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Do you know this (noncanon) ADHD character?
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Evidence below the cut!
He regularly forgets things and is late. Comes across as extremely scattered, stereotypically childish and hyperactive to begin with, like all speedsters is extremely intelligent and lives on a frequency much faster than other people so paying attention or waiting or doing one thing at a time is extremely difficult. His first solo comic opened with the introduction "Bart Allen, poster child for the judgement impaired" and went on to back that up repeatedly. It includes such jems as him not being able to pay attention long enough in class so he tunes out, a teacher asking what she was talking about and him taking it literally and listing the topics she covered. She calls him a smarty-pants (it's very 90's) and when he starts to say he "That wasn't what you wanted? I wasn’t trying to-" she responds that he's very trying. This is his first day in public school. Idk personally that hit hard. Later it talks about how his cousin named his behaviour pattern the "single synapse theory" because Bart goes from one action to the next, no pause between to consider if there will be consequences. And like. DC. That is literally how ADHD works my dudes plz just admit it at this point its been decades. Hes not allowed in Gotham anymore bc he genuinely upsets the rouges there with how much he talks and just manages to annoy them into giving up (not on purpose either, they're just mean to my boy) he's actually done that to the Joker twice.
In his callback intro in the og Young Justice comics he full on forgets he can vibrate through solid material and is stuck in tar for ages till he's talking about it, so we get "ow it hurts" "okay, you're heating the tar. It'll burn. Stop." "ow" "stop" "ow" "stop" "ow" "stop! So who named you impulse?" he's so smart but so dumb and btw his response is that Batman gave him the name and he doesn't know why, then after a second asks if he was being funny. Never stopped to consider if there was a reason behind the name. There are so many more but at that point I might as well hand over the Impulse and Young Justice comic runs and any time a flash writer remembered he exists, his name is literally IMPULSE because the goddamn Batman took one look and could already tell. Plz love my dude he's so worth it I promise
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renranram · 5 months ago
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I just need to say I absolutely love your account 🤭 I am now definitely a regular on here🙈 I was wondering if you could make a one-shot where Jschlatt and reader meet through a friend and they instantly click with some flirting here and there :))
Party Talking
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sfw!
fem!reader ( very awkward n chill )
a typical confession love story wah wah wah
use of y/n!
“ you need to socialize more “ that's the last thing you heard from, ted, your childhood bestfriend stated before dragging you to a party thst you aren't fond of
you sat on the couch, awkward as you drink your fruit punch, hating the taste of beer on your lips
you fumble with your fingers as you sigh out, glancing at the open door but seeing ted playfully glaring at you, not wanting you to leave yet
you groan out in defeat, as you stand up about to refill your fruit punch, before bumping into schlatt, “ hey lil lady, watch where you're going “ he chuckles, “ you alright? “
“ oh uh yeah “ you mumble, slowly nodding as he looks at you before patting your head, “ ive never seen you before, name's schlatt “ schlatt introduces himself
you nod again, stating your name, “ nice to meet you schlatt “ you gave him an awkward smile before chuckling, “ you look tense, did someone drag you here? “ he jokes noticing the empty cup before offering, “ you want fruit punch? i can fill some for you “ he offers as you nod slowly handing him the cup
“ ted dragged me here “ you mutter, “ he said i should socialize “ you added as schlatt scoops some fruit punch, “ oh i get it, you're an introvert? or you just don't like big crowds? “ he asks
“ both “ you reply, muttering a small thank you as you get your cup back, “ … wanna be friends? “ schlatt asks, looking at you as you nod again
“ im sorry if im pretty awkward.. im just not good with talking “ you state as schlatt gave you a small nod, “ i understand, not everyone has good socializing skills “
the two of you sat on the couch again, “ …do you like cats? “ he asks, surprised seeing your eyes sparkle in interest, “ i have a cat actually! “ you smile brightly
and god, the two of you talked and talked for hours until the party was over, “ y/n? y/n? “ ted calls out for you, interrupting yours and schlatt’s conversation as he finally spots you both
“ woah, what do we have here? “ ted raises his eyebrow as you chuckle softly, “ i got my same a new girl friend “ schlatt shrugs, smug, as ted nods, “ im so proud, seeing both of my best friends getting along “ he dramatically faked a sob as schlatt playfully yet gently punches him causing the three of you to laugh
“ but fun’s over now, ill drop you home y/n “ ted hums, showing you that it's 11pm now “ oh… dang “ you slowly stand up watching schlatt as he gave you a reassuring nod, “ well… i guess i gotta go home too “ schlatt states, sighing as he stood up
-
as you got home, you got confused receiving a chat from a random number
*** ***** ****
< hey! this is schlatt from
the party, i forgot to ask
for your number so i
asked ted 😁
oh hiii >
uhhhh >
this is awkward >
< lol it's totally fine can i
ask you something?
< if you don't mind of course
< haha
yeah of course sure >
< you down… to go with
me? there's a new cat
café opening somewhere
it's fine if you don't want
to go but yeah if you're
free at saturday id be
happy to go with u 😁
oh! >
i'm definitely free >
of course ill go with u! >
what you didn't know was schlatt was staring at your message, kicking his foot like an anime girl, a small blush on his cheeks, rolling around his bed
this continued on for weeks, meet ups here and there, small dates, the both of you just clicked and god it was making schlatt crazy how you two are just friends
but he knows one day he needs to man up, grow some balls, and tell you how he felt and that day, was this one
the two of you stroll at a nearby park, taking both of your cats for a walk, he steals glances at you, he tries to act non chalant but he tremendously fails, him stammering his words, almost slipping, it was getting bad for him
“ you alright jay? “ you ask him, a tone of concern in your voice, “ you look red… like really red “
he breathes out, shaking his head, “ no god hahaha… it's nothing.. it's just so hot “ he mumbles, looking away, “ schlatt… it's winter “ you state as the two of you pauses, chuckling in unison
“ okay okay im sorry “ he breathes out, “ ive been thinking about something” he mumbles, looking at you
“ about what? “ you ask, as you two stop, looking at eachother, was this the right time? is she okay with this? does she even like me back? schlatt mentally asks himself
looking at your eyes with adoration and anxiety, his fingers fumbling, jambo’s and soup’s lead, “ holy fucking shit “ he whispers
“ you okay? “ you ask, gently resting your hand on his arm, thinking he was cold, as schlatt reddens more
“ fuck okay, i need to tell you something okay? “ he breathes out, looking at you intently
“ … okay? “ you chuckle softly, rubbing your hand on his arm
“ i like you y/n… i know it's been weeks of us just meeting but god you're the most amazing woman i know, you're kind, sweet, friendly, just… everything about you is just so lovable it's making me insane to think that we're just friends… im so glad you attended that party because if you didn't i would've never met you- “ he rambles, but you gently cut him off with a peck on his cheek
“ i like you too schlatt “ you smile, “ more like jared “ you manage to tease him, getting a loud laugh at him, lifting you up as he spun you, smiling cheek to cheek, “ holy shit i love you so much “ he rains kisses all over your face, fixing your hair as he smiles at you endearingly
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theunconcernedembalmer · 3 years ago
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Toko! I was thinking of creating an ask the character blog for IDV or Genshin Impact and wanted a few tips on how to start off. Anything you can share?
ey yo my dude!! thank you so much for this question, now im lowkey tempted (again) to make a genshin ask blog sjadhlkshgkahshglsaj anyway my 1.5 cents is under the cut, yall know how much i talk here HAHAHAHAH
uhhhhhh so i guess we start with picking a character u really Vibe with tm? I KNOW THIS SOUNDS LIKE COMMON SENSE BUT LIKE ive been considering making a genshin ask blog for a while now but i never really got to it cos i couldnt really decide on a character (plus the fact that their outfits are. so intricate. is also a hmm since i try to follow details to a t) (at first i wanted to do zhongli, but i feel like to be able to muse him well u need to know the lore super super well, which i dont n im too lazy to research on that aha. n u know how much i respect characterizations, especially for such a complex character like him. i also considered xiangling for a period of time mostly for guoba but also like i have 2+1 blogs here n having one more might not be a very good idea aha) (as for aesop he was my Hyperfixation Character tm also cos i looked at his kit n went Yep i could work with this. probably)
so assuming ur not a dumbass like me n u kinda know who u wanna pick, id actually say to snoop around here for other ask blogs n kinda get a feel of the... scene? is that the word? or like u know, other blogs that u can potentially vibe with. ive run a couple of ask blogs before this current one (both that have died for different reasons) n from my experience interacting with other blogs (if theyre okay with it, i think most should be) is pretty fun. it also kinda helps get ur blog around to other ppl on other blogs so they can go Oh whats this cool shit n check u out, n its also a reason why we kinda reblog promo posts for other blogs (also cos we’re always excited when someone new comes on, its really the more the merrier. we see all :eyes:). interacting with other blogs is also an option when ur inbox is looking real roomy too
another reason why i havent exactly done a genshin blog is that idk i cant actually seem to find genshin ask blogs around (i have seen rp blogs, or those that answer asks with mostly text instead of art, but thats. not my thing since i hate my own writing aha) (i did find one aether blog some time ago, but for some reason i hardly see them around anymore??? idk man i might be wrong). its not like im trying super hard to find them ask blogs, so im sure they exist out there (hopefully?? im not sure but im being optimistic). i mean theres nothing wrong with just starting an ask blog without others around, but for me i do find a difference when i interact with other ask blogs n when i dont, n i prefer when theres others to have fun with (unfortunately i couldnt find any ask blogs to interact with in my previous fandom. i tried, but the blogs i approached seemed to go inactive shortly afterwards...) plus u get to meet friends that way too :D (i made a lot of friends via idv askblogs n its really been a joy vibing with others)
as for the idv scene. gestures around me. unfortunately there are a lot of ask blogs that arent that active anymore, but theres still some of us who are alive n kicking empty inboxes, n im sure everyone would love to see a new face around. winks at u. also there seems to be a lot more blogs popping up lately, which is really heartening to see.
then u kinda just. make ur blog? n a starting introduction post so ppl can reblog it n spread the word XD n yay u have a blog i guess??? XD
i gotta say tho. dont expect ur blog to take off immediately (especially for smaller fandoms like idv, tvbh i didnt think my blog would even get half this far when i started cos of how non existent idv tumblr seemed to be) n ur inbox will probably be looking pretty empty a lot of the time (or at least filled with some that u havent quite thought of how to reply to yet aha) (but also like empty inboxes happen pretty often, im sure most of us here have experienced this problem)
in the case of the first ask blog i ever started, it never really took off at all. ngl it was kind of demoralizing n depressing but to be fair i had picked one of the more obscure characters in the series, so obscure that many ppl in the fandom would have never heard of this character before. if u wanted to know, i took a character that only appeared in the 2nd musical of the series, who also made a very brief cameo in the manga to acknowledge his existence within that universe. thats how obscure my character was, but i went with him purely because he was my favourite character. i will say though i did enjoy it while it lasted n i learnt a lot from the experience, n i think thats whats important really.
i guess this kinda leads on (not really but let me digress) to the whole uhhhh thing where if u choose a more popular character, u get more attention. which is fine i guess? if u really vibe with the character, i mean theyre popular for a reason. n choosing a more popular fandom (like genshin) would objectively also get u more viewers n numbers. but like honestly i believe that ask blogs are meant for u to have fun with, n like trying to get popular gets tiring pretty fast (this shouldnt be like a main goal, but u know sometimes u subconsciously also want that gucci follower count n bomb ass notes or something. i used to be guilty of this until i realized it isnt worth it) especially if ur not enjoying yourself in the process. (case in point: my previous fandom was considerably larger n my blog got about 700 followers within a year or so, but it got very tiring n stressful to maintain after my interest in it died, n no one was really interacting with the blog even though i tried which kinda made it even more depressing despite the so called success n popularity of the blog)
anyway on a less serious note, theres a lot of fun stuff u can do with the ask blog, like some ask blogs have really fancy tags that i really like n try to do but also like not really HAHAHAHA. i kinda just channel what i want to see in an ask blog into my own ask blogs (good art is one, i try very hard for it to be good :,DD another is characterization, n others is just extra miscellaneous arts n stuffs like au ideas or memes. these are also somethings u could work on during ask box downtimes perhaps)
uhhh another side thing is like a posting schedule i guess? like ppl would be more likely to interact (i think) if ur blog is relatively active, n this is usually determined by the last post u made (i think XD). but like generally for blog maintenence id say try to kinda find a frequency that ur comfortable with?? cos i know my once a day posting is kinda insane if i wasnt so hyperfixated on all of this n fight the urge to dump all ur replies when u finish them XD (though ive seen some blogs do that n they do it pretty frequently so its pretty nice to know once u see their post u can spend some time going through the latest batch of posts XD) the queue function is pretty useful here even though i truthfully have never really used it, i kinda just post from my drafts really but it also helps to space out ur content to seem somewhat active especially when u dont have the time to be working on replies sometimes. i hope u know what im trying to say here aha
ANYWAY that was like my 1.5 cents cos i dont even think its worth 2 cents HAHAHAHAH these are just my thoughts from running all my blogs up till now, some that are still running n the others that have just died a natural death. i wouldnt actually delete them (theyre still around actually XD) cos theyre kinda like archives n i can look back at what i did last time. cos ngl i made some high quality stuff back then, n i dont even know how i managed to do that aldhflhdsgk. also ppl do look at archive blogs every now n then for the content thats there yknow
BUT YES anyway if u do decide to join the idv ask blogs hmu, ill be sure to give u a lil shoutout here. winks
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redcreekstudios · 3 years ago
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Red Creek: dark realm Chapter 4: i see demons
Warning: this story contains, violance, weapons, death, suicide, gore, horror aspects, and other forms of death and horror, talk of spirits religion and the underworld and things manifested in between. if not prepared do not read i wouldnt want anyone to get triggered the grass stood still but tall enough to where you couldn't see the ground, as the grass led to the cabin, beaten battered as if it stood in a million wars murders before it. Clark would have his eye twitch as he saw a shadow man rise from the ground and look twords Clark and crick its neck as if it where broken by something. more bodies of shadows rose up, some had pieces broken off parts of limbs and parts of their face were missing. Clark shivered a bit and saw his breath in the cold air as he kept his eye on the cabin but was distracted by the whispers of the disembodied people. some of them were kind others tormented by hate and loss "you have nice eyes" whispered one "kill kill kill" said another "you haven't lost your mind?" asked one as the voices got louder and he felt a hand touch his shoulder and he looked back holding his gun to Marcus's chest "GAH!-" his breath had left him and he sighed "damn it im-...im sorry" he continued to apologize and he looked back to the cabin as Marcus was scared but wasn't terrified "Deputy i think it is time to leave" he said as he looked at the sky as the sky burned orange "you know the legend of mountain man deputy im sure Otis told ya mountain mans out here we gotta go" he said sounding more afraid as the sky almost looked empty with a few clouds overhead as well, the whispers had stopped but one sounded like a girl and it caught Clark's attention "hi Clark...i miss you" it said as he looked in the window of the cabin and there was another shadow figure tall slender and its head tilted like all the others "it'll be to late before we get back, the cabin is our only shot. ill take first look" he said slowly making his way and he looked at Marcus "come on" he said as the sun had set on the right of the left of the mountain and the moon slowly had risen from the grave as Marcus followed. the silence was broken by a grunt and a kick and the door swung open and Clark held his gun up and his flashlight "what the hell..." he said taking a step inside and looked at the walls and table with a metal tea set and skeleton hand rested clutching a knife, "this place is pure evil..." Marcus said as he slowly closed the door and he rubbed his hands together "i dont suppose you have a lighter?" he said as Clark was crouched on the floor and ran his fingers against the floor "...dried blood? or...something else" he said as he looked to Marcus "oil lantern is on the table along with this furnace and appears to be a second one in the room down the hall" Clark said and shifted his sleeve on his arms and sighed "ill check it out" he said handing him a metal lighter "hurry up ok?" he said to Marcus nodded and got to it as Clark slowly made his way to the backrooms two doors both of which were bedrooms. in his dream the room was on the left so he opened it slowly with his gun drawn and held his flashlight up and and he looked around the room "this place...its...sad" he said feeling a sadness and force around his chest as he walked in further and saw a music box along with a toy box and cradle "a child? this...this is impossible" he said looking at the bookshelf and narrowing his eyes "this place...inst even on any maps of trails nor towns" he said as he heard shuffling behind him and a dismembered laugh as he held his gun up and looked around "hey Marcus?!" he called out as he heard a reply "yeah?" he called back as Clark looked at the ceiling and there was a hole and what looked like a hand sliding away from it above "is that fire started?!" he asked and Marcus slowly opened the door with his boot and Clark saw the light of the lantern and out of fear jumped and put his gun in its holster "...knock next time but good work" he said walking out of the room and into the
main entrance room and sat at the table "so deputy why is it you dragged me out here?" he said raising a brow and opened his bag pulling out a
bottle of whiskey and two glasses, Clark looked at the bottles and took his hat off and set it to the side "well if i told you id sound like Otis or just crazy" he said laughing at himself a bit
looking to Marcus as he poured their drinks "oh come on deputy ive heard crazier stories by that old hag and more importantly i wont tell anyone even if you were crazy" he said sliding his glass to Clark, he looked at it and took it drinking it and put it back on the table "well...i saw this place in a dream" he leaned back in his seat as Marcus chuckled a bit "well explain this dream to me" he said already finished his shot "well it was like i was here but their was a family and a father mother and their child but it was off their was a presence like...like something bad was going to happen" he said putting his hands together and pumped his foot a bit as he looked out the window "and what happened next its...its a blur" he said looking to Marcus as he finished another shot "sure...hey you said a family right? husband and his wife along with his kid?" he said raising an eyebrow "sounds like the Becker family" Marcus said as he hooked the lantern on a pole sticking out of the wall "legend has it the wife was forced into the marriage but didn't speak much and they had a child...they were only one when they died poor guy..." he said as Clark had a look of confusion "wait like mountain man?" he ask pointing his finger twords him and narrowed his eyes again "no no mountain man was long dead after this it was around say 1818? but it was after the mountain man story thats for sure" he said as he looked to Clark "but as i was saying the wife and the child were in danger they had this house built but the husband didn't know, so the wife takes the child with her" he continued saying and took another drink, the crackling of firewood and flames could be heard in the corner "the husband found them though and luckily enough he came alone, but the man enters and well with a gun and fires a shot hitting the wall to my your left but was killed by a swing of the axe by his wife" he said and looked down "as for the child?" Clark asked as Marcus looked up swirling his glass "the bullet...went through...the wall..." he said as he rose a brow and Clark felt a stir inside his stomach "horrible" he said pushing his glass away" Marcus nodded and looked to the fire "as for the wife? she disappeared into the woods never to be seen again" he said as some sparks flew from the furnace "wandering looking for her lost child...forever" it started to get really dark outside as the moon had peaked in the sky "im going to sleep now alright?" asked Marcus and he set out his sleeping bag and slept on the floor, the fire from the furnace would keep the house warm but the second one was still needed, so he went back into the kids room and looked at the cradle and had tears in his eyes as he filled the furnace and heard a voice "i was watching her" it said as Clark stood up and looked to the window and saw the mountain man standing tall as his coat covered his body with his satchel and wooden mask with antlers his lantern lighting up his side a bit "the woman had no choice" Clark felt his heart race and watched him "y-you can...talk" he asked the man and he chuckled a bit "so it seems but i never thought you'd hear me" he said as he set the lantern on the table "my curse is what you see my soul trapped in the hands of hell" Clark tilted his head "c-curse? hell? soul? what?" the man nodded "yes you'll see soon enough i grant you a night of peace" he said before Clark blinked and he was gone again and Clark finally lit the fire and looked at the bookshelf seeing a brown book and it had gold lining and he took it "property of Rose Becker" he flipped through pages and their were scriptures legends prophecies and other kinds of beast monsters demons angels souls and relics within them "what the hell...was she crazy or was she...doing something" he said before taking it out of the room and into the room Marcus was sleeping in ad sat down watching the fire. the dawn of a new day slowly casted over the cabin and Marcus awoke and sat up "deputy?" he said seeing Clark half asleep leaning on the table "Jesus deputy did you sleep at all?" he said as he got up and packed
his things "yeah im fine just couldn't sleep as hard as you can haha" he laughed a bit and yawned as he got up slowly, they left the cabin and he saw in the window the girl pressed against the window and he heard her whisper again "dont leave me..." it said as Clark looked back from the treeline "ill figure it out..." he said to himself as Marcus looked back "say something?" he said as Clark watched the shadow dissipate into nothing "n-no just lets go" he said as they walked away and made it back into town and he was dropped off in town and Clark would wave him off as he looked at his hand and the book "i need answers" he said to himself before walking in town and made his way to a school and looked at it as the sky flickered red again and he looked forward at himself in the reflection and was scared of himself as he waited for the bell of the church to ring
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myarmsaretoolong · 4 years ago
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In the Hands of the Enemy
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Prompt #2: In the Hands of the Enemy - “Pick Who Dies” | Kidnapping
Word Count: 2601
Warnings: Major Character Death | Blood | Gun Violence
Synopsis: Tony receives the call no surrogate father wants to hear, Peter’s missing. His captor delivers the be-all and end-all of ultimatums. It’s you, or the Spider.
Read Under the Cut |  Read on AO3
Tony looked up from his work when his phone buzzed; he picked it up in his free hand to check the caller ID. ‘Forehead of Security.’ He chuckled and tucked the phone between his shoulder and ear so he could return to tweaking Peter’s new web-shooters. It was the kids sixteenth birthday in a few days, and Tony wanted to surprise him with a little upgrade.
“Hey, Hap. What can I do for you?”
“I don’t suppose Peter’s with you, is he?”
Tony shook his head lightly, “Don’t mess with me, Harold. It’s Friday. You pick him up on Fridays.”
“I’m not messing.”
The screwdriver dropped from Tony’s hand, and it hit the metal workbench with a loud clang. His eyes darted to the clock on the wall. They should’ve been here by now. Tony’s voice was low when he spoke. “What are you saying, exactly?”
“The kid just never turned up. He texts when he’s going to be late, you know he’s always texting. I’ve heard nothing since he left school.”
Tony shot to his feet and started pacing around the lab, working out some of his nervous energy. “That doesn’t necessarily mean… Does it?”
There was a pause; it spoke more than words could. “I’d agree with you if it were anyone other than Peter.”
“Shit.” Tony raked a hand through his hair and bolted from the lab. “Can you search around? Check his usual patrol routes. See if there’s anything to give us a clue where he is.”
“Of course. And Tony, don’t worry, we’ll find him.” With that, Happy hung up.
Don’t worry, Tony thought, racing towards Rhodey’s room - the only other one currently occupied, damn Rogue Avengers - it’s a little late for that. His mind ran through a hundred possibilities, the kid bleeding out down some dark alleyway, tied up and thrown in the Hudson…
“Tony? What is it?” Rhodey rose from his desk, concerned eyes seeking Tony’s face for answers. Tony didn’t even remember opening the door.
“The kid,” he choked out, “Peter, he didn’t show-”
Rhodey crossed the room in three swift strides. One hand clasped on Tony’s shoulder, the other held up Tony’s chin and forced him to look Rhodey in the eye. “Let’s go find him then,” he said calmly. “What’s his last known location?” Carefully, Rhodey steered Tony out of the doorway and towards the armoury where they kept their suits.
“Uh,” Tony dragged his hand over his face and took a moment to think. “He sent me a selfie from the top of the Unisphere in Flushing. Must have been close to an hour ago.”
“We’ll start there.”
“Wait,” Tony stopped, one hand gripping Rhodey’s sleeve and halting him halfway across the lounge. “I can’t ask you to- I mean, you haven’t flown since-” Since I let you fall.
“I know, but the kid needs us.” Rhodey could read Tony like a book; he’d always been able to. It was probably the reason they became friends. He saw through the cocky, playboy exterior to find the guilt and dread inside. “This isn’t like that, okay. Listen to me, Tones, we’re going to save him.”
Tony nodded, steeling his nerve as best he could. “You’re right-”
“Boss, I-I’m afraid my protocols are getting overridden-”
“Friday?” Tony looked to the ceiling as if it made a difference. “Fri, what’s happening? Talk to me.”
Silence.
Rhodey and Tony shared a glance. “This isn’t a coincidence,” Rhodey muttered.
“Correct.”
Tony flinched from the emotionless, almost clinical voice reverberating over Friday’s speakers. Rhodey remained as stoic as ever, Tony, however, knew it was an act. 
“Let me cut to the chase. I have your little Spider, I’d love to say he’s here and unharmed… but he’s a struggler. Choices had to be made. Consequences…” Whoever it was stretched out the final word, the kid would’ve made some sort of reference to Severus Snape. It sent a shiver down Tony’s spine.
Rhodey took charge, lifting his chin and straightening his back. “Where is he.”
“Safe, for now. So long as you all behave. Follow my demands.”
Tony stepped forward, about to speak, but Rhodey silenced him with the wave of an arm. “You can’t go making demands without proof of life. Let us speak to him.”
“Oh, I’m afraid speaking is out of the question.” There was a momentary pause before one of the holo-screens on the wall flickered into life. Tony clutched the back of the sofa so hard his knuckles turned white.
“You let him go,” he snarled. On the screen, Peter grappled against the restraints holding him to a metal chair. Muted sounds came from the brown, cloth bag masking his face, his usually blue Midtown Tech hoodie stain a horrific, dark red colour. Metal chains coiled around his wrists, securing them to the arms of the chair, the same around his ankles.
“I don’t think so, not yet…” A figure strolled into view, wearing a long black jacket with the sleeves folded halfway up their arms. They hadn’t made even the slightest attempt to hide their face. “Maybe we can have a little fun, first.” They ripped the hood from Peter’s head, the kid looked around wildly, still fighting his bonds.
“Peter, kid, it’s okay. I’m here.”
Peter found the camera, eyebrows knitted together. “Mister Stark?” For the first time, Tony got a good view of Peter’s face. His eyes were wide and fearful, a gag stuffed in his mouth. Blood drained from a deep gash above his left eye, a dark, purple bruise on his right cheekbone stuck out against his unusually pale skin.
“Yeah, yeah. It’s me. I’m going to come and find you, just hold on. Hold on for me.”
The figure moved to block Tony’s view of Peter, a twisted half-smile on their face. “As you can see, alive. Now I make my demands.” Tony wanted nothing more than to dive through the screen and hug Peter in his arms. He clenched his jaw, fingers digging into the fabric of the sofa. “It’s simple. You, or the Spider. One will live, the other will die. The decision lies entirely in your hands.”
“What do you mean?” Tony spat, fear gnawing away at him from the inside out. “Me, I pick me. I die, leave the kid alone.” The muffled screams from Peter doubled, as did the sound of metal hitting metal.
The captor continued as if Tony hadn’t spoken. “You have one hour, plenty of time to make it here. I trust you’ve already tracked my location.” It was true, Friday’s protocol was to trace any and every communication made with the facility. “If you’re here, you’ve chosen for the Spider to live. If not, he dies.”
“How can I trust you? How do I know you won’t kill us both regardless?”
“I’ll give you my name. Listen up, now, little Spider. You’ll want to remember this.” Peter stopped struggling. “Avery Remington, do with that what you will. One hour, alone, no suit. Else it’s goodbye Spider.”
Tony swallowed. “You’re on.”
The feed turned to static, Friday turned it off and filled the room with a deafening silence.
“Tony?”
“Don’t,” Tony couldn’t face looking at Rhodey, he kept his back turned. “Don’t try and talk me out of this. That’s my kid, and I’d do anything-”
“I know.” Rhodey’s voice cracked. “Let me come with you. I’ll keep my distance. Peter’s going to need someone to bring him home.”
“Look after him for me. He has a habit of patrolling instead of doing his homework, so make sure he doesn’t let it pile up. Don’t let him blame himself. And-” Tony sucked in a sharp breath. “God, Pep… Tell her I never stopped loving her, I’m sorry for everything.” Tony didn’t wait for a reply, he ran to the armoury with Rhodey on his heels and jumped into the first suit he saw. Friday already had the flight plan set.
Tony’s mind wandered as his thrusters burned at full power, bringing back memories of Peter. Watching those YouTube videos, he hadn’t realised Peter was only a kid, that only came when he stepped foot in May’s apartment - Ross’ ultimatum hadn’t left time for a full background check.
When you can do the things I can, but you don’t, and then the bad things happen… They happen because of you.
That hug after they got back from Germany, Tony wished that hadn’t been the only time, that he hadn’t pushed Peter away, hadn’t thrown up boundaries like Oprah handed out cars. He thought he’d have all the time in the world to mentor the kid, help him grow into the hero Tony saw him to be. It turned out he barely had months.
He hoped the kid wouldn’t blame him for that when he was gone.
“Tones, we should land here. No suit, remember?”
Tony said nothing, but followed the instruction, landing heavily at the edge of a forest. Friday’s flight plan led them to a small wooden shack, barely able to hold itself up anymore. They were barely fifteen minutes from the Avengers Facility, fifteen minutes. All of this happening right under Tony’s nose, if only he’d been able to put a stop to it sooner…
“Stop it,” Rhodey stepped out of his suit. “You couldn’t have known. No one could.”
Tony, too, stepped out of his suit, though still kept his back turned to Rhodey. They’d known each other near on thirty years, and they should’ve had another thirty more. How do you say goodbye to that, how do you sum up those thirty years, the ones that will never be, into a single sentence?
Behind him, Rhodey sniffed. “Just come back to me, man. Do whatever you gotta do to come home with the kid.”
Tony broke. He turned and wrapped his arms around Rhodey, he returned the embrace with his strong arms, holding each other close as tears fell freely.
“Promise me.”
“You know I can’t do that,” Tony whispered into Rhodey’s shoulder.
“I love you.”
“You need to let me go.”
“I can’t.”
Tony paused. Swallowed. “I love you, too.” He pulled away and walked towards the shack without looking back, head held high. He’d greet death with grace and dignity.
The door to the shack practically disintegrated in Tony’s hand, coating his palm in dust and rust from the handle. Inside was dark, only a single corner illuminated, both Peter and Avery visible. Peter saw Tony first, his escape attempts doubled in effort, though they were weak. Avery’s beating was clearly weighing on his body.
“I’m here,” Tony forced his voice to remain flat. “Now let him go.”
Slowly, Avery turned to face Tony. “All in good time. Come, join us.”
Tony did as he was told, remembering Avery’s threat about behaving themselves. “Just get it done.”
Avery reached out a hand, pulling a handgun from within the folds of the jacket, turning it over in their hands. “Some interesting information came to light.” Avery’s eyes flicked up to meet Tony’s. “You didn’t come alone.”
A jolt of fear ran down Tony’s spine, there was no point denying it now. “Rhodey’s a mile off, that way.” He pointed the direction he’d walked in from. “To take Peter home, nothing else.”
“That’s against the rule.” Avery levelled the gun at Peter, the kid froze. His Bambi eyes were wider than Tony had ever seen. Tony took half a step towards him, to block the shot with his body, when Avery spoke. Raising their voice for the first time. “Move, and I shoot.” 
Tony held his hands up, returned to his spot. “Rhodey’s a mile off,” he repeated, trying to emphasise how little importance it was. “I came here alone.”
Avery stayed silent, seeming weighing up the options. Eventually, they stepped closer to Peter and pulled the gag from his mouth. “It seems, Little Spider, that we have a problem. Be honest, now, did he break the rules.” Avery stepped back, gun still aimed at Peter’s chest. “Remember, your life hangs in the balance.”
“Pete, look at me.” Peter pried his eyes away from Avery and met Tony’s. “That’s it, you’re doing so good. You know what you have to say, don’t you?” Peter’s eyes flooded with tears, Tony’s too, and he nodded. “You have to say I did everything right. Then you can go free.”
“Mister Stark,” Peter whispered. “I’m sorry I let this happen, I’m sorry I got you caught up in my mess.”
“No, you don’t need to say that. Everything’s okay.”
“Hurry, Little Spider. Yes or no, did he break the rules?”
Peter dropped his chin to his chest.
“Did he break the rules?”
Slowly, Peter lifted his head to Avery; jaw clenched, eyes lit with determination. “Yes.”
“No!” Tony roared, he dived forwards as soon as the word left Peter’s mouth. A single shot rang out, the sound filling every inch of Tony’s body. He’d never be able to forget that feeling. The explosion of pain in his chest, how his knees felt so weak it was a miracle he still stood upright, the knowledge that this was it, that everything was over…
The sight of blood steadily flowing from Peter’s chest and pooling in his lap. His scream of pain, every ragged breath he sucked in through gritted teeth. The colour drained from Peter’s face, Tony knelt beside his chair and cupped a hand to his cheek. 
“Hold on, for me. Please, Peter, hold on.”
Somewhere, Avery shuffled around. There was a loud click, and all Peter’s restrains released simultaneously. He crumpled into Tony’s arms, and Tony cradled him, gently brushing a curl of hair from his bloodied face, one hand clamped down on the seeping wound over his heart. That hand stained red the second he placed it there.
“I’m so-rry,” Peter whispered, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, bright red against his stark white skin.
“Shh,” Tony hummed, not caring as tears slipped down his cheeks. “I’ve got you. I’m going to get you out of here. Stay with me, can you do that?”
Peter’s body gave an involuntary spasm, Tony held him tighter. “My fa-ault, don’t blame y-yourself.”
Despite everything, Tony laughed. A wet chuckle. “You know me too well, kid.”
Peter smiled, his eyes slipping closed. “I’ll be okay.”
“Me too.” It was a lie, but Tony would’ve said anything at that moment if it gave the kid even an ounce of ease. Peter fell limp in his arms. “Pete,” Tony tapped his cheek gently. “Kid, come on. Don’t mess with me.” He shook Peter’s body.
Nothing.
“No,” Tony whispered, a fresh wave of tears tracking down his face as he folded protectively over Peter’s body hand hugging him close. “No, please. No...” 
The ghost of Peter’s grin still rested on his face. Even in death, Peter smiled.
“I thought I’d feel something.” Avery stood over the pair on the floor, looking down with an utterly emotionless face. “I thought I’d feel… completed. The job is done, after all.”
Tony laid Peter down as gently as possible, not wanting to disturb his sleep, and got to his feet. Avery observed each of his movements, head tipped to the side.
“What does it feel like, do you think? Death?” Avery nodded at Tony. “You came close. How could it feel to lose everything? Feel it all just… slipping away.”
“I’ll show you how it feels,” Tony growled, hands balled into fists and eyes burning with hatred, rage, pain. With grief. “You can count on that.” He didn’t need his suit to make Avery suffer.
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shhh-no-ones-home · 4 years ago
Text
for the road (2/2) steve clark x reader
+++++++++
part 1 part 2
sorry this took so long, like i had mentioned in the other post, our internet cable was cut and it took a few days for it to get fixed. on top of that i had a few essay finals to finish and just didnt have time to get back to this. it is here now though and i hope you all like it!
she edited for the most part but if i missed anything, sorry, lol.
again i dont usually add songs from the artists to their own chapters but i think this one works pretty good with the story so youre getting it anyways lol
Song: stagefright by def leppard
tag list: @cynic-spirit @lifeisabitchandsoareyou
+++++++++
as soon as i turned around from locking the shop there was a taxi outside, parked on the curb with a woman leaning against it. she offered me a smile.
"are you y/n?"
she asked and i nodded.
"the band is waiting for you."
she said opening the door for me. i politely thanked her before sliding in and buckling the seat belt. the car smelled like apples, making me feel much less nervous than before. the ride to the venue was pretty silent though and i watched out the window as we passed by the tall city buildings. as the venue came into view my eyes got wide, i had never actually been to this part of town before. I looked at the venue in awe, it was much larger than the places I usually attended concerts at. the metal gates opened in front of us and she drove in, straight to the back doors. a large man in all black was waiting there with his arms held together in front of him. i was definitely back to being nervous again. he opened the door and peered down at me.
"You here for Steve?"
He asked and I nodded, pulling the ticket out of my pocket and showing it to him.
"yeah uh, he gave me this."
he looked over it before helping me out of the cab.
"Right this way."
He said, hand moving to be placed gently at my back as we walked inside the venue. I was a little unnerved at first, being alone with the man and all but marched along anyways. the halls were brightly lit as we walked, the white concrete shining against the floor tiles. i watched as roadies and crew members walked around us, gaining my attention as the man kept pushing me forward. When he reached a door at the end of the hall I smiled, seeing Steve sat against the couch's arm rest with his guitar in his hand.
"Here we are."
The man said, dropping his hand from my back and standing firmly beside the door. He never looked back at me as I stepped into the room shyly. I waved to the guys before Steve noticed me.
"Y/n!"
He said excitedly, standing and offering me a hug. I gladly took it before he escorted me to sit at the couch.
"Was the ride here alright?"
He asked and I nodded.
"Yeah, for the most part. Thanks again for inviting me. I'm excited to see you guys play!"
I said, wide smile on my face.
"I'm happy to hear that, i really hope you like it. we've been working on something new for the set."
i made an impressed face.
"sounds exciting."
then i heard one of them laugh.
"you say that like shes seen our other sets."
he had darker curly hair.
"so?"
steve said sitting a little closer to me, his arm falling behind my back to rest on the couch.
"im sav."
the man offered his hand and i shook it.
"y/n."
steve cleared his throat.
"right, thats rick savage he plays bass, my partner in crime phill collen, plays guitar, rick allen who is our man behind the kit, and of course you already met and talked to joe elliot our lead singer."
they all offered hellos around the room as steve introduced them.
"its nice to officially meet you all, i appreciate you guys coming into the shop earlier. i put the record in the window after you left and six people stopped in to buy a copy."
i joked, making steve laugh lightly.
"happy to help."
sav said. then a man with a clip board and mic around his neck stepped in looking rushed.
"alright guys its time to mic up, its almost show time."
they all nodded before leaving the room one by one to follow the man.
"hey ive gotta go but ill be back right before the show starts so you can come with us to the side of the stage okay?"
i nodded as he stood.
"okay."
he touched my shoulder lightly before walking off. i sighed to myself for a second before getting up and walking around the room. it was super neat. the painted bricks were covered in signatures from all sorts of rock stars. they were littered about in varying colors of permanent marker, some of them with small messages and dates next to them. part of me wondered how long it would take to fill before they had to paint over it or start on a new set of walls. then i heard a knock at the door, it was steve with a guitar now around his neck.
"hey, you ready for the show?"
he asked with a wide smile.
"lead the way."
i said stepping out of the room and following him back down the hallway.
"so i know this isnt exactly date material but how are you so far?"
i let out a short laugh.
"im doing great, this is all fantastic."
he seemed content with that answer as we stepped up to the side of the stage.
"im glad to hear that. if you arent busy afterward would you maybe wanna go get something to eat? before we have to head out?"
i twisted my body a little in excitement, holding my hands in front of me, smiling like an idiot.
"id love that."
he touched my arm gently.
"great!"
i leaned forward and kissed his cheek lightly, making him blush.
"alright guys, showtime."
the man who had called them out earlier was back, ushering them into a line.
"ill be here when youre done."
i said, earning a nod from him. i watched as they all ran out one by one, the crowd screaming as the backtrack blared through the speakers. they all just lit up as they began playing, joe speaking into the microphone and asking how the crowd was feeling. it made be giggle, not being to contain my excitement anymore.
°°°°°°°°°
when the set was done steve was quick to get offstage and into a new set of clothes. he was all sweaty under the stage lights during the show so i could understand why. he had grabbed my hand and practically ran with me down the hall and out the back door, making me laugh. when we were in the cab i had arrived in he calmly told the woman where to take us, his arm making its way behind me to hold me around my waist. the drive to the late-night restaurant was filled with small conversation and light smiles, he really was an interesting person. when we pulled up he helped me out of the cab and walked with me on his arm inside.
"two?"
the waitress asked, him nodding and following her to a booth across the diner.
"so, what can i get you two to drink?"
she said, setting the menus down. i looked at her and smiled.
"coffee please."
she nodded and looked to steve who look at me a little curiously.
"two coffees i suppose."
he let out a short laugh before she walked away.
"its a little late for coffee dont you think?"
he asked, looking over the menu. i sent him a look.
"says the person who ordered one as well."
he laughed and shook his head.
"i guess we all have our vices huh?"
i smiled at him, looking over the menu.
"hey, ive been meaning to ask you-"
"you two ready or do you need some more time?"
i looked from steve to her.
"cheese fries please."
i said, handing her the menu as she wrote it down.
"same."
he said with a smile, handing her his menu too. she nodded before walking away.
"now, what was it that you wanted to ask?"
he folded his hands together and leaned into the table, giving me his full attention.
"well i was wondering what the rest of tonight would look like."
i laughed light heartedly.
"its not exactly like you guys are staying here. i know you said it was a date, and i really like you but i dont necessarily wanna have too much fun, ya know?"
he nodded slowly, the waitress bring us our food and us thanking her.
"ive kinda been thinking about that too. and i really like you too and would love for this to happen."
he motioned between the two of us.
"but i dont want to make you wait for me."
i laughed a little bit as i ate.
"i dont think id mind too much. waiting that is, ive been single this long its not like it would be much different."
i joked, making him smile at me as he took a drink.
"so, what? we do this? for real? keep in contact until tour is over and then what?"
i shrugged.
"we make it work."
i said matter-of-factly. he studied my face for a second.
"okay, so we're really doing this."
he said with a wide smile. i nodded.
"i guess we are."
then it hit me.
"oh, here!"
i grabbed one of the survey cards out of the napkin holder and began writing.
"heres the numbers you can reach me at. the top is my house and the bottom is the shop. if you need me ill be at either of those places."
he looked over it before folding it and stuffing it into his pocket.
"hopefully you dont get too tired of me before tour is over."
we both laughed.
"i dont think i will, if you wanna call everyday be my guest. id love to hear about the places you visit. makes my small corner of the world a little bit bigger."
he sent me a genuine, heart melting smile.
"then i will absolutely do that for you y/n."
we both finished our drinks and got up, taking the ticket to the register and him paying the waitress. we said our thanks before climbing back into the cab out front. the drive back to the venue was full of cuddles and soft touches, talking back and forth about what he would be doing and where he would be going in the next couple weeks. it all sounded so interesting and i wished i could go with him. when the cab came to a stop at the back door we both got out, his hands making their way to my waist as i leaned into the car.
"ill be looking forward to seeing you next month."
he said softly, pushing my hair out of my face.
"likewise."
i said back, looking over his face. he seemed so soft. his thumb grazed my cheek before he leaned down and kissed me gently. the moment our lips met i knew that was it. the wait would be worth it for sure. when he pulled away we both sighed as he rested his forehead against mine.
"ill for sure be looking forward to another one of those."
he joked, both of us smiling at each other like a couple of teenagers.
"well then, before we both have to go, heres one for the road."
i said before pushing forward quickly, kissing him again. it was deeper than before as he pulled me into him. i wanted to feel that forever. when the back door creaked open we both pulled away, it drawing his attention as the body guard stood there sternly.
"i guess thats my queue."
he grabbed my hands as he backed up, dropping them as he got further away. i watched him walk to the door, waving back to me before he was ushered inside. i covered my mouth for a second before bouncing up and down with excitement. i could wait a month, if that was the hardest part of this then surely i could handle it. and now i had tour adventure stories to look forward to. i smiled like an idiot as i slid back into the cab, telling her where to take me. i couldnt stop smiling the entire car ride. i couldnt wait for the month to be up.
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motorcitizens · 4 years ago
Text
ive never seen anywhere to watch motorcity with subs? so i went looking and found transcripts of most of the early mc episodes (available in a reply so tumblr doesnt kill the post) but theyre missing a few towards the end. i decided on my fourth rewatch that id transcribe episode 9! whether youre a hard of hearing fan or just want the reference, here you go! let me know if the initials are annoying, ill edit them out.
-I got you with the slash!
-Nuh-uh!
-You first.
-Why me?
-Cuz you're dead anyway.
-There's nothing down here!
-Philip? S- stop fooling around, man. I- I can hear you down there.
-Aah!
[theme]
-The last time I bought anything from you, it took me a week to fumigate the kitchen!
-Okay, the reshcaps were a mistake, you're right about that. But today, I have something extra special...
D- ...then she says, 'that's why I can't eat the sandwich!'
[all laugh]
C- Wait, wait, I got one. Where does a snowman keep his money? In a snow bank! Eh? Get it? Come on, it's funny!
Th- We're searching for the Vanquisher, king of the realm?
T- Oh. I think they're talking about me.
M- Yeah, I have no idea who you're-
Th- There he is!
Burners- Chuck?!
T- [laughter]
R- Hey! You dare insult Lord Vanquisher? I should take your tongue and feed it to the birds.
T- Uh, you can't do that. I need my tongue.
C- Release him, Darkslayer.
R- ... Fortune smiles upon you today.
M- So, Chuck, you wanna introduce us to your... friends?
C- Guys, allow me to present: Thurman the Magnificent, and Ruby the Darkslayer!
Th: We are knights of the kingdom of Raymanthia.
C- It's called LARPing! [...] Live action role-playing? [...] Okay, I have a life outside of the Burners, you know!
D- Sure doesn't look like it.
T- Oh! I get it! Ahahaha!
Th- My Lord, a situation has arisen. The oracle awaits.
O- As you requested, Sam and Phillip were dispatched on a scouting mission early this morning. But we have not heard from them for many hours.
M- What do you mean you haven't heard from them?
O- I fear, Lord Vanquisher, they have gotten lost on the outskirts of the realm.
T- Texas is confused. Okay, now is this part of your little game or is this real?
D- We're standing behind some dude's van who calls himself the oracle. What do you think?
O- I demand silence!
J- I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm with Texas on this one.
O- Chuck! Make em stop.
C- Wait. Is this part of the game?
Th- No. Sam and Philip are really missing.
M- So, this is for real?
O- We need your help.
C- I vow to find our wayward kinsmen.
C- Guys, this is LARPing!
T- Woah. That's it?
C- Each weekend, teams battle for control of the realm. The rules are simple: First, once you step onto the field of battle, you must remain in character. Second, if you must be vanquished: do so with honor. It's neat, ain't it?!
J- The game's already started?
R- If by 'game' you mean a ferocious battle to the death for the crown of Raymanthia, then yes.
O- But we can't win unless we find our friends.
[at the same time]
C- I say we split up.
M- Let's split up.
M- No disrespect! Chuck- uh, I mean, Lord Chuck. What do you think we should do?
C- Ahem! If we split up, we'll cover more ground!
O/Th/R- As you say, Lord Vanquisher.
C- Okay guys. We'll check the warehouse near the old Renaissance center, you guys check the battlefield.
Th- I dunno where that is. Can somebody else drive?
M- So, King Chuck. How'd you win your crown?
O- It happened many weekends ago... Chuck stood as freedom's last hope against Mad Dog the Conqueror. If he were to fall, darkness would reign for yet another long weekend. Mad Dog summoned his dragon to finish off the Vanquisher once and for all, but fate had different plans. It was totally awesome!
C- Naw, it wasn't... that awesome.
D- Little dudes!
J- Sam! Phillip?
D- Where are you?
Guy- Huzzah!
R- Leave this to me!
Guy- The bards shall sing of this day... the day the Darkslayer fell!
R- Someone shall fall on this day... but it shall not be me.
[fighting noises]
Guy- Aha! Tsk, tsk. You've lost your sword!
T- hyah!
R- What are you doing! I had him right where I wanted him!
Guy- You're not playing by the rules.
T- These are Texas rules! [karate noises] Now. We need you to answer some questions.
D- We're looking for two missing kids, Sam and Phillip. Have you seen them?
Guy- I'd rather die a thousand deaths than help the likes of you.
J- Ahem! Forgive us, my liege, but we are but humble squires in search of our kinsmen. Can you help us?
Guy- I've never been one to refuse a lady, certainly not one as ravishing as you. Saw your kinsmen five hours ago, approaching the Dungeon of Anguish.
D- Neat trick.
Th- We're never gonna find them in time. Then the stupid Bardonians are gonna win, think they're all cool with their fancy mustaches.
C- Hey. Buck up there, camper! People said we'd never win the Battle Royale last Fall, but we did. Our friends are out there, and we'll find em! We just gotta keep-
M- Uh, sorry. Dutch just called. Your friends were seen someplace called the Dungeon Anguish?
Th- It's actually the Dungeon of Anguish.
C- It's, uh. Well, it's actually just in the basement right here.
C- Wah, ah! Get it off me, get it off me!
Th- This isn't part of the game!
M- Yeah, well, neither is this!
R- That was. Incredible!
D- What were those things?
M- Don't know. But I'm betting they have something to do with our missing friends. We have to move. [LARPers kneel] Uh, come on. Get up, guys, we don't have time for this.
O- From this day forth, you shall be known as "Mike, the Smiling Dragon."
Th- You just got a great name. Jealous!
C- For saving my life on the field of battle, I owe you a debt of life.
M- That's... really not necessary.
O- Actually, it's totally necessary. The king of the realm cannot rule while carrying a debt of life.
C- As such, I give the crown to the Smiling Dragon!
M- No. No, Please, look, I can't, I just- I was-
C- Mikey, you gotta!
J- Hey guys, check this out! I've never seen that symbol before.
D- That's really old.
M- Way before my time. Maybe Jacob can help.
Th- What if those... things have Sam and Phillip?
R- Never fear. We have the Smiling Dragon. As long as he's our king, we can't lose. Did you see his moves? They were just so- so-!
M- You okay, buddy? Look, if it's about what happened back there, I'm sorry man. I was just trying to help.
C- It's not that. It's just-
M- Just what?
C- Look, I tripped, okay?
M- Um... If that's some kind of LARPer slang, I have no idea what it means.
C- The story you heard. About how I earned my crown? That's not how it really... went down. It was my first real battle. I'd never held a real lance before. I was still getting my balance when Lord Mad Dog summoned his dragon... I ran forward but... I tripped. The lance fell and hit him by accident! I won my crown with a lie. Hey... it's better that you're king now. I was never fit for the post. I've been king for 48 consecutive weekends, and-
M- 48? Woah, you do play this game a lot.
C- Yeah, but... it took less than an hour of LARPing with you for the others to see me for what I truly am... a follower.
M- Hey, a follower couldn't have led his team to 48 consecutive victories. You can't fake that!
C- Mikey... Look, I appreciate your support but we both know I'm no leader. Not when I'm a Burner and not even when I'm here, playing make believe.
M- Here. Take the pin back.
C- You can't just give it to me! The only way I can get it back is to earn it by saving your life. And let's be honest. That ain't gonna happen.
Th- Never seen that tunnel before. You aren't planning on taking us down there, are you?
R- Well I'm going in!
Th- Do you know how much trouble I'll get in if my mom finds out I went down some crazy dark tunnel looking for killer robots?!
O- He's not joking. His mom is terrifying.
M- They're right. This isn't a game anymore. Texas will stay up here and keep you safe while we go get your friends.
T- What! Wait, why me?
M- Because you're the bravest warrior we've got.
T- Yeah, that's true, but come on! Don't leave me with the nerds!
D- What is this place?
O- Booyah! Mutant wolverine. I win!
Th- I could show you how to use that.
T- Save it. Not interested.
O- Why not? You're really good.
T- You really think so?
Th- Here, watch.
T- Hyah! Huh?
T- Mike, Julie! Incoming! We got trouble!
Th- Come on, I just got this!
O- Your mom is gonna be so mad.
J- This isn't working!
M- I'm open to suggestions!
R- A wizard!
Ja- Applesauce!
J- Jacob?
R- Aww!
Bot- The creator has returned!
M- Uh, Jacob? Care to fill us in?
Ja- It started back when Kane and I were partners- before there even was a Deluxe! I was designing our first ever Utility Bot. Its purpose was to make life in Detroit easier and safer. I equipped it with a new AI that would allow the bot to anticipate human commands, but I was the only one the bot seemed to listen to. But if it were ever to escape the lab, there's no telling the danger it could pose. I begged Kane to shut the program down! I always thought he did.
Bot: It began soon after you left us. Kane retrained us! We were instructed to capture enemies of the public and bring them back to Kane's new creation, an Interrogator. But the humans could not control it. Kane sealed the lab. Our new master told us every human was out to destroy us. As such, every human became our enemy. Disloyalty was severely punished. So we waited, until this door finally opened.
M- Our friends went missing this morning. Have you seen them?
Bot- Of course. We took them per our master's instructions.
J- We need to get them back!
[roar]
Bot- Our master has awoken. If he discovers you here with us, he will destroy us.
M- Get the LARPers out of here!
C- I'm not leaving you guys!
R- Our place is here, with our King!
M- This isn't a game! Get your friends to safety.
C- Let's move!
D- Come on!
J- Look out!
[rubble collapses the door]
T- Mike!
D- Julie!
Both- Jacob!
D- We'll never move this stuff by ourselves!
T- Says who?
Th- What do we do?
C- I know a way to get through there! But I will require your van.
Ja- There used to be another exit!
J- Hey, look at this!
M- The kids have to be in one of those rooms. If we can find a way past that thing we can rescue them and get the heck out of here! Think you can buy us some time?
J- Do you even have to ask? Hey, ugly! Over here!
M- Sam! Phillip! Climb up here!
S- You're the new king of the realm?
M- You bet your butt I am. Lord Smiling Dragon, at your service. Now get up that rope, squire!
T- Okay, I admit. It's pretty cool.
C- But is it possible?
D- Sure. But there's no way the three of us can build it fast enough.
C- What if they helped?
D- I know you don't mean the little lunatics that just tried to kill us!
Bot- We cannot get involved. If our master were to find out-
C- He's not your master! You are in Raymanthia. And in Raymanthia, every man- or... freaky little Utiliton- is free! Free to stand up for yourselves. Free to fight back! And free to live! Our friends are down there, and I swear to you on the steel of my blade that even if I have to slay the beast itself, we! will! bring them back!
[utilitons cheering]
T- hwah! Nah, see, this ain't nerdy. This is a level 25 battle ax, okay? Twenty five. Think about it.
Ja- Maybe there wasn't another exit?
M- Stay here!
M- Way to go, Chuck!
S&P- The Vanquisher!
T- Make way for Texas!
C- The beast is absorbing the blasts!
[mike gets got]
C- Mike!
C- Drive! and when I say stop, stop fast! ...STOP!
M- Ha, oh yeah!
M- For saving my life on the field of battle, I owe you my life. My steel is yours to command, since a king cannot carry... I forget how the rest of it goes, here! All hail King Chuck, the Vanquisher!
R- This was the coolest game ever!
M- ... the game. Your win streak. You guys have to go defend your crown!
Th- We'll never be able to muster an attack in time.
T- What if we help.
M- We're yours to command, Lord Vanquisher.
C- For the glory of the realm!
[all yell]
10 notes · View notes
theravencawsatmidnight · 5 years ago
Text
Bittersweet Events Pt 8 🗡
Summary: Hero Killer Stain is adjusting to single parent life after losing his girlfriend Suki when their daughter Shifuku was born. He is a now retired villain doing his best to raise is daughter.
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Shifuku Bio
Age. 5
Hair. Blond
Eyes.black
Likes. Dragging her father to the park and watching Hero shows and teasing Spinner.
Quirk. Petrify.
She can make someone pass out for a few minutes depending in their bloodtype if she tastes their blood. Her gaze can make youre eyes bleed and youre body shut down.
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After encountering Deku and his daughter Ura at the park Stain had asked Shifuku if she wanted to go to real school and not be home schooled anymore. Of course she wanted to go to real school and be around kids her age. She was usually always around her dad and whenever Spinner came by to help out with babysitting.
Stain was worried about her quirk though, he knew Shifuku did not like it and was trying to over come that. But he watched her make sure her mask was on when Ura came over to her. She was scared of it falling off. It was his original mask after all. It was too big and ontop of that it was dirty with blood and what not. But she refused to give it up for a pretty one. He should probably practice what to do if the mask ever did come off.
Stain was so lost in his thoughts he didint notice Shifuku wandered to the play area to sit and look at the night sky that was taking over the sunset. The breeze brought Stain back to reality and he looked all around really fast before seeing her sitting on the playscape. He put his hand over his rapid heartbeat going over to her. The Pros never scared him, not once. But not knowing where is daughter is? A nightmare.
“Ready to go home?” He asked her rubbing his tired face. Between trying to help Shifuku and shopping and dealing with Deku , he was exhausted.
“Papa?”
“Yes my little gaze killer.”
“Is it.. really okay if .. i wanna be a Hero..”
Stain was pretty sure his heart stopped for a second. A Hero. Of course his daughter did not want to be a villain. She had no reason to want to be one and she loved all the Hero shows on tv.
“Tell me why you want to be a Hero Shifuku.” He climbed up onto the play scape sitting next to her hunched over with his legs hanging off in front of him.
“Well.. they help people and.. “
“Do you want to help people?”
Shifuku felt around for her mask and fiddled her hands around nervously. “I wanna.. help kids with quirks like mine. Show them its not scary”
Stain wrapped a arm around her pulling her close smiling up at the sky. Oh Suki, shes just like you .
“Just like youre mother. She wanted to know everything about my quirk. Not once was she scared of it.”
Shifuku held onto her fathers side tightly. “She would have liked mine?”
“Shifuku she would be over the moon about it, she was more worried about you being quirkless anyway”
“So its really okay Papa?”
Stain took in a deep breath exhailing slowly. “Yes Shifuku. Tomorrow ill see about school.. and what you gotta do to get into... UA... now”
Shifuku jumped up tackling her father to the ground hugging him tight. “Thank you papa!!!”
“Oof ! Jesus!!” He fell back hard holding Shifuku close squeezing her. “Youre welcome.. Shifuku, now can we please go home..”
Shifuku agreed but did not get up, Stain heard her giggling and rolled his eyes smiling. He got up holding her close to his chest and jumped off the playscape finally going home.
Shifuku had her own room now, it was a little storage room Suki used for her journalism but she loved it. She would not let Stain take the newspapers out though. They had Suki’s articles in them and Shifuku liked having them close. She had a pink blanket on her bed with blue flowers on it. When she asked for a plush of her father he had to explain to her that he did not exactly have merch. She was upset and Spinner ended up making a poorly knit plush for her. It only had one black button eye and it looked like a rag doll with a mask on . Her walls had Hero posters Stain had to steal for her . He did not mind the posters so much though. Shifuku had a pile of articles that were about her father that she kept next to her bed. They were Suki’s obviously . Shifuku refused to give them up and Stain just gave in letting her have them. She had some books and a tiny dresser as well.
When Stain got home Shifuku was already asleep. He laid her down in her bed and slowly turned going to his room . He fell ok the bed with a heavy groan. “What am i gonna do Suki...?” He asked himself this over and over untill he fell asleep.
In tne morning Stain got up early to get ready .. for his day. He was greeted by Spinner who was in his living room watching tv. He blinked waving and Stain explained the situation to him.
“So i need to .. talk to Deku about Hero stuff, after that ill be back i think.”
Spinner looked around then at Stain. “Never thought id hear you say that”
Stain rolled his eyes going to the door. “Dont remind me”
“Do you really think she can be a Hero?”
He looked back at Spinner making him shudder. “Yes. I do. Shifuku can be whatever she wants”
He left soon after and made his way down to the main entrance . “She can be whatever she wants. Ill kill anyone who tells her she cant br a Hero..” Stain nudged the doors open and made his way down the sidewalk. He shoved his hands in his pockets fiddling with the knives as he walked down the street.
Most people who saw him would avoid walking near him, some even crossed the street. He just rolled his eyes paying no mind. Every single Pro he passed stopped him though.
“Im just looking for Deku, i need information about quirk schools.”
“Why?
“Why would i tell you where he is?”
“Deku is a father now he does not need to be mixed up with you”
“Retired huh? I dont believe it”
“Why do you need info on quirk schools? Who would want to have a child with you?”
Was what they told him or said to him. It irritated him to no end. Made him angry. He gripped the knives in his pockets walking past these ‘Heroes’ not saying anything. Not only was he worried about Shifuku, he was worried about how his life could mess up her future..
Finally, after walking around for what seemed like forever. He found Deku patrolling in the park. Stain crossed the street walking up to him , the Hero jumped and slowly raised his hand to wave.
“H-hey Stain..”
“Chizome.”
“ oh ! Uh.. okay. Chizome”
“This is hard enough for me but its about Shifuku”
“Youre daughter? Whats wrong?”
“She wants to be a Hero like you, and i have no info on quirk schools. I ne-ee-ed youre .. help”
Deku blinked a few times, he looked around the area then back at Stain. Hero Killer Stain.. asking him about quirk schools for his daughter.
“Uh.. sure i-“
“Do you think she can be a Hero , her quirk is just like mine except you could pass out if she taste youre blood. And her gaze can make youre eyes bleed.”
Deku thought on it for awhile. It was an interesting quirk to him..could she?
“Chizome, anyone can be a Hero if they put the work in. Her quirk is interesting but that does not mean its bad. With the right teachers she can get a good grip on it, i can show you where Ura goes if you want to get the paperwork”
“Fine..”
“Okay! So uh just follow me?”
Stain followed Deku to the sidewalk.
“Deku..”
“ uh ! Yes?!?”
“Thank you.. for helping me.”
“Oh! Sure! Uh.. i am curious about how this.. all happened though.”
“Ill tell you if you stop talking..”
Deku and Stain walked side by side and Stain explained everything to him while on their walk.
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mirkwoodshewolf · 5 years ago
Text
True Penguin love; Brian May x reader *bonus chap. for SMTM*
*Author’s note*
Hey guys well you thought I would forget the second bonus chapter that I had on my masterlist for my Soulmates through music series, well you thought wrong. After finally getting the chance to sit down, I finally got an idea of what I wanted to do for the final chapter I had in mind and so this idea was born.
Now be warned it takes place during the “I’m going slightly mad” music video so 1991 is the timeline for this fic. And I hope that I don’t cause any heartbreak with the angst I have for this chap (I think you can take a guess of what I’m referring to). But there is fluff in the fic so at least I hope that fills up your hearts with flutters :)
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Taglist:
@psychosupernatural​
@plethora-of-things​
@ixchel-9275​
@waddles03​
@geek-and-proud​
@queendeakyy​
@mexifangorl​
@precioustyler​
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I don’t know what that guitarist has in mind but he said that it was urgent that I come to Montreux as soon as I could. And since my first three kids were practically grown up, they could watch over my last baby Em while I went to see their father.  So I packed up about a week’s worth of clothes and bought my plane ticket to Montreux, Switzerland.
Within almost 2 hours I landed in the beautiful, tranquil home of Montreux.  God no wonder why Fred chose to record the rest of Innuendo here, it’s so quiet, peaceful and you don’t have the annoyance of the press hounding you through your window, especially in Fred’s case.
Yes, unfortunately I know the terrible disease that Freddie is going through.  Tim and I just recently lost a cousin just last summer to the disease. I had grown up with Caleb and we were practically best friends in diapers even being born 6 weeks apart, so it was hard seeing him go through it.
And at the familiar spots that I could see growing on Fred and the sudden weight lost and fatigue in his face, I knew just what was wrong with him.  But of course even though I’m no longer apart of Queen, I never once spoke of Freddie’s illness to anyone.  Not mum, Tim, the kids, and especially not to the press even when they hound me about any comments regarding to Freddie’s health.
Anyways back to now.  I walked up to the first payphone and I called the studio I knew where the boys would be filming at.  I heard it ring a couple of times before I heard a voice say.
‘Hello?’
“Hey Phoebe.”
‘(Y/n), well it’s good to hear your voice again. Are you in Montreux yet?’
“Yeah I just landed actually. Shall I ring a cab and meet you at the studio?”
‘No need, your husband already paid one. You walk further out of the airport and you should see a driver with your name written on a sign with the Queen logo.’
“Okay well, I guess I’ll see you soon. And Pheebs, can you please tell me just what Brian has in mind?”
‘Ah-ah-ah I’m sworn to secrecy by Brian himself to not reveal to you what he has planned.’
“Wo, after all we’ve been through. I even bought your wife that new tea kettle after your last one broke.”
‘And she appreciates it.’
“At least tell me it’s not something bad or illegal.”
‘No, no. All I can tell you is that you’ll love it. See you when you get here love, cheers.’ And with that the line went dead.  I looked down at the phone and muttered.
“Secretive bastard.” I hung up the phone and picked up my carryon and headed to baggage claim.  Once my suitcase came in, I rolled it behind me and walked towards the exit where I saw a man dressed in a suit with a chauffeur’s hat on.  
And just as Peter said, he held a sign with the famed Queen logo Freddie himself designed and it had my name in beautiful cursive writing (probably Fred’s handwriting). He turned towards me and said.
“Are you (Y/n) May?”
“Yes I am. Pleasure to meet you uhh—”
“Ohh Ralph. My name is Ralph Mrs. May.”
“Pleasure to meet you Ralph. And please call me (y/n). Mrs. May makes me sound ancient.”
“Shall I take your bags for you?”
“Oh you don’t have to I can manage, but thank you for the offer.” He guided me outside where I saw a black limo parked outside.  He opened the trunk and I put my bags inside.  He then opened up the backseat door and I got inside and he closed the door behind me.  He got into the driver seat and he took off out of the airport.
The drive was pretty tranquil but not in the awkward kind of way.  There was some small talk between the two of us on our way to the studio where the guys were filming their next music video “I’m going slightly mad”.  Finally after about a half hour drive, I finally arrived at the studio.
“Here we are Mrs. May, Limehouse studios. Now I have been told in advance to take your things to the villa where your husband and the rest of the band are staying at.”
“Okay, thank you for the lift Ralph.” I thanked him. I grabbed my purse and swung it over my shoulder and exited the limo.  I closed the door and he waved goodbye to me and I waved back before he drove off and left me there before the grand studio.
I walked inside and showed my ID tag and when security began to recognize my face from when I was once a part of Queen, they humbly allowed me in without any ifs, ands or buts about it.  
I thanked them and walked along till I came to a grand stage with a couch on it.  Sitting on the arm rest was none other than grey-haired silver fox Deacy messing with a yoyo.
“And here I thought I’d get a more welcome approach from my boys.” He turned towards me and smiled.
“(Y/n).” I smiled and walked up onto the stage and hugged Deacy as tight as I could before kissing his cheek. “How was your flight?”
“Uneventful. And of course no one made a big deal about who I was, maybe I could convince Bri to move us here should he ever think about retirement.”
“That unfortunately won’t be for a while my darling queen.” We both turned and there all dolled up in a crazy wig and tux with white gloves and madded eyeshadow to give him that crazed look was none other than the legend himself.
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“Freddie.” I praised. We walked up to each other and kissed each other on both cheeks and he said.
“Oh darling you are looking more radiant every time I see you.”
“Even with four kids later?”
“Especially with four kids later. Never doubt yourself my darling. You have an eternal beauty through and through.”
“Okay so I was told of Brian’s big surprise so where the hell is he?”
“He’s just around that way shooting his bit. However darling he’s asked you to wear this.” It was then Freddie held out a black sash to use as a blindfold.
“Goddamn that man with his secretive nature.”
“C’mon darling you know he means well. He doesn’t want you to be spoiled of the surprise.” I looked up at Fred and I said.
“Can’t I just at least be told what I’m about to see?”
“That’s a big no can do love.” The familiar soft voice soon spoke up.  Soon enough I saw Roger coming towards me wearing a full black tux as well as his shades.
“Rog.”
“Mrs. May.” He said coyly back at me before the two of us immediately hugged each other.
“Let me guess, Bri wants you to take me to him.”
“Exactly. Now go on put the blindfold on and let’s get going before they’re done filming.” I took the sash from Freddie and put it over my eyes and someone tied the two ends together.
“I swear to god though Roger, if you make me run into something or have me trip over a chord or something, I’ll kick your arse.”
“I don’t doubt that love. After what you did to Foster’s window all those years ago, I wouldn’t dream of crossing you.” I felt him take my hand and soon I was literally being led blindly across the studio.
With my eyes now blocked, my sense of hearing was heightened.  I could hear someone saying my husband’s name repeatedly, the sound of people talking over one another, and camera clicks.  It was then I felt myself stop and Roger came over behind me and he whispered.
“You ready love?”
“I’ve been dying for three days now. Show me.”
“Okay, but you gotta promise you won’t shriek or squeal.” He said as I felt him loosening the knot.
“I’ll try. But I don’t know if I can keep the promise.” Finally Roger removed the blindfold and I was taken by surprise but awe at what I saw.
Brian was in a full baggy black tuxedo suit with white gloves on, but what caught my attention was that he wore a very large penguin beak mask over his face and surrounding him were three penguins that looked up at Brian like he was actually one of them.  
Two of them were Humboldt penguins while the third and slightly more bigger one was an African penguin.
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I held my hands over my mouth trying not to let out the biggest squeal of just how adorable my husband of 15yrs was right now. The beak actually moved up and down like he was actually ‘talking penguin’ to them.
“Oh my god!” I softly squealed.
“I’ll take my leave now before I end up getting sick from the upcoming lovey-dovey you both are about to do.” I playfully elbowed Roger in the chest to which he groaned and continued, “Bloody hell woman!”
“Just because I’m getting older doesn’t mean my punches are now weaker.” He playfully glared at me before walking away from me. I turned back towards Brian to see him still trying to interact with the penguins at their level.  God I think he’s officially taken our penguin nicknames to a whole other level.  When the director called cut, as he began stroking one of the penguins, that’s when he finally saw me.
He lowered the beak down over his chin so that I could see that dazzling smile of his.  I walked up towards him and I hopped myself to sit on the stage.  He came down and knelt in front of me and I said.
“So this is what you’ve been hiding from me?”
“What do you think?” he asked.
“I’d say you’ve taken your title of emperor penguin to a whole new level.”
“But don’t you think I’m adorable?” he asked immediately going into the puppy dog eyes.  I giggled and said as I placed my hand under the beak.
“Of course you are. The cutest penguin in the room.” He smiled and playfully turned his head so that the beak got right up in my face and he made it open up just a bit.  I squealed and ducked away from the beak before scooting closer to Brian and kissed his temple. “So how is it working with our children?” I gestured towards the penguins who were now being handled by their animal trainer.
“They’re a handful much like our real ones were. But they’re still adorable. Although something was missing from our little nest.”
“And just what pray tell is that?”
“Their mum. So I talked with the director and the lads and we’ve all come to an agreement that there should be a surprise cameo in the film.” Oh Bri you cheeky thing.
“Hold it I know where you’re going with this and the answer is no. As cute as it maybe I don’t feel like I should be a part of this.”
“C’mon love. It’ll be just like the old times.”
“No, no, no I haven’t been in a Queen music video in years. What if the fans don’t like me suddenly popping back up?”
“Then they’d have to be mad to not accept you. Freddie already loved the idea, plus he thinks mated penguins should stay together. Please love, I need my empress penguin with me.” He leaned his head sideways against my shoulder trying to be all cute with me.  I couldn’t help myself but lace my head on top of those now long bushy curls that he had been growing out lately and I said to him.
“Why must you be so cute?”
“Because I know you love it.”
“You know one of these days your cuteness isn’t gonna suck me into one of your evil schemes.”
“Fortunately that won’t be today, right?”
“Right.” I groaned out.  He smiled and took off the beak so that he could kiss me properly. He cupped both sides of my face as he deepened the kiss before finally separating from me.
“I’m glad you’re doing this my love.”
“I just hope Rog doesn’t blackmail us for this.”
“Sorry love already got it.” Roger’s voice soon cried out from afar.  I glared towards him and cried back to him.
“You do that and you die Taylor!” Brian chuckled and hugged me close.
“C’mon my love. Let’s get you fitted into your costume.” He then took me over to wardrobe where I was given a similar costume that Brian was wearing but slightly slimmer but still a bit baggy.  I was given the same beak to wear over my face and I said through it.
“I still can’t believe you’re making me do this.”
“Oh come on love you look adorable. If we were real penguins I’d definitely fight for you.”
“Thankfully you already have me.”
“That I do.” He took my left hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb as the two of us stared at each other with warm, loving eyes.
And so it was I did end up having a cameo in the music video.  Brian and I did our little penguin bit together and the three real ones acted as our children.  They were so taken by us that they actually believed us to be one of them.
One of them even came up and actually wrapped itself around my arm in a penguin snuggle.  I couldn’t help myself but stroke it’s feathers which actually felt quite smooth to go through even with the gloves on.  
After filming our bit the crew decided that some photos needed to be taken.
So all four of my boys got on the couch and the photographer got the pictures he needed with one of the penguins down along the stage.
“(Y/n) come up here be with us.” Brian said to me.
“No, no Bri I’m just a cameo I’m not the important people in this video.”
“Oh darling I swear you’re just as modest as that husband of yours. Get your fat bottomed girl ass up here!” Freddie proclaimed.
I playfully gave him my mum face to tell him to never say that again before giving into his demand and Bri immediately had me sit between him and Deacy.
“Can he—can he come up here with us?” Freddie asked gesturing to the penguin down on the stage in front of us.
“Yeah we can put him up on the stage.” Said the director as the trainer came up and set the penguin down between him and Roger.
“And just to—just to even it out could we have the other one over there?” Soon the other penguin came up to Brian and he began to stroke her back before placing her between us.  I smiled and stroked her neck and even gave her a little scratch which she seemed to enjoy.
Deacy reached over my lap so that he could stroke the female penguin when I heard something going on the other side of the couch.
“Ohh! What’s he doing?” I heard Freddie exclaim. Next thing I know, everyone’s exclaiming as Freddie and Roger quickly stand up.  I look over and saw that the male penguin had taken a shit on the couch. “That’s—that’s quite a shit number right there.” To which we all laughed. “Roger what did you do?”
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I shook my head playfully and said.
“Nice going Rog!” I teased.
“It’s not my fault!” So Rog and Freddie ended up standing behind the couch over Bri and Deacy and we just had the well behaved female penguin between us.  But bless the little thing at one point she thought she could fly, or thought she was heading for water as she now crawled over Brian’s lap and went over to the edge of the couch and jumped right off of it.
Brian quickly brought her back and stroked her back and I reached over and stroked under her neck cooing at her.
“Aww baby girl, there wasn’t any water there. No need to hurt yourself, no, no, no.”
“She’ll be okay. I think she knows now to not jump off this couch again, isn’t that right sweetheart? Yeah?” Brian said as he kept stroking her back soothingly.
As the day went on, I got to watch in awe of Freddie’s strength as they had to do a multiple take shot of him crawling along the floor and interacting with the three other guys who were all on the couch.
Even though he was suffering very hard at this point and would have a lay down when things became too hard for him, he didn’t once complain about ‘god I can’t do this anymore. Let’s call it quits for today. I’m too tired for this shit.’ He was—the most incredibly strong person I’ve ever seen and had the honor of meeting.
“(Y/n) what do you think Brian should do with his fingers?” Freddie soon called out to me.  I walked up onto the stage and stood beside him and the director and asked him.
“Why ask me specifically?”
“Because he’s your husband and I’d hate for you to hound me for not making him look good.” I playfully shoved Fred on the shoulder and said.
“So what are you thinking?”
“Well I really want him to play around with his fingers but I don’t know in which way he should do it.” I hummed and held Brian’s hand in mine which now held the long extended golden claw-like fingers. “Bri, do you think you could do something like this?” I held out my free hand and slowly fanned it up starting from my index finger to my pinkie.  He followed behind me with his free hand and I said to him, “Now close them the opposite way.”
He slowly closed them from his pinkie back to his index finger but I told him.
“But immediately as soon as your left hand closes, do the same thing with your right.” And just as I told him, it looked so elegant, almost seductive like.
“Ohh that’s nice, and yes just look to each hand as you open it up. Oh yes Brian that’s nice. (Y/n) you’re a genius as always.”
“What would you guys do without me?”
“We’d be 4 lost, stubborn-headed testosterone aging queens.” Brian answered.
“Okay guys, let’s run full play back.” The director said as Freddie went back into position on the floor.  Just as I was about to get out of the shot, Brian suddenly jerked me back and trapped me in his arms as I sat on his lap.
“Do you like these?” he wriggled his fingers emphasizing the claws.
“They definitely make your already long fingers longer. Think you can swipe them for the night?” I asked.
“You got something in mind?” he whispered.
“Maybe.” I whispered coyly at him.
“Ugh! I swear you two are as bad as this guy with his wife!” Roger pointed to Deacy.
“Not nearly as bad as you and Dominque.” Deacy sassed back.
“Mrs. May we need you out of the shot please.” I turned to Brian and hissed softly.
“Don’t make me get you into trouble.”
“I’m afraid you already do that love. And you must pay the price before I can let you go.” I quickly pecked his lips and he released me and I quickly got off the stage and stood behind the camera and watched them film the sequence.
It was a long, grueling day but Freddie was happy with the end result and with that the guys and I were allowed to go back to the villa.  As it grew darker, the guys were pretty much asleep except for Brian and I.  We were cuddled up on the king sized bed and he once again had on the golden claws that he managed to swipe from set.
“It seems like we’ve returned back to square one.” He said.
“What do you mean?”
“Working on an album in a tranquil place, no one to harass us while we work, the two of us in a room together again. Just like the summer of 1975.” I smiled and leaned my head against his chest which was exposed from the night shirt he was wearing (thank god he still leaves his shirts unbuttoned).
“Yeah. I—kinda wish we could go back to that time. When life was simple, we were young and Queen was just the five of us.”
“So you do miss performing with us?”
“From time to time yeah. But after this,” I said holding up my arm to show my braces that I wear every night for my CTS.  “But I knew I couldn’t drag you guys down nor let you be worried about me. Besides I’d say you four did great on your own without me at the start of the 80’s. I mean you all were rewarded for best band of the entire 1980’s.”
“Yeah. But we still would’ve gotten the award if you were still in the band.” He said as he stroked my back with those claws of his which sent tingles all over me.  I moaned softly and that’s when Brian hovered over me and he continued, “You like that?”
“God Bri how do you still affect me like a horny teenager?”
“Guess I just have that effect on you my love.” He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine.  I buried my hands into his massive mane of curls while I felt his hand go underneath my shirt and those claws gently grazed across my stomach which made it tickle.
“Bri don’t tease.” He chuckled and said.
“Sorry love I can’t help it. I just love that giggle of yours.” He then began kissing down my neck.
But as much as I wanted to be pleasured, my head just wasn’t in the right mindset, because it finally hit me of just how bad Fred had gotten since I last saw him.  I tried to hold in my tears but I could feel them starting to form.
“(Y/n)? Love what’s wrong?” he hovered back over me and cupped the side of my face.  I sniffled and muttered.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, no, no. It’s alright. What’s wrong my love, what brought this on, hmm?”
“It’s—I….” I sighed heavily and shook my head.
“C’mon love just tell me. I won’t get mad, you know that. We promised no more secrets with each other.”
“I—I know I promised I wouldn’t get all teary eyed or make a fuss about it but—we’re gonna lose him, aren’t we?” at that question he didn’t need a clarification on what I meant. “It’s just—every time I look at him I think back to Caleb. It’s only been four months since he died and it still hurts I—I can’t bear to lose Freddie too.” I wept.
Brian sat down beside me and brought me close to him and allowed me to cry into his shoulder.  His hand rubbed my back while his other one stroked through my hair.
“I—I’m sorry Bri—you don’t de-deserve this r-right now…..”
“Shhh. Shhh. Think nothing of it. I know exactly what you’re going through. I—I don’t even want to think it but…..I feel that he may not have much more time. Plus with my dad feeling sick now I—I can’t bear to lose the two people I love most dearly.” He kissed the side of my head before hugging me tighter and closer to him.
“He helped us become a couple. I—I would never have gotten the courage to tell you how I really felt about you without him making that penguin metaphor.” I choked out.
“He always loved playing matchmaker. But I guess he also knew that we were meant for each other.” He leaned his head against mine as he pulled me even closer to him.  “But he’s still so strong. He won’t stop working until he just can’t do it anymore. And—it would mean a lot if you stayed her a bit longer, I know Fred said that he’s wanted you to be involved with this album.”
“But I only packed clothes for a week.”
“You can share some of mine, you know I have no problem with you wearing my stuff.”
“You just want to see me drown in your things.” He chuckled and admitted.
“That’s one way of looking at it. But—please say you’ll stay and help us finish this last Queen album with Fred. I know it would mean a lot to have the true queen of Queen back.” I sniffled and wiped away my tears and choked out.
“I’ll call Louisa in the morning and see if she can take Emily an extra couple of weeks.” He nodded and kissed the top of my forehead.
“Feeling better?”
“A little. I just—I couldn’t help but think of the promise I made Freddie about not making a big do about all this, but I guess I broke that promise.”
“Well not quite. You’re with me, Fred’s not in front of you. And you’ve been so strong ever since you found out around the same time the rest of the guys and I did. Losing your cousin was traumatic enough for you, and now seeing another close friend, a dear friend going through the same terrible disease he went through, (y/n) my love you are incredibly strong. But even you must take time for yourself, and cry. And I’m always here to cry with you.” He said as he wiped the tears away.
I took notice of his tearstains and wiped them away and I asked him.
“So we’re crying partners now?”
“If that’s what you want to call it, then yes. We’re crying partners.” He brushed my hair out of my face and kissed my nose. “Why don’t we just have a cuddle for the night? I think we both need it.” I nodded. I helped him take off the claw fingers and he set them on the nightstand before wrapping his arms around me.
I pulled the covers up over us and Brian got us snug as two lovebugs in a rug.  He kissed the top of my head and leaned his head against mine while I buried my face into his chest and listened to his strong, comforting heartbeat.
The two of us drawing strength from each other to get through the next few weeks through this terrible event at seeing a dear friend who helped us get together, get married and end up having our four kids together go through such pain, but still having the raw strength to push on and continue to be what he was born to be.
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noeliareads · 5 years ago
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haunted haus.
Haunted House  AU
Pairing: Mark Lee x female reader
Genre: comedy and a bit of angst
Warnings: If you don’t like clowns or scary things, just be careful (I don’t like them either)
It is mid October, your friends drag you to a haunted house, much to your dismay. You don’t mind them, they were a bit overrated this time of year. The problem? They left you alone after the first 5 minutes. Mark and his friends, Johnny and Doyoung went to the Haunted House as well. Mark being dragged along as his punishment for losing a bet. 
»»————-————-««
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“Yo, yo, yo.” Mark stuttered. “Johnny?” He asked, looking to his left. “Doyoung?” Looking to his right. 
Mark walked carefully thought the haunted house. His friends had left him alone, as per usual. He didn’t even want to go to the damn house. He had lost a bet against Johnny. Because of that, they drove an hour to go to the house in order to torture Mark. Now, Mark was alone. Just like the gif
“Fuck Dean!” You mutter angrily. “Fuck JJ!”  
You pulled your trench coat closer to your body as if it was going to protect you from the demons and monsters. “It’s just people w- MASKS!” You shriek as something pulled on your ankle. You speed walk to the next room. Cringing, from a thick, watery substance on the door handle. It was paint, red paint. Ugh.
Mark was about to shit his pants, literally. He was terrified. The hallway was dark, lights flickering slightly. Mist covered the floor and spikes adored the wall, spikes covered in what seemed like blood. Mark suddenly felt claustrophobic, walking sideways and occasionally rotating surveying his surroundings.
You were going around in circles, never finding the exit. The haunted house was an old abandoned mansion on the outskirts of town. Rumors were that the housekeeper murdered the whole family in order to marry the husband, whom she had a secret affair with. The husband managed to get away and crazed with bloodshed, she killed herself with child, damning the whole family line. The other story, the more believable one consisted in that this was the family countryside house and that the family never reclaimed the land, too immersed in their wealth. 
Walking into a hallway with flickering light, you hoped to finally find the exit. You thought you saw a figure coming your way but in here, it could be anything. The lights began to flicker at higher intensity, somehow making it seem darker and spookier than it already was and you could hear faintly, laughter, manic laughter. 
Mark saw Pennywise, Penny-fucking-Wise. As in the clown. Bone white face, dead eyes, a balding large head with puffy red-orange sideburns. Red lines coming from the edges of his mouth, going in a vertical line to his eyebrows. Mark did what anyone would do. Mark screamed, a high pitch scream. Sorta like the one when he and Johnny reacted to their part in Superhuman but frightened
“AH! OH MY GOD!” He screeched. He stumbled backwards and collided into something, someone. Both figures screamed. Pennywise’s face appeared once more causing Mark to jump and cling on to dear life to the person he bumped in to. 
This random person clinged onto you for dear life. His arms were around your neck and one of his legs was hooked up around your waist. I repeat. Hooked. Up. Around. Your. Waist. Well, what a compromising position. When the lights stopped flickering and the laughter faded, the guy lifted his head quickly. He saw you and immediately pulled away. Both of your faces heated up at the sudden realization that you were strangers and you just shared a very intimate but frightened hug?
“Shit.” You breathed out. Still spooked from the scare and the fact that the guy was attractive and a big scaredy cat. 
“Yoo I am soo sorry!” He said. He wiped invisible dust from your coat just a you noticed a big, red handprint on his beige coat. 
“Uh oh.” You whisper, eyes wide. He looks down and grimaces. 
“It’s ok.” Mark says, just as someone scares the shit out of him, again. 
“Sweet baby Jesus.” You wail as Mark clings to you again, breaking your eardrums in the process. 
Laughter echoed throughout the hallway as two other guys appeared in front of you. One of them couldn’t stop laughing. His laugh breathy and contagious. 
“Bro you should’ve seen your face!” The tall one exclaimed. The other guy beside him just smiled, amused. The boy, Mark, quickly let you go. You debated leaving the hallway...
“Yooo!” Mark whined, stomping his right foot on the ground. “What the fuck?!” 
The tall boy grabbed Mark’s shoulders and squeezed them. ‘It was fun.’ he said. Mark didn’t consider this fun. As soon as they arrived to the mansion they ran away leaving him alone!
“No it wasn’t!” You started walking backwards as they continued to argue. Just as you turned your back someone called you. 
“Oi!” You kept walking. “Murder girl!”
“Excuse me?” You said incredulously  as you walked back to where they were, hands on your hips. Not realizing you stained yourself as well. Tall boy just smiled. The one who bulldozed you looked at you with an apologetic look on his face. 
“Yeah, Mark here has a huge blood stain on his coat.” Ah, his name is Mark.   
“It’s not blood.” You roll your eyes. 
“Then what is it?” Tall one countered back. Mark quietly said ‘Johnny stop.’ You heard that. 
“There was red paint on a doorknob.” You simple say, not wanting to dive into more conversation. “Look.” I said'. “I'm sorry. I can pay for dry cleaning if that’s the issue.” Mark quickly intervened.
“Yo, no like it’s my fault anyway. I did touch you without your permission.” Mmm, gentleman.  “Anyways...” He said, staring at Johnny and the other whom you never caught the name of. “We should leave.” Just as he said that,  your phone started vibrating like crazy. 
Caller ID: Dean
“Where the fuck are you, Dean?” Dean laughed and just told you to go outside. “Outside my ass.” You mutter. How do I get out?
“Doyoung and I know how to leave.” Johnny piped in examining your perplexed features. You looked at all three boys and sighed. They were your only option. You waved your hands motioning them to lead the way. As you waved your way through the maze that was the haunted house, you unconsciously moved closer to Mark. He was walking a few steps behind Johnny and Doyoung, occasionally glancing at you. Ears burning red, whenever you caught him. 
Then. It happened. YOU WERE OUT. You ran out, relieved. You pushed the boys aside as you ran past them and flung yourself on the ground. “FRESH AIR!” You breathe out. You could hear the familiar snickering of a particular someone. You look up, eyes narrowing. 
“Dean.” You say, softly, deadly. Dean’s eyes widened as he stumbled back. He slowly took 2 steps back and started running. You were right on his tail. He couldn’t outrun you. Dean never exercised and you were on the track team in college. 
You didn’t notice how Mark and his friends followed you two with their gazes. 
“Mark.” Johnny said, nudging him. “You gotta get her number.”
“If you want it why don’t you ask for it.” He retorted. Johnny snickered. 
“It’s for you stupid.” Mark looked at the ground, his ears…. You know the drill, were red. 
You came back, barely panting with an annoyed Dean by your side. 
“Sorry, my best friend is dumb.” You say smiling. Johnny nudged Mark and Mark stepped on his large foot, discreetly. 
“We should get going.” Mark blurted out. Doyoung looked at him, confused. You just smile and nod. 
“We should too. But, before you go...” You grabbed your phone from your coat pocket and held it in front of Mark. “Can I have your number?”
*
*
*
Yes my dudes. I will end it here! 
Hope you enjoyed it! 
I am currently VERY ill but I managed to finish it and probably will not go to class because I really don’t think my classmates would like me distracting them with my sneezing and blowing my nose….
@hunscatattoo (found one)
@kaffeinic (i miss u)
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marveling-chrisevans · 4 years ago
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What If - Walk of shame
What If - Walk of Shame 
Chris Evans x OFC
Chapter six - 1932 words
Part One | Part Two | Part three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six 
Warnings: uh swearing maybe? 
Summary: What if. What if you out of the blue and on an impulse applied for a contest, and what if you won that. What if you met someone who didn’t know you existed, and what if you asked them for a drink after.  What if this impulse changed your entire life.  ** note I didn’t win so I don’t know how all this would go down but this would be how I would have loved it to happen.. the first chapter completely happened.. the texts might not be the same. But it happened**  
 Tag List: @smoothdogsgirl​ @torntaltos​ @patzammit​ – If you wanna be tagged just make a comment below and I am happy to do that or just DM me, whichever
This story is fully caught up and posted on AO3 and Wat pad. I am going to be combining chapters to catch Tumblr up. but if you would like to read everything right now then go ahead. Also please 
https://www.wattpad.com/story/184900452-what-if
https://archiveofourown.org/works/18506152/chapters/43856086
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Faith woke up in a daze, she was laying on her side as she slowly opened her eyes to the sun streaming into the room. She saw the view of Hollywood from the hills, She was confused at where she was. The last thing that she remembers was that she was in a car on the way back to the hotel, then everything went kinda blurry. She looked around the room, and smelled food. She was extremely hung over and wanted some food.
She got up and wrapped the sheet around herself cause she didn’t have any clothes, and couldn’t find her dress, that she wore last night. She got up, walked toward the door that was closed and then walked out into the open lay out of the room. You could see the living room to the kitchen, seeing Chris was standing behind the island of the kitchen talking to what looked like his sister and his mother. She quickly backtracked into the room.
She didn’t escape unseen. Dodger jumped up and barked slightly as soon as she disappeared behind the door. She pushed it closed but didn’t get it all the way there as dodger pushed it all the way open. Faith Grabbed her phone and escaped onto the on suite bathroom and found her way into the tub..
Faith looked at her for the first time in most likely 12 hours, and saw that she had like 9 missed calls and texts from rose, and one from her brother. She slide into the tub as dodger jumped up to join her in there and started licking her face which made her laugh “hi puppy, can you stop?” She wondered as she called rose..
Rose answered the phone “Well fuck thank god your not dead, where the hell are you! Ive been worried sick!”
Faith laughed slightly “currently in a bathtub, with a dog, dodger actually in Chris’s Bathroom.. uh naked.. we had sex last night. Apprently, I mean I remember most of the night but then it gets fuzzy..”
Rose gasped on the other end of the phone “how was it, I want to know everything don’t leave out a single thing, oh my god.. I knew it.. MY SHIP IS ALIVE”
Faith pulled the phone from her head “hungover” she angry whispered in the phone “and I don’t remember much of it. Like I said fuzzy, but I can tell you it was the best sex I’ve ever had.. Oh god I hope he used a condom” she said back into the phone
“i did” Chris replied with a smile on his face. Faith looked up to where the voice came from “it was really good for me too”
“i gotta go rose I uh, gotta go uh ill be back in a little bit” Faith said and hung up the phone sliding further into the bathtub to hid which made dodger thing that it was okay to start kiss attacking her again.
“Dodger out” Chris said as dodger then stopped and put his head on the side of the tub looking at the owner “Glad to see you are awake.. I put your clothes on the bed, I washed them this morning. Also there is some coffee in there, I have to go do something with the avengers. I also put my number in your phone. Take as much time as you need, shower do whatever my family just left to go to the beach so you are the only one here” he replied to her
“and where is here so I can uh summon an taxi” She asked looking up at him trying not to make this all awkward more than it already was. Because its be honest it was really awkward for her “also just so you know I didn’t mean for this to happen.. I got way to drunk and I don’t do this, and oh my god did I say, ‘im feeling it now mr. Krabs?” She wondered looking at him
He nodded and laughed slightly “you did and Faith its alright, you are an amazing girl, and like I said last night id love to get to know you more.” He said “i gotta go but can I see you before you leave tomorrow?”
Faith answered her phone as it rang “yes this is Faith Young, Wait what? Are you serious yeah I can be there for an interview tomorrow morning” She smiled “yeah also that would be cool have always wanted to attend one, yeah two tickets. Thanks” she said back to the person and then looked at him and bite her lip as she pulled herself out of the tub making sure the towel was wrapped around herself “uh I guess not, I have an interview tomorrow, for my dream job non the less. So uh maybe? If its later today” you replied “but maybe not? I don’t know” She smiled “maybe we will just have to leave at it as what it is. A winners trip to Meet Chris Evans at the Premier of EndGame” Faith said back to him as he nodded
“I hope that isn’t the case, I have a feeling we will run into each other again” Chris replied as he walked over to her and kissed her one last time before he left the house
Faith closed her eyes when Chris kissed her and wished It would have lasted a little longer. The linger feeling of his pillow soft lips against hers. She stood there a while longer with her eyes closed wishing he never left. She heard the door close and dodger come back in and looked at her.
Faith got up from hiding in the tub, and went out and found her dress. Like he said it was laying on the bed. She wasn’t about wearing that home for the walk of shame. She went and showered in his shower, then raided his dresser and found a basic t shirt and just some smaller looking sized sweatpants.
She then called herself an Lyft. Headed back to the hotel she couldn’t believe that she just slept with her celebrity crush. The one guy who would have been on her exception list when she got married. She took a deep breath as she waited on the street for her ride. She had managed to get out of the house without running into his family. She thanked whoever was listening for that.
On the drive back to the hotel she made basic small talk talk with the driver. Once getting to the hotel she thanked the man and Gave him a cash tip as she had some from the night before, knowing that these drives prefer that over the tip in the app so they can use it right way.
Riding the elevator and going into the room felt so basic compared to her last 12 hours. She came in the room and flopped down on the bed next to Rose.
Rose sat up from where she was on her phone in her bed and looked at Faith “So are you going to spill the tea or are you just going to walk of shame?” She wondered looking at her friend “also are you in Chris’s clothes, because we could get serious money off of those
“Rose I swear if you keep yelling or talking loud or whatever I am going to punch you in the face. Also its not a walk of shame if you're not ashamed it happened?” She questioned back before she kept talking “Also we are not going home tonight, You know that job I told you applied for about a month ago for my jobs tv program, to be a project manager, well apparently I got accepted and They want me to go there for the keynote program tomorrow to show me off or something, give a presentation. I am not sure as I stopped listening when I heard I got the job.” she said back to her with putting her face into the bed sighing heavily ignoring the last comment about eBay comment.
“it can still be a walk of shame..” Rose countered back
Faith got up and walked over to her suitcase shaking her head, “remind me when we finally get home to look at my Lyft pick up history to send these back” She said to rose knowing she wouldn’t remember because she was going go from one project to another and just throw everything in the laundry
Rose smirked “ not gonna do that, but before we hop on another plane I do wanna go to this event at the Chinese theater I heard about, also the walk of fame is over there.” Rose replied knowing what she was asking and what was going on. Faith listened to her talk as she flung on some leggings and a flowing crop top that just showed a little of the top of her midriff. Running a brush through her hair. “okay fine let me take something for this headache and along s we stop at a coffee place I don’t care” Faith replied fixing her make up touching it up and throwing on a pair of sunglasses grabbing her bag “lets go”
The two walked out of the hotel stopping at the first coffee shop for Faith, then finished there walk to the walk of fame. Looking at the stars, stopping for the ones they loved posing and stopping at a few stars as they go. They were across the street from the Chinese theater as faith looked at it confused “what did you say was going on here?” Staring at the arch with the original six in it “Rose if this is an avengers event I don’t wanna be here, I embarrassed myself and then slept with one of the stars.. uh no”
The announcer started to announce the actors as they came out one by one and the producers. Faith of course started to try and hide behind the Camera people and taking a few steps back to be more blended into the crowd
Rose smirked “oh its not like he is going to see you standing in the crowd” she replied back as She went back to cheering as they came out. Faith kinda just tired to blend in and not bring attention to herself. Making sure her sunglasses were firmly in place. Faith hid the best she could till he looked out in the crowd. Even tho the both of them were wearing sunglasses, your eyes connected. You quickly turned your head to look at something else. She could feel his eyes linger at her.
Chris lingered his eye on her, it was the same girl he was with last night. He knew that hair and those lips anywhere. He felt it in his soul. Someone said his name which caught his attempting which made him loose her in the crowd. That could have been because she quickly went and hid behind the building.
Faith took a deep breath as it felt like her heart was in her throat she didn’t know what to do. She went and sat down on the bench that was near by and texted rose her location, and waited for her to come to her. After the ceremony, Rose Found faith and they did the rest of the things tourists do when they are in LA, before going back to the hotel getting their stuff and flying on the plane to the next location in California, this time for Faiths job.
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raywritesthings · 5 years ago
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Mended Hearts 1/2
My Writing Fandom: Arrow Characters: Oliver Queen, Laurel Lance, Thea Queen, John Diggle, Felicity Smoak, Quentin Lance, Carrie Cutter Pairing: Laurel Lance/Oliver Queen Summary: When Felicity refuses to take part in the plan to capture Cupid, Oliver must find something else to lure the love-obsessed archer in... or someone else. The trouble with the best laid plans is that they often have unintended consequences. *Can be read on my AO3 or FFN, links are in my bio*
Felicity laughed. Normally it was a sound Oliver cherished, but in this instance it was sharp and mocking.
“This is the worst idea you've ever had.”
Oliver said nothing. He’d known she wouldn’t be happy with this plan, but he’d hoped she might see the need to stop Cupid from taking more innocent lives. Their own feelings, whatever they were, had to be set aside for now. They could still work together; it was what they’d said they both wanted.
John leaned forward. “Actually, it's not the worst.”
Felicity whirled around to face their friend, shock and indignation clear on her face. “Et tu, John?”
“We lost our lead on Cutter, Felicity, and this might draw her out.” 
“Oh, so she can kill me,” she replied. “Pass. No, thank you.”
Thea tried to reason that she and John would be on hand to intercede before Cupid could launch an attack, but his former fiancé would not hear it. She was even more incensed when he was forced to reveal he’d had yet to cancel their reservation at the wedding venue.
“Felicity, you’d be safe—” As he stepped forward, she stepped back.
“No, Oliver, it’s over. I am done playing bait for you!”
He froze. Felicity looked shocked for a moment, then her features closed up. She nodded, almost to herself, and marched towards the elevator.
“Felicity?”
The elevator doors closed and, apart from the sound of its ascent, the base was left completely silent. He kept his gaze fixed on the elevator doors, not wanting to see either Thea or John’s pitying looks.
He still felt it when his sister touched his arm. “Ollie, I’m sorry.”
“We need to focus on Cupid,” he said gruffly. “She’s out there killing innocent people. We have to stop her.”
“We agree with you, Oliver, but how do we lure her out without the plan?” John asked. And truthfully, he didn’t know. But he had to keep trying.
Trying was all he was good for, apparently. Even if experience seemed to show that would never be enough.
“Okay, what do we have?” He asked aloud of his team. “We have a wedding venue.”
“That’s booked only your name,” Thea pointed out.
He grimaced. “Yes, but it doesn’t have to be my wedding.”
“Can’t be mine,” Digg was quick to point out.
“Yeah, and there’s no way I could get Alex or any guy to propose to me in enough time to turn this around. So there go the obvious candidates you’d book a venue for.”
Oliver had to admit they were right. He tried to think of other couples he knew — even if Captain Lance had the time to give them an answer right now, Felicity would intercede the minute she heard her mother was involved. And Oliver didn’t like the idea of making Quentin lie to his girlfriend anyway.
Thea’s phone buzzed. “Darhk’s being denied bail.”
Oliver looked around sharply. “He is?”
“Yeah. Laurel was able to use her dad’s testimony to prove he’s too dangerous. He’ll be held in Iron Heights until the trial.” 
“Well, that’s some good news,” John remarked. “At least Laurel came through.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Not many people can outmaneuver her in a courtroom.”
He looked back to Thea to give her a message to pass onto their friend, but paused at the contemplative look on her face.
“Speedy?”
“Just thinking.”
He exchanged a nonplussed look with Digg. “About?”
“Cupid. And Laurel. And Alex..,” she added, almost as an afterthought.
“Laurel and Alex?” Oliver echoed with barely concealed distaste. The thought of it alone was making him ill.
“No,” Thea said with a roll of her eyes. “I meant some of the things Alex said. You know, when he was trying to convince you to distance yourself?”
“When was that?” John asked with a frown.
“A while ago. It was — I talked him down. But Thea, what does any of that have to do with stopping Cupid?”
“It has everything to do with it. If Alex thought you and Laurel still being close was something people might talk about.” She seemed to sense his growing frustration with her talking circles around the issue, for she laid her hands flat on the table and leaned forward. “Ollie, we need a couple in a venue that’ll get people talking online where Cupid can see. You booked the venue. And since your ex is refusing to cooperate for a fake private ceremony...you’re gonna have to elope.”
It hit him a moment later just who she meant him to elope with. “No.”
“Look, I’m not exactly crazy about dragging all that up again.”
“Yes, because it’s complicated, Thea. Laurel and I are complicated.” They’d finally committed to a stronger friendship before everything with William had been blown out into the open. He should have spoken to her privately first. The guilt he felt when thinking back on her kindness with Samantha still ate at him a month later.
John was shaking his head. “We gotta have some other way.”
Thea shrugged. “Well, who else do we know that we could get in on the plan? You want me to call up the Flash and get hitched?”
“No,” Oliver said just as firmly, though for different reasons this time. He had nothing against Barry, but potential husbands for Thea were supposed to be vetted. His mother would rise from her grave with no supernatural aid to haunt him if he let her baby girl elope. “I’ll do it. It’s just — anyone but Laurel.”
The faces his sister and brother-in-arms made indicated they thought that was harsh. Oliver presses his lips together for a moment, frustrated.
“I didn’t mean it like that. This would ruin her reputation. Her career, her- her social life.” He’d meant to say dating life but hadn’t quite been able to force the words out. Oliver knew, of course, that someday Laurel might start dating again. She deserved to try dating again, if it was something that would make her happy.
He even tried to picture it for a moment. But try as he did, it just didn’t seem right. He shook his head. Now wasn’t the time.
Thea has begun speaking regardless. “We can tell the press after that you were helping law enforcement capture Cutter and that the whole thing was fake. It’ll be fine.”
“You gotta ask Laurel if it’s fine with her first,” John said, and Oliver was glad for it. Until he realized his friend hadn’t been looking at Thea.
“I have to ask?”
“This was your idea.”
“My idea was—” Oliver clamped his mouth shut before he finished that thought. He couldn’t tell the others that his idea had been to work with Felicity and remind her of the team they made together. To try and bridge the divide he’d created between them. He shouldn’t have been using their work to patch up his relationship, as badly as he wanted to. Even if he had a feeling they both suspected it anyway.
“She’s on her way to the base,” Thea informed him. “Best to ask her as soon as possible.”
They both retreated to the mats in order to respect his space as he weighed his options. Asking this of Laurel...it was a lot, especially considering everything that had happened recently.
But Cutter needed to be stopped before others paid the price. That was true with or without Felicity. The question now was whether the plan could continue with Laurel’s consent.
She entered the base still in her courtroom attire. “Hey, Thea said the lead on Cupid didn’t work out. Do we have a new strategy yet?”
“We do. Or we’re looking at one. Uh, let’s—” He reached to her arm to help guide her into one of the smaller, unoccupied rooms off to the side. “All we know about Cutter’s plans is that she’s targeting high-profile weddings or newlyweds.”
Laurel nodded.
“I had the thought that we could use the venue and everything from, from Felicity and my...you know,” he finally said, not quite able to finish that sentence. Laurel watched him sympathetically. “The only problem is Felicity is not comfortable with that plan.”
“Is that why she’s not here right now?”
“I’m not sure she’s coming back,” Oliver admitted, scared as he was to voice it. He didn’t realize he’d looked down until he felt Laurel’s hand on his cheek, guiding him back up to meet her kind eyes.
“I’m sorry. This is all coming at such a hard time for you.”
Oliver swallowed down the lump in his throat. “Yeah, well, Cutter’s not going to stop killing just because I’m going through a breakup. So we need two people at that venue getting married. Felicity refuses, and John and Thea are both out for obvious reasons…”
He saw the moment she realized what he was asking without having the courage to actually say the words. Her eyes widened, and her hand jerked back. “Oh.”
“You have every reason to say no.”
“Do I?” He thought he detected a hint of a laugh in her tone as well, though this one was far less mocking than Felicity’s had been. “Cutter’s out there. How soon were you hoping to do this?”
“Tomorrow. That’s the earliest I could get the venue to move up the reservation.”
“Tomorrow,” Laurel echoed. He could see her holding back, trying to keep from looking overwhelmed.
“We can figure out a different plan,” he offered again, even as he had no idea what that plan would be.
Laurel licked her lips, her eyes on the ground for a long time. She looked back up at him.
“She’ll pick some other couple to kill if we don’t act fast.”
“She will.” He hoped she understood the apology in his gaze.
Laurel drew in a breath. “Okay, then let’s get her. Let’s get married.”
Oliver breathed his own sigh of relief. “Thank you. I wouldn’t ask, but — Laurel, where are you going?”
For she’d stepped away and was picking up her purse. “You mean where we’re going? If this is going to work, we need to apply for a marriage license. You have your ID?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Then let’s go. I’ll drive.”
He followed in Laurel’s wake, unaccountably grateful for her sense of organization and ability to think with a clear head. At times, her emotions ruled her, but she had come a long way from when she’d first started out as a vigilante. The fact they were able to embark on this plan at all was proof of that.
They could be professionals about this, Oliver told himself. This was just another mission. They would deal with the consequences after, the way they always did.
In a way, he was almost glad he was doing this with Laurel.
---
Laurel kept resisting the urge to pinch herself. Was this some messed up dream? A Vertigo hallucination? Some elaborate joke? Or was she really this much of a masochist?
Reality continued to hold as she and Oliver walked up the steps of the county clerk’s office, so it apparently really was the last one.
“I’ve only been to the county clerk’s office a handful of times. Shouldn’t really know anybody there,” she’d assured him on the drive over when he’d voiced a concern about running into someone. It was a precarious balance they were trying to walk; they wanted people talking so Cupid would know but not for people they interacted with to be talking. A secret elopement that was an open secret.
As they reached the doors, Oliver jogged up the final steps to hold the door open for her, placing his hand at the small of her back when he entered the building behind her. The fingers of Laurel’s right hand inched closer to her arm.
It’s not real, she kept repeating in her head like a mantra. It’s just an act. He doesn’t do this kind of thing for you anymore. He never wanted to marry you.
If anything, she felt sorry for him. Oliver was meant to be getting this license with the woman he loved, basking in the knowledge that he would be spending the rest of his life with her.
“Still no response from Felicity?” Laurel muttered out of the corner of her mouth. They joined a line of people waiting to submit their applications.
He shook his head. A beat later, he admitted in a shameful voice, “I think she blocked me.”
Laurel reached for his hand, squeezing it tight. It probably helped whatever front they were trying to put on, but she thought he knew her real intent behind the gesture judging by the sad smile he gave her.
“Can I help whose next?”
Laurel stepped forward and pasted a smile on her face. Giddy bride-to-be. “Hi, we’re here to apply for a marriage license.”
“Do you each have a valid ID?”
“We do.” Oliver presented his driver’s license as she did hers. If the clerk recognized either of them, she didn’t say. A consummate professional. Laurel could respect that.
They filled out their portion of the forms needed and Oliver confirmed that they had an officiant and a witness for the ceremony.
“So who is our witness?” Laurel asked as they hurried down the steps, Oliver once again sticking close.
“Me,” said a familiar voice from their right. Laurel looked in time to see Thea lowering her phone. “Sorry, thought the leak might be more believable with a fake paparazzi shot. Ollie, Digg’s waiting to drop you off at the base. I’m gonna go with Laurel to start preparations.”
He nodded. “Okay.” She felt his hand squeeze her arm for a second before he let go and walked over to where she could now see John’s car pulled into a space at the side of the building.
“Preparations?” Laurel repeated as she fell into step with Thea to head back to her own car.
“Yeah. Ollie’s on ring duty and he already has a suit. You need a dress.”
“Do I?”
“For this to pass off as real, yeah,” Thea told her.
“I do have a white pantsuit. What if I need to run for my life?” She pointed out.
“Laurel,” Thea groaned. “Work with me here. Cupid’s not gonna buy you two suddenly rediscovered your burning passion for each other if you show up in your work clothes.”
Laurel was too busy choking at ‘burning passion’ to really have a reply ready for that. She went around her car to avoid looking at Thea and opened the driver’s door to get in. “I don’t think a bridal shop is going to be able to fit me for a dress in time.”
“Hey, I still know a few places. Don’t underestimate the power of the Queen name in my hands.”
Laurel rolled her eyes but had to smile at her younger friend’s antics. It made this feel less awkward.
Back in the city, Thea got them into a boutique Laurel wasn’t sure she’d even known the name of before, and a gushing attendant conferred with Thea in the racks about what kind of cut would look best and whether there should be sleeves or not. 
Laurel’s only job was apparently to try things on and look pretty. She tried not to watch the mirror too much. This wasn’t any more real than the vague imaginings she’d had as a child of her wedding dress.
She walked out of the changing stall to two gasps. “Oh, Laurel.”
Against her better judgement, Laurel looked.
It wasn’t anything like what she’d pictured as a child. There was no poofy skirt with the princess glitter. There wasn’t even a train. If anything, it was a simple evening dress in white, with off the shoulder straps and a slit in the skirt that showed off some of her leg. It would also give her a better ability to run if the situation ended up calling for it.
Most importantly, she was confident it wasn’t what Felicity had been planning to wear. Even if Oliver hadn’t ever seen the dress, she did not wish to be a pale imitation of his chosen bride.
It was what she’d signed up for, though, wasn’t it?
Thea was convinced Cupid would show up sometime during the ceremony. “She’s been getting bolder, and I mean, how could she miss something like this?”
“You’re not going to miss it,” Laurel remarked as they left the shop with her new dress.
“Oh. Well, the plan is for me and John to be waiting to take her on.”
“I know, but we need a witness, Thea. I can’t ask my dad.” He’d think she was crazy after that near-breakdown she’d had in his office last month. Better for him not to know until after the whole thing was over and done with.
“Okay. If that’s what you need,” Thea agreed after a pause. She was watching Laurel closely now.
“It would make more sense for you to be the single witness anyway,” Laurel continued, hoping to distract her. “Ollie and I both consider you family, after all.”
That got a smile. “Well, for the record, I’m honored,” Thea told her. “God, it’s gonna be so much fun whenever I get to plan your real wedding.”
Laurel’s smile froze on her face. “I wouldn’t go to anyone else,” she eventually decided on. She didn’t have the heart to tell Thea that the only person she had ever envisioned herself marrying was the man who had asked her in order to catch a serial murderer. How was that for fun?
She had the next day off work, which was both a blessing and a curse. Laurel didn’t know if she would have been able to concentrate on anything at the office, but she had nothing to even try to distract herself with at home. All except the blank sheet of paper Thea had set in front of her.
Vows. Apparently it would be more believable for them to write their own rather than recite the traditional lines. And Cupid had a knack for sniffing out lies, so they had to come from a place of genuineness.
It wasn’t that she had nothing to say. But how did she write it in a way that didn’t make it too genuine? Various drafts were started, ripped up and started again before Thea pulled her away to start on her hair and makeup. Laurel had her keep it simple, then ushered Thea out to get ready while she dressed and readied a precaution or two.
She drove to her own wedding. It was a funny little detail in her mind, one that helped remind her how fake all of this was. The dress Thea was wearing looked far too expensive for a sham wedding, but Laurel knew her friend liked the excuse to dress up when she could.
She was also wearing an earpiece, which she listened to as they entered the lobby of the Hochman Hotel. It was mercifully empty. “John’s in position, and Ollie’s waiting with the officiant,” Thea related to her. She helped Laurel out of her coat and hung it in a closet to the side. “You ready?”
There were butterflies in her stomach that try as she might, she could not fully suppress. She didn’t know how. “Yeah.”
Thea took her hand and they went through the double doors to the room that the ceremony would be conducted in. Oliver stood near the front on a raised step, talking to a woman who Laurel guessed was the officiant. His back was to them at first but he turned at their approach, his eyes wondering for a moment.
He’d always worn a tux well, and now was no exception. There was a boutonniere pinned to his lapel and she thought of their prom, her first attempt at dyeing her hair blonde.
Thea stayed back as Laurel went up the step to stand beside him.
“You look beautiful.”
Laurel ducked her head. “Thank you. You, uh, look very nice, too.” She turned to face the officiant as Oliver handed off a small cloth bag to Thea.
“We’re ready,” he said.
“Of course. Mr. Queen explained to me your, ah, circumstances,” the officiant said. Laurel sucked in a breath at the stink eye that the woman sent her way. There was no point ignoring that she probably looked like some kind of home wrecker, especially with William still being kept a secret from the public. Better for her reputation to take a hit than for that innocent boy to get dragged into the spotlight. She could handle the judgement of others. And it would all be cleared up the minute Cutter decided to crash the party.
“You’ve written your own vows? We’ll begin with you,” the officiant said, turning to Oliver. He nodded and cleared his throat, facing Laurel.
“Dinah Laurel Lance. You’ve been many things to me over the years, the most important of which is my friend. I’m lucky to have such a friend as you. Your patience, your understanding and most of all your compassion, have saved me and inspired me in turn more times than I can count. You’ve also fought with me and aggravated me beyond belief more times than I can help,” he added, which startled a laugh out of her.
He chuckled as well, but reigned it in as he said, “But through all of this, through all our struggles, we’ve come out of it stronger. That’s what has allowed us to be here today.”
Not in love, but in service of others, she knew. That was one thing she and Oliver could always agree on; the needs and safety of the people of this city were greater than their own.
“Any man would be lucky to be standing here in my place.”
She forced herself not to shake her head. She knew that was him trying to be kind, to say that after all of this was over she might find herself at a real wedding someday. He couldn’t know that just wasn’t going to happen. Not without him.
“But since I am the one standing here, whether I deserve that honor or not, I will make you these vows. I vow to listen to you, to take your advice into consideration before acting rashly. And I hope you can find that same counsel in me.”
He was talking about Machin. He was apologizing. Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
“I vow to keep you and your family in my heart, to love and to cherish them the same way you do mine.” They both glanced to Thea, who stood there with shining eyes and a warm smile on her face. Laurel found herself smiling as she and Oliver looked back to each other. “And I vow to be the friend you deserve, and to always strive to be better than the man I am, for you and for our families and friends.”
Thea stepped forward, taking a ring from the bag Oliver had given her and handing it to him. He turned to her, taking her left hand in his and slipping it onto her finger. She could feel his own hand trembling.
The ring was some kind of plain metal that seemed almost familiar, but the most she could tell was that it wasn’t usually used for wedding rings. Good, he’d kept his real ones. He was going to need them someday.
It was that thought that caused her eyes to start stinging. Laurel squeezed them shut and drew in two deep breaths. It was her turn.
“Oliver,” she began softly, then smiled as she added, “Ollie.” That brought a half-smirk out of him, and his eyes were warm as they looked into hers. “Through childhood, adolescence and adulthood, you have been one of the few constants in my life. Whether some consider that a good or bad thing. I know five years ago, I might have said the latter.”
He looked down.
“But that is one of the things we do best together,” Laurel continued, her voice gaining strength. “We grow and we change and we challenge one another. I could never have become the person I am today without you in my life, and that person is the best version of myself that I have yet to find. As the years have gone by, I hope and I know that you have found that version of you, too.”
On an impulse, she reached for his hands, gratified when he allowed her to take them.
“You are so much more than the man you think you are. You are more than your damage. All of us who you have let in over the years, to know you and to love you, know this. The greatest gift you have to give is yourself and your love.”
Oliver’s grip was tight around her hands, and his lips were pressed together in that way of his when he was trying to hide his emotions. It could all be an act for Cupid, wherever she was hiding, but Laurel hoped some of what she was saying was reaching him.
“So these are the promises I make to you as we continue our lives together. I promise to be there for you always, in whatever capacity you need that to be. I promise to support you in your convictions, and to hold you accountable to your principles. I promise to make time for the good days so we remember why we fight through the bad. And I promise to love you—” her voice wobbled and her breath hitched, but Laurel pushed on. “—as a partner and a friend.”
A sniffle to her right reminded Laurel to take the remaining ring from a teary Thea, and she breathed deep to steady herself as she placed it onto Oliver’s ring finger.
“With this exchange of vows and in the presence of your witness, I pronounce you man and wife,” their officiant said, her tone a surprising neutral. “You May kiss the bride,” she told Oliver.
Oliver hesitated. His eyes flirted to Thea, who gave the smallest shake of her head. No sign of Cupid. He looked back to her, eyes full of conflict.
Laurel told herself not to let that sting and instead turned her cheek slightly, so that when he did lean in it was only the corners of their lips that brushed. Her eyes still closed at the ghost of familiar sensation. When they leaned back, she forced a tight-lipped smile.
Thea clapped, probably to keep up the ruse, and then was directed to sign the certificate by the officiant. Oliver and Laurel signed after the officiant, who packed the certificate away and directed them out of the room. No Cupid. No arrows. Just them leaving their wedding ceremony completely silent.
And that was it. The fairytale dream of her youth. She was Oliver Queen’s wife. And it was nothing like she had ever imagined.
---
Oliver tried to stay calm even as it seemed like his plan was turning out to be a failure. He wondered if Felicity were here whether she might take the moment to tell him she’d told him so. Of all his stupid ideas...
He, Laurel and Thea left out of a side door after grabbing the girls’ coats, as a number of cars were pulled up near the front. His sister’s leak had indeed drawn the paparazzi.
“There!”
“Oliver! Mr. Queen! What happened to you and Felicity Smoak?”
“Miss Lance! Or do we call you Mrs. Queen?”
Oliver did his best to shield Laurel from the cameras with his body. She was the least used to this out of all of them, their time dating before the island notwithstanding.
They made it into her car and pulled away from the hotel. “Now what?” Laurel asked. He couldn’t get a read on her from where he was sitting in the back — Thea had gone for the passenger seat likely out of habit.
“Well, Cutter didn’t actually go after the couples until after their ceremonies, so she could still be out there,” Thea told her. “We’ll have to keep the ruse going for a bit.”
“Right.” He did his best to focus on their ongoing mission. “We can’t afford to lead Cutter back to the base.”
“You’ll have to come back with us. Or me,” Laurel amended. “I guess Thea wouldn’t be staying over tonight.”
He ducked his head, a bit of heat creeping up his neck at the thought those words implied.
“I’ll have to circle back to meet up with Diggle so we can case the area around the apartment. Probably should have done that before, come to think of it.”
“This was on extremely short notice,” Oliver said. “You and John have been doing great.”
She grinned back at him. “So have you two.”
They reached the apartment, and Laurel let Thea out before taking her car into the garage under the building. Oliver followed her to the elevator, which they were thankfully able to take up without any other residents.
Though the closer they got to the apartment, the more Oliver’s mind kept going back to thoughts of what was considered proper for a wedding night. Not that Laurel would be expecting — but they had to play to some kind of expectation if Cupid were watching closely.
“Are your curtains closed or open?” He asked quietly as they stepped off the elevator.
“Couldn’t say. Why?”
“Because we may be being watched,” he reminded her.
She raised an eyebrow at him while undoing the lock on her apartment door. “So what’s the plan?”
“Trust me?”
She nodded. So Oliver stepped into her space and placed one arm at her back while the other went behind her knees. Laurel caught on, throwing her arms in a loose circle around his neck. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he thought that was a deliberate choice on her part to keep their faces from getting too close. He really had to find some way to thank her for how much thought she was giving to his current state regarding relationships.
Laurel was a familiar weight in his arms, and he wasn’t sure if that made this more or less awkward for both of them. Oliver walked them over the threshold and set her down, taking note of the closed curtains. He blew out a breath and set her down, reaching behind him to shut the door.
“Should we share a room tonight?” Laurel’s back was to him as she hung up her coat, but he could see the tension in the line of her bare shoulders.
“I can sleep on the floor.”
“And have a stiff neck when we’re attacked in the middle of the night?”
“It’s not ideal,” he admitted. “But, Laurel…”
The last time he’d been in her bed had been a time of physical intimacy. The kind they no longer shared. He was still committed to Felicity, whatever she said about them being over, and sleeping in another woman’s bed no matter the circumstances seemed wrong. Especially considering his past.
“I’ll see if we have extra blankets to make a bed on the floor,” she told him. “Just add it to the list of preparations.” With that, she grabbed a number of picture frames off of shelves, end tables and the mantelpiece.
“Laurel?”
She passed him into the kitchen, setting the picture frames on the countertops there. “Mm-hm?”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m my experience, the home invaders haven’t gotten into the kitchen, so I am putting the more fragile things in my apartment in there.”
He hung his head. Here he was fretting over propriety all while asking her to risk damage to her own home. “I’m sorry about this.”
“Don’t be sorry unless this doesn’t work.”
Right, where was Cupid? Oliver looked around. “What can I move?”
“My laptop? It’s over there,” Laurel said, gesturing to the desk that stood near a window. She took another trip to the kitchen, this time carrying a couple decorative bowls.
Oliver went to the desk, bumping into the right side as he moved around the chair. His leg caught the knob of the top drawer, pushing it out a couple inches. He went to push it back in but stopped at the sight of his own handwriting. Oliver instead pulled the drawer further out.
There was a letter sitting inside, one he was intimately familiar with. He’d written it only three years ago.
The paper was worn in a way that suggested it had been held a number of times. Oliver traced the words, hearing them in his own voice as though from some deep well within him. There were some words that were now unintelligible, discolored from dried splotches on the page: tears.
One sentence was completely unreadable but he knew it by heart.
Never doubt my love for you.
His breath caught, the words seeming to burn there in his lungs, unspoken for the longest time.
“Ollie?”
He slid the drawer shut, spinning back around to face Laurel. She was watching him from the kitchen archway, leaning against it with her arms folded. Casual yet guarded. Why had he never seen that before?
“Laptop?”
“Uh, yeah. Right.” He reached behind himself for it and walked over to her. “I was just, just trying to see if I could spot Cupid or not. Nothing so far.”
“I’m starting to wonder if she’s ever showing up. Maybe we’re not such juicy gossip after all,” Laurel remarked, and there was something to her teasing grin like a note just slightly out of place, minor instead of major.
Did he ask? Did he dare? Maybe she’d shoved his letter into that drawer years ago and never looked at it again. Maybe she’d kept it as proof of his cowardice and hypocrisy. Maybe—
A window shattered, and Oliver reached to pull Laurel down to the floor with him. They were both tensed and waiting for the emergence of their enemy, but nothing followed.
Slowly, they both stood, staring at the arrow that was embedded in Laurel’s couch.
“A warning shot?” She guessed.
Too late Oliver noticed the canister attached. “We need to get out—”
Gas released, filling the room and choking them both. Oliver slumped to the floor, catching Laurel in his arms. A pair of boots entered his field of vision before everything went dark.
The first thing he really registered was music, a mellow-sounding male voice back by a soft piano and some kind of strings.
...passing years will show You've kept my love so young, so new...
Oliver forced his eyes to open, though he regretted it when he was met with harsh lights. Through that minor annoyance, he took in his surroundings.
They were in a warehouse. He was bound to a chair — not impossible to get out of if he was given the time. Laurel was barefoot and bound in a chair facing him about ten feet away. Her head rested on her right shoulder, her white dress had graying stains on the hem but she looked unharmed to his great relief. He didn’t know whether to risk calling out to her or not.
The music was still playing in the background.
And time after time You'll hear me say that I'm So lucky to be loving you...
“You didn’t have music, so I thought I’d help you out with some,” Cutter’s voice came from behind him, and Oliver tensed. The music cut out.
She walked around in front, studying him. “It’s interesting, isn’t it? Time after time, the two of you.”
“You- what do you want?” Oliver asked, remembering he needed to play dumb, like he hadn’t ever met Cupid before.
“I’m just trying to help you. See, the universe has tried its very best to protect you, to keep you apart. Near-death, other relationships. I would’ve thought you both had realized by now: Love is a bullet in the brain.”
“That’s not true.” As long as he kept her talking, it might buy time for the others to find them. Regret washed over him as he remembered he wasn’t wearing a tracker; he hadn’t put one in because he’d wanted his wedding — the real one — to be a normal day. 
Maybe he should have realized that wasn’t possible for him.
Still, the others had to be on their way. He chose to believe that. “Love is what inspires people to be the best of themselves. When we struggle to keep going or to find our way, love is a guiding light that brings us home. That has always been the case for me.”
“Well it wasn’t the case for the men I loved!” Carrie Cutter snapped. “You don’t think I tried to guide them the way she’s done for you? Love always ends in death. Always! And it should’ve ended for you nine years ago!”
She pulled a gun, leveling it at his chest. Oliver braced himself. At this distance, even with the bulletproof vest John had insisted he wear under his tux, he would suffer serious injury. Cracked ribs or worse. Assuming she didn’t just shoot him in the head instead.
“I’m sorry,” he tried. “Just — please don’t hurt Laurel.” This has all been his idea and she’d gone along with it, trusted him. He hadn’t deserved her help and she didn’t deserve this fate.
“Because you love her?” Cupid guessed with a sarcastic edge.
“She’s my oldest friend,” Oliver answered truthfully. He couldn’t really see her behind Cutter, but he hoped she would wake up in time to get away. John had gone over escaping binds with her and Thea that summer, his sister had mentioned. If he couldn’t buy time for himself, he would buy time for her. “And I do love her.”
Everything he had said in his vows to her had been true. She did inspire him and comfort him. Like he’d written in that letter, she was the best of him. She had guided him home so many times like Cupid had said. Was all of that, still, love?
“But you’ve hurt her, haven’t you? So many times.”
“Yes.”
Confusion and heartache tore at him. Faced with his own mortality, he didn’t know what to think or to feel.
“Then I’m helping her, you see?” She asked him, and like always Oliver could see she believed every word of her warped ideology. “If the love can’t be killed, then the lover can.”
A gun cocked, but Cutter was the one to freeze.
“You can help me by dropping your weapon.”
Oliver risked leaning to the side to see Laurel standing behind Cupid, both hands on her own gun. She was like a vision, one that he might have had on the island, in her white dress with tousled hair.
Cutter grit her teeth but lowered her weapon to her side. Laurel took it, then nudged the other woman into kneeling. She nodded to him, and he quickly freed himself before taking Cutter’s gun from Laurel to hold on their captor as she tied Cutter’s hands behind her back with the ropes she’d previously been bound with.
“Search her for a phone?”
“Already on it,” he said, patting down Cutter’s pockets. He located it in her coat. Oliver put in John’s number.
“Hello?”
“It’s me, John. We’re both safe.”
“Oliver,” John said in clear relief. “Where are you calling from?”
“Not sure. I’m hoping someone can use this signal to pinpoint our location.” It didn’t have to be Felicity. Even if it would be gratifying to know she was there and worried.
“I’m on it,” John replied, dashing the last of Oliver’s hope. “We’ll send a squad car your way.”
“Thanks.” He hung up and returned his focus to Cutter, who was watching them both with confusion and dismay.
“You planned this? Together?”
“Maybe not this specific part, but yes,” Laurel told her. “It was a setup.”
“But you weren’t lying. Either of you, I could tell. I listened to the whole ceremony,” Cupid insisted. She swung her head around to look at him. “You said you love her, even after everything.”
Oliver couldn’t find an answer.
Laurel did so for him. “Love comes in a lot of different forms, Carrie. It’s not black and white.” Her eyes strayed to Oliver as she added, “And it can cause pain, but only as much as you let it.”
He swallowed down a lump in his throat he hadn’t realized was there. The letter in her desk was at the forefront of his mind, and he needed to ask — but later, when they weren’t playing minders to a serial killer.
They were picked up by Lance’s second in command — and acting police chief in light of his suspension. Oliver stood next to Laurel as they watched Cutter being loaded into the back of a second squad car.
“Where’d you get the gun?”
“Thigh holster.” She raised her eyebrow at his surprised look. “What? I couldn’t exactly protect myself with a bulletproof vest in this dress.”
He found himself smirking in spite of himself. “Fair. You really are a cop’s daughter, you know that?”
She smirked right back.
It was long past daybreak when they arrived at the station where Thea, John and Lance waited. Whatever knockout gas Cupid had used must have been powerful stuff to keep them unconscious for that long, or perhaps the unbalanced woman simply hadn’t calculated the right dose. Another hour passed as they both had to give their statements. Laurel’s father was brought in briefly and asked to confirm their secret plan to catch Cutter, which he fortunately went along with even though they’d left him out of it.
They were left in an empty conference room with their family and friends to get their things together and leave.
“Your shoes got lost somewhere in the travel to Cutter’s base, so we couldn’t track you the whole way. I don’t think she realized the tracker was there or anything, just gave up on keeping them on your feet,” Thea explained as she handed the footwear over to Laurel.
“Okay, so next time it goes in the bra,” Laurel noted to herself. Oliver gave an awkward cough, which she and Thea looked askance at.
“No, you’re right. That’s probably a good idea,” he offered under their combined stares.
Thea nodded, satisfied with his revised statement, and Laurel sat to strap her shoes back on. 
“We’ll have to see what the cleaners can do about your dress.”
“Don’t worry about it, Speedy. I’m not going to need it again.”
Oliver looked down, his weight shifting to his heels as he felt himself hunch in. She couldn’t know she wouldn’t need it, could she? Not for certain, not unless...
“Been meaning to ask about that,” Lance said, walking over to join them and interrupting Oliver’s train of thought. “You went ahead and got yourself married, and I didn’t get to give you away?”
Laurel shook her head. “It wasn’t anything to get worked up about. The whole thing is off once we get the certificate back anyway.”
She looked at Oliver, all business. He couldn’t tell if she was happy or sad or just indifferent. But calling it off had been the agreed-upon plan — it was what he wanted, he reminded himself — so he nodded. “Right, I’ll call the officiant.” 
“You might want to get on that sooner rather than later,” John prompted him. “It’s almost time for most businesses to be on their lunch.”
Oliver sighed, took out his phone and dialed, waiting a few rings. He paced away from the others, not quite facing them as he prepared for the conversation.
“Hello?”
“Hi, this is Oliver Queen. You officiated a wedding between me and a friend of mine last night.”
“Yes, I remember.” She sounded slightly puzzled by his wording. Most newlyweds didn’t refer to their spouses as a friend, he supposed. But that was who Laurel was to him first and foremost.
“I was hoping to arrange to pick up the certificate. It’s sort of a long story, but the wedding was a ruse to draw out Carrie Cutter for the SCPD. Now that she’s been caught, we, uh, we don’t really need it.”
There was a slight pause, but to her credit the woman responded soon enough. “I’m not sure I follow, but I’m afraid I can’t help you. I left the certificate with the county clerk this morning.”
“You took it to the clerk?” He echoed.
“What?” Lance asked.
Laurel’s chair scraped back as she stood. “Is it at the county office? Oliver, is it filed?”
“Yes, I left it with their office,” the officiant was saying.
“Um, thank you for your help. And sorry about- about all this. I’ll just call them,” he said into the phone, quickly hanging up.
“Wait, what’s going on?” Thea asked.
Laurel was already holding her phone out with the number for the county office pulled up, so he simply switched for hers and dialed them.
It took him a while to get through to the right person. “Hi, I was married yesterday and our officiant said she’d already turned the certificate over to your office. I was wondering what the status of that was.”
“Name?”“
“Oliver Queen. Dinah Laurel Lance, if you need the name of the- of the bride,” he said, stumbling over the words as he glanced nervously at her.
There were several minutes of silence as the woman he was speaking to searched for their information. “Your certificate was filed this morning by your officiant, and everything was in order. Congratulations!”
“Oh no,” Oliver blurted. He didn’t miss Laurel’s sharp look up at him, clearly asking for the details. Lance, Thea and John all looked extremely concerned.
“Oh no?” The woman echoed dubiously.
“Yeah, the thing is, there’s sort of a misunderstanding,” he explained on a slightly forced laugh. “We got married last night to help the authorities capture a serial killer.”
“You — I’m sorry? Oh, you’re from Star,” the woman on the other end of the line seemed to realize a moment later.
Oliver grimaced. “Yes we are. So, we weren’t actually trying to get married. It wasn’t supposed to go through.”
“Were you both aware of the conditions of this union? Neither of you entered into it with false impressions?”
“No, neither of us were lied to.” For once he’d been totally truthful to his team.
“Then I’m not sure what to tell you. Regardless of your intentions to help the law, the law says you are married.”
Oliver was dumbfounded. True, this wasn’t his area of expertise — as a vigilante he had perhaps an even looser grip on legality than most — but there had to be some caveat.
He turned to the woman at his side, the woman he had, technically, willingly married. His partner in this plan gone very wrong. Oliver held the phone out towards her, pleading. “Laurel?”
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yeet-or-be-hawed · 6 years ago
Text
“Where Loyalty Lies Arthur Morgan x Reader”
A request from @shewalksinanotherworld! 
Arthur has been your best friend since you were young, when Colm kidnaps him, you’ll do whatever it takes to get him back.
A shiver ran down your spine as you felt a small flake a snow hit your skin. The alley was dark and cramped, but it did protect you from the cold winter winds somewhat, but it would do nothing about the oncoming snow. Tears ran down your cheeks, your whole body was trembling from the cold you knew you would die quickly if you didn’t find shelter. But you had no where to go. You had no home, no family, no food, and now no shelter.
You heard footsteps and drew your legs up to your chest and buried your face down, trying to look as small as possible. They stopped in front of you, “what’re you doin’ out here kid? Get home to your parents.”
You looked up and saw a slim man with salt and pepper hair. “Ain’t got none. They died a while back, real sick.”
The man sighed and pinched his nose, “don’t you have any other family round here?”
You shook your head slowly. “It was just ma and pa. Now it’s just me”
“Well then,” the man extended a hand down to you. “I guess first things first we gotta get you somethin’ to eat. We should also get you a jacket, you won’t last the winter without it.”
You stared at the man’s hand. “I have no money.” You said flatly.
“Don’t need it, just come on before the snow really starts comin’ down.” He gave you a soft smile. You looked at the sky and took his hand. Your body was weak, but the man helped you to your feet and led you to the saloon. As soon as you walked through the doors warmth hit your skin and you realized you might be lucky enough to live another day. He led you to a table, “wait here, I’ll grab us some food.”
You nodded and watched as the man walked to the bar. Your eyes remained locked on him the whole time, afraid that if you’ll blink you’ll wake up back in the alley as if you were in a dream. After a few minutes, he walks back to you with two bowls in hand. He sat yours in front of you first, and before his could even hit the table you were already inhaling yours; it was the first hot meal you had had in months. When you got close to the bottom of the bowl, you lifted it to your mouth and chugged the rest. “Thank you.” You said quietly.
The man nodded as he ate slowly. “What’s yer name kid?”
“Y/N.”
“Y/N, that’s a nice name.” He smiled and extended his hand across the table. “Nice to meet you, my name is Hosea.” You took it and shook it. “How old are you Y/N?”
“Ten.”
He wiped his mouth and stood. “That’s awful young to be living on the streets. Is that where you want to stay?”
You shook your head slowly.
“Well then, how about coming with me? We’ve got a big family not far from here. Even got a couple kids around your age. How would you like that?”
You were quiet, all you had known was this small town but you weren’t going to make it on your own much longer. You looked up at Hosea and nodded.
“Good good. Before we go, let’s get you some better clothes. Come along, girl.” He turned and started towards the door. You stood quickly and ran to clutch his side. He looked down at you and smiled. The clothing store was just two shops down. Hosea helped you pick out a thick coat and a good pair of boots. He let you pick out your own regular clothes. Your mother had always made your clothes, you had never even been in a clothing shop much less allowed to pick out your own things. As you took your findings to the cash register, you saw a hat rack and looked at Hosea for approval. He smiled and nodded approvingly. At the very top of the hat rack was a hat exactly like Hosea’s. You grabbed it and ran to him and handed it to him. He laughed, “I think I’ve seen this before.”
You allowed yourself to smile and laugh with him. After ringing out, Hosea asks the shop keep, “can the little lady use the dressing room to put on her new purchases?”
“Of course! It’s just to over there.” He pointed to a small door in the corner.
Hosea handed you your things, “make sure you put on something warm, it’s quite a ride home.”
You nodded and ran to the dressing room. You put on your favorite pants and shirt, your winter coat, some wool socks, and your boots. You smiled as you put on your hat and looked in the mirror. Your clothing usually consisted of tattered thin skirts and loose fitting shirts, nothing stylish but now look at you! A brand new girl on your way to a brand new life.
“Well, Id say the hat brings the whole thing together!” Hosea laughs as you come out of the dressing room. You beam, “thank you Mr. Hosea!”
He patted you on the back as you walked out of the shop, “no problem, kid. Have you ever ridden a horse before?”
“No sir.”
Hosea whistled and his horse came from around the corner. It was big and strong and you were a bit intimidated by it. Hosea mounted the horse easily and held a hand down to you. “Well you’re gonna have to learn.”
He helped you as you pulled yourself up awkwardly. “Make sure and hold on tight.” He said. “Yah!” He jerked the reigns and the horse took off. You felt your body jerk with the horse and cling to Hosea tightly. Hosea talked most of the ride, mostly about the people you were about to meet at camp. You were nervous, the more names he listed off the more your stomach twisted in knots. You had barely been around more than ten people at a time, much less complete strangers. The wind was cold against your face and the light snow fall turned to white streaks passing you. Your thick coat was keeping you warm and dry and you were thankful. You could swallow your fear of others in return for Hosea’s generosity. The snowfall thickened, and soon it became hard to see just a few feet in front of you. “Woah girl,” Hosea said gently to the horse and she slowed to a stop. You looked around confused, there were no people around. “We’ll have to camp here for the night, or at least until this snow lets up.” He dismounted the horse and helped you down. “You ever set up a tent?” He asked as his began unloading his horse.
“No sir.”
“Good, there’s no better teacher than experience.”
With Hosea’s patient instructions, you had the tent up in no time and helped him start the fire. He put his hands out in front of the fire. “You’re a real natural at this, Y/N. I think you’ll get along just fine.”
Hosea walked to his horse. “Ya know, something told me to grab an extra bed roll when I left this morning.” He unrolled them in the tent and went back to the fire.
You yawned and felt your eyes become heavy. “Go on and get some rest” Hosea said. “You’re gonna need it.”
You nodded sleepily and crawled into your bed roll. You passed out almost immediately, it had been so long since you even had a pillow and blanket.
When you awoke the next morning, Hosea’s bedroll was already up and most of the camp was already packed away. “Good morning!” He called as you poked your head out of the tent. “Get your bedroll on the horse and then you can help me with this tent. Hurry it up now, time’s a wastin’!”
Hosea slowed his process and explained everything he did as he did it and you took his knowledge in like a sponge. It didn’t take long for the two of you to dismantle your makeshift camp. “Next time we’re in town, I’ll take you to the stables and let you pick out a horse for yourself. Before we do that, you need to learn how to properly mount.” He mounted and I mounted his horse, one step at a time and explained every step as he went. “Now you try.”
It took you a few tries before you were awkwardly able to pull yourself up on the horse. “Good job! Build a little muscle and get some meat on your bones and you’ll be doin’ it just just fine.” Hosea mounted the horse behind you and with a flick of the reigns the horse took off.
The snowfall stopped sometime in the night and left a heavy blanket of snow. The trees were heavy and their limbs pointed to the ground. The morning sky was gray, rays of sun only making small breaks through the clouds.
“We’re about there” Hosea said as the horse began to slow. You looked around confused. The weren’t any homes or buildings, and you certainly didn’t see any people. The horse turned off the trail and into a thicket just off the path. The woods were thick even with the snow weighing them down the trees and foliage was still so dense it was hard to see much around.
“Who’s there?” A man called.
“It’s me!” Hosea called back. A man appeared from behind a tree and you could feel him staring as you passed. The thicket opened to reveal a small camp in a small meadow completely surrounded by treees. By the time Hosea helped you get unmounted, a small group had already began closing in.
“Whatcha got there, Hosea?” A woman asked.
“This here is Y/N, found her half frozen in an alley while I was on a supply run. Both her parents died of illness.”
The crowd was growing and getting closer by the minute. You backed into Hosea and gripped his jacket tightly. “Okay folks, give the kid some space. She’ll stay with Bessie and I for the time being. Everyone do your best to help her feel welcome here.”
Hosea took your hand and led you to a large tent and a woman turned to welcome you. She wrapped her arms around Hosea and kissed his cheek. “Welcome back, Hosea.” She smiled at you, “and who is this?”
“Go on,” Hosea said
You cleared your throat, “my name is Y/N.”
She extended her hand down to you, “well Y/N, I’m Bessie it’s a pleasure to meet you. Would you like to meet the other kids?”
You nodded shyly and followed her. She took your hand in yours and you followed behind her. She led you to two boys, one a little older than you and another around your age. “Davey, Arthur, this is Y/N. She’ll be staying with us now. You boys better play nice with her, she’s one of us now.”
“Yes ma’am.” They said in unison. And that’s where your story began.
Over the years, your group of people grew, and you fit right in with your new family. When you got older, you got your own tent and collected your own things through time. Through your teenage years, you and Arthur bonded through scams and small robberies. By your twenties, you were inseparable. You did most jobs together, went drinking together, and picked on your new little brother John relentlessly. Even though Hosea was the one who taught you how to shoot, Arthur was really the one you could thank for your skill. The two of you went shooting together frequently and he taught you his tips and tricks and you were almost as quick of a draw as he was. You were each other’s support through thick and thin. You stitched eachother’s sounds and provided emotional support when needed. You were there for him when Mary shot down his marriage proposal, and he was there for you after Jenny died in Blackwater. Even your daily chores were usually done together, your lives heavily entwined.
“You sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Arthur asked has he walked you to your horse. You mounted and Arthur handed you your bow.
“I’m good. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Plus I’ve got Charles riding with me for company. I’ll be back soon.” You turned to Charles, “you ready?”
He nodded, “yeah, let’s go.”
You tipped your hat to Arthur and tore down the trail behind Charles, fading into the dust. Arthur sighed and turned to return to camp. He sat at the fire with Javier, Uncle, and John.
“Where’d she go?” Javier asked.
“Her and Charles headed out for a hunting trip.”
“And she didn’t take you with her? Are y’all havin’ a lover’s spat?” John asked sarcastically.
“Shut the hell up.” Arthur responded, “Those two are better with a bow than any of us.”
“Try not to get too lonely without her,” Uncle joked.
Arthur stood, “Oh, I won’t.” He walked back to his tent and sat on his cot. I can’t say I’m not as bored as hell when she’s gone though. Arthur thought. He laid down and pulled out his journal and a pencil. He looked around camp for inspiration and saw your hat on your cot. Guess she left her hat. He rolled his eyes. That girl would lose her head if it wasn’t attached. He found himself drawing you again. As he imagined you crouched low to the ground, bow at the ready it slowly came to life in his journal. As he was finishing up the details of your hair, he heard someone clear their throat from behind him. He quickly sat up and slammed the journal shut and looked up to see Hosea. He raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Whatcha drawin’ there son?”
“Nothin’!” Arthur replies quickly. He shook his head, “Whataya want old man?”
“I was going to see if you wanted to join me and John on a little fishing trip.” Hosea said. “Figured it would help you get your mind off-“
Arthur cut him off defensively, “off what?”
Hosea held back a laugh, “nothin’. You comin’ or not?”
“Yeah, just let me grab my pole and I’ll be ready.”
Hosea turned and headed to his horse. Arthur tucked away his journal in his satchel.
You and Charles had just gotten camp set up for the night and you were cooking some canned beans and rabbit over the fire for dinner. “So, what’s the plan tomorrow?” You ask Charles as you rotate the skewered rabbit over the fire.
“I was thinking we could go after a herd of white tails I spotted a few days ago. We can track them together then split off to pin them in.”
You nodded. “Sounds good to me. The ground here is pretty moist from all the rain so we should be able to follow their tracks pretty easily.” Your rabbit was cooked to perfection, you split your meal with Charles. You are in silence, you enjoyed how easy Charles was to be around. You didn’t feel awkward when there was no conversation and he never tried to fill the silences with insincere small talk.
“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” Charles asked.
“Sure.”
“How long have you been riding with Dutch?”
“Since I was a kid, really. I don’t have many memories of being without them honestly. My folks got sick and died when I was young. To be honest, I really can’t even remember what they look like. When I think of parents, Hosea usually comes to mind. He’s been there for me since day one. Him and Arthur, of course.”
Charles nodded, “have you and Arthur always been so close? I was honestly surprised he didn’t join us today. It’s rare to see you two apart.”
You rubbed your neck nervously, “yeah, we just have really come to rely on each other. But ya know, Arthur really didn’t talk to me much until we ran our first scam together. He was 18 and I was 16, it’s been so long since I couldn’t tell you what exactly we did to this poor feller, but we scared him so badly he pissed himself. It kinda became an inside joke, then after a couple more jobs together we found we worked better together and we’ve been working together ever since.” You looked at the ground. “Alotta the girls back at camp don’t seem to understand, they seem to think we’re some secret couple or something.” You rolled your eyes. “Him and Hosea, they’re the closest thing to family I got.”
Charles nodded. “That’s nice. I never had someone stay in my life that long, that sort of consistency would be nice.”
You smiled, “well, you’re a whole lot better than most of the people in our rag tag group so I’d understand if you decided to move on, but just know, as long as you ride with us, you’ve got a family in us. I hold a lot of respect for you, and I would gladly ride with you anytime Charles.”
He smiled. “Thank you, Y/N. Your reassurance is appreciated. We should be going to bed soon, we need to be up before the sun if we’re going to find the herd.”
You nodded, and with that you went to your respective bedrolls. “Good night, Charles.”
“Good night, Y/N.”
Arthur pulled himself out of bed and stretched. He stood as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and made his way to the coffee kettle. Sadie, Tilly, and Abigail were there chatting over coffee.
“Hello ladies,” Arthur said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Good morning Arthur!” Tilly responded.
“How was your fishin’ trip yesterday?” Abigail asked.
“It was fine, me and John didn’t catch shit but Hosea seemed to pull in quite a haul. I guess we just ain’t too good fishermen.”
Sadie laughed, “better keep to gun slingin’ Arthur, don’t sound like yer good at much else.”
“Ha ha, very funny Sadie. I’m good at plenty of things, you just don’t know it.”
“Yeah, I heard from Y/N that Arthur here is quite the artist.” Tilly said in a pointed tone.
Arthur’s cheeks turned pink and the girls didn’t miss it. “So Arthur, when is she comin’ back? I know you’re probably starting to miss her.” Abigail asked teasingly.
“I don’t know when she’s comin’ back and I’m just fine without her thank you!” Arthur shot back rather defensively.
Tilly raises an eyebrow. “Don’t lie to me Arthur, if she told anyone when she’s coming back it’s you.”
Arthur crosses his arms stubbornly and looked at the ground. “She’ll be back at noon.” He said gruffly.
The girls giggled and with that Arthur walked away, his face now bright red. He heard Abigail call after her, “awww come on Arthur, don’t get so embarrassed!”
He rolled his eyes. What was wrong with these people? Didn’t they know friendship when they saw it? That’s all it was was just a close friendship. Nothing romantic of out of the ordinary. “Hey cowpoke,” Micah said as Arthur walked by him. He rolled his eyes. “What do you want Micah?”
“Ol’ Pearson has some information, we need to talk to Dutch.”
Arthur wasn’t in the mood to hear Micah’s crazy ramblings, but unfortunately Dutch was nore than willing to lend an ear. Pearson told Dutch how he ran into some O’Driscolls and how they wanted a parley.
“Sounds like a trap.” Arthur said.
“It’s definitely a trap.” Hosea called from his seat a few feet away.
“That’s why we bring you,” Micah says pointedly to Arthur. “That way if it is a trap, you can take care of ‘em, if not then there’s one less thing to worry about.”
It took some convincing, but Dutch agreed. “Arthur, you and Micah grab your horses. We’re going now.”
“What about Y/N?” Arthur asked.
“What about her?” Micah asked mockingly.
“She isn’t back yet and we don’t have time to wait.” Dutch said plainly. Arthur looked back at your hat and with an annoyed sigh, he pulled his reigns and rode beside Dutch.
You and Charles arrived at camp in the late afternoon, horses loaded down with the product of your successful hunt. After hauling the deer to Pearson, you wiped your brow and headed straight to your tent. With a yawn, you threw yourself down onto your cot. Your lower back was sore and being up before dawn didn’t give you much sleep the night before. The air was warm and sleep came easily.
“...isn’t worth blowing the plan right now, Dutch. Morgan isn’t our top priority right now.” Your eyes opened and then sun was setting. Micah and Dutch were walking back into camp. Your eyes searched for Arthur, you didn’t even notice he wasn’t around when you got back into camp. “We’re going back for Arthur,” Dutch said. “We just gotta make some plans first.”
You shot up and half ran to Dutch. “Where’s Arthur?”
“He-“
Micah cut him off. “Calm yourself little lady.”
You didn’t look at him, your eyes were locked with Dutch’s. “Where. Is. He.” You repeated.
Dutch sighed. “Colm said he wanted to meet for a parley but it was a trap.They took Arthur.”
You threw your hands in the air. “Of course it was a trap!” You whistled for your horse. “We gotta go get him.”
Dutch took a step forward. “No. I’ve got a plan, we just need to wait.”
You turned towards him, furious. “Wait? Are you serious? Colm will kill him. We need to get him!”
You turned to your horse and Dutch grabbed your shoulder hard. “Y/N, now is not the time to be irrashional.”
“All due respect Dutch, but I agree. Now is not the time to be irrashional. The longer we wait the more they hurt him. You of all people know Colm isn’t nice to his enemies.” You brushed his hand off your shoulder and mount your horse. “Know this, you may be our valiant leader, but my loyalty lies with Hosea, not you. Don’t think you own me. Yah!” Your horse took off. You heard the sound of hooves behind you and rolled your eyes. You turned around and jumped off your horse. Micah sped up to you and unmounted. He opened his mouth to speak but you drew your pistol quickly and aimed it at him. “I don’t have time for your conniving bullshit, Micah.” You moved your pistol down, aiming directly at your feet. “Say another goddamn word, and I’ll put a bullet right through your foot. Now turn around, and head back to camp, cowpolk.”
He sneered, “you wou-“ Pow!
Micah howled in pain. “Goddamn you, woman!”
You mounted your horse and tipped your hat in his direction before taking off. Usually you would be feeling pretty smug right about now, but your mind was reeling. Why didn’t you wait for me? You thought.
Your heart was pounding, you didn’t even know where you were going but you knew you had to keep moving. Panic started forming when you came to a cross road.you had no clue which was to go. You looked around youbas you racked your brain for something, anything to help you find your way back to him. Your horse grunted under you, and you realized you never saw Arthur’s horse when Dutch and Micah returned. You rolled your eyes, how could Arthur trust Dutch so much? Hosea would’ve never let this happen. You think as you take a deep inhale and let out a long piercing whistle. It was a big gamble on a small chance, but you had to try something. Another long whistle. Does Dutch seriously not consider Arthur a priority? How long would he have waited if I didn’t leave then? You looked around anxiously, still no horse. One more whistle. Your stomach was turning in knots. God please let him be okay. Before you could stop it, your brain imagined the worst of the scenario. You had seen the bruised and broken bodies the O’Driscoll’s left behind in their wake and they didn’t even know those men. They knew Arthur alright, and that was what scared you. They definitely wouldn’t give him a quick death, which you tried to think was a good thing but you knew a quick death was better for him than whatever they planned on doing to him. A deep rage bubbled from inside. Colm, I swear to god if you hurt one hair on his head-
Hope came over the horizon in the form of a beautiful white horse “yah!” You cried as you dug your spurs into your horse. You practically dived off your horse when you caught up to his white steed, its eyes were farting around in a panic. “Shhhhh, it’s okay girl, you know me.” You said softly. You slowly put your hand on her neck and gave her a couple of soft pats. She seemed to calm under your touch, and you pulled an apple to your bag. “That’s a good girl.” You cooed as she took the apple from your hand. You mounted your horse and gave Arthur’s horse a swift slap on the butt, “go on, git! You know where home is!” The horse bolted and you watched as she made her way in the right direction, headed straight for Clemen’s Point. You looked down at the ground and allowed yourself a small smile. The tracks would lead you to where they met Colm, and from there you would be able to track their horses to wherever they took him. The ground was drier here, but the hoof prints were still distinguishable enough to follow. Your mind settled, focused and cold. I’m coming Arthur, don’t you worry. And I’ll make them pay for every mark they’ve left on your skin.
Arthur went in and out of consciousness. He was hung by his heels from the ceiling. His head was pounding from the blood rush and the bullet wound in his shoulder was throbbing. His whole body was aching with pain. They had beat him bloody from the time they caught him up until now. Even while he was unconscious they kicked him and hit him unrelentlessly. As he came back to consciousness, his throat was dry. When he coughed his whole body ached, he could feel the blood spilling from his mouth. His mouth was full of grit from where one of his teeth shattered. When he tried to spit it out all that came was blood and spit. He couldn’t open his eyes much as they were swollen almost completely shut. He tried to use his voice. “Dutch” He croaked. It hurt to speak. “Y/N.”
His words barely came out, no more than a whisper. “Somebody...Please.”
“Ain’t no body comin’ for you boy.” Arthur looked in the direction the voice came from and a big man with a round belly stepped out of the darkness. “And if they do, you’ll be long dead by then. We’ll make sure you’re here for ‘em to find though.” The man grabbed a hand full of Arthur’s hair and jerked his head up. “They’ll find ya alright, guts on the floor with the animals finishin’ ya off. We’ll be long gone before they can even find us.”
Arthur felt anger rise above his pain. “Damn you.”
The man dropped Arthur’s head and the momentum caused him to swing back and forth. His ankles lurched against the chains and he was taken by his pain. He felt himself fall into blackness once more.
It didn’t take you long to find the open field where they took him. You followed his tracks up the cliff and crouched low to the ground to read what happened there. Arthur’s rifle was left on the ground and you could see small spots of blood that trailed off with two sets of foot prints. You were filled with a cold rage, calm but ready to strike. They had already made him bleed which was unforgivable in your book. You stood with the rifle in hand. I hope you had your fun Colm, you think as you mount your horse. Because soon I’ll be sure you lose every ounce of blood Arthur has, and that’s a promise. You took off into the night, determination and fear and loathing blazing your path.
Arthur gasped as he was drenched with freezing water, instantly waking him. Colm stood in front of him and laughed. “Good morning, Mr. Morgan.”
Arthur stared up at him, eyes full of hate. Colm took a long drag off his cigar, then blew it straight into Arthur’s face. He coughed and his broken ribs stabbed into him painfully. “I ought to kill you right here, boy. You’ve killed a lot of my men.” He paces in front of Arthur. “But, you’re gonna do your job first. You’re gonna lure Dutch and all your little gang down here. You’ll be dead by then of course. And all the law will be here a waitin’ for ‘em.”
“I was just bait?” Arthur said, his voice raspy.
Colm laughed. “Oh yes. I’ll still around long enough to make sure Dutch gets what he deserves.” He stopped in front of Arthur and knelt down to look him dead in the eye. “I also want Hosea’s girl. She’s also killed a lot of my men, but she’s much prettier than you. I’ll have to give her the good ol O’Driscoll treatment. Maybe I’ll keep her as my own personal pet.”
Arthur lurched forward in outrage, his eyes burning with hatred. “If you lay a finger on her-“ Arthur’s voice was raspy and raw. Colm gave him a swift kick to the stomach and Arthur cried out in pain.
“Looks like I struck a nerve!” Colm said mockingly. He grabbed Arthur’s face hard, forcing him to look him in the eye. “In that case, I’ll keep you alive. Just long enough for you to watch as I take her. I wonder,” he said with a devise smile. “If I’ll be the first touch from a man she’ll know.” Colm three Arthur’s face back and laughed as he turned towards the door. “Goodbye, Mr. Morgan.”
Arthur writhed in a blind fury. The thought of Colm touching you while you were tied down and gagged made him feel sick. He had to escape, he couldn’t let Colm rip his family apart, and most importantly, he couldn’t let Colm have you. He saw the key to his shackles on the wooden table beside him. He began slowly swinging his body, trying to get enough momentum to reach the key. Almost, one more good swing and I’ve got it, he thought to himself. The door swung open. The fat man laughed. “Looks like someone is trying to make a break for it.” He locked eyes with Arthur has he walked to the table, put the key in his pocket, then delivered a swift punch to his temple. He was out instantly.
You stood on the cliff overlooking Colm’s hideout. You crouched in the grass and loaded your bow silently. Six guards, all facing separate directions. Slipping in undetected would’ve been impossible, but if you were careful, you could take them out stealthily and sneak in. Your precision was deadly. It didn’t take much effort to take down the guards swiftly. You walked back to your horse and replaced your bow with your repeater, put your pump action shotgun on your back, and your pistols in your holsters. You put a hand on your horse, “wait here, Lady. I’ll be back soon.”
You turned and headed down the hill. Your cold quiet rage was turning to a buzz in your head. Like locusts in the summer the buzzing got louder and louder until that was all you could hear. As entered the camp, a man holding a gun turned the corner. Before he could say a word, your throwing knife made contact with his forehead and he slumped over. You retrieved your knife and slowly retrieved your arrows from the corpses strewn around camp. As you pulled the arrow from your last victim, you heard footsteps behind you. “Hey w-“
Your knife wasn’t quick enough to stop the words from his mouth, and you could hear others coming. “Shit.” You said under your breath, and hid behind a barrel. Two men came to investigate the body.
“Someone’s in.” Said the first man. He turned to the man to his right, “go tell Colm, I think it’s one of the Van Der Linde’s.”
The second man turned, and this was your chance. You quietly moved from the shadows and shoved a knife through the first man’s heart. As he fell, you threw another knife at the second man, landing right in the neck. You nodded to yourself as his body slumped to the ground. You quietly searched the camp until you came across an old cellar. There was a dim light coming through the boards covering the entrance. As you put your hand on the cellar door, you heard heavy footsteps coming up the stairs of the cellar. You quickly tucked yourself into the corner, hiding in the shadows. A huge man emerged, his fists covered in blood. Your eyes narrowed and you let out a small whistle. The man turned in confusion and as he did, you stood quickly and ran an arrow straight through his eye. He gurgled as his heavy body fell and you slid down into the cellar and closed the doors behind you. There in the middle of the room was Arthur, and your heart dropped when you saw him. He was hanging by his ankles and he was in worse condition that you thought. You dropped to your knees in front of him and put this face in your hands. “Arthur? Arthur come on can you hear me?”
You shook him, his body like a ragdoll. “Sorry hun,” you whisper as you pull your hand back and deliver a clean smack to his face. You had to choke back a sob of happiness when his eyes flew open. “Hey there big fella, what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into now?”
Arthur was brought back to reality by a swift smack on his face, when he opened his eyes, there you were, hands craddling his face. You looked like you were about to cry, but you were smiling down at him. He let out a sigh of relief but Colm’s words rang in his ears. “Trap.” He rasped. “Colm wants Dutch. He wants you.” It was so painful to speak, but he had to tell you.
You filmed with the lock at his feet, “well that’s too damn bad. Where’s the key Arthur?”
He coughed. “Fat guy.”
You huffed in annoyance. “Fuck, okay I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
Arthur rolled his eyes, of course you still have time for jokes. He watched as you slipped out of the cellar with fear. He was still having a hard time believing you were able to get to him.
You patted down the corpse feverishly and relief washed over you as you felt the key in his pocket and pulled it out. You swung the cellar door back open and ran to Arthur. Your hands were shaky getting the key in the hole, but Arthur’s body dropped with a thunk when the key clicked. He groaned and you had to cover your laugh, “Sorry sorry. Let’s get you outta here.”
You helped him to his feet, he was so weak you had to support him. “Wait,” he planted his feet before you could make it to the stairs and painted to a chair in the corner. “Stuff.”
You nodded, sat him slowly at the stairs, and grabbed his clothes and his guns. You had to help him dress, his body weak and bruised and bloodied. You helped him adjust his gun belt as he put his hat on his head. You looked your arm back around him and pulled him up the stairs.
The ground was littered with bodies. Arthur looked at you as you whistled for your horse. “Did you do all this by yourself?”
You raised an eyebrow at him, “you surprised?”
A small laugh escaped him, causing an immediate wince. “Guess not. Colm wouldn’t happen to be one of those bodies would be?”
You remained focused and kept your eyes on the horizon for your horse. “I’m not quite sure. I honestly didn’t pay attention.”
Everything was too quiet, you remained alert as you helped Arthur into your horse. The click of a pistol,and you turned, pulling your shotgun off your back. Two triggers pull at the same time, but you’re faster than him. Your bullet connects with his knee, while his grazed your shoulder.
He fell to the ground, screaming in agonizing pain. His screams covered your cry of pain, you you alone remained standing. You gripped your shoulder tightly as you turned back to your horse. Arthur was barely conscious, supported by your horse’s neck. You gritted your teeth and winced in pain as you brought yourself up on the horse. “Just hang in there, I’ll get you home.” You whispered. That was the last thing Arthur heard before blacking out again.
You rode your horse hard. You could feel the wetness of your blood seeping through your clothes and your head floating. Just keep pushing. You told yourself. Just a little farther now. You made it all this way you can’t give up on him now. Keep pushing.
You looked down at Arthur’s unconscious body and steeled your focus. You couldn’t lose him, or even bear the thought of it. His breathing was getting slower and slower, and your head was feeling light. You had to pull through this for him. You decided if one of you died today, let it be you. The thought of losing him shook you to the core. I can’t lose you. I can’t go on without you.
You found yourself haunted by that thought, what would you do without Arthur? You blinked back your tears. No. You told yourself. I won’t let that happen. You steadied your breathing and gave a quick flick to your reigns, “faster Lady, come on!”
You you turned up the hill and saw the familiar woods on the horizon. You let out a shaky breath. “Thank God. Hang in there Arthur, we’re almost home.”
You kicked your spurs in “let’s go!” With a grunt your horse burst into a dash.
“Who’s there?” Called Bill.
“It’s me!” You called. “Give me a hand!”
“Shit!” Bill said as he jogged towards you. “Is that Morgan you got there?”
Your head was spinning and you were seeing double. “Get him down. I need...I need to get down.”
You slumped off your horse and your knees buckled under you. You leaned against a tree for support. Bill turned to you with Arthur pulled over his shoulder. “Shit, you’ve lost a lot of blood.”
“Yeah,” you said shakily. “Get him taken care of first. I can stitch myself up.”
Bill nodded and took off with Arthur.
You closed your eyes as your body slumped down the tree. The sticky feeling of wet material made you open your eyes. You looked down at your shoulder and your entire sleeve was red with blood, it was worse than you thought. Your vision started to blur. “Y/N? We need- shit!”
You look up, “Dutch?”
You can see his mouth moving but you can’t hear the words, his face blurred and everything went black.
When you woke, the sky was bright orange, sun setting over the trees. You began to sit up, but the sharp pain in your shoulder pushed you back down onto your cot.
“Careful, let me help.” Your eyes darted to the chair in the corner. Dutch was sitting there with his arms crossed. He stood and put one hand under your back and took your hand with the other. With his support, you slowly pulled yourself up. “Thanks, Dutch.”
He returned to his seat. “No problem.”
“Where’s Arthur?” You ask.
“He’s resting, he’s gonna be fine.” He cleared his throat. “I had a plan ya know.” His voice changed, he had a threatening tone under that polite voice. “You took off without my permission. What if-“
“What if we waited and Arthur was dead?” You cut him off. “What if I didn’t go right then, and we wait until sun rise. Did you see his body? How badly they beat him?” You looked him in the eyes. “He would be Dead right now if we waited for your “plan.” Don’t think I didn’t hear Micah trying to convince you not to go back for him. I’d like to think you’d shut him down but you stayed quiet. Why was that?”
“Micah,” He said quickly, eager to change the subject. “Is also recovering in his tent, Since you’re so eager to know.”
You rolled your eyes. “Damn, if only he woulda bled out then and there.”
Dutch sighed. “You know the rules Y/N, you can’t just go around shootin’ people you don’t like.”
“You’re right, we also don’t leave our family behind. How about we let Micah’s little accident go, and I won’t tell Arthur about you sending Micah after me to try and prevent me from coming after him, hmm?”
Dutch said nothing as he turned and left your tent. You sighed, your big mouth really got you into it this time. You stood slowly and pulled on your boots. You could see Arthur lying in his cot and Hosea was sitting beside him. You crossed the camp quickly.
“Ahh, you’re awake.” Hosea said as he stood.
“How is he?” Your eyes studied him. His chest was rising and falling softly, the dried blood had been washed off and his wounds were healing, but he was still in rough shape.
“He’ll make it. He just needs to rest for a few days and he’ll be just fine.” Hosea put his hand on your shoulder. “Take a seat. I was just leaving.” You nodded and sat in the chair beside Arthur’s bed. You waved as Hosea walked away. As your eyes studied his face, you felt all the emotions crash upon you like a tidal wave. Big tears welled up in your eyes as soft sobs rose from your chest, you pulled his hand into yours.
Arthur felt the warmth enveloping his hand, and as he slowly rise into consciousness he could hear the sound of crying. His eyes opened slowly and saw you. His hand was clasped tightly between yours and your eyes were closed, tears falling through your eyelashes. “I hope you aren’t cryin’ over me.” He said in a low voice.
You jumped at the sound of his voice and dropped his hand to wipe your cheeks quickly. “Sorry, I just, I’m glad you’re okay.” You gave him a small smile.
“And what about you?” Arthur pulled himself up slowly. “When I first came to Dutch told me you took a bullet to the shoulder, almost bled out on us.” He looked away and his voice grew soft. “I had no idea. I felt like the most useless man in the world. They wouldn’t even let me get up to go see you, after everything you did for me.”
You smiled, “Good, you needed to rest.”
He looked down at your hand and took it softly. “I needed to see you though, I hated lyin’ here while I knew you were hurt. Got hurt all because of me.”
You put your hand on his cheek and brought his gaze to you. “Don’t be ridiculous, it was nothing compared to what you went through! I had to save you, I don’t know what I would do without you.”
You felt your cheeks turn pink, you wanted to turn away, your Arthur’s eyes held you. He put his hand over yours to keep it on his face. “I thought I was going to lose you,” he whispered. “When Colm had me locked up, I thought I would never get to see you again.” His eyes shifted to the floor. “All I could think was how badly I wanted to see your face one more time. Just so I could...I just wanted to...” he trailed off.
Your heart skipped a beat. “Arthur, I-“
His lips cut you off, they were soft against yours and as quickly as they came, they left. “I just wanted to tell you how I feel, so I wouldn’t die regretting never knowing how you’d feel.” He spoke barely louder than a whisper and his breathing was shaky.
You felt happy tears well up as you brought his face back and kissed him deeply. His arms wrapped around you gently.
“Get a room, kids!” You both jumped at the sound of John’s voice as he passed. You couldn’t help but notice how red Arthur’s face was. “This is my room, jackass!” He called back. He looked back at you and laughed nervously. He took your hand and smiled, “I think I’m gonna need a more private living arrangement.”
You blushed and kissed his cheek. “You’ll just have to come back to my tent, at least I’ve got closable flaps.”
He rolled his eyes, “but it’s close to Micah’s tent.”
You giggled, “I don’t think he’ll be giving us much trouble.”
Arthur looked at you confused. “I may or may not have shot him in the foot before coming after you.”
Arthur burst into laughter and grabbed at his sides. “You are the best goddamn thing to ever happen to me.”
You smiled smugly, “I know.”
Arthur laid back down on the cot and opened his arms toward you. The cot was small, but he held you tight. As you closed your eyes, he kissed your cheek softly. His beard tickled your neck and his breathing was soft. Without even realizing it, he had given you everything you had ever wanted.
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shhh-no-ones-home · 5 years ago
Text
sapphires are a girls worst enemy ryan sitkowski x reader
+++++++++ Request from @ryansitkowskiswifey : "Can I request a Ryan Imagine? Maybe being jealous over him being around women?"
this was kind of vague and i just did the chris one like this so i changed a little bit but i hope its still good. i also wanted it to be the opposite of "diamonds are a girls best friends" by marilyn monroe because thats sort of what this idea sparked. hopefully its not too far off and i hope you enjoy!
Song: death is a party, invite all your friends by palaye royale
tag list: @cynic-spirit @alilpunkrock @svintsandghosts @theoneandonlykymberlee @thisplace-ishaunted @musicsexandpizza69
+++++++++
"damn, where you going dressed like that?"
i said gawking at ryan in his pressed suit. he looked at me confused as he pushed his cuff links into the sleeves.
"why arent you ready?"
he asked and i raised a brow.
"ready for what?"
"what do you mean ready for what? get up, come on or we'll be late."
he pulled me off the couch and pushed me down the hall to our bedroom, there laying on the bed was a deep blue cocktail dress.
"wait, ryan, seriously, what is this for?"
he looked confused again.
"didnt i tell you the party was tonight?"
i raised a brow and shook my head no.
"absolutely not, im pretty sure i wouldve remembered a party invite."
he thought for a second, one hand on his hip and the other scratching at his beard.
"i could have swore i told you. but whatever, you need to hurry up and get dressed or we're gonna be late."
he handed me the dress before leaving the room so i could get ready. i looked over it before quickly going to the bathroom and doing my makeup. when it was done i slipped on the dress and curled my hair, pinning it back and spraying it with hairspray. i sneezed, making myself laugh a little bit before waving my hand in the air to get rid of the fumes.
"bless you!"
i heard ryan call from our room. i opened the bathroom door and stepped out, taking a new pair of heels from him and slipping them on.
"where did you get all this stuff anyways?"
i said standing up straight and taking his hand.
"from a friend. he said we had better look nice for this party or dont come at all, so he came in clutch."
i nodded as we walked out to the car.
"right."
i said as he started it, taking my hand in his again and pulling out of the driveway.
---
when we got the party i was a bit surprised. id never been to something like this before, a valet helped me out of the car, offering me over to ryan as he handed him the keys. he pulled me to the door, flashing his invitation to the man at the door and granting us access to the large hotel lobby. we walked in slowly, being immediately met with lots of people standing around, drinking alcohol out of crystal glasses and swaying lightly to the overhead music as they chatted amongst themselves.
"ryan what the hell is this?"
i asked, him tightening his grip on my hand.
"its a party y/n, look we just need to be seen by the host and then we can go."
i shook my head, drawing my brows together.
"we just got here and you wanna leave already?"
he looked at me confused.
"you wanna stay?"
i shrugged as we walked across the room to the bar.
"how often do we get to go out like this? im wearing designer for fucks sake."
i got a few nasty looks from people we walked past at my choice of language.
"fine we can stay for a bit but you gotta be cool."
i raised a brow at him as he asked the bar tender for two drinks.
"me, not be cool? unheard of."
he laughed a little at me as he handed me one of the glasses.
"right."
i shook my head and took a drink.
"im cool. sometimes."
"sure."
he touched my arm lightly.
"hey, im gonna go find the bathroom, dont go anywhere."
i nodded, watching him walk away from me quickly. i sat at the bar, sipping my cocktail and people watching.
"and whats a beautiful young thing like yourself doing here all alone?"
i heard as a tall, serious looking man walking up to me, ordering a drink for himself.
"oh uh, im not alone, my boyfriend just went to do something."
he nodded.
"boyfriend, he must be the one i invited cause im sure i wouldve remembered a creature such as yourself on the guest list."
i laughed a little but to myself, feeling a little guilty at the blush creeping to my face.
"yeah, his name is ryan-"
he snapped and pointed at me.
"sitkowksi's plus one! of course! he did say you were an eye-full."
i smiled at the thought of him complimenting me as such to someone else.
"thats sweet of you to say."
he gently touched my hand, leaning further into the bar.
"well it is true, he also said you look best in sapphire, and looking at the dress i sent him id say he chose well."
i slid my hand slowly away from him, taking a sip of my own drink.
"thank you kindly, i was a bit surprised at his choice of outfit but am thankful for it nonetheless. it really is beautiful."
he reached forward to push my chin up, making me pull away form him, my gaze darting across the room. i saw ryan, talking to a small group of girls.
"just as beautiful as you sweetheart."
i was starting to get uncomfortable. and watching ryan from across the room made me uneasy, not only was he not with me to stop this mans relentless flirting he was starting to get touched by the girls talking to him. i watched as they giggled to themselves, the three women touching his arms and chest as they flirted with him. i was a bit frustrated to be honest. i tapped the bar lightly, looking back to the host.
"right, um, if youll excuse me."
he grabbed my arm as i stood off my bar stool.
"going so soon princess?"
i looked down at his hand before looking up at him sternly.
"wouldnt want to ruin this pretty dress."
i said harshly, pulling my arm away from his. he looked a little disgusted at what i was insinuating.
"of course."
i nodded before walking off in ryans direction. i was fuming now, how dare he try to take advantage of me like that, even knowing i had a boyfriend. and not only that but those women were still flirting with ryan. i walked up to the them and ryan looked down at me with pleading eyes.
"hes taken."
i said rather aggressively, grabbing his hand and pulling him away from them.
"and we're leaving."
i started pulling him towards the front door.
"wait, babe? i thought you said you wanted to stay. i didnt even get to talk to-"
"i did, hes a gem, lets go."
he stopped, spinning me around to face him.
"wait, is this cause of those girls? they were just asking about the band."
i scoffed at him.
"yes, the girls, of course."
i rolled my eyes at him.
"then what?"
"your generous host was trying to get in my pants,"
i poked his chest.
"knowing i was taken!"
he drew his brows together.
"really?"
i crossed my arms over my chest.
"the girls were just the tipping point. i was trapped at the bar alone with creeper-mcgee and you were over there flirting with the gaggle of idiots."
i looked down at the ground trying to not let my anger turn to tears. he ran his hand gently down my arm.
"im sorry y/n, i didnt mean to make you feel that way. if you really are uncomfortable we can leave."
i nodded, stepping into him and wrapping him in a hug.
"going so soon?"
i heard his voice again, the host. i tensed my body before looking up, not letting ryan go.
"uh yeah Gio, sorry, we would love to stay longer but y/n's sick."
he lied, looking down at me and rubbing my back reassuringly.  the man reached forward, moving to touch me face but ryan caught his hand.
"ill have the dress dry cleaned and sent back to your office."
he said, looking deeply at Gio. the man just looked over me.
"dont worry about it. A creature like this deserves to own nice things, she should keep it. after all, she does look stunning in sapphire."
i wanted to vomit.
"how kind."
ryan said annoyed, letting go of his hand.
"hopefully ill be seeing you again young thing. and i hope you feel better, if theres anything i can do dont hesitate to ask."
i nodded.
"thanks but at the moment id just like to lie down."
he bowed forward.
"then i wish you both a safe trip home."
i watched in horror as the three women who had been flirting with ryan flocked to Gio, hugging to him like leeches. maybe he was trying to break us up but who knows.
"thanks."
ryan said, unwrapping my arms from his torso and taking my hand in his.
"ill be in touch."
gio said as we turned to leave, walking out the door that was being held and going straight to the valet.
"i never wanna go back."
i said quietly to ryan and he nodded, kissing my forehead.
"and we never have to."
he said taking the keys from the valet as they pulled up. he held the door for me.
"id also like to get out of this designer death trap."
i said, desperate. he looked down at me, disappointment written on his face from the events of the night.
"Walmart and McDonald it is."
i smiled up at him.
"thanks baby."
he closed the door and i watched him intently as he jogged around the car, sliding into the driver side and taking my hand.
"comfort here we come."
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punkscowardschampions · 5 years ago
Text
Ali & Carly
Ali: How do you like your  🥚🍳 in the morning? Carly: no 🐣 Carly: ha Ali: 🐔 didn't show up in your roost later, did he? Carly: he must be scared of you Carly: 🔮 Ali: or my 🐺 Carly: maybe Ali: eggs aside, how you feeling, chick? Carly: 😷🤒🤕🤢🤮 Ali: 👎👎👎👎👎 Ali: unacceptable! Ali: what do you need, kill or cure? Carly: cure forever Carly: im too young to die Ali: I'll swing by with my witches brew Ali: actually doesn't taste like ☠ either Ali: pure 😇 Carly: aw Carly: really? Ali: 'course, not gonna half-arse the job Ali: and it makes a full pot, no sense in not sharing the 💚 Carly: 💙 Carly: wat does it taste like? Ali: like Christmas 🎄🎅🤶🎁❄️🌨️☃️✨🌟 Carly: 😋😊🥰 Ali: it's got ginger and peppermint in Ali: the only other person hanging out their arse is my brother and he would rather die 'cos he's grumpy 👴 man energy so Carly: no 🦃 tho yea?! ha Carly: oh no he sounds like my da Carly: which cute bro is it? Ali: definitely not 😂 Ali: some greens but not sprouts Ali: the freckly one Carly: did u heal my heart to 💔😢? Carly: course itd be the most beautiful one Ali: oh no, you're delirious Ali: I'll come quick 😜 Carly: dont b jealous 👼 hes only the most beautiful boy Ali: 😏 My ma'll be gutted Carly: do u have a tea for that? Ali: 🍋 'cos she's so bitter? Ali: I'll see if she goes for it Carly: noooo 🍯 so she wont be Ali: you're too sweet yourself, Walsh Carly: aw Carly: but ur the 1 who saved me Carly: ur the sweetest Ali: anyone would Carly: nah ur the 1st Carly: not just saying it to u get ur fairy wings Ali: had to fly away from that particular 🐔 plenty myself Ali: harmless and flightless though he is, most the time Carly: yea Carly: he talks about u wen hes been on it Carly: the 1 that flew away Ali: uh oh Ali: can't let a boy ✂ your wings Ali: ever Ali: ever Ali: 👼🏽 🐔 🐧 🐦 🐤 🐣 🐥 🦆 🦢 🦅 🦉 🦚 🦜 🦇 🐝 🦋 🐞 🦗 🦟 🐓 🦃 🕊 Carly: im 😕💫🙃 but idk if those were the guests i danced with Carly: did get a cute lil 🎶🎤 to fall asleep to tho 💙🕊 Carly: 🌚🌝🌛🌜🌞 Ali: very 👸 of you though Ali: I can 👀 it Carly: my ma is trying to make me clean Carly: 🐇🐁🐀🐿🦔🐾 pls Ali: also unacceptable Ali: not 'til you're better Ali: use my wings to fly through and 🤞 he don't get the wrong idea about who I'm there to see Carly: [sends her a pic of whatever caravan mess she caused last night that her mum is raging about] Carly: so u can play a game of spot whats got her 😠 Carly: cuz idk Ali: Fun 🧐🤔🤨 Ali: angry mothers are my forte Ali: [does the circling the hazzards moment on the pic] Carly: making her angry is mine but nah to knowing y ever ever Carly: k ur cute & smart Carly: 🌟 Ali: it's rarely logical, but 🤫 on that or it's hulk levels in 0-60 Ali: how are you this nice when you're 😷🤒🤕🤢🤮 Ali: that's a skill, rare one at that 💎✨ Carly: my da is looking green must of had his own 🎶🍻💃 ha Carly: idk i can b nicer? but k now i know ronan aint been talking bout me when hes 🍺 or 💊 Ali: can be a tea party for three Ali: have to bring his own 🎩 though Ali: not to me anyway Ali: but as you can tell Ali: 🐺 keeps all the 🐓🐓🐓 away Carly: 🐇🐇🐇♠️♣️♥️♦️🐇🐇🐇 Carly: she is fierce Ali: she likes to think so Ali: 🐶 really Carly: course ur not scared of her silly Carly: u love her Carly: im a 🐈 person ha Ali: [sends her a load of pictures of Bluebeard she didn't ask for rather than being like do I love her hmm] Carly: AW!!!! Carly: 🥰🤗 Ali: he's captain ☠🏴 but there's always room aboard Carly: thats the best offer ive had from a gentleman ever ever ever Carly: whats his name? Ali: Bluebeard Ali: and he is MOSTLY a gentleman if you can handle some toe nibbling Carly: 😍😍😍😍 Carly: into it Carly: ive done more for lads i just met who aint as beautiful so Ali: 😂 I feel that Ali: honestly, it's quite comforting, when he doesn't sneak attack you with it Carly: [sends her a selfie that shouldn't be as adorable as it is] Carly: now u can introduce us Carly: 👋 baby blue Ali: the 😍😍😍😍 are mutual Ali: I can tell Carly: yay Carly: 🧡 Ali: is there anything else you need/we want for the tea party? Ali: en-route at last Carly: ur really coming? Ali: yeah, sorry I was ages, it's a whole process brewing it Ali: also a dead giveaway you're 😷🤒🤕🤢🤮 which obvs my ma takes as her cue to be all Spanish inquisition about it Ali: 📚 of my mostly-fictional-but-which-are-and-which-aren't-mother exploits later Carly: sorry iou so much magic Ali: nah, don't worry about it 👸 Ali: who doesn't love a little scandal with their morning brew? she deffo does Carly: its too late im looking for 🍀 Carly: among the 🌼🌼🌼 Ali: awh Ali: I'm never turning down extra luck Ali: we can make daisy-chains Carly: its the dresscode Carly: soz da Ali: does he have a 🧔? Ali: that's a #look Carly: not rn Carly: my ma wasnt on @ me only to clean up Carly: he had his turn Ali: damn it Ali: maybe a nice belt Ali: I'll be 🤔 Carly: dont b 💔😢 he has bushy eyebrows Ali: same Ali: he's earnt his invite back Ali: your ma gonna have to chill though Ali: and it ain't that kinda tea 💔 Carly: you wont b able to tell if shes angry or surprised Ali: 😚 ⬅ I know the vibe Ali: you do you babe Carly: she used to let me sort em out but there was an accident Carly: which im sworn to secrecy about Ali: I'm so good with secrets 🙏🙏🙏 Carly: k Carly: my head zoned out but my hands kept going like Ali: you were meditating you can't help having  🌌🧠 Ali: I'll 🤭 now and never tell, don't worry Mrs W Carly: @ school yea im meditating on your q sir relax Carly: ha love that Ali: they just ask questions to answer it themselves, what is the point Carly: u coming for my ma again? Ali: 🤫 bad first impression, that Carly: shes heard it from ronan too sorry Carly: lad has loose lips Ali: honestly Ali: 🙄 can't keep up with my bad reputation Carly: ud think hed be better at kissing Carly: its talk talk talk Carly: more good things about u than ive made it seem like tho Ali: he was a big talker Ali: probably 'cos he ain't allowed with the lads Carly: if he talked about what a 👼 u are & how 💔😢 he is theyd uninvite him from the bonfire Carly: its sweet really how hung up hes got Ali: he only thinks I'm an 👼 'cos he took my virginity probs Ali: that's more suitable 🔥side chat Carly: he goes on about that alot but I thought he was lying Carly: oh no that sounds bad Carly: not calling u a slag ur obvs not its y he likes u more Ali: 😂 I'm fine with slag Ali: all definition dependent anyway Carly: yea same Carly: can be hot if ur in the mood Ali: right, and if I'm a slag 'cos I didn't marry him then I'll take it Carly: & hes not allowed to marry gorgers theyd wanna throw him in the 🔥 Ali: exactly Ali: we can't both be 💔😢 forever can we boy Carly: just me @ the party til u came to my rescue Ali: 🥺 Ali: What was he even on about then, like? Ali: dickhead Carly: idk i zone out wen he shouts @ me too Ali: I can always poison a cup and send it his way Ali: just say the word Carly: hes not that bad Ali: okay okay, just some laxatives Ali: 'cos he's a bit 💩 Carly: ha Ali: no 🌼🌼🌼 unless he says soz then Carly: but his beautiful curls 🥺 Ali: hmm, a good point Ali: be strong, baby Carly: ill throw one @ him & run away Carly: back to u Ali: you're so adorable Carly: says u Carly: 👼👸🏼 Ali: 💚 we're gonna have an adventure when the tea hits okay Ali: I've decided Carly: k thats the kinda 🎄🎅🤶🎁 it is Carly: i do want the energy of a kid on xmas morning Ali: that's the best Ali: how I'm tryna be every day Carly: 💫⭐️🌟✨⚡️☄️ 🚀🛸 Ali: if only 🚀 Ali: this bike can only go as fast as my lil legs can carry, like Carly: aw baby Carly: i shouldve asked u where u live before this 2nd rescue was launched Carly: im sorry Ali: No distance is too far for a fair maiden Carly: ill have to see what other 🔮 i can find before u get here Carly: dont love ious Ali: there's no ious Carly: [sending her loads of pics of her with or just pics of the cat lady's cats that she's rounding up for this tea party and they're adorable] Ali: 😍💞😻 Ali: okay, non-debt fully paid though Carly: [just rambling about the names she's given each cat cos her and cat lady don't know each other properly til Ali comes along and like facts about each cat/her fave things cos she's a big nerd] Ali: I love them Ali: I'm gonna get them some 🐟🐟🐟 when I get tea party tings Ali: some cream, awh, okay, this is happening Carly: im picking enough 🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼 for everyone Ali: should've put Bluebs in my basket Ali: next time Carly: aw Carly: Humbug might try & fight him Carly: youd b there to protect him tho Ali: I can ref Ali: my little brother is always trying to play-fight everyone so I'm well-versed Carly: is he ticklish? that works for me Carly: broken up lots of fights Ali: big time Ali: his kryptonite Ali: reckon it's against the rules in professional fights but preparing him for anything like any good big sister Carly: ha Carly: aw i bet ur an amazing sister Carly: if i had 1 maybe id wanna be on site sometimes Carly: my ma's eyebrows r hardly a call to home Ali: he might disagree but he's 5 so what does he know 😉 Ali: feel that though Ali: home is just a base, whole 🌍 out there Carly: wen ur 5 you argue to argue Carly: yea if u dont use ur wings theyll think u dont want em 💔😢 Ali: flying is like riding a 🚲 though Carly: r we goin on a 🚲 adventure? Ali: definitely Ali: ugh, need one of those wagons for the 😻😻😻s Carly: ☺️its gonna b so fun! Carly: we might meet more 🐈🐈🐈🐈 Ali: way better than 🐔 Carly: ha Carly: do u have 🔮 left to help me find shoes? Ali: have you checked the fridge? Carly: [a pause while she do] Carly: theyre not there 😕🧐 Ali: damn, that'd be the last place I'd look though Ali: were they in the mess your Ma was sounding off about fr Carly: o mayb Carly: if i was wearing any when you dropped me off Ali: 🤔 I don't know if I recall any glass slippers Ali: I'll ask Lene hold up Carly: 👸 energy Carly: but idk if i wanna scary 🐺 at my door Ali: turns out she's actually your 👵 Carly: ha my grandma is 💍 to god Carly: its not close to the energy shes putting out Ali: she'd probably tell your actual that God is a gay girl Ali: nah she's well 😇 around fam, just hide behind your Ma and me, baby, you'll be fine Carly: ha that wasn't in any of the kids bible stories she sent me every 🎄🎅🤶🎁 Carly: her god is 😠 than Humbug Carly: he likes to shout so i gotta zone out Carly: aw that's sweet ur ma loves her too? Ali: Hooray for Catholicism, yeah? 😏 Ali: she loves my Ma, more like Carly: we spend our sundays on our knees nana but its 🚽🤮 or u kno a bigger sin Carly: u do look like her i remember Ali: that's not QUITE 🚽🤮 levels but close 😂 Carly: nah its nice u have the same 👀💙✨ Carly: idk who i look like Carly: postman maybe Ali: now I don't know whether to 😳 or be 🤨 you like my Ma too Ali: you look like you and that's Ali: 💛 😍 😘 🥰 😚 👸 👼🏽 🐰 🌼 🌻 🌞 🍓 🍑 🍨 🍰 🍭 🍬 🎆 💜 Carly: yea 🤞🙏🌠 the postman isnt my da cuz hes a ride Carly: aw now youve got me 😳 Ali: rude, my postman is not Carly: 🚫💌 then baby Carly: ill text u instead Ali: so grumpy, don't stick your hand right into our house if you don't wanna get bitten, sir Ali: not by me, whatever Ronan has said Ali: though I'm well flattered I'm getting a text back Carly: ha its k its not that u use too much teeth Carly: & course ur my hero Carly: tho 🤞🙏🌠 wont b an sos every time Ali: good, can't have him putting you off with blatant lies Ali: it won't be if I do a better job at the heroics and get there before any bad shit can happen Carly: its k i like it Carly: helps me remember what i did Carly: 💔😢 no lads r spelling their names out in bruises for the who Carly: 🐇🐾🐇🐾🐇 Carly: nooo theres no better u could do Carly: ur flying to me faster than anyone has ever ever Ali: amateurs, like Ali: so rude, ain't they heard you're 👸 Ali: I'm basically there now, prepare for the best tea party you've ever been to Carly: aint wat theyve heard but idc Carly: yay 💙 i havent had 1 since me & my 🧸🧸🧸 Ali: I'll be 🎶🔊 it so get in the know lads Ali: awh, can I meet them too? Carly: not too 🔊 or ur gf will bite me which could b fun but im not trying to do u like 💔😢 Carly: some r shyer than others but if u work ur 🔮 how u did for me ull make friends Ali: fill your boots, babe, I don't reckon she's your type, like Ali: I'll be on my best behaviour 🤞 Ali: the loveliest guest you've ever had 🤞🤞 Carly: be fun though Carly: not boring Ali: 😲😲 Ali: Is that the impression I give off? Ali: or another Ronan tale, either way Ali: gonna have to prove otherwise now in the most extra ways imaginable Carly: nahhh Carly: he don't lie to me its his 1 saving grace Carly: its just like a pls Carly: to u & the universe Ali: I won't be boring Ali: trust me Carly: k Carly: i do ur a lifesaver Ali: nah Ali: just happy to help Carly: im happy we r mates Ali: me too Ali: idk why we weren't before, like Ali: too many people at school Carly: & i dont go much ha Ali: this is true Ali: lesser spotted walsh 🐦 Carly: oooh wat colours am i Ali: 💗💜💛🧡💗 Carly: cute Ali: very Carly: wats ur fave colour? Ali: It's a harder question than people reckon, that Ali: like, there's so many beautiful things of every colour Ali: if I can decide for the day, I feel like I'm doing a disservice to all the others Carly: sorry Carly: i havent decided on mine either Carly: when i was a lil kid it was 💛 for the 🌞 then wen i started goin out it was silver for wat i thought the 🌚 looked like Carly: but ive seen so many new colours since Ali: kids always know Ali: they're much smarter than adults about everything Carly: i bet ur lil bro is the smartest Carly: like u Ali: he likes red for 🚨❌🛑⛔️🚫💯‼️🥊🥤 Ali: and I see the appeal Carly: does he like 🍎? i kno somewhere that sells the reddest shiniest 1s Carly: or we cud just throw 🍅s Ali: he's at the anti-fruit stage Ali: but I reckon he could be convinced if we let him smother 'em in caramel and sprinkles Carly: its a date Ali: Me first
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ironspiidey · 5 years ago
Text
Superheros Get Bullied too
Chapter: 1
Chapter 3 is Up!
Chapter 3: Peter Parker and Chinese at the Tower
Read it on A03
“Oh my god.” Peter shakes shutting and locking the bathroom door. He feels an anxiety attack coming on so he strips off his hoodie and sits on the floor. He puts his head in his hands and felt the tears starting.
“Pete baby you okay?” Tony softly knocks
“Go away.” He practically whispers.
“You know I can’t do that sweetheart. Can I come in?”
“You’re going to come in anyway if I say no won’t you.” Peter mumbles from behind his hands
“If I say no, will you let me in?”
Peter scoffs “Friday unlock the door please”
“Of course Peter” the Ai responds
“That’s my boy “Tony locks the door behind him. He sits beside Peter and starts to run his fingers through his hair
Peter leans into the touch and keeps sniffling
“What happened today?” Tony says softly
“Flash was an absolute nightmare and I lost it. Everybody was talking about me.”
“I’m sorry baby but he’s done hurting you now I promise.” Tony pulls Peter to him and places a kiss to his hair. “Did he hurt you Pete?”
Peter first leans into the touch relaxing and feeling the stress of today disappear but when his boyfriend mentioned being hurt he stiffened up
“Pete?”
“Harley told you.”
“My nephew wasn’t very forthcoming no. He reacted the same way you are.”
Peter sighed and turned around looking up at the man “Tony…”
Tony wraps his arms around the younger man then noticed his arm which was turned a blackish, blue color.
“Did he do that?”
Peter swallowed and looked at his wrist. “Oh my god, Tony I swear it looks worse than it is.”
“Peter I won’t ask again.”
“Tones I swear to you it was only yellow earlier like a normal bruise. All he did was grab my arm to stop me but I pulled and then pushed him away, it’s gotta have something to do with my super healing. Ask Harley! He can confirm it Tones”
Tony took ahold of his arm and lightly touched the bruise “does it hurt?”
“No Tones, I didn’t even notice it.”
Tony looked up at him and then down at the bruise. “He fucking touched you baby.”
“I’m fine, I swear.”
“Yeah well I’m not and neither will he when I’m done with him.” Tony growled.
Peter grabbed onto Tony and held tightly. “He’s not worth it, Tony please just let it go.”
Tony looked at him in disbelief “You’re fucking kidding me right? He fucking laid a hand on you Pete. You could have been hurt! He will pay for this.”
“But I’m not hurt. I’m okay really I’m not just saying that either.”
Tony cups Peter’s face, thumbs caressing his cheeks “But baby you could have been. What if you didn’t have your Spidey-strength. He could have broken your wrist. It might not have stopped there, don’t you see Peter??”
Peter’s eyes started to water when Tony raised his voice. It was scary at the thought of what might have happened if he didn’t have his strength but it didn’t happen. “Tony please.”
Tony’s eyes softened and he leaned forward pressing a soft his to his forehead, nose, each cheek & then his lips. “I’m sorry baby but I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”
“MJ!!!” Ned calls out of breath, running to where she was sitting outside.
“Why are you out of breath? More importantly why are you talking to me? It’s my only spare today.”
Ned rolls his eyes and plops down across from her “Have you seen Peter?”
“No, why?”
“He’s gone.”
MJ raises an eyebrow “Gone?”
“Yes!” Ned sighs exasperated “Like clearly not in the building gone, he wasn’t even in AP Physics.”
MJ sits up. “And Flash?”
Ned swallowed “I haven’t seen him.”
“Me neither, what about Harley?”
“Gone too.”
MJ sighs and pulls out her phone
“What are you going to do?” Ned asks
“Call Harley.” MJ shakes her head as if it’s the most obvious thing
Ned’s eyes widen “Call him? Why not Peter? Who knows what Harley is up to?”
MJ rolls her eyes “Ned. Good god. You worry too much. Plus I heard Harley was with Peter right after Chemistry soo if Peter left, it would most likely be with him.”
Ned mumbles under his breath “Or with his boyfriend.”
MJ raises an eyebrow. “What did you say?”
“Uh nothing. Yeah not a thing.”
“Did you say Peter has a boyfriend?”
“If you knew what I said why did you even ask? Put me on speaker if you’re still calling him”
MJ gave him a look “We will deal with that later, right now I have to call our friendly thug”
Harley sighs and looks down at his food wondering if he should bother eating anymore when his phone suddenly rings “What the fuck? Who calls people anymore?” He pulls out his phone and notices its MJ calling.
“Yo?”
“Harley hi, it’s MJ.”
“Yeah I kinda figured, with the caller ID and all.”
“Did you see Peter?”
Harley licks his lips nervously and glances in the direction both him and his uncle just went a few minutes ago “Uh yeah you could say that.”
“Did you know he skipped out on AP Physics?”
“Yup.” He decides yeah he will eat the slowly cooling Chinese noodles and stuffs a spoonful into his mouth “Why do you ask?” He says with a mouthful off noodles
“Let’s try that again in English this time.”
Harley rolls his eyes, grabs a drink of water and swallows “I said, why you ask? Your being awful nosy there Mary-Jane”
“Fuck you. Don’t call me that.”
“You wish sweetheart”
“Your disgusting:”
Both Harley and Ned start laughing “Remember you called me.”
“Right I did, because Peter, you and Flash were all MIA for the past 2 hours.”
“Peter is fine, He just needed to get away for a little. I’m sure Ned survived without him for one class.” Harley switched to speakerphone, laying his cell on the table and continuing to munch
“Are you sure? How you do know?” Ned speaks up before MJ could get snippier.
“Ahh I see now Mary Jane, Ned’s been pestering you. And here I thought you had a heart.” Harley says before finishing off his noodles. “Parker is fine, really. You don’t need to worry.”
“You sound so sure, but nobody’s heard from him.” Ned mumbles
Harley was about to speak when he’s interrupted
“C’mon Tones, Harley can vouch for me”
“What was that?” MJ questions
Harley coughs awkwardly and scrambles for the phone to take it off speaker “Yeah that was just the uh TV. Stupid commercials always come in louder than the actual show.”
“Nephew we need to have a little chat.”
“You’re at your uncles?” MJ asks, not giving up. Almost certain that she heard Peter
“Uh yeah, and I gotta go. Talk to you never I hope.” Harley quickly hangs up the phone despite hearing both MJ and Ned’s protests.
“Who was that?” Peter asked curiously.
“Your security team” Harley laughs
“Ned and MJ?”
Harley nods “who else? Apparently they decided to play detective and pester me.”
Peter sits down next to him, scrunching his nose up at his cold Chinese noodles “ugh, I hate cold Chinese”
“You’ve become spoiled Petey” Harley grins and grabs his plate heading to the kitchen to heat it up for him. As he heads back in Tony stops him and presses the back of his hand to the kid’s forehead “You feeling ill Harley?”
Harley pushes his head away and walks over to Peter, sitting his plate down in front of the young super hero. “No why?”
“You went and reheated Petey’s plate without me asking you to” He says with a smirk, knowing full well that his nephew was starting to form a sweet spot for the other teen
“Yeah well its clear he’s had a shitty ass day, least I can do is heat up the princess’s plate of food” Harley shrugs
Peter starts blushing “I’m not a princess!”
Harley rolled his eyes. “You just keep telling yourself that. “
Peter starts to eat his Chinese then looks up at Tony watching both teenagers with a smile on his face “What?” he says around a mouthful
“This is just nice, you two getting along, shame I’m about to ruin it.”
Harley raised an eyebrow. “One we co-exist together, two whatcha mean, ‘about to ruin it’” the teen uses air quotes at the end of his sentence
Peter gulps and looks at his food. Knowing he needs Harley to vouch for how the bruise looked earlier but at the same time worried about how he will react to how it looks now. “He uh needs you to confirm with what I told him.”
Harley turns away from his uncle and looks to Peter, frowning when he sees Peter’s stressed expression “Confirm what Parker?”
Peter swallows loudly and looks up at Harley “About today, with flash and how he grabbed me.”
Harley sunk back into his seat “Oh. “ He looked up at his uncle and could tell behind that smile there was a lot of rage ready to explode. “So you told him about your arm.?”
“He didn’t have much of a choice when he took his hoodie off.” Tony states leaning back in his chair, doing his best to remain calm, no need to lose it and worry his poor Peter anymore then he already is. “What concerns you with this my dear nephew is the bruise itself”
Harley sat up in confusion, seeing that Tony was not in fact about to rip his head off “The bruise itself?”
“Peter.”
Peter sighed and lifts his sweater sleeve and turns fully to the other teen “I need you to tell Tony that this bruise was yellow earlier.”
“Holy fuck Peter!” Harley takes a sharp inhale “I thought you said he didn’t hurt you. “
Peter nods “Because he didn’t. He barely grabs me.”
“Barley grabbed you? Look at your arm Peter how the hell can it go from barely there yellow to basically black and blue?” Harley gives Peter a look, feeling like there is more to the story then the superhero is letting on.
Peter slides his sweater on and tries to remain calm, he really doesn’t feel the need to start crying again thank you very much. “See Tony? It was only yellow earlier.”
“That doesn’t explain why it’s purple now Peter.”
Peter looks at Harley, could tell the teen was getting agitated especially since he called him by his first name. “It’s gotta be my super healing. “ Peter shrugs
“But. –“
“Let it go Harley I’m fine!” Peter starts to storm off but Harley grabs his arm
“Harley…” Tony says sternly
“Just wait here a minute. You say all he did was grab you like this right?”
Peter swallowed nervously but nodded.
“Okay so humor me for a minute ?” Harley looked from Peter to his uncle. To which Tony nodded, curious as to where his nephew was going with this.
“Um okay.”
“So you say he grabbed you like this “Harley held Peter’s other arm, not the one flash grabbed.
Peter nodded
“How tight?”
“Tighter then this.”
Harley tightened his hold but it was still semi loose, the way most people would try to grab someone’s attention without being malicious. “How about now?”
“Not yet.”
They went on like that for another few minutes before Harley let go and turned fully to his uncle “If I were to grab his arm any tighter it would be painful. I’m sorry but there is no fucking way that Thompson could have grabbed Peter lightly and made that bruise. “
Tony took a deep breath. “Exactly what I thought. “Tony turned fully to Peter. “Petey baby it’s time to be honest with me. What. The. Fuck. Happened. “He got up and walked over to where the boy was standing and tilted his chin up to face him “In that hallway.”
Harley got up and headed towards the elevator as the other two were occupied. He was beyond mad and needed to find Flash before his uncle did.
Tony noticed Harley attempting to sneak out and smirked “Friday, deny my nephew access to all elevators and rooms excluding Peter’s, his own, and all other floors “
“Of course sir.” The Ai responds
“Uncle!”
Tony turned and faced the blonde “I know being a hormonal, angst teen means you feel the need to disobey your adult authority but when I say no. “He pauses until Harley looks at him “That means you fucking listen to me, Clear?”
Harley glares at him “What the fuck? I was just going to see Tommy!”
Tony rolls his eyes. “What do you take me for? If you were just going to see your friend, you wouldn’t have felt the urge to attempt to sneak out. So again are we clear on what I expect of you?”
Harley nodded. “Crystal.”
“Good. Now if I find out you used Peter in any way to get out of the tower, there will be hell to pay. Kapeesh?”
“Yup. Now can I go to my room?”
Tony nodded then turned back to Peter. “Now, where were we?”
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