#i love drawing natalia so much guys did you. did you know

[frogoru]

floral patterns i love u so much

[mydarllinglover]

Alone || The Man In The Red Poncho

Previous

When Daryl had finished fixing the bike up, Aaron had explained to the pair how they would go about with the recruiting and the route they were planning on taking, considering the pair were from Georgia and did not know anything about Virginia.

Natalia had explained to him, that at their old community, the prison, it was mainly her and Daryl that had rescued people, bringing them back, that they were familiar with helping survivors and giving them sanctuary.

Natalia had decided on taking Milo up on his offer of dinner, it was sweet and he was right about being a good cook, even with the sparse ingredients, he was a lot nicer and friendly than when they had first met.

Evie had kept her promise of drawing more pictures, giving them to the woman as she talked about school and how Carl was in the big kids group with the Anderson boys, she thought he was cool.

Natalia had surprisingly took a fast liking to the girl, she was kind but blunt, Natalia couldn't blame her, growing up in a world like this.

Milo wasn't bad either, she could see herself becoming friends with him fast, he was quite interesting to talk to, after Evie had gone to bed, which she insisted on Natalia helping with, her and Milo had shared a glass of wine, she made sure to keep to only a wine after the other night.

"She adores you." Milo said. "I've never seen her like this with anyone, not in a real long time."

"She's a great kid." Natalia responded.

"You're invited to hang out here whenever if it means I get to see that smile on her face, obviously when you're not recruiting, and I'm sure she'll appreciate it, I don't think Evie will give you much choice, either way." He told her.

"Of course, I think she's growing on me." Natalia teased.

"Did you ever have kids, before this?" He asked her. "Just that, you're so good with her."

"Yeah, a long time ago." She admitted, surprising herself that she did. "A little girl."

"I'm sorry."

"I know. It sucks."

When she had got back to the home she shared with her friends, it seemed like Daryl was waiting for her on the porch, as he smoked, he hadn't out rightly asked for details, but she told him anyway, even showing off Evie's drawings, especially the one that appeared to be him and a motorcycle, the same one she must've seen him working on in the garage.

"You in love with the guy yet?" Daryl asked her.

"Pft, no, he's alright, not really my type, I'm only there for Evie." Natalia told him.

"Your type?" He scoffed.

"Yeah, I have a type." She looked at him. "Y'know, I'm supposed to be hanging out with her again when we get back, maybe you can come with."

"Nah, nobody wants that, I ain't good with kids."

"Yeah, cause Judith doesn't look up at you like you hang the stars, and you don't look at her the same way." She nudged him.

"She's different."

"You ever think this will stick, that maybe Aarons right, and we will be able to fall in love again, and have families?" Natalia asked him, leaning her head against his arm as they both stared ahead, into the street, linking her arm with his.

"Like hell I'd know, never been in love before, my only family was Merle."

"You've never been in love?" Natalia leaned off of him, looking into his eyes. "Like ever? Not even some high school girlfriend you thought was gonna last forever?"

"Nope, would need to have a girlfriend for that."

"Shut up, you're kidding." She didn't mean to come across so mean, she just couldn't wrap her head around the idea that he'd never been in a relationship before.

"Never wanted to, ain't found the right girl, before. The time never came." He shrugged, he didn't seem bothered by it.

"Ugh, so you're some damn "holding out for true love" romantic" She teased, placing her head back on his arm.

"Something like that." He shrugged, looking down at the woman.

"She'll come around someday, you deserve to be happy, and you'll sweep her off her feet and be romantic and in love and happily ever after."

"Maybe." He continued to stare down at her, her being completely oblivious by it.

The next day had come, Aaron and Natalia were prepping the car whilst Daryl sat on his bike, waiting for them so that they could head off.

Carol had forced Daryl to put on a flannel jacket under his vest and Natalia to layer up.

As Natalia was finishing up with the car, Evie came walking over to her, Milo wasn't too far behind.

"She wanted to say bye." He told the woman.

"Oh, I won't be gone for long." Natalia told the girl, bending down to talk to her. "We're gonna come back with people, then me and you can hang out again."

"Promise you'll come back?" She asked her, almost pleading, a sad expression was etched on her face, it sent a pain to Natalia's heart.

"Hell yeah, I think I'd miss you too much, I pinkie promise." Natalia stuck out her pinkie, linking it with the girls. "But hey, you know my friend Carol? She makes these really good cookies, maybe if you tell her I sent you, you can make some with her, would you like that?"

She looked at her dad, unsure of herself, but with a nod from him, she said yes.

"Bye, Natty." She wrapped her arms around Natalia's neck, hugging her tightly.

"Bye, Evie." She hugged the girl back, just as tight, she was starting to feel very fond of Evie, a bond between them had formed very quickly, Natalia didn't know whether to let it flow or cut it off immediately, before the pair could get too attached, making friendships in this world was mostly likely a cause for disaster.

When they pulled away, Natalia got in the passenger side of the car, Milo picked Evie up as they waved them off, Natalia waved back as Aaron drove the car behind Daryl's bike.

At night time, they had stopped in a field, Natalia was glad she didn't have to put up with Aarons small talk any longer.

Daryl took out a walker with his crossbow as they got out the car.

"There's more of them around here than there used to be." Aaron told the pair. "Don't know if any people..."

"Shh." Daryl told him, pointing ahead. "Someone is."

A small yellow light was emitting from the trees, a fire, a sign of human presence.

They had set up camp, deciding that they would look for whoever was there in the light.

"So, how come you're so good with-"

"Aaron." Natalia cut him off, as the three were laying down in their own made up beds.

"Yeah?"

"For the love of God, and I'm trying to be nice, shut up." She told him.

"Understood." He didn't speak for the rest of the night.

Once she was sure Aaron was asleep, she scooted closer to Daryl, knowing he was still awake.

"I missed our sleepovers." She muttered lowly, as she got comfortable beside him.

"Only been a week." He grumbled.

"Told you, I got used to you being there." She leaned up, kissing his cheek with a hushed but overexaggerated mwah, before laying back down, comfortable with the fact that he was there.

After the dinner at Aarons and Erics, she stayed in her own room, Sully being her roommate, as he took up most of the bed.

When the sky was blue, they trudged through the woods, stopping at dismembered limbs on the ground.

"Whoever did this, took whatever was left with them." Daryl told them. "This just happened."

Natalia swapped her knife for her gun, taking it off safety as they looked around the trees.

Daryl walked ahead, Natalia closely behind him, but Aaron was more hesitant, the colour in his face disappearing.

They walked further.

A naked girl was tied to a tree, her blonde hair covering her face, her stomach had been devoured.

"She's tied up." Aaron observed. "And they fed on her. Tore her apart. This just happened?"

"Yeah." Daryl nodded.

Natalia shrugged off her jacket, pulling her sweatshirt over her head.

"What are you doing?" Aaron asked her, as she was only in a tank top in the cold whether, approaching the girls body.

"Doing what I would want done in a state like this." She answered.

She put the sweatshirt over the girl's head, pulling it down, she was about to cut the ties on her arms, to lay her down peacefully, when the girl's head raised, snarling at Natalia as she opened her eyes.

"Nat." Daryl called, pulling her back.

"Wait." She tried, but Daryl grabbed her hair, plunging his knife into her skull, until she was once again lifeless.

Natalia looked at her pale face again, a W was carved into her forehead, like the one they had saw at the wooden house.

"We gotta go." Daryl looked around the area, before back at Natalia.

"No, not yet." She told him, cutting the ties, supporting the dead body, struggling to get her arm in one of the holes, when she fell to the ground, Natalia got the other one through, now her body wasn't so open to just about everyone.

"I know what its like, I guess, sorta." She stood back up, shrugging as she headed in the direction of the field, letting the memories of having to pull her own cargo pants back up and do up the button, when she wasn't the ones to pull them down, twice.

They drove some more, Daryl was now sporting the pair of sunglasses they had found by the dismembered body parts.

Shortly, they had come to another stop, Aaron and Natalia meeting Daryl by his bike, and they set foot, into the woods, once again.

"Somebody came through here a while ago." Daryl said, leading the way through the leaves.

"If we see them, we hang back, set up the mike, watch and listen." Aaron told them.

"For how long?" Daryl voiced the question Natalia was also thinking.

"Until we know. We have to know."

"You've sent people away?" Daryl continued to ask the questions.

"Yeah." Aaron answered.

"What happened?"

"It was early on. It was three people. Two men and a woman."

"How very fitting." Natalia looked at her company.

"Davidson was their leader." Aaron continued. "I thought they'd work out. They didn't. I brought them in and I had to see them out. So me, Aiden, and Nicholas, we drove them out far... gave them a days worth of food and water and left them."

"Awful generous for a kick out." Natalia thought out loud.

"They just went?" Daryl asked.

"We had their guns. We had all the guns. I can't make that kind of mistake again."

"You wont. We won't" Natalia told him.

The three had managed to scope out a man in a bright red poncho, by himself, just walking along without a possible care in the world.

They watched him bend down, his gloved hands coming up dark as they rubbed together, then he rubbed it onto his face.

"What's he doing?" Aaron asked.

"Wild leaks." Daryl answered. "Son of a bitch knows about how to keep mosquitos off of him."

"Mosquitos? Oh my god, I hate bugs." Natalia looked around for the sight of any flying things in her space.

"You're fine." Daryl told her, stopping her from moving around. "Come on." He then walked forward.

The man with the red poncho led them to a canned food warehouse, but he was nowhere in sight.

Walkers littered the area as Daryl used binoculars to search around.

"We checked the forest, we checked the roads. We can't find him." Aaron said.

"So we're just giving up?" Natalia asked him.

"Sometimes they just slip away. It happens. But you don't come across something like this everyday."

"We do this now, it means we're giving up." Daryl said.

"Home is 50 miles back. It's time to go. You saw them last night, there's bad people out here."

"That's why we ought to keep looking for the good ones." Daryl said.

"He's right, I agree with Daryl, we didn't come all this way to come back with no one." Natalia folded her arms, looking at Aaron unsurely. "Besides, you really think a place like this is just untouched, surely someone's come through here."

"We need more people and we'll find them. But when we do, we'll need to feed them." Aaron told the pair. "Look at it, doesn't look touched."

"Alright." Daryl switched sides, grabbing a knife and hitting it against the metal fence, grabbing the walkers attention.

Between the three, all the walkers were taken out through the fence.

Aaron pulled the fence across, with a little of Daryl's help.

They continued onto the property, Natalia had an itching feeling about this place.

The trio walked along the canned food trucks, along some of them, cans hung from the tops, stung together as they clanged in the wind.

"Woah." Aaron beamed, getting on one knee in front of a truck. "Wasn't sure I'd ever see one of these." He pulled out a screwdriver from his pack, taking off a license plate.

Natalia walked away, assessing the other trucks, Daryl checked out the area.

"Hey, listen, I don't like giving up either, but the guy is in a red poncho. You can see him from a mile away." He managed to get the Alaska license plate off. "We've gone a lot of miles here. No sign of him. But... if we come away with a trailer full of cans, I'd say that's a good trip."

Natalia leaned towards one of the trucks, managing to hear something, she knocked on the metal, and the sounds of shovelling and snarls picked up.

"Here we go." Daryl said, bending down.

"Wait, Daryl!" Natalia called to him, but it was too late, he propped the door open, causing a trip to go off.

All the trailer doors had opened, revealing them packed full of walkers, like sardines in a can, all brandishing W's on their foreheads.

Natalia ran forward, in between two of the trailers, the two men hot on her trail as the walkers followed them.

Daryl and Natalia pull out their knifes, stabbing them into the closest heads, whilst Aaron used his licence plate to cave into an walkers skull.

"Over here." He shouted.

"Come on." Daryl told them, as they crawled under one of the trailers.

Daryl picked up a chain as Natalia kicked at a female walker, who was crawling towards them.

"We're gonna die, we're so gonna die." Natalia muttered to herself.

"No!" Aaron cried.

"Come on." Daryl ordered, as they climbed out the other side of the trailer, Aaron was trembling.

Daryl used the chain as a whip, taking off three walker heads at the same time, if Natalia wasn't in a life or death situation, she would of taken notice of the butterflies that had fluttered In her lower belly.

Another walker had snuck up on Aaron, getting a hold of his bag as he wrestled to get her off of him, Natalia reached forward, plunging her knife into the walkers skull.

But Aaron had still dropped his bag.

They fought their way through to a car, Daryl opened the door, shoving Natalia in, climbing in after her, than Aaron.

"Come on, go!"

A walker struggled after Aaron, who slammed the door onto her head, before slamming it shut.

"Are you okay, did you get bit?" Daryl, taking Natalia by surprise, asked, cupping her face as he checked the amount of skin he could see, or any rips in her clothes.

"No! No, I'm okay, fine, are you?" She pulled his hands away, asking him, then turning to the other man, she was leaning against the door, squeezed between Daryl and the dashboard. "Aaron?"

"Yeah, fine." He nodded.

As they looked at the windows, walkers were climbing onto the car, scratching at the glass to get to them.

"Glass will hold for a while, right?" Aaron asked.

"Maybe." Daryl answered. "Maybe we make it so they can't see us. In a couple of hours, something will come by, they'll follow it out. There's gotta be something in here we can use to block the view."

"What about cutting up the seats?" Natalia suggested, climbing over Daryl and into the back.

Aaron picked up a yellow piece of paper, unfolding it.

"Trap. Bad People Coming. Don't Stay." The note said.

Natalia's heart dropped.

They were fucked.

Daryl let out a chuckle as they sat there in silence for a moment.

"What?" Aaron asked as him and Natalia looked at the man.

"I came out here to... not feel all closed up back there. Even now, this still feels more like me... than back in them houses. That's pretty messed up, huh?"

"You were trying." Aaron told him.

"I had to."

"No you didn't."

"Listen, I saw you with your group out there on the road. Then you went off on your own by the barn. Storm hit and you led your people to safety. That was it. I knew I had to bring you people back. You were right, both of you, We should have kept looking for that guy in the red poncho. I shouldn't have given up. Neither of you did."

Daryl placed a cigarette in between his lips, searching his pocket for his lighter.

"I have a plan." Natalia told them, not really paying attention to their conversation and more about the problem at hand.

Aaron turned around to look at her.

"I'll head out first, distract them, then you go, head for the fence." She said.

"No." Daryl told her.

"Nat, you can't."

"Why not? Someone has to, you got people waiting for you back there, there's no arguing about it."

"So do you." Aaron said.

"I got people in other place I need to get to."

"What about your dog?"

"Carl will take care of him for me." Natalia fixed her hair, preparing herself.

"And Evie?"

"What about her? She's just a kid, I don't owe her anything, she'll get over it." She shrugged, pulling out her knife. "She has her parent."

"You ain't doing it." Daryl told her.

"Daryl."

"No. I'll go." He declared.

"No, no, no." Aaron argued. "This was my fault."

"It wasn't a question. And this ain't your decision. It ain't nobody's fault."

"And it's not yours, I said I'll do it, and I will." Natalia finalised.

"No. You don't draw them away. We fight. We go for the fence, we do it together. All right? Whether we make it or not, we do it together, the three of us. We have to."

"If you say so." Natalia said, she had no faith in his idea.

"Alright." Daryl agreed. "You ready?"

"Yeah."

"I guess." Natalia shrugged, sitting up, ready to jump over the seats again.

"We'll go on three." Daryl told them. "One... Two..."

He didn't get to three.

A stick impaled the skull of a walker in front of Aarons window, then the door was yanked open.

Aaron jumped out as whoever had reached them fought of the walkers, he was quick to join the fight.

"Go, go!" Daryl told Natalia, pushing her forward and out the car, just like he pushed her in it. "I'm right behind you."

They took out walkers, creating a path.

Aaron was the first to reach the fence, starting to pull it along as he waited for the others to reach him.

"Come on. Come on, get in here." Daryl said as he pulled the other side shut, blocking out the walkers, he then turned around, shooting an arrow into a walkers head that was on the side with them.

Natalia put away her knife, grabbing her gun, that she had booked out from the armoury when they left, aiming it at the man in the brown coat, carrying a stick.

"That was " Aaron smiled as he caught his breath. "Oh, thank you."

"Was this you?" Natalia asked, as she stared the stranger down. "You the bad guy who set the traps, gotta tell you, hella smart."

"No, I didn't." The man answered.

"Nat, he ain't an enemy." Daryl joined her side.

She looked at him, unsure if that were true, before putting her gun back.

"I'm Aaron, this is Daryl, and Natalia." Aaron introduced once he was sure the woman wasn't going to shoot the stranger.

"Morgan." The man replied.

"Why?" Daryl asked, eluding to him just saving their lives.

"Why?" Morgan repeated. "Because all life is precious, Daryl."

She didn't believe that.

"Whoever set that trap, they're coming." Aaron said. "But I have good news. We do." He pointed at the other two. "We have a community not too far from here. Walls. Electricity, it's safe. If you'd like to come join us..."

"I thank you." Morgan cut him off. "But I'm on my way somewhere. Fact is, I'm lost, so..." He pulled out a map, passing it to Daryl. "If you could tell me where we are."

Daryl unfolded it, Natalia leaned an arm on his shoulder, looking at the map as well.

SORRY, I WAS AN ASSHOLE. COME TO WASHINTON. THE NEW WORLD IS GONNA NEED RICK GRIMES.

The map read, in Abrahams scratchy writing.

"He wrote this when you were in Atlanta with Carol, when we split up." Natalia revealed.

"You know Rick?" Morgan asked.

"Yeah, he's part of our group, for a long time, now." She spoke to him, "Back in Alexandria."

Morgan had decided to go back with them to Alexandria, in hopes of reuniting with Rick.

Natalia rode with Daryl, giving Aaron a chance to get to know Morgan, if anyone could get someone to open up, it would be him.

"Hey, don't ever try and pull some shit like that again." Daryl told her as they got ready to leave the area they were parked in. "You ain't alone, you got people who need you, Rick, Michonne, Carl, Judith... Me."

"You need me?" She enquired, the corner of her lip raised.

"Yeah, who else is going to keep it real or offer a sarcastic reply when shit gets hard."

"Oh, I'm so honoured to be at of service." She bowed.

"Freak." He looked at her.

"Hey, those are not the kind words of someone who said he needs me." She jabbed her finger into his chest.

"I take it back, damn."

"Thank you, I'm not a freak."

"Meant the other thing."

"Argh." She scoffed, folding her arms. "Fine, guess I'll ride with Aaron and Morgan, I know when I'm clearly not wanted." She went to walk away, but he pulled her back by the arm.

"Nah, you ain't, hop on, I wanna get home." He told her, letting go so he could mount the motorcycle.

"If I must." Natalia rolled her eyes in a joking manner. "Also, you ever try to steal my sacrifice again, I'll kill you myself. You're important to me, Daryl Dixon, and I need you too."

"Alright." He nodded in agreement, but he had no intention of keeping it.

When they got back to Alexandria, Spencer opened the gate for them.

"Who's this?" He asked, pointing at Morgan, as Natalia got off of Daryl's bike.

"Morgan, Morgan, meet Spencer, he's the boss ladies son." Natalia introduced each other.

"Where is everyone?" Aaron asked.

"A meetings being held, Rick lost it yesterday, pulled a gun on the people, him and Pete got into it before that."

"The surgeon?" Natalia asked.

"Yeah, over Jessie or something, they're debating whether they should kick him out or not, walkers got in, he fought them off, brought one back to the firepit." Spencer caught them up on the immediate details of what they had missed.

"Let's go." Daryl said, heading in the direction of the firepit.

They got to the scene, most of the Alexandrians were gathered, crying and hyperventilating, Reg was bleeding out from a slit throat, Deanna held him as he took his last breathes.

Pete was restrained on the ground by Abraham.

"Rick, do it." Deanna sobbed.

Without hesitation, he shot the man who had murdered Reg.

"Rick?" Morgan asked, as him, Aaron, Natalia and Daryl stood outside the gate, taking in what had just happened.

The old friends stared at each other in shock, of seeing each other again, especially like this.

Tags: @fallenkitten

Next

[delicately-anxious]

ELIJAH TEMPEST

He's such a silly guy. He is my Bright/963 rewrite. He works as the Site-19 site director. He mainly focuses on Astronomy and Biology in the research department. He is a little bastard. He has been through a lot in his life which I will get into in another post. He's a rather sweet person when you get to know him, but he tends to be a little cold to people he doesn't know well. He is Transgender, using he/they pronouns, and he is also Pansexual. He is ethnically Jewish, but isn't very religious. He has four other siblings. His older Mykel (pronounced how most ppl pronounce Mikell because admin asshole pronounced it Michael anyways), I who is O5-6, His brother Tobias, SCP-590, who was contained for a long time, but ended up getting the opportunity to join the foundation, and he now works as an MTF agent. Carmen, his younger sister who is with Are We Cool Yet. And his youngest sister Sapira, who was born with several disabilities, and was swept up by her parents, Yoseph and Natalia, who did not care about the previous siblings. They chose to move out, saying that the house was too rowdy for Sapira. Sorry I kinda rambled here, I'll probably make another post about his whole childhood.

About his 963. His 963 is more of a corruption. He was assigned to 963, and ended up handling it with a bare hand. It latched onto his hand, causing his body to be covered in large scar, cascading across his body, like a cracked crystal. He died, and his body disintegrated into crystals. Other researchers assumed that Elijah went AWOL or died. The next week, a D-Class was put into the test chamber. As soon as they went near SCP-963, it latched onto his hand, and the body of the D-Class painfully contorted into Elijah. Elijah was originally born with a shapeshifting anomaly and 963 fused with that anomaly. He was nearly contained, but Mykel was able to stop it, and got him to be able to continue working for the foundation. 963 causes serval other side effects. Elijah had always dealt with chronic pain, but whenever a body dies or gets injured, because of the anomaly works, the injuries stay. He frequently uses arm crutches or a cane, and occasionally uses a wheelchair.

I love him so much. Feel free to draw him. He's about 5'11, and uh, the best way I would describe his body type is an otter (in the gay way).

[nastybuckybarnes]

All the King’s Men  -  Six

Pairing: Alpha!King!Bucky X Omega!Reader

Summary: Your father always said that if it weren’t for your presentation, he’d think you were an Alpha. There’s a reason for that. Growing up in a world where Omegas are treated like garbage, you’ve fought for the respect that you have. Until you’re sold off to an old King desperate for a bride. But you will not lay down and present for your new husband. No, you will fight back.

Warnings: Langauge, Angst, dark themes, injuries, Non-descriptive smut, ABO Dynamics (Marking, Scenting, Knotting, etc.)

Word Count: 2.4K

A/n: Hey guys. I wrote a poetry book if you wanna check it out. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this! Love you all so very much. 

!!DO NOT COPY/TRANSLATE/REPOST MY WORK!!

Series Masterlist

~*~

“Your Majesty!”

James stops his horse and glances over his shoulder as a new rider approaches, clearly out of breath.

“The King and Queen of Lothiella have arrived at the Palace and are demanding your presence,” the young man explains between breaths.

James only turns away.

“I will return once I’ve found my wife, not a moment before. Steve, go back to entertain our guests until I return.”

The blond draws his brows together.

“And what am I to tell them?”

“You will tell them the truth. That I search for their daughter who has run away. You will divulge no more details than that.”

In truth, the brunet grows more and more anxious as the hours pass.

The burning in his neck has grown stronger, and the bond has grown weaker. It is only a matter of days before he loses the bond altogether.

He just prays to find you before then.

A twig snaps from further in the forest and all the attention is on the noise.

Some men are prepared to fight, others prepared to see the Queen stumbling through.

What no one anticipates, however, is to see the Queen’s Lady in Waiting, her dress covered in mud.

“Lady Wanda!” James exclaims, sliding from his horse and racing over to the young woman.

She all but falls into him, exhausted beyond belief.

“Where is she? Where’s my Omega?” He looks around, desperate to see you, to make sure you’re all right, but one look at Wanda’s grief-stricken face has him thinking the worst.

“No... I-I can feel her.”

Wanda shakes her head and sniffles, looking past the King to all the soldiers watching intently.

“I will share information with you in private, Your Majesty.”

He nods and looks over his shoulder.

“Steve, you will lead the men back to the Palace. Sam and Natasha will stay with me.”

Everyone is quick to follow the barked orders, the group dispersing until only Sam and Natalia remain behind the King.

“Where is she, Lady Wanda? You will speak plainly.” He doesn’t mean to sound so harsh, but he can’t help it. He’s been holding his inner Alpha back from the moment he found out you left, and as the pain grows stronger, his control grows weaker.

“You will remember that I answer to my Lady before I answer to you, Your Majesty, and that by coming here to find you I am committing an act of treason.”

He nods, trying to calm himself down as she glares up at him.

She doesn’t know all the details of what he did to you, but she knows it’s enough for you to seek death’s embrace.

“She is not well, Majesty. I fear she has only hours left.”

The King bristles at her words, his inner Alpha howling in agony at the thought of losing his Omega.

“What do you mean? What has happened, where is she?”

Wanda swallows hard and looks between him and the two others in the forest.

“I am not telling you this for your gain. If I did not need your help I would not seek it. But without you, My Lady will die. She is family to me. A sister. Were there any way for me to save her without needing you, I would have sought it out,” she says coldly, trying to make sure he knows that she isn’t here on his behalf.

She needs to save you. She has to.

And if you punish her for her actions, so be it. But she can’t let you die. Not like this.

It hurts his heart to hear such words, but he nods.

“How can I help.”

Here’s the hard part.

Wanda readies herself for the possible fury of the Alpha in front of her. If the Sorceress was right, then not even the Gods will protect the two of you from his wrath.

“She has sought out a woman, one who has helped others with such situations, though she warned that not many survive.”

“What situation do you speak of? And where is this woman? I will have words with her.”

Wanda only shakes her head, “the woman is gone now, long gone. But... My Lady was unhappy. She felt as though she was trapped and the only way to escape besides death was... to have your bond broken.”

His heart drops into his feet and his stomach ties in knots.

You tried to break the bond.

He pushed you away, humiliated you and destroy a piece of your spirit so terribly that you went to such lengths to get away from him.

His inner Alpha is torn between being angry at you for doing such a thing, and angry at himself for causing such a thing.

The emotions crash over him so heavily that his knees nearly buckle under the pressure.

“She... where is she? How can I help?” There must be something he can do. He’ll do anything to make this right, to save you and show you that he truly regrets what happened.

He needs to see you, to hold you in his arms and apologize.

He’ll tear apart the sky and rip the Gods from their thrones if they take you from him.

Though, through all of this anger, he knows that he is the only one at fault for what may happen to you.

“She is unwell. The only way to save her life is to save the bond. You must bond her again, though I know not how much time we’ll have before it is too late.”

Within seconds he’s hoisting Wanda up onto his horse and climbing on behind her, following her directions through the trees with Natalia and Sam following behind.

He slides from his mare as soon as they halt outside of the cabin.

He can smell you, smell the pain and the agony turning your scent sour.

“Sam, Natalia, you will stand watch,” he orders, marching into the cottage with a hand on the hilt of his sword.

Wanda leads him to the bed where you lay and his heart clenches in his chest.

You’re covered in a thin sheen of sweat and your eyes are shut.

Your once bright and lively skin is now dull and lifeless, and there are bags beneath your eyes that weren’t there before.

All because of him.

Because he let Sharon whisper filth into his ear.

He should have her head for what she did.

But all the words in the world don’t control his actions. He’s the King. His actions are his own and he cannot blame anyone else.

Whatever happens to you is his fault, and that is something he’ll need to live with. Something he’ll need to explain to your parents when he returns to the Palace. He just hopes he comes back with you by his side instead of in a casket.

“My sweet Omega, what have I done,” he whispers, stroking your hair gently.

Your chapped lips part softly and a pained noise falls from them.

“You will leave us, Lady Wanda. When I am finished I will call you.”

Wanda bows her head and exits the cottage, leaving you alone with your mate.

He sheds his clothing swiftly, trying to keep a clear head, though the worry he feels for you is making it a bit difficult for his baser instincts to comply.

“It will all be all right, Omega, that I swear.”

He positions himself between your thighs, leaving you on your back to watch your face for any signs of distress.

Your skin is hot against his, so hot that it borders on being uncomfortable, but he can swallow down any discomfort for the rest of your marriage after what he’s done to you.

He sheathes himself inside of you gently, trying to be as careful as possible with you.

Gone is the fiery, strong Omega that he’s come to care about. In her place is a fragile, delicate, broken creature who needs nurturing and love.

He’s gentle as he moves, keeping as little of his weight on your body as he can as he ruts against you and brings his lips to your neck. His tongue darts over the mess of scar tissue where his mark used to be, the source of all the pain.

Soon enough everything will be okay.

Though there’s nothing on his mind but saving your life, his knot catches quickly, and his teeth clamp down on your neck much like they did that first night.

Like water to a flame, the burning pain in his neck evaporates.

The longing in his soul is replaced by a content fullness, a sense of peace that lets him know he’s done it.

He’s saved you.

With a heavy sigh, he rolls the two of you onto your sides, being mindful of his knot in your body, and pulls you closer to him. Your chest is pressed against his and he presses his nose to your neck, scenting you and successfully calming the roar of his inner Alpha.

He stays there, pressed against you, for hours, listening to your pulse steady and feeling your skin cool, the fever long gone.

It takes a while, but eventually, you start to wake up.

You’re groggy and confused and there’s an aching pain coming from your neck, though it’s welcome after the fire that was there for so long.

Slowly, you bring a hand up to feel at your neck, fingers trembling as you brush over the bumpy mark there.

A frown graces your lips and you peel your eyes open, looking around the dim room for a moment before pushing yourself into a seated position.

You cup your neck, fear coursing through your veins as you feel the fresh mark and smell the scent that you’ve been trying to get out of your head for days.

“You tried to destroy our bond.”

Your eyes dart up to the voice and you swallow hard, eyeing the Alpha sitting in the corner of the room.

He doesn’t look angry, only sad.

“I was only finishing what you had already started,” you retort, glaring at him.

He lets out a slow breath then rises to his feet, his shoulders hunched and head ducked slightly in an attempt at getting rid of the power dynamic between the two of you, something he’s never done before.

“Omega... I was wrong.”

You scoff and roll your eyes, looking away from him.

“What I did is inexcusable and there is nothing I can say to justify it. I am sorry, for all the pain and suffering I caused. To make you feel like this was what you had to resort to... Omega... I’m so sorry.”

You shake your head at him, fighting back tears as the Omega inside you yearns for her Alpha, a result of the fresh bond, no doubt.

“All you have done in this marriage is belittle me and treat me as if I am not important. You allow your council to threaten me and harm me, and-”

“Who has threatened you? Which of them has raised a finger to you?” He’s crouching in front of you now, eyes trained on yours then dropping to the bruises on your bicep when you scratch at the marks.

“Who has done this to you?”

You grind your teeth together and shake your head.

“Will it matter? All you will do is congratulate them. Or perhaps you’ll punish them for not killing me when they had the chance,” you snap, yanking away from him when he reaches out to touch the marks.

He frowns. “is that what you truly think of me, Omega? That I care so little about you?”

“You’ve given me no reason to think any differently.”

His heart shatters at the truth behind your words.

You’re right.

He hasn’t given you a reason to believe that he cares.

He’s been nothing but selfish this entire marriage, focused more on what others are saying than what truly matters.

And now he’s caused damage that perhaps cannot be repaired.

He wishes he could hold your bond in his hands and kiss it back to health, nurse it until it is glowing and blooming.

But he cannot.

What’s done is done.

“How did you find me?” You ask after a moment, glaring at him.

He slowly raises his eyes to yours, thinking for a moment before answering.

“We found your Lady searching for food in the forest. She confessed to your whereabouts and what you needed after her family was threatened.”

You sniffle and look away, refusing to cry in front of the man who’s hurt you.

“You threatened her family and harmed her to put me through more torture. You’re a disgusting monster and you will rot in Hell for all of eternity.”

His jaw flexes a few times as he suppresses his own tears.

“Come. We will return to the Palace. Your parents will be eager to hear of your return.”

This catches your attention.

“My parents?”

He nods, rising to his feet and smoothing down his trousers.

“I had written to them the day after your disappearance. Your mother will help you clean and I will discuss business with your father. Something needs to be done after such... an ordeal.”

You glare at him with nothing but disgust in your eyes.

How dare he involve your parents and how very dare he not allow you the peace of death, going so far as to threaten your Lady in waiting.

Wanda deserves better than that.

He leaves the cottage and Wanda rushes in, pulling you into a tight embrace that you melt into.

A soft sob falls from your lips and you hold her tightly.

“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty,” she whispers, holding onto you as if her life depends on it.

You cry for only a few moments before regaining your composure and pulling away from her.

“Thank you, Wanda. I’m sorry for putting you through this. I will not allow them to harm you, I swear.”

Wanda holds your hand and smiles softly, though she’s conflicted. 

Why are you not angry at her? You should be, after all, she fetched your Alpha. It is her fault that you're going back to the Palace. 

So why, then, are you not mad at her?

[wandaromanova]

Jealous Nat where R feels under appreciate and tries to tell Nat about it but Nat disregards R’s feelings

warnings: cussing, cheating

A/N: im very sorry. i didn’t know how to incorporate Jealous!Nat into this! but i followed the rest of it <3

blurb requests are closed

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•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

You had been feeling really low as of lately. Your girlfriend, Natasha, has been treating you differently.

Before, she would wake you up every single morning as she showered kisses across your face. She’d hold your hand every chance she got.

She would hug you from behind while you cooked dinner, her face snuggling into your neck.

She’d tell you she loved you every chance she got. She would make love to you before going off on long missions; promising to always come back to you.

After one particular mission, she had come back, but didn’t at the same time.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Your once loving girlfriend became cold and harsh towards you.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

You no longer woke up to kisses and the sound of her infectious laughter. You were met with cold sheets and an aching heart instead.

She never sought out your touch. Whenever you’d try to initiate contact, she’d brush you off and storm out of the room.

She no longer accompanied you while you cooked. You wouldn’t catch sight of her sitting on the counter while drinking some vodka as her eyes followed your every movement.

There weren’t any more nights of love-making prior to missions. She’d pack up and leave without uttering a single word. You’d watch brokenly as she’d leave your apartment; unsure of when you’d see her again.

One day, you finally had enough. You were sat in the living room on the couch while Natasha sat in a chair a few feet away from you.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Yeah, she didn’t even want to sit next to you.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

You cleared your throat, drawing the redhead’s attention. Her eyes darted up from her laptop to you as she raised an eyebrow.

“Nat, we need to talk.” You spoke as you fumbled with your fingers nervously.

Natasha didn’t say anything. She just stared at you, waiting for you to elaborate.

“Have I done something wrong?” You asked as you removed your eyes from your fingers and focused them on the Russian.

“What are you talking about?” Natasha asked coldly as she crossed her arms across her chest.

“You’ve been different lately. I was just wondering if I did something to make you upset. I miss you.”

You spoke sadly as you stared at the assassin. Your eyes were seeping with desperation and pain, which Natasha saw, but didn’t care about.

“You miss me? We fucking live together Y/N. My life doesn’t revolve around you and sometimes I need a break from you. You suffocate me sometimes. You’re so god damn clingy. So, sorry if I need to create some distance.”

Natasha snapped at you as she sent you a hard glare. Your eyes brimmed with unshed tears as you felt your heart shatter into a million pieces.

Natasha had never raised her voice at you. And usually, she was the one to touch you all the time, not the other way around.

“I’m not clingy. I’ve given you space even though it killed me, but I can’t keep doing this Natasha. It hurts so much.”

You whispered out, trying to keep your voice steady, but your emotions betrayed you.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Well, I can’t keep doing this either. I’m glad we agree on something.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Natasha abruptly slammed her laptop shut and stood up. She walked towards the front door and hastily threw her shoes on.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I’ll pick up my things later.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

And with that, Natasha walked out.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

You were dumbfounded. You completely broke down as soon as the door shut behind her. You pulled your hands up to your face in an attempt to muffle your sobs.

You were simply expressing how upset you’ve been lately by her behavior; how torn you were by her bitterness towards you.

You had expected a loving, caring response from Nat, but instead, you were met with hostility and anger.

She completely invalidated your feelings and made you out to be the bad guy when you were really the victim.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

If wanting to save your relationship with the woman you loved made you the villain?

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Then you were the biggest criminal to ever exist.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

───────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──────────

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[wisewidow]

Hello, Your Parents Want Me To Have Your Babies

PAIRING: Natasha Romanoff x Reader

SUMMARY: Melina, my workplace’s neighbour, wants to set me up with her daughter.

I'd only ever hear about Natasha every couple of weeks, when her adoptive father, the mechanic that owned the garage workshop beside my father's cafe slash bar, met up with my uncle for beers one day last year. Ever since then, our families have been loosely intertwined, friendly but not too close. Alexei fixed my mom's wrecked car for a cheap price, in return I let his youngest daughter Yelena have free coffees whenever she pops over.

From what my father told me, Alexei's entire family, including his wife, were all involved in the family business of repairing cars, except for his eldest daughter: Natasha, who turned out to be an FBI agent living in Quantico. Dad says they're proud of her but they miss her.

"(Y/N)," my brother calls from the kitchen. I put down my phone and find him balancing three plates of sandwiches and a salad in his spindly arms.

He opens his mouth to explain the orders, but I cut him off.

"Alexei," I say, pointing to the bacon and egg sandwich. "A salad for Melina. The tuna and tomato roll is Yelena's. Did they want drinks?"

Peter nods. "Four coffees and a large bottle of water, they already have them."

I ruffle his hair to thank him and grab the plates, balancing the third on my forearm until I can place it on a tray. I carry it outside, years of waitressing practice keeping it balanced, and head towards the garage.

"Melina?" I call. Moments later the raven haired woman slips out of the office and smiles. She yells something in Russian that causes Yelena to slide out from under a silver BMW, covered in black grease. Alexei appears moments later wielding a spanner.

They hound me for their orders, gratefully patting my shoulder and carrying their food away to their separate stations. Yelena disappears into the shadows with her sandwich, and her father to his desk, but Melina simply brightens and says, "(Y/N), have you heard? Natalia is visiting."

"Yes!" Alexei yells around a mouthful of bread. "Family, reunion! Grandbabies!"

Melina hisses something in their mother tongue. I laugh, and then ask if Natasha was bringing her kids, though I wasn't aware she had any.

"He means nothing of it, Natalia is focused on work at the moment. Too focused, I think. No babies. No partner."

"Tell her about her penthouse!" Alexei encourages.

Melina flaps a hand at him in irritation. "Yes, well, she has broken up with Bruce, the shy scientist from work. And then Sharon, charming field operative, also from work. And now she refuses to date. Because of work."

I chuckle nervously. "Where are you going with this?"

Melina smiles innocently. "Nowhere. What happened to your last girlfriend, again? Your father mentioned something about . . ."  The look in her eyes is enough to egg me on, though the subject is one I rarely speak of these days.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I say, "Carol left to travel Europe."

"Shame," she nods sympathetically. "You don't seem bothered. Are you not looking for a relationship?"

"Not actively, but I'm sure another troublemaker will find me. I don't have a good track record of steady relationships," I admit.

"Neither does Natalia!" Alexei shouts.

"Oh!" I say. "Does she want Carol's number? Or my friend Harley, she's not looking for commitment."

Yelena snickers. Alexei frowns. Melina chuckles. "No, no, Natalia needs someone she doesn't work with, and you need someone serious, and we need grandbabies before we die, since Yelena neglects it."

I flush a bright red. "Grandb— I'm— okay, first of all, neither of us have the equipment for that—"

"Neither did Dad," Yelena pipes up, referring to the fact that she and her sister were adopted.

"Hey!"

"(Y/N)!" Peter calls, rounding the corner. "Ned's coming over to pick me up, we need to finish our physics project. Uncle Ben should be here soon, can you manage the bar until he gets here?"

I jump onto the excuse and yell back affirmation, say a quick goodbye to Melina before speed-walking back to the cafe.

Peter leaves with Ned soon after, and Ben arrives at around the same time. I move to the kitchens while he takes over serving our regulars, as he's friendlier with them than me.

I work on making more sandwiches and tapas meals until four, when my shift ends. I kiss Uncle Ben on the cheek and head home.

The smell of paprikash greets me as I unlock the door to my apartment, which I guess means that my roommate is home. I call out a hello to her and head to the shower.

I groan happily as the hot water rains down on my front. I close my eyes and lean my head back, thinking over how strange the day had been, and lose myself in a trance of relaxation.

"(Y/N/N)!" Wanda barges in. I jump and almost slip grabbing the shower curtain to cover my body as I peek out at her.

"I'm naked," I hiss.

She ignores me and holds up two clothes hangers. "Pantsuit or dress?"

I push my wet hair out of my face. "Uh, are you bar-hopping with Vision or going to a family dinner?"

"Get together with some friends," she explains. "Vis, Sam, Steve and some guy named Bucky who I'm informed we're supposed to be pretending Steve isn't in love with, do you know him?"

"Nope."

"Okay, well, he's bringing some friends, so I'm bringing you. Don't make that face, you know almost everyone."

"I don't feel like getting drunk," I complain.

"Good! You can be the designated driver. Pantsuit or dress?"

Grumbling, I tell her, "Dress."

"Okay, thanks, you wear the pantsuit, be ready by seven. May the Force be with you!"

She ducks as I throw my shampoo bottle at her. We bicker and mock and tease as I pat myself dry and she changes into the scarlet dress.  While she braids her hair, I carefully slip into the navy and white striped pantsuit, and we move into her bedroom to make use of her vanity, since the sun's lowering position in the sky shone straight into the window while my room would be encased in dimness by now. I sit in the chair and she leans over me, brushing her eyelashes with delicate mascara.  We fall into our normal going-out-getting-ready rhythm, periodically handing each other different brushes, comparing lipstick shades, and commenting on our days. She tells me about her brother's latest shenanigans and I make the grave mistake of commenting on Melina's attempted set-up earlier today, much to Wanda's entertainment. The two had never met but they both shared the pure ecstasy that came with matchmaking involving me.

"Do you think she's pretty?" Wanda wonders.

"I've seen photos," I shrug. "She's a redhead. Yelena says she changes hairstyles often."

"That doesn't answer my question! Pretty redhead or no?"

"They were baby photos, Wanda! I didn't have an opinion on her looks past the Wonder Woman pajamas."

She hums, and turns to draw a small heart under my left eye with her gel liner pen. "It would be nice if you wound up with her, but if you do fall madly in love with her beautiful red locks and decide to move to Washington to marry her and have her babies, I will murder you. You pay your rent on time and you're fun and please, please do not make me move back in with my brother."

"Why does everyone keep bringing up babies?" I yell.

An hour later we're pulling up to the bar in the back of  a cab arguing about getting a cat. The debate of whose bathroom would host the litter tray is interrupted by Wanda spotting Vision through the window and quickly smacking my arm and hissing at me to hurry up and pay so she can sneak in and scare him. Unfortunately, I can't locate my purse inside my bag.

"(Y/N), (Y/N), go, go, go . . ."

"Wanda, Wanda, going, going, going . . . Aha!" I pay the driver and find myself being ushered inside before I can put my purse back in my bag.

Sam, a friend of Wanda's from college, ends up foiling her evil master plan by pointing her out as soon as she walks in the door. Vision, being a good sport, pretends to be startled when she yells "BOO!" in his ear. As she cackles manically before sliding into the chair beside him, I notice the only free space is by the pretty blonde woman beside a man with brown hair pulled into a bun.

"Oh, look who I dragged out with me!" Wanda exclaims, taking a sip of Vision's drink and making a grand gesture with her hands. "(Y/N)!"

I'm greeted with a chorus of hello's. I bow and grin as I sit by the woman and offer a polite smile. Steve leans over points to the brunet man. "This is Bucky, we were close as friends. As kids. We were close as friends, when we were kids."

Sam snorts into his beer.

Steve clears his throat awkwardly. "And this is his partner from work, Nat."

I get a closer inspection and my eyes widen in shock. "Natalia?"

"Her name is Natasha." Steve corrects.

"I thought her name was Natalie?" Vision frowns.

"She goes by Nat, who cares?" Sam shrugs.

"Natalia Alianovna Romanova?" Wanda yelps. "(Y/N)! You didn't tell me this was the Natalia!"

"The what? I— Do I know you two?" Natasha asks, bewildered.

"Not me!" Wanda says, and then makes a motion for zipping her lips shut.

Everyone turns to me. I chuckle nervously. "I should probably explain. Hi, I'm (Y/N), your parents want me to have your babies."

[sgtjbbhasmyheart]

Drunk Texting Is(n’t) Bad for Your Health- Chapter Three

Series Summary: Talk about your unconventional meet-cute! Bucky receives a text by mistake requesting he prove he's not Reader's sister. The easy dialogue between Reader and Bucky sparks a natural friendship, but could it lead to more? Bucky still deems himself unworthy of any form of affection or love. Reader is hellbent to prove him wrong. With the help of some (meddling) friends along the way, Bucky may get his happily-ever-after after all.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 1740

Warnings: Nosy (and well-meaning) friends acting like nosy siblings, angst, bad language words

A/N: After I originally posted this chapter on AO3, I got some comments that exacerbated the beginnings of a year long depression. Please be kind. I intended this chapter to come across as the gang being like siblings...always being in each other’s business. Is there a breach of privacy? Yes, but without the ill-intent. 

DO NOT copy or replicate without permission

Bucky clutched his phone in his flesh hand as he made his way down a long hallway to the communal kitchen and eating area. A soft, crooked smile rested at his lips as he entered the space. Natasha and Sam were sitting at opposite ends of the rectangular table separating the kitchen from the lounge, enjoying a late breakfast. Steve was at a kitchen counter fiddling with the Keurig machine. He pulled another mug from the cupboard when he saw Bucky approach. “Mornin’, Buck. Sleep well?”

Bucky’s grin broadened as he leaned his backside against the countertop. “I did, actually. Thanks for asking,” he answered, looking to his phone at the incoming text.

(Y/N) Would you rather have skin that changes color based on your emotions or tattoos appear all over your body, depicting what you did the day before?

He missed the way Sam and Nat looked at each other in suspicion at his answer to Steve. He was too busy pressing the keys on his touch-screen.

Bucky The tattoos would be awkward, speaking from a male’s perspective, so I think color changing would be better. Not by much, though.

Bucky Would you rather have edible spaghetti hair that regrows every night or sweat maple syrup?

Bucky saw Steve slide the new mug, now filled with coffee, across the granite-top toward him from the corner of his eye. He glanced up quickly from the screen and nodded. “Thanks, buddy.” Steve answered with a smile.

“What, no grunted thanks or mumbled acknowledgment?” Natasha quipped, standing from her seat to place her plate in the dishwasher.

“Yeah, man. You have been using way too many words lately. I miss the grumpy dude that would brood in the corner,” Sam added, crossing his arms at his chest. “Are we even sure this is the right Bucky?”

Bucky’s phone vibrated again.

(Y/N) I love me some spaghetti! Can you imagine sweating sticky, gooey maple syrup during a humid New York summer?? Your clothes would be toast.

(Y/N) Mmmm, french toast.

Bucky chuckled at the reply, drawing the attention of three sets of eyes.

Sam wasn’t wrong; he wasn’t the same Bucky.

It had been five days since (Y/N)’s first drunken texts. Five days. He couldn’t believe so little time had passed. Somehow, (Y/N) had wiggled her way under his skin.

He had noticed after only a day or two; he was smiling more, less volatile. He felt lighter, happier. He wasn’t skulking about the compound like usual, trying to avoid the rest of the team. Some might go as far as to say he was friendlier than usual.

It felt good to have someone, a friend, learning about the real James Buchanan Barnes, for once, without the threat of The Soldier clouding their perception of him.

“You’re freaking me out, man. Straight outta Invasion of the Body Snatchers or some shit,” Sam declared, rising from his chair.

“Hold on, Sam,” Steve placated, lifting a hand to the advancing man. “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation to Bucky’s good mood lately.”

Bucky set his jaw in frustration, the muscles ticking. He wasn’t a Pod Person. He was just happy, for the first time in seventy-five years.

His phone went off again.

(Y/N) Would you rather sneeze once every hour, on the hour, or burp every time you saw an attractive girl?

A wide smile split his mouth as he scanned the screen.

Bucky Am I sneezing in my sleep or just when I’m awake?

When Bucky brought his gaze back up to his teammates, he noticed Natasha’s own eyes flick down to his phone. The slightest smirk curved the corner of her lips.

“It’s curious,” she said, a perfect eyebrow inched higher to her hairline. “All the people you text are in this room, yet, you haven’t been able to pull yourself away from your phone.” Her eye contact never wavered from Bucky’s face. “Don’t ya think that’s odd, fellas?”

“Natalia,” Bucky warned, his voice gruff. He knew she was fishing.

Sam laughed boisterously. “Yeah, I noticed that the other day. It’s glued to your hip nowadays.”

“It could be anyone from the team, guys,” Steve reasoned. “I bet it’s Tony.”

Bucky became increasingly agitated as the redhead slinked closer, passing his phone back and forth between his hands.

Natasha shook her head in the negative. “Nuh-uh,” she said, leaning against the counter directly beside Bucky. A hair’s breadth of space separated their shoulders from one another. Tipping back, with her elbows propped against the hard surface, she kicked her legs out casually and crossed her feet at the ankle. “Those two have barely said two words to each other since the good Sergeant here was welcomed back into the fold. It’s not Tony.”

“That still doesn’t prove anything,” Steve replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

“I bet it’s a girl,” Sam said in a sing-song voice. “But, where would Ice Man here meet a girl?”

Natasha smiled while looking at Sam as he stepped closer to the trio. “Let’s find out, shall we?” She nodded to Sam and, without batting an eye, lunged at Bucky.

She tapped the underside of the hand holding the phone, causing the device to flip up into the air.

Though he hadn’t seen the attack coming, Bucky’s reflexes were cat-like, and he easily caught the phone in his opposite hand.

Unfortunately, Natasha was just as quick and knocked the phone from his hand again. She effortlessly swatted it out of the air and into her hand. As Bucky clamored to retrieve the cell phone, she swung her arm behind her back and tossed it into the waiting hands of Sam.

By looking at Sam’s broad smile, Bucky knew he was having a field day at his expense. He pounced on his teammate, grappling for possession of the device. He wasn’t sorry for elbowing the other man harder than he ever would if they were sparring each other. He needed his fucking phone back!

Sam managed to flick the phone over his other shoulder in the process of Bucky grabbing ahold of Sam’s wrist and twisting the same arm behind his body. It clattered to the ground at Steve’s feet.

As everyone stared at the cell phone lying prone on the tile floor, Sam backed Bucky into the cabinets, trapping him with his body. “Let me go, Bird Brain!” Bucky huffed.

Steve bent to pick the phone up, holding it in his hand. Bucky could see the war playing within Steve’s blue eyes as he struggled against Sam. Steve was just as curious as the other two but didn’t want to betray his friend.

Natasha quickly snatched the device from Steve and started thumbing at the screen.

“Maybe we shouldn’t,” Steve protested.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you to put a passcode on your phone, Barnes?” Natasha tsked as she navigated to the messaging app.

Bucky knew the exact second she found what she was looking for because her eyes became comically wide. A feral, shit-eating grin crossed her mouth as she raised a brow again.

“Tell me about (Y/N).”

“What?” Steve questioned, crowding the red head. “Lemme see.”

Bucky felt his cheeks go aflame as Natasha angled the screen so Steve could see the message thread. They burned hotter as Steve looked up with his own shit-eating smirk.

“Well, well…” Sam piped up. “If your faces are anything to go by, Vanilla Ice’s still got game.” Bucky twisted his arm back further in retaliation causing Sam to grunt in discomfort.

Bucky watched as Natasha’s thumb skimmed along the screen to delve deeper into past messages. Her thumb stopped as she read a passage; her green eyes rapidly followed the lines of text.

“I always kinda figured you’d be into someone that would call you out on your BS. She sounds fun,” Natasha said as she continued to scroll.

“No one’s into anyone. We’re just friends,” Bucky murmured.

Steve’s head shot up to stare at his best friend, sorrow painting his features. He edged away from Natasha. “Does she know who you are?” he asked.

Bucky shook his head no. “And she never will.”

“Aww, but you guys sound so cute together,” Natasha pouted. Bucky frowned at the insinuation. It couldn’t ever happen.

“There aren’t any rules saying we can’t date,” Natasha mentioned. “Hell, you know how many times I tried to set up this big lug?” She motioned to Steve with her thumb.

“That’s different,” Bucky said after a few moments. He eased up slightly on Sam’s arm.

“How so?”

Bucky rubbed a hand across the back of his neck, the blush starting again. “He’s Captain America, and well, I’m not. Not exactly everyone’s favorite.” He downcast his eyes to the floor.

“Buck, you know that’s not true,” Steve said woefully. “It’ll just take some time.”

“I know, Stevie. Until then, though, I’m still a pariah.”

The super soldier serum couldn’t have been given to a better person, but Bucky always felt like he would be trapped in Steve’s shadow, no matter the amount of good he did. He would still feel weak for what Hydra did to him, or not good enough to be labeled Captain America’s best friend.

Feeling the room take a considerable turn toward somber, Natasha called out, “Holy shit, Barnes! You used Wilson’s toothbrush to clean your toilet?”

“What?!” all three male voices cried out.

Sam rushed forward, trying to see the proof for himself. “You’re a dead man!”

Freed from the weight of Sam’s body, Bucky leaped forward toward Natasha and Sam. Slamming into Sam’s back, he snaked an arm around the other man, reaching frantically for his phone. He was done with them spying on his non-existent personal life.

Bucky smacked against Sam’s hands and arms, trying to dislodge the device.

“Stop!” Sam bellowed. “You’re hitting me like an eleven-year-old girl!”

“Gimme back my phone!” Bucky shouted.

Suddenly, the sound of ringing filled the small space of the kitchen. The scuffling stopped in an instant as everyone tried to figure out where the noise was coming from. Sam glimpsed down at his hands and jumped apart from Bucky as if he’d been burned. He looked horrified!

“Oh, shit!” Sam exclaimed, shoving the phone back at Bucky.

“What did you do?!” Bucky screeched when he realized the ringing was coming from his phone on speaker.

The sound ended abruptly, only to be replaced with the gentle tinkle of a woman’s voice.

“James?”

Chapter Two | Chapter Four

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[captainjimothycarter]

Red Alert

Thanks to @youneedsomeprompts for this prompt! Color Symbols: Angst: Red: Danger On a side note, Tumblr PLEASE stop ruining my formatting from google docs to tumblr.

--

Sam and Natasha both make a suggestion for Steve to talk to a new therapist that might be more on his level of understanding his situation.

--

LINK

--

 There was a prickle in the back of his head that he couldn’t quite shake. An itch that he couldn’t quite scratch. Nothing he did would stop it, even for a second. It practically lived in the back of his head, active every second of the day. It didn’t care if he was on a mission, running drills, helping citizens, out with friends, or trying to relax at home.

   Steve Rogers always felt like he was on guard. That there was constant danger around him. That he couldn’t quite relax fully. That prickle in the back of his head never allowed him to relax either. At the slightest noise, rather it was the ice settling in the freezer, a cough down the hall, or an odd-sounding car passing by his apartment, Steve felt like he had to investigate the noise. He had to check it out and make sure the ice wasn’t a bug listening in on him or the cough wasn’t an intruder trying to attack him.

 It interrupted him at all hours of the day, never allowing him to truly sleep. He slept, a few handfuls of hours here and there when his body allowed it. When he was truly exhausted, when the serum was on its last legs and scraping the bottom of the barrel, Steve found he would pass out for hours. Days even, if he was exhausted enough.

 He couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a true, peaceful night's sleep. Actually, he could. He’d just rather      not    remember it and feel the hallow guilt and pain erupt in his chest. He’d rather focus on the here and now because that’s all he’s had left.

 It’s Sam who approaches him about it when Steve shows up after a group therapy session to join him for lunch. He looks exhausted, he knows he does. There are bags under his eyes, he’s pale, and his focus is waning. He has to force himself to listen to what Sam is talking about, watching his mouth move and taking in the words without truly listening.

 “Steve!”

   Steve jumps as fingers snap in his face, blinking. “I-I was...I was listening.”

 “Uh-huh.” There’s no frustration or anger on Sam’s face, just concern as he settles back against the metal seat. He watches a few people walk by, fingers drumming on the table. “You haven’t been sleeping again, have you? Feelin’ on edge?”

 Steve shrugged, which was his way of saying yes without truly saying it. It was hard to ask for help, but he didn’t need help. He just needed to rest.

 “Figures. You’ve been watching that office window for the past ten minutes.”

 “I...wasn’t,” Steve tried to weakly defend, but it fell on deaf ears. “I was just… There was a blinking light up there. Thought it was…” He shrugged, letting the sentence hang off.

 “Morse code or something? I get it. You’re stuck in danger mode. You’re on edge. You’re strugglin’ with so much, Steve. It’s      okay.”  

 There was no arguing with him, he was right and Sam knew he was right too. Steve just couldn’t think of anything to counter it, to help his friend not worry so much about him. “No, you’re right. I just...I can’t sleep. I can’t relax. I find myself waiting for the danger, constantly on edge. Nat says I had a panic attack the other night when Bruce accidentally flashed a light in my eyes. I don’t remember it.”

 “I can’t imagine what it’s like being you, Steve. You got this...superhuman abilities. Your strength is one thing, but your senses? They’re so advanced and even for back then, all the new sounds and smells and sight. But compared to today where it’s all flashy and you didn’t grow up with it. It’s overwhelming. You’re overwhelmed, you’re…” He paused and looked up at his friend, trying to find the right words before settling on being blunt. “You have PTSD, Steve. We’ve talked about this, remember? Can’t keep workin’ yourself stupor. You deserve a break.”

 PTSD - yeah, Steve knew all about it. Once Sam had told him it, in the kindest manner possible, Steve looked up everything he could. Everything matched - the symptoms, the exhaustion. How he was constantly on edge. He’d talked to a few people about it, even a therapist that Pepper had recommended but how could he get to someone’s level who wasn’t him?

 Who didn’t understand him? Someone who had lived through one of the worst wars in history, who’d lived and lost hundreds of people he considered friends, crashed a plane into the ocean, and woke up in a new century? He’d lost everything. His sense of a home, his friends, his family.

 Nothing could compare to that. No one could get on his level to understand beyond the war. Yet his understanding of war differed from others and while they’d matched on a level about it, it wasn’t      fully.    It wasn’t to a full degree that Steve could latch onto.

 “You know,” Sam was saying, drawing Steve out of his thoughts. “There’s someone in Shield that Nat was talking about that might be able to help you. You might want to ask her about it.”

 “Sam, no offense, but I’m not sure there are many who can help a hundred and one-year-old soldier from World War Two.” Sam rolled his eyes at him and Steve shrugged again. “I just need a break. I need to try to relax. Get out of my head. Get this stupid prickling to stop.”

 He’d scratched the back of his neck raw a few times because of it, just to have it heal over an hour later.

 “The options are there, man, alright? You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Just...just call if you need anything, alright? You gonna be good?”

 There was the concern, the near pity in Sam’s expression as he got up to leave, coat was thrown over his arm. Steve squeezed his hand and forced himself to nod. “Yeah, man, I’ll be fine. Go back to work.”

 Three missions later, two training accidents resulting in him breaking a finger, three sleepless days, and five skipped meals later, Steve found himself staring at an office door with the placard reading      Dr. P. Carter.  

 She came highly recommended by Natasha who refused to say more on the matter of who this P. Carter was. He’d tried to google this Peggy but got nowhere with results beyond obituaries.

 This was ridiculous. There was no way she could help him. Or anyone could. He’d just needed to go, making take that horse tranquilizer Tony was teasing about and go to bed.

 The second he went to turn away, the door opened. Steve almost kept walking until he heard her clear her throat.

 “I was wondering if you were going to come in, Mr. Rogers. If that’s...okay I call you Rogers?”

 The accent is what caught his attention. Enough to make him curious to turn around. Peggy Carter was...gorgeous. Sharp high cheekbones, honey-coated eyes behind black-rimmed glasses, brunette curls running down her shoulders. She looked amazing in her jeans and a white t-shirt - the last thing he expected a therapist to wear.

 “You knew I was out there?” he mumbled.

 That was a stupid question, of course, she did. She possibly had cameras and it’s not like he was a quiet person in this big body. Sometimes he felt so huge in this body, wishing he’d been smaller. Just without the ailments.

 “I heard some muttering and you were my only appointment today. I figured it was you.” She replied gently enough, leaving him a little more curious about her. She didn’t treat him like others had like he was a sleeping bear about to be poked.

 Something about her      eyes    told him she understood him. Or he was imagining it so much because he was desperate to have someone who could understand.

  He had to give his friends credit. They tried. They fully tried to help and he was grateful but if something didn’t work out for him, Steve almost instantly lost hope.

 It was always Cap or Captain. Rarely was he called Steve outside of his friends. Everyone saw him as this guy on the mantle and not himself. Not Steve Rogers, a man who's hurting and doing his best to pack it all in for another day.

 “Didn’t realize I muttered. I…” He swallowed, tongue darting out as he looked her up and down. She was a few inches shorter than him and posed herself in a manner that was inviting. She wasn’t dangerous, but she could be, he figures. “How do you know Natasha? She...recommended you.”

 “Natalia? Oh, she’s a personal friend of mine. We’ve worked on a few cases together.” Peggy’s hand held out to him, an invitation. “I’m Margaret, by the way. But my friends call me Peggy. Would you like to sit down? You look like you’re about to fall over.”

 He could run, he could bolt out to his bike and run for the hills, but he didn’t want to. Strange enough Steve found himself taking Peggy’s hand and giving her a firm shake, just as she did him. “My friends call me Steve.”

 “Well, Steve, it's a pleasure to meet you. Let’s get you to sit down at the very least. We don’t even have to talk. I just don’t want you riding that death trap like this.”

 Steve snorted as he followed her and eased into a comfortable couch in her office. “It’s not a death trap. It’s my pride.”

 “Oh, I can certainly see that. Personal custom work to resemble a bike you must’ve used before? Very rarely do you see that, but it’s still a death trap. Excuse me for liking the cushion of walls when I’m speeding down the highway.”

 Peggy’s red lips twitched into a smile at his snorting laugh, handing over an unsealed bottle of water. Steve took it without question, taking a few sips.

 “No wonder you like Natasha...she says the same despite loving a bike herself.” Steve sighed as he took a few sips, grateful to have something to do with his hands. “Look, Miss Carter...I’m unsure of what Natasha told you or what you want to do with these sessions but they never...end well for me. Sure, the other people are great, but they don’t      understand.    ”

 “Excuse me for interrupting, Steven, but you do make a great point. They don’t understand because they’re not on your level. Your closest group of friends outside of those you serve with are the vets down at the center, right? Men you served with but perhaps were not close to?”

 At Steve’s nod, Peggy smiled. “I’ve been there - I mean I see you there. I…”

 She looked almost frustrated, eyes darting to the window and closed-door before pulling out an old file from her drawer. It was stained with coffee and yellow with age, a familiar symbol stamped on top.      SSR.  

 Steve’s heart leaped to his throat as he looked down at it, but didn’t dare touch it when she held it out to him. “What is...this?”

 “I figured to get you to trust me, we need to be on the same level, correct? I need to be open and honest and while I haven’t lied yet, Natasha and I haven’t been fully honest.” She sighed when he didn’t take the file and opened it up, handing him a page stamped with a date, shortly before he joined the military.

 “I don’t understand,” he mumbled, looking over the information. “You were an SSR Agent, but... you’re…” He waved his hand over her. “You have to be ninety-eight!”

 “Excuse me, ninety-seven, thank you,” Peggy snorted. “Didn’t your mother teach you not to comment on a woman’s age?” Oh, she shouldn’t find that blush attractive, but she did.

 “But to answer your question, Steve, yes, I am...old. I was an SSR Agent. You see, shortly before you joined Project Rebirth, I was the prime candidate. After rescuing Doctor Erskine from Schmidt’s clutches, I received the serum in private. Colonel Phillips, Erskine, and Howard Stark, and I all agreed this shouldn’t be public because we were unaware of the consequences, and well - you know how they saw women in those days.

 The serum, we thought, did nothing. I was shipped off to war shortly after, so we had never met. It seems fate kept it that way, even as I joined Phillips and helped the 107th. I’ve met other Howling Commandos - Dugan, Jones, even Barnes. Yet, somehow never you.

 Still, the serum, before I ramble off. We thought it did nothing until after the war. I wasn’t aging. I could...heal faster than normal, but it wasn’t to your level. I had been shot with one of Schmidt’s weapons, it should’ve vaporized me on the spot, but instead, it activated the serum.

 Then...then you died. Or so we thought. Howard used me as a near experiment to see if you could survive and I agreed because you deserved to be found, dead or alive. You deserved some sort of burial at the very least, but we...as you can tell, it went nowhere.

 So time went on, we went on to form Shield. I left shortly before you were found - as fate would have it seem so we did not meet. I left because...I wanted to do things outside of Shield. I wanted to help people. Of course, if they need me, they call me, but I would rather not play Director at this moment. I enjoy doing my own things - I rather ask for forgiveness than permission. When the Battle of New York happened, I was out of town. Once again, fate decided we shouldn’t meet. When Natasha found me, she wanted to introduce us right away. She thought...I could be of assistance. I could be friends with you but I didn’t want this forced. I wanted to meet you, Steve but I wasn’t sure      how    without fate deciding we aren’t worth it.”

 Steve sat there, stunned, pillow in hand. He found himself kneading it, staring down at the files. Every single thing matched up with what she said. The serum, a more watered-down version. Going to war. He could remember Dugan pouting because some lass named Carter ‘stole’ his whiskey - aka won it in a bet. He could remember Barnes insisting he meets this Carter. He could remember a red dress in a bar, a kiss of fire whiskey on his lips. Her soft body…

 “We had sex,” Steve spat out, blinking down at the paper. He heard choking and his head snapped up, watching Peggy cough into her arm.

 “Excuse me? I think I’d remember if we had sex, Rogers!” Peggy half-shouted, her face turning a shade of red.

 “Apparently not. It-it was...it was before I died. The only time I’d truly slept in years. The night before I died. We met at the bar, but both of us were so tipsy. I’d have...something Howard invented that...that got me feeling a bit tipsy. We shouldn’t have done it, I should’ve said no but your kisses were so addicting. It’s not that I didn’t want you. I just...didn’t want you under the influence of alcohol for us both. I wanted to remember it clearly.”

   Peggy stared down at the cold coffee, red nails drumming on the table in thought. “I remember now. It was your first time. You were so...so awkward. In the most charming manner. I had to teach you everything, including how to undress me. It was...It was charming, Steve. One of the best nights I’ve ever had. If I had known it was you…”

 She gave a weak laugh and shook her head. “You were so loving and careful, especially for your size. I wanted to protect you, strangely enough.”

 Steve found himself standing, the papers falling to the floor. He found himself standing in front of her, mind racing. She understood him on a level he’d thought he’d never find. They were the same, they had the same serum. They’d lost and loved. They just weren’t destined to meet until now.

 “I know this is supposed to be a therapy session,” he mumbled, still standing awkwardly in front of her. “But can we drop that and...and just go talk? Outside of here?”

 “Because you want to nail me on my desk?” Peggy teased, making Steve’s cheeks heat up. That wasn’t a no. She stood and held his hand, being gentle with her touch. “Of course, darling. I think we have lots to catch up on. I’m glad for once fate has decided we deserve to meet and it wasn’t with one of us dying on the battlefield.”

[lesbian-dp]

Royally Fucked

Natasha Romanoff x Reader

Words: 2,271

Warnings: Misogyny, frustration, bath sex, strap on sex... p sure that's it.

Request: Yah.

Summary: The Queen will always be your world.

A/N: Just an FYI this is obviously set in the medieval times, so the reader is pretending to be a man, bc they’re a Knight. Just wanted to let you guys know that.

18+ ONLY.

“-A woman cannot rule on her own-!”

Your eyes rolled into the back of your head, near enough seeing your own brain, before you tuned out the dull drawl of the aged man.

His Royal Highness. Howard Stark. A pompous old git, who rules his kingdom with an iron fist. The man, who was currently ranting in front of each kingdom’s officials. All because, he was trying to wed his son, for his own selfish greed. And you. The Queens General and secret lover had to be there to witness it.

“I’m sorry you think that, you Highness.”

Ah! There she was.

A small smile tugged at your lips, hearing her husky voice.

Glancing out of the corner of your eyes, down to where Natalia sat regally beside where you stood.

God.

She was gorgeous.

How you ever got so lucky, is beyond you.

Her red layered dress, lined with the finest gold thread, the world had to offer, pushed her soft perky breasts up. Giving you a fantastic view of them, from where you stood above her. Your agile eyes were soon drawn to her plump, moving lips. Watching Natalia’s plump, moving lips. Watching them intently, remembering the look of them clasped around the crystal toy strapped around your hips. And the way they felt gliding across your wet core. How soft they were against your own lips. Moaning into your mouth, in a telltale way of what was about to come undone.

Spoiler alert! It was you guys!

Realising you had probably been staring at her beautiful self for minutes too long. You repositioned yourself, placing a hand upon the hilt of your sword, and staring blankly at the wall of the meeting room, in front of you. The door within your eyesight, able to see any and all newcomers, should they arrive.

“However, I would like to remind you of which of us are in their bankruptcy.”

“How dare you-?!” His face grew red with rage, light grey moustache and hair clashing, terribly, with the raspberry hue it had taken on.

“Watch your tone while you are speaking to the Queen,” you ordered.

“And I’d watch your tongue!” the King argued back.

Natalia placed her hand gently upon your leather-bound arm, just as you opened your mouth to shout a reply. Glancing down at the red-headed Queen, she shook her head, and you knew to hold your tongue.

“I’d rethink about who you appointed to be your head Knight. They’re obviously lacking in some basic training.”

“With all due respect, your Highness,” Natasha began, an entirely fake smile drawn upon her face, “My General is of the highest order. They live by the highest standards. And I respect them and their opinion. I can’t help it if you expect everyone but yourself to watch how they speak.”

“Now, General?”

You turned to face Natalia. “Yes, your Majesty?”

“Would you be so kind, as to personally escort King Howard from the castle. I think we have all heard enough for one morning.”

“It would be my pleasure.” You gave her a half bow, before moving towards the infuriated man.

***

Huffing, you slammed the door to the quarters the Queen had “gifted” you with. Reasoning that it would be better for her safety, if you were close by, in the castle. The royal quarters being only a few doors down from your own.

You kicked off your dirt-covered boots, as you threw your ornated sword across the room, and into the wall, in frustration.

“Well, that wasn’t very nice.”

The voice to your side made you snap your attention to it. You knew that voice. You loved that voice.

There she sat.

The Queen.

Her legs were crossed, hands folded upon them. Watching you from her place on your bed.

“That sword was very expensive. And a gift from myself, if I might add,” Natalia said, the corner of her lip up turning slightly, as she cocked an eyebrow.

You sighed. Taking a step towards the red-headed Queen, you said, “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

She waved you off.

“I don’t care about the sword,” she said, “I care about what has gotten you in such a foul mood,” Natalia finished with a pout.

You knew how bad she wanted to make you feel better. How much she hated seeing you any other way, but happy.

“They’re incompetent fools.”

Natalia smiled at this.

“The Trainies?”

“Oh, no!” You shook your head. The memories of your day, attacking your mind. “Not just the trainees- If anything, they’re better than most of the men we have now.”

The Queen stayed silent as you spoke. Listening to you intently, her face the only give to any reactions. Namely being a tick of an eyebrow, sometimes even both, and a roll of her eyes.

You drew closer to the beauty that is the woman you have devoted your life to serve. And now to love. However secret that may be.

“I swear. If we ever have the unfortunate luck as to be thrust headfirst into a war... I am afraid we might not survive.”

It was quiet for a moment, as the Queen debated her words. Right now, she was not Natalia, your Natalia. The woman who told you she loved you at the dead of night. The one who called out your name during the throngs of passion. The one who was soft to touch. Who’s skin was perfectly smooth against yours.

No.

This was the Queen.

All business, and took no shit.

The woman who did what she had too for the good of her kingdom, to keep her people safe.

“What do you need?” she asked, finally.

“I don’t know,” you sighed, now only a step away from her, “Time?” you asked simply. Before breaking out of your stress-induced trance. And closing the distance between you and Natalia. Placing a gentle, but firm hand upon her shoulder, you said, “But let’s not think about that now...” You leaned down, to be eye level with her. “I want to spend some time with, my Natalia.”

The Queen smirked at what you called her, it quickly turning into a soft smile.

“I think that can be arranged.”

“Good.”

And with that, you lifted the shorter woman up into your arms, beginning to make your way out of the room.

“Now, I think, after the long day we’ve both had, we deserve a bath.”

***

The water was a milky white, red rose petals floating upon the calming water. The same water that swayed with every movement.

Gasps and moans filled the air, as the wet red-head bounced upon the blue crystal that was almost always strapped against your hips.

You said because it helped in making people believe you were one of the opposite gender. But mainly it was because of how much you love the availability to take the beautiful Queen, whenever, and wherever you two so wanted.

One of your bedchambers.

The throne room.

The dining room.

A random palace hallway.

Hell.

Even in the royal courtyard, if you so wished.

You watched Natalia’s silky wet body move on your lap. The water gliding against her body, her hair wet, and nipples pert. With your hands on her hips, helping her chase bliss. Then continuing to slide along her glistening body, pulling her closer to you.

Natalia panted as you left open-mouthed kisses all along her neck, them travelling up to her cheek, and finally her full lips.

With your arms wrapped tightly around her, one around her smooth shoulders, and your other around her waist. Pressing her against your body, as you kissed her earnestly, pouring everything you felt for the queen into that one kiss. Natalia’s arms wrapped around your neck, as she fucked herself onto you, kissing you the very same way.

“The bath’s starting to get cold,” you mumbled against her mouth.

“Then we should hurry, so that we can go to bed.”

“To sleep? Or...?” You rose your eyebrows. Once. Twice. To convey what you meant.

“Or.”

You smiled brightly at her.

Your lips were around her nipple in the very next second, sucking with enough power to make the Queen cry out. Causing her to buck her hips into your lap, faster than ever. Riding you like one would upon a station, on a long journey. Chasing her realise.

She jumped back in surprise when your hand connected with her small bud, rubbing away at it, but she soon continued to drive the object deep within her “sinful” hole.

It was not long after when she cried out in pleasure. Throwing her head back and crying out to the Gods.

Once Natalia had recovered, merely breathing heavy, with her head tucked into the side of your neck, you spoke.

“Let’s get to bed. Huh?”

***

Sat upon your calves the royal silky sheets rumpled beside you. Natalia’s legs thrown over your hips, and your hands gripping hers. Rutting into her. Drawing out her beautiful sounds.

How the powerful Queen could be reduced to this, you did not know.

You were only thankful that she chose you to reveal this secret side of herself too. Knowing how closed off she was to the world. If she even showed a thread of emotion, like she wanted too, on many occasions, other than her cold and calculated, yet caring self. The surrounding kingdoms would be out for blood.

More than they already were, that is.

“My lord, Natalia,” you husked, “You are beautiful.”

And she was.

She was beautiful, no matter what.

But right now, she was especially stunning.

With her hands gripping yours on her hips, her flushed chest rocking with each of your thrusts. The sweat, and remaining bathwater, making her body shine like the sun. Her mouth parted and gasping, and her eyes heavy-lidded.

You could go on and on about all the things you loved about the woman below you. For an eternity if you could. However, you were in the middle of something, as Natalia reminded you.

“I’m all yours, Y/N,” she spoke softly, “No one could ever compare to you.”

“Nor you, my love.”

Your hands on her hips tightened slightly. Helping her to lay in her stomach, Natalia moving to grip tightly on the silky pillow, pressing her face against it.

Her legs straddled tightly against yours, ass in plain view. The crystal resting on Natalia’s slick, wanting heat.

Groaning softly, you spoke, “There are no words in this world or the next, that could convey how much I truly do love you.”

The Queen hummed softly at your admission, her shoulders moving, and then relaxing with a sigh.

Your hands gently brushed down her silky back, until they reached her ass, caressing the plump asset.

“You were crafted by the God’s,” you said, adoration clear in your voice.

“Then why don’t you make me see them?” she replied, smirk upon her face, as she wiggled her ass to tempt you. The toy rubbing against her core.

And she did tempt you.

Of course, she did.

Pressing down on the crystal, you watched as it steadily disappeared into your loves throbbing head. Natalia moaned, as inch by inch, it vanished within her. Brushing against every crevice, drawing her high-pitched whines when it hit the special parts within her, bringing the Queen utmost pleasure.

With your hands now on her ribs, you slowly started to thrust into her. Working in drawing moans from her.

“Oh, God!” Natalia cried.

“Can you see them yet?” you asked playfully.

“Not quite,” she replied, matching your pants, as she backed herself u onto the toy you fucked her with.

“Guess I’ll just have to go harder.”

The bed was creaking below you, as you worked harder to pound into the woman you loved. Natalia's grip on the white pillow, patterned with red, tightened as cries poured from some unknown place, deep within her.

“Fuck! I love you, baby!”

“I love you, too, Natalia.”

She was close. She was oh so close. You could feel it every time you moved. Every time you pulled the crystal from her depths, only to push it back in, with vigour. It getting harder and harder to do.

“You’re close,” You stated.

Natalia nodded vigorously in agreement. Going to bite against the pillow.

“Don’t do that,” you told her, “I want to hear you, when you arrive.”

At your request, Natalia unclenched her teeth and allowed the pleasure-filled noises to pour from her mouth.

One of her hands snapped to one of yours that lay on her ribs, it surely leaving light bruises in their wake. Gripping at your hand, as she got closer to her much-anticipated release.

You couldn’t pull your gaze from her pleasure-filled face. Her hair sticking to her forehead, and around her ears. You knew that this would be her last orgasm, for a little while.

Pressing kisses against Natalia’s neck, jaw, and cheek. She came with a powerful cry. The hand not holding yours, came to grip the back of your head, fingers sliding through your hair, as her insides tightened around the toy.

You let her ride out her realise before you pulled from her.

With a tried sigh, you flopped down on the luxurious bed, besides the blissed-out royal.

“How you doing there?” Natalia nodded at you. As to say she was okay.

She came to cuddle into your chest.

Your hand was combing through her slightly damp, sex mused hair when the Queen spoke.

“I think it’s about time we came clean to everyone, about our relationship.”

“What?” you asked, shocked.

“Marry me.”

[bewaretheidesofmarchyall]

Soulmate Shenanigans

So, lucky me, I found this list of prompts!

Unlucky me, it was for a September event. Surprise, surprise, this is not September

That isn’t going to stop me from doing this, though!

So, without further ado, prompt number one!

Your Soulmate’s name is written on your wrist or palm

Warnings for death mentions galore and drowning, as well as something that isn’t drug use, but if drug use is a triggering topic for you I wouldn’t recommend you read

Not as angsty as these warnings would suggest, but there is still Angst

I don’t know how it got angsty I just work here

World building

The first recorded instance of a palm mark was when Lady Natalia of Venice nearly drowned in a canal

She’d been on her way home from a party alongside her fiance when she “tripped” (the word “tripped” here means “Was pushed by her fiance for financial reasons”) into the river. Her husband-to-be quickly exited the scene, leaving her to be weighed down by her skirts and die.

Angela (forger of swords and mixer of poisons, just happened to be in the neighborhood when she heard a scream and a splash) had other plans. She dove into the water, saving Natalia and cutting her hand in the process.

The two women spent a good deal of time together after that, the scientific Natalia claiming that she only wanted to know why her name was on Angela’s hand.

Some historians claim that the two were platonic soulmates. While this is possible, and platonic soulmates have a long and wonderful history, no one with common sense believes this to be the case

They exchanged love letters that were quite clear that the attraction was a romantic one.

Some historians also claim that there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that they killed the fiance.

Those historians are wrong.

Anyway, in modern days 97% of the population has a palm mark with the name of their soulmate

The tattoo industry has never had so many illegal opportunities

When your soulmate dies, the name doesn’t scar. It doesn’t blister, burn, or black out. All that happens is a thin, impersonal line crossing their name out. Some people don’t notice who they lost for days.

There’s a process to remove palm marks. However, it’s illegal and possibly fatal for the soulmate being removed.

Our Characters

Roman: Roman was confused by the name of his soulmate.

Who names their kid “Janus”?

Am I soulmates with a roman deity? The heck?? SO MANY QUESTIONS AND SO LITTLE ANSWERS

Roman was so excited to have a soulmate. He kept entire journals filled with things he wanted to tell Janus, part diary, part scrapbook, and part love letter. He would doodle hearts around his palm mark.

One night, in April, Roman went to sleep. In the morning, there was a line across his palm.

His soulmate had died, and he hadn’t even seen the line drawn. He broke a little.

Enough said.

Roman took the passion that he’d had for his Janus and channeled it into his acting. If he couldn’t get love, he’d get a fucking Tony Award.

Remus: Remus had been annoyed by his brother’s complaining.

“Oh, boo-hoo, my soulmate has a rare name. That means that as soon as I meet him, I’ll know exactly who he is! Roman, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE NAMED LOGAN”

Remus was annoyed that his soulmate had the audacity to have a common name. In theory, he could date all of the 18,000 Logans in the country, but does he really have the time?

He and his brother bicker about this for a solid seven years, until the argument abruptly ends. Ever since then, he’s been on his brother’s side in everything he can.

Logan: It made total sense for Logan to not have a soulmate.

His soulmate would have been unlucky, being stuck with a know-it-all like him, at least according to most of the people he knew.

This was a simple solution to the puzzle.

It wasn’t helpful to waste time wishing for a different one.

Janus: Janus had a whole plan for when he met his soulmate.

He wrote it down in 10th grade

Step 1: Wear gloves

Step 2: Find Roman

Step 3: Say something witty

Step 4: Remove gloves, revealing palm

Step 5: This little mystery is over and done with, and hopefully my soulmate isn’t boring

This was how a lot of Janus’s plans would work. Solid ideas, but missing bits and important pieces. This includes his heist plan he scribbled out on a napkin on an April day.

Step 1: Find local con-artists

Step 2: Pretend to be a person with money (which I obviously do not have)

Step 3: Scam them

Step 4: Don’t get murdered on the way out

Step 5: Profit

He pulled off steps 1-3 with ease, but step 4 proved to be a sticking point.

As he escaped via the river, with money in his hands and a “so long, suckers!” on his lips for drama, he thought nothing could go wrong

Fun fact: It’s rather common for con artists to fatally give away their positions by yelling “so long, suckers!”. Just ask Odysseus as he sailed away from the Cyclops.

The con artists shot wildly at his boat, blowing it to pieces. As he went down with the ship, he barely had enough time to think this can’t be happening, and fuck this and I’m going to die at the same age as Philip fucking Hamilton and I really don’t want to go to hell before his lungs filled with water and his heart stopped.

And Janus died.

For a solid two minutes.

Technically, death is when your heart ceases to beat. Even though people have been revived after their hearts have stopped, it is death, and enough to draw a line across a sleeping Roman’s hand.

Janus, however, was saved by an old man, who dragged him out of the river and forced the water out of his lungs. The old man took one look at the teenager and decided that he needed better role models, which is how Patton took Janus under his wing and saved his life in more ways than one.

The Actual Plot

Roman is in a city production of Hamlet. His brother is in the audience, his friend is fixing the lighting, and he’s ready to go.

It’s a pretty good performance, by all accounts, but especially according to Janus.

He’d already been watching the main actor intently, smiling from the mezzanine, but he was even more intrigued when he read the playbill and realized his name was Roman. He could barely pay attention to act five as he planned out the lies he’d tell to get backstage.

Somehow, he didn’t get caught sneaking around, and managed to catch a glimpse of Roman’s hand in a mirror. Janus. He really is his soulmate!

Janus walks over to Roman, says something that isn’t as witty as he would have liked (but not as bad as it could have been), and removes his glove.

Now, he expected his soulmate could have a variety of reactions. He didn’t expect Roman to yell “Not today, ghost!”, throw a prop skull at him, and sprint out of the theater. Janus caught a glimpse of the line through his name.

He was reasonably sure that he wasn’t dead? He could see his reflection in mirrors, he could consume salt, people tended to notice his existence!

Jan didn’t have much time to mull over this, as he was about to be forcibly removed from the greenroom. Logan just wanted to fix the lighting and live his life, but when strangers break into the backstage and upset Roman...

Jan skedaddles as Logan chases him out of the building. The nerd has almost caught the intruder when he runs directly into a man in a green jacket holding a coffee cup full of ketchup

Why did he have a coffee cup full of ketchup?

Remus and Logan bicker as Janus escapes. When Remus realizes Logan’s name, he asks a few questions, but Logan quickly shows his two blank palms, and the matter is settled.

Everything seems over and done with.

Meanwhile, Roman is freaking out. His mind is essentially in a loop of The fuck? The fuck? The actual fuck? He’s completely unsure of what to do. Is he seeing ghosts? Does he only believe he’s seeing ghosts? Is he sane or not?

Remus checks up on his brother at around 3 am, only to find him, exhausted, and writing in his old soulmate journal. Roman tries to explain what just happened, but the narrative told isn’t exactly coherent. All Remus can gather is that

1. His brother thinks that his dead soulmate is alive

2. This is because some guy snuck backstage and told him that he was the dead soulmate in question

3. This was probably the guy Logan was chasing

Remus convinced Roman to go to sleep, and walked out of the apartment with blood on his mind. He was sure that his brother was being manipulated.

This guy might not be dead now, but he would be soon.

Meanwhile, Janus proves that he can, in fact, cross a salt circle, so he must be alive! Right?? He also can’t get a certain actor out of his head, and wonders what his next move should be.

Remus recruits Logan to help him do some investigation in case Shady Liar Dude shows up. They go on several stakeouts together, in equally improbable locations. Maybe the two of them got too far into the secret agent aesthetic. Logan had always wanted to be a detective as a kid.

They fall for each other, and fast

Roman is spiraling, and a chat with Remus has him convinced that he was wrong, and Janus really is dead. He curses himself for believing in the pretty fairy-tale. Yes, because love wins in the end and they all live happily ever after. He has a performance tomorrow.

And it’s really time he got rid of the old scar.

You don’t hang around Remus without knowing where the black market locations are. It’s relatively easy to find the cure for palm marks.

He paces around backstage, holding a journal in one hand and a small bottle in the other. The warning that destroying the palm mark destroys the soulmate causes terror to rise in his throat, even though he knows that Janus is dead and can never read his love letters no matter how many stars he wishes on.

He finally makes his choice when Remus and Logan visit him before the performance. They give him looks of pity. He doesn’t want to be pitied.

According to the label, effects should take place over the next several hours. So, he waits for Janus’s name to disappear from his hand.

Janus managed to hustle someone with orchestra seats for their tickets. Despite not getting off on the right foot with his soulmate, he isn’t going to let him go that easily. And Roman’s brilliant performance that night just reinforces that. If he was good weeks ago, he was a star now. Janus was transfixed.

When the curtain call came, Janus was the first on his feet for a standing ovation. Remus and Logan noticed him, and pushed their way through the applauding audience. Both of them almost hoped that he’d get away again so they could continue spending time together.

Roman notices him. They lock eyes. Janus waves as though to say Hi, I’m here, apologies for the awkwardness of our meet-cute, but coffee? Roman gives him a look of disdain, as if to say I can’t believe I thought you were my soulmate, you con artist. He intends to look away and bask in the applause, but before he can do that, Janus collapeses.

Roman is confused at first, and then it clicks. That’s his soulmate. That’s his Janus.

And he killed him.

Pandemonium breaks out. Roman leaps off the stage, Remus freezes in panicked comprehension, the crowd scatters, and several people try to reach the dying man.

Logan gets there first. His mind scans memories of hours spent in libraries, researching everything there is to know about palm marks. Why didn’t some people have them? How did you lose them? How could you get them back?

He instructs Remus and Roman to help carry Janus to the greenroom.

They race him there, everyone in a state of panic (including Logan, but more importantly he has a job to do). Logan tells Remus to run and get a few basic ingredients, and they wait. Time moves much too fast and much too slow, until he comes back.

Logan works chemical wonders, piecing together Roman’s hand until everything is stabilized.

A vicious scar, the type you’d except if your soulmate was really gone, forms on Roman’s palm, and it will stay there for the rest of his days.

Janus comes back from death’s door for the second time.

After The Drama

Logan and Remus eventually move past the “but I don’t have a soulmate” “and yet I still am in love with you” dithering and go on a date that isn’t for the purpose of stalking a supposed stalker.

They go to the aquarium.

Meanwhile, there’s a lot to work out between Roman and Janus. From “wow, you’re not dead” to “wow, I nearly murdered you”, we don’t have time to unpack all that.

But they do get coffee. And they talk.

Soulmate stuff! I really like soulmate aus, despite not liking to write straight up romance

It’s weird

Anyway, hope you enjoyed!

[violetta-incorrect-quotes]

Ima just do some headcanons for the (girl) characters finding out they aren’t straight

Violetta: Never really had a chance to feel something for anybody until she moved back to Buenos Aires. She spent most of her childhood either alone or making friends but having to leave a month afterwards. Violetta hadn’t even heard of the word bisexual until she came and thought having crushes on both the female villain and the male hero in her favorite show was normal.

She came to the studio and probably had a crush on Francesca since the first day but pushed it away as a friend crush. The two hung out a little and Violetta’s feelings developed more. Once at a sleepover with Camila and Francesca, Cami mentions something about thinking a few of the students are bisexual which prompts Violetta to think about herself more.

The summer in between season 1 and 2 is when she probably realized. Once she went to pick Francesca up and was overwhelmed with feelings is when she knew. She never really mentioned it and continued to live on but both of the girls tended to do things that you wouldn’t exactly do with just a friend.

Eventually one day Camila probably either locks them in a closet or tells one of the two to just confess already. She shoved them into the instrument room and locked the door.

Violetta knows what she meant but she isn’t sure if Fran does. Suddenly Francesca asked her if there’s something she needs to say and Violetta confesses that she’s bisexual. Francesca seems relieved and admits the same. Both of the girls have a little moment but nothing else, until their at Madrid that is.

Francesca: She never really bothered to label herself while younger. Had her first crush on a girl she met in Italy at a young age but she’d forgotten about it. Once she arrives at the studio, she meets Camila, who she assumed was bisexual from the moment she saw her. Francesca wasn’t really interested in figuring out who she was until Violetta came.

Obviously at the time she was into Tomás, but she couldn’t deny what she was feeling for Violetta either. It didn’t hit her until one night where Camila just tells her she should tell Violetta how she feels. Francesca hesitates and thinks about it but she never does.

Then she’s with Marco, who she really does love and care about but no matter what, she can’t forget Violetta. Once she broke up with Marco, she kind of felt free and got closer to Violetta who didn’t really notice.

Obviously, in Madrid they almost kissed but didn’t discuss it. Both of them knew the other was bi but had a mutual agreement not to mention it. Once they got back, Francesca and Violetta eventually sat down and talked over their feelings.

They agreed to having crushes on each other but decided to not take it further. There were a few times where one or the other wanted to make a move but held back. Although when Roxy and Fausta started, the two saw it as maybe a little chance to break free and possibly could have gone on a “date” as them.

Camila: She’s always had a great “gaydar,” (predicting Franletta, telling Fran to go for it, always noticing the tension between Naty and Ludmila etc...) but never really thought about it for herself. She’s always assumed she was straight but probably has had crushes on girls in the past and thought that’s how everyone felt. Although she’s always been interested in the LGBTQ+ community and knows a lot. One night over the phone (pre season 3) she brings it up to Francesca who’s like, “That’s not very straight.” And Camila’s more confused then ever, claiming “What are you talking about? Everyone does that?”

After Francesca’s explaining, Camila just kind of hangs up and thinks about it. She’s embarrassed at herself (especially for being the last one to realize it) but also kind of relieved. Now it makes sense. She thinks back to when she was testing with the different boys and realizes why. She stayed up most of the night to think about it and decided to label herself as Bisexual, which she’s very open about now and loves talking about it.

She probably went to the studio and realized how Naty acted around her which she just didn’t see before and realized she does the same thing, which lead to some awkwardness and Naty finally asking what’s wrong. Cami just kind of mumbled something and moved on. Her crush grew, which is when she also realized she kind of had feelings on Ludmila which confused her more.

Then she had to practice the kissing scene and she’s like “Ok, this is it.” Camila asked Naty who accepted and that’s where it happened.

She’s also the studios supplier of pride flags which she has a worrying amount of that she gives out in June but won’t reveal where they came from.

Ludmila: Has so much internalized homophobia she tells Naty in season one that she would rather die than date a girl. Naty doesn’t respond and draws back a little, causing her to go with Maxi which makes Ludmila unbelievably jealous.

All her life her mother has always told her to find a rich boy, and that girls shouldn’t marry girls. Ludmila took after that, probably why she didn’t like Camila originally because she always thought she was bisexual. Eventually Ludmila’s jealousy gets the best of her and she tells Naty that Maxi will just hurt her. Naty snaps, almost crying and tells her that she would do the same. Then she storms off, leaving Ludmila confused and hurt.

Once it hits around season 2, Ludmila’s started to recognize her feelings for Natalia but forces them away. She hates herself for it and has a few bad months where she just felt terrible and confused, leading her to come up with the idea to hurt Violetta, who she’s always admired and kind of crushed on but would never admit it. She kind of catches feelings for Camila which just makes her worse and she keeps so many of her emotions kept up she just snaps one night and doesn’t leave her room for a week. Eventually Ludmila realizes she never really felt the same way for a guy that she has for girls and her world is literally crushed. Federico was there to try to help her but she just lied and said she was done hurting people, never revealing the actual reason she was like this. She did like him but never in the same way.

Then it’s season 3. Ludmila becomes Violetta’s stepsister and her feelings for her are gone, but her ones for Naty and Camila grow. One night it’s probably 3:00 am and she’s sleep delirious and mentions to Violetta something about not knowing who she loved. Violetta gives her advice and tells her about how she was feeling. The girls never mention it again.

One day she and Naty are arguing and they both accidentally confess their feelings. Naty is shocked and Ludmila immediately regrets it, saying she could never be with a girl and runs, leaving Naty heartbroken. The day her mom is arrested though, Violetta urges her to go talk to Naty and Ludmila realizes she can finally be herself.

Natalia: Always admired her sister who wasn’t afraid to tell anyone who she was and was open to anything. She caught feelings for Ludmila around the end of season 1 and tries to push them away by being with Maxi. Eventually she confides in her sister who tells her to just be who she is.

Naty liked Maxi a lot, she still does. She’s always thought that was what a crush felt like, but in the end she realizes it was more one sided and platonic.

Knowing Ludmila would never be with her, she stays with Maxi in an attempt to maybe just forget her feelings but she never can. That’s when she catches feelings for Camila at the start of season 3 and now she’s more confused than ever.

She starts to hang out with Cami more. The two of them connect immediately. Naty realizes she’s only ever really crushed on girls and takes a few quizzes one night. She eventually decides she identifies as a lesbian and is terrified to tell anybody. She’s also poly.

Camila probably figured it out before her and Naty wasn’t sure what to do about it. Then they kiss, which is when she admits her feelings and Camila does the same. Naty really loves her but feels bad about it because she feels like she’s betraying Ludmila. Camila tells her that she needs to talk to her.

Once she does, Ludmila gets jealous but understands. She admits she has a crush on Cami too and Naty’s shocked. Eventually the girls figure it out and Camila brings them little matching pride pins .

I’ll do some for the boys later, or at least Diego and Leon but I don’t want this to be too long lol

[musical-chick-13]

Ctrl Z, S2 Ep 7: More Thoughts™

-At least they acknowledged that drawing/creating dark things doesn’t make you a violent person. Sofía at least still has the sense to recognize that Luis was only channeling his anger into his art.

-HOW CAN SOFÍA SMILE AROUND RAÚL. I PROMISE NO MENTALLY ILL PERSON WOULD REACT LIKE THIS. GOOD LORD DO SOME FUCKING RESEARCH AND ACTUALLY TALK TO A NEURODIVERGENT PERSON IF YOU’RE GOING TO INCLUDE ONE IN YOUR STORY. Like...am I supposed to feel bad for her? She willingly walked into a relationship with a guy who...ugh y’all know what he did, I don’t have the energy to keep saying it.

-OH. OH THE WITHHOLDING OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT QUINTANILLA/SUSANNA IS WHAT GETS SOFÍA TO BAIL ON HIM? THAT’S WHAT DOES IT? NOT HIS OUTING OF QUEER KIDS OR LEADING TO HER FRIEND’S MURDER OR TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT HER DAD? THAT????!!! I ASK. AGAIN. WHO. IS. THIS CHARACTER. WHO IS SHE. WHAT HAPPENED.

-Ugh, if only this show was written by people who cared, then she could have just been playing/using him the whole time for his money, resources, and to get to Gerry for justice’s sake. Good lord, this is the worst. I’m sorry, one day I’ll talk about something other than how much I hate this pairing, but it just...tldr version is that Sofía is one of the few mentally ill protagonists we actually have, and they stripped her of everything that made her wonderful for the sake of putting her with an objectively terrible guy.

-God, the actor who plays Raúl is so bad at acting. I genuinely don’t mean this in a malicious way, like, no one can be good at everything, and if pursuing this makes him happy, good for him. I literally only say this because I keep seeing all these posts about how Raúl/Sofía is superior because “they have good chemistry” but the only thing I see when they’re onscreen together is how much better of an actor she is. Honestly, all the other acting in this show is pretty good. He is completely outclassed at every turn. I. DO. NOT. GET. IT.

-Ah. So Alex feels like it’s her fault Gerry was even bullying Luis in the first place because she told him to show Gerry his drawing which, his dad convinced him was  Weird™ due to his virulent homophobia. *insert the “It’s all coming together” Kronk gif*

-I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT FLAMMABLE MEANS, honestly, Natalia is an ICON, we stan.

-I am so confused, are we supposed to be horrified at this complete personality 180 in Sofía? Because, if that’s the case, then GOOD and also mission accomplished, but...there was also no need to do this? You can develop a kind, mentally ill character without making them into an unrecognizable jerk? Also, like...there was no catalyst for this???? Why, show?? Why....????????????

-LUIS!! MY BOY!!!! I missed seeing him, and I’m glad we got to again, even if it’s only in flashbacks. :(

-I genuinely don’t understand how you can have a grown adult teacher say the words “You’re a kid” to her underage “““““girlfriend””””” and still present it as a run-of-the-mill tragic sapphic relationship and not, like.....abuse. MAKE IT MAKE SEEEEEEENNNNNSSSSSSE

-Marta has far more compassion than I ever would, or than Gerry deserves. If someone killed my child, I would...not let them into my house or hear them out.

-Even in the middle of...the...whole thing with Javier’s father (I refuse to even talk about it more than that), Natalia is doing everything she can to protect Maria. I did not expect to love her, but I do.

-Um...have I mentioned that I love Claudia? Immediately incapacitating a guy who seems like he’s trying to attack her? Also an icon. They really did well by the female side characters this season, even if...*see previous comments about Sofía*

-NOOOOO JAVIER IT REALLY ISN’T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. MY SON DOESN’T DESERVE TO FEEL LIKE THE LAST PERSON HE BELIEVED CARED ABOUT HIM IS REJECTING AND BETRAYING HIM

-Wow, they finally remembered that Sofía is dealing with mental illness! It only took the whole season.

-Speaking of which, can I just headcanon that since her meds have obviously been tampered with, she’s not able to cope the way she normally would, so she’s throwing herself into impulsive behavior as a subconscious way of chasing the serotonin her meds are supposed provide? Can I please assume that her behavior this season is born of unhealthy coping mechanisms due to meds that aren’t working and not the writers being stupid? PLEASE????

[nastybuckybarnes]

Of Kings and Beasts  -  Three

Pairing: King!Bucky X Princess!Reader X King!Steve

Summary: Born a bastard of the King of Orlen, you’re thrusted to the West to marry the Kings. However, the greeting you get is anything but warm, and your life with the King is far from enjoyable. He knows it isn’t your fault his husband is gone, but that fact alone won’t prevent him from taking it out on you.

Warnings: Dark Themes, Smut, NonCon, Language, Kinda Slow Burn, Cruel!Bucky, Injuries, Violence, TRIGGER WARNING FOR NON CONSENSUAL SEX, fluff??? Maybe?? Can you call it that????

Word Count: 3.6K

A/n: I'm making soup right now!!!! It won’t be done until maybe eleven thirty (It’s ten thirty rn) and I work at 4 tomorrow morning so RIP me. Um... I hope to post the next part of In a Heartbeat soon (Tonight or tomorrow) but we’ll see. I hope you guys are all having a lovely evening and I love you all very much!!

Spoiler(ish) A/n 2: So this chapter is very dark BUT the next chapter will not be as dark so you have that to look forward to.

THIS SERIES CONTAINS SMUT AND VERY DARK THEMES THAT MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME AUDIENCES!!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

PART ONE

PART TWO

~*~

“No breakfast again this morning, Your Majesty?” You shake your head at your guard, turning your back to her and motioning for her to tie up your corset.

She starts tying, apologizing every now and again when you inhale sharply at the tightness.

“Natalia, I would appreciate it if my name were not one you said to the king. With every mention of me, he becomes more agitated. He is entitled to do whatever it is that he pleases to me, for I belong to him now. I fear you getting involved in any way will only make matters worse for me.”

She wonders what James might've done when he last saw you to have you saying this, but she knows better than to ask.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I ask you forgive me for speaking so plainly without permission.”

It’s been weeks since the king left, and the Kingdom has started growing cold with the coming winter.

“Today, if you will allow it, I would like to take you to the stables. You have been here for well over a month and have yet to meet your horse.” You cock your head to the side. You didn’t even know you had a horse here.

“I have a horse?” She nods, draping a cloak over your shoulders. “You have whatever you want here. This is your home. Your kingdom. Anything you wish for will be brought to you. All you need do is ask.”

“I suppose you’re correct. Forgive me for being so blunt, but I have not felt very welcomed in my new home.” She nods, opening the door for you and walking you down the hall.

“I know it has been said many times, but the King is simply under a fair amount of stress. He knows not how his words affect you. You mustn’t think you are the cause of his anger. He is wrong to take it out on you. I know it isn’t my place, but before Steven was taken, the two kings were greatly looking forward to meeting you and marrying you. However, without his husband, I fear James has become a shell of a man.”

You hum, her words making sense when you think back to the way the King treated you and some of the things he said.

“It’s comical. The King fears I am trying to replace his husband when I have not even spoken his name. I have not said a word about King Steven and yet His Majesty treats me as if I am the one who lost him in the first place.” You stop in your tracks, horror filling you at what you’ve said.

“I am too bold, for I know not what I am saying. Please forgive me, Natalia. I did not mean anything by it.” She smiles gently at you.

“You do not need to be afraid of speaking freely in front of me. I will not breathe a word of it to the King. What is said in my presence stays with me and only me.” You smile gratefully at her but say nothing more, not knowing how much you can trust the woman beside you.

~*~

The days go by in blurs of grey. You rarely leave your chambers unless coaxed by Nat or Wanda, and even then it is only for brief moments.

Your appetite has shrunk and you hardly sleep more than a few hours a night, something both women are starting to become worried about.

Natalia was asked to take care of you, and she feels horrid for doing such a terrible job. But she isn’t sure what else she can do.

“We should hear from the King soon. It’s been nearly two months since his departure,” Wanda says from beside the bathtub. You’re laying in the warm water, eyes closed in a pathetic attempt at ignoring the world around yourself.

Something about what she says clicks in your mind and you peel your eyes open.

“How long did you say?” You ask, voice scratchy from lack of use.

“It’s been nearly two months since he left.” She repeats, smiling gently at you. You nod, teeth grinding together as butterflies fill your belly.

“Wanda, could you fetch the doctor? I am feeling unwell.” She nods, jumping up from her spot and hurrying to the door. While she’s gone you climb out of the bathtub and quickly dry off, heart in your throat as you get dressed.

You’re pulling on a plain beige dress when Wanda re-enters the room, a doctor following close behind.

“Your Majesty.” He bows then stands back up quickly, pushing his spectacles up higher on his nose.

“Please excuse us, Wanda.” She nods, disappointment in her eyes, but leaves nonetheless.

You wait until you’re sure she’s away from the door before speaking.

“I have not bled since arriving here,” you say bluntly, wanting to know now if what you think is actually true.

He raises his eyebrows and nods, licking his lips.

“When was your last bleed before arriving?” You take a deep breath, trying hard to remember. “Probably about a week... maybe two before I arrived.” He nods, pulling a small notepad out of his jacket and jotting something down.

“The days add up. I would not be surprised if you were with child. I’d like to do a few inspections, just to be sure, but I am fairly confident that you are.” He pulls the stethoscope from around his neck and puts the earpieces in his ears.

He presses the flat part against your chest, listening intently before nodding and jotting a few more things down.

When he crouches down and presses the flat part to your lower belly you feel like you may throw up.

It’s dead silent in the room, you holding your breath, and him listening carefully.

A smile breaks out across his face and he stands up.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty. I can hear two healthy heartbeats.”

You’re going to faint.

He must see you start to sway because he grabs your arms and hurries you to your bed, laying you down.

“I’ll send for Lady Wanda. Have her bring some water.” You nod, clenching your jaw as you try to fight both tears and dizziness.

You’re pregnant.

You’re going to have a baby.

You dread having to tell the King.

~*~

Two weeks after finding out the news and you’ve told no one. The Doctor, (Doctor Banner as you found out later) is the only other person who knows and you’ve sworn him to secrecy.

Two weeks after finding out you’re carrying the future of Acadia and that is news you’ve kept to yourself. Who can you tell? Your husband still hasn’t sent word, and there’s been no sign of him.

You sit in your chambers, picking at a piece of bread more than eating it.

“Majesty, you’ve lost weight. You need to eat, please,” Wanda begs. You look over at her then back down to your almost untouched plate of food.

After a moment of staring at the food you sigh, one hand coming to your stomach.

“Wanda, where do your loyalties lie?” She furrows her brows in confusion at your question.

“I don’t think I understand what you mean, your Majesty.” You sigh and look at her. “Could you keep a secret from the King if I requested you to do as such?” She nods without hesitation. “You are my queen and I am your lady. You are my top priority, before the kings.” You nod, absentmindedly drawing patterns on your stomach.

“I’m with child,” you tell her, eyes focused on the pristine walls.

She takes a sharp breath in, hurrying to your side and looking into your eyes.

“Is this confirmed?” You nod, placing a hand on your tiny bump.

“I have not told his majesty yet, because I have no way of contacting him. I can only hope that after he is made aware of my pregnancy... I hope he is kinder.” She nods, smiling gently at you.

“I’m sure he will be. He and King Steven spoke so fondly of having children. Of having you. When they come back I am positive King James will make up for all he has done to you. Now, you must eat. I will not leave this spot until you eat half of what is here. If not for your sake then for that of your child.” You purse your lips then nod, picking up a scrap of bread and bringing it to your lips.

She smiles encouragingly, watching with warmth in her eyes as you eat the food on your plate.

~*~

You’re falling into light sleep when there’s a sudden commotion outside of your chambers.

“He’s returned?” A muffled voice asks.

James.

You bolt upright, stumbling out of your bed and rushing over to your window. Sure enough, the group of riders is back. But one is missing from the King’s horse.

“He was unsuccessful. We could not find Steve. He... he is not taking it well.” That’s Samuel's voice.

You open your door, smiling at Nat and Sam.

“He is back?” You ask. Sam nods then scratches the nape of his neck.

“He is... not in good spirits right now, Your Majesty. It would be unwise to see him until he has calmed down.”

You take a deep breath, Wanda’s words ringing in your head. He needs to know this. If only to spare yourself some pain.

“I need to speak to him and I need to do so now. This has waited long enough. I do not care if he is not in good spirits. I have waited far too long to tell him.” The two nod and Sam points you in the direction of where the King is.

Your heart is racing in your ears and you hold your stomach, beyond nervous for the King’s reaction.

When you get to the throne room you find the door open, the King having his back to you.

“Your Majesty?” You call, only becoming more nervous when you see the way his shoulders tighten at the sound of your voice.

“I asked to be left alone,” he growls, his voice low and full of anger. You take a deep breath and nod, stepping into the throne room.

“I realize that, Your Majesty, and I apologize for intruding, but I mist speak with you.” He chuckles, turning around slowly to look at you.

He’s dirty and there’s dried blood on the side of his face. His eyes are red and blood-shot and you realize that he must’ve been crying.

“What could you possibly have to say that would lead you to believe it is important enough for me to hear?” Your mouth drops open in shock and he scoffs.

“You waste my time, you stupid girl. I want nothing of you, do you not understand that?!”

“Believe me, Your Majesty, I understand that plenty. You think I do not know of your resentment but I do. I am not here by my own free will, might I remind you. I am not the one who chose to come here. If my memory serves me correctly, it was you and King Steven who chose me.”

You hardly register what happens next. One moment you’re standing up facing the king, the next you’re on the ground, cheek stinging and the taste of blood in your mouth while the sound of a slap rings in your ears.

“You will not speak to your King in that manner! It is a privilege to be here, and it is time you realized that. You were chosen, yes. Chosen to bear the children of the great Kings of the West. However, that does not make you irreplaceable! You can easily be beheaded and another woman brought in your place.” He eyes you for a moment, his anger and sorrow consuming him.

“It seems my words are not enough to remind you what you are meant for. Perhaps my cock will do a better job?” You shake your head, scrambling back, but it’s too late. He’s already on top of you, shoving your legs apart and pushing your skirts up past your hips.

“No! Your Majesty, please! I-I’m sorry! Please, don’t!” He smacks you again, successfully silencing your pleads for him to stop. Tears leak from your eyes and you feel whatever fight you had left in you be drained.

Your mind goes blank and it’s as if all your senses have been turned off.

You can’t feel anything. Not his hands on your hips, nor his manhood tearing you apart. You can’t hear his angry grunts or the choked sobs he’s trying so desperately to contain.

You simply lie beneath him, tears trailing down your cheeks and eyes focused on a stain on the wall across from where you are.

Hot tears splatter against your face, adding to your own, and somewhere through your hazy mind you realize he’s crying. Why he could possibly be crying when he’s the one causing pain is beyond you, but you don’t care anymore. Not about him, nor his husband, nor his kingdom. The heir you carry... you’re hardly sure if you care about it anymore either.

When he’s finished he doesn’t look at you. He can’t. He can’t face what he’s done. Instead, he fixes your skirts, gets up, and leaves you on the floor.

You have no strength left inside of you. Your body is stuck on the ground, tears still flowing down your cheeks and dripping into a puddle on the floor.

Alone on the floor you lie, not sure for how long. Minutes, hours, days. You have no idea. You hardly hear the feet running to you, nor do you process the hands pulling you into a seated position, fingers on your neck checking for a pulse.

A woman’s voice shouting for the doctor while strong arms pick you up.

You’re carried through the halls, each one looking so much like the last, and then you’re on your bed again.

There are people speaking, voices all muffled together that you can’t hear and you wish would go away.

And then you’re jolted back to reality by a spray of cold water.

You gasp, arms coming around your body and hugging yourself as shivers wrack your frame.

“There you are, Your Majesty,” Doctor Banner says, his eyes moving from your face down to your stomach.

“Everyone out. I need to inspect the Queen in privacy.” You don’t look to see who else is in the room. You don’t care.

You keep your gaze locked forward, trembling as the cold water seeps into your bones.

“It was the only method I could think of to pull you from your shock, Your Majesty. I do hope you’ll forgive me.” You don’t reply and the Doctor sighs.

“Lady Wanda, run a hot bath for her. And have someone fetch some of the tea I asked for.” You’re assuming Wanda does as asked because you can hear the water filling up the tub.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Doctor Banner asks. You say nothing.

“Are you hurt?” You shrug.

“Can I examine you?” You nod. He lays you down and presses the stethoscope to your stomach, nodding once then sitting between your legs. He flips your skirts up and you squeeze your eyes shut.

“I will need to have a word with his Majesty. He cannot be so rough while you are with child.” You shake your head, pushing yourself onto your elbows.

The doctor raises his eyebrows in confusion.

“You don’t want me to tell him?” You nod. He sighs but agrees.

“You must rest though, Your Majesty. I can only imagine how much pain you are in.” When you still say nothing he sighs and rises to his feet.

“From what I gathered, all is well with the child. It will take a few days for you to heal properly, and I recommend you eat more and add more meats and cheeses to your diet. You need to gain weight and sleep more. Both you and your child require that. I will inform the chefs of your change in meal schedule. I expect you to follow it this time.” You simply nod and the doctor leaves without another word.

Wanda is at your side before you can fall back into the abyss of numbness, helping you to the bathtub and pulling your soiled dress from your body.

“I’ll have it disposed of. You spend as much time as you’d like in the tub. I sent Nat and Sam to fetch tea and soup for you. No one has seen the King since...” She trails off, a frown on her lips at the way you make no sign of having even heard her.

A knock on the door pulls her from her worries momentarily and she hurries to open it.  

Nat comes in, a tray in her hand, and Sam is standing guard at the door, under strict order from the redhead not to let the King anywhere near your chambers.

“How is she?” Nat asks. Wanda shakes her head, sighing heavily. “She hasn’t spoken a word. Not even to Doctor Banner. I fear he may have done damage that cannot be healed.” Nat nods, her eyes on you.

“Your Majesty? I’ve brought you some soup and tea. Doctor Banner has said that you need to eat more.” She sits on the padded vanity stool after tugging it to the bathtub and sets the tray down on the floor beside her.

She picks up the soup and offers you the bowl, at which you simply stare. She sighs and raises a spoonful of it to her mouth, blowing on it gently before offering it to you. You open your mouth and allow her to spoon-feed you the warm soup.

It takes both women to get you out of the tub and into bed, but once you’re in bed you never want to move.

Wanda blows out the few candles you had in your chambers and her and Nat quietly leave.

~*~

“She’s been up for several hours. She lit a fire a few hours ago and has been sitting in front of it ever since,” Nat whispers, looking at the brunette with sad eyes.

“The King has destroyed her spirit,” Wanda whispers back. You sit perfectly poised in front of the fire, your back facing the two women.

“Has she spoken yet?” Wanda asks, to which Nat replies with a sad shake of her head.

Your fingers poke at your stomach, hatred in your heart for the life growing within you.

A plate of fruit and nuts sits in front of you, one you’ve been nibbling at since the early hours of the morning.

You’re not meaning to be silent, you simply have nothing left to say to anyone, no fight in you and nothing left to give. You’re tired and absolutely done with this life that you’re living.

“Nat?” The two watch you carefully for any reaction to the King’s voice.

“You should be beaten for all that you’ve done to her,” Nat says matter-of-factly. The King sighs and you hear his footsteps slow as he approaches your door.

“I came to talk to her. To apologize and explain.” The redhead snorts. “It’s a little bit late for that, Your Majesty. She hasn’t spoken a word since we found her yesterday. I doubt she wants anything to do with you.” You couldn’t care less at this point.

“Please?” The redhead sighs but steps aside, allowing her King access to his wife.

“(Y/n)?” You don’t move, eyes focused on the flames in front of you. He sits himself down beside you, eyes on the side of your face.

You’ve lost weight. Your face is slimmer, less lively than last he saw it. The bags under your eyes have only grown and you look... exhausted.

“May I have a moment alone with her? Please?” The two women exchange glances before slowly nodding.

“We will be just beyond the door if you need anything from us, Your Majesty.” He knows they’re not talking to him. As soon as the door is closed he sighs, shoulders slumping forward.

“I will never be able to apologize for all that I have done to you. You... you have endured far more than you should have and I have treated you unfairly. I have... I have brutalized you and broken you down. I take full responsibility for my actions.”

He sighs heavily before continuing, his voice quiet and broken.

“I miss my husband. And although that is no excuse, it is my explanation. I have never been one to love easily, and loving him... it was hard to accept for the longest time. And then I opened myself up to a love I have never experienced before, only to have him ripped from my grasp.

“We chose you specifically. Your beauty and wit... we knew you would make a wonderful queen. He would talk about you at night, we would discuss what having you would be like. And now every time I look at you I see him and it pains me. Because you are a dream that he and I were meant to share. It is wrong for me to take that out on you and I will never ever be deserving of your forgiveness.”

When you still say nothing he sighs.

“I... I would like for us to be civil, at the very least. And I know you have tried and I have not been open to this before, but I would like to start over if you’ll allow it.”

Even if you didn’t want to be civil with him, his word trumps yours.

“Join me for dinner tonight? I will have the cooks prepare whatever you would like to eat.”

You don’t want to eat a single damn thing. But do you really have a choice?

[snarkwrites]

hi, i’m here to bring you a ✨thot✨ as i clean out my closet and cry over the bikinis that i’ll never get to wear due to covid

i literally don’t care who you pick for this, because i feel the reaction is the same across the board for what i’m about to give you😏 but beach sex or even better, sex in the cabanas👀👀👀👀 like sand gets every where but i am not at all going to complain if someone wants to fuck me on the beach🤷‍♀️ - ❤️

OKAY.. LISTEN I LOVE THIS SO MUCH... HEAR ME OUT HERE.. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED RYAN... BC.. YES. YEET WENT MY IMAGINARY PANTIES.

Ugh, I could kiss you for all these amazing thots you keep blessing me with, angel, you know that? YES. LETS GET TO IT.

WARNINGS:

Sexual content ahead. Not meant for anyone under 18+. If you're a minor, you need to keep scrolling. Do not read what's below the cut.

If you choose to keep reading, a. you can't say you weren't warned already and b, here are things you need to watch for : public sexual situation, unprotected sex, dry humping, mentions of marking, my failed attempts at dirty talk and most importantly, SEX IN A PUBLIC SETTING. IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

TAGGING:

@chasingeverybreakingwave

@twistnet

OTHER STUFF:

[ faq - multifandom tag list ]

RYAN WOLFE & sex in a poolside cabana;

"You're starting to burn." the crisp depth of the male voice drew you out of a daydream you didn't quite want to end. Your eyes fluttered open and you realized exactly why the sound of his voice was powerful enough to draw you back into the present and out of your own mind. Swallowing hard as your eyes met with Ryan Wolfe, you shrugged off his statement, almost dismissively.

"I'll be tan in the morning. Besides, my lotion is over there. I'm too comfy to get up and go get it."

Ryan shuffled his feet. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully. When he wandered away, you thought he'd probably gone to the poolside bar to get himself a drink -and probably flirt with Natalia some more, the jealous thought crept it's way into your mind before you could stop it.

You put everything out of your head until a few seconds later. Just as you were starting to doze off all over again. He sat down beside the towel you were stretched out on, his legs dangling into the pool. An arm over your body as he stared down at you, a quiet chuckle passing his lips as he shook your head.

"You really can fall asleep anywhere, can't you, princess?"

We're not even going to begin to attempt addressing just how quickly the use of the word princess -or his tone of voice as he said it, affected you. You shivered ever so slightly, raising a hand. Taking off your shades and looking him in the eyes as you yawned and softly laughed while nodding in agreement. "In my defense, I was out late last night with Alexx, Natalia and Calleigh after that last conference."

Ryan nodded. Eyes fixed on your own for a few seconds, lingering. And then breaking your gaze to roam slowly. Almost as if he were savoring the view.

Normally, he barely looked your way -that you knew of, of course, but this time, as his eyes roamed over you and the way you were sprawled out on the black beach towel with the word FUCK spelled out in red calligraphy cursive, it was as if he were really seeing you.

"Your buddy from the Vegas crime lab actually let you roam around dressed like that?" Ryan asked after a few seconds. Raising one of those distracting hands of his to drag it through light brown hair. I miss his shaggier hair, you lamented mentally, I would have literally died to drag my fingers through it or pull it in the heat of the moment.

,, Funny, he almost sounds a little jealous." the next thought came as you raised a brow and tried not to get your hopes up. You sat up and stretched as you gazed at him, curious. It hit you then, he must have seen you joking around with that guy you met at one of the conferences two days before, Greg.

The one who asked you to go out bowling with him and some of his co-workers, but you politely declined.

Because of the oblivious idiot sitting to your left currently.

The cabanas were emptying out. The sun was starting to sink down in the sky just slightly, casting a lazy golden orange hue over everything.

"He doesn't own me." you muttered after a long and heavy pause. You weren't sure why, but you found yourself leaning forward, into Ryan as you turned the upper half of your body to face him. With a teasing and soft giggle, you asked with a smirk, "You're not off flirting with Nat?"

Ryan's brow raised this time. He chuckled, shaking his head no. "I haven't flirted with Natalia in weeks?"

You swallowed hard. Stretched again because you just didn't know what to do with your hands aside from what you wanted to do with them currently.

"Are you gonna stay out here all afternoon?" Ryan asked quietly, hazel eyes darting around the area as he did so. Your eyes darted around also and you yawned, answering softly, "I thought about it, yeah. It's peaceful out here."

"That's because the cabanas are empty. Will you at least get out of the sun?"

"I'd love to but... Kind of wanna show off my new swimsuit." you leaned back, stretching out. Ryan's eyes roamed over you again. Slower this time. Much slower.

Ryan coughed abruptly and then he grumbled. Something to the effect about you, being stubborn. "To who, exactly?" Ryan teased, pointing out yet again that the cabanas were empty at the moment.

This time, he leaned in towards you just slightly. Raising a hand. Tenderly brushing sweaty and damp strands of hair back out of your eyes as the light breeze blew and blew them right into your eyes. His eyes locked on yours for a few long and silent seconds during which your heart was beating like a runaway train, so loudly that you swore he had to have heard it. He leaned in even more. Licking his lips as his eyes settled on your mouth and lingered.

"You." it slipped out in a breathy whisper as you mirrored the way he'd leaned in towards you, leaning in towards him. Close enough that when you said it, your mouth brushed boldly up against his. When he swore quietly, your breath caught in your throat and you had about a split second to ask yourself what exactly you were hoping to accomplish, because he was reaching out. Pulling you into his lap. And then he was standing. Walking straight towards one of the bigger and more private cabanas near the side of the pool further away from any potential prying eyes.

"Ryan?" you questioned, the word stammering as it left your mouth. He stepped into the cabana and sank down to sit on the cozy circular daybed and you wrapped your legs around his waist. Your mouth opened, you were about to ask what was going on, but instead, your words were silenced as he pressed a finger against your lips. The way you were positioned in his lap allowed you to feel the way he strained hard against red and black board shorts. And just when you thought you'd be able to ask him what the hell was going on, you found yourself silenced again, only this time, it was by his mouth. Crashing against yours hungrily as his hands skimmed and ghosted all over your body, finally settling on your ass and squeezing. Hard. Hard enough that you rocked in his lap a little and a quiet growl slipped out of his mouth, swallowed by yours as the kiss deepened. The way he was kissing you, you could feel your lips beginning to bruise and ache. "Ryan?" you finally managed to gasp out his name just as you two pulled away to breathe. His hands roamed upward, settling on your hips. Rocking you back and forth over his bulge and drawing a whimper out of you as a shiver passed through your body.

"You wore that... For me." he muttered, his tone husky as he locked eyes with you and you saw the way lust blacked his eyes out. "Fuck." he practically groaned the word as he bit his lip and let his eyes roam much more boldly now. There was absolutely no doubt that you were being fucked by his gaze.

And just the realization had you dripping. The wetness flooding your thin swimsuit bottoms and making you squirm around in his lap a little. You raised your hands, resting one at either side of his neck as you pulled him in for another kiss greedily. His hands stayed on your hips. Rocking you back and forth in his lap as he bucked himself up and into you.

You wound up on your back, one of his hands pinning both of yours flat against an overstuffed turquoise and white striped pillow that was behind your head. His body settled between your legs, spreading them, and his mouth dove against yours all over again, cutting you off mid moan when you felt his thick bulge brush right against your dripping and aching center, teasing you. He locked eyes with you as the kiss broke. Chuckling quietly as he asked the question, "Were you trying to tease me, princess? Because if you were, it worked. I've been so fucking hard all day..." his mouth burying against your neck as his lips latched onto your skin, leaving a mark behind. You rocked against him, desperate for friction, for anything to make the aching in your cunt stop, but even the little friction he allowed before lowering a hand, gripping your hip and putting your movements at a total standstill... Even that didn't work.

If you thought you were wet before, you were soaked. There had to have been a wet spot on his lap. He had to have felt the way you soaked through your swimsuit.

Almost as if he read your mind, he chuckled, bucked himself into you more urgently, his hands all over you in a frenzied rush, groping any part of your body they settled on. You bit back a loud moan when his hands squeezed your ass, rubbing you against him harder, I mean really baring down.. He muttered calmly against your throat as his mouth ghosted down the front of it, "How are you so wet already, huh? I've barely done anything." while bucking himself against you just enough to make you beg for more breathlessly, pouting as soon as you realized he wasn't letting go of his grip on your hip.

His head dipped down and as his tongue dragged around the shell of your ear, he muttered quietly against it, "Want you so fucking bad. Right here, right now."

"Right here?"

"All I have to do is pull your bottoms to the side. Nobody's gonna know, princess." Ryan informed, gazing down at me with a lust filled look in his eyes. You whimpered, coming alive beneath him as he rose slightly, untying the ties at the waistband of his boardshorts. Licking his lips as his eyes met yours again a few seconds later. One of you needed to have common sense, because normally, that'd be his job, but all of his common sense had pretty much flown out the window by this point. And you've always been ruled by impulse alone, so you weren't about to stop this, either. You whined out urgently and he was pressing into you again, a finger grazing along the skin just below the tie at the side of your bikini. Tracing along where the tie would sit if his finger weren't separating fabric from skin. With one small tug, the tie was loose. His eyes met yours. His tongue ghosted along the outline of his lips and he mumbled quietly, "I'm going to take my time with you later, princess. I promise." against your ear as he moved your bikini bottom out of the way and tugged at the velcro strip holding his board shorts closed, working his cock through the opening. Pressing himself into you, bodies molded together as he sank in slow and deep. Letting you feel every single inch and vein as he did so.

You barely stopped a loud moan. One of his hands rose, settling over your mouth as he leaned in real close and muttered against your ear, "We have to be quiet right now, princess. Later I'll make you scream, okay? I promise."

As you writhed beneath him and met each snap of his hips with your own, you could feel your orgasm really building and you had no doubt in your mind that he meant every word of the promise he'd made about later.

It was all you could do to keep from screaming his name now.

[alirhi]

WF chapter 18

Title: Winter's Frost Chapter: 18/? Fandom: MCU Rating: R to be on the safe side Pairing: Loki/Bucky Summary: Loki never told anyone the real reason he became so obsessed with Midgard. Much better to let them think he wanted to hurt his brother than draw their attention to the one thing in the universe that makes the God of Mischief truly vulnerable.

"If I hadn't carefully orchestrated it myself, I'd be deeply embarrassed that I was defeated by this band of buffoons!"

Bucky shook his head, hiding a smile as he ran his fingers through Loki's dark hair. "Just because you're a genius doesn't mean they're idiots. They might prove helpful."

Rolling his eyes, Loki grumbled, "It took them three days and the deaths of eighty innocent people to even bother trying to assemble a team."

"And who killed those people?"

He tensed. "A building collapsed on them! It was hardly my fault. Though they were quick to assign the blame to me, of course."

"If a building collapsed on them, can you really blame The Avengers for not rallying in time to save them?"

"James?"

"Hm?"

Shaking his head, he framed his lover's infuriatingly pretty face with both hands and kissed him. "Do be a dear and shut up."

Bucky smirked. "Put my mouth to better use, then."

"Haven't I already?"

"Alright, that's enough!" Stark chose that moment to burst through the door he'd locked them behind so he and the other Avengers could argue uninterrupted. "Frosty, Manchurian Candidate, you're up. And quit slobbering all over each other! I didn't put you in here to make a porno."

"I didn't ask you to film us," Loki shot back, his playful smirk turning into a grin when he felt Bucky tense and shake beneath him with suppressed laughter.

"Can he even consent?" He glanced at Bucky. "Can you even...? Do you even know what sex is? Just how scrambled is your brain?"

"I've got a kid," Bucky reminded him, all amusement gone from his suddenly steely expression. "I think I've got a pretty good handle on the process, yeah. My memory's spotty at best, but I'm not a robot." Under his breath, he grumbled, "Just make sure Natalia-sorry, Natasha – sticks to English, and we'll be fine."

"No one will ever use those words against you again," Loki swore, letting out an irritated huff at Stark's pointed look and making a grand show of his reluctance to comply as he peeled himself off of his beloved's lap. "Well? What is it you need?"

"Information. What this Thanos guy is after, where he's going, how long we've got... We need to know what you know."

"In general? We haven't that much time." Bucky pinched his arm and Loki rolled his eyes again. "Pertaining to the issue at hand, I'm afraid I've very little to offer." Still, he and Bucky followed Stark back out into the main room, hand in hand, to face the rest of the rather tense people who still believed Loki had been trying to kill them only a week earlier.

"Why should we trust you?" Banner asked him point-blank before he'd even reached the table the others were seated around.

Loki snorted. "Oh, heavens, don't! Never trust anyone."

"Loki..."

Sighing, he gave Thor a snarky look and went on, "If I think there's even a chance your deaths will save my family, I will not hesitate to push any one of you in front of a blade or blast. My partner and daughter are my priority, first and always."

"For the record," Bucky piped up somewhat timidly, even adorably raising his hand like a schoolchild. He cast Rogers an apologetic look and mumbled, "Same. I love you, Steve – I barely remember you, but I love you like a very annoying kid brother. But if it ever comes to a choice between saving you or Eira, you're a human shield and I'm running very far away with her."

To his credit, Rogers laughed and ruffled his childhood friend's hair. "Even without your memories, you're still the same protective, pragmatic Buck. I wouldn't have it any other way. Anyone here take issue with parents prioritizing their child's life?"

Thor chuckled, looking uncomfortable. "I'll happily smack some sense into anyone who does. She's a baby; there should never be a second's hesitation."

"Speaking of shields," Loki cut in, hiding a surprised smile at the unexpected support and attempting to get the conversation back on track, "are we going to address the issue of HYDRA operatives within SHIELD's ranks as a group, or am I left to indiscriminately annihilate them all myself?"

"What?!"

"HYDRA infiltrated SHIELD?!"

"I keep telling you not to trust those shady government types."

"Fury's one of those 'shady government types' and he saved your ass, Stark!"

"Oh, did he? Is that what you call firing a nuke at New York City?"

"Fury didn't do that and you know it!"

"Um, no. I don't know that, actually. What I know is that your bosses tried to level Manhattan and I almost died on the wrong side of a wormhole to space, so trusting them? Not high on my list right now."

"For Frigga's sake!" Loki shouted, dropping his head into his hands. "No bloody wonder you people needed my help to 'defeat' me!"

Five incredulous stares – along with one embarrassed and one greatly amused – met this exclamation. Grateful that the stares at least came with silence, he began ticking points off on his fingers as he spoke. "Creating a scene in Germany so I'd be easy to find, allowing you to 'capture' me..." ensuring Thor's relative safety while getting him out of my way. Even with their gradually mending relationship, he'd never admit that aloud. Allowing the thought to pass by unvoiced, he skipped to the next: "Keeping that vessel you were on from falling apart or crashing before you could repair the turbine, setting up the portal in the most painfully obvious place on your little planet! Waiting around for you to catch up, ensuring Stark had safeguards in place before ejecting him out of a window so he wouldn't die – I quite like you, Stark. I would truly have hated to see you splattered on the pavement."

"Um... Thanks?"

Romanov was still staring at him as though he'd grown another head. He was tempted to do so, just to see if the saying proved true, or if her expression would actually change. "So you're saying you lost on purpose?"

"Oh, did you think five little humans actually brought down a God?" The mocking smile he gave her, and her sour look in return, brought him such immense joy that for a brief, shining moment, he almost forgot that the entire universe was in mortal peril. "That is adorable."

For the briefest of moments, he'd also forgotten about Banner. He cringed when from the other end of the table he heard a quiet, "Should I let the other guy out to play and see how 'adorable' you still think we are?"

"Even the beast won't be able to stand against Thanos," Loki pointed out, hiding his discomfort and getting back to the main topic. "And now that you have two of the artifacts he's hunting for, he'll be coming straight for you."

"No, we don't." Barton's tone started out casually dismissive, but grew more concerned as he went on. "I mean, they're here on the planet, but we don't have them."

Everyone seated around the table seemed to realize the full implications of the shit storm ahead of them at once. As expressions crumbled from bored or concerned to alarmed and then to an odd combination of panicked and weary, Romanov groaned. "SHIELD has them."

Loki was beginning to think he should simply glue his hand to his face. "I hate you all."

___________________________________________________

Next Masterlist

[morningfears]

Television Romance [Chapter One]

Rating: PG-13 (some swears, nothing major)

Summary: Natalia Adler is a stressed out grad student who attempts to escape the noise of her office by visiting her favorite coffee shop. However, instead of a few hours of writing, she gets a lap full of coffee and a date with the most gorgeous guy she’s ever met.

Word Count: 3.4k

Chapter Two

The graduate student office was usually busy, bustling with activity and overflowing with graduate students working on various research projects or grading coursework as well as undergraduate students seeking assistance with assignments. It was always difficult to concentrate among the din, there was always some conversation or another taking place that was much more interesting than writing yet another proposal, but Tuesdays were the worst.

On Tuesdays, the graduate teaching seminar met in the student office. For an hour each week, the teaching assistants dragged whatever chairs they could find to the center of the room and formed a circle to discuss problems that had arisen in their classrooms, questions they had about university policy, and an article on teaching practices they were assigned to - but never actually did - read. The class was supposed to be useful, a way for them all to prepare for their futures as academics, but it usually turned into a shouting match as the stronger personalities argued over one another about best practices in classroom management. And after, when the dust settled and the faculty facilitator was gone, students who didn’t have a one o’clock class stuck around to catch up on whatever departmental gossip they’d missed throughout the week.

Most days, Natalia was able to tune it all out. Her desk was in the corner, hidden behind a flimsy partition, and her noise cancelling headphones worked wonders to drown out the arguments. She didn’t love catching snippets of pointless conversations about which departmental policies were outdated - they all were - or which graduate students were sleeping together but she made it work. However, today was not one of those days.

She had several important deadlines looming over her head - conference submissions, revisions for a potential publication, the first draft of her thesis proposal, all due within days of one another - and she was feeling overwhelmed. The argument as to whether the department was too hard or too soft on students - or whether professors played favorites - was only making things worse. Instead of subjecting herself to two more hours of torture, she decided to pack up her bag and head to the coffee shop across the street. Even if it was loud, it had to at least be less hostile than the office.

She stood, satchel slung over one shoulder with her cellphone and headphones in hand, and glanced over the top of her partition at the girl who sat across from her. Nicole, like Natalia, wore headphones whenever she worked in the office and only glanced up when Natalia tossed a paperclip at her.

“I’m going to Molly’s,” she announced when Nicole pulled her headphones away from her ears and glanced up at her. Natalia struggled to keep her voice quiet in an attempt to avoid drawing attention to herself, though she was half certain she could yell and still not be heard over her colleagues. However, she remained cautious as the last thing she wanted was for anyone to join her. “You want anything?”

“A new job, a better salary, a husband who takes out the trash… I could go on,” Nicole answered, rolling her neck and grinning tiredly at Natalia’s deadpan expression. “I’ll settle for a caramel latte, though. With almond milk and extra caramel, please. I’ll Venmo you.”

“I’ve got it,” Natalia assured her with a wave of her hand as Nicole reached for her cellphone, “you got me boba last week. You have class at three, right?”

“Don’t remind me,” Nicole sighed as she dropped the device, straightened up in her chair, and pulled a face as she glanced at the syllabus tacked to her partition wall. “We’re going over how Marxism influenced Burke today. I think I’d rather chew off my own foot than try to teach a group of undergrads about either Marxism or Burke.”

“I know the point of college is to make kids think,” Natalia began as she hoisted her bag a little higher on her shoulder and ambled around her partition to stop beside Nicole’s desk, “but I’m glad I got the class that’s a little more, ‘well, duh,’ than that. We’re going over how fundamentally fucked the US healthcare system is today.”

Nicole paused for a moment, staring at Natalia with a look that reeked of both annoyance and exhaustion, before she dropped her head to her desk and asked, “Is it too late to drop out?”

This was a conversation they’d had at least once a week since their first semester of graduate school and Natalia bit back a laugh as she nodded. “Yep. You’re halfway through your thesis proposal, no quitting now,” she pointed out as she nodded toward the stack of books on religious rhetoric that Nicole had stacked on her desk. “Anyway, only eight more months until we’re free.”

“I’m three pages in,” Nicole informed her, a pitiful whine erupting from her throat as she lifted her head and ran a hand through her unwashed curls. “This is going to be a long semester.”

Natalia, who had been under the impression that she was impossibly behind although she only lacked a completed methodology section, grimaced upon learning just how far behind Nicole was. She gave her friend a gentle pat on the shoulder and, although she had her own deadlines to meet, offered her assistance. “I’ll probably be sticking around after class tonight,” she informed her as she thought about the papers she still needed to grade, “if you need me to help with anything, just let me know.”

“Thanks,” Nicole sighed as she turned in her chair and smiled at Natalia, the exhaustion evident in her features although they were only a month into the semester. “I’m thinking about a writing party on Friday so that people can submit conference papers and then go get hammered after. You in?”

“Always down for drinks after opening myself up for rejection. You can send out an email and maybe follow up with a GroupMe or something. Your husband won’t mind you spending Friday with us?” she asked as she glanced over at the group of students, now talking instead of arguing, that still remained in the room. Although they got on her nerves sometimes, she had grown to love most of them.

“He’s going to a football game with some friends. If I stay home, I’ll just end up falling asleep in the tub with a glass of wine. I’ll send the email after class,” Nicole answered as she grabbed her headphones and moved to reposition them onto her ears. “Go, get out of here before someone stops you. You’ll be back by three?”

“Yeah, I’ll be back before you have to leave. I’ll text you when I’m on my way over. See you in a bit,” Natalia hummed as she tapped the top of Nicole’s partition before maneuvering around the group that crowded the doorway and stepping out into the hall.

The building itself wasn’t that busy, it rarely was, but campus was teeming with students as Natalia stepped outside. They typically opted for afternoon classes rather than morning ones and it was obvious that classes held after lunch were the most populated as she watched students wander from building to building. Her own undergraduate experience had been very different - classes as early in the morning as she could get them and work in the afternoons until late at night - but she understood the desire to take advantage of the opportunity.

As a graduate student, her schedule was a little different. She was usually the first one to arrive in the office, just to get a little work done, and held office hours during lunch. She was a TA for a class that met on Tuesdays and Thursday at three and had her own classes to attend, with each of the three meeting once a week, starting at six p.m. and ending at around ten. 

She was busier than she had ever been, even busier than the two years she spent working two jobs and overloading her class schedule. It was harder and lonelier than undergrad had been. She had little time to feel human or socialize without anyone outside of her program, however, she told herself that it would all be worth it when she finished and had a master’s degree under her belt.

Natalia made the most of the few minutes it took her to walk from her office to Molly’s, the closest coffee shop to campus that wasn’t the always crowded Starbucks in the library. She rarely got to enjoy her days. They were usually spent locked in the office or cooped up in the library, neither of which had enough windows. Although it was September, fall still seemed a lifetime away. 

She could still smell summer as an occasional ocean breeze wafted through campus. The sun was bright and high in the sky and the air was warm. It felt like the height of summer, as it usually did in Los Angeles, and she was grateful that she’d chosen to wear a dress instead of pants as the slight breeze kept her from overheating as she entered Molly’s.

The little coffee shop was every Instagram obsessed student’s dream. The exterior was nondescript with plain white walls and a small patio with string lights and a few small tables, however, the interior more than made up for it. There were walls covered with ivy - though Natalia didn’t know if it was real or not - and neon signs littered around the space. There was also a loft with tables and chairs that always seemed to be quieter than the rest of the shop.

It had all been too much for her the first time she visited. It seemed gimmicky, not the kind of place she wanted to frequent even if it was convenient, however, her opinion changed the moment she tried the coffee. Her predecessors in the program hadn’t been wrong in telling her that it was the best coffee she could get and that it served as a good hideout when the office got to be too much to handle. She understood why it was frequented by both students and the outside community, even if it took them too close to campus.

Although the coffee shop was bustling with students rushing in and out between classes, filled with the sounds of conversation and the excitement that came with a new school year, it still seemed quieter than the office. After ordering her iced coffee and settling into a table near the entrance, Natalia slipped her headphones back on and bit her lip in concentration as she opened her laptop and began working on the revisions she’d gotten back from her co-author.

It was difficult, not paying attention to the patrons that entered the shop as she loved people watching, but Natalia kept her eyes on her screen and typed away. If she had glanced up, she might have seen the looks that people threw one another as two men entered the shop. She might have seen how a few snuck pictures with their cellphones or how others whispered excitedly as they passed them by. But she didn’t. All she saw was the cursor on her document blink as she tried to string together a coherent sentence.

She focused on typing a new explanation for a concept she thought she’d covered well enough to need no further explanation, a metaphorical dark cloud hanging over her head as she let the reviewer’s comments weigh on her pride. However, as she got into a groove, her word count quickly climbing, she felt something cold splash against her right side.

She sat, stunned, for a few seconds, before she pulled her headphones off and blinked at the coffee that stained the right side of her dress and dripped from her skin. Ice cubes gathered in her lap, cold seeping through the fabric of her dress as she attempted to process what happened. It took a few more seconds of staring at the mess before she picked up her laptop and held it away from the growing pool of coffee. Ice cubes clattered to the floor as she stood and she grimaced as she watched them fall. She looked over the computer, sighing in relief when nothing appeared to be wet, before she lifted her head and looked at the person responsible.

Any other time, her attention would be on how beautiful the man in front of her was. He stood a head taller than her, easily, with broad shoulders and a surprised expression that she was sure matched her own. His blonde curls had fallen into his eyes, obscuring the blue slightly, and his cheeks and upturned nose were tinted pink in embarrassment as he looked over the damage he’d done.

They stared at one another for longer than necessary, his eyes lingering on her face just as hers lingered on his, and she was glad that he at least had the decency to stare at her face instead of the wet fabric clinging to her. The man beside him, slightly shorter and more amused than embarrassed, nudged his friend who moved as if he were a video that had been taken off pause.

“I’m so sorry,” he breathed, his words rushing together as he watched her place her laptop on a neighboring table to keep it out of harm’s way before she reached for a few napkins. “Fuck, here, let me help you with that.”

His hand bumped into hers as he reached for more napkins and began wiping at the table and, as cliche as it was, she felt a jolt of something shoot down her spine as she quickly pulled her hand away. It was easy for Natalia to ignore the feeling as she watched him make matters worse. She tried to hide it, however, she couldn’t help but grimace as she moved her bag away from the table, slipping it over her head in an effort to avoid him sweeping coffee inside it.

She shook her head at his apology and reached for another handful of napkins. “It’s okay,” she sighed, not wanting to be rude even though she knew she’d have to take time she was planning on using to write to go home and change before class, “at least it was iced coffee.” She tossed the soaked napkins into the trash and bent down to pick up the ice cubes and cup from the ground. “What happened, anyway?”

“He tripped,” the shorter, dark-haired man informed her before he took a sip of his coffee. He still looked amused, positively delighted as he watched his friend struggle to find the right words to say, and Natalia bit back a laugh as she realized everyone had a friend like him.

“I didn’t trip,” the taller man defended with a roll of his eyes, cutting his eyes at his friend before returning his attention to Natalia. He met her eyes sheepishly, the embarrassment softening his features as he explained, “Someone bumped into me on their way in and I, uh…” He trailed off, clearly having planned on saying that he tripped, and dropped his gaze to the floor as Natalia laughed.

“Tripped?” she finished, a smile on her lips despite the situation. When the taller man grimaced, bringing the hand not full of soaked napkins up to rub at the back of his neck, she laughed once more.

“Fine, I tripped,” he acknowledged, “but it wasn’t just being clumsy. Someone really did bump into me.” He gave his explanation more to his friend than to her and she wondered how often he found himself tripping over thin air. He looked solid, like he wouldn’t be the type to trip over his own two feet, but looks could be deceiving and she knew from personal experience how annoying it was to be the clumsy friend.

“It’s okay,” she assured him, a little more sincere in her assurance this time as she offered him a genuine smile. “Nothing spilled on my laptop and it wasn’t boiling so, worst case scenario was avoided. I think I’ll just not sit near the door next time, though.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good call,” he agreed. His lips were quirked in a smile, grateful that she wasn’t yelling at him, and he still held the soaked napkins in his hands. “I still feel bad, though. Can I make it up to you; buy you a coffee or something?” he asked, a hopeful lilt to her voice that told her he wasn’t just looking to make up for spilling coffee on her.

As much as it pained her to turn him down - and it hurt quite a bit as she found him to be beautiful, even in basketball shorts and a t-shirt - she didn’t have time. “That would be great,” she began, a rueful smile on her lips as she grabbed her laptop and slid it into her bag, “but I have to run. I need to go get changed before class. It’s really okay, though. No big deal.”

She didn’t miss the nudge his friend gave him and raised an eyebrow as she watched him swat at his friend’s elbow. “I, uh, how about dinner, then?” he asked, his eyes meeting hers. 

He looked so earnest, his skin still tinted pink and his eyes wide, and she felt a giddy excitement bubble in the pit of her stomach. He was gorgeous, the kind of guy she never imagined would be interested in her, and she wanted to give him a chance. She didn’t know him, didn’t know if that chance would turn into a disaster, but she found herself wanting to take that risk.

“I have class until ten tonight,” she told him, biting back a coo when his face dropped at what he assumed was her rejection, “but if you tell me your name, I think I could free up my Friday night for dinner.”

He blinked, surprised at how her sentence ended, and smiled at her. He had a unique smile, his teeth on full display and tongue pressed to the back of them, and his eyes brightened as he nodded his agreement. “Right, yeah. Luke,” he introduced, moving to offer her his hand before realizing he still held the wad of napkins. “This meeting isn’t really going that well, huh?”

“I’d say it went south when you dumped coffee on her,” the friend commented, not even bothering to hide his grin as he watched the interaction unfold before him. “All downhill from there, mate.”

“I’m Natalia,” she introduced, pointedly ignoring his friend’s comment with an amused glance in his direction. “I’ve had worse first meetings, don’t worry. My freshman year roommate opened a door on me and gave me a concussion. You just stained a dress.”

“Oddly, that makes me feel better about this, thanks,” Luke laughed as he reached out and dropped the napkins into the garbage. “Can I get your number? That way you can go change now and we can make plans later,” he clarified, smiling at her as he offered her his cellphone to put her number in.

She felt Luke’s gaze on her as she put her number into his phone and she offered him a smile as she handed the device back. “I have one request for Friday,” she told him as she grabbed her own phone from the table and grinned at the text he sent her with his name, “no tables near the entrance.” Luke laughed at her request, a sound that she found endearing, and Natalia grinned at him. “I’ll see you on Friday, then.”

“See you on Friday,” he confirmed, grinning as he watched her step around him.

Natalia and Luke maintained eye contact for a moment, each giddy and grinning as they felt the butterflies of something new on the horizon, before Natalia bumped into something solid on her way out and made a face before quickly turning to apologize. She tossed Luke a wave over her shoulder, her own cheeks burning in embarrassment, as she heard his friend mumble, “Wow, she’s perfect for you.”

As she stepped out into the world once more, she grinned at the encounter. It made her lose an hour of writing time - and ruined her favorite dress - but maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing. She’d been single for years and hadn’t had any luck with dating apps. She knew that a boyfriend wasn’t the most necessary thing in her life, however, it might be nice to be the girl with a date for once. And it certainly didn’t hurt that Luke was gorgeous.

Whatever the future held for them, she found herself looking forward to it. 

____________________________________________________

Author’s Note: If I try to start another series, someone fight me. Like, actually, genuinely fight me. I’m focusing on Rose Tattoo, These Violent Delights, and this. (And MF if I get inspiration but those updates are more sporadic, never meant to be regular, sorry. :() I want to write a few one shots but they’ll likely be shorter and just fun, you know? Not super plot heavy. I may or may not update the next chapter of this sooner than a week because this is kind of short. But, hey, I’ve got all the time in the world because after I defend next week, I’m done with grad school and that’s mildly terrifying. Anyway.  Here we go.

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