#i am humbly offering you all 40 kisses on the cheek

[comfortless]

oh my gosh where did you all come from!!!!!! can we go wander around a lavender field and hold hands….

[sakura-83]

Things from Anne with an e that I feel like writing down

Season 1 Episode 6: Remorse Is the Poison of Life

1. Diana having to run through the dark with nothing but a lantern and quite reasonably tripping. I never really thought about how dark it would actually be out because there’s always light.., somewhere in a modern city. It’s dark but you can usually still see

2. Every time Anne and Diana are separated they end up reunited during some great tragedy and are like “I missed you so much!!” Like yeah that’s great but. Please focus

3. It’s terrifying how easily children could die before modern medicine. They still can die very easily and that’s still terrifying but back then there was no quick fixes or easily accessible help

4. “It’s an old wives tale.” “I might be one but not the other. Evidently one doesn’t have to be either thing to know it.”

5. Anne knowing how to treat croup because all of Mrs. Hammond’s sets of twins had it

6. “I was supposed to be a boy but when I wasn’t, they decided to keep and raise me.” “How extraordinary!”

7. Minnie May almost choking to death on her own phlegm and Anne ultimately saving her because there’s no way the doctor would’ve made it all the way from Soencervale in time

8. “I believe I need a brandy.”

9. It’s really interesting how much of the script comes straight from the book

10. “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are white frosts, aren’t you?”

11. John Blythe’s love for adventure and how Gilbert undoubtedly sees it in Anne

12. Eliza apologizing for how she misjudged Anne

13. “My darling Diana”

14. “I can’t tie myself down to anything so unromantic as dishes at this thrilling moment!”

15. “Even aunt Josephine said she’d like to see you again, and she doesn’t like anyone.”

16. “Shes disinclined to stay home alone since her companion passed away.” “Her companion?” “Her best friend forever and ever.”

17. “Aunt Josephine never married. Neither of them did, they lived with each other their whole lives.” “I’d live with you forever if I could. But I know you’ll leave me the date you get married to some wealthy and handsome gentleman. I hate him already.” “How’s Gilbert?”

18. “It’s very likely Gilbert’s father isn’t going to get well, so it’s more than possible that when Gilbert finally comes back to school… he’ll be an orphan.”

19. The cut from that conversation to John Blythe’s funeral

20. Matthew grabbing Marilla’s arm because he knows how much john meant to her

21. Gilbert watching the snowflakes melt in his hand

22. Marilla’s flashback

23. Young Marilla teasing john

24. Him giving her the same hair ribbon she later gifts to Anne

25. Anne and Gilbert being just like their parents, mirroring their romance and yet achieving the love Marilla and John could never have

26. Anne trying to make Gilbert feel better but making it seem like it’s about her. I often find it hard to articulate my relation to others in a way that does sound like I’m relating and not like I’m making it about me

27. Aunt Josephine on a stroll in the woods

28. Anne’s ranting about her “extensive knowledge of being an orphan”

29. Her calling Gilbert a dumb boy and refusing to think about him

30. “Romance is a pesky business. No sense to be made of it.”

31. “May I enter your humble abode.” About Anne’s run down little shed

32. “I couldn’t be less interested in Gil- that boy!”

33. “Let your ambitions and your aspirations be your guide.” “But I have so many!”

34. “I’ve always wanted to be a bride, but I don’t really expect to be a wife.” “Interesting!” “So you see the conundrum.” “I do. I have the following thoughts to offer. First, you can get married any time in your life, if you choose to do so.” “That’s true-“ “And two, if you choose a career, you can buy a white dress yourself, have it made to order and wear it whenever you want.” “Why didn’t I think of that!? I love that idea! I’m going to be my own woman!” “I’m a proponent for making ones own way in the world.”

35. “If you become a doctor, perhaps you can discover a cure for old age.”

36. Anne calling aunt Josephine her new role model, as well as Marilla and Matthew

37. “I’m going to be the heroine of my own story.”

38. Marilla finding an old letter from John

39. The theme Unrequited Love playing during this scene

40. It’s fascinating when you come to recognize the instrumentals by name, the names actually have a lot of double meanings in relation to the show. Fire in The Town not only plays when there’s an actual fire, but also when Anne’s rumors about prissy set the town ablaze

41. “If the key to a mans heart is through his stomach-“ “Which it is!” “Then, we have to make sure that this is the best shepherds pie that Gilbert has ever had.”

42. Anne wanting a boy to loved for her brain and personality rather than her abilities to keep a home

43. “Don’t you think Gilbert looks even more handsome now that he’s sad?” “I didn’t notice.”

44. I just noticed aunt Josephines mourning clothes, I know she was grieving but I didn’t put two and two together

45. “Take the boy the godforsaken pie before I suffer a mental collapse.”

46. Anne rambling excitedly about Jane Eyre.

47. Anne almost spoiling the book, just like Gertrude used to do

48. Anne suddenly breaking down over death. I’ve done that before, far more frequently in middle school when I realized that we all die someday

49. “It must be awful beyond measure to lose someone that you love deeply. In a split second, a heartbeat, they’re gone forever… and there is nothing you can do to change it or bring them back…”

50. “Anne? You’re crying on the potatoes.”

51. “There’s nothing wrong with saying ‘I’m sorry for your loss’, Ruby. And I’m going to say it because I am.” “You’re just going to make it worse if you say that. His father!! Just died!!!” “That’s what people say when someone dies.” “I don’t want you to upset him.” “He’s already upset because his father just died!”

52. “We hope you like shepherds pie.” “Everyone LIKES shepherds pie 😡. We hope it’s a comfort to you, Gilbert.🥰”

53. Anne telling “but I would make a terrible wife!” And running out.

54. Matthew offering to help Gilbert get his farm back in order

55. Gilbert not wanting to be a farmer but having an entire farm shoved off on him when his only family does, despite being… 14 at most? 15 maybe?

56. Matthew losing all his crops when the Dal Marie sank

57. Billy wanting Gilbert back to control the “ugly orphan” and Gilbert defending Anne

58. “She’s smart, deal with it.”

59. Gilbert telling billy to read a book for once

60. “I’ll give you a tip, okay? I’m not your bud. And if you ever hassle Anne again, you’ll regret it.”

61. “What’s your problem?” “Ask me that again. No, seriously. Go ahead.” “Why you gotta be like that?” “Ask me!” “…what’s your problem?”

62. Gilbert throwing his stuff at billy to preoccupy his hands and THEN punching him straight in his stupid face

63. The boys are fighting!!!! And rolling around in the snow too that’s kind of funny looking

64. Gilbert beating billy in that fight

65. Marilla telling Gilbert about his father

66. All of Gilbert’s siblings died

67. Gilbert’s father taking him to Alberta before he died, where Gilbert was born

68. “You resemble him in many ways.”

69. “He asked you to go?” I’ll always be grateful to him for thinking I’d be brave enough. Obligation… can be a prison.”

70. Anne trying to write a letter to Gilbert apologizing for what she said

71. Anne visiting aunt Josephine for advice and accidentally interrupting her grieving

72. “Emotion is rarely convenient and often intolerable, but I find at the moment that I don’t mind it.”

73. “Grief is the price you pay for live, you see. So it’s alright.”

74. “You and I are not the marrying kind.” “Ah, but I was, in my way. And we had a full and wonderful life together, and I gave no regrets. That’s all you really have to decide Anne, to live a life without regrets.”

75. Anne kissing aunt Josephine on the cheek and running off to live said life

76. No Matthew don’t make that loan deal!!!

77. Anne sprinting to Gilbert’s house bit for the first time of many to come, being too late to reach him.

[cchellacat]

The Checkout

Love All The Marvel Ships Challenge 

Day Seven ~ Shopping

Bucky/Darcy  Tissue warning.  I’m sorry.

Bucky hated crowds.  It’s why he’s grocery shopping at 3 in the morning in the 24 hour store five blocks from the Tower on a Tuesday night.

The place is quiet, only the cashier at the checkout slumped over the register, head phones over his ears as he bobs his head tiredly to whatever noise passes for music these days.

Although the range of produce to buy has multiplied exponentially since the 40’s he wishes things were simpler, trying to choose a breakfast cereal was a nightmare.  Rice, wheat, oats, chocolate, nuts, honey, sugar frosted?  Puffs, flakes, pillows….  Are they kidding him?  Who needs this much variety?  It’s just cereal.

The bell gives a muted jingle and he looks up and spies an oddly familiar head enter the shop, a riot of wavy curls swept up in a clip.  He’s seen her before.  She works down in the astrophysics labs at the Tower.   Daria or Dacey or something.  He ignores her, the girl’s not a threat, and goes back to searching the cereal.

“Hey there soldier, I know you have a bad ass rep as an assassin, but the cereal didn’t do anything, what’s the problem?”  It’s the girl, she’s peering up at him with tired eyes through rectangular frames.  She has a basket slung over her arm and is filling it to overflowing with a multitude of boxes of pop tarts.

He grunts, hoping she’ll leave him alone, he’s got no interest in talking.

“You know, answering me will be less painless than the cereal-killer jokes I’ll be making tomorrow if I don’t get context for that murder glare.”

He glances back down at her, she’s moved closer and there is the faintest hint of a smile in her eyes.  What the hell is wrong with her, didn’t she read the briefings all the staff in the Tower were made to sign?

“Tough crowd.”  She mutters with a roll of her eyes before reaching across him to grab a bag of muesli.

“Have you got a death wish sweetheart?”                                                            

This time it’s her that glares.

“Okay… One, don’t call me sweetheart and two, no, I’m just trying to be friendly.  Three, if you threaten me like that again I will tase you in the junk.”

He’s caught off guard at the abrupt indignation in her voice.  She’s all of five two and bristling at him with all the menace of a wet kitten.  He sighs internally, taking in the dressing down and reluctantly admitting he deserves it.  His mother would be rolling in her grave if she knew he talked to a lady like that.

“Sorry….  Still not used to being a person again yet.  I wasn’t threatenin’ you I just…  You know who I am right?”

“Well like duh, of course I know who you are.”

“You read the briefing packet on me.?”

“I may have skimmed it, sort of, the last page where I had to sign.”

“I’m dangerous.  You shouldn’t get too close or make any sudden moves around me.”

“What? Like you’re some sort of dinosaur?  And no disrespect, but the only thing in imminent danger seems to be Captain Crunch.”  She looks pointedly at where he’s clutching the cardboard of the box hard enough to have burst through the packaging.  Eyes rolling skyward asking for some patience he puts it back on the shelf and shuffles a few undamaged boxes to the front.

“Chill my dude and tell Darcy what’s the problem.  I’m good at this whole introduction to modern America, I managed to house train Thor for Jane, he hardly ever smashes his cups anymore.”

The image of Thor being smacked on the nose with a new paper and brought to heel by the tiny firecracker beside him makes him chuckle.

“See, you like me already!”  she chirps brightly.

“You’re mad.”  He tells her.

“All the best people are!  Now spill, what has the fearsome Winter Soldier all riled up?”

“Just want some cereal, nothing fancy.  There’s just too much and it’s all…“ He trails off, not sure how to explain his need for something familiar in all the chaos or brightly packaged breakfast goods.

Darcy bends down and grabs a plain white package and hold it’s out to him.

“I figure you’re the sweet and simple type, nothing has changed about the humble cornflake in a century.”

“Thanks, Doll.”  He takes it with relief, something he recognised at least and together they make their way to the checkout.

Being the gentleman he is he offers to carry the five bags she comes out of the store with and she happily agrees, hooking her hand in his elbow companionably as they make their way back.

It was an interesting beginning.

------------------------------------------------------------

“You got the list?”  She’d called him just as he stepped out of the door.

“Got it.”

“Did you remember to take Sam off the list?”  He winces and presses the button for the elevator.

“Sam wasn’t on the list.”

“That’s just mean…”  the lack of sincerity in her tone is comforting.  She and Sam got on about as well as he and Sam, that is to say not at all.  She had Sam running in circles most days trying to work out why shit kept happening to him.  Darcy had Jarvis in her pocket and could count on him for technical support.

“Told you not to get him anything, he’s menace.”

“I ordered him a Make Your Own Cheese kit.”  Bucky draws a blank, make your own cheese?

“What the hell is he gonna do with that?”

“Keep up Tin-man, he’ll make cheese.  Publicly.  In the common kitchen and everyone gets to watch him fail or triumph.  I will be judging the shit out of it.”

He grins at the thought of Darcy winding Sam up with comments while he tries to cook.

“S’not a bad idea.”  The evelvator finally reaches the lobby and he steps out just as she cannon balls into him.  He grins down at her and pockets his phone before kissing her nose.

“Ready to go?”

“Am I ever, we are going to kick Christmas shopping’s ass and be home in time for dinner.”

“Okay, remember the plan?”

“Look as innocent and helpless as possible where appropriate and when not, let you do the not talking till they let us past.”

“You run into trouble, no starting a fight, you’re not allowed to taser people in New York, not even for being assholes.”

“Stupid laws…“  She mutters as he wraps an arm around her waist, guiding her out onto the street, it’s interesting to note that his presence has the desired effect she was looking for, there was a bubble of space around them at least three feet wide.

“I hate the crowds but the best deals are to be had out there and you my glorious Winter Shopper are going to be the best bodyguard/bag carrier I’ve ever had.  Now on a more serious matter, what does Bucky Barnes want for Christmas?”

“All I want for Christmas is you, Doll.”

“You keep saying that I’m going think you mean it.”

“What if I do?”

“Don’t be surprised at me showing up wearing nothing but a bow.”

He nearly runs into a lamp post and she pulls him out of the way just in time.

It’s the way she says it, both cheeky and with a touch of vulnerability that shakes his world.  They’d been friends for a while now, he’d certainly not missed how pretty she was and if this had been before he’d have had her in his bed months ago.  They stop in the middle of the busy street and she tips her head up to look him right in the eye, waiting for him to say something.  His hands cup her elbows and she holds her breath.

It’s like he’s at some fork in the road, two choices in front of him, the one he knows and the one less traveled.  He tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and leans down till his lips graze the tip of it.

“Don’t mind how you wrap yourself up doll, just make sure the bow’s red.”

The way her eyes widen and the blush creeps up her cheeks he’d caught her off guard.  Then it’s his turn as she grabs him by the collar and pulls him into a kiss.  It’s the kiss that changes his life, on a snowy sidewalk in Manhattan.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

They’d been in the store for what felt like week and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight.  He’s sure in fact, that where they are, is Swedish Hell.  He groans as she tosses another throw and a set of cushions into the trolley he’s pushing.

“Hey, Bucky, what’s left on the list?”

He digs around under some dishes and a set of towels and pulls out the neon pink paper and hands it to her.

“Hmm… looks like we have almost everything, just one more and then we can go”

“Jesus Doll, don’t we have enough already?”

“We need a bed Bucky, we did not think this whole thing through with the new apartment.  Come on, it’ll be fun.  You can test em out till we find the right one!”

Growling under his breath he pinches her side, sending her jumping a mile, right into a security guard that gives her a look for about point five seconds before his glare falls to Bucky who sends his best murder grin.  It’s the guard that apologises to Darcy then and he retreats quickly as she cackles with glee.

It takes them another two hours to find a bed they both like and agree should hold up okay even with his strength and her need to occasionally jump on it.

It’s lying side by side in Ikea that it happens.  One small moment that they can never get back again, a first that came from nowhere.

She’s peering over a pillow at him as they lie on the bed they’ve chosen, he can’t remember now what it was she said that made him laugh, but he remembers her shit eating grin and the way he wiped it off her face with the sort of kiss they usually reserved for the bedroom, but that’s when he says it.

“love you Darcy-girl.”  Her smile lights up the world.

“l love you too babe.”

They’re like a couple of teenagers going through the checkout, whispering and holding hands and kissing.  The cashier gives them an indulgent look and slips a wedding registry booklet into the bag as she helps pack them up.

That night they make love on top of his old mattress on the floor of their new apartment, still high on the declaration of new love.  

“How much do you love me Doll?”

“I love you all the muches and with much muchness.”  She tells him seriously as he kisses her slowly, hands trailing over her skin, mapping all the places he intends to kiss while she sighs into his mouth in happy languor.  Lying there in the dark later, he thinks about the wedding registry and pulls her closer.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The list pinned to the fridge also has a plastic bag attached.  At first he doesn’t think anything of it, he’s always happy to go to the store with her so when she texts him to bring the list from the fridge he’s on auto pilot as he grabs it, catching the clear bag in his metal hand as it drops when he tugs the list free.

The double take he then does at the item within makes him feel like the world just tipped sideways for a second.  He stares at the plastic wand in the bag, vaguely recognising it for what it is.  If the two pink lines don’t confirm it, the list she’d asked him to pick up does.

Crib

Changing table

Cloth nappies

Bugaboo stroller

Car seat

Onesies

Sling

It takes him four minutes to get down to the lab where she’s waiting for him, near sick with worry at what his reaction might be.  They hadn’t talked about it, never even thought about it, they’d only been married for six months.

He bursts into the lab and has her in his arms not a second later planting the teariest kiss he’s ever given her on her.

“We’re having a baby.”

“Yeah, we are.”

“Your gonna be the best Ma a kid ever had sweetheart.”

“Shut up and don’t call me sweetheart…  I know you’re gonna be the best dad ever Bucky Barnes”

“We’re having a baby.”

“We’re having a baby.”

It’s the happiest day of his life.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Mr Barnes…   Mr Barnes?”

“Sorry, what was that?”

“Ahh… well if you could choose from the cherry or the mahogany…”  The woman trailed off and tilted the catalogue towards him again.  He flicked a quick eye over the page and scrubbed a hand over his face.

Briefly the thought that Darcy would know what to choose drifted by in his brain.  What a fuckin joke.

“Bucky?”  Steve’s voice was overly cautious and placating.  He really wanted to just punch him in the face.

“M’not make of glass pal.”  The tone was weary and bitter.

“Cherry.”  He tells her shortly and then manages to get through the rest of the choices without Steve making another noise.

Out in the street he lights a cigarette and inhales a deep draw.

“I’ll walk back.”  He tells Steve as the town car draws up.  “Alone.”  He reinforces the order with a brief shove of his friend toward the car.

He walks there unconsciously, or maybe consciously, he really isn’t sure.   There’s nothing very different about the place.  The police tape and the glass had been cleared up and replaced.  The grocery store looks just as it always has.

It was stupid.  The whole thing was stupid.  She’d only popped out to get milk.  He hadn’t even been there. He’d been upstate when it happened.  Training the new recruits for Hill.

When he’d reached the scene her body had already been moved to the morgue.   Some punk kid, high, looking for some easy cash had robbed the store.   She’d been at the checkout with the milk, minding her own damn business but some hero type had tried to stop the kid and the gun went off.  

He’d seen her body, the bullet had went straight through her heart.  From all accounts she’d been dead before she even hit the floor.  By the time the paramedics got there it had been too late to try resuscitating her or even to save the baby.  A daughter, they’d told him when they brought him in to view the body.  Tiny and perfect and beautiful, just like her Ma.

He stands there, looking through the window and remembers her handing him a box of cereal.  It ended where it began, in a store on the corner of East 42nd and Lexington.  His fingers fold around the list in his pocket and he draws it out to look at it again like had had a few dozen times since he took it down off the fridge.

Crib

Changing table

Cloth nappies

Bugaboo stroller

Car seat

Onesies

Sling

He holds the burning end of the cigarette to the corner and watches as the paper turns to ash, then he turns and walks away.  Away from the Tower and away from the life he’d been stupid enough to think he had.  He’s going home.

NEXT

SKIP TO FIX IT

@captain-rogers-beard

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

14th April >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Palm Sunday 

(Liturgical Colour: Red)

This gospel is read at the procession with palms before Mass:

Gospel

Luke 19:28-40

Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord.

Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany,

at the mount that is called Olivet,

he sent two disciples,

saying, ‘Go into the village opposite,

where on entering you will find a colt tied,

on which no one has ever yet sat;

untie it and bring it here.

If any one asks you,

“Why are you untying it?”

you shall say this,

“The Lord has need of it.”’

So those who were sent

went away and found it as he had told them.

And as they were untying the colt,

its owners said to them,

‘Why are you untying the colt?’

And they said,

‘The Lord has need of it.’

And they brought it to Jesus,

and throwing their garments on the colt

they set Jesus upon it.

And as he rode along,

they spread their garments on the road.

As he was drawing near,

at the descent of the Mount of Olives,

the whole multitude of the disciples

began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice

for all the mighty works that they had seen,

saying,

‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’

And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to him,

‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’

He answered,

‘I tell you, if these were silent,

the very stones would cry out.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

The following are the readings at the Mass itself:

First Reading

Isaiah 50:4-7

I did not cover my face against insult: I know I shall not be shamed

The Lord has given me

a disciple’s tongue.

So that I may know how to reply to the wearied

he provides me with speech.

Each morning he wakes me to hear,

to listen like a disciple.

The Lord has opened my ear.

For my part, I made no resistance,

neither did I turn away.

I offered my back to those who struck me,

my cheeks to those who tore at my beard;

I did not cover my face

against insult and spittle.

The Lord comes to my help,

so that I am untouched by the insults.

So, too, I set my face like flint;

I know I shall not be shamed.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 21(22):8-9,17-20,23-24

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

All who see me deride me.

They curl their lips, they toss their heads.

‘He trusted in the Lord, let him save him;

let him release him if this is his friend.’

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Many dogs have surrounded me,

a band of the wicked beset me.

They tear holes in my hands and my feet

I can count every one of my bones.

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

They divide my clothing among them.

They cast lots for my robe.

O Lord, do not leave me alone,

my strength, make haste to help me!

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

I will tell of your name to my brethren

and praise you where they are assembled.

‘You who fear the Lord give him praise;

all sons of Jacob, give him glory.

Revere him, Israel’s sons.

R/ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Second Reading

Philippians 2:6-11

Christ humbled himself but God raised him high

His state was divine,

yet Christ Jesus did not cling

to his equality with God

but emptied himself

to assume the condition of a slave

and became as men are;

and being as all men are,

he was humbler yet,

even to accepting death,

death on a cross.

But God raised him high

and gave him the name

which is above all other names

so that all beings

in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld,

should bend the knee at the name of Jesus

and that every tongue should acclaim

Jesus Christ as Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Philippians 2:8-9

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

Christ was humbler yet,

even to accepting death, death on a cross.

But God raised him high

and gave him the name which is above all names.

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

Either:

Gospel

Luke 22:14-23:56

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

Key: N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

N. When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them,

✠ I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

N. Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said,

✠ Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes.

N. Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying,

✠ This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of me.

N. He did the same with the cup after supper, and said,

✠ This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you.

And yet, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who betrays me. The Son of Man does indeed go to his fate even as it has been decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!

N. And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this thing.

A dispute arose also between them about which should be reckoned the greatest, but he said to them,

✠ Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!

You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Simon, Simon! Satan, you must know, has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.

N. He answered,

O. Lord, I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.

N. Jesus replied,

✠ I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.

N. He said to them,

✠ When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything?

N. They answered,

C. No.

N. He said to them,

✠ But now if you have a purse, take it; if you have a haversack, do the same; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one, because I tell you these words of scripture have to be fulfilled in me: He let himself be taken for a criminal. Yes, what scripture says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment.

N. They said,

C. Lord, there are two swords here now.

N. He said to them,

✠ That is enough!

N. He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. When they reached the place he said to them,

✠ Pray not to be put to the test.

N. Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed, saying,

✠ Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.

N. Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. He said to them,

✠ Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.

N. He was still speaking when a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said,

✠ Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss?

N. His followers, seeing what was happening, said,

C. Lord, shall we use our swords?

N. And one of them struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. But at this Jesus spoke:

✠ Leave off! That will do!

N. And touching the man’s ear he healed him.

Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him. He said,

✠ Am I a brigand, that you had to set out with swords and clubs? When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never moved to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.

N. They seized him then and led him away, and they took him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them, and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant-girl saw him, peered at him, and said,

O. This person was with him too.

N. But he denied it.

O. Woman, I do not know him.

N. Shortly afterwards someone else saw him and said,

O. You are another of them.

N. But Peter replied,

O. I am not, my friend.

N. About an hour later another man insisted, saying,

O. This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean.

N. Peter said,

O. My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.

N. At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crew, and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying,

C. Play the prophet. Who hit you then?

N. And they continued heaping insults on him.

When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, attended by the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council, and they said to him,

C. If you are the Christ, tell us.

N. He replied,

✠ If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.

N. Then they all said,

C. So you are the Son of God then?

N. He answered:

✠ It is you who say I am.

N. They said,

C. What need of witnesses have we now? We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips.

N. The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.

They began their accusation by saying,

C. We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.

N. Pilate put to him this question:

O. Are you the king of the Jews?

N. He replied,

✠ It is you who say it.

N. Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd,

O. I find no case against this man.

N. But they persisted,

C. He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.

N. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.

Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. He said,

O. You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.

N. But as one man they howled,

C. Away with him! Give us Barabbas!

N. (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)

Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back,

C. Crucify him! Crucify him!

N. And for the third time he spoke to them,

O. Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go.

N. But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.

Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.

As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,

✠ Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’; to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?

N. Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.

When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said,

✠ Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.

N. Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.

The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying,

C. He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.

N. The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,

C. If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.

N. Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying,

O. Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.

N. But the other spoke up and rebuked him:

O. Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

N. He replied,

✠ Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.

N. It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said,

✠ Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

N. With these words he breathed his last.

All kneel and pause a moment

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said,

O. This was a great and good man.

N. And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.

All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.

Then a member of the council arrived, an upright and virtuous man named Joseph. He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put him in a tomb which was hewn in stone in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day and the sabbath was imminent.

Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body.

Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.

The Gospel of the Lord 

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Or:

Alternative Gospel

Luke 23:1-49

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

Key: N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

N. The elders of the people and the chief priests and scribes rose, and they brought Jesus before Pilate.

They began their accusation by saying,

C. We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.

N. Pilate put to him this question:

O. Are you the king of the Jews?

N. He replied,

✠ It is you who say it.

N. Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd,

O. I find no case against this man.

N. But they persisted,

C. He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.

N. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.

Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. He said,

O. You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.

N. But as one man they howled,

C. Away with him! Give us Barabbas!

N. (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)

Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back,

C. Crucify him! Crucify him!

N. And for the third time he spoke to them,

O. Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go.

N. But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.

Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.

As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,

✠ Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’; to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?

N. Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.

When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said,

✠ Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.

N. Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.

The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying,

C. He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.

N. The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,

C. If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.

N. Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying,

O. Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.

N. But the other spoke up and rebuked him:

O. Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

N. He replied,

✠ Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.

N. It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said,

✠ Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

N. With these words he breathed his last.

All kneel and pause a moment

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said,

O. This was a great and good man.

N. And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.

All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

[undertakinggraveshift-blog]

I need to post more of their talks. Also not finished, but if I didn’t post this now I’d forget it LIKE ALL THE OTHERS

@dilldaydreamer​

ClonecloneYesterday at 8:38 PM

Death, laying out on the bed. "Oh no. I am alone. Unprotected and cold. If only I had a heat generating blanket to ease the harsh tundra that is the world. Woe. "

AmbaaarghYesterday at 8:39 PM

A shuffle sound, followed by a single hand reaching up....and attempting to grab onto one of Elliot's unprotected feets.

ClonecloneYesterday at 8:40 PM

Death SPOOKS, and makes some noise that's similar to a chip bag doing its best impression of a dog getting its tail stepped on. Figure that one out. KrrrK-YIPE! He yanks his feet underneath him. No tickle.

AmbaaarghYesterday at 8:41 PM

The hand blindly pats around the base of the bed in search of its victim...before sliding back down and shuffling sounds around the edge of the bed are heard.

ClonecloneYesterday at 8:43 PM

....Okay, Death knows it's Pembrooke, but listen that's still really creepy. He scoots back up  to the middle of the bed and settles. "Pembrooke?"

AmbaaarghYesterday at 8:48 PM

"Rawr." Pembrooke pops up and props his head onto the mattress, his fingers tapping at the edge.

ClonecloneYesterday at 8:50 PM

"You scared me! In my time of need, as well. Now I am cold AND frightened."

AmbaaarghYesterday at 8:52 PM

"Oh no."  He climbs onto the bed to lay down next to Elliot.  "I am sorry.  I just could not resist wiggley toes. It's in my nature. Please forgive me."

ClonecloneYesterday at 9:04 PM

"You are the toe inspector now. Inspector of toes."Death rolled over, being blanket for Pembrooke. Even if heat really isn't a source he produces.

AmbaaarghYesterday at 9:11 PM

"It is a job title I take very seriously." Pembrooke nods as he wraps his arms around his colder companion.  Seriously Elliot you should eat more iron how do you get so chilly. Brrr.

ClonecloneYesterday at 9:15 PM

"I finished packing for the most part. Tomorrow I'm going to contact Aradia and go about making things final."

AmbaaarghYesterday at 9:19 PM

"Eeeeeee...." happy wiggles.  "I need to finish packing.  Go figure I'll be the last to pack."  You hug him...then frown.  "Ah...Elliot.  May I ask...what may be a possibly uncomfortable question?"

ClonecloneYesterday at 9:20 PM

"Hm?" Death looked up, trying to play off the nervous twist in his stomach.

AmbaaarghYesterday at 9:23 PM

Pembrooke gives a slight shift and a sigh.  "It's about uh...the Baron.  I was curious how you two met...and such..."

ClonecloneYesterday at 9:27 PM

OH OKAY. Lord. Death could have come up with a million and one questions that were so much worse. This wasn't so bad. Tilting his head, Death mulled over the question... "Hmm... Online, like most. We shared a similar interest in death, though his ah- far different. Especially considering his religion I only barely grasp. I was planning on sitting him down and having him explain that plus Alternia in general. He  actually posted some of his clowns around the parlor when ah..." Death rubbed the back of his head. "Amir found evidence that damned one of the Felt to a prison stay on one of my bodies. I had some mm, thugs who kept coming by and giving me troubles." He reached up and lightly papped Pembrooke's face. "I'm well aware he's not a good man though. Has... something happened?"

AmbaaarghYesterday at 9:31 PM

He exhales, alright that wasn't the worst case scenario.  You look up at the ceiling.  "There was well...an attack against Mr. Spektor at the festival. Public, gruesome.  While not pre-planned, it does look like the Felt is behind it.  Ah...well lets just say someone took his arm clean off." He tilts his head as he rolls the amount of details he feel comfortable sharing.  The difficult of not being too candid about work....  "I mention it mostly because while the ambulance arrived...Baron Makara burst onto the scene. Ignored police barriers, essentially pulled rank on one of our own officers over what happened...before going over to well...nuzzle Droog, rub the blood from his arm across his face...then whisper things back and forth with Slick before Slick left with parting words of "go home and keep an eye on everyone." A pause.  "Which...I guess is my way of saying I suspect he is very much not a good man.  So please be careful."

ClonecloneYesterday at 10:33 PM

...Okay that wasn't... one of the many skeletons in his closet as someone so elegantly put, but... that was still a pretty big surprise. The Felt? Death, for a moment, mulled over the thought of asking Die... then realized where a future problem may lie. Ah. He was joining the law and had family in the Felt. Hm. Death sat up, glancing up and to the side in thought. It dragged a little longer than what might be comfortable for most but... Death really had a lot to mull over as his thoughts jumped all around. This was quite the pickle he found himself in, that he needed to inspect. "I find myself with an issue."

AmbaaarghYesterday at 10:40 PM

Pembrooke nods, before putting an arm around Elliot's waist.  "The last thing I want to ever do is put you in a spot.  I know it would be hypocritical of me to pish posh friendships you have formed considering who I have gotten chummy with.  I suppose...I'm just concerned." He rolls so he's on his stomach and looking at the wall. "This is not the kind of action that I imagine the Crew is going to just forgive and forget.  It's possible things are going to get rather ugly. And while I trust your judgement, I know very little about the Baron so I'm just cautious because well...I don't know. So I fret."

ClonecloneYesterday at 10:56 PM

"Oof!" Death flopped over as Pembrooke rolled, now on his side with one leg caught under Pem and the other draped over him. "Hmm... I just realized though... joining the law force, with my brother being part of the Felt. ...I wonder if that will ever come into question. I am sorry though, this isn't about the Felt or me. Hmm... Sam and I are on friendly terms, I wonder if a change of profession would change that though. ....But the Crew would already know I'm giving up the funeral home. They don't know about the coroner part however. Mmm."

AmbaaarghYesterday at 11:05 PM

"I am uncertain. I mean, there has never been any secret to the fact you have a brother.  Though I expect that....uuf....you may end up with some different reactions once the coroner part is revealed.  It's possible that your friendly terms will stay friendly...just a bit more guarded."  The inspector wiggles his legs slightly as talks.  "I like to imagine that you will never have to have loyalties tested. But...that is also the insidious nature of crime.  Trying to find footholds where they can." He gives a shrug and a concerned face.  "Which...sounds very doom and gloom of me.  It's possible all my huff and puff is simply paranoia."

ClonecloneYesterday at 11:54 PM

"Mmmm." Death reached out, taking up one of Pembrooke's hands to fidget with. He brought it to his lips, gently kissing the inspector's knuckles. "Well. I will be wary of the Baron, I promise. I've gone on a few dates with him though, I won't lie. I mean, not RELATIONSHIP date ahah. Just, strolled about and talked. I worry more for your interactions with the different factions- you're the person of authority here. You're the one standing against everything they do that they feel is right when... well... What are they going to do to a humble mortician?"

AmbaaarghYesterday at 11:56 PM

There is an attempt to wiggle closer to said humble mortician.  "They could steal you away with promises of riches and hedonistic delights.  Something this person of authority will likely never be able to offer on his humble authoritarian budget.  Just sweep you off your feet to far off lands and dazzling parties and arms that are like...three times the size of my waist."

October 6, 2018

ClonecloneToday at 12:08 AM

"Pembrooke, I want you to know not even the most glittering of gold, and most tantalizing of harems would pull me away from you. I love you, Pem. I know you're jesting, but still I want you to know the Crew nor the Felt are going to tempt me. ...At least not willingly. Despite my brother, and despite the friendly face I keep with a few others, I do it knowing what side they've chosen or... in Oliver's case... been forced into. And what they're made to do, or willingly do. But I think we just had this discussion in regards to Fin, ahaha- so I do know how you feel. Entirely.""Entirely." Death gently bumped his head against Pem's.

AmbaaarghToday at 12:15 AM

The head bump is received before Pembrooke lifts his head up to gently peck the tip of Death's nose.  "I love you too.  And I do say that in jest. Well...save for the arms. I never actually met the Baron physically until then. Hoo. He could probably sweep half the force with those."  He chuckles.  "I love you and trust you.  Entirely."

ClonecloneToday at 12:31 AM

"Oh yes, he's... very big. I call him the lion, because of his hair." The kiss was returned, nose, chin, cheek. "And you're more a mongoose. You look super cute and unassuming. But really, you eat cobras for breakfast. You don't need big lion arms, massive teeth, venom or poison. You're smart, and you'll figure things out. I'll prefer dates with mongooses than lions."

AmbaaarghToday at 12:39 AM

"Eeeheeheee....I shall accept my mongoose status." Kisses returned simply meant he now had to return said kisses twofold.  Tiny smooches as he drapes his arms over and around the mortician.  "With the festival ending, going to be...well quite the whir-" there is a pause in his expression and a halt in the kisses.  "Aradia is buying the funeral parlor?  Oof...well that's going to be.  You know what. I'm not going to think on that.  No. Nope. Nope nope nope.  The place will be sold and we'll move into a nice building with a spa and a gym and many officers and it will be wonderful."

ClonecloneToday at 12:56 AM

"Yeah... I already thought about that. After I accepted the offer, to be honest. Trust me I've ah... I've... sat on my concerns with that for a while. I wonder if there will be repercussions but... I've decided I'll be staying near the precinct and probably not leaving too far for a while. Hopefully the grocery store will be nearby." He frowned for a moment, before knitting his brows and smiling again. "Free from one cage, into another I wonder. But... it's a better one."

AmbaaarghToday at 12:59 AM

"I think so. If only because we can possibly....set up tiny bat houses on the roof of our fancy new cage." He gives Elliot a squeeze.  "Whatever happens, I'll be with you each step of the way.  Maybe they'll get upset that you sold the funeral home, but that's their problem.  And it isn't like anything done to you will somehow change the fact the funeral home is sold and they have to deal with that.  But I personally suspect they have bigger things to worry about."

ClonecloneToday at 1:08 AM

"Haha, yeah." ... "I don't know how to make a bat house, or how to attract bats... or how to take care of them honestly. I do hope we get an entire dorm of law enforcement. I think I'd feel safer than you and I singled out in an apartment."

AmbaaarghToday at 1:12 AM

A tighter hug. "I agree. I think with all that is happening, the decision to band together into a large dorm will be good for everyone's safety.  Also, bat houses are just little wooden boxes bats sleep in during the day. No taking care of on our part. Just giving them little homes to rest in while they take care of themselves." Pembrooke reaches up his hand to brush Elliot's bangs aside.  "You feeling and being safe is my top priority."

ClonecloneToday at 2:04 AM

"..." Death's lip quivered some, eyes going wet before rubbing his glasses up so he could get at them. "Oh Pembrooke, you know how to make me feel all melted on the inside." He nuzzled into the hand before burying against.

 "I want to raise a bat box with you."

[ijustwant2write]

My Own Hero-Bucky Barnes x Reader

(GIF credit to owner)

Masterlist

Summary: Requested by @trytowritebuticant : ‘I also have another request. Could you do an image BuckyxReader, but everything is set before Steve got a superhero/bucky vanishes? So... between 30's-40's?’

Characters: Bucky Barnes x Reader, Steve Rogers x Reader (platonic)

Meanings: (Y/N)= Your name

Warnings: Violence, mentions of blood and harassment towards women

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I swung the front door open, shivering from the harsh wind as well as the pouring rain. Instead of protecting myself from the weather, I had tried to keep my groceries dry, causing me to become soaking wet. Closing the door with my back, I felt the bags be lifted out of my arms. 

“Thank you Bu-oh, Steve, hi.” I rushed out, surprised by his visit. 

“Hi. I got them, you can let go.” He reassured me, disappearing into the kitchen.

I shook off my coat, removing my shoes at the same time.“You staying for dinner tonight? I don’t mind making an extra plate.” 

“No, thank you. I best be going anyway.”

Steve was a regular at our apartment, especially since his mother passed away. Bucky and I had always tried to persuade him to move in with us, he was prone to sickness and physically weak (though a total sweetheart) making me constantly worry over him. He emerged from the kitchen, causing me to gasp as I saw his face.

“Steve, you’ve been fighting again haven’t you?” I sighed as I inspected his face closer. He had a black eye and busted lip, both looking fairly new as I gingerly held his face.

“It wasn’t me this time.” Steve admitted, looking guilty after.“There was a woman getting harassed by a group of guys and Bucky stepped in, I soon followed.”

I smiled a little, knowing they would never beat anyone up for their own pleasure.“What am I going to do with you two? You bunch of heroes.”

“He’s in the bathroom, cleaning himself up.”

“I best go help him. Are you sure you don’t want to stay tonight? Do you want me to look at your battle scars?”

He nodded.“I’m sure. And I’ll be fine, I promise.”

We hugged each other goodbye. I placed a gentle kiss to his cheek, giggling as he blushed. As he left, I stayed by the door, watching as he ran as fast as he could through the rain. He really did melt my heart, I’m so glad he and Bucky were friends; and speaking of Bucky, I made my way to the bathroom, preparing to give my boyfriend a good telling off.

Knocking on the door, I waited for him to call me in. After hearing his muffled voice, I opened the door, leaning on the frame with my arms crossed over my chest. Bucky was leaning over the sink washing his face, blood mixing with the water. I cringed as I saw it, suddenly forgetting that I was supposed to be slightly angry with him. He finally noticed me, smiling slightly even though my mouth had dropped open; Bucky’s face was much worse than Steve’s, he too had a black eye and swollen lips but cuts were strewn all over his face, one cheek more swollen than the other. His white shirt was now ruined, blood splattered around the collar and shoulders as well as a huge rip in one of the sleeves. That was something I wouldn’t be able to fix.

“Doll, you’re soaked right through, I hope Steve didn’t see you like that.” Bucky teased as he dried his face. I heard him hiss as he did so.

Typical Bucky, still his usual cocky self even when he was beaten to a pulp.“I know what you did. I’m proud that you stood up for that woman.”

“But?”

I walked towards him, gingerly wrapping my arms around his torso.“But I hate that you got caught up in a fight. If this keeps up, you could get seriously hurt.”

He grabbed a dry towel, wrapping around me, rubbing my arms to warm me up.“Hey, I had Steve with me, everybody practically fears him.”

I tried to hold back a laugh, but couldn’t help myself.“Don’t be mean. He shouldn’t be getting involved either. Take your shirt off, it’s ruined.”

“I’m sorry to say but I don’t think we’ll be able to do anything tonight.”

I started to unbutton it, not phased by his cheeky comment.“I think that’s the only time I’m ever going to hear you say that.”

Although Bucky protested that he was fine, clearly he wasn’t as I watched him struggle for the rest of the evening. Bucky had always wanted to look after me, he had been an amazing boyfriend, and though it was cliche, I couldn’t have had anyone better. We had been living together for a year, dating for two. Before we started going out, I had known of the infamous Bucky Barnes, a man who was very good with women, making me apprehensive at first. It was actually Steve who introduced us; ironically, he was defending me from a guy I had been on a horrible date with. He followed me all the way home, demanding that I go on another date with him. I constantly told him no, Steve stepping in immediately when I was grabbed. They had got into a small scrap, luckily both of them were terrible fighters, only able to give each other a single punch. I suppose the man didn’t think I was worth the trouble, storming away after he was injured. I instantly thanked my saviour, offering to clean him up, and on the way to my house we had ran into Bucky. Perhaps fate put us together, or it was just a coincidence, but either way I was happy that we met.

Bucky had taken Steve home that day but not before dropping me off at my own house. Ever so polite, he thanked me for helping his friend, asking me out to go dancing as a way to show his gratitude. Throwing caution to the wind, I agreed, leading to one of the best nights of my life. Steve said he changed after that, all Bucky ever spoke about was me or where he was going to take me next. It made me ecstatic; this drop dead gorgeous man was infatuated with me, and I was obsessed with him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next morning, I was woken by knocking at the door. It was the weekend and someone dared disturbed my slumber at eight o’clock in the morning? I groaned, slowly slipping out of bed, checking that I hadn’t disturbed Bucky. He had trouble sleeping that night, it turned out he had been hit hard in the stomach and rib cage, bruises already forming. Tying my dressing gown around me, I shivered from the sudden loss of heat from the bed, now debating if I should ignore the person. They knocked again and I knew I had to answer, otherwise they may never leave. Unlocking the door, I opened it and to my surprise, a young woman was there.

“Morning, sorry, I know it’s early.” she babbled, clearly nervous.

I gave her a small smile, hoping it would make her less nervous.“It’s ok. Can I help you?”

“Does Bucky live here?”

My heart began to race as she said his name.“Yes. He’s asleep though and I’d rather not wake him.”

“Oh, that’s ok. Uh, can you just thank him for me? He saved me from these men who were harassing me the other day. I was really scared and I was so happy when he stepped in.”

I was suddenly relieved, my smile returning.“Of course I can! I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

“I was lucky I suppose. And so are you, for having him as your man.”

A surge of pride washed through me.“Yeah, I am.”

“Is he badly hurt?”

“Not too bad, it could have been worse I suppose.”

“And his friend?”

“Let’s just say he’s better off than Bucky.” an idea struck in my mind, a smirk forming.“Say, have you seen his friend?”

“No, I was actually about to ask you if I could have his address? Please?”

I ripped a piece of paper out of my notebook from the kitchen, rushing back as I noted down his address.“Here you are. He’ll be very humble by the way, but you must insist how thankful you are. Steve is always like that.”

She thanked me before saying her farewells, along with another apology. That poor woman, I knew how it felt to be pressured by a man. Closing the door, I quickly made my way back to Bucky, only to find him now awake. Slipping back into bed, I welcomed him into my arms, stroking his hair back as he rested his head on my chest.

“Who was that?” He mumbled.

“That was your damsel in distress. She came by to thank you.”

“How sweet. What about Steve?”

“Way ahead of you. I sent her on her way, she’s going there right now. Hopefully he’ll grow some balls and ask her out.”

“Don’t be mean.” He mocked me, both of us laughing.“No offence to her, but I’ve only got one damsel and she’s right here with me.”

I leaned down to kiss him.“And I’ve got my hero.”

[nightingaledarling]

microdrabbles: petits fours

Fandom: Samurai Love Ballad Party Timeline/Continuity: Canon and Modern AU. Characters: All 12 main lords + Shigezane, Hotaru, and Kageie Genre: Varied Microdrabble count: 50 total, anywhere from 2-4 per character Warnings: Spoilers for all routes, Acts 1 and 2. Slight dub con in Mitsuhide’s and Kageie’s sections, but nothing worse than you’d find in canon. Rating: Varied, up to R Notes: Once upon a time when fandoms congregated on Livejournal, they used to have these drabble challenges. One of them was one sentence fics. So you think you’ve seen run-on sentences with metric fucktons (this is an actual legit unit of measurement btw) of commas and hyphens? You ain’t seen nothing yet!

Breaking the rules here and utilizing multiple pairings/characters because that’s how I do. Oof.

Prompts are from Theme Set Epsilon of the 1Sentence Community.

I. Nobunaga

09. King With his sword at his hip, overcoat swaying in the breeze as he stands up on the battlements, smile lined with ruthless ambition, you think he looks rather like a king.

26. Goodbye It doesn’t matter that both of you are fading fast - you simply thank the gods that allowed you to be by his side until the very end, and you hope and pray that one day you’ll meet again.

40. History The pure conviction in Representative Oda’s voice reminds you of rulers from times past - but why does it also make you ache?

21. Fool He calls you a foolish, brazen little thing, but if he still loves you even now, four hundred years later, who is the true fool - he or you?

II. Mitsuhide

12. Wait You put a hand to his chest, your half-hearted protest dying in your throat when you see his pupils blown wide with want as he says, voice low and strained, I am sorry, my darling, but I cannot.

15. Hold My love, my darling, my dearest - all names that wrap you with the warmest affection.

49. Hunger You set the tray of treats onto the dais, and when you turn away and catch his eyes, they speak of anticipation and desire and promises to do all manner of things to you tonight that you flush and cannot excuse yourself quickly enough.

19. Soul Something about him is so familiar and warm and kind and dear that your heart seems to know him, even if you do not.

III. Yukimura

06. Gentle Those hands are strong enough to concuss a man, vicious enough to slice one to his innards, but when they lay upon your cheeks, they are so incredibly gentle.

17. Vision Admittedly, you are but a humble cook’s daughter - but when he looks at you, eyes lit up like the summer sky, you admit with pride - yes, I am his wife, I am the Lady Sanada.

41. Power It’s said that love makes you weak, but that’s a lie - because as he cuts through his foes on the battlefield with your smile on his mind, he knows that the man with someone worth fighting for is the strongest one of all.

01. Motion It all happens so very quickly - one moment your husband is at your side and the next, he’s pulling you underneath him and you can only watch in horror as he uses his body to shield you from the thousands of arrows that come raining down.

IV. Saizo

11. Blur The pair of you zip through the trees dizzyingly fast to leave the world behind, and when his fingers curl into your skin just a little tighter, holding you against his warmth, you thank the gods for his rare selfishness.

44. Wall Lord Yukimura said once that he never lets anyone in - but as time goes on and you see the fondness in those knowing smirks, the softness in the red of his eyes, the affection in the way he speaks to you - you wonder if you’ve made your way in.

18. Attention For the first time, you find that the roles are reversed - now you are the one who prepares to leave the room (only to get a fresh basin of cold water, of course) whereas Saizo is the one who, fever-addled as he is, wraps his arms around your hips in a silent plea to stay.

16. Need You bite your lip, allowing your body’s responsiveness to his touch speak for itself, but your lover is nothing if not determined to hear you voice your desire - be honest with us, little lady, and I might be kind.

V. Masamune

28. Fortune He has given you so much already; you find it is only right to give him an omamori made with the pieces of your hair pin, and it is all the more worth it when he grants you that smile that melts your heart and says thank you, I’ll cherish it always.

32. Eye It still surprises him when you tell him how you feel - because when you say that you love him, he knows that you mean all of him - even the parts that he can’t accept, even the parts that he hates.

13. Change “I will live as long as there are people who depend on me - that will not change, Mother, not even for you.”

37. Time Soon his hair will start to gray, and the backs of your hands will begin to spot, but you will stay by his side as he will stay by yours - because with the moon as your witness, you have promised each other your years, your hearts, your everything.

VI. Kojuro

04. Last There is a certain degree of insecurity to be expected when with a man of Kojuro’s experience - but though you may not be his first lover, you intend to be his last.

23. Child He has joked about it more than once, but when you notice him splaying his fingers over your belly and pressing kisses to the soft skin there more often in recent months, you wonder if he is serious after all.

48. Precious He says it fondly with a smile first thing in the morning, he groans it into your skin when you two are coupled as close as can be, he declares it with a warning when you become overly aggressive in tidying his study - no matter how the word escapes him, you never grow tired of hearing it.

VII. Hideyoshi

05. Wrong “No titles, no honorifics, just me - Hideyoshi.”

08. Thousand You have heard the rumors of course - the man of a thousand lovers - and when he puts his skilled mouth between your thighs, you think that they must be true, that you are only one of a thousand.

07. One But when he laces his fingers with yours and breathes your name with all the reverence and love in the world, you know that you are wrong - that you are not one of a thousand, that you are only one.

VIII. Inuchiyo

35. Sudden You straddle him in attempt to tickle him under his arms, but when he looks up at you shock-still and breathless, lips parted with want, you pause and realize in that moment that nothing will ever be the same again.

24. Now You cannot keep thinking of the past - not when he’s pushing you down into the futon, your hands clawing at his clothing - not when you want him now, now, now.

29. Safe His face pressed to your neck, you hold him close - for with all the years you spent apart, you may not know the demons he battles, but because he spent his childhood protecting you, you’re now more determined than ever to return the favor.

27. Hide You peek demurely up at him from under the wataboshi and whisper you found me, and though his cheeks are flushed from happiness and anticipation, he manages to reply I always will.

IX. Ieyasu

02. Cool This must be a dream, you think upon waking and finding a poultice and a compress packed to your brow, but when he mutters shut your mouth and get better, the sentiment is so him that you realize this must be real after all.

45. Naked Every inch of you is mine, he declares, drawing his fingers down between your breasts, over your belly, settling in the wetness between your legs, from here to here to here.

42. Bother He reaches out to grasp your wrist, tugging you to sit back down next to him - his eyes only straying from his book for a half-second to tell you stay where you are - and you’ve never felt so loved.

X. Mitsunari

31. Book You know that no tome in the world can capture what he’s trying to say, so when you enter his chambers and see him flipping through pages with an embarrassed blush on his cheeks, you press his hand to your heart and cup his cheek and quietly remind him don’t think - feel.

33. Never For someone so learned, he rarely uses his words when it counts - but when he holds you close like this, capturing your mouth with strong but achingly sweet kisses, he doesn’t need to.

XI. Kenshin

34. Sing Let me hear it once more, he murmurs into your hair, trailing his fingers down your throat, across the sweat cooling on your skin, that lovely song that is mine and mine alone.

39. Torn Ah but this is my favorite as well, Lord Kenshin says dreamily as he caresses a ripped blue kerchief, and you wonder if it would be overstepping if you offered to mend it - at the very least, this place would be cluttered by one less thing.

43. God They call him thusly, and when you see the blood dripping from his sword and the crimson that stains the front of his robe, the fear in you cowers to the name so well-deserved.

XII. Shingen

30. Ghost The sharp pangs of loss have long faded, but even now you sometimes think you can still hear his heavy footsteps in the hall, see the flash of his red hair, feel his insistent lips upon your skin.

20. Picture When your son holds out a brush and paper and asks you to show him what his father looked like, you take both items with a smile born no longer of pain but of fondness as you say well my love, I shall try.

XIII. Shigezane

36. Stop Your breath catches when you hear his thinly-veiled threat to your lord - if you don’t start treating her right, someone else will - and he sounds so determined, so sure of the inevitability that you can’t help but think what if.

50. Believe When his forces are vastly outnumbered on the battlefield, he sends you running with a disarming smile and a trust me, doll, and you find that, despite all odds pitted against him, you do.

38. Wash Not there - here, he says cheekily, moving your hand holding the washcloth from his upper back to his front and down until you go scarlet.

XIV. Hotaru

03. Young He may not know the intricacies of human emotion - but that just makes you want to gather him close and love him all the same.

14. Command You know what he can do, how he can bend man’s will with just a word, but he never abuses that with you and never has to - for all he needs to do is smile and you would willingly give him everything.

XV. Kageie

25. Shadow He’ll back you into your room, pressing cold fingers to your mouth to coerce you into silence as his lips fall onto your neck, your chest, before drawing back and leaving you with not a trace, befitting of the shadow that haunts his name.

47. Harm ...Or so you think, until you wake up in the morning and notice a stark purple bruise on the swell of your breast - right there where his teeth had been.

XVI. Reader’s Choice

10. Learn You’re a quick study, he praises you on a sharp intake of breath, curling his fingers in your hair, and though your face reddens, you push the covers away so he can see you swallow him down.

22. Mad All it takes is a kiss, openmouthed and filthy - or a touch, over your clothes to all your sensitive spots, and you’re left trembling and quaking and mad with desire.

46. Drive His hands steering, your hair in the wind - no matter if it’s by horse or by car, four hundred years ago or now, you loved him back then as you love him today.

[sunnysidewrites]

Street musician!Woozi

Requested by anon: hello! May I please request a Jihoon scenario where he’s a street musician across the street from where you work? Can be angst or fluff, I’ll leave that up to you. Thank you!

here you go anon!!! i chose fluff bc i think ppl need a break from that zombie apocalypse hwiyoung au…. LMAO i hope it was fulfilling to read happy reading from your fav mom!!!

warnings: fluff, the kind where u wanna punch them :))) woozi is a lil shit but what’s new

You’re a waitress at this cozy little restaurant on a fairly busy street

So you have quite a number of customers coming in frequently and have a handful of regulars

The restaurant has picked up popularity as of recent and unfortunately you guys are a little understaffed

So you and just a few other employees are constantly on your toes running back and forth from order to order

It’s a literal workout sigh

And you’re always extremely exhausted and ready to KO after every shift

One day you’re feeling more irritable because of difficult customers and restlessness

You’re bundled up in your lil warm coat while the winter wind chills you down to the bone

“Just a little more until you reach home y/n” you muttered yourself and continued trudging home

When you got to the end of the street your ears perked at a melodious sound

A crowd was increasing by the second and you’re trying to push your way to the front to get a good view bc wOW MUSIC!!1!!

Perched on a bench was a guy and his trusty guitar don’t hurt soonyoung

His slender fingers were picking at the strings and he was so effortlessly hitting high notes

You could have sworn you saw a light shining down on him bc is he an angel

His guitar case is opened wide for people to toss in change

hOLY COW IT’S A LOT MORE THAN WHAT PERFORMERS USUALLY GET

the amount of money sitting in his case was probably just the amount of tips alone you receive in a day already

This guy is going places and you showed that when you threw in a $10 bill

He was busy concentrating on his singing and playing that he was closing his eyes

But right after you tossed in the bill he opened them and caught your gaze

He was starstruck for 0.00001 seconds but he had to quickly end the song

He got whistles and cheers from the gigantic audience but he was blUSHING AND SMILING RIP @ ME

You were also really happy and reenergized after hearing his soothing voice and you looked like :DDD while you clapped

His heart stopped

“Who is this cute girl i’m weak”

You continued walking down to your home right when he mustered up the courage to talk to you

His outstretched hand slowly went back down to his side

:((( he was only a second late sigh

He’s determined to play at that exact spot at the exact same time he did that night

He usually bounces to different areas but maybe he’ll make an exception ;););)

Over the next week or so you take notice of his extended stay in what you call “his little corner”

Not that you minded ofc

He always seems to gaze at you longer than he does at the rest of the crowd but you think you’re just imagining things and you’re getting your hopes up a little too much

He’s always singing cute love songs

Sometimes he would do heartbroken ballads or upbeat renditions

But it would always be related to love!!11!

Lovestruck woozi is a concept

When he finishes his latest cover, he forces himself to catch you before you’re headed off

As per usual you’re wrapping your scarf closer to yourself and start walking further down but he’s like wAIT

You turn around anD IT’S HIM!111! THE COOL STREET MUSICIAN!1!!

“Yes…?”

He’s like o crap i didn’t expect to get this far lMAO WHAt do i DO

“Thanks,,,, for coming,,,, i recognize you as a familiar face for the past few shows,,,,”

Ofc he has he’s been ogling you

You’re like oh!! Well you’re talented ofc i’ll watch!!

And he’s like oHMYGOSH CAN I HIDE

“ahah thank you” he’s blushing while hiding his smile behind his hand wHAT A PURE

You can’t help but notice he’s clearing his throat a little and you’re like hmm??

“Would you like a drink? You sound like you could use it”

He’s like oH WeLL that would be nice but don’t worry about me

“It’s fine1!1!!! I work down at the restaurant and we still have time before we close”

He’s like omg but u just got off work it’s o k a y

You’re like i aM GETTING YOU A DRINK COME WITH ME

Woozi: well isn’t she insistent

Woozi: i like it

And so you drag him back to the restaurant and your coworker is like y/n??? Aren’t you supposed to be at home????

You walk over to them and whisper

“Can you do me a favor and put a drink on the house for him??? He’s been playing out in the cold all week” and you muster your best puppy dog eyes

They’re like nOT THE PUPPY DOG EYES N O DO YOU WANT ME FIRED

“I’m telling our boss you broke the mug his mom gave him”

“:))) what drink would you like sir?? :)) it’s on the house :))) totally completely free of charge :)))”

“O h you don’t have to do that!!!”

“See y/n he says–”

You: “m u g.”

“I inSIST IT’S FREE SIR!!! :))) pLEASE!!! TAKE THE OFFER!!! :))))”

“O-oh okay,,,,, I’ll just have some warm tea,,,, thank you,,,,”

“I’ll be back shortly” and right before they leave they glare at you

You: :-) what’s wrong? :-) certainly not his mug right? :-)

You join him back at the booth and you’re trying to make some small talk by complimenting his performances

Despite how well known he is around the block he’s still a humble little bee get it instead of bumblebee

“Ah.. … .. i’m not that great … ….. ..”

“Wtf you got like $50+?????”

“What n O,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, $40”

Jesus christ woozi

You’re just laughing and shaking your head in disbelief like ok mr music prodigy

You both talk and get to know each other until closing time which is roughly 15 minutes

Your coworker kicks you out and you’re back out on the chilly night streets

“Well,,,, it was nice talking but i should,,,, really head home”

“Yeah i should head back too,,,,,, you’’ll still be here to watch tomorrow right?”

You’re like uH O F C I W I L L

And he’s like ahah ok just,,, checking,,, and he seems to be stalling as he does the smile hiding again pls protect this smol bean

So you linger there with him and it’s just like u have n o i de a what’s going on but it feels like you should also stay with him

You see him closing his eyes and taking a quick breath before exhaling and muttering “just do it woozi”

Before you have a n y time to register it he opens his eyes and kiSS E S YOUR CHEEK AND SCREAMS “ U- UH I’LL SEE YOU T O MORR O W B Y E” AND SCURRIES OFF

And yo U ARE SHOOKETH

It ended as fast as it happened and so you’re like ? ???? ?? what just happened

But you’re like i’m demanding answers tomorrow night

Tomorrow night rolls around and he’s out there in his little corner again

This time he’s like “ok yall today’s song will be ‘20’ by seventeen”

AND YOU’RE LIKE O M G I LOVE THIS SONG????????

He notices you in the crowd the second your face popped up and not once did his eyes leave yours

You’re a blushing mess throughout his song and you combusted 10 times

When he’s done you cheer the loudest and wait for everyone to disperse before engulfing him in a hug

“Is that a proposal” you say when you break away and look at him

He smiles thoughtfully and tugs your waist

“Only if you want it to be ;););)”

“wE A IN’T EVEN DA T IN G PLS”

And he kISSES YOU AGAIN BUT THIS TIME O N THE LI PZZ

And his hand is gently on the back of your neck

Oh my god yall im fucKEN SOFT

“I didn’t see you give me any change today”

“sHUT UP WAS THE KISS NOT GOOD ENOUGH i withdraw from being your s/o smh”

“wAIT NO I WAS KIDDIng!!11!! Kisses are perfectly acceptable payment!!!11”

Damn right they better be

“As they should be :)))” you say before pulling him back in aW YOU GUYS ARE SO CUTE

And there begins a sweet relationship full of serenades and free drinks!!!