#solar switch box

[catchyhuh]

CAMPINGG YAAAY

everyone look at this image and imagine a beautiful world with me

lupin:

the first to suggest it and the worst at it. there’s a difference between “we HAVE to camp for a few nights” and “we should TOTALLY camp out you guys!!” so sure, he can survive it easily… if it’s framed as a necessity. but when its supposed to be a fun thing, ehhhh

getting all the shit together, finding a safe enough spot to set up, struggling through dinner and how to get rid of the trash right AND how to pitch the tent…

it’s the little things that keep drawing him back to it though. he hates working with the tent, but after the initial wave of irritation, he thinks back on the others laughing before asking if he needs some backup there and he’s like. yeah that was probably funny. he loves the sound of a forest at night too-- usually he can’t sleep when it’s too quiet, but with the trees rustling and bugs chirping and all that, it’s a nice, consistent sound machine. so he tends to forget how grouchy he got last time they went all because he starts thinking about when they all laid down and just stared up at the sky for nearly an hour

jigen:

bitch is like a cockroach he can easily survive any conditions at all. but that doesn’t mean he isn’t complaining

despite his. jigenness, he’s probably the one that gets the most actual enjoyment out of it. every other vacation they could take kind of still feels like a job, in his head. he can’t fully, totally relax in some luxury hotel, even if he enjoys it, because subconsciously, his brain is figuring out where the cameras are, the quickest route back to the car from their room, etc etc. camping is different just because it's SO isolated, it's SO different from anything else. so when he pulls his hat over his face and leans back in a beach chair they took from some resort in miami, he actually does feel totally at peace

unfortunately though as the guy who specializes in taking apart and putting back together doohickeys (read: giant real life fucking guns) he always ends up being the guy to read the manual and go “guys its a solar powered lantern. there is no switch. you just let it sit in the-- you keep it in the box this WHOLE TIME?”

fujiko:

also has a bit of that jigen thing where she feels like she can actually, completely and totally relax like this. you’d expect her to be the fussy type with camping but-- no. she’s not sleeping in the damn tent if she can help it, but getting a camper and just enjoying their little opening in the forest is pretty sweet. fujiko (and this is the case for a lot of things) is really the main one who truly understands her own limits and just Doesn’t Care beyond that. who gives a shit if its “real camping.” she’s having a good time

secretly kinda loves packing for these things and imagining all kinds of one off freak scenarios that would happen to justify needing some of this shit. “be sure to bring the flashlight in case somebody has to piss in the middle of the night” bullshit. “be sure to bring the flashlight in case we find a cave with a huge mouth that somehow leads to a long forgotten crypt” NOOOW you’re talkin!! it’s all about the essentials-- sunscreen, long socks, backup snacks, and, of course, the cursed amulet that’s SO cursed it’ll just ward off anything else that tries to fuck with them. nobody handles it like fujicakes

despite all this she’s not often one to suggest camping because she, uh. kinda forgets how much she enjoys it until it’s like, actively happening. she’s like you guys WANNA camp….?? really? and then the minute they arrive she gets all smiley and happy about being so close to a lake and seeing all the frogs and stuff like she’s a little kid in science class

goemon:

goemon uh. kinda does this all the time. just for himself. they’ll be in a nice hideout and if its isolated enough to the point passerby won’t look up and go “is that fucking goemon ishikawa the thirteenth chilling on the roof” well. yeah he chills on the roof. you know he loves that

but when they actually go CAMPING camping, he tends to go in a bit too much. like, he won’t use the little portable stove, gets downright offended if he’s offered bug spray, sometimes he gets so stubborn he’ll insist he doesn’t even need a tent! 

when it’s all said and done he almost subtly picks fun at the others for so obviously not being the type of people to enjoy camping like normal humans do. he’s seen 7yos with more survival instincts. uh ignore the fact that he stayed outside of the tent on a cold night because he was “strengthening” himself and he got like suuuper sick ignore that f

zenigata:

ALL IN OR NOT AT ALL PUSSY!! if you want neat, easy camping GO GET A CABIN! this is all about the CHALLENGE baby this is all about ROUGHIN IT!! no hate if you arent cut out for it but… heh… maybe consider a cozier vacation next time. we’re cooking shit over a campfire here we’re preparing to fight entire goddamn bears if necessary THIS IS THE BEAUTY OF NATURE! THIS IS TOUGH GUY TIME!!!!

he didn’t sleep at all last night because he set up his sleeping bag wrong and the tent collapsed on him at 4 am. don’t worry though the others only laughed at him for twenty minutes before helping him out of his nylon prison

so yeah, if its a necessity, he doesn’t have a problem with it at all. but if you frame it as a special trip, good fucking god help you. he says he loves it! and maybe he does a little bit, buuut he. tends to get a bit overzealous. like immediately. like as soon as they arrive he gets all serious about trees n shit, and then just 8 hours in he’s bundled up in one of fujiko’s gigantic velvety blankets by the fire like “snnf… pass me the trail mix.” he eats all the reese’s pieces out of it. they hate him so much

[muddyorbsblr]

rules of conduct: the checkout queue

Series Masterlist See my full list of works here!

Summary: in which Loki learns the ways of having to wait in line

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Word Count: 964

Warnings: smut (minors & pearl clutchers, don't even think about it); vaginal fingering; exhibitionism-adjacent; 1 cuss word (not even remotely sorry, Rogers)

Things to be aware of: teammates to…y'know what even I'm not quite sure what they are by the end of this…partners in smut? 😂

"And after crossing out every item on this list, with a considerable amount of ancillaries…" You had to roll your eyes at Loki's comment about the boxes of Pop Tarts and grape sodas and Vanilla Cokes that took up more than half the space of your cart. "We can finally leave this market teeming with the mundanities of man?"

"Not so fast, Mischief," you called out to him, stopping him mid-stride as he made his way to the exit. "We have to pay first."

"You do not simply walk away with what you desire?" You shook your head at him, holding back your laughter as the concept visibly confused the god. "That was how merchants were to me and Thor back in Asgard."

"Well you're on Earth now. And I'm not royalty, they won't just give me all this for free unless I have an arsenal of coupons or they find me pretty enough to give me a 'friends & families discount' in exchange for flashing them my tits or giving them my number."

"But I am a prince—"

"Not here, you're not," you cut him off. "Some people barely even want to acknowledge that the Earth isn't flat, good luck getting them to accept that there's anything beyond the solar system. Let alone more intelligent and superior life forms." The corner of his mouth twitched in a smirk at that last bit. "So here you're an alien. Not a prince. Not a god. Well…unless we find people who heavily subscribe to Norse mythology so I gotta make sure we keep you far away from that." 

He took a look around the marketplace, two fingers hooked at the front of your cart and not so subtly dragging it, and you, along with him as he made his way through the aisles. You made the split second decision to place your feet on the bottom rack to give your feet a break from walking and letting the towering Asgardian do all the work instead. 

"Wait. Loki where are you going?" You avoided the pointed glares of the people in line that he passed, the irritation quickly melting into unabashed leering stares as they took in the way his black jeans and dark emerald shirt clung to and perfectly accentuated his lean, godly form. He looked back at you, breaking out into an amused grin when he saw how you were standing on the rack of the cart, his other hand pointing toward the cashier as if to answer your question. "There's a line, Mischief. Gotta move to the back and wait our turn. You know, just like everyone else." 

Loki let out an exaggerated huff before turning the cart around and walking to the back of the line, the sound morphing into a faint chuckle when he heard your muted 'wheeeeee', only dismounting from the rack when you two finally stood at the end of the five cart queue and causing the women to risk neck pain from looking back and shamelessly checking out your teammate. 

Your breath hitched when you felt his large hands resting on your hips, the lustful glances of the women in front of you once more becoming scathing as they switched their focus from him to you, and just how closely he stood behind you, the tip of his nose tracing the shell of your ear. "Okay now what're you doing?" 

"Simply waiting our turn, darling." You could feel him smirking against your skin as fingers played along the waistband of your jeans, briefly dipping under and stroking the skin underneath and making you grip the handle of the cart so hard your knuckles were turning white. "Do you not think this would be a much more…titillating way to pass the time?" 

"You are going to get us into a scandal, Laufeyson," you hissed under your breath, struggling to keep your composure and subtly kick him so that he'd stop fucking around as deft fingers undid the button of your jeans, sliding the zipper down at an agonizing pace. "If you wanna incur Pepper's wrath because you were horny during this stupid acclimation effort that Stark assigned me to, be my guest. But don't drag me in with you--"

"Did you truly think I would let any of these inferior prying eyes see what we were up to, little mortal?" he whispered, breath tickling the tiny hairs at the side of your head. "All these people are seeing is your ever affectionate lover, my arms wrapped around you, the two of us engrossed in our own conversation. Every now and then I would press a kiss to your face." As if to emphasize his point, he pressed a soft kiss to your cheek, humming against your skin as he did so. "Just like that." 

"Cameras," you hissed. You couldn't find it in you to voice the rest of your sentiment. You are not my lover, and I'm not your darling. 

Mostly because you wanted so desperately for his illusion to be your reality.

"Under the same illusion." He kissed a path down to the corner of your mouth. "Tell me to stop." He groaned as he pressed another kiss to your skin, his fingers slipping under your panties and slowly making their way down. "Tell me you don't want this, too, and I'll stop--"

"I can't," you blurted out, a whimper slipping from your mouth as he finally pressed his lips to yours.

"Then you'll need to keep quiet for the remainder of the queue, darling." He captured your lips in another kiss, muffling the moan that escaped you when his fingers traveled further down and met your slick arousal, running up the length of your slit and rubbing tight circles against  your clit. "Or else we shatter the illusion." 

A/N: so…welcome to 'rules of conduct'! requests for this series/collection will forever be open, so if you have any scenarios you want to put these two blorbos into that fit the theme of the story, send them over and I'll see what I can do 😄 (also I don't have that many ideas on what exactly I'm gonna have them do next after this other than another shot at fitting room smut, maybe public library, and then that's about it)

‘everything’ taglist: @sailorholly @loopsisloops @unlucky-number-13 @imalovernotahater @coldnique @loz-3 @huntress-artemiss @salempoe @vickie5446 @athalialaufeyson @lokiprompts @sarahscribbles @kats72 @kikster606 @evelyn-kingsley @lokixryss @thomase1 @mischief2sarawr @peaches1958 @lovingchoices14 @lunarnights95 @goblingirlsarah @iamlokisgloriouspurpose @creationsbyme @maple-seed @mjsthrillernp @ladyofthestayingpower @mygfloki @sititran @glitterylokislut @ozymdias @fictive-sl0th @lovelysizzlingbluebird @lokidbadguy @mochie85 @silverfire475 @joyful-enchantress @dangertoozmanykids101 @elizabethmidnight2017 @holdmytesseract @lokidokieokie @lunarnights95 @superficialdomina

Loki taglist: @calumance @severuslovebot @moonlightreader649 @i-stand-with-loki @nixymarvelkins @infinitystoner @lokisgoodgirlbackup @purplegrrl27 @thedistractedagglomeration

'rules of conduct' masterlist: @acidcasualties

[theic-manic]

Hellenic polytheism tip: ask Hermes to guide your shopping

Hermes will help you purchase things either for now or later.

Before I devoted myself to Apollo and was still casually worshipping him, I found a shirt at a thrift store that I wouldn't normally buy or wear anywhere but I felt drawn to it.

So I started wearing it initially to attract wealth and abundance, wearing it on warm sunny weekends and this was right before last year's solar eclipse in the northern hemisphere.

(Synchronicity penny just dropped: last weekend I watched a horror movie featuring a Solar Eclipse & Apollo showed me an online shopping page... I'll link below.)

Anyway once I established myself as Apollo's devotee rather than worshipper, I started wearing this shirt on Sundays as a devotional act for him.

The shirt:

(I'm tired so please excuse my face)

Last year while thrift shopping I found some cute cherub tea light candle holders, which isn't something I typically get either.

This was during a period where Hermes was being his trickster self & larping as Hekate (the spider in my towel head wrap is such an obvious sign looking back) but I was like "odd, this doesn't feel like hekate" so I packed then away.

Recently, while reorganising my bedroom I took them out and had a closer look.

There's a Lyre on each candle holder.

I asked Apollo if he'd like them on his altar.

Yes.

Another time, while shopping with Hermes I asked Ares if he liked a bag Hermes helped me pick out.

Ares complimented it so then immediately Hermes found me a "War Collection" box for my Ares altar ☺️

So let Hermes guide your shopping (set a boundary that he doesn't send you broke because one weekend he kept showing me a bunch of antiques and I'm like MATE I AM NOT RICH... yet)

E.g. when Hermes had me spend my annual leave buying a bunch of LEDs and a damn Asus Rog Ally hand-held PC for his altar as a thank-you for him gifting me with a year's worth of free coffee + $10k AUD

Hermes altar, the hand-held gaming PC he had me dedicate to him and the smol llama plush that now lives on said altar... (I still think it needs a name other than "Lola")

The second-hand coral pink Nintendo Switch that Hermes and Apollo had me go and buy my disabled housemate to make their medical appointments easier after the aforementioned winnings + Hermes helping me make $500 profit after calling my phone company out on predatory sales tactics and threatening to drag them to the telecommunications ombudsman.

I included a case I no longer use and some games I no longer play, as well as an LED charging cable.

Hermes finding me a Hermes-coded bag and a war box for Ares

Apollo being real subtle showing me eclipse mints next to a certain book title after watching a horror movie about a solar eclipse

Warning:

Hermes is also the God of thievery (I was extremely good at shoplifting during my youth that I once stole a 2L bottle of bourbon while wearing nothing but a bikini and a sarong) and he did once make a shopkeeper forget to charge me for almost $200 worth of thrift store merchandise however Apollo will absolutely drag you for such acts and so if you work with Apollo or other justice inclined gods, steal at your own risk.

[ikamigami]

I'm scared that the longer Sun's alcohol problem will be ignored the more reckless he'll act and it'll eventually lead to a drama..

"What reckless things he did?" You probably ask yourself now.

After he started drinking alcohol he became more aggressive when angry, he was flirting with Foxy when he seemed weirded out whenever ship was mentioned before, he gave Dazzle 5 boxes of Dum Dums (the smallest box that I found had 120 lollipops which is 780g of candy 😭 and he gave Dazzle 5 boxes which is 3,9 kg of candy.. 🫠) and he stole sushi for 100$.. it's a lot of money.. this restaurant lost close to 15 500 yen.. you can for yourself how much this amount is valuable but it's a lot..

So you can see that Sun acts more and more recklessly.. I'm betting that Moon's mental breakdown happened later then Sun teaching Dazzle because we know that Sun took care of Moon afterwards.. or that's what I think.. Sometimes it's really hard to tell when it comes to the timeline of events in these shows..

Anyway even if this may not seem as a big deal for you.. it may become a big problem sooner or later..

I'm afraid that Sun will do either something really dangerous or stupid and the drama will ensue..

He already broke a law because he stole something..

I'm slightly disappointed (I can't find better word) with Earth because while surprised at first that Sun wanted to give Dazzle 5 boxes of Dum Dums she let him do this eventually..

It doesn't matter that Dazzle is huge.. I think that no one should it almost 4 kg of candy.. 😕 (if human ate this amount of candy in one sitting they'd risk having cardiac problems which can end up with death)

Like I said in one of my posts I think that Earth ignores signs that Sun has some serious issues because she feels safe around her older brother and doesn't want to disrupt this. Even if it's understandable that she wants to rely on her older brother I think that she knows better than that and should at least recommend Sun going to a different therapist..

I like Earth and I'm sure that she wants to have some peace in her life after all these traumatic events that happened. Even if she was sharing most of her problems with Solar it's easy to see that she views Sun as a safe person, a safe place she can rest in..

The first person she went to after Lunar killed Eclipse was Sun. I bet that she feels comforted by the fact that Sun is the oldest and despite that he went through a lot he's still the same caring person. She views Sun as someone who is smart especially in regard to social and emotional matters..

Around Sun she lets herself act like a younger sister she is. She feels safe and lets herself act silly knowing that her older brother is right there for her..

That's why she can't be Sun's therapist. Because even if she cares about Sun deeply she favorizes their sibling relationship more than therapist - patient relation. It's because it's a conflict of interests. Sun is Earth's older brother so she seeks comfort in him so when he comes for therapy from her it completely switches their places, it flips their relationship totally..

Even if she tries her best to distance herself from being Sun's younger sister during therapy sessions it's impossible to completely eradicate the way she views him. Also it's way harder for Sun to open up to her because she's his younger sister - someone he takes care of, not the other way around..

So now when Earth is physically distanced from Sun due to him living in completely separated area from her and he's seemingly doing better - he seems more relaxed (due to alcohol intake), she ignores any signs that Sun has some serious issues because he's her older brother and she feels safe around him so naturally she doesn't want to disrupt it..

"He seems so happy. The happiest I've ever seen him. If he had a problem, he'd definitely tell me about it." - I can imagine that's what Earth is thinking to herself.

It's completely fine because it's normal that she wants her older brother to feel better.. but it's not okay that she tries to give him therapy when she clearly isn't suited to help him due to conflict of interests..

[angstemperor]

Adding onto this, there are some "cheap" tips that I genuinely enjoy doing.

I genuinely enjoy making my own oils and salves. I enjoy recycling soap scraps into new bars, I enjoy saving bottles and jars for plants and things and watching the collection grow knowing I'm getting more than my money's worth, and that I can then give those glasses to people who will use them. I enjoy learning how things are made so I can make them myself. I enjoy learning herbalism and feeling the effects of something that finally works. I enjoy saving the cardboard and packing paper from boxes and packages because it makes my craft brain happy even when I don't actively have a craft going on.

I enjoy using solar power and cutting open containers to get the last little bit and being the one going through our entire shampoo stock because my mother always buys more when she doesn't need it so I haven't NEEDED to buy shampoo and conditioner in ages (though I have bought some specifically to repair my hair after bleaching). And then once I'm through our stock of half used bottles and products we don't buy anymore, I'm switching to bar shampoo and conditioner because I can. Because I like it. Because I want to.

I enjoy listening to an artist's older music if I prefer that album of theirs. I enjoy listening to music from an MP3 player. I enjoy using a typewriter even though my hands are small and I'm not very good at it.

I enjoy these things because they make me feel capable. And after two (2) decades of having my every move controlled, of having my life planned out for me, knowing I not only could but actually do put this all into practice feels freeing to me.

I listen to myself and adjust accordingly because I can. I don't force myself to do things I don't want to or am terrified over because I can and I understand. I push myself to climb higher because I can.

And I love it.

[randomized-sims23]

A Familiar Safe Space (Twisted Brotherhood AU ft. Nexus and Solar)

"Will it stop? If I go with you?" The celestial animatronic asked, his voice low and tired as he looked up at the taller, Lunar animatronic, his black and orange eyes meeting purple and red. Well maybe "lunar" wasn't the right word anymore. He looked more like a mad scientist, complete with goggles hanging around his neck, the same pair Solar owned before he died. Nexus shrugged then nodded a little.

"Sort of? The voices and hallucinations won't ever really stop but there's enough to distract from those things, for a while anyway."

For the last few months Solar had been hearing and seeing things, but any time anyone asked himhe'd say he was fine. He couldn't even bring himself to tell Earth everything. But this...while he didn't doubt her ability to handle heavy stuff, he didn't want to worry Earth with ALL of his problems.

A light chuckle left his lips as he realized how Ironic this was. From what he'd heard of Nexus doing Solar was doing the same things he did- hiding or lying about how he felt, bottling up emotions or even forcing himself to work on projects until he was well under 50% charge, and Jack or Earth would drag him to bed to rest. All of this certainly wasn't helped by the part of his own code that was made and intertwined with Eclipses', a familiar yet strange itch to constantly prove himself itching under his skin, insecurity and inferiority buzzing through his circuits.

He glanced up, and for a moment he stared behind Nexus, seeing Sun. But not this dimensions Sun, no.

Sunny. His own original Sun.

Sunny stood behind Nexus, silently shaking his head as if he knew what Solar was thinking. Maybe he did, even in death Sunny always seemed to know no matter what.

Then he heard a voice, raspy and familiar near his ear.

His Moon, Moonbeam.

Moonbeam was whispering to him over his shoulder.

'You should do it.'

'Go with him, Eclipse.'

'You've already lied to your family, hidden things. The same things he experienced and they think he's crazy. What will they think of you?'

'Why not say fuck it, be an Eclipse. Sooner or later you all fall to madness no matter what. And you'd be with your best friend again, too. You know I'm right.'

Again, he saw Sunny shaking his head and even mouthed 'please, don't do it Eclipse...'

Solar shook his head and covered his ears, fingers moving up to grab and lightly pull his rays, only for a moment before he felt hands gently grab his wrists and pull his hands away from his head. His eyes rose to meet purple and red, something like concern etched on his face.

"Solar? You with me?"

Solar took a few deep breaths, closed his eyes, and nodded.

"Yeah, I...I'm solid, Moon."

Nexus smiled a bit. Solar was the only one he'd ever allow to call him 'Moon' again. No one else had that privilege.

"Good. So, Solar? Do you have an answer?"

The Eclipse looked at him, then away, then closed his eyes and took a breath.

"Yes."

Moon looked at him, a wider grin forming on his face and a hint of eagerness and excitement in his voice. "Really? Even though you'd be leaving Earth? Jack?"

A twinge of guilt settled in his core at that thought, feeling a bit bad since they went through so much to have him back, but if Moon couldn't be here, neither could he.

"I'm sure."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sunny shake and lower his head and vanish, Moonbeam taking his place with a sharp grin, but he said nothing.

"I'll meet you outside then, if you need to take anything." Nexus said as he stood and handed him a small box before he teleported away.

Solar took the box and teleported to Moon's lab. At a counter he felt for a switch underneath, pressing when he found it, which opened an adjacent panel. Inside were five purple crystals crackling with energy. Putting them in the box he went home to get ready.

Solar sighed as he returned home, tucking the box and his blueprints and notebooks into a bag. He left his toolbox and clothes behind. He'd get new ones in his new home later. He left a note on the bed.

'Sun.

I'm sorry but I left. I don't think I can stay here without Moon. I'm alive but I just can't stay without him. Please tell Earth, Jack, the others that I'm sorry. Sorry for leaving, sorry for lying and hiding everything, sorry I didn't say goodbye this time. Please, don't look for me this time. I love you guys, all of you.

-Solar'

With that, he shut off the lights, closed the door, and made his way outside, joining Nexus at a portal. With one look back, he entered through with him.

Yeah, it hurt to leave his family again. But he'd rather have just Moon and no one else than everyone but Moon. After all, Moon was something extra special to him. Moon was safety, warmth. His own little safe space.

-end-

[cordeliacordate]

jacegan brokerback mountain 👀

cowboy like me

JACEGAN | WIP | 3K | COWBOYS & EQUESTRIANS

Cregan is a cowboy. Jacaerys is a hunter-jumper that moves into Stark Ranch so that he can train for the Olympics under the tutelage of Sara Stark.

He's gorgeous, and far younger than Cregan had expected him to be.

Oh. He also hates Cregan on-sight.

Blood pumps through Cregan’s veins as he steadies his mount in the box. He’s got one eye on the steer in the chute, the other on his partner as Cerwyn backs his horse’s ass into the corner of the heeler box. It’s the last run of the night and they’re up for the jackpot, meaning that unlike his partner’s mount, Cregan is more focused than he’s been all evening. It’s not much, but a thousand bucks is a thousand bucks.  The cowboy’s rope is ready; the extra coils stacked in his riding hand, the excess loop tucked around his back, and he’s got a good spoke set between his fist and the rope’s honda. People are laughing and drinking in the stands while country music blares from the speakers. There’s a row of cowboys lined up alongside the fence and it’s late enough, Sara probably already has her hand on the floodlights, ready to switch them off so the arena can be worked overnight.  She’s got some new Olympic hopeful in town for the summer. A rich guy from down south paying a shitload of money to train with the Sara Stark—Westeros’ leading gold medalist in three-day eventing.  (And from what Cregan has gathered, he’s pretty sure the ‘student’ is a middle-aged man having a mid-life crisis and using a sizeable trust fund to escape reality.)  But, all that valyrian-hunter-jumper-dressage-dance bullshit will have to wait.  Tonight, Stark Ranch is clinging to its roots; serving as a dusty western playground for midnight cowboys looking to make a little cash on a Thursday evening. 

SPOILER: THE 'STUDENT' IS NOT A MIDDLE-AGED MAN.

ha ha ha... wow this moodboard had no effect on me at all. zero. none. i did not sit at my computer this afternoon and write an entire chapter between screaming at solar and mayim about how i did not have time for this. i did not.

anyway...i guess a horse girl is gonna horse girl whenever the opportunity presents. ty for this beautiful moodboard and idea. i clearly have absolutely zero self-control.

[ninjastar107]

'Caught Inbetween' - A protoman-centered MMC fic

[PART 1] [PART 2] [PART 3] [PART 4] [PART 5]

What was he, really? He was too advance to be like the other machines, but he was too mechanical to be human. Somehow he found himself being a bit of both, being seen as a kid dressed up in a costume by onlookers until they had a better look at his eyes.

The glow always gave him away.

Too mechanical to cause harm, but too human to follow orders. He was a machine, but to what purpose? A son? A vagabond? Blues let the 'thought' be his last. He watched the sunset through dimming vision, the orange mass wobbling and melting into the horizon.

-- "Solar powered, of course that blasted Dr. Light built this one…" an unfamiliar voice grumbled, " Faulty too, must be a prototype."

Where was he? Who was that? He was barely past the BIOS screen when the world faded out once again.

--

Something had changed. There was a new heat that ran through his tubes and wires, coursing with the force of a fusion reactor. Blues snapped his eyes open, the shock of his functions running without delay holding him in silence. Here he was again upon a table, just like the first day he was activated all over again. Above him stood the doctor -a different one this time- who marveled proudly at his work. "Who are you?" Blues asked in awe. "Just an old doctor who happened upon you. Dr. Light always gives up halfway through making a robot, and I always have to finish the job." Wily lamented, "Like with you and your faulty core that I generously replaced. Not all of his robots get this special treatment from me!" Blues sat up. The area around felt like a lab albeit a bit too bright for his liking. Why he could hardly see the doctor over the floodlight above him. A few white screens flickered against the wall, too bright for him to make out anything. "I have so little at my disposal but I had just enough to fix you up! Now you can go and fulfill your function!" Wily smiled. Blues thought on it, flexing his fingers. "I do not have one." Wily stared at him, eyes narrowing as a smug grin tugged at his cheeks, "Oh leave it to Light to not even program that into his machines… No matter, I can fix that!" Blues watched the doctor pace around before heading towards the monitors and merging with the light. He boxed his eyes in an attempt to dim the area, feeling for the light switch on the floodlight and accidentally knocking a few tools off a side table. Wily flashed a brief glare between rummaging about, his hands moving to make a slight modification to the helmet he fashioned. "Hold still now," Wily ordered and promptly stuck it on him, "There you go my boy, a little protection for your new purpose!" The world dimmed tremendously beneath the tinted visor, unveiling a level of detail more attuned to what he was used to. It must be a side effect to the new core, maybe too much energy flow to his optics? The only other explanation would be that this doctor looked at more than his power input... "You never explained what that exactly is." Wily ran a hand down his mustache in disdain, "The world out there is so cruel to someone like me, a shunned expert. Dr.Light gets all of the credit for all of the hard work I put in, why I'm practically exiled from society!" The doctor went back to rummaging, "There is this pesky robot named 'Megaman' always destroying my work! Nothing but minor setbacks, but annoying ones at that! I want you to stop him." Blues glanced down at the buster Wily had procured and offered. He had seen similar designed tools for construction droids, but never without extra wires or battery. "The pest has one similar, but yours is much more powerful. You should be able to defeat him easily- here, let ol' Dr. Wily install it for you!" Not that Blues was going to say no, this doctor saved his life after all and it wouldn't be right to not repay him in some way. He watched intently at the process, noting what parts need to be removed and readjusted so that he could reverse it later. This was just all part of the repayment plan, and once Megaman was defeated, he would return to his normal wandering ways. He wasn't programmed for combat…. but how hard could it be?

[chaos-cousins]

Oi. Fellow Zor. Incoming.

[Pelliper Mail! One whole Switch. One USB-C solar battery to charge it with. And adaptive straps that allow paws, both with and without claws, to control the joycons. Alongside of it is an already opened copy of Pokemon Crossing: New Horizons. The cartridge isn't in the box because it's in the Switch itself.]

Already gotcha the updates installed. No DLC, but ya don't need that to enjoy the game imo. But what's important is the seasonal stuff, so yeh, have fun!

Oooooooooo thank you thank you thank you thank you!

We're heading out to do requests so I'm not gonna be able to play it for a bit but I am! Really excited!

[frostironfudge]

Labyrinth - Bucky Barnes - Chapter III

Summary: labyrinth (noun), a complicated set of paths and passages, through which it is difficult to find your way. Bucky and You would do anything for Steve and Wanda, your respective best friends. In an attempt to avoid a tradition Steve and Wanda come up with a lie involving their best friends.  A lie, that involves building a labyrinth. Bucky and You begin to build but will you two find your way out or be caught in it?

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader, (Modern AU)

Word Count: 9.2k || Dividers: @firefly-graphics

Warnings: fluff, angst, swearing, a lil drama, sorta steamy moments, reader's boss is a meanie, a look into the past of the reader and bucky, romanian words have translations written in parentheses.

Main Masterlist || AO3 || Fic Masterlist

Bucky’s leg bouncing out of nervousness. Winnie is staring at them pointedly. Becca is trying to not laugh. Steve wants to run away, he really does. 

“So you got him fake engaged.” Winnie states, Steve nods. 

“So that you don’t have to follow tradition.” She states again. Steve nods again. 

Becca laughs again. Bucky shoots her a glare. 

“James Barnes, you do not glare at your sister.” She snaps, glaring at him. 

“Sorry Ma.” Bucky looks back at his hands, the ring in place. 

“Do you like this girl?” She questions. 

Becca represses her laughter again, knowing the ins and outs of the issue at hand. Steve groans, burying his head in his hands. 

“I don’t like her, she’s Wanda’s best friend so it worked out that way.” Bucky explains again. 

“Did you ask her to come over?” She raises a brow. He nods. 

“She should be here any minute.” Bucky gazes outside just as your car turns onto the driveway. Alpine perks up from her sleeping spot near the window, sunlight illuminating her white fur. 

Everyone’s eyes are on your approaching form, you’re holding a box. Bucky rolls his eyes. 

Alpine scratches at the window in recognition, you smile seeing her. 

The little pathway is lined by solar lamps with tiny butterflies made on them. You take a few deep breaths before ringing the doorbell. 

Bucky opens the door. 

“Hi.” You smile, he opens the door further to allow you inside. 

“You can take off your shoes here and wear those.” He points at the home slippers. You nod, manoeuvring the box and switching footwear. 

You falter a little, Bucky’s hand moves around the small of your back to steady you. You’re flush against his chest. Your skin heats at the proximity. 

Your gaze moves to the cut and bruise, “Did you ice it again?”

He’s about to respond, Winnie clears her throat from the archway leading to the living room, Bucky steps away from you. 

“Thank you for inviting me to your home, Mrs. Barnes, I got these for you.” You move forward and elevate the box lightly. “It’s made with sugar free ingredients. Bucky mentioned his dad has diabetes, so even he can have it.” 

Winnie smiles, “That’s generous of you.” 

“Wait, I know that logo, that's Confection Confession!” Becca gleams, taking the box away from you, “I had their stuff at a friend’s party and followed them on instagram literally the best desserts, damn I want to order another cake right now.” 

“You did?” You ask surprised. 

“They have the best desserts that I’ve eaten in so long, mum you remember those party favour cookies?” Becca turns to Winnie. 

“Oh my, those just melted in the mouth.” Winnie sighs dreamily. 

You grin happiness coursing through you, Bucky rolls his eyes. 

“Y/N actually is the person behind Confection Confession.” Steve adds, the mother daughter duo look between each other then at Bucky. Then at you. 

“Well have a seat I’m sure we have a lot to discuss.” Winnie motions for you to follow. 

“I’m slicing up these mini cakes.” Becca grins bounding over to the kitchen. 

“Steve, go help Becca.” Winnie requests, he makes his way over giving Bucky and you a thumbs up.  

You wonder if Wanda was here would you be more at ease. 

Bucky moves to the opposite side, leaving you to face his mother and him. Alone. You fiddle with your bag, Alpine lunges at you. 

“Alpine!” You coo, she rubs her face against your stomach, purring and settling onto your lap. 

“I see she’s met Alpine but not me.” Winnie raises a brow at her son, you look at him, Bucky for the first time in your life seems nervous. 

“Ma…”

She gestures for him to keep quiet, her questions begin, general questions getting to know you. College, hobbies, degrees, and work. You ask her questions as well, Bucky’s hard gaze is fixed upon you. Waiting for you to fuck up.

“So, what have you thought about telling others?” Winnie questions after a silence envelopes for a few moments. 

“Others?” You question, your eyes shift to Bucky then back to his mother. 

“Your family dear, I’m sure they would have been as baffled as I was.” She explains with a soft smile.

Bucky watches as you try to keep the smile on your face, your hand clutches the sofa, the other stays on Alpine. 

“My family and I aren’t on speaking terms.” You tell her. 

“I see, well, family is family, sometimes they don’t understand, sometimes we don’t, but if it gets too much and too bad, distance will help heal wounds.” She advises and you nod. 

“Thank you.” you say, not knowing what else can be said.

“Right,” She glares at him, “now, Y/N, Bucky tells me that you both have agreed to this fake engagement.” She turns to face you again. 

You nod, “Wanda and Steve don’t believe in the tradition, and if they follow the tradition to the finest of rules, then the couple who are shortlisted are rude, obnoxious and judgemental towards both of them and others.” 

“Sharon and Brock Rumlow?” She looks towards Bucky, her eyes lingering on his jaw. 

“Yes, he, James got hurt defending me against Brock.” You explain. 

“You don’t call him Bucky?” She wonders, “May I ask why?”

“We aren’t that close in general, and he’s never corrected me.” You shrug, petting Alpine. Bucky scoffs. You narrow your eyes at him. 

“Do you have any ulterior motive?” She questions, Bucky’s eyes widen.

“Ma, what the hell?” His voice raises, Steve and Becca walk in reverse back to the kitchen. 

“I don’t, I’m doing this for my best friend. I don’t have any interest, romantic or otherwise. I have no motive other than having my best friend be happy.” You explain. 

“I worry about him, it's been so long since he ever brought anyone home and now this for a minute I thought it was true and I was upset.” She gives you a warm smile. 

“I can understand, I’d be worried and protective about my child as well.” You add, she nods. 

“So how can I help?” She claps her hands. 

“You have to do nothing.” Bucky tells her to stand up. 

“I’m the mother in law, I need to know my daughter in law.” She says it as if it is simple. 

“No, you don’t need to bond with her. We’re not interacting beyond the required events. Now if your curiosity is quelled can she go?” He gestures to you, you look down at Alpine. 

“Sweetheart, don’t mind him. You can stay as long as you’d prefer, I’m sure Becca would love to ask you more questions regarding baking.” She requests, you shake your head to dismiss her concern. 

“I, it’s fine, this is difficult to deal with and he isn’t wrong, the more minimum we keep it, it's easier to keep track of the lie.” You explain, carefully shifting Alpine as your phone rings. 

“Excuse me.” You shift slightly checking the notification. 

Unknown Number: hi, just wanted to place in my order for the day after is that possible? - Zeenath N

Y/N: hey yes, you can just let me know what your order constitutes and I’ll revert with the amount and payment link and pick up details, I don’t offer delivery. 

Zeenath N Delivery 25th: 1 box of 12 chocolate chip, 1 box of red velvet, 1 box of peanut butter and chocolate chip, 1 box of raspberry and 1 assorted brownie gift box

Another message comes in,

Marianne: hi i’m on my way back, can I pick up the order earlier? If it’s inconvenient let me know.

Your eyes move up to Bucky, he glares at you as if checking your phone is a sin, you give Winnie an apologetic look. She smiles as if to brush it off.

“I have an order that is being picked up earlier, I need to leave, I’m so sorry to cut this short. Becca can always contact me anytime, I’d be happy to speak with her more.” You stand. 

Winnie smiles yet again, “Thank you for agreeing to meet us.” 

“The pleasure was mine, James, he spoke very highly of you, as has everyone I’ve met who knows you. Today I know why.” You beam, she chuckles. 

You move towards the door, catching Steve and Becca eating the cakes. They wave at you with their mouthfuls. You laugh. 

Winnie nudges Bucky to see you off. Begrudgingly he gets up, following you. He says nothing watching you. You look up at him wearing your shoes. 

You smile at him while leaving. 

“Thank you, for coming over on short notice.” He nods, while watching you move to the door. 

“She’s a sweet person, I figured it might happen given what happened yesterday.” You shrug. 

He hums. You turn walking to your car, pulling out of the driveway. 

When Bucky returns inside everyone is in the kitchen devouring the dessert. 

“She reminds me of something.” Winnie observes, as Bucky retrieves a glass of juice for himself. 

“lumina soarelui (sunlight).” He answers back in Romanian absentmindedly. His shoulders tense when he realises. 

“ai dreptate (you are right).” His mother replies, not trying to make a fuss. 

Bucky heads out of the kitchen towards his old room. 

Becca and Winnie share a look and a smile. Steve tilts his head looking amongst the three Barneses. Becca points at the sky and draws an outline of the sun on the kitchen table. 

Steve’s eyes widen, he looks on after Bucky he’d heard those words before everything went to shit. 

Six Years Ago. 

The gathering at Steve’s is in full swing, parents out of town and the need for a weekend party to let loose. Wanda grins at him, his heartbeat picks up. Music is thumping and the bass is deliciously enticing.

She grabs your hand excitedly to finally catch his eye, unknowing that all this time she’s all Steve sees, you laugh, holding on to the box you carried. Steve invited you as well and Wanda said the two of you would bring dessert.

Which meant she over whisked the batter while dreaming about Steve’s arms and you had to take over and restart it while she kept daydreaming. Another tug on your arm has you into her bright eyes.

“What?” You ask, the feeling of being watched takes over your side, you know when you lift your gaze to your right you will see him. 

“Bucky is staring at you.” She whispers, your skin heats. 

You look up sure enough he’s next to Steve but his eyes are on you. You smile at him, his lips quirk up in the slightest before Brock touches his arm to divert his attention.

It's always this way, you always find each other even in the most crowded of rooms. The way something within you would urge you to look and there you would find Bucky. 

“Imagine if we date best friends being best friends?” Wanda squeals excitedly, breaking you out of your pining.

“If he even likes me, I’m the one harbouring a crush.” You shake your head dismissing the thought.

“You need to give yourself more credit, Y/N.” Wanda sighs as you both finally make it into the kitchen, you open the box that harbours the sweet treats and hand Wanda two pieces to take to Steve. 

Bucky enters the kitchen then, Wanda grins at you, wiggling her brows and giving you a thumbs up. You fumble with the corner of the box.

“Would you, would you like to try one?” You nervously ask him, his eyes move from you to the box of brownies.

“What kind are they?” he moves closer, the scent of chocolate and caramel greet his senses.

“Chocolate and Caramel with a little sprinkle of sea salt.” you grab a tissue and hand him a piece. 

You don’t want to creepily watch him take a bite, but you also want to know his reaction. Bucky eyes the sweet treat, it does smell heavenly and you gave him a corner piece, he loves those pieces.

Brock enters the kitchen, 

“Hey Y/N.” he greets and goes towards the brownie box, “You made these?” 

You nod, “Yeah, have one.” you push the box towards him.

Bucky glares at Brock for interrupting. Though there was not a conversation occurring it still felt as if it was a moment only for the two of you.

“Sharon’s searching for you.” Brock says, Bucky makes a displeased sound. 

Brock eyes him, your eyes fall to the brownie but Bucky hasn’t eaten it.

“Okay, um I’ll go find her, enjoy the brownies.” You look at Bucky, smiling at him again before leaving. 

Sharon pulls on your arm dragging you towards a group of people, “Here she is!” she beams. You give a nervous laugh.

“Y/N this is Quinten Beck, he’s a colleague of Brock and Quinten this is the Y/N you have been asking about.” She acquaints the two of you. You to him, he’s smiling at you.

“Hi, I must admit, I’ve asked Brock about you more than I ask him about work related things.” Quinten laughs, you smile.

“I hope I don’t cause too much trouble.” You rub the back of your neck.

“On the contrary you make the trouble worth it.” He gives you a charming grin.

Your eyes dart towards the kitchen, Bucky stands there looking at the two of you. A scowl etched on his face. Your brows furrowed, were the brownies not good? 

Quentin taps your shoulder and you look back at him. 

“So tell me what does someone like you do apart from baking really good cookies?” Quentin chuckles, leaning closer as you explain your current life, completing your degree and an internship. 

You make a note to watch the clock, five more minutes and you would find Bucky. You would tell him how you feel. 

Maybe ask him out on a date? You had a cake batter ready at home to either cry with or celebrate.

You hoped it was the latter.

Present. 

You don’t understand why your mind brings forth the six year old incident again. Maybe because you finally registered the date. 

Quentin decided to promise you with a promise ring that he intends to replace it with a diamond one within two years, which would be today. 

Five years ago, one year after meeting Quentin had asked you out. 

You fell headfirst, when the man upon whom your heart was harbouring a huge turned into a heartbreaking revelation.

With Quentin you saw your entire future but then the rose tinted glasses began getting scratched and the grey reality seeped in, the only thing that he gave was heartbreak. 

You shut the pandora’s box, the break up was over two years old, you had moved on yet things ached. 

Now you had a fake engagement ring. 

You want to laugh. 

You realise how abrupt everything was at the Barnes household, you partly wonder if they know what he said to you. That they enjoy food items he doesn’t eat even a bite of with a passion. 

You often wonder what would have happened if you didn’t meet Quentin, what would happen if you said no to the date. Would you still have intimately known heartbreak?

Breaking out of the reverie you smile at the little girl accompanying her mom, Marianne for the cookie package pick up. She grins up at you, her pigtails bouncing. You give her an extra M&M cookie, the one you packed when you heard her sweetly asking her mother when they would pick up the desserts over the phone.

They thank you before making their way out. 

Heading back up to your apartment, you sigh, reaching for your phone to call up Wanda. 

She picks up on the third ring. 

“Hey how was it with his mom and sister?” She questions. 

“It was okay, my brain decided to recall I was supposed to be engaged to Quentin now.” You sigh. 

“I didn’t realise how difficult this would get for you.” Her voice is full of concern. 

“It isn’t, it’s just, I don’t know how to explain it. It doesn’t hurt anymore, it’s more like why was the hurt there?” You exhale. 

“You want me to come over with take out and we watch movies?” She suggests as you smile. 

“No, I know you have date night, maybe this weekend?” You counter the offer. 

“Y/N… you know I will forgo date night, Steve will understand.” Wanda’s brows furrow, Steve gestures to know what’s wrong. 

Wanda mouths ‘Quentin’. Steve’s jaw tightens, both of them hated him for what he put you through, your revelation that the antics were not a one time occurrence left a sour taste in their mouths. 

Guilt also swarmed, of not being there. Steve and Wanda were too enamoured with one another and when you decided to tell her you would like more time spent with her, she mistook what you meant which led to the rift while you were already drowning.

“I know he would but I’d rather go be surrounded by books today. I need a fictional boyfriend to take care of me.” You laugh, Wanda chuckles. 

“Maybe a brooding, grumpy to everyone but you kind?” She adds fuel to the fire. 

“God yes, pretty eyes and taller than me, just crushes me to his beefy chest.” You add, your brain instantly has Bucky conjured up. 

“And the hug turns into something hot and smutty?” Your best friend giggles but your brain oh your brain reminds you of how Bucky’s scent cascaded over you. 

The way those droplets of water traversed over his chest, the way his lips felt against yours, warm calloused hands teasing your flesh. 

How would that feel?

“O-oh,” You breathe.

“Are you getting off right now?!” Wanda screeches. 

“What no, my brain was just, just thinking of, of, Damon Salvatore.” You defend. 

“Right.” She says in a tone of disbelief. 

“What is the tone for?” You open the bottle of water. 

“We both know you aren’t thinking of Damon Salvatore.” She teases. Your skin floods with warmth. 

“Are you thinking of Damon’s arms wrapped around you or a certain brooding man who cooked you dinner and made sure you were taken care of?” She adds, grinning smugly. 

“Stop grinning smugly, I can hear it all the way here.” You warn. 

“Hmm, go to the bookstore also Steve says he knows a nicer independent one if you want to go somewhere new.” She suggests and Steve's eyes narrow. 

“Yeah sure, send it to me?” The timer dings, “I’ll speak to you later and have fun on date night.” You bid each other goodbye. 

Steve watches his fiancé have that little scheming look on her face. 

“What are you scheming?” He questions pulling her into his lap. 

“Who said I’m scheming?” Wanda feigns innocence. 

“You have that same look as the time you got me brownies six years ago and then we ended up making out.” He brushes his lips over her jaw. 

“Well, send me that bookstore’s address Bucky frequents.” She requests as his lips move along her neck. 

“You little genius, you noticed too.” He grins, retrieving his phone. 

“Of course I am, they just need to be locked in a room and bang it out.” She shrugs. 

“A bookstore isn't an appropriate place to bang—,” he pauses when she raises a brow, “For others, we’ve done it doesn’t mean everyone should.” He completes. 

“Well see, they just need a nudge. We’re simply nudging.” Wanda grins forwarding the address. 

Steve then diverts her lips back upon his own. 

Bucky finds solace among the scent of paperback books, the looming walls of books provide contentment. It had been a hard week after the pathetic weekend of lying. And then the admission of truth to his mother. Thoughts of you plagued him less often as his mind was preoccupied with important things. Yet his mind brought him back to you. 

He’s away from that honeyed scent of yours, it's somehow even more addicting than when you carried the scent of dark chocolate with a lingering caramel.  

His brows furrowed as he reread the back cover of the book he held, the scent of honey engulfed him again. 

“I’m dreaming.” He mutters, trying to focus on the summary. 

A book falls at the end of the aisle, he glances towards the source you’re placing the book back. 

“It’s worse, I’m in a nightmare.” He places the book back wanting to get out of the aisle. 

“Excuse me, Sir, Mister? Hey, you left your bag—, Oh, James… Hey…” he notes that you sound surprised, you recognised him from the arm ink matching it with his height. He’s in a short sleeved black t-shirt that clings to the body you’ve come here to forget. 

A week full of thoughts plagued by him and his stupid face and his even stupider body that won’t leave your brain. Or rather your brain won’t leave the images. 

He turns, taking the bag and going to the reading section not acknowledging your presence. 

You bite the inside of your cheek, if he wanted to act like strangers then fine so be it. You turn to the shelves trying to find the books from your to be read pile. Specifically something that had physical intimacy and not just sex but maybe sex and smut would do. 

This entire week tested you in every way possible. The conversation with Wanda and her sending you the address almost had you out the door. Then there was a panicked call from your Boss. That entire ordeal took the entire week to sort through. Therefore, you would not let James Barnes ruin your new book night. No, he would not ruin you finding a book boyfriend to fawn over and maybe cry over in case there was angst. 

Picking up the titles you make your way over to the reading area. Which is unfortunately packed. You sigh, so much for reading through some of the books to decide which one you wanted to take home. You walk around with a pile of six books, trying to find even a single chair. 

Bucky watches you from his corner seat trying to find a place in the crowded area. He spies at least six books in your hands. He scoffs. There is an empty chair opposite to him available, your gaze finds him, your lips press into a thin line. You don’t notice the empty chair yet.

You glance down at the titles, maybe you should not have gone overboard in search of your next book boyfriend. You sigh. There was no space here to sit and read and possibly have a coffee from the attached café. 

Bucky watches as you gaze down at your books and then he watches you turn away. Setting the books on the shelf near you, taking out your phone and taking a picture of the spines. You contemplate putting them back or finding another corner to sit in to read. Maybe sitting in the aisles?

Another once over has you pause, you notice the empty seat near him. Your eyes narrow at him. Bucky gazes back down into his own book, finding where he left off. You make your way over, maybe the back area has more seats.

A shadow crosses over Bucky, “No you cannot sit there–,” 

“Son?” An elderly voice seems taken aback, he pauses looking up at the old lady.

“I’m so sorry I thought you were someone else, please, sit.” He shifts his things from the table making space for her.

Your laughter finds his ears, he turns to you, sitting to his left. 

“Dear?” The old woman looks at Bucky, “My husband would be joining me soon. Will you join that young woman, she has an empty seat?” 

“I don’t think she would–,”

“Excuse me, young lady?” She cuts him off by looking towards you. .

You look at the old woman waving her hand to catch your attention. 

“Yes?” You ask, looking at her with a smile.

“My husband will be joining me, and I can’t move too much once I sit, would it be alright for this young gentleman to join you?” She requests, you look at Bucky with a shit eating grin.

“Of course.” You say a tad too cheerily. 

Bucky rolls his eyes, getting up and taking the seat opposite to yours.

“Thank you.” The lady smiles and then her husband joins her, kissing her forehead before sitting down and handing her a book.

Bucky’s gaze shifts to you as you pick a book from your pile, then he frowns noticing your ring is gone. You peek from the top of your book at him, finding his gaze fixated on your left hand.

“It’s in a necklace,” You show him the chain that harbours the ring, “Kneading dough batches so..” Your gaze falls to his empty hand.

He reveals the same necklace fix he did, “Gym.” is his one-word reason.

Silence takes over the two of you again and Bucky reads, you look back into your book. The main male character is talk, slightly grumpy and blue eyed, nope.

You switch the books, okay this one has green eyes okay, sleeve tattoo. Nope. 

Bucky watches you bemused huffing and switching books after ten to fifteen minutes of reading. When you look up he looks back down at his own book. 

He hears you huff in frustration, you switch your book again. 

This book better have a guy who does not remind you of James Barnes or so help you god. You begin reading satisfied that the guy is the opposite of Bucky in physical reminders. 

Brown eyes, taller than the female lead, no tattoos, no hair that is sort of long and frames his face in a way that is both groomed well or looks effortlessly messy but good. You peek up, Bucky’s bicep bulges as he runs a hand through his hair, licking his bottom lip as he reads. 

What was the male lead doing in your book? 

You look back down, then the words ‘pulled her into the shower’ cloud your vision. The next scene in the book has you shift around in your seat, the way they move, the way the male lead speaks to her, with such need but control, praise and husky whispers. 

On the brink of him losing into her, you clear your parched throat. 

Shifting again, skin heating as the scene progresses.  

Bucky looks back up at you, you’re constantly shifting in his peripheral vision. It is getting annoying but then his eyes study you. 

Your breathing rate is elevated, your lips bitten, oh, your knee bumps against his own as your thighs clench. 

He smirks, then takes his phone out to search for the book. You don’t even notice his absence as he returns with the very same book. 

You don’t notice as he reads it with so much intrigue. You exhale finally as the two chapter sex scene ends and the book is still in the first five chapters. You’re in for a ride. 

“So did you like the move he made on page thirty five?” Bucky’s voice is like ice cold water to your heated skin. 

“What?” You look up and catch sight of the book in his hands,“Why are you reading—,” 

“I found the summary appealing.” He shrugs, cutting you off, “Now did you like that or what was it that had you squirming in your seat?” He turns through the pages, long, thick digits, featherlike over the page you almost envy the book. 

“I don’t think you need to know.” You snatch the book out of his hands, “Why don’t you read the other book, Mr. Fiance.” 

He chuckles, “So easy to get under your skin, Ms. Fiancé.” picking his original read again. 

He has to bite his own tongue, the female lead in his book now moves closer to the male lead. His brain recalls the way your skin feels, the way your scent drowned him and he didn’t want to reach for the surface. 

Bucky finds his blood rushing somewhere other than his brain, because all his brain can think of is the feel of your fingers on his jaw, how you would look perched on his lap, face to face with him and how it would be to have your lips within reach. 

He shuts the book, placing it with a thud on the table. You look up then shrug looking back down. 

Bucky clenches his jaw. What the fuck was wrong with his brain?  

He is not supposed to harbour these old thoughts, they stopped six years ago.

Six Years Ago.

Bucky finds himself drawn to you. In any room he can find you, and when he does your gaze finds him. It might be creepy the way he searches for you. It might sound ridiculous but he feels as though the two of you are drawn to each other like magnets. 

You sneak a glance at him, he watches that pretty grin of yours take over your face. Wanda says something to you and you meet his eyes with your mesmerising ones. 

Then you smile, Bucky’s own lips lift in the slightest and then Brock opens his mouth and taps his shoulder. 

“Yo Barnes, who are you gonna tap tonight?” Rumlow sniggers. 

“Act a little mature aren’t you a company owner now?” Bucky shakes his head, taking a sip of his drink. 

“Oh come on, I know Quentin already has his sights set on a girl, tell me who is it for you? Steve’s a lovesick puppy for Wanda so it ain’t your best friend’s girl.” Brock turns watching the area for anyone he could guess would be Bucky’s interest. 

The man being questioned watches you head to the kitchen, his feet move, pulling him towards you. Today, today, he would finally ask you out. Enough mirror practices, enough asking Steve about you. 

You’re giving Wanda two pieces of whatever you’ve baked. He can feel the comforting aroma of chocolate wrap around him. 

Wanda leaves, giving him a knowing grin and she gives you another glance. 

Then you ask him with nervousness if he’d like a piece. You give him his favourite corner piece.

Then, Brock enters, breaking the damn moment. 

Then, Sharon wants you. 

He clicks his tongue irritated. 

He watches you leave then takes a bite of the brownies, he moans at the melting taste. 

“Geez control yourself, it's not that great.” Brock rolls his eyes, then himself takes a bite and hums in delight. 

“Right, control yourself Brock.” Bucky quips mouth full with another piece. Holy fuck he wants to kiss your hands and your forehead. 

“I think I’m going to ask her.” Bucky mutters out loud, his taste buds humming in delight. 

“Ask her for the recipe?” Brock wonders, watching him. 

Bucky shakes his head, “Man I can’t bake for shit, I wouldn’t even want to, I want to ask her out. She’s the one that has my attention.” 

“You want to fuck, Y/N?” He asks in disbelief. 

“No, I want to take her out on a date.” Bucky states, “Why do something short term when I want to have long term things?” Bucky thinks it's the brownies making him speak to Rumlow so openly. 

Rumlow nods, “Uh huh.” Then he retreats from the kitchen. 

Bucky eats another piece, winces as the box is almost empty. 

Tough luck for the others. 

As he steps out, he finds Quentin Beck intently conversing with you. Bucky scowls, that man is a second rate human being with zero morals and then you look up at Bucky, as if you will find answers from him. 

He notes that you seem confused, shit he’s scowling, when he looks back at you after looking away. You’re already speaking to Quentin again. 

Bucky heads outside through the back door, needing to gather his thoughts, he would ask you tonight. He’s not going to let the chance go.

Present.

Bucky taps his card against the machine, it whirrs printing the receipt for the croissant and coffee. Why was his mind bringing back old memories he doesn’t understand? However, it reminds him why he shouldn’t daydream or think about your lips. 

That entire night was proof that he was better off without you being his actual partner. It changed his entire perspective about you. The way Wanda and Steve painted you to be this amazing person, this sweet, caring soul? Bullshit. 

Even now you fooled the old lady just to get back at him. With your stupid sunshine smile and your stupid happy all the time attitude and your stupid lips that are so soft he just wants to feel them on his mouth. Or that stupid needy sigh that wants him to be the one to coax all the possible sweet sounds from your mouth.

He really should have a better word than ‘stupid’ to describe his disdain. 

He moves to the pick up counter, shaking his head. Out of sheer stupid curiosity, he wants to check in on you. 

‘You really need a new word, Barnes.’ He mutters.

“Talking to yourself?” You chuckle from beside him, picking the juice bottle from the fridge near him.

“I do enjoy my own company.” He answers, leaning against the counter.

“I never doubted that, you do have a big enough ego.” You pat his arm.

“Really? I felt I didn’t have enough space to accommodate mine with your ego right there, sunshine.” He smirks when your face puckers.

You scoff, choosing to ignore him to look at the food section, only to find it empty. 

“I’m sorry we’re out of food items Ma’am. Sir, your order.” The server walks over with Bucky’s order tray.

“Thank you.” Bucky takes the tray.

“Oh that's okay. I’ll just have this,” You hand over the bottle for it to be scanned. 

Bucky makes his way back to the table, confusion laces him as your things are on the table where the elderly couple were sitting and not opposite to him. He places the tray down, taking a sip of his drink. 

You return with your drink, wordlessly taking a seat, away from him. 

The crowd dwindled now, most of the seats empty. 

“Did you like the scene? When she straddles his lap just after his shower and chases the stray water droplet with her tongue?” Your voice has a sultry edge, Bucky sputters his coffee. 

Wiping his mouth with a tissue he looks up at you. 

“You read my book.” He accuses.

“I got my own copy.” You hold it up. 

“So tell me, the post shower scene or ooh, ‘she sat right next to me, her body heat radiating against mine, if her hand on my thigh moved any higher she would know how even the mere presence of her has me aching, wanton, needy to have her—,’”

“Okay that’s enough.” He snatches the book out of your hands. 

You giggle, taking a sip of your juice. 

Bucky shoves the book into his pile, as he’s eating the croissant you watch for his response to it, you knew it was a chocolate filled one.  

His blue eyes close, he hums slightly setting it down. Your gaze finds the stray smear of chocolate at the corner of his lips. 

Bucky picks his book back up moving through it with his left hand. Continuing to eat his croissant at regular intervals. 

You wonder if that night you waited for his reaction or if it was good you left. You get back to your book as well, the past had already haunted you enough because of Quentin. 

Six Years Ago. 

Quentin listens intently and you hear him go on and on about the project with Brock that was picked up by an investor and now on their way to make their first million. 

Your eyes scan the room for Bucky but you don’t find him. Once the conversation with Quentin dwindles to the five minute mark you excuse yourself to go to the bathroom but you find yourself shutting the door because Wanda and Steve forgot to lock it while making out. 

Heading to the kitchen you find the brownie box almost empty. You smile heading to retrieve a bottle of water. 

“Hey so what do you think of Quentin?” Sharon startles you.

“Oh um, he seems nice… Have you seen Bucky?” You ask and she frowns.

“Why do you want to see him?” she gives you a disapproving look.

“I just wanted to know if he liked the brownies… and, um,” Your cheeks heat again, “I sort of wanted to ask him out.”

“Oh sweetie, he, I don’t even know if I should tell you, Brock was here when he had them and he saw you talking to Quentin…” Sharon reaches out to touch your arm, sympathy laces her tone, “Brock told me, that Bucky said and I quote, ‘Of course she would need to leech off of a rich guy. The baking skills will take her nowhere.’” 

“He-He what?” You can’t believe it, but the scowl on his face combined with this, your heart sinks. 

“I’m sorry babe.” She frowns, rubbing your arm again, “but hey, at-least Quentin thinks you’re amazing.” 

“I, I, think I need some air.” You mutter gently moving her arm away and stepping towards the back porch, away from the noise.

Present. 

Bucky’s done with his little meal, the coffee cup empty, he lifts his gaze to you. You've been staring at the same page for over a minute. He shrugs, he’s not responsible to ask you where your mind is, he sure as hell doesn’t care. 

Checking the time he gathers his things, the books he wants to purchase in one hand and the ones he will place back in the other. 

You bring yourself back to the present, finding yourself on the same page, a small peek towards Bucky; you see him walk away. You don’t feel bad about his lack of interest in speaking to you. It used to hurt initially but now it was just routine.

You look back into the book, finding the male character arranging a sweet date for the female character based on something she mentioned in passing. Yeah, he’s your book boyfriend now, smiling to yourself you continue reading.

Bucky finds his steps feel as though they are going through muck. Slowed down and unwilling to move forward as he walks to his car which is unsurprisingly parked a few spaces from yours, he settles in, looking back at the bookstore as you’re making your way out.

You’re busy texting on your phone, another work emergency was seeping in and you had to rush back home to your work laptop. The goddamn attachment won't open and more texts are coming in on the office group. Mindlessly you trace your path to your car.

Bucky was going to lose his mind, the parking lot is half empty, it's late and you’re distracted. He knew this place is safer and they have security cameras covering the lot but it wouldn’t hurt for you to be alert.

You run a frustrated hand over your hair, unlocking your car and settling inside. The light in the car shows Bucky your head bagging against the steering wheel. Then you hit the steering wheel. 

Then you look up to the roof of the car, the automatic light turns off, not before he notices your tears.

Six Years Ago.

Bucky spies you leaving the area looking almost at the brink of tears. You wipe a stray few away. His hardened gaze moves to Quentin. Before he can find his way to you, a hand blocks him. He follows the arm to Brock.

“What?” He questions.

“Don’t man, I’m looking out for you.” Brock says with concern, Bucky watches him.

“Why not?” 

“She isn’t a girl you want to deal with…” Brock lets the sentence hang.

“I just want to tell her about the brownies.” Something about this doesn’t sit right with Bucky.

“Man, I told her about you loving them so much you ate the entire batch almost. She,” Brock pauses as if to gather himself, “she said she was surprised you knew and understood decadent and rich flavours given your financial upbringing.” Brock’s last sentence rings in Bucky’s ears.

His upbringing was difficult, mother and father working to the bone to provide, he worked hard for his scholarships and worked part time as well to build a better life for all of them, Becca took up tutoring as well. It was not an unknown fact but to think you said that then sought out one of the only other rich men at the party? 

Bucky’s jaw sets, his concerned gaze towards you melts into an iced glare. 

“You okay?” Brock questions him.

“I need to be alone, I’m going into Steve’s room.” He mutters, moving to the staircase.

Watching Quentin open the sliding door to the back and smile at you.

Present. 

Bucky often wonders what would have happened if he confronted you. Told you off about speaking that way about his financial situation. Sometimes he wonders if you got the rich life you wanted with Quentin, judging by what he heard about it being a gruesome break up from Steve. 

You must have sobbed at the loss of a chance at a Black Amex Card. 

Switching the ignition on and moving gears he pulls out of the lot even while you remain there. He shoves down the reminiscing emotion that once wanted you for himself. That sometimes wonders and wishes to know what could have been? 

The thought lingers unfortunately more than the required or stipulated time he allocates for stray thoughts to take over. 

Well into his work day as well, then it comes crashing down. Pathetically. 

“Barnes! You son of a bitch!” John cheers walking into the communal kitchen and eating space. 

Bucky places his lunch in the microwave. 

“Yes, Walker?” Bucky looks at the man.

“You didn’t tell us!” John states, then Bucky notices the other staff members. Lemar, Jimmy Woo, Darcy Lewis and Monica Rambaue all look at him with giggy smiles. 

“I’m confident you all got the memo of the merger proposal this morning?” Bucky glances at all of them. 

“You little sneaky boy, show me the ring!” Darcy surges forward. 

Oh. Oh fuck no. 

“H-how the fuck?” His eyes widened. 

“Lemar saw the two of you calling each other Mr and Ms. Fiancé.” John explains, clapping his hand on Bucky’s back. 

“Also saw them wear their rings like necklaces, great hack man.” Lemar commends. 

“Who is she!” Darcy grabs his hand, the two of them started as junior position holders and make a cut throat team at Kamal. 

“Why is this relevant?” Bucky wishes the microwave would just be done. 

“Oh come on, you got engaged and we don’t even know? I demand a picture.” She insisted again. 

“Don’t push him.” Monica chastises. 

“Where was this enthusiasm when I wanted to show my baby’s pictures?” Jimmy questions. 

“Jimmy, you show us three hundred versions of the same picture of your cute baby, this is Barnes’ girl.” John rolls his eyes. 

“If I show you her picture will you back off?” Bucky reluctantly grabs his phone. 

“Yes; but we want to know when, how, her name, her job.” Darcy counts off on her fingers looking at everyone. 

“Yep, then you get to eat your meal.” Lemar chuckles as Bucky shoots him a glare. 

He opens the folder that had the polaroids scanned. He opens the one that is a selfie. All of them coo and John whistles. 

“Damn Barnes, lucked out.” He commends. 

Bucky holds back an eye roll , “Six months ago,”

“You got engaged six months ago and told none of us? You didn’t tell Yusuf!?” Darcy swats his arm. 

“Well I’m private and—,” 

“And Barnes won’t conjure up a family to get in the Boss’ good graces like someone did.” Jimmy interjects and all eyes shift to John. 

“What? Okay I just wanted an in, all of you thought about it at one point.” John raises his hands in disbelief when no one agrees. 

“More information, Barnes.” Darcy demands. 

“Six months engaged, we fell in love, her name is Y/N, she works in web design but she also bakes.” Bucky tucks his phone back and the microwave beeps, he leaves the area to the solace of his office. 

He hoped nobody would blab to Yusuf. He’d admit to his boss. 

Right. Admit to his family oriented man of a Boss he is in a fake engagement. With a woman he hates more than anything. 

Bucky runs a hand through his hair, the worrying gesture resulting in a few pieces of his hair falling forward. Why the fuck did you have to come to his bookstore?

The stupid ring, he takes it out of the necklace and slips it on. 

The stupid, stupid, stupid—

“Son, when I gave you that advice I didn’t realise you were engaged.” Yusuf’s voice greets him. 

Bucky will end whoever blabbed. 

“Sir, I—,”

“You should have told me.” Yusuf chuckles, “I might have been pushy, I understand.” 

“No, I just, her family isn’t on good terms with her so we didn’t want information going out too much, they don’t really approve of a lot of things.” Can Bucky shut up?

“Oh, that is saddening to hear, I usually don’t pay attention but the kitchen was filled with chatter. I hope you are happy, James.” Yusuf moves a hand forward, Bucky grasps it. 

“Be sure to check your email, the work plus family dinner is this weekend, I insist you bring your fiancé. Oh and it is a sort of potluck, my wife cooks wonderfully but I insist she not worry about feeding several people.” Yusuf grins, Bucky nods. 

“We can take care of dessert. My fiancé, she bakes, I’ll have her pay attention to have it absolutely Halal.” Bucky adds, that's it, he’s going to do cardio at the gym. That is his punishment for not shutting his fucking mouth. 

“That is kind of you, I look forward to meeting the soul who has captured my best investment banker’s heart.” He chuckles, “I’ll leave you to your meal, give my regards to the to be missus.” 

Yusuf steps out Bucky deflates, oh fucking hell. 

“Okay I can have that—-,”

“No, you will not ‘can have’ I want it done now.” Your boss cuts off your team member. 

“Ma’am, please we’re already trying to put out fires, the code isn’t working we need time to rewrite.” You defend. 

“Are all of you incompetent? What the hell do I pay you for? You work from home. Honestly, Y/N stop your stupid baking and focus on the work that actualy pays yours bills.” She scoffs. 

There is a momentary silence engulfing the zoom meeting. 

You grip the edge of your chair. Pressing into the wood. 

“I, we can have a brainstorming session.” You offer, trying to not let the words hurt you. Not like you haven’t heard them before. 

“Finally some fucking work.” Your boss rolls her eyes. 

“You can’t speak that way.” Yelena, the newest recruit, pipes up. 

“Newbie, quiet.” Your team member glares at the webcam. 

“Glaring at the webcam means you’re glaring at everyone, including the boss.” Yelena sniggers, you press your lips into a thin line, trying not to laugh. 

“Oh dear god, are any of you competent?” Your boss is taking a deep breath meaning there is a rant incoming, there is knocking at your door, you frown it’s six thirty PM. 

Shutting off your camera you carry the laptop to the door; setting it on the little table. 

Bucky stands there at your doorstep, “I need to talk to you.” He states. 

“Oh for the love of God, are you doing your stupid fucking baking get on your damn webcam, I want this stupid website fixed today or so help me god I will hire a new team!” Your boss yells, you open the door gesture for Bucky to get inside. 

Quickly making your way back to the couch you re-allow the camera access. Bucky walks in, he keeps his distance sitting away from you on the couch. 

“I lost connectivity so I had to shut the camera, we will work on it I assure you, but we need to speak to the client to understand what is the main problem—,”

“The main problem is the website your team designed is failing.” She groans, rubbing her temples. 

“Okay so we re-work the coding, Maria—,”

“Oh no no you all are writing a new code from scratch.” The boss roars, cutting another team member off. 

You wince, Bucky frowns at your laptop. Your boss is horrible. 

“We cannot come up with one from scratch. It will take us longer to get back to the client.” You pipe up in defence.

“Listen up, I don’t need you to tell me how to do this, I need you to follow and what would you know–,” Her voice gets cut off.

“Oh, oh we can’t hear you.” Yelena looks concerned, “oh no, your mute button isn’t working? Maybe you should restart your device.” She advises.

Your boss is frustrated, she slams her laptop shut, leaving the meeting. 

“Is she always this crazy?” Yelena questions after shutting the record meeting button.

“You have no idea.” Maria rolls her eyes.

“I think we need to go over her head and look at the code.” You press, they all give their agreements.

“Nice going kicking her off.” Maria laughs, the conversation begins to flow to something else, you mute yourself then look up at Bucky. His gaze on you.

“Sorry about that, what did you want to discuss?” You ask, lowering the volume of their chatter.

“Your boss is crappy.” He states, not knowing how to broach this subject.

“Yes.” You agree, waiting for him.

You reach over offering a bottle of water from the side table.

“Look, my colleague saw us last night, at the bookstore.” Bucky begins speaking as he turns the ring over his finger.

“Oh, um, did you want me to clarify it’s nothing?” You ask, maybe this was someone he wanted to date.

“No, the opposite actually.” He meets your eyes.

“I don’t think I follow…” 

“The entire office knows that I am engaged, my Boss is a big family person and invites family oriented people to this sort of potluck dinner every month. He invited us.” He exhales.

“You want to lie to your Boss?” You raise a brow.

“We’re lying per se, this is just another person.” Bucky shrugs.

“Okay.” You look back at the screen, nothing is really going on, everyone is on mute on their phones.

“You’re in agreement?” He sounds baffled.

“This is important for you right?” You look back at him.

“Yes.” He nods as well.

“Then I’ll help.” You shrug, “It’s a potluck right? I presume you want to take a dessert item?”

“They eat only Halal.” He says, you nod.

“Just tell me the number of people I’ll have the mini cakes I made for your family and a list of allergies as well. I don’t use anything Non-halal so I don’t need to alter recipes.” You explain, entering the date into your phone with a reminder.

“I’ll pay you for the cakes.” He says, you shoot him a glare.

“You aren’t paying me for them.” You warn, your boss returns and everyone joins in faces morphing into worry.

You press unmute to hopefully block the rain of fire.

“Don’t be stubborn Y/N, just take the damn money.” Bucky says, your hand pauses over the keyboard.

“Who is that?” Your boss questions.

You close your eyes, trying not to freak out. Bucky runs a hand over his tired face.

“Are you in cahoots with another company? I will fire you.” Your boss warns.

“I am not in cahoots with anyone, that is my fiancé.” You might as well go in the ditch further in which Steve and Wanda threw you.

“I don’t buy it, show me your ring and your fiancé.” Your boss demands.

“He’s camera shy.” You defend, Bucky rolls his eyes moving over next to you.

“Oh my.” Maria fans herself.

“Okay, how did you land him? I want to know.” Yelena scrunches her nose, laughing.

You purse your lips, 

“Well as you can see, I am not camera shy, I was on my way out and disturbed her unfortunately.” Bucky wraps his arm around your waist, pulling you flush against his side.

“James.” Your eyes widen at his antics.

“It’s okay.” He gazes down at you, intently into your eyes.

His tongue peeks out, moving over his bottom lip. Your lips part with a soft exhale.

His eyes move down to your lips, then back up to your eyes.

Your palm wrapped around his wrist, he raises his hand, the strand of hair against your temple pushed back.

“So much better than the shitty movie I saw last night.” Yelena breaks your moment.

Bucky shifts, you move out of his grasp. He stands, his palms forming fists. Get a grip. He warns himself heading into the kitchen.

You clear your throat, “As I was saying, I think we can do the code thing.” 

“Right,” Your boss’ eyes bounce between the two of you, “Let's push this to tomorrow.” 

Everyone wholeheartedly agrees, the meeting ends before you can even process anything.

“Okay. Tip for next time Mr. Fiancé, you don’t need to be all knight in shining armour.” You speak moving to the kitchen, walking towards him, hand grabbing his arm. 

Bucky takes steps towards you. You move back and your back is against the fridge. 

He gazes down at you, his blue eyes darkened as he searches for something within your gaze.

Bucky’s hands hesitantly rest on your waist, your fingers wrap around his wrists. His jaw tightens, he supinates his forearms, your wrists now in his large palms, raised above your head.

Your breath hitches further, his face mere inches from yours, his thigh between your legs. 

You meet his gaze, swallowing, with your heart hammering in your ribcage. You slowly realise a part of you wants to know how his lips feel against yours, once again. His breath fans across your face, hints of mint lingering. 

“De ce devii din nou raza mea de soare? (why are you becoming my ray of sunshine again?)” His deep voice wraps around you, the words unknown but it sounds as though he has asked you a question. His forehead rests against yours but only fleetingly.

Warm hands leave yours, you support yourself against the fridge as Bucky leaves your apartment with a soft click of your door.

Everything from six years ago crashes into you, the watching each other from afar, the being forced to do activities so that Steve and Wanda could hang out. The way you saw his smile for the first time when you cracked a stupid joke to Wanda but she didn’t laugh only he did, the way your heart hoped and hoped for Bucky to look at you as someone worth something more than friends. 

The way he broke your heart without saying anything to your face.  

A.N: please let me know what you think! thank you for reading!!

tagging: @slutforsexyseabass @elle14-blog1 @sxnshinebxcky @sebsgirl71479 @pandaxnienke @stevesmewmew @tfandtws @povlvr @tanyaspartak  @maggiejackson3  @brodymarx @stickyjudgeturtleghost (strikedthrough if unable to be tagged)

taglist open!!

[brazilspill]

Lol retard imagine thinking anyone cares about you're retarded monkey ass culture that gave the world such innovations as the "Brazilian butt lift". Imagine living in a "country" renowned for its tranny prostitutes

If we're monkeys we're some damn smart monkeys, seeing as we've invented

Chest photofluorography for screening for tuberculosis

The Jatene procedure for arterial switch operation (a type of open heart surgery)

The first scorpion and spider antivenoms (in 1908 and 1925)

Caller ID

The wristwatch

Phone cards for payphones

Voting machines

Radiography (x-ray images)

Rice strainer

The Kinect for X-Box

3D cinema

The artificial heart

The most green light bulb in history

Havaianas flip flops

Automatic transmission

Typewriters

The solar bottle bulb

The first radio transmission

Two kinds of martial art (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira)

The portable stereo cassette player

The Walkman

Hot air balloons

The first plane able to do unaided takeoff and flight (the Wright brother's plane needed a catapult)

Brain-Machine Interfaces

and discovered

The pathogen, vector, host, clinical manifestations and epidemiology for Chagas disease

The pathogen for epidemic typhus

The disease cycle for bilharzia

What about you? what have you invented?

Or are you not as smart as us monkeys?

[roxannarambles]

Also have been working on some headcanons for Juliana and Nemona's teams during the main part of the game! This is their team configuration at the time of the Ace Academy Tournament.

Notes:

* Treating 'After the Rain' as canon, where Juliana chooses Fuecoco/Nemona chooses Sprigatito/Naranja Academy is the school/Koraidon is the ride/etc

* I 'ditched' Juliana's Skeledirge, but don't be sad (this seems to truly upset people). People catch new pokemon and change up their teams all the time, it doesn't mean their other pokemon rot in boxes. Once Juliana lost at Larry's gym she decided she needed more team diversity

* Juliana's Volcarona is Tera Grass once she collects enough shards (so she can give Nemona's Palafin a nasty surprise with Power Herb Solar Beam)

* Nemona caught the Flutter Mane when they visited Area Zero. Before Flutter Mane she had a Dragapult as her special attacker

* This is Nemona's team she raised alongside Juliana of course, her 'A Team' that she first used to defeat the gyms/E4 is seperate. She mentions in-game that her original team did not include one of the starters so I headcanon her ace was Ceruledge. She also canonically owns a Tauros (opening cutscene in the game) and a Cyclizar (Biri Biri Music Video if you treat as canon, which I do because who wouldn't ✨)

* Nemona was re-challenging the gyms with this new team of hers (people seem to forget this is why she's showing up at the gyms when we go to them). But I like to think she also eventually took this team to re-challenge the E4, in part because Geeta sent her in her sted to 'assess' them (like we did for the gym leaders) but also just for kicks

* Moves, pokemon, items and other things are switched up over the course of the game as they both keep facing one another and learning about each other's team and trying to continuously predict the other, try new things, catch the other off guard, etc.

* Their favorite pokemon on these teams: Juliana's favorite is Gengar, Nemona's is Pawmot, they hang out the most with them. Juliana's oldest poke on this team is her Corviknight, she caught Rookidee on Rt 1 whereas Nemona caught Fletchling on Poco Path, so they're pretty attached to those too

[fair-night-starry-tears]

Fuck it. Original horror au story time!

- Yuu and Amity will not the mc for this

- Yuuto getting the boot

- srs someone go save him

——————————————————————————

It was a stormy day. A cold and vicious time where it was almost night. Three siblings and extra friends arrived to an empty house, sitting so calmly on a small hill. It was dark, empty, and abandoned. The building looked like a manor that was evacuated. The group started to chuckle, as only one of them will enter and the rest will return home and wait if the challenge is completed. The challenge was simple, their friend/Yuuto, must survive a whole month in the abandoned building. If he does, then one of the group members will pass Yuuto 10k in cash up front. If he doesn’t complete it, he will be deemed a coward for the rest of high school.

Yuuto, being stubborn, took this challenge. Bringing his own supplies to last him a month. He had picked the locked and entered inside, starting the challenge as swiftly as he could. With the others laughing, and his two siblings filled with worried. They never heard of the building, nor its residents. Yuu spoke what would happen if Yuuto was injured, and one calmly replied this place was empty when they first entered. And even double checked as well. Plus, Yuuto carries around a switch blade and first aid equipment. So they cannot worry for him. The group return home. As Yuuto watched everyone through the dusty blurry windows, and explores the house. He had brought some solar power bank for the day, and some games and novels to read at his spare time. Along extra food and a cooler to keep his meals fresh. But he did wondered who the hell used to live there. He noted a few rooms, one was a single bedroom with a large bed, he commented it could be a king size bed for some married couple. Then moved forward around, and notice an empty bedroom of the theme of a goth girl Lolita style. He comments this room is clearly for a teenager girl, as he can comment no child would want faux skull into their room. Unless it’s fake and bleached. He kept exploring until he discovered the basement and attic, he grabbed his phone and turned the flashlight on. Checking the basement first, noting it was old and surrounded in cobwebs. He sighed and looked around, but he was fumbled with confusion. There was boxes but the identities of the person in the house was no where to be found, not even portraits or paintings of them. He climbed down and checked the basement. All he found was a makeshift bomb shelter and extra supplies of canned food which is still fresh for years.

The boy mumbled a curse to himself and decided to head up, but the foundation of the stairs was so bad that it broke at his weight and he fell down. Knocking his head badly and he laid on the ground unconscious. It felt like a daze, as Yuuto visioned had faded until it all goes to black.

It must’ve been an hour or more, because Yuuto woke up with a sore headache and a broken arm. He believed he got lucky to be alive, and headed up stairs more carefully. But he noticed the sky was much darker and his solar power bank is at the max capacity. He charged his devices and started to make his head. But he heard someone talking outside. He checked the windows, and realize the sky was indeed dark. But he noticed that the sky was a dark purple with blue. When the usual night is pitch black. He decided to exit the building. Then realize his surroundings. The garden looks well tended, and the floor boards look so new. He thought he must’ve been dreaming of being sent back to the past of the building. But he wondered, could he stay and meet the residents? Or explore? It was night. And knowing his siblings and friends. They would be asleep. But he must follow the challenge, and return inside. Then, he was hit with a wave of changes. As the interior had suddenly changed to a new furnished home. He checked everywhere, and saw the entire place have been neatly cleaned and clearly felt new. Yuuto swore things were different, then ran upstairs to the king size bedroom to watch the town. What Yuuto never believed, was he saw the town down the hill looked much different. It looked, so old yet sophisticated. Almost like a normal village from his siblings old story books but clearly a bit modern with technology. He thought he had died and been isekai’d there. But if he did, then why does the house remain the same? He decided to hell with it, and venture out. Taking a new notice to the town, as everyone looked more. Beautiful, glowing, and well. Fantasy like. He felt out of place, but noticed all the stores have different writings and new imports. That’s when he stopped when someone shouted for him. Pausing as he glance back to be faced with a beautiful boy with blonde hair and purple tints, but for some reason. He felt tired. And fainted. The headache didn’t healed properly. So the boy awaken later to an hour in a different house. It seems the beautiful boy had taken him to his house. When the two interacted, he apologized to the boy whom he knows as Vil Schoenheit. And said he must return to the house he was in. When the boy describes it, Vil froze. And asked it again. Yuuto explained, then Vil stir the question and wish Yuuto luck. Because he will need it later.

Wishing the boy luck, as Yuuto returned home to the peaceful house on the hill. With Vil watching from behind. Closing the door as Vil mumbled something under his breath. And truly meant it that Yuuto will need luck.

——————————————————————————

- Omfg FINALLY

- NO I WONT FURTHER WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YUUTO

@adrianasunderworld @mangacupcake @writing-heiress @the-weirdos-mind @skboba-stars @nproduction626 @rose-tea-and-strawberries @anxious-twisted-vampire @yukii0nna @achy-boo @abyssthing198

[retranscriptions]

2107/02/18

Today I went to the Melting Plant, brought all the guns we got in the drop box. It was a lot, even heavier than the first day of the program.

To be completely honest I never thought that many people would participate when it was announced... I mean yeah it was 800$ for every single gun you'd bring, but after the president terminated their gun manufacturers contracts the air was dense. Everyone started to prepare for a civil war.

And there were discussions in every single city, for months, the media was full of experts talking about guns, their impact on human interaction, the need to build trust between the people and their government. And even though conspirationists can't really be stopped, the amount of live fact checking and moderation online really did its part. Then, on February 29th 2100, the Government destroyed their military weapons. Publicly. It was live streamed everywhere, and instead of burning the man, they burned guns, tanks, grenades. Smoke swallowed up by the hangar's vents and processed into building materials.

The year after, they built the first melting plant in Texas, after years of struggle to make them vote for it. And it was like something had switched, it was becoming rare to see guns in poorer parts of the city, people were buying guns for cheap at Walmart and selling it to the government, and since it was not taxable revenue, poor people started to buy houses, or renovate theirs. And yeah Walmart tried to raise their prices... but the government responded by placing a 1% profit cap on weapons, so it wasn't profitable to sell them anymore. Same thing with buying in bulk, it wasn't possible anymore, you had to buy a gun with your license, placed on a database which would check how many guns you had in your procession, and if you had more than 2, you couldn't buy more unless you brought them to the melting plant to be destroyed.

In 2102 cops finally got rid of their guns entirely, now using what Japan and the UK were using for decades, Taiho-jutsu and tasers, shields and basic communication skills. Finally american police were being trained. And it was a success frankly, cops were less explosive, they now knew how to defend themselves with their body, and were celebrated when they didn't hurt the person during an arrest. Things changed, suddenly people were interacting with cops without the fear of being shot.

A lot of people died that year. Well, less than the previous year, but still a lot, especially compared to now. There was a protest, people complaining about their second amendment right, but there were so few people... It was kind of funny actually, like the last cough of a dying petrol car. But there was no media coverage, nobody talked about it, so it didn't happen again. People were feeling better going to the grocery store knowing they won't see any guns there anymore. And apart from the few people desperate to keep their weapons enough to hurt someone... The transition was obvious. Even movies started to portray guns as barbaric and foolish, and we slowly realized they were. Nobody needs a machine that can kill dozens of people in a few seconds.

Damn that was a whole tangent... Anyway yeah we made $57600 today, and that'll pay for the whole community solar panels.

Life is getting better and better.

[orcboxer]

i've never gotten in a fight before, what's it like to get punched in earnest?

It depends! How hard the punch is and where the punch lands are the main factors. Also, everyone is built different, so my experience won't be quite the same as someone else's, but if you're curious here's mine:

If you got your guard up and take a hit to your arms, it stings but it ain't bad at all really. Same for anything padded with muscle like the chest or thigh or back. Like unless it hits the funny bone or some other weird nerve, it's just whatever imo.

Getting punched in the solar plexus can hurt like hell and knock the wind outta you, but if you keep your abdominals tensed it really reduces the damage of the blow, and makes a lot of body shots feel like nothin. Still gotta be careful about it though, obviously, a punch to the gut is way better than a punch to the solar plexus, but yeah. Surprisingly I've never had a broken rib but I expect that would hurt like hell too so just keep your guard up and stay mobile and hopefully you just never have to worry bout it lmao.

A punch to the face is complicated. The nose and temple are the worst, in my experience, the pain being immediate and sharp. The nose is sensitive and bleeds a lot, it's annoying.

When I've been punched in the cheek, jaw, or eye (which obviously fucks up yer vision), the pain wasn't immediate, it took a few seconds, by which point the adrenaline kicked in. The first punch to the face typically stuns you, there's a moment of shock especially if you weren't expecting it, and for me it was surprisingly less painful than I expected, which I'm sure hasn't been everyone's experience, but you'll definitely be feelin it the next morning regardless.

Your mouth is filled with sharp rocks (teeth) so the first place you start bleeding is typically in there (wear a mouthguard), but when I'm wearing a mouthguard I don't even notice it until after the fight. With fighting as with sex, always always use protection. Not just mouthguard but hand-wraps too, you do not wanna fight with unwrapped fists, you'll fuck up your hands so fast and it'll suck.

If you get punched at the right force and angle, you might start "seeing stars" which is where these little flecks of golden light drift around your vision like dust motes -- this indicates your brain got jostled. For me the headache hits in waves radiating from within, and like, the best way I can describe it is a "cold" pain, as opposed to the "hot" pain you get with like a cut on your skin.

Everyone is a little different in terms of how the adrenaline hits em. For me it's like this. Your brain is switching over to fight mode, where words don't exist, just movement. All communication sounds muffled, complex sentences are just noise, time feels like water, and you are bursting with energy. It's exhilarating, and for some folks, like me, it makes minor pain from punches somehow feel great, kinda feels like stretching out your muscles after a long car ride, it's hard to explain, but the function of that is that it makes it easier to shrug off blows and move confidently, which is important cuz bein afraid of gettin hit can be a huge hindrance.

The final factor is context. And this is a surprisingly important one. If we're talkin boxing or mma or just fighting with friends for fun, it's great and it hurts less. Especially with friends, they ain't gonna want to seriously injure you so overall it's just exhilarating and fun. I'll come out of a friendly match covered in bruises and glowing. But a serious fight, with hard feelings or actual danger, sucks, it hurts more and can be traumatic, so, as much as I love to pick fights, consent is everything.

I do genuinely recommend boxing or whatever other martial art really appeals to you, if that's ever somethin you're interested in. Not every gym is gonna be right for you, and some fights are gonna turn south unexpectedly, but for me the hobby itself has been really empowering (not counting these pandemic years, since I can't fight anyone) and, weirdly, it gives me gender euphoria lol. It ain't for everyone but I love it.

[slowmissiles]

Back in a former life, I had an addiction that I loved beyond sanity. Here’s the story of it. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 pt1 2009 pt2 2009 Redux

This is the final spec list for my glorious, insane Brutal Truth.

Nissan Skyline BCNR33 GT-R (Type 2) manufactured in April 1996. JDM non V-Spec vehicle retailed through Osaka Nissan Prince in May/June 1996. Imported to the UK in June 1997. Remained in original JDM spec without speedometer conversion until August 2002. Only the steering wheel & white dial sets were fitted in Japan.

Nismo RB26N1 bare engine: [N1 water pump (improved flow & less cavitation)/Reinforced cylinder block head bolt boss/Increased sump capacity (6L 20w60)/1.2mm oil restrictor]

N1 head with 0.5mm overbore (2598cc)

Cryogenically hardened N1 crankshaft

Wossner forged & cryogenically hardened pistons

Abbey Motorsport reinforced & cryogenically hardened con-rods

ACL Race Series conrod & crankshaft bearings

Tomei sump baffle kit

Tomei high flow (larger drive gears) oil pump

HKS 1.2mm metal head gasket

Tomei Procam Spec 2 cam kit (270 degree inlet & outlet with 10.25mm lift)

HKS V-Cam System Step 1 Type B (variable 248-278 degree inlet; replaces Procam inlet camshaft)

HKS vernier cam pulleys

HKS kevlar reinforced timing belt

Trust metal intake & throttle gaskets

HKS front pipe & decat gaskets

GReddy Iridium 08 Racing sparkplugs

Mocal 19-row oil cooler & Abbey Motorsport remote oil filter assembly

Abbey Motorsport catch tank & washer reservoir with SFS breather hoses

Abbey Motorsport Pro Alloy large radiator

Tomei fuel pump, fuel regulator & 600cc injectors

A’PEXi Power Intake induction kit

A’PEXi GT Spec intercooler (237x610x136mm) & hard pipe kit

HKS GT-SS turbos

HKS twin AFM delete kit

Tomei turbo elbows

HKS downpipes

HKS Silent Hi-Power exhaust

Abbey Motorsport 80mm decat pipe

Mine’s VX-ROM

HKS F-Con V Pro

HKS EVC 6 boost controller (1.6 bar)

AEM wideband lambda sensor

Splitfire DI Super Direct Ignition System

HKS Circle Earth kit

HKS GD Max twin-plate clutch (with lightened flywheel)

Abbey Motorsport rebuilt transfer box

Abbey Motorsport rebuilt gearbox with cryogenically hardened gear set, modified Nissan synchromesh upgrade and OS Giken strengthening plate

Abbey Motorsport rebuilt rear diff

Nismo gearbox mounts

Nismo Solid Shift gear stick (10% short shift)

Omex Shift Light Sequential

Sunsei SE-135 solar panel trickle charger mounted on a custom aluminium riser between the rear parcel shelf speaker enclosures.

Team Dynamics Equinox alloys 19x9.5, ET+15 in silver with polished stainless steel rim.

Falken FK452 265/30/19 Y-rated tyres

Cusco brake master cylinder brace

Cusco rear steering delete kit

Cusco front & rear upper suspension links

AST Sport Line 1 full suspension kit with UK spring setup

Nismo stainless steel braided brake hoses

StopTech 355mm rotor 4 pot caliper front brake kit

StopTech 355mm rotor 2 pot caliper rear brake kit with Abbey Motorsport modified pad retainers

Ferodo DS2500 brake pads front & rear

Bomex AD-390 front splitter

Nismo R34 smoked front indicators in custom aluminium mounting plates finished in crackle black

Nissan Xenon headlamp units

Border Racing Aero Fenders (vented front wings) with silver GT emblems from a R32 Skyline

Nismo smoked side repeaters

Top Mix one-off FRP twin blade rear spoiler on custom aluminium mounting plates

Entire exterior resprayed in BMW black (code 086) base and lacquer

Nissan Motorsport International carbon fibre B-pillar plates

PIAA carbon effect silicon wipers, front pair with spoilers, rear without

Nismo white face dial sets (dashboard & centre console) in carbon fibre panels

AEM AFR gauge mount replaces the lighter socket

HKS EVC display mounted on custom carbon fibre plate replacing the ashtray

Lighter socket relocated to the fog light switch panel

Nissan Momo steering wheel (with airbag)

Dressycar Nismo harness pads

Redline Automotive leather gearstick & handbrake gaiters

Abbey Motorsport carbon fibre door sill trims

Carbon fibre boot sill trim

Inlet plenum and sundry induction pipework finished in powder grey

Trust clear cam pulley cover

HKS Kansai Service carbon fibre spark plug cover

Right hand cam cover finished in crackle black

Nismo radiator & washer reservoir caps

HKS Kansai Service front strut brace finished in high gloss black

GReddy aluminium slam panel finished in crackle black

Tein bonnet dampers with black sleeves

Custom made one-off Cobra Misano Lux front seats: [Alcantara (colour code 9189) outers/Alcantara (colour code 9182) centre panels/One-piece carbon fibre backs/Sidewinder bases on custom subframes adapted by Abbey Motorsport/Cobra logo in silver thread on the headpads/GT-R logo beneath the grommets on seat backs]

JVC KD-AVX2 multi-media DVD/CD receiver with built-in 3.5” widescreen monitor

2x JL Audio Evolution VR600-CXi 6” speakers (front)

2x JL Audio Evolution TR650-CXi 6.5” speakers (rear)

Multiple and interlaced Thatcham rated security systems.

500 bhp. 520 ft/lb.

Ludicrously, hilariously, unbelievably fast.

Hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane with me. Cheers! JM.

(Photo by N. Liassides.)