“Nothing, man, I’m just… I’m not convinced the radios work properly.”

“Why?” He pesters once more and Steve sighs.

“I tried reaching you.” He admits and the young boy’s eyes widen. “Like five times. And I know you’ve got that thing on you all the damn time. There’s gotta be a reason why it wasn’t reaching, or maybe you were just ignoring me.”

“I would never ignore you.” Dustin states matter-of-factly, shrugging. “And it wouldn’t have worked because I’ve been stuck in this bunker for hours on end, the frequency doesn’t reach this far down. I don’t think it’s built for stuff like that.”

“Oh.” Is all Steve can say.

“I would’ve answered if not.” Dustin assures and Steve slowly nods, swiping the bottle from the table beside him. “Plus, you should be thankful it never reached.”

“I should?” Steve raises an eyebrow, taking a sip of water.

“You would never have a girlfriend right now if I answered.”

Steve almost spat out his water, choking when the minimal requirement of swallowing said water went horribly awry.

“Knew it.” Dustin laughs.

“She’s not- we’re not-” Steve stumbles over his words, thankful everyone is too consumed in their own tasks to take notice. “Shut up, Henderson.”

The boy just laughs, content in his observation just as Nancy wanders over, picking up one of Dustin’s radios.

“Hey, this gonna work?” She asks and Dustin’s face drops.

“Why must everybody question me?” He grumbles, walking away without answering her question.

Nancy looks dumbfounded, turning to Steve. “Something I said?”

“I don’t know, that kid’s a ticking time bomb, anything could set him off.” He sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. “But, I wouldn’t worry about the radios. Henderson knows what he’s doing.”

She slowly nods, looking down at the object in question and Steve is unsure of what to say to her. They hadn’t talked since… well, not since they broke up. He wasn’t even sure if he was fully over her, or their relationship to be specific. It was the first time he really felt connected to someone. Until she started pulling away and leaving him to stare at himself for hours on end in that mirror of conscience.

“You guys are pretty close now, huh?” She queries, raising her head to meet his eyes and he clears his throat.

“Uh, yeah.” He nods, moving away from the wall and straightening up, wondering what to do with his hands. How did he used to stand? “He’s a little shit, but he’s pretty cool. Like having a little brother.”

“Right.” She chuckles under her breath. “But, um… that’s not what I meant.”

“What did you…” Steve began before it finally clicked and he tightens his lips, wincing. “Did everyone see us come in together?”

“I think most of them saw you follow her outside, actually.” She offers a smile and he starts to laugh awkwardly.

“It’s not- we’re… we’re just friends. I think. I actually don’t know if we’re even that right now. We’re not- that’s not…” He rambles, wiping his hands on his jeans. Was it always hot in here, why did he feel so hot? “Acquaintances.”

“Sure.” Nancy says knowingly, setting the radio back down. “I’m just… surprised. Last I knew, you hated her.”

Her smile drops when his face does, avoiding her eyes. She starts to shake her head.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to-”

“No, no. You’re right, I… I did hate her.” Steve shrugs, “The more I think about it, though… the more I wonder if I ever had any reason to.”

“You mean other than freshman year?” She asks and his eyes shoot up. “I don’t remember anything else-”

“What about freshman year?” Steve interjects and her brows scrunch.

“You don’t remember?” Her eyes widen when he shakes his head, letting out a breath. “Wow. Sorry, I didn’t realise- it was the biggest gossip. I wasn’t even in high school yet but everyone in my class talked about it.”

“About what?”

“The date.” She says it was a historic event. “All I heard was you guys went to Lover’s Lake, she tried… well, she tried something, and then got all upset because you turned her down. I remember Carol saying that Y/n took it so bad she tried turning everyone on you, using it to get closer to guys?”

Steve wasn’t sure if his memory was truly terrible, or if he shouldn’t be believing any of it. He couldn’t recall ‘the date’, or Lover’s Lake. Not even the part where you apparently came onto him and he rejected you? That made no sense.

“That didn’t happen.” He frowns, mostly muttering to himself.

“I wasn’t there.” Nancy tightens her lips sympathetically, “And I know now that anything Carol says can be a complete lie. But it’s the only thing I can think of. You guys never fought in middle school.”

“Nancy!” Mike’s voice carries across the room and she looks over her shoulder.

“Look, I should…” She motions to her brother, “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He dismisses with a forced smile. Nancy knows him better than that, but she also knows she’s on borrowed time to see Mike before she leaves, so she starts moving away from him. “Hey.”

She looks back expectantly.

“Good luck. Just in case I don’t get a chance to say it later.”

With a smile, she finally turns away and joins her brother and his friends, leaving Steve to stand with his thoughts, and wonder just how much of his life he had lost in those battles.

Everything was pretty quiet in the lab. There hadn’t been one ominous sound, not even an echo of a snarl. The only noise came from the soft thumps of footsteps between friends.

You wondered what Steve was doing now.

No, you tell yourself, stop it.

Whenever your thoughts drifted to Steve, they were automatically met with a wake up call from the sore curse on your ankle, feeding into the long list of reasons you couldn’t be closer to him. Your life had gotten spectacularly more complicated and, as a result, shorter than anticipated. You hoped you would at least feel when it was happening. Maybe then you’d have a chance to stop yourself before it was too late.

Billy lets out a yawn beside you, peering through a door that was slightly ajar before returning with no evidence of a monster in sight.

“So.” You look up to the boy beside you, welcoming a distraction. “Haven’t talked to you in a while.”

You can see his eyes retract from you, looking almost… sheepish. He must have been expecting this conversation.

“Yeah…” Billy coughs, rolling his shoulders. “Sorry about that. I was busy.”

“Hm.” You nod with a smile, tilting your head. “I can imagine how busy it must have been. How many missed calls was it? 7?”

“9.” He responds quickly before immediately clocking the trap you sent for him. “Shit.”

“Not too busy to see them, then?” You comment with a smirk. You weren’t upset about it.

Truthfully, you weren’t really close friends. More… friendly acquaintances. But he did just suddenly drop off the face of your earth and never explained himself. Avoiding you wherever possible, watching your calls ring through with no intention of picking up. You gave up after 9 days. That was enough to be satisfied you had tried your best.

“Okay, yeah, you got me.” He chuckles, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I don’t have a good reason for it, either.”

“It’s whatever.” You shrug when he raises an eyebrow. “Come on, we were just partners on a project, you didn’t stand me up at our wedding or anything.”

“Always figured you wanted something more.” He jokes with that smirk of his. You simply roll your eyes.

“In your dreams.”

“Every night, princess.”

“God.” You grimace, laughing. “You’re such a creep when you call me that. My dad’s the chief of police. And it definitely doesn’t suit me.”

“That’s what makes it so funny.”

“Whatever.” You roll your eyes and he chuckles to himself.

“How about I make it up to you later?” Billy nudges your shoulder and you laugh.

“Not necessary.”

“Nah, come on. We’ll go wherever you want.”

“If I recall, aren’t you about to go on a dangerous mission?” You try to keep it light-hearted and he shrugs.

“When I get back.”

“Okay,” You nod slowly, curious. “And where in Hawkins are we gonna go? Considering everything is a pile of rubble.”

“The chief said something about Illinois.” He recalls as he holds a door open for you, “How about I buy you a drink there?”

You laugh. “No specific place. Just Illinois.”

“Yeah.”

“We’re barely 19.”

“That’s not what it says on my ID.” He pretends to act shocked and you laugh, shaking your head. “So, what’d you say?”

“You get back from the Upside Down… and I’ll think about it.”

He clicks his tongue with a grin, shaking his head. “That’s fair. I deserve that.”

“Just focus on finding monsters.” You playfully push him away from you, ignoring that jolt of anxiety you feel when you notice a flickering lightbulb in a passing corridor.

“So, when we go for drinks.” Billy smirks, “Is Harrington gonna mind?”

You almost trip up. “Why would Steve care?”

“Look, I don’t wanna get in the middle of stuff.” Billy says and you’re slightly surprised. After all, he wasn’t known for his quiet and respectful nature at school. Your hesitancy must have shown on your face because he shrugs. “High school’s almost over, and I’m not looking for those assholes to be my ‘glory days’ or whatever. We all gotta grow up sometime.”

“And the thing that happened last year?” You suggest, “I don’t know what happened, but everyone seems pretty pissed with you.”

“It was a mistake.” His eyes darken, jaw tight and set as he looks ahead. “I was just sick of people ordering me around all the fucking time, you know?”

You go to answer when something starts echoing your way. It sounded like… scratches?

“The hell is that?” Billy frowns, shotgun slipping off his shoulder and into his hands. Your heart starts to race.

“Probably nothing.” You shake your head, and then the noise starts up again. Except this time, it’s a pounding of noises, harsh banging that had you stumbling back.

“Nothing is making a shit ton of noise right now.” Billy breathes out harshly, stepping in front of you.

He’s already moving toward the noise before you could offer any more dismissals and you have to follow, your knuckles paler from the tightened grip of the knife in your fist.

Your heart leaps into your throat, choking a gasp from your mouth when you reach a set of double doors, leading down the very hallway that you had discovered yesterday. The one that apparently wasn’t just in your nightmares.

“Billy.” You hold a hand out, stopping him from charging forward. “We should get back-up.”

“It’s fine, probably just another demodog.” He raises his shotgun, ignoring your protests.

Something suddenly snarls behind you and you both spin around, finding nothing under the furiously flickering lights. The banging noise starts again, in the same space you both stared at.

“Shit, it’s following us.” Billy curses, grabbing your arm and pulling you behind him. “That hallway leads to the other side of the lab. It’ll get us closer to the bunker.”

“Are you sure?” You glance over your shoulder, an unsettling feeling burying into your gut.

“Trust me, we’ve been using it for days now.”

His retreating footsteps weren’t giving you much choice as another snarl bites the air, forcing you to bump open one of the double doors and back yourself into the hallway.

And then the banging starts again. Except it’s behind you.

You both freeze, turning once again to the singular door at the end of the hallway, a snarl vibrating through the wood of it.

The door you had walked through swung itself closed with a loud bang.

Spinning around with no intention of being here any longer, you reach out and pull the handle towards you.

It didn’t budge.

You grab the other handle in your spare hand and pull harder, the doors rattling under your force, but never opening.

“Billy!” You yell, but he’s already pushing against the doors, eyes wide. “It’s locked! How is it locked?!”

“Shit!” He hisses, turning to ram his shoulder against it for extra strength, but he couldn’t keep it up forever.

And then the pounding against the door gets louder, more violent. He is using every bit of his strength to break through, but it’s not working.

“Shit, shit, shit!” He yells out, driving his boot down on the doors hard. It was just as successful as before.

The air is cut silent and you freeze, breathing heavy as you raise your head, meeting Billy’s eyes. He’s looking behind you, trying to figure out what was going on. But you knew. You’ve been here before.

“Billy.” You divert his attention with pleading eyes. “Go back to the bunker.”

“The fuck I will.” He protests, frowning.

Knowing you needed a solid reason, you put on your best front and nod at him. “Get back-up.”

His eyes keep darting between you and the door, a scowl masking whatever fear swam in his gaze.

“You don’t have any other choice.” You say and he lets out a frustrated sigh, nodding.

“Do not die.” Billy warns, jogging backwards before breaking out into a run, back through the winding hallways.

And you were left alone, slowly turning back to the door, waiting for your nightmare to begin again.

Steve was brooding. There wasn’t any other way to put it. Pouting, maybe. Like a child that had been left behind.

Right now, you were roaming the halls with Billy Hargrove, probably discussing that ‘moment’ you apparently had. He wondered if you would tell him about the bite, trust Billy like you trusted Steve. Part of him felt bitter about that thought.

He feels a shadow approach him and turns around from where he was standing at the window to the gate.

“Does something perplex thee?” Robin mocks with a posh British accent, earning a glare. She drops the act. “Damn, you do be perplexing.”

“No, I’m not.” He scrunches his face, glancing back at the portal to hell. “Wait, what does perplex mean?”

“The American education system has failed you, my friend.” She rests a hand on his shoulder, curving her head to meet his eyes. “There something you wanna tell me?”

“I mean, I did miss a lot of school.” He admits with a shrug and she whacks his arm. “Ow!”

“I meant about her, dingus!” She flails an arm out, her voice louder than anticipated.

“Shh! Jesus Christ.” His eyes are wide and Robin is resisting the grin ever-growing dimples on her face. “No. No, I’m not…”

She raises an eyebrow and he feels a blush creeping up his neck.

“Y/n and I are just friends.” He states sternly and she smirks.

“I never said I was talking about Y/n.” She points out and by this point, he’s beetroot red.

“Fine.” He whispers out. It was admit it or forever be haunted by it. “I… mightlikeher.”

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Robin prompts, holding a hand to her ear.

Steve grits his teeth. “I… might… likeher.”

“One more time.”

“Robin!”

“Okay, jeez.” Robin laughs, shaking her head. “You didn’t even need to say it out loud, you’re so obvious.”

“No, I’m not.”

“I’ve seen monkeys act more normal than you.”

“Yeah well, maybe monkeys can act normal because the monkeys they like actually like them back.”

Robin stares blankly. “You lost me.”

“I… I told her this morning. Kind of. Well…”

She raises a brow. “You either did or you didn’t.”

“There was a…” He waves his hand in the air, eyes squinting. “Moment.”

“And was this, uh… moment, inside or outside of your head?” Robin accuses and he slumps against the metal railing.

“Why am I even talking to you?” Steve mutters and Robin snorts.

“Because your only other friend is a child.” She laughs, quietening when she catches his glare. “Okay, okay, sorry. I’m just curious, that’s all. One minute you guys are literally yelling at eachother across a cafeteria and the next you’re sneaking off and sneaking glances and being all… mushy.”

“Horrible word choice.” Steve cringes.

“And Y/n won’t spill anything. In fact, she’s been distracted and kind of distant so naturally, I’ve come to the source.”

“She…” He isn’t sure how to finish his explanation. It wasn’t his place to tell her. If anyone should, it should be you. But he knew you would avoid the topic forever if you could. “I don’t know. Nothing’s happening between us, if that’s what you’re asking.”

She detects that tone of disappointment in his voice and her entire demeanour changes.

“It’s really hard liking someone when you don’t even know if you can be together.” She says quietly and Steve turns his head to her. She rests her hands against the railing, staring down at them. “Especially when it’s literally only one thing. And that thing is usually the most crucial part.”

Steve thinks about this for a moment, catching his reflection against the glass. The most crucial part to your relationship was, as it has been for the last four days, survival in its simplest form. But you might have this virus and Steve can’t change that. You might not survive.

“You just have to figure out if it’s worth trying anyway.” Robin smiles sadly at him. “Jump into the deep end. Sink or swim.”

Steve couldn’t decide. Was it better for him to lay it all out on the table, tell you how he really feels, give it a shot? Or is it going to be easier for him to just forget this ever happened? It was a horrible thing, to decide how you could live best after someone was sentenced to death.

“What do you think I should do?” He asks and she looks a little surprised, her mouth parting. And then she smiles.

“Well, it should really be your decision. But... if you really want my opinion...” She meets his eyes and tilts her head. “I happen to remember you’re a really good swimmer.”

Steve couldn't help but smile at that, standing beside a girl who might have the potential to be the friend he always needed.

A loud echo drums against the control room walls, snapping their heads to the sound. Steve frowns while Robin’s eyes widen.

“What was that?” She whispers out.

Steve’s arms begin to trail goosebumps along the skin as he pushes away from the window.

“I don’t know.” He replies truthfully, straining his ears for another clue.

“Maybe they’re on their way back and dropped something.” Robin suggests, and Steve wants to believe it’s true.

Until a hot blare of screeching sirens suddenly rings out above them, red lights spinning around the room in crimson shadows. They immediately clamp their hands over their ears, groaning at the ear-piercing sound.

Hopper finds his way out of the bunker, holding two shotguns and a hard stare. He had snapped into action as soon as he heard the distant warning bells.

“What happened?!” He shouts over the noise, but the duo shake their heads.

The door bursts open and a red-faced Billy stumbles in, panting as he tries to catch his breath.

Steve’s heart drops when he sees he’s alone, and Hopper immediately strides over to him.

“Where’s Y/n?!” He demands, and Billy stumbles over his words. “I can’t hear you!”

“She’s trapped and something’s in there with her!” Billy yells, and Steve’s blood runs cold.

Hopper immediately turns, chucking a shotgun toward Steve and the boy luckily manages to catch it.

“You two, with me!” He orders, turning to Robin. “Grab the others and figure out what’s going on with the sirens!”

She quickly nods and scrambles to get into the bunker as Steve and Hopper follow Billy out, wasting no time.

They didn’t know what to expect, and they didn’t care. Steve prayed they made it in time.

You stand there, pressed up against your locked exit as the door shudders from the impact behind, rattling the hinges with each force of a beating.

You weren’t going to wake up this time.

You scan the floor for what you remember seeing, Robin’s bracelet. It was different this time, like it hadn’t happened yet.

The door shatters into splinters and you almost stop breathing, a loud piercing sound of nails against the chalkboard.

Claws.

It was the first you saw in the darkness, and then a fog of breath.

Everything plunged into chaos.

The sirens start blaring and you wince against the sudden noise, clamping your hands over your ears. The lights were flickering out of control, leaving you dazed and disoriented. You struggled to keep your eyes on the door, knowing one moment of distraction would be your demise.

Something was breathing heavy, a dim silhouette growing until its head almost struggled to fit inside the doorframe. Then you saw it.

Green glowing eyes.

And it finally stepped forward, knocking the air out of your lungs as your eyes pricked with tears.

“Y/n?” A voice calls out, and for a mere second you thought you were free.

Until you realise that voice was echoing from the wrong direction.

The monster stops moving and you can just see a figure behind it at the end of the hallway, their soft features looking around with a frown. And then she sees it.

Robin finally sees the monster.

Her eyes widen in terror as the thing turns towards her, snarling, flexing its claws.

“NO!” You scream, and your best friend tries to run.

She doesn’t make it.

The monster hooks its claws into her back and she lets out a blood-curdling scream. You cry out, raising your knife and charging forward. One swift hand throws you back and you thump onto the floor, coughing for oxygen.

You try to scramble to your feet again, save her, kill it. But you’re too late.

Her screams suddenly stop and you watch as it rips into her, slicing through flesh like it was paper, your knife slipping from your grip as everything around you feels like it has stopped. You couldn’t even feel your own heartbeat anymore.

One motion from the creature’s claw and something is flung from the vicious actions, landing at your feet.

A glint of metal in a woven circle.

Her bracelet.

You let out a strangled cry, falling back to the ground. It stops, breathing heavily, and slowly turning back towards you.

It was similar to a demogorgon’s body, pale and unnatural. But much bigger. And this one had a face.

Two green eyes that stretched along each side, like they had been pulled back.

A long, gaping mouth, slots of sharp teeth slowly pushing through the gums.

Its arms were long and lanky, sharp claws scratching against the walls as it creeps closer to you, smearing red against the white. Robin’s blood. Robin’s blood.

Tears are streaming down your face as you try to scramble away, knowing there was no escape. It had murdered Robin- god - in cold blood right in front of you, and now it was going to kill you. Part of you didn’t have the fight left.

One terrifyingly high pitched roar escapes its mouth as it raises an ugly claw.

Your eyes squeeze shut, trying to imagine your family, Sara. Robin. Steve. You couldn’t let your last memory be that ugly face.

The sound of smashing glass had your eyes flying open in an instant, rattling sounds of a shotgun fire above you. You look with tear stained cheeks at the monster stumbling away from you into a run, startled by the attack.

Not before it sent another cold shiver down your spine with one look in its endless green eyes, clicking its tongue.

It had vanished down the hallway by the time Steve had managed to break through one of the doors. It was almost like it had opened by itself, never been locked. Nothing like how Billy had described it to be.

“Y/n?!” He yells, fear coating his entire body when he notices something further down the hallway. So much blood.

“Steve?”

Your small voice turns him to where you’re curled up in the corner, eyes wide and gleaming with the tears that hadn’t already fallen.

“Thank god.” He breathes in relief, meeting you on the floor and capturing you in a hug, wincing at the way you were shaking. “Are you okay? Did it hurt you?”

“No-“ A sob is caught in your throat and he pulls back, searching your eyes. “It… it got her. She’s-“

“Who?” Steve asks, his brows furrowed as bile rises in his throat.

Your eyes drift back down that hallway. He turns his head to see Hopper already walking over to the body, kneeling beside it. You suddenly scramble to your feet, startling him.

“Y/n-“

“It killed Robin.” You finally say and he starts to shake his head.

“No.” He frowns, placing himself in front of you. “Y/n, look at me. That’s impossible. I was just with her. She’s safe.”

“She came looking for me.” Your mind was distracted, a heavy weight pushing against your chest as you avoided his eyes, “I didn’t get there fast enough, I could’ve- it killed her right in front of me…”

Steve looks at Hopper in exasperation as the man raises his head, shaking it. Steve looks down at the body, actually taking time to take in what remained.

“Why didn’t I stop it…” You’re still whispering to yourself, searching the ground for the weapon you abandoned. “I have to kill it. I have to-“

“Wait, stop.” Steve’s hand flies out to grab your arm, but you yank it away.

“She’s dead, and it’s my fault.” You still mutter, swiping the knife from the floor again. This wasn’t normal, the reaction you were heaving. Where was the screaming, the crying? Your best friend is dead.

“No, look-“

You ignore him, gripping the knife and trying to charge forward, but Steve grabs both of your arms now and you start to struggle. “Get off me! I have to-“

“Hey! Hey, it’s not her! Look, it’s not her!” Steve yells at you and you stop to finally look at the body, breathing hard and frowning.

There was so much blood splattered around, gashes of flesh against the cold floor. But none of it belonged to Robin. Because it had never been Robin.

The same dark and bony figure you had seen take your form days ago was led there, its hands a dead giveaway. A shapeshifter.

“It's not…” You blink back tears, shoulders dropping in defeat, and you feel someone gently taking the knife out of your hand.

“Just another shapeshifter. Y/n, look at me…” Steve gently places a hand on your check, guiding your eyes to look at him. “She’s okay. Robin’s okay. You’re okay.”

A tear trickles down and he pulls you into a hug again. Except this time, you surrender to it completely and hold onto him like a lifeline, sobbing into his shoulder with all the tears that were physically causing you pain to hold back.

Steve can’t believe this happened again. He left you, again. Anytime you weren’t in his sights, the universe had to find some way to mock him.

“You’re okay.” He whispers, into your hair, his own eyes falling shut.

Alarms were still blaring out of control when you finally left those hallways, the repetitive noise drilling a headache into your mind.

When the door bursts open, Dustin gasps and Robin turns from where she had been hitting random buttons in an attempt to get the noise to stop.

“Oh, thank god, you’re-”

Her words were cut off when you almost flew at her, pulling her into an unexpected hug.

“You’re alive.” You whisper quietly and she frowns.

“Of course I am.” She shakes her head as you pull away, noticing the trails tears had left down your cheeks. “What happened?”

“A shapeshifter.” You sigh and her face drops.

“And… it looked like me?” She theorised, her lips tightening when you nod. Wordless, she pulls you in for another hug, squeezing her eyes shut.

“You found a way to get this thing to shut off?” Hopper asks, his raised voice sounding like a normal volume over the shrill sounds of sirens.

“I’ve looked everywhere, there’s no instructions or even a manual for this thing!” Dustin exasperates, flinging a bunch of notebooks everywhere. “All I got is this weird countdown!”

Hopper frowns, gently moving him aside to stare down at a screen implanted into the control room panels, staring at red numbers that were counting down from 7:00, assuming it had started much earlier before he arrived.

They had already lost 10 seconds before he finally turned back around, and you noticed the pale look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” You question, stepping forward.

“It's not safe here anymore. We need to leave.” He says, looking between the confused expressions in the room. “Now!”

“It's a lockdown.” Dustin whispers out in realisation, mouth dropping open.

“What does that mean?” He frowns, finding himself looking at where Billy was peering down at the ticking clock.

“It means if we don’t get out of here soon, we’ll all be dog food.” He grunts, quickly moving to where Hopper was flinging open the bunker door, already shouting for everyone to abort the mission.

“Shit.” Steve spits, making sure you were already descending the stairs before he grabbed Dustin’s arm. “Come on, go, go.”

Everything was chaos. Groups were scrambling to collect different items, hastily shoving them into backpacks. Hopper didn’t need to say much to get them motivated, just his horrified look and a mention of an explosion to have them scrambling around to pack as much as they could before the time was up.

You hadn’t come with much, just one of Steve’s old backpacks still filled with various supplies. So, you make sure the kids are moving as quickly as they could, taking on different tasks, afraid of what will happen if you’re not out of the building when that clock hits zero.

“We need to go, now!” Hopper shouts and everyone drops whatever was in their hands, knowing if it wasn’t packed, it wouldn’t be coming with them. “Kids, follow Joyce! Billy, Nancy, Jonathan, go ahead!”

The trio in question nod their heads, arming their weapons and running up the stairs, Joyce just behind them. Hopper directs Mike and Will to follow, his head darting around for the other four.

“Guys!” You yell at Lucas and Max, pointing. “Go, quick!”

“Where’s El?!” Max worries out loud and you’re spinning around.

“I saw her head up already!” Dustin shouts as he runs past. You and Hopper share a similar nod of relief and you slip your backpack on.

“Let’s go!” Hopper yells again and you grab Robin's arm, knowing Steve would be following.

The increase of volume was as if you had walked into a room filled with high-pitched shrieking, wincing as Robin clamps her hands over her ears. She’s running through the door, Dustin and Steve beside her when you sneak a glance at the clock.

4:54

You were gonna make it.

As you turn on your heel to begin running, your eyes catch the window, processing something that almost tripped you over. The gate wasn’t as red as it had once been.

Dust was pouring out, flooding the railings with a sea of black. You shivered, deciding to run and leave it. It would simply be a pile of rubble in a few minutes.

But the distant screaming struck your spine and you found a girl struggling against its pull, taking shape to wrap around her body and tug her back towards the gate. Your eyes drift to where the door below the railing you stood on was wide open, like someone had run out. Someone who spent more time with the gate than anyone else.

El.

Steve glances over his shoulder and skids to a stop, steadying the shotgun that threatened to slip from his shoulder. The others kept charging ahead and he barely waited for you to appear before he began running back the way he came, one hand on the doorframe when he reached the control room.

“Y/n-”

You weren’t there. Shit. Why weren’t you there?

“Steve! Where are you guys?! Over!” Dustin’s voice blared through the radio strapped to his hip and his hand hovered over it, debating.

He couldn’t leave you behind again.

The first time he let you go, you were bitten by a demodog which could now be the very reason you wouldn’t survive. The second had you kidnapped and traumatised, a distant look in your eye that made him worry a hell of a lot more than he should be. The third you just disappeared, battling some unbeatable creature he had thought killed you. And now, a fourth time, that ungodly creature with glowing green eyes..

He wouldn’t let that happen a fifth.

“Henderson, listen to me. Get out of the building. Make sure everyone is out, don’t let anyone turn back.” He says into the radio, a hit of silence before Dustin’s voice comes blaring through again.

“And you’ll be out soon, right?”

Steve lowers his head, looking over at the countdown.

4:32.

“Yeah, we’ll be out soon.” He says, but his heart wasn’t in it, no vindication of truth in his words.

He straps the radio back on his hip, knowing if he talks too much he might feel the guilt of leaving Dustin. He could get you out in 2 minutes. Right? He checks his watch, making a mental note of the time. He wanted to track how long it took to find you. It was 9:28am right now.

If he could find you. Steve’s eyes scan the window of the gate, squinting at a blurry black shape. He’s been wondering if he needs glasses for a while now.

And then he sees you, leaning over the railing, screaming. His eyes dart to where he can just see El being dragged through the gate, heart leaping into his throat.

He didn’t expect you to push away and start running further down, closer to the entrance, further from him.

“Y/n!” He shouts out as he almost flies down the steps and out the door before his conscience could convince him otherwise.

He keeps shouting your name, and you keep ignoring it, trailing further and further down, your footsteps harsh against the metal staircase.

You didn’t have a weapon, no chance for survival. But you couldn’t leave her. You couldn’t watch her die. Not another sister. Not your sister. Not again.

It was stupid, reckless, suicidal what you were doing. No doubt as to why your friends were screaming for you to stop. But was it really a risk when you’re already so close to death?

It wasn’t just the bite, it was the veins, a black substance stretching around the wound. It was already too late for you, just like the other townsfolk plagued by the creatures ripping you all apart. You could have just sat and cried about it, helplessly ranted to your friends, to Hopper. To Steve. But what good would that do?

You hated yourself, but even that small miniscule part of you that still had faith was powering you to do something right for once.

To run into the wonderland of your nightmares alone.

Because who would ever follow you down the rabbit hole?

The difference between metal and rocky ground almost threw you off, ignoring that hiss of pain in your ankle. It was loud down here for a different reason, a thrumming of sound emitting from the gate in front of you. It was huge, taking up entirely too much space. And the dust was retreating through it, your sister already vanished.

How long has it been since the countdown? Probably too long for you to turn back, find another way. There were other gates, but this one was right here. El needed you.

Charging forward, you reach your hands out and pull apart the seams of the gate, pushing through what felt like some sort of unpleasant membrane. You tried not to think too much of it, driving yourself forward with what little will you had left.

The air felt thicker, white specks floating aimlessly around you as you drag yourself through the gate, wondering if it ever ended. Your foot catches on something and you fall forward, letting out a groan when you barely manage to bring your hands out in front of you in time.

You take in a breath, reaching out for the walls of the gate. Your eyes slowly open.

Everything was so dark in here. The sky, the ground, even the flashes of red lightning through the dark clouds. You push yourself to your feet, frowning as you take in your surroundings. If this version of Hawkins was meant to reflect your own, why were you outside?

“El?” You call out, frowning. You didn’t see any dust.

Something spits behind you and you spin around in a stumble, face dropping. The gate was towering over you once again, plastered to a wall of vines the same size as the lab you were just in. You look at your feet, gasping.

This was a flipped version of Hawkins. Except, somehow, you were standing in the ruins of a lab that once was. Like something destroyed it.

“El?!” You yell out, searching the dim blue for a girl, or at least a sign. You turn back around, feeling helpless.

The gate starts physically breathing, beaming a brighter red and casting your shadow behind you. You slowly back away. The humming of it grew louder, the vines it lay on slithering around it in unchoreographed patterns.

Something breaks through and you search the ground for a weapon, panicking. When it almost reaches you, you grab a rock and get ready to swing.

“Hey, woah, hey! Stop!” Steve yells out and you drop it, eyes widening, “Jesus, you could kill somebody with that!”

You blink, slowly shaking your head. “No, no, no, no, no…”

He frowns at you, quickly looking down at his watch. It just turned 9:30am, “Fuck, okay, we have just over two minutes to get the hell out before god knows what happens.”

“You’re not meant to be here.” You say, still shaking your head. “Steve! Why the hell did you follow me?!”

“Like I was gonna leave you?!” He gawks, gesturing to the gate. “What else was I meant to do?!”

“Get the hell out of the lab!” You exasperate. He shouldn’t have come with you. This was a death trap, he had to know it.

“We still have time-”

“I need to find El, you should leave before you run out of time.” You point to the gate but he’s much more stubborn than you think.

“I’m not leaving unless you’re coming with me.” He says sternly and you could almost scream.

“Steve, you’re literally wasting one of those minutes arguing with me, we can’t-”

“It’s fine, it’s still two…” Steve frowns, glaring at his watch. The hand hadn’t budged from the six. He looks a little closer, holding it to his ear. It wasn’t ticking. “What the…”

“What?”

“My watch stopped working.” He says and you scrunch your face. “No, I only just replaced the batteries, Dustin borrowed it and fixed it while we were gone, I…”

You stare at him. “So you don’t know how much time is left?”

He shakes his head vigorously. “I-“

A loud rumble shakes the floor and you automatically reach out to Steve, his hands grabbing your waist as you try to balance.

“What the hell was that?” You breathe out, and you both turn to the gate, something behind it growing brighter and brighter. “Steve…”

He squints against it. It looked like something was getting closer. Then, as he stares down at his suspiciously broken watch, his stomach drops. You were out of time.

“Run.” He breathes helplessly, not bothering to wait for your response before grabbing your hand and pulling you with him.

Steve desperately searches the area for some shelter, any kind of cover. He was standing in what looked like debris, a giant piece of… the lab? Whatever it was, it looked sturdy enough for him to pull you behind it.

He ducked his head down just as a giant blast of fire spat out of the gate, feeling the heat of it in the air as he held you tight. The shock left a ringing in his ear, his only reminder that he was still alive being the way you grasped his hand tight.

You move first, peering out over the slab of concrete and hissing when your hand accidentally makes contact with the burning stone. Everything around you was either burnt or burning, small flames dancing along the ground and chasing after screeching vines.

The lab had exploded, you realise, shoulders dropping. It was gone. And it took the gate with it, only a large crack against the surface left in its demise.

You turn to see Steve already standing beside you, taking in the scene just as you had, his hard stare softening into defeat. There was no going back.

“What now?” You whisper, afraid if you say it any louder the realisation of what you had done would come crashing down, taking away that last remaining piece of sanity with its tide.

“I…” Steve frowns, slowly meeting your eyes. He didn’t have a plan this time, no positives to share. You were both stuck in an alternate dimension, your exit blown to smithereens. “I don’t know.”

Four days ago, you had both survived the beginning of the apocalypse despite mutual hatred in every bone. It was purely a strategic pairing, unbeknownst to how much you’d learn.

Four days later, and there was a new beginning lurking in the air, staring at one another and holding hands like it was the only salvation.

This is it, Steve thinks, his eyes searching your own worried glaze of hue, sink or swim.

Chapter Thirteen: Three Weeks Later ->

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shadowsageingempress · 8 months ago

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Made some more artwork of Midna’s Fused Shadow form. I drew a few more angles, poses and generally showed off more details. Also a little bit of lore for Nocturne of Shadow.

If you can’t read the text, I’ll provide what I wrote under the cut, as well as other input in parentheses.

Panel 2: slowly pulls herself out of the darkness (if you’ve seen the gaping dragon reveal cutscene from Dark Souls, it’s like that)

Not so bad… … fuck

Panel 3: Midna’s ancestor sealed a majority of her power into the Fused Shadows, along with most of her hatred and rage (in order to delay her curse). So when Midna uses the Fused Shadows to transform, she absorbs not only her ancestor’s godly amount of power, but her agony as well. This makes her much more aggressive.

Panel 4: helmet now acts as mandibles, multiple eyes on neck, none of her wings match (complete asymmetry), wings + maw (and limbs) covered in bioluminescent markings that glow when roaring or enraged, all hands and feet have five digits, darker area of chest opens into primary maw, distended/swollen belly, spined tail, Sol orb?, texture of tail tip similar to hair

Panel 5: close up of mandibles

- can roar and bite, but not swallow

- eyes on face do work

(too lazy to draw details)

Full of teeth, face splits apart when mandibles open

Panel 6: no text here, but a bit of a size comparison between this form and Twi

#legend of zelda #twilight princess #midna #redesign #character redesign #my art #fan art #concept art

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megatraven · 2 years ago

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Hydra x MC - Soulmate AU Drabble

An AU where the world turns to color when you meet your soulmate; this is their first meeting, in the elevator at H.E.R.A. :)

The moment the elevator doors close behind her, their eyes lock.

One second.

Two.

Three, and then-

The world explodes into color.

Or, more accurately, it melts into color. The shades of grey both have lived in throughout their lives fades away, replaced by a vibrancy never known prior.

She blinks, and takes a moment to fully take in the man before her:

His eyes are bright and clear, a color she doesn't yet know the word for, but one she's certain is going to be her very favorite. His hair's a little messy, pulled back into a short ponytail. His suit is a bit rumpled- likely from being forced into handcuffs and dragged through H.E.R.A.. Aside from that, though, she can tell he dresses nicely. Finally, she returns to stare at his face.

Whatever witty quip the man looked like he was about to say, he snaps his mouth shut and straightens up instead, almost looming over her if it weren't for the fact that he was more shocked then even her. His eyes search her, taking her in as she had just done him, before they settle on meeting her gaze. There's something that he's searching for, that much she can tell. But for whatever it was, he must not find it as his gaze hardens again, and she feels some odd mix of disappointment and longing when he looks away.

One of the guards pulls him back, breaking their moment further, and it's only then that she notices how close he'd been to her.

"Cut it out, Hydra," the other says, and she blinks.

Oh.

Hydra.

As in, the godly monster.

What twist of fate that her apparent soulmate isn't a man at all, but a monster in handcuffs.

"Are you kidding me?" she asks aloud, feigning indignance in lieu of the many other tumultuous emotions she's feeling just then. "HIM?"

Hydra gawks for all of a second before a deep scowl forms on his lips, his eyes much more cold in this color than the greys before.

"Her? Tell the gods to cut it out, because this joke isn't funny," he spits out, shaking his head in muted disgust. "One of H.E.R.A.'s dogs.... unbelievable."

Weirdly, that draws a startled laugh from her.

"Me? I'd rather an agent over a... a loanshark wannabe!"

"And I'd rather a loanshark over someone who gets on the wrong elevator!" he barks back.

Her rebuttal dies on her tongue, one quick glance at the elevator's panel telling her that Hydra's right. Her cheeks warm up and she scowls, just as his scowl melts into a terribly infuriating smirk.

"This is the right elevator!" she exclaims, crossing her arms and turning away. Even that can't save her, though- she can feel his eyes burning into her, and she just knows he's still smirking her way. Her shoulders droop, and she deflates with an embarrassed sigh. "It... it's just going in the wrong direction, that's all."

He almost laughs- almost. She can see it in the way his lips twitch, breaking his smirk for the quickest second.

They're quiet the rest of the ride down to H.E.R.A.'s holding cells, and though she can feel his eyes on her, she's resolute in looking anywhere but him. It seems to take ages to get there, even as she busies herself with admiring colors she's never been privy to before.

When the elevator dings, she jumps a little, and looks up just in time to catch Hydra's gaze again. She's not surprised to find him staring still- she could feel that he was- but his expression is notably warmer. At least, it is until an agent cuts in front of them, breaking the spell. Once the agent is out of the elevator, Hydra's eyes have turned cold once more, and his expression reveals nothing as he's herded out to his cell.

She's going to be late if she doesn't get to her floor right now... but she can't help linger, just for a moment longer. She watches the way he walks, back to her, and how despite the handcuffs, his aura flickers to life, just briefly. Five serpentine heads come into view, each one looking at her, and for some reason this makes her blush ignite all over. Then they're gone, too hard to keep up with aura marble wrapped around his wrists. He's out of sight in the next second as she pushes the button to her floor and the doors close them off from each other.

The whole way up, she thinks of him- his striking eyes, that terrible smirk... the warmth hiding behind his cool exterior. Her heart is beating a little too fast by the time the doors ding open again.

She clocks in- just in the nick of time, somehow- and makes it to Cyprin's office just in time for her meeting with them. They offer her a half-dozen of cases to pick from, but there's only one offer she listens to.

Him.

Hydra's case.

She can help him- or at least, she can learn more about him.

She asks for it, and Alex gives it to her gladly, if a bit wary of the monster in question. She doesn't mention what happened to her in the elevator to them- not yet, though part of her wonders if they can't tell- instead taking the file they offer her.

Once she's at her desk, she opens it up, and is greeted by the same man she'd seen just moments before.

Hydra.

Age unknown.

Godly monster with a terribly powerful aura- take caution.

"Alright, Hydra," she murmurs, heart still racing with anticipation as she flips through the pages. Unable to help it, she smiles. "Let's see what you're in for."

#lovestruck voltage #lovestruck #astoria: fate's kiss #labyrinths of astoria #astoria #hydra x mc #hydra #afk mc #afk hydra #my fic #wip

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astrxlfinale · 2 days ago

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He's quiet while listening in, silence itself being the room for any conversation, the actions of hands and knowledge weaving together language no different. What Neo paints is a story of suffering that finds itself disturbingly common across multiple worlds where Concepts at godly highs reign. The grit of enduring such circumstance of what brings the 'flavor' to the experience, how it tears away from the mold known as suffering into a more humane perspective.

Simply put? Just hearing about Remnant's devolving chaos, of humanity's bitter, stalwart stand for survival made a simple thought storm through the Trailblazer's mind.

Aeons does that fucking suck.

No. Seriously.

It's when Neo unveils the core of why they'd come damn that very name does he understand. Convincing for someone who thrives on experiences often wasn't hard at all, unless the act of honesty was akin to pulling teeth. For an instant that impassioned expression holds unreadable expression. Fire, something more primordial burns in those pools of gold as he faces them, a slow nod driven Neo's way. "I'd be no different in making them pay for 'my' favored kind of high priced life with their own."

There isn't too much time to peer into that window of darker thoughts. Where the wrathful edge, the annals of Destruction, his first path finds itself toiling seamlessly. Always finding a newly thought brick, refining old panels of perception with the searing resolve of the current. Caelus finds himself met with another understandable question. No doubt with their situation, maybe this new starwalker would've remembered a face like his.

He was almost amused picturing themselves in a good fight for the most ridiculous reasons.

"I don't. Someone found the 'source code' of all language up here. Synthesized it into a device that can take the Concept and then proceed to reverse it towards any roots a world has made. Calls it the Synesthesia beacon." Let it sink in how utterly ridiculous that sounds. If anything, a cheat code that's too great, a dreamwork for any shifty characters trying to seamlessly mold themselves into a surrounding and hidden new haunt.

Caelus finds he doesn't mind taking this position. Teaching Neo, showing the ropes in ways that cement the same once inconceivable things in his own mind. Even with the thrumming energy of multiple Paths boiling in his veins, the prospect of these ways to connect others through space, time and the very soul amazed him the most of all.

"It's an implant you get that pretty much does the work for you. Otherwise, three year long language lessons would be the norm on each new planet. The galactic center of smartasses figured making proper roads are easier than jumping through hoops for Knowledge."

His hand finds the door up ahead, wrenching it open and unveiling a more amiable and widened space. A fine bar, lavish decoration and multiple sitting locations spread throughout the space. Pivoting upon a heel as he steps through, he motions for them to make the move, explore a bit and he'll assume position by their side.

"Gonna be a wild thing to ask of you, but keeping an open mind will be your best... weapon" Neo certainly looked like they enjoyed their life ending implements, why not turn the situation into one too? "Out here. This cosmos loves eating up the 'small time' of the way you think it works for breakfast. My case found it the exact same."

With a few steps back, he'd set upon the railing, sliding his way down to the lower section while peering up to Neo.

"But with the things you can learn out here? No doubt flipping some hell on what you were dealing with can be well in the cards."

yeah, they could probably stand to be a little less harsh to him. maybe later, when they've had something to eat and some time to think, they'll apologize. maybe. wasn't neopolitan's fault he reminds them so much of yang, even down to the same annoyed, but not quite angry reactions. 'you wanna leave me unsupervised, that's your call. most would call that a bad idea.'

they follow him through the door, hush held by the handle, tip down for use as a walking aid. warmth slowly flows through their body as their aura begins to work it's magic, feeling strength return to their limbs. a hand down by their side motions the letters in his name to themself in the same way one might say an unusual name out loud to get used to the pronunciation, moreso for their own comfort than for any actual communication. it takes them a second to realize why the name caelus stood out from all the others they had signed before; there was no mention of color in it, an impossibility back on remnant.

'it's not good.' wishing now they had remembered the drivel ruby and cinder had spouted to them back in argus, neopolitan massages their hand before continuing. hand cramps were all too common, even having signed for most of their life. why did they have to be the only one to have this happen to them?

'you ever have a bad ex? keys your car, slashes your tires, the whole works? salem — this immortal witch — is doing that, but remnant's the car. used to be there were four nations; vale, mistral, atlas, and vacuo. vale's just rubble now, and atlas is a couple dozen miles underwater.' they don't mention their involvement in vale's destruction. knowing that's only half the answer to his question, neo reluctantly motions to the bowler perched on their head.

'one of salem's cronies, cinder fall, took someone from me, someone dear. i aim to make her regret it.'

there's something nagging at neopolitan from the back of their mind, ever since he revealed that they were in space — still an absurd idea that they would have to deal with later; plans needed to be formed now, before the anxiety hiding in their mind could regroup and attack again — and the mention of their discovery cements the subconscious thought into their consciousness. now's a decent time for questions, walking through hallways in pursuit of food.

'if you've never been to remnant, how do you know mistrali sign?'

#isolement #| Threads

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roscgcld · 4 years ago

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RYOMEN SUKUNA || we will meet again

anime: jujutsu kaisen

characters: ryomen sukuna

pronouns: she/her

proof read: N/A

"Promise me...that one day, we will meet again."

Back in the day, when Jujutsu Sorcerers were at their prime, lived a Cursed Spirit who goes by the name Sukuna. Once a human Sorcerer himself, he had somehow managed to create himself into the Jujutsu world's most feared Cursed Spirit. He was dubbed 'the King of Curses' and rained terror over the human and jujutsu world; with super natural powers and a sadistic personality to match the title. Everyone who has crossed him shook in absolute fear.

That was, of course, before he met a particular princess.

She was a beautiful woman; the daughter of one of the then king’s favourite concubines. Born with the alluring beauty of her mother, and a heart of gold, it was hard to ignore her presence when she walked into a room.

She was brought up in the palace, where she was given the title as princess; but she will never sit on the throne of the kingdom her father rules over. As only the King’s wife is allowed to bear the heir that will sit on the throne. She didn’t mind, she had never desired such power to begin with. Even if she was going to be married off to one of the many foreign princes asking for her hand in marriage, she didn’t care about titles.

Since she was never destined to sit on the throne, her father had given her quite the freedom to do as she pleases. With all her free time, she tends to use it connect to the people of her kingdom; helping the needy during their time of need, always purchasing things from the local vendors and merchants that have travelled long and far. She is beloved by the people, and shines a light on the royal family that makes them more human instead of the godly image that is projected onto the royal family.

Anyone who meets her would fall in love for her - and apparently not even Cursed Spirits were the exception.

The princess have always love spending her time out in nature - horse back riding with a few of the guards in training, swimming in the river that her brothers love to hunt by, learning about the different plants and herbs from the doctors that go out foraging for medical herbs. So it came to the surprise to no one when Sukuna stumbled onto the princess by accident on the riverbed.

Sukuna had not expected to see any human about as he goes about his walk deep in the woods. It was one of those rare moments to himself where he does not necessarily have anything he needed to do on hand, and also the few rare moments where he does not have a mob of sorcerers up his ass. He was just enjoying the sounds of nature and the soft wind blowing against his kimono when he heard what sounded like a human's laughter coming from the river near by. At first he was curious, since no human usually ventures this deeply into the woods. At the same time, he had wanted to ignore it, since humans are just a pain in the ass to deal with even if they can't see you. However, there was something so alluring about that soft giggle that had him wanting to see just who this annoying brat was. So, without even him realising what was happening, his feet quietly walked towards the river and before he knew it, he had pushed the last branch aside to peek over at the river bed curiously. Sitting before him on a flat rock by the river was a woman with flowing hair, her small feet dipped into the running water below as her hands reached forward to play with a few of the fishes that swam by. The pink fabric of her furisode laid behind her like a pink halo, showcasing the intricate sakura trees and flowers that were sown into the fabric. The aura around her was relaxed and peaceful, and somehow just seeing her brings him a sense of peace. As if she could sense his stare, the woman suddenly pauses before she turns to look over her shoulder curiously; bright and seemingly glowing eyes meeting his red ones head on. Sukusa felt the world around him come to a stop as the eyes of the princess before him trapped him on the spot, causing him to loose all train of thought from before. "Oh - were you wanting to sit here too?"

"Huh?"

The casual way she just asked him that question definitely threw him off. The woman actually just lets out a soft laugh at his dry answer. "It's alright - we can share the space if you don't mind." She commented, a teasing tone taking over her voice as she patted the free spot beside her. "I promise I don't bite."

If she had known just who this man was, she might actually understand how ironic her sentence was. But Sukuna decided not to comment on it as he quietly makes his way towards her, sitting down at the spot beside the princess whose eyes had already returned to the river before her. "The water feels extra nice today. And there is more fishes then usual." She conversed with the man casually, causing Sukuna to wonder if she is pretending to be as dense as she is right now. "How are you so calm right now? I mean, do you see a 10ft tall human with four arms every day or what? Your reaction is sort of dull."

The princess pauses in thought as she thinks, looking far too relaxed by his side. "I have always been able to see...odd things." She started off with a soft hum, glancing over at the man beside her with a soft smile. "I have asked people around me before, and after realising that I am the only one who can see them, I decided to ignore them." She admitted, running her dry hand through her hair softly. "But if I am being honest, this is the first time one has actually ever spoken to me."

"Well, I'm not the everyday curses." He said with a slightly proud tune in his voice, to which the princess beside him looks up at the taller man with interest. "Every day curses are small things, I am basically what people in my world call a Special Grade Curse." He continued, and for some reason, when he saw how her eyes were staring up at in him awe, he looked away with a light blush on his face. He doesn't even know what was about her that drags out these human-like emotions from him - he had never felt like this ever before.

"Special Grade Curse?" She echoes back with curiosity, to which the man beside her just nods softly as he leans back to rest on the free arms, the other two crossed across his chest. Suddenly she turned to face him, her eyes shining so brightly with excitement that it caused Sukuna to squint a little. "Can you explain just what you are to me a little more?"

One question was all it took to have Sukuna falling, and if he was being honest - he actually didn’t mind spending so much time on this little human. From sharing stolen nights in her bedroom in the royal palace, to sneaking out to just go to the riverbed where the met for the first time; they even spent time just wandering about his domain. It was actually during these small explorations of the world around them that created a special bond between the two.

For her, he was her escape from the restrictive and repetitive routine of royal life. For him, she was his utopia, a person he can turn to whenever he feels like just killing everyone around him. Soon though, these emotions sprouted into something deeper and more personal. It was jarring at first, falling for a human - but he knows that she was worth it all.

He remembers the way her eyes shone brightly with a constant look of innocence in them, yet she is mature and realistic enough to know that not everything is sunshine and rainbows. He remembers the way she carries herself, her warm and loving smile, how content he felt whenever she wrapped her arms around him. He loves the feeing of her soft hair that tumbles around her face in soft waves, how it feels like silk whenever he runs his fingers through them. How with just one glance, she can fill the void in his heart that he didn't know existed.

Yet they were never set to happy ending to begin with.

It was during just what started off like a normal day when the town the princess was in was suddenly invaded by a rival kingdom’s army. Their goal was to conquer and take over the kingdom with any means necessarily; meaning that the royal family had to go.

Uraume had entered his hideout, panting with wide eyes as they told Sukuna of the town now plunging into chaos. Within seconds the Cursed Spirit was up and sprinting towards the royal palace, great fear and anger gripping him from within. Entering through the destroyed doors of the grand palace, he ignored the screams of anguish of the others around him as he ran straight towards one of the buildings - the building where the royal sleeping chambers were located.

When he finally found her room, he felt like his heart was ripped out of his chest at the sight before him.

The once beautifully crafted shoji doors with panels decorated in a beautiful forest scene now laid in tatters, the furniture inside looking as if though a huge scuffle had happened. Rushing deeper into the room, he felt his heart sank to its stomach when he saw the splatters of blood leading towards the small room where the princess would sleep in.

Entering the back room, his red eyes scanned over the many splatters of blood about the room, the red handprints of the princess smeared across the ornate walls whilst the body of the princess laid on her futon; the sheets now soaked in blood. "No, no, no.." Sukuna managed out in horror as he quickly made his way to his lover's side, pulling her bloodied body into his arms immediately. "Flower, open your eyes. Please.."

Slowly her eyelids begin to move, and Sukuna felt his heart break when he saw how her now dull and tired eyes shifted to look up at him, taking a moment to truly process just who he was. "I'm so sorry..." Sukuna mumbles out through a small voice as he pulls her closer, trying his hardest to press his hands against the gashing wound on her abdomen. Since the wound was inflicted by a non-sorcerer, there was no trace of cursed magic on her; meaning that there was no way he can save her to begin with. "I-If only I had known..."

"Shh...it's okay.." The princess whispered out in a soft but pained tone, her bloody hand reaching up to cup his tattoo cheek ever so softly. The familiar touch brought another wave of emotion through Sukuna as he tries to blink back his tears, pulling her closer to his chest as he shifted his posture so she was sitting in his lap. He barely even acknowledge his own kimono that was slowly being soaked in blood. "Y-You didn't know this was going to happen...no one did...don't blame yourself..."

With watery red eyes Sukuna marvelled at how even though she was on death's doorstep, she still tried to put on a smile for his sake. "I'm so sorry..." Sukuna manages through a pained tone, tears now sliding down his face in thick streams whilst the woman just gave him a loving smile, resting her head on his shoulder. "Don't be.." She mumbles softly, forcing the man to look down at her as she gave him the same smile that had him falling for her from the beginning. "You know that...it takes more than this to get rid of me.."

The teasing words caused Sukuna to let out a soft and pained laugh, remembering the times where he would tell her how annoying she was whenever she would cling onto him and tease him relentlessly. He would trade anything to go back to those moments once more. "Brat.." He manages through his silent sobs, to which the woman just lets out a soft laugh as her fingers slowly traced along his features. For a few moments it was just silence, but the next time she spoke, Sukuna knew that the end was coming.

"Promise me...that one day, we will meet again."

"I promise, my love." Sukuna mumbles back quietly, resting his forehead against hers when he noticed how much effort it takes for her to blink. "No matter how long it takes, I will wait for you." He told her firmly as he presses a loving kiss on her forehead. "No matter how long it takes.." She echoes quietly, to which Sukuna just press a loving kiss on her head just as he felt her soft hand slowly slide down his chest, falling limply on her side.

For a moment Sukuna just held her against him, quietly crying into her hair. His entire world was in his arms, and just like that she was taken away from him. From that sadness came anger, and he soon found himself with the deep desire to crush whoever took her away from him.

Thus started the true rein of terror under the King of Curses, his anger fueling him to chase for bigger goals. Whilst he strive to rid of this world of dirty humans who took his flower away from her, he kept the vow that they promised one another - that they will wait for the other no matter how long it takes.

Because he had promised you so, and he’d do anything to keep that promise.

#jujutsu kaisen #jjk #ryomen sukuna #sukuna #jujutsu kaisen imagines #jujutsu kaisen angst #jujutsu kaisen anime #jujutsu kaisen fluff #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk x erader #ryomen sukuna x reader #jjk sukuna #ryomen sukuna imagine #ryomen sukuna imagines #anime fanfic

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stairre · 4 years ago

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Primus’ Nepotism (Long Post!)

So. I, er. I was deep-trawling through TFWiki the other day, as you do when you’re a TF fanfic writer, and I spotted something that I... honestly didn’t know, but intrigued me greatly. I feel that this is one of those things that either you know or you get blindsided by, so give me a minute.

Hot Rod | Rodimus Prime - primarily the G1 Marvel comics version (though this phenomena did overlap a bit into the Dreamwave comics, and the 3H Productions comics) - looks like Primus. I mean, a lot like Primus. And it’s apparently intentional.

Here’s a picture of Primus’ head from the 3H Productions comic Transformers: Universe #1, published in 2003 (he’s the big disembodied head in the centre, but I feel like you’ve figured that out already):

And here’s a picture of Rodimus Prime’s head from IDW’s The Transformers: Regeneration One #81, published in 2012 (I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that his head design has been pretty much made similar across continuities and has had its basics set in stone for decades now):

Notice any similarities? Across most continuities, his helm is shaped like this, whether he’s Hot Rod or Rodimus Prime. Sometimes the kibble at the top centre is shaped like the one in the Primus picture above (notably in IDW’s More Than Meets The Eye and Lost Light), but he always has that same piece of kibble. And he always has rounded audios on either side of his helm.

But wait, there’s more!

Here is a picture of Primus from the 3H Enterprise’s BotCon 2000 exclusive comic Terminus (sorry for poorer quality):

And here is a picture of Rodimus Prime from the Marvel US comic The Transformers #43, published in 1988:

Notice the spoiler wings on their backs? The shape of their helms? These are two very different comic panels, done by different artists, by different companies, at different times. And they chose to continue to make them look similar.

Not convinced yet? Here’s Primus from the Japanese continuity’s Generations Selects Special Comic: Super Megatron #3, published by TakaraTomy Mall:

That’s an awfully familiar paint scheme... The TakaraTomy Mall comic is from 2020. This has been a Thing since Transformers comics began, over thirty years ago.

In Japan, there was even a highly limited toy for Primus put out in 2004 as a Lucky Draw toy. It’s a golden recolour of Rodimus Prime. Here is a photo of it pulled straight from the TFWiki Primus page (credits to the contributors TFWiki users FigureGunplaFan and Monzo):

If you’re still not convinced... the question has been posed before, and answers from the sources themselves have been given:

In Marvel Comic’s The Transformers #160, published in 1988, there is a section called Grim Grams, where Grimlock answers questions sent in by fans. I’ve highlighted in red the relevant part:

The text, shortened for relevance, asks:

Dear Grimlock, I have a few questions to ask you. 1) Rodimus Prime looks a lot like Primus (the energy being who became the Creation Matrix). Is this because Hot Rod was changed by the Matrix?

And Grimlock’s answer is:

Ah, yes. I suspected Issue 150′s shocking revelations about the origin of we Transformers would provoke a few comments and suggestions. I’ll do my best to answer what I can. 1) I reckon you’re spot on there, kid. Primus recreated Hot Rod in his own image, calling himself Rodimus Prime.

And, more recently, on the 30th August 2015, someone asked the Ask Vector Prime Facebook page... (link here to the archive page for that on TFWiki):

Why does Rodimus resemble Primus so much?

And the answer was:

Dear Godly Guy,

Nepotism?

Just some food for thought, everyone.

#transformers #meta #hot rod #rodimus prime #primus #maccadam #maccadams #long post #g1 #primus canonically has a favourite prime and it's not optimus #time for the franchise to start treating roddy with the respect he deserves

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cosmiclatte28 · 4 years ago

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POOL (YUTA X READER)

Hello!! I'm finally back with a story! I hope it's not like a beginner story but oh well i tried!

Tw : surrounded by males. Pool game, touching without consent

Net @superm-net @multifandomnet tagging @neopalette

Here we go!! Thanks for reading hope this is enjoyable

Friday night, the awaited day has finally come! All the fatigue of the week is expected to be drowned in lots of fun games and by sharing laughter. You sit nicely on one of the corner of the common room, casually playing with your mobile phone while you wait for your best friend, Mark, rushed back to his room because he forgot his wallet. You tap your heeled boots to the rhythm of a song playing in your earpods and hum along to the lyrics.

As you throw your eyes to the big window panel that shows you the picturesque scenery of purple sky, your smile brightens when you hear Mark's footsteps approaching you.

"Come on, the boys are already waiting! We'll gather at Johnny's dorm as he has the most game options in the common room there." Mark explains as both of you start taking steps down through the stairs.

"Well, blame the students here for stealing the pool ball." You giggle when you remember checking the pool table with Mark earlier and found out that it was empty.

"Right, well we can always hit the club to play but I guess Johnny's dorm has complete balls there." Mark gently opens the door for you and soon after the two of you are already in front of Johnny's dorm.

You can see the guys gathered near the pool table and at the table soccer place. You shrug your shoulder when Mark noticed there's no other girl.

"You wanna bring your friends?" Mark offers after greeting Johnny.

You shake your head "I'm good. Just Johnny, introduce me to these hot people." You wink and both Johnny and Mark, who knew you by heart, just nod their heads.

There are not many boys, actually the lobby is empty and there's only Johnny, you, Mark and three other guys you never met before.

Mark just greets them but from the vibes,you know he also just knew these guys.

Johnny claps and catches the attentions of the boys who were chatting.

"Guys, meet (y/n) and (y/n) meet Jaehyun, Taeyong, and Yuta." The Chicago man points to the guy with a dimple, a guy with a sharp jaw and super small face. He looks so godly, and lastly to a guy who smiles so sweetly but in a mere of second after shaking your hand can give you a super sinful smirk.

You blink one time after shaking all of their hands, whoah did you really just hit the jackpot and you're standing in front of three deadly handsome people.

"So, Johnny said we could play pool because I guess everyone knows how to." Mark moves to take the sticks and hands it down to the people.

"I haven't played lately, I used to play for fun three years ago." You rub your neck, feeling shy that you're surrounded by tall people.

Jaehyun smiles, "You sure? What if suddenly you're super good?"

The boys burst into a laughter "Nah, she looks amateur." Johnny teases you and you are totally fine with it.

You shrug your shoulder "We'll see, so how do we play?"

Taeyong smartly suggests making a team of two and just have four of us play first and the winner can go up against the best, in this case Jaehyun and Johnny.

"I'll play with (y/n)!" Yuta calmly assign the team and everyone else agrees. You don't mind playing with anyone because you don't want to make yourself too confident too and be embarrassed if you lose.

Yuta made a nice opening shot, breaking the balls to different direction. Everyone cheers when Mark already pockets his first solid color.

"We're doing stripes now (y/n), don't be nervous." Yuta helps you aim for a ball. You can feel your stiff playing, well there's no warm up so you're just trying your best and at least your hits are accurate.

Yuta claps when you pocket two balls inside "Whoah you're not bad." He high fives you and your heart grows warmer. Well it's either your happiness of playing the game well or his sweet smile.

Taeyong is the hidden ace card, on his turn he almost finishes pocketing his solids but one missed shot and Yuta is taking over the table now.

Despite Yuta's precise shots, your team still has two more balls because you did some mistakes earlier and that aided the other team.

Johnny and Jaehyun are just enjoying it, keeping calm and helping the four of you play.

"(Y/N), try this." Johnny shows you a steadier way of placing your fingers to give friction on the stick.

"I am not used to it, I'll stick to mine." You tried to aim but feel something's off with your hand.

Yuta chuckles and stands next to you "Go like this, and excuse me," He shows you his hand position and after you copy it, he suddenly holds your hand and help you aim. His bigger frame cages your shorter body and he helps you move the stick so you get the feeling.

Your heart skip a beat and you can feel your cheeks go red. No one made a comment as they are all busy watching the ball and trying to calculate the game.

Yuta smirks when he sees your red face, he lets go off you and steps back. "Got it? Now do that it will make your shot 90% accurate."

You focus on what he taught and sure enough put two more balls inside.

But on the next attempt, you missed and that means it's Mark's turn to play.

"Oh dude we only need to pocket 8!" Mark was so happy and Taeyong just remains calm.

"Okay call the pocket Mark or it's not counted." Jaehyun calmly examines the table.

Mark thinks for a while and finally goes with the upper right corner. Everyone holds their breath when Mark made his shot, the ball bounced and rolled and made it into the hole… another hole, not the one he called.

"Fuuuckkkk" mark yelled and taeyong only laughs.

You are still confused but Yuta is clapping so hard with Johnny "We won by default!!" Yuta explains to you and you laugh "So we're going against Johnny?"

Johnny just keeps teasing Mark about losing and Mark is still agonizing himself.

Jaehyun already rearranges the balls and this time, you got the honors to do the first hit.

"Just hit super hard." Yuta advises you, and as you start to warm up from the first game, your hit makes a nice sound and the balls roll around the tables.

"Sweet, that was nice!" Jaehyun whistles as he realizes there's not much good shot for any of the balls.

The hot man tries to attempt a short hit. He places the stick behind his back and gracefully tries to hit a solid near the hole, but he missed and you smirk.

You've learned about the back hit before and you were once good at it.

It is your turn now and Johnny takes a look on the table "(y/n), do you want to try do the short aim like Jaehyun did? It looks hard but it's not."

Yuta was trying to find another possibility but looks like doing what Johnny said is the best option.

"But she might not have the height to do it." Mark blurts a comment and Yuta was ready to throw punches. You, however, only quietly bring yourself up the table. You sit on the edge and place the stick behind your back.

"Ohh looking nice girl," Johnny comments on your posture and your aiming direction.

You move your right hand and give a very nice strong spot on hit on the stripe.

"Woah" Jaehyun and Yuta both scream and clap. You just smile "Guess I still have it."

Johnny gives you a thumbs up and Mark is left speechless. The rest of the game happens quite fast since Johnny keeps pocketing all solids and Yuta backs you up a lot leaving you with two stripes but Jaehyun is already trying to pocket the last 8 ball.

"Come on we got this (y/n)!" Yuta cheers you up when Jaehyun missed the shot.

You try to not feel nervous and gather your focus.

One clean shot, and the boys all have their jaws opened.

"Wait what? She did that?!" They were surprised when you made one clean shot and now you're boldly striding across the table aiming for your last stripe.

"Take it easy." Yuta whispers and hints you which side of the ball you should hit.

You aid his words and true enough you pocket the last stripe.

Now everyone has their eyes on you. "The last 8 ball! If you pocket this and call the right pocket, we win.. but once you miss its their win!" Mark tries to make you worked up but that makes you super nervous instead.

"Yuta do you want to do it?" You plead but he shakes his head "No, it's your turn. You should do it. It's okay to miss. It's only a game." He squeezes your shoulder and bends to match your height

"Go hit that side and call the middle left pocket. I know you will win it." He pats your shoulder and leaves you a space.

You take a deep breath, Johnny is watching you from the aimed hole. He also looks nervous and you did your shot.

"Yayyyy!!!!" Jaehyun screams when you missed by a hair on the aimed hole. Johnny is already screaming around with Jaehyun too laughing at how they win because you missed the ball.

You grin and Yuta pulls you into a hug "Great job girl! That was a nice game!" He ruffles your hair.

You freeze in his hug and pull back "What? You're okay with me making us lose?"

You almost say sorry for messing it up, but Yuta already shuts you up. "Nope. It's a game and I'm having fun! i don't need to win, i just love spending my Friday like this!" He pinches your cheek and you blush.

"We can play more if you want," Jaehyun already has the table ready.

You glance to Yuta and after sending a quiet conversation with your eyes you click your tongue

"Let Mark and Taeyong play, the winner play against us." You hand the sticks over and pull Yuta away to the side.

"While they play, why don't we get something to eat? i haven't eaten dinner." You cock your head to the side.

Yuta gives his warm smile and touches your cheek "Okay cutie, let's do that. Look at you hitting on me smooth like butter.

You wink and Yuta only snickers "We'll see who is the better flirt-er then!"

End

#yuta x y/n #yuta x you #yuta x reader #yuta oneshot #yuta scenarios #yuta imagines #yuta fluff #yuta flirt #yuta fanfic #taeyong oneshot #mark #jaehyun #johnny #yuta

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cosmicjoke · 4 years ago

Text

Okay, just have a few thoughts about chapter 115 of AoT.

It’s really interesting that Zeke ends up having the tables turned on him and being manipulated by Eren, the wool pulled over his eyes, the way Zeke is used to doing to everyone else, and it’s interesting because of the reason why, I think.

Part of Zeke’s problem is that he’s a narcissist. He can only view everyone and everything through the prism of his own life experiences, through the lens of himself, his thoughts, his feelings, his beliefs, and has no capacity to consider things from anyone else’ side. He’s incapable of it, it seems, incapable of separating other people from himself, or rather, separating himself from others. He thinks all the world and everything that happens in it somehow revolves around him. This is probably Zeke’s biggest weakness, and it’s why he falls for Eren’s lie that he agrees with Zeke’s euthanization plan. He just assumes that Eren’s life experiences are his own, that his experiences with their father had to have been the same, that Eren will understand things from his perspective, because Eren must have gone through the same things he did, and thus, he MUST feel the way Zeke does. He doesn’t consider Eren as a separate person from himself, but rather just an extension, a younger manifestation of himself, as someone who must hold the same, special, unique understanding he has of the world and how to “save it”. We see Yelena refer to Zeke as a god again and again, her view of him fanatical and reverent, and the Yaegerists perception of Zeke as some sort of savior figure, emerging from the womb, with shafts of heavenly light casting down upon him. This is all reflective of how Zeke views himself, a godly, messiah like figure who’s come to rescue the world with his benevolence and kindness. He believes himself to be special, and he sees Eren as an extension of that specialness. It’s why Zeke is so certain that when he goes with Eren back through his childhood memories, he’ll encounter the same experiences he had growing up. It’s why he’s so shocked when it turns out Eren’s childhood was nothing like his, and that Grisha didn’t plan initially on even taking the Founding Titan. Zeke can hardly conceive of anyone having a better or happier upbringing than him, of having a better life, and it basically shatters him when he’s forced to face that truth, because it destroys his own uncompromising belief in the notion of life being meaningless and worthless. He’s so caught up in his hero complex, in his desire to see himself as special and a savior, in fact, that he doesn’t even realize or appreciate the connection and warmth he experienced in his own childhood, with Mr. Ksaver or his grandparents. He has to believe in the lie that his entire childhood was nothing but misery to uphold his beliefs about the meaninglessness of life in general.

More examples of Zeke’s narcissism is how Mr. Ksaver points out that, after coming in contact with the founder, Zeke still won’t be able to control it’s power, that only the host can. But Zeke doesn’t really believe that. He sees himself as the chosen one, and is confident that once he makes contact with Eren, Zeke himself will be capable of controlling Ymir and her power. It’s why he starts crying and whining like a bitch when, later, Ymir ignores his ass in favor of Eren. When Zeke screams whatever about being a member of the royal family and Ymir being bound to him, it comes across as a child throwing a hissy fit when they’re forced to face the truth, which is that the world doesn’t revolve around them. He can’t accept it, or wrap his head around it. It doesn’t line up with his perception of himself as a god-like savior of the world.

We also see Eren use that kind of arrogance that Zeke has against him when he tells Zeke that “If the Eldian’s in this camp had never been born, then they wouldn’t have to die in this attack we’re planning.” He knows Zeke sees what he’s doing as mercy, as “saving” people, that he’s deluded himself into seeing his actions as that, rather than what it actually is, which is murder. He’s stroking Zeke’s ego here, by offering him absolution from the horror of his coming actions, shifting the blame for what’s going to happen to all of these people off of Zeke and putting it instead on the random, cruel unfairness of “being born into this world”. Zeke swallows it all up, because it reaffirms for him his beliefs in himself as a hero of destiny, or whatever. It makes him feel good about himself.

Okay, anyway, now I just gotta’ talk a little about when Hange finds Levi, and just... ugh, it kills me, these panels.

I hate seeing Levi like this. It’s heartbreaking, and shocking, because it’s the first time in the entire series in which we see Levi in a truly, physically vulnerable state. The first time we see him physically helpless. It’s genuinely upsetting, especially when you consider everything he’s already been through, the psychological and emotional trauma he’s already experienced leading directly up to this moment. Levi truly doesn’t deserve this kind of thing, to have the one thing left to him, his physical strength, stripped away from him like this. A man who’s lost nearly everything else in his life. It’s tragic, it really is. And I think Isayama did a remarkable job here of really conveying that tragedy in the devastation we see in Levi’s physical state. He looks totally wrecked and utterly helpless, and it’s just almost bizarre, because Levi’s only ever been incredibly powerful and strong and confident in that strength throughout the series. Seeing him like this, then, seeing him so broken, is almost unbelievable. But it also almost seems like a tangible, physical manifestation of the emotional and mental anguish Levi has experienced throughout the story. He would always keep his emotions in check, would keep his expression flat, would hide away whatever pain he was feeling, in order to continue on and keep fighting, in order to be strong for those around him and hold them up with his strength. For the first time, we see him unable to do that. For the first time in the entire series, Levi needs to be rescued. And it’s Hange of course who rescues him. And it’s really here where we see Hange’s willingness to to bend to Floch and his followers, to play along with them and compromise, fall away. Hange’s expression becomes genuinely hard and unyielding, almost vicious, as she realizes Floch’s intention to kill Levi. She fully commits in this moment, I think, to fighting against these people with everything she has, and to no longer waffle or in anyway submit to their demands. And it’s Hange’s friendship with Levi that gives her this resolve. It’s her commitment to a friend, the genuine and deep care she feels for him. She may have been willing to submit to the Yaegerists when it was just her life on the line, but she won’t let them kill Levi. It really speaks to the incredible bond the two of them share, as the last remaining veterans of the Survey Corps. That’s a unique experience shared between them, the two of them there since well before the walls ever fell, and all the losses experienced by both before and since. That it’s specifically Levi’s vulnerability in this moment, and the impending danger he’s placed in, that hardens Hange’s resolve, speaks volumes.

#attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #Levi Ackerman #hange zöe #zeke yaeger #eren yaegar #snk 115 #meta

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katsukikitten · 6 years ago

Text

Going down?

NSFW BBS

To say you were the luckiest and yet most unlucky person in the world would be an understatement.

You were a living, breathing contradiction considering the quirk you have and where you've ended up.

Most people are envious, even jealous of the position you have.

A secretary to both of the top two number one heroes!

You were lucky, your little meek self landed the spot wholly by accident.

On a train ride bumping into the Director of the agency by mere fucking chance, agitating your already hyper active quirk.

For a moment time slows, you do not have much time to inform him of what is happening.

The train doors will be shutting soon, sealing his fate and losing out on something big.

Detrimental to the company even.

"Oh um, excuse me sir." You stammer, lowly enough that he does not hear you, "Sir?"

You breathe in deeply trying once more as his fingers fly across the lit glass in his hands.

"S...sir?" He is too distracted by whomever is on the other side to notice you.

In your mind's eye you see the train director reaching for the button for the doors. Anxiety rips through your body only to be out won by your fear.

Fear of small mistakes leading to much bigger disasters.

"SIR! YOU'RE ON THE TRAIN HOME! YOU NEED TO BE ON TRAIN D OR YOU'LL MISS THE MEETING YOU'VE FORGOTTEN!" You huff, hands shaking as the man stares down at you with a mix of horror and awe.

All before he grips onto your wrist dragging you along with him.

And that's how you became secretary to Midoriya Izuku and Bakugou Katsuki.

Better known as Deku and Ground Zero.

One made your life heavenly, touching them, seeing them and the details of their work and interpersonal lives was easy. The fact that you had a crush on them made it even better.

While the other, well the other made your life a living hell. Considered you too meek and seemed to hate your guts with a burning intensity that rivaled the heated gaze in his eyes.

Again you were the luckiest and yet most unlucky person alive.

You stare at the screen as your quirk has you hyper fixated on the janitor's next few hours of possible futures and unnecessary details of his life all because he brushed your fingers while passing you something you've dropped.

"Y/N." Deku calls softly and you cannot hear him, "Y/N."

He steps towards your desk just outside of the two opposing offices, leaning closer to you.

"Y/N." It comes out like liquid honey, and your gut flutters. You flush bright red as you blink furiously.

"I.. I'm sorry. Oh! Izuku-sama you need to be leaving in the next five minutes or you'll be late for your..." You struggle when you see it.

The beautiful woman with short chesnut hair sitting in a chair at an upscale restaurant in a deep pink dress.

Showing off her curves and her breasts in a tasteful manner.

Your heart sinks to your stomach like a brick, weighing heavy as you realize what is happening and suddenly you are crushed

The word date cannot escape your lips so you clear your throat.

"Your day is free tomorrow until 4pm and nothing extra will come up." You add instead and he nods.

"Thank you Y/N." He smiles sweetly before beginning to leave, "Don't stay too late okay?"

"Oh and um Izuku-sama...."

"Yes?" He stops turning back to face you. He did not mind you looking into his personal life.

Or at least never said anything agaisnt it.

"Please be sure to charge your phone on the way there. Other wise it will die and you won't be able to capture a special moment." You say softly, unable to keep eye contact with those shining emeralds.

It hurt too much to.

You could have kept it to yourself, or forced yourself not to look like you have to do with thathot head but...but if his phone would have died..

He would be missing the picture that would lead to them dating.

"Thanks Y/N." He says smiling so brightly before turning on his heel.

All the while you try to forget about the kiss they share after their failed selfie.

He leaves without another word and you stare after him longingly.

That is before your quirk pulls you to the only other body on the floor.

He'll be running out of coffee soon and he will be angry, distracted even to have to leave his desk when he is finally making some progress on his paper work.

The coffee pot in the break room is finishing up at the perfect time thanks to the director's secretary. You pull out Bakugou's second favorite mug from your desk and stand.

Before stopping as you relive a memory.

"Quit using your quirk to spy on me."

His snarl so dark and upsetting that you could no longer attend the hero ceremony.

You begin to pack your things instead. Bakugou won't be in a good mood for the rest of the evening on top of that nothing is happening and even if something was he wouldn't want your help anyway.

You hesitate, only for a moment, maybe he would want that cup of coffee. You stare at the mug as if it would have answers but it would never know.

Just like you wouldn't, unless you touched him.

And he would never allow that.

So you shrug your purse higher on your shoulder before heading to the elevator.

Your press the button and count loudly in your head to help calm your nerves.

Inanimate objects are almost as difficult as people if you don't touch the right part of them.

You know at some point this thing is going to break down and get stuck between floors.

You just don't know when.

Why not take the stairs?

Well the stairs had a worse outcome.

"It's only possibilities Maybe futures."

You try to remind yourself.

What you dont remind yourself of is your 95% accuracy rate.

The elevator dings pulling you to the here and now.

You step into the shiny death trap with smooth tiles and walls that reflect your fearful face.

Bland music takes up the space in the background as your eyes fly over the seemingly endless buttons.

You hit G and the elevator dings again before shuttering as the doors begin to close.

They never get the chance to close, instead a toned forearm is hit by the two sheets of steel before the safety feature forces the doors back open.

You freeze like a mouse caught by two shining eyes in the dark.

Burning red eyes.

"Tch." He sucks his teeth as he steps in, standing to the far side of the elevator.

You look at him expectedly, waiting for an answer on the floor he needs and when none is given you assume he is leaving for the day too.

The elevator begins its descent to the safety of the garage.

But not quickly enough.

Numbers flash on a panel with an annoying ding that inturpts the flat music, your eyes stare at the white digits watching them shrink.

As you feel yourself shrink as you always do beneath that gaze. The details of his life creep in first and you try your best to focus on something else.

Izuku comes to mind and with it, wonder on how he date is going, your heart pulls harshly on the muscles in your chest.

The failed selfie is happening right now and they should be kissing soon.

You hold onto your purse tighter and the digits read 22.

Suddenly the descending box of steel groans before jerking causing you to lose your balance.

You begin to fall towards the middle of the elevator, of course you couldn't have fallen towards the damn railings less than three inches from you.

You just had to fall to be met face first with cold harsh tile. You squeeze your eyes shut for impact but mostly so you cannot read the disappointment in the ash blonde's face.

But the cold slap never comes, instead a warm, almost comforting touch holds you. Callused hands wrapped around your bare shoulders as they right you to your feet.

The possible futures flood in along with the details of his last 24 hours.

First comes the past, he smells of perfume, floral with hints of amber, lipstick stains on his throat and collar. Before anger ignites in your belly, half your own from anyone "marking" Bakugou and the other half is his. Katsuki yells at this mystery woman, he spies a text from another man on her phone. The present begins to overwrite the past his phone is sitting in his office on his desk. He has unintentionally forgotten it, leading you to remember that yours is still locked in your top drawer.

Lastly comes the future, your breath begins to hitch as it unfolds, and your premonition from when you first started almost a year ago is finally coming true.

"THE ELEVATOR IS GOING TO STOP!" You grip onto strong forearms as you scream. Nails biting into toned flesh as tears begin to prick your eyes.

"Wha..what?" Is all Bakugou gets out before the machine comes to a grinding halt.

Fear seizes your very bones while rage grips the blonde's.

"What the fuck?!" He snarls, "Did you know this was going to happen the whole fucking time? You let me on here anyway?"

"N..no." Fat tears begin to drip down reddened cheeks, "It was just because we touched."

His fingers squeeze tighter on your shoulders as he watches the tears cascade down. You see a few more seconds into the future before he let's go.

"Fuck." He hisses. A series of explosions erupt busting out one of the lights and something in the corner.

"P...please be careful, you've destroyed the camera. I..its close to the electrical panel." You speak to the floor loudly and he turns his ire onto you

"Be careful?! You're the seer why didnt you tell anyone about the elevator? Or tell me not to get on?" He invades tour space spiking your panic. His agitation over the situation is amplified as it is mixed with a conflicting feeling that has pulled has his gut for majority of this year.

"BECAUSE YOU WONT ALLOW ME TO SEE YOU!" You huff and as quickly as that rage came it melts away. Leaving you a mess of impossibly fatter and bigger tears.

You bend over slightly, losing your breath to panic as you gasp for air.

Bakugou damns himself as he looks over you.

He always seems to make you uneasy or upset, he could live with those emotions considering that's how most people felt around him.

But to watch you cry has knives plunging into his Godly abs.

"Oi..." He says softly and when you do not move he comes closer.

"Oi." He tries again, righting you once more as he rubs a deadly hand on your shoulder.

His skin is electrifying, sending a shudder through your body that you must suppress. He's close enough that you can smell the sweet smell of burnt sugar that seems to cling to his skin. You dare meet his heated gaze from beneath long lashes only to be surprised.

His eyes are far from carrying the weight from annoyance or anger as you thought them to be.

No they hold something else for once.

Concern.

You swallow thickly as your chin is lifted before a padded thumb swipes at a tear.

Your breathing hitches harshly.

"No need to cry okay. I'm sorry I yelled that was an asshole thing to do." His other hand continues its soothing cirlce, "Why don't you take a deep breath with me?"

He breathes in deeply through his nose, eyes expecting you to mimic and you do.

He holds it for just a moment before letting his diaphragm push the air naturally from his mouth.

After a few times your head feels a bit clearer and Bakugou takes notice as your cheeks are no longer flush.

"Now what will be easier to see my future or the elevators?" He asks softly and his manner throws you off.

You had heard rumors of his cruelty when it came to inconvenience, some dating back to before he was a pro.

Not to mention you had witnessed it first hand, so to see those normally hash scarlet red eyes softened for you has your stomach doing flips.

"Ummm..." You gulp, fearful to answer but by lying will that make it worse.

After a few brief seconds you choose to tell the truth with a heavy heart, wholly expecting a violent reaction.

"You..." A breath of a word as Bakugou purses his lips for a fraction of a second.

He liked his privacy bit not being stuck in this tin can would be worth violating it.

"Alright. Then see our way out of here little Oracle." You blush from his nonchalant tone and the use of the nickname.

Little did he know you had once picked that out to be your hero name.

But dreams die as we get older.

Especially if one doesn't feed them.

You look into the future a few minutes, hoping you'll see whatever will lead you to freedom.

But you see something else instead, it pulls your stomach lower heating your core a bit.

The blood rushes to your face as Bakugou scrunches his own.

"I..." You are suddenly hyper aware of the proximity the two of you share.

Of his warm hand resting on your bare shoulder, of the closeness of his face and the gentle touch of his fingers. He gives a look as if to say go on, you look down as you speak again.

"B..Bakugou-sama, I think my quirk might be acting up. I may be seeing the implausible possibility..." Eyes squeezed shut as you expect an explosion.

But it never comes.

"What do you mean? I've heard your information is always good, little Oracle." His thumb swipes at another stray tear, "What did you see?"

Cheeks burn impossibly hotter as you look again only to receive the same result.

Truly truly implausible.

He tilts your face to his and his gaze is too much.

"I...ummm....we....yo..you kiss me." You bite your lip as you speak and the action fills Bakugou with desire, more than he's ever possessed for you before.

And always more than what he's felt for another woman.

You being able to see some of that no matter how slim the chances of him acting on the feeling is the MAIN reason he actively "hated" and avoided you.

But to feel your smooth skin beneath his rough palms, to smell your sweet mango perfume and to hear your adorable voice fill up the space that only posses the two of you becomes too much.

Too quickly.

Katsuki pushes you against the wall, the railing bites into your back but it goes unnoticed as your eyes flutter.

Dominat tongue swirling around your own has your core molten.

Had you like Bakugou?

Had you ever been attracted to him?

The answer was yes and had always been yes. You just tried to make it easier on yourself, hoping that devloping a crush on kind Deku would eventually push your feelings for the hot head to the background.

It worked. But only if the emerald haired man was around.

When he wasn't your mind always floated to the hot head.

He rips the buttons from your blouse and you gasp with both pleasure and concern.

He reads you like a book as he pulls the fabric open to look at you in all your glory, even pulling the scratched white fabric from your black skirt.

"You said I took out the camera right?" He drinks you in before his mouth finds a sweet spot on your throat, "Don't worry I'll give you my jacket when I'm through with you, my little Oracle."

You swoon, knees becoming weak from such little contact. His mouth works wonders as he un hooks your bra, pulling it and your shirt from your chest. Greedily lapping at your perked nipples. A moan escapes you then, further encouraging his advancement to which you wouldn't dream oppose.

Not with how good you feel now. Soon his hands find your hips as he crushes his lips to yours, pulling the bottom of your skirt up over your thick thighs and ass before letting it stay at your natural waist.

"Are you wet for me?" He asks by way of permission.

To which you surprise both of yall with your answer.

"Go and find out."

Katsuki gives you a deadly smile as your face deepens in hue. His fingers snake slowly down your chest, teasing when he gets close to the hem before sliding over your laced underwear.

You watch as his eyes flutter slightly before a groan escapes his kissable lips, you clench at the sound.

"You're soaking through your underwear." He voice drips with desire by your ear, "Does the director know how naughty you are?"

He leaves a trail of kisses before biting down on your neck, fingers still relishing the feeling of soaked fabric.

"Does he know that you're wet for one of your bosses?" He begins pressing against your throbbing button through the thin fabric. You buck your hips agaisnt his touch and moan when he chuckles darkly.

"I didn't hear an answer, baby girl." Your mouth moves without thought as he presses harder.

"N..no. No one knows."

"And who are you wet for?" His other hand is preoccupied with your breasts. Tweaking the nipples pushing you closer to a surprisingly close edge. His strong hand moves away from your needy nipple to find your throat.

He applies the right amount of pressure that your breathing becomes labored.

"Y..you Bakugou-sama!" You squirm, wanting, needing to be touched by the man before you.

"That's my good girl." He slips his fingers past your underwear finding the swollen bud he was teasing, swirling two fingers as his palm presses down on your mound.

You're moaning loudly, uncaring if anyone will hear as his fingers work you over like magic. His grip tightening just enough as you get closer and closer.

Finally your vision blurs in your peripheral before his husky voice is back at your ear.

"Just one more thing, do you see yourself getting fucked little oracle?"

You do not need to look into the future to answer

"Yes...yes Bakugou-sama." With a deadly smirk he sends you over the edge, not letting up as your crescendo once, twice, three times from his fingers alone. You see stars as your body convulses beneath his touch, voice caught in your throat as you shudder.

Your knees become weak as he slowly eases away after teasing at a hint that a fourth time could have been coaxed from you.

He holds you steady kissing you sweetly on the lips. He gives you a moment as you lean on him before you're flipped around.

You stare at your reflection. Hair disheveled, falling from its normally tight bun, breasts exposed as you're bent over and lips tinted with the best of red hues.

Red eyes admire you as he unbuckles his pants.

"You're such a gorgeous mess. And who are you a mess for?" He asks, placing your hands onto the railing.

"Y..you." Breath fogs your slightly distorted reflection and he smiles.

"God damn right." He purrs in your ear, pressing himself against you and you moan, "Hold on tight, it's going to be a bumpy ride."

You wiggle your hips, pressing your ass as close to him as you can before he grabs onto you with a bruising grip.

He eases himself in slowly, keeping you from pushing agaisnt him until he's filled you completely. He stays still for a moment and the feeling of fullness alome has you squirming, begging for more.

"Pl..please Bakugou-sama. Please..." He grabs a fist full of your hair, pulling your face to meet his reflection.

"Please what?" He grins devilishly and you cannot fathom how he holds back so well. You feel him twitch within you, your eyes roll for a moment before you answer him.

"Please just fuck me and fill me. Please please Bakugou-sama." You cry out trying your best to rock against him, hoping his one hand would not be enough to stop any friction from happening.

But some how it is.

"Now be a good seer and watch how well you take my cock baby girl." He purrs, pulling harder on your hair until you meet your gaze.

He begins to pound into you, hard and fast. The sound of your meeting bodies echoes off the four walls and for once you cannot see anything.

Because you cannot focus on anything aside from the feeling of aggressive thrusts and the ash blonde reflection. He grunts as he looks you over. Your skirt makes your ass seem bigger than what it is and you're so wet you make a delectable sound with each withdraw not to mention your thighs are beginning to dew.

The sensation, sound, and sight of you being so pleased and submissive for him begins to make Bakugou spiral.

And it shows with each thrust as it gets harder, faster, and sloppier.

He fucks you with enough force that the metal box begins to rock.

Your eyes flutter as you begin to climb again, feeling him getting closer and closer himself before he hits you just right as he groans out a delightful "fuck"

You scream, gripping onto him in pulses before he loses himself. Burying himself deep within you with a satisfied growl.

You both still for a moment before he withdrawals. His seed spills from you making him want to fuck you again.

But instead he moves your underwear back into place, smooths your skirt back down your hips and ass before pulling up his own pants.

He turns you around, peppering your dazed face with kisses before he sheds his jacket and places it on you.

Zipping it up to your throat. He pulls you into him and you note the heavy smell of his caramel sweat. You kiss his neck tenderly causing a rumble to emit from him.

"Are you okay little one?" He asks softly, "Was I too rough? Too much?"

"No...perfect." You snuggle into him and he holds you for a moment. Your nose brushes against his exposed throat before you see it.

"Oh!" You push away from him enough to see his face before you blush deeply.

The elevator whirls back to life, the ding of floors pulls you back into reality and for a moment you think it a dream.

You expect him to shove you away now that he is done, especially so since that the moment of an almost claustrophobic disaster no longer hands over your heads.

But the look of hated annoyance does not return to his eyes as he gazes down at you.

If anything he looks at you softly expectant of an answer before it dawns on him.

"Oh." He says with a deadly smirk, "Was fucking the only way to fix it?"

You laugh nervously before admitting.

"I never looked past that kiss. I.."

He kisses you softly again before a final ding rings out and the two of you are met with the cool summer air of the parking garage.

"Hmmm I think I saw something." He smirks and you look puzzled, the world only slowly beginning to beg for your attention.

"W..what did you see Bakugou-sama?" You ask timidly as he pulls you out of the sinful box. Guiding you to his black motorcycle. You stop to blink over the bike, trying hard to see whatever he could be alluding to without allowing yourself his future out of habit.

"I see you calling me Katuski over dinner." He smiles as he places his only helmet on your head before his powerful leg swings over the body of the bike.

You stare down dumbfounded, dazed over everything that has happened in the last hour and a half.

When you do not move he pets the seat behind him.

"Coming to make my prediction true little oracle?" You nod swiftly pulling up your skirt enough to straddle the bike. You delicately wrap your arms around a muscled torso.

"Hold on tight." He says, squeezing your hand before the bike roars to life, "Its going to be a bumpy ride."

#bakugou smut #bakugo smut #bakugou x reader #katsuki bakugou x reader #bnha smut #bnha bakugou #bnha katsuki #bnha kacchan #bnha au #bnha fanfiction #bnha x reader #bakugou katsuki #bakugou #katsuki bakugou #mha bakugou #katuski bakugou #bakugou fluff

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arandompostarchive · 4 years ago

Text

SALEM - Ch. 20

SAVED WORK

Summary: In all the centuries of your existence, you had never been dragged out of hiding by another god, put in a superhero team and forced to save the universe. But it seems your luck has run out.

_____________

***

You slammed the door open, covered in the blood of the townspeople after you had left Y/n go. You had walked back through town and quickly realized you didn’t see your father there.

Maybe he got a conscious and decided to leave, you thought. But you also knew that your father had no morals. He was planning to burn you for weeks now, why would he change his mind at the last moment. So, you stalked toward his house, your dress burned and soaked with blood.

Your shoes had holes in them, you could feel how the leather had shrunk and curled in the burning wood. Your underskirt was only knee-length now, and the blood was slowly drying against your legs, making walking a less than comfortable experience.

The fact that your father lived close to the center of town was one of the small mercies you felt that day. You knocked slowly at the door, waiting for your father to answer. He opened the door slowly, a piece of tobacco in his mouth.

You always thought you looked more like your mother, from the small portrait your father kept of her and the few memories you had retained of her image. Her skin was closer to yours, her eyes the same shape, her face structure seemed to match yours as well. Your father, on the other hand, was different. His skin was lighter than yours, his straight gray hair fell down from under a cap he wore almost every day. He worked in the courthouse, presenting cases, and because of that hadn’t seen a drop of sun in years. His eyes were sunken into his head. They always were, but now the dark bags underneath them seemed more prominent. Wrinkles scattered his skin, making him look much older than he was. You were sure there was a freckle or two on his cheeks, but you never got a close look. It’s not like the two of you had ever gotten to spend quality time together. A small, loving part of you was sad that you never would. The rest of you, however, was prepared to splatter the walls of your home—no, his home— with his blood.

His eyes widened when he saw you. He took a step back, tripping over something behind him and losing his footing. He didn’t get up at first, choosing to stare blankly at your figure.

“What the hell?” The question was so quiet under his breath that you almost didn’t hear it. The tobacco hug on the edge of his lip, threatening to fall at any moment. He pulled himself up on a nearby chair, composing himself and dusting off his shirt. He spit the tobacco on the floor next to him. You cringed, remembering how you’d had to clean it many nights whenever he went to bed. Otherwise, your entire home would stink of it and the smell made you nauseous.

“You’re driving yourself to madness, Charles. Circe is dead, nothing but cinders. Let her be and the specter will go. He whispered. “She is just a vision, a reminder of your sins.” He mumbled other words under his breath, but you didn’t care about what he had to say. Not unless it was an apology, and even then, you still planned for his blood to run along the floor panels. You walked in the room, letting him rant quietly to himself. It seemed he had gotten fairly unstable in the time you’d been imprisoned.

“I’m far from dead, Father.” You began, “In fact, I doubt I have ever felt more alive than I do now.” Your newfound abilities had caused your eyes to darken. Of course, you weren’t aware of this at the time, but your father was terrified of the black veins spreading out from your eyes, pulsing as you let smoke roll down your hands. He saw small dots within your eyes, ones he had seen only once on the face of his wife. He thought they were beautiful, now he feared them.

The feeling was beautiful. The pure power coursing through your veins. You had never felt anything so addicting. It was like your body was reborn. Like the fire had burned away everything that was holding you back. You grinned at it, the grin of a psychopath holding their first blade.

“You’re dead, Circe, dead. You burned by the hands of the townsfolk, my own friends and blood.” You scoffed at his exclamation.

“You did not witness this. You did not bother to even stay.” You move closer to him and shut the door behind you. There were people who hadn’t gone to the burnings. You were sure none of them would come out of their homes no matter what screams they heard, but you weren’t about to kill innocents. You couldn’t be sure if those people were involved in Y/n’s death.

He didn’t respond to your accusation. Instead of looking around the room, likely trying to find some exit or a weapon of some sort. You knew this house, though. The closest thing to a weapon was the pans you used to cook, and the only exit the door behind you. Or the windows, if absolutely necessary.

“You did not help me. You did not help her. And believe me, father… you will regret that decision.” Your words came out harshly as if the weapons were the torture you intended to give him. Luckily, you planned to do much worse than that. Well, it was lucky for you, not for him.

You took a few fast steps, wrapping your hand tight against his throat and bringing him to the nearest wall, pinning him there. A few days ago, lifting a full-grown man would’ve taken great effort, but now, it felt more like carrying a basket.

You marveled at the feeling of him moving under your skin, trying to reach your hand. The strangled noises he made were music. Especially since you’d been waiting to hear them for so long. The sounds of his pain. A few months ago you would’ve frowned at this, found the violence disgusting. But after all you’d been through? You felt it wasn’t enough.

“Say it.” You said, your voice soft and calm, which was scarier than you yelling. He said something from under your hand. The grip on his throat made his words sound more like jumbled noises, but you swore he asked you what you meant. You only sighed. “Give me a full apology. You did nothing while me and my closest friend when we were faced with a murder charge. You know damn well I wouldn’t use my powers in the town and she was perfectly innocent. She had done nothing and you let her burn with all the other women. And you call yourself a ‘man of god’.” You questioned, letting your disgust seep into your words. He marries a goddess, yet still insisted on being a man of the church.

You let him fall down the wall, still keeping your hand against his throat, though it was loose enough for him to speak. “I’m sorry, Circe. I’m your father, please. Have some mercy!” You could feel his tears against your hand. You’d never seen him cry, this felt like an accomplishment.

“Did you show me mercy?” You asked. He slowly shook his head.

“Please, you are my flesh and blood! I never wanted to harm you. Release me, we can talk. Please.” You rolled your eyes. He felt no remorse. He was just a sniveling coward who wanted to live.

“You feel nothing. You could have helped me and you made no effort. I hope you suffer in Tartarus.”

You gripped his throat tightly once again, drowning out whatever cries of apology he had left to offer. Using the hand on his throat for support, you gripped his right arm, ripping it clean off. You felt someone behind you. Not a human, far from human. The smallest part of your mind hoped it was Loki, it felt godly enough. You switched your arms, momentarily letting him catch a breath. Then you ripped off his other arm, his blood splattering on your clothes. Your underskirt now looked more red with splashes of white than the other way around. You didn’t mind it.

You removed your hand from his throat, letting his screams echo in the small house. He fell before you, rolling in agony. You only laughed. You put your foot on his chest, holding him in place. His screams quieted to whimpers as he stared up at you, too in pain to speak.

“Say hello to Mother for me.” You said, pushing down hard on his chest. You heard him scream and felt bones break beneath your foot. You raised your foot again, this time driving what was left of your heel through his chest, your foot embedded in the open, blood-filled cavity. You slowly took your foot out. Your heel had gotten caught on something or other, so you pulled your foot out without the shoe. You were left in a tattered underdress, dripping with blood, your stockings burned away to nothing and one shoe. You turned around to face whoever was watching you. Praying it was Loki. Hoping he wouldn’t hate you now. Wouldn’t think you were a disgusting monster with black, pulsing eyes. You were something out of a nightmare.

Instead, you were met with an odd-looking woman. You tried not to let her see your shoulders sink. She laughed, you weren’t sure if it was at you or with you.

“Not bad, that man deserved it, believe me. If I’m not wrong, you’re one of us now, yes?” Her voice reminded you of blood splashed on walls. The blood that coated the floors beneath you. It felt like she should be accompanied by screams. “Follow me.” She opened up what looked like a black hole in your house. It was a large rectangle, like a door, but there was nothing but darkness in it.

“What’s going on?” You asked, accepting that this was just another part of your day.

“I was called here because of how you were killing that mortal. But I recognize you, you’re a god now. Your mortal half burned. Now, it’s time for a family reunion.” She beckoned you forward. You were still completely lost, but at this rate, anything goes. You walked across the room, standing next to her, prepared to walk into the dark abyss before you.

“What’s your name?” You asked, not even turning to look at her. She laughed. It was an odd sound. It felt entirely unused. Like she had never let a genuine laugh out of her lips. I reminded you of swords sharpening and axes swinging. Like a million screams from the depths.

“Ker, darling.”

***

You had a plan.

Not a good plan, mind you, but it was a plan.

Jump down, drag Moros away from the console by his neck, and use one of the countless weapons covering the ground (wall? The ship was basically on its side at this point) and stab him one more time for good measure.

Unfortunately for you, the window wasn’t able to support you and Moros both jumping on it. Maybe it was the giant axe that had cracked it?

Looking back, you probably could’ve been smarter about that. But, hey. It’s not like you were known for your well thought out plans.

There was air rushing past you, Moros’ neck still in your hand. You were pretty high up, but that didn’t mean you had as much time as you liked.

Moros was saying something, but your tight grip on his neck was cutting off his airflow. It wasn’t just the two of you in the air though. There were a few bodies that had fallen when the ship had tilted, as well as weapons from fallen soldiers. You spotted a dagger falling with you. It was above you, but with a little stretch, you reached it.

You looked down at Moros, his face stoic and calm. He had accepted his death the moment he tilted the ship. That, you could respect.

“I gave you a chance, Brother. No one can say I didn’t.” You said. You gripped the dagger in your hand, more than eager to end your fight. You pressed it into his skin, drawing blood beneath it. You could see his eyes slightly widen, perhaps he was expecting something quicker.

You didn’t like murder. You didn’t like the idea of killing people who didn’t need to be killed. But you would be lying if you said you weren’t slightly relieved to be rid of Moros.

With some force, you drove the dagger fully into his neck, completely cutting through it. You cut fully through the left side of his neck, leaving only a small amount of muscle attached on the right side. His head was now loosely attached, only holding on by the thin skin and muscle still attached to his body. You didn’t bother staring too long. You were sure you’d have to apologize to your mother for killing two of your siblings, she might not be too happy about that.

Now that you had tossed your brother aside, content with his current state, you could focus on the low-level terror of plummeting through the sky. Now you felt the cool air against your open skin, something you were learning to hate. You tried your best to summon a spell of any kind, just to fly or save yourself. But you were weaker than you’d like to admit. Most of your abilities were going toward not passing out, so you simply waited.

Part of you was concerned. In all fairness, you were falling from gods know how high on the streets of New York City. The other part was praying that Tony was still paying attention.

You looked above you toward the ship and saw it slowly tilting back to its rightful position. You smiled, thankful that Thor, Loki, and Mios had gotten through the numerous bodies and weapons around them to set the ship back to the correct position.

You could see things falling around you, and you figured now was probably the time to try and find something to help you. Through the mess of swords, you spotted one of Tony’s coms. Using a small amount of your magic, you brought it over to you. You put it in your ear before shouting over the wind.

“Hello?!” You screamed. “Don’t really have much time here!” You heard static over it, but someone responded.

“Kid? What the hell is happening up there?” You recognized Tony’s voice. Usually, you would’ve found time to yell at him for calling you a kid, but you could do that later. Assuming there was a later.

“I doubt I’ll be able to talk for a good while after this, I’ll be pretty injured. Not looking forward to it.” You had no idea how high you were at this point, it just felt like a huge rush of air. But you were slowly realizing that you were much higher than you thought.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m kinda falling here, Tony. I can see you from here. I think that’s you at least. You’re way too far, so don’t bother. I’ll be okay, it’ll just take a long time to heal.”

“Falling? Out of the ship? What the hell?”

“Tony. I’m fine. We killed Moros. You need to go make sure Loki and Thor are alright. Don’t come find me until later, make sure you can save as many people as possible, even soldiers. I’ll be fine.”

“Listen, Queenie, where are you.”

“Queenie?”

“Well, you are kinda ordering me around right now.”

You laughed a bit, “I like that one.”

“…I guess we’ll keep it then.”

You were almost sure you heard Tony say something after that, but it was drowned out by static. You pulled the com from your ear, cursing when you saw it was your broken one. Of course, it was.

You sighed and closed your eyes. You could still feel the injury in your chest, liquid still coating the suit Tony had made you. You’d remember to apologize later, you were a bit busy at the moment. You waited to feel either the crash of the sidewalk. In all probability, you’d survive the fall, although you’d certainly have some nasty damage left over. But still, this kind of fall? You could expect weeks of pain, something you were very interested in avoiding.

You kept your arms wrapped tight around yourself. If you didn’t know you might be falling thousands of feet into the sidewalk, you would actually enjoy the intense wind brushing against your face.

Until you felt the wind quickly stop around you. Still, you kept your eyes shut tight. And then you felt it below you: solid ground. Well, perhaps ‘ground’ wasn’t the right word. You were sitting down on some sort of soft, velvety fabric. It felt soft and plush under you, like one of Tony’s nicer couches. It hadn’t been accompanied by the sickening crunch sound of your bones, so you were left confused.

Opening your eyes, you were in a large, darkly colored room. It reminded you of a planetarium, the sun, moon, and stars plastered on the walls around you, you even saw a pentacle or two. The room was circular, dark paint on most of the walls with silver highlights. On the ceiling was a crescent moon. You smiled warmly at the familiar aesthetic of the room.

You shifted on the couch, minding the wound still in your abdomen.

“Careful now, darling.” You’d recognize the silky smooth voice from anywhere. It reminded you of a cool night’s breeze or an owl hooting after dark. The beautiful sounds of crickets chirping under the stars. “I’d rather not see three of my children die this week, hm?” Your mother asked, sitting on the couch facing opposite you.

You looked down at her comment, feeling more like a child receiving a grounding than a woman accused of murdering her siblings. You lightly nodded, taking the jab from your mother.

She was a beautiful woman. The term ‘goddess’ fit her without a doubt. She shared a similar complexion, though darker and with much curlier hair. It fell over her shoulders in a pitch-black color, there were small dots of light throughout it, which surely would’ve entranced any mortal.

Her dress was clearly greek and resembled a toga. It was black instead of the more common white color and she had silver bands on her arms, contrasting the usual gold ones. Her eyes though. Her eyes were what always made you stop. They were gorgeous. They were pitch black and dotted with a million tiny stars. It looked like there was a whole universe in them, and you wouldn’t be surprised if there really was. You could the light of those stars twinkle, even from several feet away. Your eyes were similar to your mom’s, but you knew they weren’t anywhere near as beautiful.

Looking down at yourself you noticed your mother had given you a change of clothes. You had a toga similar to hers on. Your hair was decorated with queen of the night flowers and moonflowers. You thought it was a little on brand, but their purple color looked nice, so you let it go. You were slightly worried about explaining how you had managed to change into a greek toga complete with silver bands to your friends, but that was a conversation for later.

“I thought you’d like it. Couldn’t have you wearing that odd suit.” You were about to ask about the suit, knowing Tony had worked hard on it. “Don’t worry, the suit is in that mortal’s lab. I figured you’d want him to at least have his primitive technology back.”

She took a deep breath, planning out her next words. “I know what happened,” She began. “I’m sorry he tried to hurt Earth, I had hoped he wouldn’t but here we are. I’m sorry everything has been so hard lately. When you first went back to Earth, it was all fine. But then you didn’t make friends. Didn’t have the life you wanted. Resorted to isolation, and I’m so sorry you dealt with that.” You nodded, silently accepting the apology. You would’ve loved her help. The slightest amount of assistance along the way would’ve been great. Why on Earth has she chosen now?

“Why didn’t you help?” You asked, your face letting your upset and confused expression through.

“I’m sorry, darling?” Your mother asked, confused by what you were asking.

“I almost died, so did my friends. In fact, two of your children did die. What have you been doing?” You questioned, letting the anger you now felt cover your face just a bit more. She seemed angry, almost offended.

“Where is this coming from, sweetie?” She said you could see a shift in her eyes, like the small universe there had suddenly become a bit bluer.

“Well, I did kill my sister, watch Moros destroy your home, get stranded on an alien planet, get stabbed by my brother, kill him, then fall out of the sky.” You tried your best to stay calm. As protective as your mother was, she wasn’t afraid to get mad. She was one of the oldest beings in the universe, at this point all fear of other beings had worn off.

“I just saved you from falling out of the sky, dear, that’s why you aren’t a very frustrated pancake on the ground right now.” She sighed before taking a deep breath. You saw another shift in her eyes, the blue faded into more of a purple color. “But I understand. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

It wasn’t quite an apology. Everyone else would’ve stopped there. Just have been thankful that a primordial god wasn’t killing them where they stood. But this felt more like a normal parent argument that the night herself was arguing with another goddess. You began to realize how much you’d been desensitized to things normal humans would find incredible.

You gathered all the courage you could, doing your best to keep your voice steady and authoritative. “Mom, you’ve been abandoning me since I was little. After I was born you were so excited that I was godly. You said my abilities were incredible. But a few years went by, and you got bored. You left me with dad. He hated everyone, sometimes I think he hated me. He left me to die. It feels like you left Ker and Moros too. I would’ve stopped if you came. I know you’d deal with them.” You felt unsure how to explain yourself, but still, you kept the same hard tone of your voice. “The gods do that a lot, Mom. And I know I’m not the only one who hates it.”

She seemed to consider your words. “I know. But, the Olympians have their rules. That includes not inferring with life… even if they did create that life themselves.”

You rolled your eyes, “When have you ever cared what Zeus says?”

Your mother didn’t seem to want to argue now. “I haven’t, but there are some rules I agree with. If humans want to survive, they should do it themselves. We shouldn’t have to hold their hand, Circe.”

You slowly nodded your head. She was right, not all life should need constant monitoring, but right now, planets all over the universe could use a little push in the right direction. “Fine, Mother. I really hope you’ll change your mind. I like Earth, it’s my home. The other planets around aren’t so bad either.”

“I’ll take it into consideration.” You knew that was her polite words for “drop the subject”. “And, I expect you to stop killing your siblings! Really, darling, most Mothers don’t need to have this conversation.”

“I’ll do my best.” You agreed. Of all your siblings, Ker and Moros were the most aggressive, so you were sure you wouldn’t have to fight the others.

“Good. Now, on to other plans! You haven’t had ambrosia in forever, darling! Nothing but mortal food. Come, you and I can have some tea together.” She said, her eyes lighting back up to their usual swirl of colors and stars. She stood up, slowly pulling you with her. The motion made your torso spark with pain, and you could feel wrappings around it, probably courtesy of your mother. Still, it was far from healed.

“Mother, I need to go back to my friends.” You explained. You saw her face fall a bit. “Not that I don’t love to see you, Mother, believe me. But I can’t sit around drinking tea right now, they need my help. Or at least need to know I’m okay, last time they thought I died they sorta freaked out.”

Not long ago, the thought of having friends that would miss you was far off in your mind. Now, not only did you have friends, but you had Loki.

And you just told him you loved him and accidentally jumped off a ship. He was probably more than a little worried about you.

“Darling, I’m sure they’re fine! Besides, some of your sisters were going to watch a supernova, I know you haven’t seen one before.” While the idea seemed beautiful, it was hardly what you wanted to do. And it seemed like Nyx could tell from your facial expression. “Ugh. This isn’t about that Asgardian boy, is it? Find some nice god here, darling. They’re below you, all those mortals are.” You wanted to yell at her. You really did, but your mother was a nice woman. You knew she had good intentions, but you were still frustrated and as much as your mother loved you, she wouldn’t take kindly to an argument. Sometimes, her temper could remind you of Odin. You were thankful you were one of her favored children, which truly made you sad for Loki. He never had that luxury.

“Mom, he’s not below me, none of them are. He’s amazing. I love him. And last time he saw me I was sorta plummeting to my death.” You reminded her.

She stared off into the distance. You weren’t even sure if she was comprehending your statement.

“I thought the same about your father, I suppose.” She began. “Thought he was so different from the rest. But he didn’t care about me the same way it seems. If he did, he would have treated you much kinder. Much, much kinder.” She shook her head. “Alright. Go back. But I expect you to visit your Mother, my dear. And bring that boy someday. Zeus won’t argue about it, he wouldn’t risk it.” She smiled, a bit of a smirk on her face. You laughed.

She pulled you closer to her, hugging you tight. Much longer than anyone else. Like a mother who hadn’t seen her child in years, and in your case, it had been decades. You could smell her hair as she held you against your shoulders. It smelled like the nighttime air on a clear summer’s day. Though your eyes were partially closed, you swore you could see far off constellations in her hair. You mumbled “I promise” into her neck and suddenly you found yourself back in New York City, hugging nothing but air.

There was rubble around you, though less than you expected from the fight. The ship above you was lower than you had left it, but still a good distance above the city. You could see some of Moros’ soldiers on the ground around you, but most of the streets were fairly clear of people. You could see people flying above you as well. Even from the distance, you recognized Tony, Thor, Sam, and Vision, probably trying to find you in all the mess.

You used your abilities, a dark smoke taking over your hands and eyes. You could feel the magic in your veins helping your wounds. You loathed the thought of lounging around the tower in this form just to heal better.

A small voice in the back of your head suggested doing that with Loki. Convincing him to sit in the small area you had to yourself, sit in your own forms and read. Or perhaps engage in more… entertaining activities. If he wasn’t too worried about you with bandages covering your abdomen.

You walked over the pavement. Now, with the rocks beneath your feet, you became very aware that you were wearing greek sandals, something your mother seemed to adore. You groaned, hating how you could feel the small rocks under your shoe.

You could hear someone land behind you, the cracked pavement and rubble making their footsteps louder.

Tony didn’t give you much of a chance to respond to his presence. Instead, he stepped out of his suit and ran toward you and hugged you. It surprised you, considering how much he hated to be touched. The hug was short, and before you knew it he had let you go and notified the team of where you were.

“You really need to stop making me think you’re dead, kid. It’s getting to be a little much at this point.” You laughed, appreciating his attempts to keep the conversation light. “Also, you wanna explain this?” He pointed to the flowers in your hair then gestured to the dress you were wearing. “‘Cause you definitely weren’t wearing this an hour ago.”

“Long story.” You heard a few other people approaching you and landing. One of the first people there was Peter in his suit. He grinned and tackled you in a hug, mumbling your name into your shoulder.

You glared at Tony. “You let him fight in this? He could’ve gotten hurt!” You understood that Peter could take care of himself, but he hadn’t even finished high school yet.

“Hey, I didn’t let him do anything. He saw what was going on and joined the fight himself.” Tony said, holding his hands up in surrender.

“I can take care of myself, you know,” Peter grumbled, letting go of you. You sighed, understanding his frustration.

“Peter, believe me, I know you’re more than capable of handling yourself, but you’re a high school student. A brilliant one at that. I don’t want you putting yourself in all this unnecessary danger when we can handle it.”

He nodded, clearly not agreeing but deciding to save the argument for later, which you were okay with. Now, you turned to the rest of the team who had all arrived by now. Thankfully, it seemed like they were able to keep the battle fairly contained.

Loki came up to you immediately, not bothering to wait for anyone to say anything. He didn’t rush to hug you, like Peter and Tony. Instead, he slowly took a few steps forward before stopping about a foot away from you.

“Never do that again. I don’t care what the circumstances are. Never do anything like that again.” He said, calmly but sternly. He didn’t look mad and his words weren’t angry. He was just scared. Scared you had almost died twice in the past few weeks. You nodded quickly.

You took the final step between you, crashing his lips into yours. His hands gripped the side of your face and yours wound their way around your neck, pulling him closer to you. Whatever the group was thinking, they didn’t say anything. Even Tony, which was probably the smartest decision he’d made all week. There was no doubt in your mind that Loki would stab him if he decided to be a smart ass.

Unfortunately, you both had to breathe at some point, so you separated. His hands slowly fell to your waist, still holding you close against him. You didn’t mind at all. He pressed his forehead against yours.

“I love you, I love you so much.” He said, eyes closed. He sounded desperate like he had no plans to let you go in the near future. You smiled at him.

“I love you too.” The words made him laugh. When he opened his eyes you swore they were tearing up the tiniest bit.

“I never thought I’d hear you say that to me again.” He sounded more emotional than you had heard him in a long time.

“I love you.” You whispered again, making him smile wider.

“I do love the dress.” He said, changing the subject slightly.

You laughed. In all fairness though, it was a nice dress. “Yeah, not bad right?” He shook his head, smiling like an idiot.

“Y/n, this is sweet, and I want to give you more time, I really do, but we have to deal with all of this,” Steve said, coming up behind Loki. You nodded, finally dropping your hands from his neck, already missing the cool feeling of his skin. “You said you killed Moros, correct?” Steve asked.

“Yes, he’s long dead. What happened after I disappeared?” Loki stood at your side, one hand still wrapped around your waist. You smiled a bit at the contact.

“SHIELD rounded up most of the soldiers. I’m sure we’ll have to make sure they’re all gone, they’re a big group.” You thought for a minute before your eyes widened.

“Hey, I know someone who might help.” You turned to Loki beside you. “Where’s Mios, the man who helped us fight Moros.” You clarified, unsure if they ever had proper introductions.

“I’m sure he’s with the rest of the high-ranking soldiers. I vouched for him though, so he’s not locked up with them.”

“Fury let you vouch for him?!” You said, surprised Fury would ever trust Loki’s word.

Loki shrugged a bit, “Well, I convinced the others to vouch for him, but still.” He said, smiling when you shook your head at him.

“Moros is really dead?” Steve said, doing his best to get the group back on track.

You nodded. “Most definitely.” Steve nodded before turning to the rest of the group, instructing them to return to the makeshift containment area SHIELD had made in the city. Everyone who could fly took off immediately. You would’ve joined them, but you appreciated the short time alone with Loki. You knew it would be a bit before you got to return to the comfort of your rooms. The two of you walked in comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other’s presence. Your head was resting on his shoulder and his hand was clamped around your waist. He was holding on tight, like with one wrong move you’d be carried away from him.

“I’m not going anywhere, Lo. I promise.” You said softly. You knew you’d get away with the nickname. It might even make him smile.

He squeezed your hip, “I know.” He seemed pleased, so you let it go, letting him keep you close.

Soon, you ended up at SHIELD’s containment for the higher-level officers. It was a small area SHIELD had set up. For the most part, it was agents surrounding small groups of soldiers, but there were too small tents sent up in the middle. Fury walked into one of them, beckoning the team to follow. There were a chair and a table there, a few papers on pictures on the table.

“We’ve contained most of the foot soldiers in a different area, there’s a hell of a lot more of them. We’ve had a few civilian casualties and a few injuries, but the evacuation helped, it could’ve been worse. Point is, the fight is over but we’ve got a bit to work on before we can put this in the record books. First, who’s the soldier who was fighting on our side?” The last part was directed toward you.

“Mios. He helped me get off Kalan, the planet I got trapped on, then gave us a warning about Moros. There wouldn’t have been an evacuation without him.” You said, trying to give Fury a reason to go easy on him. Fury nodded.

“He’s being kept on my watch. Not yours, you’ve already got him,” He said, gesturing to Loki, “You sure as hell don’t need another one. But, I won’t lock him up. He might be useful.” That wasn’t really what you wanted Fury to take away from what you said, but if it kept Mios out of a cell, it was fine.

“Can I talk to him?” You asked. Fury didn’t seem surprised at the request.

“With you heroes, you don’t give a shit if I say no. Go ahead, he’s in the other tent.” You smiled. He was right of course, you would’ve done it no matter what Fury said. You walked out, Loki now holding your hand to come with you.

The agents guarding the other tent moved aside for the two of you and you could see Mios sitting at a table in the middle of the tent. It reminded you of an interrogation room, which was probably what it was.

“Mios.”

“Salem.”

The greetings were accompanied with small smiles and a head nod. He was a kind man, even if he started on the wrong side of a war. But, most of the avengers were criminals at one point or another. All of them, actually.

“You came to help.” It was a statement, but you meant it as a question.

“Well, once I figured you were a god who was attempting to do the right thing, I had to do a little research into both sides. I found our boss, Moros, wasn’t exactly known for his kindness, but you’re known for being a little nicer. It’s a rock and a hard place, you know?” He asked, a lopsided smirk on his face. There was another chair across from his and you took a seat, Loki standing behind you.

“And you sided with me? A woman you’d known for a few days against your own men?” You said.

He shrugged. “I went against a lot of my friends when I joined Moros’ army. It wasn’t that hard to go against people I don’t even like.” He said sarcastically. You could tell his responses were more coping mechanisms than anything else, but you could respect that.

“Thank you.” Was all you offered, not questioning his decision anymore. “Your warning saved a lot of lives.” You smiled at him, “I’m doing my best to make sure you can go and actually help people after this, not stay under SHIELD’s supervision forever.”

He shook his head. “SHIELD isn’t half bad. They help people out, even if their ways aren’t the cleanest. I don’t mind sticking with them.”

You nodded, happy he was at least okay with his situation. “I’ll see you soon, Mios.” You said, squeezing his hand quickly before getting up and beginning to walk away.

“Hey, Salem.” You turned, looking at him expectantly. “Thanks.” He said, offering you a nod that you returned, walking out to the rest of the group.

***

#loki x reader #loki #salem #saved work #fanfic

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