#okay that didn't work like I wanted it to but the sentiment stands

[idk-bruh-20]

Ok I think I’ve got a good one! Post NWH Fix it

-What Peter didn’t realize, and what Dr. Strange didn’t have time to explain, was that everyone would forget who Peter Parker is…including Peter Parker.

-Cue amnesiac Peter, wandering, scared and trying to survive on his own.

*May and Tony are alive, because I refuse to bring back Tony without May because Peter deserves better and I *bawled* in the theatre during both scenes.

-Tony Stark, perhaps with a touch of resistance to magic due to handling the infinity stones, wakes up one morning feeling like something is missing.

-Maybe he goes about his day, drinks his coffee, ruffles his daughters hair with his fancy prosthetic, and wanders up the stairs and into a certain guest room, except this guest room is messy with textbooks, and clothes on the floor that would fit a teenage boy and he *freaks*.

- He is missing a whole ass child and has no idea whom, or why.

How do you find a missing person if you don’t know who you’re missing?

*using movie logic, no clear photos or digital data exists, except that which is related to Spider-Man

- So much potential for a mystery novel, detective Tony on the case to find his son, and once he does, figure out what happened and what the heck Spider-Man has to do with it.

Surprise Biodad AU: Maybe he gets desperate, asks Strange for a tracking spell that tracks DNA matches to a certain percentage.

And it WORKS, but no one knows any better so no one realizes anything is off until memories are back lol.

Fabulous outstanding incredible thank you!!!!

I'm gonna queue this post as a gift to the whole irondad community for while I'm away. you rock @knittyninja <333

[b1ackoutartist]

Culinary troubles

Y/N pushed the door open, her keys jingling as she tossed them onto the small table by the entrance. The familiar comfort of home embraced her, but something was amiss. A peculiar scent wafted through the air, one that didn't quite belong in the cozy apartment she shared with Natasha.

"Nat?" Y/N called out, her voice laced with curiosity. She hung her coat and ventured further inside, the smell growing stronger, oddly reminiscent of... charred food?

In the kitchen, she found Natasha Romanoff, her girlfriend in both life and love, standing amidst a culinary catastrophe. The stove was a mess, pots and pans lay abandoned, and in the midst of it all, Natasha looked both sheepish and slightly amused.

Y/N couldn't help but laugh. "Nat, what happened here? It looks like a war zone."

Natasha turned, her green eyes twinkling with a mix of embarrassment and defiance. "I may have underestimated the complexity of cooking noodles."

"Cooking...noodles?" Y/N echoed incredulously, stepping closer.

"How do you burn noodles?"

"It's a talent," Natasha replied dryly, gesturing towards a pot that contained what used to be pasta, now an unrecognizable charred mass.Y/N peered into the pot, her eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"This was pasta? Really, Nat, I thought you were a master of all trades."

"I'm a master spy, not a master chef," Natasha countered, her lips curving into a smile.

Y/N leaned against the counter, her amusement clear. "I see that now. So, what was the plan? Romantic dinner?"

Natasha sighed, leaning back against the opposite counter, facing Y/N. "I wanted to surprise you. You've been working so hard lately, and I thought a nice dinner might be... well, nice."

Y/N's heart warmed at the sentiment. She crossed the kitchen, taking Natasha's hands in hers. "It's the thought that counts, right? But maybe next time, we stick to something you can't burn."

"Like what? Peanut butter and jelly sandiwches?" Natasha teased.

"Exactly. PJ sandwiches are safe. PJ sandwiches are our friends," Y/N joked, pulling Natasha into a hug.

Natasha wrapped her arms around Y/N, resting her head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry about the mess. And the lack of dinner."

"Don't be," Y/N reassured her. "This is going to be a great story to tell. 'The day Natasha Romanoff burned water.'"

Natasha chuckled, the sound muffled against Y/N's shoulder. "I'll never live this down, will I?"

"Not a chance," Y/N grinned, pulling back to look into Natasha's eyes. "But that's okay. It's these little moments that make life with you so interesting."

[khristie16]

The Fast and Forbidden

Charles is a famous F1 driver with everything one could want: fame, fortune, and fans. But he is missing one thing. Being his new personal assistant changes everything for both of them.

— chapter 2 An unspoken connection gradually weaves between them—forged through chess, shared glances, and a mysterious musical encounter.

warnings: sweet af, sexual tension, invading privacy (not the intention), sentimental and romantic author's note: hi guuys, i missed you, uni gets the best of me the past couple months. I received some new requests and I have them all saved for future work. Don't worry, now I have more free time:) stay awesome! taglist: @buendiabebeta, @pondysselth, @clomo12345, @naty-1001, @maxv33rstappen, @f1lov3r, @cmleitora

The next day, I found myself 10,000 meters in the sky, going at such a fast speed that I was relieved my stomach didn't protest. Our destination was Charles's home. I'd never been to Monaco, and my curiosity grew as we got closer. What would it be like standing in the middle of a street, taking in all the beautiful scenery with my own eyes? I adore the sea and warm weather, the culture, and the food. I appreciate different things. That's one more reason I took this job — the chance to travel. It can really shake up your whole routine, but the opportunity to see Monaco and Singapore in less than a week was unimaginable just two months ago. Thank goodness this job pays well.

Watching Charles absorbed in his iPhone made me feel unwelcome. It seemed like I could make funny faces, and he wouldn't even notice. It wasn't a new feeling for me. Sometimes, during quiet nights, I wondered why he was so distant, especially when I'd seen him be a sunshine around others. Initially, I thought it was because we were purely business for each other. But that could apply to anyone on the Ferrari team. Maybe I was overthinking it, and the simple reason was that he just didn't like me. I decided to let it go; there were better things to focus on. Tilting my head, I wondered if things might improve over time. Silently grumbling, I readjusted my seat, still lost in thoughts about him.

"Hey, do you play chess?"

I looked at him like he was an alien and gulped nervously. Yes, I had played chess — once. And to top it off, I was still learning the basics. Not something I was proud of, but hey, not everyone can be Ron Weasley. I laughed like a maniac at my own joke, resulting in his raised eyebrows.

"Sorry… and no, I've never learned."

Surprise and interest showed in his body language as he leaned closer, his blue T-shirt moving against his skin. With a surprisingly high-pitched voice, he laughed.

"Really?"

Fire me or spare me, but please, not this. I didn't know where to focus first — on his beautiful dimples or the fact that he just laughed at me? The smile vanished from his face as he seemed to notice my confusion, but he still smiled with his eyes.

"I mean, I'm surprised. It's like when Carlos once told me he listens to jazz in the morning."

I burst into laughter. It sounded so much like Carlos.

"I just thought you played chess. You look so serious."

Okay, this is getting worse. I must have looked like a crazy woman with diagnosed schizophrenia, and he tells me I look serious? Tell that to a woman, and you shut her down completely. Readjusting my seat again, I focus on the rug under the wooden table.

"I can teach you if you want."

Lifting my gaze, I try to find some hidden answers behind his green eyes, but all I feel is a hot sensation in the pit of my stomach. Wearing a white tank top, I know it's not because of the fabric. He's genuinely smiling, and I take a pause to exhale before nodding my head.

"Do you like to play a lot?"

I ask to smooth things between us, but he just nods and focuses back on the chess pieces on the board. Turning my head to the side, I notice that the closer, the less cloudy it is outside, and I feel an energetic shiver run down my spine.

"I always win. But for you, — I'll make an exception."

My heart stops beating. Why is it so hot in here all of a sudden?

After we landed, our shared ride slipped into an uneasy quiet. In the midst of my spontaneous chess lesson with Charles, laughter and focus filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere akin to the scattered energy of someone wrestling with ADHD. Amid our animated conversation, I lost track of our surroundings; the outside world turned into a distant blur.

A smile graced Charles's lips as he locked eyes with me. In that shared gaze, a fleeting connection unfolded. Happiness shimmered in his green eyes, and an unexplainable urge to draw closer wrapped around me. It felt as if his eyes held a depth I yearned to explore. However, the moment dissolved abruptly. Charles, with a subtle shift in demeanor, reverted to his usual aloofness, extinguishing the warmth that had briefly ignited between us.

"I got my keys copied for you in case you need something from my apartment," he offered, extending the keys.

An unexpected gesture left me grappling with a mix of surprise and uneasiness. Taking the keys, I delicately stashed them into my bag, careful not to make direct contact with his skin.

"My driver will first go to your place. Tell him the address," Charles instructed. Uncomfortable, I shifted in my seat, seeking distraction by scanning the outside world. Families strolled happily, painting picturesque scenes. A flicker of yearning for such simplicity rose within me—an ache for a love that protects and cherishes.

"YN?" Charles's voice interrupted my reverie, demanding my attention.

"I don't have a home," I stated matter-of-factly, my gaze returning to the outside world. Despite the nonchalant tone, the admission carried a weight that lingered in the air.

"I need to visit some company for renting a flat here."

I took in a deep breath, feeling the cool air settle around me. My eyes drifted down, observing how the white tank top hugged my body like a second skin, accentuating the curves beneath. Fingers idly played with the fabric, a quiet excitement brewing inside. In my mind, thoughts twirled, a hidden longing to peel away the clothing, exposing the vulnerability beneath. And this is what Charles does to me. And it is getting dangerous.

"I know a place," Charles declared. He reached for his phone, dialed a number, and engaged in a focused conversation. His determined expression and the play of his toned arms intrigued me. A heat lingered in the air, intensifying the atmosphere within the car.

"Ciao l'amigo," Charles spoke into the phone.

Charles's words flowed, a steady stream escaping his perfect pink lips. My gaze fixated on his profile, an intense scrutiny fueled by a hunger simmering beneath the surface —an irresistible force tempting me to devour him, a longing I hadn't anticipated when accepting this job.

The struggle intensified, threatening to override the professional boundaries I had naively assumed would be steadfast. As Charles's eyes met mine, a sudden freeze paralyzed me in place. His gaze lingered, delight evident in the subtle nuances of his expression, as if he sought to unveil the secrets hidden in the depths of my eyes. The hum of conversation from his friend acted as a backdrop to this silent exchange, heightening the tension that hung between us. I braced myself in anticipation, uncertain of what he sought to uncover.

Abruptly, his attention shifted, his head turning back to its previous position. A wide smile adorned his face as he concluded the call, the sheer charm of it momentarily rendering me breathless. Even without facing me, he seamlessly transitioned to a task on his phone, leaving me suspended in a state of uncertainty and unspoken intrigue.

"I found you a free apartment. Do not worry about money," he said, his attention now absorbed in his phone, leaving me to deal with the unexpected twist.

Days slipped away, and the looming Grand Prix trip to Japan demanded my attention. I meticulously handled remote tasks for Charles, consciously keeping a distance to avoid the unraveling of my composure under the weight of desire. Knowing Charles would be engrossed in a morning squash match with his brothers, I discreetly seized the opportunity to attend to a domestic task: swapping clean laundry for the soiled.

Entering his apartment, arms loaded with bags, I navigated purposefully down the hallway. A distant melody reached my ears, halting my steps. Recognizing the tune, my thoughts paused, and I followed the enchanting notes to their origin.

In the sunlit living room, a grand piano stood like a silent sentinel. There, orchestrating a melancholic melody, was Charles. Our eyes met as I stood there, and he smiled in response to the unexpected serenade.

"That's 'Sadness and Sorrow,'" I stated the obvious, and Charles observed me cautiously. Surprisingly, I overcame hesitation, moving closer and placing my hand on the piano keys. Each note, played with sincerity, carried a hum of remembrance. Charles shifted, creating space for me to join him. As I sat down, my focus on the piano, he positioned his hands beside mine, and we began to play in harmony.

Eyes closed, I allowed the music to transport me, feeling the warmth of our synchronized notes. The vibrational waves between us painted an imagined scene, where I lay on the sea's surface, gently swaying with the waves.

The room resonated with harmonious echoes, our shared melody creating a tangible connection between Charles and me. Vibrational waves seemed to ripple, as if an unseen force wove a tapestry of connection, binding our notes into a seamless symphony. Amid our synchronized play, the world around us faded, and I found myself transported to a different realm.

In my mind's eye, I lay on a mat, gently drifting atop the surface of a tranquil sea. The sun cast a warm embrace, painting the water with hues of gold and azure. The waves, like delicate fingers, played a tender serenade, cradling my body with rhythmic caresses. I surrendered to the immersive sensation, the music becoming the gentle current that carried us on this shared journey.

With Charles beside me, the connection forged through the shared music was palpable, creating a timeless moment where the ordinary world ceased to exist. It was a serendipitous encounter, a convergence of hearts and melodies, leaving me suspended in the beauty of our shared composition on the sea of music.

A genuine smile adorned my face as we played, stealing glances at Charles. His concentration on the music was profound, but when our gazes met, I detected an ocean of emotions in his eyes. The desire to caress his cheek and offer comfort overwhelmed me.

Our fingers danced on the keys, minds lost in the melody. As Charles and I maintained our gaze, I discerned a myriad of colors in his eyes, each shade revealing a facet of emotion that resonated with the melodic symphony we created. In this suspended moment, his face drew nearer, an invisible force pulling us together until we were so close that our breaths mingled, and the air became a shared essence.

The piano keys, now a conduit for our unspoken connection, echoed the final cadence of the song. With a delicate touch, my right arm, closer to him, found a resting place on my thigh, bridging the physical space between us. As the final chords resonated, the room held its breath, encapsulating the unspoken intensity of our shared musical communion. And Charles, hesitating only briefly, mirrored the gesture, his eyes lingering on my lips.

"You're the boat I would protect in my full stormy ocean," he spoke, and the sweet sentiment ignited warmth within. In that moment, nothing else existed but him and his words, a connection forged through music and unspoken understanding.

[cherryflavoured7777]

okay i’m thinking a fic where you’re spending your first christmas with Hazel 🥹 and making a gingerbread house while drinking hot cocoa and watching movies… like TONS of fluff im in love with her.

PS i love u and ur writing so much 🩷

THANK U SM ANGEL <3 ily.

(THIS IS PURE FLUFF. BORDERLINE TOO SWEET BUT I AM A very cheesy hoe IM SORRY, you have been warned)

You and Hazel spend your first Christmas Eve together. <3.

word count: 2k

⭐️🎄⭐️🎄⭐️🎄⭐️

December 24th, Christmas Eve, found you spending the entire day at your girlfriend Hazel's house. The two of you totally immersing yourselves in a festive atmosphere, indulging in baking sessions, adding last minute decorations to the space, and listening to a blend of both classic Christmas tunes and your personal favourite songs.

You stood at the kitchen island, putting the finishing touches on a round of baking.

"Smells amazing, baby," Hazel sighed as she wrapped her arms around you from behind, observing you intently as you worked on mixing your second batch of cookies.

"Yeah?" you hummed.

"Mhmm, can't wait to try them." You felt the comforting weight of her chin resting on your shoulder, a warmth spreading through your body.

In the oven, your initial batch of Christmas cookies baked, ready to accompany the gingerbread house you were about to create.

Hazel snakes her arm in-front of you, dipping her finger into the cookie batter you're mixing.

"Hey! no tasting the batter yet." you protest.

"It's not for me, I already snuck a taste when you weren't looking. Open your mouth. You gotta try it."

Hazel’s hands met your waist again, and she gently spun you around.

She drew you a bit closer, fingers gently encircling your waist as she slid her batter-covered finger into your mouth, inviting you to taste. Her eyes grew slightly darker as she watched you slowly suck the batter off her finger, pupils fixated on your mouth. With raised eyebrows, she watched you expectantly.

"See?" She removes her finger from your mouth and licks the excess batter off her finger. "My girl can bake."

It all feels incredibly domestic, and merely being in her presence evokes a flutter in your stomach, a sensation that persists despite the fact that you see her almost every day. Love with Hazel unfolds in unexpectedly simple moments, and you can't help but feel fortunate, a sentiment she shares. The idea of experiencing such a pure connection once seemed unlikely to her, until she met you.

Your eyes stay fixated on hers before for a moment before she speaks.

"I love having you here,” she blurted out.

“I love being here,” you replied.

"No," she seemed a bit frustrated, as if you didn't fully grasp how deeply she meant it.

"Seeing you here gets me excited. Excited about what the future holds for us, you know? I know it sounds insane, or maybe like I’m thinking too far down the line, but I can't wait to come home to you existing in our place one day. Our kitchen, with the stuff we picked out together." Though confident and intentional, you could tell Hazel’s words were laced with vulnerability and a tad of insecurity.

Hazel’s words didn’t freak you out, though, they actually did the opposite. You never imagined you could feel so deeply enamored with another person. Truthfully, you would give her whatever she wanted.

"I know, Haze. Me too. I think about it so much, more than you know," you reassure her.

Hands still on your waist, she lifts you onto the countertop, adjusting slightly to stand between your legs.

Your hand instinctively reaches up to hold her face. You were both so young, and perhaps naive, but you never let that stop you from having these thoughts. You felt you owed yourself a completely lovesick, teenage romance, not tainted by fears of the future, not yet at least.

Your hands brush a strand of brown hair from her face, and you lean down to kiss her.

Whenever you kissed Hazel, you understood why people wanted to kiss, why they chased this feeling.

Growing up, you never quite understood it as much. But here in this moment, and every other one like it, you finally did. The warmth of her lips against yours, the subtle taste of cookie batter lingering between you—it's a simple joy that seems to encapsulate everything sweet and pure in your shared world.

You pull away, leaving her chasing you for more “Alright we gotta get these out of the oven, get out of my way,” you playfully command.

Walking over to put on your oven mitts, you take the tray out, carefully placing it on the stove. The sugary sweet aroma of the cookies envelops the kitchen with a rich warmth.

“I think we make a pretty good team,” Hazel says, smiling at you and admiring your baking.

“What are you talking about? I did all the work,” you tease, giggling as you await her response, turning back around to face her.

“Hey! That’s not true, I-” You cut off her protest with another kiss, choosing to indulge her instead of teasing her further. She smiles into the kiss, grabbing your waist before before her fingers start to trail along your spine, igniting a electricity against your skin. Letting the heated exchange linger, the playful banter transforms into a more intense moment as she slowly walks you backward and pushes you against the counter again.

The kitchen's warmth now feels more noticeable as ever as Hazel's lips leave yours and find their way to the sensitive curve of your neck. Soft, breathy sighs escape your lips, and you feel the air thicken around you. Hazel's hands move with purpose, exploring the contours of your body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

The magnetic pull between you intensifies, making it momentarily hard to focus on anything but the rising wanting in your chest. Yet, amidst the heat of the moment, Hazel manages to steer the energy back to your task, her lips lingering near your ear.

“Okay, ready to tackle this beast?” she asks, motioning to the unopened gingerbread house. The mischievous glint in her eyes tells you that she knew exactly what she was doing.

“Absolutley.” you smile, trying to seem unphased and ignore the growing heat between your thighs.

The next half-hour is spent constructing the gingerbread house with Hazel around her kitchen table. She eventually pulls you onto her lap on her chair, her arms encircling you as she reaches behind with the frosting, guiding your hands to steady them as you outline the bodies of the gingerbread men. Laughter reverberates through the room as you and Hazel engage in a frosting fight, adorning the gingerbread with colorful candies and sprinkles, not really paying too much attention to where you're putting them.

“This looks like shit,” you say, staring at your handiwork. Hastily, you reach to save the drooping roof thats caving in.

You can feel Hazel’s breath against your ear behind you as she lets out a laugh, her arms wrapping around you to help salvage the falling structure. The shared moment becomes a sweet memory, even if the gingerbread house didn't turn out as planned.

"I think it's perfect," Hazel declares, placing a gentle kiss on your cheek.

You glance around the room, the glow of Christmas lights casting a warm ambiance. The sound of holiday music playing softly in the background adds to the sweetness of the moment.

“Come on, I’m getting sleepy, let's go watch a movie,” she says, lifting you off her lap, interlacing your hand with hers as she pulls you up the stairs to her room.

You make your way up to Hazel's room, quickly discarding your T-shirt in exchange for one of her oversized sweatshirts, carrying her comforting scent.

Entering the bathroom, you find Hazel already brushing her teeth. You grab your toothbrush from the cup beside her sink, one that you kept there all the time because she insisted.

Staring at each other in the mirror, you both giggle as you brush your teeth in tandem, finding joy in the simplicity of shared routines. When Hazel finishes, she comes up behind you, grabbing a hair tie to keep your hair away from your face as you wash it. She mindlessly held your hips as you bent over to splash water on your face.

You and Hazel were both extremely clingy, but you couldn’t help it, always wanting to be close.

After both of you finish your skincare, you make your way over to her bed, clicking on the remote to her TV as you get comfortable under the covers.

“Okay, you have two choices, Home Alone or The Holiday?” you say as she climbs into bed beside you. She smells like soap and cookie batter.

“Why only those two?” She shifts under the covers, positioning herself beside you.

“Because those are my favourites,” you reply.

“I’ll watch whatever you want, babe,” Hazel says, a yawn escaping her mouth as she wraps her arm around you.

“If you fall asleep, I’m gonna be sad,” you warn. “I want to stay up with you until at least midnight. It's our first Christmas together, and I have to go home in the morning.” You pout.

Hazel’s eyes reflect a certain sadness in them, like she didn’t know how much you wanted her to stay awake. All of a sudden, it's as if her tiredness is gone as she sits up and walks across the room. She opens her closet and pulls something out, a large, flat, wrapped gift.

"Okay, I have something for you," Hazel grinned, excitement dancing in her eyes.

“But, my gifts for you are at home, I thought we were waiting until tomorrow.” You say, a pang of guilt hitting you.

“Shh- it’s fine. I want you to open it now, it’s just a small thing, I have more for tomorrow.” she says.

Her hands trembling slightly with anticipation, Hazel handed over the gift, a hint of nervousness in her smile. Your eyes light up as you accept the package, curiosity mingling with joy.

"Oh wow, Hazel, it's so beautifully wrapped," you say, carefully unwrapping the present.

As the paper fell away, revealing a sleek and elegant box, Hazel couldn't help but hold her breath. You opened the box to find a delicate frame containing a customized star map. The night sky on the night you first met, immortalized in a celestial display.

"Oh, Hazel," you gasped, your eyes welling up with emotion. You recongized the date immediately "Is this…?"

Hazel nodded, her heart swelling with affection. "It's the night we first met. The stars above us that night," she explained, her voice tender.

You and Hazel constantly argue about your first official time meeting. The truth is, she’d watched you from afar for months, never thinking she’d actually have a chance with you. You didn’t officially talk until the first night of senior year, at the annual senior campout. You’d spent basically that entire night with Hazel, following her in awe as she pointed out different constellations to you, her infatuation with astronomy becoming quickly apparent.

You traced your fingers over the constellations, a smile playing on your lips. "This is incredible. I can't believe you did this."

Hazel leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on your cheek. "I wanted us to have a piece of that moment forever. Something to remind us of where it all began."

The room seemed to shimmer with warmth as you pulled Hazel into a tight embrace, the framed star map cradled between you two.

“Thank you, Haze. I love it.” You whisper into her hair.

“Your welcome, baby. I’m glad you like it” she whispers back.

You spend the next two hours tangled up together watching The Holiday. Completely content in eachothers presence. As the credits roll, Hazel’s hands find yours, lightly toying with your fingers. “Hey, pass me your phone.” She whispers.

You reach for it beside you and hand it to her. She turns it on, the clock showing 12:13am, December 25th. She turns to look at you, beaming.

“We made it,” she says smiling, pressing a quick kiss to the corner of your mouth.

“Merry Christmas, baby.” She buried her head in the crook of your neck, peppering warm kisses all over.

“Merry Christmas, my love.” You whisper, hands finding her hair.

She coaxes you onto your side, pulling you into her, gently stroking your hair. The movie soundtrack faded into the background, replaced by the quiet cadence of your shared breaths. Hazel's fingers traced soothing patterns on your back, and as the clock ticked away the minutes, you succumbed to the gentle pull of sleep.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

NAHHH CAUSE I NEED A GF THIS CHRISTMAS NOW. WILL I EVER FIND LOVE??

[scoonsalicious]

Unwanted: Chapter 3, Unbidden - Pt. 1

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Fem!Reader

Summary: When your FWB relationship with your best friend Bucky Barnes turns into something more, you couldn’t be happier. That is, however, until a new Avenger sets her sights on your super soldier and he inadvertently breaks your heart. You take on a mission you might not be prepared for to put some distance between the two of you and open yourself up to past traumas. Too bad the only one who can help you heal is the one person you can no longer trust.

Warnings: (For this part only; see Story Masterlist for general Warnings) Language, alcohol consumption, minor discussions of sex, drunk!Bucky, minor violence, FloRida's Low (that song slaps, okay?), minor anti-Winter Soldier sentiment, an unnecessary Ted Bundy reference just because. As always, let me know if I missed anything!

Word Count: 4.1k

Previously On...: You and Bucky had a heart-to-heart after you came back from your mission with Steve, and Bucky asked a very interesting question about the nature of your relationship with the Star Spangled Man.

A/N: I just finished writing Chapter 9 ahead of schedule, so here is Chapter 3 a little bit earlier than I planned on posting it! Consider it in honor of Sergeant Barnes' 107th Birthday! This is my favorite chapter; I had so much fun writing it, this part in particular (even though it took me a million tries before I got it to where I wanted it). Sam is finally given some page time, and I adore him, so I hope I've captured his essence sufficiently. I sort of love writing drunk!Bucky. Part three is where things are going to take an interesting turn for Bucky and Pocket so I'm looking forward to posting that soon!

Banner By: The absolutely amazing @mrsbuckybarnes1917

Taglist: (Please let me know if you’d like to be added!)  @blackhawkfanatic @les-sel @marcswife21 @buckybarnessimpp @jmeelee @cazellen

Slapping your American Express Black Card onto the polished mahogany bar, you made sure the bartender was giving you his full attention. "Everything my group orders tonight goes on my tab, got it?" you told him. "If Tony Stark tries to pay for a single thing, tell him it's already covered and if he has a problem with it, he can take it up with me." The bartender nodded, taking your card and depositing it with the other open tabs behind the bar. It was going to be a very lucrative night for the bar.

You'd all come to Gino's, a downtown dive of place you all loved, to celebrate Bucky's clearance for missions. As a part of his presidential pardon for the Winter Soldier's crimes (completely unnecessary, in your opinion, because Bucky hadn’t been the one to commit them), he had been required to undertake 12 months of court-mandated therapy, and now that he had ten months under his belt, his therapist had signed her approval for Bucky to engage in real Avenger work, provided he was accompanied by another member of the team at all times for supervision. He'd be leaving tomorrow for a classified location with Steve and Sam; they'd be gone for about a week, so you'd wanted to commemorate the event and leave him with some positive memories before he left.

You rejoined your group in the far back, where you'd commandeered the largest corner booth and the surrounding tables. "Tonight's on me," you declared as you approached, "so drink up and eat well." Your friends cheered their thanks; Thor even banged his giant fist against the table in appreciation. You did a mock curtsey before coming to stand behind Bucky where he sat, draping your arms around his neck and shoulders and bringing your head down alongside his.

"Having a good time?" you asked him.

Bucky let out a soft chuckle, leaning back into your touch. "With you by my side? Always," he replied, his voice laced with affection. "But you didn't have to do this, doll. Pay for everything, I mean. We could have all gotten our own."

Letting go of his shoulders, you moved around to sit next to him. "Bullshit. My best friend is going on his first Avengers mission, this is the least I can do."

"Listen, man," said Sam Wilson, also known as The Falcon and, if you were being completely honest, one of your favorite teammates after Bucky, "I know things might have been different when you were younger, but in the 21st Century, when a lady offers to buy you drinks, the polite thing to do is just say 'thank you' and get hammered."

Bucky laughed and chugged down the beer he'd been previously nursing and took the bourbon you'd brought over for him from the bar. "Thank you, Pocket. Though, I don't think I'll be getting... hammered on anything here."

"You're most welcome, Buck," you said, patting his cheek, the stubble tickling at your palm. "But if you are looking to get hammered, I believe our resident God of Thunder has brought a little something extra you could sip on in between beers." You nodded your head toward Thor, who sat a few seats down, pouring a splash of Asgardian something from a flask into Steve's tumbler.

Bucky quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so? Maybe I'll take him up on that." The super soldier got up and, squeezing your hand, made his way over to Thor, who gladly poured a generous splash of spirits into Bucky's glass of bourbon.

You watched him for a moment as he sat and drank with Steve and Thor, a warm feeling building in your chest at the sight of him looking and doing so well. He'd made so much progress since he first arrived at the Tower and you were unbelievably proud of him.

"You've been good for him, Pocket," Sam offered with a raise of his glass. "But I gotta know, when are you two gonna stop tip-toeing around each other and make things official?"

You let out an agonized groan. "Not you, too, Sam. Why don't you and Natty get together and write some fanfic about it? That's about as close to reality as it'll get."

"What are Wilson and I collaborating to write smutty fanfiction about?" Natasha asked as she sat down in Bucky's vacated seat, passing you a shot glass.

"Za nashu druzhbu!" You toasted in unison before downing the sweet liquid. To our friendship!

"A Redheaded Slut shot? How very Natasha," you teased.

"Don't try to change the subject," Sam interjected. "Romanoff: (Y/L/N) and Barnes. They go together like Netflix and chill or what?"

Natasha's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! Oh my God; I'm so glad you see it, too. They're just screaming 'Let's fuck already,' right?!"

"I don't know that they haven't started already," Sam said, obviously pleased to finally have someone to talk about this with. "I've never seen Metalhead as content as when he's with Pocket. Figure she's gotta be doing something to keep a smile on his face, if you know what I mean." He waggled his eyebrows, setting Natasha off into a barking laugh.

"Jesus Christ, Sam!" you sputtered. "I'm sitting right fucking here!"

Sam gave you a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Baby Girl. 'M just calling it like I see it. And with you and Barnes, I see it."

"She's going to stick to the story that nothing's going on between them," Nat began.

"Because there is nothing going on between us," you interrupted.

"But I think we all know something is brewing between those two," she continued, as if you hadn't said a thing. "I mean, do you really think they're just sleeping in the same bed every night?"

"Hold up, hold up." Sam raised his hand to stop Nat. "You're telling me those two share a bed? How long has this been going on and why am I just hearing about it now?"

"Oh my god," you said, putting your head in your hands and wishing the floor would open up and suck you into a hell dimension. It had to be better than sitting here listening to the two of them talk as if weren't in the room.

"You didn't know?!" Nat's expression was incredulous. "Essentially since the moment Barnes moved into the Tower. They alternate whose bed they sleep in, but it's literally every. single. night."

"That's it," you murmured, though you were sure they weren't paying you any attention, "I am never telling you another thing, ever, Natalia." They weren't embarrassing you, per se. You felt no shame about your closeness with Bucky. It was more that you hated that they were making assumptions about him. You could take ones made about you; you'd been doing that your entire life, but Bucky was different. He was... fragile wasn't the right word, but it came close. You wanted to protect him from everything negative, including your friends gossiping about his alleged sex life.

"Guys, please," you said, loud enough to catch their attention. "I know that, whatever I say, it's not going to convince you that I'm telling you the truth, but I don't want Bucky to hear it, okay? You're just going to make him uncomfortable and he'll retreat into himself, close up. So, save it for when you're by yourselves, alright?"

The sincerity in your words caused Sam and Nat's gazes to soften as they looked at you. You hoped that, despite their ribbing, they understood that your concern for your shared friend was genuine, and that, of the three of you sitting at the table, you knew Bucky best.

"Alright," said Sam, "I'll drop it. For now. But know I've got my eye on you, Pocket." He gave you a shrewd look. "Don't think you can keep your secret from Ole Sammy forever."

You shook your head, annoyingly amused.

The evening moved on pleasantly: conversation and alcohol flowed, and you felt yourself loosening up as the shots you'd drank with Natasha worked their way through your system until you were sporting a pleasant buzz. Bucky eventually came back to join you at your table, eyes glassy and with a giant, dopey grin plastered across his face.

"How's that Asgardian liquor treating you, Buckaroo?" you asked him with a grin of your own, knowing full well he was sauced.

"'s real good, Pocket," he slurred, propping his head on his fist and gazing at you with a dreamy expression. "'s nice and tingly, like the sun is shining on my insides."

"I'm happy for you, Buck," you said with a laugh, shooting an amused glance over Bucky's head to Nat, who responded with a smirk of her own. "That's real good."

He put his arms around you and pulled you into him, almost tugging you off of your chair in the process. "No! You're real good. Sho good to me, all warm and fuzzy and pretty. Just wanna keep touchin' you, you know? 'Cause you make me think of happy things." He paused to nuzzle his face into your hair. "You're m'favorite person."

"You're my favorite person, too, Buck," you said, stifling a giggle, amused by this new soft, silly side of him.

"Me?" he squeaked--actually squeaked. You nodded and then let out a surprised squeal as he pulled you into his lap, holding you almost tight enough to be uncomfortable, his metal arm clinging you to his chest. But then he pulled his head back to look you in the eye, his face suddenly serious.

He slurred, leaning in closer. You could smell the sweet scent of the Asgardian liquor on his breath. "Don'tcha dare tell Stevie, though, doll" he hiccupped, "'cause he'd be real put out if he found out I was your fav'rite."

"Well, then we won't tell him," you assured him, casting a bewildered glance to Nat. She subtly shook her head, as if to say she was just as confused as you as to why Steve would care if Bucky was your favorite person.

Bucky nodded solemnly. "Good. Don't want 'im feelin' bad, but 'm not sorry. 'S not my fault, either. He had ages and he didn't do nuthin'. That's on 'im. Not on me, not on you. On 'im." He began petting your hair in long strokes, seemingly distracted by the feel of it and losing his original train of thought. "Mmmm, you're so pretty. M'pretty little Pocket."

"Why, thank you, my handsome soldier," you replied, tapping him playfully on the nose while wondering what the hell he had been going on about concerning Steve. You hoped he wasn't so drunk that he didn't remember this conversation in the morning, because you were going to press the shit out of him for details.

Oh, but then... the next song from the jukebox caught your attention, and you looked up as the opening bars of Flo Rida's Low filled the air.

"Oh no," moaned Nat with a trace of laughter. "You're gonna dance, aren't you?"

A broad grin broke across your face. You loved dancing to anything, but this song was your kryptonite. "I can't help it," you told her, "it calls me, I come. Let's go!" You stood up, taking Bucky's hand and trying to pull him along with you, but the super soldier just shook his head and refused to move. Apparently he wasn't that drunk. "Fine. Sam, Nat, dance with me."

"I'm coming, Baby Girl," Sam said, taking Nat's hand and dragging her to meet you.

As soon as you had the space, you began to move, the music pulsing through your veins, syncing perfectly with your heartbeat. You swayed your hips in time with the infectious rhythm, your body moving effortlessly to the beat.

You felt Sam come up behind you, placing his hands on your hips as he began to dance with you, bass thumping in your chests. You and Sam had danced together countless times before; he was one of the only ones in the Tower who enjoyed dancing as much as you did, so the two of you had had plenty of practice moving together. Your movements may have been completely innocent, but they gave the appearance of something much more intimate-- it was just the nature of the dance. You could feel the heat of Sam's body pressed against your back, the way his hands gripped your hips protectively. It was all in good fun, a playful dance between friends, until you felt Sam's hands fly from your waist as you were about to get low.

You spun around, finding Bucky standing where Sam had been just a few seconds before, Sam now several feet away, anger wearing heavy on his face.

"What the hell, man?" Sam barked at Bucky. "What'd you shove me for?"

Bucky, his face flushed and eyes narrowed with a combination of intoxication and something dark, took a step towards Sam. "Didn't shove ya, Wilson," he slurred, his words blending together. "Ya just...got in the way."

"Got in the way? Man, we were just dancing. How was I in your way?"

Bucky's jaw clenched, his metal arm flexing by his side. The atmosphere shifted, thick with tension, as if the air in the room had suddenly turned molasses-slow.

"Okay, boys." You stepped between them, hands down and palms open, trying to create as much distance between the two as possible. The last thing you wanted was a drunken argument devolving into some kind of brawl. "It's getting late, and we've all had a good amount to drink." You gave Sam a pointed glance. "Bucky, will you take me home to the Tower? I'm pretty tired and I think I'm ready to call it a night."

Sam nodded in understanding-- it would be a hell of a lot easier to get Bucky home in his current state if he thought he was escorting you, instead of the other way around.

"Yeah, 'course, Pocket," Bucky said, his eyes softening as he looked at you. You were able to call out your goodnights to the rest of the team and, leaving instructions with Nat to close out your tab at the end of the night, began making your way to the door. Bucky stumbled a bit, his balance compromised by the alcohol in his system. You wrapped an arm around him, steadying him as you both made your way outside.

Outside the bar, the cool night air was a welcome relief from the noisy atmosphere inside. Bucky leaned heavily against you, his arm draped around your shoulders for support.

"Fuck, Barnes. You're heavy," you groaned under his weight.

"Fuck me, Pocket," he slurred, head tilting to the side. There was that look in his eyes again. The same one you'd seen the day he'd gotten his new arm. You couldn't identify it, but it made the hair on your arms stand up straight.

"Yeah, that's exactly what I said." You could feel his warmth seeping through your clothes, his presence comforting even in his intoxicated state.

"You good to stand on your own for a second, soldier?" you asked him. "I need to hail us a cab."

Bucky nodded and you carefully eased yourself out from under his arm, scanning the street for a taxi. The bustling city night was alive with lights and sounds, creating a tapestry of urban energy that seemed to match the frequency of the electricity that ran through your brain.

God, did you love this city.

As you raised your hand to flag down a cab, you couldn't help but steal glances at Bucky, his hair in disarray, falling into his eyes and his lips slightly parted as he breathed in the cool night air. Even drunk and disheveled, he still looked so handsome. There was a softness to him in the moment that made him look younger, and for a second, you could imagine that beautiful, carefree young man who had been drafted to cross the sea to fight someone else's war, and had paid for it with even more than his life.

A taxi screeched to a stop in front of you, interrupting your reverie. You hurriedly opened the door and helped Bucky inside, sliding in beside him. The cab driver gave you both a curious glance before pulling away from the curb. Once you gave him the address to Avengers Tower, that look got more and more frequent as he kept checking his rear view mirror.

"Hey, eyes on the road, buddy," you snapped at him, probably putting more aggression into your voice than you had intended, but the way the cab driver was looking at the two of you made you uneasy.

The ride back to the Tower was quiet, the low hum of the taxi's engine serving as a backdrop to the thoughts swirling in your mind. Bucky slumped against you, his head resting on your shoulder as he dozed off. You gently ran your fingers through his hair, feeling the softness of it against your skin. The city lights blurred past outside the window, casting a hazy glow over both of you.

"Listen," the cabbie eventually began in his thick New Jersey accent, "sweetheart, ya seem like a nice girl, but I don't think ya know what you're dealin' with, here. That man right there's the Winter Soldier. He's a murderer, a nasty one. The kind that likes to take a sweet thing like you and do horrible things."

You rolled your eyes. If they were going to keep telling stories about the Winter Soldier, the least they could do was get the details right instead of making him sound like Ted Fucking Bundy.

"This nasty murderer is my best friend," you said, each word clipped and infused with the anger you felt on Bucky's behalf. "So, maybe you should stick with getting us to our destination instead of trying to lecture me on something you know absolutely nothing about."

The cabbie fell silent, his eyes darting nervously between the road ahead and the rearview mirror. You could tell that he was regretting his decision to say anything, realizing that he had struck a nerve. Or, you thought with an amused chuckle, afraid that you were just as nasty as the Winter Soldier. But you couldn't blame him entirely. The reputation of the Winter Soldier was notorious, and it was only natural for people to be cautious. You just wished they knew the name Bucky Barnes, and the actual man, himself, just as well.

You sighed and shifted your gaze to Bucky, still unconscious against your shoulder. It wasn't fair, you thought, how people judged him solely based on his past. Yes, there were dark chapters in his history, but he had fought tooth and nail to regain control over his life. He had redeemed himself in countless ways even before he had officially joined the Avengers.

As the taxi approached Avengers Tower, you leaned over and gently shook Bucky awake. His eyes fluttered open, confusion etched in his features for a brief moment before recognition set in.

"We're home, Buck," you whispered softly, trying to soothe away any lingering unease from your brief conversation with the cab driver. "Let's get you upstairs." You threw a handful of bills in the cabbie's direction, not even bothering to wait for him to give you your change; you just wanted out of his cab and away from his prejudice.

Bucky nodded, rubbing sleep from his eyes. With your help, he stumbled out of the taxi and leaned on you for support as you made your way into the building.

"'m sorry 'bout that, doll," he drawled as you passed the security desk, sending a quick wave to the night guard.

"Sorry for what, Buck?" you asked him. He was silent as you made your way to the elevator bay, waiting until you had pressed the button to summon the elevator car.

"'bout the cabbie." He avoided looking at you while you waited, and it was like a punch to your gut-- he'd heard everything that ignorant man had said. The elevator doors dinged open and you helped usher him inside.

You took a deep breath as you pressed the button for your floor, the retinal scanner making quick work to prove your identity and verify your security clearance. "Buck," you exhaled, "you have nothing to apologize for. That man was an asshole and an idiot."

Bucky leaned back against the elevator wall, his head thumping against the cool metal. "But he was right. I am a nasty murderer."

You could scream. You could strangle that cabbie with your bare hands. Bucky had been doing so well, had been having such a good night, and one person's careless remark had ruined all of it.

"Barnes," you said, turning to face him. "Look at me. Do you think I'm stupid?"

His eyes grew wide at the insinuation, even in his drunk state, he was with it enough to be taken aback by your question. "'bsolutely not, doll. You're the smartest person I know. Smarter than Stark, even, 'cause you can admit when your wrong." The compliment left you trying to hide a smile.

"Okay. Do you trust my judgment?"

"With my life," he breathed. The elevator opened to your floor, and you helped Bucky out into the hall and down the corridor toward his room. The soft glow of the hallway lights illuminated his features, casting a warm, intimate aura around the two of you.

"So, if I'm not stupid and you trust my judgment, trust me when I tell you are not what that man says you are. You are a good man who had too many horrible things happen to him. And despite all those horrible things, you are still the kindest, funniest, most gentle man that I know."

As you reached his door, Bucky turned to face you, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability. "Thank you, Pocket. Thank you for taking care of me, and for being my friend," he murmured, his voice hoarse with exhaustion and emotion.

A small smile played on your lips. "Always, Buck," you replied softly. "Now let's get you inside."

With a gentle push, you opened the door to his room and guided him over to his bed. Bucky collapsed onto the mattress with a heavy sigh, his body sinking into the softness beneath him. Once you'd pulled off his boots, you knelt down beside him, tucking the blanket around his shoulders.

As you straightened up, Bucky reached out and grabbed your hand, his grip surprisingly strong despite his intoxicated state. His gaze locked with yours, a mix of vulnerability and longing flickering in his eyes.

"I don't want you to leave," he whispered, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.

"I'm just going to hop over to my room to change into pajamas," you assured him. "I'll be right back. Promise." You smoothed his hair, trying to tame it from where it stood up in all directions.

"'kay," he said through a yawn, "but don't take too long. I got somethin' I need to tell ya. 's important."

"Okay," you told him, planting a kiss on his head. "I'll be just a minute." You hurried across the hall to your own room, changing into your pajamas and brushing your teeth in record time.

Re-entering Bucky's room, you were extremely curious as to what he'd wanted to say to you. "Alright, Buckaroo, I'm back. What did you--"

You smiled to yourself. Bucky was fast asleep, light snores emanating from him as he lay sprawled across the bed. You couldn't help but find him adorable in his slumber, especially with his hair sticking up in all directions.

With a soft sigh, you walked over to the side of the bed and gently sat down, watching Bucky's peaceful face. It was moments like these that reminded you of how much he had been through, how much pain and loss he had experienced. Despite his tough exterior, there was a vulnerability about him that tugged at your heartstrings.

You leaned in closer, unable to resist the urge to brush a stray lock of hair away from his forehead. Your fingers lingered on his skin for a moment longer than necessary, feeling the warmth radiating from him. The desire to protect and comfort him overwhelmed you, making your heart ache with affection, and something else that you couldn't quite identify.

Pulling down the covers, you climbed into bed next to him, snuggling up to his body for warmth. He grunted and wrapped an arm around you, pulling you closer to him. It wasn't long before you drifted off into a slumber of your own.

<- Previous Chapter / Next Part ->

[nieceeee]

“WHERE TO NOW?”

PS: babydaddy!eren and y/n have been distancing themselves from one another. Eren wants to be with her but feels like her heart is in another place…or with another person. He and the boys discover exactly what’s going on as he is babysitting one night…

A/N: Angst, tension, fluff for the most part. Cussing, mention of the name babydoll. This is really for a 3 part series so don’t worry there will be plenty of lovey doves stuff towards the end if y’all want it. The other parts will be a little bit longer than this one. I had to play with your emotions before playing with your….nevermind. ENJOY!

W/C: 2.4K

PREVIOUS FICS TO READ: She’s Not Yours (its probably best to read the Eren playlist…if you’ve read them all, see if you can find the references from the previous fics in this one)

“You look amazing, baby doll.” His voice said from behind you, sending a chill down your spine. You took a deep breath to shake the nerves before you lifted your eyes and stared through the mirror at his. “Thank you Rennie.” You say with a soft smile. Things between you two had been…decent. Weeks after that very dramatic day that started with a bloody nose and ended with his ex hearing beating down yo block, time had seemed to blur together. Eren, freaking out about the entire situation, went back to try and talk to her, hoping to smooth things over which also led to another breakdown from her and him consoling her. And even though he admits nothing happened, the simple fact that he was there for her was something you couldn’t stand. And that alone had you questioning so many things. I mean you weren’t together and neither were they so why does who he has a connection with bother you so much. He said even though they weren’t dating at the time, he didn't want her to feel disrespected and assume you called her intentionally. You understood the sentiment although you didn't give a damn about what she assumed. But because of that, you were at a stand still not only with Eren but with your own emotions as well.

You both (more you than him) decided it would be best to give each other some time to figure out what you wanted to do when it came to the complications revolving around your relationship. Yes, the feelings were there but there was also a lot of unhealed trauma and damage that each of you needed to figure out. Eren wanted to be with you, he knew that without a doubt. The constant back and forth and the fallout of his other relationship taught him a few things and it was in those moments where he realized that you were the only person for him. His first real love, his best friend, the mother of his child. He couldn’t see himself being with anybody else again.

Unfortunately for him, you had other plans. You needed more time to sort through your feelings. The consistent pestering in your mind of what happened every time you had tried to make it work with him before would always rear its ugly head and you’d have to face the reality. No matter how much you wanted it to work, things with you and him were too complicated and with a baby in the mix, it was too much to lose. You were so sure about this but for some reason when you called him over to explain it, you had an wave of uneasiness in your belly. But you stayed the course, expressing to Eren that it wasn't a good idea for you all to jump back into a serious relationship after so much mess had happened. Did he understand? Hell no. Why is he okay to sleep in your bed but not enough to be your man. His heart shattered in pieces when you told him you wanted to keep it friendly but he wouldn't show it on his face. Not in front of you. He wanted you to know he respected your backwards ass decision.

So it seemed like you were back at square one, coparenting and some relationship that bordered between ‘my man my man my man’ and ‘oh we are just friends’. Granted none of your other male friends know how you taste, how you moan when your clit is sucked on, and how to hit that sweet spot that you could only reach when he has you pressed into the mattress, fingers splayed out on your back as he… “No.” you say verbally. It wasn't the time for that, not now or anywhere in the near future. You had made the decision and you had to stick beside it. But you knew that you had to get him out of your head. So you distanced yourself as much as you could, only allowing parental visits and no late night stays. No personal phone calls outside of communication about your son. Nothing to give any indication to the feelings you worked so hard on burying.

Eren hated it.

He hated every lost moment. He hated not being able to touch you. He hated waking up in an empty bed. He hated the way that you would stand on the other side of the room when he came to pick up his baby. It was exhausting but he stayed. It was another night out for you. Eren had come over to babysit and you were just finishing up getting ready when he stepped into the doorframe. You swipe the nude butter gloss over your lips once more, pressing them together to distribute the color when your eyes caught the piercing green ones burning into your skin. You both held each other’s gaze for a while, emotions mixed with arousal building underneath your skin. You forced your eyes to shift back down to your vanity, busying your hands with cleaning the space in front of you. Eren smirked behind you, shifting from leaning against the doorframe and placing his hands on the frame above. “So, you all set to go?” He asks you. “Uh, yeah I think so. I just have to grab some shoes.” You say getting up and walking over to your closet.

You look around at your shoes to find a pair that went well with your multicolored satin dress. The beautiful green, brown,and cream colors blended into a perfect gradient in the fabric and the straps fell gently off your shoulders. You looked down at your choice of cream colored shoes before reaching down and picking up the tie up stilettos, steering clear of the red bottoms. Eren noticed and held back his grin, thinking back to the last time you asked him to pick your shoes for you over FaceTime.

“Okay, all set.” You say, this time actually being ready. “Okay, he should be waking up from his nap in about 2 hours and there are plenty of bags of milk already thawed out. You went over the breakdown for the night, running him through the routine he already knew like the back of his hand. Eren knew you were doing it more so as a checklist for yourself so he allowed you to ramble. “Good?” You say finishing your last thought. “Yeah, all good.” You nod gently and make your way to the door. “Oh, Would it be cool if the guys stopped by later? They asked about lil man but I wanted to make sure you were okay with them being here first.” Eren asks. “Yeah, Ren of course. You know I don't mind them being here.” You say brows pulling together slightly. He shrugged his shoulders from the bottom of the stairs. “Just checking. Have fun.” Your lips part to say something but words seem to get lost. Eren keeps his eyes casted towards the floor, not having the strength to look up and see you leave.

“Eren…” you start but he shakes his head. “Go enjoy yourself babydoll.” You press your lips together then turn and walk out the door.

“YO! We here.” A voice calls from the door. Eren rolls his eyes. “You know you could just knock right?” He says to Ony as he opens the front door. “Where’s the fun in that?” He laughs before dapping him and walking inside. “Whats up with you bro? You good?” Connie says as they come through the doorway and walk towards the living room. “Now why you ask the man that. You know he down bad right now.” Armin teases plopping down on to the reclining chair close to the tv. “Oh so y'all got jokes now? Do we really want to have it out?” Eren says matter of factly. “It’s okay bruh, we know you down bad for your girl.” Ony laughed. “Right and how is that best friend relationship treating you?” Eren teases back. Connie and Armin bust out into laughter. “See that’s different, you actually had a relationship with your girl.” Ony groans slumping down into the seat.

“Okay, okay but all bullshit aside E, how are you doing with all this?” Armin turns, giving him his attention. Eren took a moment. “I-…not good man.” He admits to his friends. “I don't get it. Y’all have always been in this space right? So what’s the difference between then and now.” Connie questions. “The difference is she’s talking to somebody.” Eren says softly. The room seemed to stand still at his confession. “What do you mean ‘talking’? Like the same guy?” Armin sits up, his stare intense. This was new for all of you. As long as you and Eren had been together, the guys have always been there. Even through the breakups you would never find yourself in another relationship. Fucking around was different but being committed to any guy besides Eren was not your thing.

Until now.

“I mean the past few date nights has been the same guy. I know I tripped out the Jean situation but they were just fucking. This ‘Reiner’ dude or whoever he is, she’s dating him man. Like sending flowers and love notes, brunches, and day trips type of shit.” Eren groans “Oh shit…” Ony whispered under his breath. “Yeah, exactly.” Eren’s shoulders slump slightly as he shook his head. “Well, E it might just be a phase. Don’t give up on it bro. If you work hard enough at it things have a way of sorting themselves out.” Connie says collecting stares from around the room. “What?” He says confused. “When the fuck did you get some common sense?” Ony asks. “Yeah, that’s my role.” Armin retorts. Eren begins to chuckle which turns into a full on laugh out loud followed by everyone else. “Man fuck yall. I’m just trying to help my boy out.” Connie tries defending himself through the noise.

The sound of baby whimpers from the monitor pulls Eren’s attention. He stands up and walks back up the steps towards his son’s room. He sat up in the crib rubbing his chunky fists into his eyes. Eren walks over and lifts him carefully from the bed, adjusting him and holding him against his hip. “What’s up little man. You all good? Daddy’s here.” He cooes. His son tilts his head up, sleep still in his eyes and offers his daddy a gentle smile. “Yeah, daddy’s here. Come on let’s go downstairs and see your uncles.”

“Aw man there go my lil homie.” Connie says as Eren comes back downs he steps. “Man he don't even like you. You know I'm his favorite.” Ony speaks getting up from the couch. They follow Eren into the kitchen as he takes out a few bags of the breast milk you left to warm up. “Y’all doing all that talking but yet I’m the goddaddy.” Armin smirks, slipping around the counter and grabbing the baby from Eren. He giggles, reaching out and squeezing Armin’s face. “Man, he looks just like Y/N. It’s still crazy to think yall got a baby together.” He says, shaking his head. “I know right. I still can't believe it myself sometimes.” It was true. Eren looks down at your son again and his chest swells with pride. It was so surreal to have something that was created from him and the person he cared for the most. As they sit around and conversation Eren takes the time to warm up the milk, grabbing his phone from his pocket. A text message dings from an unknown number.

He pulls up the attachment sent to his phone. “What the fuck…” his eyes squint as he stares down at the video loading before him. “What. The. Fuck?!” Eren says a little louder, catching the attention in the room. “Yo E, you good man?” Ony asks. Eren’s ears started to ring as anger swirled through his veins. His chest rose and fell rapidly. “Eren, talk to us man, what's going on?” Connie says. “Aye Min, can you put him in his playpen with the bottle please.” Eren strains, trying to keep him composure around his son. Armin nods quickly working to get the baby and setting him in his safe area. “Okay, what’s up?” He says as he walks back into the kitchen. Eren sits his phone down and slides it across the counter to his friends. They hovered around the screen and watched as you made out against a car outside of the restaurant. Reiners hands sliding all over your body as he kisses your lips and down the side of your neck. Your giggles fill the air as your hands slip up to the back of his head.

“Oh shit.” They say in unison before looking back up at Eren who was pacing across the floor. His vision began to blur as his fists clenched and unclenched. “E, you got to chill bruh. You can't overreact on this one. Come on.” Armin says in a calming voice. “Yeah E, you got to breathe man.” Ony reassures him. “I know. I know, man. FUCK, I know. I just-…” He didn't know what to do. Eren swipes his hands down his face as the burning behind his eyes intensifies. There was a silence that swept through the air. A heavy silence that was filled with uncertainty and fear. Eren had never felt this feeling of unease before. Not with you. But the fear of what this meant for you both. Is this the end of you and him for good? The nerves cause his emotions to overwhelm him as he slumps down to the floor. Armin, Connie, and Ony come and sit down next to him. No words could explain but they stayed with him, allowing him to process everything.

“What am I supposed to do man?” He asks no one in particular. “Do what you can. One day at a time.” Armin says. Eyes shifted up at the ceiling until the burning went away. He took a deep breath. Judging from the angle of the video, he knew you knew nothing about being recorded. So the only things on his mine were, who the fuck was following you and how was he going to face you when you got home…

[deakyjoe]

Somebody’s Watching Me Part 12

Pairing: Simon “Ghost” Riley x Reader (“Sarge”, she/her, British, backstory)

Category: coworkers to friends to lovers with grumpy x sunshine dynamic/idiots in love

Summary: Can the two of you fix the damage that has been done? Or is it too late?

Warnings: angst, fluff, talks of injuries, British slang/terminology, strong language, mask is off

Word count: 1.4k (a baby in comparison to other parts)

A/N: Took a break from writing this series, mostly because I was burned out and had lots of uni work to be doing, but also because I needed time to think the ending through to give you all the best of what I’m capable of. It’s not as long as other parts but I feared that if I didn’t write it now then I would never write it. It’s pretty much where I always intended the story to go, just with a lot less conversation than originally planned. There will still be an epilogue after this but for now… enjoy!

When Ghost awoke, blinded by fluorescent hospital lights, and he saw Price standing at the foot of his bed with a deep-set frown... well, he knew things weren't good. It didn't help that you were nowhere to be seen. He didn't expect you to be fawning over him and nursing him back to health or anything. But no trace of you in the hospital room at all was not an encouraging sight.

"Am I dead?" Simon said gruffly, immediately coughing as his lungs clearly had something wrong with them.

Price scoffed. "You wish."

"Damn." He attempted to sit up straight, groaning when pain stabbed through his torso. "Ah, what the fuck?"

"I'd be careful if I were you. You were shot. Several times."

"Nothing new then." He sighed and looked at Price again, a grave look crossing his face. "Where is she?"

The captain hesitated for a moment before replying. "Home."

Shit, that definitely wasn't good.

"Why?" Simon didn't really want to know, too scared of the truth, but he needed to know.

"She was severely injured. Needed better medical attention than we could give her and then some time off once she recovers. She's home now but still in remission." Price checked his watch quickly, clearing his throat when he saw the time.

"Got somewhere to be?" Ghost asked, a sarcastic inflection in his voice.

The captain nodded. "Yes, actually. Already late from waiting for your lazy arse to wake up."

He only grunted in reply and waved his superior out of the room. "Go. I'll be fine.”

"You can go home to her once you've healed a bit more. For now, rest." And with that, Price walked out of the room leaving Simon in silence.

It was okay. He liked silence. Well, more he liked the lack of talking. People talked far too much about insignificant things. Strangely, he missed the sound of your voice chattering about insignificant things. He pushed that thought away and attempted to sleep for a while.

At home, in your flat, you were sick of friends coming over to visit you. Each one seemed to have some form of baked good or casserole and your refrigerator was full to the brim already. You hadn't even been home that long.

The sheer mass of people doting over you was becoming overwhelming in the most annoying way possible. You didn't need them constantly caring for you. Sure, the sentiment was nice enough but you were used to looking after yourself and healing independently. Usually you did it in the (un)comfort of a military hospital or medical tent. Unfortunately for you, you'd been sent home this time and had had no choice in informing your friends of your sudden return back. They just suddenly knew you were there and they were more than willing to help.

"I don't need you to give me a sponge bath." You'd told one with a roll of your eyes, still thinking about earlier in the day when you'd had to tell another that it was perfectly fine for you to drink apple juice and not stick to a strict diet of water.

Honestly, a part of you was enjoying being at home and having time to relax. Even though the cause of it was a little extreme, being able to sit on your sofa all day and watch reruns of old sitcoms as you made your way through every dish stacked in your fridge was nice. Almost... fun.

A part of you longed for something though. Simon. Obviously him. You craved to know how he was doing. When you'd first woken up, a nurse had simply told that he was alive and nothing else. Alive meant nothing. You didn't even know if his condition was stable.

You were worried, to say the least. And even Price wasn't willing to divulge any further information when you'd pressed him for it over the phone. He'd just mumbled something vague and moved on to asking you how you were doing.

It was frustrating. That was for sure.

The days passed and you grew restless, itching to get out of the house again. But you were sensible and followed the suggested instructions from the several doctors that had all agreed that you needed in order to heal properly. It was just a shame that it took so long to happen.

On day, what felt like, one billion of staying at home, there was a knock at the door. And after you'd taken a minute or two shuffling towards it, shouting out a stream of reassurances that you were on your way, you were utterly shocked to find your lieutenant on the doorstep.

Your mouth opened and closed a few times before a ridiculous sentiment left your mouth.

"Jesus, is this like those hallucinations you get just before dying?"

Simon said nothing, just the twitch of the corner of his mouth indicated that he had even heard you, and outstretched his fist to you.

In his hand, was an apple.

Specifically, one of the good apples from the farmers' market.

You looked up at him in confusion.

"Peace offering."

That explained it. So, you took it from him and opened the door wider to let him in. You weren't about to turn down a good apple or a peace offering.

Once you'd both settled yourselves into comfortable positions on the sofa, you wincing a few times and growing jealous that he seemed to have healed so quickly, you really took your time to look at him.

You tilted your head to the side and raked your eyes over him. "You're nervous."

"Am I?" His eyebrows raised a fraction.

"Yes." You nodded.

"How can you tell?"

"You scratch at the scars on your face when something is making you anxious."

"Hm." His eyes squinted at that observation, obviously not previously aware that he had that tell.

You moved on, not willing to dwell on that. "Why are you here?"

"Visiting an old friend."

You laughed sarcastically. "Oh, really?"

He shrugged, still as frustrating as ever. "You should've left me behind."

You'd be shocked if he hadn't been so self-sacrificial in previous times.

"Why would I do that?" You asked, lacing your voice with a mock innocent tone.

"Would've been the smart decision." He snapped.

So you shot right back. "Maybe I'm not smart."

"Yes, you are. You're just stubborn."

The words he'd once told you came tumbling out of your mouth. "A stubborn brat you mean?"

"That too."

You laughed again, shaking your head in disbelief. "You're right. I am stubborn. And I couldn't let you die. The idea of you... I can't stand it. So I let you live for selfish reasons. Alright?"

"You should have let me die."

"Shut up, Simon. That was never going to happen." You rolled your eyes at him and grit your teeth when a shooting pain stabbed through your side as you adjusted your position on the sofa.

Simon's hands raised for a second as if about to help you before he lowered them again.

Instead, he asked a question.

"Why not?"

You looked at him to see if he was being serious. He was.

"You know why."

"Maybe I don't."

You sighed. He was so difficult sometimes. Yet, you gave in.

"I..." You trailed off into thought.

But Simon wasn't going to let it go so easily. "You what?"

"I, y'know, I feel..." Your hands waved around as if hoping to grip a coherent answer from the air.

"Feel what?" The slight raise of an eyebrow hinted that he knew exactly what you wanted to say.

You sighed in defeat. "You know what I'm trying to get across here, Simon."

"I want to hear you say it."

"I feel for you. Have feelings. More than platonic. I... care... for you." You cringed at your own clumsiness, wondering when you'd lost your ability to fully communicate with words.

"I know."

You punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Cocky shit."

"I also care for you."

"I know." You scoffed teasingly.

He just repeated your words back to you. "Cocky shit."

The smiles that broke out across both of your faces were indescribable.

Yeah, the two of you were being slightly more awkward about this than usual but it was never going to be easy to just jump right back in to what you used to have. Smaller steps would have to be taken. And you were fine with that. As was he. You’d get there eventually, it was only a matter of time. After all, some things were just meant to happen.

A/N: Thank you all so much for sticking with me through my hiatus! I’m sorry this is a quick resolution but the epilogue is still on the way.

[chloe-skywalker]

Your To Important To Me - Billy Hargrove

Billy x fem!reader

Warnings: mentions of demo dog attack

Word count: 1,829 (+ I added after it posted more lol)

Summary: prompt “What did you do to yourself? Let me see your arm, please?” /  You get attacked by a Demo dog and Billy notices the bloody bandage. Some things need to be talked about and solutions need to be made.

Masterlist

Stranger Things Masterlist

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Thank you, Joyce.” Y/n thanked the older woman as she wrapped her arm with goz. Y/n's wrist to elbow had been bleeding and torn up by a Demo Dog that had latched onto her arm. But as far as Y/n was concerned, it could’ve been a lot worse.

“You don’t have to thank me, Honey.” Joyce shook her head giving the teen girl a soft smile. She was trying to comfort her, knowing that Y/n had to be in a ton of pain. Joyce thought of her as a daughter, so seeing her but like this. It really pained her to see Y/n in pain. With the situation they were in it happened often, one of them getting hurt but they couldn't change that.

“Still” Y/n tilted her head as she pulled on her jean jacket, trying to be as cautious as she could be of her arm. She could feel throbbing pain in all the punctures as she moved her arm around.

“You're welcome.” Joyce nodded in return. She knew Y/n would keep saying thank you if she didn’t accept it. 

“Hey” Steve walked over to the table that the two women were sitting at. “I can take you home if you want?”

“Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks Steve.” Y/n nodded standing up to follow him out of the Byers house.

“Yeah, no problem.” Steve nodded, giving her a small tight smile. Steve and Y/n became friends back when the whole upside down stuff started. The two became fairly close friends. Sure they still had some awkward moments and with everything that happens in Hawkins sometimes the awkward moments were the ones they loved the most. Because they were normal. A grimace of normal in their very confusing and stressful lives.

Steve drove her home. The car ride was pretty silent on the way to Y/n’s house, but once he pulled up he asked. “Is your arm gonna be okay? Are you going to be okay tonight? Alone."

“If it’s not you can call me anytime.” Steve offered as she stepped out of the car. He wanted her to know she had a friend that would drop anything and be there if she needed.

Y/n nodded softly before letting out a sigh. “Yeah I should be.”

Y/n didn't necessarily want to be alone or know for certain that she would be okay but she was a big girl and knew she could take care of herself.

“I’ll call you if it get bad. Promise.” She smiled, telling him before shutting the car door and heading inside. She appreciated the sentiment.

As Y/n entered her home it was silent, her mom being at work and all. It was only her and her mom and Y/n liked it that way. Plus being home alone after something like this was better. No one around to worry so much. Y/n was sure that Joyce would call her mom and tell her what happened. It was easier at times that Y/n's mom knew about the upside down. So Y/n went to the kitchen to grab a drink before she headed upstairs to her room.

“Holy Shit!” Y/n practically screamed as she jumped when entering her room to see Billy there on her bed watching t.v. Clenching her chest with her hand she asked. “How long have you been in my room?”

Billy shrugged, muting the television and resposting himself to be facing her in a sitting position instead of laying down. “A while. Where’ve you been?”

Y/n shrugged, using only one shoulder due to the painful throbbing in her other arm. “The Byers. Helping the kids.”

“For 6 hours?” he asked with raised brows. What could she have been doing over there for that long? Billy felt like she wasn’t telling him something. And that feeling happened often to him when she disappeared and was gone for so long. Especially if she was with those little brats his step sister hanged out with.

While Billy was thinking that Y/n was thanking her mom for the t.v. in her room, because Billy was distracted and didn't notice Steve was the one that dropped her off. That didn't need to be brought up at all right now.

“Uh, yeah. It was an emergency.” Y/n answered not really knowing how to answer. So she distracted herself by stripping off her jacket and then her shoes.

Suddenly Billy reached forward and grabbed her hand, gently pulling her closer. “What’s on your arm?”

‘Fuck’ Y/n thought. Moving her arm so much must have added pressure and pushed more blood out. Y/n thought she felt a tareing sensation. It was her blood wetting the goz. “Uh- bandages?”

Billy gave her a ‘I’m not stupid’ look, like ‘no shit’. “Why are there bandages on your arm?”

Normally it was Y/n who patched up Billy. Billy had never seen her with an injury like this before, let alone one that was bleeding fresh blood.

“We had to go out into the woods, and I got hurt.” It was the best she could explain it without also lying to him. Y/n hates lying to Billy, especially since he’s been so truthful with her.

“What did you do to yourself?” Billy asked, trying to get a better look but Y/n pulled her arm away. This just made Billy’s concern grow bigger. So Billy asked again, this time pleading with her. “Let me see your arm? Please?”

Y/n whipped her head to face him. “Hey! I got attached, I did not do this to myself.”

Billy smirked a little at how he got the truth out of her so simply.

“Oh damn you, Hargrove.” Y/n rolled her eyes at seeing his reaction. Damn him and knowing her so easily. But she also loved that about him. Y/n bit her lip trying to hold back her smile at what he could get out of her.

“Can I see your arm now?” he asked again, hoping she’ll let him see and examine it.

Y/n let out a sigh moving to sit next to him on her bed. Sitting at an angle so he could look at her arm.

“Damn it.” She let out a frustrated groan at seeing exactly how much blood had stained the goz. Now it is definitely gonna have to be changed before she went to bed. Y/n was hoping she wouldn't have to change it till the morning. Suddenly after looking at her arm Billy abruptly got up off the bed. Y/n followed him with her eyes confused. “Where are you going?”

Watching him leave the room filled her with worry. Was this to much for him? But after about 5 minutes he came back, entering her bedroom with ibuprofen, a coke, and had apparently dug through her bathroom for supplies to clean and change the bandages on her arm.

Y/n felt so heart warmed that he wanted to do this for her. But what if he changed his mind after actually seeing the wounds? Y/n knew it was just insecurities talking, Billy’s seen, done, and possibly had close to worse. “Billy, I can do this later-”

“You help me all the time, especially with this kind of thing. Will you just let me help you, for a change?” Billy said, cutting her off, looking her in the eyes. He wanted to take care of her, in all ways. And not just as a ‘returning the favor’ kind of thing. Billy turly cares for Y/n, hell he’d go as far as to say he loves her. Having only ever loved one other person in his life (his mom), this was special to him in ways he had a hard time expressing.

“Thank you.” Y/n smiled gratefully, dropping the whole ‘don’t need help’ facade.

“You're welcome.”  Billy nodded, accepting her thanks.

“You know. I wish you’d let me in more so I could help you with other things.” he hinted to how he’d like to know what caused her disappearances for hours and the injuries she gets.

Y/n would love to tell him about everything, the upside down and Hawkins lab. But she also didn’t want to tell him. He had enough to worry about with his dad and she didn’t want him to get hurt. But it also wasn’t just her deasion. “If it was just my deascion you would be. An I’m trying. I really am but you haven’t made the best impression on the kids, Steve, Nacy, and Johnathan. Or Hopper. And they all have says in who knows as well.”

“What about Joyce?” Billy asked noticing that Y/n left out the older woman. Once he got the old goz off and started cleaning the blood off. Billy could see all the little puntucers, almost like teeth. But There were hundreds if not thousands. Billy couldn’t think of anything that could cause this.

“She saw us on a date a few months ago and doesn’t think you are how you seem. Which she is right.” Y/n explained telling him with a shy smile. That had been an awkward conversation with the woman, but she was supportive of the relationship. Which was appreciated.

“I hate that you got hurt. Y/n, those looked like teeth punctures, but not from something normal.” he sighed, trying not to show how worried it had indeed made him.

“I hate when you get hurt to.” she stated before letting out a deep breath. Y/n knew that this conversation was going to happen at some point. She shook her head, biting her lip. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you what bit me.”

Billy had to nod in agreement that he probably wouldn’t believe it if he didn’t see it with his own eyes. “Then let me see it.”

Y/n’s head shot up right and her eyes filled with shock and panic. “What? So you can get hurt or possibly killed to?! No!”

“Why won’t you let me protect you?!” Billy questioned moving his focus to look her in the eyes, having finished wrapping her arm in new goz.

“You protect me plenty as it is.” Y/n agured back.

“I want to protect you from this to! Obviously no one else is.” Billy stressed, lifting his hand gesturing to her arm.

“You have no idea how much worse this.” Y/n raised her injured arm looking him in the eyes. “Could have been if any of them weren’t there. They do protect me.”

Billy shook his head. “Not enough for me, they don’t.”

“Billy-”

“I can’t lose you. You're too important to me.” he stated passionately, no longer yelling. Billy didn’t have much, he never has. But he has Y/n, and he didn’t plan on losing her, she means too much to him to let that happen.

Y/n took a shallow breath before scooting closer to Billy as the two sat on her bed, making it dip further. Y/n knew what Billy meant and she appreciated it. He means a lot to her too. She didn’t want to lose him either. “You're important to me too.”

“Let me be there next time. Then I have to be brought into the loop.” Billy shrugged, picking up Y/n’s none injured arms hand, intertwining their fingers. There had to be a way to let him into what was going on in the crappy town in Indiana.

“I don’t want to lose you either, and that chance increases if you are brought into this!” Y/n stressed as much as she could using her eyes and tone of voice. They’d lost enough people due to the Upside down, its creatures and Hawkins lab.

“I don’t plan on ever losing you or losing me.” He stated leaning in, resting his forehead against Y/n’s. “Besides, wouldn't it be safer for me to know so I can protect myself?”

Y/n sighed, he had a point. “I’ll talk to them tomorrow. Okay? But I can’t promise anything.”

Billy nodded in understanding. “I’ll find a way to protect you whether they say yes or not.”

“I know you will.” Y/n smiled, closing the gap with a kiss.

Yeah she’d talk with the others, but she knew it was gonna be a no. But she also knew that Billy wouldn’t give up. Not on this, not when it comes to her being there with him forever. It was endearing, even if she was afraid he’d get hurt.

Taglist: @gruffle1 @padawancat97 @starkleila

[theflyindutchwoman]

I'm a cop. I was standing this close to the guy. Okay? Right across from him, and I never saw him coming. But she did, though. She- Some part of her didn't feel right about this whole thing. She hesitated. And I-I pushed her right at him.

| ANATOMY OF A SCENE - CHENFORD EDITION 2.11 - Day of Death

This is such a small scene, easily overshadowed in an episode that is filled with so many great moments… But I love how it provides some insight into Tim's state of mind. He's usually so good at compartmentalising his feelings and emotions to focus on the job… unless it gets too personal, like with Isabel. Or here, when they realise that Lucy has been kidnapped… The way he's growing more desperate and agitated by the minute… He's feeling powerless and working the tip line is not helping at all. If anything, it frustrates him even more. Tim, at his core, is a man of action and this is particularly evident here, where he's itching to kick something. Anything. A sentiment that is all too reminiscent of the time he punched a wall after Isabel's overdose. He manages to rein it in a bit, but barely, thanks to Angela… She's trying so hard to be present for him, to be the voice of reason, but she's also going through her own issues. She can't hide her worry though. For Lucy, of course. And for Tim… It's hard to believe that seeing him like this wouldn't trigger some memories for her, of how he used to be after Isabel's disappearance. But most of all : she knows him. She knows he called her for more than just looking for Lucy, that something is weighing on his mind and that he needs to unburden himself.

The guilt he's feeling is so palpable, so tangible when he's remembering and retelling his last moments with Lucy. The cracks in his voice… The tears in his eyes… It's eating at him. The way he's rewriting history too, feels so real and authentic : guilt can make you reinterpret facts, question every little things you've said and done, and this is what he's doing here. He didn't necessarily push her towards Caleb : his advice to go out and have a drink or two with another human being was actually sound. And Lucy wasn't particularly hesitant either : the reason she wanted to go home was because she was exhausted after the day they had, not because she was suspicious. But that doesn't stop him from feeling responsible.

The way his voice breaks a little when he admits he never saw Caleb coming… I think that's the most unforgivable part for him. That he failed her, as a cop, as her TO, and as a friend. He drilled into her the importance of 'cop eyes', that her default mode should be suspicion… Only he didn't see anything that alarmed him (besides not liking the guy and acting a bit jealous). That's why he's beating himself up so hard : in his mind, he should have seen something… he should have prevented all of this… And what hurts him even more is that he firmly believes that he overrode her instincts. The very ones he helped her hone. He spent months testing her, teaching her to trust herself and stop second-guessing herself. To be more confident. That was the whole point of her Plain Clothes Day. That's what makes it worse for him : that she valued his own opinion over hers and that led to her kidnapping. And that's why it will be so important for Lucy to set the record straight later… why he will be so touched that despite everything, his opinion is the one that matters to her the most. That she never blamed him.

And lastly, it says absolutely everything that Tim's behaviour in this episode has been paralleled later by Wesley and Angela, a married couple. Tim went feral and threatened to pull a guy inside out if he didn't give him an information that could lead to Lucy while Wesley promised to have a guy tortured if he harmed Angela… And here, Tim wanted to kick some doors, refusing to just sit there and do nothing, which is pretty much what Angela said to the Feds when Wesley was taken hostage… It was always more than 'just' guilt driving him...

[outlawedmando]

PAUSE & PAWS?

pairing: modern!aemond targaryen x reader

warnings: aemond is a warning himself ok

summary: leviathan, your beloved cat is always putting her paws where she shouldn’t be.

a/n: i am obsessed with this silver long-haired boy. also that sapphire eye does something to me…am i right??

also! would really appreciate reblogs + comments!!

word count: 900+

COPYRIGHT © 2023 OUTLAWEDMANDO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS ORIGINAL WORK IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE REPOSTED ON ANY PLATFORM IN ANY FORMAT.

The wild wind howled as you made your way inside the apartment block. Straight towards the elevator, the button pressed and resounding ding encompassed the space. It was a desolate sort of silence. Standing in all your lonesome with only the generic elevator music playing in the background. What was only a couple of seconds felt like a never-ending tunnel, caging you in its depths. 

DING!

You sighed. You began to make your journey towards your apartment. Your keys jingle by your side as the door unlocks, letting in the warmth of your home to comfort you. Yet, there wasn’t a welcoming home like you expected.

“Levi? Here, girl!” You entered your space, tore your boots off and unwrapped your scarf. You hung your coat near the door, making your way deeper into your home, “Levi…Levi?”

The apartment held no life, no living creature. She must have escaped. Oh, Levi. What am I going to do with you? You checked the empty apartment for any sign of evidence. Nothing. Levi didn’t leave anything in her disappearance. What was supposed to be a calm evening filled with relaxation turned into the opposite. It was time to backtrack, boots put back on as the door shut behind you, and the lock clicked in place.

You hurried across the hall to Mr Salinger’s. He was an old man, lonely but he always asked about your day when passing by the mailboxes in the mornings. With two quick knocks and a moment of silence, Mr Salinger opened the door in his tired state.

"Sorry to bother you, Sal. But, is Levi here with you?"

"No, she is not." He opened the door wider, more inviting than when he first answered.

"Shit," your hands fidgeted all over your face, sliding down until they met the curve of your neck. "Okay, thanks for letting me know."

"I'll be on the lookout for you, dear. Don't you worry."

"Thanks, Sal."

The door shut. You sighed and continued. You walked across to the apartment next to Mr Salinger's. You knew someone lived there, but never saw who he was, it was obvious that a man lived in apartment 409. There was a significant memory of a man arguing outside his door once. He seemed to be drunk off his face spewing nonsense about not wanting to take over the family business.

You braced for impact as soon your knuckles met the wooden exterior. Looking down at your feet; tapping one foot with the other. Hearing a soft "hmm" made your head shoot up like a pin rod as you finally gazed at this stranger of a man. 

He was beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Terrifying in the way that his entire being would make you fall to the ground for him. His dead-straight hair fell gently against his body, all white in its glory. A stark contrast to his full black outfit, a structured fit that hugged his body in all the right places. However, your gaze lifted to his eyes and how one was covered with a loved but worn eyepatch. You bit your lip as you continued to admire him, eyebrows furrowing at this man.

He coughed. Your keen observation of him was broken. His lithe voice continued, "Hmm...402, never knew I held such sentiments from you."

"You know my number?"

"What? are you suggesting that I am stalking you?" he tilted his head, "I am merely observing my surroundings."

"I..."

"Didn't know I could make a woman so tongue-tied."

You glowered. "Do you happen to know where my cat Levi is? She decided to leave home and now I cannot seem to find her."

"What would I get if I help you find her?"

"A pat on the back."

He leaned against the door, "Hmm..."

"Well, 409. Thanks for your ever-gracious self and help."

"It's Aemond."

"What?"

"I don't like that you referred to me as a number. I am a human being too."

"You called me 402."

"Yes, because I don't know your name. Unless, you want me to call you, Spitfire."

"Don't you dare!"

"Spitfire, I do quite like that name."

After shouting out your name to Aemond, he started chuckling. He opened his door further and a black cat came into view relaxing on his armchair, "Is this your Levi?"

"You could have just led with that. That you had my precious Leviathan!"

"How was I supposed to know you won't cat-nap someone else's cat?"

You rushed into Aemond's apartment straight towards Levi. Levi cuddled in layers of blankets draped over his emerald green armchair. Levi purred contently. "What did you give her? She doesn't like most people."

"Nothing," he smirked, "you jealous?"

"Pfft, please."

"I am waiting for my reward. I helped you find your Levi. I wonder what I am going to get?"

"You'll be getting a slap."

"Ohh, Spitfire. I just met you."

"Not like that, you pervert."

The candles in Aemond's living room started flickering. A warm golden shadow passed onto the wall creating an even cosier environment.

"Well..." You scooped up Levi into your arms as she purred contently once again, head burrowing into your neck.

"I'm waiting for my reward, Spitfire."

"Not in a million years, Aemond."

You looked back at him and thanked him quietly for taking care of her in the time that she disappeared from your home. Aemond shook his head and said, "you think me of a monster, don't you?"

"No. I do not," you whispered. "How about I treat you to coffee...or tea? I don't know what you prefer. You know, as your reward for helping me..."

"I'll take you up on that offer, Spitfire."

[fluffysucker]

Than I was at 16

Bucky Barnes x Reader (AU) Boxer/Biker! Bucky Barnes x Chef! Reader Part of the Miss Americana & The heartbreak Prince. AKA Bucky and his princess

ALL ONESHOTS CAN BE READ AS STAND-ALONE

You didn't expect how your day will turn out to be

A/n: Written in Third POV. No use of Y/N. However, the reader is referred to as a female. Likes, comments, reblogs are VERY VERY highly appreciated. Opinions really matter to me.

It's my birthday today so this is very self-indulgent. I'm sorry. I needed this. Hope you like it

Main Masterlist

You tried. You tried so hard. You tried to act like you didn't care. Like, it didn't matter. It didn't mean anything to you. But you couldn't. especially now that you were alone.

Moving the food around the plate with no appetite at all. You signed, as you knew you weren't going to eat a bite more. You wrapped the plate up next to the food you donate weekly. You were proud of how almost wasteless your restaurant was.

You got back inside, hoping maybe work would be the way to take your mind off things.

It was nothing. No big deal. That's what you kept repeating in your mind as you worked.

But it all went off the wall when you saw the text from Bucky telling you he was leaving the gym early and to meet at his place later.

You wanted to cry. It was so stupid, but it felt like a stab to your heart.

You knew Bucky wasn't a sentimental man, but he was thoughtful and considerate. He wasn't one for loud affection, but he cared so much.

So why did he forget about your birthday?

It was six o'clock now, and not a single simple 'Happy Birthday'. For the whole week, he had been acting like there was nothing important. He never mentioned it. It was a completely normal week for him.

You couldn't say that didn't hurt. It hurt much more than you wanted to admit.

You knew that the nature of your relationship wasn't like others. You knew yours, and Bucky's personalities had their big differences. And you were okay with that. You enjoyed it most of the time. It was fine.

However, you hoped that maybe today Bucky would be willing to step more into yours.

Birthdays were a big deal for you. Everyone who knew you knew this about you. You cared about birthdays. You thought of it as a chance to show your friends and family how much you truly loved and appreciated them. You wanted the people you love to have a special day every year when they were reminded of how lucky you were to have them and of how great and wonderful they were.

You had already received a couple of texts and calls from some of your family members and friends. But none of them were the ones you wanted.

You expected at least a small happy birthday kiss when you woke up tangled together in your bed this morning. And that would have been enough for you. You would have been the happiest. But you got nothing. You carried on with your routine like any other day. Until you separated at the doors of your workplaces, it was like every day.

But it wasn't. It was your birthday.

You tried to cheer yourself on, reminding yourself that not everybody cares about birthdays like you do. And that was okay.

But you almost shed tears when the staff working with you in the restaurant brought a leftover cupcake from today's work with a candle in it, singing Happy Birthday before you closed.

It was just you and them as all customers had left, and you were closing up the place. They even chipped in and bought you a present. You tried to turn it down politely, but they insisted that they wanted to give you something nice like you always gave them. You almost cried on the spot. But you weren't sure if it was all happy tears.

As you thanked them for the hundredth time before you parted ways so each of you would go home, you couldn't help but feel sadder. Your staff remembered your birthday, and your boyfriend didn't. The young adults took away part of their money to get you a present, and your boyfriend didn't.

While their simple gesture meant the world to you, leaving you with a full heart, you couldn't help but think about how the staff working with you had shown you more love and care than your own boyfriend.

Maybe it was your time to compromise. It had been Bucky who was putting in the most effort so you could meet in the middle. And it was all for your wishes. While you did wait for him, gave him all the time he needed, and took things at his pace, it was he who had to find a new comfort zone where both of you could exist together.

So maybe now it is your turn to give up and learn to accommodate. And Bucky was worth it. So worth it.

But would a small happy birthday have killed him? How could it have slipped his mind like this?

You breathed in and out, trying to keep your emotions together. It was going to be fine. You would get used to it. It was okay.

You loved Bucky so much that you would let go of this. You prioritized your relationship over failed expectations.

You tried freshening your mind, so you chose to walk to Bucky's apartment. It was a bit of a long way, but you didn't mind. You needed it. And it was quite nice.

While the gym and restaurant were in what could be called good areas of the city, Bucky lived upstate. He had a luxurious, big apartment that he refused to call a penthouse. But it kind of was. And it was immaculately decorated. Morden with hints of vintage It took your breath away the first time Bucky brought you.

You weren't going to lie and say you weren't surprised by how comfortable and financially stable Bucky was. You thought boxers always struggled to make ends meet. It was a misconception on your part. You blamed media representation for that.

You greeted the doorman, who you grew to be friendly with as your visits and stays became more frequent. You got in the elevator and pressed the floor number. You reminded yourself for the last time that it didn't matter. It would be better and easier if you let it go.

You got out of the elevator to walk to the back of the floor, where Bucky's apartment was. You noticed the pattern of always preferring the back of a place where privacy was most granted.

You used the key that Bucky gave you a while ago to open the door. You shared the apartments' keys long ago. You were going so steady. Another reminder to yourself not to make a big deal of this

You frowned at the complete silence as you walked in. Hasn't Bucky come back yet?

"Bucky?" You called out of your boyfriend because it wasn't like him to not hear you coming in. You always teased that he somehow had enhanced hearing.

"In the guys room." His voice rang in the apartment.

You put your stuff on the table as you walked into the apartment. The guys room in Bucky's apartment was the second-largest room in the house. And that was why it was the guys room. Because Steve or Sam, sometimes both, stayed over in this room way more than they stayed in their own homes. The closer you got to Bucky, the more you saw how close the three men were. It was a beautiful friendship that you admired. They teased each other and bickered to no end, yet they would die for each other in a heartbeat. You were happy your boyfriend had this kind of bond in his life. He deserved it.

You assumed both men were here as well, and they all left together. It was fine. You enjoyed their company very much.

It was unusual for the guys to have the door of the room closed. But you didn't pay much mind as you opened the door.

You should have.

You stood there in awe, shock expressions written all over your face. Your feet were rooted in their place. It was taking you a moment to comprehend what was in front of you.

The room was bare of any furniture that once occupied it. From the ceiling to the floor, glistening decorations were all over the room. Balloons, foil metallic fringe curtains, and everything. The word "happy birthday" hangs hugely in the centre of the room.

The room looked better than the pictures you see on the internet. It was like it came out of your dreams. Like someone got in your brain and copied it and made it even more beautiful.

Someone who cared so much

The feeling of two strong arms wrapping around your waist and pulling you towards him broke you out of your trance.

"Happy Birthday, Princess." Bucky's raspy voice whispered in your ear.

You turned around to face him. Still unable to form words, you stood on your tiptoes to hug him and bury yourself in him for a moment.

"C'mon, let's celebrate."

The only furniture left in the room was the sofa and table. The table was covered in presents and gifts. In the middle, there was the most gorgeous, wonderful cake you had ever seen in your life.

"You remembered." These were the only words that could come out as surprise wore off.

"Of course I did." Bucky was confused.

"Doll, did you think I forgot about your birthday?" Bucky asked.

Looking at the room from your seat on the sofa, you were ashamed to answer. But Bucky didn't need a verbal answer.

"Oh, princess. I'm so sorry I made you think, though. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to surprise you."

Of course, Bucky remembered. He had been planning for this for over a month now. He had been counting the days until he finally had a day where he could spoil you endlessly. It's not like he needed a special occasion to spoil you. Bucky found out very early on in your relationship that he loved to do things for you. He was happy spending all his money on you. However, you never let him do that in peace. So he couldn't wait for your birthday so you wouldn't complain.

It wasn't his intention to make you think that he had forgotten about your birthday. It was just that he knew that if he said a word to you, he would spell out all his plans. He had no willpower when it came to you. It was like he was a completely different person from you. a person he very much enjoyed.

He didn't even spend two hours at the gym today. He just went to drag Sam and Steve with him. He had a long day ahead of him, and he needed help so the results would be perfect. And both men couldn't do anything but oblige. Moving furniture around was a pretty easy task for the men. However, hanging up balloons presented a great challenge for the men. But they overcame it, thankfully.

"You didn't have to do all of this." You were so grateful for this.

"Of course I did. I wanted to." What kind of boyfriend was Bucky if he didn't go above and beyond for his girlfriend?

"Now, let's celebrate." Bucky took the lighter off the table and lit up the candles on the cake, then started singing Happy Birthday.

In that moment, you felt a surge of emotions. Overwhelming even. The overflowing feeling of being loved engulfed you. There was someone in this world who wanted to celebrate you like you dreamed. Someone who put all the effort into you. Someone who gave you happiness you thought was only in fairy tales. Someone who chose to love you

Someone who was everything and more.

You knew what your wish was going to be this year. And you made it as you blew off the candles.

"Happy Birthday, princess."

Bucky leaned in to kiss you. You kissed him back and deepened the kiss, hoping to let him know how much you loved him.

"Want to open your presents?" Bucky spoke as you broke apart.

"I don't want to hear it. Just see them." Bucky added quickly before you protested that he shouldn't have brought you so many presents.

"Okay. Which one should I start with?" And you listened to him.

"This one." He brought a small box to your hand.

You took the box from him and opened it, only to be stunned.

"Bucky..."

"You don't have to wear it. I just wanted to give it to you." You could tell Bucky was nervous. Maybe he should have left this one to last.

"Are you kidding? This is so beautiful." You brought it out of the box.

Holding in your hand was a simple gold necklace with Bucky's initials in it. You loved it more than you could describe.

You turned your back to Bucky so he could help you put it on. It looked so delicate on your skin, and it meant so much to you.

"I'm never taking it off." You would never.

Bucky smiled at your words. He loved you so much that he didn't believe it sometimes. He gave your lips a little peck.

"That would have been enough of a present." You couldn't help yourself. You didn't want any presents. Every day with Bucky was a gift.

Bucky glared at you, warning you not to say stuff like this again, and let him spoil you once in silence. And you nodded.

The rest of the presenters were a variety of things. all things that you loved and had big interests in. even things you mentioned before. It was heartwarming to see how thoughtful Bucky was.

You are beaming with excitement and joy. Until the last present.

You grabbed the envelope with a tie wrapped around it. You had your eyes on it, but something told you to leave it for last.

And you were right.

"OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD." You got up screaming and jumping.

"Please tell me this is real." You turned to Bucky, holding the paper so tight in your hand.

"I can't joke about this." Bucky answered. His eyes were shining from seeing you so happy. That's all he ever wanted in life. You are happy because of him.

"I love you so much." You shouted as you threw yourself on him, hugging him so tightly.

"I love you too, doll." Bucky giggled as he hugged you back. Your happiness automatically makes him happy as well.

The envelope had tickets for a concert for your favorite singer. They had been your favorite since forever. You always talked about how long you wanted to see them live. But each time, either you couldn't afford it or tickets got sold out so quickly that you didn't get any.

However, Bucky managed to get the tickets. He knew people who knew people. And it was all worth it.

"I wanted to get the tickets for this weekend, but the team wants to celebrate your birthday." Bucky could vividly remember the look Natasha gave him when he told her they didn't need to do anything for you and that he was already planning something for you. If looks could kill, He would have been dead. How dare he think that they wouldn't celebrate your birthday? Their favorite sunshine. The audacity.

At the moment, right now, Yelena was already ordering the cake for the weekend, while Natasha was impressed by Steve and Sam's skills at hanging up balloons quickly.

Steve and Sam had no idea how they got dragged to decorate for your birthday twice on the same day. However, they weren't complaining at all. It was like having a little sister. So they were very okay with it.

"I got an extra ticket, so you can bring whoever you want with you." Bucky knew you had a couple of friends who were fans as well. He wanted you to have the choice to pick as you liked.

You had already picked.

"I know it's not to your taste so much, but would you join me and go together?" This concert had been your dream for so long, and you couldn't think of anyone other than Bucky to experience it with.

You wanted to be holding his hand as you watched your favorite singer take the stage. You wanted to dance with him as your favorite love songs played. Because all the love songs are about him now.

"I would love nothing more." Bucky replied before you could tell him that he could turn it down. He wanted to go with you. He wanted to see you check something off your Wishlist.

"I get to pick your outfit, though." You added, laughing.

"We will see about that." Bucky joked, but he knew he would wear anything if it meant making you happy.

You looked at Bucky with so much love and adoration. everything he did for you. You were beyond thankful.

"Thank you, Bucky."

"Thank you for being born."

Years ago, you were born to bring so much light and joy to this world. Years later, you become his light and joy.

And he wanted to spend all his life celebrating you.

Today was better than you ever expected.

[blackstarchanx3new]

FSR Rambles 16

Dark spiraling into an episode is halted by a "Distraction" aka a flower.

Shadow being disturbed at Dark's response to eat it, just goofy shit.

Dark doing horrible to thinks he supposedly "Likes" is a trend with him. I discussed the "dark eating flowers" symbolism awhile back.

Dark just settles into being kinda forlorn again.

"I like Vio the most" pisses off Shadow. Obviously.

Dark's reasoning for liking vio is just "Everyone else does".

Which. Is just an implication he is feeling the vibes of everyone else and how they feel towards Vio. Thus. Dark likes Vio.

Lore about Dark Link's creation:

Vio's panicking was a caducous in a way to why Dark appeared in the form he did.

Dark Link wasn't entirely aware of his own presence at this time until Vio noticed him.

Dark continues to just point out Shadow's past wrongdoings lol.

I don't think many people noticed the shift in Dark's hair here to match Shadow's hair and not Vio's becoming a warmer shade of purple.

I ALSO don't think people noticed what Dark said here wasn't his own opinion. At least the 4th panel.

His immediate "hm?" as if he had no clue what the hell Shadow's reacting too made that more obvious.

Dark quickly gets mad at the notion he'd think something like that when that was smth he was just parroting from Shadow's internal thoughts.

Repeating what Dark actually thinks of Shadow and himself: He thinks Shadow Link is an outright monster and he himself a hero.

Dark being high key delusional about his standing in the world is just par for the course.

He keeps pissing shadow off and gets angry about that himself. Really in darks mind he isn't doing anything wrong so everyone else is just being unreasonable. 🫠

Shadow tries to deliver the same sentiment that Green gave him earlier to...different results.

Darks lovely thought process:

Family. Link had a father. His father was his family. Thus, if shadow is his family, Shadow is his dad.

He even elaborates that him having a father is a lot like link lol.

Shadow, is reasonably confused as hell at this response.

Shadow tries and fails to explain they're just friends not THAT kind of family. But Dark is stubborn and insists shadow is his dad now.

Repeating that shadow would drag his "son" to be an accomplice in lying to the others about being a part of Gannon.

Shadow tries to justify, and is worried about how dark even got this info to begin with.

Memory shinanigans.

Shadow cant deny cool powers when he sees em but darks lil internal monolog (a first with him having a thought bubble if I remember correctly) he expresses confusion at Shadow not being able to see into others memories too.

Dark just assumes everyone else can do what he can haha.

Shadow pushes for dark to do the right thing. But dishonesty isn't smth dark likes to do so, dude just roasts Shadow again for his lies.

His word choice of "I don't like lying" not that he DOESN'T lie is pretty accurate as to get shadow to accept him he lied XD he just didn't like doing it.

Well. Someone sleeps like a rock.

Dark just wants to kiss people lmfao. A weirdly sweet and creepy gesture from him towards vio.

Asking his dad if he can sleep, obviously that's just how that works hah.

Dark's wings haven't made an appearance in a long time lol.

Dark is now a key item. Lmfao. My way of putting off dark and vio talking rn hahahaha. Not yet...we're not there quite yet. 😈

Shadows inventory being call backs is just funny to me personally.

Obviously the triforce of power, the cups he used to drink with vio and his sword.

Shadow continues to admit he doesn't like dark what so ever lmfao.

Poor vio fell asleep while reading again lol.

... Someone's not talking...how suspicious.

Hahahahahaha. Not responding to your "name" is kinda odd.

WELL OKAY THEN.

Vio thinks he's Link lmfao. No wonder dude wasn't speaking.

Smth to consider...

If everyone is talking and speaking normally, but Link himself was silent.

Who was causing link to be mute?

A horrifying thought:

What DOES happen if a Four Sword user pulls the sword twice?

There's no true guarantee that it'd split them the exact same way as it did previously.

Especially after 7 years...

Who's to say this is "Vio" and not, a part of Link who thinks they're Vio? How would they KNOW for sure they are 1 to 1 with the Vio that was created all those years ago?

Even if the sword COULD do that...it's been 7 years. Link is a VERY DIFFRENT person since he first pulled the sword.

Whatever made up the previous four Links, could just NOT exist or be different now.

After all, they all LOOK different now. They don't even have the same face as Link.

How much is THIS Vio the Vio from back then?

Hey Vio's using his big boy words again.

Shadow references when Vio was talking about his home back in the flashback chapters.

So we FINALLY get an answer as to what freaked Blue and Green out back in page 108.

The presence of Mr. Demon king.

That was a LONG time for pay off lol had to do other stuff. XD

...Green. Your eyes are green. :)

Leave Vio alone Blue he's exhausted and his brain is working at 5% capacity atm.

Shadow and Green having a fun ol convo about how Green lowkey doesn't trust Vio right now hah.

He did catch Vio staring at the sword pedestal after Link ripped that thing out like a bayblade.

Shadow gets pissy about the implications.

"you trust me don't you green?" he asked in a very untrustworthy way.

I get it Green this dude spent your entire mission being an enemy and tried to kill Vio, trusting him is going to be difficult. Even if they spent 7 years together.

Shadow trying to urge Green away so he can talk to him in private. Perhaps share a smooch-

Anyway, I love this moment between Vio and Blue in the background of these pages. XDDD 💙💜

Blue willing to beat Shadow's ass at the drop of a hat lmfao.

Considering how Vio and Shadow's "Friendship" ended up last time...I'll let you decide if Blue's being over protective or not.

Blue points smth out that's been a visual thing for awhile: Vio's the most covered up one out of all of them.

He has gloves + arm guards, chainmail under his tunic, and is the only one with his sword visible at ALL TIMES.

Vio from a visual standpoint is always ready for a battle/on the defensive.

Huh. Okay. Vio's arm is scarred to hell. Wonder what that's about...

Blue's concern continues to be cute to me.

Haha it moves. It moves when you feel bad about it.

Vio's dismissive about it though.

Oh hey! It's our bestie Dark! Doing his job still hahaha.

The transition to real world to the headspace is one of my faves just because it's so quick.

Whipped his head around to see who was talking and bam. Dark Link.

Visual notes for the headspace: it's visually COLD here.

People didn't get Dark's cruel reference to it "being cold in the house' as him messing with Blue over the fact he was frozen. 😭

Unlike Vio, he doesn't get a real response out of Blue....So he baits again to no avail.

Dark's hair shifts to being blue, a clear sign he's mimicking someone directly and acts. well a lot LIKE Blue. Getting angry Blue is "Staring at" him, proclaiming Blue is "Boring" for not responding to him.

Dark's form starts to melt away as he promises they'll have fun "Later" whatever that means.

Vio: The master of tugging on people if he wants their attention.

Blue's helpful. Even if he's a dick about it.

HAHA WHAT DOES GREEN'S STOMACH LOOK LIKE AFTER VIO WHACKED HIM?

I'm not tellin'. Just alluding to it's existence.

Dark being cute as hell and for what.

Shadow deciding it's "Safe" to confide in Green about Dark is an interesting choice.

Hiding it would have meant issues and Green IS mr. Leader so. It makes sense.

Of course...Shadow ya don't need to shake Dark around and grip him so hard. Really makes you no different than vaati in that sense.

In the final panel you can see Dark's hair is just...Vio's hair. And he's in a very bad mood.

For whatever reason he doesn't want to come out even on Shadow's command.

Cut off time! Bleh.

[francis-writes]

oml i am literally OBSESSED with rabban and no one writes for him except you! (thank you so much for that, genuinely)

i was wondering if you could write some headcanons or a scenario where the f!s/o of rabban is caught by him wearing some of his clothes because they don’t see eachother often?

im not sure if harkonnen have like clothes that aren’t meant to be worn in battle, but for the sake of this, maybe it could be something like a cloak?

(maybe you could throw in some nsfw too if that would be ok?)

thank you so much in advance!! :D and have a great day/night/evening

Okay, so I already mentioned that unfortunately Rabban spends most of the time away from you, on military missions. Depending on the situation, you only see each other during the nights, or he's away for a few weeks straight. In theory, House Harkonnen and Giedi Prime in general are heavily based on its military power, but other members of his family and people on higher positions spend part of their time on councils and creating strategy, meanwhile Rabban works almost exclusively in the field.

You don't have much to do and even if you find yourself a hobby, that's still not enough to distract your attention from yearning, especially that you share a room with Rabban and everything reminds you about him. It's probably not helpful but sometimes when you're free, you just sit there with his his things or clothes that still smell of his body (at least when you manage to hide them from servants collecting laundry).

(By the way, I suppose there are more casual clothes, but these are mainly shirts and other things worn under "armor" or however you call these protective parts of clothing; and also elegant outfits like that robe/coat worn by Piter de Vries. But yeah, I guess most clothes are made to be useful both everyday and during possible combat; there also might be some things like nightgowns and pajamas unless most Harkonnens prefer to sleep naked)

But even when you're busy with something, at least in your chambers, you started to wear his clothes. Unless you're well-built like him, these clothes are too big and hang on you but that's kinda comforting. It reminds you how you feel in his arms, when he embraces you and you nuzzle into his chest, feeling hidden and protected from the world.

Anyway, Rabban didn't know about your little habit, not that you deliberately hid that fact... well, you simply didn't mention it in conversations and you took off his clothes when you knew he was gonna come back soon. It wasn't a crime but you would feel a bit awkward admitting it. It was too sentimental behaviour, nothing that a Harkonnen would approve of.

But it all changed one day when Rabban came back earlier from his mission and somehow no servant came to inform you (well, maybe he ordered them to keep a secret on purpose, because he wanted to surprise you; or perhaps it was another of the little accidents that create every story). You didn't expect to see him before the next day, so when he entered your shared room, you were still dressed in his oversized shirt.

While he was walking there, he was really excited and full of intense conflicting emotions - happiness and arousal before seeing you, anger, anxiety and stress after the last fights, fear about reaction of his uncle... but when he stood in that door and saw you standing there in his shirt, all those worries disappeared for a moment. He just looked at you, slightly surprised.

You were surprised as well and you weren't sure what to say in this situation, so you just said "You're early..." and didn’t explain anything more.

Rabban just nodded and got in, closing the door behind him. He walked closer and eyed you up. "Is that my shirt?"

You felt a bit embarrassed so you looked away from his face and explained "Yes. Sorry that I didn't ask but I missed you and this, uhhh... this reminded me about you and made me feel as if you were close... I know it probably sounds silly, but-"

"No, it doesn't" Rabban interrupted you and took you in his arms, pressing you to his body. You looked at him and he seemed actually... happy? Touched? Slightly turned on?

He kissed you and his hands slided under this shirt, caressing your naked body. When he broke the kiss, he looked at you with a smile. "That's really... well, how do call it... nice, sweet..."

You raised your eyebrow "Cute?"

He nodded. "Yeah, cute"

Rabban pulled you on the bed until you landed on top of him. He embraced you with his arms and smiled gratefully as you caressed his cheek with your hand.

"You could tell me, I would leave you more things. But apart from that, I think it was kinda unfair, since I didn't get anything from you for my travel"

"I am sorry, but I doubt that my clothes would fit you-"

"Who says anything about wearing them? It would be enough to see and touch them. Or, if you wore them for some time, I could still feel your smell" Rabban smiled and kissed you again. His fingers caressed your inner thigh and you shivered under his touch.

"What part of clothing do you have on mind?" You asked jokingly, but Rabban replied in completely serious tone:

"I am not picky, I will be happy with whatever you give me"

[ahgasegotarmy116]

Take Your Time | Choi Yeonjun

Summary: Yeonjun asks out his Noona the first time he speaks to her and she surprisingly says yes. Pairing: fem!reader x Choi Yeonjun Word Count: 3.4k~ Warnings: Tiny bit of suggestive language and four year age gap but that's about it. a/n: Requested by one of my lovely anons. Sorry it took me so long to get it out! But trust me, there will definitely be a part two ;)

Growing up I never was one to stand out from the crowd, let alone the one anyone batted an eye at. I always thought of myself as being average, just a face in the crowd and I was okay with that. No one has ever really taken a special interest in me, so why do I find myself being chased around by a young guy named Yeonjun?

He's one that some might classify as "popular" but titles like those don't hold as much weight in college as they did in high school. No matter where I turn, if I find myself sitting in the library, eating lunch out in the sun, spending time with my small group of friends or even walking to my classes I can always see him coming. Doesn't help the fact that he's at least a head or two taller than most of the students here so it's kind of hard not to notice him.

We do have similar majors I'll give him that so we share a couple of classes and because of that I'm bound to run into him but why has he taken to me so strongly? He hasn't asked me to tutor him so he must not want to use me for my brain. Nor has he tried to hit on me, he just seems like a genuine guy who for some reason has become somewhat infatuated with me.

Maybe it's our age gap that he finds attractive, and the fact that there isn't much competition he would have to deal with. Guys like him do seem like they would want to go for older women, ones that are more experienced so to say. Little does he know that this Noona he's chasing after isn't much more than she seems.

"Noona, you dropped this!" I hear someone say and I turn to see Yeonjun holding up the pen I had just been using. "Oh thank you Yeonjun" I say and take it back getting hit with a faint jolt of electricity when our hands touch. "You know my name?" he asks clearly surprised. "Well yeah I'm your TA for this class so it's kind of my job to know everyone's name" I say laughing at his confusion.

"Oh yeah, I guess you’re right. How are you?" he asks clearly trying to find a way to continue this conversation. "I'm fine thanks, how are you?" I ask returning the sentiment. "I'm doing great. I just wanted to see if I could ask you something" he says and I can see the tips of his ears turning red which could really only mean one thing.

I hum in acknowledgment and wait for him to continue. "Do you think that maybe you might want to go on a date with me sometime?" he asks now looking down at his feet. "What was that?" I tease, hoping to ease up the tension. "Will you go on a date with me?" he says making eye contact after taking a deep breath. Looking at him a bit closer I can see how young he is and how honestly adorable he looks. He is an attractive guy so I guess one date might not hurt.

"Sure" I say with a soft smile. "Wait, really?" he says now making hard eye contact with me, searching my features to see if I actually meant it. "Yeah why not? Don't tell me you're backing out on me already" I chuckle, loving the reactions he's giving me.

"It's just that, I didn't think you would actually say yes. Does Saturday work?" he asks quickly solidifying our plans. "Saturday is fine, do you have a car or would you like me to come pick you up?" I question knowing that it's not common for a college student to have a car where we live. "I could just meet you there! I don't want you to go out of your way" he says, cheeks blushing at the thought of me picking him up instead of the other way around.

"It's okay Yeonjun, just send me the time and your address and I'll come get you" I say and hand him my phone so he can put in his number. He takes it with two hands, clearly still showing respect for my age which is a good sign and saves his name as Choi Yeonjun keeping things formal, to which I change it to Junnie making sure he sees it.

"Junnie? No one has really called me that since I was a kid" he says scratching the back of his head. "Oh it's okay I don't plan on calling you that, I just like to have cute nicknames in my phone for my friends" I say saving it and putting my phone in my pocket. "Friends huh?" He says looking a little disheartened.

"I guess we'll find out after that date" I say and ruffle his hair before I make my way to my next class. "See you later, Junnie" I say giving him a kiss on the cheek before I leave. I glance back and see that he's still facing the other way with his hand placed on the cheek I had kissed and laugh a bit at the sight. He's a cute kid.

I get a text later on in the day from Yeonjun telling me the time but for some reason he wont tell me where we're going.

'Can you at least tell me how I should dress?' I send shaking my head.

'Comfortable but not too comfortable. Some sort of jeans and t shirt combo would be good' he replies simply. 

'Oh and you might want to wear a black shirt or something because we might get a bit dirty ;)' he finishes and gives me no more information after that. I huff in semi annoyance but I'm actually quite excited to see what he might have in mind.

"Hi Noona" Yeonjun greets hopping into my car, he makes an effort to lean in towards me resting his arm against the console to balance and gives me his cheek. "What are you doing?" I giggle feigning innocence. "Noona you gave me a kiss last time" he lets out, pouting slightly at the thought of being denied the kiss that he was clearly hoping for. "Settle down and put your seatbelt on" I say laughing at him and he does as he's told but while he's busy doing so I lean in and give him a quick peck on the cheek as I had done before.

"I-" he says again placing his hand against the spot where my lips had just been, clearly catching him off guard again. "So are you gonna tell me where we're going or what?" I say sitting back in my seat and then offering him my phone to pull up the directions which he fumbles with for a second and then hands it back to me.

Once we pull up I'm surprised to see that we're in front of a pottery studio, "Really?" I say teasing him, pretending that I'm uninterested. "What you don't like it? I thought I heard you talk about the ceramics class you had last year that you really liked so I-" "Yeonjun I'm kidding, I love it!" I say grabbing his hand trying to show sincerity.

"Loosen up a bit love, I like to tease people a lot" I say giving his hand a squeeze and pulling him into the shop. "We’re gonna have to have a talk about you listening in on my conversations though" I say pretending to scold him. "I'm sorry I just wanted to make sure to take you somewhere you would like to go. Not some lame movie date" he say looking down at his shoes.

"Jun" I say hoping to bring his attention back over to me. "You really don't have to be shy with me, I promise I'm just playing around" I say hoping he'll understand me a bit more. "I'm sorry it's just, well I've never gone out with a girl that's older than me so I wanted to be respectful and we don't know each other well yet so I wasn't sure if I should be formal with you or not" he explains and I notice again how red his ears have gotten.

"Take a deep breath with me okay?" I say and encourage him to follow while we wait our turn in line and a few seconds later breathe out. "We're on a date right?" I question him to which he nods. "So let's drop some of the formality, still be respectful but you don't need to walk on egg shells around me. Got it?" I ask hoping now he'll start to loosen up. "Got it!" he says giving me a bright smile that I know is about to become one of my favorites.

As we start our pottery lesson I notice that the instructor keeps on making eyes at me and it's very apparent that Yeonjun does as well. The instructor seems to take a special interest in me and makes sure to compliment me and come to my aide when I'm struggling. Honestly isn't it unprofessional to try to flirt with customers so openly?

"Hey Yeonjun come here" I say with the intention of asking him to 'help' me. "Do you think you could help me out? My hands seems to be getting pretty shaky so it's hard for me to get it to look as nice as yours looks" I pout trying to make him feel a bit better showing him that I need him.

"Sure Noona how did you want me to..." he questions not really sure how to go about it. "Oh if you want to get behind me and place your hands on top of mine to guide me that might help" I say sneakily creating the 'Ghost' scene. He awkwardly agrees and helps me just like I asked him with his chest up against my back and him whispering in my ear praising me for getting it down so quickly which honestly has me feeling a bit flustered.

"Thank you love" I say placing another kiss on his cheek "I think I've got it from here" I say and send him back to his station and make it a point to send a tight lipped smile to the creep, making sure he saw our interaction. Even if Yeonjun and I aren't in a relationship I want to make him feel secure in himself and see that I really wanted to come on this date with him and he's the only guy I care to pay attention to.

"You okay?" I ask as we make our way out of the studio, taking a hold of his hand while we walk back to my car. "I didn't like the way that guy was looking at you" he says clenching his jaw a bit, now being given a bit more freedom to express his emotions.

"Hey, I made sure the guy knew that we were together and he did back off a bit after that so don't worry. Plus I made sure to talk to the manager about him so I don't know how much longer he'll be working there" I finish, walking over to the drivers side of the car.

"You're literally the coolest person I know Noona" he says amazed at my simple actions. "I know" I say smiling at his sentiment and get in the car and again hand him my phone for him to put in the next address for the second stop on our adventure. 

"How did you know I like rollerskating?" I question, finding his attention to detail adorable. "Well I thought I saw a bumper sticker on your car a while ago that has a pair of roller skates on it so I figured you might want to go!" he says with a bright smile, happy he was right.

"Plus it gives me an excuse to do this" he says and places his hand in mine. I find myself a little flustered at the action as this is the first time he's initiated some sort of physical touch and it somehow gets my heart racing. I guess since it's my first time going on a date in a while, him making moves on me might effect me a bit more. 

"Come on let's go!" he says cutely, excited to get started and I trail along behind him with my hand still firmly in his grasp. As we get inside I reach for my bag to find my card so I can pay for the entrance and skate rental, "No it's okay Noona I'm paying!" he says proudly swiping his card before I even have a chance to find my wallet.

"Are you sure? You already paid for the pottery class" I say feeling a bit unsure of if I should let him pay, especially since I'm older than him. "Yes I'm sure, I asked you on a date so it's my responsibly to take care of you" He says and guides me closer to the counter so we can both get our hands stamped, showing we've paid the entry fee. He takes a hold of my hand after that and leads me towards the skate rental counter to pick up ours for the day. 

"If I would've known we were coming I would've brought my skates" I say laughing at how chipper he seems. "But that would've ruined the surprise!" he says, stating the obvious. "I'll let you know next time..." he says trailing off leaving it open ended trying to see if I would want there to be a next time. "Okay, next time" I say squeezing his hand hopefully showing my sincerity.

He smiles down at me and it's just now that I'm taking into account our height difference and for some reason it has me starting to feel shy. Our eyes lock for a moment and I see him start to study my features and he glances down at my lips for a moment before the kid at the counter hands us our skates. 

We sit down to start putting them on and before I can say anything he's kneeling down in front of me helping me tie my laces. "Hey you don't have to do that!" I say laughing at his clumsiness with the extra long laces. "I know, but I want to" he says and looks up at me now almost being eye level.

My phone buzzes and I mentally groan at another interruption and check it but before I can protest he's helping me put on the other skate. "Who was that? If you don't mind me asking" he questions tentatively. "My boyfriend, he's wondering why I haven't been answering his calls today" I say rolling my eyes and throwing my phone in my purse after putting it on silent. 

Much to my amusement Yeonjun ends up choking on air and almost toppling over from his crouched down position but I end up reaching out in time to help steady him. "Boyfriend?" he says between coughs. I smile at him and see how pink his cheeks have gotten clearly embarrassed by what he believes to be new information about me. "Yeonjun, what did I say about lightening up? Of course I don't have a boyfriend, it was just someone liking my story that's all" I say rubbing his back waiting for him to stop coughing. 

"Okay good" he says clearing his throat. "Now come on handsome let's get your skates on too! This is my favorite song!" I say happily standing up to stretch a bit before kneeling down and doing the same for him. "Noona you don't-" "Shhh you helped me now let me help you" I say simply and once done I stand up to reach for his hand and take him towards the rink where 'Oh shit...are we in love?' by Valley is blasting through the blown out speakers.

Once I step onto the rink I notice Yeonjun's hesitation to do the same, flinching a bit watching someone wipeout on the polished wood. "You're fine, come on I'll teach you" I say reaching out for his hand which he reluctantly takes. 

"Have you never been roller skating before?" I ask while I guide him to the railing running across the wall that encases the rink. "I have but umm-" he's interrupted by almost slipping before I help him regain a bit of his balance, "it's been a while" he says awkwardly laughing at his efforts of recovery. We go around the rink a few times and he starts to get more comfortable with each completion.

"You think you got it now?" I question, confident that we won't have any Bambi on ice moments again. "Okay you stay here and I'll go skate to the other side and wait to see if you can skate all the way to me without using the wall. You think you can do that?" I ask hoping he's gained some confidence. "I think so" he says giving me a nervous chuckle. 

I nod and skate over to the agreed upon area and wave him over to me. He struggles for a moment or two but then my mouth drops seeing him skate towards me like a natural, even turning around and skating backward and makes a circle around me when he catches up.

"Yeonjun! That was amazing!" I say and punch him in the arm which he grabs instantly and rubs it afterwards. "Hey what was that for?" he pouts, acting like I actually hurt him. "That was for lying to me, you are really good at skating. Maybe even better than me, maybe" I say smirking at him a bit before punching him again. 

"Noona!" he whines this time actually feeling a bit of pain, "and that was for yelling at me" I say crossing my arms over my chest. "What else was I supposed to do? You caught me off guard when you punched me" he says still rubbing his "injured" bicep.

"Aww do you want me to blow on it?" I say leaning down to blow some cool air on it before I feel him grab my jaw and bring my face back up to his. "I could think of something else you could blow" he says dropping his voice and octave. Now I'm the one choking on air.

"Yeonjun!" I say scolding him to which he just laughs, watching me try to catch my breath. "Look how the tables have turned, two can play at this game you know" he says with a devious smile, now having flipped a switch. "You've just been playing the role of the quiet nervous boy haven't you?" I say making my way to get out of the rink  to go sit back down.

"Who said I was playing? I really was nervous and I still am, but you're really cool and I like the way you joke around with me so I wanted to fight back a bit. Did I escalate it too much? You just made it too easy" he says brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. 

"N-no that's fine, I don't mind, you just caught me off guard that's all" I say admitting to my shock. "Okay good. Are you tired? I was thinking that we could go and get something to eat and then maybe go to the drive ins?" he says clearly excited at the prospect of continuing the date. "No I'm not tired but I'm definitely hungry! Did you wanna get something from the snack bar or…?" I question trying to see what he had in mind.

"I actually had a place I wanted to take you to, is that okay?" he questions giving me the option. "Sure, you're two for two on the places you've taken me to so I would say that I trust your judgement" I say smiling when I see how happy he is after hearing my praises. 

"Shall we?" he says dramatically putting his arm out to escort me to the car after having returned the skates. I shake my head and smile at him while I grab a hold of him, "You're adorable you know that right?" I say looking back up at him. "Let's see how much longer you'll be calling me that" he mutters more to himself. "What was that?" I say tilting my head catching onto what he might be implying. "Oh nothing don't worry about it" he says and opens my door for me once we're back at my car.

Part 2 coming soon...

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[haunted-xander]

When she woke up the next morning, she felt much more rested than she had in a long time. Probably due to her warm, breathing pillow. ...Ah, that's right... I hope Komaeda-kun slept well too.

Just as the thought passed her mind, she felt Nagito stirring beneath her. "...Ah, Nanami-san, good morning... Did you sleep well? I hope I was a sufficiently decent pillow... ahaha." It was clear he had just woken up, drowsiness lacing his every word. "Mmm. You're an okay pillow. Slept really well... What about you? Hope I didn't suffocate you in your sleep or anything... That would be bad."

"Ahaha, I'm perfectly fine, Nanami-san, there's no need to worry! Though even if you did suffocate me it'd be alright! I wouldn't mind at all!"

"Youe self-destructive habits will need to be worked on." Chiaki hadn't noticed Izuru getting on the bed, but now he sat up and looked at them with his usual blank stare. "...Oh? Do my eyes decieve me? Kamukura-sama's face looks almost fond today. Maybe you're not as emotionless as you claim, ahaha. How despairing. It wouldn't do for you to get sentimental now. You still have so much to do, to achieve! You won't let something as illogical as 'feelings' get in the way, will you?"

"...Be quiet, Komaeda."

"Ahaha, you're not denying it, Kamukura-sama. That means I'm right, doesn't it? Kamukura-sama..." Nagito's voice got lower, menacing. "I've noticed this happening an alarming amount recently. Maybe you're not empty after all. That won't do, that won't do at all." His voice got so low and quiet she almost missed it.

"I'll need to empty you again, it seems. How despairing."

A tense silence filled the room as Nagito and Izuru stared at each other. Chiaki had no idea what they were talking about, but she had a feeling that her input wouldn't matter. ...'Empty' him? What does that mean? Komaeda-kun... What's he going to do? And... isn't Kamukura-kun gaining emotions a good thing? Komaeda-kun doesn't seem happy about it, though... Maybe that's the brainwashing talking. ...I don't know what to do...

In an attempt to break the tension, she decided to comment, "...Hey hey, I'm hungry. Let's make breakfast." Both the men turned their attention back to her, their faces finally easing up. "...Ah, of course. My apologies, Nanami-san." As Chiaki moved to get out of the bed, Nagito followed suit, and took off his jacket while at it. Izuru had already gotten up, removed his jacket and tie, and was waiting for them by the door by the time the two of them were standing.

Chiaki filled the air with meaningless conversation as they went to the kitchen, not wanting the tense atmosphere to creep back in. "Oh, by the way. what kind of games do you guys like? I like just about everything, but right now I'm really feeling some party games or fun co-op games. I haven't really had anyone to play them with lately though, and playing with CPUs isn't nearly as fun. We should play some together! I don't have to work for a couple of days so we can play tons! It'll be really fun!"

"Why don't you have to work? I figured the Future Foundation would want to control this area as soon as possible."

"The message said it was so we could 'get settled' into our apartments. But enough about that. What games do you wanna play first? I brought my Switch and a few handheld consoles so there's a few options to choose from. Maybe one of the Mario Party games would be good? There's a lot of them available on Switch and they're really good-"

"Nanami, there are no chairs in the dining room. We can't eat here." Izuru cut off her Mario Party rant to bring up an... important point.

"...Why are there no chairs here? Ahaha, that's odd, isn't it? Did a burglar steal only chairs or something? What a despairingly ridiculous theft to make!" Bursting into a far too long bout of laughter, Nagito tried to joke about the absurdity of the situation. "...Oh, right. I forgot to mention that. There's no chairs in this apartment, for some reason. We'll just eat on the couch for now. We can watch something on the TV too that way, so it works out. ...Assuming it works, that is."

"It will work."

"...Can you elaborate on that?"

"No."

"Okay." She turned her attention to the shelves and searched for plates, glasses and utensils. "...So, what's on the menu, Kamukura-kun?" The man in question made a face. "I don't recall us ever deciding I'd be the cook."

"...Well, I can't cook and I doubt Komaeda-kun can either. Besides you've got basically every talent possible, right? Then you should cook for us... I think." A second of silence passed before he sighed and turned his back to her, going for the fridge and looking inside. Chiaki and Nagito took this as quiet confirmation that he would cook for them after all. "...We'll be having curry. There is nothing else I could make with such sparse ingredients."

"Oh nice. I like curry."

"If Kamukura-sama makes it, then it's guaranteed to be delicious!"

With that, Izuru went ahead and got started on the curry while Chiaki tried to set up her Switch on the TV, and Nagito sat down on the couch. "...The TV seems to work fine, and electricity here is fine too, so we shouldn't have any problems playing games. We should probably save multiplayer games until after we've eaten, so let's start with something simple. ...I'm kinda feeling Kirby right now, but what about you, Komaeda-kun?"

"I'm fine with anything you want, Nanami-san!"

"...That's not what I asked, thought." Chiaki pouted at his non-answer. I should've expected that answer. He's always been like that. "...Let's see... I've got some good RPGs here, but those are kinda long and intensive, so let's keep those on hold for now... hmm... How about Mario? Mario Odyssey is really good. What do you think, Komaeda-kun? ...And don't say something like 'Anything you want' this time. I want a real answer."

"...Ahaha, my apologies. ...I'm not well-versed in platformers, but I... would be interested in giving it a try?"

"...Is that your real answer?"

"...Yes. I promise I'm not just saying that to make you happy. I really would like to try it out." She continued to squint at him, trying to see if he was lying.

Satisfied, she let up her scrutinizing stare. "...Okay, good. Let's play Mario Odyssey then." She put the game on and handed the controlled to Nagito. His playstyle was clumsy, but he quickly got the hang to the controls and was doing well enough.

This was the sight Izuru walked into when he entered the living room, pot of curry in one hand and plates with spoons stacked on top. He silently placed it on the table, briefly left, then came back with three glasses and a pitcher filled with water. He sat down in between Chiaki and Nagito, who then immediately huddled close to him. "Kamukura-sama is so warm~ Is that from the kitchen, or just your body heat? Ahaha~"

"Mmm yeah... So warm... Like a heated blanket..."

"What an oddly specific thing to compare him to!"

"...Just eat already." Although his words were dismissive, his tone and expression betrayed a layer of fondness. ...Maybe Hinata-kun isn't completely gone after all.

They enjoyed an oddly peaceful morning together.

[mediocre-quill-ink]

Exes and androids

Summary: gavin is being a real piece of shit to connor, your boyfriend. connor soon finds you gavin is your ex. angst fallows.

Content: Gavin being a piece of shit. mentions abusive relationships. Cussing. good ending. Readers' house has weird shit in because that's what I'd have in my house, lmao

Jesus, so much work today. All the files were stacking up, and it was overwhelming having to review and fill all of them out. Jesus.

My focus was broken by the sound of quick foot steps heading my way. When my eyes ripped from the files, it was connor. He sat at the empty desk next to mine. Normally, he has a fairly neutral expression, and to an extent, it still is, but you've spent enough time with him to see something not right.

"Are you okay, connor?" I asked, setting down my pen. He began to bounce his leg up and down. "I'm fine, y/n I'm just... I just wanted to spend some time with you, is all. " I pressed my lips together. "Connor, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?" He paused, then nodded. "I know something isn't right. Do you wanna talk about it? Or do you just need some time together for now?" He glanced over my shoulder briefly before speaking. "I just... Gavin has been his usual self, is all... It's been bothering me more and more every day." Gavin. Of corse. That fucker dosnt even treat humans well, let alone androids. "Has Gavin been harassing you again?" Connor nodded, his shoulders square.

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I didn't want to stress you out. You've been very busy with work and errands. I didn't want to add to all the stress."

I sighed, and I could feel my heart sink. I held his hand. "Connor, as much as I appreciate the sentiment, you should tell me about things like this. I care about you. There's no need to feel like you are a burden, ok?"

His face tinged blue for a second. "Thank you, y/n. I appreciated that."

Suddenly, a chuckle imminated from behind me. Gavin. "Did the tin-can get dented?" I rolled my eyes. Connor shifted slightly and let go of my hand, it seemed Gavin noticed. "Oh no, I'm sorry. Did I hurt the Ken dolls feelings? I didn't realize Androids needed therapy." "Gavin what the fuck is your deal?" I snapped. He raised his eyebrows in response, his tongue stabbing his cheek. "Get your panties out of a twist, y/n. He's a fucking tin-can. Look at him!" He laughed and shoved Connor slightly. Connor looked down, fidgiting with the sleeve of his coat. I immediately stood up and pushed Gavin back. The entire office began to stare. "I don't care if you don't like him or not. Its fine if you dont like him. The fact is the way you treat him is unacceptable. Now get away from us." "You really care about this thing?" He sounded absolutely baffled and amused. I raised my voice, "Gavin-" Connor put his hand on my shoulder and subtlly shook his head at me. I clenched my fists and let go of a long sigh. "Just get out of here. " I sighed. Gavin chucked "and how the human takes orders from the robot. How ironic" and walked off.

"I'm sorry, Connor." I sighed. "I didn't mean to get so angry, are you alright?" He nodded. "I'm feeling... conflicted." "Conflicted?" "I don't approve of you escalating the situation. But... I appreciate you trying to stand up for me." He gave me a soft smile. I sighed and smiled back. "Where are your stress levels right now?" His eyes twitched for a moment, LED flashing. "87 percent." I glanced at all the work on my desk, then at Jeffres office. "I can take a moment away from work if you want." I offered. "You don't have to. You still have lots of work to be completed." "Hank has so many violations and still works here. I'll be fine with one little rule break. Besides, I want to." "You don't need to. I'd rather just sit here with you for now, if it's not to distracting." He offered. "I'm fine with being a little distracted." I joked "here, take the seat next to me. Nobody uses it anyway."

He pulled out a black wheely chair and placed it next to me, sitting down in one foul swoop. I continued to sort and fill out any files I needed to, rubbing my foot against his ankle every now and then to let him know I didn't forget about him. I could sense he wanted to do more than just sit there. So I grabbed the arm rest of his swivvle chair and pulled the chair closer to me. Arm rests bumping. "What's up?" I asked calmly. "Nothing." I shot him a "sure' look, and he sighed. "I just wanna talk. You've been busy a lot lately, and I hate to interrupt it." I took a moment to look away from my desk to look into his eyes "you can talk to me, sweetness. I mean it." I grabbed his hand, rubbing it with my thumb.

He continued to talk about his latest interest, the works of his new favorite author. How a lot of his stories share similar themes and imagery. How he picked up on what words the author liked to use the most. I continued to nod and occasionally throw in questions that I was lost on. By the time my stack of files was almost done, I noticed his head was leaning against my shoulder. I couldn't help but blush at it. "Connor, you're really cute, you know that?" I whispered. Scribbling some data on the second to last file I needed to. He paused from his discussion before continuing, "Thank you. You are, too." He replied.

I quickly finished my work. Packing up for the day, the office seemingly slowed with most people heading home. By this point, it appeared Connor was finally put at ease, which was good. "Hey, Connor, wanna stay at my house tonight?" He looked up from the new potted plant I had on my desk, a common succulent, and spoke, "Of course. I'd love that." He gave me a warm smile, causing a gitty, flustered feeling to boil in my chest for a brief moment. He's so cute. "Ready to go?" I asked, "lead the way." He replied.

As we stepped into the parking lot, it seemed Gavin had just made his way into his car, some maroon vintage type of deal. He quickly rolled down his window when he spotted us. Jesus christ, he hasn't even spoken, and I already want him to shut up. "Hey y/n. Heading home with your glorified sex toy?" If it were up to me, I'd beat Gavins ass right then and there. I'm so sick of his shit. With all his harrasment voilations, im surprised he hasnt been fired yet. But I had to hold back for Connors sake. "Fuck off Gavin. You're not original." I shouted back flatly. I could feel Connors gaze swiftly make its way to me. Shit. Don't escolate the situation. What am I doing? "So it's not the first time, then someone said something about your bullshit relationship?"

Don't say anything. Don't say anything.

We were almost to my car. I needed to get out of there before I said or did some dumb shit.

"What, to afraid to talk now? I don't bite. Unless you want me to." Jesus christ, I'm gonna puke. We finally got to my car, I quickly pulled out my keys and got in, connor, following swiftly after.

"Is that machine really better than me? That thing is what you replace me with?" My heart sinks. I could feel connor tense across from me at the new revelation. Goddamn it. Did he really have to bring this up now. I quickly jammed the key into the stem of the wheel and peeled out of there.

There was a long moment of silence before one of us finally spoke.

"You dated Gavin?" Connor finally asked

I let out a beath that I've been squeezing in my chest. It felt damn near suffocating. "Unfortunately, yes." I forced out.

"Why?" Connor asked in a dry tone

I let out another sigh. This time, it was full of regret. I lifted one hand from the steering wheel and pinched the bridge of my nose. "When I first met him, I thought his tough guy thing was hot. I liked his angry brute thing, thought it was sexy, I liked his sense of humor... some times, he was fun, I guess." I swallowed, unsure how to even talk about it when I hardly know why I liked him. "The simple way to put it was that I looked at his red flags and went 'that's hot' without thinking about how it'd all affect me. Turns out dating assholes means they are still an asshole except in a relationship now. The more I got to know him, the more vial I realized he was. I saw him through rose tented glasses, and one day, I finally lost them." I let out a regretful sigh and then continued."I was just a idiot, really"

There was a silence for a moment, then connor spoke. "What was the thing that made you two brake up?" That was a strange and unexpected question, but it was reasonable. "Funny enough, it was cause of android shit. I eventually learned how anti android he was, and it kind of put everything else about him in perspective. All his 'quirky little traits' I taught myself to love were giant redflags. Once I realized I got the hell out of there."

I saw connor nodding in the corner of my eye.

"So why are you in a relationship with me?" He paused, his voice a tad more horse "to make him jealous?" My heart broke at the question. The fact that he even thought that possibly made me hurt. I moved one of my hands onto Connors' knees and rubbed it gently. "No, sweet heart, no. I want to date you because I love who you are. You're kind and intelligent, brave, badass, funny, and I don't want to brag too much, but you're hot as hell." I glanced over to see a small smile crack onto his face."Also, I feel no desire to make him feel jealous. Jealousy is for people you still care about. He could fuck out of my life for all I care." I swallowed hard, trying to take a moment to calm down. I slowed at a red light and took a deep breath, and turned my head to connor briefly while I spoke, trying to keep my voice neutral, "He doesn't derve my energy to make him jealous. It's one thing to be an ass to me. But if he's being an ass to you? Well, now I'm pissed." My eyes moved back to the lights in time to see them turn green, and I pressed on the gas. "I love you, Connor. So much. Never forget that, alright?" He nodded softly.

We finally pulled into my driveway. My home wasn't much, small and in the middle of a just above shady area. But I tried my best to make it work. Rose and lavender bushes in the front, little metal statues of mythical creatures scattered strategically, and other whimsical bullshit.

Connor has only been to my house a handful of times, most of the time, when we hang out or go on dates, in public places. Museums, ice skating, public parks, etc. It was just more exciting than sitting around my house. So to see him inside my home was a welcomed but strange sight.

Connor moved to the couch, sitting down with prefect posture. It looked like he was scanning the space again. "Is that new?" He blurted out. I turned from the shoe basket to see what he was looking at. It was a vintage Barbie doll in the box. The Special Solo in The Spotlight 1994 to be exact. "Yes, it is. I got it for a steal, too. I was super excited." I was a collector of all sorts of things, dolls being one of them. "It's nice, a lot less... menacing than other things in your collection." He replied, giving me a sly smile. I laughed. It's true. Compared to a lot of the other things I collected, it was normal. Animals in jars, creepy toys, old merchandise from gimmicky business, animal bones, gothic furniture. It was certainly an eyesore, but I liked it that way. "Oh, I hope my house doesn't bother you to much." I rumbled, making my way to the couch and sitting next to him. He shook his head and replied, "No, it doesn't. It has a lot of character, and there's always something interesting to look at." I sighed, leaning against the plush back of the couch. "Thanks." I whispered. There was a moment of silence before one of us spoke again.

"Does it bother you how frequently I visit your desk?" Connor suddenly blurted. My gaze returned to Connor. He seemed a bit tense. "Not at all. Why?" I replied. My hand moving towards his back to rub. "I've just... I," He hesitated. I began to sit up straight, wrapping my arm around his waist. I nodded, letting him take his time. "some times i worry i am to annoying. with how frequently i visit your work space." I struggled to hold back a laugh before replying "Connor, you annoy hank to no end and you show no concern about that." he subtly shook his head, a smile barely peaking through his lips. "hank is annoyed by everything." i shrug, smiling "ah, that's true."

Connors smile, for what it was quickly disappeared. "how long did you date Gavin?" my smile fell too, swallowing anxiously. "just barely a year. about ten months." Connor softly shook his head at that. "if he was as awful as you said he was why did you stay that long?" my jaw clenched, a paced out sigh slowly releasing. "he made me feel needed. he made me feel loved in his own special... emotionally distant kind of way. it was often the only thing that had me keep coming back. eventually i learned i deserved more than what he was drip feeding me. the bare minimum and such." "did he ever have sex with you?"

at that I pulled back slightly, offended. "Connor. what was our relationship doesn't matter anymore. it never mattered. the fact is that I'm with you now. you matter Connor. not him." Connor hesitated for a moment before clenching his jaw, repeating "did you ever had sex with him?" I softly squeezing my eyes shut, sighing. "yes. yes i did. a lot." my voice was wavering from anxiety.

Connor didn't respond, I watched as his led flickered, swirling and then turning yellow. he appeared extremely stiff, more than usual. I swallowed hard, a shaky feeling in my skin while he just sat there in silence. goddamn it. I should have just told him everything myself. now I have to break the news to him because of that bastard. I swear to god I'm going to kill Gavin.

"how long were you planning on keeping all of this secret from me?" he whispered, voice dry. you sucked in a shaky breath, "I've been meaning to tell you for a while now. i just could never find a good time." Connor kept his eyes distant. he looked not angry but... sad. hurt. betrayed. "you were with Gavin. my biggest bully. do you know how many times he's tried to kill me?" I opened my mouth to speak but he already began talking. "you loved him. You loved that man."

guilt bubbled in my stomach, my chest burning. "Connor..." I didn't know what to say. the tension was to thick for me to even think of a reply. a sudden chocking feeling came to my throat when heat stung at my eyes.

Connor finally looked at mr. his eyes glossy. "how could you love a monster like that?"

"don't you think i feel bad about it?" I choked out. " I'm the one who dated him. he was abusive and toxic. he kept me coming back by doing the bare minimum and expected me to be grateful for it. and worst of all I was. i don't care about him anymore. i don't even know if i ever did. I'm with you now. i love you." I could feel the heat of fighting off tears in my throat. there was a long moment of silence.

Connors hand squeezed mine. I looked up to see Connor gazing at me with sudden sympathy, regret. "I'm sorry." he whispered, a genuine and soft tone. "I've been selfish in this conversation. i should have thought about your experience with him too." I take in deep breaths, trying to calm down. "i wanted to tell you, i swear i just didn't know how to bring it up..." I mumble. Connor cups my cheek with his hard, plasticky hand. "im sorry, i shouldn't have pushed it." he replied softly, using his thumb to make small stroking patterns.

I let out a sigh as you lean into his palm, embracing the synthetic sensation. "its alright... if i were in your position i probably would have panicked too." I sigh, thinking about what bullying Connor has probably gone through sense working at the station. if Gavin has been putting him through life threatening situations, I'd also be upset to learn that guy dated my current partner.

"you said hes tried to kill you?" I finally asked. a small but sudden anger lighting in my chest. "yes, he has. various times." I move a hand to hold his, the one cupping my face. "you told me about the time he socked you in the stomach but not that. why didn't you tell me?" Connor let out a sigh, "because i could handle it. im a machine build for combat. i didn't want to worry you about him more than i already do." he began to shake his head gently. "I should have told you, though." We both sighed. or whatever android equivalent of a sigh is for connor.

I finally look Connor in the eyes. "Promise me we won't keep secrets from each other, alright?" he nodded,"agreed." and placed a soft kiss on my lips.