#seaspray mood board

[dazzle-bright]

It’s tea time!

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Kissing Dead Pearls (Part 11)

The waves break around her with impressive size. Azula can only attribute it to the after effects of the turbulent weather. She tastes salt and seaspray as her board cuts across the underbelly of the wave. From the right vantage she can see the sun through crystal clear waters, the way it glints and sparkles throwing prismic reflections upon her skin. From the wrong vantage point, it beams directly into her eyes and she has to squint against it or hold her hand at her brows, nearly throwing her balance.

She carves up and down the wave, it is exhilarating and she wonders why she has neglected part taking for so long. It provides the thrill that she craves, the sensation of falling that spikes her adrenaline.

Azula licks her lips, tasting the salt upon them. She is in the mood for something flashy, something that she hasn’t done in ages. It is a tricky feat, something she had just barely managed to pull off before entering a self-imposed hiatus. Evidently, she isn’t sure that she will be able to pull it off at all.

She climbs to the very top of the wave and gives her board a very abrupt snap. The spray she kicks up rises in an incredible arc. Each little drop catches in the sun and glimmers around her likes sparks thrown from a bonfire.

It is spectacular until she loses her footing. She supposes that she has done better than she had in the past, when she hadn’t even been able to produce the spray. Her body smacks the waves with a stinging force and they take her under. She is thankful that the strap on her ankle keeps her board tethered to her as she fights the waves. She would hate to lose it, it was a gift from Sokka. Sokka who had noted her fondness of the color blue and her enjoyment of watching storms over the ocean and bought her a sleek midnight blue board with neon blue lines of lightning painted all over it. Azula resurfaces and, panting heavily, carries the board back to the shore.

Seaweed clings to her shoulder and dangles from the board. It falls to the sand with a wet pop when her footsteps cause the board to shudder. She drops to the sand with a huff and crosses her legs with one fluid motion. She rests her elbow upon the bend of her leg and her chin in her palm. Her expression fixed into a rather full pout.

She has lost her touch. It was a nearly perfect execution. But nearly perfect won’t cut it come the competition. A fall like that would have cost her critical points.

Jet’s pats her shoulder, “I’ll give that trick a solid ten and your landing an eleven for entertainment.”

She watches Chan paddle towards the next wave.

“It was a dreadful landing.” Azula grumbles.

He shrugs. “I mean it’s been months since you’ve surfed. Welcome back by the way.”

“So what, I should be able to…”

“Retain a skill you just finished learning to perform?”

Azula shrugs.

“At least give yourself a few tries.” Ruon-Jian suggests. “Snaps are a pain in the ass!”

She watches Chan perform a seamless bottom turn and then a kickflip. He lands it well and the wave drops away. “You’re up.” He motions to Jet. Jet gives her a two finger salute before running at the new wave.

“I take it that you’re doing better?” Chan asks.

“Better.” She tries the word on her tongue. “Yes, quite. Katara and her family have been good to Zuzu and I.” She has been called a liar before, Zuko calls her a liar quite often. She can’t entirely disagree, not when she is lying to herself.

“Yeah, where’s he at anyways? Ruon misses his favorite loser boy.”

“Dude, shut up!” He scoffs. Nothing peeves him more than having his most absurd, middle school insults brought up.

“On a date with Katara.” Azula replies, her stomach fluttering with envy and loss. She should be on a date of her own, she would be. She swallows, “they’re at the ice cream parlor.”

She is not okay, and to insist that she is, is a larger lie than she has ever told. Jet returns and Ruon retreats, happy for an excuse to run from remarks that make him blush.

“Is your dad still attending AA?”

Azula nods. “Regularly.” She leaves out that he has snuck a glass or two already. She supposes that it is much better than his binge drinking. Still it frustrates her and neither she nor Zuko have the courage or stupidity to get between the man and his glasses.

“You gonna give the snap another go?” Ruon asks.

Again, Azula nods. She picks up her surfboard and returns to the water. This wave is some larger than the first. She readies herself to go for another snap when a realization dawns upon her. She has been presented with a rare opportunity, she rides upon a perfect wave. She could go for a snap, yes. But how often is the chance for a tube ride bestowed upon a person?

Azula takes a deep breath and finds herself some steady footing. She crouches down and glides along as the wave folds over. A grin breaks over her face--she thinks that this one may very well be genuine--as she rides through a perfect tunnel of water. It is a thrilling feeling of elation that she hasn’t felt in ages. If for only a very long minute, it is just she and that wave. That perfect crashing wave. There is nothing like it. Two walls of water to the sides of her with a liquid ceiling and floor. The wave is immaculately and unapologetically aquamarine in color and she could swear, God, she could swear that she saw several tiny minnows swimming their way through just riding that flawless wave with her.

She rides the wave until it flattens with a somewhat noisy crash. Without the liquid roar of the wave she can hear them whooping and hollering something grand from the shoreline. She guides the surfboard to a halt and then allows it to pop out from under her feet. She catches it and, overcome by jubilation and a sense of accomplishment, she throws her arms around Jet.

Were TyLee involved she very well may have been jumping up and down. Instead, he squeezes her tighter as she has a true laugh for the first time since Sokka had gone. “Nice, dude.” Ruon remarks. It is accented by a few final claps from Chan.

Her excitement waynes and her smile begins to fade when it dawns upon her that her arms should be around Sokka. That he should have been there to witness such a monumental moment in her not yet professional surfing career. She suddenly feels ashamed. Ashamed for smiling and having fun while he is still out there, lost and probably deprived of hope. She should be sad right now. She should be mourning.

She pulls out of the hug.

“Hey, I’m glad you finally hung out with us again.” Chan notes as he bats his face with a towel.

She wraps her own around her waist and tosses her hair over her shoulders. “Yes, it was...nice to…” she trails off. “Get a sense of normalcy back.”

“You gonna swing by again?” He offers.

“We’ll be riding waves from noon to three, two days from now.” Ruon adds.

Azula nods. “I’ll try to make it, so long as nothing comes up.” Evidently that day will be a busy one. She, Zuko, and Katara are due to go roller skating with Toph and Aang around sunset.

She supposes that she should be thankful for the abundance of distractions. Which might be exactly what made it so easy to accept another invitation. Between that and the creeping knowledge that she could end up alone… Alone while Zuko has Katara, Aang has Toph, Mai has TyLee, Chan and Ruon have each other, and Suki has a shy boy named Teo.

She watches Chan and Ruon make their way down the beach. “We’ll be seein’ ya then.” Ruon calls back. Chan slings his arm over his shoulder.

“Yes.” Azula agrees. “Two days from now.” With their departure she feels her energy fleeing as well. It is so sudden as though all of her euphoria has turned to sorrow. She finds herself a picnic bench and sits upon the table, elbows resting on her knees, head in her hands.

The sun blazes as it begins its descent.

“You good?” Jet asks.

She shrugs quietly. “I’ll be fine.” Another blatant lie.

They sit in silence for a while she hears the crinkle of a wrapper as Jet awkwardly fumbles with a candy bar. “Want a bite.”

“No thanks.”

More silence. More awkward fumbling.

“Hey, so, I was thinking…” He trails off.

“Yeah?”

“I hope it’s not too soon, but I was wondering if you might like to catch a movie or something? Or have dinner somewhere?”

Azula bites the inside of her lip. She has never broken it off with Sokka. She has never wanted to. And yet there is that nagging in her head, that inkling that he won’t be coming home. And if she waits she might be waiting forever.

She thinks of Zuko’s soft smile and those dumb sloppy kisses he gives Katara. She thinks about the closeness and the laughter. About what that had been like when she’d got to feel it for herself. When she would spend the night at Sokka’s and he would fight with her for the blankets and the popcorn bowl during movie nights. There is such an emptiness without it. Without those feelings and those moments. She stares intensely at her hands, fighting to keep her emotions in check. “Yes Jet, that would be nice.”

[occasionalfics]

into you // p. 14

main masterlist | steve masterlist | taglist | ko-fi | playlist | ao3 | p. 13 | p. 15

Summary: Just as Steve begins to wonder why he’s been sent on a mission well below his pay grade, a mysterious, unscented woman steps in and does his job for him. He’s immediately drawn into her allure, and he needs to know who she is, why she’s on a mission to take out some of the city’s most powerful alphas, and why he can’t get her off his mind.

A/N: I feel like there’s a pattern of villains in my fics just kind of making threats and not actually causing harm and like maybe I’m just too soft for that? Does anyone mind?

Also I 100% forgot to post this yesterday? Maybe that means you’ll get ch 15 sooner than you expected? We’ll see. But we’re almost done so...just bear with me, even though I keep breaking your hearts!

Warnings: Violence, blood (a little bit), reader’s in terrible shape and Steve is ALL OVER the place with his self-loathing. So that’s cool.

Word: 3,878

“Man, you have got to stop this fascination you have with Nazi prisoners,” Tony says as they board the quinjet. Steve knows it’s a misguided joke, just like most of his “jokes” about Bucky, but something about it really sticks at Steve.

All he does is glare and move to the far back corner of the jet.

It doesn’t help that his distress call from the night before bore no fruit. He was right in that he only got a few hours of sleep before the team was ready to head out, but the fact that he woke up with nothing useful form (Y/N) only soured his mood.

He’s not mad at her. He can’t blame her at all. He is genuinely infuriated with himself, might never come back from that, knows how dramatic he’s being and doesn’t give a flying fuck.

As Sam takes a seat next to him, he circles back to wondering what the hell Ophelia could want. If she’s not with Hydra anymore, then she’s running this illegal operation of hitmen herself, for her own reasons. He doesn’t want to know what those reasons are, but he knows he needs to find out.

If he’s ever going to feel like a competent alpha again, if he’s ever going to feel confident in his protection of (Y/N), he has to know what he’s going up against, how he can take it down.

--

Viper’s got herself quite a nice office building. Steve can’t fathom how she gets actual murder business done in a pristine, glass-covered, asymmetric building like this. But he doesn’t really care; he climbs the stairs two at a time, listening to Sam’s whisper-screams in his comm because he’s going too fast.

If he goes in without any backup, he could die. He may as well have come alone.

So Steve slows, despite every alpha instinct in him telling him to get in there - wherever there is - and save (Y/N).

He hits the sixth floor before he picks up on her scent. Not her smell. Her scent. Ocean and jasmine, mixed in perfect harmony, pulling him along up another flight and another, getting stronger the higher up he goes. He’s sure everyone else picks up on the scent too, but he’s the only one that really knows its her.

Even though she’d spent more than a week in the tower with no suppressants in her system, none of them know it’s her. Tony’s craftsmanship made sure that no lingering scents could follow anyone they weren’t meant to follow. Every apartment has its own air conditioning and filtration system on top of a soundproof setting, because the last thing the tower needs is one heat setting off every heat.

So Steve pushes his finger into his ear and says, loudly, “She’s here. Probably eleventh or twelfth floor.”

His teammates caution him to go slowly, proceed with caution, wait for one of them god damn it! But he doesn’t. Can’t actually hear them through the single-minded haze in his brain. All he can see is the hurt look on (Y/N)’s face when he told her to get out of his apartment, the cut over her eyebrow from the night before. All he can hear is the frantic speeding of her heart as she looks him in the eye and cowers, because he’d never used his power as an alpha over her before that.

He continues to ignore the team as he steps up onto the twelfth floor landing, where the scent is strongest, and knows just how much he hates himself. Not because of some romantic idea that he’s hurt the woman he loves and can somehow make it better, but that he’s hurt her for no reason at all. And that she’s in danger because he hurt her, because she had nowhere else to go but right into the arms of the Viper.

Viper, who smells of lemongrass and eucalyptus, who stinks up the whole floor to the point that Steve has to fight his own brain to focus on seaspray and jasmine.

He takes a deep breathe, kicks in the door to the twelfth floor, and marches into an empty hallway. Steve pauses, listening closely down both ends of the corridor, but there is nothing. He pulls the comm out of his ear, lets it hang around his neck, and focuses.

Very faintly, if he closes his eyes, there’s a small thumping somewhere. It’s slow and steady, and it turns his blood cold. It’s too slow.

Above it, the only sound is a second heartbeat, stronger and more sinister in its pattern. He hates how overpowering she is, how clearly she displays her alpha traits. He hates it most of all because all he wants is to find (Y/N), to save her - he doesn’t care what the fuck happens to Viper.

That’s new. He’s always been focused on taking out the threat, not ignoring it.

“Jesus, Rogers,” Sam whispers, breath heavy as he steps over the remnants of the doorway behind Steve. “Could you listen to us maybe just this once?”

Steve hushes Sam, giving him a strict glare, then reminds himself that he’s not angry with Sam. He forces his face to relax and gestures for Sam to follow him as he heads down the hallway to his right. He puts the comm back in his ear, presses in, and tells Tony and Nat, “When you get up here, go left.”

Sam follows him, neither saying anything while Steve tries to listen for that slow, steady heartbeat. It doesn’t seem to get fainter, nor does it get stronger. He wonders if the floor is set up in a circle, if the hallway he’s going down will only lead him back to the stairwell without him having to turn around.

But then, after a few minutes of slow, careful surveillance, the scents pick up. Sam notices them too, shivering behind Steve for a reason he won’t ask about until they’re out of this building. Steve only turns back to him to motion that he’ll go first, as if he hasn’t been doing so already.

He follows the scents as it brings him and Sam down a separate hallway, in another direction. He hears Sam two-fold tell the others where they’ve gone, then Tony responding with, “Yeah, I’ve got a heat signature on the both of you. Now stop talking and find the girl!”

Steve can almost feel Sam roll his eyes.

He listens to Tony without any quips back, surprisingly. He should’ve known Tony’s keeping an eye on anyone ahead of him - if there’s one thing Steve can give credit to Tony for, it’s that he’s always tried to make sure the team stayed alive.

Steve slows as he and Sam follow the curve of this hallway. Gets up on his tiptoes and creeps, because the heartbeat is louder now. Still slow, still faint in its repetition, but clearer in its closeness. And the scents are overwhelming - Steve has to force himself to shut his nose and follow the heartbeat so that he won’t fall victim to his own instincts.

They turn once more at the end of the hallway and face a glass-walled office.

And there she is. There they both are.

Viper is at the head of a long conference table, facing the other end of the table. She swivels in her chair, but never looks out to Steve and Sam. Her heels are so sharp, Steve wonders how she’s able to walk on them, even though she’s still sitting.

(Y/N) faces the hallway, her head hanging over the table. She’s tied to her seat with rope - thick rounds of it hold her in place as she notices Steve for the first time. She looks up, eyes wide and bloodshot; her skin is sallow and covered in a sweaty sheen. The cut over her eyebrow has scabbed over, but it still unsettles him. He sees her lips form his name through the glass, hears her heartbeat speed up.

He’s in the room before he can think twice about it. Viper laughs a low, obnoxious chuckle, but it doesn’t draw his attention. Steve takes a step toward (Y/N) as if he’s going to walk out of the office with her without causing trouble, as if Viper...Ophelia isn’t there at all.

“Oh, I wouldn’t touch her if I were you,” she calls in a heavy Slavic accent.

Despite his nature, despite his desperate need to touch (Y/N), he listens. Because the last thing he wants is to put her in any more danger.

“Why’s that, Greeny?” Sam asks. Steve’s grateful he has someone there to speak for him when his brain is shouting to get (Y/N) out, get her to safety, apologize and beg for her forgiveness until she deems him worthy of it.

He glances at Viper out of the corner of his vision and realizes her suit is green. And shiny, like scales.

Like a Viper.

“A depraved little omega, in the hands of an enhanced, hyper-masculine alpha?” She sits forward in her seat, elbows on the table as she puts her chin on her knuckles. “You’ll only do her more harm than good.”

Steve is far enough away that, normally, he shouldn’t be able to hear (Y/N)’s breathing. Especially if he’s not focusing on it.

But he can. Everything about her is labored, fighting to stay awake and alive and in control of herself. He doesn’t have to look back at Viper to know that depraved means off her suppressants, and that without a heat to fall into, she really is going through withdrawals. And if Dr. Helen Cho had been concerned with the dose (Y/N) was on…

A shudder runs through him, then through (Y/N), like she can feel what’s happening inside his body. Maybe she can. He growls at the thought.

“What do you want?” he asks, feeling pathetic even as he says it. Even with as much alpha power as he can put behind the words, his command does nothing to her.

Sometimes he’s noticed that other alphas cower at the sight of him because he’s Captain America, not because he’s an alpha. This is one of those times, only instead of cowering, Viper shakes her head in defiance.

She stands from the table, walks over to (Y/N) and runs a single finger across her arched shoulders. Steve growls, low and deep in his chest, his body refusing to give up the fight, refusing to back down.

“I thought it was quite clear, Captain,” she says, coming closer to Steve and Sam, the latter of whom has backed toward the door.

Steve wonders where the hell Nat and Tony are. They couldn’t have been that far behind him and Sam.

But he can see in Viper’s eyes - her vertically slit pupils, again, like a Viper - a sprig of mischief.

“I want you.” She dares to reach a manicured hands - green fingernails - out to Steve’s face, but he’s fast. He catches her palm, twists her arm, and holds her against him, his chest to her back. She laughs as if she’s expected this. “You’re so predictable,” she roars, not even bothering to fight back.

He lets out another growl, this one so powerful that (Y/N) whimpers at the table. The sound cuts off in Steve’s throat, and when he looks at her, she casts her eyes as far from him as she can get.

She’s scared of him, he knows. And it breaks him just a little.

“You lured me here just to torture me?” he asks Viper, tightening his grip on her arm.

“Oh, no,” she says, fake-innocence on her tongue. “I lured you here to kill you, Steven Rogers.” She wiggles in his grasp just to rub it in.

His blood boils under his skin, burning as anger fills him. If Viper’s not careful, he’ll do something he regrets.

It occurs to him that maybe that’s what she expects.

Something sharp bites into the skin of his wrist - just the little bit between his sleeve and his glove, just where Viper can reach. The sting is enough to let out the steam from his skin, loosen his grip on her, and bring him to his knees. It takes over his entire system, far too quickly for his liking. He bends in on himself, maybe yelling out in pain, maybe doing nothing but shutting his eyes, gripping his wrist with the opposite hand, and holding both to his stomach.

There isn’t much blood. The second he forces his eyes open, Steve can see little drops, but no gushing. She hasn’t hit a vein or anything - so, he wonders, why does it hurt so fucking much?! He has no idea what’s happening around him. His ears are ringing and his mind is racing and his whole body is inflamed in pain and heat, but he still manages to pull his arm out to examine his wrist.

She’s barely scratched his skin, but the mark is red and irritated already. A little line of blood drips onto the floor below him, but it’s slowing, the wound healing itself already. Not closing, just clotting.

A scream that shatters all the thoughts and feelings in him stills the room. He takes in a deep breath and looks up to see Viper, across the room with (Y/N)’s hair in one hand, the other wrapped around the chair and her torso. She’s brought the whole thing over with her to the window, has the chair tipped back toward the glass, and that same easy, teasing smile on her face.

“Tell your flightless friend to put his weapon down, Captain,” she says. “Or your little omega meets the concrete, twelve stories away.”

He winces as he sits up enough to look at Sam over his shoulder. He’s got a glock pointed at the women, and it takes everything in Steve to nod, a Do as she says, please gesture that he knows Sam won’t miss. Knows doubly that Sam won’t like it, either.

Slowly, hesitantly, Sam puts the gun down but not away. Just at his side. Just in case.

Just as slowly, Steve forces himself up onto his knees. He uses the edge of the conference table to push up, nearly turning the table over before he gives up on it. Sam catches him - barely - and helps him onto his feet, though he can’t force himself to stand any further than hunching forward.

Viper puts the chair down on all four legs, but she doesn’t let go. (Y/N)’s heart is beating so fast, Steve can almost feel her pulse vibrating out of his wrist. Or maybe that’s just his own pulse, his own body dealing with whatever infection Viper’s passed to him.

“They don’t call me Viper for nothing,” she says, almost too conveniently.

Steve doesn’t bother taking note. He steps forward, falters, and grunts out, “Let. Her. Go.”

Viper pops her lips, hums as if she’s considering the command, then shrugs. “I don’t think so.” Her hand leaves (Y/N)’s hair, grips her chin tightly, and forces the omega to look at Steve. “I’d rather let her watch you die.”

“Now what’s the use in that?” Sam asks, sarcasm lining his every word.

“There isn’t one,” Viper responds. “And there doesn’t need to be.” She repositions her hand on (Y/N)’s chin, forcing her to look at Viper now. “Poor little Reaper. A bringer of death, still unable to stop it.”

Steve is almost proud of the glare Viper gets. He thinks If looks could kill, this mission would be so much easier.

“On the other hand,” the green woman cuts in, “won’t it be so sweet watching the man who broke your heart and left you vulnerable to me die? Call it poetic justice, my girl.” She presses the pad of her pointer finger to (Y/N)’s nose like she’s speaking to a doll or a dog, and Steve struggles in Sam’s grip before his body is ripped apart by more pain.

“Cool. So we’re doing this the hard way,” Sam mutters. Steve thinks he’s the only one that’s heard.

He takes a deep breath and tries to steady himself. Stands a little taller, pushes Sam’s arms from his shoulders. He feels his nose flaring as he asks, “What is it that I’ve done that makes you want me dead, Ophelia?”

That gets her attention. Her head turns sharply to him, and she grits her teeth. “I think you know, Captain. You’d have to be more daft than I’d given you credit for not to.” Her arms fall from (Y/N) entirely, and she takes one daring step toward Steve. “I was Hydra’s best. I did my work, groveled and fought and bartered my way for years. And when I reached the top, they gave me the Asset.”

He quickly realizes, through context clues alone, that she means Bucky. And his body flares with pain again, but this time, he holds it in, keeps his breath in too.

“And at every turn, whether from the inside or out, there was one thing standing in my way of doing my job the way it was meant to be done. Any guesses?”

Me he thinks. Steve knows he was Bucky’s link to escaping Hydra. They’ve had long conversations about their meeting on the bridge in D.C. before.

“When the Winter Soldier escaped, I was sent to find him. To bring him back, wipe him, and put him back on ice. To bring him back to the life he was always meant for.”

Steve’s one good fist clenches at his side. He has a thing about hitting women, but this one is so fucking close, running her mouth about Bucky that way.

“When I returned empty handed, Hydra shut me out-”

“Hydra was gone after he left.” It takes Steve a second to realize Sam’s spoken up, not himself, and that Sam has moved to his opposite side, as if he’s making a circle around the room.

Viper shakes her head, chuckling maniacally, never looking from Steve. “Hydra survived the Allies winning the war. Hydra survived Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and 9/11. Hydra will never die. Not truly.” She takes another step forward. “Even without the Asset, Hydra survives. Only I will pay a price for his desertion.” She laughs - no longer a chuckle, but a throw-her-head-back-and-cackle laugh - and something on her sharp, pointed nails gleam in the white light of the room.

Vipers are venomous Steve thinks. He looks at his wrist, which still hasn’t closed but is no longer bleeding. It still pulses and shoots out pain in droves, though. And he knows - she paints her nails with venom.

“Hydra will never have me again,” she continues, rather mindlessly if Steve’s opinion is concerned. “And so, I’ve made it my mission to take out any alpha who’s made that so.”

Steve’s mind immediately goes to Bucky. Viper, apparently, expects that, too.

“Without Hydra, your friend is nothing. Get over yourself, Captain.” Her face turns dark, and she stomps toward him in her loud, dangerously sharp and impractical heels. “I formed the Reapers to take out the alphas who wronged me. My girls grew into much more than I could ever have expected - much more than Hydra ever would’ve allowed me to become. And yet, it still is not enough.”

He’s only hated a handful of people more than he hates Viper. And yet, he continues to listen, hoping that if he stalls and hears her out, Tony and Nat will burst in and help him sometime this year.

And he sees that Sam has moved to be equidistant from him and Viper.

“My heart will only fill when your head is served to me on a Vibranium platter, Captain,” she says. “The satisfaction of knowing the woman you love watches helplessly as you die is a nice addition, don’t you think?”

Steve knows he’ll regret it, but with her so close, he has to take a shot. With (Y/N) across the room, he has to.

He takes a heavy, jagged breath, and launches himself at Viper, yelling all the way as his body ignites again. Pain spreads from his wrist outward, but he moves anyway, mostly kicking, keeping his hand in close to chest. If he could coordinate his good hand without leaving his bad one vulnerable, he’d reach back to grab his shield, but he can’t let her make him any worse than he already is.

He still has to get (Y/N) out. Still has so much to say to her, so much to apologize for, so many I love yous to whisper to her. And he has no idea what the venom in his system will do to him first - if it’s real or something synthetic and what that might mean.

But it doesn’t matter, because it only takes one hit back from Viper to wipe him out. Steve slides back across the floor while Sam charges forward, and the world swirls between dark and light, sound and silence, confusion and stability. Steve isn’t sure how much time goes by before he finally sees a bright blue beam of light flit across the room, then Nat is leaning over him, her bottom lip split but otherwise she looks fine.

He tries to say something to her, but she doesn’t let him finish. Or his body doesn’t. It’s really hard to tell what’s happening.

“You need to get up,” he hears her say. “I can’t carry you twelve flights down, Rogers.”

Flashes of memories fill his head - of Bucky pulling him from water, mostly - and he groans because everything is happening and nothing is being processed. He has no read on (Y/N); there are too many people in the room now, too many bodies moving, and he’s too weak to focus on her.

All he wants is to be wrapped up in her. That’s it.

But suddenly a second set of hands are on him, and they’re definitely not (Y/N)’s. They glow red - red not green he thinks - and suddenly his legs weigh nothing. They feel nothing. No pain, no strain - nothing. He realizes he’s glowing red, too, and he shakes his head.

“No- I,” he gets out, but Nat glares at him. Wanda does, too, from his opposite side, as they work in tandem to lift him onto his feet.

“We’re getting her out,” Nat says. “But it won’t mean anything if we don’t get you out, too.”

He knows that’s not true. (Y/N) would be alive, with or without him. That means something.

But his heart is racing, and all he can imagine is (Y/N), tied to a chair, scared out of her mind, completely out of control of herself and undeniably in withdrawal. In pain. Suffering, because he was too stubborn, stupid, and quick to anger to think. Wanda keeps her hands on him, keeps his feet light and numb, manages to make him walk despite weighing twice what she does easily.

What good is this stupid fucking alpha body if I can’t even save my omega?

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[storylocke]

Honey GLITched: Blake

[It doesn't take long for them to get on board and settle in, trying their best to dry off with the towels stuffed in the cupboards as neither brought a spare outfit. They would have laughed to realize just how much they underestimated the day’s adventure, but neither of them seemed much in the mood. Honey tried her best to explain her little misadventures until Blake came to sit down with two cups of hot tea.]

Blake:

It’s nothing special, but it should warm you up.

Honey:

Oh, thank you. [Gently takes if from him to pull into her blanket of a beach towel. She doesn't drink right away, but enjoys the warmth as she watches the tiny bubbles disappear from the surface.]

Blake:

Honey? [She looks up at him rather nervously, but he holds up a Teddiursa bottle with a half-playful shake.] Sorry, I should specify. Do you like honey?

Honey:

[Just softly smiles at him as she takes the bottle.] Thank you. Is that…all you wanted to say?

Blake:

No, I’m still thinking I suppose. [Takes up his own cup and leans back in the seat to look at her.] So, let me see if I have this right. The day you received your Starter, you somehow managed to Teleport to some alternate universe? And ever since you returned, you’ve been able to freeze time and walk through things?

Honey:

Not exactly... I don't think I have any control over it, it just sort of happens. Luke didn't exactly explain anything except that now that I’ve been to his world, these “slips” from our reality are going to keep happening until I find the source.

Blake:

But how did this even start? And why?

Honey:

[Just softly shakes her head.] I don’t know. I wish I could tell you, but we’re learning as things we go right now. I haven’t told anyone about all this, because you’re the first person to even notice one of these weird incidents besides me. You have every right to be scared. I’ve had this happen several times now and I still freak out.

Blake:

I’m not freaking out! [She gives him a look of disbelief. Ahem.] I’m just trying to assess this new situation like a logical adult. I own a Darkrai, remember? I… [cuts himself before explaining as the details don’t matter.] I’ve seen worse.

Honey:

Yours doesn’t sound like it was that bad yet either. Yet. [Glances down at her cup, her reflection quite muted in the brown liquid.] That’s what scares me. I didn’t want to tell you the truth, but if you’re like me now, then this probably isn’t going away. And to think that once we split up, you’d be alone and scared while the world falls apart around you, and no explanation why? I couldn’t do that to you. [tightens her grip on the glass as tiny ripples form from her shaking.] But you said it only started with the ship, and I can’t stop thinking that I did this to you! I didn’t mean to drag you into this. I just saw you frozen, and I panicked, and… and…

Blake:

I didn’t mean to give you the impression I was blaming you for all this. Remember, you told me earlier that things got strange only after I left you, and even if only joking, I suppose it goes both ways. Shortly after you left, I felt a little strange, a little… out of sorts. At first, I thought I could chalk it up to the reality of the crash finally setting in. Then I tried to convince myself to go after you. I struggled to do something, anything, but it slowly dawned on me I wasn't in control of myself at all! That was when I started to panic. [He hesitates a moment as though reliving the memory.] I’ve never felt so vulnerable in my whole life… But then, it was almost as if you knew because you suddenly appeared to me like a vision! I thought, even if it was just a figment of my imagination, I could take it that you were in trouble. And suddenly I found I could move again! But… that's when everything stopped making sense. The spikes, the lightning... I tried to call you and there was no signal. I went to the Pokémon Center to ask for help, but they talked like I wasn't even there! I started to think I was suffering a Bad Dream and perhaps if I went back to the boat, it would all go away. It took some time, but it eventually did. [A weak but genuine smile for once.] If anything I feel you must have rescued me back there. I’m just relieved to know it was real.

Honey:

[Just staring at him as he explains. She’d be lying if she said it didn’t help ease her conscious, but she can’t help but question what a very strange young man he was.] You’re taking this bizarrely well.

Blake:

[Glances away.] To be honest, I’ve heard… rumors. I’ve been fighting Team Fusion far longer than you have, after all. People have said they’ve invested in researching parallel worlds. Ludicrous, of course, but if what your friend from the other side said is true, we may be suffering some side effects of their results. [Clenches his fists with determination.] The joke is on them though, since it seems we can use that same power to stop them!

Honey:

[While it sounds like he’s happy about it, the story just leaves her all the more worried about him.] Please, no! We still don’t know how afflicted you are yet. Michael said if I was caught meddling again, he knew how to end me! If he finds out you’re aware of it when he already hates you, who knows what they’ll do to you next time!

Blake:

Who?

Honey:

Team Fusion. Michael is apparently their leader, and after seeing what he’s willing to do to his own people, I just can’t have you getting involved. Every time these “slips” have happened it’s been either before or after encountering Team Fusion, so I’m starting to think that’s what Luke wants me to do. I have to be the one to do this though.

Blake:

Says who? Honey, I told you before how I, an experienced leader, shouldn’t be trying to face them alone. You think I’ll stand by while you put yourself in danger? That’s why I wanted to join the League was so I could protect people like you. I may not be that old, but when you’ve spent half your life fighting for something, you don’t give it up at the first threat. When we get back home, I’ll be sure to alert the others immediately. [Rises from his seat to go start the boat.]

Honey:

And what good will that do? We’ve no evidence, and we’re still not sure if that’s really what’s happening right now anyway. Even if they believe you, they won’t be any help if Team Fusion knows how to freeze people. Or worse…

Blake:

[Comes to a stop on that note, and turns back to her] ….. You make a fair observation. [Comes back to sit next to her.] Can you at least let me help you? I may not get to be the hero of this story, but I can still support you. [He can see she’s trying to hold herself back, and tries to give her a warm, confident smile.] I’ll play the fool, if need be. Pretend I don’t know anything, maybe serve as a glorified distraction for you to get in. We’ll… We’ll figure something out, alright? Just because you ”have to” be the one to do this doesn’t mean you have to face it alone. Let me come?

Honey:

[As well as she’d been holding up the past… however much time had really passed since they got trapped in that place, there’s such a wave of relief to hear someone say that, and she immediately pulls him into a hug. Softly as she could just about cry at not being alone in this.] Thank you. I’m still so sorry about all this.

Blake:

[Every muscle in his body tenses up as she grabs him and he seems to cringe as he gently pushes her back.]

Honey:

[Slight sniffle as she looks up at him in dismay at his reaction.] Oh! I’m sorry about that too, I should warn you I get very affectionate when-

Blake:

[Still tense, but tries to give her a grin that it’s perfectly alright.] That’s not it at all. You just poured tea... all down my back.

Honey:

…! [Lets go of him to realize she never did actually drink her tea, and looks down at the now empty tea cup in hand. Flushes a deep red with the embarrassment as she slowly pulls her towel over her face.]

Blake:

It’s alright, I’ve spent most of the day soaked anyway. [gets back up from the seat and grabs another towel to toss over the wet cushion] I’ll just get changed when we get back home. Are you ready to leave?

Honey:

[Peeks out] Are you okay to drive?

Blake:

I’m more than well enough to steer us off of this gods’ forsaken place. Though I’m more worried the boat won't hold up if we wait.

Honey:

Oh! Right. Then let's go home.

=+=

[As they docked the boat back at Serenity Island, it was hard for the nearby fishermen to not curiously eye the state of it. Honey sees a few onlookers from her window and moves over to where she can talk more quietly to Blake as they prepare to get out.]

Honey:

[In fact, she recognizes some of those fishermen and wonders if they're just really hardcore or if her and Blake had only been gone a few hours.] You know, with how everything keeps freezing, I’m starting to think time moves differently for us when that happens.

Blake:

What do you mean?

Honey:

Well, the first time I had a bad “slip,” my mom said I’d only just left the house. And even after the Milkshake Ruins, I was still home before dark. It's been really strange.

Blake:

Heh, and will only get stranger, I’m sure. I suppose then you're parents haven't started looking for you yet?

Honey:

No, but I’m not sure how long it takes to repair a boat. You might have some people asking what you did…

Blake:

Ah yes. [Pauses to help her step over the gap to the dock.] I hate to bring this up, but I’m afraid this is where we’ll need to part for now. I need to get this thing to the repair shop as soon as possible, else he might try to say it’s my fault for letting it get this way. What do you plan to do now?

Honey:

Hmm… I’m not sure yet. The professor asked me to run another errand for him in Seaspray Town, but I think I’m going to just call home and stay here in Serenity for a bit.

Blake:

Then, if you’re planning to stay here in town for a bit, you might as well check out the Fusion Resort.

Honey:

[Hmph, you’re just tempting fate now.] What for?

Blake:

[The look she’s giving him serves as a reminder he’s not supposed to talk to her about the matter in public. Smiles.] Oh, nothing. I just thought you might like to have a look. They only opened the place a few months ago, so even I haven’t been inside yet. Of course, if you’re not staying the night, you’ll be needing this.

Honey:

[A SEASPRAYTIX!] Are you sure?

Blake:

Consider it a present for coming with me today. Don’t worry, I won’t be sailing for a few days, and you’ll head that way before I do. I’ll get another eventually.

Honey:

[Just shakes her head at him.] Are all of the Elite Four so generous?

Blake:

[He doesn’t answer, but just sort of chuckles to himself as he turns back to the boat.] I’ll be sure to get in touch with you.

Honey:

Thank you! Oh, and Blake? [He pauses in the doorway to look back at her. She just gives him a smile and adds on warmly] It was nice meeting you. The real you.

Blake:

[Just gives a soft laugh as he unfortunately knew she was right.] Take care, Honey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blake joined the Party~! At least these two have a chance to get everything sorted out before splitting up, because by gosh it'll only get stranger from here. Good luck, you two.

Whoohoo! Made it through the arc~!

[samuelmmarcus]

California Pool Cabana Design

  Nothing says “Happy Summer” more than a pool cabana with coastal interiors and AGK Design Studio (one to follow on Instagram!) certainly knows how to design coastal spaces!

Located in Point Loma, California, this pool cabana is so perfect that one might never want to leave! The entire space feels open, welcoming and comfortable. Outdoor fabrics allow guests to enjoy the space without worries and vistas to a dreamy backyard with a sparking pool certainly make this entire home feel even more magical.

I hope this tour helps your mind feel the beautiful energy of this season. Enjoy!

  See other project by AGK Design Studio recently featured on Home Bunch:

California Ranch Home for Sale.

California Spanish-style Home.

California Ranch-style Home Renovation.

California Pool Cabana Design

How dream is this backyard, right?! The exterior siding is James Hardie in Sherwin Williams Smoky Grey.

Trim Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005.

Cabana & Gym

The gym is located in a separate building along with the Pool Bathroom/Laundry Room.

Bi-fold Doors: Milgard, Custom build.

Exterior Sconces: Livex Princeton 19” High Black outdoor wall light – Others: here, here, here & here.

Casual Elegance

I could live in this Cabana! How gorgeous is this space?! I love the classic color scheme of deep blues and whites and the stunning chic coastal decor and furniture.

Rug: Dash & Albert.

Living Room

This is the type of interior that make me feel happy. It elevates my mood and reminds me that we always should live with things we love and never compromise on comfort.

Sofas: Serena & Lily Sundial Sofa – Perennials Basketweave – Color: White.

Coffee Table

Coffee Table: Serena & Lily Anacapa Rectangular Coffee Table.

Hurricane: Ralph Lauren, Polished Nickel – Others: here, here & here.

Beautiful Trays: here, here, here & here.

Beautiful Glass Beads: here, here & here.

Summery Pillows

What an inspiring combination of pillows! Pillows and throws are Serena & Lily – Leighton Pillow Cover, Kemp Pillow Cover, Addie Stripe Tassel Pillow Cover, Eva Tassel Pillow Cover, Topanga Pillow Cover, Avery Alpaca Throw.

Shop this Look:

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  Wall Paint Color

Wall, Fireplace and Ceiling Color: Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005. Walls are clad in Shiplap.

Flooring: DuChateau – Vinyl Deluxe Grand Collection Color: Cantin – similar here – Others: here & here.

Console Table: Serena & Lily South Seas Console – Color: Natural.

Can Lights: The Home Depot.

Dining Room

This coastal dining room seems to invite you in. This spot is perfect for meals of all kinds… a casual meal with friends, a romantic dinner for two or pizza night with the kids.

Dining Table Seating: Serena & Lily California Bench, Sunwashed Riviera Dining Chair – Color: Pacific.

Dining Table: Serena & Lily California Dining Table.

Lighting: Serena & Lily Santa Barbara Pendant.

Dining Rug: Kravet – Available through the designer – Others: here, here & here.

Host Dining Chair

Host Dining Chairs: Shore Dining Chair – Perennials Basketweave White.

Color Scheme & Trends

This space certainly features the latest in interior trends but it also feels timeless.

Artwork

Art: Etsy colorZen – Sea Fingers Wall Art – similar here & here.

Layout

View from Dining Room towards Living Room and Kitchen.

Accent Chairs

Chairs: Serena & Lily Sundial Outdoor Swivel Chair – Palm – Color: Midnight.

Ceiling Fan: Big Ass Fans.

Kitchen

Navy Blue cabinets, along with white marble backsplash tiles, truly complete the classic color scheme chosen for the cabana.

Ice machine: Scotsman.

Appliances: Miele.

Rug: Serena & Lily.

Cabinet Paint Color

Cabinet Color: Sherwin Williams Naval SW 6244,  Semi-gloss.

Hardware: Restoration Hardware Pulls & Knobs (similar here & here) & Appliance Pull.

Countertop & Backsplash

Countertop: Neolith – Classtone Collection Estatuario E-04 Polished.

Backsplash: Jeffrey Court Wall Street White 3×9 – Others: here, here, here, here, here, here, here & here.

Sink & Faucet

Sink: Kohler.

Faucet: Waterstone – Others: here, here & here.

Accessories: Etu Home cutting boards.

View

The view is certainly not bad, right?

Home Gym

This separate building houses the Home Gym, a Mudroom/Laundry Room and a Pool Bath.

Flooring: DuChateau – Vinyl Deluxe Grand Collection Color: Cantin.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper: Thibaut Design Shang Extra Fine Sisal Color: Sky Blue Item # T5021 – Available through the designer.

Window Treatment: Custom, Ralph Lauren Home Beach Road Dhurrie Stripe – Color: Seaspray – Available through the designer.

Water Station

Water Station: Elkay In-Wall Bottle Filling Station.

Mudroom

A side door opens to a practical Mudroom with custom cabinet and stacked washer & dryer. The patterned tile leads to the Home Gym and Bathroom.

Floor Tile: Wayfair.

Bench Cushion: Perennials Chelsea Square Color: Blue Heaven 765-15.

Washer/Dryer: LG Washer & Dryer.

Cabinet Paint Color

Built-in Color: Frazee Foggy London 8642W Semi-gloss.

Hardware: Pulls & Knobs – similar.

Tray: World Market.

Shiplap Paint Color

Shiplap Wall and Ceiling Color: Sherwin Williams Pure White.

Towels: Serena & Lily Capri Fouta Beach Towel.

Stool: Serena & Lily.

Bathroom

Wall and Ceiling Color: Sherwin Williams SW 7005 Pure White.

Mirror: Restoration Hardware Pendant Round Wall Mirror – Others: here, here, here, here, here & here.

Toilet: Kohler Tresham Comfort Height – Color: White.

Floor Tile: Wayfair.

Sconces: Visual Comfort.

Sink & Countertop

Sink and Countertop are custom in Caesarstone White Zeus with custom design on splash.

Faucet: Restoration Hardware 1940 Fleetwood Cross-Handle Wall-Mount Faucet – similar here.

Towel Ring: Pottery Barn.

Outdoor Kitchen

This home also features an expansive Outdoor Kitchen with pizza oven. Countertop is Amazon Stone Honed Black Granite.

Outdoor Dining Area

Outdoor Dining Table and Chairs: Restoration Hardware – Others: here, here, here, here & here.

Table Decor

Tray: World Market.

Pool

This gorgeous large pool is surrounded by pavement and faux turf.

Pool Steps

The pool steps are marked with mini tiles. I think this is a brilliant and safe idea!

Lounge Area

Chaise Lounges: Restoration Hardware- Others: here, here, here, here & here.

Umbrella: Restoration Hardware – Others: here, here & here.

Lumbar Pillows: Available through the designer – Others: here & here.

Designer’s Dream

Hiring a good interior design team does make a huge difference, doesn’t it?!

Backyard Inspiration

This dreamy backyard also features a basketball area and plenty of greenspace.

Adirondack Chairs

Adirondack Chairs: Wayfair.

Bar cart: Serena & Lily Pacific Bar Cart.

Grass: Faux Turf.

Pool Tile

Pool Tile: The pool tile is from a custom company and it features Navy Subway Tile on sides. The pool steps and jacuzzi feature a small navy mosaic tile. Hot tub features it in a herringbone pattern.

    Many thanks to the designers for sharing the details above.

Interior Design: AGK Design Studio (Instagram).

Builder: Kaponicorp.

Photography: Ryan Garvin Photography.

    Click on Items to Shop:

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  Best Sales of the Month:

Thank you for shopping through Home Bunch. For your shopping convenience, this post may contain AFFILIATE LINKS to retailers where you can purchase the products (or similar) featured. I make a small commission if you use these links to make your purchase, at no extra cost to you, so thank you for your support. I would be happy to assist you if you have any questions or are looking for something in particular. Feel free to contact me and always make sure to check dimensions before ordering. Happy shopping!

  Wayfair: 4th of July Sale! Up to 70% off on Living Room Furniture and Decor.

  Serena & Lily: Huge Outdoor Furniture and Decor Sale.

  Pottery Barn: Flash Sale Up to 70% off!

  Joss & Main: 4th of July Sale.

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“Dear God,

If I am wrong, right me. If I am lost, guide me. If I start to give-up, keep me going.

Lead me in Light and Love”.

Have a wonderful day, my friends and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”

with Love,

Luciane from HomeBunch.com

from Home https://www.homebunch.com/california-pool-cabana-design/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[dazzle-bright]

Bumbleberry & Scooter Sprite

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sparkleworks beach bag I saw on eBay a few months ago & wish I bought

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Toss a coin in the fountain and make a wish!

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Shoutout to chocolatedelight on the arena for finding this store picture from 2005!!!