#iz help me blow up his stuff

[mandiemon3]

The Best Revenge is Living Well- Chapter 4

“How are you feeling?” The gruff voice behind them made Mo jump. They spun around to find the speaker, and hit Izzy in the stomach before they realized there was no danger. The first mate doubled over and groaned.

“Ah, Izzy, I’m so sorry!” They grabbed his shoulders to stabilize him as he slowly straightened back up to his full height.

Izzy chuckled, holding his stomach. “Don’t be,” he croaked. “I’m glad you protected yourself.”

“Yeah, but I don’t need to protect myself from you!” Izzy’s unreadable eye contact made Mo’s face burn. They just knew they were turning an obnoxious shade of pink.

Izzy bit back a grin. “Well, before I was assaulted, I was just checking on you. Wanted to make sure you were healing alright after our training the other night.”

Mo realized they were still holding onto Izzy’s shoulders, quickly releasing him and fiddling with a ring on their hand. “Yeah, I’m doing alright,” they reassured hum, relieved to hear their voice didn’t betray their embarrassment. “I still have some pretty intense bruising, but hey, I’ve had a lot worse and still walked away.” They smirked. “Not even a fight with the great Izzy Hands could keep me down for long.”

Izzy smirked back. “Not when I hold back from giving the final blow,” he said dryly. “Yeah, but how could you bring yourself to hurt the ‘ray of sunshine pirate’?” Mo laughed when Izzy feigned a scowl, lightly punching him on the shoulder. “Don’t pretend like you’re not coming around to me. I can see it on your face, Izzy, you’re starting to like me. Or at least not hate me.” Izzy rolled his eyes, but took a small step back. He cleared his throat, wiping away any trace of his smile.

“Well, now that I know you’re alright, you should get back to work.” Back to being first mate and crew member, he made clear.

“Yeah,” Mo said, disappointed that they couldn’t continue joking around. “Hey, are we still good for night lessons tonight? I should be recovered enough to maybe do some more physical stuff again. Not that your navigation lessons weren’t fascinating," they added, hoping he could tell they were being sincere.

Izzy nodded. “I’ll have to check your bruising later to make sure you’re ready for it, but yes. I’ll see you tonight.” He began to walk away before Mo called after him. “Hey, Iz?” He turned back to face them. “Don’t work yourself too hard, okay? I know you didn’t get as bruised as me, but don’t run yourself ragged for my sake, or the rest of the crew for that matter.” Izzy rolled his eyes, but Mo saw the brief upturn of his lips before he turned away.

Mo turned back to work on removing the knots from old ropes. They were beginning to really look forward to their night lessons with Izzy. As much as they loved learning new skills that could potentially save their life one day, the thing they found themselves looking forward to most each night was spending time with Izzy. While they enjoyed what time they spent with him during the day, he was different at night. He had time to talk about things, and their ritual of drinking together after their more demanding lessons had allowed him to loosen up a bit. More than anything else, he seemed to benefit from time away from the rest of the crew. Even though they were willing to drop the “Izzy the Spewer” nickname, more for Mo’s benefit than for Izzy’s, no one else had warmed up to him yet. Every day, Mo was forced to watch him walk around, tense from the pressure of being first mate, unable to really connect with anyone else on the boat. Even when they had tried pulling him aside during the day to help him calm down after dealing with a particularly intense confrontation with Stede or Lucius, he couldn’t stop worrying about how the rest of his crew would see him. He refused to show any weakness in front of them, and having emotions was deemed a weakness by pirate standards.

Mo refused to give up on helping him. Not just because he was helping them, or even because of basic human decency. As much as dick as he could be at times, Izzy had become a friend, someone to protect. It hurt Mo’s heart to see him struggle so much, so desperate for respect and approval from his captain that he would never earn. They liked seeing his rare smiles, and every time he laughed, they would think about it the rest of the day and feel a little giddy. They couldn’t understand how people couldn’t see the good in him.

Mo’s eyes widened, their hands stalling as they froze in place. “Oh shit,” they whispered under their breath, trying to ignore the way their stomach lurched. “Do…do I…,” they trailed off, before looking around to make sure no one had noticed them. They didn’t dare finish the thought out loud. The idea of someone hearing them say they had feelings for Izzy Hands was too much to handle. “Fuuuuuuck,” they groaned quietly, turning to face the open sea so no one could see the way they grimaced.

They looked around, trying to find Frenchie. They spotted him across the deck, talking to Wee John. They carefully set down the rope they were working on before making their way across the deck to their friends.

“Hey guys,” Mo interjected softly, “is it okay if I borrow Frenchie for a minute?”

Wee John and Frenchie exchanged a concerned look before nodding. Mo mumbled a “Thanks” and grabbed Frenchie’s hand, pulling him down into the ship, towards the room the crew shared.

“Mo, babes, what’s going on?” Frenchie asked as he was dragged along by his friend.

“I, uh, I’ll let you know when we get there,” they stammered.

Once they reached the room, and Mo had closed the door behind them, they dropped his hand. They pressed their back against the door, heart beating rapidly in their chest.

“Honey,” Frenchie’s voice was soft, bending down to look at Mo’s face. “Darling, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Mo shook their head.

“N-no, I’m alright. I just, uh, I just realized something and I could not be up there around everyone.” They glanced up, meeting his gaze. “Shit. I’m sorry for grabbing you like that, I guess I just thought maybe you could talk some sense into me or something.” “Alright. Yeah, I’m sure I can do that,” he said, doing his best to stay calm. “But you have to tell me what’s going on for me to help.” Mo’s eyes began to sting, their face heating up. “Okay. I’m going to tell you, but you have to promise not to laugh. Or judge me. Gods, you’re going to want to judge me, but I need you to suppress the urge because you’re my friend, okay?” Frenchie nodded solemnly, crossing his heart.

They took a shaky breath, fighting to stay calm. “Okay, so I was working on removing knots from the rope, like Izzy asked me to, and I was thinking about our night lessons, and how much I enjoy them. I mean, I’ve always loved learning things, and these things are pretty important to know with our occupation.” Mo’s eyes began to water, and they had to fight off the tremor in their voice. “But I realized that my favorite part of the lessons wasn’t the lesson itself. It was…spending time with him.” Their voice cracked. “And it has been for a while, if I’m being honest with myself. The last few days, training with him has been…special. At least to me.” They laughed weakly. “Frenchie, I think I have feelings for him, and I don’t know what to do.” They looked up at their friend, unable to stop the first few tears from spilling over.

Frenchie looked confused, clearly caught off guard by their confession, but wasted no time in wrapping his arms around Mo, holding them closely and laying their head on his chest. He carded his fingers through their hair, quietly soothing them.

“It’ll be alright, love,” he whispered. “Are you just…caught off guard by these feelings, or is there something else going on?”

Mo sniffled, holding onto Frenchie’s shirt tightly. “I don’t even know,” they mumbled. “I guess it all just hit me at once. Oh gods, what am I going to do?” they whined. “How am I supposed to continue our lessons? It’s not like he’d ever… you know…reciprocate.” They took a deep breath, forcing their heart rate to slow back down. “One thing is for sure, I can’t go back out there looking like this.” They wiped their eyes, still clinging to Frenchie.

“Why don’t you take a minute in here, alright babe? You should have a moment to process it all before having to deal with anyone else.” Mo whimpered as Frenchie rubbed their back. What they did to deserve such a friend, they would never know.

They looked up at him, managing a small smile despite it all. “You’re a good friend, Frenchie. Thank you.”

Frenchie rubbed their cheek affectionately, smiling down at them. “Anytime, love.”

Suddenly, Mo had another, more unpleasant realization. They let out a loud groan, thumping their forehead onto Frenchie’s chest, ignoring the twinge of pain from their lingering bruise.

“Fuuuuuuck. Lucius is going to know so fast. He’s like a bloodhound for complicated relationships, and then everyone will know. Oh, why me? Why Izzy? Why couldn’t it be anyone else?” They buried their face in their friend’s shirt. “My life is a cosmic joke,” they mumbled, muffled by the fabric.

“Oh, dear,” Frenchie said quietly, rubbing his hand up and down their back. “Everything will sort itself out. And if it doesn’t, I’ll be here for you.”

“How in the fuck is this suppose to sort itself out though, Frenchie?” Mo asked, hating that they let themselves get in the situation in the first place. “He’s never going to feel the same way. And he’s on a different crew, with a higher rank, working for fucking Blackbeard of all people. There’s no way this plays out well, even if he did…reciprocate.”

They sighed softly. “And now I’ll just have to continue my lessons with him, like everything’s fine. Like I didn’t do the most Me thing possible and have an entire fucking meltdown because I realized a bit too late that I have feelings for him.” They groaned, screwing their eyes shut. “Gods, I’m a fucking idiot.”

“Hey,” Frenchie said sternly, drawing their attention up to him. “You’re not a fucking idiot, babe. You’re my best friend, and you’re brilliant. You’ve got odd taste in men,” he said with a small smile, “but you’re smart, and funny, and kind. If he can’t see that, it’s his loss.”

Mo nodded, giving him a small smile.

“Thank you, Frenchie,” they said quietly. “You know you’re my best friend too.” They dried their eyes on the back of their hand, slowly pulling themselves out of Frenchie’s arms. They sniffed, wiping their nose on their sleeve. They had allowed themselves their breakdown, but now it was time to get back to business.

Mo sighed wearily. “Okay,” they said, voice unusually bleak. “I’m ready to go back out.” “You sure? You could take a few more minutes if you’re not ready.” They shook their head, giving Frenchie a quick squeeze on his upper arm. “No amount of time is going to fix this for me,” they said, looking up at their tall friend. “I can’t dwell on it. All I can do is go out there and…deal with it. Somehow.”

Frenchie frowned. “Alright,” he said after a moment. “If you’re sure. You know, though, I’m always here for you.”

Mo smiled weakly. “I know, love. I’m always going to be here for you too. So,” they added, making an attempt to get their joking spirit back, “when it’s your turn to realize a crush and then have a total breakdown about it, I’ll be ready to return the favor.” They took his hand in theirs. “Now c’mon, let’s get back out there before Izzy realizes we aren’t doing our jobs. Last thing I need right now is the emotional whiplash of him yelling at me.”

That night, Mo sat on deck, waiting for Izzy. They had pushed a crate over to the railing so they could perch on it, looking out over the sea and the way the moonlight danced on the water. Before too long, they heard the fall of familiar footsteps.

“Hey, Iz,” they said, not bothering to turn around. “Isn’t the water beautiful tonight?”

Izzy sat down next to them. “Yeah, I guess it is.” He cleared his throat. “I overheard Wee John telling Bonnet about you running off with your mate Frenchie earlier today. He said you seemed upset.” He paused, swallowing thickly. “I guess I wanted to see if you were alright.” He glanced over, but Mo still did not turn towards him.

Instead, they looked down at their hands as they fiddled with their ring. Normally, Izzy noticing that they were upset and asking about them would make them feel over the moon, but tonight it felt like a cruel joke. The moment they realized what they wanted, something that could never be, that’s when he started being nice.

Mo sighed. “Yeah,” they said flatly. “Yeah, I’m okay. I just had a rough day.” They finally glanced over at Izzy, who hadn’t broken his stare. “Sorry for dragging Frenchie away from his work, and abandoning my own job. It won’t happen again.”

Izzy furrowed his brow. “It’s alright,” he said, uncharacteristically offhandedly. “What happened to make today rough, if you don’t mind me asking?” His voice was so gentle, it made Mo want to cry. He cleared his throat. “If something is happening among the crew to cause stress, I need to know. Part of the job.”

Mo could feel the muscles in their shoulders tighten, their jaw clenching. They could feel the emotions bubbling up, but they had no choice but to stomp them down. Izzy wouldn’t understand. Any big emotions scared him, and this emotion would have him jumping over the railing to get away.

“I’m sorry,” Mo managed, voice shaking. “I-I can’t talk about it. It’s all just…a bit much right now.” They sniffled. “So, you ready for our lesson?” they asked weakly, desperate to change the subject. “I was thinking maybe we could try fist fighting again.”

Izzy frowned, studying their face closely. “You sure you’re up for that?” he asked after a few seconds. “If you’re not feeling well, we don’t have to train tonight. Like you said, we shouldn’t be wearing ourselves ragged.” Mo smiled weakly. “So now you’re using my own advice against me? Low blow, Izzy.”

Izzy gave a small smile. “Anything to keep you from hurting yourself.” His words felt like a knife in their heart as they clambered off the crate onto their feet. “Please, Iz, just fight me. A little pain might actually ground me right now.” They chuckled sadly. “It’s better than getting piss drunk. Or at least I think it is.”

Izzy sighed tiredly, looking out over the ocean. The sad sound tugged at Mo’s heartstrings.

“Is there anything else that would ground you?” he asked, looking at them intently. “Something that wouldn’t break your ribs?”

Mo shrugged. “Nothing that I’ve found,” they answered honestly. “It’s always either been fighting or, when it gets really bad, drinking. I know it’s probably not the best coping in the world, but it’s better than mindless sex or drugs.” They paused, sighing. “Again, that’s my guess. I’ve never been one for either, but who knows.”

Izzy stood up from the crate, an odd look on his face as he walked to stand in front of Mo. He gazed down at them, his expression nervous but determined. He slowly stepped forward, closing the gap between them as he leaned down to kiss them.

The kiss was soft at first. Feeling Mo kiss him back, Izzy wrapped his arms around them, pulling them closer as their hands went to the back of his neck. Very quickly it grew in intensity until the two were struggling to breathe, each unwilling to pull away first from their frenzied embrace. Izzy’s hands went down to settle on Mo’s waist, and Mo pulled back, breaking the kiss.

“Wait, wait,” they stammered, panting gently. “What is this?” they asked, their voice quiet as they searched his face for answers.

Izzy’s expression was soft as he looked down at them. “It’s what you need.” He leaned back down, recapturing their lips.

Mo pushed against Izzy’s chest, forcing him away and breaking the kiss.

“No, no, no, no. I can’t do this, Izzy! Not-not with you!”

He pulled back, hurt flashing across his face.

“I’m sorry, it’s not what you think,” they rushed to explain. “It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just, I- I can’t do this with you!”

He swallowed hard, using one hand to smooth his hair back. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly, his voice low and gruff. “I must have misread the situation.” He tried to walk away, but Mo reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him back.

“Izzy, no! It’s not what you think, it’s not that I don’t want to, I just can’t!” “Why?!” he demanded, stepping closer to look down at them. “If it’s really not what I think, then what is it?”

Mo faltered. This wasn’t something that should just be blurted out. They tried to speak, but the words got stuck in their throat, leaving them squeaking and fumbling over words.

“For fuck’s sake, Mo! Just spit it out already!” A spark of anger ignited in Mo’s chest, burning away at their caution. “This is for your sake, asshole!” Mo spat. “I’m trying to find the right way to say it so I don’t freak you out, but I guess that’s unavoidable because you have no fucking patience! So you wanna know what it is?”

Izzy nodded, holding his arms out to the side. His face was red with anger as he glared at them.

“I have fucking feelings for you, you dick!” They faltered, their anger fading away. “I just…I can’t do this with you and then pretend in the morning that I don’t want to stay with you. I can’t do that and then just be friends, or colleagues, or whatever the fuck it is you’ve been calling whatever we are. I can’t be that close to having everything I want just to walk away in the morning and pretend like I’m fine.” They sighed, covering their face with their hands. They breathed heavily, slowly realizing the weight of what they had just revealed.

“Look,” Mo said, slowly peeling their hands back down, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blurt that out to you. You don’t have to say anything. Well, maybe something.” They chuckled halfheartedly. “You-you don’t have to feel any pressure, is what I meant. I get it, you’re…not like me.”

Mo glanced up at Izzy. His face was stony, impossible to read. His eyes flitted around, his mind clearly going a mile a minute even as he stayed frozen in place.

“Iz?” they asked cautiously. “Please say something. Anything. Or punch me. Just…something, please.” Izzy stayed silent, refusing to look Mo in the eye.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he spoke, still averting his eyes.

“Did Spriggs put you up to this?” His voice was flat, all fight gone from it.

“W-what?” Mo stammered out. “No, Lucius doesn’t even know. I mean, he might suspect something, since he’s basically a psychic when it comes to stuff like this, but I haven’t told him. The only one who knows is Frenchie, and that’s just because I had a public fucking meltdown on deck today about it.” They faltered. “Why would you think someone put me up to this?” Izzy’s mouth tightened, locking his jaw as he turned his face away.

Mo’s heart dropped. “Oh, Izzy,” they whispered. “I’m not saying this for anyone else. I promise, this is real. All of these fucked up emotions are mine.” They slowly reached out, ignoring the way their hand shook, and cupped his cheek, turning his face to look at them. “I promise, Iz.” His eyes, normally either ice cold or shooting daggers, were vulnerable. His face was guarded, but his eyes betrayed him, the sheen showing nothing but fear and hurt. His mustache twitched as they looked at him, betraying the nerves he was working so hard to hide. He looked devastated.

Mo dropped their hand, looking down at their feet. “I shouldn’t have said anything,” they said under their breath. “I’m such a fucking idiot. Look, we can just forget this whole thing,” they proposed. “I-I’ll just go to bed. It’ll be like this never happened. And if you want to stop out night lessons…I get it.” They ignored the prickling in their eyes, fiddling with a drawstring on their pants absent mindedly.

Fighting to keep their last bit of courage, they slowly forward, pressing a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Sleep well, Izzy,” they whispered, blinking away tears as they pulled back.

Mo made it through the door leading into the lower area of the ship before the tears began to fall. They forced themselves to keep walking, refusing to give in to the urge to just lean against the hallway wall and sob. They finally made it to the doorway of the crew’s sleeping quarters, forcing their breathing to return to normal and their shoulders to stop shaking before opening the door.

They crept through the crowded room to curl up next to Frenchie. The tall man stirred when he felt Mo tugging gently at a blanket, and shifted over, holding the blanket up for them to slide under. He first noticed the streaks of tears when they sat down, gently brushing away the salt water as Mo laid their head on his chest. He wrapped his arms tightly around them, playing with their hair and gently shooshing them as they shook with emotion. It took at least half an hour for them to stop trembling and sniffling, and at least another hour before they were able to drift into an uneasy sleep.

[carrinth]

The (Re)Adventures of Marzel Amell

Sooooooo ok I ended up binge playing DA:O for the last two weeks. And it might as well have been a blind playthrough because I forgot almost everything ^_^;; Below are Carrinth's Random Observations or Things That Have Happened to Marzel (Redux):

DA armor is still ugly as sin. I'm sorry. Robes 4 lyfe.

Man I tell you, a single Heal spell makes ALL the difference. Especially early on when you don't have money or potions or skillz. Dying less apparently makes game moar fun! SHOCKING.

I have recruited Sten.

I have also recruited Shale for the first time. I love Shale. Shale is best rock. Squish me. (Not really pls don't Shale) DLC ftw!

Sten really, really, REALLY likes my warden this time wtf. His affection is the HIGHEST of everyone, second only to dog. I have no idea how that happened. O_O I just RP-ed Marzel as being very indifferent to Sten. "I'm not here to impress you, bruh." Sten is a tsundere confirmed.

I did the FADE quest. Again. I told myself it wasn't as bad this round and that I'm fine but obviously I'm not fine but you just have to hold it in and my bags are full of junk and I need to sell them bcos I needs the money but I can't leave pls pls let me out LET ME OUT!2111

Wynne talking about what makes an abomination made me have Anders/Justice feels. "If one retains one's humanity, one is not an abomination." 😥

Still bff with Jowan. We bros for life. Alistair didn't like that.

"Teagan! Who iZ dis mAN?" Idk but the second round I really enjoyed her voice-acting. She's a distraught mother close to hysterics. It's amazingly hilarious and compelling! <3

Wait. Wait. I totally forgot about Connor. So wait. We CAN CURE demonic possession??? I thought it was permanent?! No way of saving but death via a pokey sword yadda yadda?? Omg is this one of those 'we could cure you but it's too expensive and you can't afford it' scenarios? IT IS. Poor farmer's kid can't afford a pile of lyrium but if you're the son of an arl? No problem! Whole Circle bending over just to help you. Wow. Goddamn. Chantry/Circle seriously just kill mages because it's the cheaper alternative! >:O

MMmmmm. People say I should save Orzammar for last because it is harder. But. Oghren. But. Difficult. But OGHREN. But BROODMOTHER. DO YOU NOT REMEMBER THE SUFFERING OF DEEP ROADS?! .......... OGHREN. Marzel and friends died a lot. Mostly because I stubbornly wanted my party to consist of Oghren and Shale. That's like, two warriors ugh. We got by. Shale extra conversations were worth it ;)

Got Flemeth's grimoire for Morrigan. Formed a team made only of dude-bros to help Marzel get laid. Which meant they had to make do without any healing or bard song. I named them... the Snu Snu Squad (affectionate). Zevran died almost immediately. (Note: Dragon bum be dangerous position) Marzel stupidly killed his own self with blood magic while throwing his single Heal spell >_> MVP goes to Alistair for keeping alive long enough to whittle away Flemeth's health and died just exact moment Sten landed a killing blow. Grimoire was given and snu snu was had!

Marzel is in weird love triangle where all romancable persons love him. This cannot end well.

Why are there so many Desire demons? Holy crap, with the DLCs I have encountered no less than 4. Were there always this many?? Are Fereldans so horny?

People who challenge MAGES to duels deserve to die... from stupidity. I don't make the rules. You sir, have a pointy stick. Marzel can conjure blizzards and crushing barriers with his fingertips. We are not the same.

MANA CLASH IS OP.

Ok I just read codex that those Wild Sylvan trees are possessed by Rage demons?? Omg. They are Angry Trees. Low-key wanna see Justice fight Angry Trees while yelling about demons.

Haha I missed this game. Now onward to Sacred Ashes and moar stuff I can't remember!

[serpentjoe96]

My latest horrible idea: Hamilton as Invader Zim, aka The Irken Revolution  hip-hopera

Cast:

Zim - Alexander Hamilton (duh)

(Irken) Dib - Burr

Skoodge - John Lawrence/Philip Hamilton

Purple -  Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson

Red - Hercules Mulligan/ Madison

Tak - Angelica Schuyler

Tenn - Eliza Schuyler

(Irken) Gaz - Peggy/Maria Reynolds

Control Brains - King George

Tallest Miyuki - George Washington

Cross-over plot:

The Irkens rebel against the control brains which were once considered the benevolent rulers but have since been treating the Irken race like mindless slaves.

Zim, a young defective smeet wants to prove himself in the war and comes to New Irk (🎵in New Irk you can be a new man) to join the revolution. There he meets Dib, a smart, calculating Irken who is also defective but was able to hide his defection by being more reserved (Talk less, smile more). He also meets and bonds with Skoodge, a well good hearted and determined young soldier, as well as Red and Purple who are also eager to get in on the action of the revolution and carve out a name for themselves.

The resistance is looking bleak for the Irken general and leader: Almighty Tallest Miyuki, who hears about Zim’s eager and aggressive tactics and calls on him to be her right hand man (much to the disappointment of Dib who also wanted the position) - meanwhile the boys are all doing what young Irkens who have recently stopped suppressing their Hormons do and are checking out the LADIES!

Zim takes an interest in a trio of elite female soldiers called the Sky-Soldiers (or Skydier Sisters) who he meets through Dib as one of them is Dib’s smeet-mate Gaz. Initially, Zim clicks with Tak who meets him on a level of passion and determination he’s never encountered before, but quickly shifts his focus to Tenn when Tak pushes him in that direction. Tak and Tenn are incredibly close and would both die for each other. Tenn is very sweet and Tak knows she’s into Zim so she pushes them together despite her own attraction to Zim (yeah, we are throwing IZ canon COMPLETELY out the window with this one.) Zim and Tak remain close friends.

Zim and Tenn are mated. Dib is jealous of Zim’s continued success but continues to  scheme and plan and 🎵WAIT FOR IT!🎶 Zim meanwhile is butting heads with Miyuki who is trying to hold him back from his desire to destroy and blow up stuff. Zim and Tenn are stationed on separate fronts but Tenn requests leave when she discovers that she’s pregnant and, much to Zim’s disappointment, Miyuki gives him leave too - blah blah “stay alive,” “ten duel commandments,” “meet me inside,” “that would be enough” all that goes down within the perimeters of the AU.

Purple, Skoodge, and Red bring back armies of defective Irkens and  ally-Vortians to help join the fight and Miyuki finally calls on Zim to lead this new  Battalion in a last surge against the control brains. (🎵We’ve won- we’ve won! WE’VE WON! WE’VE WON!) the World turns upside down.

Once the war is over Zim and Tenn have a son. (I donno, maybe it’s Skoodge, maybe it’s Gir.) then Zim and Dib go into the law together until Tallest Miyuki invites Zim to be her treasury-secretary (or whatever).

Then POLITICS!

Purple come back from his time as ambassador to Vort and reconnects with Red who isn’t happy about how Zim is managing the government (also red is racists because Zim was a defective). Purple has been made secretary of state and comes in opposed to Zim’s plans. - Zim gets seriously stressed out and can’t leave with Tenn and Tak and the kids to go on their planned vacation to Plookasia because he has to work.

Meanwhile Gaz shows up with con in her back-pocket and seduces Zim in order to exploit him.

Dib gets increasingly frustrated with how Zim just seems to get away with whatever he wants and is jealous of Zim’s power so he runs against Tenn for a position on the counsel and beats her - permanently damaging his friendship with Zim.

Purple wants the Irkens to assist in the war that is breaking out on Vort but Zim talks Miyuki out of sending troops because it’s stupid and they are not strong enough to fight in someone else’s civil war.

Purple, Red, and Dib plot to take down Zim. (🎵It must be nice, it must be nice, to have Miyuki on your side🎵)

Tallest Miyuki is tired and wants to retire so she steps down from leadership and is replaced by Tallest Spork. (Welcome folks to the Spork administration.) Spork is friends with Purple and makes Purple his second, firing Zim.

Purple and Red, still threatened by Zim, confront him about what happened with Gaz. Zim flips his shit and reveals the truth that he was sleeping with her and she exploited him. - he continues to flip his shit and tells everyone about it before he can be blackmailed again. Tenn is heart broken (she hopes that he buuuuurns🎶) and their son dies in a duel over the scandal. (Blah blah- “it’s quiet uptown”)

Spork ends up being a horrible Tallest (not actually like John Adam’s. John Adam’s is still the fucking best and I love him, fight me) And now Purple is Running for tallest against Dib… which, ya know… follows the same final plot as the musical without really any deviation or further explanations needs.

Okay, there’s my war crime fan fic summery. This would be much better as a series of animations but I can barely draw and DEFINITELY can’t animate. So have some word crimes.

[urproblematicfav-arsonk]

Obsessed with the idea that Jack going off to fuck with Ed and Stede was a favor to Iz and not like any care to Ed at all. Sad emotional baby Izzy shows up crying and touching candles and Jack's like "yup whatever this guy wants". Everyone in the world is at least slightly in love with Edward Teach meanwhile Jack is aggressively neutral and only interested in his angry and anxious housewife sending him on side quests

[dragonmuse]

I know you said in the one winged dove verse no one finds Read and she ends up drifting from the city. Any chance she’ll end up drifting over to where Izzy and Luicus are? (I just want her to be okay and have Izzy take care of her, I am a simple person with simple needs.)

(my girl! Can't leave her out in the world, adrift, you're absolutely right. )

The world felt insurmountably big sometimes.  Read let the wind blow her slowly west. There were jobs here and there, things that no one minded paying cash for a day or so. Enough to keep body and soul together, but not enough to tie her down. 

Every so often, she’d go into a library and use the computers to visit sites she’d long since memorized. Everyone still locked up, everyone still glued down. The missing persons report on her lingered, but was never updated.  

On her twenty-second birthday, she reached the ocean. It was warm here at least and if she slept on the beach that night, well so did a lot of people. No one noticed another. There wasn’t any cash left any way. She found the main drag and walked down it, sharp eye out for ‘Help Wanted’ signs. 

When she heard the roar of a bike, she walked towards it. Sometimes, if she used the right words, bikers recognized her as one of thiers to some extent and might spot her a meal or at least tip her off to some work. 

But it wasn’t a group of bikers at all. The shop was nice looking from the outside. Clean and well-maintained. Maybe they’d still let in some cheap day labor if she asked right. There was a clean copy of her resume in her backpack, kept in a folder to prevent wrinkling. It had helped her look more reputable on more than one occasion.

She just needed to sit down for a second first, she realized. Just for a minute. There was a bench on the sidewalk, a bus stop it looked like. It wasn’t a bad thing to sit for a second, let the world stop swimming. 

Maybe she should’ve tried to steal something this morning. Her stomach clenched at nothing and she was tired as hell. It was all so tiring. The ache in her feet from walking, the fog in her brain from not enough sleep. And the fear that clung every waking second, that she’d be found or worse...or worse just be like this forever. Lost. 

“Hey, kid,” someone said and she froze. “You know the bus doesn’t come for another hour. Or at all sometimes.” 

“I’m not waiting for the bus,” she said bleakly. “Thanks though.” 

The stranger sat down on the other side of the bench. “Not a lot of cabs or things around here either. It’s off-season, almost nothing doing around here.” 

“Fucking great,” she scrubbed at her face with one hand. 

“You need to get somewhere?” 

She turned her head. He was in a gray coverall, name patch over the pocket that dubbed him ‘Izzy’. What the hell kind of name was that? Sounded like a kid or something. He didn’t look like a kid though. Grizzled a little around the edges, even the little skin she could see, marked with fading black tattoos. His hair was longish, steel gray and slicked back from his face. 

Not a safe looking person, but Read was at the end of her luck and her rope today. 

“I’m looking for work. Cheap place to sleep after that.” 

“Easier said than done around here,” he nodded. “You were headed inside?” 

“Yes.” 

“Boss doesn’t come in for another hour or two,” he got up. “C’mon. I was getting everyone’s breakfast order anyway. You can help me carry it back. People who bring food, get their foot in the door.” 

“Yeah?” She got to her feet. “I don’t know a ton about bikes, but I can do maintenance stuff. Change oil whatever.” 

“Don’t need to convince me, I don’t hire anyone,” he shrugged.  

They walked in silence down the block. He seemed not to care that a shaggy-haired, androgynous giant dogged his steps. He hadn’t even asked her name. There was a diner at the end of the street and he dipped inside, so she followed. 

“Hey Iz,” the hostess greeted. “We’re almost done with the order. You want a coffee too?” 

“Yeah, Jesse. Can you throw in an extra breakfast burrito?” 

“Sure thing, what do you want on it?” 

Izzy turned to look at Read, “Tell the lady.” 

“Uh...” It felt like a trick, but she was too hungry to care. They were in public at least and they knew him here, clearly. Big risk if he tried something. “Fully loaded, whatever you can shove in there.” 

“Man after my own heart,” Jesse laughed and Read didn’t correct her. Izzy frowned, but didn’t say anything either. Jesse typed into her computer. “I’ll bring you coffee while you wait, okay?” 

“Thanks,” Izzy took a seat at an empty table and after an awkward few seconds, Read sat down across from him.  Jesse returned with two steaming paper cups and set them down along with milk. 

“Thank you,” Read said quietly. Jesse didn’t seem to hear, heading back to her station. 

“You been on the road awhile?” Izzy asked, ignoring both milk and sugar to sip at his black coffee. Gross. Read tipped sugar and milk into her cup. 

“Long enough.” 

“I kicked around a little on my way out here,” he nodded. “Road can get long sometimes.” 

“It can,” she nodded. “But you know. It’s whatever.” 

He didn’t ask anything else, just slowly drank his coffee until Jesse came back with a big paper bag that he took.

“Putting this on Alice’s card?” She checked. 

“Yeah, it’s her turn. C’mon, kid, let’s go.” 

“I’m not a kid,” Read protested, clinging to her coffee as she followed him out. 

“Give me a name to work with then.” 

“Read.” 

“Ok, then. Izzy, obviously.”

When they got back to the shop, the other mechanics swarmed around Izzy as he handed out orders. Some of them gave her a quick look, but no one asked what she was doing there. 

“Put it on your tab,” Izzy told a stout woman with a purple mohawk. Her nametag did say ‘Alice’. 

“I’m not playing darts with you ever again,” Alice said without any heat. 

“I told you!” One of the guys yelled out from the back. 

“Give it a few years, my eye sight’ll go and then you’ll get lucky,” Izzy smirked. “Take your gross omelet already.” 

She took her box, and retreated to sit with a few of the guys. Izzy reached into the bag and handed Read a fat cylinder wrapped in foil. Then he crumpled the bag. 

“You didn’t get anything?” She tried not to unwrap the burrito too quickly. Her fingers were shaking a little. Shit. 

“Already ate, but we all take turns getting food together. Might as well sit tight and eat that thing. I’d take it slow. Too much on an empty stomach can be hell.” 

Read wanted to argue, but her stomach was empty and she had done that once or twice. She retreated to a corner where she’d be out of the way and there was a stack of tires she could sit on. Izzy ignored his chatting co-workers in favor of starting work, apparently. He squatted down next to a mud covered bike, then reached for some tool or another. 

An hour later, Read was full and drowsy with it, but stayed alert waiting for her moment. Eventually, a burly guy with more tattoos then skin stuck his head around the door, “Which one of you motherfuckers took a bit out of my bearclaw?” 

Alice started laughing and the guy groaned, “You should be arrested.” 

“You shouldn’t re-assign my work cause I took a few hours off,” she said serenity. 

“Lesson learned.” 

“Hey, boss,” Izzy got to his feet. “Got a sec?” 

“Yeah, sure.” 

Read watched warily as the two talked. The boss’ eyes flicked to Read at one point and she tried to look...trustworthy? Reliable? Whatever she could project by sitting up straight. 

Eventually the guy gestures to her and she levers herself up. When she reaches them, Izzy broke off and went back to work. 

“You know some maintenance stuff, apparently?” He asked with a frown. 

“Some. I learn fast.” 

“Yeah, that and a dollar will get me half a coke,” he shook his head.  “But it’s your lucky day. Our last receptionist quit in a hurry to follow some guy to Montreal or something. You think you could answer a phone, make some appointments?” 

“Sure,” she nodded. “Is there software?” 

“No. It’s all paper. I’ll give you a hundred cash for subbing today. After that, I do thinks legal here, you understand?” 

“Yes,” she agreed readily.  

“I’m only agreeing to this because Izzy said you were trustworthy,” he didn’t look convinced. “And he’s got a knack for that. He said your name was Read? That first or last or a nickname?” 

“Last name.” 

“I’ll get you paperwork. You gotta fill it out fully, but if you just want to be Read, none of us care. I go by Smalls.” 

“All right,” she said with some relief. ”Thank you. For giving me a chance.”

“Thank, Izzy. But not right now. He’s rebuilding an engine and he gets cranky if he’s interrupted.” 

It didn’t take long to figure out the system. They kept the appointments in one book, list of  clients in alphabetical order in another. It was old school and a little weird, but she got used to it. There were a few finer points she had to ask questions about and each time she asked Smalls looked more and more relaxed. Like he wanted her to ask. So that was good. 

At the end of the day, she had enough money for dinner or a hotel and was wavering on that outside when Izzy, now out of the coveralls and just in a t-shirt and jeans came up next to her. 

“You said you were looking for a place to stay for the night. I’ve got a couch.” 

“Oh yeah?” She snorted. “I should just come to your house?” 

“You can go sleep on the beach another night, but patrol comes around more often than you think.” 

“How’d you-” 

“Sand in the hood of your sweatshirt. Don’t have any clothes that would fit you, but some of my boyfriend’s shit might.” 

“Guys with boyfriends still pull shit sometimes,” she crossed her arms over her chest. 

“Hey, I think you’re smart as hell making it this long. Got good instincts. But if you want to find a place to land, you got to stay somewhere eventually.” 

She wavered, a little. He wasn’t wrong. And he had fed her and gotten her work then left her alone. He hadn’t given her one weird look or hesitated to make sure people knew to associate them together. 

Then he dug into his pocket and pulled out a switchblade, closed. He offered it to her. 

“Go on,” he said when she hesitated. “You should have one anyway.” 

“I did,” she took it, trying to blink back tears all of a sudden. “I...it got lost somewhere.” 

“Yeah,” he said softly. “Bet it did. We can get to my place on foot.”

“Okay,” she swallowed thickly and walked beside him in silence down the road. 

They passed the diner and a few other small shops. Everything did look closed up. Lots of the shops had ‘see you next summer!’ signs on them or warnings about limited hours. 

“Isn’t it warm all year round here?” She asked. 

“Yeah, but we’re a little out of the way for normal tourists. Tends to be people with enough money for a second house, but not enough for one in a fancy spot. Or families with more of a budget. Hobby yachters and fishers too. Population basically doubles in June, then halves again at the end of August.” 

“Is there anything to do for the rest of the year?” 

“Enjoy some peace and fucking quiet,” he snorted and turns down a small street. 

At the end of the road is a small, but graceful house with wide windows. It’s got a strangely beautiful door, and steps laden with curlicue carvings. She waits for him to turn to one of the other cabins, but Izzy head straight for the jewel-box house. The front door opens before he got to the top step. 

“Iz,” the man said affectionately. “Another one?” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Izzy stepped into the man’s personal space and tilted his face to receive a kiss. 

Over the course of the night, Read discovers that Izzy made nearly everything beautiful in the house except for the art on the walls which is Lucius’ work. There are lot of nudes, of all kinds which should be creepy, but none of them look like porno. They’re graceful, people caught in their element or resting casually, folds of skin and blemishes left as they were. She eats a very good dinner and at Lucius' insistance, uses the shower, borrowing some sweatpants and a t-shirt that almost fit. 

The couch was comfortable and far enough away from their bedroom that she’d hear the creak of the stairs. Or she would’ve if she hadn’t fallen into a deep sleep. 

Izzy walked back with her to the shop the next morning and she did the paperwork. Her clothes were clean, belly full and she had more energy than she had had in ages. At the end of the day,  Izzy waited for her like she was obviously coming with him. 

He did that over and over. Until a few days turned into a month then two months. She had a bank account again, money in it too. 

“I should find a place,” she tested the waters one night. “Like a room or something. So you can use your living room again.” 

Lucius wrinkled his nose, “Around here? I guess there might be some mildewy place or something. Assholes bought up a lot of the useful property for air bnbs a long time ago.” 

“He’s not wrong,” Izzy was at the stove, making some kind of hash. Saturdays were quiet days. 

“I could go a town or two over.” 

“You could,” Izzy didn’t sound sold on that either. 

“There’s the attic,” Lucius suggested. 

“What attic?” Read sat up a little. 

“Ceilings are slanted,” Izzy warned. “Need to get an a/c unit or something up there too doubt the central is doing it.” 

“This time of year, you can just open a window.” Lucius got to his feet. “C’mon.” 

So Read followed him up the stairs. Their room was on the right with the bathroom, Lucius’ small studio to the left. Read still barely noticed the attic door until Lucius grabbed the string and tugged down a full set of stairs. 

At the top of them was a room that stretched the lenght of the house. There were a few boxes in one corner and it was hot. A beautiful circular window that she had noticed from outside was directly opposite the stairs. Lucius went and opened it and the ocean breeze flooded in. 

The ceiling was slanted naturally, but at the center, it was nearly twelve feet high, comfortable for her even with a bed maybe. 

“It’s dead space,” Lucius smiled faintly. “He wanted to offer it to you week one, but figured you’d be freaked out.” 

“Yeah,” she agreed. “I’m...still kind of freaked out.” 

“It’s your call, but we like having you around,” Lucius gave her one of his wry smiles. “He likes company, more than he’d admit.” 

“I like his company,” she said loyally. “...yeah. Let’s try it.” 

Trying it lasted for three years. Until Read met a beautiful woman with dark red hair, and even then, she didn’t move far. Just to a bungalow a few streets over. And if she invited herself over for dinner a few times a week, Izzy and Lucius never protested.

[hateswifi]

The Weight: Part Two

So I decided to do a quick, much requested, continuation. Sorry this took so long... life is shit. TW: Lack of worth

Read part one

——————————————-

After Marinette’s break down, the spa nights had become a weekly thing. She was looking forward to this Friday night even though it was only Tuesday.

Yesterday there had been a three hour akuma battle, Chat had only showed up for the last hour and even when he was there he was flirting or complaining about Honey being there. Honey had been there within the first fifteen minutes of the battle.

“Chat! Please, people are dying we need you help,” Ladybug pleads as she tries to sheiks herself from an incoming blow.

“Only if we have a victory date! And! An apology for taking so long,” Chat smiles.

“She has a boyfriend!” Honey calls from a nearby roof.

“Nope! She’s lying about that, I’m the only one for her,” Chat says, jumping down to join the fight. After the fight was done, which took forty minutes after Chat joined.

“Let’s go my Lady!” Chat exclaims, Ladybug sighs and just lets herself be dragged. It was when they were in a private place where she revoked his miraculous. She cried as she ran away, now knowing that the person who used to be her kitty was the reason for a majority of her pain.

She’s brought back to reality by a hand flying into her view. She grabbed the hand right before it made a connection to her face.

For the next half hour she had to listen to shouting from the class and a lecture from Bustier about how she shouldn’t touch other students, and even after she tried to explain that Alya was about to touch her before stopping the hand, Bustier was having none of it. She sighed and watched the clock tick, she focused on the ticking, hoping to drown out the vain noise.

As the days went by, she could feel how her mental and emotional health was tanking and continued to look forward to Friday. Sure her and Chloe did stuff in the middle of the week to keep her sane, but there was something about the reset that a spa night brought that she couldn’t help but to look forward to it.

When Friday actually came, she rushed home after school and grabbed her over-night, left without saying goodbye to her parents, and hurried over to Chloe’s.

When she got there nothing was set up like past weeks, she looked over at Chloe with furrowed eyebrows and Chloe shrugged and looked at her closet. Marinette cautiously approached the closet and opened it.

“Hello, Angel, I was informed you needed a hug,” Damian says, his arms opened just a bit.

Marinette dropped her bag and let herself be enveloped in his warm embrace. “god… I just it’s just so hard,” Marinette sobs into his chest. “He used to be my best friend and it’s like he backstabbed me. People tell me to kill myself and the world would be better without me… and sometimes I can’t help to wonder if it’s true. I mean I know it’s not true but word have powers.” Damian just let’s her cry, rubbing circles on her back, and whispering reassurances into her hair in between kisses

——————————————-

Permanent tag list:

@ash-amg @bee-wrecker @damianette-is-life @mjisntme @i-will-be-your-ace @k-poplunardreams @chocolateherringtacofan @toodaloo-kangaroo @i-is-mysterious @zambie-trashart @imnotfluffy @nanakeid @animegirlweeb @long-lost-peace @iamablinkmarvelarmy @iamtheproblemchild @lilyreadbooks12 @abrx2002 @genderfluidmoma

Tag List:

@sturchling @themcclan @so-it-goes-my-summer-rose @spartanxhunterx @thatonecroc @jessigurl-design @iz-bell-saiah

[dana-chan-the-control-brain]

oh shit. top 5 zim eps :o

Awww man.

I guess I'll just go with my gut and not second guess myself here.

1. Zim eats Waffles.

I wouldn't call this the "definitive" invader zim episode, or even a episode to recommend to someone who's never seen the show.

But it's my all time favorite and I absolutely love that nothing happens in it.

Dib's increasing frustration is halarious and it's probably the boredom he has every day when he spies on Zim.

I love slice of life style/ feels like one shot episodes like this.

There's also a lot of silent humor in this one and long pauses of nothing happening, which IZ doesn't do often.

Also a lot of wholesome slice of life moments with Zim and GIR which is what I live for.

2. Nightmare Begins.

There isn't much to say about the first IZ episode that has never been said before.

But it is such a good first episode. Not just in IZ but in animation and television in general, and I feel this episode needs to be STUDIED.

From the first shot, you know your in for something special and it does something that I don't see done in too many cartoons these days.

It introduces the characters and setting in a very meaningful and atmospheric way. First impressions and appearances are everything, and from the very first line, it doesn't even feel like an introduction.

It just feels like you already know who these people are.

The Tallest's introduction has them bickering with each other.

Zim's introduction has his leaders fear him and have him asset attention and anxiety as the title character.

Membrane acts to busy to spend time with his son, Gaz is annoyed by her brother, Dib is introduced as a dumb kid who watched the matrix once and thinks he's cool, by riding the gutter of the roof and splashing into the sink immediately.

Like it works so well as character introductions, setting introductions and premise introductions.

In some cartoons sometimes I feel the introductions can be... Over the top, or like they try way to hard on a first impression like:

"HELLO, HI! I AM THIS CHARACTER! LOOK HOW QUIRKY I AM! DONT YOU WANTA STAY WITH ME FOR 25 EPISODES?! WAAATTCH ME"

Even Gravity Falls, my beloved, is guilty of this in the first episode.

With Invader Zim, they just have the characters interact with each other and there's not too many pandering moments. Even GIR's introduction is massively understated.

Nightmare Begins needs to be studied for what they accomplish in tone, setting, character introduction, and premise all in less than 30 mins. (I can't even imagine this thing with commercial breaks back in the day)

Just... Nightmare Begins.

It's good. Amazing. And starts IZ so strong then it has any right to.

3. Backseat Drivers from Beyond the Stars

You forget this episode is only 30 mins.

It honestly feels like a short movie and the chaos in the last act is such (chefs kiss)

It was nice to actually see the Vortians after hearing about them for so long, and other aliens that actually tried to do something about Irken Galatic conquest (although screaming and massive anxiety)

I just love the third act and the ending where every single setup in the first act is blowing up in Zim's face all at once, and they threw in the Robo Parents for good measure too, cause why not? Lol.

4. The Wettening

The episode that actually made me stay and watch more of the show.

Before the wettening, all the episodes felt kinda "samey" to me.

Alien misinterprets a common Earth or skool thing, anxiety spirals out of control, horror and/or chaos insues.

It's why I stopped watching the show at Dark Harvest the first time I watched it.

I just felt there was just so much you could do with Zim as a character.

Boy I'm glad I was wrong.

While NanoZim also had a Dib and Zim fight, this is where I felt it was the most intense and I understood what the show wanted to be.

Skoolyard bully kid fights, on a massive scale.

In a lot of ways the wettening is kind of the pre curser to Battle of the Planets.

But unlike BofP, The Wettening keeps the focus on Dib and Zim's fight and interactions the whole way through.

Even leading the audience to get a bit of sympathy towards Zim, cause Dib is just being a bully.

And my jaw pretty much hit the floor with how the episode resolves.

It's just one of my favorite episodes and it made me stick around and continue to watch the show. And I'm so glad I did.

5. Tak the Hideous New Girl

Now... This isn't because of Tak herself.

While Tak is an okay and interesting character in her own right,

And the Irken reveal genuinely shocked me at the time (cause I was watching the show blind, so I had no idea she was irken. Even despite the obvious spaceship cus that's just how the show is sometimes... Like there's underground classrooms I'm not going to question a private weenie jet.)

What I really like about this episode is in the third act or climax...

Where Gaz, GIR, Dib, Zim (and even Computer) all work together to take down Tak. And there has absolutely been nothing in this entire franchise like it sense.

Dib turns off Tak's machine and supplies Zim with MiMi's memory disc that he got from Gaz.

Gaz in turn, reprograms MiMi with GIR's and Computer's help...

Which in turn causes Zim to win the spaceship battle and defeat Tak..

Just in time Dib puts the earth back to normal.

Tak the Hideous New Girl gave me a glimpse of what can happen when there is a larger threat they need to stand up against...

AND THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN THE FRANCHISE SINCE.

A lot of the stuff with Zim trying to romance Tak is halarious and good and Tak's backstory is legitimately pitiful....

But I ultimately come to this episode again and again for that third act high that I know they will never do in the comics or ever again.

[thejolexgroupchat]

the one where they met in med school - part sixteen

hospital mergers and new friends

Hi everyone! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. We are so excited for you to read this next part. Let us know what you think in the comments. Happy reading!!

@iamtrebleclefstories​ @doc-pickles​ and Nat!

———

(July 2008) 

"Today's the day," Jo announced as she walked into Meredith's hospital room, a bowl of soup in hand. She placed the steaming bowl on the bedside tray in front of Meredith. "I saw a whole bunch of people in orange scrubs swarm into the lobby when we walked in. I didn't feel like socializing with them so early, so I changed quickly and I decided to come see you."

"I know. I saw them all walk past my room. I can't believe I'm stuck in this bed while the Mercy-Westers try to steal our jobs," Meredith groaned. "I just had to go and donate part of my liver to my father so that my sister wouldn't lose another parent."

"And Lexie loves you all the more for it," Jo grinned. "Look, if it's any consolation, I made everyone promise we'd come in to update you on how things are going."

“Thank you,” Meredith clutched Jo’s hands gratefully. “Wait, isn’t today your first day as a resident? Why aren’t you in the lounge?”

“Because Webber is assigning each of us a resident from Mercy West that will shadow us today to get familiar with and I really do not want to be shadowed by the enemy today,” Jo huffed in annoyance. “I’m already frustrated because Izzie interrupted Alex and I this morning because she wanted to borrow one of my long sleeves. So, I never got laid.”

Meredith laughed, “I hope that Derek and I are still as crazy about each other as you two are after four and a half years together.”

“You know, before Alex, I never knew it could be that good,” Jo thought back to the early days of their relationship. “I swear I had more sex that first week of our relationship than I’d had in my entire life, up until that point. I’ve had great sex before and it’s not like I didn’t love sex before, but I swear, Meredith, Alex awoke something in me that I didn’t know existed. It was just… different with him. And it still is. Every single time I feel like I might burst at the seams.”

“Wow, Wilson. Alex is that good in bed?” Meredith chuckled as she teased her friend a bit. 

“Even better,” Jo hummed, joining in on Meredith’s joke. “You really have no idea. He is… talented.”

"Okay, I'm going to stop you right there because I definitely do not want to hear what Alex is like in bed," Meredith shuddered. "You need to go to the resident's lounge and find your Mercy-Wester. Don't want to be late."

"Ugh, fine," Jo frowned and stood up from where she had perched herself on Meredith's bed. "I'll be back later with updates." 

***

“Hey,” Jo met up with Alex in the hallway and smiled. “I thought you were in the lounge.”

“No, I dropped off my stuff while Webber was giving them the tour and his speech so that I didn’t have to associate with them,” Alex said as he smoothed down his scrub top. “I left my pager in my cubby though, so I had to come back.”

“Well, you know you’re getting assigned a resident from Mercy West right?” Jo reminded him. 

“Dammit,” Alex frowned. “I forgot about that.”

As they approached the lounge, they heard some commotion coming from inside.

“I said take it out.”

“Great. I got the crazy one next to me.”

“Oh, you want to fight? Cause I will.” 

Alex and Jo walked into the lounge and watched Izzie stand up in front of a woman in orange scrubs. The pair raised their eyebrows and called out to her, “Izzie! Iz.”

“I will fight you. You’re pretty tiny,” Izzie’s tall frame loomed over the pixie-haired woman’s. “I could take you down in just a couple of seconds.”

Alex reached out to grab Izzie’s arms, pulling her back from the other resident, “Come on. Come on.”

“Stop!” Izzie protested.

“Come on,” Alex continued to pull her back away from the group and pushed her out the door, Jo grabbing his pager and following them out the door.

“They took George’s cubby,” Izzie finally explained as she, Cristina, Lexie, Alex, and Jo stood over the balcony, watching as the orange scrubs moved around the hospital. 

Jo put a comforting hand on her shoulder, “Okay, I say we go hang out in Mer’s room.”

“Sounds good to me,” Cristina turned and led the way back to their friend’s hospital room.

“They’re locusts,” Meredith said as they finally arrived and updated her about this morning’s occurrences. “Comfortable locusts, feeding on our surgeries.”

“It’s rude,” Izzie popped a grape into her mouth. “There should at least be a couple days where they act like guests before they put their feet up on the coffee table.”

“And what’s with orange scrubs?” Lexie peeked through the window into the hallway. “What, ours aren’t good enough for ‘em?”

“We ran out. They’re on back order,” Jo informed. “Randall from the supply company says they’ll be here in a week.”

“Why bother ordering new ones when we can just give these to our replacements?” Cristina deadpanned. 

“We’re not gonna be replaced by anybody,” Alex shook his head. 

“They’re here. It’s over,” Cristina sighed and sat down in one of the chairs. 

“Hey. We are not some stupid hosts. They can’t invade us,” Meredith shook her head. “They can’t attach themselves to our faces and then while we’re eating spaghetti, explode out of our chests and skitter across the floor. This is our ship. This is our ship.”

Lexie wrinkled her brow, “Excuse me. Are you—are you quoting a Sigourney Weaver movie?”

“Shut up,” Meredith shrugged.

Izzie chuckled, “That’s what happens when you live here. You watch a lot of TV.”

“We own this hospital,” Meredith looked around the room at her friends. “We were born in this hospital. And we will hold this hospital with our last gasping breath. Go out there and go get surgeries before they take them. Go! And I want a full report by the end of the day.”

“Fine.” The doctors sighed and shuffled out of room, leaving only Cristina behind to sulk with Meredith. 

***

“Okay, where do you want us?” Jo asked as she, Alex, and Lexie walked into the ER. 

“Uh, at this point, anywhere is good,” Hunt looked around the crowded emergency room. 

“At Mercy West we do zones. When it’s super busy, we just give everyone a zone, a space. The nurses put a person in that space, you know it’s your patient. Helps you get to them quicker,” the male in orange scrubs suggested, putting his stethoscope around his neck as the two women behind him nodded in confirmation.

“Yeah, well, this is the ER not a school yard. We’re not playing four square,” Alex rolled his eyes.

“I like it,” Hunt announced. “It’s a good idea. Let’s try it. What’s your name?”

“Jackson Avery.”

Owen shook Jackson’s hand, “Dr. Avery, I’m Dr. Hunt. It’s all yours. Zone away.”

Lexie, Jo, and Alex all exchanged a look. Jo let out a groan, “Ugh. That’s the one. That’s the resident that’s supposed to shadow me.”

“That guy?” Alex pointed and made a face. “I can already tell he’s a jerk.”

“Takes one to know one, I guess,” Lexie mumbled, causing Jo to snicker. “I know we’re supposed to hate them, but is it wrong of me to say that he’s kind of hot? Like really hot?”

“Um, yes,” Jo looked at her friend strangely. “Besides, aren’t you with Sloan?”

“Hey! I can look,” Lexie waved her hands slightly. “I just won’t touch.”

“Let’s go,” Alex motioned for the girls to follow him. 

***

“You were right. I hate him,” Jo slammed her tray down on the table as they reconvened for lunch in the cafeteria. “But not because he’s a jerk. Because he’s really freaking nice!”

“This blows,” Alex placed his tray next to hers and sat down. 

“Getting your ass kicked?” Cristina asked. 

“Shut up,” Alex responded, his mouth full of food. He looked over to Jo. “I heard yours got a standing ovation in the ER.”

“Yours is the one who saved the whole ER from the maniac with the hammer?” Lexie looked up from the little book she was reading. 

“Okay, he didn’t save anyone,” Jo shook her head in annoyance. “He did some stupid ninja leap and then tripped a guy. I used actual medicine to stop a person from dying.”

“At least he’s pretty to look at,” Cristina shrugged. “I’m too depressed to practice medicine today.”

“Well, mine has a notebook, a notebook that she takes notes in. Notes of a very personal nature, and I stole it,” Lexie held up the tiny pink book for them to see.

“You what?” Cristina’s eyes widened. 

“Give it,” Alex stuck his hand out.

“No. No, I—I’m not sinking down to their level,” Lexie put the book in her lab coat pocket. “They are vindictive and they are aggressive and—and they are not team players. And if we are not careful, that spirit is going to infect our hospital. We have to fight it.”

Cristina nodded, “Which is why you stole the notebook?”

“And read it?” Alex added. 

“And now you’re hiding it from us?” Jo looked at her friend, amused.

“Well, she’s not a very nice person.”

“Hey,” Izzie walked up to the table, two coffees in hand. 

“Ooh! Can I have that?” Alex reached out to grab the coffee. 

“No. This isn’t for you,” Izzie slapped his hand away. 

“Who’s it for then?” Jo asked. 

“Charles.”

“Your Mercy-Wester?” Cristina exclaimed. 

“They’re handing us out asses on a plate, and you’re serving him coffee?” Alex made a face. 

“Charles is actually kind of awesome,” Izzie shrugged. “If you all could get past your sad, little egos, you would realize you can’t write off all the Mercy West residents just because you feel threatened.”

“We don’t feel threatened,” Jo called out as Izzie turned and walked away. She looked back at the table. “Okay, maybe a little threatened.”

***

At the end of the day, Jo was exhausted. She’d spent the entirety of her first official day as a resident getting her ass handed to her by pretty-boy Avery. All she wanted was to change out of her scrubs and get back to the house and maybe finally get laid. 

She had pulled her scrub top off when she heard some noise behind her. Glancing back, she saw Avery and a few of the other Mercy-Westers walk in to leave for the night. Ignoring them, Jo continued to change out of her scrubs and into her street clothes.

“Hey, Wilson.”

Jo turned at the sound of her name, her shirt only halfway on and huffed, “What?”

Avery gave her a quick once over and cracked a charming smile, “Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot today. I think it’s safe to say that I overstepped and should’ve backed off a bit. What do you say we start over?”

“Ya think?” Jo finished smoothing down her shirt and crossed her arms. “Okay. I guess we can start over.”

“Great,” he extended his hand out to her. “Hi, Dr. Wilson, my name is Jackson.”

Despite herself, Jo cracked a small smile and shook his hand in return, “Hi, Jackson. Call me Jo.”

[kindrednerdspirit]

Sometimes a Thing Feels so Right: Part 4

Excerpt: This revelation, however, is not without its issues, because Casey now finds herself in the tricky situation of knowing it’s best to avoid private moments with Iz, but she also wants private moments with her.

Monday, first block. Casey’s perspective.

It’s 20 minutes before track practice starts and Casey has one goal: avoid any potential private moments with Izzie. Her decision is influenced by her most recent talk with Elsa. In a bizarre turn of events, the universe decided Casey would connect with Elsa on a deeper level twice in one week. Their first talk about Casey’s grandma helped her understand Elsa’s helicopter parenting and why she gets, well, annoyingly intrusive. Their second talk was an accident. A host of Izzie feelings reached a boiling point for Casey and her Izzie issues spilled out in front of Elsa.

For context, this is how it all went down:

The smell of roast fills the Gardner house. Sam works at the kitchen table as Elsa takes dinner out of the oven. He is sketching a new piece for his art class. 

“Sam, honey, do you mind telling your sister that dinner is ready?” Elsa asks as she cuts the roast.

“I do mind. I have to finish this sketch by tomorrow.”

Elsa is not surprised by her son’s very literal answer. He had been in flow for hours, sitting in the same spot since he got home from class. This is not a battle she wants to take part in, so she walks up the stairs to get Casey. Strangely, the door is ajar by a few inches. Curious in a way that any parent is interested in their teenager’s “secret” life, Elsa peers in before announcing dinner is ready. Casey is lying on her bed, curled toward the wall and sniffling.

She acts like she hasn’t been spying, and quietly knocks. “Case, dinner is ready.”

“Uh, sure. I’ll be right down.” Casey’s voice is soft.

Don’t meddle, don’t meddle, don’t meddle. Elsa repeats the phrase over and over in her head as she walks back into the kitchen and takes dinner into the dining room. A few minutes pass before Casey makes her way downstairs.

She sees Sam drawing at the kitchen table. “Why aren’t you eating?”

“I need to finish my sketch. It’s due tomorrow.”

“So, take a 10 minute break, eat, then finish it.”

Sam avoids eye contact and looks at the table the entire time he speaks. “Professor Shinerock says you have to find your peak time to achieve flow. My peak time is in the afternoon around 2:30, so this is when I have to start working on my art, because it’s when I’ll be at my most creative and productive. Professor Shinerock says to continue working in flow state for as long as possible.” 

“You know what else helps creativity and productivity? Not starving.”

“Of course, starving ruins creativity and productivity, because you’d be dead!” Sam tilts his head and furrows his brow. “That’s a ridiculous thing to say.” Without another word, Sam puts on his headphones and returns to his sketch.

“If you’re not eating by the time I’m done dinner, I’m pretending you’re an egg.” Casey walks away with a smile, knowing that Sam did not hear her warning. She sits at the table with Elsa and starts helping herself to potatoes. The two sit in silence for a minute, save for cutlery clanging against their plates.

“Sweets, I know I shouldn’t meddle--”

“So don’t.” Casey finishes.

“--but I’m just going to say one thing, then nothing else. Promise.”

Casey rolls her eyes but let’s her mum continue. Elsa takes a deep breath to collect herself. “You just found out that UCLA is interested in you, but you seem sad. And you haven’t had Izzie over in weeks, you mope around the house, you’re unexpectedly crotchety...”

“Mum!” Casey groans. “Please, get to the point.”

“I don’t know if Izzie is jealous about UCLA scouting you, but whatever is happening between you two... it will sort itself out. Try not to fret too much.”

Casey stares at her plate and pauses to mull over her mum’s words. “How do you know?” She’s afraid to look at Elsa. Afraid that if she does, all her emotions will flood out.

“Because of how you two look at each other. It’s special.” Elsa smiles, reflecting on when she first met Doug. When they first met, they shared the same long stares and goofy smiles as Casey and Izzie. Boy, that seemed like a lifetime ago.

“Thanks.” Casey is surprised by her mum’s kind words. “I don’t know if it will, though.” Her voice cracks. She shuts her eyes, because she can feel the tears forming. Elsa practically leaps out of her seat to embrace her daughter. She kisses Casey’s head, then soothingly brushes back her hair with her fingers.

“She’s… embarrassed to be seen with me.” Casey murmurs.

Elsa nods, knowingly. “I’m sorry, love.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear. “Not everyone is as confident and comfortable with themselves as you.”

Casey smiles sheepishly and swipes away the tears. Of course, Elsa feels protective of Casey. She doesn’t want anybody breaking her daughter’s heart. At the same time, Elsa also understands Izzie’s situation to a certain extent, making her feel like a protective momma bear toward her, too. They have the shared experience of growing up with an absent parent, and perhaps, similar insecurities. Not to mention that both Casey and Izzie are just beginning to understand their sexual identities, so it's not surprising that this self knowledge is leading to difficult feelings.

Elsa is suddenly very grateful for reading up on parenting tips for LGBTQ+ kids. She chooses her next words carefully, so as not to imply to Casey that she knows about Izzie’s home situation. “Give her time, hon.” 

“I think I love her.” Casey sniffles.

“I know.” 

“Love who?” Doug walks into the room looking for dinner. He just got back from work, and somehow slipped into the house without the girls noticing. The question hangs in the air a few beats too long.

“Uhm, Izzie.” Despite not wanting this conversation to happen in this moment, Casey looks her dad in the eye.

“Yeah, I love her too!” He grins and pulls out a chair, completely oblivious to what is going on. Casey is not sure what to do, so she looks at her mum. The two watch as Doug happily sticks a fork into the roast beef, then proceeds to scoop carrots. The girls stifle some laughter. Maybe it’s best to let this one slide, considering Casey and Izzie’s relationship status is currently unknown.

“What?” Doug asks after noticing the girls’ looks.

“Nothing, Dad. Girl stuff.” Casey looks at her mum as she says it, knowing it will mean something more to her. She then grabs her plate and excuses herself from the table before dropping her dishes in the sink. Sam is still in the kitchen, completely absorbed in his art.

“I warned you!” Casey shouts. “Prepare to be egged!” With that, she scrambles onto Sam’s chair and sticks her butt on his head.

“Hey, stop! What are you doing?!” Sam protests.

“Don’t blame me. You’re the one who compared me to a penguin, so now, you’re my egg.”

“Why would that make me an egg? That makes no sense! You ruined my flow!” They continue squabbling, wrestling, and yelling.

Meanwhile, Doug looks at Elsa with a bemused but impressed expression. “Girl talk? Really?”

Elsa cannot help but beam.

***

Needless to say, when Casey found herself stretching on the field 20 minutes early, it was a calculated move. It’s amazing how saying something out loud can make things so clear. Once she told Elsa that Izzie was embarrassed to be seen with her as her girlfriend, something clicked. Casey could never pretend to be just friends with Izzie, it would never work out. She simply wasn’t the type of person to pretend, the type to play a role, even if it meant keeping Izzie close. 

This revelation, however, is not without its issues, because Casey now finds herself in the tricky situation of knowing it’s best to avoid private moments with Iz, but she also wants private moments with her. 

While she works on her quads, Izzie jogs past and veers off to stretch on her own. She’s wearing the tight Adidas shorts that show off her beautiful curves. Casey always considered her own muscular legs to be tall and lanky, but Izzie’s… they were shapely in all the most appealing ways from her legs to her hips. The same hips she held onto whenever she pulled Izzie close. She fit so comfortably in her embrace, with her delightful warmth and faint smell of vanilla beans.

The best part was when Iz was really close and her chin would dip up. Casey would look down and see the same desire in her eyes as she felt all over her body. A shiver would go down her spine, her breathing would quicken. And everything else would just, sort of, disappear. Fade off into the background. Iz would smile, showing off her button dimples and Casey would want to devour her right then and there for being too adorable.

Oh. My. God. Casey! You have one job. Actually, two jobs. No private moments with Izzie and no getting turned on by Izzie because it’s a slippery slope, my dude. Quick, think of gross things. Zahid kissing Gretchen? Zahid in a robe? Ew, ew, ew! Too far. Poor Zahid. I love the guy for being Sam’s friend, but he’s a serious vagina mood killer.

Izzie looks up from her stretching and their eyes meet. She has the longing eyes and Casey knows exactly what she wants. Shit. It’s too hard, so she looks away. Much too hard. The rest of track practice follows a similar pattern of eyes meeting and diverting. 

***

After 60 minutes of failing miserably at ignoring Izzie, Casey is relieved when Coach blows the whistle. She hustles to the locker room with a few other teammates. Casey is talking to another teammate when Iz jogs over, her high ponytail bouncing with each step. She cannot help but disassociate from the conversation, because she sees the infamous Adidas shorts. And just like that, she’s done for. Blood rushes toward her southern regions. The Zahid tactic fails. Once again, Casey curses her body and heart for betraying her brain. 

“Yo, Newton! Wait up!” Iz shouts.

At the sound of her voice, Casey wavers for a millisecond. She decides to continue listening to her peers, pretending not to hear. But Iz is persistent. Casey’s words from the other night with Elsa race through her head.

She’s embarrassed to be seen with me.

The words are upsetting. There’s so many reasons why, it’s hard to pick only one, but she mostly feels frustrated. Frustrated that she cannot hold or kiss Izzie in public, that she cannot share her love with the world, despite their mutual feelings. Worst of all, she feels the immense hurt that comes with knowing she cannot pretend to be just friends. She hates that it has to be all or nothing. But to do otherwise, would be to betray herself. All these complicated emotions build up inside her until she finds herself towering over Izzie.

“I don’t know how to make this more clear. I don’t want to talk to you.”

Her cold tone surprises even her. She watches Izzie’s eyes widen, then feels her heart clench in response. Despite everything, her instant reaction is to make Iz feel better. And she easily could. Casey could slip her arms around her, up to the small of her back. Then, she could gently pull Izzie toward her and lean in. She could hover in front of her lips to tease Iz, the two sharing the same, delicious air.

“I--”

“Please, don’t follow me.” Casey cuts off Iz with a firm response. She gulps--that was close. Her feet hurry toward the locker room, whisking her away as quickly as possible. She hated feeling like an overdramatic school girl or like she was in some terrible rom-com. Big deal. Just be friends, right? At the same time, though, she knew there was no other way.

[female-overlord-3]

Bring Them Home  Ch 15 Smash

This fic is slow going with everything but going. Kept this baby as a draft until I wrote the next chapter :D

Alex, Michael, and Isobel bond and talk! Enjoy 💛

Read on AO3

Prev - Next

They get their 3 hours and a little bit more until Michael finally becomes the voice of reason.

"As much as I want to spend the rest of the day with you, I need to check in with Sanders and do my actual day job. Plus Izzy is nothing but greedy for all the attention on her."

Alex just gives him a look before dragging Michael back onto the bed and rolling to be on top.

"This is a once in a blue moon lazy day for me Michael. You give me another hour and then I'll be satisfied."

Their first hour was the nap after their call, Michael carrying a dozing Alex to his bed so they'd be more comfortable. The second was Michael thoroughly massaging Alex's full body after Alex does his at home PT routine. The third was them switching between kissing and talking.

Michael wouldn't mind the third hour becoming 2 straight hours of more talking and kissing. He also doesn't think he can move because Alex is pretty much the ideal weight for holding him down.

Then the small touches start. One hand moving to his neck as a thumb swipes up and down his throat slowly before it moves to sink into his curls. Fingers gently digging into his scalp as lips press randomly across his torso and above. Michael is in actual heaven as he loses time to Alex's devoting touches until his left hand cramps and he lets out a hiss from the pain.

Lifting up Alex gives him space to do whatever he needs, his face pinched in worry and flickers of guilt at seeing Michael cradle his hand.

"Do you need a heat compress or acetone for the pain?" Alex quietly asks but Michael shakes his head.

"It'll pass. Give it a minute."

Hesitantly Alex reaches for it and let's the tips of his fingertips rest ever so lightly on the ridges of the scarred skin that Michael barely feels as Alex traces it. Michael lifts his hand up to feel the pressure and warmth of Alex’s hand but Alex snatches it away.

“Doesn’t it-” Alex's voice was quiet and a bit hoarse. “I don’t want you to hurt. I was trying to-” He stops himself again with his words stuck as old guilt starts to consume him.

Sighing Michael sits up but keeps his hands to himself.

“You think we’re ready to talk about this?” He waves his left hand between them.

He gives Alex a good minute to breathe through what he’s feeling right now before slowly inching his right hand to the thigh resting next to his.

“I am but that’s cause I made peace with it a long time ago. If you’re not then we can put it on hold for another time but you didn’t do this to me, you’re not a monster or violent like him. I’m not gonna lie, it reminds me that there’s bad in the world, that it’s cruel and doesn’t care but,” His hand has traveled up and cups Alex’s cheek. “It also reminds me that there are kind people like you who somehow left me a medical kit even though I didn’t see you for a week because you were hurt too. That wanted me to get help and go to the hospital but found an alternative when I kept telling you no.”

Alex’s eyes fall closed as he leans into Michael’s hand.

“You’re lucky your antibodies are immune to human infection and diseases.” Is the only thing he can say.

“Pretty nice that my form of power boost is just 5 bucks a bottle too, though my personal brew is much better.” Michael raises his left and holds it in front of Alex. “You didn’t need to go and make us a matching set but of course you had to one-up me.”

All he gets is a soft noise from Alex who’s finally reached for his left hand, both of his cradling Michael’s like it’s precious as he brings it to his chest to lay right over his heart. The steady thump is a song he’s missed.

“You could’ve healed it but you didn’t want to. You wanted to remember the good and the bad.”

Michael snorts at that. “I mean Max only offered like once but it also would’ve become a thing if people found out. Even though I didn’t know how much your dad was actually watching us, I didn’t want to give him anymore reasons to start snooping around. Hey you think he knew before and that’s why he went psycho?"

He asks it like an actual question, one of pure curiosity because now with everything they know it might actually be true.

"Maybe but I knew regardless he'd do something to anyone I brought home. Sure it was like an open secret but I tamed it down around him, the eyeliner and punk was just the easiest way to be proud but on just the edge. It helped that he hated both."

Michael watches as Alex's face pinches again.

"Would you heal it now or like a partial one?"

Smiling Michael just rubs his thumb against Alex's chest.

"Don't know. Depends really."

He pulls Alex back down and holds him close, soaking up as much comfort and the feeling of safety, love, and peace.

Of course not 10 minutes later there's a honk and a mental nudge from Isobel.

"Nooooo." He groans and buries his face in Alex's hair.

Alex agrees and presses closer as their phones start ringing.

"How is she calling both of us!"

There's a knock at the door then the sound of intentionally loud footsteps that stop at the window of their room.

"I promised lunch."

"We could be having really kinky sex right now Iz."

"Oh that reminds me I need to find a new playmate. Alex we're going to a gay bar. I want to see if me going all obsessed over Rosa was a me thing or his and I need a wingman who gets me."

Michael makes a face and holds onto Alex tighter. He doesn’t want Alex going to any bar without him.

"In my professional opinion it might be too soon and you're technically still married but screw it let’s go have fun." Alex pauses and reconsiders his words. “Actually if anything Kyle might be more game then me. I may be out and proud but I kinda dislike people… and crowds now.”  

He gives Michael a deep but short kiss and starts to wiggle free. Michael makes a valiant attempt to keep him in bed which is funny because earlier he was trying to head out for work and be responsible. He flips them over and tries to distract Alex with more kisses and he can feel Alex starting to give in when Isobel knocks on the window.

"We still game to blow up stuff or was that just the land around the cabin? Also will someone please let me in!"

They both groan and finally scramble out of bed to put pants on. Michael turns to face where the front door is and glares at it until it opens.

“It’s open.”

“Lovely. I’ll bring my stuff in.”

Michael slips down to slide on the sleeve then prosthetic for Alex before waddling closer to wrap his arms around Alex’s waist so he can bury his face in a very warm stomach.

“No bar without me. Someone’ll snatch you up.”

The vibrations and sound of Alex’s quiet laugh is nice.

“I was being honest about not really liking bars Michael and I'm only a tiny bit better about people. Have no fear everyone will be flocking to your sister.”

Silently Michael stands before climbing into Alex’s lap and latches onto him like a koala.

“Jesus I forgot how clingy you are.” Alex teases as his hands settle on Michaels sides. “Not that I mind.” He adds.

Leaning back to face each other, Michael gives him a dramatic pout. “You’re hot stuff and people will absolutely flock to you. I can’t stop people from looking but I can at least stop them from touching.” He eyes Alex’s neck hungrily and starts to lean down but a hand in his hair stops him.

“Ah and the marking thing. You sure you’re not a vampire?”

“It won’t be like-”

The unamused look Alex is sporting just makes Michael grin smugly. “You made it go around my whole neck. You gave me an actual hickey necklace Michael and it lasted for a whole week. No hickey necklace.”

“What about like two where everyone can see?” Michael questions and his eyes stare at the perfect spot. “I’ll keep them small.”

They roll over with Alex keeping him pinned down.

“You and I have a very different idea of what small is. No hickeys or marks until we go on another date.” He kisses Michael’s cheek before rolling off and leaving to go see what Isobel’s up to.

Michael mopes and gets dressed slowly. If the hoodie he has on is unusual for him well it’s Alex’s fault for leaving it in the room. In the closet and folded up top but Michael found it so finders-keepers.

“Michael you're staying 20 minutes so you can praise me while I break stuff with my mind." Isobel eyes the sweater and frowns. "Are you having a mental breakdown? That's the only time we wear hoodies." She comments and takes a step closer, ready to bring Michael into a hug for comfort which kinda confuses him.

"Um no. I'm good Iz. Just claiming one of my rights to wear something of Alex's." Michael pauses before taking his own step forward in concern. "Are you good? I know I haven't fully been there for you with everything but if you-"

Isobel rolls her eyes at him.

"I'm a big girl. It's been…. A lot but Alex and the others have helped in their own way. I do know breaking all this stuff will feel good so come on teach me how you do it." She says as she pats his shoulder then heads to Alex's backyard, Michael quickly following her.

"You're sure?" He asks. "I know we all have a tendency to avoid actually talking about our shit so if there's anything you want to then I'm here."

The tight line of Isobel's lips hold for a few seconds before dropping as she sighs.

"I'm still mad and hurt. Also sad because I- this whole mess started with him and I was just a tool he used. I was finally starting to feel like I could be myself but even that's a lie. First it was thinking I was the one who killed everyone and that sucked but finding out the actual truth was worse." Her voice wobbles a bit before she takes a deep breath to steady it. "I know I'm not okay and we're all dealing with our own shit but for once I don't feel totally alone. I'm gonna try and be a better sister to you because you've always been there for me Michael, you carried what happened that night with you for a decade so I wouldn't have too. I've let myself follow whatever Max decided because we got to grow up together and I thought he was right, that he was protecting us and the normal life we had."

She swallows and her eyes dart away.

"And he was but that meant you were left out because you never got our type of normal. So I'm gonna work on being there for you too and making sure you're included. Now let's go break stuff."

Michael grabs onto her hand and squeezes it. Isobel squeezes back and both their eyes are a bit misty but the smiles they wear are bright.

They see Alex a couple yards out, placing items from the box Isobel brought around his open backyard.

“Whatever you break you also clean up so I would suggest a tarp or something.”

Michael swaggers over and latches onto his side, nuzzling into his neck.

"Of course gotta keep the place clean. I'll go grab one." He leans to take a sip from Alex's milkshakes but it's moved away.

"You hate mint."

Michael blinks at him and can't help how big his smile turns.

"I don't mind it when it's from you." His eyes land on Alex's lips in an obvious request.

Michael's curls slap him in the face.

"Ow Iz why!"

"What? I'm just practicing my power." Her sickly sweet voice and eyelashes fluttering says anything but.

Michael rolls his eyes and pecks Alex's check. "You get thirty minutes and then I have to head to Sanders."

A hand slides into the back pocket of his jeans and he's pulled closer to Alex's side.

"Whatever you don't break or wanna leave to burn will be our bonding time."

Isobel's eyes light up at the offer.

"You really weren't lying about getting to explode shit! Like actual explosives?" She grabs onto Alex slowly and starts tugging him back to the house so he can show her.

Michael doesn't let go and they all walk back inside relatively easy for the three of them latched onto each other.

"More like I have the basic materials needed to make bombs which you would be surprised on how easy they are to make." Alex comments as Michael gives an understanding nod.

"Though I do have some minor explosives that are probably closer to fireworks which are easier to clean up after and that can easily be stated as such."

Alex slips out of their arms and goes to the small closet hidden behind the bathroom, the three of them bring all the goods to the living room.

"Does this mean I can use you as an excuse to come here instead of my mother's Fourth of July barbeque? I'm always stuck talking about nothing and everyone keeps expecting me to be pregnant. Do I look like mother material to you?"

She's settled in Michael's lap as they hold each other comfortably. Michael rests his head on her shoulder as he chuckles.

"Hmmm you're more Aunt material. You'd spoil my future kids rotten but also make sure they know how to talk circles around people the second they learn how."

"Their first words will be aunt Izzy or some variation of that. I'm not picky."

Her tone is casual but her eyes don't leave Alex who's gone quiet.

"I'm not saying a hard no to possibly being a surrogate but in a few years ask me again. I'll be back, just need to use the bathroom." She glides off of Michael's lap and out the door.

Michael doesn't pay her any mind and flops back to lay back on the bed.

The thought of having kids have been an off and on thing for him. Sometimes he doesn't because he's not even human and not the stablest person, being in the system didn't do him any favors. There's so much entailed with it that if he ever did he's worried the poor kid will turn out worse than him, that Michael won't have or be able to provide what they'll need. Then there are days he'd love to be that parent for someone who needs it, to be who he needed as a kid. Save at least one kid from a bad situation. Have the type of family he's sometimes let himself dream and barely hope for.

Sometimes it's just him raising a kid alone but other times Alex is there too, both of them sharing the love they have with someone else who might need it. Alex would never be like his father and would give their kid everything they needed no matter what but also make sure they have boundaries and morals and good life lessons.

"Would you want kids Alex?"

Michael voices once he's brought back to the present.

Just because he wants kids doesn't mean he needs them. He knows better than anyone that you gotta be committed and ready for that type of responsibility.

There's always the future but for right now he just wants to get his mom and people free, to deal with Noah, and to be with Alex.

"In another life… yes but I'm not sure about this one." Alex gets this nervous look on his face before sighing. "I'd have to think about it."

That's pretty much on par what Michael knew he'd say.

"Do you- I mean obviously you do but I'm not-"

Michael uses his powers to tug Alex to him. He takes Alex's hands and gives a light squeeze.

"I do but not now or for a while. I want to get my mom out and deal with the insanity of our lives first then enjoy being with you. I would like them in the far far future but I don't need them. I'm not letting some punk take all your attention until I've gotten my fill."

Alex clings to him and nods.

"Okay."

"As of now I love you and my meddling sister. You can come back in Isobel."

She walks in stubbornly with her head held high.

"I didn't mean to bring up future kids. You did that all on your own Michael and I'm sure you'll both be amazing uncles when Max and Liz figure their shit out. Max will finally have a reason to quit the force and stay at home to write like he's always wanted while Liz works on saving the world and all that jazz."

She grabs all the explosives quickly and carefully to do something with her hands.

“I mean who wouldn’t want an adorable hybrid of me though right, the world would all but perish under our reign. I’m sure i’d be a good mom though… with time and everyone else’s kids as a trial but like you guys said, now is a horrible time.” Her voice lowers to something almost hushed. “I’m sure plenty of kids need a home once i’m ready so all we need to do now is learn and be as prepared as possible.”

Michael smiles fondly at her as he stands and wraps an arm around her waist, pressing his forehead to the side of her neck.

“There’d be nothing stopping you once you decide your ready Isobel.”

Alex leans into her other side and they all just take a moment to breathe together.

“When we’re ready.” Alex voices with hope and it brings a smile to all their faces. “Does that mean we’re ready to go blow stuff up now?”

That gets a laugh.

“Come on all this emotional talk is ruining the mood. I’m ready to see how much control I need to learn to beat Michael!”

The three proceed to smash, break, and explode the contents of Isobel's boxes while enjoying their lunch.

Isobel is a bit shocked and proud of how much control Michael has on his power. A bit jealous too but she’s only just started. She finds it sickeningly sweet how awed Alex looks when he looks at Michael but the kind one he gives her makes up for it.

“How did I not see it?” She asks them. Her tone is light with wonder. That she never saw how much love just poured from them. It’s been a decade and she’s only finding out now.

Both Alex and Michael sigh but there’s less of a haunted look in their eyes.

“Shit timing and even worse communication.” Michael voices and then he’s at Alex’s side. “It’s hard to have something when everything’s going against you.”

Alex nods with his face set in a hard look before it clears.

“We kept it to ourselves cause it was safer but now there’s less bullshit to fight against.”

Isobel hurts from even the idea of what they’ve been through, the flashes she’s gotten from Alex flickering before she lets it all go.

“Well you’ve got someone else on your side.” she stands tall again, stronger and more solid with this certain topic worked through. "I'd happily melt anyone who's brain keeps giving you guys trouble. I'm sure I can make it look like an aneurysm."

She’s trying to be reassuring but the pained and overwhelmed look on Michael's face makes her feel unsure, like she's miss stepped somewhere.

It's only when Michael launches at her and holds her in a crushing hug, that his mind is so loud it's screaming at her by being in contact, that she understands.

Michael's always been so strong and never truly had anyone who he felt he could rely on, to truly rely on. Alex probably now with everything known but not really anyone else and that hurts Isobel all over again.

They should've been united from the start. They should've been together, able to rely and trust each other without doubt.

She holds on tight to him and lets out a sigh when Michael’s mind quiets, Alex’s presence closer being the obvious reason why.

Isobel is going to have a talk with Max about Alex and about Michael. Alex is right that they need to all work together to figure this mess out.

[aewriting]

Angsty Alien Brothers One-Shot

This was inspired by some of @ninswhimsy ‘s recent posts about soulmates - the good AND bad implications of that concept. 

If you prefer, here it is on AO3.

Warnings: angst, mentions of police.

***

It was meant to be fun.

Max had been miserable for months, doing the bare minimum at the Pony, sleeping too late, moping. Isobel had been the one to suggest Planet 7.

“No,” Michael had said quickly. He’d been doing well, avoiding Alex.  Avoiding Alex with Forrest, specifically.  No, no malice, no ill intent, nothing like that.  He just… just didn’t want to see it.  He keeps hoping it will run its course… but they seem to still be going strong. He sees them sometimes – it’s a small town, and his attention’s drawn to Alex in a way he can’t explain.  Magnetic.  Cosmic. All of that.

He sees them in the grocery store, late one night.  Sees them in the window booth at the Crashdown. Having breakfast. On a weekend. He tries not to imagine what they were doing before breakfast.  Sees them crossing the street, casually holding hands in the crosswalk.  And once, a few weeks back, there they were, leaving Planet 7.  Making out.  

So no, he doesn’t want to go to Planet 7.

“Let’s take a drive.  Up to Albuquerque.  One of the bars up there.  See some new sights, meet some new people.”

Isobel raises an eyebrow. “That could be fun.”  Her gaze slides to Max. “You in?”

Max just shrugs. “Whatever.”

***

Max is drinking too much tonight. This is a good bar – Michael’s actually been in here before.  Twice. Both times over the last few months, since Alex and Forrest… yeah.  He’s left with guys, both times.  He’s… he’s trying to figure some stuff out, with himself.  What he likes.  What he wants, outside of Alex.  Um, and hopefully, eventually, with Alex. It’s been… fine. Fun.  Light.  Uncomplicated.  Pretty much everything the rest of his life isn’t right now.

No one’s approaching them. He sees some flares of interest – directed at him and Max, but it’s usually short-lived, halted when the other person seems to notice Max’s whole… everything.

Isobel, though… Michael smiles a little at the sight of her, blissed out, leaning up against a strong-looking brunette.  She’s gonna get some tonight, Michael can tell.  Good for her.

Max, though…

He’s trying to get up, suddenly, head to the bar.

“Hey,” Michael says sharply, snaking out an arm and snagging Max around the elbow.  “Think… think you’ve had enough.”

Max scoffs a little.  “That’s my line.”

It actually relaxes something in Michael.  “Yeah, yeah it is.  Not tonight though.”

“Not lately,” Max adds.  

“No,” Michael agrees. He doesn’t go to the Pony very much these days. Just, just hurts still.  He tried, with Maria.  He really did.  Hurts that it wasn’t enough. “If you weren’t so drunk right now,” he says, trying to change the subject, “I’d be trying to get you laid.”

Max snorts a bit, sits back down in his chair with too much force. It creaks, makes a too-loud noise. Michael’s ready with the TK, if needed.

The chair holds, and Michael slumps back in his own seat, sips his beer.  Stops when he sees Max just… just staring at him.

“What?”

Max’s eyes are wide as he leans in.  “Has it ever worked, for you?”

Michael frowns.  “Has, has what worked?”

Max laughs a little. “This,” he says, gesturing vaguely around the bar.  “Drinking, fucking around?”

“You’re drunk, Max,” Michael says, voice a little hard.  

Max’s eyes go even wider. “I’m, I’m serious, Michael. I’m not trying to, like, call you out.”

“Aren’t you?” Michael asks. “Seem to remember plenty of call outs from you, through the years.  Usually with a badge and a gun, too.”

“Fuck,” Max mutters, running a hand through his hand.  “I… that was shitty of me.  I was worried, Michael.”

Fuck.  He knows they shouldn’t get into this now, here.  It’s public, Max is wasted, but… Michael blows out a breath.  “So you fucking talk to me.  You don’t… don’t just keep hauling my ass back to the drunk tank in cuffs.”

Max’s jaw tightens.  “That’s fair.  There were times I was hoping that if there were some actual, I dunno, teeth involved?  Consequences? That maybe you’d finally stop.  But there were other times that,” he shakes his head. “Dammit, Michael. You were good at pissing people off, you know? And, and I know what you can do.  Of course I fucking do.  There were times that you, you scared me, Michael.  You didn’t fight back.  It’s like you, you wanted to just, just take a beating, get your ass handed to you.” He sighs.  “Especially when Alex was overseas.”

Michael freezes.

Max shrugs.  “Am I wrong?”

Michael looks down quickly, sips his beer.  

“I’m not wrong,” Max asserts. “Which is how I know you know. What it’s like.  When they leave.”

Michael can’t deal with this. Shakes his head and tries to will Max to shut up.

Doesn’t work.

Max is looking at Isobel and the woman she’s with.  “I don’t think it’s happened yet, with Iz.  She’d know. She’d feel it the way we do.” Michael still hasn’t said anything, and Max finally seems to notice. “You had to have known this, right?” Max’s hands are out in front of him, upturned.  “Me and Liz, you and Alex.  And god, you two, like…” Max brings his hands together in a vague sort of way.  Michael can’t believe he’s seeing this.  “Back in high school, right?  God… I don’t know how you did it.  Being with Liz, actually having been with her, feeling her – “

“Max,” Michael says sharply, really not wanting to hear the intimate details.

“It’s so much worse now. Like, I always knew it was hopeless, but it’s worse now.” Max is just staring at Michael, half incredulous. “Michael… you do feel it, right? With Alex?”

“Don’t go there, Max,” Michael warns.  

“The connection?  The, the,” he pauses, “certainty that you’re meant to be together? That it’s bigger than just the two of you?” Max looks at Michael, searching for something, then pulls back. Looks worried.  “Michael,” he says, edge of fear toward his voice. “Please tell me you’ve felt that, too. I… all these years, I’ve just assumed it’s an, an us thing.” He pauses.  “Is, is it not? Like, it’s not just me, is it?”

Michael bites his lip, grips his glass tighter.  “It’s not just you,” he says, finally.  It’s one thing to think it.  Think it for years, late at night on his own, in stolen moments with Alex, while… while he’s in someone else’s bed. It’s another thing to discuss it, out in the open, with someone else that might actually verify the reality of it.

Some of the tension leaves Max as he blows out a breath.  “Thank you,” he whispers.  “Seriously, thank you.  I know we don’t… don’t talk about this.  All those years, should’ve known you were hurting like I was.  But you never wanted to talk about it, never wanted us to know. And after everything that happened…” Max hangs his head.  “I tried, you know?  With Jenna. Like, I wanted to feel things for her. I think you tried too, with – “

“Max,” Michael says, a warning.

Max gives him a look, shakes his head a bit. “I know you tried with her.  And remember,” he says, voice softer now, “I saw the two of you together. In Texas.” He raises an eyebrow.  “I know you two could have had something. If it wasn’t for Al – “

“Max!” Michael interrupts, raising his voice.  Cutting him off before he can finish, before he can make Michael acknowledge the fear… the fear and the hope he’s had all these years.

Max’s eyebrows are raised. “Really?  We’re really not gonna talk about him?”

“Do you want to sit around and talk about Liz?” Michael asks.

Max sniffs a bit. Looks around. “Fine,” he says, voice tight. “Fine,” he repeats. Swigs his whiskey. Winces.  “What do you want me to do, Michael?  Get laid?” he asks, throwing Michael’s earlier words back at him.  “Go have… have that guy blow me in the bathroom?”

Michael’s eyes widen and he whips around to see a younger guy eyeing Max.  Dark hair, slight build. “Whoa, Max, for real?”

Max shrugs.  “That surprise you?”

Michael laughs a little. “Well, yeah.  Guess it does.”

Max’s mouth twists a little. “Don’t know how to explain it.” He looks at Michael, then, a little sharper, a littler more with it.  “But… but I’m thinking maybe I don’t have to explain it to you.  How it’s… how it’s Liz, and everyone else.” He grimaces a little. “Well, not everyone else, obviously, but also, like, more people than you’d think.  If you catch my drift.”

Michael nods slowly.  “I do.  Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“All this time?”

Max sighs.  “Hard to say.  You know Roswell.” He shakes his head a little.  “Wasn’t about to try something there.  If I didn’t have to.”

“But you would?  Try something?” Max is quiet.  “Like, with, with a guy?”

Max shrugs again. “I mean, yeah, I guess?  But… but what’s the point?”  

Michael just stares at him.

“I’m serious, Michael, what’s the point?  Like, I’m asking you.  Has it ever helped, really?”

Michael worries his lip a little. Speaks carefully.  “I, I don’t think it’s, like, a bad thing.  To have fun, figure yourself out.”

“That what you were doing, all those years?” Michael tries to duck Max’s eyes.  Can’t. “Cause that, that didn’t look fun, Michael. That looked like you were hurting and trying to figure out the best way to forget.”

Michael sniffs a little. “That was about more than just him.”

“I know,” Max says.  “Part of me actually hoped maybe it would help you. With everything.  But, over time, your arrest record said otherwise, you know?” Max sighs a little. “And I’m not stupid, Michael.  I, I saw how you’d go underground for stretches, when he was home, then be, god, pissed at the world whenever he’d leave.”

It’s still too raw.  Still too close to the surface to really talk about. He doesn’t want to break down in the goddamn bar.

“You ever talk about this? With him?” Max asks.  

“Didn’t do much talking,” Michael mutters.

Max nods.  “Liz and I didn’t talk about it either.  Makes me wonder. Do they feel it the way we do?” He bites his lip.  “Sometimes I think, I think they couldn’t possibly, because if they did, if they did…”

He trails off and turns his head away.  “Fuck,” Michael mutters.  Max is crying.  Really crying.  Big, shuddery sobs.  Michael is on him quickly, wrapping an arm around him, trying to shield him from other people’s questioning looks.  “Hey,” he assures him. “Hey. Max.”

“She just left, Michael. She left.  This time it was her.  And I can’t blame anyone but myself.”

And shit… he’s right. There’s nothing Michael can really say to that. “Let’s go outside,” Michael says softly, throwing some money down and propping Max up as they take the closest exit.  They’re in the back alley, and there are a few couples there too, wrapped up in each other.  One of the bartenders taking a smoke break.  He ushers Max a little farther away. Lets him cry, lets him grab Michael while he does it.

Max pulls away after a while, face a mess.  “I’m sorry,” he gasps. “I’m sorry.  For this, and for all that time when you were just, just trying to be okay.”

Michael lets him cling to his jacket. Nods.  “You were right,” he says after a while.  “It, it didn’t help.  Not really. So I don’t know why I thought this, tonight would help you.”

“So what do we do?” Max asks, looking – god, so sad.  Lost.

Michael just looks upward, at the sky.  Tries to catch a glimpse at the stars, the moon, but it’s too cloudy, maybe, or the lights of the city are too bright.  It depresses him, and he looks back at Max. “We just do our best.  We live our lives.  Live them right.  And try to be better.  For them, yeah, but for us, too.” He shrugs.  “It’s what I’m trying to do. Now.  Only thing I can do, really.” He licks his lips, looks at Max.  “This time, let’s not try to do it alone, though, okay?”

Max looks up at him sharply. “You promise?”

And before Michael knows it, he’s hugging him. “I promise you, Max. I promise.”

[phantoms-lair]

EnergyBending snippets

Takes place late in my Nursery Rhyme/Avatar Zuko Story. Unlike in cannon Zuko’s main focus was bringing back airbenders, so things didn’t go as badly between the group and Wan Shi Tong. Zuko learned Energy Bending rather than about the Day of Black Sun (though that does come in later), but he learned it from a book, so he doesn’t have the confidence Aang had with the Lion Turtle gifting it to them.

~~

“Toph’s asleep.” Aang reported.

Zuko’s breathed out a sigh of relief. He wanted this to be a private conversation and she was the one he was most worried about overhearing. Sure she was brash and forward, but he hadn’t forgotten how sneaky she was capable of being, hiding her second identity from her parents. “Could you wait here too?”

Aang crossed his arms. “Sokka won’t even know I’m there.”

“But I would. And it would feel like I’m ganging up on him, but it has to be his choice and-”

Aang put his hands up. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll stay here.”

“You could always get some lesson plans ready.” Zuko suggested, which had Aang grinning.

Zuko left his tent and went to where Sokka would be standing watch. He was often the last to go to sleep, taking the safety of the group seriously. “Can we talk?”

“I’m not stopping you.” Sokka shrugged.

“I’ve been studying the techniques I learned at Wan Shi Tong’s library. It’s been focusing far more on the Spiritual Side of being an Avatar than I’ve ever done. According to Aang more than any Avatar has done in generations. But I think I’ve got it. I can use energybending to make more airbenders.”

He heard the sharp intake of Sokka’s breath. He understood how important this was. “I just need to put it into action, and the first new airbender...Sokka I want it to be you.”

Sokka crossed his arms, but didn’t respond for a few minutes. "I don't need bending,” He finally said, tersely.

Zuko took a deep breath. "Sokka, you are without a doubt one of the greatest warriors I have ever met. You're clever, adaptive, and pick up new disciplines faster than anyone I've ever seen. If I ever heard anyone suggest you needed to be a bender I'd fight them myself, if everyone one else in our camp didn't beat me to it."  

"You don't need to be a bender, it's more...I need a bender to be you." 

Sokka raised an eyebrow. "And that makes sense how?" 

"We don't have much time before the Day of Black Sun. In that time I need to at least create some new airbenders in case I die. But I need to know this is going to work. And for that I need the first new airbender to be someone who can travel with us. But our path in dangerous and they'd need to be able to defend themselves, and not with a bending they're not used to. I need the first airbender to be a warrior who doesn't have to rely on bending, but who's adaptive enough to be able to incorporate it into what they already do. Who else could that be but you?"

~~

"Katara, can we talk?" 

Katara looked up from breakfast at the serious expression on her brother's face. He looked like he hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep. "What about?" 

Sokka took a deep breath. "Zuko wants me to become an airbender." 

It took her a moment to process what she'd heard. "Wait, you? Why?" 

"The long story short of it: I'm adaptable and don't need to rely on bending to fight." Sokka plopped down by the fire. "It's weird, you know? I wasn't the biggest fan of your bending back at the South Pole. Then bending got us mixed up in all kinds of weird stuff after we teamed up with Zuko and Iroh, and I was glad I never had to deal with that. But after a while I got, you know, jealous. You and Iroh, and Toph can doo all these amazing things, and Zuko was the flipping Avatar, and here I was just a guy with a boomerang." 

"You know none of us saw you that way, right?" Katara asked, her eyes looking troubled. 

"I know, it's just... I'm afraid the part of me that wants to say yes just wants to feel special, while another part of me is how much I'm afraid I won't be me anymore, and I don't know what to do. I know logically Zuko's right. I'm the best candidate we have right now. But I'm scared."

~~

"Okay, let's do this before I change my mind." 

"No." 

Sokka blinked at Zuko and his instant shut down. "What?" 

"We're not doing this unless you're completely sure. There's too much risk otherwise." 

 Sokka's eyes narrowed. "What risk, you never said anything about risk." 

"Because the risk isn't to you." Zuko snapped, then took a few breaths to calm down. "Consensual energy bending like what I have planned has no real risk. But if you panic and change your mind it becomes a battle of will. Your will has never faltered. Mine has. You could shatter me, Sokka, so excuse me for not wanting to risk that until I know my work is done.”

There was a whole lot to unpack there. Zuko's lack of faith in himself, his utter faith in Sokka (who had to admit he was kind of touched the Avatar had no doubts he would be the one to come off better in a test of wills), or Zuko implying that the risk would be okay, as long as he'd made enough Airbenders to know the cycle wouldn't be broken upon his death. 

 It also helped to know Zuko wasn't so eager that he'd pressure Sokka into it. That took a load off his mind.

~~

"I'm sure." Zuko looked up from his meditation. He didn't have to ask what Sokka meant. 

"I thought about it and I had a lot of concerns about a lot of things, but in the end, I think it came down to your concern. You're right. Letting the cycle stay broken any longer than absolutely necessary is beyond risky. Being the Avatar doesn't protect you from death. I swore I'd do anything I could to help end the war. This wasn't what I was expecting, but I can’t turn away from it." 

Zuko nodded. Duty and Honor were what he understood best.  "Okay. Sit down in front of me. I'm going to need to put my hands on your head and heart to do this. Like I said before, please don't fight me. Also it would help if you focused on Air to give it something to anchor to." Zuko tried to sound wise teacherish, if only to hide how nervous he was about the procedure. 

He placed his hands where he said and bent. It was...like nothing he'd ever done before, it wasn't just pulling on an element, it was raising his awareness. He could suddenly see into Sokka's soul, and see the nodes of chakra that governed it. Sokka's elemental nodes were reasonably balanced with a slight weight towards Water. Not unusual for a non bender and oh hey he could raise Sokka's spiritual awareness and give Aang someone else to talk to. 

Tempting, but no. He'd stick to what he said and no more.

He strengthened the Air Charkra and pulled energy into it. But almost as quickly it drained out. "Sokka, are you focusing on air?" 

"Yeah, I'm thinking of all those dumb temples and everything." 

There was a beat of silence. "Sokka YOU ARE NOT A MONK. Those images mean nothing to you. Don't think about the image of what you think an Airbender should be. What does air mean to you?" 

To him? Sokka was taken aback. Air was...was...Air was wind. It was blowing snowflakes in a blizzard while Gran Gran told them stories of the North Pole. It was the crisp scent of salt as he stood on the shores waiting for his father's boat to return, which could turn sharp as a knife if it wanted. It was the warmth that filled their balloon and let them travel between poles all the way into the Fire Nation. Wind was Home. Wind was Freedom.  

And something in Sokka clicked. He opened his eyes to see an exhausted looking Zuko pulling his hand away, and the others just watching mouths mostly agape, with rocks clinging to Katara’s legs. 

"Will someone tell me what's happening?" Toph grumbled, keeping her hold on Katara. 

 "It was quite the impressive light show, nephew." Iroh observed, stroking his beard. "From both of you." 

"Both? Sokka's jaws worked up and down. Sure Zuko glowing was one thing, with his while Avatar dealy, but him too? 

"Sweetness here tried to grab you away. I may not know what's going on but, I figured that would be bad." Toph explained. 

"It would have." Zuko panted. "But it worked. " He gave Sokka a tried smile. "Congratulations. You're an airbender."

~~

"Hey Zuko, just to be clear. All we're doing is sitting at you families beach house laying low till the Day of Black Sun, right? There's nothing we need to be working on?" 

 Zuko shot Sokka a look. "Well, you need to be working on your airbending forms, otherwise no." Sokka's face had been pure mischief, Katara had caught it too. As had Toph, though she was grinning in a way that made things worse.

"Well I think this is a perfect time for a little Energy Bending practice. More precisely, I think you should take away Katara's waterbending till we're ready to leave." 

Katara let out a squack of indignation and Zuko just sighed. "Sokka, remember when I explained energy bending can be risky if the other person is unwilling? There is no way she's going to willingly give up her bending even temporarily." Zuko pointed out. 

"I wasn't suggesting we leave her empty handed." Sokka waved them off. "Something like, say, firebending?"  

"Why on Earth do you think I'd willingly become a firebender?" Katara asked heatedly. 

"Because when Zuko was having a hard time getting a grasp on waterbending, you made a claim that you could pick up fire much easier than he did water. I just want to see if it's true. Or do you admit you were empty boasting?"

 Katara glared at him, then marched up to Zuko. "Fire-ize me." 

Zuko sputtered, not expecting that. "Are...are you joking?" 

"Do it!" Katara’s tone left no room to argue.

 Zuko could feel the headache building, but put one hand on Katara's head and the other over her heart. It was honestly far easier than giving Sokka airbending. The water was well entrenched, but her anger was practically singing for fire. "Done. You might want to ask Uncle for lessons, though. He's a better teacher than me." 

She gave a curt nod, then a predatory smile at her brother, then walked off. 

"I can't BELIEVE you got away with that!" Toph was rolling on the ground laughing. 

"Who says he did?" Zuko smirked. "He got his sister pissed at him, then convinced me to give her the power to shoot fire." 

Toph laughed even harder as all the color drained from Sokka's face. "Better throw yourself on the mercy of the Avatar. It's the only chance you got." 

"Nope, even the Avatar knows to pick his battles. The entire fire nation army is one thing, I learned my lesson about little sister bending prodigies with fire. Good luck Sokka." 

~~

It was good to be free Cheif Hakoda thought as he stepped out of the balloon Sokka and the Avatar had rescued him in. They were in the Western Air Temple, apparently. According to to Sokka the Avatar's Uncle, an earthbender, and more importantly Katara was there as well. He saw her before she saw him. She was doing waterbending forms and he just wanted a moment to stop and look at her, to see how much she'd grown... And then a small gout of fire burst from her hands. 

"Sokka, I don't remember your sister being a firebender," Suki commented, staring at the sight.  

"We probably should have mentioned that." Zuko admitted. 

"Hey Katara, guests!" Toph said with a laugh. 

"Guests? Toph who could visit us way up here." Then she turned and saw them. "Dad?" she chocked, before running and squeezing him as hard as she could. 

"I'm here too," Suki joked. 

"Zuko and I May have staged a prison break. At the most high security Fire Nation prison to get him out." Sokka tried to sound casual, but was obviously pleased with himself. 

"Aang wants to point out he was there too." Zuko added. 

"Who's Aang, and why is Katara firebending?" Hakoda felt more confused by the second.  

"Aang is Zuko's Spirit Guide. As for the firebending, I just thought Katara should put her skill where her mouth was. Or rather her lack of skill." Sokka sounded smug. 

"You better be glad I'm so happy Dad's here or you'd be getting a fiery first to the face." 

"Like you could manage more than smoke." 

"If I may." Iroh interrupted. "When your daughter was teaching my nephew waterbending they came across a common problem among Avatars, a difficult grasping the opposing element. Katara made the claim that if she was in his place, she would be much more adept at firebending then he was at water." 

"My nephew learned of energybending, a way to give or take away bending ability, in his quest to bring Air back into the balance. And you son decided to call her months old bluff."

That...sounded like Sokka. "Avatar Zuko, I don't suppose you could set my daughter back to normal?" 

"Certainly sir," Zuko couldn't hide the relief in his voice, but Katara grabbed one of his wrists. 

"Oh no, you're not winning that easily." She warned. 

"Winning? I'm not even in this argument." Zuko protested. 

"I'm not giving up on this till I learn Firebending. Even if the day of Black Sun comes, I’ll be firebending into battle." Katara declared. 

"Okay no." Zuko put his foot down. "First of all we are not giving up one of the few waterbending masters in this fight for your ego. Second, there is no firebending on the Day of Black Sun. That's the whole point of the Day of Black Sun." 

Katara looked pensive for a moment. "Fine. I accept the second reason. But I'm going back to fire right after."

~~~~

I was a little torn on making Sokka a bender becasue, as was said above, he doesn’t need bending by any stretch of the imagination.  But thinking with an in universe perspective, there’s no one else Zuko would pick. He doesn’t have the confidence he’d win a battle of wills if someone tried to turn it on him the way Ozai did Aang, so he had to make sure at the very least the first new airbender was someone he’d trust his soul with. And that is a very short list,

[roswelldetails]

RNM 2x05 - I'll Stand By You

So just a little note from me, the person behind the season 2 detailing.  I am trying really really hard to keep emotion out of these posts...which is really really hard for me because I'm an inherently emotional person. I'm a glass case of emotion, ready to shatter at any given moment. (#dramatic)  But I want to be true to the intent of this blog and keep my feelings, biases, and, you know, shipping out of this blog.

It was really really hard to do with this episode. Because I straight up ugly cried for like, 45 of the 60 minutes. 😂

So I guess, the point is, I'm proud of myself and sticking to the details here. My regular blog is where I'm doing the emotional flip out thing! 😂

EPISODE SUMMARY:

ACCEPTING REALITY — The discovery of some complications with Max’s (Nathan Dean) pod forces Liz (Jeanine Mason), Michael (Michael Vlamis) and Isobel (Lily Cowles) to confront the possibility that they may not be able to save him. Elsewhere, Maria (Heather Hemmens) and Alex (Tyler Blackburn) make amends. Kimberly McCullough directed the episode written by Alanna Bennett & Jason Gavin (#205). Original airdate 4/13/2020. 

DETAILS:

Max/Isobel/Michael reunite at age 11 according to what Michael tells Alex in 1x10.  So that would make the opening of this episode set in 2002ish.

Michael tells Max and Isobel, "I remember you. I don't know you."

"After nobody adopted me for a year they just stuck me with the name of that trucker who found us."

"I didn't ask you for anything."

This is like the thesis statement of Michael's whole history with Max in the flashbacks.

"Don't pay more than you collect, kid. Passing credit back and forth is a good way to get stuck with somebody forever."

Rosa's art. 

What I can see says: "...what they all told me, but I didn't listen" and "Stand the shelter".

Rosa on her dreams

"I have not had any freaky dreams in weeks. Okay, Max is probably off haunting Isobel now that they're strong enough for their psychic twincest weirdness."

"How long has that been happening?"

"Um, I don't know. It's an old boom box."

"Rosa, have electrical appliances been malfunctioning around you?"

"I really thought it was just a side effect of the handprint."

"If being in the pod introduced a new protein into your system it could have altered your DNA too. You could be developing abilities."

"Liz, look. The handprint is changing.  It's smaller."

"It's fading."

"Tell me this is a good thing."

"I don't think so."

Michael and Liz theorizing on why the pod shorted out:

"The pod's got a charge. It's like a battery powering the preservation process. This one's gone dead."

"Did the generator blow the electromagnetic threshold?"

"I think a surge came from the pod itself. But that pod has lasted almost a century. It shouldn't glitch out."

"Okay, well, then, this one did."

"All right, stop. It doesn't matter why the pod is broken. It just is. So how long does Max have?"

"My theory is that being tethered to Rosa through the mark is what kept Max from going brain-dead, and in turn the stasis process is what kept the mark from fading. So he could be gone by tonight."

"Okay, well, we have three more pods. So let's just put him into another pod."

"No. He's just gonna do it again. I haven't told you everything. I didn't want to scare you. I didn't want to be the one that took the hope away."

"Talk now, Rosa. Right now."

"I was seeing Max in my nightmares months before I told you about it, and he was begging me to stop you. He said that he was in a lot of pain in there."

"That's Noah's pod. Noah told us it was broken. It wasn't keeping him in stasis. He could feel time passing. None of us thought of that."

"We've been doing everything we can to make Max stronger. He pulled his own plug."

Note...as far as we know Isobel was the only one who knew about Noah's pod being broken.  In 1x12 it was before Liz arrived at the house that he told them about the broken pod, so only Max and Isobel heard that part of the story.

Alex on his training. "NSA intelligence cryptology training".

Monitor screen in the secret lab:

Noah's heart is still too weak to transplant. Kyle says it needs at least eight more weeks

"I wrote a paper for a bioethics class on patients in vegetative states who feel pain. Sometimes it's all they feel."

As a non sciencey person, I was wondering if bioethics class was a real thing. Tonight I saw an interview on the news with a UC Berkeley bioethics professor on COVID. So yes, it's a thing.

Alex on Michael that summer post-Rosa's death:

Starting fights with jocks

Broke into the drugstore

Not going to UNM

Hasn't hung out with Max all summer

Got busted for stealing hubcaps (Kyle's hubcaps, we learn later) 

Became a walking bar fight

Was in jail when Alex left to enlist

Michael on Max in 2008:

"It's more than that. And it's less than that. We were friends when we were kids, but now Max reminds me of a bunch of stuff that I'd rather forget. The only thing that we have in common anymore is Isobel."

Max's yearbook had a pencil stuck in the page with Liz and Max's photo in it. (The one we first saw in 1x03).

"Biology Club. Max hated science. He was in that club for four years just to watch your sister chew on the end of her pencil."

Max's mindscape:

First just desert, clouds, and then lightning strikes (destructive energy?)

Liz's antennae -- they disappear from Isobel's hands

Rosa describes it as broken

Crashdown special is Max's favorite "Little Green Man milkshake".

The Crashdown counter is kind of merged with biology lab equipment. 

The juke box is there

The Crashdown booths

Jeep

Neon Crashdown sign

One of those claw drop game machines (from the Crashdown) but it's filled with baked good displays.

The yearbook

Later, everything else is gone except the one Crashdown booth, the Jeep, and the neon sign.

The distorted music they follow to find Max is the Cactus Groove song in the music list...just, messed around with. See @angsty-nerd's post here:

"I'm the hothead. You are the hero. It's always been that way."

"You stole the hubcaps off Kyle Valenti's graduation present. Both his parents are cops. Do you want to end up in jail tonight?". 

👀 Tonight, specifically. 

Michael seemed excited about the job at Foster's Ranch until he found out that Max set it up for him.  Max found out about it from his dad (only like the 2nd or 3rd mention of his dad in the series so far).

"When I got back in town I asked Max why you and your brilliant mind hadn't changed the world yet. He said you didn't care about the world enough to bother changing it. He believed you could."

Max and Isobel in the mindscape:

"You're okay. I could feel something was wrong with you.  Everything felt…"

"Cold. I know."

"You can't be here. It's finally ending.  I can feel it. But I don't know what happens if you're in my head when I die."

"So it's true? You want this?"

"I could feel my connection to the outside world getting stronger, so I snapped. I couldn't take it anymore. I released a surge. You have to let me go, Iz."

"I can't take it anymore."

"Okay."

"I am so sorry."

"I just want to memorize this."

"Okay. Okay.  I need you to tell Liz something."

"You can tell her yourself.  She and Kyle are prepping for surgery.  They're going to use the faulty heart. She just wants to talk to you before you die."

"No. No."

"You won't be suffering. They're just gonna bring you back and then let you go."

"No you have to stop this.  You cannot bring me back under any circumstances."

"Max? What is really going on?"

"I am dangerous.  Whatever Liz is bringing back is not me. It's just some broken shell."

Maria on her mom's computer 

"Her nurse said that for the two weeks before she went missing, when she wasn't trying to escape, she was talking to someone online."

The 21st birthday flashback

Isobel gets Michael to help move Max after getting drunk on tequila.  He passed out in front of the tattoo parlor. It's the same tattoo parlor Michael goes to at the end of the episode.

Max's weird drunken statement.

"The thing is, there has to be there. Okay? There's always three. Until the very end.  I'll show you...What it means is you should be here…'cause it's all broken without three. So we'll figure it out.  You'll find your way back."

👀 Until the very end. Interesting.

On Max becoming a deputy:

"You know he did the whole police academy thing because of you, right? He thinks you're gonna get into the kind of trouble you can't get out of if you don't know someone."

Back in the mindscape:

"I figured it all out. She, there's an energy to suffering, there's an energy to death, and when I heal people, I absorb that energy. So when I resurrected Rosa, I took in ten years of emptiness. So if you resurrect me, you will be bringing back an infection. Don't want… I don't want to come back as a monster. I don't want to hurt anyone that I care about."

"That's what this is about? We've been hurting, Max. We don't work without you."

"You will! You will. You are stronger now than when I died. All of you are. You, Michael, Liz, you will survive this. The three of you. No, you need to stop them, Iz. Now."

"Okay. I love you."

"You too." Isobel disappears.

Max is using pretty similar wording to his drunken rambles in the 21st birthday flashback

We don't see that Max is chained down until this next exchange with Rosa. Isobel didn't see that detail as far as we know.  Didn't hear the chains clanking when they stood and hugged. Only after Isobel left.

"I'm sorry this is happening."

"Isobel is lying. She is buying time.  You know she'll never let me go. But you can feel the darkness too, right? That's why you don't like being in my head. Because you know it's real."

"I didn't want that to be true, but yes."

"I know my sister and I know your sister and they'll never give up. So you have to be the one to stop this surgery, okay? Or I will destroy everything that we love. You have to stop them to save them. Now go.  Please, Rosa. Go."

Isobel explaining to Liz

"When he saved Rosa he absorbed all of that dark energy. He's gonna have to expel it."

"And he's afraid he's gonna kill someone when he does."

"Yeah. So we just need someone stronger than Max to take that hit...if he thinks he needs to protect us he obviously doesn't know how capable we are. Bring him back, Liz. I'll handle the rest."

"I get it now. It's gotta be the three of us."

"He would never pull his plug to end his own suffering. Unless he thought he was saving us from something. And I'm a little sick of his heroic martyr crap."

In case you missed it, Michael did not know that.  At the beginning of the hospital sequence Isobel is telling Liz what she learned in Max's mindscape and says that she hasn't been able to get ahold of Michael.  Michael figured it out on his own. He finally "got it".

The pacemaker:

Isobel with Max at the end… everything is gone except the Jeep. And Bright Eyes playing (the song he and Liz danced to on their first date back in 2008). And then his eyes close and Bright Eyes fades away.

“First thing I remember is the three of us. We woke up terrified and lost. But together. And then all of the sudden I was alone. I got real good at being alone. I had given up on people entirely. And then you found me again. Hell of hero move. You showed up just in time. When you are a kid who nobody loves, kindness is a currency. Friendship doesn’t means jack. Family just lies, and hurts, and leaves. I’ve only ever known love to be temporary. So yeah, I push people away. Every time someone threatens to care about me I test their love until they have to leave. Connection is conditional. Everybody eventually gives up on the guy who refuses to be rescued. But you were the only one who I couldn’t run off. You never believed me when I tried to be something I wasn’t. So this thing in your chest, it might give your heart a pretty solid kick every once in a while. Consider it payback. It’s my hero move, Max. If you wake up, you consider us even, okay? If you wake up, we can be a family.”

Good visual parallels during Michael's speech. Alex and Kyle drinking together during the "and then you found me again". Maria walking up on "the guy who refuses to be rescued"

Max is in the coma for three weeks.  Wakes up at the secret lab (instead of his house, which is where he was previously.  I'm guessing it was a planned wake up because he's no longer plugged into all of the IVs and whatnot.

"I begged you to understand."

"Max, it's gonna be fine."

"No… I told you to let me go. I can feel it inside me."

"It's...it's symmetry, okay? It's just energy for energy.  We can deal with that. Fight it, Max. This isn't you."

"I don't want to hurt you. I need to get out. I need to get away from you, from everyone."

"I can't let you do that."

Max shoves Isobel and runs. When he shoves her there's a slight ringing like the sound they use when the aliens use their powers.  Isobel follows and stops him with her powers.

"I made a promise that if you came back and you weren't Max, and you were actually going to hurt people that I would kill you. I figure, hey, you got to play God. Make life and death decisions all on your own. Well it's my turn now."

MUSIC:

1. Letters To Cleo "Here and Now"

2. Lady Antebellum "Love Don't Live Here"

3. Cactus Groove "Fallin"

4. James Talley "Big Thunder"

8. Ross Copperman "Stars Are On Your Side"

5. Lindsey Ray "Keep You Safe"

6. Tommee Profitt feat. Sam Tinnesz "With you Til The End"

7. Bright Eyes "First Day Of My Life"

The Cactus Groove song is the first song this season that I haven’t been able to find on Spotify… let me know if any of y’all had any luck with it!

[mattygraygubler]

our campus: chapter 4 (tom holland fanfic)

summary: frat!tom and reader go to the same college and y/n is tasked with being his tutor, they don’t really get along at first (because i love reader and tom hating each other trope)

warnings: none ?????

word count: 2.1k

a/n: so many texts and so much dialogue fuckin kill me also texts are bold

for a list of characters click here

to be added to the tag list send me an ask !

masterlist

✰✰✰✰✰

“I don’t know what you did to get her to give you a second chance, but I need to warn you.” Ally said. Tom turned to look at her, they had only ever spoken when necessary for theater stuff. 

“Warn me?” He asked. 

“Y/N can make your life either very, very good or very, very bad. She has most of the professors in this school wrapped around her pinky. And she doesn’t make it obvious, but she’s the smartest person I’ve ever met. She can really help you if you let her.”

“Well, thanks.” He said awkwardly and turned back to his stuff. 

“One more thing.” Ally said. Tom turned again and raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you dare catch feelings.” “Seriously? No need to worry about that.” Ally scoffed. 

“I’m serious, Tom. Don’t. She doesn’t need that right now.” 

“Yeah, fine, I get it.” He said. 

“Alright guys let’s get started.” Gigi said, signaling rehearsal was about to start. 

* * * 

It was finally Friday, and your phone was blowing up as you walked to the library. Class had gotten out late, so you were walking as fast as possible so you wouldn’t be late to your meeting with Tom. 

Al

if Y/N is ok with it its fine with me

Iz

i still dont know how i feel about this

Em 

pretty pretty please guys i really like this guy and he really wants me to go

You

what are we talking about i was in class

Al

harrison invited em and all of us to the delt party tonight

Iz

and i said we shouldnt go bc of what happened

plus isnt tom a delt? wouldnt that be a bit awk?

You

honestly i couldnt care less. after the week ive had im gonna too blacked to even realize where we are

Em

lets take it to a vote

aye

Al

aye 

Iz

nay

You

im abstaining

Em

the ayes have it! delt BABEEEYYYY

ill have harrison put us all on the list

You 

glad we got that sorted ill see u guys at mine at 8

You walked into the library, checking your watch and seeing it was 4:02. You bit your lip. Hopefully he didn’t give you any crap for being late. 

You walked quickly into hlab, and you knew you looked like a crazy person. Your bag was falling off your shoulder, you had a coffee in your hand and your water bottle tucked under your arm, and your phone in your other hand. 

You scanned the room and saw Tom sitting across from Max, both of them had books out. 

“Hi,” you said breathlessly. Max slid over a seat so you could sit across from Tom. “So sorry I’m late, crazy day.” 

“No worries dar-” You heard him start to say darling, but stopped himself. “No worries. It’s only 2 minutes after.” 

“How long have you been waiting?” You asked.

“Max and I have been hanging out for a while, not a big deal.” 

“Speaking of, I’m on alc duty for tonight so I better go.” Max said, did his stupid handshake with Tom, and walked out. 

Hlab was almost empty except for some freshman. Most people don’t like studying on a Friday, who could blame them?

“So I got a copy of your lectures from this week. What do you want to start with?”

“I don’t care.” 

“Ok, what is currently confusing you the most?” He thought for a second before saying “Astronomy.” You nodded. 

“Great, grab your notes and your textbook.” He pulled out a notebook and his laptop, opening the online textbook. You pulled out your laptop and a pen and highlighter. 

“May I?” You asked and pulled his notebook to your side. You went through his notes, circling certain things with the pen and highlighting others. 

“These are really good, Tom. I like how you put question marks next to things that confused you.” He laughed. 

“Do I get a gold star?” He joked. You rolled your eyes. 

“So phases of the moon.” You started. 

“Wait a second,” he said after you had been talking for a while. “You’re telling me that the moon doesn’t actually, like, change?” 

“It’s all shadows.” You replied. He nodded and seemed to finally be getting it. 

“The phases will most definitely be on your next lab, which isn’t open note, so make sure you memorize them.” You said. “Let’s move onto stats.” He groaned. “What?” You asked. 

“Statistics is so stupid. Letters and numbers shouldn’t go together.” You rolled your eyes. 

“Stats is easy, I promise you. This is the first unit, all we’re doing is descriptive statistics and graphing. Let’s start with some vocab.” You said, highlighting certain words in his notes. 

Once you could see his brain was about to explode, you moved onto writing. 

“There’s not much to talk about, just email me your most recent paper so I can go through it and look for themes we need to discuss.” 

‘“Themes?” He asked. 

“You know, on going issues that need to be addressed.” He nodded and emailed you his paper, which you would read tomorrow. You heard your phone buzz and took a quick glance. 

Em

al dont be upset

Al

then dont give me a reason to get upset

what is it

Em

……….. It’s themed

Al

are you kidding? were not freshmen, i dont wanna go to a stupid themed frat party

Em

its blackout !!!! itll be fun i promise

You turned your phone back down and didn’t realize you had an upset look on your face. 

“Everything ok?” He asked. 

“Just arguing in the group chat.” 

“Do you need to go?” He asked. 

“No, no, just arguing about tonight.” 

“What’s tonight?” 

“Tonight is not related to political conflict, which is what we should be talking about.” He laughed. 

“Do you ever have fun?” 

“Excuse me?” 

“I’m serious, do you ever have fun, or do you just go to sleep surrounded by planners and textbooks.” 

“That’s not funny. There’s a lot more about me that you don’t know.” 

“Clearly.” 

“So we’re starting off with socioeconomic issues over time and the class strugle. Did you read the Marx chapters?” 

“Yup. Didn’t understand a word of it.” 

“Ok, let’s get into it.” You said and began rambling about the bourgeoisie and the communist manifesto. Politics was your favorite subject, you could talk about it for hours. 

You were having a really good discussion with Tom. It was global political conflict, and he was able to connect the themes to both America and England, which made you really pleased. 

You were pulled out of your discussion when your phone vibrated. 

Iz

pickin up panera anyone want anything 

“Jeez it’s already past 6:30, I gotta go.” You said. 

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He said. 

“No it’s not your fault, I get so into politics I lose track of time.” “I can tell.” He said as you both packed up your stuff. 

“Wanna grab some food?” He asked. 

“Sorry, can’t,” you said. 

“Why, got a hot date?” He joked. 

“Maybe,” you said. 

“At least let me walk you to wherever you’re going.” 

“You don’t have to do that.” 

“Well where are you going?” 

“Congression Hall?” You replied. 

“Wait, you live there?” 

“Uhm, yes? Me along with practically every other junior.” 

“What floor?” 

“8.” You said. 

“Should’ve guessed.” He replied as you started walking across the quad. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“Honors 8. I forgot you were in hc.” He was referring to the eighth and top floor of Congression Hall, which was reserved for the honors college juniors. 

“Yeah.” You said simply. 

“I’m on six, by the way.” He said. “That’s why I was curious. I’ve never seen you around there.” 

“I’m not usually, I only really use it for sleep.” 

“Of course,” he replied. 

“I assumed you lived in a frat house.” You commented. 

“Nah, next year.” He said with a wink. “Speaking of frat houses, there’s kind of this party going on at Delt tonight-” 

“I’m aware.” You said, cutting him off. 

“Ah, well, if you want I can get you on the list.” You smiled to yourself. 

“No need, I’m already on the list.” You said. 

“Oh?” He said, clearly embarrassed. “Because of delta nu?” 

“Nope.” You said, not offering any other information. 

“Well maybe I’ll see you there then.” 

“Even if you do see me there, I will be pretending I don’t know you.” 

“Why?” He asked, clearly offended. “I run that house.” He joked, trying to play off the embarrassment. 

“No offense, but your reputation would not be good for mine.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“Well I have a certain reputation in the greek community, and if people see me with you they’ll get the wrong idea.” 

“The wrong idea?” He asked as you walked in the lobby of your building. 

“Well, see, the thing is,” you said, stepping into the elevator. He pressed the button for six and eight. “I have certain standards. If people see me with you, they’ll think I’ve…” 

“Wow, you are really uptight, aren’t you?” 

“Excuse me?” 

“Certain standards? Jesus christ, you’re not the queen, Y/N. And I don’t have a bad reputation. But god forbid I don’t live up to your ‘standards.’” He said, storming off the elevator without another word, clearly upset. You sighed. Good job, Y/N. 

Tom got to his room and threw his stuff on the floor, collapsing on his bed. His head hurt from all the tutoring, and trying to focus on not staring at your lips. 

delt juniors

Tom

aight important question guys

Cal

whats up tommy

Tom

do you guys know a girl called Y/N Y/L/N? shes a delta nu

Joey

dan knows her ;)

Cal

fuck, Y/N? what are you doing with her? 

Tom

shes tutoring me stop buggin 

Max

i know her which u know shes in hc with me 

Liam

oh danny DEFINITLY knows her 

Will

who doesnt know Y/N? shes a hot commodity

Tom

what do you mean? 

Cal

shes like the perfect girl next door, totally hot and so smart which just makes her hotter

Will

doesnt help that shes a huge fuckin flirt AND can hold her alc

Joey

dan is being suspiciously quiet……..

Dan

shut up joe

Liam

care to share with tommy your story with Y/N, daniel? 

Dan

i hate u all 

fine

i was like in love with her freshman year

and i thought she was into me too

and we made out a couple of times but nothing else

the second she found out i was in delt she stopped talking to me

like complete radio silence 

Tom

wtf? Why? 

Cal

she doesnt fuck with delts

thats like common greek knowledge

Will

maybe its because shes gonna be dchi sweetheart? 

Joey

nah theres gotta be something else

Harrison

well i just put her on the list for tonite

Tom

wait YOU put her on the list?! 

Harrison

yeah i invited her friend Emily Gold and she doesnt go anywhere without Y/N and these two other girls

Cal

Ally Park and Isabelle Miller

Harrison

yeah howd u know? 

Cal

theyre like those cool girls from high school everyones obsessed with that are just out of everyones league

Tom

wow american high schools are so weird

Dan

tom if u wanna get with her i wont be pissed

Tom

nah like you said she hates delts, and after three tutoring sessions with me i guarentee i am her least favorite delt ever

Liam

theres no fuckin way she shows up tonight

she wouldnt be caught dead at a delt party

Noah

wait you said Y/N Y/L/N may come tonight????

DIBS

DIBS DIBS DIBS

I CALL DIBS

Cal

noah u seriously show up just to call dibs?

Noah

yeah bro have u seen her? if she comes tonight and any of you try to cockblock me i stg ill deck you

Dan

pretty sure tommy has rightful dibs to this one

Tom

nah fam she hates me so fuckin much

let noah try his luck

i doubt she’ll even show

Max

she’ll show. 

Tom

what makes u say that? 

Liam

max does know her best

Max

she and ally and emily and isabelle are ride or die. they circulate who picks what party they go to and if its emilys turn and harrison somehow conviced her to go, Y/N wont miss it

Dan

she hasnt set foot in a delt house since freshman year, you seriously think she’ll show? 

Max

five bucks says she does

Dan

youre on 

Noah

i just wanna make it clear

that if she does show

D I B S

[the--blackdahlia]

It’s So Easy (And Other Lies) Chapter 17

Title: It’s So Easy (And Other Lies) Chapter 17

Summary: Stevie Adler likes Duff McKagan. She has for a while now, but she is convinced Duff doesn’t like her that way. Duff likes Stevie, but so does their new bandmate Axl Rose.

Chapter Warnings: Language, sickness

AN: Thank you for all the feedback!

A Couple Months Later

It was back to work. The honeymoon was long over and Axl was starting to turn the band into a dictatorship. They were working on some new songs for the big album Axl had planned. He had even brought in a full time keyboard player named Dizzy Reed. He was a pretty nice guy, but they had to call him Reed and use Izzy’s last name in order to help with first name confusion, not that it worked half the time.

Stevie could feel a slight shift in the band as they worked on the song “Civil War”. Things were getting tense, Axl was snippier than normal, Izzy wasn’t hanging out and was distancing himself from the frontman, Slash seemed grumpy, and things just were not the same as they had been.

And then they were told about Farm Aid.

“Wait, isn’t that the thing Bob Geldof did?” Slash asked as they were sitting around, talking about it. Geffen had given them some information about it, and they were passing it around, reading about it.

“No, that was Live Aid,” Dizzy informed them.

“This was started by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young,” Duff told them, reading the paper the information packet.

“Oh, so it’s Pot Farm Aid,” Stevie laughed a little. She wasn’t feeling very great right now and was resting against Duff. He carded his fingers through her hair.

“Well, where is it?” Izzy asked Duff. He was sitting on the other side of Stevie on the couch, putting as many people between him and Axl as possible. Izzy had told Stevie what had happened, and she didn’t really blame him. Duff looked at the venue date and location and started to laugh. “What?”

“You’ll love it,” Duff told him. “Farm Aid 4 will be at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana.”

“Fuck!” Izzy and Axl both groaned at once.

“Just when I think I’m out, it pulls me back in,” Axl sighed. Izzy rolled his eyes.

“We get like twelve minutes,” Duff flipped through the paper. “So we can do a couple shorter songs.”

“Or, we can premier “Civil War”,” Slash suggested. “I think it’s ready and we still have a few weeks to perfect anything we don’t like.”

“I think that could work,” Axl agreed. “Okay, we’ll put the other music on hold until we’re sure that Civil War is 100% ready.”

****

2 Days Before Farm Aid

Stevie was throwing up again. Her stomach didn’t hurt, and she didn’t have a fever, but it had been happening on and off for the past couple weeks. What she thought had been the flu or food poisoning had to be something else. She had a feeling she knew what it was. So, while Duff was out with the other guys, Stevie went to the drugstore and bought a pregnancy test. She followed the instructions on the box and waited for the results.

And it came back positive.

She was pregnant. Her and Duff were having a baby.

While she was excited, they had this big concert coming up. They were all so excited and so focused on it, she didn’t want to take away from it.

So the announcement could wait a few days until the event was over, right?

She tossed the test in the trash and went back to packing for the trip. It gave her plenty of time to think of the best way to announce it to Duff. She wanted to do something special. She was sure that she would have a big way to announce it to her husband by the time the concert was over.

****

Indianapolis, Indiana

Two Days Later

“Oh Indiana, the Hoosier state,” Axl sighed as they walked out of the airport to the car that was taking them to the hotel. They would drop their stuff off before heading to the venue for Farm Aid. Thankfully, it was April, and while it wasn’t exactly warm, it wasn’t as cold as they thought it would be, but it wasn’t warm either.

“What is a Hoosier?” Duff asked as they got in the car. Izzy sat by him and Stevie while Dizzy and Slash sat with Axl.

“The fuck if I know,” Axl shook his head.

“Well, you’re from here. Shouldn’t you know?” Dizzy pointed out, to which Axl glared at the keyboardist. He just gave the frontman a sheepish smile in return.

“A Hoosier...is a person from Indiana,” Izzy supplied as he lit his cigarette.

“Thanks for your knowledge Mr. Stradlin,” Slash laughed. Stevie rested her head on Duff’s arm and closed her eyes for a brief moment.

“You okay?” He asked her as the car made the trek from the airport to the hotel. He played with her hair gently.

“Yeah, just tired,” She told him. “Practice today, event tomorrow, then I’m going to sleep for a few days.” She knew she shouldn’t do it, but she hadn’t been eating very much to limit the morning sickness until after the event. She really didn’t want to blow the surprise by throwing up everywhere.

“Then it’s back to work on the albums you mean,” Axl laughed. Stevie sighed.

“Yeah, that’s what I meant…” She closed her eyes again.

Duff frowned as he looked at his wife. Something was wrong, he could feel it. He knew that she wanted to go back to their Seattle home. Hell, he did too. But while they were working on the albums, they had to be in LA. It wouldn’t be too much longer and they could go back. Maybe that would cheer her up. He knew it would make him feel better.

They got to the hotel and their manager was given all the keys before they headed up to the floor. He passed them all out and Izzy, Duff, and Stevie immediatly went to their rooms, leaving Dizzy, Slash, and Axl to mingle for a bit. Upon arriving in their room, Stevie threw herself on the bed. Duff would’ve laughed, but she had been so under the weather here the past few weeks.

“You feeling okay babe?” Duff asked, brushing her hair back.

“Yeah. Just this flu or whatever is really taking it out of me,” She laughed a little. He placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Axl can let us have a couple days off after this,” He told her. “He’s got all the words and music written down for this big, extravagant album. We just have to put it together. Hell, I think Dizzy already has a lot of the synth stuff down. Plus, I think that Izzy and everyone else could use a few days off too.”

“Yeah,” Stevie nodded, curling up farther into the blanket on the bed.

“You really aren’t feeling good, are you?” Duff asked. She just looked up at him. “After practice, we’ll get something to eat. Dinner, just the two of us?”

“That sounds amazing,” She stretched. “I miss our one on one dates.”

“Me too sweetheart.” He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. “Come on, let’s get to rehearsal.”

****

They practiced the two songs they were going to do at the venue, watching while people set up everything around them. Civil War followed by Down on the Farm. Everything sounded great in the large venue, but Stevie really just wanted to go back to the hotel and go to bed. She really hadn’t been feeling good, but she was looking forward to a night out with her husband.

“Ready to go babe?” Duff asked when they got done. Stevie smiled and nodded.

“Let’s go,” She laughed and took his hand. They headed out, heading to one of the downtown restaurants that had caught Duff’s eye.

“How about when we get back to LA, we take a week and go back to Seattle?” Duff asked as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they walked. “I know you miss the house. I miss it too. We could spend the whole week there.”

“That sounds amazing,” Stevie admitted. “But don’t you think Axl would throw a fit? You know how he wants to get this grand work of his out.”

“Screw him,” Duff rolled his eyes. “I don’t care if his fucking album doesn’t get out on time. All I care about is that my wife is happy.” Duff led her into the somewhat busy restaurant, but they got a table pretty quickly thankfully. They took their seats and ordered their drinks, Duff not seeming to notice that Stevie didn’t order alcohol when he ordered a beer.

“You think Axl and Izzy are happy to be back?” Stevie asked, sipping on the juice she had gotten.

“I think they’re fine as long as we don’t play Lafayette,” Duff laughed. “But soon, we’ll be back home in our bed and getting a much deserved break.”

“Yeah,” She nodded. “Duff, I…” Stevie was going to tell Duff what she had been wanting to tell him since she saw the positive test, but she was cut off.

“I’m here with them!” She heard Izzy tell the hostess. Duff and Stevie looked up as Izzy joined their table as the waitress came to get their order. “Hey guys!” He gave them a small smile. Duff and Stevie looked at each other before looking back at Izzy.

“Hey Iz,” Duff smiled. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I wanted a table and they’re kinda busy, and you had an extra seat. And, you know, sharing is caring,” The guitarist smiled at them. “And the first place I was going to, Axl was going and...I just don’t really want to spend time with him…” Stevie sighed a little.

“Make yourself at home,” She told him. Izzy nodded.

“Right on,” He took a menu to order his food. Stevie went with something light, since her stomach wasn’t agreeing with food. Duff and Izzy chatted while Stevie picked at her salad. Soon, they were done and the trio headed back to their hotel. Stevie shivered a little and Duff placed his jacket on her shoulders.

“You okay?” Izzy asked, looking at Stevie. He had adopted her like a sister just like Slash had, since she had been so supportive of him when he told her everything.

“I’m fine,” She told him. “Just kinda tired.” She snuggled into Duff’s jacket.

“I think her and I are gonna take a week and go back to Seattle,” Duff told Izzy. “Princess Peach is probably missing us. He’s been staying with Stevie’s mom, and I know he misses my mom. She spoils the brat.”

“King Axl won’t like that, but if you guys take off, I’m going to lock my apartment door and chill out for that week. Or maybe I’ll go someplace too,” Izzy smiled at them. “Let’s go get some sleep. We’ve got a big day ahead of us.”

****

Stevie slept through the wake up call. She slept through Duff getting up and opening the curtains. She just buried herself deeper into the blankets. Her body hated her and she really didn’t want to get up. Duff crawled onto the bed and placed kisses on her.

“Babe,” He whispered to her as he kissed her neck. “Get up.”

“Don’t wanna,” She groaned.

“Sweetheart, you have to,” He chuckled. “I know you’re tired Stevie, but once we’re done, we can ditch Izzy, Axl, Dizzy, and Slash. Head back to LA, snag Princess Peach, then get to Seattle and spend a week in our bed.” He kissed her shoulder.

“Okay, okay, I’m getting up,” Stevie told him. “But I’m not happy about it.”

“I know honey,” He laughed and watched as she got up and started to get ready. Duff watched her for a minute before he got ready himself.

****

The event was packed. There were so many artists gathered around, chatting, and the fans filled the stadium. They were all backstage, getting ready. Stevie watched as Izzy casted a couple looks in Axl’s direction, almost like he wanted to talk to him, but he just shook his head and buttoned his shirt. They were ready and led out to the stage for their small set. A quick warm up with the crowd staring at them and they were ready to go.

Stevie focused on the drums. That’s all she could manage to do. But fuck, why did Axl start wanting their songs to be seven minutes and longer. And they still had one more song to do. She just needed to focus on the drums and they would be done soon.

And they were, thankfully. They took their bows, waved at the crowd, then headed backstage. Dizzy, Axl, Slash, and Duff were walking ahead of Stevie and Izzy. Izzy was talking to Stevie.

“You excited to get back to Seattle?” Izzy asked, glancing over at her. “Too bad we can just work on it up there so you guys can be in your home for awhile or something.” He noticed that Stevie was quiet. “Stevie?” He looked at her, expecting to see her still walking with him.

Instead she stopped walking as the hall started to spin.

“Stevie?” Izzy asked again. The next thing he knew, her knees were buckling and she was going down to the ground. “Shit! Stevie!”

Forever Tags: @anathewierdo​ @dekahg​ @marvel-af-imagines​ @feelmyroarrrr​ @nanie5​ @imboredsueme​ @gemini0410​ @aiaranradnay​ @babypink224221​ @mogarukes​ @xxwarhawk​ @sandlee44​ @shatteredabby​ @caswinchester2000​ @supernaturalwincestsblog​ @lauravic​ @mrsambroserollinsacklesmgk​ @teller258316​ @horrorpxnk​ @tommyleeownsme​ @marvelismylifffe​ @mrslogansixxpixx​

Guns n Roses Tags: @duffshairdye​ @slashscowboyboots​ @hauntedapricoteggsclam​ @bitter-13-suite​ @arianareirg​ @lucyboytom​ @ozzy-dumbass-of-darkness​

It’s So Easy TAgs:  @str4nge-haze​ @viralwolf02​

[crushedbyhyperbole]

Promises - Chapter Six

Chapter Summary: Rules and red tape.  Bucky and Izzy make the agreement that will redefine their friendship from then on out.  Bucky thinks this is singularly the best and the worst idea he’s ever agreed to.  It’s not like there’s a chance something will go wrong further down the line, right?  Right?

A/N: Ok so I toyed with abbreviated text speak for the [text messages] but it annoys me so much I can’t bring myself to put it in there, authenticity be damned.  Yes, I’m anally retentive, it IS a big problem, and no, I’m not currently seeking help ;)

I’m just going to apologise that this chapter is mainly dialogue, and probably not all that good dialogue either, but it sets everything up for Bucky and Izzy’s friends with benefits relationship.  The next couple of chapters after this are going to be smut central so you have been warned.

Warnings:  Tiny bit of angst - Bucky is feeling the stress. Mostly just fluff and talking.

PROMISES MASTERLIST  |  MAIN MASTERLIST  |  MOBILE MASTERLIST

Belated Prologue Part Five - The Rules

At a little after lunch time the next day, Bucky’s phone buzzed to life.

  [Izzy]  Morning Buckinator!  This is your next morning sobriety text! X

So much for her forgetting, he thought ruefully.  I guess I’m really gonna have to consider the options, now.  Fuck!

  [Buck]  Good morning.  You feeling rough? x

  [Izzy]  I feel like I licked the inside of a trash can.  What did you give me to drink?  Booty juice? X

  [Buck]  Hey, you asked for it x

  [Izzy]  I remember asking for something else too… so how about it? ;)

Euphoria.  Fear.  Anticipation.  Dread.  He felt them all and more each time he thought about the predicament that Izzy was putting him in.  He made a promise to himself that he’d keep his feelings under wraps, and do whatever he could to keep her in his life.  She was offering him something that he never thought he’d ever have but it was only half of what he wanted and it could ruin them if things went badly.

Rules were a good idea, they would help keep things in check and set boundaries.   There were only a few things that Bucky really wanted out of this arrangement and that was to safeguard their friendship and for it not to be a drunken booty call thing.  Oh, and safe sex.

  [Buck]  I dunno Iz we got a lot to lose if this goes bad x

  [Izzy]  It won’t.  Pinky promise. XX

She had to go and say fucking ‘pinky promise’.

  [Buck]  What got you started on this idea?

  [Izzy]  Honestly?  I’m horny and every guy I meet either comes with some amount of bullshit that I just don’t have the time or energy for right now.  I need a friend, someone who understands and will share this with me.  Guys I meet for 1 night are just there to get themselves off.  I want a bit more respect than that. X

  [Buck]  And your 1st thought was me? xx

  [Izzy]  Actually no, my first thought was paying for an escort but that doesn’t get you over the awkwardness of sex with a stranger. X

  [Buck]  I dunno that can be fun :p

  [Izzy]  Fun but not what I’m looking for. X

  [Buck]  Fair enough.  Why me? xx

  [Izzy]  Of all of the people I know who would probably sleep with me, you’re the safest option.  I can’t ask Steve, he’d die of embarrassment lol. X

Steve would probably drop down dead if Izzy had asked him.  As it was, Bucky wasn’t doing much better.  His mouth was dry and he was almost shaking with nerves, skin pale and clammy.  Panic was growing in his chest and all he could think about was losing her if this all went tits up.  He registered somewhere in the back of his mind that Izzy had put him on the list of people who would maybe want to sleep with her.  He didn’t know if that said more about her or him, and didn’t know if he should be offended or not.  He let it slide.

  [Buck]  I’m pretty much dying over here too xx

  [Izzy]  You can say no, Bucky. I’ll not be upset or anything. XXX

  [Buck]  true story? x

  [Izzy]  True story.  Listen, are you free in an hour? X

  [Buck]  Yep, I work at 6 though x

  [Izzy]  Come round to mine, we’ll talk ok? XX

  [Buck]  Ok doll xx

Jesus what was he doing?  This had to be the worst and the best idea of all time.  He was torn between protecting what he had and seizing this new opportunity.  He might actually get the chance to sleep with Izzy, more than once too, and have it not ruin their friendship

 Izzy answered the door in lounge wear; black leggings, novelty slippers and a huge white rolling stones t-shirt.  There was no big showy seduction going down here which made him feel more at ease.  He was usually confident when it came to sleeping with women but this was one of his best and oldest friends.  There was a history there that he cherished as much as he cherished her.

“Drink?”  She offered, shuffling off to the kitchen in her slippers.

“Soda, coffee, whatever.  I’m easy.”

“Well I had heard that about you but I didn’t want to believe the gossip.”  She quipped.

“I see my reputation precedes me.  I presume that’s why I’m here.”  It was half a joke and half serious.

He was curious as to whether Izzy had chosen to ask him because he slept around a little and had no problem with no strings sex.  The problem was, with her, there were so many strings it was a tenuously strung web of feelings and memories.  No part of this was going to be easy for him, but she had asked, and he would give her anything.

She passed him a chilled can of diet Pepsi before slouching on the sofa.  She seemed comfortable with him, even in this awkward situation.

“I wouldn’t say it preceded you but I’m aware of it.”  She smirked lightly.

“I do come with recommendations.”  Bucky raised a sarcastic eyebrow.

She nodded, distracted, distant.  The missed opportunity for a ‘your mom’ joke betrayed her nerves.

“Look, you can say no.  I understand it’s not ideal.  I just need someone reliable who gets me and won’t hurt me.  Someone I connect with but who won’t make demands on my time or dictate to me how to live my life.  You’re one of the most laid back guys I know and you’ve always looked after me, Bucky.  I just need someone I can be with without any drama, you know, without any bullshit.”

Bucky felt like he was watching the scene from somewhere deep in his skull, too far behind his own eyes for him to actually be in control of his own mouth at this point.  What she was asking for was virtually everything he wanted but he wanted love too.  She was willing to give him almost everything he wanted other than a full-on relationship.

He decided it was as close as he was ever going to get and who knew, maybe the feelings would come for her later, just maybe she could learn to love him like he loved her.  Or even part way to that and he’d be ok with it.

“I know I can, Iz, it’s just that I really cherish what we have and if this thing that we’re talking about here doesn’t work, and if it ruins our friendship I don’t know what I’d do.  You and Steve, you’re everything to me.  I can’t lose you, not for a few tumbles in the sack.”  He was being as honest as he could without breaking his promise to himself.

“Then that’ll be one of the rules.”  She said, regarding him carefully.

Bucky licked his lips absently as he thought about it.  It could work, if they absolutely promised each other that their friendship came first, no matter what.

“Okay.”  He said, blowing an unsteady breath out through pursed lips.

“Okay?”  She jumped with anticipation.

“Yeah.”  Bucky sighed right before Izzy threw herself forward to hug him.

“You’re awesome!”  She breathed against his neck.

She felt different, all of a sudden.  The giddy thrill of holding her with his feelings kept hidden had been replaced with the deep burn of longing.  He had permission to want her now, permission to touch her more than he ever had, but yet he didn’t.  They needed to set boundaries.

Pulling away, he stood up, turning his back to her as he collected himself.

“I have requirements.”  Bucky said, after a few long moments of silence where they both just existed in the space, contemplating how everything was going to be different for them both after this.

“Okay,” she pulled out her phone.  “Rule 1.”

“Protection.  The sex always has to be safe.”

“Okay, yeah, good.”  She typed quickly.  “Rule 2.”

“Respect.”  Bucky crossed his arms across his chest and frowned slightly as he searched for the right words.  “No drunken booty calls, or making the other person feel shit for saying ‘no’.  We respect each other as we always have and respect our other friends too.”

“Okay, got it.”  She smiled softly.

“You do one or I’ll feel like I’m dictating.”

“Rule 3.  No catching feelings.”  She said after a long pause.  “If it’s just sex it should be just sex.  One person falling for the other will probably end in disaster so no feels and no jealousy.”

That was her first rule, no falling in love with him?  Did it matter that he had already fallen for her?  She said ‘no catching feelings’ but his were already caught.  No matter how he looked at it, it still hurt to hear.

“Ok, in that case rule 4 should be no displays of affection.  No kissing, no cuddling, no holding hands romantically, no gifts other than maybe the standard shit we’ve always done at Christmas or birthdays.”  He clenched his jaw slightly.  This was more difficult than he’d thought it would be.  “Rule 4 supports rule 3.  If there’s to be no chance of one of us catching feelings then avoiding the little things like that will help.”

“Right.”  Her fingers tapped frantically over her phone screen. “Rule 5.  We both have to get off.  I’m about done with guys and their panda antics.”  She said with a frustrated sigh.

“Panda antics?”

“You know.  That joke?  Why is a man like a panda?  Because he eats, shoots and leaves.”

“Ohhhh, that’s witty.”  Bucky smothered his smirk.  “You know I’d never do that to you, right?”

“Let’s call this insurance.”

“What if I want to get you off but not myself?”  He couldn’t believe he was even discussing this stuff with her.

“I suppose that’s your call.”  She bit her lip thoughtfully.  “Okay, so we both have to be willing to make sure we both get off, unless we choose otherwise for ourselves.”

“Okay, deal.  Rule 6.”  Bucky sat back down beside Izzy, the warmth of her leg against his was both comforting and alluring.  “We only do this while we’re both single.  And we’re up front about the people we’re seeing.”  He wanted to know in advance if there was to be someone else on the scene.

“As soon as we think we might like someone we press pause.”  Izzy was concentrating on getting it all down on her phone as Bucky watched her.  The way she chewed the inside of her mouth, her minuscule frown.  He couldn’t believe he was this close to having her.

“Rule 7?”

“Rule 7.”  She mused.  “We have to keep it secret.”

“Yeah, Steve would freak the fuck out!”

“Imagine the lectures?  Oh god!”  She laughed.

“No one is gonna understand this whole thing so yeah, keeping it to ourselves is a good call.”  Bucky could do that.  The only person either of them would have an issue keeping a secret from was actually Steve.  It would be interesting to see if he could tell there was something going on.

“Rule 8.  Just sex, no making love.”  She sat back against the cushions as she wrote.  “No sleepovers in the same bed either.  And we should probably avoid using the word ‘love’ at all too.”  She tapped her phone against her thigh as she mentally weighed the idea.  “If we never say it, even to describe something, then it can never be misconstrued.  Rule 3, remember?”

“Sure.”  He said in absent agreement.  “Define making love.”

“Oh, you know, slow and passionate, with kissing and holding each other.  Staring lovingly into each other’s eyes, that sort of thing.”

“Right.”  He had a significant downward turn to his excitement now.  All these rules put in place just to stop either of them from catching feelings.  Knowing when you were breaking rule 8 might be difficult but he supposed that if you left out the kissing and eye contact then some slow sex might get past unnoticed.  “Rule 9?”

“No nudes.”

“Seriously?”  Disappointment didn’t cut it.

“Seriously!”  She chastised.  “There’s no way I’m letting naked pictures of myself anywhere near your phone, that any one of your friends might see… Hell no!”

“What if I wanted to send but not receive?”

“You wouldn’t want to receive?”

“Well, yeah I would, but…”

“No nudes, Bucky.”

“Ahh come on, you’re breaking my balls here.”

“What would you want them for anyway?”

“You have to ask.”  He laughed.

Izzy just shook her head with a bemused smile.  She knew, of course she did.  All guys liked to keep something to get them going with their personal time.

“Okay then, rule 10?”

The pair of them pondered in silence for a few moments.

“I got nothing.”  Bucky shrugged.

“Ooooh!”  Izzy twitched.  “Rule 10 should be the all-encompassing friendship rule.  Our friendship comes first, no matter what.”

How could he have forgotten that one?  It was the thing that was most important to him.  The first thing he’d said before they even started concocting rules and boundaries.

“That’s the most important thing to me, Izzy, I mean it.”

“Me too.”  She smiled and squeezed his hand.

After a long pause, she read through the 10 rules they had drawn up.  There were a few things that weren’t covered but they could go on for days creating red tape for themselves.

Red tape, hmm, I wonder. 

“So is there anything you don’t like, or won’t try?  Anything that’s a total turn off?”  Bucky wanted to get some insight into the territory he’d be traversing.

“Honestly, I don’t know.  I guess we just talk about it?  Do the respect thing, no forcing each other and no guilt trips if one of us says no.”

“Sounds fair.”  Bucky nodded.  “And when exactly are you thinking we start this arrangement?”

“Whenever you’re ready.”  She said calmly, like this wasn’t the most nerve racking thing he’d done since leaving the army.

Bucky just blinked.  Was he ready?

Continue to chapter seven >>>