#out there. that’s why train compartments have windows too. and planes.

[quietwingsinthesky]

if i ever end up writing even’s actual first encounter and adventure with the doctor, one of the running themes is going to be how there aren’t any windows on the ship.

which doesn’t seem like such a big thing at first, but that’s from our point of view, or the doctor’s, because we (and him) know the size of the universe. we know what space is, maybe not entirely, but enough to know the shape of it, yeah? we know what stars look like even when their light is a trillion years and miles away. but there are no windows on this ship. and even has never seen the night sky, has never seen a star or a planet or just the empty space that’s separated from them by feet of metal and a great deal of luck. even has lived their whole life inside, and space is not a thing they can see or touch. it’s an abstract threat beyond their walls. they could not imagine the enormity of it if they tried.

they don’t know the shape of the ship either. imagine someone let you run through a maze and then told you to draw it. you could draw the corridors you walked through and the dead-ends you ran into, but could you for certain say that you ever found the edges of it? that know the walls on the outside look like the walls on the inside? how big is it? and really, what you should be imagining is that your maze is one of a dozen different mazes all tied together with rubber bands, and none of you actually know what the whole thing looks like, and you don’t have time to talk through the walls to figure that out because if you stop moving for too long, the food dispenser at the end won’t give you anything despite reaching your goal because you were too slow, better try harder next time, stop talking and start running.

even isn’t surprised that the tardis is bigger on the inside. it doesn’t hit them until the doctor lets them see the ship they were on from the outside. like a farewell wave, opening the doors of the tardis as she orbits the ship, and even takes in the shape of it first. (they can’t figure out where they lived, where they worked, from the outside. they don’t recognize any of it.)

but then they see everything else, beyond the ship, while the doctor is standing behind them and saying something reassuring, ‘they’ll be alright without you, don’t worry about them, we fixed everything’, absently, kindly, because he knows they need a moment alone to say goodbye but someone has to stand at the controls and the silence gets to him a little too much. doesn’t see that even’s eyes are so, so wide staring beyond the ship at the universe around it.

it’s too big. they panic. they shut themselves inside the tardis.

that’s what gives the doctor pause. makes him waver, here, because even’s good companion material, they’ve got that spark in them that makes them want to help, whatever it takes, (this is what will undo them, eventually.) and he doesn’t want to leave them there. but you can’t just take something out of its natural habitat and expect it to flourish. that’s how you get wilting leaves and patchy coats and enough stress to kill something from heartbreak alone.

‘i can take you back,’ he offers. it’s the last time that’ll ever be true, but if he knew that when he said it, it’d be a very different kind of story. so he doesn’t.

even is shaking. tearing up. scared. elated? hiccuping on little gasps of air. the stars are beautiful, and terrifying, and now that even knows they exist, they can never go back to before they knew.

the doctor is cruel like that. he wants to show you the universe.

but here’s what’s true now and will be true forever: even doesn’t want to go back. i mean, god, could you blame them. one day, in a few years/decades/centuries/after the long way round to the end of the universe and the short trip back, he’s going to tell them that they can either say to his face that they’d rather he’d left them on that ship or they can stop adding it to his list of sins. they won’t be able to.

so they say no.

and they pull the doors back open just a crack, wide enough for one eye, small enough to shut again with the tremble of a hand. and they peek back out at the universe they’ve been living in. they don’t notice the ship, as the tardis breaks her orbit, speeding further and further away to a destination its passengers will never see.

that’s why there are no windows on the ship. well, that, and it wasn’t very well-designed in the first place.

[captainsimagines]

To Topple A Giant || Chapter Four

Summary: You had made it your mission to destroy even the smallest evils. When the opportunity arises to finally take down your own family after years of gaining their trust, you reach for it. And so does Steve, the man who represents a symbol of everything you hate.

Pairing(s): Steve Rogers x Reader || Avengers x Reader

Part 4 of 10 ~ Mini-Series

Warnings: This story contains mature themes and discussions such as extreme canon violence, strong language, emotional angst, mentions of Endgame deaths and recoveries, sexual situations, and emotional/physical abuse. All trigger warnings will be listed before the chapter. This is purely fanfiction.

Warnings in this Chapter: reference to past sexual assault (very minimal); misogyny/sexism; mention of Infinity War deaths/Endgame deaths; abusive parental relationship; canon violence; heavy drinking; reference to cocaine use

Word Count: 13,900+

~

Tony’s Cabin, 2023, 8:56pm

      “Uh…”

You and Steve stared at the little girl in front of you, bouncing up and down with excitement as she held up one of Tony’s repulsors, the safety on but pointed right at the two of you. Steve instinctively pushed you behind him, the obvious fact being that a blast would most certainly kill you and not the super soldier himself. You were having difficulty holding in your laughter, watching as the girl kept poking at the metal, awaiting its true power. 

“Can I have that, Morgan?” Steve asked, his voice raising ever so slightly to try and seem nicer to the kid. 

“Talk to her with your regular voice, Steve. She’s five, not a toddler.”

“Yeah!”

Now you laughed at Morgan’s declaration of approval, still standing behind Steve with your hands braced on his back. 

Steve sighed and rolled his eyes playfully, “Alright, Morgan. Can I please have that back? It’s not a toy.”

“But daddy left it for me!”

You smiled at her, “Yeah, but he didn’t expect you to use it so early! Wait until you’re like… ten, then you can look through his things!”

“Y/N, ten?” Steve gave you a bewildered grin, eyes bright and laughter restrained. 

“Okay, twelve.”

His shoulders sagged with a heavy laugh. He reached over and took the chance, grabbing Morgan’s wrist softly and ejecting the glove from her small hand. 

“There we go!” you cheered, stepping out from behind Steve and scooping her up in your arms. Morgan started laughing loudly, kicking her legs to try and escape your hold. “Ah, don’t kick me!”

You had offered your time to Pepper whenever she needed it. You didn’t expect that she would call so early asking for a huge favor, her husband’s funeral not even four months ago. But you didn’t hesitate and packed an overnight bag, reassuring her that nothing would explode on your watch. On your way out of the temporary safe house, Steve had caught you just in time. A quick question of your future whereabouts and he was joining you, a tiny twinge of guilt in his chest from not seeing Tony’s daughter in so long. He was one of her godparents after all, just after Happy and Rhodey, beating out the third crowned position from Bruce. 

He had been hurt by that initially, asking why he wasn’t even considered. 

‘Bruce, the first time she comes into your room and stands over your sleeping body to let you know she had a nightmare, you’d scream.’

‘I wouldn’t be angry, just scared!’

‘Okay, after Cap here, you get custody.’

‘Oh, yay. Drafted fourth.’

Steve was happy to go see her on such short notice though, racing back up to his room to gather some overnight supplies as well. But you didn’t think anything of it - it was just a godparent wanting to see his godchild. 

“Ouch, that hurt,” you laughed and placed Morgan down in her bed. “Nighty night time.”

“Daddy said he left things for everyone, not just me.”

Steve’s eyebrows shot up with curiosity, a sudden interest to know what his gift was exciting him. He had already given him the shield back... but then Thanos broke it. Maybe, another shield? No, T’Challa had already offered to send him a new one.

“Ooo, that’s interesting! I wonder if he got me that pretty bracelet I saw in that department store window that one time,” you gushed, pulling the blankets over Morgan. You fluffed out her hair, smiled at her, and told her goodnight. 

“Night night!”

Both you and Steve called out from the doorway of her bedroom, “Night night!”

Several minutes had passed before you brought up the prospect of secret gifts again, knowing Steve was just as interested as you were. 

“Want to go find them?”

Steve immediately stood up, clapping his hands together and giddy with excitement. “I won’t tell if you don’t!”

“Deal.”

You searched everywhere - living room, the garage, kitchen cabinets - even racing into the master bedroom, stealthy and secret, shame rising as you carefully picked up items around the room. “This feels like an invasion of privacy.”

Steve chuckled from outside the door, “Hurry up!”

But you found nothing. There was only one more spot to look - his office. You almost didn’t want to intrude any longer, this being his most sacred space, but the mere chance of Tony giving you a gift from the afterlife made you extremely happy. So you and Steve searched, stacking and restacking random papers and pushing away gadgets and books in the bookshelf. Finally, a small opening in the third shelf alerted you of your mission success. 

“Oh, fuck yeah,” you cheered, reaching in and pulling boxes and clipped pieces of paper, all different colors and sizes, from the compartment. They were labeled with various names - Rhodey, Pepper, Happy, Clint, Thor, Steve, Nebula, you - and Natasha. 

Steve sucked in his breath, his gasp similar to yours. “He got these before…”

“Yeah,” you nodded, handing Steve his labeled box. It was light blue, a white ribbon delicately wrapped around it, and with a cute little red ribbon with Steve’s name on it. It wasn’t big, but it was more than enough. 

“Open it,” you said. 

Steve shook his head, “Let’s open ours together.”

You agreed to his terms, taking your folder into your hands. It was one of those same art folders you had when you bought some new planners or notebooks. It was black, custom-made it seemed, as it had your name on the front in gold, cursive writing. 

On the count of three, you both opened your presents. 

Steve pulled out two sets of dog tags from the box, the sound of them clinking together reminding him of the times he would hug his fellow soldiers on the battlefield, cheers of victory mixed in with the smell of sweat and dry blood. He read the names on the metal. 

‘Steven G. Rogers

987654320 T42 O

Brooklyn, NY. P.’

‘James B. Barnes. 

32557038 T41 42 O

R. Barnes

Shelbyville, IN. P.’

He had not known they recovered his dog tags, faintly remembering clutching them tightly as he flew the plane into the ice. But SHIELD must have kept them for the museum, and Tony had recovered them. Bucky’s, however, were lost as soon as Bucky fell from that train. They were more rusted than Steve’s, almost as if HYDRA kept them underwater or stored for the majority of Bucky’s sentence. But no matter how Tony had gotten them, he was eternally grateful. 

“Wow,” Steve said, clearing his throat. But you were too caught up in your reading. 

      ‘Target whereabouts discovered mid-May of 2017. Only T. Stark and N. Romanoff approved for mission.

      Transport at 20:00 hours. Target(s) confirmed and exterminated at exactly 0802 Pacific Standard Time.’

You choked on the sob that suddenly broke through, hand instantly reaching up to cup your mouth. Steve put his tags back into the box, shushing you to get you to calm down. “What is it? What’d he get you?”

Four pictures accompanied the short report, each face crossed out with red paint. A tiny laugh escaped and tears of joy started to flow. To say Steve was confused was an understatement. 

“He… he got me justice.”

Steve took the file from you, reading over every word to somehow understand what you meant by justice. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration and he looked up at you for more explanation.

You brushed your hair back and rubbed at your cheeks, the smile on your face now straining. Whether it was a sudden change of mind or the closure of your trauma was just that satisfying, you told Steve exactly what Tony and Natasha had done for you. 

“After I joined you guys in New York, Fury sent me on a mission to infiltrate and bring back information about this dude my father was trying to literally destroy. But I had to play both sides  - the good and the bad.”

Steve set the file down, his full attention on you.

“I got the information but for some reason, it wasn’t enough for my father. I had forgotten to get the most vital piece, something he thought I would automatically know,” you scoffed, your smile faltering at the next part of the story. 

“I cost him ten million. And to teach me a lesson, he let these men do whatever they wanted to me. Anything.”

Steve’s breath hitched as he understood what you meant. And it was no longer a mystery why you had been planning to kill him ‘again’ after everyone came back from the snap.

“I returned to the compound in such bad shape. I only told Natasha. She cleaned me up, she took me to med-bay in the middle of the night, she brought me breakfast in bed,” you chuckled at the memory, hand reaching out to hold Steve’s. 

“And Tony’s gift was murdering the men that hurt me.”

Steve let a few tears slip himself, his hand gripping yours tighter. “Y/N, if I would have known-”

“Hey, it’s okay. You didn’t know, though. I thought only Natasha knew. She promised me she would take care of it. I just didn’t think she would actually find them.”

“I think we know that Natasha could find literally anything and anyone,” Steve said. 

You agreed with his statement, a smile returning to your face. 

You jumped from your sitting position and went back to retrieve Natasha’s gift. “Hey, should we?”

Steve eyed the small, black box in your hand. He sighed as he walked over to you, eyes returning to the box. 

“It was meant for her.”

You frowned, “Yeah, and I’ll ask Pepper if we can give these to everyone else.”

You paused and shook the box near your ear. It felt heavy in your hand, and the contents gave a little jingle. 

“But this one was for Nat. I think she’d want us to at least see it.”

Steve chuckled and just nodded, awaiting the reveal. You pulled the ribbon and opened the box, surprised that Tony had given her a piece of jewelry. “Oh.”

Steve took the bracelet from the box, oblivious that the movement would unlock the charms from their heavy chests. In a matter of seconds, charms of similar size but different designs dropped to encircle the silver band. You inspected them in Steve’s hand - a red/white/and blue shield, Mjollnir, a pair of wings, two arc reactors, a singular arrow, a silver arm, a spider, an emerald heart, the letters ‘W’ and ‘V’ intertwined, a black cat, an ant - and your symbol, an intricately carved silver charm no bigger than your thumbnail, of your face. Tony knew no specific object or symbol was tied with your Avengers status, no one had ever given you one, but this was perfect. 

“Wow,” Steve whispered, examining each charm closely with a lazy smile on his face. 

“We were her family. This was an ode to that.”

“What do we do with it?” Steve asked.

You just shrugged, “Frame it? It would feel wrong just taking it for myself.”

Steve agreed. Later that night when Pepper returned home, you showed her what Morgan led you to. She let you keep your gifts and take the others, absolutely loving the idea of framing Natasha’s bracelet in the new compound being built. 

Present Day, 2025, 8:10 am

     The bright light from the open windows hadn’t hit you as suddenly as the random throw pillow that connected to your face, startling you with a quick gasp and causing you to choke on your spit. You snapped up, belly down and hair wild, eyes still half-lidded as you searched for the aggravator. And he stood there with a stupid grin on his face, already dressed in his stupid old man clothes, and stupid blond hair perfectly pushed back. 

“What the fuck was that for?” you tried to yell, voice cracking at the end and just the slightest hint of drool threatening to spill from the corner of your mouth. 

“I ordered room service. Plus, we have to leave in an hour.”

You grabbed as many pillows as your one free hand could hold, the other still tucked into the pillowcase below your head. You flung them wildly, none actually hitting the super soldier directly. His chuckle pulled a deep groan from you, and no longer wanting to look like a fool, you stumbled out of bed and pushed passed him roughly. 

“You could have woken me up the same time you got up.”

“But you looked so peaceful.”

His sarcasm was not helping your souring mood. Steve headed over to the monitors to turn them on, already setting up the morning video chat with Bucky and Sam. “Do you always sleep like a mounted spider?”

You flicked him off, “Leave me alone so I can take my morning piss in peace!”

You slammed the door and made your way to the toilet. Now, you were no morning person. But it was simple enough for you to crawl out of bed with only minimal protest when your awakening was a peaceful one. Having a pillow thrown at your head while mid-dream was practically excruciating and no one, not even the grandest morning person in the world, could possibly awake happy from that. And to top it all off, you couldn’t even remember what you were dreaming of. Just another thing to blame Steve for. 

After you had done your morning routine and slipped into a really comfy outfit, the breakfast finally arrived. You muttered a quiet thanks to Steve for ordering your favorites and damn him for knowing you preferred waffles over pancakes and a variety of creamers to choose from, and quickly filled Bucky and Sam in on what the plan for the day was. 

You had been on missions with Steve before, but no matter how many times you regrouped in the mornings, you had never actually seen him wake up. After your rude awakening, you wondered at what point during sunrise he opened his eyes - ‘cause you’ll be standing over him with a pillow of your own. 

“Torres has the air footage scheduled for around five today, then he’ll link you to the camera for the remainder of the mission,” Sam clarified. 

“Is it possible to link earlier?” Steve asked. 

“Not unless you can get the Wi-Fi password of the estate.”

You chuckled, still funneling mouthfuls of waffle into your mouth. “So, we can hack the Pentagon whenever we feel like it, but we can’t hack into my father’s estate without the Wi-Fi password?”

Sam cleared his throat, “You are so lucky this is a secure line.”

“Wait until she finishes her breakfast and her head will be screwed back on straight,” Steve joked, taking a long sip from his tea. 

Almost immediately, your phone dinged with a new message. You angled your phone away from Steve but your smirk was enough to alert him of a side conversation happening under his nose. 

Bucky: Ouch, I wouldn’t mind if you hit him upside the head.

Y/N: he threw a pillow at me to wake me up :(

Bucky: hit him

Y/N: bet

“Stop talking about me over the phone.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Steve grumbled, the rough sound catching Sam’s attention as well. His eyes flashed back and forth between the two of you - Steve desperately trying to catch a quick glance at your messages, and you leaning away from him with thumbs moving at a rapid pace. 

“Y/N, how you feeling?”

You put your phone down and pretended to not notice how Steve was trying to get a glimpse of your screen. 

“A little queasy, in all honesty.”

A myriad of emotions were present and coiling in your body, each trying to sprout and bloom and gain their five seconds of fame. And for the past several years, it was easy to downplay their true power. Because the power they held wasn’t one of distressing strength, but rather one that tip-toed to the front of your anxiety driven worries. It planted itself there, up front, but ever so silent. For it to finally meet its match, to possibly be freed of such a coil - well, you were more worried about not succeeding in its erasure than its final blooming. 

“We’ve come up with a system to make sure we both don’t go overboard or to tell the other that we’re alright,” Steve said, eyes on the monitor but hands loading bullets into your trusty handguns. 

“Alright, that’s good,” Bucky spoke, finally. He typed away on his keyboard, “Give us a word we all use in case we need back-up immediately.”

“Mm, you should ask Steve. He loves his safe words.”

Steve rolled his eyes, “Something Avengers related? Or something no one would ever say?”

“Pick anything you want, just don’t let it be awkward to repeat out loud,” Sam joked. 

Steve pondered for a few seconds before he settled on his chosen word, a hint of a smile forming. “Widow.”

You nodded, “That’s sweet. She’d like us using her alias for a dirty little safe word.”

You huffed suddenly, shoulder colliding with the carpet, the realization that Steve pushed you from your chair causing you to stare at him with your mouth hanging open. “Hey!”

“Steve, every single day I accept your fate from her murderous hands,” Bucky grumbled, Sam’s loud laugh causing the speaker to give a quick halt of static. 

“She’s okay- hey!”

You flew across your chair and onto him, lunging your body as your main weapon in taking him down. You both tumbled to the floor, the sofa chair you collided with scraping along and pushing the coffee table with it. A lamp shattered on the floor right when you wrapped your arm around Steve’s neck and hooked your legs from underneath him and around his waist, his back to your front, both his arms coming up to tug yours out of reflex. 

“Yield, you little shit,” you grunted, the grip of your arm remaining loose on purpose but your legs tight, heels now digging into his slim waist. 

Steve groaned, both from your pointy heels and the sudden impact his body made with the ground. “I’m letting you win.”

“You seriously got a mouth on you.”

You let him go anyway, choosing to save your strength for the mission and not waste it on a petty little fight. Besides, you could always smother him with a pillow in his sleep. 

“You two done?”

Both you and Steve stumbled getting up, faces back in your teammate’s view as you smoothed down your clothing and wiped at your foreheads.

“Now that that’s over,” Sam continued, clearing his throat. “The only task for today is to get a feel of the place, establish a legit backstory providing you some leverage, and to swipe those ID’s.”

“Got it,” you acknowledged, standing again to begin hooking your weapons in discreet locations in your clothing. 

“And we’re not responsible for that broken lamp so it’s coming out of your paycheck.”

     California really wasn’t like any other state. There was a vast difference from Northern and Southern, the difference being the amount of green fields visible. In Southern California, the mountains and desert areas took up most of the landscape, with an industrial complex here, a growing city there, and then nothing for a good ten miles. Since most of the landscape was below sea level, the atmosphere was almost always dry, modest dust storms forming only to quickly pass a freeway and disintegrate once it found the other side. It was more urban, more lively with people. But Northern California, even if it experienced the same weather patterns as the south, was mostly humid during the winter season. The mountains here were covered in lively agriculture, livestock roamed freely in the gated areas near the freeways, and the overall environment provided a rural look. 

 And the differences just stood out to you, your excitement for the livestock starting to annoy Steve as you kept pointing out every cow you drove past. He threatened to stop the car and dare you to tip one. 

“So, how did we meet?”

Steve chuckled, “We’re coworkers, Y/N. Thought that question was obvious.”

You whined, “Steve, we have to put some drama into it! How about we say we met during one of Tony’s parties after Fury assigned you to this?” 

“And what? I asked you to dance?”

You leaned over your seat and poked his arm, teasing him. “Would you have asked me to dance?”

Steve shrugged, “I mean, sure.” 

He glanced at you and then back to the road. “Can’t we just be honest? I like the way we met.”

 You pouted, “The way we met is a matter of national security.”

   “You brought that thing back to an unguarded planet?” Loki seethed, his voice still a whisper as he followed Thor through the hallways of Avengers Tower. A tower he had been prisoner of for a few weeks now, but would soon be released from once Thor decided to return home. Besides, it had been more than a year since his unfortunate attack and after thousands of apologies, brainwashing excuses (which were true!), and quite a few long labor hours equivalent to Midgardian community service, his leash was extended somewhat. 

“How am I the more level-headed one right now?”

Thor grumbled in response, now on his hands and knees as he searched for the tiny animal that had already eaten its way through the plush of the interior walls. “It couldn’t have gotten far. And how was I supposed to know the oxygen levels here would cause it to go crazy?”

“You couldn’t. In fact, I don’t know why it’s here in the first place!”

“Keep screaming, Loki. I bet that would make it come to us quicker!”

Loki was about to come up with another quick quip, but was interrupted by a quiet mumble down the hall. 

“Oh?”

You rocked back and forth on your heels as you stared at the two brothers - one sweeping the floor on all fours and the other ducked down to scream into his brother’s ear. “Whatcha looking for?”

“Now, don’t be alarmed, Agent. But I may have misplaced my dog.”

“Dog?” Loki tilted his head, hands now cupping the side of his head in disbelief. 

Your eyebrows shot up from his reaction, “Not dog?”

“It’s… an animal from Asgard.”

“Okay, what does it look like?” you asked, now more interested than ever. 

Thor cleared his throat and rose to his feet slowly, “Like a dragon.”

You stepped back, almost tripping over your left foot. An involuntary laugh escaped from your lips and you brought a hand up to try and stifle it. “You brought a dragon into the tower?”

“He brought a dragon back to Midgard,” Loki clarified as he walked over to the wall and pressed his ear against it. 

“Oh, yeah. That’s much worse,” you agreed. “Fury’s gonna shove his foot so far up your ass-”

“Yes, yes. I know what awaits me. Now, help us find it!” Thor begged. 

This wasn’t how you expected to spend your first day as an Avenger. After all the training and promoting, the paperwork and oaths, you thought you would have a pretty chill afternoon. Arrive at the conference room, get the name badge and a rundown of your new field suit, and meet the rest of the team. Freshly nineteen and energetic as ever, you accepted this as a test. Find the dragon, make a good impression. 

It only took a few more minutes before you three stumbled on an otherwise empty hallway, staring down the colorful creature as it licked one of its paws. 

Your eyes widened, “It looks like an alebrije.���

“You have these creatures on your planet?” Loki asked, surprise written over his face. 

“Nope, alebrije’s aren’t real. They’re fantasy.”

“Nevermind that, help me catch it!”

Loki began shushing his brother, hands swatting his massive shoulders in the process. You leaned down to the floor and tapped it with your fingernails, hoping the nice gesture would cause the creature to meet you halfway. 

“Hey, buddy,” you cooed. “Can you come here please?”

The creature raised its head, colorful eyes on full display. Similar to rings of fire, but face like a fox, and fur as soft as silk. It titled its head, interested for only a second, before it kicked back and rushed toward the three of you at full speed. 

“Oh, shit-!”

As he was the closest, Loki pushed Thor to the wall and lifted you from the ground. But before he could throw you out of the way too, the creature leaped. Loki shielded you with his body, wrapping his arms around you and picking you up as the creature kicked his back and sent the two of you flying through wall after wall. Loki was taking the force of it all, his chest angled in a way to protect your head. It was about ten walls you two flew through before you landed in what seemed like conference room B… or C… or A. Loki rolled you over and groaned in pain. You landed on your back, bright lights blinding you as you tried to adjust. Then a figure came into view as your blurry vision cleared. 

You blinked rapidly and stared up at your new Captain. You smiled, a bit delirious, and raised your hand up for a handshake. 

“Y/N Y/L/N, new recruit!”

Steve just stared, eyebrows scrunched, an expression resembling a scowl and bewilderment painted on his face. He took your hand in his and shook it. 

“Forgive us, Captain,” Loki spoke, coughing as he turned over. “But you might want to get that shield of yours.”

    “When did we become a couple?” you continued once you agreed on the ‘party meet-and-greet’ as your previous answer. 

Now, this was a question Steve was wondering about since before you mentioned the necessity of such answers. Although he didn’t fantasize about being your significant other, he did wonder what possible event could jumpstart it. If anything, and he would take this to the grave, he assumed a line would be crossed during a particularly tempting mission. Bucky had admitted to him that on one mission, and Steve promised to take this to the grave as well, Bucky had to kiss Wanda to keep their cover. The feelings subsided soon after the mission was over, but Bucky confessed to real feelings developing. So if Steve had to bet, a particularly tempting mission. 

“When we were searching for Bucky?”

You nodded, “That works. We can say the fall of SHIELD basically led to us to realize how weak the system was and how we could easily manipulate it.”

The road veered off to the side, now dirt and unevenly layered. You checked the directions Torres gave you just to make sure. 

“And when is my birthday?”

You didn’t expect Steve to answer so quickly, and to get it right. Perhaps he looked over your file and remembered, because you were certain only your little friend group knew it. It was Bucky, it had to be him, the little shit, he told- 

“Surprised?”

“A little. How do you know it?”

“Nat. Who do you think sends you those chocolates every year?”

You were overjoyed, really. “Wha-? Natasha said she did it.”

Steve smirked, “She covered for me.”

“Why?”

“Because for five years after the snap, you and Nat did nothing for yourselves and did everything for everyone else.” He had been witness to the two of you pulling all-nighters, washing the sheets of your fallen teammates as if they were going to return that weekend, celebrating their birthdays in secret with a small candle and a prayer. Moving from the compound and into his own apartment was hard enough, but seeing his remaining teammates wallow in cursed self-determination was worse. So, he asked Nat about your birthday to send you chocolates and a lovely handwritten note, careful to write in a font different from his natural one, and he would fold tiny paper airplanes and leave them around the compound where only Nat could find them, providing her a sense of playfulness in her busy day. Little joys to make up for such an impact.  

“If it makes you feel better, I sent gifts to Nat and Bruce, too.”

But because Bruce had no forwarding address at the time, Steve settled for quick text messages here and there. 

“And here I was thinking I was special.”

Steve laughed at your statement. He reached into the middle compartment to grab the mics you would be wearing. “By the way, make sure to hide this behind your neck. My mic will blend in as a button.”

You inspected the flat, button-like mic, awed by how intricate their design was. “They connected to Bucky’s?”

Steve clipped his onto his shoulder, the camouflage effect throwing you off. Yup, you loved science. “Yeah, they record everything and immediately send it back already transcribed.”

You unfolded the sun visor and watched how the mic picked up the color of your skin and blended naturally. “Remind me to send T’Challa and Shuri a gift basket.”

“And more.”

The estate was exactly how you remembered it. Modern and simple all at once, a brown exterior to easily blend into the surrounding forest, and massive front gate that only opened with a specific code. You leaned out the window and typed it in. There was no speaker this time, probably evidence of newly installed cameras. 

“It’s beautiful,” Steve muttered, pulling into the long driveway and following the brick road. 

It truly was. Even from where you were, you could see into the mansion as the walls were all practically made from glass. The walls in the back were normal, however, as that’s where most of the business was conducted. There were no swing doors, only large and heavy double doors made from cooled lava rock. And even though your father was a very organized man, the house was littered in trinkets of all origins: professionally stuffed exotic animals, roman and oriental statues, porcelain eggs, multiple pianos, and first editions of some of the most popular books in the world. There wasn’t any set theme for this house, but it was screaming ‘money’. 

Steve parked the car away from the others, careful to leave enough room around it to ensure an easy escape if needed.

“Remember what I said - play the part. Leave the smart mouth to me, they know me. It’s what they’ve come to expect.”

Steve clicked his seatbelt and sighed heavily, “I apologize in advance.”

You gave him a small smile, “Nothing to apologize for, Steve. Like I said, this is a mission. Don’t stress about it.”

He shook his head, “Still.”

The sincere look in his eyes sent a tingle down your arms. You cleared your throat, “I feel dirty saying this, but know your place. You may be a Captain but you’re not manning this boat.”

For some reason Steve felt that he truly needed to apologize in advance. For the past several years, it wasn’t entirely real to him. He had not been directly involved. But now that he was here, parked and staring at you - the one person who had a first hand account of the horrors inside - he needed to make sure you understood he would never actually hurt you, or you him. “I trust you.”

You removed your seatbelt and opened the door, “I trust you, too.”

It was windy today, the ruffles from the trees almost disguising the labor coming from the back. You assumed they were still building the reception area. Steve jogged over to your side and hooked your arm in his, his body tenser than yours. Someone opened the heavy doors, immediately swallowing the oxygen for miles with merely their presence. You couldn’t help yourself from a small grimace, lips spreading into a straight line as you forced any other expression besides hatred. 

Seda, standing at barely six foot and a smug look plastered on his aging face that worried even Steve. This was the man that had shot you when he was on the run - the man that would most likely do it again. 

Seda quickly stepped down the stairs, “Y/N, so lovely to see you again!”

You let go of Steve to walk ahead, arms extended to match the idea of a grand entrance. “Really? Because the last time we saw each other, you shot me in the gut.”

Steve swore he saw Seda’s upper lip twitch. “You hold too many grudges. I was just following your father’s orders.”

You rolled your eyes and finally came to a stop in front of him, arms crossed over your chest. “Obviously.”

“And I’ve finally got the chance to meet Captain America! You’re much larger in person.”

No matter the acting skills one must obtain for this line of work, it was still obvious Seda was speaking through clenched teeth. He scanned Steve up and down, somewhat intimidated.

It was such a sudden shift, one you obviously knew was coming, but the deepness of Steve’s voice still caused unnatural goosebumps to rise. “I get that a lot. Helps in this business, though.”

Seda let out a low chuckle, “I would think so.” He turned and instructed the two men who had followed him out to reopen the heavy doors.  “This way.”

Steve tried not to gawk at the amount of decorations and old-timey artifacts he swore should belong in a museum. So much furniture, so much history that shouldn’t mix but somehow worked. And was that… was that a stuffed polar bear?

“So, how you doing, Seda? Besides the usual,” you asked, hooking your arm back with Steve’s. 

Seda walked with his head held high, only tilting his head downward when giving a silent greeting to those who walked by. You tried to memorize faces or see if there was anyone you recognized. But your father barely kept the same team for more than a few years. They either left voluntarily and luckily, or were simply never heard from again. 

“Excited for the wedding. Jackeline has been running around nonstop on her finishing touches,” Seda responded. 

You huffed out a laugh, “I bet she has. She used to have a scrapbook that outlined six different wedding themes.”

“And I haven’t seen the end of it.”

Only a few more twists and turns and you were finally near the familiar hallway that housed your father’s darkest work. The interior design was purposeful, no windows and no cameras. Steve unhooked your arms, opting for a more formal presentation between the two of you. Seda was difficult to please, but your father was near impossible. Better to not have his hands all over his daughter during their first meeting.  

“Hey, what’s the wi-fi password? I’m expecting a few important emails today,” you asked before Seda opened your father’s office door. Steve had to restrain himself from blessing the ground you walked on. Bless you for remembering. 

“‘Guadalajara’.”

“Thanks,” you mumbled, sending the password to Torres as quickly as you could. 

It wasn’t the grand entrance you expected, truly, but you didn’t expect to see your father simply chilling behind his desk signing a few papers. He usually paced, was in a random meeting, or on the phone. Here, he was just… strangely normal. 

He looked up, eyes locking with yours for the first time in seven years. “Now, I haven’t seen you since your little weekend trip to Jalisco!”

Yeah, since you had me shot. 

Stepping into the office, the smell of cigars was heavy. Musty and daring, enveloping you like the times it did before. But now you had Steve - sweet Steve whose warmth you could feel behind you. 

You shrugged, “I’m not traveling much outside the country these days. Too much shit going on.”

Your father stood up and let out a dry laugh, “No lie about that. Seda was telling me how loose the borders were when half the world croaked.”

“Emigration was common, yup.”

He smiled at you, walking over and placing his hands on your shoulders. You did your best not to tense your muscles. “I wish I could have been there. You guys made millions those five years.”

You swore you heard Seda scoff near the corner of the room. 

“It’s about time we met! Ernesto Vega,” your father introduced himself, holding out his hand for Steve to take. 

It was instant, the change, and you found yourself pushed softly to the side as Steve stepped forward. “Steve Rogers, sir. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Your father was practically beaming, “Y/N isn’t giving you a hard time with all the business, aye?”

Steve chuckled, “None at all. She steps back when asked.”

Okay, maybe he was a better actor than you took him for. 

“I can’t believe you even have to ask,” your father hummed, glancing back at you with a disapproving look. 

Steve shrugged, “More like ‘ordered.’”

It was scary how easily Steve was making your father laugh. “So, she listens to you? I wonder what that’s like.”

You interrupted, scoffing quietly. “I have literally done everything you’ve asked.”

And without glancing at you this time, your father quipped. “Everything but learn how not to complain.” 

You rolled your eyes and met Seda’s stare. He always enjoyed the torment your father caused you. When he ordered you do something sketchy and you objected, Seda always had a front row seat to the slaps and harsh language spit in your face. He had a way of bringing up the abuse in almost every conversation he held with you - like it gave him some form of sick satisfaction.

“Regardless of my daughter’s inability to listen, I was still surprised when she named you as her partner.”

“The whole hero game was getting boring. I needed excitement.”

Your father agreed, “Don’t we all?” 

Before he continued, he squinted his eyes at Steve and scanned him once more. Almost like he was double checking his initial choice. 

“And you’re fine with breaking the laws of the country you’re the mascot for?”

“America has changed over the last hundred years. Trust me, I should know.”

Steve was answering exactly how you two practiced. You couldn’t help the small tinge of pride that it ignited. 

“Oh, I can’t believe you’re older than me. I mean, look at you.”

“The positives and negatives of being America’s science experiment, sir.”

“But here you are now. Working for me.” Your father stepped back to sit behind his desk again. “I’m very happy.”

“Likewise, sir,” Steve replied as he shuffled closer to you, trying to not seem so suspicious. Last time Steve wanted to crawl out of his own skin was when he was barely being introduced to the new world. Times Square really was a concrete jungle, his and Bucky’s old apartment building had been demolished in the fifties, and inflation… don’t get him started on inflation.  

“I’d like you to meet my two friends.” Your eyes widened. No, you weren’t supposed to meet them today. You hadn’t planned for this. 

“Friends and competition alike.”

You tried to keep your voice steady, “Shouldn’t you warm them up before you invite them in? They’re gonna take one look at Steve and freak.”

Your father motioned for Seda to open the door. “Then prepare your speech quickly.”

Before you or Steve could come up with a game plan, your father called out to the new arrivals. “Amigos! Me gustaría presentarles al hombre detrás de toda mi operación.”

The men summoned were completely different from the last time you saw them. Given you saw Ramirez long before the snap and White even before then, change was destined. Ramirez was skinnier, no more protruding stomach, wrinkles almost nonexistent and eyes lively. He hadn’t disappeared with half the world, but one of his daughters did - so getting her back definitely helped his overall health. White, on the other hand, aged overnight. His hair was now gray, eyelids sullen but eyes wide, and his nose was tilted awkwardly, like a surgery to counteract the powder he sniffed. You couldn’t remember if he was dusted or not.

“Tienes que agradecer a mi hija por esto.”

He did not just give you credit for this. 

“No fucking way?” Ramirez spoke, almost like he was out of breath. 

Curse your father for not preparing these two. You quickly reminded yourself where your gun was hidden in case things got out of hand. 

White stepped forward, circling you and Steve as if you were displayed in a museum. “Do we each get our own Avenger?”

“Maybe in the future. But this one’s mine.”

“I’m an Avenger, too. But okay,” you mumbled, offended by his singular statement. Steve’s lip twitched slightly but the look he threw at you let you know he wanted to smile. 

“¿Cómo lo hiciste?”

“Ya sabes cómo es... La gente simplemente sigue mi ejemplo.”

You decided to speak, anything to get White to stop inspecting you like some ancient artifact. “Steve green lights the routes and passages. He’s been a main player all along.”

White squinted at you, “And how long has this been going on?”

“For almost ten years,” you answered. 

White shook his head in surprise, eyes wider than you thought possible. His accent was more slurred than you remembered. “And you’re telling us now because-?”

Your father cut in, “The world is still in ruins. If we combine our forces like we discussed before that unfortunate disappearing act, we’ll be unstoppable.”

This seemed to catch Ramirez off guard, as if he truly didn’t remember the conversation your father brought up. You shoveled his reaction deep into your memory. Maribel would have to look into it.

Still, Ramirez played along. “And you’ll be loyal to us, too? Not just Ernesto?”

Steve nodded, his posture straightening. “I would.”

Now, the two new arrivals looked at you. You raised an eyebrow. 

“Don’t look at me. I do what he says,” you admitted, nodding your head toward Steve.

They seemed to accept that answer. 

“And he’s here to help us move the shipment this Saturday?” White asked.

“That’s the plan,” your father confirmed.

It was time for Ramirez to circle you both. But he did so more casually and without the intent of kicking you in the shins, it seemed. He went to sit on the couch nearest the door, away from the crowd. You could sense Steve tensing up, so you turned your body slightly to the side so you could see Ramirez through your peripheral.

“How do we know we can trust him? What those stars and stripes have to do with us?”

“You hear that Captain?” your father asked, leaning back in his chair with that twisted smile that always made your stomach drop. “Time to prove your loyalty.”

“Are you seriously going to haze him?” you spoke, a hint of a teasing tone on your words. It was time to liven up the conversation, for both your sake, or else your father was sure to go overboard. His hand… where’s Steve’s hand?

“Does she speak for you?”

Steve stepped forward, “No, she doesn’t.”

“Prove it.”

You should really punch your chest to get your heart beating again. Was he going to make Steve try the product? Record something as blackmail? Kill someone?

“Wha-” you began, but were immediately silenced as an arm wrapped around your neck and held you in place. The coldness of the gun’s muzzle tickled just below your chin, still and steady, but nonetheless terrifying. Your father had held you in this position before - hell, most of his men did when asked. But it wasn’t any of your father’s men threatening you under orders - it was Steve.  

“Obviously, I’m not going to kill her. You need her for this whole operation to work. But a little roughing up never did any bad.”

He removed his other arm but kept the muzzle under your chin, grabbing both your arms skillfully and pinning them behind your back. 

You had never seen your father so pleased. “Why are you dating my daughter?”

Steve chuckled and clicked the safety. No, no. 

You scrambled to open your right palm and squeeze what you could reach. Steve seemed to understand right away, and he loosened his grip and placed his other shaking hand into yours. You squeezed tightly. 

“Now, that’s like asking a man why he breathes air.”

No matter the position he currently had you in, you still praised his acting skills. 

“Perhaps. But I know my daughter. Why you?”

Steve kept a firm grip. “Luck?”

“It seems so. Let her go.”

He released you immediately, clicking the safety back on. Seda was in front of him before Steve could place it back on his person, grabbing the gun and emptying it. Seven rounds tumbled and scattered to the floor. This seemed to please both men, as Steve wasn’t presenting himself with an empty threat. He really could have killed you. 

“I’m assuming Y/N has told you stories about me. About my men.”

The floor beneath you was uneven, it seemed, but once your mind stopped playing tricks on you, you settled. You shot a quick glance to Ramirez, his eyes closed and hands clasped in his lap. He seemed distant.

“Only the ones worth repeating, sir.”

“Oh? And which are those?”

“Orders and the like.”

“So, you don’t know much? Nothing interesting? Nothing that could make me seem like the bad guy?”

The room grew hot, whether it was the natural air or the bubbling anger boiling in your stomach.

“Like I said, sir. I ask her what I want to know and she tells me. Other than that, it’s your call.”

The room fell silent as they debated their other questions. 

“How much do the other Avengers know?”

You were about to respond when Steve spoke instead. “Oblivious. I’m still the stars and stripes for them.”

White scoffed, “Those symbols don’t mean shit in this new world. Ridiculous of them to still assume you’re the same man.”

Steve’s jaw tensed, “Exactly right, sir.”

This seemed to be enough for your father. He stood from his chair, walking over to shake Steve’s hand again. So righteous and personal, almost like he hadn’t just ordered the assassination of an old friend a few days ago. “I like you, Captain. You’ve boosted my business, you’ve handled my daughter, you’ve made me a lot of money.” 

He looked away from Steve to look at you now, laying eyes upon a person he hadn’t bothered to reunite with in person. You had fought so hard not to be in the same room ever again, but now you were. A small little office, holding whatever air you were forced to share, on a mission that could change everything. You hated him, absolutely detested the ground he stood on, blamed him for the fallout, the change, the hurt. 

“Seda, you trust him?”

Seda opened the office door and started ushering the other two men out. “I’m getting there.”

Your father laughed, “Always so cynical.” 

Ramirez stood from his seat behind you, already gunning to make a good impression on your Captain. He shook Steve’s hand, “Until next time.”

“Sir,” Steve returned the handshake. Ramirez only adjusted slightly, and held his hand out to you. You looked down at it, momentarily stunned from any attention, but shook it in the way you were taught. Firm, short, and ready for business. You grinned at him and he returned the same emotion. 

“Two Avengers. Wow,” he mumbled, and tilted his head in a farewell. You watched him go, a silly smile on your face. 

You went to take your leave, cautious of being left alone with your father. But as fate had it, he stopped you from leaving so simply. 

“Oh, and Y/N?” 

You turned on your heel, lips plastered in a straight line. You raised your eyebrows at him, already annoyed from the request he most certainly had, no doubt. “Meet me in a few minutes. Alone.”

You forced yourself to nod, turning quickly and leaving the room. You shuffled down the hallway, Steve hot on your trail and reaching for your hand. 

“Hey, hey. I don’t want to leave you alone.”

He tugged you back to him, but you pushed him into the corner room you were originally heading for. You shut the door softly, and allowed Steve to grip your hands in his. 

“Well, you gotta. Link our mics. You’ll hear everything.”

“Safe word?”

You chuckled lowly but retracted the teasing attitude when you saw genuine worry written on Steve’s face. “Widow, Steve.”

“I didn’t mean to scare you back there. I couldn’t think of anything else to do-”

You shushed him, voice barely above a whisper. “It’s okay. You didn’t hurt me.”

“I fuck with you all the time but I would never take it that far.”

Where was this coming from? Steve looked like he was about to start hyperventilating. “I’m good. You didn’t hurt me. I’m fine, see?” you placed his hand on your chest, making sure he could feel your heartbeat. “I’m good.”

“You’re good?”

“I’m good.”

Steve removed his hand and placed it over his own chest, rubbing slightly. “I’ll be right outside when he talks to you.”

“I know you’ll be. Now, stand guard, whistle low to alert me.”

“This the room? You know the code?”

It was a simple office as well, but resembled more of a library than a workspace. It was dimly lit, cluttered, smelled of the wooden cabinets and the dust collecting on the books, and lacked any windows as well. You nodded to confirm Steve’s question, heading over to the farthest bookshelf and pushed it away from the wall. The loose dust swooped from the wood surface and into the air instantly, and you had to pause to sneeze down your shirt. 

You wiped your nose, “I’m third in command. My father may have some things hidden but I have to know the codes to shit like this.”

Steve leaned his ear on the door gently, “You’re clear.”

You gave him a thumbs up and fiddled with the outside of the safe. It was built into the wall, black in color and definitely made way before you were born. It was quite rusted, the gold numbers on the lock almost faded. 

“Let’s hope he didn’t change it.” You turned the dial - seven, thirty-three, eighteen - and it clicked on the first try. “Bingo.”

“Did you have a backup plan if that didn’t work?”

You snorted quietly, “Smash?”

Steve rolled his eyes and pressed his ear back on the door. 

Everything inside had been recently rearranged. You figured your father used some of these ID’s when entering the country for the wedding and left them stacked on one another for the quick heist on Saturday.  “We’re in luck! Both my father’s and Seda’s ID’s are here, along with-”

You cooed, taking out your phone and opening the camera app. You snapped multiple pictures, with and without flash. “Stacks and stacks of cash.”

You pulled your purse in front of you and pulled out your wallet to make room, shoving it into your back pocket instead. 

“Help me put this in my purse.”

Steve left his post to help you shovel the ID’s discreetly into every pocket your purse provided, shoving things into corners so nothing protruded. 

“Damn, we gotta leave the money,” you pouted. 

Steve chuckled, “What a horrible thing.”

A sudden, boisterous laugh right outside the door caused you to rip your arm away from the safe, thankfully pulling the last of the ID’s with you. You pushed them into your purse, zipping it up. Steve reacted quickly as well, shutting the safe and rotating the dial, pushing the bookcase back into its original position. 

“It’s Ramirez and White,” Steve whispered, looking around the room for any help. “What do we do?”

“Ramirez…” you blinked, eyes wandering around the room as well. Think, think, think. The doorknob jiggled. “Trust me.”

You ripped your purse off and threw it to the nearest couch. You hooked your arms around Steve’s neck and jumped to wrap your legs around his waist. 

“Oh my-”

In any other scenario, the whimper that left your throat would have been caused by a surge of ecstasy. But you were frightened of being caught, the whimper a blatant signal to just follow your lead. 

“Slam me into the wall, Captain.”

The door flew open just as Steve did as he was told. 

“And I told him it was ridiculous - oh my…”

You lifted your head from Steve’s neck, wide eyes to accompany your surprised state. “Oh! I thought we locked the door!”

Ramirez covered his eyes bashfully, turning around and staring at the wall. “Don’t mind us, we were just looking for loose smokes.”

Opposite to his intruding partner, White laughed at the scene before him. He dipped low, hands on his knees as he joked. “Didn’t think Captain America had it in him! Been a stiff ever since the ice, huh mate?”

You could feel Steve tense against you, and he froze entirely. You drew your hand up to play with the strands of his hair, putting on your best flirty tone possible. “Oh, trust me. He’s pretty stiff right now.”

Steve seemed to calm under your touch, so he turned his head over his shoulder and gave an embarrassed smile of his own. 

“Excuse us again, Y/N. You two enjoy your time,” Ramirez apologized, pulling at White’s jacket to guide him out of the room. Once you heard the click of the door, you jumped from Steve’s grasp and immediately began patting his back. 

“I’m sorry.”

Steve chuckled, his blush rising from his shoulders to his cheeks. “It’s okay, you saved us.”

You inspected him closely, a little embarrassed with yourself. It was a bold move, but one that needed to be done. You stood in silence for a few more seconds, each of you adjusting to such a sudden change of breathing pattern. 

You shut your eyes and groaned silently, “I need to speak with him.”

“Can I wait outside the door?”

You picked up your purse and swung it around your torso, “No, you need to wait in the car. Or smother Ramirez and White, your call.”

The lines on Steve’s forehead deepened, “Y/N, I can’t leave you alone with him.”

You wanted to argue further because Steve really over exaggerated. You fought a whole army of aliens, robots, and even the infamous Winter Soldier. Sure, you lost the battle with Thanos on the first try, you lost a teammate with Ultron, and gained a collapsed lung from Bucky’s insane roundhouse kick, but you were positive you could take your father. “You’re gonna have to. I’ve been alone with him before.”

Steve placed his hands on his hips and gave you a blank stare. “He shot you last time.”

“Ehh, Seda did.”

“Y/N.”

You laughed softly, “Then wait in the living room.”

“The shield’s in the car. If you need help, I may not have enough time-”

Steve and that goddamn shield. The guy was acting like he wasn’t a super soldier. You were annoyed. Annoyed with a pinch of salt?

“You whip that shield out to save me and I swear to god-”

“Okay, okay. I’ll link our mics.”

He fumbled around on his phone for a few seconds before you heard the softest beep from below your ear. 

     The last time you had entered that room alone, you left with a bullet lodged deep in your abdomen and with the threat of having it done again. Stumbling and crashing into the walls and random trinkets, leaving your blood stains on anything you used to steady yourself. This time would be different - it had to be. Your father wouldn’t shoot you with the Captain America waiting in the other room. Then again, your father always seemed to top himself each time you were forced to interact personally. In an instant, he dropped the good guy act. Or, hyped joy. 

Now, his stare was cold and calculated, posture upright like he was awaiting your arrival. You couldn’t help but smile and roll your eyes, a tiny scoff breaking the silence as he returned it. 

“You’re one damn good actor.” 

He chuckled deeply, “We do what we have to do in front of the people who threaten our reign.” 

You kicked the leg of a nearby chair to turn it toward you. Sitting down, you retorted with a chuckle of your own. “You’re not royalty.” 

“We are... you are.”

Third in command. Daughter of the biggest drug lord south of the border? In most cases, you could be considered goddamn royalty. Did you want to be? No, because the title that seemed to fit was ‘a chess piece in the middle of a mad supremacy’. But that was too long.  

“So, what is this? You scared my Captain is gonna knock you off your feet and take your place?” 

His hands slammed the desk. His little basket of pens and pencils toppled over and spilled onto the floor. “I have waited seven, long years for you to bring that man to me. And each time you defied me. Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you right now!” 

You remained seated, a blank stare boring into your father’s. “Uh, probably because he would avenge me. Get it?” 

He wasn’t one for jokes, though. “It would be so easy.” 

Aggravating him further was not the smartest thing to do. And Steve had the same thought as he fumbled with his own thumbs outside, hearing the conversation from afar. He almost wanted to barge in just to put your ass in time out. 

But you had seven years to make up for - a little joke here and there shouldn’t hurt much. 

“You do know I’m an Avenger, right? Trained by Natalia Romanoff herself?” 

You worded your sentence carefully, her alias need not be spoken out loud unless you needed backup. 

“Answer me.”

When his nostrils flared, you knew better than to twist the knife. 

“Steve didn’t sign the accords. He was on the run for two years before you asked me for him. This is public knowledge.”

He pointed his index finger at you, shaking it wildly. “You lie. Why you lie?”

You had to blink multiple times through your shocked state, mouth agape and involuntarily racks of laughter spilling. He couldn’t be serious. You could only repeat the same thing so many times. 

“Like I said all those years ago - He. Was. On. The. Run. No contact. I had no way of contacting him!”

He struggled to grab whatever on his desk to raise toward your face. In this case, he pointed his phone in a threatening manner. “Excuses! Remember the last time you made such a poor excuse?”

The laughing stopped, your mouth immediately shutting. You clenched your jaw to work through your murderous impulses. 

You wondered how your hands would look wrapped around his neck. Red and angry, tightening as each desperate second passes, nails forming crescents as they pressed in his skin. If there was a window, you would definitely kick him out of it. Wave goodbye as he fell dramatically. But the mansion was one story high and you couldn’t magically conjure up a window. God, this would be the absolute best time to have Wanda or Loki here to use some of that dark magic. Either way, you just wanted to wipe that shit-eating grin off his face right now. 

“He. Was on. The run.”

“And I thought you learned your lesson.”

You stood from your seat and leaned on the desk, arms holding you up and face inches away from his. “You gonna send in your men to remind me? With my Captain a few feet away?”

His lips were trembling as much as yours were - face blotchy with silver droplets of sweat and an angry blush now reaching his forehead. For a seventy-five year old man, he still had such a rage in him that didn’t risk a heart attack. Lucky bastard. 

“He best not interfere if it’s what I choose to do.”

Outside, Steve gripped the back door handle to the point it squished in on itself, metal twisting awkwardly and splintering the paint. His free hand was balled into the meanest fist, even his stubby nails wreaking havoc on his pale palm. He was making himself bleed by the restraint. He took slow breaths, eyes closed but ears fully alert. He wouldn’t cry. Not right now. 

“I called you back alone to invite you to breakfast the day after tomorrow.”

Whether it was because he knew you were only a few seconds from lunging yourself across his desk to break his neck or because he was tired from all the energy he had just exerted, your father slumped back into his seat as he spoke. 

“The hotel has free breakfast.”

He shook his head in complete astonishment, “You’re not getting out of this. I have important business to discuss with each of you.”

You continued to stare him down, “Over coffee?”

He shrugged his shoulders, “I can’t leave the estate so close to the wedding. Your sister is flying in tomorrow and I have to make sure construction is done by then.”

“Right, ‘cause you’re the best father in the world.”

Being in the same room was suffocating, but you couldn’t help but be fascinated by the man. How unbelievably thoughtless yet calculated he could be. How unbelievably fake yet so damn real in all his hidden meanings.

“Jackeline likes to think so.”

Your sister was sweet, sure, and there was an unspoken agreement between the two of you to not fight one another, being the only daughters and all. But you were eight years old when she was born, already tainted by the world in which she was just born into. Forgive your lack of sisterly bond. When you were sixteen, you dipped. Now, at the sprouting ages of twenty-six and eighteen, you two couldn’t be more different. 

Actually, yes you could. If she thought your father was a good man, she was entirely ignorant of the world she lives in. 

“Good for her. Why don’t we discuss the shipment transport during the most important day of her life?”

“Nice try. That’s what the rehearsal dinner is for - rehearsal.” 

You gave your father a sad smile, “You really won’t trust me. After all these years of following your orders.”

“Now, let’s not go bringing up the past.”

You interrupted, “Why not? You’re trusting my Captain and I to help you move that shipment but won’t trust me enough to tell me where it is right now?” 

He was back to standing but he was much calmer. “Right now, I trust your Captain more than you. What kind of man would leave everything moral behind for a bunch of criminals? A bad one.”

“You’ve known him for like, two seconds.”

Your father searched his pockets for loose cigarettes. “He left everything moral behind for me. For you. And you left me behind for everything moral.”

Rolling your eyes, you backed away from his desk and headed for the door. “Sometimes you don’t make any sense. Is that it? Are we done?”

“You accept my invitation?”

“Do I really have a choice?”

“No.” 

     The mansion seemed larger than when you entered, the hallways longer, the walls closing in, the trinkets reaching out to stop you by the wrist. The longer you stayed in this hell hole, the more likely you were probably going to unleash the rage attached to your body in the form of your favorite weapons. Bomb the hell out of this place. 

You marched to Steve’s car. He was already waiting, leaning along the passenger door like he was going to open it for you. If he did, you might kill him too. So, you repeatedly snapped your fingers at him and pointed around the car, silently but angrily motioning him to get in. He didn’t need to be told twice. In fact, he thought it might be therapeutic for you to throw the door open and slam it yourself. It was. 

Steve started the car. He didn’t need to ask, there was no reason to since he heard everything. And so did Sam. Bucky. Scott. It was being transcribed as you swerved out of the estate. God, you wanted to throw up. 

“I’ll tell you when to stop.” 

Steve choked on his breath, “Stop?” 

You rolled down the windows to breathe in the crisp cold air, teeth becoming sensitive as it passed into your lungs. “Once we get past the cameras and nearby neighborhoods.” 

“Did you need-“ 

“When I say stop, stop. Fucking damn, Steve! Listen to me for once!”

Steve didn’t know why he was challenging you. Your father had just brought up one of the most traumatic moments of your life, basically called you a hypocrite and a coward - he tried to tear you down. And here you were, holding it all together like the champ he found you to be. But he never handled your outbursts well, even if they were completely justified. 

“Don’t fucking give me orders if you won’t tell me what they’re for!”

“Stop the fucking car!”

He slammed on the breaks, instincts still kicking in during your argument and he reached his arm out to your side to hold you back from the powerful surge. His body lunged forward, however, chest hitting the steering wheel and horn. 

You scrambled out of the car and ran into the woods, feet guiding you through mud and prickly bushes until they reached a more secluded spot. Steve stumbled along after you, nearly tripping over the same rocks you had avoided masterfully. 

Before he could ask what you were doing, you pulled your gun from its hidden holster and clicked the safety. Steve’s eyes bulged out of his head just in time to see the first round sound off mid-air. He crouched down to the floor and shielded his head. You shot away from him, obviously, until all seven rounds were dislodged, aimed in the sky diagonally. 

Once the last bullet exited, you simply packed everything up. Now calm and collected, you turned around and headed back for the car.

Steve’s voice cracked as he spoke, “Seriously?”

You pushed branches away from your head as you walked, “Seriously.”

“Do you know how dangerous that is? Those bullets don’t just disappear into thin air,” Steve scolded, jogging up to speed walk beside you. 

“So fucking what? I’m keeping the rent low in this area, then.”

Steve sighed in defeat, “Talk to me.”

“Sorry, I’m shutting down.”

“Y/N-”

You groaned, tears of frustration not entirely formed, but in their beginning stages. “You already know what’s stressing me out, Steve. Do you need it in writing?”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Steve lowered his voice. “What do you need me to do?”

“Just,” you paused, stopping to face him. You opened and closed your hands mid-air as if that would help you formulate your sentences better. “I don’t know. But when I find out, I’ll let you know.”

This Steve could accept. So he simply nodded, guiding you the rest of the way with his hand gently placed on your lower back. 

     The drive back to the hotel was fairly silent. The radio provided a calming relief from such drama. Steve would glance at you every so often to check on you, but you were always resting your eyes. This was only the first day of the mission - officially. If you were this drained from one encounter, Steve needed to rethink this whole operation. Whether it was healthy to keep you on, or if the threat was just too large. But no matter the alternatives, Steve understood that this week was going to be difficult either way, and you needed to be present. This was your mission after all. He was just your partner. 

Even with a thousand things on your mind, you were still conscious enough to check your surroundings, check-in with the agent posted behind the front desk, and reconnect your mic with the teams. 

Steve pushed open your room door and threw the car keys on one of the nearby tables. “Nap time?”

You ignored his initial question, “I didn’t think seeing them in person again would be so draining.”

Steve watched you carefully, somewhat scared that you would pull out your gun again and shatter a window. “It was pretty cramped.”

You started to disarm yourself, tearing off your sweater and holsters clumsily. “And they acted like we were all on good terms! Around you, at least. I know they’re acting for my sister’s sake and then we can go back to hating each other after, but really?”

Steve sat on the edge of his bed, eyes sorry. “I really don’t know what to say.”

You threw yourself onto your bed, burying your face into the pillows. You continued speaking, albeit muffled. “You don’t have to say anything - just let me rant.”

“You’ll tire yourself out, Y/N. C’mon, we gotta draft up this report-”

You lifted yourself up and started smoothing down your hair, “I need a drink.”

Steve pointed to the computer, “The report.”

“A drink.” 

“Y/N, it’s getting late. The sooner we draft it, the sooner-”

You grumbled out again, already opening the door and shoving your boots on. “Steve, I need a drink. You know what they do to me, what they’ve done to me, what they continue to do every single day. Now, join me or not but I am going downstairs for a drink.”

Steve paused for a moment, looking around the room hesitantly. “Can I at least take the laptop?”

You threw your head back and walked out the door, “Take the goddamn laptop, jesus fucking christ, c’mon.”

     If there’s one thing you were happy about today, it was that you booked a hotel with a mini bar on the second floor. It wasn’t an outright full bar, but it was low lit, clean and the counters were made from fine wood, and there was a variety of flavors to choose from. There were only a few hotel guests spread out and a single bartender. You and Steve took seats at the counter. 

“Whiskey sour,” you called for the bartender, trying and failing to give him the nicest smile you could. 

Steve settled in his bar stool, “Thought you wanted to drink to drink hard.”

You chuckled at him and extended your arms in a stretch, “I’m mad, not depressed.”

He grinned at your movements - as if just sitting in a bar already loosened you up. “In that case, get me a beer.”

     Natasha had called Steve for help after your fourth beer and fifth whiskey. Her coaxing proved to be pointless, each request of a safe passage home seeming to enter one ear and leave the other. And you’ll end up killing her when you were sober enough for sending unwanted reinforcements, but even she didn’t want to fight you. If you wanted to drown in liquid courage, that courage churning itself into raw despair, then she would allow it. 

Steve stared at you for a few moments. Head hanging low, a deep frown etched into your tired expression, index finger tapping your glass as if you were debating whether to down it in one go or to leave it. Steve had never seen you like this, guard destroyed and face practically pale, just begging to be left alone. And it seemed the whole bar felt the same way, as there was no music playing and everyone was wallowing in their own grief. 

“I can spot you from a mile away, you know?”

Your voice immediately pulled Steve from his own mind and he was surprised you could still form coherent sentences given the amount of empty glasses in front of you. 

“I don’t mean to interrupt.”

You scoffed, leaning away from him as he sat down in the stool beside you. “Natasha sent you. Don’t tell me otherwise.”

“I’m not saying anything.”

“Good.”

Steve ordered a beer for himself, and although he was driving, one beer wouldn’t impair him anyway. It wouldn’t even cause a dent in his 20/20 vision. 

“Fucking ridiculous, it’s fucking ridiculous!” 

The bar patrons seemed to wince simultaneously and the bartender simply gathered a few of your empty glasses to wash. Steve didn’t hush you, didn’t touch you, didn’t try to reassure you. If you needed to cause a scene, it was time. Your silence for the past week had been frightening, but when Tony returned last night, half dead and without the kid, it seemed to be your breaking point. 

“Wanda destroyed it. She destroyed the fucking stone and all he did was use another to bring it back.”

Steve took a sip of his beer to disguise his quivering lip, but his eyes had no curtain. His waterline swelled with fresh tears, eyes instantly reddening, an undesired sting pinching the corners. 

“Strange must have had a reason. He must’ve, but - how can that reason include the death of trillions?”

“We’re going to find a way-”

“And if we don’t?”

Steve kept his lips on the bottle, incisors biting down only slightly as he took in your rhetorical question. You continued speaking.

“He destroyed the stones.”

“Carol is looking for answers.”

You shook your head and pulled out your wallet, leaving whatever cash you had on the counter before standing up. You stumbled but Steve latched onto your arm and pulled it to hug his waist. 

“Loki?” you mumbled, raising your head to lock eyes with Steve. He didn’t know if you were calling him another name or if you were asking for the God’s whereabouts. “Bucky?”

“Hey, stop, stop.”

“Peter?”

Steve could only nod. What use was it to lie to you? Your new vertical position seemed to magnify the true extent of your intoxication as your eyes finally glazed over and limbs trembled. 

“Let’s get you home, okay?”

Gripping his shirt, you apologized each time it would crumble and you would accidentally tug it downward. But Steve didn’t care. You were practically limp in his arms, heavy and without proper use of your legs. 

“You’re a good man, Steve.”

Steve sighed sadly but couldn’t help the small smile that formed as he looked down at you and found you sporting a silly one of your own. 

“A really good man. I’m happy you’re still here.”

Steve paused for a moment, taking in your words and holding back his own tears. If there was a time he wanted to be drunk off his ass, it would be now. He was somewhat jealous of the brief relief alcohol had given you, loose and not fully aware of the drama of the world. “I’m happy, too.”

“No, you’re not,” you slurred, allowing Steve to guide you to his car. You slumped against the passenger door as Steve searched his pocket for his key. “I heard you crying last night.”

Steve halted his search mid-pat, a hard crease forming between his eyebrows as he lifted his head. “I wasn’t-”

“I cry too,” you admitted, a drunken pout on your face. “You don’t have to lie to me.”

Perhaps it was a dirty thing for him to do at this moment because you wouldn’t remember a single word of this conversation in the morning, but he figured there was no immediate harm. He found his key, unlocked the car, and helped you inside. Only once he entered the car himself did he take advantage of your blurry mind. 

“I cried for Sam and Bucky. Who do you cry for?”

You clicked the seatbelt on, mind clear enough for safety precautions it seemed. “Poor Wanda.”

Steve nodded and started the car. “Anything else?”

“Did I ever tell you about the time Loki asked me on a date?”

Steve immediately shut off the car and turned to you. “Huh? When?”

You grinned, small giggles bubbling from your chest. “A few months ago. He was so shy, too. I said yes.”

Steve ignored the twinge in his chest, “How was it?”

You leaned your head back and tilted it towards him, your smile faltered slightly. “Never went on it. And now he’s dead.”

The urge to lean over and wrap you in a much needed hug was there, eating away at him since you called him a good man. But he had taken advantage of this situation far too much, so he simply nodded in understanding and started the car again. 

“I’m sorry.”

You barely heard him, but you mumbled a quick response before letting the alcohol fully consume you. “Me too.”

     You thanked the bartender when they slid you your drink. “I hadn’t seen him since before the world went to shit.” You took a quick sip. “Kinda strange.”

Steve nodded, wondering if he should dive deep into the issue at hand. Instead of outright saying his outdated spiel, he eased into it. He gave you a few needed sips of your drink, at least.  “Y/N, can I ask an honest question?”

You hummed, “My toes are already tingling. You could probably ask me what my kinks are and I’d tell you.”

Steve suddenly burst into a fit of giggles, “You never could handle a sip of alcohol.”

Your eyes rounded at his reaction. Perhaps the alcohol affected him in other fun ways that he didn’t know. “Nope, I’m a lightweight.”

Steve contained himself before clearing his throat, “The question…”

“Go ahead.”

He rolled his shoulders and took a sip of his beer. Leaning in closer, he lowered his voice. “If it comes down to it, and god forbid you’re incapacitated, do you want me to kill your father?”

Your mouth opened slightly, the words stuck behind your tongue. You looked down at your drink, as if some special response was swimming in it. You knew your answer, but the way to phrase it was lost. 

“I don’t want his blood on your hands.”

“But if it was the last choice?”

You sighed, “If you pull that trigger, they’ll never stop coming after you.”

Steve’s eyebrows scrunched together, “But if you pull it?”

You shrugged and raised the glass to your lips. “That’s my life, Steve. Let me deal with the consequences.”

“That’s just it - you don’t have to. At least, not alone.”

God, you hated how perfect Steve sounded all the time. Whenever he was annoying you, fighting you, or protecting you, his syllables were stretched in the most glorious way, dipping into every crevice of the person they were delivered to and warming inches of body slowly. You wanted him to have somewhat of an evil side for once in his life, but no matter how many times you thought he would explode, he didn’t.

Two years ago, when he dropped you from his life in an instant, you had assumed you finally caught a glimpse at this evil side. It was the only time you were truly scared of him. 

“You really are a good person.”

Steve swished his beer bottle around, “I wish everyone would stop being surprised by that.”

“I’m not surprised. I guess I just want to hate you, and I can’t.”

Steve’s shoulders slumped like crumbling mountains and you couldn’t stop thinking about how vulnerable he looked. You wanted to pull him closer and rest your head to his chest, hear his heartbeat and apologize for theorizing a possible hatred. 

“Why do you want to hate me?”

“When you wouldn’t sign the accords, part of me saw that as the mascot of America not caring if he invaded and pillaged everything in his path.”

“But I-” Steve interjected, but you stopped him by raising your hand and waving it gently. 

“I know why you didn’t. Hell, I helped you escape.”

“Why did you help if you hated me?”

Being vulnerable with Steve wasn’t anything new. You were each other’s support system for those lonely five years, but it all changed the moment you defeated Thanos. So, for the last two years you didn’t quite get along. But here, now, you could always tell when Steve was being honest and open. 

“Guess I thought that if you were willing to help me with my family, I should help you with yours.”

His therapist desperately tried to rationalize the experiences Steve would tell, instructing him to look past hard exteriors and accept help from others. That his old friends were still friends, and enemies should never be compared to those he loved. And he knew he was easily blinded when something or someone had the slightest mishap, instantly writing it off as harmful. 

He spoke of you often during his one hour sessions - stories of your blatant silliness and crude jokes; how you would poke your finger into his sandwiches when you thought he wasn’t looking; how you almost beat up a kid and his little gang for baiting Peter after his identity was exposed; and how you and Sam had gotten into a bar fight over something so trivial, so unnecessary, that it was almost unbelievable to see you innocently scoot away from the body on the floor in the police video, as if you had nothing to do with it and those few feet of distance automatically cleared you. 

His therapist would just listen. 

“Did I ever thank you?”

You smiled sadly, “You went into hiding soon after. Then we went to battle, lost everyone, went to battle again, and then…”

“And then.”

‘And then’ wasn’t really something you two liked to bring up. It was still a fresh wound, somewhat patched up, but still open. 

You spaced out for a few minutes, both of you enjoying your drinks. You were no longer drinking to get drunk, not that it was your original goal to begin with. You just sat in comfortable silence, reliving the events earlier that day and drafting an internal report. 

“What are you thinking about?”

You pursed your lips and thought, clicking your tongue when it finally dawned on you. “This was the first time I saw Marcus White sober.”

Steve sat up straighter, “Are you sure? He didn’t look it.”

“Yeah, he usually speaks quickly and he fidgets. But he was coherent this afternoon.”

“Should that be a red flag?”

You took out your phone and sent a quick text to Torres for him to monitor White closely for the next few days, just in case. “A big one. My father referred to him more often than he did Ramirez.”

Steve tackled every idea in his head quickly, speaking as a new one popped up. “They could be planning a move against Ramirez. He’s close to overthrowing your father.”

You raised your head from your phone, “And the wedding would be a perfect distraction.”

“He would kill his greatest rival on your sister’s happiest day?”

You let out a low chuckle, “This man has nothing to lose. It won’t matter who he topples along the way.”

Steve opened the laptop, silently congratulating himself for bringing it despite your insults, and began drafting the report. The two of you worked for the next hour, nursing a couple more drinks before you sent the final copy to Bucky. 

~

TAGLIST: @dumb-ass-writer @justab-eautifulmess @supraveng @mycosmicparadise @missnighttigress​

[neutron-stars-collision]

The Art of Inversion

Neil x Reader 

Chapter 5 - A Question of Trust 

Previous Chapters: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4 

Summary: First day in New York brings new challenges and fears. But one thing is certain, your relationship with Neil is changing.

Warnings: Minor cursing.

Author’s Notes: So this is sort of an unplanned early update because I loved what I wrote and had to share it with you. Hope you enjoy this quieter chapter before things kick off very soon...

Also this has been severely inspired by ‘A Question of Lust’ by Depeche Mode so I’ll post the link in another post!

Despite being severely jet-lagged, the next two days, you did not get much rest. You and Neil were thoroughly briefed by the TP on Saturday, and the plan seemed simple: arrive in New York; check into the hotel; research the target (a weapons dealer named Steiner); set up a meeting with Mr. Steiner; rehearse the cover; get intel; leave New York unscathed but with valuable information.

You have received a Glock (just in case), a burner phone with emergency contacts, and a dossier filled with the information about your cover. As far as you have managed to learn so far, you and Neil were supposed to pose as ‘partners in crime’ hoping to get your hands on the mysterious nuclear material. It did seem easy. But that did not help the stress you felt the closer you got to the departure.

Monday morning, you stepped onto the Amtrak train to New York Penn Station and followed Neil to the First-Class compartment. You had two seats with a large table and a window in a relatively quiet carriage. This time, sadly, you have not taken your notes with you and have been desperately looking for a distraction. Neither of you has mentioned the moment on the terrace, and you felt like it was a cause of mild tension. But instead of addressing it in any way, you decided to stare out of the window. After going through the same onboard magazine for the third time, you heard Neil clear his voice deliberately. You looked at him with a raised eyebrow:

“I’m bored” he shrugged and grinned at your eye roll “Want to talk?”

You searched his face for any signs of wicked intents. But he seemed genuinely interested.

“As long as you won’t make me drink again and embarrass myself” you turned towards him with a pointed look.

“I promise” he smiled and leaned onto the table separating your seats 

“However I must correct you and say that you haven’t embarrassed yourself on the plane” when you glared at him with disbelief, he added “At all”

“If you say so”

His piercing blue eyes were fixed on you with fondness that made you want to turn away. But you held his gaze until he grinned and asked:

“Excited to go on your first mission?”

“If by excited you mean scared then yeah” he laughed, and you beamed back “Though I suppose if my first outing is with you I should consider myself lucky”

“Oh you’re certainly lucky in that regard” he winked, grinning smugly “I’ll keep you entertained”

The smirk and look in his eyes were far from innocent and you felt your face heat up at the sight. But you did not want to let him win easily.

“I’ve no doubts about that” you stared back defiantly.

Your staring contest finished when he smiled and reached out for your hands that were folded on the table. He squeezed them.

“We’ll manage just fine together, I’m sure. It’s a simple mission” he reassured you softly.

“Can’t say I’m convinced” you looked back sceptically and frowned “I’m a bit surprised you’re willing to go into the field with a rookie”

“TP said it has to be us” he shrugged and leaned back into his seat.

Your hands felt cold without his touch.

“You do trust him enough to do anything he says?” you asked with curiosity.

All that you have learned during the meeting with the Protagonist was still fresh on your mind. You struggled to understand how on earth you could be important to the story. But it was made quite clear that you would have to wait for any answers.

“Yes” Neil’s tone was quite serious “I’ve learnt from past mistakes that he really does know how things will go”

You haven’t missed the distant look of sadness in his eyes. You made a mental note to one day learn the story. He must have noticed your scrutiny as he schooled his features and added:

“And it’s better to listen to him. No matter how difficult it might be” he looked at you with a faint smile.

You did wonder if he thought about the moment on the terrace in that instant. But before you could dare ask, he closed the subject with a definite statement:

“I know for a fact that you’ll be much better than a random rookie” he grinned, and despite feeling conflicted, you smiled back.

Then he quickly changed the topic to New York itself, and you rather enjoyed talking to him about your travels and experiences with other cities. While you were still stressed, when you arrived at Penn Station, you were much less tense. The conversation has distracted you enough to forget about the worries. You wondered if that was why Neil wanted to talk in the first place.

*** You took a taxi to the hotel, which was situated far off from the main city centre. It was a comfortable and stylish four-star establishment with a booking system that did not mind fake identities. Your rooms were on the sixth floor and were joined by a set of locked doors, as you were informed by the receptionist (with a wink). You were not sure what to do with this information but, as usual, Neil’s charm saved you.

“Thank you, miss” he smiled at the clerk and snatched your keys from the counter “It’s good to know” he smirked and walked away.

You followed him to the lift, where you could finally ask:

“What was that about?”

“I suppose she thought that we’re not here for…” he took a moment to think about the right word “Strictly business reasons” he enunciated every syllable “But rather for fun while keeping up the appearances”

Your eyes widened at the implication.

“Right” you didn’t dare think why she got that impression.

Neil chuckled as he led you to the rooms, pausing to hand you the key. Only once you saw him open the door to his room you sobered up:

“Wait, what do we do now?”

“Come to my room once you’re ready. I won’t lock the door” he winked and disappeared into his room.

You stared at the closing door before shaking your head and entering your own room.

He can be impossible sometimes, you thought with fondness and disbelief.

The room was quite big, with a queen-sized bed, a sofa with a coffee table, and a large bathroom. The view came out onto the maze of skyscrapers that you associated with New York. The barely visible sky was grey and threatening with rain. You decided to quickly shower, change into more comfortable clothes, and fix your make-up. All that took twenty minutes and you were quite proud of yourself. You opened the door leading to Neil’s room and hesitated at the second set. Trying the handle you found it unlocked and tentatively came in.

“Finally” he gave out a theatrical sigh from his place on the sofa.

He changed into yet another shirt and dress trousers. You did sometimes wonder how many sets of those he had.

The next thing you noticed was that while you were getting ready Neil has ordered quite a big selection of food from the room service. It has taken the whole space on the coffee table, along with water and teapot.

“Wow” you grinned at the sight, feeling your stomach rumble.

“Thought we might need it” he shrugged and motioned for you to join him on the sofa.

“I know I did” you quickly dove for the toasties before he could snatch them.

He laughed at your enthusiasm for food, but you could not care less at the moment. You felt his fond gaze for a little longer before he too started the feast. After you ate, Neil cleared the table and spread out the dossier along with any files you received.

“So…” you both looked down at the mess of papers and photos “Today we need to get to that bar” you squinted at the name “Benny’s and set up a meeting with Steiner?” you looked up at Neil for clarification.

“Yeah, that’s it” he nodded and picked up one of the documents “We’re a pair of weapon dealers who want to know a bit more about that mysterious piece of plutonium” he explained.

“That’s a manageable cover” you mused while trying to memorise your new identity.

“Well, I was hoping they’d make us fake married or something” Neil retorted innocently, and you glared at him sharply.

“What? Wouldn’t you want to be married to me?” the wounded look on his face made you laugh.

“Sounds horrible” you swatted his arm playfully and reached for another document.

But before you got that far, he grabbed your hand and squeezed it. You met his soft gaze and smiled back, admiring the sparks in his blue eyes. After a beat, he let go of your hand.

“I think we’d be a perfect match” he sent you one last smug smile and got up “We should get going if we want to catch Raul and establish contact” he added.

A perfect match? You observed as Neil put on the tie and suit jacket and considered his words with curiosity. You did like him, there was no denying that. And you felt like he enjoyed your company too. But before you could dwell on it too long, you felt his intense gaze. Caught in the act of staring, you felt yourself blush. But he only grinned and offered you a hand to get up from the sofa.

“C’mon, we need to get going” he ushered you towards your room.

Right, first mission. You took a deep breath and started to get ready. The time has come.

*** The first part of the plan went without any major fuck-ups. You and Neil met Raul at the bar, and he gave you all the information you could need about Steiner. It was clear that you both had to learn your roles perfectly as he tended to be suspicious. After that Neil went away to set up the meeting with the weapons dealer for tomorrow’s evening. All you could do was entertain Raul with random stories from your training which proved rather easy.

Once Neil came back, you both decided to go back to the hotel to get much-needed rest and prepare. The fact that so far everything seemed to go along the plan, made you feel a tiny bit more confident. But nerves were still there, and you could barely contain them when you made it back to the hotel. You lied to Neil that you were tired and shut the door before you could even look at him again.

But after showering, changing into sleeping clothes, and having a cup of herbal tea, nothing got better. You tried lying down in the darkened room only to quickly get up with a pain in your chest and shallow breath. After sitting in the dark and trying to calm down your racing thoughts for close to an hour, you gave up. You put on a cardigan and looked at the door leading to Neil’s room. It was past 1 AM but you had the feeling he was not sleeping. You knew there was no way you were able to rest now. Oh, why the hell…

You tried the handle of the connecting doors and found it unlocked. Of course. 

Neil’s room was covered in darkness, save for a bedside table lamp casting a warm glow. You were struck by how neat everything looked, with his suitcase in one corner and clothes folded on the chair. Only the bed was in disarray with papers thrown on it and Neil himself sat in the middle. He glanced up as you came in, surprised:

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

“I tried but…” you shrugged helplessly “Just couldn’t get my brain to shut up”

The worry in his gaze made you freeze. He was sat on the bed with ruffled hair and a wrinkled shirt. He was probably very tired. And you were weak and overreacting again. Suddenly you realised what a mistake it was to come here:

“Sorry, I shouldn’t… I’ll go now” you blurted and started to turn away.

You heard the rush of papers falling onto the floor and then Neil’s voice.

“No, stay” he sounded concerned.

Slowly you turned around to face him again, trying to put on a brave face. It was pointless though because he saw right through you. He got up from the bed, scattering all the documents onto the floor. Seeing you hesitate, he crossed the distance and took your hand in his, guiding you towards the bed. That only increased your panic.

“What are you doing?” you tried not to step on all the papers “Don’t we need those?”

He looked down at the pile with a surprised look, almost as though he forgot about them. Then he quickly made up his mind and looked up at you with determination.

“We do. But more so I need you to calm down so get in” he gestured towards the bed.

Your mind was blank. There was so much that could go wrong. But he noticed your uncertainty and unceremoniously pushed you onto the bed. You stared in shock before recovering enough to retort:

“You know I’m pretty sure there are better ways to make a lady sleep with you” You heard him laugh as he collected the pages.

“Certainly” finally he got up and dumped the pile onto the coffee table “But it worked” he shrugged.

Neil watched as you clumsily shifted to sit up with your back against the headboard and then joined you. After a few minutes of awkward silence, you asked:

“Sure you don’t want me to leave so you can go back to work?”

You felt extremely self-conscious in your sleeping clothes, with uncombed hair and tear-streaked cheeks. Neil’s intense gaze did not help it either but before you could even think about getting up, he replied:

“Perfectly sure” he smiled at you softly “Now tell me what’s wrong”

You sighed and let yourself relax slightly, leaning on the pillows. Staring straight ahead at the wall, you explained:

“I felt very anxious and hoped that maybe the shower and tea will help. Nothing changed so I tried to go to sleep but… my chest started aching and I couldn’t breathe” you finished while feeling the tears well up at the recollection.

You felt the bed shift as Neil moved closer and took one of your hands. You watched with curiosity as he traced the lines of your veins to the pulse point on the wrist and held his pointer finger there, checking your heart rate. You felt a nervous flutter at the gentle way he cradled your hand. You were pretty positive he will detect a pulse of 100bmp. After thirty seconds of intense focus, Neil released his hold on your hand and smiled:

“Apart from a very fast heart rate, you’ll be fine” he winked, and you looked down flustered.

But you were not allowed to get lost in shame for too long as he scooted even closer, leaving no space between you, and gingerly placed his arm around your shoulders.

“Is this okay?” he asked, looking at you with genuine concern.

Your breath hitched at the closeness of him, but you quickly suppressed the feeling and nodded. After a few more tense breaths, you relaxed into the embrace, feeling him trace circles on your shoulder.

“What made you so scared?” his voice broke the comfortable silence.

“Think it’s just the idea of the first mission” you admitted “And ever since you and TP told me about the plan and the algorithm, I felt this tension rise and I guess it just hit the fan” sighing helplessly, you let your head rest on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, I probably would have been more concerned if you took all this without questions”

“I guess I reacted that way because I never expected to be important… Definitely not in something of that scale” once you started talking the honesty did not seem to stop “I’ve spent so much time looking for my place in the world and now when I think I’ve found it, I’m not sure I’m good enough” 

After your admission, you felt Neil’s embrace tighten. You propped your head on his shoulder, so it was resting in the crook of his neck again, enjoying the warmth and safety.

“You are more than good enough” when he finally spoke you were almost surprised “And I’m not only saying that because I believe in what TP says”

You looked up at Neil and met his earnest gaze.

“Since the day we met and I showed you how inversion works, I knew that you will be amazing at it” he smiled at you softly.

“Even though I nearly passed out in the training zone?”

“Yeah” he grinned at the memory fondly “I just had the feeling that you’re supposed to work with us, with me”

You would swear that his eyes briefly glanced at your lips. But as quickly as the thought entered your mind, he reached out to brush away a stray hair from your forehead and you lost the ability to think entirely. He tucked the strand with care and brushed your jawline with his thumb.

“TP was right, you know” he was looking at you with a tenderness that made your heart ache.

“About?”

“Me taking care of you” he smiled and admired your dazed expression. You could only stare, too overwhelmed with feelings to say anything. And you probably would have kept on staring if it was not for the extreme tiredness that begun to catch up. Before you could say anything, a wide yawn made you cover your face with your hands. The spell was broken.

“Think you’re tiny bit tired” Neil grinned at your sheepish expression.

“No shit” you mumbled and moved to get up, but he kept his grip steady.

“You can stay here” he answered your surprised glance.

You quickly considered the options, admitting that it was tempting. You felt safe with Neil and his presence definitely made you calmer. But it did feel like crossing some lines.

He was still looking at you with that hopeful eyes and that sealed the deal.

“Thanks… for everything” you smiled at him, hoping to convey even a quarter of what you felt through it.

“Always” he grinned back.

You both quietly shifted so that you were lying down with a small gap between you, both staring at the ceiling. After a few quiet moments, he turned off the bedside lamp and turned to face you.

“Good night” you heard him whisper and turned to look at him too.

“Sweet dreams, Neil” you replied while trying to make out his features in the darkness of the room.

“Oh I know they will be sweet” you could picture the sly grin.

And with that, he turned onto the other side. No longer than five minutes later you heard his breath level off and make way for quiet snores. You could not help but smile at the adorable sound. Maybe this night wasn’t so bad in the end.

*** You have not slept so soundly in days. When you woke up, the first thought that came to your mind was that you were being cuddled. An arm was thrown over your waist and you felt warm breath near your ear. Then as the morning fog slowly ascended, you remembered it all clearly. Neil. As though he was reading your mind, a second later you felt him stir and mumble:

“Morning sunshine” he sounded cheery.

Before you could react you felt him brush his lips over your temple. You froze, feeling the flutters in your stomach return with tripled force. Taking a deep breath to calm down you slowly squeezed the hand that was draped over your waist and sat up.

“Hi” you glanced at him only to be astounded by how unkempt and yet adorable he looked.

His hair was completely ruffled, with strands sticking out in every direction. And the shirt and trousers were crumpled to the point of needing starch treatment to ever be wearable again. And yet he still looked good. Especially with that boyish smile and sparkling eyes. One could suppose that you were not immune to him. At all.

“Do you always sleep in that?” you gestured towards his outfit, trying to divert your thoughts.

“No, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you last night” it was that shit-eating grin again “Did you sleep well?” he sat up now too but kept his distance.

“Very well” you admitted with a blush “But it’s late and we should probably prepare” you used the most sensible excuse to get up.

Before you could do that, Neil reached out and took your hand in his, intertwining your fingers.

“Just don’t you dare feel sorry for this” you knew he was serious from the look in his eyes.

“I’ll try” you smiled slightly and used this chance to leave his room in haste.

While you did indeed try not to feel embarrassed about what happened, it was difficult. You were not used to people seeing you as vulnerable as you were last night. But at the same time, he did not seem to mind and that took you by surprise. His kindness and thoughtfulness were certainly not helping in trying to be more objective about him.

You managed to get changed and prepare yourself for the day relatively fast, considering what a mess your thoughts were. Once you were done you grabbed the needed documents from the coffee table and made beeline for Neil’s room without thinking too much. As usual, the door was unlocked.

The moment you stepped into his room you knew you have fucked up. He was there, just in front of where you entered, in a new pair of trousers and no shirt. Your eyes widened when you registered that last detail.

“Shit, sorry! I shouldn’t just come in…”

“No worries, darling” Neil drawled out the nickname expressively.

He looked at you with a grin, clearly enjoying it more than you were. It seemed as though he slowed down the process of putting on a new shirt just to tease you. It worked. You stared at his rather fit body and felt your cheeks grow warmer. He caught your wandering gaze with a wink and held it with an expression that was far from innocent. The knowing smirk told you that he was aware of what he was doing. But still, you held your ground, letting yourself openly look at his toned arms and chest. If he didn’t mind then there was no harm in looking, right?

Finally, he finished the process of buttoning up the shirt, while still keeping his gaze fixed on you. He assessed your expression with one last look and grinned:

“Let’s get to work, sunshine”

You wanted to punch him in that perfect jaw.

[omnivorousshipper]

Can we have Owen annoying Dom please? That's my favorite trope!

It's one of my fav tropes too!!

~~~

Eyes firmly shut, Dom tried to ignore the moody presence sitting across from him. He could practically feel the irritation pouring off of Owen and could feel his own mood darkening

Damn Letty and her want for them to bond

She had convince him to come to London with her. She had wanted their son to see the city that had become her second home

So, they had arrived and Letty had immediately called Owen up, wanting to relive some of their happiest memories when she lived in Londond

Of course it didn't go smoothly when Owen realized Dom was there

It had only taken Letty a day to get sick of them both and demand that they bond

Which left them in a small cabin on a train the next day. They were on their way to Owen's favorite resort to relax together

The only issue being that neither had agreed on driving together. Both demanding to be the one to drive. And Letty refused to let them on a plane together. Dom agreed that he didn't want to risk a flashback for Owen either

So that left them in a private cabin on a train for a day

And Dom hated it

After an hour, Owen had gotten bored of his phone and had preceeded to taunt and insult Dom for all he was worth. And when Dom hadn't respond, instead feigning sleep, he began poking him

Even now, as Dom tried to ignore Owen's prickly attitude, he could feel Owen's foot nudging his shin

"Fuck off, Shaw." Dom growled

"I don't think that's the type of bonding Let wanted us to do." Owen quipped back, smugness thick in his voice

Another nudge to his calf, firmer this time

"Stop."

"No."

Why the hell was Dom the one dealing with a mastermind criminal with the maturity of a six year old?

The nudging was starting to feel like kicking as another hit landed on Dom's knee

Not responding, Dom waited for another kick that was going straight for his groin. Eye flashing open, Dom grabbed Owen's ankle and dug his fingers into his flesh

He met Owen's eyes as he increased the pressure

"Fuck. Off. Shaw. Or else you won't be able to walk off this train."

Owen glared at him fiercely, trying to tug his leg away from him, but Dom refused to let it go

"Understand?" Dom growled

Owen glared harder but finally nodded

Releasing the other man's leg, Dom watched him for a few minutes before closing his eyes again. He would rather sleep for the rest of the trip

The cabin was quiet for a while and Dom could feel himself dozing. Until a rhythmic tapping filled the small compartment

Keeping in a sigh, Dom cracked open his eyes and frowned at the sight that found him

Owen was staring out the window, fimly ignoring him now. But his hands jerked in his lap as his foot tapped against the floor

Dom raised an eyebrow

Who knew Owen Shaw was a fidgeter

Dom tried to ignore him again, but the tapping never stopped and he could see the pent up energy growing in Owen

Rolling his eyes, Dom snapped

"Shaw, get your ass over here."

Owen's head snapped over to him, eyes shocked

"What?"

"Get. Over. Here."

Owen narrowed his eyes and watched him for a minute, no doubt judging him. But his curiosity won out as he slid into the seat next to Dom

Roughly, Dom manhandled Owen as he moved both of then around

Eventually, Dom found himself shoved into the corner of the cabin with his back against the window. Owen’s upper body was leaned against his chest, their feet tangled and falling onto the floor

Dom wrapped his arms around Owen's shoulders, pinning his arms to Dom's chest

"Go to sleep, Shaw." Dom mumbled as he felt Owen slowly relax against him

Dom really should have figured out that cuddling would have been a sure fire way to calm Owen down. He had seen Letty and Deckard do it plenty of times

As Owen's breathing evened out, Dom couldn't help but think back to a time he had another annoying person cuddling with him

His dad had been driving, his mother in the passenger seat with Mia. Next to him in the backseat, a snot nosed little boy kept poking him and sticking his tongue out at Dom

Until the little boy had fallen asleep in his big brother's arms

Tightening his grip on Owen, Dom realized how much he missed having a little brother in his arms

~~~

I hope you enjoyed friend!

[thesolitarystripe]

Writing Prompt #3: Just as your flight takes off, you discover a shocking note under your seat.

“Finally,” she huffed out a long-held breath and fell back into the not-so-comfortable seats that the plane offered. Stiff. Stale. A little stinky. God, she hated flying, but the result was always worth it. The destinations were what she lived for. Tamara whipped her head forward, letting her bouncy caramel-colored curls fall with gravity so that her hands could collect those fierce tendrils and force them into a small black rubber band. When she lifted her face, she let out another cleansing sigh. There was motion all around her, people scurrying back to their seats so the plane could depart. The stewardesses did their best to corral their customers and shove their overflowing carry-on bags into the overhead compartments and soon they were ready to depart. The plane began to roll on those wheels that seemed much too tiny for a craft so large but, they did the job. That familiar rumble of the cabin shook Tamara within her seat, enough to make her close her eyes and wrap her slender fingers around the arm rests. They would be in the air soon. As she felt that amazing miracle of a feeling, the one where her stomach floated as the plane left the earth and suddenly, she was enroute to be fly amongst the birds, she gasped. Tamara looked down between her feet and saw her backpack that had yet to be pushed under her own chair. In an effort to keep the flight attendants off her back, she leaned forward, fighting the gravitational pull on her body as the plane continued its ascension and began to tuck it back under her seat. Once it was secured, she went to withdraw her hand but felt a soft scrape along her index finger. Curiosity bit, Tamara grasped the scratchy thing and pulled. To her surprise it came away with ease from whatever it was affixed to and as her hand rose to meet her gaze, she found a small piece of paper in her hand. The change in her demeanor was instant. Tamara became guarded, eyes flicking around her only to find that she still sat alone with two empty seats next to her. Quickly, she opened the folded up note and skimmed it. Only, there was not much to skim through. The note consisted of four words.

I’m coming with you

-L

“Oh Jesus Christ,” she hissed under her breath as her hands thumped down on the armrests. She lifted her hips out of her seat and looked around the cabin only to find the same sea of foreheads she saw before they took off. Tamara turned back around, looked back at the note as if expecting it to provide further answers but it stared back with the same plain words. Just as she began to crumple it up, she heard a female voice.

“Excuse me, sir? The captain has not turned off the fasten seatbelt light, we’re still climbing to our coasting height.”

“Yes, yes! So sorry, I had to use the restroom before we took off.” A man was speaking. Tamara’s face flattened; her expression peeved as that voice flowed over her ears like nails on a chalk board. Her seat jerked sideways slightly as the weight of another person crashed down in the seat beside her. Tamara could not bring herself to look. “I see you got my note!” Even out of the corner of her eye she caught a glance at that big, dumb, brilliant smile.

“You’re not supposed to be here Leon,” she snapped quietly.

“You have no idea what assignments the boss gave me, how would you know where I am or am not supposed to be? Hm? You stopped answering my calls and my texts so, instead of prepping you ahead of time, I just showed up.”

“You’re domestic only, why would he send you on this mission?”

“I’ve been asking him for months to transfer to international. He wanted another body on this plane, in the resort, and at your side. Why is it so difficult for you to have backup?”

“I don’t mind having backup, I mind having you.”

Silence fell between them. Tamara’s arms crossed tightly over her chest as she looked out the window, unbothered by the way the sun streaked in through that tiny hole in the wall and struck her eyes. Beside her, Leon was looking down at his hand, steepling his fingertips in his lap as he slipped into his thoughts. This man had not left her alone since he began his training. Despite their differing departments, Tamara had been assigned to him for over a month and what a long month that was. Leon was an idiot. The man never had a plan for anything, barely knew the handbook—even the basics, and he always had that ridiculous smile on his face. When she began taking him into the field, on missions, it felt as if he wanted to sabotage every single one. Leon blew their cover almost every time. Despite her reports to their higher up, Leon was allowed to stay and much to her annoyance, he exceled. Tamara would never understand what their boss saw in him. Leon was a horrible spy.

--------

“Wait a minute, you used to hate dad?” A shriek of giggles filled the living room, which only made Tamara smile as she leaned forward with elbows on her knees.

“Hate is a strong word,” Leon’s voice called out from the kitchen. His head popped alongside the door frame, smiling just as he had that day on the plane. “Your mother never cared for my style,” he explained with a roll of his eyes.

“Style? You mean lack of discipline? Lack of planning? Lack of strategy? If I were not there you would have gone in guns—” Tamara stopped, when her husband opened those deep brown eyes wide and cocked his head in the direction of their children who sat on their living room floor, hanging on every word.

“Guns?!” Their son popped up from the ground, arms in the air in excitement.

“It’s an expression sweetheart, going into something guns ablaze…it just means you go into things like an idiot…without a plan,” she cast a sideways look at her husband who was still grinning. He was always like that. As annoying as it was, his bubbly personality, that ever-present smile, it was what had won Tamara over in the end. She caught herself staring at him, smiling back. They held each other’s faraway gaze as their kids laughed and teased them from their place upon the floor. “It’s one of your father’s best and worst qualities but if he weren’t so reckless, you two wouldn’t exist. None of this would,” she gave their home a once over with her eyes before she landed back on him. Leon’s lips closed but stayed upturned as his expression softened and he nodded.

From the other side of their kitchen popped out an elderly woman who resembled Tamara in every way except that her hair was silver and had lost the tightness in its curls over the years. The woman caught the look between Tamara and Leon and raised a brow before smirking.

“Kids, come help granny with these potatoes, they won’t peel themselves!”

“But granny, mom was telling us the story about how she met dad on a plane!”

“She didn’t meet him on the plane—see you weren’t even listening now, get in here!” The kids laughed and stumbled over one another as the two of them ran into the kitchen. Leon left his place, a towel slung over his shoulder like some master chef.

“You feel that way, huh?” Leon sat on the arm of the cushioned love seat where Tamara was.

“As much as I hated every minute of that trip in the moment…I think it was your persistence that day that made me fall in love with you.”

“The chase was fun but, I like this. All of this.” Leon said as he dove onto the couch and tackled Tamara into the pillows.

“You don’t miss the job?”

“Flying around in secret, catching criminals? No. I am glad to leave spy work behind me. Like you said, I have always been better suited for the domestic life.” Leon pressed his face into Tamara’s neck who giggled like a girl in her teens. “Do you miss it?” The silence that ensued weighed upon Leon like a brick as he waited for his wife to answer.

“No. I hated flying anyway,” Tamara whispered as she looked down at Leon then over at their children who were pestering their granny with questions about how their parents fell in love. Knowing their secret life was safe within her mother’s heart, Tamara wrapped her arms around her husband and squeezed softly.

“Good,” Leon muttered as he nuzzled in closer and closed his eyes. “I think the domestic life suits us both.”

[one-fan-gurl]

Why did I Sign up for this Again?

Quirk: water control.

Can take the water from the air, but more comfortable using body of waters

Saltwater is easier but freshwater is also strong.

Can be healed from water, with a lot of stamina can also heal others

Making weapons with water, rather use real weapons

Skilled in sword and knife fights.

Bloodbending. With a lot more practice it can be mastered.

Can have water increase stamina

The quirk has a side effect: having ADHD and Dyslexia. They are minor cases, but they can still mess up some things.

Japan. That's very different from California. It actually snows there. But that is not important right now. Right now, it’s that your mother had to transfer back to Japan. Lucky Japanese is a second language, having your mother speak it to you everyday. In California there aren't a lot of hero schools. So you had to train your quirk on your own, which was hard. But it paid off, having total control over your quirk.

The plane ride was boring. All you did was listen to music and write about some heroes. Going to a different country means many things, but one thing stands out for you. New heroes. Japanese magazines about Heroes and a couple of notebooks stack around you. With reading and writing the tie flies very quickly. The only break was when you had to go to sleep. When the plane touched land, your stomach flipped. It has always been your dad’s dream to go back to Japan, but unfortunately he died before the trip was made.

Thinking back to the day when a villain decided to put a metal rod through your dad’s body. Shaking your head to get rid of the horrid memory.

“Welcome to Tokyo, Japan. It is 80 degrees and sunny. Hope you had a great flight with xxxxx airlines, and hope you fly with us soon!” a stuertess said through the PA system. Having  all your stuff packed you just grabbed the off-white backpack from under the seat. Waiting for an opening in the line to get out. You checked your suitcase, so there is less hassle to get off the plane.

*ding*

“Hope you landed well! A car is going to pick you up. <3″ - mom

“Kk. Can't wait till I see you soon!”

Sighing, you put your phone in the back pocket of your hoodie. Your mom had to clear things up with her work, so you had to fly alone. Slinging the backpack strap on one shoulder and walked out of the airplane. Thanking the people up front, and silently walking through the airport. Spotting a bathroom, and quietly walked into a stall. Having time to burn, you just fixed your appearance. You have never been a girl about your appearance, but you kinda just walked out of a 12 hour flight.

The gray hoodie with the words ‘Harvard’ written in it with red ink, being a graduate from the college, black leggings with pockets on the sides, and dark green high tops. It was your ‘airplane clothes’. Comfy and practical. (h/c) tied in a messy bun, and thin rimmed reading glasses frame your face. After realizing there is nothing really to fix, you just grabbed your bag and walked towards the check bags. Waiting for a Louis Vuitton suitcase, you just played some Clash Royale on your phone. After winning a 2v2, your suitcase came out of the opening.

Rushing towards the suitcase. Pulling the expensive suitcase towards the ground, and started to walk towards the sign with your last name on it. Following the man in a black suit, to a black Mercedes Benz. (if you haven’t noticed your loaded with money) a notification popped up while scrolling through Instagram.

“There is a surprise for you at the house!” -mom

“I'm scared…<3”

The drive was very relaxing. The scenery of Japan flies through windows, only to slow down at stop signs. About 10 minutes into the drive, the car stopped. The driver got out of the car, to open your door. Looking up at your new home. An apartment complex. Thanking the driver, grabbing your suitcase, walking towards the entrance. The foyer is beautiful. All white and modern, but with some splashes of black here and there. Walking towards the person at the front desk.

“Hi. I’m here to pick up my keys.” showing the lady my drivers license. “My mom was supposed to call for me to pick up the keys for the apartment.”

“Ah yes.” the lady, Sakura, pulled a key and a car key from a desk drawer. “The vehicle is in the garage. Spot 7. I can get a bellman to bring up your luggage if you want.”

“Uh,” looking behind you, seeing one suitcase. “I think that won't be necessary. Thank you though.” bowing slightly and went towards the elevator. Suitcase and backpack in hand.

The apartment was amazing. The whole 74th floor is the house. A modern but with some rustic feel to the complex. Already furnished, mom had her friend to decorate it, so the homey feel is setting in. going to room to room, to get a familiar feel to your next home. Walking into your room, your jaw dropped. The view is amazing. Floor to ceiling windows showing the city of Tokyo. A king sized bed in the middle, glass separating the closet and the bedroom. An off-white fuzzy run on the floor, with a chair in the corner with a desk on the other side of the corner. Whoever did the decorations did an amazing job. The closet is bare, which reminded you to go to the mall. Putting the suitcase in our room. Grabbed the apartment keys and the mystery vehicle keys, and walked out. Going to the elevator, which is in a small corner near the living room, and excitedly pushed the garage level. The wait was antagonizing. But when you looked for spot 7, the wait was so worth it.

In the middle of the spot was a black motorcycle cruiser. A helmet and a black leather jacket on top of the vehicle. Squealing, you sent a quick thank you text to your mom. And ran towards your new motorcycle. You and your friend, Aiden, were fixing up a motorcycle back in the states. The cycle was supposed to be shared between the both of them. But after you got news of moving, gave full custody of the cycle to Aiden. Sending a picture of the vehicle to said friend before taking off your hoodie and replacing it with the leather jacket. Putting the hoodie in the compartment in the seat, and putting the helmet on. Key in the ignition, ready to kick the kickstand up. Revving the motor before going into the streets.

Explaining how it feels when you ride on a motorcycle is like riding a rollercoaster. Just more dangerous, and more control. Weaving in and out of the lanes, going faster every minute. But still in the speed limit. Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall, the mall that was the largest you could find. A group of students walk in front of you. Showing off, you revved the engine. A boy with red spiky hair went all fanboy. All the students started to push the boy away from you. Silently laughing, but the light changed. So you just went towards the parking lot.

No ones pov

It was a normal day. The students who were worried about not going to the training camp were relieved. Everyone gets to go to the camp, only the people who didn't pass have consequences. But that is not the point, the point was Toru Hagakure suggested going to the mall to shop for the upcoming event. And that is how everyone, except Bakugou and Todoroki, were walking across the street to the mall. All the cars waiting for the light to change and the students to cross. But Kirashima had to point out a motorcycle.

“Oh my god!” the red head practically squealed. “Look at that bike. So manly.” Obviously the biker heard the comment and revved the engine. Which made the boy squeal even more.

“Forget the bike. Look at the chick on it.” the class pervert commented only to mutter how ‘he wants her to ride him like she is riding that bike.’ getting a smack in the head while at it too. When the class 1-A got in the mall, they split up.

Little do any of the class knows, a villain is stalking them.

Back to your pov

As you park your new vehicle, the hair on your neck tiggles. It's not like you have a ‘spidey sense’, you just have a feeling when there is danger. Smoothing your (h/c) hair, to tame back the frizz. One thing about motorcycles that suck: the helmet hair. Walking into the mall, only to find a man with a black hoodie over his head.

‘Not suspicious at all’ rolling your eyes silently. Keeping an eye on the black hoodie, to find him go after a green haired boy. Hand next to the boy's neck. As you sigh, calling the police.

“911 whats your emergency?” a woman resided the line.

“Hi, I would like to report a villain attack on the Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall. Nothing big, just a villain dressed up as a civilian and talking to a person. So if you could, have no sound of police coming this way or a man in uniform. It would make the villain lash out.” you just stated without having the other person talk.

“Of course. I'll bring an underground hero out there.” the woman on the other side of the phone answered. Obviously impressed by the authority in your voice.

“Good, if you mind telling me their name?”

“Eraserhead.”

“Ok, thank you.”

A little bit of time passed, the villain only moved to sit down. Out of the corner of your eye you see a man in black and a scarf around his neck. Walking towards him, to point out what is happening.

“Hi. Are you Eraserhead?” putting your phone back in your jacket pocket.

“Yes, who is asking?” the man with black hair and goggles aksed

“The person who called.” you deadpanned, not any emotion lased in your voice or on your face. “Anyways, that's the villain. He obviously has a quirk that revolves his fingers. Do what you want with him. I just wanted clothes.” the last part you mumbled while crossing your arms.

“Ya, we ran into him a while back. Thanks for the call.” Eraserhead eyes locked into the black hoodie. “I got this.” as he walked off, you just scoffed.

‘Cocky much.’ following the underground hero towards the villain. Refusing to leave until the villain is locked up. The hero did a loop, until he could see Shigaraki. Walking towards Izuku and Shigaraki. You on the other hand was coming from behind. As if he could see behind him, you and the villain locked eyes. Raising an eyebrow, a smirk plastered on your face.

“Shigaraki.” the villain looked turned around so fast you can almost hear a crack. “Let my student go.” hair defying gravity and eyes glowing red. The civilians scattered when they saw a hero and the villain. The only people on the floor are you, the green haired boy, the villain, and the hero. More of the students are coming down to the main level

“Oh!” the red head pointed at you, “that's the same girl who was on the motorcycle.” scowling a little bit but got distracted when the hero winced.

‘A time limit.’ making no sound at all, you went up to the villain. Many of the students didn't say a word, only stunned by you. Being right behind him, you put your thumb on one artery and forefingers on the other one.

“Sleep.” after 5 seconds holding down the blood vessels. Tomura Shigaraki passed out. Eraserhead stopped his quirk, and the younger boy just moved to see you. “Cool. Now I have to get clothes.” turning away to the escalator. Stopping right before stepping towards the stairs. And ducked. Turning around to find an angry teacher, his scarf levitating. “What?” snapping at the black haired man.

“You are going to be questioned.” deadpanning. You on the hand were not amused.

“Ah, ok. let me just answer some questions.” crossing your arms, “Oh wait. No one is here to ask the questions. But you're not gonna ask any questions, the police ask the questions. Even if you could, you wouldn't even ask them. Seeing your an underground hero and a teacher, you rather be grading test papers then ask a teenage girl questions. Now until the police are here, I will be getting clothes. So I’m not going to be clothless the next day.” huffing you walk up the escalators, before disappearing you threw a glare at the hero.

The villain disappeared from a warp quirk, and you continued shopping until the police came by the mall. Hearing the sirens coming close, so you just picked up the 7 bags, and walked out of the shop. The shopping bags hung on your arms, 3 on your left arm, 2 on the other, and your phone in hand. Typing a number in and pressed call.

“Hello. This is (y/n) (y/l/n) I need a car to take my bags back to my house. But I drove here so if you take the bags into the front desk everything will be taken care of.” the driving agency responded with a quick ‘yes.’ Hanging up the call only to call another number.

“Hello this is xxxx apartment complex. This is Aito speaking, how can i help you” Aito spoke through through the phone

“Hi. This is (y/n) (y/l/n), resident of the 74th floor.” stepping onto the escalator going down, “i will be having 5 bags going to the apartment. I got stuck in a villain attack, so someone will be bringing my bags. If you could keep them for me that would be amazing.” Everyone is now staring at you.

“Would you like someone to bring the bags up for you?” the man politely asked.

“Oh, of course. Thank you so much.” a small smile covered your face, “you have a good day.”

“You too miss.” the line ended right when you stepped off the stairs. Walking towards the hero class and hero teacher. Leather jacket now unzipped, showing a red v-neck shirt. A boy with balls for hair started to drool. Backing away from the child, you looked at the class. Sirens stopped as the police force came out of the cars.

(questioning but i'm too lazy to write it out right now… maybe will write it out one day.)

A girl with black hair, which is in a ponytail, came up to you. You put your clothes in the car, before turning towards the girl.

“Hi I’m Momo Yaoyorozu.” holding out a hand, meeting her hand in the middle.

“(y/n) (y/l/n).” Yaoyorozu gasped. “Um you ok?”

“Your (y/n) (y/l/n)!” the girl gushed, following you towards your bike. The class followed their vise president with confusion. The random girl, who knocked out a villain with a couple of seconds, and their most beloved student together. As the class followed their friend out towards the parking lot.

“Ha! I didn't know I was famous over here too.” a hand went up to rub your neck, blush started to creep on your face. “Hi! Im (y/n) (y/l/n).” waving at the rest of the class, smiling a bright smile.

‘Wow. it's just like Midoriya’s smile.’ The thought went through many people’s minds.

Kirishima bravely walked up towards your bike. Started to ramble about ‘manliness’ and ‘how cool the bike was’

“Kirishima, Yaoyorozu.” a bored voice came from behind the group, “please step away from (y/n). You guys need to get back home anyways.” as if the underground hero was the plague, the students sepretted. Now it was just the grown man and you.

“Sorry for being rude today.” bowing slightly, “I came off of a 12 hour flight and was just a little bit tired of villains.”

“Apology accepted,” the pro hero put some eye drops in the irritated eyes, “just don't make a habit of it.” nodding slightly, you turned towards your bike. Putting one leg over the body of the bike, about to put on your helmet. Only to stop from the teacher’s voice. “(y/n) can I see your licence.”

Pulling out the license. Having already got your japanese drivers license. The teacher nodded at the license before giving back the car and one other.

A business card.

The principle of UA.

“Call him, I think you would be great in the hero course.” the tired man just walked towards his car. Looking at the card, before putting it in your pocket, zipping the pocket closed, and putting on your helmet. Feeling the gaze of the homeroom teacher still on you. Before kicking up the kickstand and going towards the street. Waving at the teacher as you passed by the car. Smirking underneath the helmet.

[bymyside-fic]

Apart (~3240 words) read on AO3 // AFF

- June 30, 2010 -

Even though he knew he wouldn't be able to see Kibum, Minho still walked to the window, staring out at the night. His grip tightened on Kibum's t-shirt, which he had yet to set aside since he apparated away.

"I should pack it," he said aloud to no one. Before Dad got back to check if he was ready to head out.

Reluctantly, he turned away from the window, the glass orb Kibum had given him years ago catching his eye. He picked it up too on his way to his suitcase, wrapping the t-shirt around it. He placed it gently inside, surrounding it with his other clothes to cushion it.

Just in case. And just in time, too, since Dad came up as soon as he finished rezipping his suitcase.

"Ready?"

He nodded, still not trusting his voice, and grabbed the handle of his suitcase, joining Dad on his trek downstairs. Both Mom and Minseok were waiting for them at the front door. His heart sank as he drew closer to them, and he averted his eyes as Minseok took his suitcase for him, heading outside to the car. Mom slipped her arm around him as they followed Minseok, and Dad flicked off the light and closed and locked the door behind them.

The drive to the train station was somber. Subdued. And not just because they were awake when the rest of the world wasn't.

"Call me when you land," Mom said, giving Dad a quick kiss before she turned her attention to Minho. "Keep in touch with us as much as you can. I know it can't be as often as I would like, but don't go silent on us like you would at that school."

She said it with a wink and a smile, but Minho didn't feel up to returning it. He barely felt like returning her hug.

Minseok ruffled his hair when he stepped away from Mom, grinning at him. "Enjoy it while it lasts, kid." Minho rolled his eyes, allowing himself a small smile as Minseok hugged him. "You'll be okay. It's not as bad as you're imagining " he whispered before he pulled away, clapping him roughly on the shoulder.

Mom pulled him into one last hug, kissing him on both cheeks before she let him go. He trudged after Dad and hopped onto the train behind him, sitting beside him after he had stowed both of their luggage.

The new day was barely starting to dawn as the train carried them from Manchester to London. Hopefully, they'd pick up breakfast before boarding their shuttle to the airport. He glanced at Dad, who was snoring loudly beside him.

Kibum was probably asleep right now, or at least he should be...Even so…

Minho stood, digging around in his backpack for the notebook and a pencil. He leaned away from his still sleeping father, covering the page of it with his arm. Dad is snoring really loudly. He glanced around at the others in the compartment. People are staring.

I was just gonna ask.

Why are you still awake???

He could imagine Kibum's loud scoff filling the quiet compartment. Because I'm still thinking about you, why else? Minho smiled, pulling his open notebook closer. You're not upset that I came over, right?

Minho's brow furrowed. Why would I be?

I don't know...

Sweetheart, don't worry about it. I'm really glad you did. "I just wish you could have stayed…" But that didn't need to be said. It was understood. You really should try to sleep, though...

You should, too, but you're probably waiting for the plane for that, huh?

Yeah. Kibum started to write something but scratched it out before Minho could get much of an idea of what he was going to say. Go ahead and sleep. I'll still be here when you wake up.

Okay. Minho pressed the head of his pencil, forcing the lead back in as he tapped the tip of it on his thigh. I hope your flight goes well. I love you!

I love you, too. Sleep well~

You too~

Minho closed the notebook with a small smile. He tucked it into his backpack again and stored it overhead once more.

Dad didn't wake until they were five minutes from King's Cross. They gathered their luggage, getting swept up with the crowd on their way to the street. Minho caught a glimpse of Platform 9¾, but the bustle of the morning crowd shifted, hiding it as Dad asked him where he wanted to go for breakfast.

They grabbed a breakfast sandwich from Kiosk on their way outside to where the Heathrow shuttle was waiting. There were several other people in there with them, plus all of their luggage. An Extension Charm would come in extremely handy right now, but, sadly, it was impossible. So they all sat crammed together, the American tourists boisterously talking about their exciting tour of London.

They were stuck with the tourists, which ended up being quite a large family, until they were through security at Heathrow and up until they reached the massive wall of screens depicting the arrivals and departures.

"We're arriving in Incheon, right?"

Dad nodded, not taking his eyes off the screens. "We'll be staying with my brother until you're enlisted."

Gulping, Minho looked back up at the screen, scanning the I's. He pointed at Incheon when he spotted it. "Gate A25." Minho glanced around, glancing at all the signs for the different directions. "This way," he said, pointing to the right. "Looks like we have to take the train."

"Let's go, then."

They arrived at their gate with about an hour to spare, giving Minho enough time to nod off for a few minutes. Dad woke him to watch their stuff while he used the restrooms and then insisted that Minho go as well before they boarded. Everyone was already starting to line up by the time Minho was coming back, so he joined Dad in line for boarding.

Once they were situated in coach, Minho opened up his backpack, grabbing his notebook and pencil. He scribbled Boarded now, I'm gonna go to sleep for a bit before he stuffed it away again.

"Is that your journal?" Dad asked.

Minho's eyes widened as he froze mid-zip. "Yes."

"Good idea. It's good to document this new chapter of your life. I'm sure you won't regret it." Minho looked up at him, offering him a small smile. Dad sighed into a smile of his own. "Go ahead and sleep, you look exhausted."

"Okay."

Minho finished tucking his backpack under his seat and made sure he was buckled before he made himself as comfortable as he could in plane seating. Dad was saying something to one of the stewardesses, but with everything else going on, Minho could barely hear him.

It wasn't until he had almost drifted off that he realized what it was his Dad had asked for. A soft red blanket was being draped around him, and Minho's eyes barely opened to see Dad tucking him in.

"Go back to sleep," he whispered, softly ruffling Minho's hair before he sat back in his seat. Minho's eyes slipped closed again, the stewardess's instructions lost on him as he finally fell asleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

July 24, 2010

"Kibum, wake up. We're almost there."

He squinted, rubbing his stinging eyes as he looked over at Mom. “What?” She repeated what she said, and Kibum turned, pulling open the window of the plane to peer outside.

The Atlantic Ocean stretched out before him, though not as far as he had been expecting. There, on the not too distant horizon, lay the sprawling coastline of America. New York City’s city line was not quite distinct, yet, but it was unmistakably there. Kibum sat up combing his hair out of his eyes.

“Is my bag up top?”

Mom shook her head. “It’s under the seat in front of you.”

“Right.”

He grabbed it, unsurprised to hear fluttering pages. Hopefully, he hadn’t kept Minho waiting for too long.

Good morning~ Having to wake up at 5 every morning is so weird, hopefully I’ll get used to it. It’s only been two days so, I guess that’s too early to expect me to be used to it by now ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’d better go now, though. Obviously, the Marines are pretty strict when it comes to schedules ㅋㅋ Hopefully, I can talk to you soon! And I hope your flight went okay and that you were able to sleep! Love you! ♡

“How is he doing?” Mom asked as she dug a pen out of her purse for him.

“Okay, I think,” Kibum said, scrawling a quick I hope training goes well for you today! Love you, too~ before he snapped his notebook shut and stuffed it back into his bag.

The pilot soon spoke, telling them the current weather and time in New York City, where they would be landing shortly. Kibum gathered his garbage, waiting for the stewardess to pass by with her bag. He caught a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty as he sat back in his seat, his brow furrowing. That had been the last time he had been out and about with Dad--their day trip to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty. They had been planning on going to Staten Island as well, but Dad was getting tired, so they went back to their hotel.

Maybe coming to New York wasn’t the best idea…

He tensed as a scraping sound filled the air, relaxing when Mom patted his arm. “It’s just the landing gear, hon.”

As they drew nearer to the runway, he winced in preparation for touchdown, bracing himself before he was too jostled by the landing. He groaned as he stood when it was finally their turn to exit the plane, stretching away some of the ache from the seven hours of sitting before he trailed after Mom. “Baggage or customs first?”

“Baggage,” she said, a touch distractedly, since she was reading the signs. “We’ve got to register our wands before we leave.”

It turned out to be quite the process for both the Muggle -- or No-Maj, as he heard some of the witches and wizards in the wizarding customs line say -- and the magical customs. Between exchanging their money and certifying his student visa for the Muggles and registering his wand and getting his temporary open carry permit that he would have to renew by the beginning of next year, they didn’t leave JFK until night had fallen.

Mom hailed a taxi, and they were on their way to Times Square. They got a quick bite at McDonald’s before Mom, to Kibum’s surprise, took him to a cell phone store and told him to pick out whichever one he wanted. He wandered the store, half-listening as she discussed the phone plan with the employee behind the counter. It took him a few minutes to find it, but he stopped in his tracks when he spotted a phone that was nearly identical to Minho’s.

“Mom! This one!”

They left the store soon after, heading then to their hotel for the night. “We’re just here for tonight,” she said as Kibum fell back on his queen bed after plugging in his phone. “I’ve rented a flat in Salem Boulevard until you start school.”

Kibum sat up, frowning in curiosity. “Salem Boulevard?”

“You don’t remember?” Kibum shook his head. “It’s basically New York’s Diagon Alley.” He squinted, wracking his travel-tired mind for any hint of a recollection., and shrugged. “No matter, you’ll become very acquainted with it pretty soon.” He sniffed a laugh, falling back on his bed again. “Do you want to shower first?”

He shook his head. “I can go second, I don’t mind.”

“Okay.”

Kibum opened his eyes when the bathroom door clicked shut and locked, sitting up when the water started running. He reached for his bag, pulling out his notebook. His heart sank when he opened it to find no new messages from Minho. He probably hadn’t come back to his room yet since he had sent the first one.

Kibum grabbed one of the pens from the nightstand, smoothed the page on his knee, and wrote, Made it to our hotel room for the night. Mom got me a cell phone, which will be nice. My number is... His brow furrowed as he tried to remember, but he ended up having to grab the box to see what the employee had written on the back. …(212)326-4936, so if you want to text or call me when you get your phone again, you can. He stared at Minho’s last message, sighing heavily. I hope you’re having a good day and you’re not too stressed out.

He stared at the page, debating what to write next, knowing that what he wanted to write would only make himself and Minho sad. He looked up when the bathroom door opened, steam billowing out as Mom emerged, towel-drying her hair.

"Your turn."

Kibum set aside his notebook and gathered his pajamas, heading in. He showered quickly, the warmth of the steam and the massaging water pressure reinforcing just how tired he was. He dressed lethargically, half-heartedly brushing his teeth before he returned to his bed.

Mom was already sound asleep in her bed, curled away from the light on his side of the room. He slipped under the covers, checking his new phone to see if it had enough charge to turn on. It did, so he held down the power button, watching the screen come to life.

No calls, no texts. What time was it in Korea, anyway?

Kibum sighed heavily, reaching over to switch off the light before he tried to relax enough to fall asleep. It didn't take him too long, despite the few hours he had gotten on the flight over, though it seemed like he was woken a moment later to loud vibrations and an obnoxious ringtone.

"What the--" Kibum blearily sat up, squinting in the dim morning light as he fumbled with his phone.

The screen was lit up, the number +82325309434 displayed. Kibum frowned, hitting the green answer button.

"Hello?" he said in greeting, glancing over at Mom, who was somehow still sound asleep. The line was nothing but static. "Hello?" he asked again.

Just as he was about to pull the phone away to hang up, Minho's soft voice filled his ears. "Hey."

Kibum's eyes widened. "Merlin's beard," he murmured without thinking, his heart somersaulting when Minho chuckled. "I...hi…"

"Were you not expecting me to call?"

"Your call woke me up, that's all. I'm still not quite awake yet."

"Oh shit, I'm sorry."

"Hey, dumbass, if you think I didn't want to wake up to the sound of your voice you're very mistaken." Minho laughed. Kibum couldn't help but grin at the familiar, welcome sound. He cast a glance at Mom, who was starting to stir. He slid out of bed and crossed the room to let himself out onto the balcony overlooking Manhattan. "How was training?"

"Okay. I'm very sore."

"I can imagine."

Minho hummed in thought. "I like the, uh, the physicality of it though. It's a nice challenge."

Kibum snorted. "You would."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

Minho sighed, his longing painfully evident. Kibum worried his bottom lip, resting his chin on his fist as he surveyed the street below. "How was your flight?"

"Not as bad as I was imagining."

"Which one do you like better?"

Kibum's eyebrows rose in interest. "Hm?"

"Muggle planes or broomsticks."

"That depends, would you be with me on the broomstick?"

"Of course."

Kibum slowly started to grin, anticipating Minho's reaction to his answer. "Planes, then."

"Hey!" Kibum threw back his head, laughing out loud. "That's fine, I didn't want to fly with you anyway!"

"There's no need to lie, Min."

"Whatever," he said drolly, but there was still a smile in his voice. "What time is it there?"

"Uh…" Kibum pulled his phone away from his ear, checking the screen. "Seven-fifty. In the morning."

"Oh, shit, okay. It's nine-fifty at night here." Oh, damn. "We have to turn in our phones in ten minutes."

"Do you need to go?"

"No, I called my parents first, since they were waiting up for me to call them."

"Ah."

"Got to talk to Minseok, too. He's dating that girl. Felicity Spinnett?"

Kibum's brow furrowed. "I don't--"

"Remember? That girl he was talking to before we boarded the train? She was on Ravenclaw's Quidditch team."

"Oh yes, because I paid such careful attention to Ravenclaw's Quidditch team."

Minho huffed a laugh. "Yeah, well, anyway, he still hasn't told Mom and Dad."

"Can't say I blame him."

"Me neither." There was a long stretch of comfortable silence. Kibum closed his eyes, blocking out the noises of the bustling city below as he tried to focus on the sound of Minho's quiet breathing. "Will this be an okay time to call you?"

"Yeah, I think so. Do you call your parents every night?"

"I mean, it's only my second day--"

"Right."

"I doubt I will every night, though. If you're okay with it…"

Kibum chuckled, opening his eyes again and squinting in the morning light. "Why the fuck would I want my boyfriend to call me every morning? What a terrible thought. I can't believe you'd even suggest that."

Minho was smiling again. "Yeah, sorry, I wasn't thinking. We'll never speak again."

"Works for me." Kibum cracked a smile when Minho laughed quietly, only for it to wane a second later when a bell sounded on Minho's end. "Do you have to go?"

"Yeah, sorry."

"It's okay. I'll be back in my room soon and we have about thirty more minutes before lights out comes so…"

"Notebook?"

"Yeah."

Kibum let out a relieved sigh. "Okay." As nice as it was to actually hear Minho's voice, the notebook would give them a bit more time every day. A bit more time that he would savor every second of. "Bye for like two minutes, then."

Minho smiled again. "Yeah, be right back."

The line went dead and Kibum lowered his phone, swallowing thickly. The world was so loud, now. Car horns honking, people a floor or two above him yelling, construction going on a block away. He stuffed his phone in his pajama pants' pocket and went back inside, crawling into his bed again and sitting up against the headboard. He grabbed his notebook and the waiting pen, opening it to the page where he and Minho left off on.

They could do this, he was sure of that now.

It would be hard, he would never deny that. But they could do it.

He doodled aimlessly on the page, waiting for Minho's familiar scrawl to appear. What's that? Minho eventually asked, and Kibum immediately stopped drawing.

You know the rules~ Guess~~

He started drawing the blob again, adding inconsequential details here and there, waiting for Minho's guesses to pour in. Just like they used to do in school.

Ameoba

No

The Black Lake

Kibum smiled. No

Come on, give me a hint!

No ♡

Minho scribbled his frustration, and Kibum covered his grin with his fist as he added a series of unconnected lines to the doodle of absolutely nothing.

Yeah, they'd be just fine.

[marchivists]

not the place to fall in love: chapter two

read on ao3! [i didn’t format anything below the “keep reading,” so it’ll probably be easier to read on ao3]

For Oikawa, it was almost a completely terrible thing to run into Ushijima Wakatoshi in a place where Ushijima Wakatoshis should not have existed.

In most ways, it was completely terrible. On or just outside a volleyball court, spontaneous meetings with a fierce rival could inspire and motivate, painting the interaction with a sort of ironic charm that made looking back on the moment at least somewhat bearable. In fact, Oikawa relied on these types of encounters to justify almost everything he did. After all, what is the point of staying late at the gym six nights of every week or hopping on a plane to seek training in another country without being able to look forward to the thrill of crushing some annoying talent under your heel?

In the middle of an airport waiting area with no upcoming tournament or match in sight, an unfortunate, stomach-churning meeting was just an unfortunate, stomach-churning meeting. It did, however, make Oikawa forget about the restless fear wreaking havoc on his normally cool demeanor. Before the hapless reunion, a squall of pressurized fear and vague, animalistic alarm had settled at the top of Oikawa’s throat. It sent thunderstorms of the same make up into the back of his head and down into the center of his chest. Drizzles made their way from those points to the tips of his fingers and toes. All in all, the storm system reduced Oikawa to a bundle of aimless nerves and a defunct set of fight or flight instincts. Ironically, the shock of seeing Ushijima’s ugly mug had dispersed the worst of the downpour. This fact alone made the encounter almost completely terrible instead of absolutely horrendous.

While Oikawa’s internal forecast had most certainly shifted course, storms and bad weather had by no means been replaced with sunny skies and gentle breezes. Though the meeting had shocked his system to its senses, it had also torn fresh scabs off of his wounded pride and damaged expectations.

In the real word, far from Oikawa’s inner atmosphere, Iwaizumi wrestled with their backpacks, trying to make a place for them in the already overpopulated overhead compartment above their seats.  The rest of the passengers did much of the same, filling the plane with a buzz of productive noises as everyone settled in.

“You could, you know, help me.” Iwaizumi grunted, his voice resigned in a way that suggested he expected no help but felt obliged to request it anyway.

Oikawa looked up from his seat in time to see the ace smile triumphantly as the door closed on their things with a satisfying clunk. He pulled his knees to his chest to allow Iwaizumi to slip past and settle into his own seat. Oikawa had triple-checked their bookings to make sure he was guaranteed a place as far away from the window and the endless sky just outside of it as it got. That left Iwaizumi the middle seat and made some random sucker the jelly in a window-Seijou alumni sandwich.

“Cool, huh?” Iwaizumi asked, nodding towards the window, eyebrows raised in a way that showed he was really asking are you okay?

“I can hardly hold in my enthusiasm,” Oikawa answered, voice dry in a way that said I am quietly seething with rage and I would rather smell Kindaichi’s dirty socks than be sitting here . He stuck his wrist in front of Iwaizumi’s nose. “Quick, Iwa-chan, check my pulse. Am I too excited?”

“How do you always manage to make everything sound disgusting?” Iwaizumi huffed, swatting Oikawa’s arm away. Iwaizumi’s words, and the way he relaxed in his seat to watch the bustling runway outside the window, acted as a bookend to the conversation. His posture continued speaking silently, saying either that sounds like a personal problem, asshole or you’ll get over it . Either way, he seemed fairly convinced that Oikawa wasn’t going to make a mad dash off the plane anytime soon. The easy, confident way in which Iwaizumi could read him excited the anger in Oikawa’s stomach, irrationally wounding his already disheveled pride even more. The sensible part of his brain likened the feeling to the image of a toddler reaching for the vanilla extract despite parental protest only to be blown away both by its heavy bitterness and the knowledge that someone who isn’t themself knows more about reality than they do. The angry part of his brain, which made up the majority, scowled at the sensible part and metaphorically threw the image in the trash. He took another side-glance at Iwaizumi and decided to translate his postures’ message into I really want to look out this window instead.

With Iwaizumi focused on his affair with the window and no other outlet to use as a distraction, irritation turned somersaults in his mind. Why, of all people, did they have to run into the only person who could single-handedly remind Oikawa of every single one of his failures as a teammate, as a captain, as a person? The blow to his ego might not have been as harsh if he’d had some sort of impressive speech prepared or a volleyball at hand to set into Ushijima’s awful face. Instead, what had he said? Something about going to the bathroom? Stupid Ushiwaka, with his stupid face and stupid shoes and stupid bladder and stupi— the sudden dinging of Oikawa’s phone interrupted his train of thought.

He pulled it out of his pocket and prepared to frown disapprovingly at whatever notifications he found flashing there. He smirked fondly instead.

From Yahaba:

Could you, realistically, use dirt to wash a car? I’m trying to win an argument

From makki <3:

who are u arguing with

From Yahaba:

Watari

From makki <3:

oh

From makki <3:

whatever watari said is the correct answer

From watachi!!:

>:3

From makki <3:

ew.

From makki <3:

i take it back. yahaba’s right

Oikawa watched the messages roll in, eyes suddenly greedy for home and all the riches contained there. They flashed all the brighter now that takeoff loomed nearer and nearer.

He nudged Iwaizumi. “Should I tell the group chat about our little run-in with Shiratorizawa’s pride and joy?”

“Go for it. Tell Mattsun he still owes me ten bucks since Kindaichi cried at our send off party. He can Venmo it.”

Oikawa grinned and started typing. Some of his anger drained as he wrote, as if knowing he was still connected to his team in some way made annoyance seem less constructive than it had when he’d stewed in it alone.

From Oikawa:

guess who we ran into

From makki <3:

ur mom

From mattsun:

Tsk tsk. Low hanging fruit, Makki

From makki <3:

aw shit. ur right

From makki <3:

*iwaizumi’s mom

From mattsun:

Nice

From watachi!!:

Nice

From kunimi:

nice

From: makki <3:

nice

From Oikawa:

guess!!!! i’m running out of time

From Kyoutani:

aren’t you supposed to be on a plane

From mattsun:

It’s a sad day when Kyoutani remembers something about Oikawa that you forgot

From makki <3:

i remembered

From makki <3:

does this mean i get to take over as head of the fanclub

From mattsun:

I don’t think you could handle the responsibility

From makki <3:

:(

From Kyoutani:

i wouldn't have remembered if it had been about him staying in japn instead of leaving

From watachi!!:

Japn

From Yahaba:

Who was it, Oikawa-san?

From Kyoutani:

shut up

From Oikawa:

thank you yahaba!!!!!!!! it was ushkul;

Iwaizumi elbowed him in the side, sharp and quick, before he could finish delivering the terrible news. Oikawa’s fingers slid over the keyboard and pressed send without his permission before losing their grip on the phone entirely. It fell between their seats and stuck there.

“Ow ,” Oikawa complained. He flashed a scowl in Iwaizumi’s direction before leaning down to retrieve the phone, hands seeking blindly between the cushions for their prize. “What was that for?”

“Oikawa .”

“Gimme a second, geez.”

The good work the group chat had done on Oikawa’s mood all but disappeared. He paid no heed to the strained tint to Iwaizumi’s voice, making the hands that suddenly appeared on both sides of his face all the more surprising. They roughly turned his attention towards the aisle.

Oikawa’s throat made a strangled noise, like a small animal trapped in a snare, without his brain’s permission. Ushijima Wakatoshi was making his way towards them, hideous strong arms wrapped around a hideous green duffel bag as he, presumably, searched for his hideous seat.

Oikawa watched in dumb silence as Ushijima passed them. His breath hitched as his chest made a connection his brain wasn’t quite ready to put into words. At the sound, Iwaizumi’s hands fell back onto his lap. Oikawa turned. His eyes locked with Iwaizumi’s; the wide shock and raw pity Oikawa found there suggested that Iwaizumi had made the same connection but come to terms with it more quickly.

Ushijima Wakatoshi is going to the same place I am.

“Excuse me,” a hideous voice snatched the breath right out of Oikawa’s lungs. He spent half a second working to reclaim it, hands clenched into fists at his sides. He turned. “I think this is my— oh.”

Oikawa despised that oh , a sound of flat surprise that only confirmed who the voice belonged to. It also implied that the owner of the awful noise had not worked to fabricate such a disgusting situation, meaning fate held a personal, violent grudge against Oikawa for some unknown, unwarranted reason. As the oh suggested, Ushijima stood in the aisle in front of their seats. He glanced down at his ticket as though he couldn’t believe it had led him to the right place.

Ushijima continued. “I did not realize you would be on this flight.”

Oikawa felt his mouth fill with something poisonous and distasteful. Iwaizumi interjected with something blunt instead. “I’m here too, you know.”

Ushijima blinked, as though Iwaizumi had just solidified into a person worth taking note of. He nodded his acknowledgment. “Iwaizumi.”

Silence encased the three of them as Oikawa struggled with the venom that so desperately wanted to strike out at the easy target in front of it. He stumbled, not out of any moral hesitation, but because there was simply so much to be said that it seemed impossible to start.

Ushijima broke the silence first. “Oh,” he said again. Oikawa’s jaw clenched painfully at the sound, teeth scraping against teeth like nails on a chalkboard.“Are you going to watch the acceptance ceremony in New York?”

Oikawa felt his eye twitch. “I got accepted, actually.”

“Oh,” he repeated. That little sound, so full of preconceived notions and decided opinions, set Oikawa’s heart on fire and made it hard to keep his fist where it lay, clenched against his side. Iwaizumi moved so his shoulder rested lightly against Oikawa’s, gently pressing him to the seat. The movement cleared some of the angry haze that made Oikawa feel like he was simultaneously seeing everything and nothing; he caught a spark in Ushijima’s eyes that might have meant something interesting if Oikawa had been able to conjure the empathy to dissect its meaning. “I’m glad to see you made a wise decision.”

Wise decision?  

Oikawa caught the reference to their past conversation long before it flew over his head. The fact that Ushijima was most definitely speaking sincerely only made his words pierce deeper into Oikawa’s skin. He scowled.

“Excuse me?” a stewardess interjected. “Please take your seat, sir.”

“My apologies,” Ushijima replied, moving closer to their seats to make more room in the tiny aisle as he placed his duffel-bag in the overhead compartment. Oikawa shrunk into Iwaizumi as Ushijima’s broad chest invaded his personal space. He shrunk even more as Ushijima slid past them to take his place by the window and did not unshrink even as Ushijima settled in his seat.

There had been a time in Oikawa’s youth when he had been afraid of most everything. He’d shrunken a lot during that time, made himself smaller to minimize the chances of being seen or getting hurt. He shrank now, not out of fear, but out of disgust, as if Ushijima was oozing oil or tar or some other terrible, poisonous thing. Nowadays, Oikawa was not a fan of shrinking. He forced himself to lean forward, straight into the blast zone of whatever Ushijima was radiating.

“So,” he started. Now that he’d begun speaking everything he’d ever wanted to say to Shiratorizawa’s ace fought for purchase on his tongue. His pulse surged. Iwaizumi gave his foot a kick which Oikawa swiftly returned. His voice felt unnaturally cool in his mouth compared to the heat in his chest. “You’ll be training in New York too, hm?”

“Obviously.”

“Hm. That’s funny. Well,” he sighed. “I suppose they had to get their charity work in somewhere. For the tax deductions, you know.”

Ushijima blinked. “No, I don’t.”

Oikawa leaned across Iwaizumi’s lap to give Ushijima’s knee a quick, patronizing pat. There was no satisfaction to be had in the straightforward, unbothered way Ushijima followed their conversation nor in the confused, open manner with which he looked down at the spot where Oikawa had touched him. Oikawa liked his prey to understand that they were being eaten and Ushijima didn’t seem to realize that he had been caught in the first place. Nevertheless, he continued.

“That’s alright. I’m sure they’ll find something for you to do. Water boy, maybe? Janitor? What do you think, Iwa-chan?”

Iwaizumi studied Oikawa’s face for a moment before replying. “I think New York is short on ball boys, actually.”

Oikawa flashed his ace a bright, toothy smile. Iwaizumi frowned like he’d taken a bite out of something spoiled. “Ah, I think you’re right. You’d make a wonderful ball boy, Ushiwaka-chan.”

Ushijima blinked twice. “I’m going to be playing volleyball.”

“We’ll see,” Oikawa hummed. “We’ll see. Say, Ushiwaka-chan?  Please take this the wrong way, but, isn’t there some other place you would rather sit? Perhaps with someone who doesn’t know you?”

“This is my seat.”

“What an astute observation. But let’s entertain the thought,  just for a second, that you could switch seats with whoever you’re traveling with?”

“I’m not traveling with anyone.”

Iwaizumi frowned. “Nobody?”

Ushijima turned to look at Iwaizumi, eyes full of the same genuine transparency they’d held after Oikawa had patted his knee. “My father was supposed to come with me. He had to cancel at the last minute.”

“Oh, what a shame,” Oikawa rushed his words to cut off Iwaizumi who had opened his mouth to say something. “Daddy issues are the worst .”

Iwaizumi slammed his foot down on top of Oikawa’s hard enough that the people in the seats across the aisle looked up from their magazines. Oikawa grimaced both at the pain and at the harsh gleam in Iwaizumi’s eyes. It said that’s enough, Oikawa Tooru. They held each other’s gaze for a few long moments, each trying to win a silent argument. Oikawa looked away first, not because he’d lost, but because his throbbing foot desperately needed nursing. He slouched in his seat, angling away from his two seat partners, and pressed on the top of his sneaker to search for broken bones.

He heard Iwaizumi cough. “It’s uh, good to see you again, Ushijima.”

Oikawa scowled at that.

He continued to scowl until an hour or so after take-off. The plane had quieted down, with half its occupants asleep and the others occupying themselves with books or some other silent task. Oikawa had shifted sometime during that hour so that his back was pressed against the aisle. He watched Ushijima’s sleeping face, the soft, vulnerable way the boy leaned against the wall beside him. Oikawa didn’t have the energy to find it particularly disgusting; his anger had lost almost all of its sharpness, leaving behind a dull ache and a pounding head.

“Iwa-chan,” he whispered.

“Hm?” Iwaizumi murmured, attention focused on the book in his hands. His anger seemed to have dissolved too, though a sliver of annoyance shone through the sound.

“Would you accompany me to the restroom?”

“Aren’t you a little tired of the last thing you bumped into during one of your little bathroom excursions?”

Oikawa laughed, the sound cold and fatigued. “As if we could find anything worse than Ushijima if we tried.”

“Hm,” Iwaizumi murmured again, unamused. He flipped through a few pages in his book before sighing and standing. “Let’s get this over with. If we run into that freaky red-headed dude in there I’m throwing you out the window.”

The plane bathroom had not been built to house two young men. Oikawa, as the caller of the meeting, took the worst spot and settled on the edge of the toilet. Iwaizumi leaned against the sink, arms crossed. They sat in stuffy silence for a few moments.

“I’d like to throw Ushiwaka out the window,” Oikawa mumbled finally.

Iwaizumi sighed. “I know this is hard on you. I wouldn’t want to train with him any more than you do. But you’ve gotta quit it with all the passive-aggressive shit. You should like a villain from some crappy anime.”

“You say that like he doesn’t deserve it.”

“Give him a break, Oikawa. He’s going to this thing by himself. It’s the most depressing thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh, so you’re on his side now?”

“Don’t go picking a fight with me just because you’re butt-hurt that things aren’t going the way you planned them. You know whose side I’m on.”

Oikawa looked away. The swirly designs in the bathroom wall seemed to frown at him.

“Look,” Iwaizumi started. “I’m not saying you have to, like, be nice to him or anything. Just be civil. He’s gonna be your teammate, for fuck’s sake.”

Oikawa slumped and ran a hand through his hair. “I know. God.” He looked down at his shoes, posture silently saying I thought this was my chance to start over.

Iwaizumi pulled him up and into a hug before Oikawa had time to silently say anything else. The hug said this is still your chance. You’re going to do amazing things.

Oikawa leaned into the embrace. Iwaizumi still smelled of home. He thought of everything they’d accomplished there, of the friends and teammates they were leaving behind. He shuddered. “I’ll probably have to set for him.”

“I know,” Iwaiumi pulled back to ruffle Oikawa’s hair. “Just don’t make it easy for him, alright?”

Oikawa smirked. “Obviously.”

Oikawa drank in the fond look in Iwaizumi’s eyes. He felt whole again.

“Let’s go back. I don’t want people thinking we’ve been taking simultaneous shits this whole time.”

Oikawa left the bathroom with a much better outlook on the day than when he’d entered. Then he saw Ushijima’s outline, still visible over the seats even though he still slouched sleepily against the wall, and had to fight against a wave of nausea that churned in his stomach. He shuddered.

I’m going to have to set for that man. I’m going to have to make him the best player he can be.

What a terrible thought.

[footballxixstars]

Day 3 ~ Jadon Sancho

Home for the Holidays

Countdown to Christmas 2019

It was the 21st of December and you and Jadon were flying back to your hometown to spend Christmas with your family. You would go and see Jadon's family for New Years but would be with your family for Christmas. Jadon's last game of the year was the day before so now you could go and visit both of your families since he doesn't play again till the 18th of January so it gives you around 3 weeks to spend with both of your families before Jadon has to go back to train. The flight was at 9 pm so you knew when you land it will also be late. The flight would land at 9:30 pm because of the time difference. You only booked a late flight because Jadon's game the day before didn't start till 7:30 pm so obviously finished late and you already knew that the both of you would have to finish packing but you were starting to wish you booked and earlier flight. The flight only takes around 1hr and 30 minutes so there was no way you would end up asleep on the flight. You had downloaded part of a series on Netflix and a couple of films so you could watch them on the flight knowing that's what you would probably end up doing and you need a couple because you would need to watch them whilst waiting for your plane. You had made it to the airport early like you always have to do because of all the checks that they do in airports now and that usually takes hours.

"Come on let's get some food" Jadon ended up saying after some time to try to get your mind off of the busy airport and to get you to stop sighing. You stood up grabbing your bag with your belongings and followed Jadon to a restaurant within the airport. He leads you to your favourite restaurant and told you to sit down when he went up to order already knowing what you would get since you always get the same thing because once you have something that you love at a restaurant why change it? If you change it you may not like it. You and Jadon day in the restaurant for the rest of the time, taking your time eating the food and just talking. Talking about everything and anything. You talked about how expected you were to see your family again even if you didn't show it because of your tiredness. When you decided to leave the restaurant it was because your plane was being called to get onto it. Jadon held your hand and you made your way to the plane.

"I want the window seat," Jadon said as you were walking down the aisle to your seats. You were in front of him so you would get there first.

"I'm having it," you said knowing that this would end up in an argument. You passed Jadon your bag so he could put it in the overhead compartment which he did for you.

"I want it though" Jadon whined.

"Fine, you can have it." You said moving out the way so Jadon could sit there. The only reason you let him have it was because you were too tired to argue with him and you couldn't be bothered to do so. You just sat down on the seat next time him not saying anything. You put in one earphone and just waited for the flight to take off. Luckily for you, nobody came and sat down on the other side of you so you guessed that was an empty seat. You weren't sat on the plane for long before all of the safety checks happened and before the plane began to take off.

"I'm sorry," Jadon said placing kisses on your neck. You were around half an hour into the flight and you hadn't said a word to Jadon since the start of it and you saw him keep taking glances at you but you never said anything to him. He had his hand placed on your knee since you had sat down but you didn't pay attention to that either.

"Yeah, whatever" you replied not paying him any attention. Jadon just stared at you and frowned before smiling. You knew he had an idea but you had no idea what it was. You didn't really care either not paying attention to him you were too busy watching the film that you had downloaded onto your phone from Netflix.

"I've got something for you," Jadon said before opening his rucksack and putting his hand into it. You turned your head to face him and watched as he pulled his hand out of the bag and he clearly had something in it. He pulled out your favourite sweets and chocolate. You couldn't resist having them. How could you?

"Only if you forgive me," Jadon said pulling the sweets away from you so you couldn't grab them. You tried to grab them but every time your hand got close to the bag Jadon would pull them away so there was no chance of too grabbing them without you forgiving him.

"Fine, I forgive you." You said trying not to smile but you knew Jadon noticed it because as soon as he did a smile overtook his face. A proper smile. You couldn't hold back the smile anymore and he passed you the chocolate and sweets and you instantly opened them taking a handful of sweets. Being the sort of nice person that you were you offered Jadon one sweet. Only one though they were your favourite sweets. Jadon would try to grab another one but you would move the bag out of his reach. He did end up giving up and just ate some of his own sweets that he had in his bag and you just rolled your eyes at him. He was trying to take your food, even if he did buy it for you when he had his own in his bag this whole time. You turned your head back to the film on your phone and you would occasionally sneak glances at Jadon to see if he was looking at you or his sweets that he placed next to you. If he wasn't looking at either and seemed to engrossed in whatever he was doing you would sneakily steal some of his sweets and eat them. You couldn't help but laugh to yourself st how oblivious Jadon was to you taking his sweets.

Finally, the plane landed in the airport close to your hometown and as soon as you stepped out of the plane the wind hit you waking you up a little bit more. You breathed a sigh of relief as you got out of the plane thanking the wind for waking you up. Jadon put his arm around you as you walked and you unconsciously leaned into him since you were so tired and couldn't really be bothered to hold your own body weight. You went to the baggage area and waited to collect your bags. You and Jadon stood there for a bit when Jadon pulled out his phone. Jadon turned around and pointed to his phone before walking away so he could talk on the phone without a lot of noise. He decided to order an Uber now whilst you were waiting for your bags so it would be ready for when you grabbed your bags and then you wouldn't be stood outside for that long as well. You probably could've asked someone to pick you up but you know how flights are. Always delayed. Take forever. So you just decided not to not wanting to hassle them. You weren't stood at the baggage area for long when your bags came and Jadon took them off of the conveyer belt before placing them down in front of you. You just looked at them not moving a muscle just hoping that they would move on there own.

"They're not going to move on there own Y/N," Jadon said smiling at you knowing exactly what you were thinking. You found it a bit weird how he always seemed to know what you were thinking. Maybe you were just easy to read? Jadon grabbed his own suitcase and used his other hand to hold yours. He just waited until you grabbed your suitcase which reluctantly you ended up grabbing. Once you did grab it Jadon started to walk to the exit of the airport so you could get into your Uber which apparently, according to Jadon, was outside and waiting for the both of you.

"Y/N," the driver said to you. Jadon always books it under your name just for safety precaution just in case. The driver also said the address to your parent's house which was where you both were going so you nodded again. The driver grabbed your suitcases and put them into the boot for you whilst you and Jadon got in the back of the car. You and the driver were just making small talk whilst Jadon occasionally joined in.

You were in the Uber on the way to your parent's house watching everything as it passes on by. You looked at all of the lights as you passed by remembering all of the little things from your childhood. The place where you had your first kiss, the place where you got your first boyfriend and even the place where you broke up. You couldn't help but smile at all of the memories that were coming back to you. You knew that you missed this place a lot whilst you were in Dortmund with Jadon but you didn't actually realise how much you missed him until now. You went past the giant Christmas tree that they put up in the middle of the main shopping area. That was the place that you said goodbye to your friend before you left for Dortmund to live with him. You haven't seen her much since then because of both of your busy schedules but you wanted to see her again. You missed her a lot. She was the one who knew every little secret about you and you knew everything about her. You were pointing out certain things from your hometown and telling Jadon stories about certain things. He was listening intently and even if he was tired and couldn't really be bothered to listen but because it was you talking and telling tales about your childhood he was listening. Every now and then Jadon would ask questions and ask how long till they got to your parent's house. He was slowly falling asleep in the Uber and the only thing keeping him awake was you talking to him.

"How long now?" Jadon said rubbing his eyes trying to keep himself awake.

"5 minutes" you replied looking at your phone noticing how it was nearing 10 o'clock. That doesn't seem that late especially since you were both young so meant to have so much energy but travelling always tires the two of you out. Jadon just nodded his head and went on his phone hoping that the light would wake him up some more. He needed waking up if he didn't want to fall asleep in the Uber.

Eventually, the Uber turned into the street where your childhood home was and you couldn't have been happier to see the house that you grew up in. You couldn't be bothered to do a lot so now that you were actually at your parent's house you could go straight up to your childhood bedroom and just sleep. You got out of the Uber and went to grab your bags from the boot which the driver was getting out for you and Jadon. You thanked the driver before walking up to the door. You could see a couple of the lights on so you knew that someone was still awake most likely to let you in even though you did have a key to your childhood home. They probably just wanted to make sure that you made it to there house okay since your parents were like that. You placed your bag on the floor before knocking on the door. You tried the handle but the door was locked so you waited until someone answered it. Your mum opened the door and immediately brought you into a hug before letting you into the house and then she hugged Jadon before letting him into the house. Ever since she met Jadon she treated him like one of her own. She took one look at you and Jadon properly before sighing.

"You guys look tired, go to bed we will talk in the morning," your mum said to you and Jadon. You smiled tiredly at her before dragging Jadon up the stairs to your childhood bedroom but not before you grabbed your suitcases so you could bring them upstairs. You say childhood bedroom but it doesn't seem like that anymore because of how much it changed since you lived here the only thing that shows that it was your bedroom was all of the pictures of you and your friends that you had on one wall. You just stared at the pictures for a moment realising how long that it had been since you saw most of them taking a mental note to see them whilst you were home. Living in Dortmund with Jadon meant that you couldn't see them as often as you would have to fly and you literally hate airports so would rather not do that. Jadon grabbed your hand which made you come back to real life and get out of your thoughts. He pulled you into him before kissing your forehead and letting you go to get changed into your pyjamas so the both of you could go to sleep. As soon and you had your pyjamas on you went straight into your bed and into Jadon's arms since he was already in there.

"I love you," Jadon said kissing your forehead before you fell asleep near enough instantly. The day had been a long one full of packing your things and travelling and you couldn't have been more grateful to fall asleep in your bed next to Jadon. You couldn't wait for Christmas to come to spend it with your families and obviously Jadon.

MASTERLIST | MORE SANCHO

[babyflossy]

take out | j.ww

gif credits to owner

pairing: sniper!wonwoo x pilot!reader

summary: you and wonwoo spend more time together in work after you become his unofficial babysitter. and no matter how dangerous your job gets, you’ll always make it out alive for take out dates with him.

genre: idk? action? there’s fluff i swear it’s not sad

warnings: swearing, murder, fighting, badly written plane fight? also i don’t know enough about to planes to have written this sorry...

word count: 2568

you heard the helicopter before it came into your vision. you hadn't heard anything from the group that left on it nearly forty-eight hours ago and everyone was waiting with bated breath to see who got off the aircraft. it wasn't supposed to an outrageously dangerous mission, but shortly after the group landed at the location, the gps and radio had been cut off leaving you all completely in the dark, only able to speculate about what happened.

the helicopter landed hastily, and the doors had opened before the propellers had stopped whirring. everyone ground-crew member stood around, waiting to see who got off whilst someone called for medical. you hurried forward, ready to deal with whatever got out of the machine. the first person out was minghao, who stumbled slightly but otherwise looked mostly intact. he met your eyes for a second before they flittered elsewhere, an apologetic look on his face. the first words he said were definitely not what you wanted to hear, "i'm sorry."

you felt your stomach drop as you rushed towards the door. inside you saw soonyoung removing his helmet, and then you saw jeonghan and chan lift up a stretcher, an oxygen mask over the face of the occupant. you got a small smile from jeonghan as wonwoo was lifted out of the aircraft, eyes closed and unmoving. frozen, you watched him be carted off to the medical bay. people got injured on mission, sure, that was quite common, but it was never wonwoo. he was always so careful and calculating you would hate to know what had happened. but you knew you would have to find out.

you were broken out of your trance by an arm settling over your shoulders. soonyoung's voice was soft as he squeezed you slightly. "he'll be fine, y/n. he might be off missions for a while, but they'll be no permanent damage."

you nodded, blinking away the tears that pooled in your eyes, letting soonyoung pull you onto the tarmac of the landing pad.

after having surgery on his leg, wonwoo was in the medical bay for a week before he was finally released, only to be whisked away into physical therapy. you hadn't left his room except for the times when joshua or seungcheol dragged you away for food or work. you had held his hand the whole time, even when he was awake, pressing soft kisses along his fingers. he had smiled every time, claiming if you kissed him properly it would help him get better faster. you complied with a laugh every time as well.

wonwoo had rolled his eyes through nearly a month of therapy before he was deemed fit to be out in the field again, not without caution, though. as the team's best sniper, he was in high demand as soon as he got the go ahead, but not without you. as the team's leader and decision maker, seungcheol had ruled that wonwoo couldn't go on a mission without you as backup. wonwoo had, again, rolled his eyes insisting he didn't need a babysitter, and you had complained that you weren't just 'backup'. nevertheless, neither of you minded spending more time together.

the first few missions went smoothly and you and wonwoo found you worked well together in the field as well as out, even if you specialised in very different things. seungcheol had recruited you nearly three years ago as a fighter pilot when his missions kept going wrong due to improperly trained pilots. you were booked for mission months in advance and seungcheol started letting you work external missions you liked the sound of.

it was your fifth mission together and you had learned that wonwoo's job was shockingly boring. he usually had a handful of targets and you two had to sit on a roof nearby and wait for them to show themselves. the only excitement came when some of the team was inside and the targets were running away from them. you couldn't help but admire his concentration, and note how cute he looked he looked when his brows furrowed, or when his nose crinkled when he laughed.

you had accepted that your life for the foreseeable future would be looking over wonwoo, and so you were surprised when wonwoo and yourself were briefed for a mission for just the two of you. it was a very high profile case, meaning seungcheol wanted the smallest possible amount of people on it to reduce to probability of human error. he had told you two that you would have to fly wonwoo to the drop off point, then leave and pursue another target. wonwoo was told exactly where he had to go, and who he had to kill, you on the other hand were given basic details if that.

"what do you mean, you don't know?" you insisted, confused as to what you could do when you knew nothing of the people.

"we think they have aircrafts, but we're not sure," he paused, looking between your confused face and wonwoo's concerned one, "we need you to pursue any aircraft that leaves the perimeters, and take them down if you can."

"right, so i'm supposed to chase and eliminate aircraft you don't even know exist, let alone know what i'm dealing with?"

"you're the best shot we've got," seungcheol's expression softened slightly, but his leader voice still remained, as the whole team called it. "you've worked with less information before."

the mission started as soon as the sun dropped below the horizon line, leaving darkness to conceal you. wonwoo had never been in a fighter plane before, and he made you promise you would fly straight without any twists or turns, which you chuckled at. wonwoo was always so stoic and fearless that the whole team, especially mingyu and minghao loved to make fun of his fear.

you got wonwoo in the plane first, making sure he had all the weapons he needed. you stood on the wind and leaned over the edge into the seating compartment, pulling the helmet over his head. he shot you a pout as you adjusted the helmet and hopped off the plane to talk to seungcheol before you left.

"good luck," he started, inciting a glare from you, "seungkwan and vernon will be in your earpiece if you need them,"

hearing the mention of their names, they spoke over the line with cheery voices. "right here, " seungkwan chirped.

"to stop you doing anything stupid," added vernon.

you waved to the rest of the team who had lined up outside to say goodbye, as if neither of you would return. you had complained to them about it before you got wonwoo in the plane, but they all insisted they didn't have anything else to do. you swung yourself into the seat in the cockpit and pulled your own helmet on after turning to throw wonwoo a thumbs up. he responded with a feeble one himself.

the reinforced screen lowered and wonwoo watched as you pressed various buttons and flicked switches. he didn't know what any of them did and his eyes slid shut when he felt the pull of the plane moving forwards. you had briefed him on what it would be like and ensured him it wasn't long until his drop off, but he hated the feeling regardless. you chuckled as you looked at him in the mirror once you were in the air, eyes screwed shut, holding onto the handles so hard his knuckles were bright white. "we're good, wonwoo." you spoke over the comms, flicking your eyes to see him looking out the window in awe.

"holy shit," he exclaimed, trying to get as close to the window as the straps and his helmet would allow. "this is so cool!"

"alright, lovebirds," you could hear the smirk in seungkwan's voice even over the radio, "y/n, you want to head north-east until i tell you. there's low visibility but you know where your landing anyway, so it doesn't matter. i'll still tell you, obviously, that's what i'm­–" seungkwan was the most helpful person on the team for you, always reassuring you and telling you where to go, but he had a tendency to ramble.

"got it," you cut him off, hearing the way vernon laughed.

"how's wonwoo?"

"dude, this is so cool! why don't i do this?" wonwoo replied to vernon, you looked in the mirror again to see him now with only one hand holding onto to the harness, the other pressed onto the glass. you were close to the landing strip now and told him so.

"wonwoo, hold on, we're about to land," he obeyed your command instantly, sinking back into his chair as he felt the plane lurch forward, eyes already shut tightly.

you landed smoothly as seungkwan told you where you were headed now whilst vernon told wonwoo that there was a car waiting to pick him up. once wonwoo was unbuckled and on the tarmac, you wrapped him in a hug before speaking quietly, "be careful, i'll come pick you up."

"you make it sound like i'm going to my first day of school, y/n," he smiled down at you, wrapping his arms around you as well, resting his head on top of yours, "be careful too, what you're going to do it probably more dangerous than me."

you watched as wonwoo was whisked away in a glossy black car, the lights from the runway sparkling back at you in the immaculate paint job. you turned the plane around and took off again, ready to get this over with, looking forward to sharing take out with wonwoo in your apartment.

seungkwan instructed you to 'fly around' until their aircrafts took, which he now had confirmation of. "we know they're getting ready to fly, couldn't tell what, though. it looked like a C-12 Huron."

"they're sending a reconnaissance plane? who're they trying to get information about?" seungkwan made a noise of mutual confusion over the comms and you checked your radar for any movement. "let me know when they send it up. it'll go down nicely."

"gotcha."

the reconnaissance plane did go down nicely. you noted it was flying west before you aimed and fired, watching the plane do down in blazing glory. what you weren't expecting however, was the fighter jet sent after it. you saw a blinking dot on your radar and radioed in to seungkwan. "what is it?"

"don't panic," uh, oh. "it's looking like a F-15 Eagle." well, shit. you checked the distance and speed on the radar. it seemed to have watched the other plane go down as it changed its course for you. you hadn't realised how much time had passed since you dropped wonwoo off and his voice startled you.

"i'm at the landing strip," your eyes were glued to the radar as you planned this out in your head. "you nearly done?"

"really not the time, wonwoo," he heard how tense your voice was and felt panic strike up in him. his mission had gone smoothly, he had taken out the targets and gone into the building after for the guards. he had always had the mentality of leaving no one able to call the police, and he was he followed through with that now.

you waited until the plane was at the right distance behind you before curving under yourself and heading upside down for it. you nosedived downwards to put distance between your plane and theirs. you could see the ground approaching too fast and you pulled up when the dot on the radar over your own. going straight up underneath it, you took fire. wonwoo, vernon and seungkwan sat in complete silence over the radio, hearing the nosedive and the spinning and the bullets firing. they heard the sounds of bullets on metal and waited in painful anticipation to hear you tell them you were okay.

but it wasn't over yet. you couldn't take the plane down then or else it would fall right into you. bracing yourself once more, you took advantage of the sneak attack and flew past them upwards, spinning again before shooting from the opposite direction.

"fuck, fuck, fuck," they realised you were alive at least and seungkwan sat up quickly, ready to hear your instructions. "seungkwan how much ammo do i have left?"

"not much," he stated regretfully. "you could fly over base and we'll shoot it down from here?"

"it'll land on you if you shoot from the roof guns. i need to take it down here." gripping the controllers tightly your mind whizzed as you formulated a plan. you needed to make it out of this alive to meet wonwoo for takeout, you wouldn't let this stop you. you realised with horror that the only way you could take it down with the ammo you had was from the front, to take out the pilot. but it meant you would be right in the firing line. unless, maybe, if you moved quick enough you could dodge the bullets. "how much fuel?"

"you've got enough for whatever you're planning." that was all you needed, and you were in front of the plane before you could think of a different plan.

twisting and turning and moving up and down quickly made your aim slightly more precarious than usual, but miraculously you managed to hit the front of the plane until your guns were empty. the plane was still in the air, though, and you felt freezing dread shoot through you as you imagined being shot down, hurtling through the air to a fiery death. your thoughts were interrupted by the tell-tale sign of the plane lurching downwards.

"oh my god, thank fuck," you muttered in relief as you watched the pilot slump forwards in the darkness and the plane drop down instantly. you didn't want to stay to watch, or wait for their backup and you were racing back towards the landing strip as you announced over the radio it was successful.

as soon as you were out the plane, wonwoo had wrapped his arms around you in a bone-crushing hug. "god, i was so worried."

"bet you're glad it's not your job now, right," you joked, pushing your face into his shoulder nevertheless, "i've faced worse."

it was nearly light out by the time you had finished the mission debrief with seungcheol who congratulated you on your 'outstanding performance' as seungkwan had put it. the rest of the team that was still at the base congratulated you as well on your way out, listening in on the debriefing as they did every time. the sun had risen when you two had finally gotten home, takeout on the table as you sat leaning against each other on the floor, uniforms changed for more comfortable clothes. wonwoo had joked he never wanted to let you drive a car after your flying and you smacked him playfully.

after brushing your teeth next to each other, trying to make the other laugh until you nearly choked on the toothpaste, you at last made it to pillowy heaven of your bed, legs tangled together with wonwoo's. you had shut the curtains tightly, trying to stop the midday sun from entering. wonwoo's head rested on your collarbones as he slipped into peaceful sleep, you not far behind, ready to repeat the routine again.

a/n: hello again lol. also, i’m working on a few longer pieces which are all like half finished which is why i haven’t updated in so long,,, but hopefully that means there should be a few out after i get home,,, i acc like this so i hope you do too!!

[spideyxchelle]

will I stop writing things inspired by the ffh trailer? maybe. but not today. here is a little ficlet based on the scene of Peter on the airplane to Europe. 

“Parker,” Mr. Harrington waved Peter down. He dodged and weaved through the crowd of animated tourists and skidded to the boarding zone. Twenty minutes later than their boarding time.

Flushed and anxious, he rambled, “I’m so sorry, Mr. Harrington. My alarm clock never went off and I overslept. And then, the trains were running slow. And—”

His teacher cut him off, “That’s all very nice and well, Mr. Parker. Get on the plane.” He flushed deeply and began spouting off another round of apologies and excuses. Mr. Harrington shook his head, “Plane.”

The flight attendant scanned their tickets with an accusatory eyebrow. Peter flinched. He didn’t know for sure if he had held up their takeoff, but he had a sneaking suspicion, from the look of the attendant, that he had at least inconvenienced the crew.

They scuttled their way down to the entrance of the plane and scooted down the aisle to the back of the plane where Ned was waiting. Upon seeing his best friend, Ned visibly exhaled. “Thank god,” he muttered as Peter stowed his Uncle’s suitcase in the overhead compartment, “I thought you were gonna miss the flight.”

Peter squeaked past the nice lady on the aisle with an apology and hopped over Ned in the middle seat. He dropped into the window seat and rubbed his drawn face, “It’s been a morning.”

“Michelle called you, like, four times,” Ned said, snuggling back into the rigid seat, as if preparing to take on the eight hour trip like a soldier.

Peter fumbled for the phone jammed in his pocket, “Really?” The screen lit up and, low and behold, it was riddled with texts and calls from MJ. He cursed quietly.

The seat in front of him squeaked as MJ turned around and squeezed her face between the opening of the chairs, “Really.”

He apologized, “MJ, I’m really sorry. I was running late. I didn’t think to look at my phone.”

She appraised him with a castigatory look. Without another word, she faced front and began to clack away at the screen.

Betty’s sweet little face filled the empty space where MJ had poked through. She narrowed her eyes at Peter and sniped, “You had Ned all worked up, Peter.”

Ned shot Peter a sheepish look. He refuted his girlfriend, “Not that worried.”

The blonde rolled her eyes and insisted, “Yes, that worried.” She swiveled around in her seat and joined MJ in the hunt to occupy herself for the next eight hours.  

He felt thoroughly admonished.

Ned nudged him with his elbow, smiling in that bright and cheerful way that was entirely Ned, and Peter began to feel his spirits lighten. Ned Leeds was a master of kindness. It was contagious. Peter gradually returned the grin. His best friend gestured to the screen, “They have the original Star Wars trilogy on here. Marathon?”

The plane startled into motion, backing out of the bay, and Peter flipped his phone into airplane mode. He spotted all of Michelle’s texts and phone calls one last time and dampened the flush of embarrassment that waved through him. Later, he told himself, he would make it up to her later. Peter nodded, “Absolutely.”  

Three hours into the flight, Peter could feel Ned growing restless. He knew it was a long flight, but Ned was never distracted during Empire Strikes Back. It was the best Star Wars movie ever made, in their not so humble opinion, and required all the respect and attention of a perfect Star Wars movie.

Peter paused his screen. Ned hastily echoed his friend’s motion. He yanked an earbud out, profoundly confused, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Peter snuck a glance between the airplane seats at Betty who was curled up in her seat, sleeping soundly. He jerked his head toward the seat in front of Ned, “You obviously want to be with Betty.”

Ned dismissed Peter’s assessment with a chortle, “What? Pfft. No, I don’t. We promised we’d sit next to each other.”

Peter admired Ned and his conviction that a promise between best friends was as binding as a contact, but he could give up Ned for the remaining five hours, if Betty was where he really wanted to be. He knew, when Ned started dating Betty at the end of the school year, that he was going to have to compromise some Ned-time to Betty. And, if it was what made Ned happy, Peter didn’t mind.

Besides, it was sweet.

Even if Betty wanted to rake Peter over the coals for being late and causing her boyfriend the slightest bit of stress. She was intense. Her sweet demeanor did not account for the steel underneath.

Peter shrugged, “It’s cool. I don’t mind.”

Ned perked up, slightly, “Really?”

“Not a bit,” Peter assured him. He leaned his hand between the opening of the seats and nudged her shoulder. She flailed awake, blinking away sleep, “Wha—what happened?”

“Betty,” Peter whispered, “Switch seats with me.”

She rubbed her eyes and twisted her head back to look at him. She looked surprised by his offer, “Really?”

Peter nodded, “Totally.”

Her mouth softened and he saw her forgive him for running late that morning all in one moment. Her lips turned upward at the corners of her mouth, “Thank you, Peter.”

It was a bit of a juggle, and an endless parade of apologies to the poor woman sitting in the aisle seat, but with a bit of adjusting Peter fell into his new middle seat for the remainder of the trip. The things he did for his friends.

He turned around to check on Ned and Betty and she was contently curling up next to her boyfriend. Ned looked delighted with his hand resting on her knee.

Peter smiled to himself and turned back to his screen to pick-up his Star Wars marathon.

MJ broke the silence, before he pressed play, whispering, “That was really nice of you.”

He pulled his headphones off and hummed, “Hmm?”

She rolled her eyes, but there was not bite to it, and repeated, “I said, that was really nice of you.”

Peter wiped his palms on his jeans. He tried to hide the flush creeping up his neck with a calculated shrug, “It’s no big deal.”

Michelle didn’t look like she believed him, but she didn’t push. Instead, she agreed, “Sure, but it was still really nice.”

Faced with her eyes, he suddenly remembered the legions of texts and calls she had tried to get through to him that morning. His flush traveled faster to color his cheeks. “Look, MJ,” he swallowed, “I’m sorry about this morning. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

She tutted, “I wasn’t worried.” But there was something about her tone that didn’t ring true. He had worried her. And Ned. He needed to invest in a new alarm clock, or perhaps no alarm clock at all. Phone alarms worked plenty fine for most people.

But, there was a tiny part of him, that clung to his old, crappy clock. His Uncle Ben had told him how to read time by it. As they moved from apartment to apartment in the years after his death while May tried to make a single-parent income work, less-and-less of his uncle’s things traveled from place to place. They were either lost in the transition or given away.

That dumb alarm clock was still there.

He cleared his throat and thoughts of Ben Parker, “Still, I’m sorry.”

She bit the bottom of her lip and it was extremely jarring. He had never truly noticed her lips before. And now that she had inadvertently drawn attention to them, he was rattled. He forced his gaze back to her eyes, when she said, “Well, its not like you’ve been very good at answering my texts or calls before. I’m used to it.”

It was meant to be teasing or light, but the accusation hit him square in the chest. He had not been a very good friend the last few years, even before everything. And falling back into normal teenage patterns after space, after Thanos, had been harder than he imagined when the destroyed buildings were rebuilt, when the funerals were done.

MJ had been a good friend to him after the Vulture debacle. She had been absolutely invaluable when Ned and Betty started to date, as a buffer to the pet-names and PDA. And he had blown off her texts and calls that morning, and hurt her. He touched her hand apologetically, “I am sorry.”

Her eyes snapped down to the fingers brushing her own. He did, too. For a moment, together, they stared at their hands. Peter drew them away only after the moment was truly felt, jolting his system.

It was the proximity, he assured himself. He was next to a pretty girl. He was—

Holy shit, he realized, MJ was really pretty. He was going to be stuck next to a really pretty girl for five hours in a confined space. Their knees were pressed up against each other by the simple nature of airplane travel. It was making him a little dizzy. Her. Not the altitude.

Peter wiped his palms on his jeans, again, but this time it was to rid him of the sweaty discomfort of his hands.

She returned to her television screen and Peter tried to pay attention to his own. It was strangely difficult. He began to feel like he understood a fraction of why Ned was unable to focus on Empire Strikes Back, which, not five minutes ago, had been absolutely impossible to comprehend.

Michelle shifted. Peter glanced at her. He didn’t want to be in a galaxy far, far away. It was much better here—on the plane, next to MJ.

Somewhere between Return of the Jedi and The Phantom Menace, Peter had nodded off to sleep. His head hung lazily to the left, snuggled against his headrest. It smelled faintly like lavender.

His eyes fluttered open, in the hazy space between sleep and wakefulness, and took a deep breath of the lavender fragrance. He even nuzzled his nose in the soft, impossibly welcoming pillow. His pillow made a tiny, feminine noise.

Peter froze. He slowly opened his eyes and came to grips with his current reality. MJ was snuggled up against him, her legs tucked under herself, and her head resting on his shoulder. His own head was pressed against the top of her head. They were cuddling.

He was too petrified to move. He was not sure if it was worse to move and gamble with waking her up, or to move and, therefore, stop cuddling her. Each was a daunting prospect.

She was so quiet and untroubled in sleep. From what he could see, she slept with her lips slightly parted.

Once more, he was faced with how utterly rattling her lips were.

He off-handedly wondered how her lips might feel pressed against his. He wondered if she would be fierce and all-consuming, or if she might kiss too gently and preciously for words. He wondered if she would let him wind his hand in her sweet-smelling curls. He wondered if she would crawl in his lap or wind her arms around his neck.

Peter Parker decided he didn’t want to move, consequences be damned, and snuggled closer to her.

He let his eyes fall shut and sleep took him once more.

The next time he woke, it was because MJ was stretching, cracking her back in the tiny airplane seat. The plane had landed and she was now awake. Their little, perfect moment in the skies was over. And he momentarily regretted they were no longer curled up with each other.

Then, he was awake enough to notice the embarrassed little look she was shooting his way. She tucked a curl, he now knew smelled like lavender, behind her ear, “I, uh, I’m sorry for being all up in your space.” He blinked at her. She hastily added, “There wasn’t much room, okay?”

He blinked again. And realized, too late, that she was waiting for him to say something, anything. He croaked, his voice thick with sleep, “It’s okay. I, uh, didn’t mind.”

She gnawed on her lip, again, and Peter openly stared at her lips. She noticed. He was too shaken to care. Let her look, he decided suddenly; after all, she had drawn his attention to her lips in the first place.

“Your hair smells like lavender,” he said stupidly.

She jolted, surprised and embarrassed, “Oh, uh, yeah. My shampoo.”

Peter nodded, dumbly, “Right. Makes sense.”

MJ played with the ends of her hair, as the guests started to deplane, “Anyway…”

“I like lavender,” he said.

Michelle smiled and it was a new smile, just for him. He tucked it away in his memories, as if he knew he was going to need to remember this moment. Her. Him. And the start of their trip to Europe.

Peter smiled back.

When the man next to Peter climbed out of his seat, he regretfully stood up out of his seat, breaking eye contact with Michelle. 32B. He would never forget seat 32B.

It took some time, as people plotted out of the plane, but when they were finally free, Peter sent Michelle one last smile. She threw back the same smile she had gifted him on the plane, the one he burned into his memory.

He knew he looked stupid, goofy even, but he couldn’t help it.

Just then, Ned saddled up to Peter, and breezily remarked, “You two looked cozy.”

Peter flushed deeply, hazarding one more look at MJ who was now locked in animated conversation with Betty, and scratched the back of his neck, “Oh, shove it.”

Ned guffawed.

They moved as a pack to customs.

Ned and Betty went together to the agent, giggling, and Peter fondly shook his head. He was happy his best friend was in love. It was a little ridiculous, but seventeen year olds were allowed to be ridiculous. He had to remind himself of that sometimes. After space, after Thanos, Peter tried to set boundaries and leave room for a little fun. He was a teenager, after all, even if he felt a hundred years old. War left that kind of tangible wound on a person’s spirit.

He banished those thoughts. Thinking about space and Thanos and Tony wasn’t healthy. He was on summer vacation in Europe with his friends. He was going to be Peter Parker.

He chanced a look at MJ.

She smiled at him in that perfectly disarming way.

He clutched his suitcase, gleeful and, for the first time in a long time, hopeful.

Spider-Man could wait.

[cagedbirdmaya]

Delayed

INVOLVED: Maya Morgan, Levi Morgan, and Melaine Ashton  TIME FRAME: Saturday, December 21st, 2019 LOCATION: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Atlanta, Georgia  SUMMARY: Maya, Levi, and their friend Melaine all prepare to depart to Colorado for an annual couple’s retreat when things don’t go as planned. 

Levi walked through the terminal his hand on Melanie’s lower back as they made way for the plane. Looking over at Maya, his nose turned up in disgust before he returned his attention to the beauty beside him, whispering. “Don’t worry about a thing, once we get there it’ll be easy breezy.”

With her own carry-on bag in hand, Maya walked alongside her husband and close friend. Despite the events leading up to this day she was kind of excited to spend some quality time with her friends and especially her husband. It had been a few months since he’d touched her last and she truly felt the trip would give them some time to hash out things and rekindle their love life. Clutching the bag tightly, she cursed herself for stuffing so many things in it and she absentmindedly continued their trek in the airport.

Melaine had her Fendi carry-on in the crook of her arm as she strutted beside Maya and Levi. She pushed her sunglasses down, eyes roaming over a slightly buff man before she pushed them back up on her face looking to Levi. “Sure” she said with a sly smirk as she continued to walk with each click of her heels.

Levi smirked slightly as he moved towards the gate and as they approached, he pulled away from Melaine slightly pulling all three tickets from his carry-on bag. Handing them to the gate agent, he stood there waiting for everything to check out before moving down the walkway to board the plane. As they entered the plane, he quickly placed his carry-on in the overhead cabin before he looked at the seats. “Melaine, why don’t you sit beside me,” he said quickly, eyeing the two seats and the one in front. “Maya, you know I like the window…” he said to her without even looking in her direction.

Maya trailed behind, winded by the large load in her bag and she tucked some of her hair behind her ear as she looked to her husband. “Yeah” she agreed, why she didn’t really know. She guessed years of being married to the man taught her to do as she was told. “That’s fine” she said with a huff as she looked up to the storage above her “Levi could you” she asked pointing at it as she pushed her bob like hair style back and out of her face.

Melaine licked her red painted lips slowly as they entered the plane, for such a wealthy man she sometimes hated how cheap both parties of the love triangle could be. Anyhow, she handed her bag over to Levi and said, “with pleasure” before she considered her friend “oh Maya” she faked “are you sure?” she asked her even as she sat down in the seat that Levi asked her to.

Taking Melaine’s bag, Levi placed it in the over-head compartment before he looked to his wife, slightly disgusted with her question. Snatching the bag from her, he tossed it in the compartment before he moved to sit down. “Hope you didn’t need anything out of there because I’m not getting it down until we land,” he told Maya harshly as he got comfortable in his seat.

Maya nodded at Melaine “yeah” she said to her even as the woman sat down anyway. She looked up at Levi and timidly she allowed him to snatch the bag from her. She quietly said “I won’t” back to him as she looked to the gentlemen that was already sitting down in her row. “Excuse me” she said in a hushed tone as she moved her thick frame around him to sit down. “I’m sorry” she breathed politely as she settled herself, pulling her bottom lip into her mouth as she sat her purse in her lap. She shifted a little to reach her seat belt, never minding the gentle as he got up to complain.

Melaine got comfortable, Chanel bag resting in her lap as she looked her fingernails over ignoring the exchange between husband and wife. She took her sunglasses off and rested them on her full head of hair ready for the plane ride to be over already.

Levi looked to Melaine as she sat down and he looked to her nails. “New color?” he asked her in a soft tone. “I like it,” he admitted as he nuzzled her neck slightly, his eyes on the back of his wife’s head in front of them. “Ever been to Colorado?” he asked her softly, his hand resting on her thigh under her bag in her lap.

Maya hummed to herself lightly, as she continued to get settled, she sat her bag on the ground for a moment as she fastened herself in safely. She tucked some hair behind her ear again before she picked her bag back up and rested it in her lap.

Melaine looked to Levi with a smile and she nodded “yes” to him softly. “Thank you” she said trying not to chuckle as he nuzzled her neck lovingly. “No, I’ve never needed to” she replied back to him smoothly, looking to the flight attendant as he approached Maya.

Levi smirked slightly, rubbing her inner thigh. “Neither have I, should be an adventure,” he told her thoughtfully before his eyes looked up to the attendant as he stood before Maya’s row.

The attendant walked over to the row of seats, a slight grimace on his face because he hated to have to do this. “Excuse me, miss,” he said, trying to get her attention. “I’m sorry but our flight today is booked solid.”

Maya thought to herself idly for a moment before she heard the voice of a man and she looked to him. At his statement, she furrowed her brows together oddly “I know” she said nodding her head “I booked our flight months ago” she said with a slight chuckle not understanding his point at all.

Melaine nodded her head at Levi slightly however her eyes were straight ahead. She brushed his hand off to the side as she shifted in her seat hearing the discussion between the flight attendant and Maya.

Levi watched as the attendant spoke to Maya and he chuckled softly, having an idea where this was going. She was just too damn big for the seats. He told her to lay off the corn dogs and chili. Now she had to deal with the consequences.

The attendant frowned at Maya. “Yes, ma’am but for someone of your…” he paused slightly, feeling very bad about this, “size… you must buy two seats to accommodate and unfortunately, we don’t have any available for you.”

Maya looked to the man expectantly and when he finally explained to her why he had come to her row of seats she looked down in shame. She didn’t know what to say or how to reply to him, she looked back up quietly. She wished a hole would form on the planes flooring and swallow her up in it in the moment.

Melaine looked between the flight attendant and Maya when Levi started chuckling, she looked to him confused. When the man finally spoke up, she actually felt bad for Maya. No matter what was going on the woman was still a human being and she looked to Maya’s face, cracked, and embarrassed. “I can give my seat up Maya” she spoke up.

When Melaine spoke up, Levi looked to her. “Oh no. Who's that going to help?” he asked. “Then I'll be uncomfortable,” he said quickly. “Been telling her big ass to lose weight for months… bet now she will,” he said before he stood up and looked to Maya. “Look, I don’t know what you want me to do,” he said. “Flights all booked up… maybe you can drive or take a train and meet us there,” he said as he pulled out his wallet, giving Maya a couple hundred dollars. “Don’t eat it all at once,” he told her before moving to sit back down.

Maya looked back at Melaine gently but before she could speak her husband began to rant. She looked away and exhaled softly as he tore her down in front of a crowd of people. When he suggested that she drive or catch a train, she slowly stood up. Grabbing the money from him, as if she needed it, and folded it up in her hand as she moved to get out of the row. She made the decision to reach for her own bag, thanking the flight attendant as he assisted her when she couldn’t. “Thank you” she told him quietly. She looked to Levi and Melaine saying “have a nice flight you two” barely above a whisper as she exited the plane.

Melaine looked to Levi and she sat back in her seat at his command to his wife. She crossed her legs at her ankles and watched Maya as she got up, nodding her head at the woman she said “be safe” back to her.

Levi looked to Melaine as she said goodbye to his dreaded wife and he sat back, stretching his long legs out slightly as he got comfortable once more. “She’ll be alright,” he told Melaine. “Now we can be by ourselves,” he said thoughtfully with a lick of his lips and a slight smirk.

[treasure-my-aurora]

One More Night. Pt 3

A/n:  Link to mentioned sweater: https://ateezstylesearch.tumblr.com/post/186794427005/kim-hongjoong-acme-de-la-vie-baby-face-hoodlie

Pairing: Kim Hongjoong / fem!Reader

Chapter: 3/14

Genre: Mutual pining, canon compliant, fluffy af, angsty af, suggestive, teasing and filled with that good shit that everyone loves

Words in this chapter: 6591

I rubbed my eyes, before hiding a yawn with a sleeve covered hand. It was dark, the big analogue clock that hung from the ceiling ticked past eight and I shuddered slightly from sleep deprivation and the chilly temperature in the hall before I pulled my sweater closer around my body. It was the 11th of March and we waited to board the flight to the US. All of us, both members and staff were nervous and excited to go on the first tour. The butterflies in my stomach made me antsy and I couldn’t sit down for long until I got up and started pacing again, endlessly going through the list of things I knew had to bring with me and compared it with what I'd packed. It was an anxious feeling, but I knew that I hadn’t forgotten anything, I’d checked, and double checked again but the feeling wasn’t going away and I simply accepted that I would have to deal with it. I looked down at Hongjoong where he sat a meter from where I was standing, diagonally away from him. I’d sat next to him before I got up, his eyes never wavered from the laptop on his outstretched legs, used to my actions since I’d been sitting and standing on repeat the last hour. I watched him, as I usually did when he was too deep into what he was doing to notice my gaze, sucked on the inside of my cheek as his fingers flew over the keyboard. Most likely writing down lyrics to a song or composing new material, eyes flicked from one side of the screen to another while he chewed on his lower lip behind the face mask. He looked up suddenly, probably from sensing my stare, curiosity twinkled in his eyes and I looked away quickly, raised my face mask over my mouth and nose to hide my burning face. He scoffed softly and a smile made his eyes squint. “I was just thinking” I tried to defend myself, knowing that he knew exactly why I was staring and he gave me another glance under his fringe that spoke of his disbelief but didn’t say anything, we were surrounded by staff from all kinds of departments and he didn’t want to cause an unnecessary scene. Some of the members started to record a log just before a lady’s voice could be heard from the speaker, bidding the passengers to go to their gate and Hongjoongs brows furrowed, annoyed that he had to stop in the middle of his thought process. I collected my things, gave him a glance to make sure that he really stopped doing what he did and received a look from him as he scrunched his nose at me, being fully aware that I knew him almost as well as he knew himself by now, and that he’d gladly sit and work until the very last second. I joined my colleagues and Eunji who were standing a bit further down, chatting and gossiping about the latest within the company and I zoned out slightly, not really caring at all about who married / slept / had an altercation with who and what happened afterwards. Eunji came to stand beside me, her newly cut short bob bouncing as she came to a halt and she gave me a big smile, “Are you excited to go back?” She asked and I paused for a second, happy but not really surprised, knowing her, that she remembered my overseas studies. “I look forward to New York, maybe if we have an hours or so over, I’d like to visit some of my old favourite places” I could feel my cheeks heat over the request, knowing how tight the schedule was going to be but she only smiled at me, “We’ll see what we can do” The queue started moving forward and I could hear the members talking a bit further up, still recording. Hongjoong in sweater with the bright green patterned hoodie looked back, saw me amongst the crowd and took a bee line to stand aside and wait for me, cutting off Yeosang who gave him a confused and slightly offended look when he walked around him instead. I gave him a confused smile, feeling how my heart skipped a beat when he started to walk beside me instead but he didn’t say anything and I looked down at the floor, quickly covered my ears with my hair as I felt them heating up slightly from my flustered state. Staff around us only spared a glance, used to the interactions by now and that there was no need to question our close friendship, most of them probably thought that I already had a man at home and was just very passionate about my work. I know I would (because, seriously. It was Hongjoong we were talking about and even if his looks might not be everyone's cup of tea, his charisma could charm off your pants in a second) We boarded and I took my window seat in front of Hongjoong, Eunji beside me and another styling noona, who was getting trained to have her own focus as well beside her. The boys continued with their log, the camera going between them as they recorded a small segment, talked about the last time they were in the US and I unloaded my luggage in the compartment above us before I made myself comfortable as an announcement over the plane speakers was heard, apologizing that there would be a small delay because they still loaded in luggage and I could feel how a cold sweat broke out on my brows, praying that Hongjoong’s wardrobe wouldn’t get lost. Ten minutes later and the plane finally started to move, and I put in my headphones, popped a chewing gum in my mouth, leaned back and watched out the window as we lift off. I didn’t mind flying but take off, when the engines roared and the whole plane was shaking. The noise almost ear deafening and then the sudden push forward, always made me feel a bit sick to my stomach. We were in the air within a few minutes and I removed my headphones again as the seat belt sign turned off, a voice over the speakers introduced themselves and the other cabin crew. They gave us information about the trip, when food and refreshments were going to come out, thanked us for choosing their airline and then requested that we still were to wear our seatbelts on if we sat still in our seats. I looked back and couldn’t help but smile, Hongjoong was out cold, head rested against the side of the plane. I decided that I should rest as well. Food wouldn’t be served for another hour and I could really use the sleep, knowing that I would work my ass off as soon as we’d land, jet lag be damned. I woke up an hour later by a sharp jab from a finger in my side. I frowned, annoyed and moved to the side, away from the place I knew the finger was but it didn’t stop the abuse and I opened my eyes as I received another jab and looked down, recognized the hand and looked behind me, eyes angry and sleep drunk when I met Hongjoong's. I squinted and drilled them into him, my mouth pressed into a line of disapproval and he pouted with an innocent look as if he’d done nothing wrong. I turned forward again just as the same voice from before announced that food was on its way. I sat up straighter, arched my back and stretched, rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and covered my mouth as a yawn escaped my lips. The yawn got interrupted though as a familiar finger sneaked between my seat and the wall again but this time I was ready and grabbed him, pulled his finger to my mouth and bit down, not hard, but hard enough to earn a sharp yelp from his lips as he flinched and retreated. I looked back again and gave him a victorious smile. He squinted at me but didn’t try the action again and I giggled softly for myself just as our food arrived. We ate, another half an hour passed, and refreshments arrived, and I reached for my coffee with grabby hands, barely giving it time to cool down before I placed the cup against my lips, winching slightly when it burned a little on my tongue. Another hour and the cabin crew walked one final round to make sure that everyone was comfortable and satisfied before they turned off the light and bid us a good night. I sighed, unsure if I would be able to catch any sleep, the slight turbulence made my heart beat fast and I cradled my legs against my chest while I leaned against the side of the plane, Eunji snored softly beside me and I wished that I had her calm and composed personality. I guessed it came with experience within the company, being able to sleep whenever because sleep wasn’t always a guarantee. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on my own breathing as more and more staff fell asleep around me. A few minutes passed and I was deep in thought, reminiscing about my time in the states and how good it would feel to come back when the sudden feeling of a hand on the naked skin of my arm made me jump. I looked back, knowing who the assailant was but couldn’t see him in the darkness. I could hear the fabric of his clothes move though as he leaned forward, his breath hot on my face and I swallowed hard. “Are you awake noona?” He whispered softly, almost inaudible and I nodded before I remembered that he couldn’t see me and pressed out a small “Yes” I felt my heart race when he leaned even closer. It couldn’t be more than two decimetres between our faces, and I swear I could hear him gulp, “Can I hold you?” He asked and must’ve immediately realized how vague he sounded because he added, “Your hand, can I hold your hand? I… I don’t like it when the plane shake” I tensed my jaw, cursed my whole existence as I reached back and held in a small gasp when his warm hand clasped mine, intertwining our fingers. I was used to his skin against mine, I didn’t have much choice in the matter since I was the one who dressed him, but this wasn’t work related. This was him reaching out to me because he wanted my touch, and I swallowed hard, hoping that he wouldn’t feel how my pulse picked up on my wrist. The position worked for me, the gap between the seat and the side of the plane was quite wide but I was concerned about how Hongjoong was going to sit until I heard how he pulled down the small table attached to the back of my seat and leaned over it, probably resting his head in his left arm. “Good night Joongie” I said, and he sighed, a small yawn paused his reply, “Good night noona” - It was 21:15 and I was beyond tired. It was late when we arrived in LA, already afternoon and I gave the blazing sun an angry look, cursed the time difference between us. We only worked for a couple of hours but it went slower than normal, everyone in the team sludgy and constantly yawning as we unpacked and made sure that each set of wardrobe went to each member, their personal clothes and the ones for the stage separated, setting up hair, make-up and making sure that the venue was in order for the big first day three days from now. The jet lag was noticeable, a sixteen-hour difference and then missing out on an entire day wasn’t a joke and Eunji, who always had her things perfectly in order, wasn't immune to it. But we helped each other out, and everything fell into place eventually. I stumbled up to my hotel room, my body and mind incoherent and it felt like I’d lost an entire night of sleep. A notification on my phone went off and I inhaled sharply, my eyes closed as I paused in the middle of the corridor. Hoping and praying that it wasn’t Eunji who’d encountered a problem and that it would take longer until I could go to sleep. I opened the phone and dreaded the message but the profile photo of a familiar minion together with a text that read, ‘join me for snacks, noona?’ and an emoji with shiny puppy eyes, popped up instead. I sighed and rubbed my face with the hand that wasn’t holding my phone. My mouth pressed into a thin line as my legs shook slightly from exhaustion ‘30 minutes, my room and you bring the snacks’ I hit send, knowing that Eunji, who I was sharing my room with, had gotten more sleep than me on the plane and was probably going to stay up and work at the venue for another hour or two. I continued walking, my room just a few doors down. I’d barely been inside it, not even registering how it looked when we arrived since I immediately had to go to the venue, but the nice, fresh smell of cleaning and washing detergent was appreciated as I entered. I looked longingly at the crisp white sheets of the bed before I walked over to my bag and took out a set of oversized sweats and then went straight into the shower. The water felt amazing on my back and I could’ve been in there for an hour if it wasn’t for the fact that I'd have a guest over. I dried up, blow dried my hair and pulled it up in a bun, my clothes soft on my body and I opened the doors to the balcony and stepped out while I waited. My room was on the 21th floor and the cold wind blew into my face as I placed my arms around myself in a self-hug and looked out over the sea of lights underneath me for a few seconds before I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply and a sentimental, happy feeling washed over me. To think that I’d experience so much this past year, and now be back in the country where it all started, just two months more and it’d been a year since I got my degree. A knock on the door threw me out of my train of thought and I almost stumbled over my own leg as I rushed to it, feeling incredibly awkward as I did so. Hongjoong stood on the other side, wearing baggy chinos, that black sweater with the kid and donuts on it, hood over his head, a face mask covering his mouth and nose, and holding a bag from a supermarket in his hand. I could feel my heart pick up in speed and my cheeks flushed when he met my eyes, inhaled and gave me a smile. “I missed you today” he said and removed the hood, combed his fingers through his hair as I stood aside to invite him in before I swallowed, my heart beating hard in my chest, “I missed you too, it felt strange to set up everything without you there to monitor me” I joked, and he chuckled lightly as I sat down on my bed, not wanting to get crumbs in Eunji’s. He emptied the contents of the bag before he sat down as well and I squealed with happiness as I grabbed a packet of Reece’s mini cups and pressed it close to my chest, hugging it tightly. Hongjoong watched me, amused as he opened a bag of Cheetos and popped some in his mouth, “So, what have you been up to today?” he asked and avoided my gaze as he looked around the room, my still open balcony door made the curtains move as a gust of wind entered and I paused, savoured the taste of the Reece’s before I answered with a deep sigh, “Believe me, I love this job. I really, really do but I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve just wanted to walk right out and go back to Korea” I popped another Reece’s into my mouth and frowned, the thick peanut butter basically drew all the moisture from my mouth and I reached for a soda before I continued, “Eunji even had problems keeping it together for the few hours we worked” I sighed and took a sip before I rubbed my eyes, winched when the bubbles from the strongly carbonated drink scratched at my throat and how bad my eyes hurt from the lack of sleep, “and it’s been strange to be alone without you there to chat with me…” Hongjoong hummed in agreement and I think it was because of the sleep deprivation but I suddenly felt brave and continued, “Sorry, I think I’m just so used to have you there, next to me all the time. I’m happy that everything is good between us now, considered how strange it could’ve been if we wouldn’t have had that talk a month ago. I know I’m only talking for myself, but you still look good enough to eat and God… “I chuckled slightly, “I mean, could you imagine how it would’ve been if you wouldn’t be an idol and we both worked with something else?” I reached for his Cheetos and it was as if time paused for a few seconds when he looked up at me, a line of confusion on his forehead from my rambling, but then the realization that I poked on the innuendo that we would have fucked by now kicked it and he rolled his eyes before inhaling softly and handled the Cheetos to me, “I can’t believe that you think that this whole thing is one-sided” he said, voice dangerously low and my brows furrowed, unsure if I’d heard correctly. He’s eyes were still focused away from me when he brought his fingers to his mouth, his tongue flicked out to lick one finger clean from the cheesy powder that covered them. I gulped and unconsciously squirmed at the sight, wanting to look away but couldn’t. He must’ve seen my movement in his peripheral because he met my eyes when he popped the next finger into his mouth, a wrinkle between his brows and curiosity twinkling in his eyes as he licked the rest of them clean, and I had to manually tear my eyes from him, fought off the need to squirm again as the scene send a tickling feeling into my core. “It’s that bad, huh” He said in an exhale, but I didn’t respond, hoping that he traced back and talked about my day and not my reaction to him. He paused and I could almost hear him gulp before he spoke up again, his voice dropped another octave, “You know… I’ve been lonely since you said goodbye in the lobby when we arrived. Yunho have hung out with Mingi all day so I had time to think. Had time to do… other things as well when I thought about us” I looked up again, my jaw tensed as he met my gaze, a soft smile on his lips but something else shadowed his face, something that made his eyes glaze over and a precious pink to flush his cheeks and I suppressed a gasp when I realised what was happening, the air around us could suddenly be cut by a butter knife when I froze. I inhaled sharply, my brows furrowed as my stomach flipped and he bit his lower lip, chewed softly on it before he reached out and placed a hand on my thigh. I gulped, felt how butterflies exploded in my stomach and arousal flooded my core. I sighed, bit my lips, closed my eyes and tried to desperately fight off the feeling of wanton lust as he moved closer. I reached out, but the hand that I, in my heart, wanted to place on his cheek, changed direction when my consciousness kicked in and it landed on his chest instead as I stopped him. “Don’t, please” I opened my eyes and couldn’t suppress a gasp this time from escaping my lips when I met his dark eyes, face flushed and pink lips parted and I gulped hard at the sight, every fibre in my body screamed from my need to feel him on me but I stood my ground, “We can’t” I whispered, and he gave me a pained expression. “But I want to, please… I need you noona” He breathed out, voice low and whiny and my hand faltered for a second at the urgency in it. My heart flipped in my chest, but I bit my lip and sharply shook my head, “I can’t Joong… it’s more than just sex. We… we work together… others will notice the change between us, and I can’t risk that, I… “ I paused, his hand still rested on my thigh and it made it hard to think when he softly kneaded the skin, his thumb stroking the inner side of it and I swallowed, “I have fought for years to be in the position I am right now and I can’t risk it all, not for sex. Even though I bet it would be… “His hand finally moved from my thigh, but he placed it around my waist instead, and I suppressed a moan when he pulled my entire body towards him, my outstretched arm bending as our chest flushed together. “It would be… I’d make you feel so good noona. Better than you’ve ever felt. Give me a chance, please, and I’ll make you come harder than you ever had before” He purred and I fought of the need to rub my legs together as I imagined him buried between them, two fingers fucking me while he licked at my heat. The burning feeling as my panties soaked almost made me lose the small ounce of control I had. I braced myself as I looked up, our faces was just centimetres apart, and I tensed my jaw. I couldn’t move, could barely hold his gaze and I focused on my breathing instead of the way I knew his lips would taste. Sweet and tangy from the Cola and Cheetos and I bit my lip as his hand moved over my back, rubbing small circles there. “But I’d lose my job if we’d get caught and I can’t allow that. I’m sorry” I placed my hand on his cheek instead and he leaned into my touch, paused as he understood that what I said wasn’t negotiable and then nodded, a sad look on his face as he sighed. He stood up and I had to bite down on my tongue as the evidence of our soft foreplay dented his pants. I was mere seconds from changing my mind when he sighed again and looked down, blushed slightly, placed his hood over his head again and walked towards the door, “You can keep the snacks, I know that you haven’t eaten since we sat on the plane” he said shortly before he opened the door and walked out, the door clicked shut behind him and I borrowed my face in my hands, fell back against the bed, took the pillow next to me and screamed into it. Horny, frustrated and with a heart that split in two. - The following two days passed in a haze and I barely saw Hongjoong at all. They prepared for the stage, met people they’d only interacted with through their agents, had interviews first thing in the morning and then danced until late into the evening and I was busy with my own stuff, making sure that everything was in order and prepared for the first show. I woke up early on the 15th, went to the venue and ate some breakfast with Eunji who was already there, “Are you ok, sweetheart?” She asked while she sipped her tea, a worried expression on her face and I nodded, still a bit out of focus since I’d looked through my schedule while she asked, “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just nerves” I shook my head and gave her a smile through my white lies. “Is it Hongjoong?” She asked, nonchalantly and met my eyes over the edge of her cup and I swear I could feel my heart stop in my chest for a second, I cleared my throat, maybe a bit more forcefully than I counted on and she raised her eyebrows, expecting an answer. “No…?” I said, but the answer sounded more like a question than an answer and Eunji looked away as she took another sip of her tea. “He’s a perfectionist, you both are. I just wanted to know if he caused you too much trouble and if you wanted to change your focus. San has expressed that he is interested to have you as well…” She trailed off and I could feel a blush on my cheeks as my heart swelled with the pride of knowing that I did a good job. “No… I’m flattered, I really am but I don’t need to change my focus. I’m happy with Hongjoong, it really is just my nerves” I repeated, and I could see Eunji nod in my peripheral. The members arrived an hour later and Hongjoong only met my eyes for a second before he looked away again, not even a smile on his lips and I felt my heart drop and shatter like broken glass into the pit of my stomach. He whispered something to the styling noona next to him who nodded and gave him a smile before he sat down in the chair. I tried not to feel hurt, but it was difficult since this was the first time, he broke his schedule in all the time we’d been working together. I sat down again; a bit annoyed as well since I had my own schedule to go after and I was so used to him always getting clothes first and styling second that it was the way I lined up my own time as well. “Why the long face?” San sat down next to me, a big smile on his lips and I pouted, angrily chewing on my inner cheek, my arms crossed over my chest as I motioned towards Hongjoong with my head and San followed my line of sight to see who I was talking about, his smile changed into a confused frown, “But won’t that-” “Rattle up my entire schedule, yeah” I sighed and rubbed down the bridge of my nose, painful anxiety already boiled in my stomach from the thought of being an hour behind, my leg bouncing as I fiddled with the edge of my sleeve, “Sorry to interrupt you… I just” I gave him a distressed smile and shook my head, not able to express the thought process that had to be considered with everything in my work, but San brushed it off with a wave of his hand. “Don’t apologize for doing your job, there is only so much we can ask of you… I mean… we are the ones that Atiny screams for, our faces will be on photocards, in videos and to be seen live but we wouldn’t be able to live our dream if it wasn’t for you. Your hard work is not underappreciated, remember that” I inhaled shakily and turned to look at him, feeling how tears formed in my eyes. Others had expressed their gratitude in me before and I’d gotten compliments on my designs and work ethic but that was all colleagues and others that worked in the same business. To get such genuine appreciation from a client was different and I tore my eyes from his when I felt the tears roll down my cheeks, “Thank you. I really needed to hear that” I gave him a big smile and he opened his arms and I couldn’t help but accept the hug as I fell into his chest. He was built differently from Hongjoong, more bulky muscles around his wider frame and I melted slightly against him as his arms clutched around me. His hand softly stroke down my hair and I felt his heart picking up as he touched me, beating like a fluttering sparrow trapped in its cage. “Needed to hear what?” I broke free from San’s embrace and dried my eyes when Hongjoong came into view. The styling noonas had barely started on his hair and it sprouted slightly in different directions, but I didn’t find the joy to even giggle. He looked pissed, as if he and I were an actual couple and he’d just caught me cheating. I let San go, flustered that I’d just thrown myself into his lap, not that he was a stranger, but I didn’t know him nearly half as well as I knew Hongjoong and I felt embarrassment creep up to my cheeks, flushing my face red. San didn’t seem to have minded my body against his though because he squeezed my shoulder comfortingly before he stood up and took a step towards Hongjoong, voice tense but dangerously calm, “She needed some appreciation. She is the only one still with her own focus and works like she’d been doing this for years. You do realize the kind of stress she put herself through all the time, right? I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing but if she starts to cry from gratitude because I simply thanked her for doing an amazing job, you’re doing something very wrong” I looked between the two of them, confused and hurt of the fact that they fought. A rarity that only happened twice since I started working and none as serious as this seemed to be. “Don’t” Hongjoong warned as San took another step forward, fists clenched as if he was going to throw punches any second and I swallowed, not really knowing what to do. There was barely a two-centimetre height difference between them, San being the taller one, so neither could look down on the other but Hongjoong had the presence and authority of someone who was at least two decimetres higher. San puffed out his chest, standing dangerously close to his hyung and Hongjoong drilled his eyes into him, challenged him like an alpha wolf challenged his beta. Ten tense seconds passed as they stared each other down, not even blinking before San finally broke the eye contact, huffed, gave me another glance and walked out of the room with angry steps. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Come with me” Hongjoong ordered, not sparing me a glance and I followed silently in his steps, avoided the concerned eyes from the styling noonas and the rest of the members, pulled the rack with clothes with me so that no one would question why just the two of us would walk away from the group, especially after an altercation like that. He opened a door several rooms down, let me enter first and nearly slammed the door behind him, making me flinch when he did so, “Care to explain?” He asked, cheeks red with anger and I took a step back, a bit frightened of this sudden new side of him, “Explain?” I repeated and he gave me a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes and he combed his hair with his fingers, bit on his tongue like he couldn’t believe my confusion. “Was that the real reason why you didn’t want to be with me yesterday? Do you feel an attraction to San as well? You want to feel him up as much as me, huh? For him to do all the nasty things to you that I wanted to do?” I opened my mouth to protest, to explain that it wasn’t the case and that he was crazy to even think such a thing, but he continued to rant, “Do you know what I did after I left your room yesterday? I spend an hour replaying the memory of you in my arms, the swell of your breast against my chest and my hand around your waist… I… I continued to imagine how things could’ve gone if you didn’t force me to leave. I came harder than I’d done in months and you… It’s like you’re playing with me” He bit down on his lower lip, chest heaving, and eyes teared up. A pained expression made his eyebrows furrow and I wanted to reach out to touch him, to hold him but this time it was his hand that stopped me as he held it out to block me from coming closer. “Joong…” I started and he swallowed, furiously rubbed his eyes when he felt that the tears threatened to fall, “Do you have… feelings for me?” I asked and he sighed, his hand moved down to rub down his face. “I don’t even know how that emotion would even feel, I’ve never been in love… I just… when I saw you with San… I… got angrier than I’ve ever been before, it was like someone just placed a red translucent fabric over my eyes and I just had to… make him disappear” He slumped against the wall behind him, as if all the angry testosterones that had been boiling through his blood stream left in an instant. I bit on the inside of my cheek and reached out to him, slowly and carefully as if I approached a wounded animal. His eyes rolled back, and a shaky, controlled breath left his lungs as he closed his eyes when my fingers reached his face. I moved away some hair from his forehead and he reluctantly leaned against my touch and I got braver and inhaled deeply before I took another step forward and placed my arms around him instead. He choked on his breath and embraced me as well, his hands clutching my clothes like he was drowning, and I was his lifebuoy. “I’m going to tell you a story, so just bear with me, ok?” I took another deep breath, “When I was nineteen and graduated high school, I had one goal in mind” I started out softly, still holding onto him tightly, “I wanted to design for a group that was going to be the next big thing. I wanted to dress them and watch as they took over the world. I spent five years abroad, in a country I didn’t know, all on my own. It was tough, lonely, and I wanted to quit more times than I could count…” I sighed and Hongjoong shook slightly against me. I could feel him crying, his tears wet my shoulder but I didn’t mind and softly rubbed circles down his back as he breathed heavily into the crook of my neck, “But I graduated, and I went back to Korea, actually scored myself a nice two roomed apartment, with a lot of help from family and friends and when autumn came around and a job offer fell into my email inbox, I decided that I’d give it a shot. Even though the company was small and not with many artists, I knew it was a possibility that this was my chance. Because a small company didn’t automatically mean failure. I was called for an interview. It went well, they seemed to like me, and I understood what I got myself into. I saw the numbers, the interest rate of the group, your group, that I was going to work with, and I understood that this was my chance to have the career I wanted. I wrote under the contract without a thought that everything it warned me about was ever going to happen” Hongjoong looked up, face centimetres from mine, eyes red from tears and I swallowed down the feeling of heartache, “I was determined that I’d never let anything or anyone get between me and my passion of doing what I did… but then I met you for the first time, stitching at your red jacket at that meeting and you stepped in to defend me. I was thankful, but even more thankful when you came to visit me in my office a few days later to tell me that my decision to bring that jacket with me was the best thing I could’ve done for myself... I was over the moon” Hongjoong broke our gaze, a smile on his lips and I couldn’t help but smile back, my heart swelled over with warmth, “These following months have been amazing and I found a friend in you that I never expected to find…“ I paused and looked away, my heart sinking as I sighed, “But that is what we need to be, friends. I can’t deny my attraction to you, both physically and emotionally. I care about you, a lot. But the thing between us can never be more than this… a hug, a gentle caress to comfort, a chat when we need someone to talk with… You’re under a dating ban as well, right? It’s not just my job and reputation we’re jeopardizing, it’s yours as well… and you’re not ready to risk everything you’ve worked for… right? Hongjoong let me go and combed through his hair with a frustrated flick of his wrist, avoiding my gaze and taking a deep breath to control his voice, “Of course I’m not. I feel rude for saying it but no, I can’t risk it. I understand what you’re saying, and I agree. It’s just that…” He looked up again and I shuddered slightly for the heavy intensity in his eyes, “Dating is one thing, and I care about you; I can admit that too, but sex is something entirely different. I know you by now, know about the glances you give me when you think that I can’t see, the way you suck on the inside of your cheek and the way your eyelids fall. I bet that you’ve gotten off with me in mind more than once. It’s more than just an attraction. You want me too- I know you do” “Yes, it’s like that for you. Sex is one thing but...” I refused to agree with his statement that I’d ever gotten off with him in mind and got more and more frustrated with him as he tried to sneak his way around me to make me admit that there was a very slight chance that no one would find out about us. Silently cursed at him as he refused to understand that even though we’d only sleep together, it would still affect our working relationship and once we’d step over that threshold, it would risk everything” “We’d just have to be careful” Hongjoong shrugged and I shook my head, certain that he was joking around with me now. His eyebrows rose and a smile tugged on the corners of his lips, “No... you don’t even want to try?” I gave him a look that clearly told him that this conversation was over, but he just chuckled, “I’ll make you submit, just you wait”

[gumnut-logic]

A Little Distraction & A Little Too Much Attention (The End)

And here it is :D I hope you enjoy it. Many, many thanks to @scribbles97 for all her help with this ::hugs::

From here

-o-o-o-

“VIRGIL!”

Em’s voice had Scott spinning on the spot just in time to see his brother leap into the remains of the crowd and grab a man sporting a holocam.

Shit!

As he moved to follow, Gordon moved with him, his brother swearing under his breath.

Scott made it just in time to grab Virgil’s right arm on the back swing as his brother pinned the man to the ground. Gordon caught his other arm and together they wrenched him off the smirking reporter.

Virgil struggled, his fury fully focussed on the prone man. “How DARE you!” A guttural snarl and Scott found himself being dragged forward. Virgil was pure muscle, a truck, a freight train out of control. “Virgil, stop!”

Gordon lost his balance and their brother took a step forward.

“Goddamnit, Virgil!”

“C’mon, big boy, you’re not going to let these two stop me from getting the story of the decade, are you?”

Scott was bodily shifted forward as Virgil snarled again.

“Virgil, he’s not worth it.” Scott put himself between his brother and the asshole on the floor. “C’mon, Virg, you’re better than this.”

Brown eyes finally fastened on his, fury shifting to pain. Blood dribbled sluggishly from the scratches on his face. An egg of a bruise on his forehead was sketched out by his wayward hair.

“Why?” A whispered plea.

“Because you are.” Scott lifted one of his hands off his brother’s shoulders and, when the man didn’t take advantage, he reached up and cupped his jawline gently. “And Kayo needs you.”

Virgil’s eyes widened.

“Well, I can’t see what she sees in you, but, man, she is a sweet piece of ass, worth bedding a sister for.”

A blur of pissed off woman, a yelp, a grunt and the man was silenced by a lack of consciousness, Kayo stuck a knee in his back as she fastened a zip-tie around his wrists. “Problem solved.” But as she stood up, she wavered. Em swooped in and steadied her.

A hand to her head, Kayo swore under her breath.

“I want to examine both of you now.” Em’s voice brooked no argument.

Beneath Scott’s hands, Virgil deflated as if he had nothing left, his forehead dropping to his eldest brother’s shoulder. Scott’s hand cupped the back of his neck, the other wrapping around his back.

He held Virgil for a moment, letting him slow his breathing, letting him find his control again and force a trembling calm.

Whispered. “C’mon, Virg.” A breath as his own heartbeat began to temper down. “Let’s get you both somewhere safe.”

-o-o-o-

Security ushered them into a private room in a protected section of the airport. There were several chairs and a table, none particularly comfortable, but they did the job. Penelope and Parker had taken off to smooth ruffled feathers with the airport authorities. Alan and Gordon walked in either side of a glaring Kayo, both eyeing her as if she might collapse any minute, but too scared to touch her. Scott had his arm around Virgil’s shoulders. The younger man looked shattered.

Em accosted some of the airport officers and got her hands on a first aid kit. She directed Virgil and Kayo to take a seat next to each other and set about attending to their injuries.

She didn’t miss Kayo reaching out to take Virgil’s hand, her fingers curling around his non-responsive digits.

Em could not imagine what was going through the man’s mind. Kayo just looked angry, royally pissed. She had no doubt that when they made it back to Tracy Island the gym was going to have an abrupt and violent remodelling. But Virgil...

“Virgil?”

Tired brown eyes looked up at her.

“I hope you are not taking anything of what has been said today to heart. I hope you are not listening to those bloody assholes who are creating deliberate chaos in order to sell a few extra subscriptions.”

He didn’t respond, but looked away, staring down at his hands.

Em reached over and nudged his chin up with her finger. “You listen to me, young man. That is bullshit. You and Kayo have a beautiful thing. I’ve seen it. Don’t you dare let them mess with your head.”

Kayo leant over and, reaching up, drew him to her side, bringing his head down to kiss him gently. “Is my idiot being a bigger idiot than usual? Because if he is, I’m going to have to take him home and kick his ass.”

Those eyes darted to his lover and a small smile curved his lips. Voice hoarse. “I love it when you’re scary.”

Kayo grinned. “I know.” She kissed him again. “Now my head is pounding. I’m sure yours is, too. Let Em patch us up so we can go home.” She closed her eyes letting her head drop to his shoulder. Quiet. “Take me home, love.”

The slight plea was enough to snap Virgil into action. His arms wrapped around her and drew her close. He kissed her hair and cradled her against him.

Those sparkling brown eyes captured Em’s once more over the top of Kayo’s head and his lips curved up a little.

Em smiled and reached for the kit.

-o-o-o-

The flight back to Tracy Island was blissfully uneventful. Em had plastered bandaids all over Virgil after acquiring a pair of tweezers and removing a few stray pieces of glass. She wanted to run a scan when they got home as the injury to the back of his skull was still bleeding sluggishly and she was concerned there might be a hidden break. Kayo was dizzy at times, but other than a nasty developing black eye and associated bruising, she had escaped the worst of what a concussion could have given her. Both of them just needed rest.

Consequently, although it wasn’t a very long flight, it was long enough for Virgil to slip sideways in his seat, head falling to Kayo’s shoulder as he drifted into an exhausted sleep. The bandage around his head had his hair sticking up in all directions and, when combined with the bandaids, left the man looking a mess.

Kayo reached up, gently brushed that hair out of his eyes and kissed his injured forehead, before resting her head against his and closing her eyes.

A glance in Scott’s direction and she found him watching his brother and sister, a worried expression on his face.

Em stashed the aid kit back into its compartment and moved over to where Scott was sitting. Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed his hair and whispered low enough for only him to hear. “They’re okay, Scooter.”

He arched an eyebrow up at her as he reached an arm around her waist and tugged her close, resting his head beneath her chin. “Love you.” It was said quietly, but with emotion.

“Love you, too.” She held him that bit tighter.

-o-o-o-

Alan brought Tracy Two into an extremely soft landing, her VTOL letting them down so gently, Virgil didn’t stir at all. Kayo opened her eyes, immediately assessing the situation. She latched onto Em, who was resting against Scott, his arm loosely around her shoulders, and the doctor smiled at her. Scott continued to stare out the window.

It was odd that her eldest brother wasn’t piloting the plane. It was odd to see him uninjured and back here with the family at all. Alan was flying with Gordon as co-pilot. Scott had insisted.

As the plane taxied into the cliffside hanger, the sun was blotted out, dropping a shadow across her brother’s face. He blinked and turned to look at her.

She shot him a small smile.

He half returned it.

And she remembered exactly how this had all begun. An unprompted attempt to help Scott and Em escape the inevitable downside of celebrity. She stifled a sigh. Their failure had been pretty much complete. There was no way Em would go unnoticed now.

Kayo immediately began setting up strategies in her head on how to protect the woman when she made it home. How to save her as much grief as possible.

Tracy Two came to a complete halt in her parking bay, Thunderbird Two hulking beside her. Kayo didn’t bother to move. Virgil was still asleep and it was her policy to keep him in that state as much as possible, particularly when he was injured.

Scott got the message and quietly stood up, prepped the door and engaged the mobile stairway. No sooner had it settled into place, there was the sound of hurried footsteps clambering up the stairs.

Grandma burst into the cabin, her eyes tracking, looking for something or someone. She reached a hand up and squeezed Scott’s shoulder as she walked past, but it was soon obvious she was aiming for Virgil.

She caught Kayo’s eyes as she approached. The expression on her face could only be considered loving. She knelt beside Virgil, reaching out, but not quite touching him.

Her eyes darted to Kayo again and back to Virgil. Kayo frowned, unsure what she wanted, but it seemed that Virgil sensed her presence, because he suddenly snorted and snuffled awake with a groan.

“Virgil?”

“Grandma?”

Kayo brushed her fingers across his shoulders and let him sit up. Grandma grabbed his hands gently in hers, drawing them together and kissing both of them.

Virgil blinked, staring down at her. “Huh?”

“I am so proud of you.”

“Uh?” Virgil was obviously not quite online yet.

Kayo frowned. “Grandma?” What on Earth had they done to make her proud of them? The whole situation was a media disaster.

Their grandmother stared at her. “You haven’t seen?”

“Seen what?” This from Scott, helping Em into her ‘scoot.

“Oh, you have to see.” And with that Grandma clambered out of the plane, and nothing was left to do but follow her.

-o-o-o-

Virgil was as stiff as a board. Everything ached. He had no doubt that if he lifted up his shirt there would be bruise mottled skin all over his torso. That damned trolley had hit so hard.

He sighed and leant against the elevator wall.

Kay’s fingers squeezed his hand and he shot her a small smile. She looked as awful as he felt and the sight of her set his blood boiling again. A bruise spread up the side of her face and wrapped around her eye. The swelling wasn’t as bad as it could have been, mostly because Em had given her an icepack at the airport, but it still hurt to look at her.

There must have been something on his face because she leant in and kissed him gently. “Not your fault.”

He let his forehead drop to hers. “I’m so sorry.”

“Still not your fault.”

“Still hurts to see you hurt.”

She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. He closed his eyes and just let himself feel her breathing beside him.

The elevator delivered them to the comms room and Virgil made his creaking way towards the couches wondering if he could get away with curling up and going to sleep on one of them.

His grandmother, his brothers, including a hovering holographic John, and Em were already arrayed around the sunken circle, but there was a couch spare and he took advantage of it, Kay sitting down beside him.

“So what did you want to show us, Grandma?” Scott appeared to be on his last nerve. Great. Between him and Kay, he’d be repairing gym equipment for the next month.

Grandma didn’t answer, she just activated the holoprojector. The news channel flared up. Virgil groaned. “Really, Grandma? Honestly, I’ve had enough...” He trailed off as the headline spun around the display.

True love conquers all...It’s a Tracy love story...Virgil Tracy, the most loving man, caught on camera...This is what true love looks like...

The headlines rolled on, all saying basically the same thing, and above them was a panning three-dimensional shot of Virgil holding an unconscious Kay in his arms, the expression on his face speaking volumes.

“Oh my god.” Every red blood cell in his body congregated in his face.

Kay gripped his hand hard enough to cause pain.

Phantom legs walked through and around the two figures in the holoprojection, echoes of the crowd at the airport that had so reviled him. A voice over started reporting the details of the day.

“Stoic after protestors first injured him, then mocked him, Virgil Tracy watched as his fiancé, Tanusha Kyrano, was knocked unconscious in front of him. Only then were his true feelings revealed. As you can see in this clip, the man embodies what we all wish we could feel for another.”

Virgil stared at the female reporter as her expression literally swooned over the video clip. His throat dried out and he found it hard to swallow.

“Virgil?”

He turned to his grandmother, her gentle smile embarrassing him even more. His eyes darted around the room seeking absolution, but found only his caring family.

“Virgil?” This time Kay reached up and turned his head to face her. Green eyes were glistening in the overhead lighting. His breath caught in his throat as she reached up and caught his lips with hers, her fingers climbing into his hair.

Oh.

Scott stood and walked over to their grandmother and politely asked for the remote and began flicking through channels.

Every. Single. Channel.

Every channel showing news had that one clip. People were raving. Claiming that this was true love, that Virgil was a real man, that this was what love was meant to be.

Virgil hid his face on Kay’s shoulder.

“What the hell happened?” It was Scott’s voice, but Virgil did not look up. Kay was rubbing circles into his back.

“I’m not sure.” Grandma. “The clip hit the newsfeeds and there has been nothing but positive chatter since.”

“How the hell?”

“I have no idea, but I’m not inclined to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“Well, at least they are not abusing Virg anymore.” Alan.

“No, now he is some kind of love god.”

“Gordon, don’t.” Scott’s voice was firm.

“I wasn’t, honest.”

“In any case, I want to do that scan, and then both of you can get some rest.” Em, ever the voice of reason.

“C’mon, love.” Kay nudged him, urging him off the couch.

Whispered. “I love you.”

“I know.”

-o-o-o-

Far above Tracy Island, John bid his family well and cut the connection. Pushing off from the console he floated gently for a moment, arms crossed, his eyes tracking the camera as it followed its rail into the room.

“Is it finished?”

“Yes, John. File deletion and manipulation complete.”

“Did anyone catch you?”

“No. The virus was very efficient and what it didn’t catch, I followed up.”

“That was fast.”

The ring of lights blinked rhythmically. “I had to be. The news propaganda will be positive now. I will keep an eye on it.”

“Thank you, EOS.”

-o-o-o-

FIN

[eleonorebirk]

Marvel Bingo 2019: Book AU

Failed Fusion

(Failed is a series of Gay Shifter Secret agent parody novels by Chris P. Rolls. Shifters, humans able to shift into an animal exist in secret. It doesn’t seem to be hereditary, two humans can have a child that can shift. They generally shift the first time as teenagers.)

Fury stood in his office and carefully looked over his desk. Something was wrong here. He wasn’t sure what but something had been changed in the time he’d been in meetings. His office had been locked, so no one should have been in here. And who would be brazen enough to break into the office of one of the highest officials of the Shifter Force?

His remaining good eye widened when it occurred to him just who would not draw attention and be brazen enough. He pulled open the middle drawer, then opened the small hidden compartment at the back.

There was a brisk knock at the door, then Coulson came in without waiting for him to react. “Sir, the Avengers...”

The compartment was empty.

“They’re gone.”

Fury bit back a curse.

The Avengers were a new team he had been tasked to create. It seemed that it had finally occurred to The Power That Be that there were problems and situations the regular agents were not equipped to handle, either because it required unorthodox methods or because the situation did not yet officially concern shifters of the Shifter Force. Fury could hardly tell them that such a team existed already, founded and led by Trevor Trevorian, one of his fellow Triplets. The three of them were not actually related, never mind triplets. They had first shifted around the same time, however, and escaped persecution by humans, then been unofficially trained together with twelve others to become Problem Solvers. Ten of them had not survived the training. Two had turned on their trainers and killed them, only to be killed in turn by him, Trevorian and Vlastimil. They had decided to continue as Problem Solvers, Vlastimil among the Dark Shifters, he in the Shifter Force and Trevorian in the in-between with his team that technically belonged to the Shifter Force but did not officially exist and which no one in the Shifter Force, apart from him as Trevorian’s contact, knew about.

He had very carefully considered who to recruit for the Avengers. Considering the special rules – or rather the absence of them – for the task force envisioned, he’d needed members who would not be corrupted by the Shifter Force or the Dark Shifters, who would, if necessary, follow their conscience and disobey the Shifter Force.

Just not now and not yet, not without cause.

Natasha Romanov and Clint Barton had both been recruited from among the Dark Shifters and had been working for the Shifter Force under his command for a few years now. Bruce Banner who had not been born with the all genes necessary to shift but had become the victim of a scientist who had found out about shifters and had tried to artificially create more shifters. Tony Stark, technically one of the Dark Shifters, as his parents had managed to keep his ability a secret from the Shifter Force until he had used it to escape from terrorists who had taken him hostage. Steve Rogers, a legendary Shifter Force agent who had been frozen for decades due to an accident. Fury was pretty certain it was because of him that they were gone. They had found out about rumours and hints that James Barnes, one of his team mates, had somehow survived as well, though he was being controlled through unknown means by HYDRA, a terrorist organisation. Fury had passed on copies of what they had found to Trevorian and had asked him to look into the rumours and, if possible, free Barnes. The Avengers had not been supposed to get involved, not least because Rogers would obviously be compromised where Barnes was concerned.

“Any hints where they’ve gone?” he asked Coulson.

“They’ve bought tickets to Frankfurt, Germany. The plane has departed ten minutes ago.”

Fury was tempted to ask him why he knew about it now but not in time to stop them but refrained. He could guess. Instead he just sighed and reached for his phone. Trevorian could deal with them.

~*~

Tony reached over to still Steve’s nervously drumming fingers. “That’s not making the landing or disembarking go any quicker,” he pointed out calmly. His grip tightened. “And if you don’t stop drawing attention you’re flying as cargo on all flights in the foreseeable future,” he hissed under his breath.

Steve forced himself to relax. He knew that Tony was right. And that he was lucky Tony was the one who call him on it. He doubted Natasha would have been as nice about it.

Tony nodded in satisfaction. He could understand Steve, of course, but he was stressed enough about the flight. He, like most shifters with an avian form, did not overly like travelling by plane. He glanced across the aisle to Clint who had the same problem but was covering it even better, managing to appear relaxed to any casual observer. “Almost there,” he assured Steve quietly.

It still felt like hours until they had landed and made their way off the plane. Natasha still had contacts among the Dark Shifters in a number of countries in Eastern Europe. Their next destination would depend on what she could shake loose. They turned towards the exit of the airport, planning to catch a taxi, when a young man stopped them and asked in heavily accented English: “Are you the agents I’m supposed to pick up and take to hotel?” He flashed them identification from the Shifter Force.

Steve stopped short. “Excuse me?” He sniffed covertly. The man was a shifter, a rabbit or a similar prey species.

The man shrugged. “I just told to pick up agents.” He now looked nervous. “I not miss them?”

Some poor Three sent out to do the jobs other agents felt were beneath them, it seemed. Coulson, it appeared, had not only managed to buy them time but also arrange someplace for them to stay. They carefully exchanged glances and Natasha finally shrugged. Even if he had not been sent by Coulson, they were five of them, they would be easily able to take a Three.

They were drove into the city, where he then drove into the underground parking of some hotel they hadn’t been able to quite catch the name of. They tried to assure him that he could just drop them off in front of the hotel but he insisted on taking them to their rooms.

Steve was getting agitated again. They didn’t have time for that! They needed to start looking for more recent hints where they were keeping Bucky! He hated doing this and wasting the rooms Coulson had arranged for them but they also didn’t need someone from the Shifter Force figuring out where they were and the Three would surely catch their name when they signed in. He nodded to Clint to knock him out.

One moment Clint was moving to do so, the next he was lying on the ground, winded from the force of the throw over the shoulder. It took Natasha just a moment to react and attack him, only to find him able to match her and finally wrestle her to the ground.

“Okay, would you stop that?” he demanded in suddenly much better English. “Seriously, I’ve already had to waste enough time on you that I could have spent going after HYDRA and whatever way they have of controlling shifters!”

Steve instinctively took a step forward to help his teammates, not yet fully registering his words.

“Don’t even think about it.” Another man, younger than the first and with tussled light brown, almost blond hair, stepped out from behind the door to the staircase, a gun aimed at them. “Louis, everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Our visit to Budapest was more of a challenge. This was hardly enough to let me work off the frustration at our delayed mission.” He glared at them. “We’ll go up now so your boss can yell at you and we can finally get going and kick HYDRA ass.”

They weren’t sure if they could trust them but for now, obeying was their best bet, not least because they were armed and they’d had to hide their weapons in their luggage. They really did go up into the hotel and then to one of the rooms there. Someone was already waiting there, a man around Fury’s age who pretty much screamed danger. He regarded them critically, making them all more or less consciously straighten at the all too obvious judgement in his gaze.

He pulled a phone out of his pocket and pressed something they couldn’t see. “They’re here,” he said, then turned it around so they could see the screen. It was a video call with Fury. He glared at them. “We will be discussing this when you’re back in the US. For now, you will listen to Trevorian and follow his direction.”

“Yes sir,” Natasha and Clint said, head lowered in deference, uncomfortable at the anger aimed at them from a trusted superior.

“Sir, -“ Steve began.

“You have hindered their mission to stop HYDRA and their ability to control shifters enough,” Fury interrupted harshly. “Trevorian.”

“We’ll deal with them,” the man, Trevorian, said calmly. He ended the call, then went over to the room telephone and dialled the number of another room. “Ms Noir, you can join us now.”

“Fury didn’t intend to disregard the situation,” Natasha stated.

The Three who’d driven them here, Louis something, rolled his eyes. “No, really?” he muttered.

Trevorian shot him a quelling look but didn’t reprehend him. “He did not,” he confirmed. “Louis, Cosmo, your new flight leaves in two hours.” Something in his eyes seemed to soften just a little when he looked at Cosmo. “Herman has asked that you come and see him beforehand.”

“We can help,” Steve offered. He couldn’t keep the desperation out of his voice, the desperation he’d felt since they’d learned that HYDRA had Bucky.

“No thanks,” Louis said dryly.

A blackbird flew in through the window. It landed on the ground and shifted into - a woman? Hadn’t the backbird’s feathers been black? And how was she wearing clothes instantly after shifting? Tony seemed most interested in the last point, looking the clothes over as best as he could from a distance.

“What are you looking at?” He? She? snapped, then stopped. “Oh my God, you’re Tony Stark.”

“Who is he supposed to be?” Clint demanded, startled. Obviously not an agent, not like the other three.

“She is our best chance of finding where HYDRA is hiding Barnes and the other shifters they’re controlling,” Trevorian said.

She briefly smiled at him in thanks, then turned to Louis. “So, Fluffy, I’ve managed to find where they kept him at least until yesterday. The base is definitely not empty but I haven’t been able to verify that he’s still there. I’ve sent you the details already. Flight’s booked and checked in, boarding pass in your inbox already.”

“Thanks, Merle,” Cosmo said.

“We can help,” Tony repeated Steve’s words far more calmly. “I can go over the data with her and Natasha and Clint can accompany them as back-up, just in case.”

Steve turned to stare at him when he made no mention of him going with them.

Tony gentle took the bag out of Steve’s hand. “You’re compromised, Steve,” he said softly but emphatically, then continued, so softly only he could hear it with how close they were standing: “I know how important Barnes is but you’re not thinking clearly. You heard them, we already hindered their mission to save him and stop HYDRA by disobeying orders and coming here.” To tell the truth, he was as well, considering what HYDRA had made Barnes do.

“He’s like my brother.”

“I know. But can you swear that you won’t lose your head and ignore the plan to get to him? Can you swear you won’t compromise the mission?”

Steve’s shoulders dropped. Tony was right. He couldn’t swear it.

Tony nodded, eyes full of compassion. He gently squeezed Steve’s wrist, then turned to Trevorian. “Steve and Bruce will stay here until we fly back.” The ‘so you can keep an eye on him to be sure he doesn’t follow’ was pretty clearly implied.

Trevorian inclined his head. “Very well.”

~*~

Steve hated waiting. He hated it at the best of time but knowing his best friend, his brother in all but blood, was in trouble and being unable to do anything about it was the hardest he’d gone through. Bruce and Tony were trying to keep him distracted. In between discussions with Merle and Herman he could not follow, at least. Well, he was being unfair. Even when he was having two different discussions with them at the same time, Tony tended to make sure to stay near Steve, letting their shoulders or arms brush from time to time. Unfortunately it made the wait only a little less unbearable.

Finally, three days later, Trevorian returned from wherever he’d been in the meantime. “They’re on their way back.”

Steve was instantly out of his seat. “Did they -? Is Bucky okay?”

“They were successful in taking out the HYDRA cell and freeing _all _their prisoners,” Trevorian replied. He waited a moment, taking in Steve’s reaction to the implied criticism. “The shifter force has taken over the care of most of the prisoners but Agents Romanova and Agent Barton have assumed custody of James Barnes. They will arrive tomorrow.”

Steve sank back down in his seat. “Oh. Oh, thank God.” A day. Just one day more and he’d get to see Bucky. He felt Tony step closer to him and rest a supportive hand on his shoulder, making him smile. His team, his family was great.

~*~

It was still some time until sunrise but Tony found himself unable to sleep. He helped himself to a cup of coffee, then went up to the roof terrace of the hotel they were staying in. Perhaps it was the raven in him but when he felt uncertain or stressed, he liked to be up high and in the open.

He would come face to face with Barnes later today. He would meet the man who had killed his parents. Under the control of HYDRA but it had still been his hands. Tony had had months to come to terms with the knowledge and he understood that it had not been his fault, that he was a victim as well.

“You should talk to Louis, when they get back,” Herman had told him. “He can relate.”

“What do you mean?”

“A wolf shifter killed his partner, a pika. Lost control and tore him to shreds in front of Louis. He only later learned that the wolf had been given an experimental drug that forced a shifter’s human side asleep, that made them forget they’re human.”

“Fuck.”

Herman had just nodded. Really, what else could he say? Loosing a partner was bad enough as it was but like that? “So he gets having contradictory feelings about someone.”

Who knows, Tony might actually seek him out later.

He startled slightly when Steve dropped down to sit beside him. He cleared his throat. “Can’t sleep?”

“I could ask you the same,” Steve said quietly. “Are you okay? With seeing him later, I mean.”

Tony shrugged. “I know it’s not his fault. I don’t blame him.”

“If you don’t want to see him...”

“I’ll be fine, Cap,” Tony interrupted him. “I’m not going to attack him.”

“I didn’t think you would,” Steve quickly assured him, sounding more confident in Tony’s control than he himself felt. “I don’t want you to get hurt. So, you know, if you’d rather avoid him, I can take him to the US with Nat and you and Bruce can spend some more time with Merle and Herman.”

Tony was about to reject the offer, then paused. “Let’s see how we’re all doing when he gets here. I’ll decide then.”

“Sounds good.” Steve shifted so that their shoulders were pressed together.

Side by side, they watched the sun rise.

~*~

Tony’s worry that he might be too emotionally compromised to differentiate between the one actual murderer and the one who had been used as a weapon proved unfounded when they brought him to the room serving as their headquarters since the team refused to take them to their base. Even if he, as an ex-weapons developer, hadn’t been well able distinguishing between the weapon and the one aiming and pulling the trigger, one look at the jumpy, worn out shadow of a man was enough. Seriously, if he didn’t know that his animal form was a Labrador, a good fit to Steve’s German Shepherd, he’d swear he were some kind of prey species. Louis, a rabbit, was far calmer in this room filled with carnivores.

Louis dropped a bag on the table. “Samples and whatever information we could get our hands on before we released the virus Merle gave us in their system. Hopefully it’s enough for Herman to come up with an antidote.”

“We were lucky most of their prisoners were kept sedated because they were not intended to go on a mission any time soon,” Cosmo added. “The others we had to take down. They will be kept sedated until they can be sure whatever they used is out of their system.”

Tony nudged Steve’s side when he noticed that he was staring at Barnes’ empty sleeve in horror.

“Bucky,” Steve exclaimed, then stopped again, at a loss of what to say.

The others gathered off to the side, giving them at least some semblance of privacy.

“A representative of the Shifter Force will land this afternoon at 3,” Trevorian said. “If Barnes is ready for a transatlantic flight, you will all leave tomorrow morning.” He looked to Herman, Louis and Cosmo, waiting to hear their opinion on Barnes’ state.

“Yes, at least either shifted and lightly sedated or on a private plane,” Herman said. “He’s in control of himself again but taking him on a long-distance flight in a cabin full of people is risky.”

Cosmo nodded in agreement. “Whatever they gave him doesn’t seem to have affected his grasp on his instincts right now but we don’t know how his control will hold up if he’s tired or startled.”

Tony shrugged. “We’re not trying to avoid detection from the Shifter Force now. I can have a jet brought here or charter one.”

“You sure, Stark?” Clint asked.

“Stark?” Bucky repeated. “Tony Stark?” When he received a restrained nod in response, he paled. “You shouldn’t.” He struggled to put his thoughts into words. “You shouldn’t spend money on me. I... I killed –“

“I know,” Tony interrupted. He was grateful that he was not trying to keep it a secret but he didn’t want to hear it out loud. “They told me when they found out. I know.” He paused. “The offer’s still open. I can arrange a private jet to take us back to the US.”

“Or you can travel while shifted,” Natasha said. “Steve could go into the shipping crate with you.”

Tony’s lips twitched. “I did threaten to have him travel back as cargo.”

“There’s time to decide until the representative arrives,” Steve pointed out.

“Until then, Costas and I could take a look at his shoulder, see if whatever solution we come up with for Costas could work for Barnes as well,” Herman said.

“If Barnes agrees,” Trevorian said.

Costas, another agent of Failed who had until now stayed away from the Shifter Force agents, turned out to be a tall Latino with long black locks and a beard – and an empty sleeve where his right arm should be. He just shrugged when he noticed Steve and Bucky stare at the empty sleeve. “I’m working on a prostheses that would work even in the field.”

“Were you also a prisoner of HYDRA?” Bucky asked.

“Oh no, I wasn’t. It was an accident. I – ah –“ Costas cleared his throat, looking rather embarrassed. “I lost control over my instincts once while shifting.”

“He’s a white shark,” Louis explained, reading in their faces that they didn’t quite understand what Costas meant.

“Dude, you bit off your own arm?” Clint demanded. He unconsciously rubbed his own right arm. As a sniper and an avian shifter, the idea of losing an arm seemed like a nightmare.

“My shark was curious,” Costas replied. He turned to Bucky. “We haven’t been able to come up with a prostheses yet that will either shift with you or at least return when you shift back into your human form but we’re making progress. I can show you the version we’re currently working on.”

~*~

Steve slowly relaxed. As team leader, he should probably listen more closely as Trevorian debriefed Bauer, Baldwin, Clint and Natasha but he kept getting distracted watching Bucky. Then again, he was sure Nat and Clint would tell him what he needed to know later. For now, it was a relief to see Bucky look less and less jumpy the longer he and Costas talked. It would take time and a lot of therapy but he felt reasonably certain now that Bucky would recover.

He went over to the table where Merle had set up her computer and where she and Tony were working on something. “Have you decided?” he asked Tony quietly.

Tony stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out what he was talking about, before he remembered their conversation early this morning. He smiled. “I’m flying back with you all.” Over Steve’s shoulder, he saw the door to the hotel room open. He grimaced. “On second thought, perhaps I’ll stay a bit longer while you fly back with Fury.”

“Fury?” Steve turned around, then winced, suddenly understanding Tony’s reaction. Damn, Fury looked pissed. “Sir.” He’d been expecting Fury to send Coulson or Maria, not come himself. Hadn’t he said that they would discuss it after their return? Steve had been hoping to have some more time before that confrontation. His ears were still ringing from the conversation with Trevorian after his agents had left, accompanied by Nat and Clint. He had been very frank in his opinion about how he was obviously compromised, how he should have stayed out of it instead of risking both his team and Bucky’s chances of being rescued by running off half-cocked, with no clear plan and no back-up.

The worst part, of course, was that he could not even disagree. Still, he really could do without having the same conversation with Fury now.

Fury just glowers at him, then slowly looks around the room to glare at the rest of his agents, making them all drop their gaze. Tony holds out the longest, defiantly raising his chin until he, too, is forced to look away.

“This can’t really come as a surprise now, can it?” Louis interrupts. He gestures to them. “I’ve known them for only a few days and I can tell that they aren’t the type of agents to stick to procedures and follow orders they don’t agree with.” He pauses and considers Fury, head tilted to the side. “But you knew that. You must have, considering your background. You must have realized that, sooner or later, they would break away from the Shifter Force. So I suspect that was your attention all along.”

Fury turned to look at Trevorian but he only grinned, seeming very satisfied with his agent’s analysis. That grin sent shivers down Steve’s back. He’d known, of course, that Trevorian must be a Class One shifter, otherwise he wouldn’t be leading this organisation, but they hadn’t known what kind of shifter he was. But this grin... Yes, Steve was pretty certain that he was a coyote.

Finally Fury sighed. “Correct, Agent Bauer. They were intended to become independent, yes, but not yet.”

Steve and his team exchanged startled looks. They had not been aware of that plan.

“It was, however, our intention to prepare them better beforehand, especially Captain Rogers.” Fury’s glare made Steve flinch. “He might be willing to bend or break the rule when it suits him but he needs to learn to consider the consequences and to pick the most suitable approach, not the quickest. The general procedures taught to agents are not enough, they need to also consider more unorthodox approaches. Agent Romanov and Agent Barton might be familiar with the Dark Shifter community but they lack the experience of channelling it into the structure of the Shifter Force.” They success was partially due to Coulson’s lead, since he, like Bauer, like Trevorian and Fury himself, was able to judge which was the necessary approach without appearing to have gone rogue and risking serious retribution from the higher ups in the Shifter Force. And Fury was not willing to have Coulson join them when they went independent.

“You intended for us to meet them and work with them at some point,” Tony realized.

“Yes,” Fury confirmed. “We were waiting for a suitable mission that would require both teams to solve, a mission that would allow us to partner Rogers and Bauer, have him show Rogers the ropes.”

A quickly stifled growl made them all turn. Cosmo looked mortified by his loss of control.

Louis slowly started grinning. “Don’t worry, mein Büffelchen (my little buffalo), I’m sure he meant only in the field.”

Trevorian cut him a cup, one eyebrow raised. “It was only supposed to be in the field in his case as well,” he pointed out dryly.

Louis waved him off. “Still doesn’t mean I’m interested in exchanging my Amiboy, not even for Captain America.”

Tony crossed his arms. “Good, because we’re not interested in such a switch either.”

Steve blushed when he realized what kind of partner they were talking about but the matching embarrassed look on his and Cosmo’s face just made their teams laugh.

Why did he think his team was great again?

 Background information on Failed      

Shifter Force: the agency in charge of “official” shifters. They are all registered and have a chip implanted, where information on their animal form in saved. They’re all supposed to take care not to reveal their existence to normal humans. They are classified based on their animal form. 

Class 1: carnivores, the highest class and the most privileged group 

Class 2: omnivores and insectivores, middle class, not all the privileges of Ones but still well-respected 

Class 3: herbivores, the lowest class; not taken seriously by the other classes and underprivileged 

Dark Shifters (“DS”): Shifters who decided not to follow the law or who decided for some other reason not to reveal themselves to the Shifter Force 

Duo- and multishifters: Shifters who have more than one animal form; considered a myth by most of the general shifter population

 Canon Failed characters:

Trevor Trevorian, coyote, head of Failed

Louis Bauer, desert cottontail (rabbit)/wallaby

Cosmo Baldwin, eagle/alligator/maned wolf/buffalo/skunk, Louis’ partner and boyfriend, light brown, almost blond hair, tall

Costas, chameleon/shark, bit off his own right arm by accident while partially shifted, Latino, beard, long black locks

Jamie, grey squirrel/cougar, can’t control his form when aroused, black, very buff, short black hair

Herman, human, tall, slender, short brown hair, tattooed arms

Merle Noir, born Merlin Albert Bishop, blackbird, trans, hacker

[nazariolahela]

Chapter 2: The Arrival

Pairing: Liam x MC (Riley)

Word Count: 1603

Rating: PG-13

Description: Liam and Riley get reacquainted after her arrival in Cordonia.

Notes: Constructive criticism welcome. Thanks for reading.

Catch up here

Disclaimer: All original TRR characters used belong to Pixelberry. This story is only for entertainment purposes.

After awakening from a long nap, Riley’s eyes fluttered open. She looked around the plane, remembering where she was, and stood up from her seat. She had been on the plane for almost 10 hours and she was itching to stretch her legs. Looking around the plane’s cabin, she noticed Maxwell was nowhere to be found.

“Maxwell?” she called out. Drake shifted in his seat, still napping. Suddenly, the door to the lavatory flew open and Maxwell strutted out, drying his hands on a paper towel.

“Rise and Shine, Little Blossom! Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”

Riley smirked at Maxwell as he took the seat in front of her.

“Little Blossom?”

“It’s my new nickname for you. Because you’re like a little flower, ready to ‘blossom.’”

Riley giggled and smacked Maxwell’s arm. Just then, the pilot announced the plane’s descent. Riley moved back over to the window and audibly gasped. The Cordonian countryside was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Luscious green countryside surrounded by crystal blue waters. The architecture was stunning, and she was in awe of how well some of the ancient buildings looked.

“Pretty amazing, huh?” Maxwell said, looking over her shoulder.

“Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe it. This place is incredible. You actually LIVE here?”

“We do, but this is just a small part of the country. Wait until you see the rest.” Maxwell jumped out of his seat and made his way to the front of the plane.

The plane came to a stop on the runway and Riley reached in the overhead compartment to retrieve her luggage.

“Little help?” she called out, but Maxwell was nowhere in sight. Drake appeared behind her, pulling the suitcase out from the compartment, and set it down next to her.

“Haven’t even been here five minutes and you already need my help. You are going to have a hell of a time here at court.”

Riley scowled as Drake walked down the aisle and deplaned. She grabbed her suitcase and followed.

Riley, Maxwell, and Drake made their way through the airport, passing by a few members of the Cordonian press. One of them noticed Maxwell and raised her camera to her face.

“Uh, why are those photographers taking our picture?” she asked

“Maxwell has a bit of a reputation here in Cordonia. House Beaumont is known for their lavish and out of control parties,” Drake answered

“Lavish? Yes. Out of control? Debatable. Everyone who has attended a Beaumont Bash has always left with a story to tell. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar,” Maxwell protested.

“Ooh, I can’t wait to attend one of your parties, Maxwell,” Riley chimed in.

***

Riley wandered the halls of the Royal Palace, taking in the intricate artwork. The heels of her black ankle booties clicked across the marble tile as she made her way down a long hallway. Before she realized it, she had gotten lost and wasn’t sure how to find her way back. She stood in the middle of the hall for a few minutes, hoping someone would find her and lead her back, but no one came.

Screw this, she thought. She turned towards the first door she saw and reached for the handle. She hesitated, unsure of what was behind the door. After a few deep breaths, she turned the knob and pushed the heavy door open.

She made her way through the room and determined that it was someone’s study. A traditional mahogany desk sat towards the back of the room near the window. A bookshelf lined one of the walls. Riley ran her fingers along the books, some of them covered in a thin layer of dust. “I guess no one really comes in here a lot,” she said to herself

“Technically it is closed off to guests, but I guess I can make an exception.”

Riley spun around and found herself face to face with Liam. “Holy shit, you scared me,” she gasped, clutching her chest.

He chuckled and took a step back. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to win your heart,” she beamed.

“Is that so? Seems you did a pretty good job of that back in New York. Seriously though, how are you here?”

“Funny story,” she said, fidgeting with her necklace, “Maxwell’s house is sponsoring me for your hand.”

His eyes widened and a smile spread across his face. “Well, it looks like the social season just got more interesting.”

“Yeaaahhh...about that. Can I tell you something and you won’t judge me?”

“Depends.”

Riley rolled her eyes, as he grinned. “I don’t know anything about being at court. I agreed to come here because I wanted the chance to see you again, but I am so lost.”

Liam rubbed his chin, “Well then, it seems you’re in quite the predicament. For what it’s worth, I think you can handle it, you just need a little training. Bertrand will show you the ropes.”

“Who’s Bertrand?” She asked.

Liam cocked his eyebrow at her. “Oh boy. You’re in for a treat. Bertrand is Maxwell’s older brother, and he’s NOTHING like Maxwell.”

Riley frowned. “I’m screwed, aren’t I?”

“No no no. In fact, if I had to pick one person here at court to work with you, it would definitely be him.”

Riley exhaled deeply. “Well, that’s good. I should probably go find him so I can get started on my training for the Masquerade Ball tonight.”

She started to move towards the door when Liam caught her wrist and pulled her back towards him. “Wait, I have a few minutes before my next meeting. I was going to spend it here by myself, but since you’re here, you can spend it with me.”

Riley blushed, “Sure. I have a feeling we’re not going to get to spend that much time together, alone.”

He led her over to the desk and reached for a bottle of scotch. “Drink?”

“How could I say no?”

He poured two glasses and handed one to her. As she sipped the amber liquid, their eyes met.

“Riley?”

“Yeah”

“Can I just say? I’m really glad you came. After our night in New York together, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next few months, but I’m excited to see how you adapt to life at court.”

“Liam... I’m glad too. After I dropped you off at your hotel, I kept trying to think of ways to see you again. I knew you’d be coming back to Cordonia, but part of me was hoping you’d change your mind at the last second and stick around for a while.

A smile spread across his lips. “Trust me, I thought of that too. I lied awake that night trying to figure out how I could abdicate without causing the kingdom to completely unravel.”

Riley giggled behind the rim of her glass. “Well, Your Highness, I guess we’ll have to find a way to be together in spite of all that.”

Her blue eyes glistened as he moved from behind the desk to her, capturing her cheek in his hand. He took her glass and set it on the desk, pulling her body close to his with one arm.

“Lady Riley, I have a feeling you’re going to get me in all kinds of trouble.”

She cocked an eyebrow and a sly grin crept upon her face. “That’s half the fun.”

He leaned down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. His hands wrapped around the back of her neck, tangling his fingers in her hair. She gripped the lapels of his jacket with both hands and pulled him close to her. After several moments, they both pulled away, breathless.

“After our kiss at the Statue of Liberty, I was hoping I’d be able to taste your lips again,” he said, touching his fingertips to her lips. “I dreamt about these lips”

“Is that so? Well, let me give you a little something to remember them by.” She grabbed his face and pulled him in for another kiss. Their tongues dancing with one another as their kisses grew deeper, more fervent.

A low groan escaped Liam’s throat and he smiled against her lips before pulling away. “As much as I would love to continue this, I really do have to get to my meeting. And you have to find Bertrand and get ready for the Masquerade Ball. But, I do hope to get a little free time with you later this evening if you’re available.”

“I’m sure I can make time,” she smirked.

He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles. She laced her hand in his as they made their way across the room to the door.

“After you,” he said, holding it open for her.

She stepped out into the hallway, looking around confused. “Soooo...where do I go?”

He chuckled and placed his hand on her lower back, guiding her down the hallway. They reached the end of the hall and ran into Maxwell.

“Riley! Liam! Where have you been?” he said, eyeing them suspiciously.

“I got lost and Liam was just helping me find my way back,” she responded.

“Uh-huh. Well, now that you’re here, let me show you to your quarters. Liam, see you later tonight.”

Maxwell grabbed Riley’s arm and began dragging her down the hallway to her room. She turned back to look at Liam and he gave her a wink before turning around and heading in the opposite direction.